Australia: Complete Travel Guide for 2025
Everything about Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, budget and tips for the trip of a lifetime.
Why Australia Is the Trip of a Lifetime
Australia is an entire continent to explore: the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru's red outback, wild kangaroos and cosmopolitan cities. It's expensive but worth every cent.
Top Destinations
Sydney
The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, The Rocks and Darling Harbour. Australia's most iconic city deserves at least 4 days.
Daily budget: 80-150€
Melbourne
The cultural capital. Street art laneways, specialty coffee shops (the world's best coffee culture), the Great Ocean Road and an incredible multicultural food scene.
Daily budget: 70-140€
Great Barrier Reef (Cairns)
The largest living organism on the planet. Snorkeling and diving among coral and turtles. Day trips from Cairns or Port Douglas from 100€.
Daily budget: 70-150€
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The sacred Aboriginal monolith in Australia's red center. Sunrise and sunset here are spiritual. Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) are nearby.
Daily budget: 60-120€
Tasmania
The wild southern island. Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Australia's freshest food and spectacular untouched wilderness.
Daily budget: 60-120€
Australian Cuisine
- Meat Pie — The national snack. From 3 AUD
- Barramundi — Australian fish grilled fresh and delicious
- Tim Tams — The world's most addictive biscuit. Pure chocolate
- Flat White — The coffee drink invented here. Coffee culture is serious
- Vegemite — Yeast extract spread on toast. Love it or hate it
- Fish & Chips — Australian version with fresh barramundi
- Lamington — Sponge cake with chocolate and coconut
- Aussie BBQ — Prawns and snags on the barbie, a weekend tradition
Budget
Australia is one of the world's most expensive countries.
| Category | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |----------|-----------|-----------|---------| | Accommodation | 20-45€ | 60-130€ | 150-350€ | | Food | 15-25€ | 30-55€ | 55-100€ | | Transport | 10-20€ | 25-50€ | 50-100€ | | Total/day | 45-90€ | 115-235€ | 255-550€ |
Getting Around
- Domestic flights: Jetstar and Virgin Australia from 50 AUD. Essential — distances are enormous
- Greyhound — Backpacker buses with travel passes
- Campervan — The classic way to tour Australia. From 40€/day
- Indian Pacific train — Sydney-Perth in 4 days. An epic experience
Tip
Australia is perfect for the Working Holiday Visa (ages 18-35). Work on farms or in hospitality to fund your trip. Minimum wage ~18 AUD/hour.
Warning
Australia has the world's most dangerous wildlife: snakes, spiders, jellyfish, crocodiles and sharks. Always follow local warnings and don't swim in unpatrolled areas in the north.
Practical Tips
- Sun protection — The Australian sun is brutal (ozone hole). SPF 50+ always
- Visa — ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) online for Europeans. ~20 AUD, instant approval
- Driving — Australians drive on the left. Car rental from 30€/day
- WiFi — Not as ubiquitous as in Asia. Buy a SIM with data (Optus or Telstra)
- Tipping — Not mandatory. 10% at full-service restaurants is appreciated
- Seasons — Remember: seasons are reversed. Australian summer = December-February