Australia travel guide

Overview

Most first trips start with 3 days in Sydney, including a train day to the Blue Mountains, about 2 hours each way. A direct flight of about 3 h 15 min reaches Cairns for Green Island and the rainforest railway to Kuranda, and Cairns to Melbourne is about 3 h 25 min by air.

Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere: summer is December to February and winter is June to August. Sydney is warm in summer and mild in winter, Melbourne is cool from June to August, and around Cairns the summer rains usually fall from November to March.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janHotfebRainymarBestaprBestmayMildjunColdjulColdaugColdsepBestoctBestnovMilddecBusy

Vivid Sydney lights up the harbor with light installations, music and talks from 28 May to 19 June 2027.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Melbourne]

Melbourne in 3 daysHosier Lane, State Library Victoria, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, Lygon Street, Royal Botanic Gardens, St Kilda Pier, Melbourne Cricket Ground, ChinatownBalanced pace

[Photo: Sydney]

Sydney in 3 daysThe Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Hyde Park Barracks, Bondi Beach, Bondi to Coogee walk, Sydney Fish Market, Three Sisters, Scenic WorldBalanced pace

[Photo: Australia]

Australia in 10 daysSydney Opera House, Bondi to Coogee walk, Three Sisters, Green Island, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, St Kilda Pier, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Cricket GroundBalanced pace

Where to stay

CairnsThe Esplanade for the lagoon, the reef terminal and dinner by the water; the city center near Cairns Station for the Kuranda train; Cairns North for a quieter stretch of the waterfront.Best areas to stay in Cairns Hotels in Cairns

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MelbourneThe city center for trams, laneways and Chinatown; Southbank for the river and the galleries; Carlton and Fitzroy for food and bars; St Kilda for the bay.Best areas to stay in Melbourne Hotels in Melbourne

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SydneyCircular Quay and The Rocks for the harbor and ferries; the city center around Town Hall and Haymarket for value and Central Station; Darling Harbour for the waterfront; Bondi for the beach.Best areas to stay in Sydney Hotels in Sydney

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Getting around

Flights: Domestic flights link the main stops: Sydney to Cairns takes about 3 h 15 min direct, and Cairns to Melbourne about 3 h 25 min.
Trains: Intercity trains leave Sydney for the Blue Mountains at least hourly and reach Katoomba in about 2 hours.
In Melbourne: Trams cross the city center to Carlton, St Kilda and the MCG, and the SkyBus City Express runs to the airport every 10 min.
In Cairns: The Esplanade, the reef terminal and the Kuranda train station are walkable; from 23 Nov 2026 the Route 100 bus links the airport and the Esplanade.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Visitors are personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia, and Home Affairs recommends insurance.

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Phone dataMobile data keeps domestic flight updates, maps and transit times at hand across three cities with different transport systems.How a travel eSIM works

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