australia tourism facts

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism industry in Australia - statistics & facts

Inbound tourism: the road to recovery, outbound tourism: top destinations and interests, domestic tourism: exploring their own backyard, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by country of residence

Number of outbound tourists from Australia FY 2023, by destination

Direct tourism GDP growth rate Australia FY 2006-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Number of visitors at Sydney Airport Australia Feb 2019-Dec 2023, by passenger type

Breakdown of hotels Sydney Australia 2023, by category

Number of domestic visitors Sydney, Australia FY 2014-2023, by type of trip

Recommended statistics

Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Australia 2013-2028
Basic Statistic Direct tourism GDP Australia FY 2006-2023
Basic Statistic Direct tourism GDP growth rate Australia FY 2006-2023
Basic Statistic Tourism contribution Australia FY 2023, by industry
Premium Statistic Tourism contribution Australia FY 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Number of tourism businesses Australia 2022, by type
Premium Statistic Tourism sector employment Australia FY 2022, by state and type

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Australia 2013-2028

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Australia from 2013 to 2028

Direct tourism GDP Australia FY 2006-2023

Direct tourism gross domestic product (GDP) in Australia from financial year 2006 to 2023 (in billion Australian dollars)

Growth of direct tourism gross domestic product (GDP) in Australia from financial year 2006 to 2023

Tourism contribution Australia FY 2023, by industry

Gross value added (GVA) of tourism in Australia in financial year 2023, by tourism related industry (in billion Australian dollars)

Tourism contribution Australia FY 2022, by state

Gross value added (GVA) of tourism in Australia in financial year 2022, by state (in billion Australian dollars)

Number of tourism businesses Australia 2022, by type

Number of businesses in the tourism sector in Australia as of June 2022, by type (in 1,000s)

Tourism sector employment Australia FY 2022, by state and type

Number of employees in the tourism sector in Australia in financial year 2022, by state and type (in 1,000s)

Inbound tourism

Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2010-2023
Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by country of residence
Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by state visited
Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by purpose of visit
Premium Statistic International visitor trip expenditure Australia FY 2010-2023
Premium Statistic International visitor trip expenditure Australia FY 2023, by country of residence

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2010-2023

Number of international visitor arrivals to Australia from financial year 2010 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of international visitor arrivals to Australia in financial year 2023, by country of residence (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by age group

Number of international visitor arrivals to Australia in financial year 2023, by age group (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by state visited

Number of international visitor arrivals to Australia in financial year 2023, by state visited (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by purpose of visit

Number of international visitor arrivals to Australia in financial year 2023, by purpose of visit (in 1,000s)

International visitor trip expenditure Australia FY 2010-2023

Total trip expenditure of international visitors in Australia from financial year 2010 to 2023 (in billion Australian dollars)

International visitor trip expenditure Australia FY 2023, by country of residence

Trip expenditure of international visitors to Australia in financial year 2023, by country of residence (in million Australian dollars)

Outbound tourism

Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourists from Australia FY 2006-2023
Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourists from Australia 2017-2024, by state of residence
Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourists from Australia FY 2023, by destination
Premium Statistic Outbound tourist trip expenditure FY 2019-2023
Premium Statistic Outbound tourist trip expenditure Australia FY 2023, by destination
Premium Statistic Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers Australia 2022
Premium Statistic Leading sport tourism experience interests of outbound travelers Australia 2022

Number of outbound tourists from Australia FY 2006-2023

Number of overseas departures of Australian residents from Australia from financial year 2006 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of outbound tourists from Australia 2017-2024, by state of residence

Number of outbound tourists from Australia from January 2017 to January 2024, by state of residence

Number of outbound tourists from Australia in financial year 2023, by destination (in thousands)

Outbound tourist trip expenditure FY 2019-2023

Trip expenditure of Australian outbound travelers from financial year 2019 to 2023 (in billion Australian dollars)

Outbound tourist trip expenditure Australia FY 2023, by destination

Trip expenditure of Australian outbound travelers in financial year 2023, by destination (in million Australian dollars)

Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers Australia 2022

Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers from Australia in 2022

Leading sport tourism experience interests of outbound travelers Australia 2022

Leading sport tourism experience interests among outbound travelers from Australia in 2022

Domestic tourism

Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2023, by state visited
Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2023, by purpose of visit
Premium Statistic Domestic overnight tourist trip expenditure Australia FY 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Domestic overnight tourist trip expenditure Australia 2023, by state or territory
Premium Statistic Number of domestic day visitors Australia 2023, by state visited
Premium Statistic Number of domestic day visitors Australia 2023, by purpose of visit

Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2014-2023

Number of domestic overnight visitors in Australia from 2014 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2023, by state visited

Number of domestic overnight visitors in Australia in 2023, by state visited (in millions)

Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2023, by purpose of visit

Number of domestic overnight visitors in Australia in 2023, by purpose of visit (in millions)

Domestic overnight tourist trip expenditure Australia FY 2014-2023

Trip expenditure of domestic overnight visitors in Australia from financial year 2014 to 2023 (in billion Australian dollars)

Domestic overnight tourist trip expenditure Australia 2023, by state or territory

Trip expenditure of domestic overnight visitors in Australia in 2023, by state visited (in billion Australian dollars)

Number of domestic day visitors Australia 2023, by state visited

Number of domestic day visitors in Australia in 2023, by state visited (in millions)

Number of domestic day visitors Australia 2023, by purpose of visit

Number of domestic day visitors in Australia in 2023, by purpose of visit (in millions)

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1.1 Islands
3 Other destinations
4.1 History
4.2 Geography
4.3 Climate
4.4 Economy
4.5 Politics
4.6.1 Holidays
4.7 Peak holiday times
4.10 See also
4.11 Topics in Australia
4.12 Visitor information
6.1.1 Customs and quarantine
6.2.1 Private aviation
6.3 By boat
6.4 By overland transport
7.1 Quarantine
7.2.1 Car rental
7.2.2 Campervans
7.3 By taxi
7.4.1 Charters
7.5.1 Long distance train operators
7.5.2 Rail passes
7.5.3 Local public transport
7.6 By motorail
7.8 By boat
7.9 By thumb
7.10 By bicycle
7.11 Hiking
8.1.1 Wildlife parks and zoos
8.1.2 In the wild
8.2 Convict sites
8.3 Landmarks
8.4 National parks
8.7 Itineraries
9.2 Bushwalking
9.7 Thrill activities
9.9 Royal shows
10.2 Currency exchange
10.3 Banking
10.5.1 Tourist Refund Scheme
10.6 Credit cards
10.7 Haggling
10.8 Tipping
10.9 Trading hours
11.1 Places to eat
11.2 Native foods
11.3 Beyond cuisine
11.4 Other cuisines
11.5 Modern Australian
11.6 Vegetarian
11.7 Religious diets
11.8 Allergies
11.9 Markets
12.3 Spirits
12.4 Legal aspects
12.5 A shout
12.6 Non-alcoholic
14.1 Hotels
14.3 Motels
14.4 Hostels and backpackers
14.5 Holiday parks
14.6 Camping
14.7 Farm stay
14.8 Holiday home
14.9 Bed and Breakfasts
14.10 Resorts
14.11 Serviced apartments
14.12 Houseboats
14.13 Station wagons and vans
15.1 Payment and taxes
15.2 Working holidaymaker scheme
15.3 Work visas
15.4 Immigration
15.5 Volunteering
16.1 Indigenous Australians
16.2 ANZAC Day
16.3 Religion
16.4 British legacy
17.1 Emergencies
17.2 Driving
17.3 Beaches
17.4.1 Cyclones
17.4.2.1 Flash floods
17.4.3 Water supply
17.4.4 Earthquakes
17.5.1 National parks and state forests
17.5.2 Travelling during active fires or during the fire season
17.5.3 Lighting fires
17.6.1 Snakes
17.6.2 Spiders
17.6.3 Jellyfish
17.6.4 Blue ring octopus
17.6.5 Crocodiles
17.6.6 Dangerous flora
17.7.1 Scams
17.8 Racism
17.9 Tobacco
17.10 Illegal drugs
17.11 Firearms
17.12 LGBT travellers
18.2 Food preparation
18.4 Vaccinations
18.5 Mosquitoes
18.6.1 Medical costs and travel insurance
19.1.1 Calling overseas from Australia
19.1.2 Dialling codes
19.1.3 Special numbers
19.1.4 Mobile phones
19.2 Satellite phones
19.3 Public phones
19.5 Radio and television

There is nowhere else quite like Australia , the only country that has a whole continent to itself. With Indigenous cultures that go back over 65,000 years and truly global immigration in modern times, the country is famous for its natural wonders, wide open spaces, beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback ". However, it is also highly urbanised, with an array of cosmopolitan cities – the largest and most famous being Sydney , situated on one of the most famous harbours in the world.

Regions [ edit ]

Australia is composed of six states and nine territories. Visiting all at once would be nearly impossible, as the states in Australia are much much larger than the states in the United States and are more comparable in size to provinces in Canada – with almost 5,000 km (3,100 mi) separating Brisbane and Shark Bay, the country is vast, about the distance from Madrid to Murmansk, Cairo to Nairobi or Maine to California.

Islands [ edit ]

Tasmania is the largest island of Australia and a state in its own right. There are 8,222 islands in Australia, other main islands include:

-31.55 159.083333 1 Lord Howe Island — a showcase for nature two hours flying time from Sydney, administered as part of the state of New South Wales.
-29.033333 167.949722 2 Norfolk Island — halfway to New Zealand, with nature and beaches
-10.49 105.6275 3 Christmas Island — famous for its red crab migration with flights from Perth.
-12.1175 96.895 4 Cocos (Keeling) Islands — coral atolls, populated, accessible by flights from Perth.
-9.880278 142.590556 5 Torres Strait Islands — Indigenous culture between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, and requires permission from the traditional owners to visit. Flights from Cairns .
-35.833333 137.25 6 Kangaroo Island — the third-largest island in Australia containing wildlife, natural scenery, wineries and beaches.
-32.005 115.515 7 Rottnest Island — a nature reserve with 63 beaches and 20 bays, located near Perth and home to the infamous Quokka
-39.8725 143.985556 8 King Island — in the Bass Straight above Tasmania.
-20.29827 148.92517 9 Whitsunday Islands — a famous tourist destination renowned for its white beaches

There are many uninhabited islands including the Coral Sea Islands , some islands of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands , the Ashmore and Cartier Islands as well as the remote Antarctic islands of Heard Island and McDonald Islands and Macquarie Island .

Cities [ edit ]

-35.293056 149.126944 1 Canberra — the relatively small, purpose-built national capital of Australia is home to plenty of museums
-34.9275 138.6 2 Adelaide — the "City of Churches", the relaxed South Australian capital is close to world-renowned wineries
-27.467778 153.027778 3 Brisbane — capital of sun-drenched Queensland and gateway to beautiful sandy beaches
-16.925556 145.775278 4 Cairns — gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Daintree National Park, and many beautiful beaches and resorts; a great place for people to get away and relax
-12.438056 130.841111 5 Darwin — Australia's tropical northern capital, at the top end of the Northern Territory
-42.883333 147.316667 6 Hobart — picturesque and quiet capital of Tasmania, the site of the second convict settlement in Australia
-37.814167 144.963056 7 Melbourne — the country's capital of coffee, culture and sports, arguably Australia's most European city
-31.955833 115.859722 8 Perth — the most remote continental city on Earth, on the south-western edge of Western Australia
-33.867778 151.21 9 Sydney — Australia's oldest city, home to the Opera House and famous for its picturesque harbour, natural beauty and countless beaches

Other destinations [ edit ]

-33.967778 150.304167 1 Blue Mountains National Park — a mountainous national park in New South Wales, including the "Three Sisters" natural feature
-41.830278 145.924167 2 Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park — most popular national park in Tasmania, home Australia's deepest lake and one of its most scenic mountains
-16.2 145.4 3 Daintree Rainforest — the world's oldest living rainforest and a well preserved tropical rainforest, home to the largest groups of cassowaries.
-19.266 148.587 4 Great Barrier Reef — see first hand this natural wonder, off the coast of Queensland and the world's largest coral reef system
-38.733889 143.687222 5 Great Ocean Road — a spectacular coastal drive in Victoria past many scenic icons including the " Twelve Apostles " rocks standing in the ocean and the world's largest war memorial
-13.005471 132.519512 6 Kakadu National Park — tropical adventure travel, Aboriginal culture and nature activities in the Northern Territory. Second largest national park in Australia about the size of Wales
-31.4222 138.705 7 Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park – South Australia's most iconic national park contains a naturally formed amphitheatre and many fossils dating back from the Ediacaran era
-17.448789 128.546055 8 Purnululu National Park – includes the Bungle Bungle Range, a spectacularly incised landscape of sculptured rocks rising over 250 metres high
-25.322076 130.985732 9 Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park — Uluṟu (also known as Ayers Rock ) and Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas ) are iconic rock formations in the "Red Centre" in the middle of the Australian outback

Understand [ edit ]

The sixth largest country in the world by area, Australia has a relatively small (but growing) population of 25 million. A G20 member, it has high quality of life and is constantly ranked among the world's most livable countries. It is a significant player in the economic and political spheres of the Indo-Pacific region.

History [ edit ]

Aboriginal people have been living in Australia for at least 65,000 years. They arrived in successive waves from South and Southeast Asia . With rising sea levels after the last Ice Age, Australia became largely isolated from the rest of the world and the Aboriginal groups developed a variety of cultures, based on a close spiritual relationship with the land and nature, and extended kinship. For thousands of years Australian Aboriginal people maintained a hunter-gatherer culture, or (in some areas) a semi-sedentary culture, in association with a complex artistic and cultural life, including a very rich tradition of story and song.

The modern impression of Australian Aboriginal people is largely built around an image of the "desert people" who have adapted to some of the harshest conditions on the planet (equivalent to the bushmen of the Kalahari), but many others lived in forested and well-watered regions. Australia provided a comfortable living for the bulk of the Aboriginal people among the bountiful flora and fauna on the Australian coast – until the arrival of Europeans.

Although a lucrative Chinese market for shells and bêche de mer (sea cucumber) had encouraged Indonesian fishermen to visit Northern Australia for centuries, it was unknown to Europeans until the 1600s, when Dutch traders to Asia began to "bump" into the northwestern coast. The Makassan contact from Sulawesi also brought many Indonesian cultural elements to the Indigenous people living in Northern Australia , making Islam the first foreign religion brought in – and quite a few rock artworks seen in Arnhem Land and the Kimberley depict many Islamic elements.

Early Dutch impressions of this extremely harsh, dry country were unfavourable, and Australia remained for them somewhat of a marker sign pointing north to the much richer (and more lucrative) East Indies (modern day Indonesia). Deliberate exploration of the Australian coast was then largely taken over by the French and the British. Consequently, place names of bays, headlands and rivers around the coastline reflect a range of Dutch, French, or English names, however many place names are also from Aboriginal languages with places that were previously having Dutch, French, or English names renamed to Indigenous names, or dual named.

In 1770, the expedition of the Endeavour under the command of Captain James Cook navigated and charted the east coast of Australia, making first landfall at Botany Bay on 29 April 1770. Cook continued northwards, and before going ashore on Possession Island in the Torres Strait off Cape York on 22 August 1770. Here he formally claimed the eastern coastline he had explored for the British Crown, naming it New South Wales. Given that Cook's so-called discoveries would lead to the first European settlement of Australia, he is often popularly conceived as its European discoverer, although he had been preceded by more than 160 years by the Dutch.

Following the exploration period, the first British settlement in Australia was founded in 1788 at what is today Sydney , led by Captain Arthur Philip who became the first governor of the colony of New South Wales. The process of colonisation led to conflict with indigenous Australians as well as diseases to which they had no immunity. Their populations declined throughout much (though not all) of the land, and they were displaced by British settlers. Originally comprising the eastern two-thirds of the continent, the colony of New South Wales was later split into several separate colonies. Tasmania (then known as Van Diemen's Land) became a separate colony in 1825, which was followed by South Australia in 1836, New Zealand in 1841, Victoria in 1851 and Queensland in 1859. The western third of the continent was not settled by Europeans until the British established a naval base in Albany , then known as King George Sound in 1826. The Swan River Colony was formally established in 1829 at what is today Perth . The Swan River Colony was renamed " Western Australia " in 1832.

While Australia began its modern history as a British penal colony, the most people who came to Australia after 1788 were free settlers, mainly from Britain and Ireland , and to a less extent other European countries such as France and what is now Germany. Convict settlements were mostly along the east coast, with scattered pockets of convict settlements in Western Australia. The state of South Australia, on the other hand, was settled entirely by free settlers. Many Asian and Eastern European people also came to Australia in the 1850s, during the Gold Rush that started Australia's first resource boom. Although such diverse immigration diminished greatly during the xenophobic years of the White Australia policy, from the Postwar Period Australia welcomed a successive series of immigration from continental Europe, the Mediterranean and later Asia and the rest of the world, becoming a highly diverse and multicultural society by the late 20th century.

The system of separate colonies federated to form the self-governing British dominion of Australia in 1901, each colony now becoming a state of Australia, with New Zealand opting out of the federation. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and made a significant contribution (considering its small population) to the Allied war effort in World War I and World War II in Europe as part of the British Commonwealth forces. Australia was directly attacked in the Pacific War . Australian troops also made a valuable, if sometimes controversial, contribution to the Korean War , the Vietnam War , the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War. Australian Diggers retain a reputation as some of the hardest fighting troops along with a great social spirit.

Australia and Britain passed the Australia Act in 1986, ending any remnant power the British parliament may have had to pass laws for Australia. Similar to Canada, the British King remains as the head of state with an (Australian) appointed Governor-General as his representative in Australia.

During the second half of the 20th century, there was growth in Aboriginal activism, accompanied by a greater willingness by the general community to acknowledge both the Indigenous cultural heritage (particularly in the visual arts) and the darker side of colonial history. Significant areas of the country have been returned to Indigenous ownership as a result of the land rights movement. In 2008, then-prime minister Kevin Rudd delivered an official apology to the Aboriginal people in Parliament for the atrocities committed against them by the white majority. An Aboriginal ceremony has also been incorporated into Australia's State Opening of Parliament since 2008 as homage to its indigenous heritage.

Geography [ edit ]

The landmass of Australia is both the world's smallest continent and the world's largest island; making up most of Oceania 's land area.

The nation of Australia includes the Australian mainland, and some smaller islands (such as Tasmania ). It is the world's sixth largest country, with a land area of 7,682,300 km 2 (2,966,152 square miles). It is comparable in size to the 48 contiguous United States (which has an area of 7,663,941.7 km 2 ) although it has less than one tenth the population, with the distances between cities and towns easy to underestimate. Australia is bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, to the south by the Southern Ocean, and to the east by the Pacific Ocean. The Tasman Sea lies to the southeast, separating it from New Zealand , while the Coral Sea lies to the northeast. Papua New Guinea , East Timor and Indonesia are Australia's northern neighbours, all much closer than New Zealand, and are separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea with Papua New Guinea only being 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Australia.

Australia is highly urbanised with most of the population heavily concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts. Most of the inland areas of the country are semi-arid. The most populous states are New South Wales , Victoria and Queensland , but the largest in terms of area is Western Australia .

Large parts of Australia have been deforested to make way for agriculture but many native forest areas survive in extensive national parks and other undeveloped areas. Long term environmental concerns in Australia include water management, salinity, pollution, threats to biodiversity from invasive species, and conserving coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

Climate [ edit ]

As a large country, Australia has a wide variety of climates. Most of the country receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Generally, the north is hot and tropical, while the south tends to sub-tropical and temperate. Most rainfall is around the coast, and much of the centre is arid and semi-arid . The daytime maximum temperatures in the tropical city of Darwin rarely drop below 30°C (86°F) even in winter while night temperatures in winter usually hover around 15–20°C (60–70°F). Australian winters tend to be milder than those at similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere and snow falls only occasionally, even in most of New South Wales and Victoria. Temperatures in high-altitude areas of some southern regions can drop below freezing in winter (and sometimes even in the summer) and the Snowy Mountains in the southeast experience metres of winter snow. Parts of Tasmania have a temperature range more similar to Oregon and snowfall is very common in the central and western mountainous parts of the state.

As Australia is in the southern hemisphere the winter is June–August while December–February is summer. The winter is the dry season in the tropics and the summer is the wet. In the southern parts of the country, the seasonal temperature variation is greater. The rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year in the southern parts of the East Coast while in the rest of the south beyond the Great Dividing Range , the summers are dry with the bulk of the rainfall occurring in winter.

For those from the Northern Hemisphere, note the implications on cardinal directions: the sun (and stars) move anti-clockwise over here, and it's the northern slopes that get most sun. While this may be confusing any time, during hikes or off-piste activities your intuition may lead you to make critical mistakes. Double check how you are drawing your conclusions.

Economy [ edit ]

Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with other advanced economies.

The service industries, including tourism, education, and financial services, account for just over half of the Australian Gross Domestic Product – about 60%. Within the service sector, tourism is one of the most important industries in Australia, as it provides employment, contributes $73 billion to the economy each year and accounts for at least 11% of total exports.

Primary industry - mining and agriculture - has accounted for most of Australia's exports in the 20th and 21st centuries. Iron ore and coal are by far the largest exports, along with wheat, beef and wool. The mining sector is sensitive to global demand for iron ore, with events in the Chinese and Indian economies having direct impacts.

Australia has a comprehensive social security system, and the minimum wage is higher than the United States or the United Kingdom. Manual labourers and tradesmen are well-paid in Australia, often more so than white-collar professionals.

Politics [ edit ]

Australia has a federal system of government, with six state and two territory governments, as well as a national government. It also has several external territories in the surrounding oceans, which are given considerable autonomy, and often not fully integrated with the rest of Australia. Laws vary slightly from state to state, but are for the most part fairly uniform.

The national parliament is based on the British Westminster system, with some elements being drawn from the American congressional system. At the federal level it consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Each Member of the House of Representatives (colloquially known as a Member of Parliament (MP)) represents an electoral division, with more populous states having more electoral divisions and hence, more MPs. On the other hand, similar to the US Senate, each Australian state has an equal number of senators, with 12 senators being directly elected by the people in each state, and 2 senators each from the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory. The Prime Minister is head of the national government, and is the leader of the political party (or coalition of parties) which has the most Members in the House of Representatives.

King Charles III of the United Kingdom is also King of Australia and the head of state, and is represented in Australia at the federal level by the Governor-General. The roles of the King and Governor-General are largely ceremonial, and the Prime Minister wields the most authority in government. A referendum to change Australia to a republic was defeated in 1999, but it failed as the proposal allowed the president to be dismissible by the PM, even though there was general support for a republican Australia. Republicanism in Australia remains a regular conversation point, albeit low on the list of real priorities.

The Cabinet of Australia serves as the executive branch, and is headed by the Prime Minister, who appoints his ministers from among the members of both houses of Parliament. The judicial branch is topped by the High Court of Australia, which replaced the UK Privy Council as the highest court of appeal in 1986.

State and territory governments are organised similarly to the national government with a state parliament serving as the legislature, a Premier (Chief Minister in the territories) serving as the head of the state government, and its own judiciary. There is also a Governor for each state serving as the King's representative in a mostly ceremonial role.

The two major political parties in Australia are the Australian Labor Party (ALP or just "Labor") and the Liberal Party (Australian slang: The Libs ), which operates in coalition with the National Party (referred to as the "Coalition"). There are smaller parties such as the Greens and Teal Independents.

The centre-left Labor Party spells its name "Labor" instead of "Labour" because of the American labor movement. The Greens are considered further to the left than Labor and the two parties do not work closely together.

The Liberal Party is a centre-right conservative party, with the term "liberal" referring to a free market economy. As the word ‘Liberal’ in Australia is associated with the Liberal Party, ‘liberalism’ and ‘liberal politics’ are associated with right leaning politics unlike in other English-speaking countries. They coordinate closely with the National Party, who represent rural electorates and have a more conservative outlook whilst being largely against environmental protections. The Liberal party has in recent years been split by the Teal Independents, a loose grouping of MP's who represent mainly affluent urban areas, and who have been dissatisfied by the increasingly weak environmental position of the Liberals.

Culture [ edit ]

Australia has a multicultural population practising almost every religion and lifestyle. Over one-quarter of Australians were born outside Australia, and another quarter have at least one foreign-born parent. Virtually every large Australian city and town reflects the immigration from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific that occurred after World War II and continued into the 1970s. In the half century after the war Australia's population boomed from roughly 7 million to just over 20 million people. The cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are culturally very diverse, and home to communities originating from all corners of the globe.

In all major cities, you will find a variety of quality of global foods available in many restaurants. Sydney mainly promotes itself as the urban nature capital, Melbourne especially promotes itself as a centre for the arts and culture, while Brisbane promotes itself through various, multicultural urban villages. Adelaide is known for being a centre for festivals, wine culture, and for German cultural influences, while Perth is known for its food and wine culture, pearls, gems and precious metals, and the international fringe arts festival and finally Hobart mainly promotes itself for the convict history. Smaller rural settlements generally still reflect a majority Anglo-Celtic culture often with a small indigenous population. Most rural centres still welcome visitors and generally have a history and local produce to share.

There are approximately one and a half a million Australians who identify as Aboriginal people who live throughout the country in cities and in rural Aboriginal communities, which is about three percent of the population. Although not particularly obvious to a new visitor, there are many opportunities and cultural activities for people wanting to explore Aboriginal culture.

Contrary to popular mythology, descendants from the original fleets of British convicts are a minority, and even during the years of transportation free settlers outnumbered convict migrants by at least five to one and some places like South Australia officially had zero convicts. Nevertheless, it is seen as a badge of honour for someone to be 'Australian Royalty' in having been descended from a convict, however tenuous that connection may be.

Australians can be more socially conservative than some European cultures, but tend to be relaxed in their religious observance. Modes of address are casual and familiar and most Australians will tend to address you by your first name from first contact, and will expect that you do the same to them.

Holidays [ edit ]

The national holidays in Australia are:

1 January : New Year's Day
26 January : Australia Day, marking the anniversary of the First Fleet's landing in Sydney Cove in 1788.
Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday): a four-day long weekend in March or April set according to the Western Christian dates. Very few go to church, but instead many Australians travel on Easter weekend, so expect hotel rooms and airtickets to sell out months in advance.
25 April : ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), honouring military veterans
Second Monday in June : King's birthday holiday (celebrated in Western Australia in September, with WA observing Western Australia Day a week earlier)
25 December : Christmas Day
26 December : Boxing Day

Many states observe Labour Day , but on different days. Most states have one or two additional statewide holidays, with Victoria and South Australia having a day off for a horse race (The Melbourne Cup and The Adelaide Cup). Western Australia has Western Australia Day typically the first Monday in June (recognising the founding of the state since 1829) but also celebrates the Queen's Birthday at a different date to the rest of the country, either at the end of September or early October, due to the usual June date is such close proximity to Western Australia Day. Victoria also has a day off for the AFL grand final Friday.

When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday (and Tuesday if necessary) are usually declared holidays in lieu, although the celebrations and the retail closures will occur on the day itself. Most tourist attractions are closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Supermarkets and other stores may open for limited hours on some public holidays and on holidays in lieu but are almost always closed on Christmas Day (25 December), Good Friday, Easter Sunday and ANZAC Day morning.

Australia Day remains a national point of controversy and is termed 'invasion day' by many people of indigenous heritage as well as a growing number of progressives, who believe it is insensitive to celebrate the beginning of British invasion and occupation. Calls to change the date are marked by yearly protests. You will see plenty of Australia Day celebrations and barbecues as well, often hosted by local governments.

Other than official holidays, there are also days of national or regional cultural significance that might as well be holidays such as:

AFL Grand Final : The championship game of the Australian Football League, and the most watched event perennially on the Australia sporting calendar, especially in Victoria. Expects all pubs to be packed full of people watching the game, while many people will hold big watching parties in their homes. Held on the last Saturday of September or first Saturday of October.
NRL Grand Final : The championship game of the National Rugby League. Particularly popular in Queensland and New South Wales. Usually held on the last Sunday of September or first Sunday of October.

Peak holiday times [ edit ]

Most attractions in Australia remain open year-round, some operating at a reduced frequency or shorter hours during the off-peak season. Many attractions (but not all) are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

Summer school holidays start before Christmas and last the whole of January, and it is considered the busiest and most expensive time to visit (unless you're visiting Northern Australia ). Holiday homes on beaches are often booked out months in advance as well as charging a significant premium. The long Easter weekend can also be busy as parents take their kids out for a last time before Winter arrives.

Australian teenagers celebrate the end of school at the end of November and early December for the 3 weeks known as schoolies . The volume of teen revellers can completely change the nature of some of the cities and towns they choose to visit, especially coastal towns like Byron Bay in New South Wales, the Gold Coast in Queensland, Rottnest Island in Western Australia, and various localities along the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Time [ edit ]

Australia can have up to seven different time zones during the daylight savings period, and five at other times. Time zone boundaries do not always follow state boundaries. For instance, the towns of Broken Hill and Silverton, although in New South Wales, follows South Australia time, Lord Howe Island has its own time zone despite being a part of New South Wales and a number of outback communities officially follow NT time.

In the east, Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria always have the same time. Queensland doesn't observe daylight saving, so it is an hour behind the other eastern states during that period.

In the centre, Broken Hill and Silverton (NSW), South Australia and the Northern Territory are half an hour behind during the winter, but the Northern Territory doesn't observe daylight saving while South Australia, Broken Hill and Silverton do. During daylight saving South Australia remains half an hour behind New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, but moves half an hour ahead of Queensland. The Northern Territory remains half an hour behind Queensland at all times of the year, but moves an hour and a half behind New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania during daylight savings.

In the west, Western Australia is two hours behind the eastern states in winter, and also doesn't observe daylight saving. It moves three hours behind the eastern states that observe daylight saving (remaining two hours behind Queensland), 2.5 hours behind South Australia, Broken Hill and Silverton while remaining 1.5 hours behind the Northern Territory.

There is also the unusual +8:45 time zone, also known as Australian Central West Standard Time (ACWST or CWST) followed in some towns near the South Australian/Western Australian border. While not an official time used, it's the de facto time zone. There are also highway signs telling you to change your clocks, and Apple has a separate region (which can be found under "Eucla"). What makes this case even more confusing, is that the only South Australian town in the CWST zone, Border Village, follows daylight savings, follows +9:45, one hour ahead of Eucla, and 45 minutes behind the rest of SA. On the contrary, the chances of being impacted on Border Village is next to zero given that all commercial activity is on the WA side in the town of Eucla which follows UTC+8:45.

Although the chances of a traveller going to the extremely remote Outback WA towns of Blackstone, Irrunytju, Warakurna, Wanarn, Kiwirrkurra, and Tjukurla are very low, whilst all of these towns are in WA, they follow ACST (NT time), 1.5 hours ahead of the rest of WA, and since the NT does not follow DST, these remote towns also don't follow DST.

There are no official abbreviations or names for Australian time zones, and you may see a few variations used. EST, CST, WST along with EDT, CDT are sometimes used. Sometimes AEST, etc., with the 'A' prefix distinguishing them from the North American time zones with the same names.

In those states which observe daylight saving, it commences on the first Sunday in October and ends on the first Sunday in April.

Power [ edit ]

The mains supply voltage standard is 230 V with a type I plug (angled live/neutral pins with a straight earth). Popularly referred to as a "two-forty volt socket". Hotel bathrooms will often have a type C and A socket marked "for shavers only" that will down-convert to 110 V for a North American style socket for shavers. Voltage is compatible with Europe and you'll just need a conversion plug that can be obtained from supermarkets and convenience stores (as well as the airport). From North America or other 110 V countries, check your appliance for voltage tolerances before using a conversion plug.

Talk [ edit ]

The English language is universally spoken and understood in Australia. Australian English as generally spoken is distinctive in accent and idiom. It mostly developed from the speech of the United Kingdom and Ireland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, however, the 20th century brought a lot of American influence, giving Australia its own unique variety of English.

Nevertheless, as Australia is a global melting pot, particularly in the major cities, you will encounter cultures and hear languages from all around the world, and you will often find areas and suburbs that predominately reflect the language of their respective immigrant communities. Foreign languages are taught at school, but students rarely progress past the basics.

Australia follows mostly British spelling and an eclectic mix of American and British terminology, such as eggplant (not aubergine), boot (not trunk), toll-free (not freephone), take-away (not takeout) and truck (not lorry). American terminology is understood everywhere, while British terminology isn't well understood apart from South Australia and the elderly. In all that, some terminology is uniquely Australian, and is unlikely to be heard anywhere else, except maybe in neighbouring New Zealand.

A few words also have different meanings in Australia. For example, "thongs" in Australia would refer to flip-flops, not underwear. "Chips" can, confusingly, refer to both US "fries" and UK "crisps"; you can usually work it out from context, or say "hot chips" if you mean freshly deep fried potatoes. "Fries" is understood as well though, and is not uncommon particularly for American-style shoestring fries.

People in rural areas may have a broader accent, using some of the slang words that have become outmoded in metropolitan areas, while highly educated urban dwellers sometimes use a cultivated accent similar to that of their British equivalents. Try to resist the temptation to use Australian slang yourself: it's easy to get it wrong and sound patronizing.

There is little regional variation in Australian English, although accents tend to be broader outside of the large cities, and the pronunciation of certain words like "dance" and "renaissance" varies between regions. Most regional differences come down to word usage. For example, swimming clothes are known as cossies or swimmers in New South Wales, togs in Queensland, and bathers elsewhere. Many indigenous communities around Australia and the Torres Strait Islands speak English as a second language.

It is rare to find signs in a second language, except in urban areas with a high population of Asian immigrants and students, where signs and restaurant menus in Vietnamese and Chinese are a common sight; and also around Cairns and the Gold Coast in Queensland where some signs (but not road signs) are written in Japanese or Chinese, due to the large number of tourists. Some warning signs at beaches are written in several foreign languages.

Visitors who do not speak basic English will find communicating with Australians difficult, and should do some advance planning. Some tour companies specialise in offering package deals for Australian tours complete with language guides, but mostly in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, German, Italian, French, Indonesian and Korean. Some tours also give tours in Spanish, Malay and Portuguese, although this isn't as common. Only a very small minority of tours give tours in Hindi, Arabic and Swahili, and finding one of these is once in a blue moon.

Indigenous languages play an important part in recognising Australia's long Indigenous heritage, but common usage is sadly low, with only 46 left spoken day to day by 42,300 people. You are most likely to encounter these languages in rural outback communities and in the Torres Strait Islands. Although there are initiatives to revive the Indigenous languages, it has proven to be a challenge because of the sheer number of languages that are widely spread out and not mutually intelligible. Learning an Indigenous language will be useful only in specific local areas. Almost all Indigenous Australians speak English as well, although residents of some remote communities may not be fluent in the language. On top of the Indigenous languages spoken, various creole-based languages are spoken such as Australian Kriol or Torres Strait Creole .

The standard sign language is Auslan (standing for Australian Sign Language). When a sign interpreter is present for a public event, he or she will use Auslan. Users of British and New Zealand Sign Languages will be able to understand much, though not all, of the language. Auslan and NZSL are largely derived from BSL, and all three languages use the same two-handed manual alphabet. Users of sign languages that have different origins (such as the French Sign Language family, which also includes American and Irish Sign Languages) will not be able to understand Auslan.

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Everybody (except New Zealanders) requires a visa in advance of travel.

If you are visiting for a holiday of less than 90 days, there are three types of visas you may apply for, depending on your nationality.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) subclass 601 is available to nationals of many countries, and you must apply using the Australian ETA app with a service fee of $20.
eVisitor (subclass 651) is for citizens of the European Union , Norway , Iceland , Switzerland , the United Kingdom and a few European microstates . These visas are free, but otherwise effectively identical to the ETA. You must apply online.
Visitor Visa (subclass 600) . Citizens of most other countries can make an application online by creating an ImmiAccount ; some may need to visit an embassy or visa processing centre as part of the process.

In most cases, ETAs and eVisitors are approved instantly and the visa will be issued and available for use immediately. If further enquiries are needed you may be asked to return to the application system later to see if you've been approved. Over 90% are processed the same day. In the worst-case scenario your application can be diverted for manual checks that can take months. if you have a complex national history, or any criminal record (including minor offences) you should allow plenty of time for the application.

If you are visiting Australia to work, study or for medical treatment, check to make sure you have the right kind of visa, as a tourist visa may not be sufficient. Breaching the conditions or planning to breach the conditions of your visa will result in visa cancellation, deportation, and/or a period of exclusion.

For all tourist visa classes you must be able to demonstrate your ability to support yourself financially for the time you intend to spend in Australia and meet character requirements. If you have a criminal conviction, contact an Australian Embassy or visa processing centre before applying or making travel arrangements.

New Zealand citizens may travel to Australia without a pre-arranged visa. When they arrive, they will be automatically granted a Special Category New Zealand Citizen visa (subclass 444) if they have no criminal conviction or tuberculosis. This visa allows them to travel, live, work and study in Australia for as long as they like. New Zealand citizens with criminal convictions or tuberculosis may be denied this visa and should seek advice from an Australian diplomatic mission before travel. Non-citizen permanent residents of New Zealand are not eligible for this visa and should apply for a visa based on the passport they hold.

Holders for a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) except those issued by the United States and Canada may visit for up to 90 days without a visa provided they do not seek employment in Australia.

If you are transiting through Australia, remain airside for a maximum of 8 hours, have a confirmed onward booking, have the correct entry documentation for the onward destination and are a citizen of New Zealand, the European Union , Andorra , Argentina , Brunei , Canada , Cyprus , the Federated States of Micronesia , Fiji , Iceland , Indonesia , Japan , Kiribati , Liechtenstein , Malaysia , Mexico , Monaco , Nauru , Norway , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Philippines , South Africa , the Republic of Marshall Islands , Samoa , San Marino , Singapore , Slovakia , Slovenia , Solomon Islands , South Korea (ROK), Switzerland , Taiwan , Thailand , Tonga , Tuvalu , United Arab Emirates , United Kingdom (regardless of nationality status), the United States , Vanuatu or Vatican City , you do not need to apply for any advance visa. All other passengers who transit through Australia must apply for a free-of-charge Transit Visa (subclass 771) before travel.

At all major airports, visitors who are citizens of an ever-growing list of countries (including US, UK and most of the EU) can use SmartGate automated immigration clearance when entering Australia. These are much faster than the manual counters, but being able to use SmartGate does not exempt you from visa requirements.

Australia no longer stamps passports or issues visa stickers for most visitors; all visas, entries and exits are recorded electronically. You may request a passport stamp from the immigration officer, though you might have to be directed to a separate counter to get one.

Customs and quarantine [ edit ]

Australia has strict quarantine requirements regarding importing animal and plant derived products (any food, wooden products, seeds, etc.) You must declare all such material , even if the items are permitted. Baggage is frequently scanned and may be examined by dogs. You may be fined up to $2664 on-the-spot if you accidentally fail to declare, or even prosecuted in serious cases. Declared material will be examined and, depending on the circumstances, may be retained, disposed of, returned to you, or treated by quarantine at your expense. (You may have to pick the item up at a later time.) Processed and sealed chocolates and other confectionery are usually permitted after being declared and examined, as are reasonable quantities of infant formula with an accompanying infant. Different rules apply depending on the origin country of foods, and the state in which you are entering Australia. Check with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for more details.

Travellers who are 18 years old or older are allowed to bring up to 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages and up to 25 cigarettes, 25 grams of other tobacco products (including cigars), 2 vapes (reusable or disposable) and up to 200 mL vape liquid into Australia duty-free. These items may not be imported by anybody under the age of 18, and travellers who exceed their duty free allowance are liable to tax on all goods of that category, not just the amount in excess of the limit.

Some shells, coral and items made from a protected species are also prohibited to discourage the trade in items that may originate from a threatened ecosystem or species.

While there are no restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought in or out, Australian customs also requires you to declare if you are travelling with $10,000 or more (AUD or its equivalent in foreign currency) and you will be asked to complete some paperwork. Not declaring may expose you to a fine, possible seizure of the cash, or in the worst case even arrest.

By plane [ edit ]

Australia is a long way from anywhere else in the world, so for most visitors the only practical way of getting into Australia is by air.

Australia's major points of entry, in decreasing order of importance, are the airports in Sydney ( SYD IATA ), Melbourne ( MEL IATA ), Brisbane ( BNE IATA ) and Perth ( PER IATA ). There are also limited international services into Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin and the Gold Coast.

Sydney is a 3-hour flight from Auckland , New Zealand, a 7-11 hour flight from many countries in Asia, a 14-hour flight from the west of the United States and Canada, a 14-hour flight from Johannesburg , a 13-16 hour flight from South America , and up to a 24-hour flight from western Europe (including a stopover). On account of long journey times from some destinations, most travellers from Europe must have a stop-over, commonly in Singapore , Hong Kong , Dubai , Doha , Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur . Since March 2018, Qantas operates a non-stop flight from London Heathrow to Perth taking "only" 17 hours — the first ever regular non-stop route between Europe and Australia. Qantas also has plans to introduce more ambitious non-stop routes from Sydney to London and New York later.

If you have to change to a domestic flight in a gateway city, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth all have separate domestic terminals, requiring some time and complexity to transit: check the guides. Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Cairns and the Gold Coast all have gates in the one terminal building or within easy walking distance of each other.

Australia's largest airline is flag carrier Qantas , which together with its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar operate many flights into Australia. Virgin Australia flies several routes from south-east Asia and the Pacific islands into Australia. For those coming from Europe, Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific make good alternatives to Qantas, British Airways or the Gulf airlines for flights into Australia. Some routes into Australia are operated by discount airlines such as AirAsia X, AirAsia Indonesia, Scoot and Jetstar Airways . As of 2022, several additional airlines in partnership with Australian carriers have started operating services to Australia. These include Air Canada and United Airlines .

Private aviation [ edit ]

Private aviation companies such as Australia Jet Charter and JetCorpAustralia offer direct private flights year-round using a variety of aircraft. Popular airports for charter jets include Sydney Bankstown Airport, Gold Coast Airport , and Melbourne Essendon Airport.

If you are flying your own personal aircraft to or from Australia, you will need to submit an International Flight Request no less than 72 hours and up to 7 days before departure . If airport you plan to land at or depart from is not an international airport, you will also have to apply for approval to use the airport from the National Passenger Processing Committee (NPPC) through their Air and Sea Approval Portal at least 10 business days before your arrival (if travelling to Australia) or departure (if leaving Australia).

By boat [ edit ]

Cruise ships are available mostly in the November to February cruising season, and there are usually about 10 ships that arrive in Australia from other countries during this time. You can cruise to Australia, and then fly home. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean all offer cruises to Australia across the Pacific.

You may sail to Australia in your own yacht, just make sure you submit the right paperwork to Border Force, and arrive at an approved port of entry .

There are no international ferry services operating.

By overland transport [ edit ]

There was a time when a couple of tour operators offered overland trips from London to Sydney, with only a short hop by air from Southeast Asia to Northwestern Australia while the bus went by barge. The only such tour operator is Madventure which runs 4 different routes: 26 weeks through Iran, Pakistan, and India; 26 weeks through the Caucasus & Central Asia; 64 weeks around Africa, the Middle East, & South Asia; and 64 weeks through Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, & Central Asia.

For those determined to travel overland as much as possible from Europe, you can travel independently to Singapore from Europe by train and/or bus on scheduled services, and fly from there to Perth (3,500 flight kilometres). For the truly determined overland traveller, you can get a ferry from Singapore to Indonesia and make your way across to Bali, where you can fly to Darwin (2,000 flight kilometres). For the intrepid, ferries to West Timor, a bus to Dili and a flight to Darwin will mean only 700 km in the air.

Travel to Darwin by cargo ship/ barge by ANL and Swire (the only two routine cargo haulers between Dili and Darwin) is not permitted (June 2016). For determined travellers, you may be able to obtain passage from Singapore by freighter vessel, organized through a travel agent.

Get around [ edit ]

Australia is huge but sparsely populated over much of its area and is larger than the contiguous U.S. You can sometimes travel many hours before finding the next trace of civilization, especially once you leave the south-eastern coastal fringe.

Quarantine [ edit ]

There are restrictions on carrying fruit and vegetables (including honey) between states and even between regions of states that are involved in fruit growing. If you are driving over 100-150 km outside large metropolitan areas or interstate, or flying between states, don't stock up on fruits and vegetables.

By car [ edit ]

Australia has a generally well-maintained system of roads and highways, and cars are a commonly used method of transport. While public transportation is fairly reliable in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and SE Queensland, having a car is preferable, or in some cases essential, to get around anywhere else. All the mainland state capitals are linked to each other by good undivided highways. Some parts are divided highways but many sections are one lane each way with occasional overtaking lanes around every 5-20 km depending on the state. Roads linking minor centres (or what can look like short-cuts on the map) can be narrow or gravel roads and are generally slower. Australia's low population density and large size makes for long driving times between major centres.

In general, unlike Europe, South Africa or the U.S., there are no freeways connecting major centres. Divided dual carriageways that link major centres don't go for very long, and you could get roundabouts or traffic lights at random areas with only 1 km notice. While Sydney to Melbourne can be fully achieved on divided dual carriageways, particularly in the NSW section, there are plenty of flat junctions. Sydney to Brisbane can also be achieved on 99% divided dual carriageways/motorways, with plans to build the remaining one percent as a freeway (expected to be completed by 2027), but the remaining section traverses through the busy centres of Heatherbrae and Coffs Harbour. Other routes like Melbourne to Adelaide are only partial divided freeways (approximately 250 km/750 km – about a third of the route), but yet there's still towns to be bypassed, and there is only a very short freeway/dual carriageway section in South Australia.

Drives like Sydney to Perth or Adelaide to Darwin would be much better off achieved by a plane, and journeying here often takes around half a week, and these are routes that Australians themselves only do about once or twice in their lifetime. Distances are huge, and if you put it onto a European perspective: is the distance between Madrid and Moscow, and on a North American perspective, the distance from Miami to Los Angeles.

Major hazards on Australian roads are wildlife and large trucks. Be sure to take extra care when driving at dusk or in the dark, as the risk of animal collisions increases significantly. Major regional areas have paved (sealed) dual-lane roads, but isolated areas may have poorly maintained dirt roads or even tracks. Distances and speeds are specified in kilometres and fuel is sold by the litre. There are no tolls on roads or bridges outside of the urban areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Toowoomba.

Australia drives on the left. Overseas visitors who are used to driving on the right should take care when they first drive, and again when they are driving on country roads with little traffic.

Generally, overseas licenses are valid for driving in Australia for three months after arrival. If the licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in addition to your licence. Licensing regulations and road rules vary slightly from state to state.

The default speed limit in most of Australia is 50 km/h in built-up areas, and 100 km/h on rural roads, unless signed otherwise except in the NT where urban defaults are 60 km/h, and in WA and the NT, rural defaults are 110 km/h. Many major rural roads have a posted speed limit of 110 km/h especially in the Outback. Average speed is seldom above 80 km/h due to the poor road conditions and limited overtaking opportunities. On some national highways that traverse mountain ranges and travel through small towns, even averaging 60 km/h can be a challenge. Speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia, and even creeping ever so slightly above the speed limit could earn you a ticket with a hefty fine.

While major highways are well serviced, anyone leaving well-maintained roads in inland Australia should take advice from local authorities, check weather and road conditions, and carry sufficient spare fuel, spare parts, spare tyres, matches, food and water. Some remote roads might see one car per month or less.

Cellular coverage is non-existent outside of national highways and towns and you should take some precautions in case of emergency.

Heat and dehydration at any time of year can kill. If stranded, stay with your vehicle and do what you can to improve your visibility from the air. Do not take this advice lightly; every year locals and tourists die from dehydration after their car breaks down in a remote area. If you do have to abandon your car (say you break down and then get a lift), call the local police station, to avoid a search being started for you.

Car rental [ edit ]

Major cities around Australia have multiple outlets providing a wide range of rental vehicles from major international rental companies. Major international providers include Enterprise , Alamo , National , Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt and Europcar. Most car rental companies prohibit you from taking their cars onto ferries, or across the borders with the Northern Territory and Western Australia, unless you have made special arrangements in advance.

In smaller towns car rental can be difficult to find. One-way fees often apply from smaller regional outlets.

Australia also hosts many national brands including Redspot , East Coast, Jucy & Nobirds. Smaller cars may be manual (stick-shift), whereas anything larger will mostly be automatic.

If you do not hold an Australian driving licence, some rental vehicle companies will require you to take a free driver knowledge test , aimed at tourists, that covers the basic road rules, or will take you on a short drive to assess whether you are competent behind the wheel.

Campervans [ edit ]

A campervan is a vehicle, usually a minivan, converted into a motorhome (recreational vehicle), most often catering to the vast number of young European and American backpackers traversing the country. The East Coast from Sydney to Cairns is especially abundant with these vehicles. Driving in Australia has more information on renting or buying a campervan.

It is sometimes possible to book a campervan needing relocation from one town to another for a nominal fee of as low as $1 per day. Sometimes, $100 for petrol may be included as well. Websites to search for these deals include Coseats , DriveNow , TransferCar and imoova .

By taxi [ edit ]

Larger towns and cities have taxi services and can be hailed on the street in most CBDs. Uber and Didi are available in major cities. There are several smartphone taxi booking applications such as myDriver , GoCatch [dead link] that make finding a licensed taxi simple.

Outside of cities, towns may have a limited taxi service, with smaller or remote towns sometimes having no service at all.

Due to the large distances involved, flying is a well-patronised form of travel in Australia. Services along the main business travel corridor (Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane) are run almost like a bus service, with flights leaving every 15 minutes during the day.

The best fares are almost always available on the most competitive routes, whereas routes to remote destinations with fewer flights tend to be more expensive. Qantas actually do often offer competitive prices, so don't ignore that option just because they are a full-service carrier. There are only a handful of main airlines in Australia, so it won't take long to compare their prices on domestic routes:

Qantas , the full-service national carrier, flying to all major cities and some larger regional towns (see QantasLink);
Virgin Australia , a nationwide full-service airline, flying to major cities and a few larger regional towns;
Jetstar , Qantas's discount arm with limited service and assigned seating.

Several airlines service regional destinations. Expect higher fares and fewer discounts.

Qantaslink , the regional arm of Qantas;
Regional Express , covering larger towns and cities on the eastern seaboard and in country South Australia;
Airnorth , covering the Northern Territory and East Timor ;
Skytrans Airlines , covering regional Queensland;
Sharp Airlines , covering several regional towns in Victoria and South Australia.
Bonza , low cost airline focusing on under-utilised and unserved routes between regional and domestic cities

Charters [ edit ]

Scheduled aviation only flies to a handful of the thousands of airports around Australia. There are numerous options to charter aircraft that may take you direct to smaller country towns or even offshore islands. The costs can be comparable to scheduled airlines if there are 3 or more people flying in a group. The Australian Private Pilots Licence permits private pilots to carry passengers and to recover the cost of the plane hire and fuel from passengers, but not to advertise for passengers or fly commercially. That said, if you check the web pages of local flying clubs, there are always private pilots willing to fly on a fine weekend if someone is willing to put in for the cost of the plane and fuel.

By train [ edit ]

Trains are rarely a practical means of long-distance transport in Australia: they tend to be slower than driving, more expensive than flying and run less frequently than buses. A historical lack of cooperation between the states, combined with sheer distances and a relatively small population to service, have left Australia with a national rail network that is relatively slow and used mainly for freight. Nevertheless, train travel between cities can be very scenic and present opportunities to see new aspects of the country, and can be a cost-effective way to get to regional towns and cities, which tend to have more expensive flights than those between the state capitals.

The long-distance rail services that do exist are mainly used to link regional townships with the state capital, such as Bendigo to Melbourne, or Cairns to Brisbane. In Queensland, a tilting train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton and Brisbane to Cairns ( Spirit of Queensland ). Queensland also has passenger services to inland centres including Longreach ( The Spirit of the Outback ), Mount Isa ( The Inlander ), Charleville ( The Westlander ) and Forsayth ( The Savannahlander ). There are also inter-city train services operated by Journey Beyond on the Melbourne- Adelaide ( The Overland ), Sydney-Adelaide- Perth ( Indian Pacific ) and Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin ( The Ghan ). However, these are not "high-speed" services and actually cost more than flying, so if you do not enjoy train travel as part of your holiday then this is probably not for you.

Tasmania has no passenger rail services. The Northern Territory has the rail line linking Darwin to Adelaide through Alice Springs only, and the Australian Capital Territory has a single railway station close to the centre of Canberra. Rail service in South Australia is mainly limited to the Adelaide suburban network, though the Overland makes stops in some South Australian country towns on its way to and from Victoria.

Long distance train operators [ edit ]

There is no centralised ticketing service covering all the long-distance railway operators in Australia, and you will need to buy separate tickets from each operator if your journey involves multiple operators.

Journey Beyond - A private train operator running luxury tourist train services; The Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs and Katherine , The Indian Pacific between Sydney and Perth via Broken Hill , Adelaide and Kalgoorlie , and The Overland between Adelaide and Melbourne .
NSW Trainlink Regional - Links Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, and regional connections to most New South Wales towns, including Dubbo , Coffs Harbour , and Wagga Wagga .
V/Line - Train services in Victoria radiating out of Melbourne to regional centres. Also operates coach services to some towns that are not served by the railway. Combined train and coach services are available between Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as Melbourne and Canberra.
Queensland Rail - Long-distance passenger train services in Queensland, including its flagship Spirit of Queensland service between Brisbane and Cairns .
The Savannahlander - A privately run train service that links Cairns with the outback town of Forsayth , using old heritage trains, and providing overnight accommodation and tours on the way.
Transwa - State government run, operating train services to Kalgoorlie and Bunbury . Transwa also operates coach services to much of the state where former rail services operated in the past, especially the southwest of the state.

Rail passes [ edit ]

No rail pass includes all train travel throughout Australia. However, if you are a train buff that intends travelling extensively by rail, there are some passes that may save you money. Plan your trip carefully before investing in a rail pass. Country train services are infrequent and can arrive at regional destinations at unsociable hours.

Discovery Pass . Use any NSW Trainlink services (trains and coaches). Get anywhere in NSW, and north to Brisbane and south to Melbourne.
Queensland Rail Coastal Pass and Queensland Rail Explorer Pass.

Local public transport [ edit ]

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Wollongong and Newcastle have commuter rail and bus services integrated into the city public transport, with trams also running in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, and the Gold Coast, and ferries in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Sydney is home to Australia's sole Metro line. The remaining capital cities have bus services only. See those city guides articles for public transport details.

By motorail [ edit ]

Australia had a tradition of motorail, allowing you to carry carry your car with you on special car carriages attached to the back of the train. This service is now only available on Journey Beyond between Adelaide and Perth or Darwin. You cannot remove your car at any of the intermediate stations.

By bus [ edit ]

Bus travel in Australia is cheap and convenient, although the distances involved for interstate connections are daunting. Greyhound has the largest bus route network. There are no bus services from the other capital cities to Perth.

Firefly Express , ☏ 1300 730 740 (local rate), +61 3 8318 0318 (international callers) , [email protected] . Firefly Express has services connecting Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Greyhound , ☏ 1300 473 946 (local rate) , [email protected] . Greyhound travels daily to over 1100 destinations in Australia. It has a variety of ticketing including all-you-can-ride passes (called "Whimit Passes") that allow you to hop on and off as many times as you like within 15-120 days nationally, or 7-30 days between Melbourne and Cairns ("East Coast Whimit") ( updated May 2023 )
Murrays , ☏ +61 13 22 51 , [email protected] . Murrays has services connecting Canberra with Sydney, the NSW South Coast and snowfields .
Premier Motor Services . Premier runs buses all along the east cost, from Eden in southern NSW, to Cairns in Far North Queensland. Despite having fewer destinations than Greyhound, their buses are comparable and their fares are around 10% cheaper than Greyhound. ( updated May 2023 )

Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth have ferries as part of their public transport system. Some smaller roads in the regional areas still have punts to carry cars across rivers and canals. The islands of the Barrier Reef have some scheduled services, and there are a few cruises that cross the top of Australia as well.

However, large inter city ferry services are not common.

The Spirit of Tasmania . Australia's only long-distance ferry connects Devonport in Tasmania to Geelong , Victoria and carries cars and passengers on the route across Bass Strait daily. Day and night sailings are available. It is usually more expensive than flying but worth it if you want to take your own vehicle.
Sealink connects Kangaroo Island , Australia's second largest southern island to Cape Jervis in mainland South Australia with regular car ferries.
Spencer Gulf Searoad (SeaSA) offers a short cut across the Spencer Gulf between Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay near Cowell or Franklin Harbor on the Eyre Peninsula . The service has been suspended frequently, but is operating as of October 2022.

By thumb [ edit ]

It is legal to hitch hike in some states in Australia, so long as certain guidelines are followed. However, it is less common than in neighbouring New Zealand. In Australia hitch hiking is often frowned upon by locals and police, especially in metropolitan areas.

Hitch hiking is illegal in Victoria and Queensland. It is also illegal to stand on the verge or walk along freeways (often called "motorways" in New South Wales and Queensland) in all states (effectively making hitch hiking illegal in many practical places, in all states).

If forced to hitch hike due to an emergency you may find a motorist willing to take you to the nearest town to obtain help. (Many major inter-city highways and freeways have emergency telephones to request help.)

It is common to see people hitching in rural areas. The best time to hitch hike is early morning. The best location is near, but not on, the main exit from the town you are in.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cycling the long distances between towns in Australia is not common, and most long-distance highways in Australia have poorly developed facilities for cyclists. for example, to cycle between Sydney and Brisbane you would have to allow 2–3 weeks with around 80–100 km per day.

Intrepid travellers do manage to cover the longer distances by bicycle, and have a different experience of Australia. Long distance cyclists can be encountered on the Nullarbor and other isolated highways.

In some states, former railway lines have been changed into rail trails. Rail Trail Australia website has good material of routes off the main highways, with the Murray to the Mountains Train being the best quality trail with the most to see and do along the route. In Western Australia long-distance cycle trails have been developed for mountain bikers. The Munda Biddi trail is many days through bushland, with huts provided for camping along the route.

Wherever you cycle - if you leave the urban sprawl of the capital cities, plan carefully and carry supplies.

See Cycling in New South Wales for details specific to New South Wales.

Hiking [ edit ]

Walking through some parts of Australia is the only way to experience some particular landscapes. In Tasmania the Central Highland Overland Track and the South Coast Track are good examples of walking/hiking holiday to do items. The Bicentennial National Trail is one of the longest trails in the world, stretching from Cooktown in Northern Queensland, to Healesville in Victoria .

See [ edit ]

Wildlife [ edit ].

Australian flora and fauna is unique to the island continent, the result of having been isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years. Amongst Australian animals are a large group of marsupials (mammals with a pouch) and monotremes (mammals that lay eggs). Just some of the animal icons of Australia are the kangaroo (national symbol) and the koala. A visit to Australia would not be complete without taking the chance to see some of these animals in their natural environment.

Wildlife parks and zoos [ edit ]

Wildlife parks and zoos are in every state capital city, but also check out the animal parks if you are passing through smaller towns, like Mildura or Mogo , or staying on Hamilton Island . See the Warrawong Fauna Sanctuary if you are in South Australia, or visit the koalas with best view in the world, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

In the wild [ edit ]

Kangaroos and wallabies are in national parks all around Australia. You won't see any kangaroos hopping down the street in Central Sydney , but they're common on the outskirts of most urban areas.
Wombats and echidnas are also common, but harder to find due to their camouflage and tunnelling. See lots of echidnas on Kangaroo Island.
Koalas are present in forests around Australia, but are notoriously very hard to spot, and walking around looking upwards into the boughs of trees will usually send you sprawling over a tree root. Best seen during the day, there is a thriving and friendly population on Raymond Island near Paynesville in Victoria. You have a good chance on Otway Coast, on the Great Ocean Road , or even in the National Park walk near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.
Emus are more common in central Australia. You will certainly see some if you venture into the outback national park at Currawinya
Cassowaries are found mainly in the tropical rainforests of North Queensland , but as they are critically endangered, you would be very lucky to spot one.
Platypus are found in reedy, flowing creeks with soft river banks in Victoria, Southern New South Wales, and the very southern region of Queensland - seen at dusk and dawn - you have to have a bit of luck to see one. Try the platypus reserves in Bombala or Delegate in New South Wales, or in Emu Creek at Skipton just out of Ballarat .

Convict sites [ edit ]

Much of Australia's modern history was as a penal colony for convicts from the United Kingdom, and there are many historical sites that still stand as a reminder of the days of convict transportation. Perhaps the most famous of these sites are Port Arthur in Tasmania and Fremantle Prison in Fremantle , located near Perth , Western Australia . There are also many other sites scattered throughout the country.

Landmarks [ edit ]

Australia has many landmarks, famous the world over. From Uluṟu in the Red Centre, to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Sydney.

Small Australian towns have a tradition of making big sculptures as landmarks. See Big things in Australia .

Australia has thousands of heritage-registered sites, with 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

Australia may not be a very religious country, but there are some churches that are well-known architectural landmarks. Some examples include St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney and St. Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide .

National parks [ edit ]

Perhaps the best of what can be found in the natural side of Australia is best found in its national parks. Australia has more than 500 or so national parks, which makes Australia the country having the most national parks in the world. Although that number can make it somewhat hard to pick, there are some particular national parks in particular that stand out to travellers more than others. Some national parks (including Australia's largest ) are located in very remote areas with no roads leading there, and the only way to access them is off-road driving in a four-wheel drive; be sure to make ample preparations and stock up on food, water and fuel before you attempt to visit one of these, and it is highly recommended that you rent a satellite phone despite the high cost in case of emergencies. Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia are also home to conservation parks , which are also protected areas of outstanding natural beauty, but not considered to be of enough national significance to be declared national parks.

In New South Wales, a trip is never complete without going to Blue Mountains National Park , just west of Sydney and a UNESCO World Heritage Site , home to several indigenous sacred sites, along with several lookouts, mountains and plateaus. Other national parks in New South Wales that are popular include Royal National Park , a popular beachside spot and the world's second oldest national park just south of Sydney, Kosciuszko National Park for being home to Australia's tallest mountain on the mainland, Dorrigo National Park or New England National Park for its Gondwana Rainforests, or a more isolated Mungo National Park home to the unusual but yet great "Walls of China" formation.

In the Northern Territory, the two most famous parks by far are Kakadu National Park and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park , two icons of Australia which are both pretty self explanatory. Other popular national parks include Litchfield National Park home to several waterfalls, Nitmiluk for the Katherine Gorge, Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park and Watarrka National Park for their gorges and canyons.

In Queensland, similar to the Northern Territory, the two most famous and internationally recognized parks are the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef , one for being the world's oldest living rainforest while the latter for being the world's largest reef system. Other popular national parks include Lamington National Park for its Gondwana Rainforests or Great Sandy National Park for being the world's largest sand island and the only place in the world where forest grows on sand or the Whitsunday Islands , home to some of the world's whitest beaches. Other important but relatively unknown national parks include Boodjamulla National Park , a world heritage site for its fossils or Carnarvon National Park for its landscape and rock art.

In South Australia, national parks tend to be of different quality, and by far the most recognised one is Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park , what first comes in mind for many who think about South Australia. Others include Naracoorte Caves National Park , a world heritage site for its fossils, or the Coorong , the world's longest beach and an important Aboriginal cultural site.

Tasmania has by far the most wilderness, and with almost a little less than 50% of its national parks as world heritage sites, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is by far its most iconic national park, while Southwest National Park is the largest in the state. For those interesting in mountains that are easily accessible, Hartz Mountains National Park or Mount Field National Park is generally the national park to go, with the latter along with Ben Lomond National Park known for skiing and snowsports. For the parks of other kinds, Freycinet National Park is known for its beaches while Tasman National Park has some of the world's highest ocean cliffs.

Victoria, despite being the smallest mainland state has quite a lot more to offer than you might think. Its most iconic one is Port Campbell National Park , and although the name of the park is not well known, one of its main features – the 12 Apostles – is what brings so much visitors to it. Others include Wilsons Promontory , home to the southernmost point of the Australian mainland, or Murray Sunset National Park , home to a pink lake.

Western Australia, being the world's second largest jurisdictions has plenty to offer. In particular, the one that's most known is Nambung National Park for its Pinnacles Desert, but others include Kalbarri National Park or Karijini National Park both home to several unique geological formations, or Murujuga National Park for being home to some of the world's densest collections of rock art. Purnululu National Park or Shark Bay both tend to be a bit far from Perth , but both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both offering something unique in sight. And if you thought that everything that's scenic has to be on land – you could be hardly ever more wrong. The Ningaloo Marine Park (and Exmouth and Coral Bay ) have a lot to offer, especially for those keen in marine life.

Space [ edit ]

The vast open outback in Australia makes Australia a prime destination for space-enthusiasts. However, unlike the Northern Hemisphere, the constellations here are very different, owing to the fact that Australia is in the southern hemisphere. There are plenty of astrotourism sites, ranging from a cities, to as far deep in the outback as you can go.

Sports [ edit ]

Sport is an integral part of the Australian culture from the capital cities to country towns. As a testament to this, Australia has a track record of being one of the best performing teams at the Olympics despite its relatively small population. The majority of games are played over the weekend period (from Friday night to Monday night). Australian sports fans are generally well behaved, and it is not uncommon for fans of two opposing teams to sit together during a match, even if the teams are bitter rivals. While the cheering can get really passionate, actual crowd violence is extremely rare.

In the winter in Victoria Australian rules football (Aussie Rules, or in some areas just "footy") is more than just a sport, it is a way of life. Catch a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although originating from and most popular in the state of Victoria, the premier national competition, known as the Australian Football League (AFL) , has teams from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and the Gold Coast as well. The AFL Grand Final , held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground either in late September or early October each year, is the most watched event on the Australian sporting calendar. The AFL now runs a women's league, known as AFL Women's , during the summer. While obviously not as popular as the men's game, it still enjoys a decent following. The next women's season in 2020 will feature 14 teams from all of the current men's AFL markets.
In summer, international cricket is played between Australia and at least two touring sides. The games rotate around all the capital cities. To experience the traditional game catch the New Year's test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground played for 5 days starting from the 2nd of January, or the Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Or for a more lively entertaining form, that only takes a few hours, try a twenty-twenty match. The final form is "One Day" Cricket, international matches generally start at 1PM and finish at 10PM or 11PM (a "Day-Nighter"), with most domestic and occasional international matches played from 11AM to 6PM. The Australia Day One Day International is held in Adelaide every 26 January. The Ashes is a series of five test matches played between the Australian and English national teams. It is held in Australia every three or four years, and is one of the highlights of the cricket calendar. Whenever Australia hosts the series, the five matches are held in the five largest cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
The Australian Open , one of the tennis Grand Slams, is played annually at Melbourne Park , including the main stadium of Rod Laver Arena , near the Melbourne city centre. Or the Medibank International in Sydney Olympic Park in January.

Catch a rugby union Super Rugby game, with teams playing from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney during late Summer/Autumn. The Australian national team, the Wallabies, also host international teams during winter, including New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina for The Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri Nations tournament).
Rugby League is a winter game played mainly in New South Wales and Queensland, with the National Rugby League (NRL) competition being the premier competition. Teams include Melbourne in Victoria, Brisbane, North Queensland and the Gold Coast in Queensland, a team from New Zealand, with the rest of the teams coming from suburban areas in Sydney, and some in regional areas of New South Wales such as Newcastle and Canberra. The competition culminates in the NRL Grand Final , which is held every year in the Stadium Australia in Sydney. The biggest event in the rugby league calendar of Australia is the State of Origin series between teams representing the states of New South Wales and Queensland, which consists of an annual series of three matches of which two are played in Sydney and Brisbane, and the third is played in either of those cities or sometimes, Melbourne or Perth. Many fans consider the level of play in the State of Origin series to be even higher than that in the Rugby League World Cup.
Netball is Australia's largest female sport, and there are weekly games in the domestic Super Netball league (which replaced a previous transnational league that also included New Zealand sides). The Australian national team is arguably the strongest in the world, with England, New Zealand and Jamaica usually posing the biggest challenge to Australian dominance.
Soccer is a growing sport that is aspiring to reach European levels and is very popular at amateur stages. Many immigrants and second-generation Australians hail from European countries where passion for the sport is very high. The Australia national team (the Socceroos) won the Asia Cup for the first time in 2015 and have raised the sport's profile significantly. There is a national A-League, which is a fully professional league involving teams from Australia and one from New Zealand, with games played weekly during the summer. Most cities have a semi-professional "state league" played during winter, with most clubs being built around a specific ethnic/migrant community, for example a Newcastle league side Broadmeadow Magic, which was built around the cities' Macedonian population. While women's soccer is less popular as a spectator sport, it enjoys a decent following, with the national team (the Matildas) regularly participating in the World Cup. The women's counterpart to the A-League is the W-League.
F1 Grand Prix The Melbourne Grand Prix in March takes place on a street circuit around Albert Park Lake, only a few kilometres south of central Melbourne. It is used annually as a racetrack for the Australian Grand Prix and associated support races.
The Supercars Championship is a popular form of motor racing unique to Australia involving powerful cars, comparable to NASCAR racing in the United States—though unlike NASCAR, which races almost exclusively on oval tracks, the Supercars series uses road courses and street circuits. Events are held all over the country between March and early December. The famous Bathurst 1000 is traditionally held in October.
Horse racing is Australia's third most popular spectator sport after Australian rules football and rugby league, and races are held regularly in all of Australia's state capitals. The premier event in Australia's horse racing calendar is the annual Melbourne Cup , which also ranks among the most prestigious races in the world. The day of the Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in the state of Victoria , and people throughout Australia who do not usually follow horse racing will tune in just for this day.

Itineraries [ edit ]

Anne Beadell Highway
Gibb River Road
Grand Pacific Drive
Great Ocean Road
Gunbarrel Highway
Oodnadatta Track
Stuart Highway : crossing Australia north-south
Tourist Drive 33
Waterfall Way
Military museums and sites in Australia

Do [ edit ]

Swim [ edit ]

in the surf . Australia has seemingly endless sandy beaches. Follow the crowds to the world-famous Bondi Beach in Sydney, or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Or find a stretch all for yourself (but beware of dangerous rips on beaches, it is considerably safer to find a patrolled beach). The surf is smaller and warmer in the Tropical North, where the reef breaks the swell, and larger and colder in the south with waves rolling in from the Southern Ocean. (And yes, in the middle it is just right ).
in calm tropical oceans . Cable Beach in Broome is swept pristine daily by the tide, has perfect sand, and warm water - go in winter.
in thermal pools . South of Darwin there are many natural thermal pools such as Berry Springs & Mataranka, surrounded by palms and tropical foliage. The most expensive resort in the world couldn't dream of making a pool this good.
in freshwater lakes . Inland Australia tends to be dry, but there are freshwater lakes where you would least expect them. Explore inland of Cairns at the Atherton Tablelands, or head outback to the Currawinya National Park . Watch out for crocodiles.
in rivers . If its hot, and there is water, there will be a place to swim. Wherever you are, just ask around for the favourite swimming spot, with a waterhole and rope to swing on. Watch out for crocodiles.
in man-made pools . The local swimming pool is often the hub of community life on a summer Sunday in the country towns of New South Wales and Victoria. Many of the beachside suburbs of Sydney and Newcastle have man made rock/concrete pools called 'baths' where you can swim beside the ocean beaches.
on the beach ! Find your spot by the water, and get out the towel. Tropical north in the winter, down south in the summer. As always when in Australia, protect yourself from the sun.

Bushwalking [ edit ]

Bushwalking is a popular Australian activity. You can go bushwalking in the many national parks and rainforests. Some areas also have guided bush walks by the local Aboriginal people, and these are an excellent opportunity to learn about the culture of the local Aboriginal ethnic group.

Diving [ edit ]

Snorkelling take a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef on the Queensland coast, or the Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Western Australia. Or take a trip out to Julian rocks off Byron Bay , or just dive in off the beach to see the tropical fish in Bundaberg .
Scuba Diving
Rock Climbing
Mountain Biking . Try the trails in the Snowy Mountains or black mountain in Canberra, or cycle for days along the Munda Biddi Mountain Bike trail in Western Australia.
Horse Riding . The horse has a rich tradition in the settlement of Australia since the arrival of the first European settlers. Relying on the horse to travel the vast distances and harsh environments of Australia was the foundation of a strong and lasting relationship between Australians and their horses. Today horse riding in Australia includes many recreational and occupational activities from cattle musters on vast stations, to the multimillion-dollar racing industry. On the outskirts of towns and cities and out in the rural landscape, you will see the many pony paddocks and much loved horses that are a testament to the ongoing passion and commitment Australian horse owners have to their horses and the enjoyment they bring.

Ski [ edit ]

Australia is not a premier worldwide destination for skiing, and its relatively low mountains mean that snow can be unpredictable. Nevertheless, if you there during (southern) winter months then New South Wales and Victoria have well developed ski facilities. Tasmania can also have skiing for a few months of the year, given the right weather.

See Winter sports in Australia

Surf [ edit ]

If you think Australia is the most unpopulated and most remote place on earth where you can go to escape any trace of human contact, just find a good surf break in the most remote corner of Australia and you will be guaranteed to find someone surfing it. Australians love to surf and wherever there is surf there are Aussie surfers, any time and under any conditions. Virtually every coastline, except along the top end from Cairns across to Karatha has surf and surfers there to ride it.

Thrill activities [ edit ]

Sky Diving , all around Australia
Hot Air Ballooning , in Canberra, Brisbane or in the Red Centre .
Kitesurfing and windsurfing in and around Geraldton, Western Australia and at Coronation Beach , the windsurfing and kitesurfing capital of Australia
Whitewater rafting in Tasmania or Far North Queensland .

Gamble [ edit ]

It has been said that if there are two flies crawling up a wall, then you just need to look around to find the Aussie who will be running a book.

Casinos . Crown Casino in Melbourne is Australia's largest, located at Southbank, but there are others in every capital city and in Cairns, Launceston , Alice Springs, the Gold Coast and Townsville .
Day at the races . All capital cities have horse racing every weekend, with on-track and off-track betting available. They are usually family occasions, and fashion and being seen are part of the event. Just about every pub in New South Wales will have a tab, where you can place a bet without leaving your chair at the bar. Greyhound racing and trotting happens in the evenings, usually with smaller crowds, more beer, and less fashion. Smaller country towns have race meetings every few months or even annually. These are real events for the local communities, and see the smaller towns come to life. Head outback to the Birdsville races, or if you find the streets deserted it is probably ten past three on the first Tuesday in November (the running of the Melbourne cup).
The unusual . Lizard races, cane toad races, camel races, crab races. Betting on these races is totally illegal and you'll find the TIB (Totally Illegal Betting) around the back of the shed.
Two up . If you are around for Anzac Day (25 April), then betting on coins thrown into the air will be happening at your local RSL club, wherever you are.
Australia has almost a quarter of all the slot machines (locally known as "pokies" or "poker machines") in the world, and more than half of these are in New South Wales, where most pubs and clubs have gaming rooms (labelled "VIP lounges" for legal reasons) where one can "have a slap" and go for the feature. Just don't get addicted.
If none of this appeals, and you just have too much money in your pocket, every town and suburb in Australia has a TAB (Totalisator Agency Board – betting shop), though these are usually sad, dim affairs filled with old men. Pick your sport, pick a winner, and hand over your money at the counter.

Gambling is illegal for under-18's. This can often restrict entry to parts of pubs, clubs, and casinos for children.

Royal shows [ edit ]

Each of Australia's states and mainland territories is home to a royal show , which are agricultural fairs that also feature amusement rides and other forms of entertainment, and serve as Australia's equivalent of state fairs in the United States. These shows are held in the respective state and territory capitals, usually during the spring or autumn months.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ]

The Australian currency is known as the dollar , denoted by the symbol " $ " or " A$ " (ISO code: AUD ). It is divided into 100 cents (c) . In this guide, the "$" sign denotes Australian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Coins come in denominations of 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, the 12-sided 50¢, $1 and the tiny $2. Notes come in denominations of $5 (mauve), $10 (blue), $20 (red), $50 (yellow) and $100 (green). $100 notes are rare and sometimes hard to use in shops. Modern Australian notes are printed on plastic polymer rather than paper. Older paper notes may not be accepted by many merchants, but they can be exchanged for newer polymer notes at most banks for free. If the total of a transaction is not a multiple of 5 cents the amount will be rounded to the nearest five cents if you are paying in cash. The exact amount will be charged if paying by card.

The dollar is not pegged to any other currency, and is highly traded on world foreign exchange markets, particularly by currency speculators. Its exchange value to other currencies can be quite volatile, and 1-2% changes in a day are reasonably regular occurrences.

Currency exchange [ edit ]

You won't need much cash in Australia, as almost all businesses accept credit and debit cards. Cash is still handy to have, especially since some cafes, pubs and restaurants add a fee for card payments (usually 1-2%, which must be on a sign at the register).

As the Australian dollar is considered to be a major world currency, it is widely available at money changers and banks throughout the world.

Money changers in Australia operate in a free market, and charge a range of flat commissions, percentage fees, undisclosed fees built into the exchange rate, or a combination of all three. You can avoid rip-off rates by using banks in major centres, and staying clear of airports and tourist centres. However, both the best and worst rates come from the small private sellers, and you can certainly save money over the banks by shopping around. Always get a quote before changing money. You'll usually need to have photo identification with you, although you may be exempt if only changing a small amount.

Dedicated currency exchange outlets are widely available in major cities, and banks can also exchange most non-restricted currencies. These exchange outlets — especially the ones at the airport — usually give terrible rates, usually around 10% from current exchange midpoint. Australian banks usually offer an exchange rate around 2.5% from the current exchange midpoint. A flat commission of $5–8 can be charged on top. Some outlets advertise commission free exchange, usually accompanied by a worse rate of exchange. Don't assume every bank will offer the same exchange rate. There are vouchers for commission free exchange at American Express available in the tourist brochure at Sydney Airport.

International airport terminals will have teller machines that can dispense Australian currency with Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard or Visa cards.

Banking [ edit ]

Opening an Australian bank account is fairly straightforward if you have a residential address in Australia. You will need to provide evidence of your identity, such as a passport, to the bank in order for your application to be processed. The largest retail banks in Australia are National Australia Bank (NAB) , Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) , Commonwealth Bank and Westpac .

Cash dispensing Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available in almost every Australian town. Australian ATMs are deregulated and may impose a surcharge over what is charged by your bank or card issuer. The fees can vary between institutions and between locations, but are usually around $2. The ATM will display the charges and you will have the option to stop the transaction before you are charged. Check with your bank as to what additional fees they apply to withdrawals in Australia.

Costs [ edit ]

Australia is generally an expensive place to visit, with some surveys having ranked Australia as the third most expensive country in the world in terms of consumer prices, only behind Norway and Switzerland.

Dorm accommodation in a capital city is around $30, but can run as low as $15 in Cairns or cheaper backpacker centres. A basic motel in the country or in the capital city suburbs would cost upwards of $100 for a double. City Centre hotel accommodation in capital cities can be obtained for around $200 upwards for a double. Formule 1/Motel 6 style hotels (which are not common) can be around $100 for a double.

Car hire (rental) will cost around $65 a day. Public transport day passes from $9–20 per day depending on the city.

A cafe meal costs around $15-20, and a main course in a restaurant goes from around $25 upwards.

A basic takeaway meal - a burger, sandwich, or couple of slices of pizza costs $10, a Big Mac costs $7.90, and you can usually grab a pie or sausage roll from $5.

A middy/pot (285mL) of house beer will cost you around $8, and a glass of house wine around $10 in a low end pub. To take away, a case of 24 cans of beer will cost around $45, or a bottle of wine from $10.

An airfare between neighbouring eastern capitals is around $150 each way but can get as low as $60 if you book at the right time, or around $350 to cross the country assuming that you are flexible with dates and book in advance. A train trip on the state run trains will usually cost slightly less. A bus trip, a little less again. A train trip on the private trains will be the most expensive way to travel.

There is usually no admission charge to beaches or city parks. Some popular National Parks charge between $6 and $20 per day (per car, or per person depending on the state) while more out of the way National Parks are free. Art Galleries and some attractions are free. Museums generally charge around $10 per admission. Theme parks charge around $70 per person.

Tax [ edit ]

Australia has a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) that applies to all goods and services except unprocessed foods, education and medical services. GST is always included in the displayed price of any consumer purchases. Receipts (tax invoices) will contain the GST amount.

Tourist Refund Scheme [ edit ]

If you buy goods worth more than $300 at one place, over one or multiple invoices, you can obtain a refund of the GST (plus WET for wine) if you take the items out of Australia within 60 days. Unlike in many other countries, this applies to both Australian citizens and foreigners. Make sure you get a tax invoice from the supplier (which will have the goods itemised, the GST paid, and the ABN of the supplier). If possible, pre-fill the refund form online for faster processing. You may discard the packaging and start using the goods while still in Australia. Pack the items in hand luggage, and present the item(s) and the receipt at the TRS, after immigration and security when leaving Australia. If any of the items have to be checked in for whatever reason, make sure that you locate the customs office and let customs officers sight the goods before checking-in your bags. Also allow at least an extra 30 minutes before departure. The refund payment can be made by either cheque, credit to an Australian bank account, or payment to a credit card. There is no refund available for GST on services. Remember the goods are now considered duty-free, so they will now count against your duty-free allowance should you bring them back to Australia in the future, and you will need to pay GST on them should your duty free allowance be exceeded.

Credit cards [ edit ]

Credit cards are widely accepted in Australia. Visa and MasterCard are the most accepted cards. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at major supermarket and department store chains. Any card showing the Cirrus or Maestro logos can be used at any terminal displaying those logos. Australian debit cards can also be used via a system known as EFTPOS. UnionPay, AliPay and WeChat Pay are becoming more common in tourist shops and restaurants due to the rising number of Chinese visitors. It is difficult to use them in other businesses however.

Apple Pay , Google Pay and contactless credit cards are accepted. You will only need to enter a PIN if the purchase is over $200.

Australian credit cards are issued with a PIN. If you have an overseas card without a PIN you can still sign for purchases, however shopkeepers unused to dealing with overseas cards may not be aware of this. Try to have a PIN on your card if your bank allows it. If not, you may have to explain that you have an overseas card and wait while the shopkeeper finds a pen.

Credit card surcharges are imposed at all car rental agencies, travel agents, airlines, and at some discount retailers (such as Aldi) and service stations. They are increasingly common in cafes, bars and restaurants. Surcharges are far more common and higher for American Express and Diners Club (typically 2%-4%) than they are for Visa and MasterCard (typically 1.5%).

Haggling [ edit ]

Bargaining is uncommon in Australian stores, though vendors are usually willing to meet or beat a quote or advertised price from a competing retailer. It's also worth asking for a "best price" for high-value goods or purchases involving several items. For example, it would not be unusual to get 10% off an item of jewellery that was not already reduced in price. The person you are dealing with may have limited authority to sell items at anything other than the marked price. Attempting to haggle without a reason will most likely be perceived as rude in Australia and will be unsuccessful.

Tipping [ edit ]

Tipping is not customary in Australia, although tips are accepted if you freely choose to give one.

Restaurants are required to include the cost of service and taxes in posted prices. You may, however, choose to leave a small tip if the service was exemplary. When paying by credit card, some restaurants give the option of adding a tip to your payment, although it is completely optional. Other places provide a coin jar or bowl by the cashier labelled "Tips", but the vast majority of Australian diners do not leave one. Bartenders are rarely tipped.

Other types of service personnel, including hotel staff, porters, tour guides, food delivery drivers and hairdressers do not expect to receive tips.

Tipping is also not expected in taxis, and drivers will typically return your change to the last 5 cents, unless you indicate that they should round the fare to the nearest dollar. It is not unusual for passengers to instruct the driver to round up to the next whole dollar.

Casinos in Australia generally prohibit tipping of gaming staff, as it is considered bribery. Similarly, offering to tip government officials will usually be interpreted as bribery and can potentially be treated as a criminal offence.

Trading hours [ edit ]

Australia's base trading hours are Monday to Friday 9AM-5PM. Shops usually have a single night of late night trading, staying open until 9PM on Fridays in most cities and on Thursdays in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Sunday trading is common in the main cities but does not exist in all rural areas. Opening hours beyond these base hours vary by the type of store, by location, and by state. See our localised guides for more local information.

Major supermarket chains in main centres are generally open at least until 9PM on weekdays (and often until midnight), but generally have reduced hours on weekends. Convenience stores such as 7/11 are open 24 hours in major centres.

Fast food restaurant chains are commonly open 24 hours or at least very late. Many food courts in city centres typically close by 4PM and completely close on weekends if targeting office workers, but other eateries and food courts in shopping centres have longer hours.

Fuel/service stations are open 24 hours in major centres, but often close at 6pm and on Sundays in country towns.

Australia's weekend is on Saturday and Sunday of each week. Retail trading is now almost universal in larger cities on weekends, although with slightly reduced hours. Again, Western Australia is an exception with restrictions on large stores opening on Sundays. In smaller country towns shops are closed on Sundays and often also on Saturday afternoons. Businesses in towns with heavy tourist visitation will often be open on Saturday and Sunday as a means of serving weekend visitors, but will take their weekends on Monday and Tuesday instead, so expect reduced service in some towns on those days.

Tourist-oriented towns and shops may stay open longer hours. Tourist areas within cities, such as Darling Harbour in Sydney have longer trading hours every night.

Australian banks are open Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM only, often closing at 5PM on Fridays. Cash is available through Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) 24 hours, and currency exchange outlets have extended hours and are open on weekends.

Eat [ edit ]

Australian cuisine was mainly influenced by its British and Irish colonial heritage until the 1960s and 70s, but with a history of immigration from other parts of Europe like Germany, Italy, Greece and Poland, the influence of these cultures has become more evident in Australian cuisine than its British and Irish beginnings. The large influx of Asian migrants has also left its mark on Australian cuisine, with many Australian chefs incorporating Asian influences in nominally Western dishes.

The various Aboriginal ethnic groups have their own distinctive cuisines, though due to the fact that they make extensive use of exotic ingredients, these have for the most part not become a part of mainstream Australian cuisine.

Generally speaking, table manners in Australia conform to European norms.

Places to eat [ edit ]

There is no shortage of places to eat out in the cities and towns. In addition to good restaurants offering cuisine from around the world, there are also the following:

Pubs usually offer a lunch and dinner menu, consisting of hearty Aussie staples like steaks, burgers, fish and chips, and chicken parmigiana. Meals may be served at a bistro or restaurant area separate from the main counter.
Clubs such as bowling clubs, leagues clubs, RSLs are in many towns and cities. They are most common in the states of Queensland and New South Wales. Most allow visitors, and sometimes offer good value meals. A quick, free registration process is often required to comply with gambling laws.
Cafes , most towns and suburbs have a cafe or coffee shop, serving breakfast and light meals and cakes from early morning to afternoon. The vast majority close by 4PM.
Bakeries , usually a good place to buy bread rolls, a pie or a sausage roll.
Fast food restaurants , McDonald's (or Macca's ), Subway and KFC are common. Burger King is rebranded as Hungry Jack's. Red Rooster is an Australian chain, offering barbecued chicken and other mostly chicken-based items and Oporto is an Australian version of Nando's.
Take-away , milk bars, sushi stores and other take-away stores usually sell sushi, pies, barbecued (rotisserie) chicken, hamburgers, fish and chips, gyros, and kebabs.
Food courts , most shopping centres have a food court, even in country towns.
Picnic , the Australian climate is usually amenable to getting whatever food you can, and heading to the nearest park, river, lake or beach.
Barbecue is a popular Australian pastime and many parks in Australia provide free barbecues for public use. Contrary to the stereotype, Australians rarely "throw a shrimp on the barbie" (also, in Australia a shrimp is referred to as a prawn). Steaks, chops, sausages, chicken fillets, fish, and kebabs are popularly barbecued.
Wineries , many of Australia's wineries have restaurants serving modern Australian cuisine that overlook their vineyards, where you can also purchase their wines to go with your meal. Typically only open for lunch, although some upmarket places offer elaborate multicourse degustation dinners as well.

Native foods [ edit ]

It may come as a disappointment that native foods are not actually available that much in Australian restaurants, nor consumed by Australians much themselves. They are available in supermarkets and in some of the remoter parts of the country. Traditional Aboriginal diets can include endangered species, the consumption of which is strictly restricted to specific communities and unlikely to be available to you.

Kangaroo , if you fancy some, it is available from many supermarkets and butchers. Barbecue it until medium rare, but best not to overcook as it may become quite tough . This red meat tastes much like beef and occasionally makes it onto the menu in restaurants, mostly in tourist areas. Kangaroos are abundant (over 50 million in the country), do far less damage to the sensitive native environment than hoofed animals, and produce far fewer carbon emissions as well. It makes a great environmental statement to make whilst barbecuing.
Crocodile , meat from farms in the Northern Territory and Queensland is widely available around the top end, and occasionally elsewhere. At Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia, you can see the ancient reptile on a farm while munching on a croc burger. This white meat tastes much like chicken.
Emu , yes, you can eat the other half of the Australian Coat of Arms as well. Emu is a red meat that is low in fat and available from specialty butchers. Try the Coat of Arms in a pie in Maleny or on a pizza in The Rocks .
Possum , mostly eaten in Tasmania (especially on Bruny Island).
Bush tucker , many tours may give you an opportunity to try some bush tucker, the berries, nuts, roots, ants, and grubs from Australia's native bush. Macadamia nuts are the only native plant to Australia that is grown for food commercially. Some of the other bush foods can be an acquired taste, though native seasonings are certainly worth trying, and are increasingly being featured in Australian fine dining restaurants. Bush tucker ice cream can sometimes be found at farmers' markets and outdoor festivals.

Beyond cuisine [ edit ]

Australia has a good deal of British-inspired food that is not well known internationally. Definitely worth a try.

Vegemite , a salty yeast-based spread, best spread thinly on toast. If you aren't up for buying a jar, any coffee shop will serve vegemite on toast at breakfast time. It may not even be on the menu, but the vegemite will be out the back in the jar next to the marmalade. If you do buy a jar, the secret is it to spread it very thin , and don't forget the butter as well. It tastes similar to Marmite in the UK or Cenovis in Switzerland. Australians are quite used to the taste, and may spread the Vegemite very thick; but this is not recommended for first-timers.

The Tim-Tam is a chocolate fudge-filled sandwich of two chocolate biscuits, all dipped in chocolate. You can buy them from any supermarket or convenience store. Tim-Tams are required to perform the Tim-Tam Slam manoeuvre. This requires biting a corner off both ends of the Tim-Tam, then using it as a straw to drink a cup of tea or coffee. This melts the centre and creates an experience hard to describe. Finesse is needed to suck the whole biscuit into your mouth in the microseconds between being fully saturated and dissolving. Tim-Tams are sold in packs of 11, so be sure to agree on the sharing arrangements before buying a packet with your travel partner, or onward travel arrangements may be disrupted. During summer Tim-Tams are often stored in the freezer and eaten ice cold. Not as good are the Indonesian-made Tim-Tams sometimes found in discount grocery stores. These can be differentiated by being thinner and often individually-wrapped.

The lamington is a cube of sponge cake covered in chocolate icing and dipped in desiccated coconut. It's named after Lord Lamington, who served as Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. The home-baked form can be found at a local Saturday morning market, or your local bakery. The plastic-wrapped varieties sold in supermarkets are not as good.

The pavlova is a meringue cake with a cream topping usually decorated with fresh fruit. Served on special occasions, or after a lunchtime barbecue. Often the source of dispute with New Zealand over the original source of the recipe.

ANZAC biscuits are a mix of coconut, oats, flour, sugar and golden syrup. They were reputedly sent by wives and care organisations to world war I soldiers in care packages, but the story is likely apocryphal. They are available from bakeries, cafes and supermarkets, and are popular in the lead up to ANZAC day (25 April).

Damper is a traditional soda bread that was baked by drovers and stockmen. It has basic ingredients (flour, water and perhaps salt) and usually cooked in the embers of a fire. It is not available in bakeries and only commonly served to tourists on organised tours. Best eaten with butter and jam or golden syrup as it is dry and bland.

A Chiko roll is a deep-fried snack inspired by the egg roll or the spring roll. Despite the name, it contains no chicken. Its filling is boned mutton, vegetables, rice, barley, and seasoning. Its shell is thicker than an egg roll, meant to survive handling at football matches. Available anywhere fish and chips are sold.

The Australian Meat Pie is considered to be the national dish by many. A variation is the pie floater from Adelaide which is a pie inverted in a bowl of thick mushy pea soup.

Other cuisines [ edit ]

Cuisines widely available in Australia, often prepared by members of the relevant culture, include:

British , Australia's colonial heritage is perhaps best represented by the ubiquity of fish and chips , and virtually every neighbourhood and small town in a coastal area will have a local fish and chip shop. Common types of fish used in Australia include flake (various types of small shark), flathead, barramundi and King George whiting. Unlike in the UK, fish and chips is typically served with ketchup and tartar sauce in Australia. British and Irish style pubs are common throughout populated areas of Australia, although they feature Australian staples such as chicken parmas, schnitzels and pasta.
Chinese , synonymous with the term "takeaway" in the past generations. Many Chinese restaurants still cater to takeaway addicts today, mostly of the Australianised Chinese variety, but major cities have small "Chinatowns" or suburbs with a large number of ethnic Chinese residents that have excellent restaurants serving authentic Chinese food. Cantonese Dim Sum is available in dedicated restaurants in most large shopping malls.
Thai restaurants are common everywhere. Sydney in particular is known as one of the best destinations for Thai food in the world.
Italian , the Italian community is one of the largest ethnic communities of non Anglo-Saxon origin in Australia, and they have contributed greatly to the cafe culture that has flourished across the major cities over the past few decades. Restaurants either serve Italian food that has been adapted to suit Australian tastes, or authentic regional Italian food, with the latter tending to be pricier and in more upmarket surrounds. Head to Lygon street in Melbourne or Leichhardt in Sydney if you're a fan.
Greek is not quite as widespread as Italian above, but good options exist in every city and town.
A fusion dish that's becoming increasingly popular nationwide is the halal snack pack (also known by many alternate names). It consists of halal-certified doner kebab meat (originating from Turkey) and chips, smothered in sauces of your own choosing, and often cheese. Typically served in styrofoam containers as a takeaway dish. In Adelaide, the AB is similar to the halal snack pack of the eastern states, but it usually not halal.
Indian is available in most cities, and often represent a good mid-range restaurant option.
Japanese , including bento takeaway shops, udon restaurants and sushi trains. They are often operated by Koreans , whose own cuisine is also well represented in the major cities (particularly Sydney and Melbourne).
Vietnamese , Pho and Cha Gio (spring rolls) are easy to find in the major cities.
German , South Australia and Queensland in particular have had a long history of German settlement, and German restaurants can be found in major cities and in country towns that were historically settled by Germans. The schnitzel is a German dish that has been Australianised and is widely available in pubs and cafes throughout the country, though unlike German schnitzels, which are usually made of pork, Australian schnitzels are usually made of chicken or beef. A good selection of German or German-inspired sausages is also available at many butchers.
Asian fusion refers generally to Asian-inspired dishes.

Modern Australian [ edit ]

Modern Australian is a recently developed cuisine that is often seen in fine dining establishments, analogous to Modern American cuisine in the United States. This cuisine mixes cooking styles and flavours from different parts of Europe and Asia, paying homage to the diverse origins of Australia's population, and often incorporates native Australian flavours from the bush as well.

Vegetarian [ edit ]

Eating vegetarian is available in Australia and many restaurants offer at least one or two vegetarian dishes. Some will have an entire vegetarian menu section. Vegans may have more difficulty but any restaurant with a large vegetarian menu should offer some flexibility. In large cities and in the coastal backpacker-friendly towns along the east coast, you will find vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The market town of Kuranda or the seaside towns of Byron Bay are a vegetarian's paradise. In other regional areas especially in the Northern Territory, North Western Australia and north Queensland vegetarians are often poorly catered-for, but most towns will have a Chinese or Thai restaurant that will provide steamed rice and vegetables. Sydney and Melbourne in particular cater well for vegans and vegetarians with a lot of purely vegetarian restaurants, vegan clothing stores and vegan supermarkets.

Quick vegetarian options include:

'Smashed Avo' is a mix of avocado and feta cheese, served on toast and with an egg. A popular breakfast option and (unfairly) associated with free-spending millennials.
Sushi rolls and tofu pockets, available at sushi shops everywhere
Vietnamese spring rolls (Bahn Mi) are also readily available with vegetarian fillings
Korean restaurants offer rice bowls (such as Bibimbap) with no meat
Pie shops have spinach rolls (filled with spinach and ricotta cheese)
Most food halls have a dedicated salad counter

More remote outback areas may have very few vegetarian options (lots of processed meat pies and little else), so it is worth packing some vegetarian supplies before you go.

Religious diets [ edit ]

People observing kosher or halal will easily be able to find specialist butchers in the capital cities, and will also find a number of restaurants with appropriate menus and cooking styles. Outside the capital cities, it will be much more difficult to find food prepared in a strict religious manner. Fast food chains often offer Halal certified meals in areas with large Muslim populations in Western Sydney and Melbourne.

Allergies [ edit ]

Australian restaurants generally provide options for people with common allergies such as nuts and seafood. Ask the waitstaff if in doubt.

The gluten free diet fad has spread to Australia, and there is no shortage of gluten free products in supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants, albeit often at higher prices than the regular versions of those products.

Markets [ edit ]

Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market, Adelaide's Central Market and the Fremantle Markets near Perth are perhaps Australia's best known examples of traditional European-style food markets. The Sydney Fish Market is one of the most iconic traditional seafood markets in the world.

All of the capital cities and most regional towns in Australia host a "farmer's market", which is generally held each week in a designated area on a Saturday or Sunday. These markets mostly sell fresh fruits and vegetables, as hygiene regulations in Australia forbid the selling of meat directly from market stalls. Butchers who set up shop at a farmer's market would usually trade their wares from a display cabinet within their boot (trunk). The attraction of markets is the lower prices and freshness of the produce. The attraction for the traveller will be the cheap and excellent fruits on offer - depending on the region and season (in places like Queensland or the Northern Territory, you're more likely to find mangoes while down in Tasmania you're much more likely to find apples). In regional areas the market is usually held outside the town itself in an empty paddock or sports field, markets in capital cities are easier to reach but the prices are typically more in line with those you would find in supermarkets. See the destination guides for details.

Drink [ edit ]

Beer [ edit ].

Drinking beer is ingrained in Australian culture. Although Fosters is promoted as an Australian beer overseas, it is rarely consumed by Australians in Australia, and is almost impossible to find. Beer loyalties are strongly regional and every state has its own brews: Coopers and West End in South Australia, Carlton and VB in Victoria, Tooheys in NSW, XXXX (pronounced "fourex") in Queensland, Boags and Cascade in Tasmania, and Swan in Western Australia. Microbreweries are also extremely popular and any pub worth its salt will have half a dozen on tap: look for slightly sweet Pacific ales and hoppier Australian pale ales. A range of imported European and American bottled beers are available in all but the most basic pub.

Light (Lite) beer refers to lower alcoholic content, and not lower calories. It has around half the alcohol of full strength beer, and is taxed at a lower rate, meaning it is also cheaper than full strength beer. Low calorie beer is sold as low carb .

Because Australians like their beer to stay cold while they drink it, draft beer glasses come in a multitude of sizes, so that you can drink a whole glass before it warms up in the summer heat. The naming of beer glasses varies widely from state to state, often in confusing ways: a schooner ( SKOO-ner ) is 425mL everywhere except South Australia, where it's only 285mL, a size that's known elsewhere as a middy or pot , except in Darwin where it's a handle , but in Adelaide a "pot" means a 570mL full pint, and a pint means what a schooner does elsewhere, and... you get the idea. The local beers and the local descriptions are covered in detail in the state guides.

Bottle naming is a little easier: the standard sizes across Australia are the 375 mL stubby and the 750mL longneck , or tallie . Cans of beer are known as tinnies , and 24 of them make up a slab , box , carton , bag or case .

Wine [ edit ]

Australia produces quality wine on a truly industrial scale, with large multinational brands supplying Australian bottleshops and exporting around the world. There are also a multitude of boutique wineries and smaller suppliers. Very good red and white wine can be bought very cheaply in Australia, often at less than $15 a bottle, and even the smallest shop could be expected to have 50 or more varieties to choose from.

The areas of the Barossa Valley (near Adelaide), Hunter Valley (near Sydney), Yarra Valley (near Melbourne) and Margaret River (near Perth) are particularly renowned for their wineries and opportunities for cellar door sampling, but northern Victoria and Mudgee also have a large variety. You are never too far from a wine trail anywhere in southern Australia.

Try the local wines wherever you can find them, and ask for local recommendations. Try not to get taken in by the label, or the price tag. The best wine is rarely the one with the best artwork, or the most expensive price. However, it is probably wise to avoid the house wine if it comes straight from a cask (4-litre container). Wines at the cellar door are almost invariably sold at around 20% premium to the same wine in the shops in the local town.

If you still prefer overseas wines, the Marlborough region of New Zealand is usually well represented on wine lists and in bottle shops in Australia.

Spirits [ edit ]

Bundaberg Rum ( Bundy ) is an Australian dark rum particularly popular in Queensland and many Queenslanders will not touch any other brand of rum. It is probably the most famous Australian made spirit, mass-produced in Bundaberg and available everywhere.

For many years one had to search to find other Australian distilled spirits, mostly from niche players, but there are distilleries in every state of Australia if you look hard enough and more are popping up all the time–Adelaide gin distilleries 75° and the Adelaide Gin Company have grown in esteem over the past few years. The tiny Sullivan's Cove distillery in Tasmania made waves in 2014 when one of their whiskies was named the World's Best Single Malt, kicking off a mini-boom in Australian whisky, and they repeated the feat in 2018 and 2019. If $8,000 for a bottle of their 2014 French Oak is a bit steep, drop into the Lark Distillery on the scenic Hobart waterfront precinct, book a gin blending experience at Archie Rose in Sydney, pick up a bottle of 151 East Vodka in Wollongong or after a few days in Kununurra you are definitely going to need an Ord River Rum.

Mixed drinks are also available, particularly vodka, scotch, bourbon and other whiskey mixers. Spirits are also available as pre-mixed bottles and cans but are subject to higher taxation in this form, so it is cheaper to mix them yourself. Spirits are served in all pubs and bars, but not in all restaurants. A basic spirit and mixer (vodka and orange juice for example) will cost you about $12 at a bar or nightclub, but can vary ~$9–18.

Legal aspects [ edit ]

The legal drinking age throughout Australia is 18 years . It is illegal either to purchase alcohol for yourself if you are under 18 years of age or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18 years of age. The only legally acceptable proof-of-age documentation are an Australian drivers licence, state-issued proof-of-age card, Keypass card or a passport, and it would be wise to carry one if you want to purchase alcohol or tobacco and look under 25 - vendors will frequently ask for ID for anybody who looks to be 25 or younger. In Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, foreign drivers licences and foreign ID cards are NOT legally acceptable as proof of age documentation, and people who are unable to produce a passport or valid Australian ID will be refused service. Only actual ID documents will be accepted - photographs or photocopies will NOT be accepted.

It is illegal to go into a gambling area of a pub or club when under 18. Often there is a lounge, restaurant or bistro area in a pub or club that permits under-age people provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult over 18 and don't approach the bar or wander around. Some city pubs even have video games and playgrounds for children. Some country pubs have large open areas out in the back where kids can run and play.

In general, you can take alcohol (say a bottle of wine or beer) to consume at a park or beach. Alcohol consumption is banned in some public places as 'street drinking'. These are often indicated by signs and is particularly the case in parks and footpaths where public drunkenness has been a problem. However, if you are a family with your picnic basket and blanket out at lunchtime with a bottle of wine, you are unlikely to encounter any problems.

Alcohol can be purchased for consumption on premises only in licensed venues : pubs, clubs and many restaurants. You can purchase alcohol for private consumption in bottle shops , which are separate stores selling bottled alcohol. In some states you can buy alcohol in supermarkets . In those states where you can't, bottle shops and major supermarkets are often found in very close proximity. Although licensing laws and hours vary from state to state, and individual stores have different trading hours, as a rule of thumb, alcohol is generally available in towns to take-away seven days a week, 8AM-11PM, from bottle shops, supermarkets, licensed grocers/milk-bars and pubs. Outside of these hours though, it is almost impossible to buy alcohol to take home; unless you're in the middle of Sydney or Melbourne, so if you're planning on a party at home; it's a good idea to stock up and check on the local trading hours so you don't run out at 12:30AM with no opportunity to buy more. Alcohol is not available at petrol stations or 24-hour convenience stores anywhere in Australia.

Public drunkenness varies in acceptability. You will certainly find a great deal of it in close proximity to pubs and clubs at night time but much less so during the day. Public drunkenness is an offence but the Police won't pick you up unless you're causing a nuisance. You may spend the night sobering up in a holding cell or be charged.

Driving while affected by alcohol is stigmatized, policed by random breath-testing police patrols in Australia, and inherently dangerous. Drink driving is a very serious offence in Australia, punishable by a range of mechanisms including loss of licence. The acceptable maximum blood alcohol concentration is 0.05% Australia-wide, often lower or not allowed for operators of heavy vehicles and young or novice drivers. Police officers are also empowered to randomly test drivers for the recent use of prohibited drugs. Refusing any of these tests is a criminal offence. The operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of prohibited drugs or alcohol will always result in arrest and a required court appearance many weeks from the date of arrest and it can comprehensively disrupt travel plans. Random breath-testing is common early Saturday and Sunday mornings, and many people are caught the morning after.

A shout [ edit ]

Buying a round of drinks is a custom in Australia, as in many corners of the world. It is generally expected in a pub that when you arrive and make your first trip to the bar that you will offer to buy a drink for others you are drinking with. Similarly this will likely be done to you when someone else joins the group. This is called a shout , and incurs an obligation that you will generally return the favour in a following round, and that also you will generally maintain the same drinking pace as your associates in the round throughout the evening. If someone in the same round as you has an empty glass, who is ahead of you in drinks bought, you should declare that it is your shout, and make your way to the bar. If someone offers to buy you a drink, but does not offer to buy for the person who already has bought you a drink, you should say you are already in a shout, and decline. If they buy you and the people in your round a drink, they have joined the shout. Its generally not polite to switch between shouts during an evening. It you are in a large shout, and you decline a drink, you still have to buy a drink for the round when it comes to your turn. If you wish to skip a round, to do so on your shout. It is generally poorly received to buy a round, and then to refuse a drink when one is purchased for you. Often the drink will just be bought for you without even asking. Don't be surprised if someone who bought you a drink earlier in the night, later says that it is your shout. Not joining a shout can be awkward in some groups. The best way is to say you are driving, and you will buy your own drinks. This is also an acceptable way to drop out after one round, when the score is even.

Non-alcoholic [ edit ]

Milo is a malt and chocolate drink now made by Nestlé that was invented in Australia, and has since become immensely popular in parts of Southeast Asia . It can be found in any Australian supermarket.

Australia has a strong coffee culture, especially Melbourne , a city with extensive Italian immigration. The joke is that Italians visiting Melbourne think the coffee is worse than their home city's, but better than every other city in Italy. Even service stations and fast food places will sell decent coffee. However, because of the strong preference for local coffee shops, many of the major chains in other countries don't exist — Starbucks has a tiny handful of stores in Melbourne and Sydney, and none elsewhere in the country. Don't be taken aback by the lack of chains; try the local flavour instead!

Tea is much less popular than coffee in Australia, but is nevertheless not hard to find; most places that sell coffee also sell tea. There are some high-end hotels that serve traditional English afternoon tea, while Devonshire tea is a fairly popular weekend pastime among Australians, with numerous bakeries serving it. Queensland is also home to small tea-growing industry.

Learn [ edit ]

Australia is a popular destination for University students, especially from East Asia , Southeast Asia and India . Australia offers world class universities in an English speaking environment, along with potential opportunities to actually gain resident and work visas on a path to citizenship. If you are intending to study in Australia, you will need to be on a visa class that allows this. Students and academics invited to visit Australian universities will generally also need an appropriate visa, even if their visit is of a short enough period to be covered by a tourist electronic visa. For very short term or part-time courses, check with your Australian consulate or embassy.

Australia also happens to be a great place to get Barista certification, with graduates being maybe able to command higher wages in coffee shops back in their home countries. Such courses can usually be conducted on a standard tourist visa.

Sleep [ edit ]

Accommodation is readily available in most Australian cities and tourist destinations. As with everything else in Australia, it tends to be on the expensive side by international standards.

Hotels [ edit ]

All state capitals have a number of 4 or 5 star standard hotels, often with upmarket restaurants, bars, room-service, and other premium hospitality services. Expect to pay around $400/night, although prices can shoot through the stratosphere or straight up sell out during major concerts or events, such as New Year's Eve in Sydney. Other 2 or 3 star hotels are scattered around the inner-cities and inner suburbs.

The usual international chains are reasonably well represented, with Accor having a particularly solid presence across the entire price spectrum. Major independent local chains include Rydges .

Pubs [ edit ]

Most pubs in Australia offer some form of accommodation. It can vary from very basic shabby rooms, to newly renovated boutique accommodation. The price is usually a good reflection of what you are in for. It is still quite unusual to have a private bathroom, even in the nicer pubs. The rooms are often on the second floor directly above the bar area and can be noisy, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

Outside of the major centres, the pub is called a hotel . A motel won't have a public bar. A motel that does have a bar attached is called a hotel/motel.

In very small towns local pubs offer the only accommodation available to travellers. Accommodation in these pubs tends to be budget-style with shared bathrooms but private rooms.

Pub accommodation is even available in the centre of Sydney , making getting back to your room after a beer a simple endeavour.

If you travel as a single, and want a private room, pubs usually have single rooms at a discount over a double room. Most motels will charge the same price for one or two people sharing a room.

Motels [ edit ]

Typically, motel-style accommodation will have a private room with a bed or number of beds, and a private shower and toilet. Many motels have family rooms, that will usually have a double bed and two single beds in the one room.

Motel rooms in the cities will generally cost upwards from $100. Usually the cost is the same for one or two adults, with any extra people charged an additional fee. Prices for additional children can range from free to $20 per child. During quiet times its not unusual for motels to offer standby discounts.

Most motels will serve a cooked or continental breakfast to your room in the morning, for an additional charge. Some may have a restaurant or serve an evening meal. Some may have a toaster in the room and kettles are widely provided.

Hostels and backpackers [ edit ]

Budget hostel-style accommodation with shared bathrooms and often with dormitories is approximately $20–30 per person per night. Facilities usually include a fully equipped kitchen with adequate refrigeration and food storage areas. Most hostels also have living room areas equipped with couches, dining tables, and televisions.

There are several backpacker hostel chains in Australia. If you are staying many nights in the same brand of hostel, consider their discount cards, which usually offer a loyalty bonus on accommodation, and other attraction and tour discounts negotiated by the chain.

Holiday parks [ edit ]

Holiday parks are an Australian holiday institution and a great way to stay if you have your own wheels. These are basically an upgraded version of caravan parks , but as the new marketing indicates, they now cater to regular travellers as well. A typical holiday park offers the following types of accommodation:

Cabins fully equipped with bedding, kitchens, TV, Wi-Fi and more, for travellers without their own home on wheels. Most can house 4 or more people with rates starting from around $100/night.
Powered sites for parking your caravan/campervan/motorhome/RV. Some parks offer en-suite sites featuring a little bathroom with a shower and toilet.
Unpowered sites are for those intending to pitch their own tent, starting from around $20/night.

Regardless of where you stay, the price includes access to communal facilities including BBQs, showers, kitchens, self-service laundries, pools, tennis courts and jumping pillows. The largest park chains covering the country are Top Parks/Discovery Parks and Big 4 , but there are also plenty of independent options.

There are a couple of caveats to holiday parks:

They're typically located on the outskirts of towns, so they're not very practical unless you have your vehicle.
Most cater to families, which is great if you have kids, but not so much if you're looking for peace and quiet.
During school holidays, parks tend to jack up their rates and require multiple-night minimum stays, and the best ones sell out anyway.
If you change your mind, too bad, since reservations are typically non-refundable.

Camping [ edit ]

Camping is a popular pastime. In addition to camping at holiday parks , national parks often provide cheap or free camping sites, which expect you to be more self-sufficient. Often toilets are provided and sometimes cold showers. Paid camping permits are sometimes required at popular parks, with some popular spots filling up during the holidays in summer. In Australia it is common to be within an hour's drive of a national park or recreation area that will permit some form of camping, even in the capital cities. Expect to pay around $5–10 per night per person for a camping permit, and national park admission fees in the more popular national parks (e.g.: Wilsons Promontory National Park, Kosciuszko National Park, etc.), however entry and camping is free in the majority of national parks further from population and tourist centres.

Some other camping areas are run by government or even local landowners. Expect around $10 per person per night, depending on the time of year.

You can try your luck sleeping on a beach or pitching a tent overnight in a highway rest area, or out in the bush for a free bed. Most rest areas and beaches prohibit camping and many even prohibit overnight parking to discourage this. Generally the closer you are to civilization or a tourist area, the greater the chance of being hassled by the authorities.

Camping in state forests is often preferable to national parks if you're after a camping experience over sightseeing, as collecting of your own fire wood is allowed (sometimes felling of trees is permissible dependent on the area) and camping is not restricted to camp sites. Some other activities that are generally allowed in state forests that are not allowed in national parks are: bringing in dogs/pets, open fires, motorbikes and four-wheel driving. State forests are generally free to stay in, although you will need to check locally if public access is allowed.

Camping in RVs is a popular pastime for Australians, and many campsites are equipped for RVs and caravans, though they may or may not have power supply and mains water connections. The number of RV and caravan parking slots can be limited, so check if you can reserve a slot.

Farm stay [ edit ]

Much as the name suggests, this usually involves a cabin or homestead accommodation on a working property. Suited for a stay of two or more days, this accommodation usually allows you to get a little involved in the running of the farm if you wish. It is common for dinner to be provided in the homestead, and a breakfast pack to be provided to your cabin.

Holiday home [ edit ]

Holiday homes are homes rented by their owners, often using local real estate agents or specialised web sites. Sometimes located in prime positions, but also sometimes in the residential sections of cities and towns. Minimum rental periods of at least 2 days usually apply, rising to a week during periods when they are busy. At a minimum will have bedrooms, a lounge, bathroom.

Bed and Breakfasts [ edit ]

Bed and Breakfasts tend to be a premium form of accommodation in Australia, often focused on weekend accommodation for couples. They certainly don't offer the discount form of accommodation they do in part of the United Kingdom , and the local motel will usually be cheaper.

Sometimes extra rooms in a person's home, but often a purpose built building. You should expect a cosy, well kept room, a common area, and a cooked breakfast. Possibly private facilities. Substantial discounts often apply for mid-week stays at bed and breakfasts.

Resorts [ edit ]

There are many true resorts around Australia. Many have lagoon pools, tennis, golf, kids clubs, and other arranged activities. The island of the Whitsundays have a choice of resorts, some occupying entire islands. Port Douglas also has many resorts of a world standard.

Serviced apartments [ edit ]

Serviced apartments are a very popular form of accommodation in Australia, and they can be found across the country in city centres, beach towns and ski resorts alike. Guests are typically able to stay for as little as one night, and discounts are often available for bookings of a week and over. Rooms tend to be larger than in standard hotels, and amenities typically include a kitchen, washer and dryer, and separate bedrooms, which make these a cost-effective option particularly for families or larger groups.

Apartment hotels generally don't offer breakfast or have a restaurant, but there are usually cafes located nearby (often next door) which cater to guests. Major chains include Meriton Suites and Adina .

Houseboats [ edit ]

Houseboats are available to rent on some scenic rural rivers, and provide an excellent opportunity to spend time in the wilderness. These usually have kitchens in them so you can bring your own food to cook.

Station wagons and vans [ edit ]

In most parts of Australia it is illegal to sleep in your vehicle but it is possible to get around this by simply rigging up curtains all around the windows so no one can see in from the outside. Trade vans can be picked up for as little as $1,000, with a more trustworthy van setting you back no more than $3,000-4,000. Add a mattress, pillow, portable gas cooker, cookware and a 20 L water container and you are off. If you get caught the fine could be as much as $150 each, so do it at you own risk. But if you are strategic in where you stay you probably won't get caught. Just be sensible and don't disturb the locals. Also, be aware of parking restrictions in certain parts of the cities and town, although overnight parking restrictions are rare. The parking inspectors can be ruthless and a $100+ fine is not uncommon.

All cities and towns in Australia have free public toilets. Many parks, and most beaches have free electric barbecues as well. Popular beaches have fresh water showers to wash the salt water off after you swim, so for those on a tight budget (or for those that just love waking up at the beach) simply wash in the ocean (please do not pollute the ocean or waterways by using detergents or soaps) and rinse off at the showers. Almost all taps in Australia are drinking water, the ones that aren't will be marked. Service stations (petrol/gas) almost always have taps, so these are a good place to refill the water containers each time you refuel.

Some of the best experiences you may have in Australia will be by taking that road on the map that looks like it heads to a beach, creek, waterfall or mountain and following it. You may just find paradise and not another soul in sight. And lucky you, you've got a bed, food and water right there with you.

Travelling in a small group lowers the fuel bill per head, as this will likely be your biggest expense.

Enjoy, and respect the land by taking your rubbish/bottles/cigarette butts with you and disposing of them properly.

Work [ edit ]

Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia can work in Australia without any further permits, but others will require a work visa. It is illegal for foreigners to undertake paid work in Australia on a tourist visa. Be aware that any form of compensation for services performed, monetary or otherwise (e.g. room and board), counts as payment in Australia, meaning that such work would be illegal on a tourist visa. Volunteer work is allowed provided it is incidental to the trip (i.e. not the main purpose for the trip). Foreigners in Australia on a student visa are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full-time during the school holidays. Working illegally in Australia runs a very real risk of arrest, imprisonment, deportation and being permanently banned from re-entering Australia. All visitors who do not hold Australian permanent residency or citizenship (including New Zealand citizens who aren't also Australian permanent residents or citizens) are not allowed to access Australian social security arrangements for the unemployed, and will have limited, or more usually, no access to the Australian government's health care payment arrangements.

Payment and taxes [ edit ]

Most Australian employers pay via direct deposit to Australian bank accounts and therefore you should open a bank account as soon as possible. Some banks allow you to open account from abroad, for example Commonwealth Bank and HSBC.

You should also apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) as soon as possible. You can apply on-line for free at the Australian Tax Office website , though you can generally get it quicker if you just go to one of their offices. You can start working without one, but you are advised to get one as soon as possible as your employer would have to withhold tax from your salary at the highest rate should you not provide one. Register your TFN with your bank as soon as possible, otherwise any interest you accrue will be taxed at the highest rate. The Australian financial year runs from 1st July to 30th June, and tax returns for each financial year are due on 30th October, four months after the accounting period ends. Check with Australian tax agents about Australian tax liability and filing an Australian tax return. A return can be filed relatively painlessly by creating a myGov account and linking it with the ATO (you may need to call the ATO for help linking your account if you don't have the right Australian-issued ID).

Along with your taxes, the ATO will collect a Medicare levy , 2% of your income which is used to fund the Australian public healthcare system. Some foreign workers are exempt from the levy; if that applies to you, make sure to apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement so you can use it to get a refund. Apply early, as the statement can take time to issue and you need it when lodging your tax return.

Australian employers will make compulsory payments out of your earnings to an Australian superannuation (retirement savings) fund on your behalf. Visitors on temporary working visas who are not citizens of Australia or New Zealand should claim this money when they leave Australia. This payment is known as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) and you can apply online . New Zealand citizens can transfer their superannuation money to their New Zealand KiwiSaver account; contact your provider to arrange this.

Working holidaymaker scheme [ edit ]

Australia has a working holidaymaker program for citizens of certain countries between 18 and 30 years of age. It allows you to stay in Australia for 12 months from the time you first enter. You may work during that time, but only for 6 months at any one employer. The idea is for you to take a holiday subsidised by casual or short-term jobs. If you're interested in a working holiday, some useful skills and experience might be: office skills to be used for temp work; or hospitality skills to be used for bar or restaurant work. An alternative is seasonal work like fruit picking, although much seasonal work will require that you work outside the major cities. Working for 3 months in seasonal work will allow you to apply for a second 12-month visa.

You can apply online for a working holiday visa , but you must not be in Australia at the time. It costs $635 (as of April 2024). According to the department, half are processed within 1 day, and 90% of applications are processed within three weeks. On arriving in Australia ask for the working holiday visa to be "evidenced", so you can show your future employer.

It's recommended to arrive in Australia with sufficient funds which is a minimum of $5000 if you are on a working holiday visa. The cost of living in Australia is quite high and it may take a few days or weeks to get a job.

Work visas [ edit ]

Work visas in Australia change frequently and sometimes without any notice, so always check with your local Australian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy and the Immigration Department's website .

The most straightforward way to get a work visa (subclass 457, 186 & 187) is to find an Australian employer who will sponsor you. Your employer will need to demonstrate that they cannot hire anyone with your skills in Australia. Locally advertised jobs are usually explicit in requiring a valid work visa before your application can be considered. Getting the visa might take a couple of months from the beginning of the application process and you will need a medical examination by a doctor approved by the immigration officials before it can be granted (among other things, you will need a chest x-ray to show that you do not have tuberculosis). An employer with a good background and efficient immigration lawyers could get your 457 approved within a week. Your work visa will only be valid for the employer who sponsored you and you will have to leave within 30 days of your employment ending.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) is the easiest employer nominated visa to acquire, although you will have to live and work in a designated 'regional' area. These areas are mostly rural and far removed from the larger cities, although Adelaide does count in this scheme.

Skilled independent visas (subclass 189, 190, 489) may be pursued if you have a valuable specialised skill and don't want to be tied to a specific employer.

There is also a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) which allows graduates of Australian universities to stay on and work in Australia, and is usually valid anywhere from 18 months to 4 years depending on your level of education, and your major. Your major must be from a list of skilled occupations for which there is a labour shortage in Australia. This list is updated every year, and whether or not you qualify for this visa is dependent on the list at the time of your graduation, not at the time you begin your studies.

Immigration [ edit ]

You can apply to immigrate as a skilled person or business person, but this process will take longer than receiving a work visa. You can also apply for permanent residency as the holder of a work or study visa, but your application will not be automatically accepted. If you have a lot of money, there are several investor's visas available which allow you to live in Australia with a view of obtaining permanent residency. After four years of legal residency which must include one year as a permanent resident, you are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

Volunteering [ edit ]

There are several volunteer opportunities in Australia. Many worldwide organisations offer extended travel for those wanting to volunteer their time to work with locals on projects such as habitat restoration, wildlife sanctuary maintenance & development, scientific research, and education programs such as Australian Volunteers , World Wildlife Fund , Gap 360 and Xtreme Gap Year .

Respect [ edit ]

Travellers are generally unlikely to insult or cause offence to an Australian through any kind of cultural ignorance.

Australian modes of address tend towards the familiar. It is acceptable and normal to use first names in all situations, even to people many years your senior. Many Australians are fond of using and giving nicknames — even to recent acquaintances. It is likely being called such a name is an indication that you are considered a friend and as such it would be rare they are being condescending.

It is generally acceptable to wear revealing clothing in Australia. Bikinis and swimming attire are okay on the beach, and usually at the kiosk across the road from the beach. It is normal to wear at least a shirt and footwear before venturing any further. Most beaches are effectively top optional (topless) while sunbathing. Just about all women wear a top while walking around or in the water. There are some clothing optional (nude) beaches, usually a little further removed from residential areas. Thong bikinis (more commonly called g-string bikinis in Australia as thongs refer to flip-flop footwear) are fine on all beaches and some outdoor pools for women and men, although they are not as common as conventional beachwear. Some outdoor pools have a "top required" policy for women.

Cover up a little more when visiting places of worship such as churches. In warm conditions casual "t-shirt and shorts" style clothing predominates except in formal situations. Business attire, however, is considered to be long sleeved shirt, tie, and long trousers for men, even in the hottest weather.

Using Australian stereotypical expressions may be viewed as an attempt to mock, rather than to communicate. If you pull it off well, you might raise a smile.

Australians are often self-deprecating; however, it is rude to ever agree with a self-deprecating remark. Boasting about achievements is rarely received well.

Social classes do not feature as prominently in Australia as they do in many other countries, and you will notice that tradespeople ("tradies") and manual labourers are very well paid and accorded a lot more respect in Australia than elsewhere. Be careful not to imply that you are looking down on people whose jobs may be considered menial by the standards of other countries. Service workers, including hotel staff, waiters, cleaners, taxi drivers and shop employees, expect that customers will treat them as equals.

Most Australians are happy to help out a lost traveller with directions, however many urban dwellers will assume that someone asking "excuse me", is asking for money, and may brush past. Looking lost, holding a map, looking like a backpacker or getting to the point quickly helps.

Indigenous Australians [ edit ]

Aboriginal Australians likely arrived in the Australian landmass 65,000 years ago and number over half a million people today. They have faced significant discrimination over the years since European settlement took their traditional lands, and sensitivity should be given at all times. Aboriginal people actually come from many different 'nations' with distinctive cultures and identities that spoke up to 250 different languages before European settlement.

For travellers, Aboriginal lands have varying degrees of accessibility. While many areas can be entered freely, some Aboriginal land requires permission or a permit, and some areas are protected and illegal to enter. Permits are usually just a formality for areas which regularly see visitors, or if you have some other business in the area you are travelling through. Often they are just an agreement to respect the land you are travelling on as Aboriginal land. Some Aboriginal Land Councils make them available online.

Some communities and areas have placed sign requests from Aboriginal people not to enter. While tourism is welcome and beneficial to Aboriginal communities, efforts are ongoing to balance cultural tourism with cultural preservation, separating living spaces from tourist spaces, and respecting sites of worship. Even if your map states that an area is "free to enter", failure to abide by these requests is highly disrespectful and could also be considered trespassing. You should check before making plans to travel off the beaten track to confirm whether your intended destination is welcoming to tourists and whether a permit is necessary to avoid problems.

Uluṟu , Australia's most well-known natural landmark, holds great spiritual significance to the Anangu people who live in the area; while climbing it used to be a popular tourist activity, the Anangu have long requested tourists not to do so, and it has been illegal since 2019. The Anangu feel themselves responsible if someone is killed or injured on their land (as has happened during past climbs), so please keep off.

If you need to refer to race, the politically correct term is Indigenous Australians . Aboriginal people is usually okay and referring to sacred sites and land as Aboriginal sites, or Aboriginal land is okay too, though these terms only refer to people indigenous to mainland Australia or Tasmania. Avoid using Aboriginal as a noun to describe a person, as some people see negative connotations in this. The terms "Aborigine" or "Abo" are deeply offensive and should never be used. The word native generally not a preferred term, but reasonably acceptable – just use indigenous instead. People indigenous to the Torres Strait Islands do not identify as "Aboriginal", as they are more ethnically Melanesian than their southern neighbours; just stick to the term Torres Strait Islander .

Other areas to consider when interacting with indigenous Australians are:

Australia Day is considered a day of invasion by many Aboriginal people, and consequently protests against that day are frequent.
It is best not to mention the name, nor show any image of a deceased person to an indigenous Australian. Though Aboriginal custom varies, it is best to avoid the possibility of offence.
Permission to photograph an Aboriginal person should always be asked, but in particular in the more remote areas such as Arnhem Land and Northern Territory .
Avoid disrespecting sacred Aboriginal places like climbing on Uluṟu or the Three Sisters etc. While this may sound obvious that it's disrespectful, the number of indigenous sites that have been damaged, vandalised, or even destroyed by tourists is unimaginable.
While indigenous Australians have been given equal rights on paper, they are still often arrested or hassled by police for things that a non-indigenous person wouldn't usually get arrested for. Talking about this subject may be highly sensitive, and to this day, there are regular reports in the media of Aboriginal people being assaulted by police or dying in custody. In fact, despite comprising a little under 4% of the Australian population, indigenous men make up nearly 30% of the Australian male prison poopulation. These topics should be avoided whenever possible .

ANZAC Day [ edit ]

Although Australians are generally regarded as easy going, there is an exception for commemorating ANZAC day on 25th April every year. Many Australians will take extreme offence at any perceived insults towards the military and the sacrifices they made, and foreigners have even been arrested for damaging or even just playing around on war memorials. Most people will accept criticism of Australia any other time of the year, but not this day.

Religion [ edit ]

Contemporary Australian society is rather secular, and only a minority of Australians attend religious services regularly. In the 2021 census, only 43% of respondents identified as Christian, with 38% declaring they had no religion at all. Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are growing religions, with immigration helping to drive the trend.

Most Australians are tolerant towards people of all faiths, and people wearing religious attires such as hijabs, kippahs or crucifixes will in general not face harassment, although Islamophobia, antisemitism and other types of religious discrimination do exist. In general people tend not to discuss religion, and attempting to proselytise or inconveniencing others with your religion will more often than not result in a negative response.

Accommodating Halal dietary restrictions is largely possible in the main cities with many restaurants offering Halal options, with various certification bodies. Main supermarkets also offer Halal sections.

British legacy [ edit ]

It can be offensive to some to suggest that Australia is nothing else but a sunnier United Kingdom. Comparisons to the UK are not necessarily offensive, but people will appreciate being acknowledged as a separate nation with their own distinct culture.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Emergencies [ edit ].

The number 000 (called 'triple zero' or 'triple oh') can be dialled from any telephone in Australia free of charge. This number will connect you with the police, fire brigade, coastguard or ambulance service after you tell the emergency operator which service you need.

If you want to contact these services but the situation is not an emergency, don't call 000: you can call the police assistance line on 131 444 . This includes requesting a call out for noise complaints. Poisons information advice, which can also advise on snake, spider and insect bites, is available on 131 126 . Information on locating the nearest medical services can be obtained by calling 1800 022 222 (except for Tasmania).

If you require assistance during a flood, storm, cyclone, tsunami, earthquake or other natural disaster you can contact the State Emergency Service in each state (except for Northern Territory) on 132 500 . You will be connected with your local unit and help can be organised from there. If the emergency is life-threatening, call 000 instead.

You can dial 000 from all mobile phones. Mobile phones sold in Australia recognise it as the emergency number and will use any available network to place the call. However, if you have a phone obtained outside Australia, using the universal emergency number 112 is a better idea. Using 112 will use any available network, will work even if your phone is not roaming, and will work even if the phone does not have a SIM. 112 works from Australian purchased phones too.

Hearing or speech impaired people with TTY equipment can dial 106 . Those with Internet connectivity can use the Internet Relay Service, via the website .

Calls from fixed line (landline) phones may be traced to assist the emergency services to reach you. The emergency services have limited ability to trace the origin of emergency calls from mobile phones, especially outside of urban areas, so be sure to calmly and clearly provide details of your location. Because of the number sequence for emergency calls, around 60% of calls to the emergency numbers are made in error.

Nobody will likely respond to your call unless you can effectively communicate to the operator that you need assistance. If you are in need of assistance, but cannot speak, you will be diverted to an IVR and asked to press 55 to confirm that you are in need of assistance and have not called by accident. Your call will then be connected to the police.

Except for 112 from a mobile, emergency numbers from other countries (for example, '911', '17' or '100') do not work in Australia.

Driving [ edit ]

Keep a sense of perspective. Tourists are far more likely to be killed or injured as pedestrians, drivers or passengers on Australian roads than all the other causes of death and injury combined.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. Most states use a prescribed standard of alcohol in the blood to determine whether driving is criminal. The prescribed (allowed) content ranges from zero to 0.05. Random breath testing for blood and alcohol is carried out.

Australia is a huge country and driving between cities and towns can take longer than you expect, especially if you are used to freeway or motorway driving in Europe, Asia or North America. While the major highways are comparable to those overseas, secondary highways in rural areas need to be treated with some care. Speed limits vary by location, road and by state. Avoid the stresses of fatigue by not planning to drive too far in a day. Authorities strongly recommend a break (with some walking outside the car) every two hours. Often, there are designated rest stops on numbered M, A routes as well as National Highways and Routes, but they are almost non existent on unpaved highways, state routes, B or C highways.

Driving between towns and cities comes with a risk of hitting or crashing due to swerving to avoid wildlife. Kangaroos have a habit of being spooked by cars and then, bewilderingly, jumping in front of them. Take extra care when driving through areas with vegetation close to the road and during dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active. Wildlife is not usually an issue in major urban areas (with the exception of Canberra where a series of parks provides ample habitat for kangaroos, which often cross major roads).

Urban Australians jaywalk, dodge cars, and anticipate the sequence of lights. Although most drivers will stop for a red light, running the amber light is common, so ensuring the traffic has stopped before stepping from the curb is always a good idea. People from countries that drive on the right will take a while to get used to looking the correct way when crossing.

Beaches [ edit ]

Around 10–20 overseas travellers drown in Australia each year. Most of these drownings occur at ocean beaches, where statistics put visitors at significantly higher risk than locals. Check the Beach Safety website .

Beach goers should swim between the red and yellow flags which designate patrolled areas. Beaches are not patrolled 24-hours a day or even during all daylight hours. In most cases the local volunteer surf lifesavers or professional lifeguards are only available during certain hours, and at some beaches only on weekends, and often only during summer. If the flags aren't up, then there's no one patrolling. Many beaches in rural areas aren't patrolled at all. If you choose to swim, be aware of the risks, check conditions, stay within your depth, and don't swim alone.

Many beaches in Australia have a sudden drop off which can take non-swimmers by surprise. If in doubt, ask the locals.

Hard surfboards and other water craft such as surf skis, kayaks etc., are not permitted between the red and yellow flags. These craft must only be used outside of the blue 'surfcraft permitted' flags.

Australian ocean beaches can sometimes have strong rips that even the strongest swimmers cannot swim against. Rips are almost-invisible channels of water flowing away from the beach. Many locals can spot rips, so if in doubt, ask. These channels take out the water which the incoming surf waves bring into shore. Beach goers can mistakenly use these channels or areas since they can appear as calm water and look to be an easier area into which to swim. Problems arise when the swimmer tries to swim back into shore against the outgoing current or rip, tire quickly, and end up drowning. Rips can be recognised by one or more of these signs: a rippled appearance when the surrounding water is fairly calm; foam that extends beyond the break zone; brown, sandy coloured water; waves breaking further out on either side of the rip.

If you are caught in a rip at a patrolled beach, conserve your energy, float or tread water and raise one hand. The surf lifesavers will come out to you. Don't wait until you are so tired you can't swim any more. You will probably find that local swimmers or surfers will also quickly come to your aid. Usually the flags are positioned where there are no rips, but this isn't always the case as rips can move.

If you are caught in a rip at an unpatrolled beach stay calm to conserve energy and swim parallel to the beach (not against the pull of the current). Most rips are only a few metres wide, and once clear of the undertow, you will be able to swim or catch a wave to return to shore. Never swim alone. Don't think that the right technique will get you out of every situation. In the surf out the back of the beach, treading water can be hard with waves pounding you every few seconds. Unless you have seen it happen, it's hard to appreciate how quickly a rip can take you 50 m out to sea and into much larger wave breaks. If you are at an unpatrolled surf beach, proceed with great caution and never go out of your depth.

Beach signs often have a number or an alphanumeric code on them. This code can be given to emergency services if required so they can locate you quickly.

Crocodiles and Box Jellyfish are found on tropical beaches, depending on the time of year and area. Sharks occur on many of Australia's beaches. See the section below on dangerous creatures. Patrolled beaches will be monitoring the ocean for any shark activity. If you hear a continuous siren go off at the beach and a red and a red and white quartered flag is waved or held out of the tower, it indicates a shark sighting, so make your way to shore. Once it is clear, a short blast of the siren will be sounded, which usually means that it is safe to return to the water.

Natural disasters [ edit ]

As a large country, Australia is affected by a range of natural disasters.

Cyclones [ edit ]

Tropical cyclones (hurricanes) occur in the tropics (the northern part) of Australia between November and April, and you should understand how a tropical cyclone may impact you during the tropical wet season. The impact of cyclones varies with their intensity and your proximity to them. Weak cyclones may just cost you a day or two of your holiday to rain and wind while you stay indoors in your hotel, and an hour's drive from the cyclone's centre can still have good weather. More severe tropical cyclones can be deadly to the unprepared, may force you to evacuate and can seriously disrupt your travel plans. Even low intensity cyclones or tropical depressions in more remote areas can close roads for days to weeks at a time.

On average, a town in the tropics experiences a tropical cyclone every 30 years or so. The sparseness of population in Australia's north and north-west (where cyclones are most prevalent) means that many cyclones pass the coast with little impact on towns.

Still, if you are planning to travel to the tropics during cyclone season, you should understand and review the Bureau of Meteorology's information page before you set out, and keep a general eye on the page while you travel for early alerts of any problems developing.

Floods [ edit ]

In the tropical north the Wet Season occurs over the summer months of December, January and February, bringing torrential rains and frequent floods to those regions. It is not unusual for some coastal areas to be cut off for a day or two while the water recedes. It can still be a good time to visit some of the well populated, tourist-oriented areas, and, except in unusually heavy flooding, you can still get to see the pounding waterfalls and other attractions that can make this an interesting time to visit.

Floods in outback and inland Australia are rare, occurring decades apart, so you would be unlucky to encounter them. However, if you are planning to visit the inland or the outback and the area is flooded, then you should reconsider. The land is flat, so the water can take weeks to move on, leaving the land boggy. Insects and mosquitoes go crazy with all the fresh water pooling around, and these things eat insect repellent for breakfast and are still hungry. Roads close, often adding many hours to driving times. Many attractions often lie on a short stretch of dirt road off the main highways, and these sections become impassable, even if the main road remains open. Plan to return in a few weeks, and the land will still be green, the lakes and rivers will still be flowing, and the bird life will still be around.

The wettest period for the south of the country is usually around the winter months of June, July, and August. There is rarely enough rain at one time to cause flooding. The capital cities are rarely, if ever, significantly affected by floods.

Flash floods [ edit ]

Flash flooding occurs in many eastern cities at least once a year, generally in summer, and is a nuisance. However, stay inside and follow the advice of SES and ABC local radio. Never attempt to drive in flood waters, dozens of cars are destroyed every year by the thought "it's not that deep". You don't want to be the person floating under that bridge waiting for the police to rescue you.

Flash flooding often brings large hail, which can damage cars. Seek undercover (not underground) car parking.

It is usually predictable. You'll generally hear grumblings about a storm coming from locals, and bom.gov.au will list a severe weather warning.

Water supply [ edit ]

Australia is a very dry country with large areas of desert , and can also get very hot.

When travelling in remote areas, away from paved roads, where the potential to become stranded for up to a week without seeing another vehicle is very real, it is vital that you carry your own water supply (4 gal or 7 L per person per day). Do not be misled by entries on maps such as 'well' or 'spring' or 'tank' (or any entry suggesting that there is a body of water). Nearly all are dry, and most inland lakes are dry salt pans.

Many cities and towns have water restrictions, limiting use of water in activities like washing cars, watering gardens, or public showers. It is common to see signs in accommodation asking visitors to limit the length of their showers.

It is common for many regional towns public bathrooms water supply to be non-potable. Do not drink from a tap labeled "Do not drink" or "Non-potable", as this is generally just untreated groundwater.

Earthquakes [ edit ]

Although Australia is not located on any plate boundaries, earthquakes occur from time to time. These are usually minor and very rarely cause major damage or fatalities.

Bushfires [ edit ]

Bushfires are a seasonal danger in many parts of Australia - and if you're venturing out into the bushland or rural areas it pays to check the fire danger and the status of any bushfire activity first. Although most fires are quickly controlled, on very hazardous fire days, bushfires can be life-threatening - especially if on foot, or not having the protection of a substantial building.

If you are caught in a bushfire, most fires will pass over quickly. You need to find shelter that will protect you from the smoke and radiant heat. A house is best, then a car, then a clearing, a cave, or on the beach is the best location. Wet everything that you can. Stay low and cover your mouth. Cover yourself with non-flammable (woollen) clothing or blankets, and reduce the skin directly exposed to the heat. If you have access to a tap gather water early; don't rely on water pressure as the fire front approaches.

The Fire Danger Rating (pictured to the right) tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started. It is not a predictor of how likely a bushfire is to occur.

Severe: Hot, dry and windy conditions. A fire that starts in these conditions may be uncontrollable. Only well prepared buildings that are actively defended can provide safety. Leave at the first sign of fire.
Extreme: Hot dry and windy conditions. Any fires that start and take hold will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving. Only homes and buildings built to withstand bushfires that are well prepared and actively defended may provide safety. Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass, It is recommended to leave such areas to ensure you are not caught up in a bushfire.
Catastrophic/code red: These are the worst conditions possible for a bush or grass fire. Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass. It is highly advisable to leave forested and bushy areas.

It is worth noting that many locals will leave their outback homes to seek refuge in large towns for the entire day, on the few days per year designated as "Catastrophic".

National parks and state forests [ edit ]

If the fire risk is extreme or higher, national parks may be closed, especially the backcountry areas, so you will need to have an alternative plan if you intend to camp or hike in parks during summer. If there is a fire in a park, it will usually be closed entirely.

If you are staying in a park or forest during an extreme fire danger period the safest option is to leave the night before or early in the day. If you learn of a fire, or see smoke, take action quickly.

Travelling during active fires or during the fire season [ edit ]

If you are driving outside of cities during bushfire season, tune in to local ABC radio . During a bushfire or any other ongoing emergency, every thirty minutes a warning siren will sound, followed by an update on the current bushfire situation in that area. You may receive evacuation warnings on your phone.

Emergency and bushfire management is a state responsibility in Australia - so find the website or app appropriate for the state you are in. Websites such as Emergency WA and VicEmergency list all current emergencies in their respective states and are often the most up-to-date method of getting information about a current emergency.

It is possible that you will get yourself into a situation where it becomes too late to leave.

During the bushfire season, have a plan consisting of two escape routes, and the ability to pack what you need quickly.

Shopping Centres or Main streets of built up towns are safe locations to be in during Extreme or Code Red days, unless you hear otherwise via radio.

Entire country towns can sometimes be evacuated when there is a bushfire threatening them. Often there can be no signs of the fire at evacuation time, but you should leave early, as evacuating through a fire front is dangerous. The best advice is just to move on, and not stay around to watch.

Lighting fires [ edit ]

Make sure any fires you light are legal and kept under control. The fire service operates a total fire ban system during periods of extreme fire danger. When a total fire ban is in place all outdoor fires are forbidden. Most parks will advertise a ban, and it is your responsibility to check the local fire danger levels. Fines or even jail terms apply for lighting fires that get out of control, not to mention the feeling you may get at being responsible for the property, wildlife, and person damage that you may cause.

Venomous and dangerous creatures [ edit ]

Although Australia is home to many of the deadliest species of insects, reptiles and marine life on the planet, the traveller is unlikely to encounter any of these in an urban environment, and even in the bush these creatures try to avoid humans for the most part. The vast majority of deaths from bites and stings in Australia are due to allergic reactions to bees and wasps.

Some of the information spread about Australia's dangerous wildlife is blown out of proportion, often jokingly by Australians themselves. However, you should take warnings about jellyfish and crocodiles seriously in the tropics, and keep your distance from snakes in the national parks and bushland.

If travelling in rural areas it would be a good idea to carry basic first aid equipment including compression bandages and to learn what to do after a snake or spider bite.

Snakes [ edit ]

It's not common to encounter snakes in urbanised areas in Australia, but they are common in grassland, national parks and other bushland. Snakes will generally try to put as much distance between themselves and you as possible, so if you see a snake while out walking, simply go around it or walk the other way. Walking blindly into dense bush and grassy areas is not advisable, as snakes may be hiding there. For the most part, snakes fear humans and will be long gone before you ever get the chance to see them.

Never try to pick up any snake, even if you believe it to be a non-venomous species. Most people bitten by snakes were trying to pick up the snake or kill the creature, or inadvertently step on one while out walking.

Australia has some snakes that are deadly. So treat all snakes with respect, and seek medical treatment urgently for any snake bite. Take a first-aid kit suitable for snake-bites if you are going off the beaten track. If bitten you should immobilise the wound by wrapping the affected area tightly with strips of clothing or bandages and seek immediate medical help. Do not clean the wound as venom residues can be tested to determine the anti-venom to use. If you are in an isolated area send someone else for help. The venom of some snakes (the taipan in particular) can take effect within fifteen minutes, but if the wound is immediately immobilised and you rest it is possible to delay the onset of the venom spreading by one to a few hours. Polyvalent anti-venoms are available in most hospitals that contain anti-venom for all dangerous Australian snakes.

Spiders [ edit ]

Although famous for its arachnids, fatalities from spiders in Australia are extremely rare. It is common to see spiders in Australia, and most will do you no harm. Wear gloves while gardening or handling leaf litter. Check or shake out clothing, shoes, etc. that have been left outside before putting them on. Don't put your fingers under rocks or into tree holes, where spiders might be. Some spiders are commonly found inside buildings and homes, including the large and hairy Huntsman spiders, that are generally harmless, and reduce insect pests like cockroaches. The large spider webs strung between trees occupied by garden or orb weaving spiders are more an annoyance than a danger.

However, some spiders are also very dangerous. The world's most venomous spider is the Sydney Funnel-Web spider , found in and around Sydney and eastern New South Wales - usually under rocks and leaf litter. The spider is anywhere up to 5 cm large, and is usually black. If you are in an area that is known for having Funnel-Web spiders and you are bitten by a spider that you believe could be a Funnel-Web it is important you get to hospital as quickly as possible. The Funnel-Web spends most of its time underground (it can typically live for only 30 minutes outside a humid hole) and therefore you are very unlikely to encounter one walking around. The last confirmed fatality was in 1979.

The Red Back spider (usually easily identified by a red mark on its abdomen) is common and after a bite it is important to seek medical attention, although it is not as urgent as with a Funnel-Web. Red Backs typically hide in dark places and corners. It is highly unusual to see them indoors; however, they can hide in sheds, around outdoor tables and chairs and under rocks or other objects sitting on the ground.

First aid treatment for spider bites may vary in Australia compared to other areas of the world. Always seek medical advice after a bite has occurred. If possible, you should attempt to identify the creature that bit you. Take a photo or trap it so that the appropriate anti-venom can be administered swiftly. But don't risk getting bitten again.

Jellyfish [ edit ]

Travellers in northern Queensland , the Northern Territory , or northern Western Australia should be aware of the risk of fatal stings from the Box Jellyfish if swimming in the ocean between October and May. They are very hard to detect and can be found in very shallow water. Stings from these jellyfish are 'excruciating' and often fatal. Vinegar applied immediately to adhering tentacles will lessen the amount of venom injected, but immediate medical assistance will be required. The danger season varies by location. In general the jellyfish are found close to shore, as they reproduce in the estuaries. They are not generally found out on the Great Barrier Reef, and many people swim on the reef without taking any precautions. Seek out reliable local information. Some locals at the beach can be cavalier to the risks.

Irukandji are another species of tiny (fingernail sized) jellyfish that inhabit the waters off Northern Australia and the surrounding Indo-Pacific islands. They are also very hard to see, and can be dangerous, although stings are rare. Unlike the box jellyfish they are found out on the reef. The initial sting can go unnoticed. There is debate as to whether they can be fatal, but they certainly can place a victim in hospital, and cause extreme pain lasting days. If you have nausea or shooting pains shortly after emerging from the water seek medical treatment.

A "stinger-suit" that is resistant to jellyfish stings costs around $100 or can be hired for around $20 a week.

Blue ring octopus [ edit ]

Found in rock pools around the coasts of Australia is the tiny Blue Ring Octopus. Usually a dull sandy-beige colour, the creature has bright blue circles on its skin if threatened. The Blue Ring Octopus is rare and shy. Avoid placing your hand under rocks or in crevaces in rock pools or near the shore as this is where they tend to hide. Most locals do the same. It has a powerful paralysing toxin which can cause death unless artificial respiration is provided. In the history of Australia there are only two confirmed deaths by Blue Ring Octopus.

Crocodiles [ edit ]

Travellers in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory or north Western Australia should be aware of the risk of fatal attacks by saltwater crocodiles in and adjacent to northern waters (ocean, estuarine and fresh water locations) between King Sound, Western Australia, and Rockhampton, Queensland. Saltwater crocodiles in these areas can reach 25 feet in length and can attack in water without warning. Despite what their name implies, they can be found in both salt and fresh water. On land, crocodiles usually lie motionless, but they have the ability to move with extraordinary speed in short bursts. There are relatively few attacks causing injury – most attacks are fatal. Dangerous swimming areas will usually have prominent warning signs. In these regions only swim in inland waters if you are specifically advised that they are safe. Since 1970 there has been about one crocodile attack on a human each year.

The smaller freshwater crocodile is, unlike the saltwater, timid and will avoid humans if possible. The freshwater may attack to defend itself or its eggs or if startled. They can inflict a nasty bite but due to their small jaws and teeth this will rarely cause death in humans.

Dangerous flora [ edit ]

The Gympie bush ( Dendrocnide moroides ), also known as the stinging tree, is a stinging plant, whose microscopic stinging hairs on leaves and branches can cause severe pain for up to several weeks. They are mostly found in northeast Queensland, especially in rain forest clearings. However, the Gympie bush and other closely related species (there are about five) of stinging tree can be found in southeast Queensland, and further south in eastern Australia. People bushwalking in such areas are advised not to touch the plant for any reason.

Crime and policing [ edit ]

Crime rates in Australia are roughly comparable with other Western countries: few travellers will be victims of crime. You should take normal precautions against bag snatching, pickpocketing and the like. Some cities and towns have areas that can be dangerous at night, but these are generally off the tourist trail and highly unlikely for you to wander into by accident.

Australian police are generally approachable and trustworthy, and you should report assaults, theft or other crime to the police as soon as possible.

There are two types of police in Australia: the state/territorial police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Typically you will only interact with the state police, as the AFP is largely dedicated to very specific government-related roles, the exception being the Australian Capital Territory where the AFP is the main police force, operating under the name of ACT Policing.

Under no circumstances should you offer an Australian police officer (or for that matter, any other government official such as a customs officer) a bribe or gratuity, as this is a crime and they will enforce the laws against it.

When leaving your car alone, make sure it is locked, that the windows are rolled up, and that there are no obvious targets for theft in the vehicle, as thieves will often smash windows to get at a phone, GPS or bag that is visible in the car.

Scams [ edit ]

Attempts to scam tourists are not prevalent in Australia; take normal precautions such as finding out a little bit about your destination. There have been rare instances of criminals tampering with ATMs so that cash is trapped inside them, or so that they record card details for thieves. You should check your transaction records for odd transactions after using an ATMs and immediately contact the bank controlling the ATM if a transaction seems to be successful but the machine doesn't give you any cash. Always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN to prevent any skimming devices which have cameras recording your PIN.

ATM Skimming is rare and easily avoided by using ATMs from trusted banks (ANZ, Commonwealth, Westpac, Nab), or ATMs located inside a bank "gallery" which are generally open 24/7 but are more secure than an outdoor ATM.

Additionally, the ATO will never try to ask you to pay off your debts with Spotify or iTunes gift cards, and these ongoing scams have been targeting especially the elderly and those who are unaware of them. If you go to a Coles, Woolies, Myer, Target, Big W, Kmart etc. there will be warning notices at all checkouts, and it can never hurt to read them.

Racism [ edit ]

Australia is outwardly a multicultural and racially tolerant society and there are strong laws that prohibit hate speech and other forms of discrimination on grounds of race. Nevertheless, racism is still a sensitive subject for a nation still not fully reconciled to its history of colonial occupation. Forced appropriation of Aboriginal lands along with formal discrimination, state-sanctioned racism and even forced separation of Aboriginal children (known as the Stolen Generations) from their families extended well into the 20th century. Gradual change throughout the last century saw the abandonment of the white-only immigration policy, citizenship for the Aboriginal people, and the establishment of large communities of Asian, Middle Eastern and African origin. However, to this day, Aboriginal people are still discriminated against, and while on paper they have equal rights, they are often charged for things that a white person would usually not.

Visitors to Australia are fortunately unlikely to encounter random incidents of racial abuse. If it does happen then you can report it to the police and expect action to be taken. Violent incidents are even rarer.

Words referring to racial background can be used between friends of different ethnic groups, but it is strongly advised not to try them out yourself . You may well hear Pom (British), Yank (American), Paki (Indian sub-continent), Wog (Southern European or Middle Eastern) and Curry Muncher (South Indian) being used. In particular British people would regard some of these terms as particularly racist, but they are used far more casually in Australia. Never refer to Aboriginal people as "Abos", "native tribes" or "Noogas", as they are regarded as highly racist terms.

There are anti-immigration and anti-multicultural groups that operate in Australian society, for the most part agitating against the immigration of people from Muslim and African countries. As a visitor you would be unlikely to come into contact with them, although if it's late at night in a pub, and you start prodding people for their racial views, then all bets are off — be prepared for anything. The western suburbs of Melbourne has experienced some violent crime involving youths of African descent, which in turn has been greatly exaggerated by much of the local media and some politicians, fuelling racist sentiments.

It is not offensive to use Aussie (Ozzie) to describe Australian people, but it isn't a term Australians generally use to self-identify. They are more likely to apply it to things (Aussie Rules, etc.) than to themselves. When the chant of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie — Oi Oi Oi goes up at an international sporting event, some Australians will cringe, and others will join in. Often this depends on their own perceived social standing, or their state of inebriation, or both.

And while Australia may seem multicultural in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart or Canberra; rural areas are usually less so and stick to their Anglo-Celtic roots. People who do not look Aussie on the outside are often subject to racism, though this is usually targeted at immigrants (often those of Vietnamese, Middle Eastern or African descent) rather than tourists.

Tobacco [ edit ]

Australia is likely the world's most expensive country for smokers : a single cigarette pack costs upwards of $50, and vaping is illegal unless you have a doctor's prescription. Black market loose tobacco, known as "chop-chop", is widely available but often mouldy due to improper storage and/or bulked up with dubious ingredients.

Illegal drugs [ edit ]

Opium, heroin, amphetamines (speed), cocaine ("coke"), LSD and ecstasy ("molly") are all illegal to possess and to sell in all jurisdictions of Australia. Trafficking offences carry a long jail term, and in serious cases can even lead to life imprisonment. Australia shares information on drug trafficking with other countries, even those with the death penalty.

Medical use of cannabis ("marijuana"/"weed"/"pot"/"gunja") is legal on a federal level, although obtaining a prescription is generally a time-consuming ordeal not feasible for a visitor. As of 2024, the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) remains the first and only jurisdiction to legalise personal use, but commercial sale is not allowed. In South Australia and Northern Territory, possession of personal use quantities is decriminalised, although on-the-spot fines still apply. In all other states possession remains a criminal offense, and foreigners should not expect more lenient treatment than locals from Australian police for drug offences. Driving while under the influence of drugs is a serious offence, and doing so will invariably lead to arrest and prosecution, and in serious cases even a jail sentence.

Do not under any circumstances attempt to bring illicit drugs into Australia , including marijuana; this is strictly illegal and punishable with long jail terms of up to life in prison, and customs officers often employ dogs to sniff drugs out of arriving passengers' luggage. Dogs can even tell that you smoked marijuana from the day before you flew to Australia, so you may be held back for some long questioning.

Australia's proximity to Asia means that heroin is a far more commonly used illicit drug than cocaine or crack cocaine. In some areas of large cities you will need to be careful of discarded needles: however these will generally be found in back streets rather than in popular tourist spots.

Firearms [ edit ]

Firearm ownership is rare in Australia, with strict licensing requirements resulting in gun ownership being typically limited to hunters and farmers in rural areas, as well as sport shooters. Possession of any kind of firearm requires a licence, and semi-automatic assault rifles are prohibited for civilians. It is possible, albeit tedious, to import single-shot rifles, shotguns and pistols for target shooting with the correct paperwork. Criminal gangs sometimes carry illegal firearms in urban areas, although it is unlikely that travellers will run into them.

It is very difficult to bring firearms into Australia, with a police permit required for each federal state to be visited before arrival.

LGBT travellers [ edit ]

Australia has an equal age of consent set at 16 for all states except Tasmania and South Australia where the age is 17. Same sex marriage is legal in Australia, having been passed into law in 2017 after a majority (61%) voted in favour of it in a national postal survey.

Attitudes to homosexuality are similar to those found in other Western countries. Although inner Sydney is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, caution is still advisable in conservative rural areas, including rural parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory. Australia has outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and legal recourse may be available should you experience discrimination. Police assistance for discrimination may be difficult to obtain in remote and rural areas, although homosexuality is accepted in most rural areas. Transgender people are, likewise, widely accepted.

Sydney is Australia's gay capital and hosts one of the world's most famous gay pride festivals – the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – annually during February and March. The festival culminates in a huge parade through central Sydney which attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. Alice Springs celebrates the "Alice Is Wonderland Festival", a gay and lesbian pride festival in late April/early May. Melbourne has the Midsumma festival every year on the first Sunday of February.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Skin [ edit ].

Exposure to the sun at Australian latitudes frequently results in sunburn , and Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Getting sunburnt can make you feel feverish and unwell and may take a few days or weeks to heal depending on the severity. It means you can't go back out into the sun until the sunburn fades, so getting sunburnt on the first day of your beach holiday can seriously reduce the fun of your trip. It can take as little as 15 minutes to burn in Australia on a fine summer's day, even in shaded outdoor areas. You should wear sunscreen (SPF 50+), clothing, and a hat to shade the sun.

Re-apply sunscreen every 2–3 hours throughout the day as it wears off quickly if you are sweating or swimming. Make sure to cover all parts of your body. UV radiation in the middle of the day can be double what it is in the early morning or later afternoon, so if possible avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day. Daily UV forecasts are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology online.

Spray-on sunscreen from an aerosol bottle is popular because of its ease of use; however, it is far less effective than traditional sunscreen.

If you are heading to the beach, consider buying a sun-tent (less than $20 from discount and hardware stores). You generally can't hire beach umbrellas at Australian beaches, and they are very exposed.

Food preparation [ edit ]

Australia has high hygiene standards, with restaurants required to observe strict food preparation standards. Food poisoning rates are comparable to other first world nations.

Water [ edit ]

The tap water in urban Australia is always safe to drink. Occasionally you may encounter recycled water taps which are for watering plants and not drinking; these should be coloured purple. Public drinking fountains and bottle refill stations are common in cities and at tourist attractions. The taste and hardness of the tap water will vary considerably across the country. Some cities such as Adelaide rely on ground water supplies that have an unpleasant taste, but are perfectly safe. Many households use water purifier jugs. Bottled water is also widely available. Carrying water on hot days is a good idea in urban areas, and it is a necessity if hiking or driving out of town. Remoter areas in the outback may not have treated drinking water on tap. At sites where tap water is untreated, water sterilization tablets may be used as an alternative to boiling. If driving long distances on infrequently trafficked roads it is essential to carry drinking water. This is absolutely necessary in hotter areas and on dirt roads or tracks. It is rare that someone does not die of thirst in outback Australia in any year. It is recommended that in event of a breakdown you stay with the car for shade and to increase your chances of being found. Before long-distance touring seek specific advice on calculating how much water to carry for the proposed journey and allowing for breakdowns.

Vaccinations [ edit ]

Australia does not have endemic communicable diseases that will require non-standard vaccinations. Like many other countries, it will require evidence of yellow fever vaccinations on entry if you will have been in a country with a risk of infection within 6 days before your arrival in Australia.

Mosquitoes [ edit ]

Mosquitoes are present all year round in the tropics, and during the summer in southern areas. Screens on windows and doors are common, and repellent is readily available. Ross River Virus is spread by mosquitoes in the tropics, and can make you sick for a few weeks. There have been cases of dengue fever , for which no specific treatment exists. Malaria is not present in mainland Australia.

Medical care [ edit ]

As described above, 000 is the Australian emergency services number and in any medical emergency you should call this number and ask for an ambulance and other emergency services as necessary, to attend.

Australia has first world medical standards. In particular, it is safe to receive blood transfusions in Australia, as donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis and many other blood borne illnesses.

Australia's population density is low; parts of Australia are a long way from medical facilities of any kind. Many of these areas are served by the Royal Flying Doctor Service . Small towns with populations of 5,000 or more will have a small hospital capable of giving emergency treatment. Larger towns will have a base hospital capable of routine and some kinds of emergency surgery. In some cases you may need to be evacuated to one of the capital cities for specialist treatment.

Capital cities will have medical centres where you can drop in, often open on weekends or until late. In country towns you may have to make an appointment and may have no alternative other than the closest hospital after hours and weekends. You can also expect to wait a few hours if your condition isn't urgent.

Poisons Information Hotline , ☏ 13 11 26 (in country only) . Give free advice if any medication or poisons are taken inadvertently. They will also give advice on what treatment is necessary for things like a spider bite. However, if you think you are in any immediate danger, call '000' for an ambulance.

Medical costs and travel insurance [ edit ]

Australian citizens and permanent residents who live in Australia can receive health care through the taxpayer funded Medicare. Foreigners working or studying in Australia and without a reciprocal agreement are generally required to take up private health insurance as part of their visa conditions. Foreigners on a short visit will want to make sure their travel insurance is in order, as medical costs can be expensive for those not entitled to Medicare benefits. Medicare does not cover private hospitals or dental care, so you will need to obtain private health insurance to pay for these.

Travellers from Belgium , Finland , Ireland , Italy , Malta , the Netherlands , New Zealand , Norway , Slovenia , Sweden and the United Kingdom are entitled to free reciprocal Medicare treatment for medical problems that occur during their visit. It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the conditions of the reciprocal arrangement with your country . For example, Irish people and New Zealanders are only entitled to free treatment at a hospital, whereas the other reciprocal nationalities are entitled to subsidised treatment at general practitioners as well. No reciprocal programs cover private hospitals, and the full cost will have to be met by yourself or with travel insurance .

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of a reciprocal agreement country then travel insurance is highly recommended. You can expect to pay around $80 to see a general practitioner, plus any additional costs for any pathology or radiology required. The charge to visit a local hospital can be much more expensive, private hospitals even more so. You can pay up to $500 even if you are not admitted, and possibly several thousand dollars if you are. Rescue and Royal Flying Doctor Services are provided for free, but evacuation or ambulance services can cost many thousands of dollars from a country town to a capital city, or from an island to the mainland.

Even if you are an Australian citizen, ambulance and evacuation services are not provided free of charge. If an air-ambulance is required this can still cost thousands of dollars. Most health-insurance companies sell ambulance only cover valid Australia-wide. Ambulance membership programs may only cover you in your own state - check before travelling interstate. Domestic travel insurance does not usually cover medical or ambulance expenses. Medicare cover does not include ambulance costs (at least several hundred dollars) in the event of an emergency; only private insurance with ambulance cover will pay for this.

Snake and spider bite anti-venom is very expensive. The cost can be well over $10,000 even if you don't need a stay in hospital.

Connect [ edit ]

Telephone [ edit ], calling overseas from australia [ edit ].

The main international access code or prefix is 0011 (when using a mobile phone the plus symbol "+" can be used instead of the 0011 prefix).

Dialling codes [ edit ]

The country code for international calls to Australia is +61. When dialling from overseas, omit any leading '0' in the area code. The area code is optional when calling from the same area code area.

Norfolk Island and Australian-Antarctic bases use the +672 code, not Australia's country code. See the specific articles.

Australian area code list:

02 = Central East (New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and north-eastern fringe of Victoria)
03 = South East (Southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania)
04 = Mobile phones Australia-wide (higher call charges apply)
07 = North East (Queensland and parts of Northern NSW)
08 = Central & West (Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western New South Wales)

Local calls are free of charge.

If calling an Australian number from outside Australia, use the format +61880803300 (no "0" area code prefix; substitute the relevant international dialling prefix for the "+" if needed).
If making an international call from within Australia dial the international dialling prefix or "+", followed by the country code , followed by destination area code , followed by the local number at the destination. For most countries you need to omit the area code prefix (usually "0" as in Australia).

Special numbers [ edit ]

Numbers commencing with 13 are charged at a local call rate, and what they connect you to can vary according to your location. They can be 10 or 6 digit numbers. For example, 1300 796 222, will connect you with the Albury tourist information, no matter where you are in Australia. However, 131 008 will connect you with a different local taxi service depending on where you are. 13 22 32 will connect you to New South Wales Railways in Sydney or Victorian Railways in Melbourne. Calling these numbers internationally can be problematic.
Numbers commencing with 18 are free when dialled from a payphone or fixed phone, and commonly used for hotel reservation numbers, or tourist information numbers.
Numbers commencing with 19 are premium numbers, often with very hefty call charges (make sure you check before dialling).
Numbers commencing with 12 are carrier services, and are dependent on what network you are connected to. For example, 12 456 is a general information number for Telstra. Vodafone offer a similar services on 123 . These numbers can be premium services as well.

Calling special numbers internationally can often work - just try dialling the number prefixed with the +61 country code. Many locations will give an alternative direct number for use in international dialling.

Making reverse charge (collect) calls is very expensive and can be problematic. You can use 12550 from a Telstra public phone, or 1800 NO CASH from any phone. But you have to be calling a number that will accept the charges (usually a landline or mobile on a mainstream telco).

Mobile phones [ edit ]

Australia has three mobile networks operated by Telstra , Optus and Vodafone , with numerous resellers for each. All three operate LTE (4G) and 5G networks; 3G is being phased out and will stop working by the end of 2024. Generally speaking, Telstra provides the best coverage, but is the most expensive, while Vodafone often does not have coverage in rural towns, but is the cheapest. Unpopulated or sparsely populated areas away from major roads are unlikely to have service at all. If you are heading way out into the bush then a satellite phone may be your only option. Remember all mobile phones can be used for emergency calls on all networks, even if they don't have a local SIM or aren't roaming. This applies to satellite phones too.

With foreign SIM cards, international roaming is generally seamless onto Australia's 4G networks, depending on agreements between operators. 5G networks are different with frequencies and can vary with the compatibility of your phone. Check with your home operator before you leave. There are no restrictions on overseas residents obtaining Australian prepaid SIM cards, although you may require some form of photo ID such as your passport for identification.

A cheap prepaid mobile phone with a SIM retails for around $40 in most Australian retail outlets, supermarkets, and post offices; a SIM alone for an existing phone is around $2–3. Prepaid credit is added using recharge cards available at all supermarkets, newsagents, some ATMs, and other outlets.

You can buy a seemly infinite variety of packages, SIM cards, and phone bundles, with varied combinations of data, SMS and call time. Some carriers make calculating included calls difficult, by giving you a dollar "value" that is included in your package, and you then need to find the call, sms and data rates to calculate what is included. These rates can differ from plan to plan. Make sure the plan you choose includes what you need, because using data or making calls outside of the package allowance is often orders of magnitude more expensive.

Satellite phones [ edit ]

If you need comprehensive coverage in rural and remote areas, you can use a satellite phone. Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya satellite services are available in Australia. Expect to pay around $120 per week to hire a satellite phone, plus call costs. Satellite messaging units, which send your location and a help SMS or email, can be hired for around $80 per week.

These units are only available from specialist dealers, often only in major cities (away from the remote areas you may be visiting). You should be able to acquire or hire these units in your home country before departure if you wish.

Satellite phones can be used to make emergency calls without a SIM card or subscription plan. The cheapest cost around $300, or just a little more than a PLB.

Public phones [ edit ]

Most towns and suburbs have at least one public phone. Most railway stations will have a public phone. All public phones in Australia are free for local calls to landlines and mobiles. International calls may be made using Telstra or third-party calling cards available from newsagents. Free text messages can be sent from any Telstra public phone, using the keypad in much the same way as an old-style mobile phone. Follow the instructions on the phone display.

Wifi [ edit ]

Virtually all accommodations in Australia from youth hostel and caravan park to 5-star hotel have free wifi , as do most cafes, shopping malls and even some forms of public transport like trains and ferries. If you need to borrow a full-fledged PC to go online, public libraries are usually your best bet. Internet cafes are virtually obsolete, although you can still find gaming cafes here and there.

In major urban centres, you'll find free Wi-Fi in shopping malls and other large shops and increasingly on public transport: Sydney's ferries offer free Wi-Fi as do Adelaide's trams.

Radio and television [ edit ]

Australia has 2 national public broadcasters, the ABC and SBS . The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (or ABC) broadcasts Local Radio, Triple J (Youth/Indie music) and ABC Classic on AM/FM Radio as well as 5 TV channels. The Special Broadcasting Service (or SBS) broadcasts more ethnic, bilingual and cultural content on 6 TV channels and 2 analog radio stations. Both broadcasters are available in most populous areas but the ABC has a greater radio coverage. DAB+ Digital Radio is available in capital cities.

There are 3 free-to-air commercial TV networks, namely Seven , Nine and Ten . You should expect to be able to receive and watch all these channels in almost all accommodation in towns and cities across Australia. The cable TV monopoly used to be Foxtel, still advertised by many hotels, but these days Netflix and its local competitors Stan and Kayo Sports rule the roost.

The bigger the city, the more radio stations you'll find. Country towns will often just have one commercial radio station and the ABC . If you're driving the distances between country towns, you can often lose all radio coverage. Download some music or podcasts for the trip before you leave. It's advisable to stay tuned to the ABC if travelling during emergencies or high bushfire risk periods.

News [ edit ]

The main national broadsheet newspaper is The Australian , with The Australian Financial Review focussing on financial and business news. There are also other newspapers that are published locally within their respective states, the most notable ones being The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph , both based in Sydney, and The Age and Herald Sun , both based in Melbourne.

Post [ edit ]

Australia Post runs Australia's postal service. Letters can be posted in any red Australia Post posting box, which are found at all post offices and many other locations. All stamps can be purchased from post offices, and some stamps can be purchased from newsagents and hotels. Posting a standard letter or postcard costs $1.10 within Australia (up to 250g), and between $2.50 and $3.70 internationally (up to 20g). Sending international letters up to 50g is cheaper in November and December, at $2.40, but the letter must have "card only" written on the front. 'Domestic' and 'international' stamps are different, as international is tax free, therefore, so make sure you use the right stamp. Parcels, express post and other services are also available.

Addresses in Australia are generally formatted in the following way, which is similar to addresses in the United States and Canada:

Name of recipient (If needed) Unit number or building name House number and street name City or town, two or three-letter state abbreviation, postcode

You can receive mail via Poste Restante in any city or town. Mail should be addressed to your full name c/o Post Restante. ID is needed to pick up your mail.

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24 interesting facts about Australia

From a giant dingo fence to the planet’s largest living structure, we take a look at the most interesting facts about Australia

In a country the size of a continent there are innumerable fascinating facts to be unearthed. Australia’s mix of ancient cultures, wild terrain and cosmopolitan cities means the country has so much to offer the millions of visitors it receives every year.

With red outback sands, tropical aquamarine reefs and the wild Southern Ocean, Australia is a land of truly diverse landscapes.

We spent a month exploring this vast country and learnt many interesting facts about Australia along the way. Here, we share the best of them.

Interesting facts about Australia

1. Aboriginal Australians are the oldest continuous culture on Earth. It is estimated that Australia’s indigenous people left Africa 75,000 years ago and have been in Australia for more than 40,000 years. (Source: Australian Geographic )

2. Despite this, it wasn’t until a 1967 national referendum that Aboriginal Australians were included in the official census and granted similar status to settlers. (Source: BBC )

3. In 1770, Captain James Cook charted the east coast of what was then known as Terra Australis in his ship, HMS Endeavour, claiming all of Australia under British possession. The town of Cooktown marks the site where he came ashore. (Source: BBC )

4. Mainland Australia is the world’s largest island but the smallest continent. (Source: Australian Tourism )

5. At 7,741,220sq km, Australia is the world’s 6th largest country by area (excluding Antarctica), but with only 23 million people it is only the 56th largest by population, making Australia one of the world’s least densely populated countries with only three people per square kilometre. (Source: CIA World Factbook )

6. Australia is also the lowest, the flattest and (apart from Antarctica) the driest continent. The highest mountain in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko at just 2,228m (7,310ft) high. (Source: Australian Government )

interesting facts about Australia Kosciuszko

7. As of 2001, more than eight in 10 Australians (85%) live within 50km of the coastline of Australia. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics )

8. The oft-referenced Australian ‘outback’ refers to the country’s vast, remote interior. Essentially, it is any location outside the main urban areas near the coastline. The outback is sparsely populated, but is home to a large variety of animals, plants and natural features. (Source: Britannica )

9. Rangers at Uluru , the giant sacred monolith in the Northern Territory, regularly receive packages containing pieces of Uluru taken by tourists along with notes of apology. The rocks have come to be known as ‘sorry rocks’. Some senders even believe they have suffered bad luck as a result of removing the rocks and wish to reverse the ‘curse’. (Source: The Telegraph )

Tourists have been returning rocks taken from the sacred site

10. At 478km, the Indian Pacific railway line running from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide is the world’s longest straight section of railway track. (Source: The Guardian )

11. Completed in 1885, the Dingo Fence in Australia is the longest fence in the world. Designed to keep the feral dogs of the Australian outback away from sheep, the Dingo fence is 5,614km long and would take an estimated six months to walk around. (Source: Condé Nast Traveller )

12. The state of New South Wales was founded as a penal colony in 1788. Over the following 80 years, more than 160,000 convicts were sent to Australia from Britain in lieu of the death penalty. Around 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts. (Source: BBC )

13. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest living structure. It stretches over 2,000km north to south and covers 350,000 sq km in total. (Source: National Geographic )

The Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest living structure

14. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The others are Aurora Borealis, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, Paricutin Volcano and Victoria Falls. (Source: The Guardian )

15. In 1967, Australia’s Prime Minister, Harold Holt, mysteriously disappeared after going for a swim at Cheviot Beach near Melbourne . His body was never recovered, leading to numerous conspiracy theories including one that claimed he had been taken by a Chinese submarine. (Source: CNN )

16. According to research conducted by Sydney University’s Coastal Studies Unit, Australia has 10,685 beaches, which occupy around half – 15,000km – of its coastline. (Source: Australian Government )

17. Australia has over 1,000 species of reptile, more than 10% of the world’s total and more than any other country. The figure, up from 750 in 1993, continues to rise. (Source: Australian Geographic )

18. The oldest fossil, thought to be 3.4 billion years old, was found in sandstone at the base of the Strelley Pool rock formation in Western Australia. (Source: New York Times )

19. Marsupials – mammals that carry their young in a pouch – are almost entirely endemic to Australia. Well-known species include kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas and the Tasmanian devil. (Source: Britannica )

Marsupials are almost entirely endemic to Australia

20. Only half of Australia’s population was born in Australia to Australian-born parents. According to the 2016 census, 49% of all Australians were either born overseas or have at least one foreign-born parent. (Source: The Guardian )

21. Australia is divided into six states and two territories: Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. (Source: Australian Tourism )

22. More than one million feral camels roam the Australian outback. Between 1870 and 1920, as many as 20,000 were imported into Australia from the Arabian Peninsula, India and Afghanistan. By the 1930s, they were no longer required and thousands were released into the wild, where their numbers ballooned. (Source: BBC )

23. Australia is home to some of the world’s most dangerous animals. These include the inland taipan, the world’s most venomous snake; the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the world’s most dangerous spiders; and the box jellyfish, the most dangerous marine animal known to humans. There are also sharks, crocodiles and giant centipedes to fear! (Source: Australian Geographic )

24. Australia beamed the first images of the 1969 moon landing to 600 million people around the world. A telescope in Honeysuckle Creek near Canberra had the best quality images from the mission, so were used for the majority of the broadcast. (Source: The Independent )

Lonely Planet Australia has plenty more interesting facts about Australia as well as being a comprehensive guide to the country.

If you prefer to pass on the planning, we recommend G Adventures and their small group Australia tours .

Lead image: Atlas & Boots

Tourism 2020

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Tourism 2020 was a whole-of-government and industry long-term strategy to build the resilience and competitiveness of Australia’s tourism industry and grow its economic contribution.

Tourism 2020 focused on improving the industry’s performance and competitiveness by pursuing new opportunities for growth and addressing supply-side factors.

The Tourism 2020 goal was to achieve more than $115 billion in overnight spend by 2020 (up from $70 billion in 2009).

Tourism Australia shared this goal with the Australian tourism industry and federal, state and territory governments in an effort to maximise tourism’s economic contribution to the Australian people.

Tourism 2020 focused on improving the industry’s performance by pursuing opportunities to increase consumer spending and address supply-side factors. The strategy was being implemented in three phases and we also began planning for the years beyond 2020, working with Austrade and state and territory governments as part of an industry-led committee, up until the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more about the Tourism 2020 strategy .

Outcomes of Tourism 2020

We were on track to achieve our goal of more than A$115 billion in overnight spend by 2020. At 30 March 2018, overnight visitor expenditure reached $107.4 billion, up 6 per cent on the previous year. Before the pandemic, forecasts indicated that overnight visitor spend would reach $131 billion by 2020/21.

A competitive aviation environment was essential to achieving the Tourism 2020 goal. When the strategy was launched in 2011, we set a target of between 40 per cent and 50 per cent growth in international aviation capacity, representing an increase of between 7 million and 8 million seats. There has been solid growth over the past seven years, with 9.3 million seats added by the end of December 2017.

Increased investment in quality accommodation is also a significant factor in achieving the Tourism 2020 goal. The Australian tourism industry made solid progress in this area, particularly during the past three years, and is on track to achieve the target of adding between 6,000 and 20,000 new rooms by 2020.

National Long-Term Tourism Strategy © Tourism Australia

Australian Government priorities

Tourism ministers from the Australian and State and Territory Governments identified four policy priorities under Tourism 2020:

encourage high-quality tourism experiences, including Indigenous tourism
limit the tax, red tape and other regulatory burden industry faces
undertake coordinated and effective marketing campaigns to drive demand
work with industry to support the development of tourism infrastructure that can drive demand.

The Austrade website hosts various publications and research that outlines the key actions needed to assist industry reach its potential.

Discover more

Couple walking under the coconut palms, Palm Beach, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

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By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

23 of the best things to do in Australia

Nov 2, 2023 • 13 min read

Experience the best of Australia with this guide to the top things to do © Dallas and John Heaton / Getty Images

An ancient land of diverse ecosystems, Australia is a nature lover’s wonderland.

From emerald rainforests and fragrant, eucalyptus-covered mountains, to golden ribbons of coastline and woodland caves with Aboriginal art, there are countless ways to experience the beauty of this vast island nation. Even in urban settings, nature is never far away. Rainbow lorikeets squeal at sunset and crashing crystal waves will beckon you outdoors, if just to sip Aussie wine and scoff prawns. Here are the best things to do in Australia.

1. Admire the Sydney Opera House from a different angle

Inspired by yacht sails and surrounded by water, the glorious Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon. The majestic curves dominate Sydney Harbour and look impressive from every angle. Stroll right around its base – something many don’t know you can do – then take a white-knuckle climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a guide to get a view of the Opera House. For a quiet perspective, kayak at dawn as the sun kisses the surrounding waters, or picnic under Moreton Bay fig trees in the crowd-free Tarpeian Lawn in the Botanic Gardens.

Local tip: Time your visit to watch Badu Gili – a light show of First Nations stories by Aboriginal artists – projected onto the Opera House. It has been such a hit that in recent years it has turned into a daily free event at sunset.

2. Learn about bush food under the stars in the Red Centre

The didgeridoo plays while the sun shimmers on the horizon and the earth’s rusty red intensifies. Then the Southern Cross and stars spill across the sky. Enjoy a tasting menu of native bush ingredients in the Northern Territory 's Red Centre alongside this remarkable backdrop.

A free diver takes an underwater photograph of a whale shark passing above

3. Be dazzled by the marine life at Ningaloo Reef

The Great Barrier Reef has a lesser-known but equally dazzling sibling in Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is a jeweled necklace of coral reef that fringes the coast, especially near Exmouth , making it very accessible for snorkelers. Nearby, blowholes force ocean water through sea caves and up to 20m (66ft) into the air. Ningaloo Reef is a magical place for swimming alongside whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) and migrating humpback whales (be sure to always give these wild creatures a lot of space).

Planning tip: For children and those who don't want to swim, glass-bottom boats are a comfortable option to see manta rays and turtles gliding above the coral below.

4. Eat authentic world cuisine and new Australian fusions

Nearly half of all Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. That’s why eating at restaurants in a Little Korea, Thai Town or Greek Precinct means you get the real deal. As always, it pays to window-shop for somewhere that has mostly local diners.

Modern Australian food highlights these world flavors through European cooking techniques, and its varied climate and nutrient-rich land produces top-quality fresh ingredients. Chefs are exploring pairing indigenous flavors such as desert lime and bush banana (which resembles snow peas) with seafood, Australia’s specialty. This kind of dining is always the most exquisite with a beach, river or harbor view.

5. Walk at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania

On first seeing Cradle Mountain , even Aussies might exclaim, “I didn’t know Australia could even look like this!” It’s true that the glacier-hewed crags and alpine heaths here have a touch of the Scandinavian. Cradle Mountain is all Australian though, with pristine ancient rainforests, mirrored lakes, and unique fauna isolated from the rest of the world. Hiking newbies: head to Ronny Creek for a glimpse of wombats drinking from a creek in a buttongrass moorland. The terrain is flat, and most visitors head for Dove Lake, so you’ll have the marsupials (and shuttle bus stop) to yourself.

6. Watch baby penguins waddle

The sun won't even be up yet, but it'll be worth it – and your heart might melt – when you witness little blue penguins waddling across the sand. Phillip Island is the most famous penguin site, but there are other islands and even secret spots in cities such as Manly in Sydney and St Kilda in Melbourne.

7. Learn to surf, or at least have a laugh trying

You might not ride a tube on your first lesson, but paddling and standing on a surfboard for one glorious moment before being dumped in a fizzle of white foam is an amazing feeling. Besides, getting water-confident will help you enjoy some of Australia’s nearly 12,000 beaches . When the water’s choppy, try sandboarding on dunes across the country, often in places with rich Aboriginal history, including Henty Dunes in Tasmania .

Local tip: Want to learn more about the history of surf culture and the grassroots campaign by women surf pros to be recognized and celebrated in the sport? Check out the 2021 documentary Girls Can't Surf .

8. Join Sydney locals on the Bondi to Coogee walk

Hugging 6km (3.7 miles) of coast between two beaches, the clifftop walk from Bondi beach is saturated by blue skies and rolling ocean. No matter how many times you walk it, each turn is a delight: outdoor baths that glitter with crashing ocean waves; Gordon’s Bay, decorated with wooden boats; Waverley Cemetery with the most exclusive resting place in Australia; McIver’s Ladies Seawater Baths hewn from rock; and lounging locals at Tamarama, Clovelly, and Bronte beaches, each with their own personality .

Local tip: Stop at the Clovelly Bowling Green for a beer and a barefoot game of lawn bowls overlooking the ocean – you just need to sign in as a guest. The walk gets steep after this, so it may be tempting to stay and linger.

Man overlooks Rock pool at the Barramundi falls, Kakadu National Park, one of the crocodile-free lakes in this area

9. Feel ancient Australia in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Kakadu is the perfect kind of middle of nowhere. It’s the wild Australia that you might have already daydreamed about. Waterfalls bloom from rock, prehistoric crocodiles thrash the wetlands, lorikeets sing, and Aboriginal guides bring ancient rock art to life. As you trek between gorges and woodlands or hike for views over endless treetops, your worries seem far away.

Planning tip: Helicopter or fixed-wing scenic flights are a wonderful way to get a sense of the sheer scale and beauty of Kakadu. Note that flights are only available over Jim Jim Falls in the wet season (November to April). Traditional owners request that the skies are rested in the dry season (May to October).

10. Celebrate Pride at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade

It might have started off as a protest, but today, over 40 years later, Australia’s largest LGBTIQ+ Pride parties all night. What makes the parade the highlight is the 200 flamboyant floats. The vehicles are decorated 12 months ahead, and dancers practice weekly to sashay for that one night. Grab a stool or milk crate to watch from the sidelines and prepare to shout “Happy Mardi Gras!” to strangers. But the nightlife excels all year round in Sydney , with cozy, queer-friendly pubs including the Bearded Tit .

A hiker walks a path around a vast red rock in a sparse landscape

11. Explore Uluru with an Aboriginal guide

Uluru has been a sacred site to the Anangu, the area’s Aboriginal people, for 10,000 years. It’s definitely worth engaging an Anangu guide for the Kuniya walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of Uluru to hear ancient stories, decipher rock art, and appreciate the significance of Uluru’s towering slopes.

Planning tip: Go at dawn to beat the heat, then go back at night to see the desert illuminated by 50,000 lights in the Field of Light show.

12. Spot native wildlife on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is a montage of Australian nature on show. In one day, you can glimpse koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees, echidnas waddling, and kangaroos and wallabies sunbathing. In between, walk under the towering stone fossils of Remarkable Rocks and dip your toes in the clear blue waters of a parade of beaches you'll have all to yourself (except those guarded by sea lions).

MELAustralian Rules Football player Brad Ottens (number 6) stretched for a ruck contest during Geelong's preliminary final win over West Coast on September 24, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.

13. Cheer on Aussie sports from the Dunny Derby to AFL

Sport is everywhere in Australia, from international matches to the local Dunny Derby (yes, it’s a toilet race). Even if you aren’t a sports nut, seeing a big match taps you into the Australian psyche at its most excitable. Women’s sport is finally getting the attention it deserves in Australia and there’s a good turnout for women’s cricket and Australian Football League (AFL) games these days. Sydney will host the 2027 Netball World Cup, and netball might make it into the Brisbane 2032 Olympics lineup.

Planning tip: Plan ahead for tickets to see the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne or the World Surfing Championships on the Gold Coast .

14. Get naked at a nudist beach

Aussies aren’t that fussed about nudity or what adults do in their own time. Feel the sun bathe every inch of your body at one of Australia’s community-minded nudist beaches . Don’t forget sunscreen; the rays are mighty here and burnt bits aren’t fun.

A koala, a small grey-brown bear-like creature, resting in trees

15. Spot a koala

Who doesn’t love a cuddly koala? Just look at their high-on-eucalyptus faces! Fortunately, cuddling koalas is no longer encouraged in most states, even in controlled environments like wildlife parks. Instead, you can spot one high up in the street trees of rural towns around Australia’s southeast coast. As well as admiring the wildlife , look out for opportunities to learn about Australian bush conservation and how people can help wildlife recover after bushfires.

16. Cycle Victoria’s High Country on dedicated rail trails

Thank lockdowns for the cycling rebirth in Australia. The Victorian High Country has rewarding views at every turn. Ribbons of roads and disused railway lines (now reinvented as cycling rail trails) roll out alongside olive groves, tree ferns, and wineries between alpine valleys and lake swims. There are long stretches of flats for families and casual riders, and mountain trails right into the bush for the adrenaline-chasing cyclist.

Detour: The Victorian High Country boomed with gold in the 1850s, and there are traces of this wealth – and the Chinese miners who sought it – in the towns along the way. Eldorado has a gold museum, while Yackandandah has both quaint tinned-roofed buildings and a historic cemetery dedicated to Chinese gold miners.

A Macanese sailing ship features in the Aboriginal rock art in Arnhem Land Art, Australia

17. Admire Aboriginal rock art

Art has been essential to cultural life through 65,000 years of Aboriginal Australian history. Seeing Aboriginal art is a captivating launchpad to conversations about Australia today for its First Nations people. Learn more about the significance of rock art at the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land and the Quinkan rock galleries in Queensland; the emergence of dot paintings on canvas in the 1970s in the Northern Territory; or the storytelling of contemporary works displayed at city museums, such as the Yolngu women’s bark paintings.

18. Drink in Australia's varied wine regions

Australia is blessed with clean water and rich soil to produce some top wines. Winery hopping lets you feel the sun and country air that fed the grapes while you taste test. Try old vine Shiraz in the Barossa Valley (South Australia) or a cabernet sauvignon from the Margaret River region (Western Australia), chased down with chardonnay in the Hunter Valley (New South Wales) and finishing with a pinot noir in the Yarra Valley (Victoria) or a sweet Riesling in Tasmania. You’ll need a few weeks to do it all, and every one of these wine regions is worth visiting for more than just its grapes.

Local tip: Include a gourmet farm-to-table lunch right in the vineyards, with produce freshly plucked from the garden. If you’re booze-free, try some non-alcoholic wine, which is becoming easy to find in Australia.

Aerial view of Australia, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier reef

19. Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef sustainably

The Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of thousands of smaller reefs, coral, and islands. It’s a world must-see, not just for Australia. There’s no way to recommend a free-for-all visit; climate change has caused mass coral bleaching, and tourism can be damaging. Yet there are still ways to visit in a sustainable way, as well to contribute to its conservation, such as by participating in a citizen science or reef restoration program facilitated by local tour operators. Don't forget to wear reef-safe sunscreen.

There is so much to see: turquoise waters resplendent with sea turtles floating above you and a kaleidoscope of coral beneath you; manta rays, dugongs, and a treasure trove of fish so diverse that there are species yet to be discovered. It’s enough to turn you into an advocate for marine conservation.

20. Try Aussie snacks

Australian food is world food, but there are some must-try Aussie staples that locals still adore. You might wince, but at least sample some yeasty, salty Vegemite spread thinly on toast. A smoother brunch is smashed avocado toast, an Australian invention; or a Thai curry pie, a spin on a classic Australian meat pie; and a sausage sizzle, the Aussie barbecue version of a hot dog.

You’re most likely to bring home Tim Tams, the chocolate-covered biscuits that Aussies longingly sob for when overseas. Australia’s greatest export to the coffee world is the flat white, which is most famously fine-tuned in Melbourne.

Night time view of the very hip Degraves Street in Melbourne

21. Stay out all night in Melbourne

In central Melbourne , the street-art-decorated laneways hide a society of wonderfully grungy cocktail bars and clubs. The famously moody weather of the city makes Melbourne an excellent place to go out while being entertained indoors. For interesting drinking, live music, historic theatres, and the Melbourne International Comedy and Film Festivals, the city dominates the country’s nightlife calendar.

Planning tip: If you're traveling with children and want a night out with the kids, check out the Victoria Market Night Market . There's one in summer and one in winter with street food stalls, buskers, live music, and local maker markets. Alternatively, many summer sporting events that run into the dark hours, like Friday night football, are also pretty child friendly.

22. Learn about Australia’s migration story

Australia is a vibrant nation of migrants. The Immigration Museum in Melbourne and the Migration Museum in Adelaide bring out the colorful threads of this timeline through memorabilia, voices, artifacts, and photos. They celebrate the positive elements in this story and are worth a visit for a deeper understanding of multicultural Australia.

23. Get used to sharing Australia with crocs, spiders and sharks

It’s true, Australia has some top-of-the-food-chain creatures. You have to go out of your way to bump into them, though. Wildlife parks are a (safe) way for kids – and adults – to get their thrills being splashed by a jumping crocodile, wincing at a funnel-web spider or black snake being milked of venom, and spotting the deadly spurs on a platypus. An even mightier heart thumper is cage diving at eye and teeth level with a great white shark.

Local tip: Obviously, you don't want to get cozy with deadly Australian animals. Always ask locals for advice on where it is safe to swim or walk, and heed warning signs before heading out.

This article was first published August 2021 and updated November 2023

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Jul 22, 2023

Australia is a land of dreams. According to Aboriginal legend, in the Dreamtime, the great spirits created its thriving coral reefs, luxuriant rainforests, and red-earthed deserts. Today, these spectacular ecosystems host some of the quirkiest wildlife on the planet and lure nature lovers and adventure seekers from around the globe.

Australia is also a land of staggering contrasts and spectacular beauty. Along the coast, you can explore vibrant cities, vast sand islands, and one of the planet's most awe-inspiring natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef. In the Outback, rugged national parks and remote deserts offer the ultimate travel adventures rich with Indigenous history.

Top it all off with a laid-back feel and friendly people, and it's no wonder Australia scores top billing on bucket lists around the world. Bring your travel dreams to life and plan the best places to visit with this list of the top attractions in Australia.

1. Sydney Opera House, New South Wales

2. great barrier reef marine park, queensland, 3. uluru-kata tjuta national park, northern territory, 4. sydney harbour bridge, new south wales, 5. blue mountains national park, new south wales, 6. melbourne's culture, victoria, 7. bondi beach, new south wales, 8. daintree national park, queensland, 9. k'gari (fraser island), queensland, 10. kakadu national park, northern territory, 11. great ocean road, victoria, 12. broome, western australia, 13. kangaroo island, south australia, 14. cradle mountain-lake st. clair national park, tasmania, 15. horizontal falls & the kimberley region, 16. train trips across the outback.

Mention "Sydney, Australia" and most people think of the Opera House. Shaped like huge shells or billowing sails, this famous building on Sydney's Bennelong Point graces the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the world's great architectural icons.

The location is stunning. Water surrounds the structure on three sides, and the Royal Botanic Gardens border it to the south.

Danish architect, Jørn Utzon won an international competition for its design but withdrew from the project after technical and financing problems. Construction was finally completed in 1973 at a cost of 10 times the original budget. By this time, Utzon had left the country, never returning to see his magnificent creation.

Today, you can enjoy a performance here, dine at one of the restaurants, or see the highlights of the Sydney Opera House on a guided tour. The structure encompasses theaters, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms, and a cinema.

Touring the interior of the Sydney Opera House is rewarding, but its striking architecture is perhaps best appreciated from a distance. One of the best sites to photograph this top Sydney tourist attraction is Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Better still, hop aboard a harbor cruise or ferry and capture a photo from the water as you glide past.

In 2023, the Sydney Opera House is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a packed calendar of special events. During your visit, be sure to check out the newly renovated Concert Hall, part of an almost $300-million "Decade of Renewal."

Author's Tips: If you're visiting Sydney in late May/early June, you can see the white sails of the opera house light up after dark at the Vivid Sydney festival each year.

You can't leave Australia without seeing the Great Barrier Reef. This World Heritage-listed natural wonder is one of the largest living structures on the planet . It's so vast, you can see it from outer space. For divers, snorkelers, island aficionados, and nature lovers, it's a bucket list destination .

In 1975, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to protect its fragile ecosystems. These include more than 3,000 coral reefs; 600 continental islands, including the beautiful Whitsunday group ; 300 coral cays; and inshore mangrove islands.

One of the seven wonders of the natural world , the park stretches for 2,300 kilometers along the state of Queensland, on Australia's east coast (that's about the distance between Mexico and Vancouver).

Not surprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places to visit in Australia for diving and snorkeling. The astounding array of marine life includes soft and hard corals, more than 1,600 species of tropical fish, sharks, dugongs, dolphins, turtles, rays, and giant clams. Prefer to stay dry? You can see the reef from underwater viewing stations and glass bottom boats.

Travelers have many options for visiting the Great Barrier Reef . You can cruise around the islands, hop aboard a sightseeing flight, take day trips to the islands, or snorkel and dive the reefs. On the mainland, the main launching points for tours are Cairns , Port Douglas , and Airlie Beach .

Deep in the heart of Australia's Red Centre, Uluru ( formerly Ayers Rock ), is one of the most photographed natural wonders in the country. The striking red monolith forms the centerpiece of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park , a World Heritage Site jointly managed by Parks Australia and the traditional landowners, the Aṉangu people.

Uluru, meaning "shadowy place" in the local Aboriginal dialect, rises to a height of 348 meters from the surrounding plain. Most of its bulk is hidden beneath the Earth's surface.

Also in the park, about a 30-minute drive from Uluru, are the red dome-shaped rocks called Kata Tjuta (formerly called the Olgas). Equally impressive as their more famous neighbor, and often less crowded, they should not be missed while you are in the park. You can admire their beauty on the 2.6-kilometer-return trek to Walpa Gorge or the 7.4-kilometer Valley of the Winds circuit.

Prime time for photographing these striking landforms is at sunset, when visitors gather to watch the colors of Uluru and Kata Tjuta transform in the shifting light.

Note: In 2019, the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park board outlawed climbing Uluru out of respect for the Anangu people, the traditional owners. The best way to appreciate these sacred sites is on walks led by Aboriginal guides and rangers.

Along with the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's top architectural icons. Affectionately called "the Coathanger," this impressive feat of construction is the largest steel arch bridge in the world . It was completed in 1932, 40 years before the Sydney Opera House.

Rising 134 meters above the harbor, the bridge spans 500 meters, connecting Sydney's North Shore to the central business district. In addition to the pedestrian path, two railway lines extend over the bridge, as well as eight lanes for road traffic, and the direction of each lane can be switched to accommodate traffic flow.

One of the top things to do in Sydney is a guided ascent to the top of the bridge. Standing on its summit, connected only by a carabiner, you can breathe in spectacular 360-degree views of the harbor and city. It's a great way to truly appreciate the layout of the city as you gaze out over the fingers of water that snake their way into beautiful blue bays.

For an overview of the bridge's history and construction, visit the museum on the southeastern pier.

Fun fact: Paul Hogan, of Crocodile Dundee fame, worked as a painter on the bridge before rocketing to international stardom.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sydney

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , beautiful Blue Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise and a popular day trip from Sydney . It lies an easy 81-kilometer drive west of the city.

Named for the blue haze emanating from the many eucalyptus trees, this stunning park protects more than 664,000 acres of wilderness. On a visit here, you can explore dramatic gorges, waterfalls, Aboriginal rock paintings, and 140 kilometers of hiking trails.

The most famous attractions in Blue Mountains National Park are the towering sandstone rock formations called the Three Sisters . Other highlights include the Katoomba Scenic Railway , the world's steepest, which whisks passengers down the Jamison Valley through a cliff-side tunnel into an ancient rainforest; and the Skyway, Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway, which all offer elevated views of the dense forests.

Hiking, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all popular things to do in the park.

Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, is a popular stop on many Australian itineraries — especially for culture vultures. Galleries, theaters, restaurants, shops, and its distinctly European feel are the main draws of this sophisticated city on the Yarra River.

It's also a green city, with parks, gardens, and open spaces occupying almost a third of its total area.

The cultural highlights of Melbourne are many. Gape at the masterpieces at the National Gallery of Victoria , watch a performance at Arts Centre Melbourne , or head to Federation Square . Here, you can browse Australian artworks at the Ian Potter Gallery and learn about the nation's screen culture at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) .

Feel like getting back to nature? Follow the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens . And if sports culture is top of your agenda, catch a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground . In summer, cricket is the sport of choice; in winter, it's Australian Rules football.

Melbourne is also rich in history. You can see it in the Grand Victorian buildings funded by the Gold Rush, and you can feel it as you shop in the elegant arcades and Queen Victoria Market , which has been selling goods to Melburnians for over a century.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Melbourne

Bronzed bodies, blond sand, backpackers, and surf — throw it all together and you get one of the world's most famous beaches. Only 15 minutes by car from Sydney's city center, Bondi Beach is a great spot for a taste of Sydney's beach culture. Bask on the golden sands, surf the breaks, or take a cool dip on a hot summer's day (but stay between the flags).

Few cities in the world lay claim to such an enticing slice of sand and sea so close to the city. No wonder it's one of Sydney's best beaches . And you'll find some history here, too: Bondi hosts one of the oldest Surf Life Saving Clubs in the world .

Away from the shore, you'll find plenty of things to do in Bondi. Take a stroll along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. It begins at the southern end of the beach and follows the coastline for six scenic kilometers along sandstone cliffs. You can also hunt for bargains at the Sunday markets or swim some laps in the ocean pool. And if you work up an appetite, you'll find plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby.

One of the best places for a meal with a view at Bondi Beach is the famous Icebergs dining room. The menu spotlights modern Italian cuisine, and you can enjoy a meal of fresh-cooked fish watching the waves wash over the ocean pool.

Bondi also has a wild side. Crowds of tourists and locals gather here to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. It's a favorite spot for travelers.

A word to the wise: If you're taking a dip at Bondi, make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags. Strong rip tides often sweep unsuspecting swimmers out to sea, especially at the southern end of this kilometer-long strand. There's a reason the Aussies made a reality TV show called Bondi Rescue .

A Wet Tropics World Heritage Area , Daintree National Park in Far North Queensland is among the most ancient ecosystems on Earth. The area belongs to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, and many of its natural features hold great spiritual significance.

The park encompasses two main sections: Mossman Gorge, where crystal-clear waters gush over granite boulders, and Cape Tribulation, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia. Here, rainforest meets reef along the white sandy beaches of the Coral Sea. This stunning stretch of coast is one of the few places in the world where two of the planet's richest ecosystems converge.

The park's astounding biodiversity includes more than 18,000 plant species and a vast array of animal species, including the cassowary, crocodile, giant blue Ulysses butterfly, and the secretive Bennett's tree kangaroo.

The resort town of Port Douglas just south of the park, is a great base to arrange wilderness safaris into the park.

World Heritage-listed K'Gari (Fraser Island) is one of the most unique places to visit in Australia. Sitting between Bundaberg and Brisbane off Australia's east coast, this is the largest sand island in the world . Here, you'll find seemingly endless stretches of sand and sea, turquoise lakes, emerald rainforests, rippling dunes, and fascinating wildlife.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? A 4WD trip along its surf-thrashed shores is one of Australia's top outdoor adventures . Along windswept Seventy Five Mile Beach , you can see the rusted hulls of shipwrecks, the colored sandstone cliffs of The Cathedrals , and the bubbling fish-filled rock pools called Champagne Pools .

Thirty years ago, you could drive for miles and not see another soul. Today the beach can feel like a sandy highway, with a steady stream of 4WD vehicles and tourist buses plying the sands.

Venturing inland on the rugged tracks is a good way to escape the beach traffic during the peak summer months. Highlights include crystal-clear freshwater creeks and lakes, some fed by springs, others perched amid towering sand dunes; and ancient rainforests filled with an amazing diversity of plants and animals.

Lake McKenzie in the middle of K'Gari (Fraser Island)

Sharks, dolphins, and whales swim these waters, and on land, you can see dingoes, bats, sugar gliders, and more than 300 species of birds.

Nature lovers will find plenty of other things to do on K'Gari Fraser Island . Hop aboard a whale watching trip, take a sunset cruise, hike the rainforest trails at Central Station , float down Eli Creek, or soar over the striking landscapes on a scenic flight.

Access to Fraser Island is by ferry from Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay , the two main gateway towns. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, as the island has no sealed roads.

When it comes to wilderness areas, Kakadu National Park showcases the best of Australia. Covering more than 19,840 square kilometers in the Northern Territory, it's the second-largest national park in the world .

Within its borders, you can explore monsoon rainforests, mangrove swamps, rivers, gorges, ancient rock paintings, wetlands, and waterfalls.

Kakadu is also home to an astounding diversity of wildlife. In addition to the many mammals, reptiles, and fish, more than 300 different species of birds make their home here, and both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles lurk in the wetlands.

To explore the park's diverse ecosystems, hop aboard a cruise along the waterways, or hike the vast network of trails. You can also take a scenic flight.

Visiting Kakadu National Park from Darwin is easy during the dry season. It's about a three-hour drive from the Northern Territory capital. In the wet season (Nov-April), many roads and attractions close due to heavy flooding, but the waterfalls and wetlands can be at their best.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia's Northern Territory

Great Ocean Road is one of the world's top scenic drives. Built to provide employment during the Depression, the road stretches for 300 kilometers along Australia's rugged southeast coast, winding along plunging sea cliffs. It stretches from the surfing town of Torquay to the town of Allansford , near Warrnambool .

One of the top attractions of Great Ocean Road is Port Campbell National Park . This is where you can see the wind- and wave-sculpted rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles , London Bridge , the Arch , and Loch Ard Gorge . From the air, these rock formations look like giant puzzle pieces adrift along the coast, lashed by the pounding surf of the Southern Ocean.

You'll find plenty of rewarding things to do along Great Ocean Road. Stop by the Australian National Surfing Museum at Torquay, surf the famous swells at Bells Beach, linger in the seaside resort of Lorne, or go whale watching in Warrnambool .

Nature lovers will also enjoy exploring the eucalyptus forests, fern-filled rainforests, hiking trails, and waterfalls in Otway National Park .

Author's Tip: If you're short on time, my favorite way to experience Great Ocean Road is on a helicopter ride along the coast. Gazing down at the giant rock formations carved from the coast by wind and water is a humbling experience. Lashed by the pounding surf of the Southern Ocean, the rock formations look like giant puzzle pieces adrift on a turbulent sea.

Broome, in Western Australia's north, was once the pearl capital of the world. Today, it's a booming tourist town and the gateway to the spectacular Kimberley region.

Broome's star tourist attraction is Cable Beach. This seemingly endless stretch of white sand and turquoise water is one of Australia's best beaches , and riding camels at sunset is one of the most popular things to do here.

Tourists also flock to Town Beach to witness the Staircase to the Moon. This phenomenon occurs during certain conditions between March and October, where the moonlight creates an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon.

Other Broome highlights include the red cliffs of Gantheaume Point, and the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, where you can get up close to crocs, cassowaries, and kangaroos. If you're looking for things to do in town, you can brush up on some local history at the Broome Historical Museum or catch a movie in a deck chair under a star-studded sky at Sun Pictures.

Pearl farm tours, whale watching trips, and Kimberley adventures are also high on the things-to-do list in Broome.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Western Australia

Nature takes center stage at Kangaroo Island. On this unspoiled island off South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, kangaroos hop along the powdery shores, sea lions and penguins frolic in the crystal-clear waters, and koalas cling to the fragrant eucalyptus trees.

Diving is also excellent. You can spot sea dragons in the temperate waters, and dive shipwrecks off the island's coast.

Kangaroo Island's top attractions are made by Mother Nature. See the striking, wind-sculpted rock formations, known as the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park . Explore vast cave systems. Surf towering dunes and look for wildlife on scenic hiking trails along soaring sea cliffs and through pristine forests.

Foodies, too, will be in heaven. Creamy cheeses, Ligurian honey, and fresh seafood grace the plates in local restaurants.

To get here, you can fly direct to the island from Adelaide, or catch a ferry from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Kangaroo Island is recovering well from the 2020 bushfires. In fact, several new eco-friendly lodges are slated to open here in 2023.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in South Australia

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is one of Tasmania's tourism treasures and a nirvana for nature lovers. Sparkling lakes, serrated dolerite peaks, alpine heathland, and dense forests characterize the raw, glacier-carved wilderness here. One of the park's most distinctive features is the 1,616-meter Mount Ossa , the highest point in Tasmania.

As you might expect, hiking here is fantastic. Favorite trails include the Weindorfer Walk , a six-kilometer loop through dense forests, and Lake Dove Walk , with breathtaking vistas of Cradle Mountain (1,545 meters). Stand on the summit of Cradle Mountain, and you can soak up stunning views of the central highlands. Experienced hikers can also tackle the famous 80-kilometer Overland Track , which runs south from Cradle Valley to stunning Lake St. Clair , Australia's deepest lake.

While you're exploring the park, keep an eye out for Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, pademelons, and platypus among the many species of weird and wonderful wildlife.

Adventures abound in the Kimberley. Covering Australia's northwest corner, this remote and rugged region of red rocks, gaping gorges, scorched deserts, and cliff-fringed coast is ripe for exploring.

One of the top adventures in the Kimberley is the Horizontal Falls. Powerful tides of up to 11 meters gush through two narrow gorges, creating this jaw-dropping phenomenon. Hop aboard a jet boat and zoom across the sea through the seething falls.

Broome is the gateway. From here, you can soar along scarlet sea cliffs and gaze down upon the 800-plus islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago. Fly farther north to the wild beaches of Cape Leveque, and visit remote pearl farms and Aboriginal communities. Take a 4WD safari along the Gibb River Road , one of Australia's most famous 4WD tracks.

The Kimberley is also home to the spectacular Mitchell Falls and UNESCO-listed Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park . These spectacular beehive-shaped rock formations were only discovered in 1983. Hike the trails, visit sacred Aboriginal ceremonial sites and rock paintings, or soar over the park on a scenic flight and visit the Argyle Diamond mine.

The Ghan train traveling through the Outback

Driving through the Outback can be tough logistically — the distances are vast across this sun-scorched desert region, and you can drive for days without seeing another soul. But gliding through on a luxury train makes exploring Australia's red-hot heart a breeze. It's also a great way to see multiple Aussie attractions in one trip.

You have several train trips to choose from depending on where you want to go. One of the best is the Indian Pacific , Australia's longest train journey. This four-day luxury train trip travels between Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, whisking you across three states in four days.

Highlights include the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill's art galleries, South Australia's pink lakes, the seemingly neverending Nullabor Plain, and a series of mouthwatering foodie experiences. You can also upgrade your experience with a post-trip tour of vibrant Perth.

Hop aboard The Ghan for another iconic Aussie train trip. From the comfort of a luxury cabin, you can gaze out on the elemental beauty of the desert, while you traverse some of the most remote areas in Australia, including the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy and the Flinders Ranges. Choose between three different routes : Adelaide to Darwin (three days and two nights), Adelaide to Alice Springs (two days and one night), or Darwin to Alice Springs (two days and one night). All these trips can also be taken in reverse.

And if a shorter trip is more your style, opt for the Spirit of the Outback . This 26-hour journey travels from Brisbane to Longreach , in Outback Queensland, where you can delve into some Aussie nostalgia at heritage mining towns like Blackwater and Emerald and visit the Stockmen's Hall of Fame in Longreach.

More on Australia

50 Awesome Facts About Australia That Will Amaze You

In Australia, there are nearly twice the amount of kangaroos as there are humans.

50 Amazing Facts About Australia for Kids

Australia is a fascinating country – home to many amazing wildlife and views, with famous buildings and landmarks that plenty of travelers long to see.

Whether it’s close to you or very far from home, here are some awesome facts about this incredible place.

Way back in the history of Australia, indigenous people settled on the land for around 50,000 years before the British arrived.

You will find more kangaroos than you will humans!

Australia is an island, and it’s a large island at that. As a result, you can visit more than 10,000 beaches across the country.

Koala bears are popular in Australia, although there are 10 times as many camels as koalas.

There are no Bills of Rights in this country, making it the only Western country to omit this from its governmental system.

Saudi Arabia imports camels from Australia.

There are so many different types of species in Australia that only 25% of them have been discovered and are known to humans. This leaves 75%, which are totally undiscovered as of yet.

In Australia, there is a mountain called Mount Disappointment. It was named by British explorers who were disappointed that they couldn’t see Port Phillip Bay from its summit.

Want to go for a Burger King ? You won’t find it in Australia, but you will find the same fast-food chain under the name of Hungry Jacks.

According to a survey conducted in Britain, around 10% of the population believed that the moon was closer than Australia.

Highway 1 in Australia is the longest highway in the world, spanning around 9,000 miles in total.

It’s such a large country, and with 91% of the surface area taken up with vegetation, it’s a very prosperous country too.

The national floral emblem is the wattle, a flower that was selected in 1912.

There are around 200 different types of races and cultures within Australia, making it one of the most multicultural nations in the world.

Even in 2018, politicians discussed the Australian flag design and whether it should be changed. The flag still incorporates the Union Flag of the United Kingdom , which isn’t a true reflection of modern Australian life.

In 1902, women received the right to vote in Australia. This made the country the second in the world to implement this.

Nowhere has a higher gambling rate than Australia, with more than 80% of adults involved regularly in some form of betting or gambling.

Australia Day takes place every year on January 26 and is a celebration of different cultures, races, religions, beliefs, and views.

Kangaroo meat is widely available, and many people like this meat for its low-fat content.

Over a trillion bottles of wine are produced in Australia every year. While much of the wine stays within the country, there is a thriving export market to the rest of the world too.

There are several large cities in Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne. Canberra was chosen to be the capital city as a result of an ongoing debate between Melbourne and Sydney over which would be the capital.

Ugg boots, the popular winter footwear made from sheepskin, originated in Australia.

More than 70% of the Australian population participates regularly in some form of sport, although over 25% of the country is considered to be obese.

Not only is Australia the flattest continent on earth, but it’s also the largest island on earth.

The largest producer of gold in the world is located in Australia. Rather than being found in one of the large cities, its home is a small town named Kalgoorlie.

Despite being the sixth-largest country in the world and the home of several large cities, there are just 24 million people living in Australia.

After China , the largest number of sheep can be found in Australia. With many more sheep than humans, there are approximately 100 million of these animals across the country. This also means that Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of wool.

Home to many crocodiles, every year, there is at least one fatal accident involving these creatures.

The World Surfing Championship was first held in Sydney, Australia, in 1964.

John Batman was one of the founders of the city of Melbourne. Prior to having its current name, the city was known as Batmania.

Volcanoes can be found in various parts of the world, but Australia is the only continent that does not have an active volcano.

An Australian radio station called Joy Radio was established in 1993 and became the world’s very first gay and lesbian radio station.

There are several Australian actors on the Hollywood scene, and Russell Crowe is often mistakenly thought to be Australian. Contrary to popular belief, Crowe was actually born in New Zealand but moved with his family to Australia when he was just four years old.

There are up to 1,500 different species of spiders , and some of them are poisonous, while others are totally harmless.

In the 20 th century, Australia saw a large amount of immigration, including from those across the sea in the Mediterranean countries. Melbourne has one of the largest Greek populations in the world, with more than 150,000 Greeks living in the city.

It does actually snow in Australia during the winter, and can often have even more snow than Switzerland.

The Dingo Fence, built to keep out dingoes , is the longest fence in the world and is located in Australia.

The Melbourne Cup is a horse racing event that takes place every November . It’s a public holiday in Melbourne and a busy day throughout other parts of the country.

The kangaroo and emu are both featured on the Australian coat of arms. This represents the nation going forward, as neither animal is physically able to walk backward.

Around 160,000 convicts were sent in boats from England to Australia when the country was first colonized. The survivors were kept in prison camps, while many others died en route.

The health service in Australia includes doctors who will visit remote areas by helicopter. For many Australians, this is their only access to urgent medical assistance.

The cleanest air and water on earth can be found in Tasmania.

The Great Victoria Desert is larger than the whole of the United Kingdom and is just one of Australia’s many dry areas.

Imagine playing golf on a course that was 850 miles long. Visit Australia, and you’ll find the world’s longest golf course.

The platypus and the echidna are the only two mammals in the world that lay eggs, and both of these creatures can be found in Australia.

Camels were historically used to help with construction and other labor around the country, but now there are more than one million wild camels in the deserts.

There are 19 world heritage sites in this country.

The elusive ‘drop bear’ was a fake animal that was created to scare tourists. The bear apparently dropped from trees and other areas but was entirely fictional.

Around a quarter of all Australians were born overseas.

Most Australians live within close proximity of the coastline, which isn’t difficult to do, considering the whole country is lined with beautiful beaches.

Australia grew from a troubled past to become one of the most popular places in the world to both visit and live.

Australia has so much to do in its many exciting cities, like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

There’s an adventure for everyone, from snorkeling and scuba diving the coasts to venturing into the outbacks.

Australia is simply a country that keeps on giving.

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About the author.

Lizzie Robinson

Lizzie Robinson has been a freelance writer since 2011. She studied English Literature at university and enjoys sailing & playing the piano in her free time. Lizzie enjoys writing about current issues & business.

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85 Interesting Facts About Australia That You Should Know

Last updated on May 5th, 2023

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It has an area of 7,741,220 square km. Canberra is its capital and largest city. English is its national language. Australian dollar (AUD) is its official currency. It has no land bordering countries. Interestingly, Australia is both a country and a continent.

85 Interesting facts about Australia

These facts will give you insights into the country’s history, people, wildlife, culture, tourism, famous inventions and more…

1. The name Australia comes from the Latin, ‘Terra Australia Incognito’, which means the Unknown Southern Land.

2. According to fastmetrics.com, Australia has the 22nd fastest internet in the world (Ranked By Median Download Speeds, est. 2020).

3. Australia is also known as ‘the sports capital’ of the world. The reason is – more than 70% of its capital participates in a recreational activity or sports, at least once in a week.

Australia on the map

4. In the area (land); Australia is 32 times greater than that of the U.K, almost twice than that of Europe, and almost equal to that of the United States of America.

5. According to USA Today , Australia has the sixth lowest population density in the world—two people per square kilometer.

6. On the list of facts about Australia, this one is certainly unique. Australia is the only continent-nation in the world. It means, it is a continent and an independent country as well. It is also the smallest, flattest, and driest inhabited continent in the world.

7. Australia day, the national day of the country is celebrated on 26 th January every year. The “day” is a form of celebration of Australia’s diversity and tolerance of different sects of people.

8. Kangaroo is the national animal of Australia. There were 34,303,677 kangaroos in Australia in 2011 within the commercial harvest area. And they (kangaroos) are found (naturally) only in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

9. If you know Australia’s total population, you can clearly see that the population of kangaroos in the country outnumbers that of the humans . And there are strict measures in place to check the population of the national animal.

10. In Australia, you can undergo a unique health treatment which is expected to be 40,000 years old . These Aboriginal cultures and healing techniques are believed to be the oldest in the world. Difficulties and illnesses such as depression, cancer and substance abuse can be treated with these century’s old techniques.

11. Another interesting thing on the list of facts about Australia is that it has the longest fence in the world, and it is 5,530 kilometers in length. It is called the ‘dingo fence’.

12. The first cops in the country were all criminals . They were a band of eight of the most well-behaved convicts, formed in 1789 by Governor Arthur Philip.

About Australian spiders, snakes, inventions, golf courses, mammals that lay eggs

13. If you are interested in the world’s deadliest spiders , you should definitely visit Australia. These spiders are available in the Australian Reptile Park, which is the only place in the world where these spiders are milked. These spiders are known as ‘the funnel web’ . The venom is milked from these spiders and sent to a laboratory in the country where it is made into antivenom.

14. Australia is the only country in the world where there are more species of venomous snakes than the non-venomous snakes. The Inland Taipan is the most venomous snake , and with its one bite, it can kill at least 100 fully grown men or 2,50,000 mice.

15. The world’s highest steel arch bridge – the Harbor Bridge – is in Sydney, Australia. It spans 97.3 m and 134 m high above the mean sea level. It is recorded in the Guinness for its span.

16. Nullarbor Links is “the World’s Longest Golf course” , situated along 1,365 kilometers of the Eyre Highway that crosses the southern coast of Australia in two states (South Australia and Western Australia).

17. The platypus and echidna are the only two mammals in the world that lay egg. And you guessed it right; they are only found in Australia.

Flag of Australia

18. If you are looking to learn facts about Australia to impress your friends or family, note that Australian’s invented a lot of things including the ultrasound, Vegemite, the tank, football, the refrigerator, the pre-paid postage, the BlackBox on airplanes, lawn mowers with engines, smoke alarms, asprin/aspirin, the pacemaker, and penicillin etc.

19. The world’s largest espresso machine is fitted in Australia. It can brew up to 18 cups of coffee at any given time, and at least 5 people are required to handle it while operating.

20. Australians eat 260 million meat pies every year, around 12 per head.

About white whale, languages, obesity, wages

21. They drink 75 litres of beer on an average per person in Australia.

22. The world’s only white whale – they call him – ‘Migaloo’ can be seen in Australia. If you are lucky, you could have a beautiful sight of this giant mammal, if you choose to visit Australia during spring and autumn seasons. Check this site for more information about this incredible whale – Migaloo .

23. Australia has a vibrant multicultural community of people from close to 200 countries.

24. And over 200 different languages and dialects are also spoken in the country which is very rich in diversity.

25. Amazingly, during winter Australia has more snow than Switzerland .

26. In 1902 , Australia became the second country in the world to allow women the right to vote.

27. In Australia, 22.3% of its population speaks a language which is other than English (est. 2021).

28. Out of its population of more than 26 million, at least 14.56 million are obese in Australia . And obesity is killing more people prematurely than smoking and illness in the country.

29. Australians have swimming pools in their oceans, too.

30. The minimum wages in Australia is $21.38 (from 1 July 2022) while that in Georgia in the U.S. is $5.15.

31. There is a lake known as ‘Pink Lake’ in Australia . The name of this lake, which is a salt lake is named after its color. It is in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. However, the color of this lake is not always pink, and changes as a result of the change in salinity of the water and the concentration of brine prawn in the lake.

32. Lord Howe Island, a famous tourist destination in Australia, allows only 400 tourists at any time – no matter how many apply and want to get in there. Rules are rules!

33. In Australia, they have a town named ‘1770’ . Yeah, the name just contains digits. The town is a six-hour drive north from Brisbane along the coast of Central Queensland.

34. Spanning some 1,850 km from Halls Creek to Wiluna in outback WA, the Canning Stock Route is the longest and most remote stock route in the world .

Facts about vegetation, beaches, Wi-Fi, oldest fossil, gambling

35. With around 12 million square kilometers and spanning three oceans, Australia has the world’s 3 rd largest ocean territory .

36. In Victoria, Australia, only a licensed electrician can change an electric bulb.

37. Australia has more than 10,000 beaches . And if you decide to visit a new beach every day, it will take more than 27 years of your lifetime.

38. Wi-Fi is claimed by the Australians as the invention of its National Science Agency.

39. The last time a spider killed somebody in Australia was in 1981.

40. If you use the word ‘BARBIE’ (a plastic doll for kids) in Australia, you might be misunderstood to be referencing BBQ, or a party that usually takes place in the afternoon.

41. According to Forbes , Gina Rinehart, the wealthiest Australian woman has a net worth of $14.8 billion.

42. The world’s oldest fossil , with 3.4-billion-year-old cells, was found in Australia. The discovery was made by Brasier and David Wacey, a geologist at the University of Western Australia in Crawley.

43. Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia . The Arabs use the camel for meat.

44. Australians are very fond of gambling , which is why they spend more money per capita on gambling than any other country in the world.

About Australian kangaroos, emus, and sheep; poker machine, the Opera House

45. Kangaroos and Emus cannot walk backward . Ironically, their’s this incapacity to move backward symbolize a nation moving forward.

46. As per 2011 census, there were 73 million sheep in Australia . And this surely outnumbers the total human population in Australia.

47. Australian sheep broke the world record for the heaviest wool haul from one shearing. It had 40 kg of wool removed from its body and it took 5 shearers to get the job done.

48. ‘God Save The King/Queen’ was the national anthem of Australia until 1984. The current national anthem of the country is ‘Advance Australia Fair.’

49. Melbourne, Australia has been ranked the world’s most liveable city for seven years in a row, from 2011 to 2017.

50. “Selfie” is an Australian slang term , which was named the international word of the year in 2013. It was first used in an online forum by a drunk from Australia in 2002. And today, as we all know, it is a widely used term all over the world.

51. The average poker player in Australia loses $380 every year and yet they still play the game very fondly.

52. They have 20% of the world’s poker machines and less than 1% of its total population.

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Tourism in Australia facts for kids

Tourism in Australia is an important part of the Australian economy , and comprises domestic and international visitors. Australia is the fortieth most visited country in the world according to the World Tourism Organization. In the financial year 2018/19, tourism was Australia's fourth-largest export and over the previous decade was growing faster than national GDP growth. At the time it represented 3.1% of Australia's GDP contributing A$60.8 billion to the national economy.

In the calendar year up to December 2019, there were 8.7 million international visitors in Australia. Tourism employed 666,000 people in Australia in 2018–19, 1 in 21 jobs across the workforce. About 48% of people employed in tourism were full-time and 54% female Tourism also contributed 8.2% of Australia's total export earnings in 2018–19.

Popular Australian destinations include the coastal cities of Sydney , Brisbane and Melbourne , as well as other high-profile destinations including regional Queensland , the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef , the world's largest reef. Other popular locations include Uluru , the Australian outback and the Tasmanian wilderness . The unique Australian wildlife is also another significant point of interest in the country's tourism.

Organizations

Tourists by country, international tourists, backpackers, domestic tourism.

Great Barrier Reef
Sydney Opera House

Australia's icons

Despite the global economic challenges and natural disasters in 2010–2011, Australia's tourism growth was supported by increased consumption (up 4.4% over the last few years, largely due to an increase in the number of international visitors). On the back of a strong Australian dollar, 2010–11 also saw a record 7.4 million short-term resident departures from Australia, an increase of 9.9% from 2009–10. Consumption by domestic tourists grew at less than half the pace of international tourists in 2010–11 (up 2.1% compared to 4.4%).

The Australian Government released the 2020 Tourism Industry Potential on 15 November 2010, which estimated the Australian tourism industry to be worth up to $140 billion in overnight expenditure. This growth will largely be due to key emerging markets, including China, which is estimated to be the largest economic contributor to Australian tourism by 2020. The number of Chinese visitors has more than doubled from 2006 to 2012 reaching a peak of 626,400 in 2012 and surpassing for the first time the number of arrivals from the United Kingdom. In 2013, China was Australia's fastest growing tourist market. By 2017 China surpassed New Zealand as the top source of visitors to Australia, and in 2019 Chinese visitors reached a peak of over 1.4 million and had contributed about A$12 billion to the Australian economy. According to Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy, the Chinese are the highest spending visitors to the country.

Monthly short term visitor arrivals into Australia since 1976

Monthly long term visitor arrivals into Australia since 1976

All visitors to Australia, apart from New Zealanders, require an Australian visa to enter the country. For most countries, a full visa is required. Passport holders of all European Union countries as well as all Schengen Area countries and European microstates can apply online for an eVisitor authorisation. Citizens of some OECD and some East Asian countries can apply for the similar Electronic Travel Authority authorisation.

From the colonial days, the idea of travel has been more natural to Australians than to people long-established at one from their homes, was prone to continue their search for wealth or security for a while, or, having settled down, to return to the old countries to visit their kin and refresh old memories. The opening of new lands, the establishment of industries and towns, and the consequent dispersal of people over Australia created a habit of mobility and enterprise which encouraged Australians to face the hardships of early travel by coach, on horseback or by ship. Even so, the slow and uncomfortable modes of travel and the vast distances separating Australian towns tended to restrict travel to essential journeys for purposes of trade, to pursue an occupation or to settle. This changed somewhat with the advent of rail travel.

The initial emphasis in tourism for purposes of pleasure was strongest on travel to resorts near the main population centres. These included the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and the hill and coast resorts close to Melbourne and other major Victorian cities. The existing railway services radiating from those cities, together with the 'feeder' horse-drawn, and later motor, coach transport connecting with the railways, rendered the State Government railway tourist bureaux the main means for selling intrastate, and even some interstate, travel.

Travel for all purposes increased steadily after the Second World War . This period saw the establishment of the Australian National Travel Association with bureaux in the UK and USA. The organisation received government funding on top of industry contributions and promoted the country 'vigorously' via a poster campaign, and from 1934–1974 via Walkabout magazine. From August 1946, Walkabout also doubled as the official journal of the newly formed Australian Geographical Society (AGS), founded with a £5,000 grant from ANTA, its banner subscript reading 'Journal of the Australian Geographical Society. This role is now filled by Australian Geographic magazine. Later it became ‘Australia's Way of Life Magazine’ when supported by the Australian National Publicity Association and later the Australian Tourist Commission.

Tourism traffic continued to be mainly by rail, but also by sea, although the family motor era began in the 1930s to participate in the shorter intrastate traffic. A considerable fleet of passenger ships provided frequent and popular services linking most ports between Fremantle and Cairns . Other services linked Sydney and Melbourne with Tasmanian ports. The winter cruise of those days to Queensland ports could be regarded as the equivalent of today's drive or flight north for a winter holiday at the Gold Coast or a Barrier Reef Island, or today's shorter South Pacific cruises. The first cruises from Australia to New Zealand were organised in the summer of 1934–35, and Australians were travelling to Britain for as low as $78 in tourist class in the years immediately preceding the Second World War .

In the period following the Second World War the advent of new and improved methods of transportation, combined with rising standards of living and the energetic publicising of foreign destinations, developed international travel into a mass movement. New ocean liners shortened travelling time considerably, and travel by car and bus increased in many countries. Most of all, air travel became widely available, faster, safer, and cheaper. The beginning of the Jet Age in 1960, with larger aeroplanes carrying more than 100 passengers at speeds approximating 600 miles per hour, diminished the world by half in terms of time. Rising standards of living in the post-war period led to greater expenditure on tourism, thus making it more important to the national economy.

Australia has shared in this worldwide expansion of travel, particularly in respect of its domestic tourism. Because of the marked increase in incomes and private car ownership among large sections of the population, greater leisure time, three weeks of paid annual holidays (introduced first in New South Wales in 1958) and the introduction of long-service leave, thousands of Australians now travel by road into almost every part of the country. This has led to investment in the development of new and improved facilities, especially accommodation, of new resorts at dispersed points around Australia, and modifications in organisation and methods of tourist administration, development and promotion. These activities, in turn, have had an important influence on matters such as the improvement of highways and the opening up of national parks and foreshores.

A White Paper was produced analysing the tourist industry in Australia in 2003. A Tourism 2020 strategy was produced and implemented.

Prior to the COVID-19 and 5 major variants, domestic tourism was and continues to be a significant part of the tourism industry, representing 73% of the total direct tourism GDP and has taken on an even greater role. However, in 2021 during the pandemic, Australians travelled intrastate and also interstate when borders were open. From November 2021, borders for Australia were opened and fully vaccinated Australians were permitted to fly overseas without exemption, although the range of countries was added to Malaysia , Singapore , New Zealand and other countries in December with citizens from Japan and South Korea allowed to enter the country, from 1 December 2021. Following the significant consultation on the replacement Tourism 2030 strategy, its launch was interrupted by COVID-19 leading to the Government Commissioning an Expert Panel led by the former Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson to provide recommendations.

Eventually, the updated Tourism 2030 document titled THRIVE (THe Re-Imagined Visitor Economy) 2030 strategy was finalised and published in March 2022. The document was updated to reflect the new Government's initiatives and policy priorities as well as industry actions and State and Territory support statements and launched on 17 March 2023.

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission has tourism policy and programs responsibility in the Australian Government with Tourism Australia responsible for marketing Australia. State and territory government jurisdictions have tourism policy departments and/or tourism marketing authorities along with regional tourism organisations. The industry has a wide range of stakeholder bodies including the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), which includes promotion of the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program , the Australian Tourism Awards and Star Ratings Australia ; the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tourism Chamber , and the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC).

Australia's international tourism campaigns have focused on Australia's laid back style, such as the 1980s advertising campaign featuring actor Paul Hogan telling American tourists "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you".

Tourism Australia's "No Leave No Life" campaign was launched in March 2009 by the Federal Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP. This campaign was designed to remind employees of the personal and professional benefits of taking annual leave, and of taking that leave in Australia. On 30 June 2009, there were 126 million days of stockpiled annual leave in the Australian economy. At the end of the June 2010 quarter, this number had decreased to 117 million days, following falls in the preceding three quarters.

Tourism Australia's consumer campaign "There's Nothing Like Australia" invited Australians to share their favourite Australian place or experience with the world. The campaign is based on research conducted by Tourism Australia that showed Australians were eager to get involved in promoting their country. It was developed to involve Australians because they are the experts on what makes Australia unlike anywhere else. The core message, that "There's Nothing Like Australia" was designed for longevity through different mediums, audiences and activities.

Types of tourists

In 2019, the majority of international visitors to Australia were from China , New Zealand , the United States and the UK , with visitors from China and the United States growing substantially from the early 2000s.

Growth in tourism in 2019 was led by education and holiday travel. Education visitors were up 5% to 586,000, with spending increasing by 8% to a record $12.7 billion. Holiday visitors were up 4% to almost 4 million, with spending growing by 6% to $16.9 billion.

Australia is popular for people engaging in backpacker tourism, mostly young people from Canada , Hong Kong , Japan , South Korea , United States and Western European countries (particularly the UK , Ireland , France , Netherlands , Germany , Belgium , Italy , Austria , Switzerland and the Nordic countries ). Spending more time in Australia, these travellers tend to explore considerably more of the country. Many backpackers participate in working holidays enabling them to stay longer in the country. Working holiday visas for Australia are available for those aged 18 to 30 for most citizens from Western Europe, Canada, the United States, and some developed East Asian nations such as Hong Kong, Taiwan , Japan and South Korea.

The domestic tourism market is estimated at $63 billion. In 2009, the Australian domestic market experienced a 10% slump in the number of visitor nights. Domestic tourism in general and in particular free caravan and camping sites for overnight accommodation experienced strong demand in 2012.

Australians are big domestic travellers, with a profusion of seaside resort towns in every state (many located on or near good surfing beaches), mountain retreats, plentiful national parks , rivers, fishing locations, wine growing regions, as well as domestic visitation of the major tourist spots. Domestic tourism peaks during the Australian school holidays.

In 2011, a leading Australian travel agent warned that low-cost carriers such as AirAsia and Jetstar who offered cheap packages to Asia threatened the domestic tourism market.

Major attractions

Destinations

Hervey Bay is a popular tourist town with ample opportunities for whale watching , although there are plenty of other places along the Australian coastline to see whales.

Fraser Island is considered to be the largest sand island in the world at 1840 km 2 . It is also Queensland's largest island and has been inhabited by humans for as much as 5,000 years. The island has rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, wallum and peat swamps, sand dunes and coastal heaths. The island can be reached by a ferry from River Heads (South of Hervey Bay) to Kingfisher Bay and Wanggoolba Creek or Inskip Point to the north of Rainbow Beach to Hook Point, or by chartered flight from Maroochydore Airport.

The Great Barrier Reef attracts up to two million visitors every year. Careful management, which includes permits for camping and all commercial marine tourism within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park , has so far ensured that tourists have a very minimal impact on the reef. Uluru , Kakadu National Park and Fraser Island are major natural attractions. Uluru won the 2013 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and was named Australia's best major tourist attraction.

In December 2013, Greg Hunt, the Australian environment minister, approved a plan for dredging to create three shipping terminals as part of the construction of a coal port. According to corresponding approval documents, the process will create around 3 million cubic metres of dredged seabed that will be dumped within the Great Barrier Reef marine park area.

Another attraction that appeals to many tourists is the Sydney Opera House . Shopping and casinos are a major drawcard for wealthy Chinese visitors. Wine, indigenous culture and nature tourism also generate travel in Australia.

Major events attract a large number of tourists. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an annual event that attractions thousands of international tourists.

The 2000 Sydney Olympics resulted in significant inbound and domestic tourism to Sydney . During the games, Sydney hosted 362,000 domestic and 110,000 international visitors. In addition, up to 4 billion people watched the games worldwide. The 2003 Rugby World Cup attracted 65,000 international visitors to Australia. Schoolies Week is an annual celebration of Year 12 school leavers in late November, many of whom travel to the Gold Coast , where in 2011 they were expected to boost the economy by $60 million.

Major Australian icons for tourists to visit include:

Great Ocean Road
Barossa Valley
The Kimberley
Kangaroo Island
Tasmanian Wilderness
Australian Alps
Flinders Ranges
Fraser Island
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Coober Pedy
Phillip Island
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Blue Mountains
Namadgi National Park

List of World Heritage Sites in Australia
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Travel Advisory September 8, 2023

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Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorists have targeted, and could continue to target, Australia.

Australia has an alert system for possible terrorist attacks. The threat levels range from “not expected” to “certain.” The Australian National Security website has up-to-date information regarding the current terrorism threat level. You may also contact the Australian National Security Hotline at 61-1-800-123-400.
U.S. citizens in Australia should remain vigilant toward their personal security and exercise caution.
Australian law protects the right of individuals and groups to engage in peaceful protest and to publicly express their views. Demonstrations and political rallies are generally approved by local authorities and well publicized. However, please be cautious of any possible confrontation that could escalate into violence. You should attempt to avoid the areas of demonstrations and be careful within the vicinity of any demonstrations. You should stay current with media coverage of local events and always be aware of your surroundings.
You should be aware that robberies, burglaries, assault, and auto theft are common in Australia’s larger cities.
Foreign visitors in popular tourist areas are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves. Most petty crime can be avoided if basic security precautions are taken.
Be careful when visiting bars or clubs in the entertainment areas of major cities, as “bar brawls” and other assaults sometimes occur. You should watch out for drink spiking when consuming alcohol with unfamiliar people.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:

Report crimes to the local police at 000 and contact the U.S. Consulate in your district.
The local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
Help you find appropriate medical care.
Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms.
Provide a list of local attorneys.
Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Provide information about Australian Victim Assistance programs.
Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. consulate in your district for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated, and rules and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned or deported.

It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, such as inside certain areas of Australian airports, near prisons, and at military bases.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Alcohol and Drugs:

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy sentences and fines. Please see Australia’s Department of Health webpage for further information.
Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in jail time.
Random breath testing of a driver's blood alcohol level is a common occurrence.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Potential Health Screening: Australian authorities have broad powers to prevent the entry of diseases and other materials into Australia that might pose a threat to its welfare. In the event of a public health emergency involving a communicable disease, passengers arriving in Australia may be subject to strict health screening measures, including testing, monitoring, and assessment for possible quarantine.

Customs: Australian customs authorities enforce very strict regulations concerning the importation from all countries of items such as agricultural goods, including plants and food products, and wood products, as well as very strict quarantine standards for animals and pets. Can you bring it in?

Contact the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., or one of Australia's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements, and visit the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture website for additional information.

Natural Disasters:

Australia experiences a range of natural disasters, including bushfires, floods, and severe storms. These events are difficult to predict and can result in loss of life. You should be aware of conditions around you and monitor local weather and safety reports so you can take appropriate action when needed.

See our webpage for information on storm preparedness and response.

Safety Concerns:

Outdoor Recreation/Adventure

Be aware that Australian fauna can be dangerous. From jellyfish to crocodiles, sharks, poisonous insects, and snakes, the continent and its waters host wildlife that merit awe and respect in equal doses.
Visit the Wet Tropics Management Authority visitor information guide for information on Australian wildlife and marine life.
Take important safety precautions when swimming, such as swimming only between the flags where a lifeguard is present, and never swimming alone.
Further information on beach safety can be found on the Surf Life Saving website.

Follow recommended precautions when snorkeling and scuba diving and never dive alone. Over the past few years, there have been numerous deaths related to snorkeling and scuba diving incidents.

Faith-Based Travelers : See the following webpages for details:

Faith-Based Travel Information
International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
Human Rights Report – see country reports
Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Australia. Australian federal law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

As of December 9, 2017 Australia defines marriage as “the union between two people.” Australia grants temporary and permanent visas to same-sex partners of Australian citizens.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance

Australia enforces laws prohibiting discrimination against access to premises, facilities, and accommodation.
Many of the downtown areas of Australian cities were built in the 1800s. These areas often have narrow sidewalks crowded with pedestrians and tourists.
Most public transit, parking, streets, and buildings are accessible for disabled travelers.
Tourist spots at the beach or in the Australian outback can have varying degrees of accessibility.
Many accommodations and venues provide accessibility information on their websites.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Australia, dial 000.

Ambulance services are widely available.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Excellent medical care is available in Australia.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas insurance coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

Prescriptions:

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Australia to ensure the medication is legal in Australia .
Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of hospitals and a link to the Australian National Health Services Directory at Medical Assistance - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia (usembassy.gov) . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on Medical Tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Australia.

Pharmaceuticals:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

Adventure Travel

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

Air Quality

Air pollution is a significant problem during certain months in Australia due to bush fires. Consider the impact seasonal bush fire season pollution may have on your health and consult your doctor before traveling.

The air quality varies considerably and changes with the season. It is typically at its worst in the bush fire season. People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include:

Infants, children, and teens
People over 65 years of age
People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
People with heart disease or diabetes
People who work or are active outdoors

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

Traffic operates on the left side of the road, and all vehicles use right-hand drive.
Use caution when crossing streets and when driving.
When crossing roads on foot, make sure you look carefully in all directions.
Seat belt use by drivers and all passengers is mandatory, and fines apply for not wearing them.
Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
Speed limits and laws are rigorously enforced. Speed limits vary throughout Australia and are measured in kilometers, not miles. Be aware that speed cameras are everywhere and you will be ticketed for driving over the speed limit.
Roads and streets are frequently narrower and less graded than U.S. highways.
Outside major metropolitan areas, most highways are two-lane roads with significant distances between destinations.
When driving in Australia, exercise caution while passing or merging with adjacent traffic.
If driving in rural areas, be alert to free-roaming animals, such as kangaroos, and "road-trains" (several semi-truck trailers connected together).
Passing road-trains is dangerous, and you should pull over to allow on-coming road-trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped.
If you have no experience with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you should exercise common-sense when driving in the Australian outback.

Traffic Laws:

Each state/territory has different rules about using a foreign driver’s license and the conditions under which a visitor might have to get an international driver’s license. More information about driving rules and regulations is available by state .
Texting or holding your phone while driving is against the law in Australia, but you can use a hands-free system to communicate while driving.
For specific information concerning Australian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, mandatory insurance, and the rental and operation of motor vehicles in Australia, visit the Australian Tourist Commission website.

Public Transportation: Australia has an extensive and safe public transportation network consisting of buses, streetcars, ferries, trains, and subways. Metered taxis and ride sharing services are also prevalent. Use common sense safety practices, such as guarding valuables and remaining aware of your surroundings, on all public transportation.

See our Road Safety page for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Australia’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Australia’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Australia should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings website portal select “broadcast warnings”.

For additional travel information

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories .
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook .
See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Australia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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