australian travel guides

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Australia is the unexpected: a place where the world’s oldest cultures share vast ochre plains, stylish laneways and unimaginably blue waters with successive waves of new arrivals from across the globe.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, attractions, must-see attractions.

Bondi Beach

Definitively Sydney, Bondi is one of the world’s great beaches. It’s the closest ocean beach to the city centre (8km away), has consistently good (though…

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Circular Quay & The Rocks

Sydneysiders love their giant 'coathanger', which opened in 1932. The best way to experience this majestic structure is on foot. Stairs and lifts ascend…

Royal Botanic Gardens

Considered one of the finest examples of Victorian-era landscaping in the world, Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens draw over two million visitors a year…

Twelve Apostles

Great Ocean Road

The most iconic sight and enduring image for most visitors to the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles provide a fitting climax to the journey. Jutting…

Whitehaven Beach

The Whitsundays

One of of Australia's most photogenic and hyped beaches, Whitehaven is a pristine 4.3 mile-long (7km) stretch of blinding sand (at 98% pure silica, some…

Hosier Lane

Melbourne's most-celebrated laneway for street art, Hosier Lane's cobbled length draws camera-wielding crowds to its colorful canvas of graffiti, stencils…

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

A spectacular mix of sandstone, Australian bushland and tranquil water vistas, this 14,928-hectare park forms Sydney’s northern boundary. It’s located 20…

Shrine of Remembrance

One of Melbourne's icons, the Shrine of Remembrance is a commanding memorial to Victorians who have served in war and peacekeeping, especially those…

Top picks from our travel experts

23 of the best things to do in australia.

Sydney Opera House

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, this magnificent building is Australia's most famous landmark. Visually referencing a yacht's sails, it's a…

Immigration Museum

The Immigration Museum uses voices, images and memorabilia to tell the many stories of Australian immigration. It's symbolically housed in the old Customs…

Migration Museum

This engaging social-history museum tells the story of the many migrants who have made SA their home. The museum has info on 100-plus nationalities logged…

Bearded Tit

Newtown & the Inner West

Redfern shelters a cluster of offbeat hangouts for misfits, creatives, queers and subcultural scallywags, and the Tit is one of the best. A sexy, super…

St Kilda Foreshore

St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick

With a palm-fringed promenade, sandy beach and eclectic architecture, St Kilda’s seaside appeal lands somewhere between Brighton in England and Venice…

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Northern Territory

Nothing can really prepare you for the immensity, grandeur, changing colour and stillness of 'the Rock'. It really is a sight that will sear itself on to…

Manly Beach

Sydney's second most famous beach is a magnificent strand that stretches for nearly two golden kilometres, lined by Norfolk Island pines and midrise…

Quinkan & Regional Cultural Centre

Cairns & Far North Queensland

This cultural centre and museum has displays on the Indigenous and gold-mining history of the region. Highly recommended tours of Quinkan Country rock-art…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Experience the very best of Australia with this guide to the country's top things to do.

Things to Know

Understand what's really important in Australia with this guide to things to know before you go.

Transportation

Find your way around Australia with our top tips for road trips, internal flights and long-distance coach and train services.

Visa Requirements

Planning a trip to Australia? Don't forget your visa! Here's everything you need to know about the proper paperwork for tourists.

Money and Costs

Australia is not a cheap destination, but with these money-saving tips, you can stretch your budget further.

Traveling with Kids

From its tropical reefs to its snow-covered mountains, Australia is the ultimate family travel destination. Here's what you need to know.

Best Road Trips

See some of Australia's icons with these top road-tripping routes.

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More than most other countries, Australia seizes the imagination. For many visitors its name is synonymous with endless summers where the living is easy. This is where the adventures are as vast as the horizons and the jokes flow as freely as the beer – a country of can-do spirit and laidback friendliness. No wonder Australians call theirs the Lucky Country.

Interesting facts about Australia

Where to go in australia, best places to visit in australia, best time to travel to australia, australian life and culture, the outback, australia’s indigenous people, eccentric australia, gay and lesbian australia, travel ideas for australia, created by local experts.

12 days  / from 2900 USD

Explore Western Australia from Perth to Broome

Western Australia is the country's largest state, covering more than a third of Australia. This self drive itinerary allows you to explore sunny Perth, stunning national parks and waterfalls, the remote wild west outback, empty beaches and much more.

16 days  / from 3300 USD

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory on this self-drive adventure. Start in Adelaide and make your way over the Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs to the Kakadu National Park and ultimately Darwin.

23 days  / from 4150 USD

Cross Western Australia to Darwin

Western Australia offers wonderfully remote outback experiences: from spectacular national parks to sandy deserts, pristine beaches to working cattle stations. This itinerary allows you to explore the way from Perth to Darwin in depth and at your own pace, in your own rental car.

• With an area of just over 7.5 million square kilometres, Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world.
• Australia’s population is estimated at just over 22 million, of whom some 85 percent live in urban areas. About 92 percent are of European origin, two percent Aboriginal, and around six percent Asian and Middle Eastern.
• Much of Australia is arid and flat. One-third is desert and another third steppe or semi-desert. Only six percent of the country rises above 600m in elevation, and its tallest peak , Mount Kosciuszko, is just 2228m high.
• Australia’s main exports are minerals, metals, fossil fuels, cotton, wool, wine and beef, and its most important trading partners are Japan, China and the USA.
• At 5614km the dingo fence is the longest in the world, stretching from Jimbour to the cliffs of the Nullarbor Plain. It’s around twice the length of the Great Wall of China.
• Australia ranks proudly ranks second in the Human Development Index , which measures a country’s progress by its life expectancy, education and income. Norway comes first.
• Around 22 percent of Australians are descended from convicts .

For visitors, deciding where to go can mean juggling distance, money and time. With an expanse of places to visit, Australia’s tourism means that you could spend months driving around the Outback , exploring the national parks, or hanging out at beaches; or you could take an all-in, two-week “Sydney, Reef and Rock” package, encompassing Australia’s outstanding trinity of must-sees. These are just some of the top places to go in Australia.

Both options provide thoroughly Australian experiences, but either will leave you with a feeling of having merely scraped the surface of this vast country. Visit Australia and experience the two big natural attractions: the 2000km-long Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast, with its complex of islands and underwater splendour, and the brooding monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre.

Sydney is the jewel in Australia’s navel. Famous as one of the world’s great gay cities, it attracts LGBTQ visitors from around the world. Melbourne closely follows, but there are scenes in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and to a lesser extent in Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.

Away from the cities, things get more discreet, but a lot of country areas do have friendly local scenes – impossible to pinpoint, but easy to stumble across. However, Outback mainstays of mining and cattle ranching are not famed for their tolerance of homosexuality, so tread carefully in remote destinations.

Discover more places in Australia

• Outback Queensland Travel Guide
• South Australia Travel Guide
• Sydney Travel Guide
• Tasmania Travel Guide
• Victoria Travel Guide
• Western Australia

Blue Mountains (New South Wales)

World Heritage-listed, the Blue Mountains are a wonderland of ancient forests, deep valleys and lookouts from sheer cliffs, all just an hour or so from Sydney.

Travel advice for Australia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Australia

• Eating and drinking in Australia
• Getting around Australia: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health Australia
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Australia
• How to get to Australia
• Travel Tips Australia for planning and on the go
• Travelling with children in Australia
• Best time to visit Australia

Tall Timber Country (Western Australia)

These primeval karri forests are one of WA’s greatest natural sights. Get a bird’s-eye view from the Tree Top Walk.

Wilpena Pound (Southern Australia)

There are some fantastic hikes in the Flinders Ranges National Park but few top the spectacular scenery at the elevated basin of Wilpena Pound.

Sport at the MCG (Victoria)

Taking in a game of cricket or, better still, Aussie Rules football at the venerable Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is a must for any sports fan.

Fraser Island (Queensland)

The giant dunes and freshwater lakes of the world’s largest sand island form the backdrop to popular 4WD safaris.

Sydney harbour (New South Wales)

Scale the bridge, take a harbour ferry to Manly or just marvel at the Opera House sails at the most iconic location in Sydney, a shorthand for Australia itself.

Atherton Tablelands

With its rainforest, crater lakes and abundant wildlife, you could spend days exploring the Atherton Tablelands.

You’ll find reliably warm summers at the coast with regular, but brief, heatwaves in excess of 40°C. Head inland, and the temperatures rise further. Winters, on the other hand, can be miserable, particularly in Victoria , where the short days add to the gloom. The best time to travel to Tasmania is year-round: while weather in the highlands is unpredictable at all times, summer is the best time of year to visit Tasmania to explore the island’s outdoor attractions.

Every aspect of Australian life and culture, whether its matey attitudes or its truly great outdoors, is a product of the country’s scale and population – or lack of it. Australia rivals the USA in size, but is home to only 24 million people, giving it one of the lowest population densities on earth. The energy of its contemporary culture is in contrast to a landscape that is ancient and often looks it: much of central and western Australia – the bulk of the country – is overwhelmingly arid and flat. In contrast, its cities, most founded as recently as the mid-nineteenth century, burst with a vibrant, youthful energy.

The most iconic scenery is the Outback, the vast fabled desert that spreads west of the Great Dividing Range into the country’s epic interior. Here, vivid blue skies, cinnamon-red earth, deserted gorges and geological features as bizarre as the wildlife comprise a unique ecology, one that has played host to the oldest surviving human culture for up to 70,000 years (just 10,000 years after Homo sapiens is thought to have emerged from Africa).

This harsh interior has forced modern Australia to become a coastal country. Most of the population lives within 20km of the ocean, the majority of these occupying a suburban, southeastern arc that extends from southern Queensland to Adelaide. Urban Australians celebrate the typical New World values of material self-improvement through hard work and hard play, with an easy-going vitality that visitors, especially Europeans, often find refreshingly hedonistic. A sunny climate also contributes to this exuberance, with an outdoor life in which a thriving beach culture and the congenial backyard “barbie” are central.

Although visitors might eventually find this low-key, suburban lifestyle rather prosaic, there are opportunities – particularly in the Northern Territory – to experience Australia’s indigenous peoples and their culture through visiting ancient art sites, taking tours and, less easily, making personal contact. Many Aboriginal people – especially in central Australia – have managed to maintain a traditional lifestyle (albeit with modern amenities), speaking their own languages and living by their own laws. Conversely, most Aboriginal people in cities and country towns are trapped in a destructive cycle of racism, poverty and lack of meaningful employment opportunities, often resulting in health problems and substance abuse. To give just one example, life expectancy rates for Aboriginal Australians are ten years lower than those of the rest of the population. There’s still a long way to go before black and white people in Australia can exist on genuinely equal terms.

Aboriginal art

Aboriginal art has grown into a million-dollar industry since the first canvas dot paintings of the central deserts emerged in the 1970s. Though seemingly abstract, early canvases are said to replicate ceremonial sand paintings – temporary “maps” fleetingly revealed to depict sacred knowledge. In the tropics, figurative bark and cave paintings are less enigmatic but much older, though until recently they were ceremonially repainted. The unusual X-ray style found in the Top End details the internal structure of animals. The Northern Territory – and Alice Springs, in particular – are the best places to look.

It could be part of the Australian psyche that celebrates renegades. Perhaps it is just the standard set by such utterly odd wildlife as the platypus. Whatever the cause, Australia enjoys eccentricity like few other first-world nations, even down to the playful rough-and-tumble of its slang, Strine. The further you go from the big cities, the quirkier Australia gets. You could base an entire visit around a tour of kitsch sights like the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour, the Big Pineapple at Nambour or the Big Prawn at Ballina; for more inspiration see wilmap.com.au/bigstuff. Country and especially Outback pubs are often reliable outposts of the weird and wonderful. Yet for true glorious weirdness head to small festivals like the World Cockroach Races staged in Brisbane every Australia Day, or Darwin’s riotous Beer Can Regatta in July, with boat races in craft made entirely from beer cans.

Australia is a fixture on the Queer map thanks to its great climate and laidback lifestyle. Sydney is Australia’s gay-friendly capital, especially in March when hundreds of thousands of people pour in for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Despite its reputation as a macho culture, the country revels in a large and active scene: you’ll find an air of confidence and a sense of community that is often missing in other parts of the world.

Sydney is the jewel in Australia’s navel. Famous as one of the world’s great gay cities, it attracts lesbian and gay visitors from around the world. Melbourne closely follows, but there are scenes in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and to a lesser extent Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.

Gay and lesbian contacts

• Pinkboard pinkboard.com.au . Popular, long-running website with useful “Graffiti Walls” full of parties, personal ads and classifieds sections with everything from house-shares, party tickets for sale, employment, and a help and advice section. Posting ads is free.
• The Pink Directory thepinkdirectory.com.au . Online directory of gay and lesbian business and community information.
• DNA dnamagazine.com.au . The nation’s best-selling Queer title, an upmarket lifestyle magazine for gay men.

Tourist services and travel agents

• GALTA (Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia) galta.com.au . An online resource and nonprofit organization that promotes the gay and lesbian tourism industry with good links.
• Gay Travel gaytravel.com . Online travel agent, concentrating mostly on accommodation.
• International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association iglta.org. Trade group with lists of gay-owned or gay-friendly travel businesses.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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The PERFECT 1, 2 or 3 Week Australia Itinerary [2024]

• Last Updated: January 30, 2024

Whether you have 1, 2, or 3 weeks in Australia, here are some suggestions for an Australia itinerary that will help you make the most of this huge, diverse, and stunning country!

Planning a trip to Australia can be quite difficult, simply because the country is so huge. 

Lots of its best attractions, cities, and natural landmarks are very spread out, so it’s impossible to see everything in a short amount of time. 

Australia is also an expensive country to visit, so most backpackers and average travellers won’t be able to visit every single point of interest without spending a lot. 

Despite these challenges, planning an epic trip to Australia is definitely possible. 

You just have to be smart about your Australia itinerary, sticking to one or two major areas and picking travel routes that are logical. 

For example, you won’t be able to fit Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Uluru, Tasmania, and beaches and national parks of Western Australia and the Northern Territory into a 1 week Australia itinerary. 

To see all those incredible places, you’d need at least one month, and even then you’d be rushing to get everywhere. 

What you can do, is pick the areas that appeal to you the most and plan your trip accordingly. 

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about travelling in Australia !

So you’d be better off picking either the east coast or the west coast and hanging around there if you only have 1 or 2 weeks in Australia. 

In this article, I’ll provide a few sample Australia travel itineraries. 

Each Australia itinerary will include a few of the country’s best places to visit, while maintaining reasonable travel times.

Whether it’s your first trip to Australia or you’ve been here for a while, there is always something incredible to see!

Table of Contents

How to Get Around Australia

Days 1-2: sydney, days 3-5: brisbane , days 6-7: airlie beach and the whitsundays, days 1-3: sydney, days 3-6: melbourne , day 7-8: the great ocean road, day 9-10: adelaide, day 11: kangaroo island, day 12-14: perth, days 3-4: byron bay, days 5-6: the gold coast, days 7-8: cairns, days 9-10: port douglas and the great barrier reef, days 11-13: cape tribulation and the daintree rainforest, day 14: darwin, days 15-17: kakadu national park, days 18-20: uluru and the red centre, the ultimate australia itinerary travel guide.

Having travelled all around the country, we’re excited to share these epic 1, 2 and 3 week Australian itineraries that’ll cover the best places around.

But first, a tip…

It’s also important to consider how you’ll get around Australia during your visit. 

As I mentioned, the country is huge and public transport like buses or trains is expensive. 

If you’re staying in one area, it’s worth renting a car for a few days so you can explore and do day trips, but driving from one city to the next may take 12+ hours of driving. 

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Catching cheap domestic flights is the best way to jump from one state to the next, and you can take public transport or drive within smaller areas. 

Though every traveller will have their own unique preferences and modify these itineraries as necessary, here are some sample Australia itineraries that will hopefully help you plan your dream trip!

7 Day Australia Itinerary

One week in Australia goes by quickly, but some people can’t afford to take much longer off of work or their other responsibilities. 

You can still manage to experience some of the Aussie culture and natural beauty in one week. 

In this 7 day Australia itinerary, you’ll be sticking to the middle east coast. 

You’ll begin in Sydney, then head up to Queensland to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. 

This plan is perfect for 7 days in Australia because it doesn’t require huge amounts of travel time. 

READ NEXT: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Australia

After arriving in  Sydney  and getting settled, you have two days to enjoy the city. 

You can spend one day visiting all the popular tourist attractions, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower Eye, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and maybe some of the museums. 

Another day can be spent swimming and sunbathing on one of the city’s main beaches. 

The northern beaches around Manly, or the western beaches around Bondi and Bronte are great options for a fun day in Sydney.

Bondi Beach has a very strong health and fitness scene, so they have lots of incredible healthy cafes where all the locals like to fuel up. 

Visit  Berri Bar Bondi Beach  for a refreshing Acai bowl,  Porch and Parlour  for a healthy breakfast on homemade bread, or  Umu  for some nourishing organic lunch bowls. 

After 2 days in Sydney, you can catch a quick, 1-hour flight up to Brisbane. 

Check out this post on how to spend one day in Sydney if that’s all the time you have.

Brisbane is another incredible city to visit in Australia. 

After 2 days in Sydney, however, you may be sick of the crowded city streets. 

Luckily, Brisbane makes a great gateway for exploring more peaceful areas of Queensland. 

There are tons of amazing day trips from Brisbane that allow you to explore nature and see more of Australia, including:

• Burleigh Heads:  a charming coastal town with a massive beach and national park
• Hervey Bay:  one of the best spots in Australia for whale-watching
• Lamington National Park:  full of hiking trails and waterfalls
• Stradbroke Island:  a beautiful location that’s great for kayaking, paddleboarding, and trying other water sports
• Fraser Island:  the world’s largest sand island

After exploring Brisbane and the surrounding areas, catch another cheap domestic flight from the city up to Airlie Beach. 

Read our list of the best things to do in Brisbane for more inspiration!

Airlie Beach is known as one of Australia’s most stunning beaches, complete with soft white sand and clear turquoise water. 

From here, you can soak in the postcard-worthy views in the Whitsundays Islands and do a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the famous Whitehaven Beach. 

Book an  ocean rafting day tour  that include all your snorkelling gear and takes you to Whitehaven Beach and the best locations in the Whitsundays.

BONUS –  Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code  “NOMADS10”  on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!

Snorkelling, scuba diving, and sailing through the Great Barrier Reef will make an unforgettable ending to your 7 day Australia itinerary.

At the end of your week in Australia, you can fly from Airlie Beach back to Sydney for your departing flight. 

2 Week Australia Itinerary

Two weeks in Australia allows you a bit more time to see different areas of the country. 

This two week Australia itinerary will start in Sydney, move down to Victoria to explore Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road , and will then curve up to Adelaide in South Australia and end in Perth in Western Australia. 

So with two weeks in Australia, you can still manage to visit 4 states! If you’d prefer to spend more time in one place rather than jumping around so much, you can always modify this. 

For example, you could skip Perth and spend a few more days exploring New South Wales, Victoria, or South Australia. 

But here is a sample two weeks in Australia itinerary. 

Once again, you’ll fly into Sydney and begin your Australian adventure in the capital city of New South Wales. 

In addition to all the touristy stuff like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House and touring a local art gallery, you could spend one of your days in the lush nature surrounding the city. 

Two perfect day trips from Sydney are:

The Blue Mountains:  Full of waterfalls, scenic lookouts and hiking trails, connected to Sydney by train so you don’t even need a car. Here’s what you should do there .

The Royal National Park:  Dramatic coastal scenery with rugged cliffs and secluded beaches. Check out these awesome Royal National Park walks .

After 3 days in Sydney, hop on a plane for a 1-hour flight down to Melbourne.

As one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in Australia,  Melbourne  is a favourite among travellers and locals alike. 

Spend your days in Melbourne visiting street markets, sipping cocktails from rooftop bars, checking out all the cool cafes and restaurants, and experiencing the wild nightlife. 

You can also visit St. Kilda Beach in the south of Melbourne, or head to Brighton Beach to photograph the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes.

Or take a day trip to Phillip Island or tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground .

After you visit Melbourne, continue on to the famous Great Ocean Road.

One of the highlights of Victoria is the natural wonders of the Great Ocean Road. 

This coastal road runs for 243 kilometers in total and is full of Australian wildlife, quaint little towns, surfing spots, picturesque viewpoints, campgrounds, and overall gorgeous scenery.  

Be sure to see the Twelve Apostles, Split Point Lighthouse, Port Campbell National Park, Apollo Bay, Loch Ard Gorge, and other stunning landscapes along the way.

You can either rent a car from Melbourne and drive the road on your own, or  book a day tour . 

It only takes one day to see all the best spots along the road, but you’ll need to save some time to make your way back to Melbourne and you don’t want to rush. 

You can also stop by the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road.

Fly from Melbourne to Adelaide. 

Spend the next days of your two weeks in Australia itinerary soaking in the culture of  Adelaide . 

Enjoy the delicious food, the museums and galleries, and the laid-back charm of South Australia’s capital. 

One of your 2 days in Adelaide should definitely be spent touring a vineyard and wine tasting in the Barossa Valley. 

Again, you can either rent a car in the city and drive yourself around the vineyards (make sure you don’t drink too much!), or you can book a day trip. 

As one of the most unique places in South Australia, Kangaroo Island makes a super fun day trip from Adelaide. 

Take photos of the interesting rock formations in Flinders Chase National Park , stroll along the pristine golden beaches, or search for some local animals like wallabies, koalas, and of course, kangaroos. 

Head back to Adelaide after Kangaroo Island and hop on another quick flight to Perth to finish up this two week Australia trip.

Read next: 8 Amazing Things to Do in Kangaroo Island, Australia

Your last few days of visiting Australia will be well-spent in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. 

Enjoy the beaches, explore the Fremantle Markets, visit wineries and wildlife parks, and more.

You could also treat yourself to one last epic adventure in Australia by taking a day trip to Rottnest Island . 

This island is full of fun activities, natural wonders, beautiful views, and cute little quokkas, which are small, native Australian marsupials similar to wallabies. 

After a few days in Perth, either catch your departing flight from here or fly back to Sydney if your flight leaves from there. 

You could also consider a day trip to Margaret River , one of the top wine and surfing regions in Western Australia.

It’s a 3 hour drive from Perth to Margaret River, so only make the trek if you feel like you have time.

3 Week Australia Itinerary

3 weeks in Australia allows you to visit some big cities and tourist spots, but it also allows you to venture out to more remote and isolated areas. 

In this 3 week Australia Itinerary, you’ll visit Sydney and Byron Bay at the start. 

Then you’ll head up to The Gold Coast, and tropical north Queensland to the Daintree Rainforest. 

Continue your journey up north by travelling to Darwin and Kakadu National Park, and then venture inland to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). 

Again, spend your first couple days in Australia checking out Sydney and maybe doing a day trip to the Blue Mountains of the Hunter Valley Wine Region.

Be sure to visit Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, and the famous Bondi Beach during your time in Australia’s largest city.

Then fly to Ballina, a small airport 30 minutes away from Byron Bay. 

Check out our Sydney to Brisbane road trip guide if you’d prefer to rent a car and drive up the east coast.

Byron Bay  is a hub for backpackers, and it is a very fun place to experience when you visit Australia. 

From bar crawls and drum circles on the beach, to night markets and street art, to coastal walks and lovely beaches, a couple days in Byron Bay will feel like bliss. 

Even if you aren’t on a strict backpacker budget, Byron Bay has so many great hostels that it’s worth immersing yourself in the backpacker scene. 

Some of the best hostels in Byron Bay include Wake Up! Byron Bay and Byron Bay Beach hostel. 

Both of these have hundreds of great reviews from travellers cost around $30 per night, which is pretty cheap for Australia. 

If you want to meet other cool people and take part in all the fun social activities of Byron Bay, you may want to stay in one of these fun hostels instead of a hotel!

You can choose to hang out in Byron Bay for a few more days, or catch a flight from Ballina to the Gold Coast for a taste of the Sunshine Coast surf vibes. 

The  Gold Coast  is one of the best places to learn how surfing when you visit Australia. 

You can take a surf lesson from an experienced local and ride the waves, or just relax on the beach, eat some great food, and hit the bars and nightclubs in the evening. 

The Gold Coast combines the excitement of the city with the salty air and water sports of a beachside town, so it’s a diverse and fun place to visit. 

Fly from the Gold Coast up to Cairns. 

The next few days of your 3 week Australia Itinerary will take you up along the coast of Tropical North Queensland. 

This corner of Australia is hot, humid, and jam-packed with rich jungles, Aboriginal culture, waterfalls and the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Keep in mind that during the rainy season, from October to April, you can’t swim in the ocean here because there may be crocodiles and jellyfish. 

Cairns  is the gateway to tropical north Queensland. 

The real beauty lies outside the city, but spend a couple days adjusting to the heat, partying with the many backpackers, shopping at Rusty’s Fruit Market, and swimming in the big public swimming pool called the Lagoon. 

Also check out Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and the nearby Barron Gorge National Park near Kuranda.

Then you’ll take the local bus up to Port Douglas. You can buy your bus ticket from any tourism agency or from the main bus station, and take the Cairns to Cooktown route. 

Only about an hour north of Cairns is Port Douglas, a small, relaxed town with one backpacker hostel, a few amazing restaurants, and a nice park lined with palm trees for viewing the sunset. 

This is one of the best places to book a Great Barrier Reef  snorkelling or diving tour  because up here, the reef isn’t as crowded as near Cairns. A snorkelling reef trip is one of the most popular Australia tours and shouldn’t be missed!

So spend one of your days in Port Douglas swimming in the crisp, blue waters of the reef and seeing some incredible, colourful marine life. 

From here, get back on Cairns to Cooktown bus and continue north up to Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest. 

Located in the midst of the jungle, Cape Tribulation is the perfect place to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. 

There is only one main road running through the town, if you can even call it a town. 

Cape Tribulation has a few resorts and hostels, a couple tourism companies and about two shops, and that’s it. 

But the powerful presence of the rainforest is more than enough to entertain you for a couple days.

The Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world, and is one of the true natural wonders of Australia.

Go hiking, ride horses on the beach, book an ATV sightseeing tour, do an exotic fruit tasting at Cape Trib Farm, visit the Daintree Discovery Center, or take a boat cruise on the Daintree River to spot some crocodiles. 

Try to avoid visiting Tropical North Queensland in December through February, however. This is the wet season and many roads may be flooded and tours will be closed.

On your third day, take the bus back to Cairns then fly to Darwin. 

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, and it is a convenient starting point for a trip into Central Australia and Ayers Rock, in the south of the state.

Use this day to walk around and sightsee a bit, relax and unwind, and plan your journey into Kakadu National Park. 

Check out our guide for the best things to do in Darwin!

Rent a car in Darwin and spend the next couple days exploring the largest national park in Australia!

You can swim in waterfalls, find ancient Aboriginal rock art, and go hiking through some incredible landscapes. 

If you have a van or a tent, you can camp at one of the park’s campgrounds. Otherwise there is a handful of resorts where you can stay overnight in Kakadu. 

Most of the accommodation in Kakadu is located in Jabiru, the main town of the park. 

You could also  book a guided tour  to Kakadu as a day trip from Darwin. This is a good option for those who want to take a break from planning and driving. A tour will take you right to the best spots in the park, which is handy because the park is so huge.

After exploring the national park, drive back to Darwin and then fly to Alice Springs at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. 

(Alternatively if you don’t want to keep travelling so much, you could stay in the Northern Territory and explore more natural wonders like Nitmiluk National Park.)

From Alice Springs in the center of the Northern Territory, it’s time to begin your journey to Uluru!

The Red Centre is the central desert area of Australia, consisting of Alice Springs and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a sacred monolith and it one of the most famous places to see on a trip to Australia.

You have two options for getting to Uluru. 

Option 1:  Rent a car in Alice Springs and complete the 5-hour drive on your own. Keep in mind it’s also 5 hours to get back, so that’s a 10 hour road trip in total. You should also have your own camping gear and pack enough food and water for the road trip.

Option 2:  Book a tour from Alice Springs if you are tired of driving. You can  choose a straightforward day trip . It’s a bit pricier to do a guided tour, but it takes away a lot of the effort on your part. 

Either way, watching the sunrise and sunset bathe Uluru in soft, natural hues is a sight you’ll never forget, so the journey is worth it. 

If you are renting a car and doing your own road trip, consider also heading out to Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. This amazing spot is a 3 hour drive from Ayers Rock, which is a short drive for the Outback!

READ MORE: Check out all the incredible things to do in Uluru !

Your final day of the 3 week Australia itinerary will mostly be spent travelling. 

Drive back to Alice Springs, then fly back to Sydney for your flight home.

I just want to add that there are many other natural wonders that I didn’t get to mention!

Australia is massive so it’s hard to fit in so many cool places in a short time.

For example, the north of Western Australia is stunning, but it’s very remote and not convenient to add to a few weeks in Australia.

Few Australians even make it out here on holiday.

But riding a camel on Cable Beach , snorkelling with Whale Sharks in Exmouth , or camping in Cape Range National Park are amazing experiences that you can have if you have the time to venture out there.

Tasmania is also one of the most gorgeous places in Australia. The island is home to some of the best hiking and camping in the country , but it requires lots of prior planning and preparation and gear.

You could also road trip around Australia, taking more time to see all the attractions and not having to rush.

But it would take you months or even years to road trip all of Australia!

Regardless of how much time you spend here, don’t stress about seeing everything!

It’s impossible to see everything, and no matter where you go, you’re sure to have an epic time.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Have you got any info/tips about Central Australia? Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs to Darwin (Stuart Hwy).

Would like more information on all inclusive 3 wk itinerary for family of about 12.

All the best with your research. Have a great trip.

Terrific article. Thanks so much for the insight!

Thank you so much. Glad the article was helpful 🙂

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Australia’s 20 best travel experiences, ranked by Lonely Planet

Choosing Australia’s top travel experiences is not easy, and while many usual suspects appear in Lonely Planet’s list, some may even surprise locals

At 7.6m sq km, spanning eight climate and three time zones, Australia is a big country. So where do you start?

In making their new book, Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List, the travel guide publisher began by compiling every highlight in their existing books. “We then asked our writers, editors, designers and cartographers in Australia to reveal their favourite spots and experiences,” they say. From there, they solicited votes from a panel of travel experts and members of their community.

The result, “with hundreds of votes cast and a bit of mathematical alchemy, as well as a keen eye on sustainability practices”, is a new book of 500 experiences. They also ended up with “one very clear winner”.

Here is that winner, along with the rest of the book’s Top 20 experiences.

1. Fall silent before the majesty and gravitas of Uluru

Northern Territory/ Anangu Country

The landscape of Uluru changes dramatically with the shifting light and seasons. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown colour, scored and pitted by dark shadows.

As the sun sets, it illuminates the rock in burnished orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds before it fades into charcoal. A performance in reverse, with marginally fewer spectators, is given at dawn.

Uluru is a beautiful, charismatic place. Its dimensions are one thing: it is 3.6km long and rises 348m from the surrounding sands (867m above sea level). If that’s not sufficiently impressive, remember this: two-thirds of the rock lies beneath the sand.

Uluru is a monolith textured with layers of profound spirituality and timeless beauty, the epitome of desert stillness and, in the plays of light and shadow that dance across its surface, one of the richest shows in nature. The sunset viewing areas are once-in-a-lifetime experiences understanding its singular beauty when surrounded by the vast desert around it.

You can also get up close by taking one of the walks that encircle the base. There are many options, but most fold into the Uluru Base walk, a 10.6km circumnavigation of the rock. Along the way, it passes caves, paintings, sandstone folds and geological abrasions and generally initiates you into the scope and detail of this remarkable place.

Sacred sites are everywhere; entry to and knowledge of the particular significance of these areas is restricted by local law, and knowing this only adds to Uluru’s mystery.

The walk takes you away from the crowds – very few visitors spend long enough here to get to know Uluru this well. There is no better way to experience the rock.

Around 1km from the rock itself, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre adds depth and perspective to your Uluru experience. Displays and exhibits focus on Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law, religion and custom) and on the natural and human history of the park. Park rangers can supply the informative visitor guide, leaflets and walking notes, as well as other park information.

2. Be confronted and inspired by art at the extraordinary Mona

Tasmania/ Palawa Country

Undeniably eccentric, the Museum of Old and New Art (almost universally known as Mona) has ushered Hobart on to the world’s cultural stage.

Opened in 2011, and housed in a Nonda Katsalidis-designed three-storey bunker burrowed into the Triassic sandstone of a peninsula jutting into the Derwent River, Mona is a showcase for founder and owner David Walsh’s remarkable collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art, which is loosely curated under the themes of sex and death.

All cultural roads lead to Mona in January (for Mona Fofa, or Mofo for short) and June (for Dark Mofo) for Tasmania’s largest contemporary music festival.

SEE IT! Mona is 12km north of Hobart’s city centre. The best way to get here is on the museum’s ferry, which departs from Brooke St Pier.

3. Be mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea country

The Great Barrier Reef isn’t just the world’s largest living organism. Visible from outer space, it’s also one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems – and a gobsmackingly beautiful one to boot.

Home to more than 600 hard and soft coral species and a colourful array of other marine creatures, from tiny nudibranchs (sea slugs) to huge manta rays, this World Heritage-listed area also has cultural significance to more than 70 local Indigenous groups, their connections to the reef dating back some 60,000 years.

It’s no secret, of course, that the Great Barrier Reef faces a number of threats. Yet from coral planting dive trips to Indigenous-led reef tours, there are more opportunities than ever to experience this fragile ecosystem sustainably, helping to ensure that this incredible slice of nature can be enjoyed for generations of visitors to come.

4. Find freedom on the Great Ocean Road

Victoria/ Gadubanud and Girai wurrung Country

As its name rightfully declares, the Great Ocean Road is no ordinary stretch of bitumen. This is one of the world’s bucket-list drives, a 243km blockbuster of breathtaking coastal vistas, koala-speckled gums, nostalgic holiday towns and rolling dairy farms. Officially bookended by Torquay and Allansford, the route takes in the arresting beauty of Port Campbell national park.

The entire drive can be tackled as a long day trip from Melbourne, though it pays to stay longer. Spend at least a few days riding waves and horses on Fairhaven Beach, chomping on fresh crayfish at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op and snooping around time-warped sites like Cape Otway Lightstation.

The Great Ocean Road weaves through Great Otway national park, where walking trails lead through temperate rainforest splashed by waterfalls. If you fancy a multi-day trek, ditch the wheels altogether and hit the 104km Great Ocean walk, the most intimate way to experience this fabled stretch of surf.

5. Walk alongside Australia’s highest sea cliffs on the Three Capes track

Tasmania/Palawa Country

Any list of epic Australian bushwalks is bound to contain the Three Capes track. Traversing a well-maintained path alongside the lofty sea cliffs in Tasman national park, this four-day, 48km trek kicks off after walkers are dropped by boat at the Denmans Cove trailhead.

The route links the cove with Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy before finishing on the sandy shores of Fortescue Bay. Scenery includes eucalypt forests, coastal heathland and ocean views for as far as the eye can see.

Accommodation is in ranger-supervised camps with architect-designed huts that are almost as good looking as the eye-popping coastal scenery.

You’ll walk up the slopes of Crescent Mountain and Mt Fortescue and down to Ellarwey Valley, seeing native flora and fauna aplenty. Daredevils can scale the well-named Blade Rock formation at Cape Pillar and plunge into the icy surf at Fortescue Bay. The track is described as being achievable for most ages and abilities, but some bushwalking experience is recommended.

WALK IT! Tasman national park is 100km south-east of Hobart. Boats collect walkers at Port Arthur. Daily walker numbers are capped, so book well ahead .

6. Explore the weird and wonderful rock formations of Bungle Bungles

Western Australia/ Jaru And Gidja Country The bizarre, ancient, beehive domes of the World Heritage-listed Purnululu national park will take your breath away. Known colloquially as the Bungle Bungles, these remote rocky ranges are the finest example of cone karst sandstone anywhere in the world.

The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over millions of years. To the local Gidja people, “purnululu” means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of “bundle bundle”, a common grass. The park is rich in fauna and flora, the walks take you through shady palm-fringed gorges, and the sunsets here are sublime. There’s refreshingly little infrastructure and it’s never crowded.

SEE IT! Access is via a rough, unsealed, flood-prone 4WD-only track from the Great Northern Hwy north of Halls Creek, or by air on a package tour from Kununurra or Warmun. For more information, visit www.parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au .

7. Enjoy the ultimate rainforest experience in Daintree national park

Queensland/Kuku Yalanji Country

The oldest tropical rainforest on the planet, the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is like a real life Jurassic Park, complete with living dinosaurs, from cassowaries to crocs.

South of the Daintree River, the Indigenous-run Mossman Gorge is the most accessible of the park’s two sections. Here an elevated boardwalk tracing the crystal-clear Mossman River connects to a scenic 2.4km rainforest circuit. Learn more about the Kuku Yalanji connections to this verdant oasis on a tour with Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks.

Some say you haven’t been to the Daintree until you’ve visited the Cape Tribulation section of the park north of the Daintree River, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Allow several days to soak up this lush wilderness, dotted with rainforest boardwalks and idyllic croc-free swimming holes.

SEE IT! From Port Douglas it’s a 20-minute drive west to Mossman Gorge, and a 40-minute drive to the Daintree River Ferry.

8. Set sail for Kangaroo Island’s wilderness and wildlife

South Australia/Kartan Country

Kangaroo Island (KI) was scorched by bushfires in Australia’s “Black Summer” of 2019–20, but remains a veritable zoo of seals, birds, dolphins, echidnas and (of course) kangaroos. Island produce (wine, seafood, gin, beer), surf beaches and the kooky rock formations of Flinders Chase national park are also highlights.

These days, KI is rurally paced with a scattering of laid-back towns – the kind of place where kids ride bikes to school and farmers advertise for wives on noticeboards. The excellent five-day, 64km coastal Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail was ravaged by the fires, but trail reconstruction is under way: watch this space.

SEE IT! KI is big! You can’t see it all in a day. Bring your car on the ferry and explore over a weekend.

9. Marvel at the Milky Way in the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park

New South Wales/Kamilaroi Country The night sky unrolls around you each night in the Warrumbungle national park, Australia’s first and only Dark Sky Park. The 233 sq km park has been internationally recognised for its stunning views of the stars due to its high altitude, low humidity and carefully monitored light pollution.

With four observatories to choose from, you can stargaze well into the night. Siding Springs Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Australia – with a mirror measuring 3.9m, the Anglo Australia telescope is capable of viewing quasars up to 12bn light years away.

The Warrumbungles still have plenty to offer once the sun rises. Avid bushwalkers are sure to enjoy the rugged volcanic landscape. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk will bring you close to the park’s most impressive formations. With over 190 bird species recorded within the park, birdwatchers should be sure to look out for emus, wedge-tailed eagles and the southern boobook owl.

For a more relaxing option, take a trip along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive. The dome of the Siding Springs Observatory represents the sun, with scaled model planets stretching the whole 200km to Dubbo.

10. Light up your time in Sydney at the Vivid festival

New South Wales/Gadigal Country

During Vivid Sydney, video art and massive images are projected on to Sydney’s iconic architecture, with the sails of the Opera House, the arches of the Harbour Bridge and the sandstone buildings of the Rocks all transformed into leviathan canvases for a shimmering collage of spotlights, laser beams and electrified sky-high street art.

Journey on the harbour at night on the Manly Ferry for brilliant views, or join a chartered boat trip to take in the best of the glowing spectacle. Beyond the illuminations, music is also a stunning part of the Vivid experience, from big international artists to more intimate performances from the best of Australia’s emerging talent.

SEE IT ! The festival is held annually for three weeks. The 2022 festival will take place from 27 May to 18 June.

11. Go wild on mainland Australia’s southernmost point, Wilsons Prom

Victoria/Brataualung Country

Hitting rock bottom is a good thing when it involves Wilsons Promontory. Occupying the southernmost point of mainland Australia, the 305 sq km national park claims some of Victoria’s most varied, magnificent natural landscapes: salt-white Squeaky Beach, the Saharan dunes of the Big Drift, the lushness of Lilly Pilly Gully.

Walking tracks lead over ridges, across heathland and through headily scented bush alive with kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and iridescent birdlife. The Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove route (10.3km) is especially memorable, weaving through fern gullies and swampland to a forest-backed beach. It’s the first section of the challenging, multi-day Southern Circuit (59km), whose stops also include the monumental Oberon Bay.

A much quicker way to admire the bay’s sweep is from panoramic Mt Oberon, an easy 6.8km return hike from the Telegraph Saddle car park. Head up at sunset and pinch yourself. SEE IT! Tidal River is the park’s hub, with visitor information, a general store and accommodation. Avoid school holiday periods and book accommodation in advance at www.parks.vic.gov.au .

12. Experience wildlife and Indigenous history in Kakadu

Northern Territory/ Bininj/Mungguy Country

Kakadu ranks among the world’s great national parks. Its wetlands and escarpments shelter abundant wildlife and rock art that dates back 20,000 years. This is the land of the Bininj/Mungguy, whose presence brings soul and spirituality to any visit here.

In just a few days you can cruise on billabongs bursting with wildlife, examine millennia-old rock paintings under the care of an Indigenous guide, swim in pools at the foot of tumbling waterfalls and hike through ancient sandstone escarpment country. Ubirr and Nourlangie are the main rock-art sites, Jim Jim has the best falls, Cahill’s Crossing is terrific for crocs, and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is great for birds and other wildlife. Kakadu is very popular and can become crowded – in the Dry at least. But this is a vast park, and with a little adventurous spirit you can easily get off the beaten track and be alone with nature.

13. Be wowed by white sands and crystalline water at Wineglass Bay

The show-stealing centrepiece of Freycinet national park, curvaceous Wineglass Bay is Tasmania’s most famous beach for good reason. Its blindingly white sand and pink granite headlands splashed with flaming orange lichen are almost ludicrously photogenic, and a walk along its length to Hazards Beach is almost as rewarding as a swim in its gin-clear water.

Views of the bay are best appreciated from the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a 90 minute walk from the national park’s walking track car park. From here, 1,000 steps lead down to the beach. Those who choose to stay longer and walk further can set off on the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, a three-day, 30km trek around the peninsula from Hazards Beach south to Cooks Beach, then across the peninsula over a heathland plateau before descending to Wineglass Bay.

SEE IT! Wineglass Bay is 200km north-east of Hobart, via the Tasman Hwy (A3) and C302.

14. Hit the Grampians for an epic hike in Victoria’s Garden of Eden

Victoria/ Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung Country

Hitchcock couldn’t have directed it better himself. A long, eerie crevasse; a sharp left turn, then – BAM! – Pinnacles Lookout and its knockout vista over ranges and plains.

Gotcha moments are thick on the ground when hiking Grampians national park, its sandstone peaks rising like petrified gods. While there are plenty of short strolls – the 4km Mt William (Duwul) Summit walk is breathtaking – the Grampians Peaks trail is the ultimate lace-up adventure.

A 160km long, 13-day odyssey, it spans the entire length of the Grampians (Gariwerd), from Mt Zero (Mura Mura) in the north to the culinary hamlet of Dunkeld in the south. Along it, precious landscapes unfurl, from woodlands and waterfalls to cooling fern valleys. Harboured within: red-tailed black cockatoos, endangered pincushion lilies and the haunting handprints and figures of Aboriginal rock art shelters like Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja.

HIKE IT! See www.grampianspeakstrail.com.au for trail information. Foodies should book a night at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel.

15. Elevate your Sydney experience on the Bondi to Coogee clifftop walk

Say good morning to the perfect way to take in the best of Sydney’s coastal scenery. The simply sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops via Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, interweaving panoramic views, patrolled beaches, sea baths, waterside parks and plaques recounting local Aboriginal stories. Pack your swimmers if the weather’s warm.

WALK IT! The trail begins at the southern end of Notts Ave near Bondi’s Hunter Park, and completes its view-friendly route near Dunningham Reserve at the northern end of Coogee.

16. Immerse yourself in the remarkable desert rocks of Kata Tjuta

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Kata Tjuta (formerly the Olgas), a striking group of domed rocks huddled together about 35km west of Uluru. The deep valleys and steep-sided gorges contain sites which are sacred to the local Anangu people.

The tallest rock, Mt Olga (546m; 1,066m above sea level) is higher than Uluru. The Valley of the Winds loop, one of the most rewarding bushwalks in Australia’s Red Centre, winds through the gorges and past surreal domes in hues of the deepest red offset by the blue of the desert sky. Elsewhere, Walpa Gorge is especially beautiful in the afternoon, when sunlight floods the gorge. The views from the Sand Dune Lookout, off the road to Uluru, put everything in perspective.

17. Revere Port Campbell national park’s Apostles

Victoria/Girai wurrung Country

You couldn’t ask for a grander finale to the Great Ocean Road. As it shakes off the tortuousness of the Otway Ranges, forest turns to weather-beaten scrub, the sky bursts open and the route shoots west along a flat, narrow escarpment dropping away to terrifying ocean-pounded cliffs. This is Port Campbell national park, home to Victoria’s geological superstars, the Twelve Apostles.

Out of cold, savage waters they rise – monumental limestone stacks, abandoned by the retreating coastline. In truth, there are fewer than 12, but this fails to diminish their impact.

Less famous but no less spectacular are the Bay of Islands and London Bridge rock stacks, just west of sleepy Port Campbell township. Once a double-arched rock platform, London Bridge indeed fell down in 1990, leaving two terrified tourists marooned on the world’s newest island – they were eventually rescued by helicopter.

To the east of the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is where the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous and haunting tale unfolded, when two young survivors of the wrecked iron clipper Loch Ard made it to shore. From the clifftop, a path leads down to the cave where the pair took shelter.

The best time to visit is at sunset, not only for the optimal Instagram opportunities (and to beat the tour buses), but also to catch a glimpse of little penguins returning. Sightings vary, but generally the penguins arrive 30 minutes after sunset; don’t forget your binoculars!

18. Reconcile the laid-back splendour of Rottnest Island with its gruesome past

Western Australia/ Noongar Country

With warm water, sunken wrecks, diverse marine life and 63 beaches, it’s little wonder people flock to “Rotto” to swim, fish, laze, dive, snorkel, surf and sea-kayak their cares away. And of course, no trip to Rottnest is complete without the obligatory selfie with the incredibly cute, furry and all-too-trusting quokka.

Highlights include “The Basin”, a family- friendly seawater pool, and the 20m Wadjemup Lighthouse on the island’s highpoint. Wadjemup is a Noongar word meaning “place across the water where the spirits are” – rather apt, given at least 373 unmarked graves hold the victims of a harsh and cruel prison for Aboriginal people operating during the 1800s.

19. Catch the Manly Ferry across one of the world’s greatest harbours

New South Wales/Guringai Country

The Manly Ferry is one of Sydney’s best bargains for visitors to the city. Take in Opera House and Harbour Bridge views before sliding past the ritzy suburbs of Point Piper and Rose Bay and exiting the rocky promontories of the Sydney Heads.

Opposite Manly Wharf, refresh with a beer at the 4 Pines brewpub before strolling along the Corso to the surf, sand and Norfolk pine-lined esplanade of Sydney’s second-most famous beach. Pretty good for around $10.

CRUISE IT! The Manly Ferry departs from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay and takes around 20 minutes.

20. Dive into Queensland’s Museum of Underwater Art

Queensland/Bindal and Wulgurukaba Sea Country

As if the Great Barrier Reef wasn’t epic enough, you can now explore an underwater sculpture garden. The second instalment of the Townsville region’s Museum of Underwater Art, the Coral Greenhouse features 20 human figures performing conservation work in and around a submerged conservatory.

Designed by the renowned sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor, in collaboration with Indigenous groups, the installation complements the Ocean SirTen sculpture.

DIVE IT! Dive tours to the Coral Greenhouse run from Townsville and Magnetic Island.

This is an edited extract from Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List , $39.99. Available now.

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Australia Travel Guide

Your ultimate australia travel guide, with tips, and things to see and things to do in australia. great for first-time and returning travelers..

G’Day Mate! Known for its teeming natural and cultural treasures, The Land Down Under has the perfect something for every type of traveler.

There are so many great things to do in Australia .

Relax on the gorgeous beaches along its extensive coastline; embark on an exciting adventure, like going on on a walkabout.

Or try Great White Shark cage diving, or head on over to the cosmopolitan cities of Sydney and/or Melbourne to enjoy shopping, fine dining, and a budding art scene.

This Australia travel guide and list of things to do will help you plan your next vacation.

The only problem with scouring through this Australia travel guide is that once you visit this massive island continent, you might not want to leave!

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Fast Facts about Australia

• Australian power voltage is 230 V 50 Hz; Power sockets I
• The local currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD) and is around 1.20 AUD to 1 USD
• Bush fires are common in Australia from late spring to summer; during this period please observe simple safety precautions. Make sure to research risks before travelling and when camping, use only designated fireplaces, while also complying with road warning signs and fire bans.
• The emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) number in Australia (equivalent to 911 in North America), is  000 (Zero-Zero-Zero)
• You can rent a mobile phone from such providers as RebelFone, Vodafone Rental, Landwide and Cellhire. 
• In general, if you do not already have a GSM phone,  it is less expensive to rent a phone for short stays.

Things to See and Do in Australia

• Take a Helicopter Ride over the Great Barrier Reef  – A flight over the reef gives you the opportunity to appreciate just how massive this system is.
• Paddle Board in the Oldest Rainforest on Earth  – What better way to spend an afternoon than a lazy float along the river?
• See the wildlife of Kangaroo Island 
• Take Flight on a Hot Air Balloon –   Step back in time and fly high in the sky as you take in sunrise over the Gold Coast. As you fly over farmland and wide open spaces you’ll spy kangaroos and finish off with a champagne breakfast at a local vineyard.
• Fly over the Flinders Ranges to view the spectacular Wilpena Pound
• Swim with some Great Whites – jump into the water with some of the most majestic creatures of the ocean world.
• Take a Dolphin Swim in Shark Country  – get up close and personal with the dolphins of Baird Bay, but don’t stray too far from the guide!
• Take the Ultimate Scuba Adventure  – explore this underwater paradise by joining one of the many dive expeditions that explore the reef system on a daily basis. From snorkeling near the safety of a pontoon on the inner reefs to extreme exposed ocean diving out at Osprey Reef, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

More Australia Travel Guides

• Kangaroo Island Wildlife Sanctuaries
• 12 Amazing Australian Wildlife Experiences
• 23 of the Most Iconic Places to Visit in Australia
• Maria Island – Escape from Civilization in Australia
• Koala Sanctuary – Cuteness in South Australia
• Things to do in Brisbane – Everything You Need to Know

Accommodation

Budget : Hostels in Australia typically go for $20 – $25 AUD per night. But hostels can go as high as $100 AUD per night for a double room.  Wake Up Sydney  is a popular hostel

You can get private rooms in other hostels for around $50 UAD

Mid Rang e – You can get budget hotels around Australia for $150 AUD. They typically have basic amenities but are clean and modern and include free WiFi.

High End  – Australia has some beautiful luxury accommodation around the country. From rainforest retreats to coastal estates. Prices can go for thousands of dollars per night, but you can get a luxury hotel for $300-$500 AUD

• Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

Food : Australia has a wide variety of eateries including fast food, but it is all pricey. The good news is you don’t have to tip in Australia. But expect to pay $20 a meal so budget at least $50 AUD for food per day in Australia.

• Kangaroo meat can be purchased from the supermarket, butcher and is available on restaurant menus as a leaner and healthier alternative to beef or lamb with a 1-2 percent fat content.
• Vegemite, try some!  This yeast spread has the same consistency as peanut butter and is an Australian food staple
• Fun Fact:  Australia’s former Prime Minister held the Guinness World Record for beer chugging.

The Best Ways to Get Around Australia

Getting to australia:.

Getting to Australia:  Australia’s major airports are Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Airline fly direct from London, South East Asia and the West Coast of Canada and the United States – Vancouver and Los Angeles

Flights:   You can check for the best flights to Australia on   Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Australia is a huge country and getting around can take time. We flew between states to get from one city to another with Virgin, Air New Zealand and Quantas.

Buses : Buses are a cheap way to travel between cities. Greyhound is the main busline. But be prepared for long journeys.

Taxis:   Taxis start at $4.00 AUD depending on the city. (ranges from $3.50 – $5.00) and then charge 1.50 to $3.00 depending on the city. Check out  NUMBEO  for up to date fares.

Car Rental:   Car rentals are the best option for traveling around Australia. Campervans and Caravanning is still a very popular way to explore the continent. Prices for car rentals start at $25 per day and can go up to $100 per day for a premium car. We’ve used  VroomVroomVroom  when traveling Australia. You can also compare  prices here .

Many people purchase a van to travel around Australia and it is a great option to have the freedom to take your time and save money.

Uber:  We have used Uber in Australia and it is an excellent option.

When to go To Australia

Australia has reasonable weather all year round. It is a large country though, so you want to check out each place region by region.

Some part of Australia have tropical or Mediterranean climates, while others are desert and temporal. Northern states are typically warm year-round with two seasons: wet or dry. Southern states have cooler winters.

Australia seasons are the opposite of North America and Europe: December to February: summer. March to May: autumn; June to August: winter; and September to November: spring. We always suggest traveling during shoulder season for cheaper prices and fewer crowds.

Queensland has two seasons, wet and dry. Wet runs from Nov-April and Dry is May-Oct Queensland is split up between two climates the Tropical North and Temporal Queensland. The wet season is hot and humid and you can expect tropical thunderstorms and even hurricanes. That said, we traveled to Queensland in Feb and had mostly sunny skies with just short, intense rains each day. There are far fewer tourists during the rainy season and we found our travels to be very pleasant. See all the things to do in Brisbane The dry season is still hot but there is less humidity: 28 degrees Celcius, (84 Fahrenheit) but nights are cooler. Swimming is better at this time of year with less chance of crocodiles and jellyfish. Crowds are much worse and rates are higher. So it is a trade-off.

South Australia

This is the driest state in the country and it is very large. The hottest and driest months are during the summer in Jan-Feb Late Feb-March is the best time to visit the Capital City of Adelaide Adelaide has wet winters. Summer and high season here is Dec – Feb with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celcius, (84 Fahrenheit) Spring and Autumn are best for shoulder season March-May and Sept – November, temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer crowds March-May is another great shoulder season travel time with temperatures dropping in 15 degrees Celcius (60 Fahrenheit) South Australia has a large portion of the outback in its borders and travel in shoulder season is much more pleasant than the hot summers

New South Wales, Sydney

Sydney typically sees 340 sunny days a year, so you can’t go wrong anytime. Summer and high season here is Dec – Feb with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celcius, (84 Fahrenheit) Spring and Autumn are best for shoulder season March-May and Sept – November, temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer crowds March-May is another great shoulder season travel time with temperatures dropping in 15 degrees Celcius (60 Fahrenheit) South Australia has a large portion of the outback in its borders and travel in shoulder season is much more pleasant than the hot summers

Melbourne  possibly has the most changeable weather in Australia. March-May  is the best time to visit with a lot of festivals going on. It’s shoulder season right after summer. Sept – Nov  is second best. Temperatures are more moderate at these times of the year. Dec-Feb  is summer and is peak season in Victoria. Temperatures are hot and the crowds are dense. Imagine having to jockey for a position to see the twelve apostles. That said, we visited Victoria in January and by doing the  Great Ocean Walk,  we avoided all crowds as we hiked the coast for four days. Go during shoulder season  and you’ll be happier. June – August –  unlike other cities in Australia – Melbourne is cold and dreary during the winter months.

Ayers Rock is a popular stop on the tourist trail. It’s at the top end of Australia and season are a bit different here. Ayers Rock Wet season : October to April Dry Season : May to September Winter  can fall below freezing at night and summer can go above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to Stay in Australia

• Gold Coast –  Peppers Beach Club
• Sydney –  Grace Hotel
• Melbourne –  Travelodge South Bank
• Daintree Rainforest – Silky Oaks Lodge
• Brisbane –  Spicer’s Balfour
• Brisbane –  Regatta Boutique Hotel

Australia Accommodation Guides

• Where To Stay In Melbourne – A Guide To The Best Neighborhoods
• 18 Great Things to do in Queensland, Australia

What to Pack for Australia

Due to the sheer size of the continent, the weather in Australia varies significantly depending on where you want to travel.

Northern states experience warm weather year-round while the southern states experience cooler winters.

Australia is also one of the driest continents on the earth with an average annual rainfall of fewer than 600 millimeters.

Remember that Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere! 

• Pack  sunscreen  –  Australian sun is very strong. Always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses, and SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion, even on cloudy days. 
• Layers – When traveling to different climates remember that layering is the key to effortlessly transitioning from cold to hot climates or vice versa.
• Bug spray –  mosquitoes and sand gnats are a nuisance that can be prevented with bug spray and a handy mosquito net. If you visit the Outback, the latter is a must-have. Ticks are also common in the wilderness and, should you be bitten, a pair of tweezers will enable you to remove the pest from your skin. 
• First Aid Kit – You may be traveling to remote areas, so have a good stocked first aid kit
• Hiking Gear –  for travelers heading up to the Northern Territory, consider packing hiking shoes/trainers, a hat and a water bottle. Also, pack clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty (due to the red dirt of the desert) and avoid packing light colors.
• See our packing tips for travel for all  travel gear, camera gear  and  clothing  we pack for travel.

See our packing tips:  packing tips.

• Sun is the biggest factor for safety. Drink plenty of fluids, wear sunscreen or sun hats and stay covered up.
• Beaches have a lot of rips and currents so always swim between the flags so lifeguards can see you.
• Swimming on the beaches of Tropical Queensland can have a risk of Crocodiles Talk to locals and follow the signs.
• Avoid swimming at mouths of rivers where crocodiles like to hang out.
• Deadly stingers are a real threat at certain times of the year (Nov-April)
• When bushwalking – wear long pants and high hiking boots to avoid snake bites
• When driving through the outback make sure your vehicle is in good shape and have extra food and water.

Australia Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Australia Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Australia  click here.

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TV Guide: Travel Guides 2024 on Nine and 9Now

Travel Guides returns Sunday, 19 May at 7:00 pm on Nine and 9Now.

Australia’s most outrageous adventurers are back with a brand-new season of Travel Guides , premiering Sunday, May 19, at 7:00 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Returning for its seventh season, the Travel Guides will be headed to places such as LA, Paris and the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu in Peru. 

Ready to roam across 10 new locations around the world is: the Fren family, Matt and Brett, Kevin and Janetta, and Kev, Dorian and Teng. 

Joining them on the road for the first time are Karly and Bri , two best friends who met filming Beauty and the Geek for Channel 9 a couple of years ago and have been inseparable since. 

“Getting the phone call to be on Travel Guides was a surreal moment for us as we’re such big fans of the show. We haven’t done much travelling around the world, so to be able to see the world in all its glory is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And to do it with my best friend is amazing,” Karly said.

Bri added: “I reckon we’re going to bring some sugar and spice and a barrel of laughs. I’d describe us as chaotic travellers. And when we open our mouths we’re never really sure what’s going to come out. But we can promise young, wild-woman energy.”

For the first time, the guides will also all agree on what the perfect holiday is.

In the season premiere, the Travel Guides go on a spiritual journey through northern India and Nepal. From the holy waters of the Ganges, and the Taj Mahal to crazy Kathmandu, the Guides will seek zen as they test their spirits on a 10-day trip.

The program is narrated by Aussie comedian Denise Scott and is produced by Nine. 

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Home Travel A complete guide to Walhalla, VIC

A complete guide to Walhalla, VIC

Walhalla, known affectionately as “Australia’s Valley of the Gods”, is a beautifully restored historic goldmining town, perfectly located in a narrow valley between hills that are now verdant, but were once almost totally denuded of trees. The mining companies that occupied the area cut down the trees to fuel their machinery and laid 30km of tram tracks out into the woods to collect timber. Walhalla can reasonably lay claim to being the best historical goldmining-era experience in the country. The buildings are well maintained and have clear and detailed signposting. The experiences on offer include a tour of Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, an intriguing cemetery that clings to the steep sides of the valley, the cricket oval perched above the town, and a delightful journey down the valley on the restored Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Set in the Gippsland mountains, it’s a place to wander around and savour.

The village has a timeless quality, which is partly due to the brief life of the original settlement. It was established and occupied by miners between 1863 and 1914. During that time, the population of the town and its surrounding hilltop “suburbs”, including Happy Go Lucky and Mormon Town, rose to more than 4000, and it was recognised as one of the richest goldfields in the country. Walhalla is a sublime historic experience in a very beautiful setting. A wander through the village ends up being a fascinating insight into the nature of settlement and the people who decided to live – albeit for a very short time – in this isolated but picturesque environment.

Location : Walhalla is located 183km east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway and the Moe–Walhalla Road.

Origin of Name : Originally Stringers Creek, in 1866 the name was changed to Walhalla, after the nearby Walhalla Gold Mine. It’s thought the mine was named by manager Henry Rosales after a monument of the same name he saw on a trip to Europe. The monument was in honour of King Ludwig of Bavaria.

Visitor Information  : The Corner Stores Corner Main and Church Hill roads

Useful Website s: Visit Walhalla , Historic Walhalla , Visit Victoria – Walhalla

Places of interest

1. chimney of the former grand junction hotel.

The Junction Hotel, built in late 1865 by John F. Williams, was renamed the Grand Junction in 1872 and became Walhalla’s only three-storey hotel. It was de-licensed in December 1913.

2. Reconstructed office of the Walhalla Chronicle

The Walhalla Chronicle , the Walhalla Goldfields’ main newspaper, was established in 1870 by James Ryan, who brought his printing press across the steep ranges from the remote Crooked River Goldfields in East Gippsland.

3. Walhalla Post & Telegraph Office

A post office was opened on Stringers Creek Goldfield on 24 August 1864. According to early statistics, 1337 items passed through the post office in the first year, but by 1868, when the post office moved to new premises, this had grown to a staggering 157,383 items.

4. Bank of Victoria

A Bank of Victoria branch opened in Walhalla in aboutJune 1865. It was the largest of Walhalla’s banks and during its operation its vault stored about 74t of gold. It moved to a permanent building in 1868.

5. Spetts Cottage

One of about a dozen original goldrush-era cottages still standing in Walhalla, Spetts Cottage was built by Swedish-born Charles Spetts and his English bride, Eleanor, in 1871. The cottage boasted one of the finest gardens in the valley.

6. L ong Tunnel Extended Gold Mine

This goldmine, which closed in 1914, was Victoria’s most successful and one of Australia’s richest, yielding 13.7t of gold over six years of its working lifetime. The mine, which remains largely as it was when it closed, consists of 9km of underground passages to a depth of 1000m. Tours , which each take about 50 minutes, are conducted daily.

7. Walhalla Goldfields Railway

The original Moe–Walhalla railway opened in 1910 after years of lobbying by Walhalla’s townsfolk. But this 2’6″ narrow gauge railway arrived too late and was never a success. It closed in 1944, but in 1993 a group of enthusiasts began rebuilding the most spectacular section – from Thomson River up Stringers Creek Gorge to Walhalla. Today, the railway runs every Wednesday and weekend, and during public holidays and school holidays.

8. Tramline Walkway

This scenic walk – accessible from a steep path over the road from the Old Post Office or the Band Rotunda, or from Long Tunnel Gold Mine or North Gardens Camping Area – is about halfway up the hill to the west of the town and provides excellent views of Walhalla. 

Before the arrival of Europeans , the district was home to the Gurnaikurnai people. In December 1862 , former convict Ned Stringer found gold in the creek that now bears his name. In February 1863 , the discovery of Cohen’s Reef led to a permanent settlement. The reef was quartz and only large mining companies had the capital to extract the gold. In 1863 the Reefer’s Arms Hotel opened, followed by a temporary post office in 1864. The Junction Hotel, later the Grand Junction Hotel, was built in 1865 and closed in 1913 . In 1866 the town was surveyed and its name changed from Stringers Creek to Walhalla. In 1870 the Walhalla Chronicle and a state school opened.

By 1879 there was a regular coach service connecting the town to Moe. In 1884 electricity arrived courtesy of the Long Tunnel Company.

The population of Walhalla and the six mining hamlets in the immediate vicinity peaked at about 4500 in the 1880s . Broadway actress and singer Suzanne Barrett, wife of explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins , was born in Walhalla as Susannah Evans in 1893 . By 1900 , 55t of gold had been extracted from Cohen’s Reef. The railway arrived from Moe in 1910 . The last big mine closed in 1914 . Dismantling of the railway, including tracks and buildings, was completed by 1960 . The school closed in 1965 . Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky , starring Liam Neeson (pictured, right), is being filmed in the town in 2024 . Walhalla portrays a Nepalese village.

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• on May 18, 2024
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In Nepal & India our guides stay at an Ashram, frock-up at an Indian wedding, marvel at the Taj Mahal, and drop into Kathmandu. 7pm Sunday on Nine.

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What is in the 2024 federal budget for age pensioners?

The 2024 federal budget has been handed down, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers spruiking cost-of-living relief measures. 

Here's what the budget means for seniors on the age pension. 

What's in the budget for pensioners?

In his speech, Mr Chalmers made few mentions of pensioners.

He didn't call out any budget measures that were specifically for people on the age pension.

However, here are three key items that could have an impact: 

Deeming freeze

There will be a freeze on social security deeming rates for another financial year — that's just extending a freeze that was already in effect. 

Explain deeming rates to me

You might remember that  both parties pledged to halt deeming rates back in 2022  as they were heading into the federal election. 

Mr Chalmers said this extension of the freeze would benefit 450,000 aged pensioners.

But this is something that will only benefit pensioners who get income from deemed financial investments. 

There will also be a freeze on the cost of medications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the next five years. 

So that means that medications will continue to cost $7.70. 

Changing Medicare levy thresholds

The government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds. 

The goal of this is to ensure "low-income individuals continue to be exempt from paying the Medicare levy or pay a reduced levy rate," the budget papers say . 

For single seniors and pensioners, the threshold has been increased from $38,365 to $41,089 The family threshold for seniors and pensioners has been increased from $53,406 to $57,198

But they're only being increased to keep up with inflation — not as a major policy change. 

Is there a special payment for pensioners?

No, there was no announcement about a specific payment for pensioners. 

Pensioners will benefit from a $300 reduction in power bills, but this is something every household will get.

The energy rebates are not payments — they'll be deducted from power bills.

And keep in mind that they'll be applied in quarterly instalments, not all in one hit.

So your next quarterly power bill will likely be $75 cheaper, not $300 cheaper.

Will the age pension be increased?

There was no announcement about increasing the age pension. 

Pensions are typically increased twice a year to reflect changes in pensioners' costs of living and wage increases.

The last increase was in March , when age pensions were increased by $19.60 a fortnight for singles and $29.40 a fortnight for couples.

What is deeming?

It's part of the income test for Centrelink payments, including the age pension.

Deeming is a set of rules the government uses to work out how much income people earn from their financial assets — things like shares, superannuation and bank accounts. 

It assumes people receive a set income from the interest on those investments, whether they actually get that much or not.

But here's the kicker: if your investment return is higher than the deemed rate, the government doesn't count that extra money as part of your income.

That means anything you earn above that rate isn't counted in the income test for the age pension.

So, the lower the deeming rate, the more people can earn from their investments without it affecting their pension payments.  

Editor's note (15/05/2024): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that pensions are typically increased four times a year. Pensions are indexed twice a year — in March and September. The article has been updated to reflect this.

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Meet the new Guides Karly and Bri as they prepare to take on the most exotic destinations on Travel Guides 2024

The new season of Travel Guides is just around the corner and is returning to screens on Sunday May 19 at 7:00pm.

Which means there's no better time than now to get to know the newest guides – Karly and Bri .

Stream complete seasons of Travel Guides for free on 9Now.

Karly and Bri are two besties who met while filming Beauty and the Geek a couple of years ago, and have been inseparable ever since.

They're down-to-earth and willing to give anything a crack and about to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

You can see get to know the pair by watching the video above.

"We haven't done a whole lot of travel," the pair admit.

"The place that we've been the most is Bali so we're excited."

Don't let their inexperience fool you, Karly and Bri are ready to throw themselves into anything and everything.

"We're ready to throw ourselves into an unknown culture that we know nothing about and just experience and embrace it," Bri says.

"Maybe we might learns some things along the way."

EXCLUSIVE: Where you've seen Karly and Bri on TV before

In a highlights reel teasing the Travel Guides adventures to come, Karly and Bri go parasailing, feed some crocodiles and get involved in a Chinese Dragon dance.

"I'm glad that I did it but I'll never do it again," Karly and Bri say. What exactly are they talking about? You'll have to watch the series to find out.

An Indian wedding looks to be one of the girls' highlights.

"I feel like I'm on a movie set!" Karly squeals.

"I've never been to a party like it!"

WATCH: Look back at the funniest moments from Season 6 of Travel Guides

You can catch all the girls' travel adventures by watching the video at the top of the article.

Travel Guides airs Sundays at 7:00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now . 

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