Australia is frequently mentioned as the top bucket list destination for Americans and many other nationalities. The vast island country also consistently features some of the world’s best cities to live in – notably Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide often crack top 10 lists. Ample natural beauty, vibrant cities, abundant wildlife and friendly locals combine to make Australia worth the long airplane journey for many travelers.
I previously lived in Australia for a year and have visited a total of seven times over 20 years. I first went there on a working holiday visa, which allows travelers under 30 or 35 to reside and work in Australia for a year or two (depending on the country). There are some work restrictions, which can also depend on which country you hail from.
I’ve now been married to an Aussie for over 20 years (I got married in Australia during my 1 year working holiday visa). That has been a significant catalyst to re-visit Australia many times since. All subsequent visits have been on a tourist visa that allows stays up to 90 days.
After all these trips to this vast stretch of beautiful rugged coasts and bushland brimming with wildlife, I’ve finally now visited all 6 states and 2 territories in Australia. Here are some important tips for visiting every state and territory in Australia!
New South Wales
Sydney is renown for being one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The capital of New South Wales is also the oldest modern city in Australia. The British government established a penal colony in Sydney in 1788 when the first fleet of ships arrived in Botany Bay.
Along with the red rock of Uluru, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic destinations in the country. The unique structure’s picturesque spot perched along one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, helps to cement Sydney as a world class destination.
There is much to experience in Sydney between live shows, world class restaurants, natural beauty and a vibrant cultural scene. Bondi Beach and Manly Beach are great area destinations in themselves, offering striking natural beauty and sun kissed warmth around summer. I highly recommend the popular 6km coastal walk from Bondi to Cooggee Beach. The hike offers natural beauty without even leaving the metro Sydney area.
Of course, time permitting it’s extremely worthwhile to see more of New South Wales. A few hours drive north, the Hunter Valley, is one of the best wine regions in Australia. And driving along the coast offers striking beauty.
For many visitors, it can be intimated to drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right. My advice is to not pick up a rental car while in Sydney, as you’ll pay a lot for parking and city driving is usually more stressful that country driving. So only pick up a rental car if you’re leaving Sydney to explore more of NSW.
Victoria
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and the gateway to the region for most visitors who fly there. The city is the sports and arts capital of the country, earning the nickname “The Athens of Australia.” I’ve spent over a year of my life in Melbourne and know the city pretty well.
Melbourne has a wide variety of great restaurants, bars, markets, cafes and shops. It’s a cosmopolitan city with residents from around the world. Among nearly every international restaurant, Asian restaurants are a particular highlight – with great Indian, Japanese, Malaysian and Indonesian restaurants being a personal highlight. Weekends during Australian Football League season are great for soaking up the ambiance in a pub over pints and a tasty meal.
Sports fans have a variety of reasons to visit Melbourne. The Australian Open held every January is one of the tennis’s 4 Grand Slam events. The Australian Grand Prix is then held in Melbourne’s Albert Park every March. The Melbourne Cricket Ground seats over 100,000 spectators and is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere – it hosts the Australian Football League’s Grand Final at the end of September each year as well as important cricket matches like the Boxing Day Test. Then you have significant horse races like the Melbourne Cup, which is the Kentucky Derby of the country.
There’s much to experience in Victoria. The Mornington Peninsula offers a great getaway with seaside resorts, spas, golf and more. Nearby Yarra Valley is one of the best wine regions in Australia. The whole family will love visiting Philip Island to view the penguins return from the sea in the evening. And one of the absolute highlights is driving along the stunning Great Ocean Road.
Visit Wilsons Promontory National Park to view Australian wildlife life kangaroos, emus, wallabies, an abundance of birds and wombats (which are otherwise difficult to see in other places). Grampians National Park is another fantastic getaway for scenic hikes amidst mountains and waterfalls, and a variety of nature.
Queensland
Queensland is Australia’s “Sunshine State.” It’s the Florida of Australia, except it is north of the colder locations because it’s located in the southern hemisphere. Highlights of Queensland include the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and a host of vacation destinations along the coast.
Brisbane is the capital and largest city in Queensland. The city offers the energy of a bustling metropolis with subtropical flavor. There are plenty of great al fresco dining opportunities and even beaches in the city center. Museum enthusiasts will appreciate several great options, including the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
Just an hour south of Brisbane, Surfers Paradise along the Gold Coast of Queensland is a popular beach resort destination. Just north of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast offers another long stretch of beachside vacation playground. Each of these destinations makes for a fun filled vacation for families, couples and solo travelers. There’s a wide variety of accommodations from luxury resorts to hostels, to suit all budgets and travel styles.
South Australia
Adelaide is the underrated capital of South Australia as it consistently ranks as one the world’s best cities to live in. It’s the gateway to the state for most as Adelaide Airport not only connects Australia, but also has international flights to destinations like Dubai and Doha. That means you can fly into Adelaide with just one stop from many destinations around the world.
Adelaide is great city with a variety of things to do in and around its vicinity. You can spend the weekend in the central business district enjoying delicious food, shopping and soaking up lively nightlife over a city getaway. You can also head to the beach and enjoy laying out in the sun during the warmer months.
We had a great time renting a car and visiting the nearby Barossa Valley. The region is one of Australia’s best wine regions, with both large and small vineyards. There are many picturesque spots to enjoy a wide range of tasty wines to suit different palates and budgets.
There are also charming coastal towns in South Australia like Port Noarlunga and Victor Harbor. Couples can stay in a bed and breakfast and enjoy laidback cafes and tasty local restaurants along the sea. There was such a friendly and relaxed vibe in the town as we saw residents playing lawn balls in a lovely seaside venue.
Another popular, albeit much longer road trip from Adelaide is the drive to Coober Peedy. The “Opal capital of the world” is popular with visitors as most buildings, including hotels are built underground to escape the extreme summer heat. Coober Peedy is 848 km northwest of Adelaide and the drive takes around 9 hours each way. Many travelers then continue the multi-day road trip to Uluru and the red center of Australia in the Northern Territory.
Tasmania
The island of Tasmania rests just south of the rest of Australia. Hobart is the capital, and can serve as a good base for exploring the island. Mount Wellington towers over Hobart, offering sweeping views of the natural beauty that surrounds the town.
Tasmania has the coolest temperatures in Australia. So it offers refreshing temperatures in summer, when other destinations in Australia are generally scorching. But in winter, temperatures are cold (albeit typically not below freezing). So for most travelers, you’ll probably want to give Tazzy a pass in winter. If you’re traveling around Australia during winter, other destinations are more suitable for most weather wise.
Tasmania produces some of the finest pinot noir wines in the world. I’m no sommelier, but I was thoroughly impressed with the flavor profile when I visited. So be sure to enjoy local pinot noirs as you explore the island.
A significant Hobart highlight is state of the art, MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). The ferry to the gallery offers a lovely view of Hobart’s harbor and Mount Wellington beyond.
Launceston is a charming riverside city in northern Tasmania. Dating to 1806, it’s also one of the oldest towns in the country. Highlights include picturesque walking trails, panoramic views, sculpted gardens and riverside vineyards in Tamar Valley.
Australian Capital Territory
Most residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) reside in the nation’s capital of Canberra. The territory is geographically located between Sydney and Melbourne. This was an early 1900’s compromise as part of the federation of Australian states.
Canberra is a lovely capital town of around 483,000 residents. While many Aussies are quick to dismiss it as sleepy or boring in comparison to other Australian cities, the capital has a quaint charm. And it is certainly well worth a visit to the Australian parliament if you’re interested in political history. Canberra also has excellent museums like the National Gallery of Australia.
Spring is a great time to visit Canberra. The temperatures are pleasant, which is a stark contrast from scorching summers and cold winters. If you want warmer weather, consider visiting Canberra in late November or early December.
I recommend visiting Canberra in early October during Floriade, an impressive annual flower and entertainment festival held in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park, along Lake Burley Griffin. The outdoor exhibition includes extensive displays of flowers that are integrated with artistic features, including sculptures. The festival is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring.
Floriade 2025 is scheduled from Saturday the 13th of September to Sunday the 12th of October 2025. Visiting during October offers a better chance of more idyllic weather, as the temperature drops significantly at night in Canberra.
Western Australian
Perth is the capital of Western Australian. As it is 2,695 km from Adelaide, the closest large metropolitan city, Perth is considered the world’s most isolated city. But Perth Airport makes the city well connected with the world by plane. Qantas has direct flights to European destinations like London, Paris and Rome from Perth.
Perth is the only Australian city with direct flights to Europe (though Qantas plans to offer direct flights from Sydney to London in the near future). Ouch that’s far, as Perth to Europe is already around a 17 hour flight, but I prefer getting it out of the way if I don’t have plans for a stopover in Asia en route.
Perth Airport also has direct flights to a variety of destinations in Asia like Singapore, Qatar, Dubai, the Philippines, Indonesia and Auckland, New Zealand. This makes Australia’s remote west coast well connected with the world. It is still around a 5 hour flight from Perth to Sydney or Melbourne. But you can break it up with stops in Alice Springs or Adelaide if you’re exploring Australia. Just know that in winter, flights between Perth and Alice Springs are only every other day on Air North, which I recently flew.
Perth is a lovely city with ample green space, diverse restaurants and a variety of attractions in and around the city. Due in large part to a history of mining in the area, Perth is the third wealthiest city in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne. So the city has a wide selection of luxury hotels, boutique shops and high end restaurants. But there are also plenty of budget options, with a wide selection of affordable and delicious Asian restaurants.
History enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Fremantle, as it has the oldest building in Western Australia (the small original jail). Fremantle Prison is a world heritage site where you can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the former British penal colony. It’s just a 30 minute train ride, or a short drive or Uber from Perth to Fremantle. The town is also backed with charming Victorian architecture.
Visitors can also base themselves in Fremantle. It’s close enough to Perth Airport. There are also more ferry options from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, as it is a little closer to the island, compared to Perth.
Rottnest Island
Catch a ferry to Rottnest Island to see one of the cutest animals in existence, Quokkas. Quokkas are small marsupials that are typically nocturnal. But you’re guaranteed to see plenty of them during the day, especially around town. They’re very habituated to humans as they’re food motivated (but don’t feed them as that’s illegal under Australian law).
Visitors can stay on Rottnest Island, or just go for a day trip like I did. Thomson Bay is the main town where the ferry port, along with many restaurants, shops and cafes are located. Visitors can explore the island by bus, train, foot or bicycle rental. I recommend renting a bike and cycling to highlights like Pinky Beach, while resisting the temptation to feed the cute quokkas.
Pinnacles
Another popular spot is the unique Pinnacles, which is around a 2 and 1/2 hour drive north of Perth. The Pinnacles have been featured in many movies and shows, including Star Wars. Rocky limestone formations jut from the dessert, making it a unique terrain on the world’s stage. You can visit the Pinnacles by car or on a tour. Plan to visit either around sunrise or just before sunset, to avoid hordes of tourists during the middle of the day (and extreme heat if you visit in summer).
Margaret River
Just south of Perth, Margaret River makes for a great getaway. The area is popular for its wineries, breweries, restaurants, cafes and artisan shops. Ample beaches popular with surfers, the sea cliffs of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and limestone caves are among the highlights. Margaret River is among several Western Australia highlights a short distance from Perth.
Broome
The WA constitutes a vast geographic area, much of which is sparsely populated outside Perth and its surrounding Indian Ocean coastline. But if you have the time it’s well worth taking a coastal drive, even as far as the resort town of Broome. The small town of less than 15,000 residents is located 2,046 km (1,271 mi) north of Perth. You can also fly into Broome International Airport.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is Australia’s least populated region. The vast territory that stretches from the tropical north to the arid red center, only has around 255,000 inhabitants. And among these, around 150,000 inhabitants reside in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin. Around 25% of the population of the Northern Territory are aboriginal Australians, making this an interesting region to also explore the cultures of the traditional custodians of the land.
The Northern Territory draws visitors for a variety of reasons, with its most famous landmark being the iconic isolated red rock of Uluru near the center of the country. Also called Ayers Rock by many Australians, Uluru is a bucket list destination. It’s possible to visit Uluru on a tour, or with a rental car – but as it’s a spiritual site for aboriginal people, it’s no longer possible to climb Uluru.
Roads in the Northern Territory are also among the most isolated in the world. Be sure to travel with ample water, food and a backup fuel canister. Monitor your fuel levels and don’t pass up an opportunity to fuel up if you’ll be traveling on an isolated stretch of road.
The Northern Territory also draws holiday goers for year round warmth in the tropical north around Darwin. Just know that these waters are among the most dangerous in the world, with tiger sharks, box jellyfish and crocodiles. So don’t travel to Darwin if you want to swim in the ocean.
During a visit to Alice Springs, I recommend staying in the Desert Springs part of town. I stayed in a couple hotels there and much preferred the Double Tree over the Mercure (which is a closer walk to the center of town). From Alice Springs you can take a tour or drive to Uluru, along with exploring closer red rock wonders like the Macdonnell Ranges. You can also relax at the pool, go hiking, play golf or check out Aboriginal art and history in local museums and galleries.
Know that the Northern Territory is among the least safe parts of Australia for crimes like theft. Many Australians recommend not going out at night in places like Alice Springs. And for most, I’d just recommend planning to have dinner at your hotel’s restaurant there – it is what I did.
States and Territories of Australia Recap
Australia is fantastic destination to visit for many great reasons. Cosmopolitan cities like Sydney and Melbourne host world class events and are great for cultural, foodie and fun getaways. Australia is idyllic for road trips where you can get off the beaten path and not see another vehicle for vast stretches of distance if you want. Then there’s an abundance of wildlife that you won’t see in the wild anywhere else.
Now, if you can only visit Australia or New Zealand, which should you visit? An article I previously wrote breaks down some key differences between two of the most beautiful and popular English speaking countries in Oceania!
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