Australia

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to Australia?

Australia is the destination that most British travellers put on their list and then keep putting off, because the distances involved make the planning feel daunting. The country is the size of continental Europe, with its main attractions spread across thousands of kilometres. An escorted tour removes this as a problem: internal flights are booked, transfers arranged, hotels selected and the logistics handled, so that you simply arrive and experience one of the world's most extraordinary countries.

For British-Indian passengers, Australia has a particular relevance. The country has one of the largest Indian diaspora populations in the world, with over 700,000 people of Indian origin living mainly in Sydney and Melbourne. Indian restaurants, temples, cultural events and community life are visible in both cities, which makes Australia feel more immediately welcoming than many long-haul destinations. Many of our Australia departures include Indian passengers joining directly from Indian cities; call our India team to discuss connection options.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our Australia Tours

• Indian dinners included on most multi-day tours, with exceptional Indian restaurant choice in Sydney and Melbourne
• Vegetarian options excellent across Australia, one of the world's most vegetarian-friendly countries
• No beef or pork compulsory in any included meals
• Indian community large and well-established in Sydney (Parramatta, Harris Park) and Melbourne (Dandenong) - relevant cultural context included in our city tours
• India departure add-on available on most Australia itineraries - contact our India team on 1800 123 181 181 for direct India-Australia connection options

Best Time to Visit Australia

Australia's seasons are reversed from the UK. As a guide:

September to November is Australian spring: comfortable temperatures across the south and east, wildflowers in Western Australia and manageable conditions everywhere. A good all-round period.

December to February is summer in the south: Sydney and Melbourne are warm and lively, with beach culture in full swing. The tropical north (Queensland, Darwin) is in its wet season and extremely hot and humid.

March to May is Australian autumn: settled weather across the south and east, excellent conditions in Queensland and the Northern Territory (Uluru, Kakadu), and some of the best conditions of the year for most itineraries.

June to August is the best time to visit the tropical north. The Red Centre (Alice Springs, Uluru) is cooler and more comfortable than summer. The Great Barrier Reef is excellent year-round.

Popular Destinations Within Australia

Sydney - the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour, the Rocks precinct and the excellent New South Wales Art Gallery. Harris Park (Little India) in Parramatta is worth a visit for British-Indian passengers.

Melbourne - Australia's cultural capital. The laneways, the Yarra River, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queen Victoria Market, the MCG and Dandenong's extensive Indian community and restaurant scene.

The Great Barrier Reef - the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometres off the Queensland coast. Glass-bottomed boat tours, snorkelling and scuba diving from Cairns or Port Douglas.

Uluru and the Red Centre - the great sandstone monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) sacred to the Anangu people, with Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) nearby. The sunset and sunrise light on the rock changes colour dramatically.

Cairns and the Daintree - the gateway city for the Great Barrier Reef is also the entry point to the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest tropical rainforests on earth.

Tasmania - the island state south of the mainland, with dramatic wilderness landscapes, excellent seafood, MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) and a pace of life that contrasts sharply with the mainland cities.

The Great Ocean Road - the coastal drive from Melbourne westward, with the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and rainforest hinterland on the route to Adelaide.

Practical Information

• Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Language: English; no significant language barrier for UK travellers
• Time zone: Multiple zones. Eastern Standard Time is GMT+10 (AEST) or GMT+11 in summer (AEDT).
• Electricity: Type I plugs (230V). A Type I adapter is needed for UK devices.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price; tipping not mandatory in Australia
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am-7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our Australia holidays are fully protected