You can safely drink the tap water throughout Australia; however, it’s important to verify the water-quality standards in more rural areas of the country.
Australia Travel Information
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Australia is the world’s sixth largest country, a vast landmass marked by otherworldly beauty and unlimited attractions. Among its many tourist highlights are iconic natural wonders and vibrant cities, headlined by the Great Barrier Reef, the sacred monolith Uluru, and the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
Visitors to Australia also flock to the Daintree Rainforest, the stunning Great Ocean Road, and wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island. Other must-see spots include vibrant, artistic Melbourne, the rugged Kimberley region, and the towering Blue Mountains.
Where to begin when planning your vacation to Australia? Contact one of our Destination Specialists today for personalized travel advice and service.
What (and How) to Pack for Australia
Australia’s climate can be broadly divided into four seasons—summer, autumn, winter, and spring—so it’s essential to pack flexibly and to bring an array of clothes, depending on when you’re travelling and the destinations on your itinerary.
At the same time, domestic flights in Australia have very strict weight limits for carry-on baggage—as low as seven kilograms (15 pounds) per person—so pack accordingly: Bring lightweight garments that can be layered atop each other, and pack toiletries in small, carry-on containers.
Lastly, don’t forget your sunscreen and a sunhat: Australia has some of the harshest sun in the world, with high UV radiation levels. Make sure, too, that you have the correct adaptors for your electrical appliances: The standard plug type in Australia is Type I, featuring a trio of flat pins arranged in a unique triangular configuration.
Practical Info for Australia
To enter Australia, all non-Australian citizens need a valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay) and a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). An ETA, which is distinct from a tourist visa and is often used in place of one, allows visits of up to three months, so it’s the better choice if you aim to stay in Australia for more than a few weeks. The ideal Australia vacation would be one of at least three weeks, allowing you to see a variety of states and more of Australia’s diverse natural environments. A longer stay also allows you to acclimate after the long international flight and accompanying jet lag.
Health and Safety in Australia
Australia is a very safe nation for all manner of travellers, with a diverse population and strong laws protecting visitors from discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. It is also one of the most peaceful countries in the world and has a low crime rate.
At the same time, discretion should be exercised in rural areas, which can be more conservative than major urban centres. Australia has an excellent healthcare system, but travel health insurance is nonetheless advised for tourists.
Top Destinations and Experiences in Australia
For the first-time visitor, the most popular Australia vacation spots are Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef in tropical North Queensland, and the Red Centre of the Northern Territory, where you’ll find Uluru/Ayers Rock.
The beauty of Australia is that it’s so vast and diverse, with travel opportunities for every kind of traveller. Other vacation spots that will dazzle include Southern Queensland, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Perth in Western Australia, and the island state of Tasmania. To find an itinerary that’s right for you, consult our main Australia page or speak to one of our experts.
Etiquette and Customs in Australia
Australians highly value respect, humility and humour, so a positive attitude and a cheerful G’day mate are always welcome on your Australia trip. It's thoughtful to bring a small gift when invited to someone's home, like wine or chocolates, and to contribute some drinks, snacks or desserts to any barbecue (or barbie) you've been invited to. Remember, too, to join in the toast before taking your first sip when sharing a round of drinks! It’s also customary to wave when passing other drivers on country roads or if they let you through in traffic.
For a fuller look at what to expect from Australians on your Australia vacation, visit our Culture and Traditions page.
Australia’s Food Culture
Food and wine lovers will find much to savour in Australia, which is home to cutting-edge restaurants, unique traditional cuisine, world-class wineries, and a thriving coffee culture.
“North Americans should be aware that adding cream to coffee is just not a thing in Australia,” says Destination Specialist Alice Teramoto. “In Australia it’s milk only!”
Given the country’s sophistication, those with special dietary needs—whether vegetarian or vegan, lactose-intolerant or gluten-free—can be easily accommodated Down Under. Just be sure to discuss options beforehand with your tour operator or guide.
Plan Your Tailor-Made Australia Vacation with Goway
It’s impossible to overstate the diversity and uniqueness of an Australia vacation. Whatever your interests or style, there’s a destination and itinerary for you. Book your custom Australia trip with Goway today.
Featured Australia Trip Ideas
Australia Travel PackagesClassic Australia: Sydney, Uluru, Reef & Melbourne
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an independent journey through harbour, reef, desert and city, where vibrant culture meets extraordinary natural beauty.
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Urban Escape: Melbourne & Sydney Discovery with Airfare
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Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney with Airfare
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Victoria, and MelbourneExperience the essence of Australia on this journey through Melbourne's streets, the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, and Sydney's iconic landmarks.
12 days
From US$3,559/p.p.
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Classic Australia: Sydney, Uluru, Reef & Melbourne
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an independent journey through harbour, reef, desert and city, where vibrant culture meets extraordinary natural beauty.
12 days
From US$4,523/p.p.
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Urban Escape: Melbourne & Sydney Discovery with Airfare
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Victoria, and MelbourneDive into the cultures of Melbourne and Sydney on this adventure, featuring city tours, hidden treasures, and stunning harbour views paired with delicious cuisine.
10 days
From US$2,669/p.p.
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Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney with Airfare
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Victoria, and MelbourneExperience the essence of Australia on this journey through Melbourne's streets, the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, and Sydney's iconic landmarks.
12 days
From US$3,559/p.p.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink the tap water in Australia?
When is summer vacation in Australia?
Since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, summer vacation takes place from December until late January or early February. This vacation period also coincides with the Christmas holidays.
Do I need to wear sunscreen in Australia?
Australia has some of the harshest sun in the world, with high UV radiation levels. Be prepared to heavily apply sunscreen and wear a hat when outdoors in Australia, especially in the Outback, on a cruise, or on any of the country’s many beaches, including Bondi Beach in Sydney.
What are the best vacation spots in Australia?
For the first-time visitor, the most popular Australia vacation spots are Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef in tropical North Queensland, and the Red Centre of the Northern Territory, where you’ll find Uluru/Ayers Rock. Those with a little more time should also check out Adelaide and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Perth in Western Australia, and the island state of Tasmania.
How do I plan a vacation to Australia?
Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists! We’re the leading tailor-made travel agency for Australia vacations and have the expertise and insights to plan a trip that’s right for you.
Does Australia have halal options?
Halal options are common in the major cities of Australia. Most beef and lamb in the nation are halal-certified, and many other foods come in halal options. However, halal foods may be limited in smaller communities and in the nation’s interior. If you are still concerned, ask your Destination Specialist about vacation packages that can accommodate your dietary needs.
Is travel safe as a person of colour (POC) in Australia?
Australia is a very safe nation for all manner of travellers, with a diverse population and strong laws protecting visitors from discrimination based on ethnicity. It is one of the most peaceful countries in the world and has a low crime rate.
Is Australia LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes, Australia is a diverse and safe nation, with strong laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. On the whole, people are welcoming and accepting, especially in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, which have large Pride parades and diverse neighbourhoods that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. While attitudes might be more conservative in smaller centres away from the major cities, the vast majority of Australians are respectful and welcoming of all travellers.
What side of the road do people drive on in Australia?
People drive on the left side of the road in Australia, and the driver’s seat is on the right side of the car. Remember that basic elements of the car are reversed for North American drivers, so windshield wipers and turn signals are also on opposite sides.
What can I bring into Australia?
As long as you declare it, you can bring most items into Australia, except for weapons, illicit drugs, and all manner of illegal goods. You’re also not allowed to bring animals, live plants, counterfeit goods, or fireworks. All food should also be declared on arrival, as Australia is very strict when it comes to biosecurity.
Do I need to tip in Australia?
Tipping in Australia is not mandatory or expected, but tips for good service are appreciated.
What currency does Australia use?
The official currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). You’ll find ATMs that dispense Australian dollars throughout the country, so don’t worry too much about bringing cash with you (although doing so can save you on the withdrawal rates at foreign ATMs). Typically, $1USD is worth $1.50 AUD, but exchange rates are always fluctuating, so check the latest rates before travelling.
Australia Travel Information
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ExcellentBased on 5,186 ReviewsHello and Happy Travels.
I have been working with Isabella Luu for
two separate trips, one has traveled. They absolutely loved everything put together by Isabella.
She has been knowledgeable and helpful answering all questions I and clients have had. The work she put into these trips has shown by the ease of the clients travel.
Nothing says more than a Happy Client with smiles and a desire to rebook. THANK YOU Isabella. 04Dawn White Dream VacationsGreat Support throughout the process. Booking travel is a team sport these days and Allan was a supportive teammate in arranging a wonderful holiday for my clients!DellaAllan from Goway is fantastic to work with. He is always quick to respond, highly professional, and very friendly. I know I can count on him for excellent service every time.
He has helped us with multiple Europe travel trips for our clients, and every one of them has gone smoothly. I truly appreciate the reliability, communication, and care Allan provides, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.AphroditeExcellent service! Farnaz did a wonderful job of coordinating detail. She had spot on recommendations and applied our wants and desires into a fantastic tripTommy ThompsonMichael did a great job arranging all our transfers, hotels, trains and tours for our trip to Iceland and Andalucia, Spain. No blips or missed connections and accommodations were easy walking to central cities. Would use Goway again and recommend to our friends.David StoneI found this agency when trying to find a trip to New Zealand and Australia. I never heard of them before, so I had to do some research to make sure they were legit. This trip was going to be seemingly more in cost, so I needed to feel everything was going to go as planned and I was not going to be scammed. I had Natasa Jaric as my Specialist. Her and I worked on an itinerary that suited my needs. She is very friendly and knowledgeable.
I had back to back tours for three weeks straight, as well as transfers and hopper flights. This was what I wanted, as this was my " One and Done" for this region. My transportation, hotels, tours and flights went as planned. Of course, Mother Nature dictates some plans and one activity was cancelled. I am getting a refund through the agency. Please book with confidence! This company is reputable and delivers on the itinerary. I had the opportunity to review each part of my itinerary with Natasa prior to leaving to make sure all looked correct. My trip was unforgettable!!! Thank you Goway Travel for making this trip so effortless and smooth.ConsumerGoway gave us a magical holiday in Southeast Asia. From the organization of the transportation, guides and drivers, hotels and tours, everything ran like clockwork with quality accommodations, experienced guides and drivers and amazing excursions. We had a wedding in Bali Indonesia that was the stimulus for visiting 7 countries Cebu Philippines, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An Vietnam, Siem Reap Cambodia, Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Bali, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan.
We had marvelous tour guides and drivers. All of them spoke excellent English, had years of experience, were very knowledgeable and passionate about their country and its heritage, very friendly, funny, patient , flexible and accommodating. In Bali we were able to add another tour when we changed hotels and the guide was able to accommodate our friends from Canada to go with us. The drivers were excellent considering the traffic volumes and what we would consider complex driving movements by cars, trucks, bicycles, vespas, tuk tuks and motorcycles.
The hotels we were placed in were five stars, with exceptional breakfast which showcased the country's food. We were always able to find ethnic food from that area that we could try. I would highly recommend the Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. The hotel even has a bunker from the Vietnam War that you can tour if you are staying there. Also the Komaneka at Bisma in Ubud Indonesia was a beautiful property and we were treated like royalty by being placed in a villa with our own swimming pool. All the hotels except one had universal outlets.
For any of the Temples whether Buddha or Hindu, churches or Mosques, you need covered shoulders, covered knees and covered toes. Some like Indonesia provide sarongs as part of the entrance fee.
For tours the I highly recommend the following:
The overnight Ginger Cruise of Halong Bay. The suites were like what you see in the movies of Chinese junket's. You visit a secluded fishing village, the scenery is amazing, the food was excellent and we were taught how to make spring rolls and went squid fishing.
The half day cooking class in Cambodia was an amazing experience. We were taken out to a village farm with a multi-generational Cambodian family. The farm had power but no running water. Water was gathered from the river or rainfall. We went to other farms around the village to look at the crops of herbs and vegetables, including rice that were used in the dinner. Also visited the village market for fruits, meats and fish. You were taught how to prepare the foods with the women of the farm while the men set up tables, chairs and lighting for the evening meal. The whole family plus our guide and driver ate the prepared meal under the stars. It was totally awesome.
Also don't miss the cooking class at the Blue Elephant in Bangkok. This was a class of 12 students, again with a market tour to select ingredients for what we would be cooking. We prepared four courses which were first demonstrated then we went into a kitchen with stations where each of us prepared that course. Afterwards we sat down to eat the meal that we had prepared.
For a different authentic experience The Dark Foodie Tour in Siem Reap by Vespa was one of the highlights of the tour. This tour you spend time with the Cambodian people in the night market, bars and restaurants and even a local fair. You are driven around the city like the locals on Vespa's.
You will see lots of temples but two you don't want to miss is Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Wat Suthat in Thailand. Both are astounding and if you get a chance circle back to view the Wat Suthat at night where the lights on the temple show off its beauty.
Chris LawsonThe tour was very well planned out and provided many incredible experiences! Alice Teramoto was very helpful while we were planning this trip.Sheryl RadetskyWe recently enjoyed a tour around Australia arranged by Natasa Jarik at Goway Travel. The trip lasted 10 days, too short to do justice to all of Australia, but enough to give us a taste of a fascinating country.
The trip was excellent, exactly what we were looking for. The complicated logistics all worked out smoothly and perfectly. Everything was on time and as advertised. The individual tours were excellent, the guides were absolutely first rate, the accommodations all worked out well (especially the central location of Swissotel in Sydney), and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. One of the really enjoyable days was day 1, when we arrived early in the morning after a long plane flight from the US and spent the day walking through the parks and gardens and around the harbor in Sydney, visiting a couple of museums, and having a wonderful dinner at a little restaurant around the corner from our hotel. Sydney is a beautiful city! We missed spotting a cassowary in the rain forest, but we saw lots of roos and koalas and emus and dingoes and wombats and crocodiles and wallabies at Kangaroo Island and the Daintree rain forest, snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef, and enjoyed a very interesting tour around Sydney. The arrangements were handled efficiently and easily. Thank you, Natasa, for arranging a perfect tour for us!Mike CherryGoway Travels makes planning easy!! Every detail is included and they will taper your tour as you like!maureen von minden
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