Australia Travelers Recommend

From the Great Barrier Reef and the wild rain forests of the far north to the glorious beaches of the Gold and Sunshine coasts, Queensland is Australia's adventure playground. Travelers can cruise to a tropical island; learn to surf or scuba dive; check skydiving off the bucket list; or treat the kids to a day at a theme park. Due to Queensland's tropical climate and searing summer temperatures, the best time to visit is during the autumn and winter months from May to October. It's still possible to visit in summer, but be prepared for high humidity and greater water restrictions due to box jellyfish. Whenever your visit, there's no time like the present to book your trip. With the Australian dollar falling, US and European travelers should book soon to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates. Why not cruise the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns? You can also explore the great outdoors on Fraser Island or take a journey by train through lush tropical climate to Kuranda.

Stretching from the dry desert plains of Alice Springs and Ayers Rock to the tropical north of Darwin and the outback, the Northern Territory is Australia's very own version of the Wild West. With its mix of tropical and desert climates, the Northern Territory is best visited outside of the summer months (October through March) to avoid searing temperatures, daily showers and the possibility of cyclones. But whenever the visit, there's no time like the present to book your trip. With the Australian dollar falling, US and European travelers have even more reason to book soon and take advantage of the favorable exchange rates.

Get your bearings with a tour – an Aboriginal-led tour will give you a great insight into the local area and history. Alternatively the hop-on, hop-off minibus visits most of the big sights in town. Darwin's city centre is compact, but the heat can be oppressive, so early morning and late afternoon are the best times for a stroll. Start with the galleries and gift shops of Smith Street Mall. Dinner by the water is a must-do in Darwin so head to the marinas for fish and chips wrapped in paper before easing on down to the vibrant Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (May - October) for beer and a spot of fire-juggling. Kakadu is Australia's largest national park. Its 20,000 square kilometres are World Heritage listed and you'll see why when you take a day tour from Darwin across the Marrakai Plains and into Kakadu. Spend the morning exploring the native fauna and viewing the superbly preserved Aboriginal rock paintings at Ubirr.

Kick off your time in Cairns with a dose of cuteness by heading to the Koala Café at Cairns Tropical Zoo for breakfast. It overlooks a lake where water-birds, turtles, dragons, pelicans and ducks cruise. Afterward you can see pelicans being fed, take an endangered exotic species walk, hand-feed kangaroos and, yes, cuddle a koala. Saddle up for an action-packed day trip where you'll take the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns, go shopping in the Kuranda Markets, ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, soar over the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic helicopter tour, take a lunchtime cruise on the reef, then spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling or diving before cruising back to Cairns. Wow! Don't forget your camera! It's your last day and you cannot miss out on one of the absolute 'must-do' activities in this area – taking a hot air balloon ride. You'll never forget the wonder of a sunrise in Tropical North Queensland.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) is one of the most spiritual, awe-inspiring sights in the world. To truly appreciate the color and scale of Uluru, take to the skies with a helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (a.k.a. the Olgas). These natural wonders are truly breathtaking. You'll see Uluru and the magnificent red desert all the way to the striking rock formations of Kata Tjuta. You won't be able to resist taking some spectacular aerial photographs! You've seen that natural wonder from above, now see it from…camel? That's right, spend your first afternoon and evening on a sunset camel ride, accompanied by an expert guide who will show you the desert wildlife and plant life, and regale you with stories of the region. One of the most amazing things about Uluru is the way it magically changes colour throughout the day. To admire its kaleidoscopic nature, take an Aboriginal Uluru Sunrise Lira Walk. You'll get to experience a magical sunrise overlooking Uluru.

Although a mere pinprick on the colossal northwest Australian coast, Broome looms large in the Australian psyche. Broome is synonymous with exotic, tropical beaches and the outdoors. Western Australia's isolation has served the north's largest town well, helping to preserve Broome's frontier feel despite a well-developed local tourist industry. Gourmet restaurants, all-star resorts and the nouveau riche have detracted from its outback appeal, but you can still find a unique culture unlike anywhere else in the state. Spend a day getting under this balmy town’s skin. Step back in time as you visit restored pearling luggers in Chinatown and pass by old pearling masters’ homes. Browse the Historical Museum to understand how the industry has evolved since the late 1800s, when Japanese, Aboriginal and Malay pearl-divers would risk (and often lose) their lives in pursuit of this valuable treasure.

Uluru is one of Australia’s most mystical attractions. Steeped in Aboriginal legend and surrounded by controversy and located in one of Australia’s oddest landscapes, visiting the monolith in the country’s Red Centre is sure to be a surreal experience no matter when you see it. For a real show, however, make sure you experience Uluru at sunset or sunrise. Picture this: the night sky above you is lit by a million stars, brighter out here in the middle of the desert than you’ve ever seen them near a city. Slowly, the eastern horizon starts to lighten, and as the sun starts crawling up into the sky, rays of orange light hit the red rock in front of you. You watch as the soft pinks of early morning sunlight begin to dance across the surface of Uluru. Now imagine that experience in reverse, with the intense reds and oranges of a desert sunset.