What is the best time to visit Australia?

The best time to visit Australia depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Sydney Opera House. Check weather patterns for Oceania before booking.

What currency does Australia use?

Australia uses the Australian dollar ($). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Australia?

Meat Pie is one of Australia's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Fish and Chips and Pavlova. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Australia visa-free?

1 countries can enter Australia without a visa. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Australia safe for tourists?

Australia is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland…

Capital

Canberra

Language

English

Currency

Australian dollar ($)

Population

27.5M

Timezone

UTC+05:00

Visa-free access

1 countries

Travelling to Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous.

Australia is located in Australia and New Zealand, Oceania. The capital is Canberra, and the official language is English. The local currency is the Australian dollar ($). With a population of 27.5M, Australia is a mid-sized country in Oceania.

Australia requires advance visa applications from the majority of travellers. Just 1 passport holders can enter without a visa. 196 nationalities can apply online through an eVisa portal.

Top places to visit in Australia

Sydney Opera House

The 20th-century Expressionist masterpiece defined by its pre-cast concrete shells clad in 1,056,006 Swedish ceramic tiles; Jørn Utzon’s 1957 design anchors Sydney Harbour with a silhouette that shifts from matte white to pearlescent gold as the sun moves; walk the granite broadway at dawn when the sails are stark against the charcoal water; the harbour air carries a sharp; briny scent before the ferry traffic begins.

Uluru

A massive 348-metre arkose sandstone monolith rising abruptly from the Central Australian desert; the iron-rich surface has oxidised into a deep rusted crust that conceals hidden waterholes and ancient Anangu petroglyphs; stand at the Mutitjulu Waterhole at sunset; the stone transitions through a spectrum of incandescent violet and deep ochre; the silence of the Spinifex plains is broken only by the low whistle of the desert wind.

Port Arthur Historic Site

The grim 19th-century penal colony where 12,500 convicts endured the 'Silent System' within a panopticon-style penitentiary; the sun-bleached sandstone ruins of the massive flour mill and church sit in chilling contrast to the temperate Tasmanian rainforest; walk the Separate Prison corridors at dusk; the damp chill rises from the moss-slicked foundations; the sound of the Tasman Sea surf echoes through the roofless shell of the cathedral.

Royal Exhibition Building

The last surviving 19th-century Great Hall from the International Exhibition movement; featuring a soaring timber dome inspired by Florence’s Duomo; the interior is a riot of polychrome murals and stencilled motifs from 1901; visit the promenade deck at midday; the light filters through the high clerestory windows; illuminating the vast; echoing nave; the scent of old floorwax and polished cedar lingers in the still; cavernous air.

Australian War Memorial

A Byzantine-inspired sandstone shrine capped by a copper dome; housing the Hall of Memory where over six million mosaic pieces depict the soul of a nation; the Roll of Honour is lined with a permanent poppy-red stain; attend the Last Post Ceremony at 4:55 pm; the bugle call vibrates off the stone walls as the sun catches the Pool of Reflection; the atmosphere is one of profound; heavy stillness.

Great Barrier Reef

The world largest coral reef system spanning 2,300 kilometres of the Coral Sea; a kaleidoscopic marine architecture of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands; dive the Outer Ribbon reefs at 10 am; the sun penetrates 30 metres of crystal water; turning the staghorn corals into a neon-blue forest; the only sound is the rhythmic crackle of parrotfish grazing on the reef and your own regulated breath.

See all 20 places in Australia →

What to eat in Australia

Explore all Australia dishes →

Australia visa requirements

Visa-free

196

eVisa / eTA

Countries that can visit Australia visa-free

1 country can enter without a visa.

Oceania

New Zealand

eVisa and eTA for Australia

196 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Europe

Asia

Americas

Africa

Before you go to Australia

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Australia immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Currency: Australian dollar

The local currency is $. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: English

English is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check Australia's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for Australia

Select your passport for an instant result.

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Australia 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore Australia

20 places, 5 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · Australia

Australia — your questions

It depends on your passport. 1 countries can enter Australia visa-free. 196 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.