🇦🇺 Countries Quick facts & interesting facts

• Visa: eVisitor visa for Germans free of charge & can be applied for online (90-day stay).

• Best time to visit: Northern Australia: May-October (dry season); South Australia: October-April (spring to fall).

• Currency: Australian dollar (AUD); approx. 1 € = 1.60 AUD.

• Time zones: CET+7 to CET+11 (note: summer time in some places!).

• Safety: Very safe country to travel to. Important: Be aware of road conditions & wildlife in the outback

A continent as an adventure playground:

Australia is not a country that you simply “visit” - it is a feeling that welcomes you with red earth, salty sea air and boundless freedom. You drive for hours on empty roads, suddenly see kangaroos hopping next to the van, drink wine under the Milky Way or surf on a deserted beach at sunrise. From the tropical north to the alpine peaks in the south, from the vibrant metropolis of Sydney to ancient Aboriginal sites - Australia is wild, warm, gigantic and full of goosebump moments.

Australia highlights: My personal favorites

Great Ocean Road & South East Coast

One of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world - with the Twelve Apostles, wild beaches & surf culture at its best.

Outback & Uluru

Nothing prepares you for the magic of seeing Uluru at sunrise in red-gold light - in the middle of the desert, full of spirituality & silence.

Snorkeling in the world's largest coral reef and walking through ancient rainforest? The northeast makes it possible.

Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Rainforest

My route suggestions for your trip to Australia

🚐 10 days Southeast Australia: cities, coast & kangaroos
Start in Sydney with Bondi Beach and opera, then head south: national parks with wild wombats, the beaches of Jervis Bay and finally Melbourne with its creative vibe and coffee culture. An urban route with a natural flair - for those who love variety.

🌅 2 weeks outback road trip: red dust & starry skies
Fly to Alice Springs and start your adventure: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and endless expanses. Drive on to the Northern Territory and discover Aboriginal culture, lonely roadhouses and starry night skies you'll never forget.

🏝️ 3 weeks Tropics & Coastline: Queensland from top to bottom
Start in Cairns, explore the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel with turtles and head south through Mission Beach, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays!) and on to Brisbane & Byron Bay. A route for sun worshippers, water rats and beach vibes with plenty of palm tree flair.

🧭 Extra tip: Tasmania for outdoor enthusiasts
Cool forests, secluded trails and wild coastlines - Tasmania is Australia's insider tip. Ideal for hikers, foodies and anyone looking for peace and quiet off the beaten track. Hire a car or van and off you go!

Costs and budget

What is the approximate cost of a trip to Australia?

✈️ Flights & travel
Depending on the season, long-haul flights cost around €1000-1400. Usually with a stopover in Asia or the Middle East. Open jaw flights are worthwhile for longer road trips (e.g. Sydney in, Melbourne out).

🚐 Rental cars, vans & transportation
Campervans cost around €60-120/day, rental cars from €40-60. Filling up is comparatively cheap (approx. AUD 1.50/liter), but distances are huge. In cities: Bus & train cover almost everything, comparable in price to Germany.

🏕️ Accommodation & meals
Hostels: from €20-35/night in a dorm, simple motels from €60-80. Many travelers sleep in vans (free & cheap campsites). Self-catering saves a lot - food in a restaurant quickly costs €15-25. Tip: BBQ spots & food courts are worth their weight in gold!

🎟️ Entrance fees & activities
National park passes (e.g. for Tasmania or Northern Territory) usually cost €10-25. Tours (e.g. reef snorkeling, sailing, skydiving, wildlife safaris) cost between €50 and €300, but are well worth it - great experiences come at a price.

💡 My tip: Use apps like WikiCamps or Campermate for cheap/free camps, drinking water points & showers. And plan the distances realistically: Australia looks compact on the map - but it's a whole continent!

Personal tips

My best learnings for the road - straight from my adventures.

🍷 Spend the night in wine regions (pitch at the winegrower!)

Barossa Valley, Margaret River or Hunter Valley - you can often park your van at wineries for free if you buy a bottle.

🚿 Free showers at beaches & sports facilities

Australians love it practical - many beaches have showers, toilets and BBQs for free. Perfect for vanlife.

Petrol stations can be 200 km apart - and sometimes empty. It's better to fill up once too early than too late and always have water with you.

🚫 Refuel really early in the outback!

My favorite moments in pictures

From surfing with dolphins in Byron Bay to a starry night in the Red Center, from the Great Ocean Road to koalas in the eucalyptus - Australia has shown me freedom as I never knew it before. These pictures tell of dust, salt, sun - and a wide, open heart.