Traveling to Australia
Australia isn't a destination you cover in a few days: it's a continent-country of 7.69 million km², with temperate southern cities, tropical Queensland, the deserts of the Red Centre, the Indian Ocean coast and Tasmania. Perth isn't a quick road-trip extension of Melbourne; Uluru isn't 'next to' Alice Springs. Here's what to know before you go.
Australia in numbers
Capital
Canberra
Population
~27.8 M
Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Language
English
UNESCO sites
21
Continent
Oceania
Time zone
UTC+8 to UTC+10
Airports covered
11
Why visit Australia
A continent-country, not a single destination
Sydney and Melbourne
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge on one side, art, museums and food culture on the other — the country's two biggest cities, radically different.
Tropical Queensland
Cairns and the Gold Coast open onto the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics, both UNESCO-listed.
The Red Centre
Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Alice Springs, sacred land of the Aṉangu and Arrernte peoples, at the heart of the Australian desert.
Tasmania and Western Australia
Hobart and MONA on one side, Perth and the Indian Ocean beaches on the other — two opposite corners of the country.
Traveling to Australia
11 airports covered by SniperAir
Sydney (Kingsford Smith)
The country's main international airport.
Melbourne
The country's second city, gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
Brisbane
The gateway to south-east Queensland and Moreton Bay.
Perth
Access to the Indian Ocean and Western Australia.
Adelaide
Free museums and the vineyards of South Australia.
Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Gold Coast
Surf, beaches and the south-east hinterland.
Hobart
Tasmania, MONA and wild nature.
Broome
The gateway to the Kimberley, on Yawuru Country.
Alice Springs
The Red Centre and the MacDonnell Ranges.
Yulara
The airport for Uluru-Kata Tjuta, sacred land of the Aṉangu people.
SniperAir already tracks prices to the country's major cities and regional gateways.
SniperAir destinations in Australia
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Australia
Sydney
The harbour, the Opera House and iconic beaches.
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Australia
Melbourne
Art, food and the Great Ocean Road nearby.
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Australia
Brisbane
The river, South Bank and Moreton Bay.
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Australia
Perth
The Indian Ocean and Rottnest Island.
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Australia
Adelaide
Free museums and Barossa vineyards.
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Australia
Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
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Australia
Gold Coast
Surf, beaches and the Queensland hinterland.
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Australia
Hobart
Tasmania, MONA and wild nature.
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Australia
Broome
Cable Beach and the gateway to the Kimberley.
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Australia
Alice Springs
The Red Centre and the MacDonnell Ranges.
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Australia
Yulara
Uluru-Kata Tjuta, sacred land of the Aṉangu people.
DiscoverEach city's full guide is coming progressively — price tracking is already active everywhere.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Australia
What's the best airport to arrive in Australia?
Sydney (SYD) is the country's main international airport. SniperAir also covers Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and 6 other regional gateways.
Can you visit Australia without a domestic flight?
Not recommended. The country is a 7.69 million km² continent: domestic flights are part of a sensible itinerary, not a road-trip failure. Perth, Cairns and Uluru are thousands of kilometres apart.
Do you need a visa to visit Australia?
Yes, almost all visitors need an authorisation or electronic visa before departure. Check the exact requirements with Australian authorities based on your nationality.
Is Australia more than just Sydney?
Yes — Melbourne, tropical Queensland, the Red Centre sacred to the Aṉangu and Arrernte peoples, or wild Tasmania all offer radically different trips within the same country.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Australia drops below my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert profile with your departure airport and your Australian destination: we track prices for you and notify you as soon as a deal matching your criteria appears.
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