Hotels in Australia

Australia Travel Guide

Culture

While largely remembered as a British colony used for exiled prisoners, Australia’s history and culture goes far beyond that. Centuries of waves of migration combined with an indigenous population dating back tens of thousands of years have lent it a unique patchwork of different traditions and cultures from all around the globe. From the sacred sites of Uluru and Baiame’s Cave to ancient archaeological finds such as Devil’s Lair and Quinkin Country to the abandoned grounds of Port Arthur and Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort, Australian culture and history is as diverse as its landscape.

Australian culture is also intrinsically linked with artistic expression. From vibrant street art to world-class music performances and renowned galleries, art is celebrated every which way. Melbourne is often coined the art and culture capital of Australia as it encompasses the nation’s very best in terms of art, food, literature and music. It is also home to some of the best galleries and exhibitions in the entire country and is known for its multi-cultural background.

Things to do

It’s no secret that Australia is a mecca for those who love the Great Outdoors. It boasts a stunning variety of landscapes from lunar-like deserts, tropical rainforests, rugged mountain ranges and so much more just waiting to be explored. If all that weren’t enough, Australia is home to one of the world’s seven natural wonders, too. Stretching over 1,4000 miles, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is a huge item on anyone’s Australian bucket list.

If you’re more into history, there’s tons of that too. Australia is home to the oldest indigenous population in the world with a history spanning back more than 50,000 years. It’s given way to not only a distinctly beautiful culture that’s stood the test of time but a plethora of mind-boggling ancient sites.

If you’re more the city type, Australia has plenty of options on that front, too. From the thriving art and culture scene of Melbourne to the idyllic architecture, landmarks, and gorgeous harbour of Sydney, Australia is home to some of the world’s most iconic metro areas.

Food & Drink

When most think of Australian food, images of barbecue, vegemite and fresh seafood are usually the first things to come to mind. While Australia can definitely throw down a great barbecue and vegemite is indeed a breakfast staple, the Australian table is much more diverse than that. From chicken parmigiana to pavlova, many Australian faves perfectly sum up its kaleidoscope of cultures. Thanks to its large population of Chinese and Indian people, there is also a vibrant Asian food scene.

Whether you’re looking to try Aussie classics like grilled kangaroo or barbecued snags (sausages) or are looking to taste the world through ethnic dishes that Aussies have made their own, there is something for every type of eater. Melbourne is a huge magnet for foodies as it is known for its wide variety of restaurants from award-winning fine dining spots to cosy hole-in-the-walls. Melbourne is also renowned for its Greek food and is home to the largest Greek population outside of Greece.

Culture

While largely remembered as a British colony used for exiled prisoners, Australia’s history and culture goes far beyond that. Centuries of waves of migration combined with an indigenous population dating back tens of thousands of years have lent it a unique patchwork of different traditions and cultures from all around the globe. From the sacred sites of Uluru and Baiame’s Cave to ancient archaeological finds such as Devil’s Lair and Quinkin Country to the abandoned grounds of Port Arthur and Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort, Australian culture and history is as diverse as its landscape.

Australian culture is also intrinsically linked with artistic expression. From vibrant street art to world-class music performances and renowned galleries, art is celebrated every which way. Melbourne is often coined the art and culture capital of Australia as it encompasses the nation’s very best in terms of art, food, literature and music. It is also home to some of the best galleries and exhibitions in the entire country and is known for its multi-cultural background.

Things to do

It’s no secret that Australia is a mecca for those who love the Great Outdoors. It boasts a stunning variety of landscapes from lunar-like deserts, tropical rainforests, rugged mountain ranges and so much more just waiting to be explored. If all that weren’t enough, Australia is home to one of the world’s seven natural wonders, too. Stretching over 1,4000 miles, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is a huge item on anyone’s Australian bucket list.

If you’re more into history, there’s tons of that too. Australia is home to the oldest indigenous population in the world with a history spanning back more than 50,000 years. It’s given way to not only a distinctly beautiful culture that’s stood the test of time but a plethora of mind-boggling ancient sites.

If you’re more the city type, Australia has plenty of options on that front, too. From the thriving art and culture scene of Melbourne to the idyllic architecture, landmarks, and gorgeous harbour of Sydney, Australia is home to some of the world’s most iconic metro areas.

Food & Drink

When most think of Australian food, images of barbecue, vegemite and fresh seafood are usually the first things to come to mind. While Australia can definitely throw down a great barbecue and vegemite is indeed a breakfast staple, the Australian table is much more diverse than that. From chicken parmigiana to pavlova, many Australian faves perfectly sum up its kaleidoscope of cultures. Thanks to its large population of Chinese and Indian people, there is also a vibrant Asian food scene.

Whether you’re looking to try Aussie classics like grilled kangaroo or barbecued snags (sausages) or are looking to taste the world through ethnic dishes that Aussies have made their own, there is something for every type of eater. Melbourne is a huge magnet for foodies as it is known for its wide variety of restaurants from award-winning fine dining spots to cosy hole-in-the-walls. Melbourne is also renowned for its Greek food and is home to the largest Greek population outside of Greece.

FAQs when booking a hotel in Australia

It depends on the type of vacation, the options are endless; from visiting the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the Australian outback, hiking some of the amazing islands, or visiting the major cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia has many beautiful cities, however, some that have been named as the ‘most beautiful’ are Perth, Melbourne, Port Douglas and the Gold Coast.

Yes, Australia does have all inclusive resorts, but don’t expect to find the same type as you would in the Caribbean. They are not as common, but you can expect to find some really good ones, especially if you are willing to pay a luxury price tag. The majority of best all inclusive resorts are dotted around the Gold Coast.

To name a few; barbecued snags (bbq sausages), lamingtons (national cake of Australia), meat pies and vegemite. But out of all the Australians specialities, roast lamb has been declared Australia’s national dish.

The cheapest months generally to fly is from mid April until late June. Although these months are autumn/early winter, if you’re looking for some Australian sun it might not suit your plans, unless you visit the north of the country.

There is no doubt that Australia can be expensive for tourism, but it all depends on how well you budget. However, Australia is home to many backpackers, you can cut costs by staying in hostels and homestays which are dotted all around the country. If your budget is in the mid-range, a couple can expect to spend on average $145 per day.

A simple Hey/Hello/Hi. Try to avoid saying “G’day” or “G’day mate” when first meeting someone as it might come across as rude to some people. Many Australians greet by saying “Hey, how are you?” – usually you don’t answer this, it’s just a different way of saying hello.

This all depends where you stay and what and how many excursions/activities you want to do. A week in Australia on average costs $1,012 (per person), while a week in the US on average can cost $1,568. In general accommodation is often cheaper in Australia compared to the US. Again if you plan on staying in major cities in both Australia and the US, you can expect to pay higher prices.

The cheapest city in Australia to live in is Adelaide, this is primarily due to the city being student centric as 3 major universities are in Adelaide. Some other relatively cheap cities are; Wollongong, Hobart, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The number one tourist destination in Australia is the Sydney Opera house, it’s featured on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the world’s great architectural icons. Enjoy a performance, dine at one of it’s restaurants, tour the building or view it from a distance (voted most impressive view), at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Explore popular places in Australia