AUSTRALIA
Tourism in Australia is an important part of the Australian economy and comprises domestic and international visitors. In the financial year 2018/19, tourism was Australia's fourth-largest export and over the previous decade was growing faster than national GDP growth.[2] At the time it represented 3.1% of Australia's GDP contributing A$60.8 billion to the national economy.[3]
In the calendar year up to December 2019, there were 8.7 million international visitors in Australia.[4] Tourism employed 666,000 people in Australia in 2018–19, 1 in 21 jobs across the workforce.[3] About 48% of people employed in tourism were full-time and 54% were female [2] Tourism also contributed 8.2% of Australia's total export earnings in 2018–19. [3]
Popular Australian destinations include the coastal cities of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, as well as other high-profile destinations including regional Queensland, the Gold Coast, and the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef. Other popular locations include Uluru, the Australian outback, and the Tasmanian wilderness. The unique Australian wildlife is also another significant point of interest in the country's tourism.
Despite the global economic challenges and natural disasters in 2010–2011, Australia's tourism growth was supported by increased consumption (up 4.4% over the last few years, largely due to an increase in the number of international visitors). On the back of a strong Australian dollar, 2010–11 also saw a record 7.4 million short-term resident departures from Australia, an increase of 9.9% from 2009–10. Consumption by domestic tourists grew at less than half the pace of international tourists in 2010–11 (up 2.1% compared to 4.4%).[5]
The Australian Government released the 2020 Tourism Industry Potential on 15 November 2010, which estimated the Australian tourism industry to be worth up to $140 billion in overnight expenditure. This growth will largely be due to key emerging markets, including China, which is estimated to be the largest economic contributor to Australian tourism by 2020.[6] The number of Chinese visitors has more than doubled from 2006 to 2012 reaching a peak of 626,400 in 2012 and surpassing for the first time the number of arrivals from the United Kingdom.[7] In 2013, China was Australia's fastest-growing tourist market.[8] By 2017 China surpassed New Zealand as the top source of visitors to Australia, and in 2019 Chinese visitors reached a peak of over 1.4 million and had contributed about A$12 billion to the Australian economy.[9][10][11] According to Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy, the Chinese are the highest-spending visitors to the country.
The world’s largest island, the smallest continent, and home to one of the oldest cultures on the planet, Australia is alluring, enchanting, and intriguing. Surrounded by both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this country comprises the vast Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and several smaller isles like Rottnest and the Whitsundays. And what better way to see all these incredible regions than on an Australia tour with us?
Fondly known as the ‘Land Down Under’, Australia has a wealth of beautiful and diverse landscapes, sprawling national parks, ancient sites, modern cities, world-class Winelands, and a diverse culinary scene. One of the miracles of nature, the Great Barrier Reef spans the east coast of Australia and offers unrivaled snorkeling and scuba diving experiences in warm, clear waters that teem with marine life.
Delve into the rich, ancient history of the land at the Kakadu National Park, where you can walk in the footsteps of the first people on Earth. Take in the iconic sights and sounds of Sydney, and explore the fashionable, café-lined neighborhoods of Melbourne on a bike. Admire the red-hued Uluru and swim with whale sharks in the gin-clear waters off Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef. Travel around the breathtakingly beautiful wine regions of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, and Margaret River and experience some of the best wines in the world. Whether you are looking for exhilarating adventures, history, culture, globally inspired cuisine, or a laid-back holiday experience, Australia has it all.
Cannot decide where to go in Australia? If so, then we recommend that you choose one region and explore the most popular spots. To find out how many days to spend in Australia, click the highlighted link. You can also use our comprehensive guide to find out how to plan a trip to Australia without missing anything.
MAIN DESTINATION
Sydney Opera House, Queensland, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains National Park, Victoria, Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Daintree National Park, Queensland, Karai (Fraser Island), Queensland, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Broome, Western Australia, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania, Horizontal Falls & the Kimberley Region
THE LOCATION
Australia is situated entirely in the southern hemisphere, between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, south of Maritime Southeast Asia, and north of the Antarctic. With an area of 7,617,930 km², Australia is almost (95%) as large as the continental USA (excluding Alaska).
CAPITAL CITY
Home to the nation's capital, Canberra, the ACT is renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cool, new edge. The state boasts some of Australia's most important national institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, and Parliament House.
CURRENCY
The Australian dollar (sign: $; code: AUD) is the currency of Australia, including its external territories: Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island. It is officially used as currency by three independent Pacific Island states Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu. It is a legal tender in Australia.[1] Within Australia, it is almost always abbreviated with the dollar sign ($), with A$ or AU$ sometimes used to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. [2][3] The $ symbol precedes the amount. It is subdivided into 100 cents.
MAIN AIRPORT
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD IATA) is the main airport of Australia's largest city, Sydney
EMERGENCY CALLS
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). For health advice: contact a health direct registered nurse, available 24/7 - phone 1800 022 222. use EHealthDirect's online symptom checker.
PEAK SEASON
The high season in Australia is between December – February, during the summer, but the weather would be quite hot, and the prices will be high during these months.
LOW SEASON
The low season is between June – August, during the winter months. But it does not get too cold, so if you are okay with low temperatures, this is a good time to travel to the country for cheaper.
TEMPERATURE
Temperatures run from 25°C (77°F) to 33°C (91°F). The dry season runs from May until October and is characterized by warm, dry, sunny days and cool nights.