If you have decided on you next holiday destination and are scouring for Australia packages, your search ends with www.everestholidays.com.bd. You will be able to find Australia tour packages with well-rounded itineraries, taking you to some of phenomenal natural landscapes while giving you a peek into its aboriginal culture.
Australia: An overviewWorld’s oldest cultures, amber plains, kitchy lanes, turquoise waters home to one of the greatest reef system in the world, a swish eating-out culture, Australia captures your imagination. Its endless summer days, casual friendliness and ready-to-do spirit, make it an easy place to live in and return to time and again. Explore this and the other unique facets of the country as you finalise one of the Australia holiday packages. If you are wondering how to juggle distances, time and money on your Australia trip, you need to draw out an itinerary that includes drives around the Outback, a trip to the national parks, round of its beaches. In case there is a time-crunch, make sure you spend a good deal of time in Sydney, eating at its chic cafes and exploring its many attractions and then visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the Uluru and Rock Ayers in the Northern Territory. This would more or less round up the country, its breathtaking trinity that are an absolute must-see on every traveller’s list.
Things to do in AustraliaGet a unique perspective, browse the local haunts and explore the things to do in Australia.
Ancient landscape
Australia is a country as well as a continent. Walk in the footsteps of its early settlers to understand its antiquity. Trace out rock art that is over 20,000 years old in Kakadu National Park or take a dip in the cerulean waters of Rottnest Island. Take time out to marvel at the iconic Sydney Opera House and go up to the Northern Territory to explore an indigenous land.
Urban landscape
The Australian cities are unlike any other you will find anywhere else in the world, each beautifully encompassing the beachfronts and waterways. Australia is an amalgamation of different geographies. Hail a bicycle from a bike-share rack in Melbourne and ride around the city’s high-fashion districts and lanes lined with cafes. In Darwin it is quite remarkable, the fusion of the south-Asian culture with the aboriginal one. Then there is Sydney that will take your breath away with its sprawling, green neighbourhoods and its stunning natural setting. Experience the art scene at Hobart and its gothic history.
The spirit of adventure
Take a dive in Australia’s world famous reef system, the Great Barrier Reef and come across the majestic southern right whales as well as the Great Australian Bight. Or see the brilliant wildlife parks outside of Brisbane such as the legendary Australia Zoo run by the Irwin family. Visit the Crocodylus Park in Darwin to view this pre-historic beast from up close. For those wishing to get a taste of the Outback, get on a 4WD and hit the multiple dirt roads that take you to the rocky outcrops, going all the way from Uluru to Kimberley.
Foodie’s haven
Years of migration and the re-entry of the native recipes and ingredients has resulted in a culinary scene that is rooted in tradition while being contemporary at heart. Have some indigenous greens with a kangaroo steak with lush as well as delicate truffle-based desserts. Head out to Alice Springs and understand from your local guide the local plants that find their way to the recipes. If you are also travelling to Tasmania, don’t return without tucking into freshly shucked oysters or if you are in South Australia, a Barossa Valley wine tour should be on your to-do list. Darwinian food is rich in spices, do sample a few hearty traditional recipes.
Places to visit in AustraliaHere we list the places to visit in Australia:
Sydney and around
The finest Australian city and together with its surrounds it gives you a glimpse into the entire country. A constantly growing business centre replete with high-rises, Sydney serves as a home for the LGBT community, boasts of a clutch of brilliant museums and art galleries, has spacious scenic beaches and glittering harbour. Sydney is suave, has a cosmopolitan milieu and a throbbing nightlife that are a far cry from life on the Outback and despite that Sydney’s aboriginal population is greater than any other Australian city’s. While Canberra is the capital of Australia, Sydney in the true sense can feel like one, courtesy the city’s age-old vestiges, the old stone walls, the stone steps in the lanes around the Rocks. They serve as an evocative reminder that Sydney has over two hundred years of history.
Sydney gems
Keep about three to five days aside to explore the city, its atmospheric harbourside. Look up the inner-city areas such as Glebe, Surry Hills and Paddington to capture the essence of the place. Or stroll down one afternoon along the coastal stretch going from Bondi to Coogee. A majority of Sydney’s attractions are at a day-trip distance, literally giving you a sample of everything the country stands for except the desert. Plan a trip to the Ku-ring-gai Chase and Royal national parks and spot some endemic species. They are about an hour’s drive from the Sydney city centre. As you go further north you can see the unending ocean, its sunny beaches flocked by surfers and enclosed waters that are perfect for sailing and swimming. Come inland to view the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, affording scenic viewpoints and bushwalking opportunities. Don’t miss a trip to Hunter Valley, to the northwest of Newcastle, Australia’s oldest and arguably its finest wine-growing region where you can sample some of the finest wines to go with a robust meal together using all the local produce of the state.
Bondi Beach:Bondi Beach is not just Sydney’s but one of the world’s greatest beaches. About 8 kilometre away from the city centre, it is the closest ocean beach to any city that receives a good swell through the day and is a good place for a swim as the water temperature averages around 21 degree Celsius in the day. There are child-friendly saltwater sea baths on both ends of the beach. Surfers have carved up sandbar breaks on both ends of the beach, making it a good spot for learners and amateur surfers. Alcohol is banned on the Bondi Beach, but you are free to access the coin-operated barbeques on the stretch of lawn on the northern end of the beach. You can find lockers and changing rooms at Bondi Pavilion. There are beach-friendly wheelchairs too that can be booked with Bondi Pavilion. The beach is patrolled by Bondi and North Bondi, the two surf clubs who keep an eye out between sets of red and yellow flags placed in order to avoid the rips and holes. So, swim with care and in between the flags.
Sydney Harbour Bridge: The city as well as the country’s most recalled image, the Sydney Opera Bridge opened up in 1932. But the best way to conquer this structure is by foot. There are staircases and elevators that go up the bridge from either ends of the shore, going up a footpath on the eastern side. The western side being a cycling path. For a unique perspective, take the train to Milsons Point and stroll back in the direction of the city. You could climb up the southeastern pylon to get on the Pylon Lookout. A bridge climb, the most authentic experience, takes anywhere between one and a half to three hours depending on the Climb you choose. Ahead of the climb you are given a thorough briefing as well as handed over harnesses, special boiler suit and a headset. You are further allowed 15 minutes to take photographs from the top. It would take about easily an hour to climb back down. For a majority of travellers, climbing the Sydney Opera Bridge is on their bucket-list, the best way to conquer your fear of heights. The massive Bridge is visible from nearly every part of the city. It is enormous at 440 foot from above the surface of the water and spans across 1650 foot. It is the biggest – not the longest – steel arch bridge in the entire world, made of 53,000 tonnes of steel.
New South Wales and the ACT Australia’s most sought-after state, New South Wales is not only the most thickly populated with a third of the country’s population residing there, it is also the oldest of the six states. The population typically resides in the urban and suburban settlements that straggles the Pacific coastline. The region has mild climate with warm beaches that draw a steady stream of tourists round the year, particularly in the summer months. Australians particularly love the elaborate surf beaches and the multiple ocean-side attractions.
Canberra wineries: The cool climate of the Australian Capital Territory or ACT makes it perfect for producing high quality of grapes for its many wines. Visitors here do not leave without sampling the Riesling or Shiraz. Little wonder there are over a hundred wineries in the Canberra region alone. Sign up for a wine tour which includes a visit to wineries and restaurants serving specialised meals. Try the delectable Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz Viognier or the Riesling wines at Brindabella Hills winery. Do also round up the Wiley Trout vineyard that shares space with Poachers Pantry which rustles up sumptuous gourmet meals using the freshest of seasonal produce that are grown locally and meats that are smoked in-house.
Lord Howe Island: Australia’s very own Galapagos, Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws tourists for its rugged beauty. About 700 kilometre southeast of Sydney, it is 11 kilometre long and about 3 kilometre breadth at its widest point, with about two-thirds of the island which has a crescent shape is a Permanent Park Reserve. Most of the island and the surrounding waters fall under Lord Howe Island’s protective marine park. The island has a subtropical climate with the temperature hovering at a gentle 19 degree Celsius in the winter and touching 26 degree Celsius in the summer. A winter visit can be cheaper for the tourist.
Coastal QueenslandSpread out for over 2500 kilometre from the New South Wales border to Cape York, Australia’s northernmost tip, Coastal Queensland is significantly the reason travellers are lured to Australia. The state capital Brisbane in its southeastern end is a lively city with a busy social scene. Then there is Gold Coast, Australia’s premier holiday destination that has the reputation of having the best surf found anywhere else in the country, also speckled with skyscrapers, theme parks, vibrant beachfront venues such as nightclubs and bars. Travel an hour inland and you will be in the Gold Coast Hinterland, a region dotted with national parks that are home to stunning motley of wildlife, several indigenous to Australia.
Cairns: Originally a fishing harbour, with the discovery of the Great Barrier Reef in the 1970s and the warm and genteel local climate propelled tourism leading to fast-paced development that took away from its indolent tropical atmosphere. Aside from the reef you have plenty of attractions within a half an hour drive of Cairns, like a taking a dip in th crystalline waters of Crystal Cascades, going kitesurfing off the sandy shores to Cairns’ north.
The Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef invariably remains the major draw to Cairns, for that matter to even Australia. There are innumerable cruising and diving options that you might have a daunting time choosing one.The inner reef is closer to the coast and can be visited on a boat ride, while the outer reef is the closest to the open sea and need to be taken on speed boats. On the fringes of the reef surrounding the Green and Fitzroy islands are an excellent coral reef garden and marine life that it might seem magical for one who explores. Over-tourism has left the reef system more vulnerable that ever, though the remoter parts are in a fairly better state. Despite that the entire reef complex teems with a wealth of marine life that range from squids, turtles, gobies, to reef sharks and other big fish which can never leave a diver disappointed.
The Gold Coast: The Gold Coast with its skyscraping beachfront apartments gives it the look of a Miami Beach, lying in arresting contrast to Brisbane that is just an hour to the north. The Gold Coast makes up for an unbroken stretch of coastline that is about 40 kilometre long, going from South Stadbroke Island past Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads all the way into Coolangatta, the New South Wales’ border. The beaches are always busy with swimmers and surfers through the year. It was in the 1930s that surfing blossomed here with the predominant surf beaches being Coolangatta, South Stadbroke and Burleigh Heads, bringing in beginners as well as veterans. The club and party scene in the recent years have seen an upsurge centered around Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise and the many theme-parks in the vicinity.
The Whitsunday Islands: The national parks-run Whitsunday Island is a lot of fun on a holiday. To its east coast is the Whitehaven Beach that stretches for 5 kilometre and is among the finest of all islands, a place every cruise boat in the region tours. The sands are an incandescent white and quite clean despite the surging number of campers and day-trippers. Just off the Haslewood Island abound terrific snorkelling opportunities. To the northern end of the beach is a little trail that winds up the Hill Inlet Lookout, offering photographic opportunities of the lush sandy bay. Head to Cid Harbour, a quieter getaway with a nice beach that offers a dramatic backdrop with massive granite boulders and tropical jungles. The Dugong Beach is a lovely sheltered stretch with roots of massive ancient trees. You can stroll along the narrow hilly tracks to Sawmill Beach which is another picturesque campsite.
Northern Territory NT or simply ‘the Territory’ for the Australians, the Northern Territory is very simply the antithesis of what the rest of the suburban part of the coastal Australia with its glitzy coast stands for. Almost like a frontier province, less than over a percent of the country’s population inhabit this region that otherwise covers one fifth of the continent. The extreme temperatures, the isolation might feed into its image as a distant outside territory. But underneath all the cliches associated with hardy Territorians, you will discover a destination that has a breathtaking natural environment, world-class national parks and a strong, evocative aboriginal heritage.
Alice Springs and around: Bright skies, clear desert air of Alice Springs is a complete contrast to the lazy tropical ambience of the north. The place is noteworthy for its Araluen Arts Centre and the Desert Park, taking about a couple of nights. You could even time your visit to match with one of the town’s unusual festivals such as the Camel Cup and dry river-bed regattas. The town centre is located between the Stuart Highway and Leichhardt Terrace along the Todd River that runs dry much of the year. Passing through this rectangle is Todd Mall, a lively pedestrian thoroughfare that is lined with cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Head to Anzac Hill for a panoramic view of Alice Springs and in the distance the MacDonnell Ranges.
Darwin: Northern Territory’s capital, the small, often hot city of Darwin, it is truly a fascinating fact that Darwin is closer to Bali than it is to Sydney. Its location makes it a natural base for explorations around the Northern Territory. Despite Darwin’s extreme climate and its turbulent history, it has a youthful, cosmopolitan feel to it, a feeling evident with the presence of bustling bars along Mitchell Street and also by the myriad cyclists and joggers who regularly head out to its many waterfront suburbs and tropical parks. Darwin could feel a little underwhelming after all the bustle of the east coast, but Darwin lives up to its billing as one of Australia’s fastest growing cities, with a population made of people from varied ethnic backgrounds. The heritage buildings and wildlife parks, the waterfront quarter and the pulsing nightlife make Darwin a place that you need to soak up at a relaxed pace. You can make day trips from Darwin to the famous Litchfield National Park and also the aboriginal-owned Tiwi Islands which is a half an hour flight from the town. At the city’s edge is the Crocodylus Park which warrants a full day tour together with the Territory Wildlife Park. Kakadu too is a day trip away from Darwin.
Kakadu National Park: About 150 kilometre east of Darwin is the Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness which is filled with natural wonders and a rich cultural heritage. Small wonder it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is managed partly by the Australian government and the Bininj people, the region’s traditional owners. Spread out over more than 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu warrants a longish visit for truly appreciating its wildlife, topography and ethnic heritage. You might want to rent out a 4WD and explore the park. Go on a river cruise and assess the remoter crannies. The dry season is the more popular time for a visit with scant rains and bearable humidity. Owing to the temperatures, the wildlife become more conspicuous. At the end of the dry season, birdlife gets a sudden boost with them congregating around the shrinking watering holes. November heralds the wet season when Kakadu receives relentless rainfall and storms. While major sights become inaccessible and the wildlife scattered, the waterfalls come back to life and the entire landscape vibrates with a new splendour. A majority of the sites can be reached through the Kakadu or Arnhem highways. The roads are accessible, though not to 4WD in the wet weather where the highways can go underwater on many occasions.
Litchfield National Park: The Darwin residents prefer Litchfield over Kakadu which is way much bigger. Located about 1000 kilometre south of Darwin, about 16 kilometre west of Stuart Highwat, Litchfield National Park encompasses the Tabletop range, a lively plateau which sends out a clutch of accessible waterfalls down into swimming holes. The entire park is quite laidback, opens up bushwalking opportunities with enough scope for nature appreciation. Though there is little here by way of aboriginal culture. Do pay heed to the warning signs for crocodiles.
Uluru: Previously called Rock Ayers, Uluru comprises the Kata Tjuta National Park. The Rock, purely its presence, its colours, so different with the changing light of the sun, is without a doubt one of the world’s most phenomenal natural wonders and worth all the hype. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it receives tourists round the year. Kata Tjuta meaning ‘many heads’ is about 45 kilometre west of the park’s entry point. Geographically it is very different from Uluru. Here you will be greeted by a cluster of domes, smooth and rounded at the top and passing through them gorges and valleys. An early morning hike through it is a great opportunity to spot rock wallabies.
Western AustraliaWestern Australia forms one third of the entire continent that is Australia and yet its population is significantly lesser than that of its neighbouring regions. The state has a strong sense of identity, for a majority of its population are very proud of their home state. And it is not without a reason. Western Australia offers a bubbling cauldron of attractions, from the outback to a laidback life, for a large number of tourists now it is delightful break from the razzmatazz of the eastern states.
Perth: The state’s capital, Perth is where a significant chuck of Western Australia’s population resides. It is a young city with a boisterous verve. To the south of the city is the forested hills and the gushing streams in the southwest are the reason Margaret River, the state’s celebrated wine-growing region thrives. Then there are the eucalyptus wilderness surrounding Pemberton that opens up unending trekking and nature walk opportunities. Go beyond central Perth to the port of Fremantle just at the opening of the Swan River. You could even plan a day trip to Rottnest Island which is just a 90-minute ride on a ferry from main city. If you make the short trip to Hillary’s Boat Harbour, do take out the time to visit its famous aquarium. The most stunning facet of Perth is that its beaches are nearly unbroken to the north of Fremantle. You can ride a bus or a train from the town centre to either Scarborough or Cottesloe. Else drive up to the Upper Swan Valley for its wineries and national parks that run along the coast and also over the Darling Ranges that has forested hulls. It is just a half an hour’s drive east of Perth, an extremely scenic drive that is characterised by walking trails through the Jarrah woodlands. Another day trip idea is to visit New Norcia, a monastic community.
Fremantle: Fremantle is Perth’s suburban sprawl and has an identity and character that is different than Perth. The working harbour, the marina, the chic ambience and several swish eating and shopping venues keep the energies centered around this port area. Fremantle is known for its weekend markets, attractive enough for you to plan you travels in Western Australia around them. The Cappuccino Strip is lined with tony cafes, South Terrace has quirky boutiques. The summers of Fremantle, though, is always cooler than Perth which is just a half an hour’s train ride. You can easily browse Fremantle on foot, sip coffee at its street-side cafes and see its many sights. Then move over to the ocean to round up the Fishing Boat Harbour that is ideal for a sumptuous seafood dinner while watching a breathtaking sunset over the waters.
South AustraliaThe driest state on the continent, South Australia is basically divided into two halves; the southern part with the Murray River passing through it has Adelaide at its heart with a Mediterranean climate. The northern half is dry and sparsely populated unlike the hugely populated southern side. The heat in the northern part can be quite unbearable.
Adelaide and around: To the southeast of Adelaide are the Adelaide Hills that is a popular weekend destination replete with national parks. Head to the south to Fleurieu Peninsula that goes on till Cape Jervis, lined with sandy beaches and more than fifty wineries in McLaren Vale. For those looking for some wine-tasting experience, visit McLaren Vale and then Barossa Valley which is the country’s most reputed and famed wine-producing region with over sixty wineries just 50 kilometre of Adelaide. You can easily make a day tour to Barossa from Adelaide, also you can choose to stay there for a few days. Another beach getaway from Adelaide is the Yorke Peninsula that continues to be home to the copper-mining industry and a well-preserved national park.
Barossa Valley: The Barossa Valley is about an hour’s drive from Adelaide and produces several acclaimed wines and is among Australia’s largest premium-quality wine producer. The region has a distinct German influence and it isn’t uncommon to find several stone German Lutheran churches dot the region. This is owing to the fact that the region in the 1840s was settled by German Lutherans fleeing from persecution on religious grounds. The town of Tanunda still is German in character and the Barossa Valley is worth your time for its excellent wineries, vineyards, butcher shops and bakeries that still have age-old German recipes passed on through generations. It was in 1847 that vines were planted for the first time in the region at the Orlando vineyards that still continues to be one of the greatest producers in the region. The climate and soil of Barossa make it conducive for wine production and producing wine varieties of high quality such as the white Rieslings. Barossa has a Mediterranean climate with gentle winters and dry summers. To see the vineyards turn a shade of burnished gold, plan a trip in the fall months between March and May. Harvest begins in earnest in this season. Be witness to some grape-picking that is done by hand.
Flinders Ranges: The Flinders Ranges are among the country’s oldest natural formations symbolised by craggy peaks and a serene bush setting that stretches over 400 kilometre from Port Pirie, about 220 kilometre north of Adelaide all the way to Lake Callabonna to the northeast of South Australia. You can visit the Mount Remarkable National Park and also the picture-perfect town of Melrose which is in the southern part of the Flinders Ranges. If you have time on your hands, don’t forget to round up Marree, an outback town.
Melbourne and around: This is Australia’s second largest city with a majority of the population residing here after Sydney. The rivalry between the two cities is palpable in every sphere, be it fashion, football or business. Melbourne is among one of the world’s most live able cities, though Melbourne unlike Sydney is not endowed with a natural setting or any iconic landmarks, but like Sydney its thriving culture, places to eat make it a great place to visit on your Australia trip. Melbourne is marked by stunning landscaped gardens and parks that serve as the green lung of the city that is otherwise speckled with skyscrapers. In the Central Business District or CBD, there are several Victorian-era buildings on tree-lined boulevards. People have migrated from all over the world – from places like Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, Sudan, Lebanon and Greece – to this city, giving it a milieu that is varied and made of ethnic groups. No wonder the city today is a foodie’s haven with so many traditions and influences blending in to create a rich and vibrant dining out scene. Do visit the century-old Queen Victoria Market, a great place to people-watch and even shop.
The landscaped Fitzroy Gardens is another veritable landmark in the city. Melbourne is the country’s cultural capital for being a healthy blend of artistic life and more highbrow gigs like the Melbourne International Arts Festival that takes place in October, going on for two weeks, aside from the more offbeat Fringe Festival. Through the year you can engage yourself with classic music recitals, theatre, comedy, art exhibitions, art-house cinema to Writers’ Festival that happens in August to showcase the country’s literary talent. Football is nearly a religion here, what with the Melbourne Cup taking place in November, celebrated by the entire country, a public holiday.
Victoria
Victoria is Australia’s second smallest state and is quite thickly populated. A significant chunk of the travellers come to this part just to witness the Great Ocean Road, a 285 kilometre of winding drive opening up stupendous coastal scenery. Then there is the Wilsons Promontory National Park only a few hours away on the coast of Gippsland, a dairy region. Head to Goldfields to view some grand 19th century facades from the gold-rush days, particularly in the mining towns of Bendigo and Ballarat.
The Great Ocean Road: Victoria’s claim to fame, this very famous southwestern coastal route begins at Torquay and extends west to Warrnambool for 285 kilometre. Built between 1919 and 1932 with the idea of creating a road with the best coastal scenery in the world, such as California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the drive is truly one of the most breathtaking in all of the continent. The idea behind the road was to serve as a memorial to the soldiers that had died in World War I and also provide employment opportunities to the ones that had returned. And so about 3000 such soldiers picked shovels and chiseled out this stunning road on one of the country’s most rugged and wooded coastline. Grazing the coastline between Torquay and Apollo Bay, it cuts through the laidback towns of Lorne and Anglesea that are under the shadow of the Otway Ranges. The road from Apollo Bay enters inland and cuts through the sentinel forests of Great Otway National Park and then out on the shore once more before covering the length of Port Campbell National Park. The most famous part of the drive is the one stretching from Moonlight Head to Port Fairy, dubbed the Shipwreck Coast for having around two hundred shipwrecks in this part. The Twelve Apostles rock formations here are completely unmissable.
Tasmania
The island state of Australia might seem a bit old-fashioned on a first glance, but it packs loads of charm. Due to its isolation, Tasmania is home to some rare and unique wildlife; one of them being the endemic Tasmanian Devil. Australians regularly go across the Bass Strait and enjoy the state’s unhurried pace of life, excellent dining out scene with glorious wines from some of its local wineries. Its capital city Hobart is home to several luxury hotels, avant-garde art galleries and beach houses. Typically the landscape of the region is made of rainforest that go back to the ice age with glacial mountains and beaches of fine white sands. For the outdoorsy type, the pure natural environment of Tasmania will feel blissful.
Hobart: The country’s southern-most city, Hobart is small but beautiful. The Derwent River passes through on one side and is backed by Mount Wellington whose tops always have a dusting of snow in winter. These come together to give the city a remoter feel than any other Australian city. Ever since the MONA gallery opened up in 2010, it has changed the face of Hobart. Weekenders fly in to see the place, eat at its restaurants, sample the coffee, shop a bit and soak up the city’s relaxed pace of life. The city has its share of Georgian architecture that have been classified by National Trust majorly on Davey and Macquaire streets. The city has a few outstanding museums too, a few atmospheric walks, a blossoming culinary and arts scene in a splendid backdrop of historical buildings and cobalt waters. Perhaps not as contemporary as a Perth or Melbourne or Sydney, it still is among the country’s most liveable capitals.
Best time to visit AustraliaAhead of planning your holiday, look up the best time to visit Australia. The country has an array of climates through the year, from desert and temperate to tropical and subtropical. The region is home to rainforests, snowy Alpine peaks, sun-baked outbacks and warm beaches. One needs to understand that Australia in the Southern Hemisphere has a climate that is the opposite of Northern Hemisphere. Learn about the peak seasons, when a good time to visit its grand outback, see its unique wildlife, experience the art scene and the many festivals that Australia hosts.
Off season (June to August): It is definitely the winter season in Australia that is a veritable low season. The air is nippy and the skies cloudy, yet there is enough sunshine. The great thing about travelling in this season is the ostensible lack of tourists making accommodation and flights cheaper. Although this is the greatest time to visit Cairns and subsequently the Great Barrier Reef as the temperatures are moderate and the region receives abundance of sunshine. The cold season is the best to round up Australia’s myriad vineyards and wineries and go on a wine-tasting tour as well as try out the vivid seasonal ingredients that the region produces.
Shoulder season (March to May and September to November): Spring and fall are the best times to visit Australia. The flights are still affordable than they are in the summer, the weather is still warm or warming up. From Broome to Cairns the weather is ideal for travels as it is the dry season. Spring heralds the beginning of the wildflower season where wild blooms splatter gardens and fields and flower festivals become the order nationwide. There is no better time to spot wildlife, many a kangaroo carry their babies in their pouches. Just like spring, autumn too is a great time to visit the Down Under. Between April and May is the best time to see the stark red outback of the Red Centre. The months symbolise the beginning of the dry season with bright sunny days and warm nights.
Peak season (December to February): The sun shines the brightest in this season. The weather is hot, the beaches come back to life, filled with sunbathers. This is the high season in Australia and the most expensive time to visit it. Flight prices soar and as do hotel tariffs. You need to make sure you have made all your bookings in advance so that you get the best deal and round up all its popular sites, predominantly the beaches. This is the best season to snorkel, swim and surf in some of Australia’s most stunning beaches and in Australia you are never far away from a good beach. Spend a perfect summer vacation in the Down Under.
How to reach AustraliaHere we give you a rundown on how to reach Australia.
By air: There are several non-stop flights from India to Australia, the land of kangaroos and koalas. You can choose to fly with the national carrier Air India, Qantas, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, AirAsia or Scoot. There are connecting flights with convenient layovers from New Delhi to Australian cities like Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. However, you can fly directly from New Delhi to Sydney on Air India and Qantas with flights available at a decent frequency through the week.
By Car: Plan a road trip to soak in the remarkable landscape of the country. Drive your way through Red Centre or the Great Ocean Road in self-drives. The car rentals can be booked at the airports or multiple locations in the city. Taxis can be hired too to cover the distance in a city. Opt for buses for a city tour or a long-haul ride. Book a hop-on hop-off on greyhound.com at reasonable prices.
By Train: Another great way to catch the scenic vistas of Australia is to travel by train. Book the Indian Pacific to travel between Sydney and Perth or The Ghan which runs from Adelaide to Darwin covering Red Centre. TrainLink provides services from Sydney to New South Wales, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.