Australia is not only known for its beautiful coral reef the Great Barrier Reef and the sacred monolith Ayers Rock. With a 36,000km-long coastline, the country has countless wide beaches and secluded bays. In the rainforests located in the north there are many exotic animal and plant worlds to discover. The coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth show visitors a modern and cosmopolitan side with high class restaurants and the best hotels in Australia. The island of Tasmania invites you to a variety of great walks on the other side of the world. This makes Australia a particularly diverse destination that has something to offer for every journey.
The most popular travel area of the country is probably the densely populated east coast. In the north of the state of Queensland lies the famous Great Barrier Reef. It is considered the largest continuous reef in the world and is home to over 1,600 species of marine life. For divers and snorkeling fans the reef is one of the most impressive in the world. From here you can also make boat trips to remote islands like the Whitsunday Islands. If you are looking for especially comfortable hotels in Australia, you will find them in the metropolises Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney, Australia's largest city, is a multicultural hub and is home to the iconic opera house, a variety of cultural activities as well as Australia's most famous beach: Bondi Beach. Thus, a visit to Sydney is suitable for both culture lovers and beach lovers. Equally diverse is the city of Melbourne, located on the south coast of the country. It serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the Great Ocean Road. Over 250km long, this road between Allansford and Torquay is one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world due to its special scenery. For travellers who like to get a little off the beaten track, we recommend a walk on the green island of Tasmania or a stroll along the beaches of the sparsely populated west coast. Despite their remoteness, these regions of Australia also offer hotels for every taste.
Every region of Australia has unique attractions to offer. When visiting Sydney, one should not miss a trip to the Blue Mountains National Park, only 60km away. Unique rock formations and huge eucalyptus forests show what Australia might have looked like before the arrival of western settlers. For those interested in culture, a visit to the Museum of Sydney, Madame Tussauds Sydney or the Museum of Contemporary Art is also recommended. Even if it is far away from the next big city, a visit to the Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park in the middle of the continent offers a view of the Ayers Rock, the landmark of Australia. From here, one can also discover the endlessness of the outback. This region is especially recommended for the adventurous. The tropical north of Australia also has a lot to offer. In the Kakadu National Park, wild river landscapes and extraordinary flora and fauna can be admired. Crystal clear water and white sandy beaches can be found everywhere in Australia, but the west coast offers countless possibilities to have the beach all to yourself. As a beach lover, one should not miss Turqouise Bay or the Cable Beach. Generally, Australia's size and uniqueness provides an almost inexhaustible array of beaches, culture, wilderness and adventure.
Australia's cuisine is diverse. Often traditional spices and preparation methods of Aboriginal Australians are combined with modern, western cuisine. With access to the sea, many fish dishes are prepared – barramundi and redfish, for example, are popular food fish for the locals. Perhaps unfamiliar to Europeans, are dishes with kangaroo and crocodile meat, which are also sold in supermarkets. The meat is often grilled and serves as an Australian alternative to chicken or beef. A – Barbie –, a term for barbecue, is one of the most popular leisure activities for Australians. The selection of grilled goods in supermarkets is particularly varied. The public barbecue facilities, some of which are free of charge, on beaches or in parks, also invite you to have your own barbecue. The most popular dessert of Australia is Pavlova, a cream cake with meringue, which is usually served with fruit. A popular snack is the Meat Pie. This small pie filled with meat is one of the national dishes in Australia and is definitely a must-try. A culinary rarity is the famous Vegemite. A yeast spread which is popular in Australia. It is spread on toast or sandwiches. Moreover, there are a lot of wine growing areas in Australia, for example the Barossa Valley.
Due to the size and the different climatic zones of the country, no specific travel time can be recommended for the whole country. In the Australian winter months from May to October it is especially worthwhile to visit the interior of the country, as the daytime temperatures during this time of the year are a pleasant 20°C. The north of Australia is also worth a visit during these months, as there is a dry season and the temperatures are in a comfortable range. For a visit to Tasmania, the Australian summer between November and March is recommended. During this time the plentiful hiking options can be enjoyed at their best. Also in Melbourne, on the south coast of Australia, the climate is especially pleasant during the summer months. The region between Sydney and Brisbane and the west coast of Australia offers mild temperatures all year round. So depending on your personal preference and the activities you plan to do, you can decide at which time of the year a visit to Australia is best suited.
Due to the distance, one usually travels from Europe to Australia by plane. The airports on the east coast, for example in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne as well as on the west coast, for example in Perth, serve as arrival points and hubs for most journeys within Australia. From Munich, Frankfurt or Berlin, flights are regularly offered by international airlines, often with a stopover in Dubai or Hong Kong.