Australia

Australia is a continent unto itself, and the scale of the place is the first thing that hits you. The country is roughly the same size as the contiguous United States, which means you cannot see it all in one trip and should not try. What you can do is choose a region and go deep, and every region delivers something extraordinary.

The east coast is where most visitors spend their time, and it earns that attention. Sydney is one of the great cities of the world, with its iconic harbor, Opera House, and a lifestyle built around the water. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland is the largest living structure on Earth and one of the best snorkeling and diving experiences anywhere. Melbourne is the cultural and culinary capital, with a coffee obsession, hidden laneway bars, and a food scene that rivals any global city.

Where to Go

Sydney is the gateway for most visitors. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are the landmarks, but the city’s real charm is in its neighborhoods. Bondi Beach and the coastal walk to Coogee is a quintessential Sydney experience. The Rocks neighborhood at the base of the Harbour Bridge has historic pubs, weekend markets, and waterfront dining. A ferry ride across the harbor to Manly Beach is one of the best public transit experiences in the world.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 1,400 miles along the Queensland coast. Cairns and Port Douglas are the main gateway towns, offering day trips and liveaboard diving expeditions to the outer reef. The Whitsunday Islands, further south, are a collection of 74 islands with Whitehaven Beach, a seven kilometer stretch of pure white silica sand that is regularly voted the best beach in the world.

Melbourne is Australia’s coolest city. The laneway culture of hidden bars, street art, and specialty coffee shops is world famous. The food scene spans every cuisine imaginable, driven by the city’s multicultural population. The Great Ocean Road, a three hour drive west, winds along dramatic coastal cliffs past the Twelve Apostles rock formations.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Red Centre is Australia’s spiritual heart. This massive sandstone monolith is sacred to the Aboriginal Anangu people and watching it change color at sunrise and sunset is a profound experience. The nearby Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) rock formation is equally impressive.

Let Us Plan Your Australia Trip

Australia is a big commitment in terms of travel time, but the payoff is enormous. The key is not trying to see everything and instead choosing the experiences that matter most to you. We will help you build an itinerary that makes the long flight worth every hour.