So you’ve decided to go to Australia. Now you are in the process of planning your trip to Australia, but you aren’t sure where to begin. No worries, my ultimate Australia planning guide will help answer all your most important questions and needs so you get the holiday in Australia you want. Let’s get into it.

To state the obvious, Australia is a huge country. Being so large and diverse Australia has many iconic places on people’s bucket lists. Due to the sheer distances involved to get to them, your trip to Australia requires extensive planning and time. It may seem overwhelming at first but after reading this post, you questions will be answer and you will be on your way to seeing Sydney Harbour, Uluru, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, attending an AFL game and cuddling a koala in no time at all.

Are you ready to use this guide on planning a trip to Australia for your holiday of a lifetime?

When to Visit Australia

Anytime is a good time to visit Australia though many people are governed by the seasons. As Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. On top of this, the weather can be different in each season in the different parts of Australia. Let me explain.

Australia’s Seasons

• December – February is summer in Australia and the perfect time to visit the best beaches in Sydney. The southern half of Australia is mostly hot and dry while the northern half Australia is close to the Tropic of Capricorn, heat is humid with lots of rain. There can be a cyclone or two during this time. Many Australians take holidays during this time to enjoy the good weather. Plus schools are on summer break so there are many more people out and about. With many sunny days, beaches are full and cafes and restaurants buzzing. Tourist spots are also busy and prices on the higher side.
• March – May is autumn or fall, as many Americans would say. Weather is pleasant with mornings becoming cool. Leaves on trees are changing colour and falling off.
• June – August is winter. The southern half of Australia can be very cold with snow in the high areas, particularly in the Great Diving Range (a mountain rain running along the east coast of Australia). If you are coming to Australia on a working holiday visa, you could work and ski in Australia. The northern half of Australia in winter has some of the best weather, with warm days. Many Australians who live in the southern half of Australia often head north to get some much needed warmth.
• September – November is spring. Spring is the time when Australia is warming up. Mornings aren’t so cold.

How Many Days Do You Need in Australia?

The journey to Australia can be long. From the UK, Europe and Northern America, you are looking at a long flight, some around 24-36 hours. Yikes. But don’t fear, read my post on surviving a long flight here. So factor in your flight time and recovering from jet lag into your days. Some people come for a 1 week and if you do, I would suggest you spend all this time in Sydney. Ideally, as Australia has a ton of things to see, I would suggest you plan your holiday in Australia for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks. But the longer the better as the more time you have, the more you can see and enjoy while on your Australian holiday.

Here’s My Suggested 1 month Australia Itinerary

Kata Tjuta, also know as the Olgas

This itinerary is for 28 days or roughly 4 weeks allowing you time at either end to arrive and leave. This itinerary will give you a taste of Australia and visits the most iconic spots. These are the best places to visit on your first visit to Australia.

Days
1-4 – Discover Sydney
5 – Day trip to the Blue Mountains
6-8 – Canberra
9-12 – Melbourne
13-14 – Great Ocean Road
15-18 – Uluru
19-23 – Darwin and Kakadu
24-28 – Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

Where to Go in Australia

You probably have your Australian bucket list already. Australia is home to a number of iconic sites. Here are some of the best places to visit in Australia to help you refine your Aussie visit.

• Sydney: Sydney is Australia’s most popular and iconic city with its fabulous Sydney Harbour foreshore. Do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, walk around the foreshore, tour the Sydney Opera House and sit in a restaurant overlooking the harbour and watch the ferries and people come and go. There are also beautiful beaches such as Bondi, Manly and Cronulla to laze away a day or two. 
• Blue Mountains: The Blue Mountains are home to the iconic Three Sisters and a visit to them for a day trip from Sydney should be on your list.
• Melbourne: Melbourne is the second largest, though some argue, the largest city in Australia. In winter enjoy an AFL game or take a day trip into the Yarra Valley, Australia’s premier wine area.
• Great Ocean Road: This is arguably Australia’s best and most famous drive. Take a road trip to see the famous surfing beaches, 12 Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast.
• Byron Bay: Known as the hippy capital of Australia, this seaside town has a lighthouse on the most easterly part of Australia. Do the walk to the light house and maybe see some whales playing in the ocean. Also home to some famous movie stars!
• Great Barrier Reef: The reef is one of the most famous in the world and stretches from north of Brisbane all the way up to the tip of Australia. Visit many of the seaside towns on the Sunshine Coast, in the Whitsundays or Townsville and Cairns as drop off points to dive or snorkel the reef and the islands in it.
• Uluru: You cannot come to Australia and not discover Australia’s outback beauty. Visit the iconic ‘Rock’ and learn about Australia’s indigenous culture.
• Kakadu: Kakadu National Park is a timeless place and one of the largest national parks in Australia. See salt water crocodiles in their natural environment, beautiful wetlands and Aboriginal paintings thousands of years old. 
• Canberra: A trip to Australia should include a visit to Australia’s capital city – Canberra. Spend some time at Parliament House, the National War Memorial or one of the many museums.
• Meet some Quokkas on Rottnest Island: on the western side of Australia is Perth. Off the coast is a small island home to native quokkas who love hopping into your selfies.

There is plenty more to see and do in Australia. Visit my Australian website Discover Australia Now for more inspiration for your Australian holiday.

How Much to Budget for a Trip to Australia?

Meet the locals at Movie World on Queensland’s Gold Coast

How long is a piece of string? Australia isn’t one of the cheapest countries in the world so work out how much it will cost you to travel to Australia by filling in the following. It will take a little research on your part. When you see the figures in black and white you will then be able to work what you can afford to do.

• Flight $_____
• Accommodation @ _______ x X nights $_______ (can range from AUD50 (hostel) – AUD450 (splurge hotel room)
• Transport $_______ (flight, car rental)
• Tours / Activities $_______
• Food $______ (AUD50 – AUD150 per day, depending on the type of restaurant you dine in).
• Incidentals $_____ (train fare from airport to the city)
• Spending Money $______

What to Pack for Australia

Packing for Australia depends on when you visit, what part of Australia you are visiting, and what you will be doing. If you will be skiing, you will need ski clothes which you could rent. If planning to laze your days away on a beach, well, you will only need bathers, a towel and sunscreen! In general, here’s what to pack for your Aussie holiday.

• Underwear
• Comfy clothes to wear sightseeing – shorts, leggings
• T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, jumper, jacket
• Walking shoes and thongs (flip flops)
• Toiletries – don’t forget the reef safe sunscreen
• Electronics – power bank, phone, camera

How to Get Around Australia

The best way to get around Australia and to see everything is by car, but distances are long. For instance, it can take around 12 hours to drive from Sydney to Melbourne, whereas the flight is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Therefore, if you are limited for time on your trip to Australia the quickest way to get around Australia is by plane. The cheapest way to get around Australia is by bus. Greyhound Australia has bus tickets and passes to get you most places in Australia. But having a car offers the most versatility as you can stop where you like and deviate to see different things, particularly if you plan on doing a big lap of Australia.

To compare and get the best airfare, check our Skyscanner.The main airlines in Australia are QANTAS, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and RexAirlines. If you are looking to rent a car or campervan get a good deal through DiscoverCars.

Where to Stay in Australia

Australia has an array of accommodation options. From free camps, caravan parks, backpacker hostels, budget hotel chains to splurge hotels and beach-side resorts. You could also rent a camper van to have your accommodation and transport all in the one. To find accommodation check out HostelWorld for a bed in a hostel. For everything else check out Booking.com.

Travel Insurance for Australia

Having travel insurance for your holiday in Australia is a MUST. It will provide you with piece of mind if any flights are cancelled, you lose any of your travel gear or if you have an accident. And take out appropriate insurance if you partake in any extreme activities like diving the Great Barrier Reef. To get a quote to cover you for your travels, my go-to travel insurance companies are WorldNomads and SafetyWing. 

Are You Ready to Visit Australia

Planning a trip to Australia doesn’t have to be complicated and stressful, hopefully not now you have read my post. If you are planning a holiday to Australia ask your questions in the comments. Or visit my Aussie blog Discover Australia Now for all my best information on visiting Australia.