Leave yourself enough time
You’ll need to spare at least two weeks to visit Australia. Four of those days could be taken up travelling, depending on where you’re journeying from, and jet lag could eat up extra days, so ideally three weeks is what you need to give you plenty of time to explore. Some people visit Australia for several months, but this generally requires having no commitments and lots of money (or being willing to work).
Consider the season
Visiting at different times of the year will provide a different experience. For those in the Northern hemisphere, it’s important to remember that the Australian summer is between December and February. While a popular time for a beach break in southern Australia, it can be very wet in the tropical north. Australian winter (June to August) could be better for a Cairns trip, as it's drier and milder, however southern cities like Melbourne and Hobart could be quite cold. For the best balance, aim for either Spring (September to November) or Autumn (March to May).
Budget carefully
The Australian cost of living is very high, especially in central city areas. Most people aren't able to eat out every night, and hotels aren’t cheap. If you’re on a very tight budget, consider hostels and self-catered accommodation (cooking your own meals will save you money). Scout out cheap places to eat, buy groceries and have picnics, or attend free public BBQs (yes, these exist!). Spring and Autumn are generally cheaper times to visit as they are considered the off-season.
Choose your mode of transport wisely
There are many ways to get around Australia. Within cities, public transport is often the cheapest and most efficient solution - particularly if you invest in travel passes. When travelling from city to city, domestic flights will save you time, but are more expensive. Options like Greyhound buses can save you money, but you’ll need to sacrifice several days for travelling. Renting a car is also an option for ultimate flexibility, but you need to be careful when exploring the outback (some stretches of road don’t have petrol stations or settlements for 100 miles or more).
Enjoy free city attractions
Australia’s cities are full of free attractions. In Sydney, it costs nothing to walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge or explore the Royal Botanic Gardens. In Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria is free to enter and free walking tours exist. In Brisbane, the city-hopper ferry is free, as is the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
Experience the outback
Beyond the cities, it’s important to experience the many natural wonders of Australia. Make time for attractions like The Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Forest, the Twelve Apostles or the Blue Mountains. It’s also worth venturing beyond this into the remote outback. It’s another world out there, although you do have to be careful how you explore it due to the wildlife and lack of civilisation. Popular outback attractions include Uluru, The Pinnacles and Wolfe Creek Crater.
Don’t forget to relax
It’s easy to squeeze in so many activities that you end up getting exhausted. Remember that you are on holiday - you deserve some time to relax too. Plan a beach day if you’re staying near the coast or consider a spa-golf retreat such as this resort in Yarrawonga. These days of relaxation could be ideal for scheduling halfway through or at the end of your trip. You should also allow yourself time to adjust to the time zone difference when you arrive - consider a fairly chilled first day with no activities to nap and get your bearings.
Don’t ignore customs and quarantine laws
If you’ve ever watched Nothing To Declare, you’ll already know that Australia’s borders can be very strict. You must declare all food and plant materials, and may have some of it confiscated if it goes against contamination risk laws. Sometimes it is safest to avoid taking any food or plant items with you. When it comes to applying for visas, make sure that you apply for the correct one. If you are planning to work in Australia, you will need a working visa. Do your research beforehand to check exactly what visa you need.
