Why go to Australia? The 10 good reasons to go Australia

Between the dynamism of the major metropolises, the silence of the vast urbanoutback and the more or less festive seaside resorts depending on the season, you can imagine that life doesn't move at the same pace for everyone! On the East Coast, where most of the population lives, shopping facilities open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays (later in shopping malls) and generally stay open on weekends. Shopping centers are generally open on Sundays. In the interior of the country and in some northern areas (where the sun sets early), shops and cultural establishments close around 4pm. It's worth noting that many cafés, even in the big cities, open quite early (around 7am) but also close quite early (between 1pm and 4pm).

The Covid crisis has come and gone, and some tourist attractions now require online reservations before you can get there. In some cases, they are not mandatory but will avoid queues.

It should also be said that in high season and during the austral summer (between November and March) the east coast is very crowded and it is better to plan your excursions in advance. The most touristic places, especially in New South Wales and Queensland, are sometimes saturated with people: so plan to book a hotel and organize your excursions several days in advance. Outside of the major Australian vacations (Christmas/January), in other states, such as Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia, your trip will not have to meet the same logistical requirements: reservations can be made the day before for the next day. As far as the Great Barrier Reef is concerned, the best agencies sell out very quickly in high season.

It's true that Australia is far from cheap, with day trips, car rentals and hotel nights quickly adding up. And for a price that seems quite high, you shouldn't necessarily expect a "luxurious" service; it will just correspond to the economic reality. For those on a smaller budget, it's worth noting that access to beaches is of course free, and many museums are free of charge, particularly in Sydney and Canberra.

Access to national parks is often free, but this is not always the case and depends on the state, as we explain here:

In Victoria, all parks are free.

In the state of New South Wales, only 45 of the 895 national parks charge a modest daily entrance fee, and only for vehicles(www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees/fee-collecting-parks).

In Queensland, only K'Gari Island National Park (Fraser Island) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park charge for access, which is generally already included in excursions and cruises to these destinations.

In South Australia, access to certain desert national parks is subject to a fee. If you plan to visit more than one during your stay, it may be worthwhile taking a multi-park package www.parks.sa.gov.au/book-and-pay/desert-parks-pass.

In Western Australia, a number of national parks apply vehicle fees (exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park-entry-fees), and packages can be purchased if you plan to visit several parks (exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park-passes).

Tasmania charges fees for vehicle and pedestrian access to its national parks. There is a 24-hour Daily Pass, but it is generally preferable to buy a Holiday Pass valid for 2 months. These can be purchased online(parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/know-before-you-go/entry-fees) or at Visitor Centres in Tasmania's national parks. Note that the Holiday Pass includes entry to Cradle Mountain National Park, but does not include the mandatory shuttle bus from the park entrance to the trailhead (AU$15 per person, valid for 72 hours). However, the Cradle Mountain Icon Daily Pass, valid for 24 hours, does include the shuttle.

For the Northern Territory, the rules are rather complex. Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks are managed at federal level, and therefore have their own passes, which can be purchased online via the following links, or at the Visitor Centres of these national parks: parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/plan/passes and parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/plan/passes. The other Northern Territory parks (including Kings Canyon, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge) are managed by the Northern Territory Government and charge AU$10 per day per adult, or a 2-week package covering all these parks is available at AU$30 per adult. This can be purchased in person at national park visitor centers or online at nt.gov.au/parks/parks-pass. If you plan to use the Mereenie Loop trail in the Red Centre between Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges, you'll need to purchase a permit for AU$5. Depending on the direction of travel, permits can be purchased at the Discovery Kings Canyon Resort reception desk or at the Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs.

The diversity of its climates and time zones makes Australia a vast country, marked by a variety of festive celebrations. Celebrating its Aboriginal heritage, biodiversity, culture and sporting events, Australia is a land of colorful festivities. Throughout the year, hundreds of celebrations take place across the country, whether in the heart of the desert, in urban centers or on the beaches of paradise islands. Melbourne, known as the country's cultural capital, hosts the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup (equestrian event) and the Australian Open, one of the 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Highlights include New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney, the AFL Grand Final (Australian soccer), Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Vivid Festival in Sydney in June and the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, one of the most important festivals for Aboriginal people.

Of course, guided tours are the order of the day in Australia's major cities, so you can get to grips with the history, culture and other secrets that the big urban centers have in store for you. On foot, by streetcar, by bike or in a hot-air balloon... Follow the guide for a unique immersion experience! In Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, opt for a walking tour of the city, long bike rides through botanical gardens or along rivers. Many agencies offer different themes(street art, gastronomy, history, Aboriginal culture, even ghost tours...). If you're heading for the bush andoutback, you'll probably want to plan excursions ranging from a few hours to several days. Whether aboard a sailboat, in a national park, on a horseback trek or on a multi-day expedition through the desert, you'll need a guide to point you in the right direction. Some tour operators offer a variety of à la carte programs, allowing you to combine different activities. Wilderness enthusiasts will certainly want to venture into more remote areas, such as the West Coast, Tasmania or the lush ancestral forest of the Daintree. However, for practical or safety reasons, some activities require accompaniment.