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Australia

Australia, the smallest continent and also the sixth largest country in the world, fascinates with an impressive variety of landscapes, cultures and unique wildlife. From vibrant metropolises and beautiful beaches to tropical rainforests and endless deserts, Down Under offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

Destinations in Australia:


BLUE Mountains (Coming Soon)


Brisbane (Coming Soon)


Byron Bay (Coming Soon)


Central Coast (Coming Soon)


Fraser Island (Coming Soon)


Gold Coast (Coming Soon)


SunShine Coast (Coming Soon)


Sydney (Coming Soon)


Whitsundays/ Airlie Beach (Coming Soon)


Overview

 


Capital

Australia's capital is Canberra.

Language

The national language is English.

 
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Currency

In Australia, the Australian dollar (AUD) is used for payment. 1 EUR is roughly equivalent to 1.65 AUD.


 
 
 
 

Entry & Visas

You will need your passport to enter Australia. This must be valid at least up to and including the day of departure. An identity card is not sufficient for entry.

A visa is generally required to enter Australia. The eVisitor visa is available for business travelers and tourists from the EU. The visa is valid for 12 months and entitles the holder to any number of stays in Australia of up to 3 months each. You can apply for it online here free of charge. If you are planning Work & Travel, you will need a Working Holiday visa. You can find all the information here.

Please note that Australia has strict import regulations for food. It is best to find out here what is allowed before you enter the country.


Time

Time zones can vary within Australia. The continental part of the country has three time zones: one western (UTC+8), one central (UTC+9:30) and one eastern (UTC+10). Most of the outer islands also have their own time zones.

 

Credit cards & ATMs

There are ATMs almost everywhere in the cities and you can actually pay by card everywhere. Outside of cities and in smaller restaurants, however, you should carry cash with you.

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Best time to visit

It depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. For the south of Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, October to April is best, as this is summer. The tropical regions in the north, such as the Great Barrier Reef and Darwin, are at their most pleasant between May and October during the dry season. In the desert and outback, it can get extremely hot from December to February, while it is more pleasant between May and September. Overall, Australian spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) are an ideal time to travel in many regions. City trips are possible all year round.

 
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Driving

For EU citizens, the national driver's license is sufficient in most federal states as long as it is written in English. Otherwise, an international driving license is recommended. Most states allow driving with a foreign driver's license for up to three months.

The road network is well developed, but there are long, lonely stretches with little infrastructure, especially in the outback. Some roads are only passable with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Traffic signs and rules may differ from those in Central Europe. The traffic regulations also vary from state to state. It is best to find out about the local traffic regulations yourself before your trip. In Australia, traffic drives on the left, which can be unfamiliar, especially at first.

The speed limits also vary from state to state. There are strict penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol - some states have a zero-tolerance policy. You should therefore only get behind the wheel sober.


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Phone

If you use your home SIM card, you will have to expect high roaming charges. These vary from provider to provider. You should therefore get an Australian or international SIM card if the Wi-Fi in your accommodation, restaurants or public places is not enough for you. I can recommend Airalo for travelers.


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Btw: VAT Refund

For goods that cost at least 300 AUD and were purchased no more than 60 days before departure from a store, you can claim a refund of the Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST - 10% of the goods' value) and the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET - 29% of the goods' value) at the airport upon departure. To do this, you need to present the retailer's receipts (Tax Invoice) as well as the goods in your carry-on luggage. When making the purchase, make sure the retailer issues a tax invoice with their 11-digit tax number (ABN).

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My Australia

Road Trip 2024

I went on a road trip in Australia in 2024 - from Melbourne, I drove along the coast all the way up to the Whitsundays. I've put together a Google map of what I saw and experienced there.

You can find the list here.

Australia Itinerary

2 to 3-Month Road Trip along the East Coast

If you're looking to treat yourself to the ultimate road trip in Australia, this route is perfect! From the cultural metropolis of Melbourne to the tropical Whitsundays – here’s an itinerary with highlights for approximately 8–13 weeks:

Week 1-2: Melbourne & surroundings 

πŸ™οΈ Melbourne: Arrive, enjoy flat whites, explore street art

πŸ›£οΈ Great Ocean Road: Breathtaking coastal drive with the 12 Apostles

🏝️ Mornington Peninsula: Beautiful beaches, relaxation, and hot springs

🐧 Phillip Island: Penguin parade & adorable wallabies


Week 3-4: Beautiful nature & coastal towns

πŸ₯Ύ Wilsons Promontory Nationalpark: Hiking & wildlife

🐨 Raymond Island: Koalas in the wild

🌿 Croajingolong NP & Genoa Peak: Off the beaten path & stunning views

πŸ–οΈ Hyams Beach & Barfleur Beach: The whitest sand in the world?

πŸŒ‰ Shellharbour, Flagstaff Point Lighthouse & Sea Cliff Bridge: photo spots and sea views


Week 4-5: Sydney & surroundings

πŸŒ† Sydney: Harbour Bridge, Opera House & sunset in Bondi

πŸŒ„ Blue Mountains: Eucalyptus scent & endless gorges

🏝️ Palm Beach & Banales Head: Pure summer vacation vibes


Week 6: Coastal stopovers

🌊 Newcastle, Anna Bay, Tomaree Mountain & Zenith Beach: Surfing, Hiking, Relaxing

🐾 Port Macquarie: Koala hospital & beach vibes

πŸŒ… Lake Arragan Beach: Insider tip for peace, nature & kangaroos


Week 7-8: The relaxed north of NSW

🌴 Byron Bay: Boho vibes, lighthouse walks & sunrises

πŸ„β€β™€οΈ Gold Coast: Skyscrapers & waves


Week 9-12: Exploring Queensland

πŸŒ‡ Brisbane: Urban jungle with a relaxed atmosphere

🐚 Sunshine Coast: Laid-back coastal charm

πŸš™ K'gari (Fraser Island) & Rainbow Beach: 4WD adventures & endless sand

β›΅ Airlie Beach & Whitsundays: Snorkeling, sailing & turquoise paradise


Tipp: The best or easiest way to travel is with a campervan or rental car – this way, you’re fully flexible and can stop spontaneously. However, it’s also worth checking out the bus connections here and there. They are often cheaper, and on long routes, it’s a great way to relax!

Housing for free?

How TrustedHousesitters works

Australia is a dream destination - but it's no bargain either. Especially in cities like Melbourne or Sydney, accommodation can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, I came across a cheap solution: TrustedHousesitters (affiliate link). I minimized my travel costs by doing housesits over and over again. Housesitting means that you can stay with locals for free while they are away. In return, you take care of the house, often including pets or plants. It's a great way to travel cheaply and live like a local at the same time!

I signed up with TrustedHousesitters (affiliate link), provided a few details, pictures and references about myself - and then I started applying for housesits. Stays range from a few days to several weeks. Most hosts are looking for someone who loves dogs, cats or sometimes other animals and who will simply live in their house for a bit. The great thing about this is that you often end up in beautiful residential areas, have your own space and live much more authentically than in a hostel. And what could be better than chilling on the sofa with a fluffy four-legged friend after a day at the beach in Bondi?

A little tip: TrustedHousesitters (affiliate link) works worldwide - so it's not just exciting for Australia, but also for your next trip to Portugal, Canada or South Africa. You can use the link here to get a discount on your membership.

The Australian Climate

Australia is a vast continent with very diverse climate zones – from tropical to temperate, from dry deserts to snow-covered mountains. When planning a trip, it’s important to keep regional weather differences in mind, as they can greatly impact your experience.

Australia can be roughly divided into four main climate zones:

  • Tropical (North): In cities like Darwin or Cairns, there are two seasons – a hot, humid rainy season (November to April) and a pleasantly warm dry season.

    Subtropical (East): Regions such as Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast offer mild winters and warm summers with occasional rainfall.

    Temperate (South): Cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney experience four distinct seasons with cooler winters and warm summers.

    Desert Climate (Center): In the Outback, there are extreme temperature fluctuations – very hot during the day, but surprisingly cool at night.

In Australia, the seasons are opposite to those in Europe – summer lasts from December to February, and winter from June to August. If you’re planning to visit the Red Centre or the Outback, the best time to go is during the Australian winter months. For the tropical north, the dry season from May to October is ideal. With the right planning, every region of Australia can be experienced at the perfect time!


Aboriginal People – the oldest living culture in the world

Australia is not only visually stunning – it is also home to the world’s oldest continuously existing culture. The Aboriginal People have lived on this continent for over 60,000 years and have a deep spiritual relationship with the land, nature, and the Dreamtime stories that shape their worldview.

There are over 250 different language groups, each with its own identity, history, and connection to specific regions. Many of their traditions, art forms, and ways of life are still alive today – especially in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Central Australia, where guided tours with Aboriginal guides are also available. These encounters are among the most profound experiences you can have in Australia.

However, the history of colonization from the 18th century brought profound changes. Land dispossession, violent displacement, discrimination, and the so-called Stolen Generations – children who were taken from their families and raised in Western institutions – have left deep scars. To this day, many Indigenous communities face social inequalities, limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. At the same time, awareness of this history is growing in Australia. More and more initiatives are advocating for justice, cultural recognition, and the rights of Aboriginal People. Museums, memorials, and educational programs contribute to addressing the colonial legacy and creating space for new perspectives.

Travel Tip: If you want to learn more about Aboriginal cultures, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns or take a guided tour through the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – a sacred place for the Anangu people.