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Deals for a Vacation in the Pacific

Vacation in Australia: Land of Extremes

What pirate doesn't dream of a trip to the other end of the world? Millions of vacationers are drawn to Down Under every year and rightly so, because hardly any other country is as exciting and thrilling as Australia! When traveling in Australia, one highlight after the other awaits you. The country inspires its visitors with breathtaking nature, incredible wildlife, a unique water world, exciting cities, ancient cultures, and coasts that are considered ideal beach and surfing spots. With an area of ​​more than 2.9 million square miles, Australia has the largest coral reef in the world- which is perfect for diving and snorkeling - also has many other must-sees up its sleeve. Here you can find out what you should definitely not miss during your vacation in Australia.

Check out other great deals for your trip to the other side of the world, like the best deals for a trip to Asia or other great spots in the Pacific.

What is the Best Time to Travel to Australia?

Unfortunately, an optimal travel time for Australia has yet to be invented, because the name "land of extremes" is no coincidence. The expanses of Australia stretch from the latitudes of the tropics to the temperate latitudes. So it can happen that you have rain and storms in the north while bushfires are raging in the south. Therefore, it is best to check beforehand which region you want to travel to and then see which month would be the most suitable. When it comes to touring, you just have to make compromises...but we promise you'll still have a wonderful time and what would a vacation in Australia be without a bit of adventure?

Best Time for Vacation in Australia - Breakdown by Cities

Sydney: October to April

Canberra: October to March

Brisbane: March to November

Cairns: April to October

Melbourne: November to March

Hobart: October to March

Adelaide: October to March

Perth: October to April

Broome: May to October

Darwin: April to September

Alice Springs: April to October

Arrival and Flights to Australia

There is a lot to experience in Australia! The 12 Apostles, the Blue Mountains, and the Great Barrier Reef as well as many other sights await you on your Australia trip. In order to see as much of the continent as possible, an Australia tour is a good idea if you have enough time.

Australia Vacations: Cheap Flights and Stopover Flights

Cheap Australia flights are mostly to Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. From there you can continue exploring the country by rental car or camper. Often you will also find attractive stopover flights to Australia, especially from the West Coast part of the US, These are worth the price and you have the opportunity to explore another vacation destination! You can find cheap flights to Australia in our flight search.

Start Your Trip to Australia with the One-Way Ticket

Are you planning a vacation in Australia and don't know exactly how long the trip should be? Would you like to see a bit of the world on the way there? Are you up for an adventure? Then a one-way ticket is just right for you. Look for separate flights, for example from Los Angeles via Fiji or Hawai'i to Sydney with different airlines. On average, you'll pay $500 to $700 for a one way ticket.

Entry and Visa for Your Australia Vacation

Australia receives another plus point from us as a vacation destination, since entering this beautiful country is relatively uncomplicated. Although you have to apply for an electronic ETA, this can be done easily and conveniently from home.

Once you have landed Down Under, everything continues in a very relaxed manner. You have to queue for a relatively long time at passport control (after all, you are not the only ones who want to explore this exciting country), but the Australian police are very relaxed and the check itself is quick. Most people just look at your passport and nod. After that you have to go through a separate baggage check. In advance you had to fill out a card (you usually get it directly on the plane) in which you had to state what you had in your luggage. Important: Be sure to follow the entry and customs regulations!

And finally, a little pirate tip from us: It’s best to take something hard with you from home or from the duty free shop, because alcoholic drinks are really expensive in Australia (but stick to the permitted amount). So nothing stands in the way of your vacation in Australia.

Australia: Sights and Activities

1. Dive the Great Barrier Reef

A must-do: discover Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef on vacation! Diving on the Great Barrier Reef may not be an insider tip, but it is definitely worth a visit, after all it is the largest coral reef on earth! If you can't imagine what it means, it's roughly the size of half of Texas. Everyone can dive here, from beginners to professionals, and you can choose from a wide variety of sites. The twelve apostles are another highlight that you can admire from the dry, even if you are afraid of water. This is a rock formation that protrudes from the sea in front of the cliff and was shaped by wind, weather, and sea.

2. Relaxing on Vacation at Australia's Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is a four mile stretch near Whitesunday Island with bright blue sea crossed by a snow-white tongue of sand resembling a snake. Whitehaven Beach is accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from either Arlie Beach or Hamilton Island. The ideal place to take great vacation photos on your beach vacation and to make those at home jealous of your Australia trip!

3. Visit the Most Famous Stone in the World

You can also visit what is probably the most famous rock in the world during your vacation in Australia, Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock. This is a massive fiery red sandstone monolith in the heart of what is known as the "Red Center " of the Northern Territory. It is estimated that Uluru formed an incredible 550 million years ago. The nearest town is Alice Springs, around 280 miles from Ayers Rock.

4. Hike through Purnululu National Park

Let's stick to big stones. In Purnululu National Park you can discover huge sandstone formations that resemble massive beehives and are therefore called "Beehive Domes".

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Purnululu National Park should not be missing from your Australia vacation to-do list.

5. Try Yourself as a Pro Surfer on Vacation in Australia

The surfing beaches of Australia are considered to be the best surfing spots and cater for all surfing levels. The best waves originate in the eastern Pacific, western Indian Ocean, and southern South Seas. If you've ever boarded, be sure to test your skills on the world's longest waves at Snapper Rocks on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Australia Vacation with Children: Tips for the Family Trip

Family trips to Australia are generally not a problem, as the dear Aussies really do everything to make families feel as comfortable as possible with them - whether families with babies or teenagers. Of course, a vacation in Australia offers a lot of interesting sights for children: From cute animals like dolphins, koalas, and kangaroos to beaches and national parks to leisure and amusement parks... and mostly with big discounts for children.

A little pirate tip: Although you can save on museums, tours, flights and leisure facilities on vacation in Australia with children, you should buy drugstore items in the US in advance. They're pretty expensive down under.

Working Holiday: Tax Exemption for Backpackers in Australia Goodbye

Australia is not only a popular destination for short vacations. Hardly any other country on earth is visited by backpackers as often as Australia. The southern hemisphere state is huge and offers its visitors a wide variety of travel options as well as a lot of security. Parties on the beach, trekking tours through impressive nature parks and exciting diving adventures are on the program. Thanks to the immense size of the state, there is never a dull moment. It is predestined for a long-term stay that broadens the horizon. Of course, the costs are correspondingly high for a longer stay. Many backpackers therefore opt for a Work and Travel Australia visa due to the excellent local conditions. But this situation has changed slightly. Picking Australia for seasonal work hasn't been all that enticing since 2016. Since then, even low income has been heavily taxed.

Peach Harvest, Fishing, and Beer Sales - Earn Some Extra Money as a Backpacker

Doing a bit of work and traveling through Australia on the side – that was the purpose of the Work and Travel Australia visa. Many backpackers have used this limited work permit to take a year off. In addition, they earned something extra with small jobs such as harvest workers, waiters, or similar to supplement the travel budget. For numerous backpackers, the earnings from the activities within the framework of the Work on Travel Australia visa were even the basis for the stay. To work in Australia, that may have been spoiled for many by the new tax regulations. The working holiday has been taxed since July 2016. Up to this point in time, the old regulation still applied, according to which no taxes were due for income in Australia of less than around $14,000. The salary that was gained from the jobs could flow completely into the heavily damaged travel fund. Not only was this practical for monetary reasons, but the working holiday also offered the opportunity to gain new experiences and gave an insight into the everyday life of Australians. There is hardly a more authentic way to experience Australia on vacation.

Backpackers with a Work and Travel Australia Visa are Asked to Pay

Backpackers using the Work and Travel Australia visa from July 2016 will have to pay 32.5 Australian cents in tax for every dollar they hard-earn. It is irrelevant how much the backpacker ultimately earns. Taxation starts with the first dollar, as confirmed by the Australian Treasury Secretary. The tax office is expecting around 540 million Australian dollars in additional income over the next four years from this regulation. As mentioned at the beginning, low incomes Down Under were tax-free until July 2016. Only those who earned between 20,000 and 37,000 Australian dollars were taxed at an income tax rate of 19%. Only when the limit of 37,000 Australian dollars was exceeded did 32.5% accrue. The income limit has therefore been significantly lowered. In addition, the backpackers ran as local residents for tax purposes. Since July 2016 they count as non-residents. Also, always remember that as a US citizen your foreign income must be reported to the US if over the exemption limit for your tax class. Always advise a tax consultant before planning to work and live abroad.