Tourist in Oz? Check Out This Comprehensive Australia Travel Guide

Australia is more than just kangaroos and wallabies. Measuring more than 7.7 million square kilometers, it boasts a wealth of natural wonders, friendly cities, and exciting activities. All those make for a thrilling and memorable holiday in one of the world’s biggest countries.^[1]

A one-of-a-kind trip requires flawless preparation. If you don’t know where to start, we’ve prepared a handy Australia travel guide for you. Let’s roll, mate! 

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Australia Travel Guide: Things to Know Before Your Trip 

Long before booking your flights and activities, here are important things you need to take note of:  

👉 Do You Need an Australian Tourist Visa? 

Yes. A tourist visa is one of the travel requirements to Australia from the Philippines. This document is referred to as the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), which lets you visit your family or friends and engage in sightseeing, including cruises. You can also use it for other purposes except business or medical treatment. 

For more details, read this comprehensive Australia tourist visa guide. 

👉 Does Australia Have Quarantine Rules? 

Currently, Australia doesn’t have COVID-19-related requirements for travelers flying into the country. However, the government encourages people to wear masks and get vaccinated for international trips.^[2] 

👉 What’s the Best Time to Travel to Australia? 

That will depend on your destination. Since Australia is a massive country, it has different climate zones. 

If you want to experience the Australian sunshine, consider flying between December and February, during the country’s summertime. Sydney, Brisbane, Kangaroo Island, and Hobart are among the best places to visit during this season. However, it’s utterly busy and prices are high.

If you want to experience a Southern Hemisphere winter, visit Australia between June and August. The Australian Alps are among this season’s most popular attractions. You can also save money since the prices of flights and accommodations tend to be low. 

👉 How to Get to Australia

Cebu Pacific operates direct flights to Australia, in destinations such as Sydney and Melbourne. Philippine Airlines and AirAsia, on the other hand, operate flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. 

If you want to start your Australian trip during your air journey, book your trip with the country’s flag carrier Qantas, which also operates flights to Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne. 

Direct flights to Australia usually take around eight hours. But if you take connecting flights, the Philippines to Australia travel time may last more than 24 hours. 

👉 How to Get Around Australia 

As a developed country, Australia offers a variety of transportation options: 

• Rail - Key cities in Australia, such as Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, have reliable urban rail systems. Overnight trains are also popular for long-distance travels. 
• Buses and taxis - Buses, taxis, and trams complement the rail system in the majority of city centers. But if you’re just targeting popular attractions, hop-on hop-off tourist buses may be your best bet. 
• Car rental - Australia has a vast network of well-maintained and scenic roads. If you want to explore them, conveniently rent a car or a caravan for camping. 
• Plane - Australia is a vast continent. To cover large distances, hop aboard a domestic plane. Top operators include Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. 
• Ferry - Australia is surrounded by oceanic waters. To get to island destinations, hop on a ferry. 
• Bike - This is a practical option if you’re staying in the city center or suburbs. 

👉 How to Communicate in Australia

Australia doesn’t have an official language, but it is understood that English is its de facto national language. Note that indigenous regions use languages other than English. 

Communicating shouldn’t be difficult wherever you are in the country. However, there are some differences between American/Filipino English and Australian English. 

Here are some of them: 

• Breakfast - Brekkie
• Restroom/comfort room - Toilet or loo
• Parking lot - Car park
• Flipflops/slippers - Thongs
• Gas - Petrol
• Gas station - Service station or servo
• Fries - Chips
• Barbecue - Barbie
• Apartment - Flat
• Sneakers - Runners

👉 How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Australia? 

This will depend on your destinations, activities, and the number of days you’re traveling. 

If you have a lean Australia itinerary of 11 to 12 days, a budget between ₱80,000 to ₱100,000 should suffice. This assumes that your flights and accommodations are already booked. However, if you plan to shop, an additional ₱20,000 to ₱30,000 should be enough. 

The Australian Dollar (AU$) is Australia’s currency. As of this writing, AU$1 is equivalent to ₱38.77. 

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Whether you’re traveling here or abroad, a credit card is a reliable travel buddy. Use it to shop, dine, and travel while earning rewards like miles, points, and rebates. 

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Credit Card	Travel Benefits
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Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend Points redeemable for air miles Up to 50% off on dining deals
Metrobank World Mastercard®	3x rewards points for international purchases Exclusive access to airport deals 1 air mile per ₱17 foreign currency spend
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Read more: Plan Your Dream Trip: Top 10 Luxury Destinations to Bookmark

Australia Travel Guide: Places to Visit in This Continent

Where to go in Australia? Here are some of the best places to visit in the Land Down Under: 

📍 Sydney Opera House  

• Location: Sydney, New South Wales 
• How to get there: Ride a bus, train, or ferry and alight at Circular Quay. From there, take a six-minute walk to your destination.  

This Australia travel guide won’t be complete without the Sydney Opera House. Located along the Sydney Harbour, this iconic building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to various performance venues for tenants like Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Theatre Company, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

If you’re not watching a concert or an artistic performance, simply sit on the outdoor staircase and admire the surrounding harbor or walk around to marvel at the opera house’s architecture. 

A Sydney travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a quick visit to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is visible from where the opera house stands. 

📍 Bondi Beach  

• Location: East of the Sydney Central Business District
• How to get there: If you’re in the city center, catch a train from Central Station bound for Bondi Junction Station. From there, ride a bus bound for Bondi Beach. 

An Australia itinerary will always include a beach trip. If you’re in Sydney, you can quickly reach the coastal neighborhood of Bondi Beach. 

Lounge on the golden sands while enjoying the heat of the sun. Adventurous surfers can try the exhilarating waves. Shopaholics and foodies will also have a great time discovering shops and restaurants in the neighborhood. 

Come night time, visit one of the seaside bars and enjoy a drink or two while making new friends. 

📍 Great Ocean Road  

• Location: Various towns and villages in Victoria 
• How to get there: From the Melbourne Central Business District, drive to the Westgate Freeway until you reach Princes Freeway. Then continue driving to Geelong Ring Road. Once you’re in Torquay, follow the signs leading to the Great Ocean Road. 

Drafting your Melbourne itinerary? If you book a car rental, make the most of it by exploring the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is a 240-kilometer road that treats travelers to unforgettable coastal beauty. If you plan to visit just a section of it, make sure to include Torquay, Aireys Inlet, and Lorne on your list. 

Torquay is one of Australia’s best spots for surfing. Aireys Inlet is the perfect spot for relaxing coastal walks. Lornre, on the other hand, is great for summer trips. 

📍 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 

• Location: Northern Territory 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Ayers Rock Airport. From the airport, you can join a group tour or rent a car to drive to the national park.  

Located in Northern Territory, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to Uluru (or Ayers Rock), a large sandstone monolith with UNESCO World Heritage Site designation; and Kata Tjuta, a collection of gigantic domed rock formations. This park has been called home by Australia’s Anangu people for thousands of years. 

Book a motorbike or camel tour to explore the area around Uluru. But if you prefer taking a walk, both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have convenient walking paths. 

Various exclusive resorts around the area offer guests unique experiences like a drone show and al fresco dinner under the open skies. 

📍 Great Barrier Reef 

• Location: Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Cairns Airport, Townsville Airport, or Proserpine Airport. If you have a pre-booked transfer, you can head straight to your destination.  

Where to go in Australia if you love swimming and diving? The Great Barrier Reef is the automatic answer!

With almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands over more than 340,000 square kilometers, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral system in the world. In fact, you can see it from space!^[3]

Swim or dive into the reef and enjoy a mesmerizing spectacle of giant clams, corals, and colorful fish species. If Townsville is your home base, visit the Museum of Underwater Art, which is located—you guessed it—underwater!

Related: Your Handy Guide: Philippines to Malaysia Travel Requirements for 2024

📍 Fraser Island  

• Location: Wide Bay-Burnett Region, Queensland 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Hervey Bay Airport.  

Found off the coast of Queensland, Fraser Island offers travelers a relaxing tropical holiday. Nevertheless, adventure-seekers can also find some action here. 

If you’re the backpacker type, the island has numerous camping sites not only on the beach but also in lakeside areas like Ungowa and Wathumba. But if you’re just here to lounge and sunbathe, you’ll love the fine white silica sand. 

Experience adrenaline rush by kitesurfing, kayaking, and joining a 4x4 tour. For a unique experience, book a whale watch tour.  

📍 Kangaroo Island  

• Location: South Australia 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Kangaroo Island Airport.  

Explore more of Australia’s untouched countryside and awe-inspiring wildlife on Kangaroo Island. 

Spot kangaroos at Stokes Bay, Flinders Chase National Park, or Parndana Wildlife Park. Book a guided tour at Seal Bay and marvel at the colony of sea lions wandering about the coast.

If you prefer a laid-back vacation, explore Kingscote, the island’s largest town. Walk around to find the best brunch spot, visit a honey farm, or enjoy a sip of a fine spirit at a distillery. 

📍 Rottnest Island  

• Location: West of Fremantle, Western Australia 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for the island. Popular operators include Rottnest AIr-Taxi, Major Blue Air, and Air Charters West, among others.  

If you’ve noticed by now, this Australia travel guide recommends plenty of marine attractions, thanks to the continent’s stunning islands and coastlines. Add Rottnest Island to that collection! 

The island teems with beach and water activities, but what takes the cake is its wildlife. Spotting quokkas, otherwise known as the perpetually smiling marsupials, is one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll enjoy here. 

Challenge yourself and book a skydiving experience. As you fall, you’ll be treated to the views of clear and turquoise waters surrounding the island. 

📍 Kimberley Region 

• Location: Northernmost region of Western Australia 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Broome Airport or Kununurra Airport.  

Can’t get enough of the wilderness? Visit the Kimberley Region, one of the most interesting Australia tourist spots.

Introverts will love it here since it’s sparsely populated. There are only around 40,000 people living in this land, which is three times bigger than England. 

The Buccaneer Archipelago awaits big fans of gin-clear waters. If you have the budget, charter a helicopter tour over the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park. From above, you can witness rock formations that look like gigantic beehives. 

Book a cruise that will take you to some of Australia’s most fascinating rock art galleries. These works of art will not only impress you with unique artistry but also provide insights into Australia’s past. 

📍 Cable Beach  

• Location: West of the Broome Central Business District, Western Australia 
• How to get there: Book a flight bound for Broome Airport. From there, ride a taxi bound for the beach.   

One of the most popular Australia tourist spots among beach lovers, Cable Beach boasts more than 20 kilometers of white sand. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean crash against the pristine beach. 

Swim, fish, surf, and kayak in this coastal paradise. If you’re looking for a unique experience, book a camel ride during the sunset. While riding the camel, feel the ocean breeze wafting through your hair as you take in the golden colors of the sunset.  

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• Indonesia Travel Guide: What to Prepare and Where to Go 

Final Thoughts 

Australia is undeniably one of the world's most beautiful places. With its massive size, it offers many stunning destinations and exciting activities for all kinds of travelers.  

Plan your trip with this Australia travel guide. But for insider tips, you can always ask a friend or a relative who has visited this marvelous country.  

Sources: 

• ^[1] Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area (Forbes, 2024)
• ^[2] COVID-19 and Travel 
• ^[3] Great Barrier Reef Near Whitsunday Islands