The mainland island or Terra Australis is one of those mythical destinations whose legend is well known: Outback, Opera, crocodiles, kangaroos, Great Barrier Reef or didgeridoo are all words that evoke the great outdoors and adventure. The atypical fauna punctuates each discovery: the strange wombat, the gentle koala, the prehistoric casoar, the enigmatic platypus or the famous Tasmanian devil. Animals are everywhere and the Aborigines attribute to them a main role in the Dreamtime, which is told to us through extraordinary songs, dances and rock paintings. However, the destination is not only for women, the cities are vibrant and modern, each with its own particular personality: Sydney the must-see with its elegant curved opera, Melbourne the punk and rebellious. Halfway between the two, Canberra, the scholar too often wrongly forgotten. To the south, Adelaide marks the end of the Great Ocean Road and the passage to the wild and desert west coast. Perth is the largest city in the region, born of the region's mining and oil boom. In the north, tropical Darwin is only a few kilometres from Indonesia. Going back east Cairns is the gateway to the islands and the Great Barrier Reef while the Gold Coast shines from its high skyscrapers. The most difficult thing will be to choose your itinerary because a trip to Australia will not be enough to see everything
The tourist seasons are not uniform in Australia. They take into account the part of the continent you are in, the time of year and the school holiday schedule of different visitors. For foreign tourists, the peak period for going to Australia is July-August in Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia, and December-January in the South, Tasmania and the Perth region. The tourist offer being however very vast, especially in terms of accommodation, it is rare not to find the right place, except during specific events (New Year's Eve in Sydney, sports competitions, holiday weekends, concerts).
Due to its vastness, Australia has several climatic zones (tropical, desert, Mediterranean and oceanic). Pleasant to visit all year round, Australia is the continent with the lowest rainfall in the world
In the south, the seasons are reversed compared to France. Winter being in July-August and summer in November-December.
In the north there are only two seasons: the dry season (May to October) and the wet season (November to April)
The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (AU$ or AUD). The overall cost of living in Australia is higher than in Europe. Even if car rentals remain attractive and there are many forms of cheap accommodation. To save on transport, you can buy a bus pass, monitor air offers or bring back empty rental vehicles.
To enter Australia, you will need a valid passport for at least 6 months after your departure date and either an e-Visitor visa (free for 3 months) or ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or a specific visa. Australia offers one-year Working Holiday visas for young people up to 35 years of age.
For a classic stay, Australia does not present any major health risks. However, make sure that your compulsory vaccinations in France are up to date before you leave. Depending on the duration and modalities of the stay, vaccination against hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis may be recommended.
Note: your worst enemies will be the sun and sandflies. Solar radiation in Australia is particularly strong because it is near the equator and the hole in the ozone layer. It is imperative to use a sunscreen with a high index to avoid sunburn. Sandflies (or biting midges) are tiny insects whose stings are very irritating and which are found near beaches and estuaries in tropical or subtropical areas (QLD, NT, WA). A repellent will be enough to get rid of it.
Australia is a very popular destination. Many travellers offer tailor-made or turnkey tours. One coast per trip is generally preferred, most often the east coast, from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef. The northern national parks, the desert centre, the west coast from Perth to Broome or the south from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road are often the subject of a second trip.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationIt is very easy to travel alone in Australia. Several hundred thousand young people visit the country alone every year thanks to the Working Holiday visa. There is a great deal of public transport and modern infrastructure. However, if you are going on an adventure in remote areas or hiking in national parks, please always give your itinerary to someone else.
In the car. Only one major road makes the complete tour of the continent, Highway No. 1. However, the distances between each city are significant. The international permit is required, in addition to your national permit. We drive on the left.
By plane. For time and budget reasons, it is easier to travel by plane. Many companies are competing for the market, offering reasonable prices.
By bus. Coaches are the most common and economical means of transport
The essential of the East Coast and Northern Australia
The Great Barrier and the Islands
The tourist seasons are not uniform in Australia. They take into account the part of the continent you are in, the ti...
Read more about it
Due to its vastness, Australia has several climatic zones (tropical, desert, Mediterranean and oceanic). Pleasant to...
Read more about it
The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (AU$ or AUD). The overall cost of living in Australia is higher than...
Read more about it
To enter Australia, you will need a valid passport for at least 6 months after your departure date and either an e-Vi...
Read more about it
For a classic stay, Australia does not present any major health risks. However, make sure that your compulsory vaccin...
Read more about it
It is very easy to travel alone in Australia. Several hundred thousand young people visit the country alone every yea...
Read more about it
Australia is a very popular destination. Many travellers offer tailor-made or turnkey tours. One coast per trip is ge...
Read more about it
In the car. Only one major road makes the complete tour of the continent, Highway No. 1. However, the distance...
Read more about it
Who did not dream of escaping, even for a moment, in a world where nature remained identical on the first day, a place where the feeling of freedom remains omnipresent, a place that is magical, wonderful and yet real? Australia is this… and more. The ranges are infinite and the landscapes know a thousand colors, a thousand shapes, which constantly surprise by their beauty. The island-continent is populated by animals with strange names ...
At present, HIV-positive tourists still face travel restrictions in 40 countries around the world and are forced to hide their illness at the risk of being refused entry or deported. Depending on the countries they travel to, some HIV-positive people lie about the nature of their medication or change the bottles of their antivirals so as not to arouse the suspicions of customs officials. Others even decide to stop their treatment for the ...
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