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Introducing Australia

When is the best time to visit?
There's no bad time to visit Australia, though there are a few tips to keep in mind. Much of Australia runs hot, especially in the north—places like Uluru, Darwin & Cairns are best visited in Southern Hemisphere winter (June, July, August). The opposite applies for southern regions like Tasmania & Victoria that can get particularly cold in winter—January & February are the most pleasant times to visit.

Interested in the Great Barrier Reef? You'll have warm temps all year, though spring and summer bring stifling temps and lots of warm tropical rain. The famous Gold Coast is the country's Goldilocks region, with lovely weather throughout the year it's known for having beautiful weather most of the year. And given Sydney's southern latitude, glittering beaches are best visited in the warm summer months. Learn more

Where should you go?
Ask an Australian, and they'll tell you that picking a favorite place in their vast homeland feels as impossible as choosing a favorite child. That said, travelers can't go wrong with Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock, the stunning sandstone monolith in the Northern Territory), Cairns and the renowned Great Barrier Reef, and the famous sights of metropolitan Sydney. Head to the Gold Coast for beach time, Melbourne for culture, Kangaroo Island for wildlife, and Broome for to visit the fascinating Horizontal Falls, a series of tidal waterfalls in Talbot Bay that's considered to be a natural wonder. 

How many days do I need?
Since reaching this part of the world requires long flights across multiple time zones for most travelers, it's best to make the most of your journey with at least one week in-country. The more time you can give it, the more relaxed and satisfying the trip will be. A great 10-day itinerary might start with 3 days in Sydney, before heading to Uluru, Darwin and Kakadu National Park, and Cairns for a few days each. Learn more

Have two weeks at your disposal? Even better. Consider flying into Melbourne, spending two days on Kangaroo Island, taking the Ghan Train from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and finishing with two nights each in Uluru, Darwin, and Cairns. Learn more about getting around Australia.

If you're combining Australia with another nearby destination like New Zealand or Indonesia, a 5-7 day trip is doable—you'll probably want to stick to exploring one city and taking a couple of day trips from there.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days · 21 days

Australia Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Explore the Gold Coast's extensive coastline
Map of Gold Coast & Byron Bay - 7 Days
Gold Coast & Byron Bay - 7 Days

Enjoy the sun, surf, and sand on this week-long tour of Australia's famous Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Starting in Coolangatta, you'll head up the Gold Coast to Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Surfers Paradise, where you'll enjoy golden beaches, world-class shopping, and a vibrant entertainment scene. End your stay in Byron Bay, taking in stunning sunsets, visiting organic farms, and meeting with friendly local artisans.

Australia's Twelve Apostles
Map of Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days
Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days

On this five-day self-drive trip, explore the coastal capital city of Melbourne and then hit the open road. One of Victoria's most scenic drives, Great Ocean Road provides plenty of exciting pit stops—explore the surfing town of Bells Beach, discover the waterfalls of Lorne, zipline through the Otway Ranges, and visit The Twelve Apostles rock formations. On the way back to Melbourne, do some sightseeing in Ballarat, known for its Gold Rush heritage and indigenous art.

Kangaroo crosses a dirt road in Western Australia
Map of The Best of Australia & New Zealand - 22 Days
The Best of Australia & New Zealand - 22 Days

Cover the spectrum of these two dynamic countries with this comprehensive itinerary. Start off in New Zealand, where you'll visit both the North and South islands to explore Maori culture, natural wonders, adventure sports, and more—sip wine on Waiheke island, hike at Aoraki, and cruise through Milford Sound. Then head to Australia, starting with the city sights in Melbourne before you meet the penguins of Phillip Island, stunning scenes of Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, and urban streets of Sydney.

Coastal Walk in Australia
Map of Ultimate Australia - 16 Days
Ultimate Australia - 16 Days

This well-rounded 16-day tour of Australia's highlights is sure to delight any first time visitor. You'll explore the hidden laneways of artsy Melbourne and the famous landmarks of Sydney, learn about indigenous culture at Uluru in the country's Red Center, and discover tropical Queensland with an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, you'll meet kangaroos at Kangaroo Island, search for crocodiles at Kakadu National Park, and have free time to enjoy a few day trips of your choosing.

Uluru at sunset
Map of Outback Adventure: Uluru & Alice Springs - 5 Days
Outback Adventure: Uluru & Alice Springs - 5 Days

Explore the Australian Outback on this eventful five-day journey. Begin in Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, and discover the ancient Red Centre and its surroundings. Then, travel to Alice Springs to tour the art galleries and local sites, including Anza Hill and the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Next, visit the red-hued West MacDonnell Ranges as a scenic sendoff.

Port Douglas Beach
Map of Tropical North Queensland: Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Cairns & More - 7 Days
Tropical North Queensland: Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Cairns & More - 7 Days

Explore North Tropical Queensland on this seven-day tour. Begin in Hamilton Island and snorkel, sea kayak, play a round of golf, or relax. Then, take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach and learn the area's history. Next, journey to Port Douglas to enjoy a leisure day, a Daintree Rainforest tour, and an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. The trip winds down in Cairns, with plenty of native animal exhibits to visit and a scenic ride up the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Make the Most of Your Time in Australia

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Get yourself to Kangaroo Island for a unique experience with the 'roos
How Many Days to Spend in Australia

When planning a trip to Australia, 10 days is ideal for visiting four different areas. However, if you are strapped for time, you can explore two regions in five days or up to...

Australia Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Australia Hotel Advice

Unique places to stay, curated by kimkim specialists
Photo courtesy of Sails in the Desert
Uluru
Sails In The Desert
5.0
(3)
You'll find Sails in the Desert within the town's Ayers Rock Resort, a compilation of several properties. Like most of the hotels here, a 30-minute drive gets you to the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta, important sites for Australia's cultural heritage. Here, you can immerse yourself in...
Photo courtesy of PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
4.5
(8)
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, offers a modern stay in the city center, just off a busy A4 highway intersection but close to the harbor and lots of shops, bars, and eateries. The hotel is about a 5-minute walk from nearby sites like Tumbalong Park with its extensive Chinese Garden, the views...
Photo courtesy of Laneways Ovolo
Melbourne
Laneways by Ovolo
5.0
(2)
You'll find Laneways by Ovolo close to Melbourne's thriving theater district, avant-garde galleries, and bustling boutiques—allowing for an easy immersion into the city's rich art and culture scene. As a guest at Laneways by Ovolo, you'll be just a short walk from The Princess Theatre, Parliament...

Best Experiences in Australia

Unique things to do, curated by kimkim specialists
Get up close with koalas
Melbourne
Excursion to Phillip Island
5.0
(1)
12 hours
·
Private group
Embark on an afternoon journey from Melbourne to Phillip Island, known globally for its extraordinary Penguin Parade. For this excursion, it's common to start at Cape Woolamai, a hotspot for local surfers, then continue to the Koala Conservation Centre for an up-close encounter with Australia's...
Whitsundays
Sail the Whitsundays Off the Beaten Path with Bareboat Sailing
1 day
·
Private group
Experience the tranquility of "Bareboat" sailing in Australia's beloved sailing spot, Queensland's Whitsunday Islands. Start at the marina, where you can pre-order provisions and familiarize yourself with the boat and optional crew, before setting off to explore secluded beaches, bays, and...
Get orientated before you set off!
Hamilton Island
Adventure E-Bike Tour of Whitsunday Islands National Park
5 hours
·
Private group
Embark on an electric bike adventure through the Whitsunday Islands' only national park trail on South Molle Island. After a boat transfer to the island and bike fitting, journey through the bush to stunning views of the island, coastline, and sea at Mt. Jefferys, Spion Kop and Balancing Rock,...

Our Latest Australia Content

 Stop to see the glowworm caves as you make your way from Auckland to Rotorua
Map of Australia & New Zealand Culture Tour: Auckland, Rotorua, Melbourne, Uluru & Sydney - 10 Days
Australia & New Zealand Culture Tour: Auckland, Rotorua, Melbourne, Uluru & Sydney - 10 Days

Discover the diverse landscapes, delicious food, and rich cultures of Australia and New Zealand in just 10 days. This itinerary kicks off with a captivating sunset dinner cruise in Auckland, followed by activities involving Rotorua's Māori culture and geothermal wonders. From here, hop to Melbourne for a food and cocktail tour before exploring the Great Ocean Road. Next, witness awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets at Uluru, and end in Sydney, where you'll conquer the iconic bridge and savor Aboriginal bush food.

Walk the arched pedestrian bridge over Perth's Swan River
Perth: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, five to 10 days is the perfect amount of time for an Australia trip with stops in Perth. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Melbourne or Sydney. See more ideas for Perth itineraries below.

Western Australia's modern capital is a gateway to memorable day trips
Map of Highlights of Perth - 8 Days
Highlights of Perth - 8 Days

Unveil the wonders of Perth and its spectacular surroundings with this immersive eight-day itinerary. Begin with a deep dive into Western Australia's dynamic capital, where you'll explore Perth's storied history, discover a thriving art scene, and enjoy free time. When you're not exploring the city, you'll join thrilling day trips to ancient Wave Rock, the gourmet paradise of Margaret River, the quokka-inhabited haven of Rottnest Island, and the surreal Pinnacles Desert.

Australia Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 14 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
14 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 10 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 7 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Australia
Travel specialist Liz Neal
active 5 hours ago

Liz Neal

I have been involved in the travel industry since my first job out of college, working for hotels, travel companies and for the last 8 years in Springboard Vacations. I approach my customer's...

read more...
Travel specialist Gary Topic
active 58 mins ago

Gary Topic

I am immensely proud of my beautiful, stunning country and love to show it off to visitors. I get a real buzz when someone from overseas says, "Wow, that was amazing." I am also an explorer by...

read more...
Travel specialist Connie Campos
active 5 hours ago

Connie Campos

I have travel to Australia and New Zealand every year, and I've been to all the places you are looking to visit so I can speak to you from experience and first-hand knowledge.

read more...
Travel specialist Ruth Grau
active 9 hours ago

Ruth Grau

I grew up in small outback towns in South Australia before starting in the travel industry in Adelaide. After working many years in Sales & Marketing with tour companies, wholesalers and airlines,...

read more...

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Australia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Incredible Service from Connie
Australia | Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2023

S
Scott R.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2023

Connie was wonderful to work with. Her replies were timely, her attention and responsiveness to what we were looking for was appreciated, and the final trip she put together was fantastic, according to our friends. My wife and I were unable to take the trip due to serious health issues with my mother.

Local specialist: Connie Campos
Connie
Connie Campos
Local specialist in Washington | Replied on Nov 21, 2023

Hi Scott,

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. I really appreciate it. I am aware that your friends had an amazing time on the trip, and I am sorry that you weren't able to join them.

I hope that your mom is doing well, and my thoughts and prayers are with her.

Best Regards
Connie

Women’s World Cup Aussie/New Zealand Adventure
Australia | Jul 17 - Aug 2, 2023

T
Tiffany N.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2023

We had an amazing trip for our family with teenage kids and my parents. For the Womens World Cup. We started in Sydney, then to Brisbane and Melbourne. We ended in New Zealand in Wellington and Auckland. All of the hotels were very nice. We had many great tours/activities. One of the best excursions was The America’s Cup in Auckland. Sabina was very helpful.

Local specialist: Sabina Din
Sabina
Sabina Din
Local specialist in Wanaka | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Thank you Tiffany, I'm glad you had such a great trip!
Sabina

Wow - what a perfect vacation experience!
Australia | Oct 21 - Nov 6, 2023

P
Pauline B.
Pleasanton, CA | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
Wow - what a perfect vacation experience! Vickie listened carefully to my desires for types of excursions and activities, and then made recommendations on other things that I definitely liked. It was important to me to be very active on this trip. So we went hiking, biking, wine tasting, white water rafting, kangaroo petting, food touring, snorkeling, ziplining, jet boat riding and more. Plus we climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge AND went Bungee Jumping. Wow! With so many activities, it... Read more

Wow - what a perfect vacation experience! Vickie listened carefully to my desires for types of excursions and activities, and then made recommendations on other things that I definitely liked. It was important to me to be very active on this trip. So we went hiking, biking, wine tasting, white water rafting, kangaroo petting, food touring, snorkeling, ziplining, jet boat riding and more. Plus we climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge AND went Bungee Jumping. Wow!

With so many activities, it was important to understand where we had to be and when to meet up with our tours. The app was so helpful in this regard.

Thank you Kim-Kim and thank you Vickie!

Local specialist: Vickie Parrack