Hello fellow travelers:
My wife and I are planning on going to Australia from New Jersey in a year or two. Probably looking at around a 3 week trip. (we are flexible since no kids) I have no idea how to plan for Australia any and all advice would be great. Time of year, etc. We have been to Europe about a dozen times so familiar with International travel but Australis seems overwhelming.
Obviously would like to see Sydney and Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef, etc?
Thanks
Chris
Exciting! I traveled in the US summer, so middle of winter in Melbourne and Uluru (lifelong dream of mine) and pleasant in Cairns and Sydney.
My best advice is to not underestimate distance. For example, I had three weeks, also, and abandoned the idea of arriving or departing via New Zealand. I think that's the biggest mistake, trying to fit in too many locations.
So I did LAX-Melbourne-Sydney-Cairns-Uluru-then back to US Uluru-Sydney-SF. You will have the entire US to traverse, as well, both ways.
I would advise research and making a list of your must-sees (as you summarized here) and then ask for advice again because time of year matters . especially if you are considering driving.
A plus is there's no language barrier. Trip Advisor has changed but at the time I got a lot of helpful advice there.
Happy planning! I loved every minute!
Have you considered a tour? This one wouldn't suit you because it's less than three weeks in Australia and also includes New Zealand, but we took a Globus small group tour that was fabulous. If your open to tours, you might want to look at some. EDITED: We wished we had flown from San Francisco instead of LA airport-LA airport was a mess for local transportation when we were there in Jan/Feb 2024.
For context regarding tours, I have been to Europe 16 times and only 4 of those were tours(TWA, Globus, 2 Gate 1), so we usually travel independently as well. We enjoyed the three things KC listed as highlights. We also went to the Sydney zoo independently and seeing the Tasmanian Devil being fed was enlightening-those teeth just crunched right through the bones in the chicken fetuses it was fed.
EDITED: We flew Figi Airways. It was much cheaper than other carriers. It is a Quantas partner. The flight attendants and other workers really seemed to enjoy serving the passengers.
It was a long time ago when I went, but the only efficient way to see multiple destinations for me was an airline pass that allowed multiple internal flights on Quantas. I would pick Melbourne or Sydney (Sydney if you want beaches) as both are metropolitan big cities. But I also included Alice Springs in the interior which was more of the Outback experience with lots of Aboriginal culture, as well as Uluru. I would like to see Perth, and with more time, Tasmania. There seasons are opposite of ours so there winter is our summer. The north of the country is tropical, so hotter, crocodile country, if you want the Crocodile Dundee terrain.
Consider stopping overnight somewhere on the way - Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, etc., to break up an agonizingly long trip.
Thank you Bon Voyage, Cala and Stan. Yes lots to think about that's why I'm starting process early. I'm not opposed to a tour (I have always done independent travel when we go to Europe). However, for Australia I could definitely see the benefits with multiple flights, etc. I'm definitely flexible so that helps in the planning. (like you said don't underestimate distances over)
Much appreciated and safe travels to all
Chris from NJ
Australia is as large as the lower 48 in the US. Three weeks to cover the equivalent of the entire US - probably not. And you have not mentioned what you want to do when you are there. That is really the most important question. One way to create an itinerary for yourself and guide your planning is to check out multiple tour company websites to see how their tour itineraries are organized. [I have freely cribbed from RS tour itineraries when I am thinking about parts of Europe I have not visited.] Remember that most of the Australian population lives very close to the coasts and the interior is... well... pretty empty. Except for Uluru (formerly Ayres Rock) out in the middle which has its own tours. As first timers to Australia picking a one day tour out of Sydney (week one), Brisbane/Great Barrier Reef (week two), Melbourne, (week three) would give you three scheduled adventures around which to plan other activities. The order you do the visits in doesn't really matter since you will be flying between the cities (Melbourne to Sydney 900 km by road; Sydney to Brisbane 900km by road), but obviously you will start in your arrival city and want to end in your departure city.
Your flights will be NYC to either San Francisco or Los Angeles, then on to either Sydney or Melbourne which are the usual entry points. Plan on two days of "la-la" land when you arrive because no one I ever met could handle the time change easily.
Obviously the seasons are reversed, but winter in Melbourne is usually a bit damp and in the 30's to 60's Fahrenheit. Sydney is somewhat warmer and crows about how any sunny days a year it has. Brisbane/Gold Coast/Great Barrier Reef is warmer still. In the summer temperatures in the 90's are very very common. This why spring or fall are the most popular times if year to visit. Weather.com can be queried for Australia in the same way it can be for Europe. Have fun planning.
Thank you NickB. Yes you are correct we do need to nail down what we want to do when there. That's what I need to do more research on and why I'm planning now. Totally agree you cant see entire Australia in a 3+ week trip. (That is biggest mistake I made when 1st going to Europe trying to cram too many cities in 1 trip.). I learned that lesson 15 years ago in Ireland and now we do deep dives in Europe using home bases and take day trips via train or tour, etc.
I met a woman at Newark airport month ago who was flying from Newark to Dallas then to Sydney. No issues with flights since I live so close to Newark and JFK. We talked for an hour she mentioned Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef/Frasier Island. Also said Center Ayers Rock and Cooper Pedie opal mining town (please forgive my typos since I have to research these names and places)
Again much appreciate the thoughts.
Planning to me is fun and doing research that's what I love.
Off to Croatia in June next
Thanks again
Chris
Take a look at Trafalgar Tours. We went with them to Australia several years ago. They do an excellent job - more upscale than Rick Steves tours, which was fine with us - fancier hotels, baggage handling, etc. We flew LAX to Melbourne, within country to the Great Barrier Reef and then to Sydney, and from there back to LAX. Highlights for us were the little penguins on Phillip Island, a catamaran trip to the Great Barrier Reef, and a petting zoo with kangaroos and wallabies. I would have liked to see Uluru too but not this time. If you can possibly swing it, spring for Business Class, or spend a night or two in Hawaii. The flight to/from LAX was truly interminable, even with aisle seats in comfort class.
We were in Australia last year for about 8 days (a prelude to 2 weeks in New Zealand). Because we like hiking, a main part of our time was a 3-day guided hike in the Blue Mountains. If you like hiking, I highly recommend it. Sydney was interesting and we did enjoy a couple days exploring there, but we felt that the Blue Mountains gave us an opportunity to really get to know a small part of that great big land. And the 3 other people on our hike were from Australia, so we enjoyed learning about their country from them. You can take day tours from Sydney and experience the Blue Mountains from a couple overlooks, but hiking along the rim was truly amazing.
Greetings, Chris!
As others have noted, Australia is a large country. More or less the size of the 48 contiguous States. Lots to see, but a lot of long distance travel is likely. I spent several months in Australia a few years back, a combination of a sabbatical and vacation. I traveled extensively from coast to coast. Hey, I had about five months, so plenty of time to travel to the distant places.
Two suggestions. It seems most people tend to stick to the eastern part of the country - Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast- Cairns-Barrier Reef. And of course, the Outback-Ulluru. Nothing wrong with that. All beautiful and fascinating. There are a few places I’m going to suggest that are perhaps less visited by Americans.
First, Tasmania is fascinating. Very different than the rest of Australia. Perhaps more like the northeast US. Lush and green, forested, modest mountains. And lots of history. Easy flights from Sydney and Melbourne . I loved Tasmania, especially Hobart and Cradle Mountain. And then there is the far west, Perth and SW Australia. I would recommend considering that too, tho from Sydney it is roughly like flying from NYC to LA.
A final thought. Might sound outrageous, but it is what I did. Make the trip an around the world adventure. Fly from NJ - EWR/JFK cross country to the West Coast and then down to Sydney. Fly home from Perth heading west, towards SW Asia and then onto Europe and home. Both legs are roughly the same distance. Maybe a stop in Thailand or Malaysia? When I did it, I stopped in both of those places as well as Hong Kong. Truly fascinating. The price R/T NYC- Sydney vs/ around the world were surprisingly similar.
Jim
Thank you for the additional posts from KC, Padams and Jimd. Love hearing different perspectives. I will take all of your advice into consideration when we plan the final itinerary. I'm totally open minded and will try and put together an itinerary with the best of.(whether I do it on my own or with a tour company). Like I said we have never used a tour company in my 15+ trips to Europe but I'm not opposed either now that I'm getting a little older!!) Sounds like a once in a lifetime adventure.
PS: Yes we will upgrade the airfare to 1st or business class. (My wife already mentioned that). We did 1st class to Hawaii and it was awesome. I'm sure with these distances it will be even better.
Does anyone have any recommendations o best month to go? I know seasons are reversed but curious for any suggestions.
Safe travels
Chris
Chris time to visit? This absolutely depends on where you are going in our vast continent. Up north you will run into massive rainfall, tropical cyclones etc. at certain times. The Australian Alps and quite a bit of Tassie is often covered in snow during our colder months.
In October we visited Kalbarri and up as far as the Shark Bay UNESCO area. Absolutely brilliant place but really must be visited late August to early November to get the most from it.
Yesterday temps at my place only reached 103 F, we have had 16 days hotter than that so far this summer. No rainfall so lakes rivers and waterfalls aren't looking great. Meanwhile Central Australia is in flood.
If you want to visit tropical Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, etc. the timing is crucial. As mentioned, the best time to visit the tropics is in your summer but then the south is less congenial. You not only have to contend with possible cyclones in our summer but swimming is also hampered by deadly stingers which appear in our tropical waters November through May. You can still go in the water but need a stinger suit which some find uncomfortable.
Therefore for 3 weeks to travel the entire east coast (not much time for anywhere else), arrive in Cairns and leave from Melbourne. Fiji airways do a one stop flight from LAX to Cairns, but there are many options to reduce flying time, with just 3 weeks for sightseeing.
The best place to start researching is www.australia.com Each state also has it's own official tourism site, usually "visit.....com. E.g www.visitvictoria.com YouTube is also a great reseaching tool so you can actually see what a place is like before deciding.
Australia, for an American is an incredibly easy country to DIY as everything, whilst exotic, will also seem so familiar and the locals are extremely friendly and laid back.
A couple of tips. No need to tip anyone anywhere at any time. The price displayed is the price you pay, no hidden taxes or fees. No need to carry cash, everywhere is pretty much tap and go from your smartphone, including public transport, except Melbourne but by the time you arrive will be. Internal flights do not have generous carry on limits like in the States but movement through airports is much quicker and less restrictive, including no maximum liquids.
Enjoy your research and ask any questions as they arise.
I don't think it's necessary to do a group tour to Australia at all. We spent 3 weeks in Australia in October 2024, and then we continued on to New Zealand for another 3 weeks. I planned our entire trip, and it was actually quite easy. We did have a rental car in Australia and NZ; my husband had already driven in Scotland, so he wasn't nervous about driving in Australia or NZ.
We had glorious weather in Australia in October. Most days were sunny with comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. We had very little rain. And very few crowds. Of course, it's always busy in cities; that's to be expected. And prices for accommodations were very reasonable. Our itinerary included Melbourne, Philips Island for the penguins, the Great Ocean Road (a highlight), the gold rush towns of Bendigo and Ballarat, Bright (in the Australian Alps), the Blue Mountains (spent 2 nights), and Sydney. Our itinerary was a little bit personal. My husband had lived just outside of Melbourne when he was a teen-ager (in the 1960's), and he has relatives there. So we spent the first 4 or 5 nights just outside of Melbourne, in addition to downtown Melbourne later on during our trip. We visited Bright because he has fond memories of going to camp there. While Bright is beautiful, it probably wouldn't be on most first-time visitor's itinerary.
Since you do have the time, I highly recommend spending 2 or 3 nights on the Great Ocean Road if you are planning on visiting there while in Melbourne. This would be a much more enjoyable visit than visiting for a day. I also feel the same way about the Blue Mountains if you are going there. We enjoyed this area so much more by spending 2 nights here.
Are you interested in Brisbane? We didn't have time to visit, but friends of ours loved Brisbane.
If it's in your budget, I would recommend flying Premium Economy for comfort. We usually fly economy, but for these long flights we chose to splurge on PE seats, and they were well worth it.
Many of our accommodations outside of the cities were in motels, which is quite common in Australia and NZ. All of them, except for one, were wonderful. Very large, updated, clean, and in great locations.
Want to add that we flew from Melbourne to Sydney.
Thank you for the additional info Pleb, Yarramar and kmkwoo. (I was just in Boston this week in North End for 2 nights) This is all fantastic and extremely helpful information. I will digest it all and begin to make some definitive decisions in the coming months. Love the website suggestions and various itineraries and insight everyone has brought to the discussion
Appreciate everything
Regards
Chris
Somehow my suggestion for “best time to travel” to Australia disappeared. For just 3 or 4 weeks starting north then south mid to late October would be as good as it gets. The beginning of November in Melbourne can be from quite warm to cold and wet. Hobart, if you have time, is better late November on.
"Obviously would like to see Sydney and Melbourne...". Why? Sydney, ok some iconic landmarks geography is a little interesting, some interesting history re British 18th C invasion etc. Melbourne? I was born there lived there for over 40 years. It's nothing special or unique. It's big tourism attractions aren't actually in Melbourne at all. Penguin colony in South Gippsland and a scenic 3ish day drive along the SW coast that starts near the city of Geelong.
So most US tourists fly into Sydney or Melbourne. In Sydney they visit the iconic landmarks, maybe also Bondi or Manly Beach. A trip up to the Blue Mountains but they usually only visit Katoomba on a daytrip.
In Melbourne it's a few days along the GOR maybe a quick trip to The Grampians. Phillip Island to see the penguins.
Then north up to Cairns/Port Douglas to do the GBR. Maybe Daintree Rainforest.
Maybe fly to Uluru.
All good 3 weeks gives you time to do all that comfortably. Nothing wrong with that and you will almost certainly have had a good trip.
My suggestion? Try something a bit different.
Find yourself 3 fascinating regions ( preferably uniquely Autralian) and spend around one week in each of them.
Group tours in Australia are typically criminally expensive so hire a vehicle in each region. Best option is always a small self contained campervan. I realise Americans tend to prefer the hire car, hotel/bnb eat at restaurants type trip but the campervan is the more fun, easier and more affordable option.
What regions? So many options.
Well as I said we are just back from Western Australia. 3 weeks just in the north, we have done 3 weeks in the SW previously.
Both SW and north of Perth in our spring time is exceptional and unique. It is a massive state, 4 x the size of Texas, and Perth (the capital) is a 4 hour flight from Melbourne/Sydney.
Tasmania. A scenic wonderland compressed into a relatively small area. If you like hiking this is the National capital of hiking. You could hire the appropriate gear and do one of the iconic multi day hikes, Cradle Mountain Overland Track is the most practical. But you don't need to do big hikes. It is a brilliant place to drive and sightsee. A week in Tassie gives you time to cover much of the island.
Tropical North Queensland. You mentioned the GBR but there is far more than that to see up there. Maybe try to avoid the Wet Season and Cyclones.
My playground is the Australian Alps, springtime particularly in the Vic Alps is stunning. Some absolute wilderness areas.
The Northern Territory, this is very much the iconic Australian outback. Vast distances again, minimal poulation. Opportunity to really experience our First Nation culture (and their many challenges).
Really you need to research and figure out what you want from your visit.
In January 2025, i did a 2 week cruise that included several cities in SE Australia and both islands of New Zealand. I added 5 days ahead for Melbourne and 4 days behind in Auckland. In Australia, we stopped at Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Portland and Tasmania Island. I planned the trip to include a few days at the Australian Open. The venue was great, ticket prices were reasonable and the tennis play amazing. My first tennis major event. If you are a tennis fan, consider this?
The cruise and ports we visited were fabulous.
We did not get real hot weather then. Norwegian Cruise Lines. I really liked the wildlife farm we saw on Tasmania Island (Wings Wildlife Park).
I recently posted a report about my trip to Australia in 2025. We had only 2 weeks there (and 1 week in New Zealand), so, obviously, your itinerary would be different, but you might find a few ideas there.
Good morning. If I may ask a question on someone else's thread.....
Pleb wrote: Both SW and north of Perth in our spring time is exceptional and unique.
More information if you would! Why is it exceptional and unique? When would you suggest? My MIL in central Florida would answer "spring" when I asked when the azaleas bloomed, but spring in Florida and in central Ohio are not related! Hence the question. I understand there is a wildflower celebration but don't really understand the timing. Some are planned, some natural? And yes, I do indeed understand that Mother Nature offers no guarantees.
Thank you.
Donna
@ Donna
Here is a couple of websites to entice you. A nice section about wildflowers.
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/
https://www.westernaustralia.com/au/home
Western Australia covers one third of Australia’s land mass. About the size of Western Europe. It is big. Perth (Boorloo in Noongar) is my birthplace and my favourite city.
The Noongar and Wajarri mobs have lived here for more than 50,000 years. They have taught me how to love country.
Donna it might be appropriate to open a new topic to ask your questions.
Regards Ron
Hi Donna.
We visited the area north of Perth as far as UNESCO World Heritage listed Shark Bay in early mid October (definitely springtime).
An area that was quite stunning with it's huge variety of blooms was an area along the highway just past Kalbarri National Park. We just kept pulling over to check it out and photograph it. But there were so many areas throughout our 3 week roadtrip with impressive wildflowers and blooms.
Western Australia as Ron mentioned is huge. 15 times the size of Washington State, big enough to squeeze Texas, Alaska and Great Britain within it's borders. As you might expect in an area so large there is huge diversity.
Our pick of places on this recent trip was Kalbarri.
I know the Kalbarri Visitors Centre has a pictorial Facebook page, check it out it is a pretty amazing place.
Australia is high on my travel bucket list too.
An Australia/New Zealand tour company you might like to consider is Mondumo. The director and head tour guide Colin Maires is from Scotland. And he leads Scotland tours for RS, in addition to Mondumo tours Down Under. From his website: “Rick Steves' travel philosophy has had big influence on Mondumo's approach to group tours. This inspired Colin to create Mondumo with the aim to provide Rick Steves style tours of New Zealand, Australia, and beyond.”
Thank you BB and nrichfamily for your input and suggestions. I have a lot to digest in terms of putting together an itinerary or choosing a tour company, etc,
Chris
I just returned recently from a Great Barrier Reef cruise that started and ended in Sydney. Really enjoyed it. I enjoyed my day in Brisbane, and the days on the Reef were incredible. Only downside was the long flights there and back, not too fun!
Chris,
You named three great places.
Also, recommend Perth and that area for a few days.
Near Melbourne don't miss taking a tour of the nearby wineries, The Great Ocean Road and the coming in from the sea of the penguins at Phillip Island.
In Sydney, do try to do an opera that the famous opera house, do the bridge climb on the piles (cheaper than climbing the main bridge).
Also, Bondi Beach, the Zoo, take a harbor cruise and visit some great museums.
Bit of a late reply, but have you thought about the Ghan train? It leaves from Darwin to Adelaide (or Adelaide to Darwin). Four nights and three days on a luxury train (there are levels of comfort). There are side day trips, including chopper flights over Katherine Gorge, side trips to Uluru, Alice Springs, Flinders ranges (which is a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site). It is a great experience of the Australian outback. From Adelaide you could always drive to Melbourne taking the scenic Great Ocean Road.
Thank you Susie. I will definitely check it out. I'm not aware of the train so this is very helpful. I'm just beginning my trip planning so very flexible.
Appreciate it
Chris
I looked into that train. It was well beyond my budget, but is listed as one of the great train journeys of the world, so if it's within your budget, it would probably be a great trip.
Thank you BB lots to think about. Tons of great suggestions
Chris
The Ghan operates from March to November weather permitting. 4 days 3 nights price starts from around 2600USD pp.
Just to add that currently a lot of South Australia (the State) is in flood, I haven't checked but I assume The Ghan is not running currently as much of the line would be heavily flooded. Actually here at my place in Victoria we were cut off by flood waters all day Monday. That occurred straight after our recent heatwave of many days of 40 to 45 deg C. So weather is always a factor when visiting Australia.
Thank you Pleb. Luckily we are not planning on going until at least 2028 or 2029 (I'm just an early planner)
We are off to Croatia this year.
All this input will help me when I finalize itinerary.
Regards
Chris
There are other long train journeys too Chris. I note the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney is currently sidelined by floods too. As I said you do need to consider the challenges of our weather depending on region and time of year.
