Things to Do
in Australia

It depends on the region. The south — Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Tasmania — is best in spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) when temperatures are mild and crowds are thinner. The tropical north, including Queensland's far north and the Northern Territory, should be visited during the dry season (May–October) — the wet season brings extreme rainfall and can close roads for months. Queensland's Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are genuinely enjoyable year-round. Ski fields in the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps operate June–September.

2026 is a bumper year for Australian travel. Sydney's long-awaited $836M Fish Market opened in January 2026 with 40 fresh dining and drinking options and a new ferry route to Barangaroo — expected to draw 6 million visitors in year one. In Queensland, the Gold Coast Hinterland's Happitat cliff adventure park opened with three of Australia's tallest ziplines, including the country's highest at 200 metres. Queensland overall is in a hotel boom, with 30 new properties open or under construction ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics — including the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel opening April 2026 on the Sunshine Coast. In South Australia, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island links golf course opened perched above the Southern Ocean. And in NSW, the massive Powerhouse Parramatta museum is due to open in late 2026.

Australia has six states — New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania — plus two major self-governing territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the nation's capital, Canberra. Each has its own distinct culture, landscape, and bucket-list attractions.

Australia's iconic experiences span the entire country. Top highlights include Uluru–Kata Tjuta (Northern Territory), the Great Barrier Reef (Queensland), the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge (NSW), the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles (Victoria), Kangaroo Island (South Australia), Cradle Mountain (Tasmania), the Kimberley and Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia), and Canberra's world-class National Gallery and War Memorial (ACT). Queensland's Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Hinterland are also unmissable for nature, beaches, and adventure.

Most international visitors require a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. Citizens of many countries — including the UK, USA, Canada, and EU nations — can apply for an ETA (subclass 601) online, often approved instantly. New Zealand citizens can visit without a visa under a special category. Always check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date requirements for your nationality.

Yes — if you follow the rules. Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches; these mark the safest zone and are monitored by surf lifesavers. Rip currents are the biggest hazard — if caught in one, float and swim parallel to shore rather than against it. In tropical northern Queensland (roughly November–May), stinger nets protect swimmers from box jellyfish at many beaches. Crocodiles inhabit rivers and some coastal areas in the north — always observe warning signs.

The Sunshine Coast — stretching from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north — offers an outstanding range of experiences. Top highlights include Noosa National Park (5.4km coastal walk from Noosa to Sunshine Beach), Australia Zoo at Beerwah (home of Steve Irwin's wildlife legacy), the Glasshouse Mountains (14 ancient volcanic peaks with walking trails), and the hinterland villages of Maleny and Montville. Noosa's Hastings Street is Queensland's most stylish beach strip for dining and boutique shopping. The Sunshine Coast is also home to Cooee Tours' home base in Yandina — we offer expert-guided day tours across the region, combining local knowledge with the best natural and cultural experiences.