When's the Best Time to Visit Different Parts of Australia?

You'll find Australia's huge size means you've got different perfect times depending where you want to go. Winter from June through August is actually ideal if you're heading to the Outback and Uluru - the cooler temps make exploring much more comfortable. Spring's really special in Western Australia around September to November with amazing wildflowers everywhere and if you're lucky you might spot whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef. Looking to hit the beaches? Summer's your friend from December to February especially along the East Coast where you can surf Byron Bay or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Fall's brilliant for Tasmania around March to May and you've got to check out the penguins on Kangaroo Island at the Penneshaw Penguin Centre.

How Can You Experience Aboriginal Culture First-Hand?

There's some really authentic ways to connect with Aboriginal traditions right across Australia. Over in Western Australia the Dabungool Cultural Experience near Esperance is fantastic - local Wudjari Nyungar guides show you everything from bush tucker to traditional medicine and explain their fascinating six seasons. If you're heading to Kangaroo Island you can join Anangu artists for dot-painting workshops where they'll teach you all about their symbols and stories. Up in the Flinders Ranges the Adnyamathanha guides at Wilpena Pound share amazing insights about bush mai their artifacts and medicinal plants plus you'll experience a traditional smoking ceremony.

What Natural Areas Can You Explore Outside the Cities?

Australia's packed with incredible national parks and each one's got its own character. Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia is mind-blowing - you can get there by 4WD or join a guided tour to really understand what you're seeing. If you're up for a proper hike the Cradle Mountain Overland Track in Tasmania starting at Ronny Creek is unforgettable especially with experienced guides camping under the stars. Over on Kangaroo Island Flinders Chase National Park feels like another planet with its crazy rock formations and you'll see fur seals everywhere - definitely worth taking a guided tour to get the most out of it.

What Are Some Hidden Gem Routes Around Australia?

Want to get off the tourist track? The West Coast is incredible on an 8-day boutique tour where you'll explore the weird and wonderful Pinnacles Desert catch your own lobsters in Kalbarri and snorkel Ningaloo Reef. If you're after real outback adventure the Oodnadatta Track's your answer - it's properly remote with amazing lunar landscapes perfect for 4WD camping trips. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria's a bit more accessible but still stunning with those famous Twelve Apostles and lovely little beach towns along the way. People love these routes because they show you the real Australia away from the crowds.

How Do You Get Around Australia?

Getting around's pretty straightforward once you know your options. Domestic flights connect all the major cities with loads of flights between Sydney Melbourne Cairns and Perth. Renting a car gives you total freedom especially for coastal drives and exploring regional areas. If you'd rather not worry about the details guided tours are brilliant particularly for tricky spots like the Outback and Uluru - plus you get all the local knowledge. Really it comes down to how you like to travel where you want to go and what your budget looks like.

Australia Tours & Trips

The best Australia tour packages

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Explorer Sightseeing
Australia’s West Coast & Ningaloo Reef – 8 Day Boutique Comfort Tour
4.9 (8 traveler reviews)
"An event filled trip with great guide and driver."
Graham, traveled in July
Destinations
Perth, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia Reserve, Carnarvon,Coral Bay,Exmouth+2 more
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Country Region
Australia West CoastWestern AustraliaNingaloo Reef+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Via Travel Australia
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$4,520
$1,130 now + easy payments of $565
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 12 Oct 2025
Pay today$1,130
6 easy payments$565
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 12 Oct 2025
Pay today$1,130
6 easy payments$565
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Explorer Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 9 Day Boutique Tour
4.4 (5 traveler reviews)
"Very good overview of what Queensland can offer, spectacular views."
Yves, traveled in July
Destinations
Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach,Atherton,Cairns,Great Barrier Reef,Kuranda,Port Douglas,Mossman Gorge,Daintree National Park,Cape Tribulation+8 more
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaSouth East QueenslandQueensland+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Via Travel Australia
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$6,441
$1,610 now + easy payments of $345
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
Pay today$1,610
14 easy payments$345
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
Pay today$1,610
14 easy payments$345
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Explorer Family Sightseeing Christmas & New Year +1
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Hotel locations was perfect near city center, hotel is clean and perfect."
Lilbeth, traveled in June
Destinations
Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns
Age Range
up to 70 year olds
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
Duration
10 days
From
NZ$2,298
$483 now + easy payments of $129
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
Pay today$483
15 easy payments$129
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
Pay today$483
15 easy payments$129
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Aussie Icons - Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne
4.2 (9 traveler reviews)
"Blue Mountains, Cairns Great Barrier Reef and Daintree RainForest trips were the highlights."
Rajah, traveled in October
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Daintree National Park,Great Barrier Reef,Melbourne,Great Ocean Road,Apollo Bay+4 more
Age Range
8 to 79 year olds
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Duration
10 days
From
NZ$4,470
$2,235 now + easy payments of $223
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Dec 2025
Pay today$2,235
10 easy payments$223
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Dec 2025
Pay today$2,235
10 easy payments$223
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Explorer Sightseeing
Oz Intro
4.8 (1,529 traveler reviews) award winner
"Absolutely fantastic would definitely recommend."
Connor, traveled in September
Destinations
Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane
Age Range
18 to 35 year olds
Country Region
Australia East CoastEast AustraliaGold Coast+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
INTRO Travel
Duration
10 days
From
NZ$1,449
$437 now + easy payments of $82
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 28 Jan 2026
Pay today$437
16 easy payments$82
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 28 Jan 2026
Pay today$437
16 easy payments$82
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Explorer GAP Year Christmas & New Year +1
UltimateOz - Gap Year | ULTIMATE
4.7 (193 traveler reviews)
"The first few days of the tour were great with meeting everyone and going to base camp."
joshuatubbs, traveled in November
Destinations
Sydney, Newcastle, Bondi
Age Range
up to 35 year olds
Country Region
Australia East CoastEast AustraliaHunter ValleyNew South Wales+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Ultimate Travel
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$1,298
$59 now + easy payments of $77
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
Pay today$59
16 easy payments$77
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
Pay today$59
16 easy payments$77
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer Coach / Bus Sightseeing Christmas & New Year +2
7 Day Perth to Exmouth Explorer & Ningaloo Reef Return - from Perth
4.7 (59 traveler reviews)
"From day one I was able to see sights and take part in experiences of a lifetime!"
Molly, traveled in October
Destinations
Perth, Nambung National Park, Kalbarri National Park,Monkey Mia Reserve,Coral Bay,Cape Range National Park,Exmouth,Geraldton+5 more
Age Range
6 to 70 year olds
Country Region
Australia West CoastWestern Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Autopia Tours
12% Off
Duration
7 days
From $2,051
NZ$1,805
$410 now + easy payments of $109
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$410
15 easy payments$109
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$410
15 easy payments$109
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Looking for tours beyond just Australia?
Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including Australia.
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Explorer Family
Best of Sydney & Blue Mountains
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Well organized with great events along with plenty of personal time to further explore."
Gregory, traveled in February
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains
Age Range
8 to 82 year olds
Regions
Australia East CoastEast AustraliaNew South WalesBlue Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
12% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$1,948
$974 now + easy payments of $108
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 10 Dec 2025
Pay today$974
9 easy payments$108
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 10 Dec 2025
Pay today$974
9 easy payments$108
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Explorer Family Sightseeing Christmas & New Year +1
15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"We had a great time & it went very smoothly. I appreciate also that she would contact us to see how things were going."
Stanley, traveled in March
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns
Age Range
up to 70 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
12% Off
Duration
15 days
From
NZ$3,959
$831 now + easy payments of $222
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
Pay today$831
15 easy payments$222
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 02 Feb 2026
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15 easy payments$222
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Explorer Family Coach / Bus Sightseeing Historical +2
Top End Highlights
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"This was an interesting and fun adventure of the top end. Each day was packed full with 'must do's'."
Fiona, traveled in September
Destinations
Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Katherine,Katherine River Gorge,Nitmiluk National Park,Kakadu National Park+3 more
Age Range
5 to 99 year olds
Regions
Australia Northern TerritoryKakadu National Park+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
AAT Kings
10% Off
Duration
6 days
From $4,090
NZ$3,681
$200 now + easy payments of $917
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 04 Sep 2025
Pay today$200
4 easy payments$917
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 04 Sep 2025
Pay today$200
4 easy payments$917
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