Top places to visit in Australia

Southbank featuring a river or creek, a high rise building and a bridge

Melbourne

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Best time to take a trip to Australia

The summer months, October through March, are hot, humid and wet. The dry season runs from April to September. During this time, the average temperature ranges from the mid-60s to the high 80s, and it rarely rains. During June, July and August, cities and beaches are crowded with tourists. Hotels and flights are also booked well in advance from Boxing Day through the end of January, which is when Aussies take their vacations. If you want to avoid the crowds, enjoy nice weather and steer clear of peak-season prices, visit Australia anytime from mid-September to the end of October.

Insider tips for Australia travel

Mission Beach

If you blink while driving down Bruce Highway, you'll miss Mission Beach. This tiny town is surrounded by lush rainforest and has a pristine beach.

Hyams Beach

Load up on sunscreen and head to Hyams Beach. Located in Jarvis Bay, this beach is said to have the whitest sand in the world.

Indian Tea House

Have brunch at the Indian Tea House. The restaurant overlooks the sea along Cottesloe Beach, a petite out-of-the way beach in Perth.

Star of Greece Café

This 1950s kiosk sits on the top of the cliff overlooking Port Willunga. It serves some of the country's best seafood and offers an amazing view.

Central Tilba

Browse antique stores and admire historic buildings in this quaint New South Wales hamlet.

Things to do in Australia

Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

Tropical Cairns provides easy access to two World Heritage marvels: the lovely islands and marine treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, with its wondrous beauty and animal inhabitants.

Sydney Harbour

Visit Sydney's focal point at night for spectacular photography opportunities featuring the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, flooded with light.

Great Barrier Reef

The largest coral reef system in the world is comprised of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, and it's visible from the moon.

Koala Park Sanctuary

This sanctuary offers free koala cuddling sessions at scheduled times throughout the day.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Climb aboard the ships and submarines that are docked in the harbor to experience life as a sailor.

Ningaloo Reef

Go snorkeling along a 161-mile coral reef. You don't need a 90-minute boat ride to find the reef; the coral starts right on the shore.

Tully River

Take a guided whitewater rafting tour along the Tully River. The Class III and IV rapids are surrounded by rainforest.

Cooper Pedy

The biggest subterranean town in Australia; it even has underground churches.

National Gallery of Australia

Located in Canberra, this museum has the largest collection of Australian indigenous art in the world.

Kakadu National Park

These hiking trails feature breathtaking waterfalls, cycads, lily-filled lagoons and red cliffs.

National Wine Centre of Australia

Blend your own virtual wine, sample some of Australia's rarest vintage wine and grab lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Wine Centre.

New South Wales

Start your tour of cosmopolitan Sydney with a visit to the iconic Opera House; absorb panoramic views from atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge; and play in the surf at Bondi Beach. Venture to the canyons and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains, and go wine tasting in Hunter Valley.

Northern Territory

Get the "Real Outback" experience in the Northern Territory, with a pilgrimage to the sacred Aboriginal site of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Go hot air ballooning over the red desert landscape, and explore the famous Kakadu National Park near bustling Darwin.

South Australia

Elegant Adelaide is famous for its galleries, museums, sidewalk cafes, cozy pubs and excellent restaurants. It's also a gateway to the Barossa Valley, the wine capital of Australia. Take a ferry to Kangaroo Island, a nature-lover's paradise.

South Queensland

Visit Brisbane and explore the weekend markets, outdoor cafes, art & culture, and more. Hit the stunning, pristine beaches of the Gold Coast to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north.

Tasmania

Friendly and relaxed, Tasmania an ecological and cultural wonderland. It boasts pristine national parks; abundant wildlife experiences and rich colonial heritage. Among the highlights: Hobart's markets, Tamar Valley wineries and the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Victoria

Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia. Enjoy its art, café culture, fine wine, sporting events and unsurpassed shopping. Drive along the Great Ocean Road for some breathtaking scenery, including the Twelve Apostles. And don't forget the Penguin Parade.

Western Australia

found 24 hours ago

We picked Treasury on Collins for our 4-night stay in Melbourne based on the great reviews, and we were not disappointed. When walking in, you get a glimpse of the historic building in The Bank on Collins -- the restaurant located on the building's first floor. You also get a sneak peak of the 2nd floor lounge area reserved for hotel guests, which was one of our favorite perks. Every day, some tasty snacks and free alcohol were available, providing the perfect happy hour before we headed out for dinner. There were also free pastries, waters, and other packaged snacks available on the same floor, which we much preferred over the typical (and expensive) minibars offered at most hotels. The room was spacious, clean, and modern. Since there's no minibar, the fridge was completely open for our own drinks and snacks, which was a refreshing change. There were other quirky additions to the room, such as a two-up paddle (an Australian gambling game), and a Rubik's cube (for which you're offered a free bottle of wine if you solve it!). The location was also excellent, with many great restaurants and shops nearby. We particularly enjoyed walking to the huge Royal Botanic Gardens, which was a nice change-of-pace from the rest of our Melbourne visit. Overall, if we ever have a chance return to Melbourne, we'll strongly consider staying at Treasury on Collins again.

Reviewed on May 5, 2019