Holiday rentals in Australia

How much time do you have? That’s the most concerning factor when planning a trip to Australia. It’s the sixth-largest nation, but its fairly sparse population means many destinations within the country offer an overwhelming sense of space.

This is a land of wondrous differences, with trendsetting urban centres such as Sydney and Melbourne rubbing shoulders with natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru/Ayers Rock. There’s exceptional whale watching in southern Queensland, the desert landscapes of the Northern Territories’ Red Centre, the breathtaking Great Ocean Road down south, and the turquoise lagoons of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

Cities such as Hobart exude a historic gothic charm, while sleepy Perth epitomises the laid-back Aussie attitude. Along with its natural charm, Australia offers plenty of opportunities to explore world-class art, amazing food and wineries, and astounding architecture.

Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so if you’re travelling from the North, seasons are reversed, with summer running from December to February. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. The south has the best weather in summer, as the Outback reaches scorching temperatures and the north has storms. The winter months are an excellent time to visit the north, with the days still warm plus pleasantly cooler evenings. And there’s winter sports fun in the Australian Alps in the southeast. If you’re planning to travel to a variety of regions, spring is the best option, as the Outback is cooler and the tropical areas are dry. This is also the time of year that baby koalas and kangaroos emerge from their mothers’ pouches, a sight not to be missed.

Feed Your Curiosity at the Museum of New and Old Art (MONA)

Located 7 miles north of Hobart in Tasmania, this mostly subterranean museum by the Derwent River features ancient ephemera and contemporary art that tends to explore darker themes. The building itself is remarkable, the collection delightfully off-kilter, and the surrounding landscape is stunning. Plus there are two MONA music festivals in winter and summer attracting top name acts.

Relax at Wendy’s Secret Garden

Yes, while in Sydney, obviously visit the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. But if you can, make a detour to this singular, highly personal place. Started in the 1990s as one woman’s outlet for grief, she has slowly transformed a disused railway yard into an incredible hidden oasis of calm with amazing views of Sydney Harbour.

Discover Murujuga National Park

This park, covering nearly 5,000 hectares of the Burrup Peninsula, is home to the largest concentration of ancient rock art on the planet, with some examples dating back more than 30,000 years. There’s also an incredible array of flora and fauna throughout the park, plus native creatures such as rock wallabies, quolls, and the Pilbara olive python.