Australia, the land Down Under, is a popular vacation destination that is written on many travelers' bucket lists. It's a place where nature and adventure seamlessly merge. A country so vast and diverse, it requires some planning, and helpful tips and practical information are always useful. Luckily, our colleague Rianne has lived and worked in Australia for eight months. In this blog, she shares her best tips to make your trip to Australia much smoother!

About Australia

Australia is huge. Really huge! Stretching about 4000km from east to west, which is comparable to traveling 8 times back and forth between Amsterdam and Paris. Despite its size, it has a population of just 23 million, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Most of these residents live within 20 kilometers of the coast, which is precisely where ‘most of the action’ happens.

When you drive inland from the coast, you'll find large stretches of land where nobody lives and there's little to do. Domestic flights can help you cover these distances more quickly, allowing more time to see the highlights. This is particularly useful if you're planning to combine a stay on the east or west coast with a visit to the Australian Outback.

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What to See & Do?

In an ideal world, you'd have several months to see the country. But even if you only have a few weeks of vacation, you can still explore the diverse highlights of the land.

🦘 Flora & Fauna
Australia is home to many unique animals not found anywhere else in the world. Some of these include the kangaroo, koala, dingo, platypus, and quokka. All these animals can be spotted in the wild, for example, in one of the many national parks across the country. From the tropical Daintree Rainforest National Park to the spectacular landscapes of the Blue Mountains near Sydney and the impressive rock formation of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Outback, where you can learn more about Aboriginal culture.

🍇 Culinary Discoveries
Each region in Australia has its own specialties. From fresh seafood in Tasmania to the local bush-tucker dishes of the Northern Territory, which originate from the eating habits of the Aboriginals. Don't forget to visit the local wine regions; Barossa Valley, Margaret River, and Hunter Valley offer some of the best wines in the world.

🌊 Surfing & Diving
Australia is one of the top destinations for surfing. For holidaymakers, it's a fun activity; for locals, it's a way of life. The east coast of Australia offers many beautiful spots (for learning) to surf. Beneath the waves lies a stunning underwater world. While snorkeling or diving, you can catch a glimpse of this wondrous world. Be amazed by the colorful reefs and numerous tropical fish.

🌇 City Hopping
Known for its beautiful nature, Australia also boasts major global cities, each with its own charm. Sydney is renowned for the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Melbourne is a true cultural hotspot. The subtropical Brisbane, near the sunny beaches of the Gold Coast, is a must-visit for lovers of sun, sea, and sand. And Perth, a remote metropolis, serves as the perfect startingpoint for a journey along Australia’s pristine west coast.

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Best Time to Visit

This is the most common asked question, and rightly so, as it's not straightforward. The seasons are the opposite of those here. Besides, it also depends on which part of the country you want to visit as the climate varies by region.

Visiting the north, you should consider the rainy season, which lasts from November to April. This doesn't apply to the south of Australia. Autumn (March – May) and spring (September – November) offer pleasant temperatures. It's an excellent period for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking and exploring major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The Outback, in the middle of the country, can be extremely hot in the summer, making travel unpleasant. Moreover, there are many mosquitoes then. The winter period, May to September, is the best time to explore the Outback.

The best times to visit Australia are from March - May, or from September - November. 

Planning to combine north and south Australia during a trip along the east coast?

• If you go in April, start your journey in Sydney, where you'll still experience the aftermath of the summer temperatures, and travel northward, where the rainy season has just ended.
• If you travel in September, plan your route the other way around. Start in the north, in Cairns, and drive south. You'll find the temperatures gradually getting warmer.

One-way Car Rental

Given the country's vastness, opting for a one-way car rental is advisable. With a one-way, you pick up the car at your starting location and can leave it at the endpoint of your trip, without having to drive the whole distance back.

Popular one-way routes in Australia include the east coast between Cairns (North Queensland) and Sydney (New South Wales) and vice versa. In the west, a beautiful coastal route runs from Perth to Darwin. In the south, the popular Great Ocean Road offers views of the iconic Twelve Apostles.

What do you need to rent a car?

• The main driver must have a physical valid driver's license.
• A physical credit card in the name of the main driver.

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Access to Australia

For a trip to Australia, you need a free eVistor 651 (European) of ETA 601 (non-European) visa. To apply, you must create an ImmiAccount and then start the visa application. The visa is valid for 12 months, but you can only stay in the country for a maximum of three consecutive months. It is possible to return within the validity period of 12 months. The visa is linked to your passport number. If you are traveling with several people, each person must submit an individual visa application.

Experience of our colleague Rianne

"Australia really has a place in my heart! For 8 months, I was able to call Cairns, in North Queensland, my home. Located between the tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef - I, as a scuba diver, was completely in my element! In general, there is a very relaxed atmosphere in Australia. No one is in a hurry, and the weather is good, what more could you want? Real highlights for me were: camping on Fraser Island, scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, surfing in Byron Bay, a cruise at the Whitsunday islands, and a skydive… something I always said I would never do. But it was awesome, and I'm so glad I did it. Between the clouds, on the left the rainforest and on the right the sea, and a landing on the beach. What a way to wrap up my time in Australia!"

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