Just as things are cooling down at home, it’s warming up in Australia, but heading there at this time of year will ensure that you avoid the searing heat of summer. You’ll want to stay long enough to get over that dreaded jet lag but hopefully that will mean you have plenty of time to explore too! Start either in Melbourne in the south or Cairns in the north and work your way either up or down the coast. Some of the best stops are actually in between the cities so consider renting a car and driving some of the route.
Image by Keith Zhu/Unsplash
Cairns
When: Autumn (Sep – Nov)
Flight time: 18hrs 27mins
Average day temp: Sep 23⁰C /Oct 25⁰C /Nov 27⁰C
Sydney
When: Autumn (Sep – Nov)
Flight time: 20hrs 40mins
Average day temp: Sep 16⁰C /Oct 18⁰C /Nov 20⁰C
Melbourne
When: Autumn (Sep – Nov)
Flight time: 20hrs 33mins
Average day temp: Sep 13⁰C /Oct 15⁰C /Nov 17⁰C
City highlights
- Cairns – the starting point to view The Great Barrier Reef – the world's largest coral reef system with over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, stretching for over 2,300 kilometres. Sadly, a lot of the coral is dying and not as colourful as you would expect, only scientific boats are allowed to the really unspoilt areas these days. It’s still worth seeing the scale of it and you may get to see some friendly turtles and reef sharks too!
- Sydney – it’s all happening around the Harbour – if you’re brave enough then consider climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, if not then catch a show at the Sydney Opera House. If you’re feeling active, venture out to Bondi to catch some waves!
- Canberra – often overlooked, there are some interesting things to be seen here – you can tour Parliament House, wander around Lake Burley Griffin or visit the impressive Australian War Memorial.
- Melbourne – take a stroll around the Botanic Gardens, go to the Eureka Tower if you have a head for heights and check out the Australian Centre for Moving Image (reopening late 2020 after refurbishment).
Non-city highlights
- Noosa – loved for its laidback atmosphere – cafés and boutiques are moments away from the beautiful national park.
- Airlie Beach – the launch point for the Whitsundays, take a yacht trip to the pristine Whitehaven Beach.
- Great Ocean Road – get the Southern Ocean wind in your hair as the road snakes around the coast with rocky beaches on one side and koalas hanging from the Eucalyptus trees on the other.
- Byron Bay – if you’re not too chilled out by this point (this place has that effect!), walk up to Captain Cook Lookout to spot the humpback whales as they swim past.
- Port Douglas – a little further north of Cairns is this chic, relaxed sea-side village.
- Blue Mountains – only 2 hours away from Sydney is one million hectares (3,861 square miles) of tall forests stretching into the horizon, sandstone cliffs, canyons and waterfalls…and the world’s steepest funicular railway!