Why Fly to Australia
Australia is one of those rare destinations that genuinely delivers on the hype. You get world-class cities, some of the planet's best beaches, ancient outback landscapes, and wildlife you won't find anywhere else — all in one country. The distances are enormous, so most visitors pick a region and go deep rather than trying to tick everything off in one trip. That's fine. Even a single corner of Australia — say, Sydney plus the Blue Mountains, or Melbourne plus the Great Ocean Road — is enough to fill two weeks easily.
The major cities are the entry points for most travelers: Sydney for the iconic harbour and Bondi Beach, Melbourne for food, coffee culture, and arts, Brisbane as the gateway to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Perth for stunning isolation and Indian Ocean beaches, and Adelaide for wine regions and a relaxed pace. Each one has its own personality. Don't assume they're interchangeable — they're not.
Best Time to Visit Australia
Australia's size means there's no single answer. As a general rule, September to November (spring) and March to May (autumn) are the sweet spots for most regions — temperatures sit around 15–25°C (59–77°F), crowds are thinner, and prices drop compared to the summer peak. For the tropical north (Darwin, Cairns, the Kimberley), the dry season — May to October — is the only practical time to visit. The wet season from November to April brings heavy monsoon rains and road closures. The southern states (Victoria, South Australia, NSW) get hot and dry in December to February, which also brings elevated bushfire risk. Summer is peak season and peak prices. If flexibility is an option, aim for shoulder months.
Getting Around Australia
The country is vast — Sydney to Perth is roughly the same distance as London to Tehran. Domestic flights are the default for moving between major cities; Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Rex cover the main routes. Book ahead, especially in school holidays. Trains exist between some cities (Sydney–Melbourne, Sydney–Brisbane, Adelaide–Melbourne) and the famous Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) and The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) are bucket-list rail journeys — slow, scenic, and not cheap. Within cities, public transport is solid: Sydney's Opal card, Melbourne's Myki, and Brisbane's go card all use tap-on/tap-off systems. For regional exploration, renting a car is often the only practical option. Drive on the left, watch for wildlife on roads at dusk, and take outback driving seriously — carry extra water and fuel.
Visa & Entry Requirements
EU citizens from most Schengen countries can apply for the free eVisitor visa (Subclass 651) online through the Department of Home Affairs website — no fee, multiple entries, up to 3 months per stay within a 12-month period. UK and US passport holders apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, Subclass 601) via the Australian ETA app (iOS/Android) for approximately A$20 — same conditions as the eVisitor. Both are electronic and linked to your passport. Apply before you travel; there's no visa on arrival for most nationalities (New Zealanders are the exception). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Always verify current requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs website before booking.
Money & Budget
Australia runs on the Australian Dollar (A$). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments including Apple Pay and Google Pay are standard. Carry some cash if heading into rural areas; ATMs exist in most towns but can be sparse in the outback. Notify your bank before travel to avoid card blocks, and use a fee-free travel card to avoid international transaction charges. For daily budgets: budget travelers can manage on A$100–200 per day (hostels, self-catering, public transport); mid-range runs A$200–350 (hotel rooms, restaurant meals, a few paid attractions); luxury starts at A$400+ and has no real ceiling. Australia is not a cheap destination by any measure — factor that in when planning.
Top Cities to Visit in Australia
- Sydney: The Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Bondi Beach — it earns its reputation. A strong first stop for any visitor to Australia.
- Melbourne: Street art laneways, exceptional coffee, world-class restaurants, and a packed events calendar. Arguably Australia's most liveable city.
- Brisbane: Warm, subtropical, and increasingly vibrant. Use it as a base for the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches.
- Perth: Geographically isolated but rewarding — pristine beaches, Kings Park, and easy access to Margaret River wine country.
- Adelaide: Compact, affordable, and well-positioned for the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions. Great festival city.
- Cairns: The jumping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Not much city to speak of, but the surrounding nature is extraordinary.
FAQ — Flights to Australia
How long is the flight to Australia?
From the UK, expect around 21–23 hours with one stop (common hubs: Dubai, Singapore, Doha, Hong Kong). Direct flights from London to Perth exist on Qantas and run roughly 17 hours. From the US East Coast, figure 20–22 hours via a Pacific stopover; from the West Coast, around 15–17 hours to Sydney or Melbourne. There's no avoiding the fact that Australia is a long-haul destination from virtually anywhere.
Which Australian airport should I fly into?
Sydney (SYD) has the most international connections and is the easiest entry point for first-timers. Melbourne (MEL) is a strong alternative, especially if you plan to explore Victoria or South Australia first. Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), and Adelaide (ADL) have growing international routes and are worth considering if they better match your itinerary — you'll often find cheaper fares into secondary airports.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Australia?
Fares are lowest during Australia's shoulder seasons — April to June and September to October — when demand drops and weather is still comfortable. Avoid December to January (Australian summer and school holidays) and late June to August (Northern Hemisphere summer, when outbound demand from Europe spikes). Booking 3–6 months out typically gets you the best prices on long-haul routes.