Also known as the ‚land down under’ Australia is something close to paradise for many travelers. From divine beaches to rugged wilderness, from tropical rainforests to the world’s largest reef, it offers an endless variety of sights, activities and natural wonders. Australia’s cities are launching pads for most people’s adventures in Australia. Cosmopolitan Sydney entices travelers with the white sails of its famous opera house, great night life and beautiful harbour, while sophisticated Melbourne charms with its Victorian-style architecture and many festivals.
With a coastline of over 25000 km, Australia is ideal for every kind of water sport one could imagine. On the west coast one can swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia or wander along endless beaches, such as the eighty-mile beach near Broome. The east coast boasts the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But Queensland isn’t just a diver’s haven. It also has some of the world’s best surf spots along the Sunshine and Gold Coast. Another highlight is Whitehaven Beach, located in the Whitsunday Islands, which, with its dazzling white sand is possibly one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
For those tired of all the water-based activities, there are countless other destinations not to be missed: Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park, Tasmania’s remote wilderness, opal mining town Coober Pedy, northern Queensland’s tropical rainforests or the Blue Mountains near Sydney are just some of the places that make an adventurer’s dreams come true. Australia also boasts a unique fauna very few places can match. It is home not only to the world’s most dangerous animals, but also to cuddly koalas, jumping kangaroos, lazy wombats and hard-to-spot Tasmanian devils.
To get a feel for the incredible size of the country, one should head to the country’s interior. Known for its bright red sand, Australia’s outback is so immense, you can spend days traveling without ever seeing anyone else. Every traveler’s itinerary should include a visit to the world’s most famous Monolith: Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) where one can watch its color change from dark reddish-brown at day-time to purple at sunset. Its closest city, Alice Springs, is a perfect place for getting to know the art and culture of the Aborigines.
The tropical northern part of Australia has only two distinct seasons, a wet (November through April) and a dry season (from May to October). The south, including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, has a more temperate climate with hot summers and cooler winters. The best time to visit this part of the country is during spring (September through November), as the summer months (December through February) are the main traveling season. The beaches in Queensland and Western Australia enjoy perfect weather all year around.