Where to Go in Australia: A Regional Guide
Your regional guide to Australia with expert advice
July 02, 2026
5 minute read
Australia is enormous. As we mentioned in our list of top places to visit in Australia, there are so many places to go in Australia. In this post, we’ll break down travelling in Australia by region with more great insights from Sydney-based Tour Designer Roger C.
If you’re trying to decide where to go in Australia, read on for overviews of Sydney and New South Wales; Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef; the Red Centre (Uluru and the Outback); Melbourne and Victoria; and Tasmania.
Feeling overwhelmed already? Check out our Australia tours for expertly planned travel and unique experiences you can’t find on your own.
1. Visit Sydney and New South Wales
Sydney is a good starting point for trips to Australia because it gives you a little bit of everything — city life, coastline, and culture — all in one place.
Our Outback to New Zealand’s South Island tour starts in Sydney with a deep-dive into Aboriginal culture and landscapes.
“Our very first activity is an Aboriginal ‘Welcome to Country' and an Aboriginal walking tour around the Sydney Harbour area. That’s really, really special and a great way to start the tour,” says Roger.
Why Visit Sydney?
It’s a strong city anchor with easy air connections.
Cultural experiences add context early.
The harbour and surrounding neighborhoods offer variety without more travel right after you arrive.
2. Go to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. For many travellers, it is the reason they visit Australia. Roger likes to include a full day on the water exploring the reef. This lets guests on Collette’s guided tours choose how active they want to be whilst still giving everyone time to take in the scale of the reefs and the natural diversity.
Why visit Cairns?
It includes one of Australia’s most significant natural attractions.
Reef days can be as active or relaxed as you want.
On Collette tours, nearby Aboriginal‑led experiences bring in more culture.
Tours that include the Great Barrier Reef.
3. The Red Centre (Uluru and the Outback)
The Red Centre shows a very different side of Australia, defined by open space, longer distances, and cultural significance. Travelling through the Outback itself is an experience. Then you arrive at Uluru where you can feel the sacred connection between people and the earth.
Why Visit the Red Centre?
Uluru holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning.
Travelling through the Outback highlights the scale of the interior.
The region offers contrast to Australia’s coastal and urban areas.
Planning note: the Red Centre usually involves warmer conditions and longer travel days, so giving it enough time is key.
4. Visit Melbourne and Victoria
Melbourne is an ideal city to visit after spending time in the Reef or the Red Centre. It adds variety with walkable neighborhoods, galleries, and café culture in a compact setting.
Why Visit Melbourne?
It adds contrast to trips focused on more outdoorsy regions.
It pairs naturally with nearby regions and wine country.
5. Visit Tasmania, a lesser known region
Tasmania is the region many travellers know the least before visiting — and the one that leaves a strong impression after. “Tasmania is absolutely breathtaking. It is completely different to any other state in Australia… you feel like you’re in another world,” explains Roger.
Hobart’s waterfront setting, a strong food culture, and the historic places like Port Arthur give travellers a lot of layers to explore in Tasmania.
Why Visit Tasmania?
It offers a markedly different landscape and atmosphere.
History, scenery, and culture are closely connected.
How to Choose Where to Go in Australia
Roger’s advice for anyone planning a trip to Australia is to keep in mind the county is vast, and moving between regions usually requires flights or long drives.
When you’re choosing places to visit, the logistics matter. Roger puts a lot of thought into where to go and how to make travel days part of the experience. And then he refines our Australia tours using traveller feedback to make sure pacing and travel times work on the ground, not just on paper.
Choosing a guided tour to Australia can help simplify routing, pacing, and logistics without taking away the freedom to explore independently.
FAQs About Visiting Australia’s Regions
What are the best places to visit in Australia?
The most popular places to go in Australia include Sydney and New South Wales; Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef; the Red Centre; Melbourne and Victoria; and Tasmania.
How many regions should I include on one trip?
Most trips work best with two to four regions, depending on time and travel style. One of the benefits of guided tours is making those logistics a lot easier.
Is the Great Barrier Reef worth visiting?
Yes. You can spend a full day on the Great Barrier Reef even if you don’t go snorkelling. If you’re still in doubt watch our Great Barrier Reef video where a marine biologist shows us around and shares fun facts.
Why is Uluru considered an important place to visit?
Uluru is both an iconic landmark and a place of deep cultural significance for Aboriginal people. It adds a lot of cultural context to any visit to Australia.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
The best time to visit Australia depends on the regions you plan to visit, as conditions vary widely across the country. Our guided tours take Australia’s weather and seasonality into consideration and provide guests with travel tips and packing lists so you have what you need to fully enjoy your tour in any season.
Is guided travel a good way to see Australia?
Yes, particularly because Australia is so big and poorly planned travel time can take time away from the places you want to visit. Colette’s guided tours simplify logistics whilst still allowing for independent exploration. You get to visit all the best places without travel headaches.
Ready to plan your trip to Australia?
Explore our Australia tours, complete with itineraries and activity levels so you can choose the Australia tour that fits you.
