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Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Australia travel guides

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Australia is a land of remarkable landscapes, from tropical rainforests to the vast Outback, from scenic winelands to idyllic beaches that curl around its glittering cities. This diversity gives rise to an overwhelming range of travel options, whether you’re planning your first trip to the country or wanting to explore more intrepidly, aboard a train.

Our guides, written by country specialists, are designed to help you focus your ideas so that your holiday to Australia is tailored to your interests.

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Audley Travel specialist Barbara

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Ideas for how to explore Australia

Our travel guides share our specialists' passion and knowledge for Australia. We travel here regularly to discover new experiences, explore untried areas and dig deeper into the better-known places and attractions. At the same time, we gather advice and up-to-date information on the best-quality guides, new hotels and restaurants, and the most memorable forms of transportation.

  • Top 7 Aboriginal experiences in Australia
    Aboriginal rock art, Kakadu National Park

    Top 7 Aboriginal experiences in Australia

    Top 7 Aboriginal experiences in Australia

    Remote rock art, guided bushtucker walks, even an underground didgeridoo performance — there are so many ways to tap into Australia’s rainbow of Aboriginal cultures. Audley Australia specialist Ian highlights seven of the best, most respectful, and authentic experiences out there.

    7 min read

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  • Combining Australia and New Zealand: questions to ask yourself
    Kawarau River Valley, Queenstown

    Combining Australia and New Zealand: questions to ask yourself

    Combining Australia and New Zealand: questions to ask yourself

    Trip duration, timing, your appetite for flying — these are some of the things to think about if you’re planning a joint Australia-New Zealand trip. But Audley specialist James says it really comes down to what kind of experiences you’re after.

    8 min read

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  • What to do in Australia: our highlights guide
    Sydney Harbour Bridge

    What to do in Australia: our highlights guide

    What to do in Australia: our highlights guide

    A country the size of Australia provides a vast and varied array of experiences. Country specialist, Amy, narrows down some of the key highlights for first-time visitors to the country, as well as a couple of lesser-explored options for your Australia holiday.

    7 min read

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  • Australia's top 10 nature experiences
    Frilled Neck Lizard, Kakadu National Park

    Australia's top 10 nature experiences

    Australia's top 10 nature experiences

    From mountain ranges to ferny forests and coral reefs, Australia has more than its fair share of natural wonders. We’ve picked ten of the best for you to experience, and share our tips for making the most of your trip.

    10 min read

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  • Self-drive holidays in Australia: beyond the Great Ocean Road
    Australian road sign

    Self-drive holidays in Australia: beyond the Great Ocean Road

    Self-drive holidays in Australia: beyond the Great Ocean Road

    The ultimate Australian road trip? A myth — this is a country of many great drives. We talk you through alternative routes to the Great Ocean Road in traditionally quieter areas of Australia: the southwest, South Australia, and the Top End.

    9 min read

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  • What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide
    Dove Lake hike

    What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide

    What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide

    Australia expert Haley explains why Tasmania shouldn’t be overlooked on a trip to Australia. From farm-to-table dining to expansive walking trails along rugged coastlines and getting a glimpse of wild Tasmanian devils and fluffy wombats, this island has much to discover.

    7 min read

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  • Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific
    The Ghan, Darwin

    Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific

    Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific

    Australia by train? Yes: the country hosts two of the world’s greatest routes, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. But, what are the differences between them? Our specialists explain. Either way, expect Outback scenery and great on-board dining and hospitality.

    6 min read

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  • Top 10 wildlife experiences in Australia
    Wombat, Cradle Mountain

    Top 10 wildlife experiences in Australia

    Top 10 wildlife experiences in Australia

    From the Northern Territory down to Tasmania and everywhere in between, Australia is full of wildlife that you can’t find anywhere else. Australia specialist Tom suggests the best ways you can experience Australia’s unique animals in their natural habitats.

    13 min read

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  • Expedition cruises in Australia
    True North, northern Australia

    Expedition cruises in Australia

    Expedition cruises in Australia

    Explore the possibilities for small-ship cruises in Australia, including the best options for sailing the Great Barrier Reef and the remote Kimberley region. You can also find out about an excellent day cruise (with a theatrical twist) in Tasmania.

    5 min read

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  • The Great Barrier Reef: find the right experience for you
    Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

    The Great Barrier Reef: find the right experience for you

    The Great Barrier Reef: find the right experience for you

    The Great Barrier Reef is somewhere we’ve all pictured, but your experience there can vary depending on where you stay. Australia specialist Louise shares her favourite spots to help you find the right option for you.

    7 min read

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  • Family holidays in Australia
    Diving in Great Barrier Reef, Australia

    Family holidays in Australia

    Family holidays in Australia

    Country specialist Amanda explains why holidays in Australia are ideal for families. She shares her pick of where to go, from Sydney to national parks such as Kakadu, as well as suggestions for exploring Queensland’s rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

    10 min read

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  • Southeast Australia
    Melbourne city and Yarra River

    Southeast Australia

    Southeast Australia

    Drive the Great Ocean Road, enjoy the cities of Sydney and Melbourne, and take in the spectacular views of the Blue Mountains in this region that covers the State of Victoria, New South Wales and parts of South Australia.

    3 min read

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  • Luxury holidays in Australia
    Yarra Valley, Hot Air Balloon, Australia

    Luxury holidays in Australia

    Luxury holidays in Australia

    Luxury in Australia is about accessing places you’d never normally visit, in the company of superb guides, rather than palatial suites and private yachts. Here’s how to travel luxuriously in the country, from Tasmania to the Top End.

    10 min read

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  • The Top End: 3 essential experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory
    Kakadu National Park, Australia

    The Top End: 3 essential experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory

    The Top End: 3 essential experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory

    Stay in a luxe Outback lodge-cum-working cattle ranch, boat through red-rock canyons, try Indigenous dot painting and view Australia’s finest rock art in remote Arnhem Land — all experiences that lead you into the true heart of Australia’s Northern Territory.

    7 min read

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  • Australia city guide
    Perth skyline, Australia

    Australia city guide

    Australia city guide

    From loud, vivacious and cosmopolitan Sydney to laid back and unhurried Hobart, Australia’s forward-thinking cities are blessed with sun and are a springboard to Australia's countryside and coast. We've selected some of our favourite things to see and do in Australia's cities.

    6 min read

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  • Getting active in Australia: our top 6 experiences
    Whale shark, Ningaloo Marine Park

    Getting active in Australia: our top 6 experiences

    Getting active in Australia: our top 6 experiences

    Australia’s 60,000-year-old culture and powerful landscapes lend themselves to getting outdoors for active and experience-driven holidays. Read our personal recommendations for sailing, cycling, hiking, snorkelling, and airborne adventures, from Sydney to Perth and the island state of Tasmania.

    4 min read

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  • Live (it up) like a local: why stay in a luxury Australian private home?
    Bondi coastline, Sydney

    Live (it up) like a local: why stay in a luxury Australian private home?

    Live (it up) like a local: why stay in a luxury Australian private home?

    Want to sample the Australian good life in chic, comfortable surrounds? Audley Australia specialist Vina explains why you might like to stay in a luxe beachside or city private home on your Australia trip, rather than a traditional hotel.

    7 min read

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  • Honeymoons in Australia: from Outback adventures to island havens
    Millaa Millaa Falls, Atherton Tablelands

    Honeymoons in Australia: from Outback adventures to island havens

    Honeymoons in Australia: from Outback adventures to island havens

    Wondering about places to visit in Australia for your honeymoon? Don’t worry too much about the cities, says Audley specialist Holly. Head instead to the mountains, Outback homesteads, wild, unspoiled islands, and little-visited rainforested tablelands.

    10 min read

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  • Central & Outback Australia
    Mount Conner, Australia

    Central & Outback Australia

    Central & Outback Australia

    The centre of Aboriginal Australia, the Outback and central Australia take in Alice Springs, Uluru and some of the country's most intriguing wildlife. Our specialists will suggest the best places to visit and stay in the region where red earth glows against a blue sky.

    2 min read

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  • Driving Australia’s wild west: a step-by-step guide
    Outback road, North Western Australia

    Driving Australia’s wild west: a step-by-step guide

    Driving Australia’s wild west: a step-by-step guide

    Remote and uncompromising in terrain, this road trip is not for everyone. The pay-off? The landscapes and marine life. Vina, born and bred in Western Australia, takes you on a journey through her own backyard: the Perth to Exmouth route.

    8 min read

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  • The Kimberley by land and by sea
    Kimberley Snapshot with True North

    The Kimberley by land and by sea

    The Kimberley by land and by sea

    An expedition cruise, Zodiac boat trips or hikes and stays on cattle ranches: two members of our Australia team share how to best experience the Kimberley, both overland and overwater, and define the allure of this Outback region.

    9 min read

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  • A world beyond Sydney: 3 road trips around New South Wales
    Port Stephens

    A world beyond Sydney: 3 road trips around New South Wales

    A world beyond Sydney: 3 road trips around New South Wales

    Discover a world beyond Sydney. Australia specialist Tom talks you through three standout road trips in New South Wales, all showcasing the best of what this diverse state has to offer — from boutique stays and bushwalks to bioluminescence.

    9 min read

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  • Shining a spotlight on South Australia's wildlife & landscapes
    Wild koala on Kangaroo Island

    Shining a spotlight on South Australia's wildlife & landscapes

    Shining a spotlight on South Australia's wildlife & landscapes

    Holidays to South Australia can include scenic drives and hikes as well as close-up wildlife viewing, explain Audley specialists Tom and Matt. They highlight the best places to go in the region — Kangaroo Island and Flinders Ranges — and why.

    10 min read

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  • Wildlife holidays in Tasmania
    Kangaroo

    Wildlife holidays in Tasmania

    Wildlife holidays in Tasmania

    Australia expert Josh shares how to get up close and personal with Tasmania's unique wildlife. From furry wombats and bouncing wallabies to toothy Tasmanian devils and splashing blue penguins, here's where to go in Tasmania to see the wildlife you want to see.

    8 min read

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  • The top 5 experiences in Western Australia
    Cape Range National Park

    The top 5 experiences in Western Australia

    The top 5 experiences in Western Australia

    A visit to Western Australia allows you to seamlessly blend delectable food, vibrant wines, and abundant wildlife experiences. From snorkelling among humpback whales in Ningaloo Marine Park to walking over the tops of towering trees in Pemberton, the top experiences in Western Australia will give you a 360-view of this not-to-miss region.

    7 min read

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  • Stay in an Australian Outback homestead
    Driving cattle at Bullo River Station

    Stay in an Australian Outback homestead

    Stay in an Australian Outback homestead

    Stay on a cattle station or homestead and experience life in the Outback for a few days as part of a tailor-made trip to Australia. We'll arrange for you to stay in a station, or farm, in comfort and beautiful surroundings while you sample life as a jackaroo, or farm hand.

    1 min read

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  • Slow down in Australia: a leisurely stay in Sydney
    Sydney Harbour

    Slow down in Australia: a leisurely stay in Sydney

    Slow down in Australia: a leisurely stay in Sydney

    Look beyond the Opera House, says Australia specialist and former Sydney resident, Janin. An advocate of choosing to spend longer in this flagship city, she advises how you could take in coastal walks, beaches, and national park hiking trails.

    9 min read

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  • Food and wine experiences in New South Wales
    Seafood meal

    Food and wine experiences in New South Wales

    Food and wine experiences in New South Wales

    From tasting wine in the vine-woven Hunter Valley to fishing the subtropical waters of Lord Howe Island, New South Wales provides a banquet of experiences that help you explore its blossoming food and wine scenes. Our specialists choose some of the best options.

    8 min read

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  • Highlights of Queensland
    Port Douglas

    Highlights of Queensland

    Highlights of Queensland

    From ancient rainforests to the world’s largest coral reef and balmy beaches to peaceful jungle lodges, there’s much to discover in the diverse landscapes of Queensland, Australia. Specialist David shares his highlights of the state and how you can experience them, too.

    6 min read

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  • Top 5 places to encounter wildlife in Queensland
    Lamington National Park, Queensland

    Top 5 places to encounter wildlife in Queensland

    Top 5 places to encounter wildlife in Queensland

    Queensland’s diverse landscapes are home to a wide array of wildlife, from kangaroos to saltwater crocs and clownfish to manta rays. Australia specialist Connor shares the top five places to experience wildlife on a visit.

    6 min read

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  • Tasmania’s 10 best hiking trails
    Binnalong Bay, nr. the Bay of Fires

    Tasmania’s 10 best hiking trails

    Tasmania’s 10 best hiking trails

    A hiker’s paradise, Tasmania has some of the most interesting walks in all of Australia. From multi-day coastal treks to gentle paths leading to multi-tier waterfalls, we share the best hiking trails in Tasmania.

    8 min read

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