Best places in Australia and these magical moments, Part I
📋 Key takeaways: Australia offers several trips in one. My top must-see: Sydney (Opera, Harbour Bridge), Great Barrier Reef (snorkeling), Uluru (sacred rock), Whitsundays (Whitehaven beach), Great Ocean Road, Tasmania, Kakadu, Outback. Allow at least 3 weeks. Budget 100-150 €/day in standard mode.
My best places in Australia
– Swim and go see the barrier reef,
You have to take the boat from Cairns, when you mention Australia, you think of Sydney, kangaroos and the barrier reef! It is the largest in the world and also the most visited, the remains are magnificent and you can find a hundred varieties of fish there! If you are lucky, you can even stroke the “ELVIS”.
This fish is called “ELVIS” because of the shape of its head which forms a bump 😀 like Elvis’s hairstyle, this fish likes to be petted!
– See the fireworks at the Botanic Garden in Sydney for New Year’s Eve,
Another alternative exists if you cannot be there, it is the fireworks at Darling Harbour for Australian Day! I remember these 2 magical moments, I even started a wave while waiting for the fireworks on the steps of Darling Harbour, a great moment of laughter and magical memories!
– See the sunrise at Uluru or the sunset over the Kata Tjuta,
This famous rock and its little brothers are revered by the Aboriginal people and Uluru is one of the icons of Australia and the Aboriginal people.
🗣️ My experience: The most striking moment: sunrise at Uluru. At 5:30 am in the silence of the red desert, the monolith changes color in 20 minutes (from purple to burnt orange). Spiritual. Cost: 38 AUD park entry valid for 3 days. Tip: sleep at the Ayers Rock Resort campground 20 km away, much cheaper than lodges, same view.
🌍 Did you know?
The Great Barrier Reef is 2,300 km long, it is the largest living structure visible from space. It is home to 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral. Unfortunately, 50% of its area has already experienced major bleaching since 2016 due to warming. See it while you still can.
There are 2-3 day tours starting from Alice Springs including a tour to Uluru, the Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and King Canyon for 300 dollars, you can also catch lifts in Cairns, Darwin or Adelaide!
– Visit Fraser Island,
Fraser is the largest sand island in Australia and the sixth largest island in Australia, it is only accessible by 4×4. Several tours offer visits either accompanied (4×4 bus, or 4×4 with a guide) with accommodation or self-drive 4×4, you tour at your own pace and camp in recommended spots with 2-3 other 4x4s accompanying you, to be done only when the weather permits! Go to the top of Indian Head and observe sharks, manta rays, turtles and whales depending on the season (Personally I saw them all :D)!
🍀 Australia
- Extremely varied landscapes
- Unique wildlife (kangaroo, koala, wombat)
- Maximum safety
- Working Holiday Visa possible up to 35 years old
🔻 Limits
- Huge distances (4 domestic flights)
- High cost (Sydney, Melbourne)
- Long and expensive Europe flight (24h)
- Sun = sunscreen all year round
– Sail around the Whitsundays Islands,
74 islands located in the heart of the coral reef, there is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Whitehaven Beach, it truly lives up to its name,
⚠️ Classic trap
Underestimating car distances. Sydney-Melbourne = 880 km (9 h), Cairns-Brisbane = 1,700 km (18 h), Sydney-Uluru = 2,800 km (30 h). For long distances, domestic flights are often the most economical option (flights at 80-200 AUD). The Indian Pacific train crosses the country in 4 days.
For the main cities, what to do in Sydney and what to do in Perth cover the east and west coasts. The Australia budget provides concrete figures, and Tasmania deserves its own trip.
There are cruises for 10 to 32 people for excursions of 1, 2, and 3 days! There is something for everyone! Festive cruises or relaxed cruises with other people from around the world! During this cruise, you will be taken to several snorkeling spots (that means swimming with a mask and snorkel) and if you wish, you can book a dive! I remember one of my moments of glory when I saved an English woman who panicked because she was too close to the reefs, so she panicked and I got her out of there! Too bad she had a boyfriend :D.
How many days to visit Australia?
Best time to visit Australia?
What budget for 3 weeks in Australia?
| Place | Region | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | New South Wales | City, opera, Bondi |
| Great Barrier (Cairns) | Queensland | Snorkeling, diving |
| Uluru / Ayers Rock | Northern Territory | Sacred rock, sunrise |
| Whitsundays | Queensland | Whitehaven beach, sailing |
| Great Ocean Road | Victoria | Road trip, 12 Apostles |
| Tasmania | Island to the south | Cradle Mountain, wildlife |
| Kakadu National Park | Northern Territory | Aborigines, crocodiles |
| Perth + Margaret River | Western Australia | West coast, vineyards |
