Best time to visit:  Australia is in the South Pacific, where the seasons are opposite ours (when it’s summer here it’s winter there) but because Australia is so tall top to bottom, it’s well into the tropics in the north (Queensland) and has a cool temperate climate in the south (Tasmania) and has a mostly Mediterranean climate in between.  So there is no one time that’s best everywhere, as their summer is the best time to visit Tasmania, spring and fall are best for South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, while their winter is best for Queensland and the Top End.  If you want to see it all on the same trip, then spring or late fall will be your best bet.

What you should expect to pay:  Australia is a big country but it’s also compartmentalized in that for the most part you fly into a city and that becomes your base for the region.  Still, there is a lot to see and do so it’s usually a 12-14 night stay.  Expect to spend around $10,000 per couple for a mix of interesting accommodation, some with breakfast included, and airfare, transfers and activities.

Where to go?  Australia is a big place but is comprised of just 7 states and territories, most of which are vast. Historically Americans have been most interested in what become known as the “Reef, Rock, and Bridge”, meaning the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (formerly known as Ayer’s Rock), and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, but Australia is so much more than that.  Here’s a rundown of the states and territories:

New South Wales is home to Sydney, which along with Melbourne is one of the world’s greatest cities.  Other notable destinations include the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley,  Byron, and Lord Howe Island.

Tropical Queensland is where you will find the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest, as well as the capital city of Brisbane, the incredible Whitsunday Islands, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and Lamington National Park.

The Northern Territory is home to the Red Center, which includes Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, as well as the Top End where Darwin and Kakadu live.

Western Australia is the largest state and has some of the most ecologically diverse areas in the world, including the Ningaloo Reef, one of the few places you can swim with whale sharks.  Perth is it’s capital city and Margaret River is one of Australia’s premier wine regions.

South Australia has the Barossa Valley, Australia’s version of our Napa Valley with its incredible Shiraz wines, as well as Kangaroo Island, sometimes called “Australia’s Galapagos”, with the capital city of Adelaide which ties them together.

Victoria is home to Australia’s most cosmopolitan city; Melbourne, with its fabulous shopping and foodie culture and is one of the best states for wildlife as well.  There’s also the Great Ocean Road, a popular scenic drive to the 12 Apostles, and the Yarra Valley, another major wine region.

Tasmania is its most mountainous and scenically diverse state and home to the famous Tassy Devil.  It’s capital city is Hobart and other notable regions in Tassy include Cradle Mountain, the Freycinet Peninsula, and the Tasman Peninsula where you’ll find historic Port Arthur.

And finally the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) which is the nation’s capital and is located approximately half way between Sydney and Melbourne.