Huge in size but sparsely populated it’s really the great outdoors – the Outback - that makes holidays in Australia unique. However Australia’s surprisingly cosmopolitan cities pack a vibrant punch. Australia has a coastline of over 36,000 kilometres (around 22,000 miles) and 40 per cent of the country is tropical. Yet Australia has snowfields the size of Switzerland. Visitors need to be prepared to juggle with distances, money and time before making any firm destination choices. For first-time visitors on a Australia holiday, a ‘Reef, Rock and Harbour’ combination covers the country's trinity of ‘must-sees.’ While for returning holidaymakers who are not pushed for time a trip to the often overlooked Tasmania opens a whole new Australian experience.

Beaches in New South Wales and Queensland

Diving and snorkelling around the Barrier Reef

Outback Australia

Sydney and Melbourne for architecture, modernity and beaches

Spectacular scenery in Victoria

Wine visits - Hunter Valley outside Sydney has over 50 wineries

Any sort of touring holiday that’s less than two weeks.

All visitors to Australia except New Zealanders require a visa or ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter the country and a valid passport (recommended to have a 12 months minimum to run until expiry date). UK nationals planning to stay less than three months can get an ETA valid for multiple entries over one year. An important condition for visa applications is that you can show adequate funds. For more information www.australia.org.uk

The climate varies from north to south throughout the year. Australia’s spring and autumn are good times for the east coast with average temperatures around 24°C/75°F in spring - September-November and around 26°C/81°F in autumn - April-June. In the Australian summer in the south, average temperatures are around 21°C/70°F December to March. In May to October in the tropical north they average around 30°C/86°F.

Flights from London to Sydney take approximately 22/24 hours, London to Perth approx 18 hours.

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. If you plan to explore outside the towns and cities where the quality of roads can vary consider renting a four-wheel drive. A campervan or motor home may also be worth considering.