Australia: Sydney, Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef
Sydney's harbour and beaches, the red heart of the country at Uluru and Kata Tjuta, then the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree rainforest in tropical Queensland.
- Best time to go
- September to November and March to May suit the whole route. The Red Centre is best from April to September (warm days, cold nights); the reef has its clearest water from June to October.
- Flying from India
- Non-stop flights from Delhi to Sydney and Melbourne take about 12 to 13 hours; otherwise one stop via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or the Gulf.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Indian passport holders need an Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600), applied for online through ImmiAccount. Allow several weeks; biometrics may be requested at a visa centre.
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
Australia at a glance
Most first trips to Australia link three very different landscapes by domestic flight. Sydney comes first: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ferries across the harbour, the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee and a day in the Blue Mountains. Then fly to Uluru in the Northern Territory to see the great sandstone monolith change colour at sunrise and sunset, walk its base with an Anangu guide, and explore the domes of Kata Tjuta.
From the desert, fly to Cairns for the tropical north. Spend a day on the outer Great Barrier Reef by fast catamaran, snorkelling or diving among coral and turtles, and visit the Daintree, the world's oldest tropical rainforest, where it meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. With more time, add Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, or a coastal drive north from Sydney to Byron Bay.
Must-see
- Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Uluru at sunrise and sunset
- Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- The outer Great Barrier Reef
Food to try
- Barramundi and Moreton Bay bugs
- Sydney rock oysters
- Flat whites and brunch culture
- Bush-food tasting at Uluru
- Pavlova and lamingtons
Where to shop
- The Rocks Markets, Sydney
- Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
- Aboriginal art from community-owned galleries
- Australian opals
- Merino wool and skincare brands
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Sydney, Circular Quay and The Rocks
Harbourside hotels
Hotels around Circular Quay and The Rocks with views of the Opera House and the bridge, steps from the ferries, the Royal Botanic Garden and the restaurants of the old town.
Uluru, Yulara
Desert lodges near the rock
All accommodation at Uluru is in Yulara, the resort village just outside the national park, from comfortable hotels to luxury tented pavilions facing the rock.
Port Douglas and the Daintree
Rainforest and coast retreats
Resorts in Port Douglas, the departure point for outer reef trips, and eco-lodges in the Daintree rainforest beside the river and the coast.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Australia journeys around
A day on the outer reef
A fast catamaran from Port Douglas or Cairns to the outer ribbon reefs, with guided snorkelling, an introductory dive and a marine biologist on board.
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Six kilometres of clifftop path past rock pools, ocean baths and beaches, finishing with lunch at Coogee. Best early in the morning.
Kings Canyon rim walk
A three-to-four-hour loop around the rim of the canyon, with the cliffs of the Lost City domes and the Garden of Eden waterhole. Combine with Uluru on a longer Red Centre trip.
Kuranda by rail and Skyrail
The heritage Kuranda Scenic Railway climbs through rainforest gorges past waterfalls; return over the canopy by the Skyrail cableway.
Byron Bay coastal drive
An extension north from Sydney through Port Stephens to Byron Bay, ending at the Cape Byron lighthouse, mainland Australia's most easterly point.
The Great Ocean Road
Add Melbourne for its laneways and food, then drive the coast road to the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks in Port Campbell National Park.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Australia traveller
When to visit
September to November
Spring: warm in Sydney, pleasant at Uluru, and calm seas on the reef. One of the best times overall.
December to February
Summer holidays in Sydney; very hot at Uluru and wet season in the tropical north.
March to August
Autumn and winter: cool, clear days at Uluru, dry season on the reef, and whale-watching from June.
Getting there and around
International flights
Fly into Sydney and home from Cairns via Singapore or another hub, or return via Sydney.
Domestic flights
Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock) about 3 hours, Uluru to Cairns about 2½ hours (not daily), Cairns to Port Douglas about an hour by road.
Insider notes
Uluru is not climbed
The climb closed permanently in 2019 at the request of the Anangu traditional owners. The 10 km base walk is the way to see it up close.
Heat closures in the Red Centre
On days forecast at 36°C or more, some walks at Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon close from late morning. We schedule walks early.
Stinger season
From about November to May, box jellyfish can be present in tropical Queensland waters. Reef trips supply full-length stinger suits.
Distances are big
Sydney to Uluru is a three-hour flight. Allow at least three nights in each region to avoid rushing.
Australia: Common Questions
Ten to eleven days covers Sydney, Uluru and the reef at a comfortable pace. Fourteen days lets you add Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.
Plan your Australia journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Australia specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
Journeys from here
Itineraries that include Australia
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Australia
Journey · Iconic Australia
Sydney to Uluru Signature
Journey · Desert & Culture
Uluru & the Red Centre
Journey · Coastal Road Journey
Sydney to Byron Coastal Drive
Journey · City & Coast
Sydney, Harbour & Headlands
Ready to plan Australia?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a costed, day-by-day plan you can change as much as you like.