Overview
Australia is simply vast — the distance from Perth on the west coast to Sydney on the east is greater than the distance from London to Tehran. It is simultaneously a country of extraordinary cities and of almost uninhabitable wilderness, of coral reefs and red deserts, of koalas in eucalyptus trees and saltwater crocodiles in tropical rivers. No single holiday can cover it, but no single holiday needs to — any corner of Australia rewards deeply.
Sydney is the natural gateway — a spectacular harbour city whose Opera House and Harbour Bridge are two of the world's most recognisable structures. Bondi Beach, just minutes from the CBD, is the world's most famous surf beach; the Blue Mountains are two hours west. Melbourne, a 90-minute flight south, is Australia's cultural capital — a city of extraordinary coffee, art galleries, sporting stadiums and laneway bar scenes that regularly tops global liveability indices.
The Great Barrier Reef, best accessed from Cairns in Queensland, is the world's largest coral reef system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is genuinely worth the 24-hour journey. Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Red Centre — a sacred site for the Anangu Aboriginal people — rises 348 metres from the flat desert and glows amber-red at sunset in a way that photographs can never quite capture. Australia rewards those who make the effort to get here, repeatedly and emphatically.
Find Australia Packages →Must-See
Jørn Utzon's sail-shaped Opera House on Bennelong Point is one of the 20th century's great works of architecture — and the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge rising behind it makes Sydney Harbour arguably the world's most beautiful urban waterfront. Take the BridgeClimb for a perspective that takes your breath away.
The world's largest living structure — 2,300km of coral reef visible from space, home to 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusc, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and the world's largest concentration of marine biodiversity. Day trips by catamaran from Cairns or Port Douglas make it accessible to all.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is Australia's most iconic image — a 9.4km-circumference sandstone monolith that rises 348m from the desert plain and transitions through extraordinary colours at dawn and dusk. The surrounding Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) domes are equally dramatic. This is deeply sacred land for the Anangu people; climbing the rock is now prohibited.
Melbourne is Australia's cultural engine — a city of extraordinary flat whites (credited with inventing the format), street art laneways, the National Gallery of Victoria (Australia's oldest and most-visited art museum), the Melbourne Cricket Ground, world-class restaurants and a vibrant bar and live music scene.
The world's most famous beach is just 7km from Sydney's CBD — a sweeping arc of golden sand backed by colourful Victorian terraces and a vibrant café culture. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (6km) passes through several other excellent beaches and offers spectacular cliff-top ocean views.
Plan Your Trip
One of the best times to visit — wildflowers blanket the southwest, temperatures are warm but not extreme across most of the country, and the Great Barrier Reef is in excellent condition. Shoulder season rates apply in many destinations.
Australian summer — peak season with school holidays, Christmas and New Year. Sydney and Melbourne can reach 35–40°C; the north (Darwin, Cairns) is in its wet season with high humidity and monsoonal rain. Beaches, outdoor events and the Great Barrier Reef are all at their busiest.
Arguably the best time for Sydney and Melbourne — warm days, lower humidity, the vineyards of the Barossa and Yarra Valley at harvest, and manageable crowds. Good flight and hotel deals as the peak summer season ends.
Australian winter is mild in most of the country (Sydney 12–18°C) — perfect for the Red Centre and the Top End (Darwin's dry season is June–September, the best time to visit). Ski season operates in the Alps of NSW and Victoria. Good hotel deals in Sydney and Melbourne.
Top Areas
The most visited region for UK travellers — Sydney itself deserves 4–5 days (harbour, Bondi, Opera House, Rocks), with easy day trips to the Blue Mountains (stunning sandstone escarpments) and the Hunter Valley wine region. The NSW coast north and south offers excellent surf beaches.
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — the world's greatest dive and snorkel destination. The Gold Coast offers 70km of surf beaches, theme parks (Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. World) and superb resort hotels. The Daintree Rainforest, north of Cairns, is the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
Melbourne consistently tops global liveability rankings — coffee culture, arts scene, Aussie Rules football, the Great Ocean Road (world's most scenic coastal drive, featuring the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks) and the Yarra Valley wine region are all within easy reach.
The spiritual and geographical heart of Australia — Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Alice Springs and the extraordinary red desert landscape of the Outback. Darwin in the north offers the Kakadu National Park (the largest national park in Australia, with ancient Aboriginal rock art) and Litchfield's spectacular waterfalls.
Need to Know
Compare flights, hotels and all-inclusive packages. Best UK prices guaranteed.
Holidays from £1,299pp per person
Experiences & Activities
Tours, tickets and unmissable experiences — book ahead and skip the queues.
Get Around
The freedom to explore at your own pace — compare the best rental deals at your destination.
Compare prices from leading rental companies worldwide
Explore cities and countryside on two wheels
Explore More
Australia's neighbour and the perfect two-country Oceania adventure — dramatic fiords, Hobbiton, volcanic wonders and the adventure sports capital of the world.
Explore New Zealand →A natural stopover between the UK and Australia — rice terraces, Hindu temples, surf beaches and world-class spa culture at a fraction of Australia's prices.
Explore Bali →Another popular stopover en route to Australia — combine Thai beaches, street food and temples with your Australian adventure for the ultimate long-haul trip.
Explore Thailand →