Sydney
The harbor does the talking: the Opera House, ferries to Manly, the Bridge Climb at sunset, and beaches like Bondi and Bronte a short ride from your hotel.
Best for First impressions, food, the harbor
Why Australia
Australia rewards the traveler who slows down: snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, watch the sun set over Uluru and linger in the wine regions. Distances are big, so we plan the flights and pacing for you.
Highlights
- The Great Barrier Reef
- Uluru and the Red Centre
- Sydney Harbour
- Kangaroo Island's wildlife
Where to go in Australia
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around the classic route
- Sydney to CairnsAbout 3 hours by air
- Sydney to UluruAbout 3.5 hours by air
- Sydney to MelbourneAbout 1.5 hours by air
Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road
Laneway cafés, galleries and serious dining, with Yarra Valley wineries and the Twelve Apostles on one of the world’s great coastal drives.
Best for Food and wine, culture, road trips
The Great Barrier Reef
Base yourself in Port Douglas, about an hour north of Cairns, for the outer reef and Daintree Rainforest, or sail the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach.
Best for Snorkeling, diving, island stays
Uluru
The great red rock at the heart of the country, glowing at sunrise and sunset. Walk its base, explore Kata Tjuta and learn its stories from Anangu guides.
Best for Once-in-a-lifetime landscapes, culture
Tasmania
Wilderness, wildlife and some of Australia’s best food. Hobart’s MONA museum, Wineglass Bay in Freycinet and the alpine trails of Cradle Mountain.
Best for Second-timers, nature, food
When to go
September to November and March to May bring comfortable weather across most of the country. The tropical north is best from May to October.
The seasons are reversed, so their spring and fall line up with our fall and spring. There’s no wrong time to go, just different trips depending on the month.
- JanSummer holidays, beaches
- FebWarm, settled weather in NZ
- MarAutumn begins, wine harvest
- AprFall color in Queenstown
- MayCool, quiet, good for Uluru
- JunReef dry season, ski season
- JulOutback and reef at their best
- AugWhales along the east coast
- SepSpring blossoms, wildflowers
- OctJacarandas, lambs, long days
- NovLate spring, Melbourne Cup
- DecSummer, holidays, New Year’s
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan4.0″
Feb4.7″
Mar5.2″
Apr5.0″
May4.6″
Jun5.2″
Jul3.8″
Aug3.2″
Sep2.7″
Oct3.0″
Nov3.3″
Dec3.0″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Spring
September to November. Sydney’s jacarandas bloom purple, New Zealand’s hillsides fill with lambs, and the days grow long and mild. It’s our favorite time for a combined trip, and the reef is warm and calm.
Summer
December to February. Beach weather in Sydney, long golden evenings in Queenstown and New Year’s fireworks over the harbor. Summer school holidays run from late December through January, so we book early.
Fall
March to May. Warm seas, harvest season in the wine regions and gold poplars around Queenstown and Arrowtown in April. Easter is a busy holiday week in both countries; we plan around it.
Winter
June to August. Mild and sunny in the tropical north, with the reef and the Outback at their most comfortable. Queenstown becomes a ski town, and humpback whales travel up Australia’s east coast.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Australia trip we plan is built around you.
Reef, Rock and Harbour
Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef in about two weeks.
Great Ocean Road and Wine
A self-drive from Melbourne along the coast, finishing in the Barossa.
Where you'll stay
Wilderness lodges in the Red Centre, island resorts on the reef and harbor-view hotels in Sydney. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Two approvals, one trip
Australia’s ETA and New Zealand’s NZeTA are separate, and both are applied for online or by app before you fly. We’ll remind you when it’s time and make sure every name matches your passport.
Ease into the time change
Overnight flights from Los Angeles land in the morning, and you lose a calendar day on the way out. We plan a gentle first day, with an early room if possible, so you’re ready to go by day two.
Declare your snacks
Both countries take biosecurity seriously. Declare any food, and make sure hiking boots and outdoor gear are clean before you pack. When in doubt, declare it.
Driving on the left
Both countries drive on the left. For scenic routes like the Great Ocean Road or the Milford Road, a private driver-guide lets you enjoy the view.
Sun and sea
The sun is strong, even on cool days, so pack a hat and good sunscreen. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, and wear a stinger suit in the tropics from about November to May.
Tipping and paying
Tipping isn’t expected in either country, though a little extra for great service is always appreciated. Contactless cards work almost everywhere, and you’ll rarely need cash.
Australia questions
When is the best time to visit Australia?
September to November and March to May bring comfortable weather across most of the country. The tropical north is best from May to October.
How long should I spend in Australia?
Most of our travelers spend 14 days or more in Australia. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Australia?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Australia is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
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Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164