Australia holidays

Best places to stay for families

The Gold Coast has around 57km (35 miles) of coastline and the country’s best theme parks, including Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld. For non-stop fun, Paradise Resort in Surfers Paradise includes a waterpark, ice skating rink and kids’ club.

Sydney is another great shout for a mix of beach and the city. Taronga Zoo has a host of exotic animals, and the Harbour Bridge climb will excite little and larger thrillseekers. For simpler delights, there are more than a hundred beaches to enjoy.

Best places to stay for beach holidays

A collection of 74 dreamy tropical islands, the Whitsundays are home to some of the world’s finest white-sand beaches. The largest inhabited island is Hamilton Island, which offers everything from luxury resorts to humble holiday homes. Meanwhile, Daydream Island is a family-friendly choice with Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef featuring an underwater observatory and various accommodation packages.

On the east coast, Byron Bay is a serene beach town where you can take in the ocean views from the Cape Byron Walking Track. Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to beachfront resorts.

Best places to stay on a budget

Australia isn’t known as a budget destination but there is cheap accommodation to stretch your dollars further. Sydney offers inexpensive hostels, often with free wi-fi and sometimes breakfast. There are plenty of cheap eateries, and some key landmarks – like Sydney Harbour – are free. Even better, so are the beaches.

Brisbane also has central hostels and budget hotels. The Queensland capital boasts free entrance to museums and galleries and activities like Brisbane Riverwalk. You can also admire local flora and fauna at Roma Street Parklands.

Best places to stay for food and drink

Melbourne, Australia’s foodie capital, is full of charming coffee shops and independent bars. The strong influence from Italian and Greek communities means you can find excellent pasta and moussaka, as well as the iconic chicken parmigiana – many pubs claim to offer the city’s best.

Adelaide and the surrounding area have some of Australia’s finest wine regions, such as Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. Pair a bottle of red with local cheeses from Adelaide Central Market. Go for an apartment in the city or a B&B nestled among the vineyards.

Best places to stay for nightlife

Sydney and Melbourne compete to be Australia’s hottest nightlife hub. In Sydney, going out is often glamorous with waterfront cocktail bars, clubs and lounges. Inner-city Kings Cross is home to many backpacker bars, restaurants and clubs.

Melbourne is more laidback but has just as many options for a late night. You’ll find trendy bars dotted around the city centre, as well as lively nightlife in the suburbs, such as Fitzroy and Prahran. Both cities have a range of accommodation options, from hostels to five-star hotels.

Best places to experience the great outdoors

While you can’t stay in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, there are lots of options nearby, such as Ayers Rock Resort, only 20km (12.4 miles) from Uluru. Accommodation includes a campsite, boutique hotels and the luxurious Longitude 131˚ desert camp.

To access the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas or Cairns in North Queensland have various accommodation options. These range from budget backpacker hostels to high-end eco-retreats and family-friendly resorts with on-site pools.

From awe-inspiring landscapes and unusual animals to iconic architecture, holidays to Australia will take in one postcard moment after another.

Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest coral reef is teeming with exotic sealife, from sea turtles and colourful fish to manta rays and sharks.

Most people take a snorkelling tour of the reef, but you can get an even closer look at the rich sea life with a scuba dive. Numerous operators offer snorkelling and diving day trips to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas.

Kakadu National Park

This huge nature reserve in the Northern Territory has been home to Australia’s Aboriginal people for more than 60,000 years. Nearly half the size of Switzerland, Kakadu’s dramatic landscape includes wetlands, waterfalls and ancient rock art.

Explore on a four-wheel-drive tour or spot crocodiles and exotic birds on a boat cruise. Local guides provide insight into the fascinating and enduring culture of the area’s Indigenous people.

Great Ocean Road

Grab a hire car and prepare for a road trip on one of Australia’s most scenic drives. The Great Ocean Road typically begins from Melbourne or popular surf destination Torquay and ends 243km (about 150 miles) later at Allansford.

Allow a few days to take in the journey along clifftops and past beaches, rainforests and the 12 Apostles – the limestone rock stacks that stand majestically off the coast. Keep an eye out for wildlife including kangaroos and koalas.

Sydney Harbour

Backed by skyscrapers, Sydney Harbour is home to two of Australia’s most iconic sights: Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

Those with a head for heights can take on the climb up the towering steel bridge where the reward is a sweeping 180-degree view of the city’s skyline. You can also get out onto the water in a sailboat, kayak or ferry.

Unique wildlife

Australia’s wildlife is among the most recognisable in the world – and there are plenty of opportunities to come face-to-face with koalas, kangaroos and wombats on your holiday.

For cuddly koalas, visit Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane or see mighty crocs at Kakadu National Park or Australia Zoo. Strap on a snorkel to find tropical fish in Queensland or head out on a whale-watching trip off the coast of Western Australia. In several national parks in Tasmania, you can find wild wombats wandering around and burrowing. For a selfie with a quokka, the ‘happiest animal on Earth’, strike a pose at Rottnest Island in Perth.

Uluru

This sacred and spiritual monolith in the heart of the country is one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders. Walk around the 348m-high rock that has stood for 550 million years, then watch nature’s spectacular show at sunset when Uluru’s colours transform.

A visit here is also a great opportunity for an introduction to Indigenous culture. Visit the free-to-enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn about the local Anagu people, their art and the Dreamtime – the beliefs and stories that form the basis of Aboriginal religion.

With some of the finest coastlines in the world, planning a beach day in Australia is always easy. It’s choosing just one place to lay your towel that’s the hard part.

Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is the very epitome of a beautiful beach. Found in the Whitsunday Islands, this stretch of white sand and clear water is only accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter. It is well worth the extra effort.

Wineglass Bay

Tasmania doesn’t have the sun-and-sand culture of some other states, but pristine Wineglass Bay is home to a vast, often deserted beach surrounded by dramatic peaks. Walk to the lookout at the southern end to take in the view. Sea kayaking, sailing and fishing are possible.

Cable Beach

A beach for adventure seekers, Cable Beach is 22km (13.5 miles) of wild sand best explored by four-wheel drive or on the back of a camel. Sit on the powdery sand at dusk and wait for the sun to drop into the Indian Ocean. Find it near Broome, a beach town in remote northwestern Western Australia.

Noosa Beach

The jewel in the crown of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa combines stylish restaurants and boutiques on the main drag Hastings Street with natural beauty and stunning beaches. Noosa Main Beach is overlooked by the tropical green trees of Noosa National Park and has calm, kid-friendly water.

Bondi Beach

Locals might argue there are better options, but this is certainly Sydney’s most iconic beach. Popular with backpackers, this arch of golden sand is excellent for surfing, sunbathing, lifeguards and partying. A coastal path connects Bondi with quieter beaches, such as Bronte.

Generally speaking, Australia’s diverse delights can be enjoyed year-round but the best time to visit really depends on where you go.

The shoulder seasons of spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are typically the best times to visit for a balance of cheap holiday prices and good weather. December to February is the southern hemisphere’s summer and high season in Australia – temperatures soar and accommodation books up, so be sure to compare holidays well in advance if you’re keen on summer Down Under. During these months, expect the following average highs: Sydney 26C, Perth 30C, Brisbane 29C.

From mid-February to early March, Sydney hosts the colourful Mardi Gras pride festival. If sport is your thing, the Australian Football League (AFL) usually runs from March to September.

When is the cheapest time to visit Australia?

Winter (June–August) is the low season and your best bet for a cheaper holiday. There’s still plenty of sunshine, clear days and the chance of a swim. During winter, expect the following average highs: Sydney 19C, Perth 19C, Brisbane 21C.

If you’re looking for a cheap deal, avoid Christmas and January, when schools are on holiday.

When should I go for the best weather?

Spring and autumn have great weather, with normally warm and dry days, although it depends on where you go. Sydney can reach 20C in May but there is a higher chance of rain. Cairns, on the other hand, can get up to the 30s, with sporadic rain showers.

If you’re travelling in summer, look out for bushfire warnings. Between November and April, tropical cyclones can occur in parts of the country. Try to avoid the outback in summer and instead consider the cooler May to August period.