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Travel in Australia: the complete practical guide

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The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at dusk
Contents

In short: Australia is huge: start with Sydney and Melbourne, then choose a region (the east coast, the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef). Apply for your travel authorisation before departure (free eVisitor for European passports). On the road, you drive on the left.

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When to go to Australia

  • Seasons are reversed: summer from December to February, winter from June to August.
  • Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May): the best time for Sydney and Melbourne.
  • May to October: the dry season in the tropical north (Darwin, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef).

Entry requirements

  • European passports: a free eVisitor (subclass 651), applied for online on the Australian Government’s official website before departure. Stays of up to three months over twelve months.
  • Other nationalities: an ETA or a visa depending on the country.
  • Customs: biosecurity checks are strict: declare food, plants and animal products.

Arriving in Australia

  • Sydney: trains reach Central station in about fifteen minutes.
  • Melbourne: the SkyBus express reaches Southern Cross station in 20 to 25 minutes outside peak hours.

Getting around Australia

  • Flying is essential between the major cities and to the Red Centre (Uluru) or the north.
  • A car or campervan is perfect for the east coast or the Great Ocean Road; you drive on the left.
  • In town, trains, ferries (Sydney) and trams (Melbourne, with a free tram zone in the centre).

Money, internet and practicalities

  • Currency: the Australian dollar. Contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere.
  • Sun: it is very strong; sunscreen, a hat, and swim between the flags on patrolled beaches.
  • Internet: a travel eSIM gets you online as soon as you land.

What to see in Australia

  • Sydney: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Bondi and the Blue Mountains.
  • Melbourne: the laneways and street art, the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island.
  • The Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns.
  • Uluru, in the heart of the Outback.
  • And also: Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Tasmania, Perth and the west coast.

Suggested itineraries

10 days: Sydney (4 days, with the Blue Mountains), then Melbourne (3 days) and the Great Ocean Road (2 to 3 days).

3 weeks: add the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns) and Uluru, by plane.

Where to stay in Australia

Our Sydney and Melbourne pages present the best areas for your travel style.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Australia?

Yes, an authorisation is always needed before departure. Holders of European passports can apply free of charge for the eVisitor (subclass 651) online on the Australian Government's official website: it allows stays of up to three months over twelve months. Other nationalities apply for an ETA or a visa.

When should I go to Australia?

Seasons are reversed: summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August. The south (Sydney, Melbourne) is pleasant in spring and autumn; the tropical north is best in the dry season, from May to October.

How do I get from Sydney Airport to the centre?

Trains link the airport to Central station in about fifteen minutes, with frequent departures.

Do you drive on the left in Australia?

Yes. Distances are huge: plan reasonable stages and fill up before long stretches without a fuel station.

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