KUONI INSIDER

Laura Paine
Personal Travel Expert

I have been to Australia many times and have yet to see everything this fascinating country has to offer. Where else in the world can you be in one of the world’s oldest rainforests, on the world’s largest coral reef and watch the sunrise over the world's largest monolith in one trip?"

Snapshot

  Take to the skies above the Great Barrier Reef, below you a hundred shades of turquoise swirl as though from an artist’s palette. Dots of perfectly-formed islands appear, seemingly left untouched by the human hand. Make a surprisingly smooth splash landing on the shores of one of the most beautiful beaches ever seen – sand so dazzling and waters so translucent, you wonder if your eyes deceive you.

Australia holidays

Explore the iconic sites of Australia with Kuoni

Holidays in Australia are a world of possibilities, with arid desert, rolling hills and the Outback alongside a multitude of cosmopolitan cities, rural villages delights and beach paradises.

A vast, incredibly diverse country of unique landscapes and holiday experiences, half the world away, Australia is a superb holiday destination. Explore the stunning Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, experience the natural splendour of the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and Uluru, unwind on the golden sands of Queensland and the Whitsunday Islands, admire the rugged beauty of Tasmania and enjoy a host of other destinations and attractions.

Our wide selection of Australia holidays includes:

•  
Australia & Beyond
•  
Australia Cities
•  
Australia Rail Journeys & Cruises
•  
Australia Self-Drives
•  
Australia Tailor Made
•  
Australia Tours
•  
Great Barrier Reef
•  
Uluru & Red Centre

Australia Holidays Highlights
•   Hop aboard a
train or cruise to get a new perspective on Australia or if you’re looking for a bit more freedom, try a Self-Drive tour and rule the open road.
•   To get a real taste of Australia, take one of our
Australia tours, perfect for those wanting to get to know the real culture and history of this huge country
•   Visit one of Australia's amazing
cities and relax on some truly sumptuous beaches before experiencing the night life.
•   Snorkel and dive to your hearts content at the
Great Barrier Reef as you frolic with flickering fish, manta rays and a whole host of other marine life.
•   Explore the vast wildernesses and historic national monuments of
Tasmania, Australia's beautiful island state.

Australia – The Essentials
•   Wear a ‘stinger’ suit during jellyfish season – unattractive as they may be, these protective suits save lives.
•   Fill up with petrol at every opportunity when driving in the Outback and take regular rest stops when driving anywhere.
•   Respect local wildlife – take your litter with you and don’t feed wild animals.

Hot Topic
The controversy of whether or not it is acceptable to climb Uluru runs on. There is no law against it, but bear in mind that Uluru’s aboriginal owners ask visitors not to take on the climb for two main reasons – the climb route is a sacred path of spiritual significance; and if accidents occur (and they do – there have been more than 35 deaths), the owners feel a sense of responsibility.

Australia Weddings
As a weddings abroad specialist we at Kuoni are the ideal choice to help you plan your perfect wedding in Australia. We offer an extensive selection of packages in Sydney and also in some of Australia's finest beach retreats. For further information please see our dedicated
Australia weddings pages or request a copy of our Weddings Brochure.

Australia Tailor Made Holidays
We can create a holiday that fits your exact requirements by tailor making it just for you. If you want to visit Sydney, have a backstage tour of the Opera house, and enjoy a dinner cruise before hopping on the luxury train to Perth stopping at picturesque Adelaide, Kuoni can make it happen. You can also add other destinations to your holiday to create a multi-centre holiday.

To tailor make your own Kuoni Australia holiday simply:
•    Browse our online portfolio, or request a copy of our
Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific brochure.
•    Call 01306 747002 and speak to our Australia sales team.
•    Submit an online
quotation request.

Australia Facts:
Find out more about the history and culture of this vast country by checking our
information and facts or reading our i-travel articles: i-travel to Australia and 10 Australia holiday experiences

Capital city

Canberra

Population

22,000,000, with New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland accounting for approx. 80% of the total population.

Time difference / local time

Sydney, Melbourne & Cairns GMT +10 hours; Adelaide & Darwin GMT +9½ hours; Perth GMT +8 hours.

Language

English. Indigenous languages are not widely spoken.

Currency

Australian Dollar.

Safety

As in most countries, it is wise to take precautions against theft, especially in big cities. Keep valuables such as expensive jewellery in the hotel safety deposit box.

Passports and Visas

All British passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authority Visa (ETA). ETA Visas are processed by Kuoni and electronically linked to your passport.

Events and festivals

•   January – Australian Open tennis, Melbourne.
•   February/March – Adelaide Fringe Festival.
•   March – Australian Grand Prix.
•   May – Cairns Blues Festival.
•   November – Melbourne Cup horse race.
•   December – New Year’s Eve fireworks display, Sydney Harbour.

Shopping

Aborigine art is available in all major cities at every conceivable price. Shops selling duty-free goods are available so it’s worth looking at radios, photographic and electrical equipment, as well as clothes and perfumes. Your passport and ongoing ticket will prove that you’re eligible for duty-free although not always asked for. Souvenirs include the cuddly koala, boomerangs and the  Australian wide brimmed hat.

Flying time to destination

Sydney 22 hours; Melbourne 22 hours; Cairns 20 hours; Darwin 17½ hours; Adelaide 19½ hours; Perth 18 hours.

Electricity

220/240 volt AC. Three round pin plugs are used therefore an adaptor is required

No compulsory vaccinations but recommended vaccination is Tetanus.

Clothing

For warmer weather light weight cotton garments are advisable and for cold weather a jumper or jacket is useful especially for cooler evenings.

Tipping

If you feel that you have received an excellent service and wish to show appreciation for this then a discretionary tip of 10% may be given.

Climate data for this region

Best time to visit

• With three climates from the ‘Top End’ to the south, the ‘best time’ depends on whereabouts you are. • Generally speaking, Australia’s winter is from June to September and summer lasts from November to March. • Peak season is June to August and

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Australia's seasonal highlights

Australia's seasonal highlights

When’s the best time to take an Australia holiday and what events are on? Our seasonal highlights will help you decide when to take your holiday and what to do when you get there.

Read more
Australia, NZ & the South Pacific brochure

Australia, NZ & the South Pacific brochure

Our new Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific 2012 brochure is out now! Inside you’ll find stunning beach escapes, self-drives, escorted tours and unforgettable experiences.

Request a brochure
Honeymoons & Weddings 2012 brochure

Honeymoons & Weddings 2012 brochure

Since 1906, we've been travelling the world, seeking out indulgent escapes, romantic hideaways and perfect locations to tie-the-knot. We've won awards including Best Honeymoon Provider at Perfect Wedding magazine's 2010 awards and Star Wedding and Honeymoon Operator at the 2010 Travel Bulletin Awards.

Request a brochure