Discover Australia

At the Great Barrier Reef, you can snorkel, dive or fly over the reef. As the world’s largest coral reef system, it offers three different perspectives on the same marine landscape. Australian travel experiences also include multi-day hikes, dramatic rock landscapes and rail journeys through different parts of the country.

Coral reefs and marine life

Ningaloo Reef is the world’s largest fringing reef and can be reached directly from the beach. It is home to sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and whale sharks. The two reefs offer different options for planning a trip: at the Great Barrier Reef, you can choose activities such as snorkeling, diving and flying over the reef; at Ningaloo Reef, direct beach access and wildlife come together.

Hikes between red slopes and moss-covered forests

The Larapinta Trail follows the ridge of the West MacDonnell Ranges, passing red rock slopes and waterholes, as well as sacred Aboriginal sites. The full route is estimated to take 12 to 20 days. The Overland Track leads through moss-covered forests and past high rock cliffs and is considered a six-day hike. The two trails can be compared by their scenery and the time they take. The full Larapinta route takes longer than the six-day hike on the Overland Track.

Rock landscapes and stories

Wilpena Pound is a sunken natural amphitheater and a desert basin surrounded by rugged mountains. Visitors can join an exploration led by Aboriginal guides, discover rock art, find ancient fossils and observe wildlife.

The Three Sisters are a striking rock formation associated with an Aboriginal legend about three sisters who were turned to stone. You can view the Three Sisters from Echo Point Lookout; there are numerous bushwalking trails in the surrounding area.

Rail journeys and getting around the country

The Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin, crossing Australia’s Red Centre and the tropical Top End. The Indian Pacific runs between Sydney and Perth, stopping in Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie. To choose between the trains, you can compare their endpoints, the regions they cross and their stops.

Domestic airlines serve all Australian state capitals and many regional cities. Australia has an extensive network of well-maintained roads; long-distance routes have regular rest areas and service stations. When choosing a hotel location, it’s best to first decide which destinations, experiences and ways of traveling will shape your stay.

Influences on Australian cuisine

Australian cuisine combines global influences with native ingredients, including bush foods, Asian spices and European techniques.

Discover more destinations: Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia

See the main travel overview: Oceania.