First Time in Australia
Travelling to Australia is an incredible experience. From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland to standing outside the iconic Sydney Opera House, there’s so much to see when you take a trip to the other side of the world.
If you’re planning your very first trip to Australia, then you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will give you everything you need to know to help you plan the holiday of a lifetime. Read on for our top tips for your first time in Aus.
How long should I spend in Australia?
If you’re travelling to the other side of the world, you need to spend a good amount of time there to make the most of it. We recommend spending at least two weeks in Australia, but you might want to stay longer if you can. It can take you a couple of days to adjust to the time difference, so you might want to chill for a bit before you get into sightseeing.
How to get to Australia from the UK
You can fly direct to Australia by booking a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Perth with Qantas, Australia’s national airline. These flights take around 17 hours.
You can also take indirect flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, and Adelaide, with one or more stops on the way to Australia. Flights are available from major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, with airlines like British Airways, Emirates, and Etihad. These flights tend to take about 23 hours, although this will depend on how long the layover is.
If you want to tick another country off your list during your trip, you could extend your layover for a couple of nights. Popular stopover destinations include Singapore, Hong Kong, Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
What do I need to get into Australia?
If you are visiting Australia from the UK, you will need a valid visa unless you are an Australian citizen. There are two electronic visitor visa options for British citizens:
- eVisitor visa: there is no visa application charge or service fee, and you can visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period, staying for up to three months each time you enter
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): apply through the smartphone app, and there may be a service fee
Although both visas are usually approved within minutes, you should plan ahead and apply a few weeks before you travel in case any further action is required.
If you’re travelling or transiting through another country on your way to Australia, you should also check the entry requirements for there.
Your passport must be valid for the entire length of your stay, so be sure to check this before you travel. You can find more travel advice for Australia here.
Where to visit in Australia
The first thing you need to know about Australia is that it is huge! It’s the sixth largest country in the world and is a whopping 32 times bigger than the UK (source: MyLifeElsewhere).
More than 85% of the people living there live within 31 miles (50 kilometres) of the coast, and there are over 10,000 beaches! (source: Travellers Contact Point) There are eight states and territories, each with its own identity.
All of this means that there are lots of different places to see, and you’ll probably visit more than one during your trip. These are some of our favourite spots in Aus for first-time visitors.
Sydney
You can’t visit Australia for the first time without scheduling in a stop at one of its best cities, Sydney, in New South Wales. From snapping a selfie outside the recognisable Sydney Opera House to catching a wave at Bondi Beach, there’s so much to do in this coastal city.
If you’re heading to Australia to spend time outdoors, then wander around the Botanical Gardens, take a coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee, or head out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains. Back in Sydney, there are countless options for bars and restaurants, plus theatre shows and designer shops.
Sydney is often the starting point for East Coast road trips. You can pick up a hire car or rental campervan in Sydney before driving up the picturesque East Coast to Cairns. You can also do this trip the opposite way around.
Things to do in Sydney:
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Head to the summit of this world-famous bridge for 360° views over Sydney Harbour
Visit Hunter Valley
Take a day trip to the nearby Hunter Valley for winery tours, tastings, and some spectacular views
Melbourne
Trendy hipsters should head straight for Melbourne, Victoria. This thriving city offers a blend of independent shops, art experiences, and a bustling street food scene. Stroll through the laneways to spot some colourful street art and stop at one of the cafes for an iced matcha latte.
Take a trip to Luna Park for heart-pumping thrill rides and fairground fun, or head to St Kilda Pier Breakwater at dusk to see one of the penguin rookeries that call this place home.
They say you’re either a Sydney or a Melbourne person, so you have to visit both to see which you are!
Top tip: The Melbourne Unlimited Attraction Pass is one of the most cost-effective ways to explore the city. The pass gives you access to some of Melbourne’s best attractions, including Melbourne River Cruises, Werribee Open Range Zoo, and Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and can save you up to 40% compared to buying separate admission tickets.
Things to do in Melbourne:
Sunrise hot air balloon flight
Float high above the Melbourne skyline and see the city from a different perspective as the sun rises on a hot air balloon flight
Great Ocean Road
You can drive the Great Ocean Road drive in one day and see the natural highlights of this incredible road trip, like the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, on a guided tour
Phillip Island tour
See the breathtaking coastal scenery and see the Penguin Parade as the little penguins return to their burrows as the sun sets
Cairns
Cairns is home to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, so if you love wildlife and nature, it’s a must-visit during your Australia trip. In the city itself, you’ll find local markets, beautiful beaches, and a fantastic café culture.
Plus, keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife in the city – you’ll see hundreds of bats hanging from the trees here, including Spectacled Flying Foxes and Little Red Flying Foxes, as well as huge mud crabs just off the Cairns Esplanade at low tide.
Situated in North Queensland, Cairns is often the end point for an East Coast road trip. You can drop off your hire car here before heading home.
Things to do in Cairns:
Visit the Great Barrier Reef
Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel and see the colourful coral and fish colonies that call this home. You can also take a helicopter tour and see the reef from above
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Head into the heart of the rainforest on a Classic Kuranda tour where you can take a ride on the train, spend time in the village, and explore the Rainforestation Nature Park
River rafting
If you’re a thrill seeker, then you’ll love white-water rafting on the Tully River
Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Brisbane and the Gold Coast are two coastal cities in Queensland. Both these cities have a fun, laidback vibe with access to lots of outdoor activities. Choose from a picnic by the river in Brisbane, exploring one of the islands off the coast, or catching a wave at Surfers Paradise, a stunning stretch of beach at the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast is also the theme park capital of Australia and is home to seven parks, including Dreamworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild Gold Coast, Warner Bros. Movie World, and SeaWorld.
Both Brisbane and the Gold Coast can be added as stops to your East Coast Australia road trip as they are in between Sydney and Cairns.
Things to do in Brisbane and the Gold Coast:
Whale watching
See majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay
Lone Pine Sanctuary
Visit the world-famous Lone Pine Sanctuary, Australia’s largest koala sanctuary, where you can see these cute little marsupials and learn more about them
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a tropical town in Queensland with a four-mile stretch of beach, a marina with super yachts, and trendy cafes and bars. It’s also a gateway for visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
You can explore the neighbouring islands, discover more about local Indigenous culture, and do one of the incredible hikes in the area.
Things to do in Port Douglas:
Visit Daintree and Mossman Gorge
Enjoy an eco-friendly adventure into the Mossman Gorge, where you’ll visit Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas to see some iconic Aussie animals and cruise down the Daintree River, discovering the mangrove ecosystems and keeping your eyes peeled for crocodiles!
Great Barrier Reef helicopter flight
Take to the skies with a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll get fantastic views of Four Mile Beach, Snapper Island, Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree Rainforest
Flames of the Forest Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Enjoy an evening with local Aboriginal people who will share their remarkable culture with you, including traditional storytelling, singing, and didgeridoo
Australia weather
The weather in Australia varies greatly depending on where you’re going. Most of the country has four seasons, and there is a wet and dry season in the tropical north (around Queensland). The dry season is from April to October, with a wet season from November to March.
The four seasons occur at opposite times to those in the UK, so December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter, and September to November is spring.
In summer, the average daily temperature ranges from about 20°C (68°F) to 37°C (99°F). The temperatures in winter average between 15°C (59°F) and 26°C (79°F), although they can drop as low as 12°C (54°F). Winter can also see rain and cold winds.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
The best time to visit Australia is during its spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May). During these times, you’ll find milder temperatures and less rainfall. These times are ideal for exploring the outdoors.
What is the Australian currency?
The currency in Australia is the Australian dollar. Similar to US dollars, the dollar is split down into cents, with 100 cents to every dollar.
Most places in Australia accept credit or debit cards, but you may wish to have a small amount of cash with you for smaller shops. Tipping in Australia is not expected, but a service charge may be added to your bill.
What is the time difference in Australia?
Australia is so big that it is divided into three separate time zones:
Time zone | States | Time difference from UK |
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory | 9 hours ahead |
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) | South Australia, Broken Hill in western New South Wales, and the Northern Territory | 8.5 hours ahead |
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) | Western Australia | 7 hours ahead |
How to get around in Australia
Journeys can take a long time in Australia, as places are quite spread out. Although some journeys are driveable, for others, you may wish to take internal flights. Internal flights are reasonably priced, and the check-in process is relaxed.
Public transport varies from place to place, but cities are often easy to get around. Public transport options include train, bus, ferry, and trams.
Now that you’ve got everything you need to know for your first trip to Australia, you can buy tickets for activities on AttractionTickets.com and start planning the itinerary for your trip Down Under.