Australia Travel Guide

Australia is rich in wildlife and much of it is unique and endemic to the country. Expect to see kangaroos aplenty as well as other marsupials including wallabies, koala and wombat. Mammals include dingo as well as quoll and Tasmanian devil, both of which are notoriously shy and best seen in Tasmania. Another unusual animal group for which Australia is unique are monotremes or egg-laying mammals such as echidna and the duck-billed platypus.

Home to over 800 species of bird including an array of colourful parrots, penguins, kookaburra, emu and the prehistoric-looking cassowary plus a range of seabirds. Snakes, crocodiles and turtle also make Australia their home and that is before we even touch on the oceans surrounding the continent which are rich in life, both big and small, from clownfish to whales.

From the breathtaking underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef to watching the sunset over the red sandstone monolith Uluru, Australia has an infinite list of things to see and do. Sydney is a buzzing city with fantastic restaurants, busy Harbour and Opera house, and miles of sandy beaches. For those who are looking to get away from it all and enjoy some of the country’s local produce, then the scenic Hunter, Barossa and Yarra Valleys are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the fantastic wines on offer.

Most people who travel with Steppes Travel spend on average a minimum of three weeks in Australia. The country is huge and travelling distances are great so anything less can become a little rushed, especially when taking into account the international flights.

Australia is huge and as such, there is no one time of the year that is best to visit as the weather varies greatly from region to region. In brief, below is our advice on the very best time to visit specific regions. Travel outside of these times is of course possible:

October to March is great for: Sydney and New South Wales, Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, Perth and Margaret River

October to May is great for: Adelaide and South Australia Tasmania

April to September/October is great for: Queensland Ningaloo Reef

June to September is great for: Northern Territories including the Red Centre The Kimberley

You should always check with your GP before travel and ensure you are up to date with basic vaccinations such as tetanus, however, there are no mandatory injections required for entry into Australia. Australia is also malaria free.

A visa is required for British Nationals travelling to Australia. Visitors must apply for an ETA or an eVisitor visa in advance which is easy to do online. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and must contain at least two blank pages, side by side.