Relax on beautiful beaches, see the Sydney Opera House and explore the Great Barrier Reef – without breaking your budget.
Taking a vacation to Australia has never been easier. A vast land almost the same size of the U.S., it has something for every style of traveler. With gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, inspiring outback landscapes and incredible cities, a vacation to Australia is on the bucket list for travelers around the world. Our Australia vacation deals take you to the best of Australia’s natural wonders with your budget in mind.
Browse our most popular Australia vacations below. We can customize any trip to include more destinations and tours or switch out different experiences. Once you have chosen a vacation package, click on ‘Request A Quote’ and an About Australia destination specialist will contact you to start planning your trip.
Best Places to Visit in Australia
Australia is full of unique sights, cities and landscapes.
One day you can be swimming in turquoise beaches and then riding camels into the desert sunset the next. There’s always something for everyone to enjoy. Need more inspiration for your trip? Check out our guide on the top Australia vacation spots.
Sydney
Sydney is on almost every traveler’s bucket list.
It’s undeniably one of the world’s most gorgeous harbor cities, with sparkling turquoise waters edging lush botanical gardens, vibrant harbor precincts and the iconic Sydney Opera House. Most vacations begin with Sydney, as it’s the perfect combination of everything Australia has to offer: world-famous landmarks, fantastic food and wine, thriving arts and music scenes, sun-kissed beaches, and some of the most amazing coffee you’ll ever taste. Tour the Sydney Opera House and catch a show after dining at one of many delightful restaurants along the Sydney Harbour. Test your courage and take in the gorgeous views of the city on an exciting Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Take a cruise along the harbor and stop at various landmarks, such as Luna Park, Barangaroo, Taronga Zoo and of course, the Sydney Opera House. Pick up a surfboard and learn how to surf in Bondi Beach, where golden sands and remarkably blue waters make for a gorgeous beach in the heart of Sydney. If you’re feeling a little restless, the Bondi Beach to Coogee coastal walk takes you along some of Sydney’s best beaches and boasts spectacular coastal views. You won’t be able to resist rolling out your towel on any of Sydney’s beaches. Check out our list for more things to do in Sydney for an unforgettable vacation. With an incredible amount of things to see and do around Sydney, this city ranks at the top of our list for a family vacation. We can create a travel package that includes tours (Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is one of our favorites!), day trips to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley, and other destinations in your bucket list for your dream Australia vacation.
Blue Mountains
For a day away from the bustling city, add the Blue Mountains to your vacation in Australia. One of Australia’s fabulous natural wonders, this breathtaking region is only a short distance away from Sydney. It’s the perfect day trip for hiking through bushwalking trails, eucalyptus rainforests, waterfalls and fantastic rock formations. The views you’ll come across are truly out of this world.
Hunter Valley Wine Region
Indulge in premium wines and gourmet food in the Hunter Valley wine region, the oldest wine region in Australia. Only about 3 hours away from Sydney, its endless vineyards and boutique wineries make you feel an entire world away. Taste the best wines this region has to offer on a fun winery-hopping tour and stop for lunch at one of many fantastic restaurants showcasing the excellent local produce. If Australian wine is on your bucket list, Hunter Valley is the perfect stop on your vacation.
The Great Barrier Reef
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland
No vacation to Australia is complete without seeing the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland.
Make your base in Cairns or Port Douglas for an easy gateway to the reef. Located in Australia’s tropical Queensland, these destinations are all about board shorts, sandals and sun. Get up close and personal with the colorful marine life on a snorkeling tour of the coral reefs. Don’t want to get wet? No worries – our trips include cruises complete with glass bottom boats and underwater viewing observatories, so you can enjoy the reef without dipping a single toe in the water.
For a unique Great Barrier Reef experience, head to Hamilton Island, Lizard Island, or Australia’s Whitsundays, a hidden tropical paradise. This is where Aussies (local Australians) go for their beach holidays, and once you set foot here you’ll soon see why. Sail across the Whitsunday Islands and walk on the untouched white sand of Whitehaven Beach – rated as one of the best beaches in the South Pacific.
Explore the Daintree Rainforest in Cairns, the oldest rainforest in the world. Go on an Aboriginal-guided tour of the tropical rainforest and spot cassowaries, crocodiles and other wildlife while learning about the ancient culture of Australia’s Aboriginal people.
Brisbane
Brisbane is undergoing an exciting revival.
As Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane is reshaping itself as one of Australia’s true cosmopolitan cities. Set along the Brisbane River, the city revels in sunshine and its love of the outdoors. Bike tours are a popular way to explore the city, and a guided climb on the gleaming Story Bridge is the perfect taste of adventure. Many US travelers make Brisbane their base for visiting the Australia Zoo, made famous by Steve Irwin and his family. The Australia Zoo draws visitors from around the world for its passionate display of wildlife welfare and impressive exhibits.
Our Destination Specialists can create a vacation to the Australia Zoo, perfect for a family trip or wildlife tour.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a stylish city with a distinct European feel about it.
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne. Photo: Visit Victoria
As one of Australia’s largest cities, Melbourne has something for everyone. The city center is a whole hidden world of incredible cafes, bars, restaurants and shops featuring Melbourne’s best local food, coffee and shopping. Take a turn into its central laneways and arcades, narrow passageways decorated with colorful street art and hidden treasures. A walking tour guided by a passionate local is one of the best ways to start your vacation in Melbourne. You’ll discover gems that won’t be found in guide books. Art lovers will want to explore the many art galleries, museums and theaters showcasing international masterpieces and unique local art. The thriving arts and music scenes are unrivaled anywhere else in Australia – even Sydney! As the country’s sports capital, there’s no better place to experience Australia’s love of sports than in Melbourne. Check out our guide on free things to do in Melbourne while visiting Australia
Less than 2 hours away from Melbourne is Phillip Island. Dotted with nature parks, local restaurants, irresistible beaches and stunning coasts, this is the perfect getaway from the pulse of city life. See koalas in the wild at the Koala Conservation Centre and the world’s tiniest penguins as they waddle across the beach back to their burrows on Phillip Island’s penguin parade.
Another iconic experience is the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s best road trips. Winding along breathtaking coasts, larger-than-life rock formations and amazing lookouts, this is the perfect adventure for travelers looking for the unexpected!
Adelaide
This cosmopolitan city is all about food and wine.
Cultured, sophisticated, and filled with a ton of phenomenal places to wine and dine, Adelaide is your spot for cultural delights. Taste your way through the vibrant city’s growing local beer scene, explore the burgeoning eateries hidden in laneways and stroll along North Terrace, home to Adelaide’s cultural institutes such as the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum.
Enjoy a day of wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, Australia’s premiere wine growing region renowned around the world. Over 80 cellar doors, gourmet eateries, boutique shopping and small group tours, the Barossa makes for a truly indulgent stay.
Kangaroo Island
Photo: Tourism Australia
Just across the water from Adelaide is Kangaroo Island.
Known as Australia’s own zoo without fences, Kangaroo Island is famous for its green landscapes, pristine beaches and more wild kangaroos than humans. Discover the thriving Australian wildlife that roams freely on guided walks and tours of Kangaroo Island’s landmarks. Hand-feed kangaroos, walk among sea lions, swim with wild dolphins and spot koalas snoozing in the trees. Kangaroo Island is the perfect destination for an Australia wildlife vacation.
Perth
Nestled on the west coast of Australia, Perth blends a sunny metropolis of vibrant bars, trendy restaurants and street art with scenic parks and white sand beaches.
In fact, Perth sees the most sunny days than any other capital city in Australia. Its size is enough to where you can discover a new place to enjoy a cold beer every night, yet small enough to where the charms of its parks and waterfront green spaces melt away the hustle and bustle of the city. Explore Kings Park – one of the biggest parks in the world, larger than Central Park in New York City – or discover the history of the city on an Aboriginal-led tour. Just 12 miles away from Perth lies Rottnest Island, a haven of golden beaches, turquoise water, and the most adorable Australian wildlife – the quokka! As a car-free island where bikes are the only mode of transportation, quokkas are adventurous enough to wander straight up to visitors and pose for pictures, complete with their world-famous grins.
The Outback
Made famous as the setting of Crocodile Dundee, this region is more than just desert and crocodiles.
Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, this vast region encapsulates a whole world of spiritual landmarks, ancient rock art, otherworldly landscapes, vibrant towns and cultural experiences. Visit Alice Springs, the heart of the Outback, and see the sun rise above Uluru (Ayers Rock), the glow of dazzling red hues changing colors across this sacred rock formation. Learn about Australia’s ancient Aboriginal culture and its deep ties to the mystical red desert of the Northern Territory. Explore the tumbling waterfalls, lush gorges and sheer orange cliffs of Kakadu National Park, the largest national park in Australia.
Travel the Outback in style on one of Australia’s great rail journeys – the Ghan. With stops offering tours of authentic Outback destinations, you’ll experience the romance of train travel paired with rugged adventures.
Tasmania
Lake Dove and Cradle Mountain. Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Andrew McIntosh Ocean Photography
Nature lovers and outdoor adventurers need to put Tasmania on their list. Teeming with unique wildlife, rugged coasts, wilderness regions and spectacular mountains, this island state feels like an entirely different world to mainland Australia. Make its gorgeous capital city, Hobart, your base for exploring all Tasmania has to offer. Visit the provocative Museum of Old and New Art and taste some of Australia’s freshest seafood in vibrant waterfront restaurants. Delve into Tasmania’s convict history in Port Arthur and explore the historic buildings haunted with a harsh past. Wander to Freycinet National Park for stunning blue bays, pink granite mountains, rich coastal forests and pure white sand beaches. Discover the wooded trails and mirror lakes of Cradle Mountain, the perfect secluded retreat for mountain lovers. And of course, no stay in Tasmania is complete without meeting the famous Tasmanian devil!
Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
Australia is famous for its gorgeous beaches and tropical lifestyle.
You’ll get a taste of this laid-back vibe in Tropical North Queensland, where you’ll find a spectacular collection of beaches and waterfront adventures.
When you’re not exploring the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, head to Gold Coast for golden beaches framed by glamorous high-rises, barreling waves and subtropical hinterland. Gold Coast is the jewel of glitz and glamor along the Australian coast – it’s the perfect place for Instragrammable photos!
Sunshine Coast
Rejuvenate in Sunshine Coast, where the beaches tempt even local Australians with their sparkling turquoise waters, impressive waves and quiet beach towns. Noosa, in Australia’s Sunshine Coast, is popular with the locals for its stunning national park, walking trails, markets, and beaches. This is the land of surfing competitions and extreme water sports, so if you’re looking for adventure, Noosa is the perfect destination. Find out more about Noosa, a boutique beach town missed by most tourists.
Fraser Island
Spot humpback whales during Australia’s whale season as they migrate through the waters of Hervey Bay, just across Fraser Island. As the only place in the world where rainforest grows on sand, Fraser Island is best explored on an 4WD adventure. Thrill seekers will want to join a 4WD tour across Fraser Island and explore its crystal clear creeks and the white sands of Lake McKenzie. Touch up your tan and take out your bikini – this will be your new happy place. Check out some of Australia’s most stunning islands – you might decide to add a few to your vacation!
Important Travel Tips
It’s important to remember that Australia is almost the same size of the US. Hitting some of the best destinations in Australia – such as Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne – is like traveling from Miami to New York then Houston. Definitely not something you want to do by car in just three days, especially when driving is on the other side of the road!
You also want to give yourself enough time in each destination. You could easily spend a few days exploring just one city.
1. When is the Best time to Go to Australia?
The best time to visit Australia depends on a few factors. The seasons are opposite to ours in the U.S. Summer in Australia is from December to February, which is our winter in the US. Winter in Australia is from June to August, when the average temperatures get chilly, but not very cold. You probably won’t be packing a swimsuit for Sydney in July – you’ll be in for a chilly surprise! Check out our list of other common mistakes to avoid before traveling to Australia.
2. How Much Does a Trip to Australia Cost?
The cost of an Australia vacation depends on many factors. The time of year you want to go, how long you want to travel, and even where you want to go all affects the cost. This also depends on how you want to travel. Are you on a budget and looking for the best deals? Do you want to splurge and make it a luxurious vacation?
Traveling to Australia in May, Australia’s low season, will be less expensive than traveling in December, the high season. Staying in Sydney will be more expensive than staying in Cairns, since Sydney is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. Check out our airfare pricing tips for the cheapest flights to Australia.
The biggest expense will be the international flights, which usually range between $1,000 – $1,500 for round trip tickets in economy class. When planning your Australia vacation, we search for the best rates on flights with trusted airline partners. We’ve seen round trip flights to Australia for prices much lower than the average range, and make sure you get the best deal with included internal flights
A typical Australia vacation for two adults ranges between 9 days to 2 weeks and includes international flights, hotels, some included tours and flights within Australia, costing several thousands. Our vacation deals include the best rates with airlines and hotels we inspect and tours that we trust.
For deal seekers, we have travel packages starting from below $3,000 per person. For travelers who want a fully custom travel package with all flights, hotels, tours and transportation included, prices will begin to increase. We can work with your budget and find you the best savings when we create a custom Australia vacation package.
3. How Many Days Should I Spend in Australia?
Most travelers from the US have a limited amount of time for an Australian vacation. Since Australia is so far from the US, it’s important to give yourself enough time to experience different destinations without rushing your trip. It’s recommended to spend at least 9 days on vacation in Australia, which gives you 7 nights in the country. This is because as you fly to Australia, you travel across the International Date Line, which pushes you into the next day. However, you gain that lost day back on your return flight to the US.
Most US travelers spend 9 to 14 days on vacation in Australia, which allows enough time to see the major highlights and travel comfortably without feeling rushed. Australia is a huge country – almost as big as the United States – you don’t want to spend your whole time rushing from one city to another!
Our travel packages can be customized to extend your stay. We create one week vacations in Australia all the way to even 3 months and more!
Plan your trip to Australia from USA with these vacation deals
- Sydney & Reef – 9 Days
- Australia’s Reef, Rainforest, Wildlife & Sydney Deal – 10 Days
- Sydney, Ayers Rock & Cairns – 10 Days
- Great Barrier Reef, Sydney and Melbourne – 12 Days
- Australia’s Outback, Alice Springs, Reef & Sydney – 12 Days
- Sydney, Reef & Australia’s Great Ocean Road – 14 Days
- Travel Adelaide & Australia’s East Coast – 16 Days
- Australia’s East Coast, Outback & Reef – 18 Days
Let’s Plan Your Australia Vacation!
We’re Australians living in Texas, U.S. Planning trips to Australia from the USA is our passion. From our sale of Australia trips we support the local communities and small businesses, both here in the US and at home in Australia and throughout the South Pacific. We feel great about what we do, and we love to receive feedback that our clients had the “trip of a life-time” – take a look at our reviews! To help inspire you to travel to Australia for your next trip, check out the top spots for a vacation to Australia or browse our Australia vacation deals below. We also plan escorted Australia tours and inclusive vacation packages that take care of everything you need for your trip Down Under. Remember, all of our trips can be tailored into custom vacation packages to suit your needs.
We’d love to help you plan your Australia vacation! Call Us Today for a Free Vacation Quote!
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Best Australia Vacation Destinations
