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8 of the best places to visit in Australia

Dec 3, 2023 • 8 min read

Narrow down the places you want to go with this guide to Australia © Nigel Killeen / Getty Images

Being tasked with choosing the best places to visit in Australia  is no easy assignment.

There is no shortage of spectacular places that could make the potential shortlist, from culturally diverse cities with rich Aboriginal history dating back tens of thousands of years, to the Great Barrier Reef and the raw outback landscapes in between.

Unless you’ve got months – or even years – to spare, the country’s immense scale and the sheer diversity of experiences on offer means it’s impossible to do it all in one trip. That’s why we’ve rounded up just eight of Australia’s best places to go to help you make your own shortlist – and maybe even give you reasons to visit more than once.

1. The Red Centre, Northern Territory

Australia’s most iconic outback experience

Nothing will take your breath away like a trip to the red heart of Australia in the Northern Territory . Here you can watch the sunset over Uluru – arguably the world’s most famous monolith, and spiritually significant site to the Anangu people – or be inspired by the sheer size of the 36 red domes at nearby Kata Tjuta, within the same national park. The desert’s natural beauty is only further enhanced by  immersive art installations , like the new Wintjiri Wiru experience at Uluru (which tells part of an Anangu sacred story using more than 1100 drones), Bruce Munro’s Field of Light and the Light-Towers at King’s Canyon. 

While there are plenty of adventure activities, like scenic flights and camel riding, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the world’s oldest continuously living culture. Walking tours and art lessons led by First Nations guides can be found near Uluru and Watarrka National Park.

Planning tip: Accommodation in the Red Centre, including campsites, is limited during the peak visitor season of June to September. Book ahead for tours and to secure accommodation.

2. Northern Rivers region, New South Wales

Best for exploring back roads

Bohemian Byron Bay – which has become a favorite destination for celebrities and backpackers alike – is probably the best known destination in northern New South Wales. But it’s just a small part of the Northern Rivers region. Head inland towards the hinterlands and you’ll find quaint villages and laid-back towns equally worth exploring. You can swim in Killen Falls, wander through the charming community of Newrybar, or sample the goods at the surrounding macadamia plantations and from farmgate stalls.

One experience not to miss is the Tweed section of Northern Rivers Rail Trail , which opened in 2023. The 24km (15-mile) abandoned railway corridor connects the region’s historic villages, best explored by bike.

Planning tip: Visit Mullumbimby Farmers Market on a Friday morning. Held at the showgrounds, you’ll be supporting micro-farmers and rubbing shoulders with locals.

3. Sydney, New South Wales

Australia’s best city for outdoor activities

Sydney  is rightfully considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities, where the natural splendor of  cityside beaches collides with incredible urban architecture, including the Opera House . It owes much of its good looks to its massive natural harbor, which is surrounded by a blend of skyscrapers, national parks and multimillion dollar homes.

During the summer, you can cool off at one of the eastern beaches (such as perennial favorite, Bondi ) or in one of the harbor’s 20 sheltered swimming spots. Try Marrinawi Cove, a new terraced sandstone swimming spot. Since opening in 2023 at  Barangaroo , it’s been widely embraced by nearby office workers on their lunch breaks.

In the winter, don’t miss seeing the harbor lit up for Vivid Festival . The foreshore is transformed into a canvas for light installations and projections. The cooler daytime temperatures also make this the perfect time of year to take on the Sydney Loop walk, which covers 26km (16 miles) of Harbour foreshore.

Planning tip: Don’t miss a journey to  Manly  from Circular Quay on the ferry . It's an incredibly budget-friendly way to explore the harbor, taking in Parliament House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. 

4. K'gari, Queensland 

Best for off-grid adventuring 

With a return to its traditional name in 2023, K’gari – the world’s largest sand island – has seen a surge of visitors keen to connect with Indigenous Butchulla culture. Formerly known as Fraser Island, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is rich in history and culture, but it’s also one of Australia’s best 4WD adventures.

Abounding in natural attractions, this is where you can swim in the crystal clear waters of Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie, spot dingos playing on the beach, or relax in a natural ocean spa at the Champagne Pools. Visitors can camp, stay in one of the island’s resorts or even walk nearly the full length of the island on the 90km (56 mile) K’gari Great Walk . Whatever option you choose, you’ll soon understand why “K’gari” translates to “paradise.”

Planning tip: Always carry a list of tide times, as access to some of K’gari’s most popular spots is tide dependent. The sand on the island is deep and soft, so if you’re not familiar with driving a 4WD, it may be best to book a tour with a local operator.

5. Melbourne

Best Australian city for nightlife

Melbourne is a 24-hour city, and come nightfall, the party gets started. Hit the laneway bars for drinks and bites, and don’t miss a live show: iconic St Kilda  music venue the Espy offers three stages for live acts. Meanwhile over in Collingwood, the Tote is so beloved that locals crowdfunded to keep it open.

Melbourne is also famous for its comedy clubs. Check out Spleen Bar  or  Basement Comedy Club , or time your visit to coincide with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival , held every autumn (March to April).

When the gigs are done, settle in for a drink at one of Melbourne’s signature late-night bars like Nick & Nora's and Cherry Bar , or if you’re feeling hungry, fill up at Stalactites .

Planning tip: Melbourne has a specific set of Night Network trains, trams and buses , which operate on Friday and Saturday nights to make sure you can get from bar to bar safely and back home again with ease.

6. Margaret River, Western Australia

Best for wineries and adventure

From New South Wales to South Australia , Australia is spoiled for wine regions. What sets Western Australia’s  Margaret River apart is that its food and wine offerings are complemented by incredible natural attractions. Located just south of Perth , this corner of Australia is considered one the world’s biodiversity hot spots. It has a high concentration of endemic species, including numbats (a marsupial with behavior similar to a meerkat), Western ringtail possums and around 8000 species of vascular plants, 80% of which are found nowhere else on earth. 

The wine is just as notable, with roughly 95 wineries producing award-winning sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, semillon and chardonnay. And when you need to work off all the food and drink, you can paddle out in the legendary southwesterly swell at some of state’s best surf beaches, go deep underground on a tour of the region’s limestone cave systems, or walk a portion of the 123km (76-mile) Cape to Cape track along the coast.

Planning tip: Learn more about the traditional owners of the land, the Wadandi (Saltwater) people at Koomal Dreaming , which offers guided walks and food experiences.

7. Kangaroo Island

The best place for an Australian wildlife safari

Just across the water from Adelaide is Kangaroo Island (KI), a haven for wildlife, including its namesake kangaroos alongside wallabies, koalas, echidnas and platypus. You can watch the island’s little penguins waddle to their dens at Penneshaw and see (and smell) the world’s third-largest sea lion colony lounge amongst the limestone cliffs at Seal Bay Conservation Area . If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of the endangered glossy black cockatoo with their red tails, or the exceptionally shy Kangaroo Island dunnart, a type of tiny marsupial endemic to the island. 

KI isn’t just a refuge for wild things; though. It’s also home to countless local producers , including distilleries, wineries and beekeepers, the latter of whom produce honey made from the only purebred Ligurian bee colony left in the world. Needless to say, there’s a reason we named it one of the best places to visit in 2024 .

Planning tip: Many of Kangaroo Island’s native species, including kangaroos, are more active at night. As such, it’s advisable to avoid driving at this time.

8. Tasmania

Best for igniting all the senses 

Home to a thriving festival scene, a world-class art gallery and an unbridled wilderness adored by nature lovers, Tasmania is one of Australia’s most diverse destinations, capable of stimulating all your senses.

Here, you can taste whisky at Lark Distillery , Australia’s first carbon-neutral distillery on Hobart ’s waterfront, eat freshly shucked oysters on Bruny Island , or dine at restaurants like Stillwater in Launceston , a UNESCO City of Gastronomy (one of only roughly 50 world cities to earn this accolade).

You can see weird and wonderful art at the controversial Mona (Museum of Old and New Art). You can hear international music at the popular Dark Mofo and Mona Foma winter and summer festival. You can feel the ground beneath your feet as you explore one of the state’s hiking trails. And you can smell the fresh sea air while on a boat tour around some of the world’s highest sea cliffs . 

Planning tip: Renting a car can be tricky during Tasmania’s busy summer season, so it pays to book ahead. Likewise, if you plan to take the car ferry from the mainland , the route often sells out. Bookings may be made up to 11 months in advance.

This article was first published Jun 17, 2021 and updated Dec 3, 2023.

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Australia’s 20 best travel experiences, ranked by Lonely Planet

Choosing Australia’s top travel experiences is not easy, and while many usual suspects appear in Lonely Planet’s list, some may even surprise locals

At 7.6m sq km, spanning eight climate and three time zones, Australia is a big country. So where do you start?

In making their new book, Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List, the travel guide publisher began by compiling every highlight in their existing books. “We then asked our writers, editors, designers and cartographers in Australia to reveal their favourite spots and experiences,” they say. From there, they solicited votes from a panel of travel experts and members of their community.

The result, “with hundreds of votes cast and a bit of mathematical alchemy, as well as a keen eye on sustainability practices”, is a new book of 500 experiences. They also ended up with “one very clear winner”.

Here is that winner, along with the rest of the book’s Top 20 experiences.

1. Fall silent before the majesty and gravitas of Uluru

Northern Territory/ Anangu Country

The landscape of Uluru changes dramatically with the shifting light and seasons. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown colour, scored and pitted by dark shadows.

As the sun sets, it illuminates the rock in burnished orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds before it fades into charcoal. A performance in reverse, with marginally fewer spectators, is given at dawn.

Uluru is a beautiful, charismatic place. Its dimensions are one thing: it is 3.6km long and rises 348m from the surrounding sands (867m above sea level). If that’s not sufficiently impressive, remember this: two-thirds of the rock lies beneath the sand.

Uluru is a monolith textured with layers of profound spirituality and timeless beauty, the epitome of desert stillness and, in the plays of light and shadow that dance across its surface, one of the richest shows in nature. The sunset viewing areas are once-in-a-lifetime experiences understanding its singular beauty when surrounded by the vast desert around it.

You can also get up close by taking one of the walks that encircle the base. There are many options, but most fold into the Uluru Base walk, a 10.6km circumnavigation of the rock. Along the way, it passes caves, paintings, sandstone folds and geological abrasions and generally initiates you into the scope and detail of this remarkable place.

Sacred sites are everywhere; entry to and knowledge of the particular significance of these areas is restricted by local law, and knowing this only adds to Uluru’s mystery.

The walk takes you away from the crowds – very few visitors spend long enough here to get to know Uluru this well. There is no better way to experience the rock.

Around 1km from the rock itself, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre adds depth and perspective to your Uluru experience. Displays and exhibits focus on Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law, religion and custom) and on the natural and human history of the park. Park rangers can supply the informative visitor guide, leaflets and walking notes, as well as other park information.

2. Be confronted and inspired by art at the extraordinary Mona

Tasmania/ Palawa Country

Undeniably eccentric, the Museum of Old and New Art (almost universally known as Mona) has ushered Hobart on to the world’s cultural stage.

Opened in 2011, and housed in a Nonda Katsalidis-designed three-storey bunker burrowed into the Triassic sandstone of a peninsula jutting into the Derwent River, Mona is a showcase for founder and owner David Walsh’s remarkable collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art, which is loosely curated under the themes of sex and death.

All cultural roads lead to Mona in January (for Mona Fofa, or Mofo for short) and June (for Dark Mofo) for Tasmania’s largest contemporary music festival.

SEE IT! Mona is 12km north of Hobart’s city centre. The best way to get here is on the museum’s ferry, which departs from Brooke St Pier.

3. Be mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea country

The Great Barrier Reef isn’t just the world’s largest living organism. Visible from outer space, it’s also one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems – and a gobsmackingly beautiful one to boot.

Home to more than 600 hard and soft coral species and a colourful array of other marine creatures, from tiny nudibranchs (sea slugs) to huge manta rays, this World Heritage-listed area also has cultural significance to more than 70 local Indigenous groups, their connections to the reef dating back some 60,000 years.

It’s no secret, of course, that the Great Barrier Reef faces a number of threats. Yet from coral planting dive trips to Indigenous-led reef tours, there are more opportunities than ever to experience this fragile ecosystem sustainably, helping to ensure that this incredible slice of nature can be enjoyed for generations of visitors to come.

4. Find freedom on the Great Ocean Road

Victoria/ Gadubanud and Girai wurrung Country

As its name rightfully declares, the Great Ocean Road is no ordinary stretch of bitumen. This is one of the world’s bucket-list drives, a 243km blockbuster of breathtaking coastal vistas, koala-speckled gums, nostalgic holiday towns and rolling dairy farms. Officially bookended by Torquay and Allansford, the route takes in the arresting beauty of Port Campbell national park.

The entire drive can be tackled as a long day trip from Melbourne, though it pays to stay longer. Spend at least a few days riding waves and horses on Fairhaven Beach, chomping on fresh crayfish at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op and snooping around time-warped sites like Cape Otway Lightstation.

The Great Ocean Road weaves through Great Otway national park, where walking trails lead through temperate rainforest splashed by waterfalls. If you fancy a multi-day trek, ditch the wheels altogether and hit the 104km Great Ocean walk, the most intimate way to experience this fabled stretch of surf.

5. Walk alongside Australia’s highest sea cliffs on the Three Capes track

Tasmania/Palawa Country

Any list of epic Australian bushwalks is bound to contain the Three Capes track. Traversing a well-maintained path alongside the lofty sea cliffs in Tasman national park, this four-day, 48km trek kicks off after walkers are dropped by boat at the Denmans Cove trailhead.

The route links the cove with Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy before finishing on the sandy shores of Fortescue Bay. Scenery includes eucalypt forests, coastal heathland and ocean views for as far as the eye can see.

Accommodation is in ranger-supervised camps with architect-designed huts that are almost as good looking as the eye-popping coastal scenery.

You’ll walk up the slopes of Crescent Mountain and Mt Fortescue and down to Ellarwey Valley, seeing native flora and fauna aplenty. Daredevils can scale the well-named Blade Rock formation at Cape Pillar and plunge into the icy surf at Fortescue Bay. The track is described as being achievable for most ages and abilities, but some bushwalking experience is recommended.

WALK IT! Tasman national park is 100km south-east of Hobart. Boats collect walkers at Port Arthur. Daily walker numbers are capped, so book well ahead .

6. Explore the weird and wonderful rock formations of Bungle Bungles

Western Australia/ Jaru And Gidja Country The bizarre, ancient, beehive domes of the World Heritage-listed Purnululu national park will take your breath away. Known colloquially as the Bungle Bungles, these remote rocky ranges are the finest example of cone karst sandstone anywhere in the world.

The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over millions of years. To the local Gidja people, “purnululu” means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of “bundle bundle”, a common grass. The park is rich in fauna and flora, the walks take you through shady palm-fringed gorges, and the sunsets here are sublime. There’s refreshingly little infrastructure and it’s never crowded.

SEE IT! Access is via a rough, unsealed, flood-prone 4WD-only track from the Great Northern Hwy north of Halls Creek, or by air on a package tour from Kununurra or Warmun. For more information, visit www.parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au .

7. Enjoy the ultimate rainforest experience in Daintree national park

Queensland/Kuku Yalanji Country

The oldest tropical rainforest on the planet, the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is like a real life Jurassic Park, complete with living dinosaurs, from cassowaries to crocs.

South of the Daintree River, the Indigenous-run Mossman Gorge is the most accessible of the park’s two sections. Here an elevated boardwalk tracing the crystal-clear Mossman River connects to a scenic 2.4km rainforest circuit. Learn more about the Kuku Yalanji connections to this verdant oasis on a tour with Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks.

Some say you haven’t been to the Daintree until you’ve visited the Cape Tribulation section of the park north of the Daintree River, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Allow several days to soak up this lush wilderness, dotted with rainforest boardwalks and idyllic croc-free swimming holes.

SEE IT! From Port Douglas it’s a 20-minute drive west to Mossman Gorge, and a 40-minute drive to the Daintree River Ferry.

8. Set sail for Kangaroo Island’s wilderness and wildlife

South Australia/Kartan Country

Kangaroo Island (KI) was scorched by bushfires in Australia’s “Black Summer” of 2019–20, but remains a veritable zoo of seals, birds, dolphins, echidnas and (of course) kangaroos. Island produce (wine, seafood, gin, beer), surf beaches and the kooky rock formations of Flinders Chase national park are also highlights.

These days, KI is rurally paced with a scattering of laid-back towns – the kind of place where kids ride bikes to school and farmers advertise for wives on noticeboards. The excellent five-day, 64km coastal Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail was ravaged by the fires, but trail reconstruction is under way: watch this space.

SEE IT! KI is big! You can’t see it all in a day. Bring your car on the ferry and explore over a weekend.

9. Marvel at the Milky Way in the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park

New South Wales/Kamilaroi Country The night sky unrolls around you each night in the Warrumbungle national park, Australia’s first and only Dark Sky Park. The 233 sq km park has been internationally recognised for its stunning views of the stars due to its high altitude, low humidity and carefully monitored light pollution.

With four observatories to choose from, you can stargaze well into the night. Siding Springs Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Australia – with a mirror measuring 3.9m, the Anglo Australia telescope is capable of viewing quasars up to 12bn light years away.

The Warrumbungles still have plenty to offer once the sun rises. Avid bushwalkers are sure to enjoy the rugged volcanic landscape. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk will bring you close to the park’s most impressive formations. With over 190 bird species recorded within the park, birdwatchers should be sure to look out for emus, wedge-tailed eagles and the southern boobook owl.

For a more relaxing option, take a trip along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive. The dome of the Siding Springs Observatory represents the sun, with scaled model planets stretching the whole 200km to Dubbo.

10. Light up your time in Sydney at the Vivid festival

New South Wales/Gadigal Country

During Vivid Sydney, video art and massive images are projected on to Sydney’s iconic architecture, with the sails of the Opera House, the arches of the Harbour Bridge and the sandstone buildings of the Rocks all transformed into leviathan canvases for a shimmering collage of spotlights, laser beams and electrified sky-high street art.

Journey on the harbour at night on the Manly Ferry for brilliant views, or join a chartered boat trip to take in the best of the glowing spectacle. Beyond the illuminations, music is also a stunning part of the Vivid experience, from big international artists to more intimate performances from the best of Australia’s emerging talent.

SEE IT ! The festival is held annually for three weeks. The 2022 festival will take place from 27 May to 18 June.

11. Go wild on mainland Australia’s southernmost point, Wilsons Prom

Victoria/Brataualung Country

Hitting rock bottom is a good thing when it involves Wilsons Promontory. Occupying the southernmost point of mainland Australia, the 305 sq km national park claims some of Victoria’s most varied, magnificent natural landscapes: salt-white Squeaky Beach, the Saharan dunes of the Big Drift, the lushness of Lilly Pilly Gully.

Walking tracks lead over ridges, across heathland and through headily scented bush alive with kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and iridescent birdlife. The Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove route (10.3km) is especially memorable, weaving through fern gullies and swampland to a forest-backed beach. It’s the first section of the challenging, multi-day Southern Circuit (59km), whose stops also include the monumental Oberon Bay.

A much quicker way to admire the bay’s sweep is from panoramic Mt Oberon, an easy 6.8km return hike from the Telegraph Saddle car park. Head up at sunset and pinch yourself. SEE IT! Tidal River is the park’s hub, with visitor information, a general store and accommodation. Avoid school holiday periods and book accommodation in advance at www.parks.vic.gov.au .

12. Experience wildlife and Indigenous history in Kakadu

Northern Territory/ Bininj/Mungguy Country

Kakadu ranks among the world’s great national parks. Its wetlands and escarpments shelter abundant wildlife and rock art that dates back 20,000 years. This is the land of the Bininj/Mungguy, whose presence brings soul and spirituality to any visit here.

In just a few days you can cruise on billabongs bursting with wildlife, examine millennia-old rock paintings under the care of an Indigenous guide, swim in pools at the foot of tumbling waterfalls and hike through ancient sandstone escarpment country. Ubirr and Nourlangie are the main rock-art sites, Jim Jim has the best falls, Cahill’s Crossing is terrific for crocs, and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is great for birds and other wildlife. Kakadu is very popular and can become crowded – in the Dry at least. But this is a vast park, and with a little adventurous spirit you can easily get off the beaten track and be alone with nature.

13. Be wowed by white sands and crystalline water at Wineglass Bay

The show-stealing centrepiece of Freycinet national park, curvaceous Wineglass Bay is Tasmania’s most famous beach for good reason. Its blindingly white sand and pink granite headlands splashed with flaming orange lichen are almost ludicrously photogenic, and a walk along its length to Hazards Beach is almost as rewarding as a swim in its gin-clear water.

Views of the bay are best appreciated from the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a 90 minute walk from the national park’s walking track car park. From here, 1,000 steps lead down to the beach. Those who choose to stay longer and walk further can set off on the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, a three-day, 30km trek around the peninsula from Hazards Beach south to Cooks Beach, then across the peninsula over a heathland plateau before descending to Wineglass Bay.

SEE IT! Wineglass Bay is 200km north-east of Hobart, via the Tasman Hwy (A3) and C302.

14. Hit the Grampians for an epic hike in Victoria’s Garden of Eden

Victoria/ Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung Country

Hitchcock couldn’t have directed it better himself. A long, eerie crevasse; a sharp left turn, then – BAM! – Pinnacles Lookout and its knockout vista over ranges and plains.

Gotcha moments are thick on the ground when hiking Grampians national park, its sandstone peaks rising like petrified gods. While there are plenty of short strolls – the 4km Mt William (Duwul) Summit walk is breathtaking – the Grampians Peaks trail is the ultimate lace-up adventure.

A 160km long, 13-day odyssey, it spans the entire length of the Grampians (Gariwerd), from Mt Zero (Mura Mura) in the north to the culinary hamlet of Dunkeld in the south. Along it, precious landscapes unfurl, from woodlands and waterfalls to cooling fern valleys. Harboured within: red-tailed black cockatoos, endangered pincushion lilies and the haunting handprints and figures of Aboriginal rock art shelters like Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja.

HIKE IT! See www.grampianspeakstrail.com.au for trail information. Foodies should book a night at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel.

15. Elevate your Sydney experience on the Bondi to Coogee clifftop walk

Say good morning to the perfect way to take in the best of Sydney’s coastal scenery. The simply sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops via Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, interweaving panoramic views, patrolled beaches, sea baths, waterside parks and plaques recounting local Aboriginal stories. Pack your swimmers if the weather’s warm.

WALK IT! The trail begins at the southern end of Notts Ave near Bondi’s Hunter Park, and completes its view-friendly route near Dunningham Reserve at the northern end of Coogee.

16. Immerse yourself in the remarkable desert rocks of Kata Tjuta

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Kata Tjuta (formerly the Olgas), a striking group of domed rocks huddled together about 35km west of Uluru. The deep valleys and steep-sided gorges contain sites which are sacred to the local Anangu people.

The tallest rock, Mt Olga (546m; 1,066m above sea level) is higher than Uluru. The Valley of the Winds loop, one of the most rewarding bushwalks in Australia’s Red Centre, winds through the gorges and past surreal domes in hues of the deepest red offset by the blue of the desert sky. Elsewhere, Walpa Gorge is especially beautiful in the afternoon, when sunlight floods the gorge. The views from the Sand Dune Lookout, off the road to Uluru, put everything in perspective.

17. Revere Port Campbell national park’s Apostles

Victoria/Girai wurrung Country

You couldn’t ask for a grander finale to the Great Ocean Road. As it shakes off the tortuousness of the Otway Ranges, forest turns to weather-beaten scrub, the sky bursts open and the route shoots west along a flat, narrow escarpment dropping away to terrifying ocean-pounded cliffs. This is Port Campbell national park, home to Victoria’s geological superstars, the Twelve Apostles.

Out of cold, savage waters they rise – monumental limestone stacks, abandoned by the retreating coastline. In truth, there are fewer than 12, but this fails to diminish their impact.

Less famous but no less spectacular are the Bay of Islands and London Bridge rock stacks, just west of sleepy Port Campbell township. Once a double-arched rock platform, London Bridge indeed fell down in 1990, leaving two terrified tourists marooned on the world’s newest island – they were eventually rescued by helicopter.

To the east of the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is where the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous and haunting tale unfolded, when two young survivors of the wrecked iron clipper Loch Ard made it to shore. From the clifftop, a path leads down to the cave where the pair took shelter.

The best time to visit is at sunset, not only for the optimal Instagram opportunities (and to beat the tour buses), but also to catch a glimpse of little penguins returning. Sightings vary, but generally the penguins arrive 30 minutes after sunset; don’t forget your binoculars!

18. Reconcile the laid-back splendour of Rottnest Island with its gruesome past

Western Australia/ Noongar Country

With warm water, sunken wrecks, diverse marine life and 63 beaches, it’s little wonder people flock to “Rotto” to swim, fish, laze, dive, snorkel, surf and sea-kayak their cares away. And of course, no trip to Rottnest is complete without the obligatory selfie with the incredibly cute, furry and all-too-trusting quokka.

Highlights include “The Basin”, a family- friendly seawater pool, and the 20m Wadjemup Lighthouse on the island’s highpoint. Wadjemup is a Noongar word meaning “place across the water where the spirits are” – rather apt, given at least 373 unmarked graves hold the victims of a harsh and cruel prison for Aboriginal people operating during the 1800s.

19. Catch the Manly Ferry across one of the world’s greatest harbours

New South Wales/Guringai Country

The Manly Ferry is one of Sydney’s best bargains for visitors to the city. Take in Opera House and Harbour Bridge views before sliding past the ritzy suburbs of Point Piper and Rose Bay and exiting the rocky promontories of the Sydney Heads.

Opposite Manly Wharf, refresh with a beer at the 4 Pines brewpub before strolling along the Corso to the surf, sand and Norfolk pine-lined esplanade of Sydney’s second-most famous beach. Pretty good for around $10.

CRUISE IT! The Manly Ferry departs from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay and takes around 20 minutes.

20. Dive into Queensland’s Museum of Underwater Art

Queensland/Bindal and Wulgurukaba Sea Country

As if the Great Barrier Reef wasn’t epic enough, you can now explore an underwater sculpture garden. The second instalment of the Townsville region’s Museum of Underwater Art, the Coral Greenhouse features 20 human figures performing conservation work in and around a submerged conservatory.

Designed by the renowned sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor, in collaboration with Indigenous groups, the installation complements the Ocean SirTen sculpture.

DIVE IT! Dive tours to the Coral Greenhouse run from Townsville and Magnetic Island.

This is an edited extract from Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List , $39.99. Available now.

• Australia holidays
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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

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.

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.

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.

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Sydney flights

• Flight Ballina - Sydney (BNK - SYD) $84+
• Flight Melbourne - Sydney (MEL - SYD) $98+
• Flight Melbourne - Sydney (AVV - SYD) $98+
• Flight Coolangatta - Sydney (OOL - SYD) $125+
• Flight Brisbane - Sydney (BNE - SYD) $133+
• Flight Maroochydore - Sydney (MCY - SYD) $137+
• Flight Launceston - Sydney (LST - SYD) $139+
• Flight Hobart - Sydney (HBA - SYD) $177+
• Flight Adelaide - Sydney (ADL - SYD) $212+
• Flight Hamilton Island - Sydney (HTI - SYD) $216+
• Flight Proserpine - Sydney (PPP - SYD) $244+
• Flight Townsville - Sydney (TSV - SYD) $250+
• Flight Cairns - Sydney (CNS - SYD) $253+
• Flight Port Macquarie - Sydney (PQQ - SYD) $303+
• Flight Yulara - Sydney (AYQ - SYD) $312+
• Flight Dubbo - Sydney (DBO - SYD) $337+
• Flight Albury - Sydney (ABX - SYD) $338+
• Flight Coffs Harbour - Sydney (CFS - SYD) $338+
• Flight Canberra - Sydney (CBR - SYD) $387+
• Flight Mackay - Sydney (MKY - SYD) $390+
• Flight Perth - Sydney (PER - SYD) $431+
• Flight Darwin - Sydney (DRW - SYD) $538+
• Flight Alice Springs - Sydney (ASP - SYD) $692+
• Flight Broome - Sydney (BME - SYD) $1,129+

London flights

• Flight Brisbane - London (BNE - LHR) $1,211+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - LHR) $1,226+
• Flight Sydney - London (SYD - LGW) $1,298+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - LGW) $1,300+
• Flight Melbourne - London (MEL - LHR) $1,301+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - STN) $1,304+
• Flight Melbourne - London (MEL - LGW) $1,315+

Bangkok flights

• Flight Perth - Bangkok (PER - BKK) $334+
• Flight Melbourne - Bangkok (MEL - BKK) $427+
• Flight Sydney - Bangkok (SYD - BKK) $474+
• Flight Brisbane - Bangkok (BNE - BKK) $699+
• Flight Adelaide - Bangkok (ADL - BKK) $708+
• Flight Melbourne - Bangkok (AVV - BKK) $730+
• Flight Coolangatta - Bangkok (OOL - BKK) $750+
• Flight Darwin - Bangkok (DRW - BKK) $779+
• Flight Hobart - Bangkok (HBA - BKK) $783+

Perth flights

• Flight Albany - Perth (ALH - PER) $256+
• Flight Adelaide - Perth (ADL - PER) $329+
• Flight Melbourne - Perth (MEL - PER) $392+
• Flight Coolangatta - Perth (OOL - PER) $395+
• Flight Brisbane - Perth (BNE - PER) $402+
• Flight Broome - Perth (BME - PER) $431+
• Flight Sydney - Perth (SYD - PER) $431+

Singapore flights

• Flight Perth - Singapore (PER - SIN) $326+
• Flight Melbourne - Singapore (MEL - SIN) $402+
• Flight Sydney - Singapore (SYD - SIN) $427+
• Flight Darwin - Singapore (DRW - SIN) $634+
• Flight Brisbane - Singapore (BNE - SIN) $651+
• Flight Adelaide - Singapore (ADL - SIN) $657+
• Flight Melbourne - Singapore (AVV - SIN) $675+

Europe flights

• Flight Melbourne - Istanbul (MEL - IST) $1,044+
• Flight Sydney - Istanbul (SYD - IST) $1,065+
• Flight Sydney - Paris (SYD - CDG) $1,123+
• Flight Melbourne - Rome (MEL - FCO) $1,144+
• Flight Sydney - Rome (SYD - FCO) $1,158+
• Flight Melbourne - Paris (MEL - CDG) $1,164+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - LGW) $1,205+

Asia flights

• Flight Perth - Denpasar (PER - DPS) $222+
• Flight Perth - Kuala Lumpur (PER - KUL) $247+
• Flight Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur (MEL - KUL) $370+
• Flight Melbourne - Phuket City (MEL - HKT) $434+
• Flight Sydney - Shanghai (SYD - SHA) $445+

Cairns flights

• Flight Brisbane - Cairns (BNE - CNS) $190+
• Flight Sydney - Cairns (SYD - CNS) $247+
• Flight Coolangatta - Cairns (OOL - CNS) $253+
• Flight Melbourne - Cairns (MEL - CNS) $268+
• Flight Newcastle - Cairns (NTL - CNS) $350+
• Flight Adelaide - Cairns (ADL - CNS) $355+
• Flight Melbourne - Cairns (AVV - CNS) $389+

Darwin flights

• Flight Adelaide - Darwin (ADL - DRW) $297+
• Flight Cairns - Darwin (CNS - DRW) $328+
• Flight Sydney - Darwin (SYD - DRW) $484+
• Flight Melbourne - Darwin (MEL - DRW) $494+
• Flight Brisbane - Darwin (BNE - DRW) $497+
• Flight Coolangatta - Darwin (OOL - DRW) $535+
• Flight Townsville - Darwin (TSV - DRW) $541+

Melbourne flights

• Flight Sydney - Melbourne (SYD - MEL) $98+
• Flight Launceston - Melbourne (LST - MEL) $116+
• Flight Adelaide - Melbourne (ADL - MEL) $126+
• Flight Hobart - Melbourne (HBA - MEL) $126+
• Flight Coolangatta - Melbourne (OOL - MEL) $139+
• Flight Brisbane - Melbourne (BNE - MEL) $145+
• Flight Newcastle - Melbourne (NTL - MEL) $151+
• Flight Canberra - Melbourne (CBR - MEL) $155+
• Flight Maroochydore - Melbourne (MCY - MEL) $192+

Brisbane flights

• Flight Sydney - Brisbane (SYD - BNE) $143+
• Flight Melbourne - Brisbane (MEL - BNE) $145+
• Flight Melbourne - Brisbane (AVV - BNE) $145+
• Flight Newcastle - Brisbane (NTL - BNE) $146+
• Flight Mackay - Brisbane (MKY - BNE) $177+
• Flight Cairns - Brisbane (CNS - BNE) $190+
• Flight Townsville - Brisbane (TSV - BNE) $204+

Auckland flights

• Flight Sydney - Auckland (SYD - AKL) $286+
• Flight Brisbane - Auckland (BNE - AKL) $306+
• Flight Coolangatta - Auckland (OOL - AKL) $326+
• Flight Melbourne - Auckland (MEL - AKL) $329+
• Flight Adelaide - Auckland (ADL - AKL) $503+
• Flight Launceston - Auckland (LST - AKL) $515+
• Flight Hobart - Auckland (HBA - AKL) $524+

Tokyo flights

• Flight Perth - Tokyo (PER - NRT) $602+
• Flight Cairns - Tokyo (CNS - NRT) $605+
• Flight Perth - Tokyo (PER - HND) $625+
• Flight Sydney - Tokyo (SYD - HND) $669+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (MEL - NRT) $678+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (MEL - HND) $684+
• Flight Cairns - Tokyo (CNS - HND) $693+
• Flight Sydney - Tokyo (SYD - NRT) $698+
• Flight Brisbane - Tokyo (BNE - NRT) $786+
• Flight Brisbane - Tokyo (BNE - HND) $789+
• Flight Coolangatta - Tokyo (OOL - NRT) $903+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (AVV - NRT) $923+
• Flight Adelaide - Tokyo (ADL - NRT) $928+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (AVV - HND) $928+
• Flight Hobart - Tokyo (HBA - NRT) $957+
• Flight Canberra - Tokyo (CBR - NRT) $1,015+
• Flight Coolangatta - Tokyo (OOL - HND) $1,033+
• Flight Adelaide - Tokyo (ADL - HND) $1,056+
• Flight Hobart - Tokyo (HBA - HND) $1,063+
• Flight Darwin - Tokyo (DRW - NRT) $1,094+
• Flight Canberra - Tokyo (CBR - HND) $1,097+
• Flight Launceston - Tokyo (LST - HND) $1,260+
• Flight Mackay - Tokyo (MKY - NRT) $1,432+
• Flight Maroochydore - Tokyo (MCY - NRT) $1,635+

Manila flights

• Flight Perth - Manila (PER - MNL) $417+
• Flight Sydney - Manila (SYD - MNL) $440+
• Flight Melbourne - Manila (MEL - MNL) $463+
• Flight Melbourne - Manila (AVV - MNL) $606+
• Flight Coolangatta - Manila (OOL - MNL) $670+
• Flight Brisbane - Manila (BNE - MNL) $678+
• Flight Adelaide - Manila (ADL - MNL) $687+

India flights

• Flight Perth - New Delhi (PER - DEL) $573+
• Flight Melbourne - Amritsar (MEL - ATQ) $582+
• Flight Melbourne - Ahmedabad (MEL - AMD) $585+
• Flight Sydney - Ahmedabad (SYD - AMD) $599+
• Flight Melbourne - New Delhi (MEL - DEL) $649+
• Flight Melbourne - Hyderabad (MEL - HYD) $655+
• Flight Sydney - New Delhi (SYD - DEL) $690+

New Zealand flights

• Flight Melbourne - Christchurch (MEL - CHC) $361+
• Flight Melbourne - Queenstown (MEL - ZQN) $364+
• Flight Sydney - Christchurch (SYD - CHC) $427+

Hawaii flights

• Flight Sydney - Hawaii (SYD - USHI) $465+
• Flight Melbourne - Hawaii (MEL - USHI) $495+
• Flight Adelaide - Hawaii (ADL - USHI) $772+
• Flight Melbourne - Hawaii (AVV - USHI) $777+
• Flight Brisbane - Hawaii (BNE - USHI) $792+
• Flight Coolangatta - Hawaii (OOL - USHI) $966+
• Flight Perth - Hawaii (PER - USHI) $1,095+

Ballina flights

• Flight Sydney - Ballina (SYD - BNK) $79+
• Flight Melbourne - Ballina (MEL - BNK) $197+
• Flight Melbourne - Ballina (AVV - BNK) $230+
• Flight Adelaide - Ballina (ADL - BNK) $375+
• Flight Newcastle - Ballina (NTL - BNK) $463+
• Flight Perth - Ballina (PER - BNK) $672+
• Flight Coffs Harbour - Ballina (CFS - BNK) $696+

Bali flights

• Flight Perth - Bali (PER - IDBA) $222+
• Flight Adelaide - Bali (ADL - IDBA) $410+
• Flight Melbourne - Bali (MEL - IDBA) $471+
• Flight Sydney - Bali (SYD - IDBA) $497+
• Flight Cairns - Bali (CNS - IDBA) $570+
• Flight Coolangatta - Bali (OOL - IDBA) $576+
• Flight Brisbane - Bali (BNE - IDBA) $582+
• Flight Canberra - Bali (CBR - IDBA) $634+
• Flight Darwin - Bali (DRW - IDBA) $707+
• Flight Maroochydore - Bali (MCY - IDBA) $737+
• Flight Melbourne - Bali (AVV - IDBA) $779+
• Flight Hobart - Bali (HBA - IDBA) $820+
• Flight Ballina - Bali (BNK - IDBA) $841+
• Flight Mackay - Bali (MKY - IDBA) $841+

Los Angeles flights

• Flight Melbourne - Los Angeles (MEL - LAX) $960+
• Flight Sydney - Los Angeles (SYD - LAX) $972+
• Flight Brisbane - Los Angeles (BNE - LAX) $978+
• Flight Adelaide - Los Angeles (ADL - LAX) $1,166+
• Flight Coolangatta - Los Angeles (OOL - LAX) $1,301+
• Flight Perth - Los Angeles (PER - LAX) $1,356+
• Flight Cairns - Los Angeles (CNS - LAX) $1,467+
• Flight Canberra - Los Angeles (CBR - LAX) $1,501+
• Flight Hobart - Los Angeles (HBA - LAX) $1,507+
• Flight Newcastle - Los Angeles (NTL - LAX) $1,565+
• Flight Darwin - Los Angeles (DRW - LAX) $2,163+
• Flight Maroochydore - Los Angeles (MCY - LAX) $2,250+
• Flight Townsville - Los Angeles (TSV - LAX) $2,858+
• Flight Ballina - Los Angeles (BNK - LAX) $2,916+

New Delhi flights

• Flight Brisbane - New Delhi (BNE - DEL) $878+
• Flight Adelaide - New Delhi (ADL - DEL) $917+
• Flight Cairns - New Delhi (CNS - DEL) $940+
• Flight Melbourne - New Delhi (AVV - DEL) $1,054+
• Flight Darwin - New Delhi (DRW - DEL) $1,140+
• Flight Coolangatta - New Delhi (OOL - DEL) $1,170+
• Flight Hobart - New Delhi (HBA - DEL) $1,246+
• Flight Canberra - New Delhi (CBR - DEL) $1,297+
• Flight Townsville - New Delhi (TSV - DEL) $1,482+

Gold Coast flights

• Flight Newcastle - Gold Coast (NTL - zzSKM) $116+
• Flight Sydney - Gold Coast (SYD - zzSKM) $126+
• Flight Melbourne - Gold Coast (MEL - zzSKM) $139+
• Flight Canberra - Gold Coast (CBR - zzSKM) $149+
• Flight Melbourne - Gold Coast (AVV - zzSKM) $171+
• Flight Cairns - Gold Coast (CNS - zzSKM) $207+
• Flight Albury - Gold Coast (ABX - zzSKM) $224+

Adelaide flights

• Flight Melbourne - Adelaide (MEL - ADL) $126+
• Flight Sydney - Adelaide (SYD - ADL) $215+
• Flight Hobart - Adelaide (HBA - ADL) $230+
• Flight Coolangatta - Adelaide (OOL - ADL) $238+
• Flight Brisbane - Adelaide (BNE - ADL) $268+
• Flight Launceston - Adelaide (LST - ADL) $291+
• Flight Perth - Adelaide (PER - ADL) $314+

Australia flights

• Flight Sydney - Melbourne (SYD - AVV) $98+
• Flight Melbourne - Sydney (MEL - SYD) $99+
• Flight Melbourne - Sydney (AVV - SYD) $99+
• Flight Adelaide - Melbourne (ADL - MEL) $122+
• Flight Melbourne - Hobart (MEL - HBA) $128+

Fiji flights

• Flight Sydney - Nadi (SYD - NAN) $439+
• Flight Melbourne - Nadi (MEL - NAN) $448+
• Flight Brisbane - Nadi (BNE - NAN) $515+
• Flight Canberra - Nadi (CBR - NAN) $526+
• Flight Adelaide - Nadi (ADL - NAN) $573+
• Flight Melbourne - Nadi (AVV - NAN) $596+
• Flight Coolangatta - Nadi (OOL - NAN) $632+

Hobart flights

• Flight Sydney - Hobart (SYD - HBA) $154+
• Flight Adelaide - Hobart (ADL - HBA) $204+
• Flight Coolangatta - Hobart (OOL - HBA) $242+
• Flight Brisbane - Hobart (BNE - HBA) $264+
• Flight Maroochydore - Hobart (MCY - HBA) $344+
• Flight Melbourne - Hobart (AVV - HBA) $346+

Proserpine flights

• Flight Brisbane - Proserpine (BNE - PPP) $151+
• Flight Coolangatta - Proserpine (OOL - PPP) $174+
• Flight Sydney - Proserpine (SYD - PPP) $232+
• Flight Newcastle - Proserpine (NTL - PPP) $277+
• Flight Melbourne - Proserpine (MEL - PPP) $340+
• Flight Adelaide - Proserpine (ADL - PPP) $652+
• Flight Tamworth - Proserpine (TMW - PPP) $916+

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight.

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside Australia over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Tuesday. For international flights, Wednesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was August, while the most expensive was December. If you’re booking an international flight, then February is the cheapest month to fly and December the most expensive.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs, but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re travelling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 week before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 week prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying direct is not possible and you will have to fly with stopover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a stopover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than direct flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with car hire, holiday packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com.au/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional return ticket.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible 'weekend' or 'month' search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane tickets sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

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Announcing the Hot List Winners of 2024

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List , our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants , and cruise ships , a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.

Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2024 .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

North Island Okavango

Angama Amboseli

Jannah Lamu

Farasha Farmhouse , Marrakech

Kozo Kigali

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island — Seychelles

SOUTH AFRICA

Nikkei Cape Town

Molori Mashuma , Mana Pools National Park

Pemako Punakha

Regent Hong Kong

Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur

Naar , Darwa

Papa's , Mumbai

Cap Karoso , Sumba

Further , Bali

Locavore NXT Bali

Le Pristine Tokyo

The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza

Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park , Tokyo

Shinta Mani Mustang - A Bensley Collection , Jomsom

SOUTH KOREA

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

Pot Au Phở , Ho Chi Minh

Le Foote , Sydney

Southern Ocean Lodge , Kangaroo Island

Sun Ranch , Byron Bay

MIDDLE EAST

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

SAUDI ARABIA

Six Senses Southern Dunes , Umluj

The St. Regis Riyadh

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Guild , Dubai

SIRO One Za'abeel, Dubai

Soul Kitchen , Dubai

The Lana, Dorchester Collection , Dubai

Koan , Copenhagen

Hotel Maria , Helsinki

1 Place Vendôme , Paris

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel , Cannes

Datil , Paris

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin , Paris

La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin , Cognac

Rosewood Munich

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Monument , Athens

One&Only Aesthesis , Athens

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Bulgari Hotel Roma , Rome

Trattoria del Ciumbia , Milan

Hotel La Palma , Capri

La Roqqa , Porto Ercole

Nolinski Venezia , Venice

Palazzo Roma , Rome

Saporium , Florence

Hotel Violino d’Oro , Venice

Mamula Island

NETHERLANDS

De Durgerdam , Amsterdam

Canalha , Lisbon

Andreu Genestra , Mallorca

Barro , Ávila

César Lanzarote , Lanzarote

Hotel Corazón , Mallorca

Grand Hotel Son Net , Mallorca

Palacio Arriluce , Getxo

Son Vell Menorca , Menorca

The Peninsula Istanbul

UNITED KINGDOM

Broadwick Soho , London

Chishuru , London

The Devonshire , London

Chelsea Townhouse, London

Estelle Manor , Cotswolds

Fish Shop , Ballater

Raffles London at The OWO

Colima 71 , Mexico City

Maizajo Mexico City

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel , Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya EDITION

The St. Regis Kanai Resort , Riviera Maya

SOUTH AMERICA

Casa Lucía , Buenos Aires

Trescha , Buenos Aires

Oseille , Rio de Janiero

99 Restaurante, Santiago

Our Habitas Atacama , San Pedro de Atacama

Puqio , Arequipa

THE CARIBBEAN

Silversands Beach House

UNITED STATES

The Celestine , New Orleans

Dawn Ranch , Sonoma, California

The Fifth Avenue Hotel , New York

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The Georgian , Santa Monica, California

The Global Ambassador , Phoenix

Hotel Bardo, Savannah

Ilis , New York

Kiln , San Francisco

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort , Kona, Hawaii

Maty's , Miami

Warren Street Hotel , New York

Yess , Los Angeles

World Voyager, Atlas Ocean Voyages

CRUISE SHIPS

Silver Nova , Silversea

Norwegian Viva

Seven Seas Grandeur , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Oceania Vista

World Voyager , Atlas Ocean Voyages

Scenic Eclipse II

Emerald Sakara

Celebrity Ascent

Seabourn Pursuit

Icon of the Seas , Royal Caribbean

MSC Euribia

Viking Aton

Resilient Lady , Virgin Voyages

This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List issue. Never miss an issue when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler.

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• GaugeTM - 美国
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新闻中心 > 思想领袖

尼尔森数据揭示了澳大利亚最热门的旅游趋势，以及为吸引澳大利亚游客而大手笔投入的品牌, 4 分钟阅读 | 2024 年 4 月.

• 旅游营销预算按季度增长 8%，行业最大广告支出方揭晓
• 本地和海外热门旅游目的地揭晓
• 最受欢迎的澳大利亚旅游网站
• 飞行常客大战的赢家和输家

悉尼--2024 年 4 月 30 日-- 随着许多澳大利亚人从刚刚结束的学校假期中返回，数以百万计的澳大利亚人已经开始计划他们的下一次旅行，并开始享受旅游奖励计划，而旅游品牌也在斥资数百万元招揽他们的生意。

尼尔森消费者与媒体视角（CMV） 的数据显示，76% 的澳大利亚人计划在未来 12 个月内进行国内旅行，而超过半数（52%）的人则将目光投向了海外目的地。

年轻的澳大利亚人（25 岁至 39 岁）最有可能被国内旅游的热潮所吸引，78% 的人计划在未来 12 个月内在当地度假。悉尼以微弱优势击败墨尔本，成为首选旅游地，其次是黄金海岸、新南威尔士州地区，然后是布里斯班。

更年轻的 18-24 岁年龄组最有可能出国旅行，58% 的人计划在未来一年出国旅行。在理想的操作系统目的地中，英国位居榜首，其次是新西兰、日本、美国和印度尼西亚。

虽然大多数澳大利亚人都希望在离家不远的地方享受海滨度假，但他们更喜欢在出国之后进行一次观光旅行，然后休息放松一下。

尼尔森数字内容评级公司（DCR）的数据显示，今年第一季度，澳洲航空公司（Qantas）在旅游网站中排名第一，Trip Advisor紧随其后，分别拥有582万和502万用户。Booking Holdings Network 以 250 万用户数量位居第三。

从 2023 年第四季度到 2024 年第一季度，大多数旅游平台的平均用户参与时间也保持一致，但皇家加勒比游轮公司和 Anytrip.com.au 领先。皇家加勒比用户在平台上的平均互动时间约为 29 分钟，而 Anytrip 用户在平台上的平均互动时间约为 27 分钟。

加入飞行常客计划的澳大利亚人数量也有所增加，57% 的澳大利亚消费者现在加入了某种旅行奖励计划。澳航仍是市场领导者，占据 45% 的市场份额，维珍航空（31%）紧随其后，其余 24% 的市场份额由其他小型航空公司占据。

此外， 尼尔森广告英特尔（Nielsen Ad Intel ）的数据还显示，2024 年第一季度，旅游业在澳大利亚的广告支出超过 1.53 亿澳元，比上一季度增长了 8%，其中 TripADeal 支出最多，其次是维珍澳大利亚公司（Virgin Australia），然后是 Flight Centre 旗下的 Ignite Travel。 

尼尔森广告英特尔澳大利亚商业负责人罗斯-洛普瑞阿托（Rose Lopreiato）说："本季度旅游广告支出猛增了8%，这表明澳大利亚人对旅游的热爱依然不受生活成本压力的影响。就营销人员和广告商如何支出以实现投资回报率最大化、与品牌和消费者建立持久联系以及以最经济的方式实现这些目标而言，没有比这更有力的指标了。从竞争性广告支出分析，到了解竞争对手在市场上的言论，以及您所面临的交易和优惠，Ad Intel 帮助您了解哪些广告在推动竞争对手的支出，以及在哪些方面"。

尼尔森高级分析部太平洋地区主管格伦-海峡（Glenn Channel）补充说："品牌比以往任何时候都更需要能让他们在竞争中获得优势的数据。这意味着要超越标准的人口统计信息，将消费者（此处指旅行者）视为一个独特的群体来理解，他们的动机不仅仅是想离开。尼尔森CMV使品牌能够通过先进的受众视角观察消费者，提供更全面的行为和偏好信息，以及其他消费者洞察提供商无法比拟的惊人联系和购买诱因。

作为受众测量、数据和分析领域的全球领导者，尼尔森影响着全球的媒体和内容。通过我们对所有渠道和平台上的受众及其行为的了解，我们为客户提供独立的、可操作的情报，使他们能够在现在和未来与受众建立联系和互动。尼尔森在全球超过 55 个国家开展业务。 

了解更多信息，请访问 www.nielsen.com ，并在社交媒体（Twitter、LinkedIn、Facebook 和 Instagram）上与我们联系。 

Dan Chapman 尼尔森亚太区传播副总监 [email protected] +61 404 088 462

为您的企业找到合适的解决方案

在这个瞬息万变的世界里，我们将帮助您利用各种工具来衡量受众、与受众建立联系并吸引受众，从而在未来的发展中保持领先地位。

• Travel Updates

Grounded budget airline Bonza enters voluntary administration

A leading accountancy firm will examine the busted budget carrier to assess whether it has a future in Australia, as thousands of people are left stranded by the sudden collapse.

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Budget airline carrier Bonza has entered voluntary administration less than 18 months after launching its first passenger flights.

Bonza announced its sudden collapse on Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded as the airline grounded its fleet across the country.

Leading accountancy firm Hall Chadwick will act as administrators and assess whether the troubled carrier has a viable future in Australia’s competitive airline market.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan apologised on Tuesday morning to affected travellers, but he was unable to confirm if or when operations would resume.

“Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today, as discussions are currently under way regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” he said.

“We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition.”

The administration process involves an external party taking control of the company’s operations and assessing its financial situation to determine whether the business can be saved.

Hall Chadwick specialises in restructuring businesses.

“Hall Chadwick provides expert advice and solutions on the best way to restructure your company or help turn around your financial affairs to reach the best possible outcome,” the firm states on its website.

“The key to a successful turnaround program is to acknowledge your position early and plan a clear strategy.

“When you work with us you’ll find our deep industry knowledge, paired with a commercial approach to business, will highlight ways to move forward.”

A national hotline has been established to help stranded passengers as the nation’s carriers pick up the slack.

Transport Minister Catherine King urged customers affected by the sudden grounding to call the hotline on 1800 069 244, or contact Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Australia.

The three national airline carriers stepped in on Tuesday to offer complimentary seats to passengers impacted by the sudden suspension of infant airline Bonza’s services.

In a statement to X, formerly Twitter, Virgin Australia said it was aware of the “temporary suspension” of all Bonza flights and would offer support to affected customers.

Passengers “stranded mid-journey” were offered complimentary seats on Virgin Australia-operated flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

Customers on one of the six routes overlapping with the Qantas group network were also being offered a complimentary seat on either QantasLink or Jetstar flights.

The routes included between Melbourne and Queensland’s Gold and Sunshine Coast, as well as flights in and out of Cairns, Mildura, Alice Springs, and Avalon.

At least nine flights in and out of Queensland’s busy tourism airports at the Gold and Sunshine Coasts were nixed on Tuesday following similar cancellations on Monday.

Flights either to or from Avalon, Launceston, Proserpine, Newcastle and Rockhampton were impacted, with about nine flights listed as going ahead throughout the day

Queensland Airports Limited said in a statement it “shared in the disappointment of our regional tourism partners and Bonza passengers” after the grounding.

“As an airport operator, we strongly believe in the importance of increased airline competition in Australia to make air travel more accessible and affordable,” it said.

“We remain committed to growing our network and securing new routes and services to connect people, places and communities – particularly across regional Australia.”

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine blasted the cancellations as bring “more chaos and mayhem”, but also criticised market leader Qantas.

“Today’s Bonza cancellations brought more chaos and mayhem to aviation fuelled by monster market dominance of a rampant profiteering Qantas,” he said.

“This will continue until we get the balance right in this critical industry with regulatory oversight from a safe and secure skies commission”.

Passenger Tracey Hilbert was supposed to fly with Bonza after her father died overnight but instead was stranded at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport on Tuesday.

“I needed to get up there because my brother texted me and said that (her father) was not in a good way,” Ms Hilbert told Today.

“Last night, my husband booked me a ticket with Bonza. I’ve never had this problem with them. It’s only a two-hour flight. It’s going to take me all day to get there.”

Ms Hilbert said carriers Jetstar and Virgin had come to her aid but was unable to talk to anyone directly at Bonza about a refund, only by email.

Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner told the Today show the travel agency had also attempted to get into contact with Bonza that morning but was unable to.

“With all these cancellations, not just this morning … The news doesn’t look that good, but we haven’t heard anything official yet,” Mr Turner said.

“One of the problems with the domestic aviation industry in Australia, two main domestic carriers is all that the market can stand.”

Customers took to Facebook group “Scum of the Air” to vent frustration at the cuts this week, with some people forced to rebook flights with another airline.

“Just cancelled from Gold Coast to Launceston. We were at the gate. No alternative. Just bugger off. Had to spend $526 on Virgin to get home,” one person said.

Other customers called for refunds to be made available rather than credit given to impacted travellers, while another simply added: “Bonza. Dead to us.”

The flight chaos comes after a turbulent few months for the infant airline that launched in January 2023 on niche tourist routes.

Since then, Bonza has faced criticism over its now-improved reliability, repeated route cancellations, and the stalling of sister carrier Flair.

A Flair plane sat idle on the Gold Coast airport tarmac for weeks while Bonza awaited approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Speaking on reduced routes to and from Launceston, Tasmania, Bonza told Tasmania Pulse it was responding to “market demands”.

Bonza has been contacted for comment .

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An emergency slide fell off a plane while it was in the air has been found in a surprise location.

A group of travellers have been rescued in the Aussie outback after becoming stranded with their vehicle in remote terrain.

A number of European hotspots have begun a controversial measure that will affect everyone planning a long-awaited soiree in the northern hemisphere sun.

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Australian Airline Bonza Cancels All Flights Leaving Thousands of Passengers Stranded

Gordon Smith , Skift

April 30th, 2024 at 5:07 AM EDT

Bonza sought to shake-up the establishment by bringing low-cost travel to smaller towns and cities across Australia.

Gordon Smith

The future of Australia’s newest low-cost airline is in the balance. On Tuesday, Bonza suddenly canceled its entire flying program and entered voluntary administration , a form of protection from creditors.

The carrier has been flying for a little over a year. Its first revenue service was in January 2023. 

In a statement , the company said it had temporarily suspended services “as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business.” 

“We apologize to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market,” the statement continued.

A notice was filed to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission on Tuesday confirming that accounting firm Hall Chadwick has been appointed as an external administrator. 

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation  reports  that the Bonza fleet is currently grounded up to and including May 2, 2024. The ABC suggests that this could be an opportunity for a third party to rescue Bonza, or for the airline to be restructured. 

Competitor Airlines Support Stranded Travelers

The  Australian Transport Department said  Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar are all willing to assist passengers impacted by the situation, “including re-booking those who need to return to their home port.”

Bonza, meaning ‘excellent’ in Aussie slang, operates a fleet of new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. At its launch, the carrier promised to “open up Australia,” by bringing new competition to the market. 

Its current route map comprises three bases serving 36 routes to 21 destinations with a focus on “unserved and underserved markets.”

Bonza’s CEO Tim Jordan previously held senior roles at major low-cost airlines including Cebu Pacific and Indian carrier GoAir (later known as Go First).

The airline is backed by investment firm 777 Partners . The group also includes Canadian airline Flair in its portfolio. 777 Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bonza’s Bold Approach

Its bright purple branding isn’t Bonza’s only eye-catching feature. The carrier claimed to be the first airline anywhere in the world to take an “app-first approach.” 

In practice, this meant the only place to book directly was the airline’s app, although third-party options were also available. Last month it reversed this policy by allowing bookings via its website.

The carrier has also been pioneering in diversity issues, launching a “wear it your way” gender-neutral uniform for cabin crew. 

This is a developing story which will be updated. 

Airlines Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at?  The performance of airline sector stocks within the  ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number.  See more airlines sector financial performance . 

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

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Tags: airlines , australia , Bonza , jetstar , low-cost carriers , qantas , ultra low-cost carriers , virgin australia

Photo credit: Bonza Bonza

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to Travel to Hawaii

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, next week to preside over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Change of Command, meet with his counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, and engage with service members.    On May 2, Secretary Austin will meet bilaterally with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, and he will also meet bilaterally with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru. The three officials will then convene a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting. Finally, Secretary Austin, Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Kihara,and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro will hold the second-ever meeting of defense ministers from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, where they will discuss ways to deepen defense and security ties among the four countries.    On May 3, Secretary Austin will preside over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Change of Command, where he will deliver remarks recognizing outgoing commander Admiral John Aquilino, incoming commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, and the hundreds of thousands of American service members in USINDOPACOM's Area of Responsibility. He will also meet with distinguished guests on the margins of the ceremony and engage with service members on Oahu.    Secretary Austin will travel to Hawaii as the United States, together with allies and partners, continues to deliver historic momentum toward a shared regional vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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