Australia is traveller’s utopia. It is huge and one of the diverse continent. This country is brimmed with attractions and spine-chilling activities. It lets you explore from picturesque beaches to tropical rainforest, snowfields to scorching deserts, luxurious cruise to wineries, skydive to scuba diving, and bustling cities to Aboriginal culture tour. Whether you are a backpacker or holidaying or Adventure traveller or recharge retreater, this country caters to all kind of travellers.

Australia is considered a very safe and easy to travel destination on your own. But it tops in the list of expensive countries as well. For almost 5 years, Australia was my home. I have travelled extensively around the continent and with my best friend Varun who is a co-blogger for my Australian blogs. Through our vast experience in travelling around Australia, I have come up with few essential things to consider while drafting your travel itinerary to the land down under. Also briefly, I will explain major attractions state wise. Stay tuned to my future blogs, for an elaborative guide to explore these states and territories individually.

Australia is a massive island and driving time can be seriously long. Hence, I suggest you to consider the following four criteria before creating your itinerary.

1.        When would you like to visit?

Since Australia is a big country it features different attractions at different times of the year under various climatic conditions. Having said that, this country relatively offers reasonable weather throughout the year. But please keep in mind that Australian seasons are opposite to that of the Northern hemisphere. Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November) are great time to visit anywhere in the country with mild temperature, especially good time for the outback tour. Whereas, during summer (December to February) it is a wise choice to visit the beaches in the east coast and road trip around Tassie. While major parts of the world celebrate Christmas in winter Australia celebrates during summer. The world-renowned Sydney New year fireworks display will also be held during the summer. If you want to take a selfie with the snowman, you better head to “The Snowy Mountains” during winter (June to August). This season is also suitable for visiting Red hot central Australia. And don’t forget to watch a colourful display of lights during “Vivid Sydney” with wine tasting trips to the hunter valley in the winters. (NSW, VIC, ACT, SA and TAS follow Daylight saving however NT, WA and QLD do not.)

 

2.   How much time do you have for this trip?

Due to its vast size, you could travel around the whole Australian continent only if you have access to boundless time and budget. Flight from the east coast to the west coast will take about five hours. When you are planning it is significant to consider how long will it take to reach from one place to the next destination and for how long do you want to explore each location. Also, look for better transportation options to save your travel time.

 

3.        Interests, bucket list or events to complete down under

There are numerous activities to enjoy and must-visit locations to visit. So, prioritize your interest. You may want to go for a coastal walk to watch the beautiful nature or to get sun-kissed on the sands of a magnificent beach, whether you want to cuddle a Koala in the wildlife sanctuary, or you may like to swim and snorkel with the Nemo in the great barrier reef or you may be the person who likes the vibrant city hustle and bustle of the top ten world’s most liveable cities like Melbourne and Sydney to experience nightlife, fine dining and shopping to name a few. Whatever your interests are, prioritize them according to the number of days you have in your hand for each location.

         

Sky dive at Wollongong
Skydive at Wollongong


4.        Must visit places to have on your list

List out all must do locations in freaking big country region wise. Then select number of regions that can be fit into your timeframe. If you have 1 or 2 weeks in your hand, I recommend visiting two to three regions/states. Further in this article, you will find details about regions. If you don’t mind wearing out your wallet and if you have more time, definitely you can add more to your list as it sort of is never ending!!


Here are the recommended must do famous regions you can choose for your itinerary:

 

  • Sydney – It is the vibrant capital of New South Wales. This city doesn’t disappoint anyone. Here you can explore iconic Opera house, Harbour Bridge, take a dip in world famous Bondi beach followed by relaxing Coogee coastal walk, a ferry ride to Manly. Also, discover world’s steepest passenger railway in Blue Mountain and splendid caving trip to Jenolan.

 

Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia
Sydney Harbour Bridge

  • Canberra - Home to the Australian parliament, the Australian capital territory is located geographically midway between Sydney and Melbourne. However close to Sydney by road. Some of the interesting places to visit are Old and New parliament house, Telstra Tower, Mount Ainslie lookout, Royal Australian Mint, Australian war memorial, Lake Burley Griffin, and Floriade (Sept-Oct). Canberra can be a visit by road with either snowy mountains or Melbourne on the itinerary if driving from Sydney with a days’ worth of activity.

         

Parliament House, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Parliament House, Canberra


  •  Melbourne – It is one of the most liveable cities in the world. Melbourne is renowned for its coffee culture and street art. When you are in this city, stroll through the Botanical garden, take a tour of Australia’s biggest cricket ground MCG and art lovers can enjoy at National Gallery of Victoria. Melbourne can be your base for Great Ocean road tour and Philip Island tour to play with the penguins.

         

Great Ocean Road trip, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Great Ocean Road


  •  Brisbane – This Queensland’s capital is a gateway to the outdoor vibe. An hour’s drive to the hopper Surfer’s paradise in gold coast, feed colourful Lorikeets at Currumbin wildlife sanctuary, surf like a pro in Gold coast beaches, and travel up north to tropical Queensland to experience the rainforest in 100-year-old Heritage Kuranda scenic railway. You can scuba or snorkel in Great barrier reef, have a plummet from 13,000ft at Cairns. This sunshine region is well-known for pristine white sand beaches along Whitsunday Island.

         

The Wheel of the Brisbane, Australia
The wheel of the Brisbane


  • Darwin – It is wildlife adventurer’s paradise. Box jellyfish, saltwater crocodiles, bull sharks call this part of the Australia as their home. Here you could explore natural beauty with many hidden waterfalls at Kakadu and Litchfield National Park. You can fly to Red hot centre of Alice spring which is home to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Planning real rough outback tours or off-roading think no further.

             

Uluru, Ayers Rock, Northern territory, Australia
Uluru/Ayers Rock 


  • Perth – It is an underrated city of Australia. Perth settlement boomed during gold rush in Western Australia (WA). You could see its history at The Perth Royal Mint and learn how to transform liquid gold to solid bars. Western Australia is the clear definition of off beaten path. Many wonders unfold here when you meet quokkas on Rottnest Island, take a photo with Manta Rays at Ningaloo reef, get lost in the middle of outer space resembling Pinnacle desert, have a relaxing evening with world class wine at Margaret River. Drive up north of Perth to experience the pink lake, nature’s window and if you have time on your side head to Broome to swim with the dolphins after driving though the Kimberly. Surprises don’t stop here. One needs to visit WA to explore all those wonders.

         

Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia, Australia
Wave Rock, Hyden


  • Adelaide – Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, Adelaide is fresh and gentle. It could be your base to tick off your bucket list of driving along Pink lake, kissing sea lions, watching stunning sunset in rugged Kangaroo Island, to get spoilt with wine choices at Barossa Valley, to experience the outback at Flinders Range.

     

Cactus beach, Pink lake, South Australia, Australia
Cactus Beach (PC: Urimbirra)

  •  Hobart – Hobart is the capital of Australia’s smallest state Tasmania. Tassie is my personal favourite destination. East coast is more populated than its west coast of the island state. Most of the famous tourist attractions like Bruny Island, Freycinet National Park, Bay of Fires lies on the east coast. Cradle mountain and Launceston are at the north of the state. Whereas in the West you have dense forest and rivers with the mighty Gordon dam. West coast is famous for the wilderness where you could find yourself in front of isolated crystal-clear lakes, cascading hidden waterfalls, freely roaming fauna.

 

Cradle mountain, Dove lake, Tasmania, Australia
Cradle mountain


Keep an eye for the detailed information regarding places to visit in each of these regions in the upcoming articles.

Plan your itinerary according to your interest, how much time you want to spend in this splendid country and decide what are your must do places. Feel free to contact me for more information about Australia.