From the outdoor lover to the shopaholic, there truly is something for everyone on an Australia vacation.

Yes, it takes a LONG time to get to Australia. But for such a long journey, it is well worth the distance. For a country as big as it is, there is not only something for everyone but also a city for everyone. Thought Australia was just surfing and the Outback? Think again!

Outdoor Lover

This is probably what comes to mind when thinking of the type of people who plan an Australia vacation. On such a vast continent, there are so many different types of natural experiences throughout the regions.

Outback

The Outback, or Northern Territory, is perhaps one of the most famous regions in Australia. Known for its national parks and native wildlife, the Northern Territory is the epitome of the natural landscape of Australia. Here, you can hike to larger-than-life rock formations like Kata Tjuta and Uluru and try to catch a glimpse of kangaroos, dingoes, and lizards (among thousands of other species!)

Cape Tribulation

Daintree Rainforest

In North Queensland, you will find the world’s oldest Rainforest. It gets hot and wet in the Daintree Rainforest (well—like all rainforests) but you will find some of the most beautiful plants and animals native to the country.  You have to be a little strategic when visiting Daintree to make sure you aren’t getting stuck on any flooded roads (the wet-season falls between December and April). In Daintree, you can also go to Cape Tribulation, and see where the rainforest meets the ocean.

Blue Mountains

Near Sydney, the Blue Mountains region are a great destination to escape the hustle-and-bustle of the city. To see the natural beauty of this mountain range, you can hike, bike, or rock-climb through the terrain. There is also the option to see the mountains on various tours including a skyway tour which lets you see the spectacular peaks from above.

Beach-Goer

Known as the largest island in the world, the coastline is covered in beaches for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

Bondi Beach

Sydney – Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. It is conveniently located less than 5 miles from Downtown Sydney but you can also stay closer to the beach for easier access. The boardwalk has plenty of hotels, shops, and restaurants for your beach-breaks and the beach itself is a 1/2-mile of sun and sand.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a beach town in northern New South Wales. Its laidback environment allows you to relax and embrace this hip coastal community. If surfing is your activity of choice, this is also a perfect spot for both new and experienced surfers. It’s warm climate also makes it a great place to visit any time of year.

Shopaholic 

As a country with large cities scattered from coast-to-coast, the shopping scene is as diverse as the cities themselves.

Sydney

If you are familiar with Westfield (the shopping mall management company), you may not realize that it is actually headquartered in Sydney. What might that mean? There are TONS of malls in Sydney. From Sydney Westfield to the Queen Victoria Building, you are guaranteed to find your favorite chain store or discover one of Australia’s many local brands.  Gorman and Sass & Bide are just some of the Australian brands that you can add to your shopping list!

Melbourne

If you are more of a small-store eclectic shopper, Melbourne has plenty of interesting stores throughout the neighborhoods of the city. While central Melbourne has all of the chain stores you could want, Carlton, Fitzroy, and St. Kilda have plenty of quirky spots ranging from bookstores to sneaker shops. Queen Victoria Market is also the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, with hundreds of stalls selling produce, clothing, and souvenirs. No matter what you are looking for, chances are you will be able to find it in Melbourne!

Ocean Sport Enthusiast

Being surrounded by water, you can do any ocean sport or activity you want in Australia. From surfing to scuba diving, Australia is the ideal place to stay active in the water.

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns-Port Douglas

What better place to scuba dive than in the Great Barrier Reef? Port Douglas and Cairns are great bases for traveling out to the reef. In addition to tons of restaurants and stores within the beach towns here, there are plenty of private and group tours that offer scuba diving and snorkeling around the Great Barrier Reef. You will also encounter plenty of marine wildlife on the reef including fish, turtles, and maybe even a shark!

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays are a cluster of islands off the central Queensland coast. You can stay at a resort on one of the islands to have easier access to sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The Whitsundays are also close enough to the Great Barrier reef so you can engage in all of your ocean activities in one place!

Foodie

If you think Australian food is all about Vegemite and meat pies, you will be surprised to discover how many amazing restaurants there are around the country. The food scene in Australia is just as diverse as many cities in the U.S.

Melbourne

Melbourne has one of the largest varieties of cuisines with a high concentration of Asian restaurants. If you are lucky enough to visit Melbourne in November, you can go to the Night Noodle Markets–a sprawling food market with tons of food stalls featuring everything from bao buns to pad Thai. You can also visit the Night Noodle Markets in Sydney (October), Perth (April), Canberra (March), and Brisbane (July/August)!

Coffee is also falling under this category because believe it or not, Australia has some of the best coffee in the world! No matter what city you are in, you can order a flat white at one of the many local coffee shops. Even if you are not a coffee-drinker, the tea lattes and specialty drinks are exceptional alternatives.

Cold Brew at The Grounds in Sydney

Wine-Fanatic

Australia has several wine regions throughout the southern portion of the country. The best part—most are just a day trip from the city! Whether you are looking for a full trip of exploring multiple wine regions or just a day tour for some tastings, an Australia vacation is the perfect time to try a few glasses.

Sydney – Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley is one of the oldest and largest wine-producing regions in Australia. With over 140 wineries, there are plenty of options for every type of wine connoisseur. Over an hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney, it is well worth the trip to experience some of the best wines in the world.

Adelaide – Barossa Valley

Just an hour drive from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is an expansive wine-producing region in Australia. With about 80 vineyards, you can find everything from boutique wineries to larger complexes.

Melbourne – Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is also about an hour drive from its closest city: Melbourne. The region is known for its Chardonnay and can be explored by one of the many tour operators or by car-hire out of Melbourne.

Animal-Lover

As previously noted, Australia is rich in both marine life and native land animals. Depending on what types of animals you want to see, there are multiple places you can visit to experience Australian wildlife (both wildlife parks and in their natural habitats)

Brisbane – Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the best places you can visit to actually see and hold a koala. The sanctuary is located just 10-miles from Brisbane and is accessible by car or bus.

Queensland – Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best ways to see marine wildlife. There are more than 1,500 species of fish, 30 whale and dolphin species, 150 species of sharks and hundreds of other sea creatures. You are guaranteed to see some of these animals if you go on a snorkeling or scuba diving expedition on the reef!

Daintree Rainforest

Chances are, you probably fit into a few of these categories. Pick the city that offers the most of what you are looking for! If you have extra time, plan to visit a few different cities to experience a little bit of everything Australia has to offer.