See what the experts are saying about Western Australia. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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The best of the outback
Broken Hill (NSW): There's no better place to experience real Outback life than in Broken Hill. There's the city itself, with its thriving art scene and the Royal Flying Doctor service; a historic ghost town on its outskirts; a national park... Continue reading »
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The best outdoor pursuits
Sea Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to explore Queensland's Whitsunday Islands as well as Dunk Island off Mission Beach in Queensland. Rivergods (tel. 08/9259 0749; www.rivergods.com.au) in Perth even takes you on a sea-kayaking day trip to... Continue reading »
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The best small towns and villages
Central Tilba (NSW): Just inland from Narooma on the south coast, this historic hamlet is one of the cutest you'll see, complete with blacksmiths and leatherwork outlets. The ABC Cheese Factory offers free tastings, and you can spend hours br... Continue reading »
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The best wildlife watching
Pebbly Beach (NSW): The eastern gray kangaroos that inhabit Murramarang National Park, 20 minutes south of Ulladulla on the south coast of New South Wales, tend to congregate along this beach and the adjoining dunes. Montague Island (Naroo... Continue reading »
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The best reasonably priced restaurants
Phillip's Foote (Sydney, NSW; tel. 02/9241 1485): In the heart of the historic neighborhood known as The Rocks, this barbecue restaurant serves fish, meat, and poultry. Pick your own protein and throw it on the "barbie" in the courtyard behin... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
Size Does Matter When planning your trip, keep in mind that Australia is as big as western Europe and about the same size as the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Melbourne and Brisbane are a long day's drive from Sydney, and driving from Sydney... Continue reading »
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Fast facts
American Express -- For all travel-related customer inquiries regarding any American Express service, including reporting a lost card, call tel. 1300/132 639 in Australia or 02/9271 8664. To report lost or stolen traveler's checks, call tel.... Continue reading »
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Visitor information
Tourism Australia is the best source of information on traveling Down Under. Its website, www.australia.com, has more than 10,000 pages of listings of tour operators, hotels, car-rental companies, special travel outfitters, holidays, maps, di... Continue reading »
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When to go
When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia is basking in the Southern Hemisphere's summer, and vice versa. Midwinter in Australia is July and August, and the hottest months are November through March. Remember, unlike in the Nort... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
January Sydney Festival. Highlights of Sydney's visual and performing arts festival are free jazz or classical music concerts held outdoors on 2 Saturday nights near the Royal Botanic Gardens. (Take a picnic and arrive by 4pm to get a plac... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane Australia is a long, long haul from anywhere except New Zealand. Sydney is a nearly 15-hour nonstop flight from Los Angeles, longer if you come via Honolulu. From the East Coast, add 5 1/2 hours. If you're coming from the States v... Continue reading »
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Escorted & package tours
Packages for the Independent Traveler Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at... Continue reading »
