Susan's Travel Services
Kangaroo resting on the white sand at Lucky Bay, Western Australia

South Pacific

Australia

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Red Centre, with time built in to adjust to the distances.

Plan your Australia trip

Australia is bigger than it looks

Australia is roughly the size of the continental United States, and the places most travelers want to see sit far apart. Sydney to Uluru is about a three-and-a-half-hour flight. Uluru to the Great Barrier Reef is another long hop. The most common mistake is trying to fit too much into too few days.

We plan Australia with fewer stops, longer stays, and a gentle first few days to recover from the long flight from the U.S. (about 14 to 15 hours nonstop from Los Angeles to Sydney). That pacing is what makes the trip feel easy instead of exhausting.

The regions worth the flight

Snorkeler over coral gardens on the outer Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef

Snorkel or dive the outer reef, stay on a private island, or base yourself in Port Douglas near the Daintree Rainforest, where the rainforest meets the reef.

Best time: June to October

Suggested stay: 4 nights

November to May is stinger season, when guests wear light stinger suits in the water.

Uluru at sunset under a pink and purple sky, Red Centre, Australia

Uluru and the Red Centre

Watch Uluru change color at sunrise and sunset, walk among the domes of Kata Tjuta, and learn about the Anangu people, the traditional owners of this land.

Best time: April to October, when days are warm and nights are cool

Suggested stay: 3 nights

Seaplane flying over Sydney Harbour and the Opera House

Sydney

The harbour, the Opera House, the beaches, and some of the best restaurants in the region. An easy place to start and recover from the flight.

Best time: September to May

Suggested stay: 3 nights

The Twelve Apostles limestone stacks at sunset on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road

Laneway cafes, galleries, and a coastal drive past the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, with wine country nearby.

Best time: October to April

Suggested stay: 3 to 4 nights

Kangaroo hopping along the beach on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Tasmania and Kangaroo Island

Wild coastlines, exceptional wildlife, and small luxury lodges for travelers who want something quieter.

Best time: November to April

Suggested stay: 3 nights

How we'd pace a first trip to Australia

Every trip we plan is designed around you. This shows how we build in time for the distances.

About 14 nights

  1. Sydney3 nights (arrive, rest, explore)
  2. Uluru3 nights
  3. Great Barrier Reef4 nights
  4. Melbourne or Tasmania3 nights
  5. Sydney1 night before the flight home

Add New Zealand or Fiji: see pairings below.

When to go

Australia's seasons are the reverse of ours. Our winter is their summer.

Best months to visit each region of Australia
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Great Barrier ReefOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakBestBestBestBestBestOff-peakOff-peak
UluruOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakBestBestBestBestBestBestBestOff-peakOff-peak
SydneyBestBestBestBestBestOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakBestBestBestBest
MelbourneBestBestBestBestOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakBestBestBest
TasmaniaBestBestBestBestOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakBestBest

Australia pairs beautifully with

New Zealand
About three hours across the Tasman Sea.

Fiji
An easy stop on the way home for a few slow beach days.

Australia questions, answered

How many days do you need in Australia?

At least 12 to 14 nights to see two or three regions without rushing. Fewer nights usually means choosing between the Reef and the Red Centre.

When is the best time to visit Australia?

It depends on the region. June to October is ideal for the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru; September to May suits Sydney, Melbourne, and Tasmania.

Can you see the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru in one trip?

Yes. They're a few hours apart by air, and pairing them is one of the most rewarding ways to see Australia. Plan at least 3 nights at each.

How long is the flight to Australia from the U.S.?

About 14 to 15 hours nonstop from Los Angeles to Sydney, and longer from other U.S. cities. We build in an easy first day to recover.

Do Americans need a visa for Australia?

U.S. citizens need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before departure. We confirm current requirements for every trip.

Can I combine Australia and New Zealand?

Yes. They're about three hours apart by air, and many of our clients see both in one trip of about three weeks.

Portrait of McKenzie McCarty, Chief Strategy Officer and Travel Advisor at Susan's Travel Services

Your specialist

McKenzie McCarty

Chief Strategy Officer and Luxury Travel Advisor, South Pacific

McKenzie plans South Pacific journeys with careful attention to pacing, so the distances never take over the trip.

Meet McKenzie
Cover of McKenzie McCarty's guide Your First Trip to Australia, Susan's Travel Services

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Your First Trip to Australia

McKenzie's beginner-friendly planning guide for couples: where to go, who each place suits, and how to fit it together. Download it free and start picturing your trip.

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