A little more
Australia.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Australia: what to know before you go

Australia is a country the size of a continent, with relaxed coastal cities, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, and a vast red interior that holds some of the oldest living cultures on earth. Distances are enormous, so most visitors focus on one or two regions. It suits road-trippers, beach lovers, divers and anyone interested in wildlife you will not see anywhere else.

Where to go

• Sydney. The harbour is the centrepiece: walk from the Opera House past the Royal Botanic Garden, climb or cross the Harbour Bridge, and take the ferry to Manly.
• The Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest coral reef system runs for more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coast.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. In the Red Centre, the great sandstone monolith of Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta are sacred to the Anangu traditional owners.
• Melbourne. A city of laneway cafés, street art, galleries and sport, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the Australian Open.

Best time to visit

Seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. Sydney and Melbourne are best in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May).

Staying online in Australia

Mobile coverage is excellent in cities and towns and along most of the coast, but the country is so large that much of the interior has no signal at all. Expect long gaps on outback highways, in national parks and on remote stretches of road in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and some city centres and public transport. Download offline maps before any outback drive, carry water, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.