Australia Travel Forum

Australia Travel Forum: Holiday Advice, Destinations and Planning Tips

G’day and welcome to the Australia Travel Forum on forum4travel.​

Australia is a vast and remarkably diverse country, offering everything from modern cities and tropical islands to ancient rainforests, dramatic coastlines and the open landscapes of the Outback.

Whether you are planning your first Australian holiday, organising a road trip, travelling around the country as a backpacker or looking for ideas closer to home, this forum is the place to ask questions, exchange advice and share your experiences.

Join the discussion to find practical Australia travel tips, destination recommendations, suggested itineraries, accommodation advice and first-hand information from other travellers.

Why Visit Australia?​

Australia offers an extraordinary variety of holiday experiences within one country.

You can explore Sydney Harbour, drive beside the ocean in Victoria, snorkel among tropical marine life in Queensland, watch the sunset at Uluru, visit wineries in South Australia or discover pristine beaches along the coast of Western Australia.

Australia is an ideal destination for:

• Road trips and self-drive holidays
• Beach and island escapes
• Wildlife and nature experiences
• Camping and caravan adventures
• City breaks
• Food and wine holidays
• Hiking and outdoor activities
• Family holidays
• Backpacking and working holidays
• Luxury resorts and remote retreats

Because the country is so large, choosing where to go and how long to spend in each destination can be challenging. The Australia Travel Forum can help you plan a realistic itinerary and avoid trying to fit too much into one trip.

Popular Places to Visit in Australia​

Sydney and New South Wales​

Sydney is one of Australia’s most recognisable destinations and a popular starting point for international visitors.

Explore Sydney Harbour, see the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, walk around Circular Quay or catch a ferry across the harbour. Visitors can also spend time at Bondi Beach, Manly, Darling Harbour and the historic Rocks district.

Beyond Sydney, New South Wales offers the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley wine region, Byron Bay, the South Coast and numerous national parks, beaches and regional towns.

Melbourne and Victoria​

Melbourne is known for its cafés, restaurants, cultural attractions, sporting events and distinctive neighbourhoods.

The city also provides an excellent base for exploring regional Victoria. Popular trips include the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, the Yarra Valley, the Mornington Peninsula and the Grampians.

A Great Ocean Road journey can include rugged cliffs, surf beaches, rainforest walks, coastal towns and the famous Twelve Apostles.

Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Queensland​

Queensland combines subtropical cities, family attractions, beaches, islands and some of Australia’s best-known natural environments.

Brisbane offers riverside dining, cultural attractions and easy access to nearby coastal areas. South of the city, the Gold Coast is known for its beaches, entertainment, nightlife and major theme parks.

Further north, travellers can visit the Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef​

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most famous natural attractions.

Visitors can experience the reef through snorkelling, diving, boat trips, island stays, scenic flights and glass-bottom boat tours. Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsunday region are among the most popular departure points for reef excursions.

When choosing a reef tour, consider the departure location, travel time, group size, included activities and whether the trip visits an island, pontoon or outer-reef site.

Uluru and the Red Centre​

Uluru is one of Australia’s most significant and recognisable landmarks.

Located in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, the area is known for its desert scenery, changing colours, walking routes and deep cultural significance to the Aṉangu Traditional Owners.

Travellers should allow time to experience both Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuṯa while learning about the landscape through respectful cultural activities and guided experiences.

Alice Springs and Kings Canyon may also be included in a broader Red Centre itinerary.

Perth and Western Australia​

Western Australia offers vibrant cities, long stretches of coastline, remote wilderness and memorable road-trip opportunities.

Perth combines beaches, parks, restaurants and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. Nearby destinations include Fremantle, Rottnest Island, the Swan Valley and the beaches of the Sunset Coast.

Further afield, visitors can explore Margaret River, Esperance, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef, the Kimberley and the state’s vast regional landscapes.

Western Australia covers an enormous area, so careful planning is particularly important when calculating driving distances and travel times.

Adelaide and South Australia​

Adelaide is an attractive destination for travellers interested in food, wine, festivals and easy access to regional attractions.

The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills are popular for winery visits and scenic drives. Kangaroo Island is another major destination, offering wildlife, beaches and dramatic coastal landscapes.

South Australia also provides access to the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and Outback touring routes.

Tasmania​

Tasmania is a popular choice for scenic road trips, walking holidays, wildlife experiences and nature-based travel.

Hobart, Launceston, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park, the Tasman Peninsula and the Bay of Fires are among the island’s best-known destinations.

Travellers can combine wilderness areas with historic sites, local produce, markets, coastal towns and cool-climate food and wine experiences.

Darwin and Australia’s Top End​

Darwin is the main gateway to the tropical Top End of the Northern Territory.

Popular regional attractions include Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Katherine and Nitmiluk Gorge. The region offers waterfalls, wetlands, wildlife, ancient landscapes and opportunities to learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Seasonal conditions can significantly affect access and activities in northern Australia, so travellers should check local information when planning their trip.

Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory​

Canberra is Australia’s national capital and is home to important museums, galleries, memorials and national institutions.

Popular attractions include Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia.

The city also offers lakeside walks, cycling routes, parks, markets and access to surrounding nature reserves.

Planning an Australian Road Trip​

Road trips are one of the best ways to explore Australia, but distances between destinations can be much greater than visitors expect.

Before setting off, consider:

- The total driving distance
- Fuel availability in remote areas
- Accommodation or campsite bookings
- Road and weather conditions
- Mobile phone coverage
- Vehicle suitability
- Rest stops and driver fatigue
- National park entry requirements
- Emergency supplies for isolated routes

Avoid building an itinerary that requires several long driving days in succession. Allowing additional time creates a safer and more enjoyable journey and gives you the freedom to explore unexpected places along the way.

Choosing the Right Australian Itinerary​

The best itinerary will depend on your available time, interests, budget and preferred style of travel.

A short holiday may be better focused on one city and its surrounding region. With two or three weeks, travellers may combine several destinations using domestic flights. Longer trips can include extended road journeys, regional towns and less-visited parts of the country.

Popular combinations include:

- Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road
- Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
- Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef
- Adelaide, the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island
- Perth, Rottnest Island and Margaret River
- Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield
- Hobart, Freycinet and Cradle Mountain
- Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa

Ask other forum members to review your planned route before booking. Experienced travellers may be able to identify difficult connections, unrealistic driving times or worthwhile places you have overlooked.

Ask Questions and Share Your Australia Travel Experiences​

The Australia Travel Forum is open to questions and discussions about every part of the country.

You can create a post to ask about:

- Australian holiday itineraries
- Road-trip routes
- Hotels, hostels and campsites
- Car and campervan hire
- Beaches and national parks
- Public transport
- Family-friendly destinations
- Budget travel
- Food and wine experiences
- Wildlife tours
- Backpacking
- Regional and remote travel
- Accessibility
- Seasonal travel conditions
- Hidden gems and local recommendations

Already travelled around Australia? Share your photographs, trip reports, favourite places and practical advice. Your experience could help another traveller plan a safer, easier and more memorable holiday.

Join forum4travel, introduce yourself and start planning your Australian adventure with help from the travel community.

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