Oceania
Australia
Easy, safe and English-speaking, with beaches, reef, outback and a huge backpacker and working-holiday scene. Costs are high, distances are vast, and most real dangers are natural: sun, surf, heat and fires.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa1 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyAUDUS$1 ≈ A$1.44Details
- Price level90%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English5/5Spoken almost everywhereDetails
- PlugsType I230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency000Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe in cities and towns.Details
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityVery accepting in cities, with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (February–March) among the world's biggest Pride events.Details
- Internet174 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 121 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the leftVisitors can drive on a valid foreign licence; carry an IDP or official English translation if it isn't in English.
Where to go in Australia
28 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SydneyCity | 4/5 | $3,820–5,210 | Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov | 8/100 |
| MelbourneCity | 4/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 13/100 |
| BrisbaneCity | 4/5 | $3,130–4,310 | Apr–Sep | 18/100 |
| Gold CoastCity | 4/5 | $3,060–4,170 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 20/100 |
| PerthCity | 4/5 | $3,060–4,310 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 18/100 |
| CairnsCity | 4/5 | $2,640–3,610 | Jun–Oct | 27/100 |
| Byron BayTown | 4/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 15/100 |
| AdelaideCity | 4/5 | $2,640–3,610 | Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov | 28/100 |
| HobartCity | 5/5 | $2,780–3,820 | Dec–Mar | 27/100 |
| Bondi BeachBeach town | 4/5 | $4,170–5,560 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 6/100 |
| WhitsundaysRegion | 4/5 | $2,640–3,610 | May–Oct | 29/100 |
| UluruRegion | 4/5 | $3,820–5,560 | May–Sep | 6/100 |
| NoosaTown | 5/5 | $3,480–4,870 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 15/100 |
| DarwinCity | 4/5 | $3,340–4,520 | May–Sep | 13/100 |
| Blue MountainsRegion | 5/5 | $2,990–4,170 | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | 24/100 |
| Sunshine CoastRegion | 5/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 19/100 |
| Great Ocean RoadRegion | 5/5 | $2,920–4,030 | Feb–Apr, Nov–Dec | 23/100 |
| K'gariIsland | 4/5 | $2,640–3,610 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 30/100 |
| Port DouglasTown | 5/5 | $3,480–4,730 | May–Oct | 15/100 |
| FremantleCity | 4/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 15/100 |
| CanberraCapital city | 5/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 16/100 |
| Margaret RiverTown | 5/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec | 18/100 |
| BroomeTown | 4/5 | $3,610–4,870 | May–Sep | 9/100 |
| NewcastleCity | 4/5 | $3,130–4,310 | Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov | 16/100 |
| Alice SpringsTown | 3/5 | $3,340–4,520 | Apr–Sep | 9/100 |
| LauncestonCity | 5/5 | $2,780–3,750 | Nov–Mar | 29/100 |
| ManlyDistrict | 4/5 | $4,030–5,420 | Nov–Mar | 7/100 |
| Magnetic IslandIsland | 5/5 | $2,780–3,820 | May–Sep | 32/100 |
When to visit Australia
South (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania): September–November and March–May; summer is hot with fire risk. Tropical north: May–October dry season; November–April brings rain, cyclones and box jellyfish.
Good to know
Entry
- Most visitors need an ETA, applied for only in the Australian ETA app (A$20 service charge), or a free eVisitor for EU and UK passports.
- Visitor visas don't allow work for Australian businesses; 18–30-year-olds (up to 35 for some nationalities) can apply for a Working Holiday visa.
- Biosecurity is strict: declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival; bags are X-rayed and false declarations bring fines or visa cancellation.
- Past criminal convictions can lead to refusal under the character test; answer visa questions truthfully.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
Etiquette
- Buy your round: if someone shouts you a drink, return it
- Casual and direct; first names and dry banter are normal
- Ask before photographing Aboriginal people or sacred sites; respect closures
- Stand on the left, walk on the right on escalators
Tipping
Not expected; wages are high. Rounding up or about 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Weekend and public-holiday surcharges (10–15%) remain legal.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Electronic Travel Authority, Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Border Force
- RBA: removal of card payment surcharges
- UK FCDO travel advice: Australia
- Speedtest Global Index: Australia
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.