The Twelve Apostles rock stacks on the Great Ocean Road, Australia
Oceania

Australia

A colossal country offering world-class beaches, thriving coffee cultures, and highly modern coworking spaces β€” a premium choice for established digital nomads.

✈ Airport Tips
Sydney Melbourne Byron Bay Perth
πŸ—ΊοΈ Getting Around

The essential apps and websites every traveller needs before hitting the road

🚌 Buses · Trains · Domestic Flights
Rome2rio β†—
Plan any route in Australia β€” trains, coaches, flights and ferries all compared in one place
Greyhound Australia β†—
Australia's main long-distance coach network β€” connects cities, coastal towns and regional hubs
Skyscanner β†—
Compare domestic flights across Australia β€” Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more
πŸš— Ride-Hailing & Taxis
Uber Most used
Market leader with ~80% share β€” the fastest and most widely available app in every major city
DiDi β†—
Available in 28 Australian cities β€” consistently 10–15% cheaper than Uber, no surge on some routes
GoCatch β†—
Australian-built app β€” no surge pricing during peak demand, licensed taxis and private cars

πŸ’‘ Pro tip: Have both Uber and DiDi on your phone β€” DiDi is typically 10–15% cheaper and operates in all major capitals. Compare fares before every booking.

πŸ“Ά Best Local SIMs
1
Telstra Best nationwide coverage β€” rural, regional & 5G
Top pick
2
Optus Best value for cities β€” tourist eSIM available

πŸ“ Where to buy: Buy at any airport on arrival β€” bring your passport for registration.

Airport tips

Sydney (SYD)
Kingsford Smith Airport is the busiest in the country. It is heavily connected to the city center via the Airport Link train (which includes a massive, controversial station access fee). Immigration for e-passport holders is generally incredibly fast via automated smart gates.

Melbourne (MEL)
Tullamarine Airport is the secondary international hub. It notoriously lacks a direct rail link to the city, making the SkyBus or an expensive taxi ride the primary options for reaching the CBD.

Brisbane (BNE) / Gold Coast (OOL)
Excellent entry points if you are bypassing the southern cities for the warmer climate and surf culture of Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Sydney Opera House across the harbour at sunset
Oceania

Sydney

  • ⏱️ Best for a Few Days β€” Bondi / Manly. Sydney's two iconic beach suburbs, both essential on a short visit. At Bondi, walk the coastal path to Coogee, browse the Sunday markets, and book a surf lesson. Manly is a ferry ride from the CBD β€” the journey alone is worth it β€” with a beautiful ocean beach, relaxed cafes, and the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge coastal walk. Each deserves at least a full day.
  • πŸ’» Tech & Hipsters β€” Surry Hills / Newtown. Located closer to the CBD (Central Business District). Surry Hills is the start-up hub of Sydney, packed with top-tier restaurants and trendy bars. Newtown offers a slightly more alternative, student-heavy, grunge-chic aesthetic.
  • πŸ‘” Business & Luxury β€” CBD / Barangaroo. The spectacular harbor-side financial heart. Dominated by gleaming towers, the Opera House, and extremely high-end corporate dining overlooking the water.
  • 🌳 Family Friendly β€” Northern Beaches / Inner West. Areas like Balmain in the Inner West provide quiet, leafy village vibes, while stretching further north past Manly (like Avalon) offers sprawling houses and quiet, pristine beaches.
Melbourne skyline and Princes Bridge over the Yarra River at dusk
Oceania

Melbourne

  • β˜• Coffee Culture & Laneways β€” CBD. Melbourne's city center is globally famous for its hidden laneways, spectacular street art, and an almost religious dedication to specialty coffee. It is highly walkable and heavily serviced by free trams.
  • ⏱️ Best for a Few Days β€” Fitzroy / Collingwood. Melbourne's coolest inner-city neighborhoods and unmissable on a short stay. Browse the independent bookshops and vintage stores along Smith Street, visit the Collingwood Yards arts precinct, and spend a Saturday morning at the Rose Street Artists' Market. Outstanding brunch options, excellent street art, and a genuinely local atmosphere that feels miles from the tourist trail.
  • 🌊 Beachside Vibe β€” St Kilda. While Melbourne isn't a "surf city" like Sydney, St Kilda offers the primary beachside lifestyle, featuring an iconic esplanade, historic amusement park (Luna Park), and a very lively backpacker scene.
  • πŸ‘” Upscale Living β€” South Yarra / Prahran. The wealthier inner-east suburbs. Defined by high-end boutique shopping, sophisticated dining on Chapel Street, and beautiful heritage mansions.

Others

Byron Bay (Northern NSW)

οΏ½οΏ½ Getting there: Bus from Brisbane (~2.5 hr) or fly to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) β€” 30-min drive to Byron πŸ“… Best time: Sep – May β€” warm and dry; Dec–Jan peak season gets very crowded

Historically Australia's most famous alternative, hippie surf town, now heavily gentrified into a massive playground for celebrities, extremely wealthy wellness seekers, and digital nomads. It features stunning headland walks, legendary point breaks, and a strictly enforced "no high-rises" rule.


Perth (Western Australia)

✈️ Getting there: Fly from Sydney (~5 hr) or Melbourne (~4 hr) β€” no practical overland route from east coast πŸ“… Best time: Sep – Nov & Mar – May β€” best weather; Jan–Feb can reach 40Β°C+

The most isolated major city on earth, significantly closer to Bali than to Sydney. It offers incredible weather, staggering Indian Ocean sunsets (especially in hipster-friendly Fremantle), a booming mining-driven economy, and an intensely laid-back, outdoor-focused lifestyle.


Gold Coast (Queensland)

✈️ Getting there: Fly to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) from most Australian cities (~1.5 hr from Sydney); or train from Brisbane (~1 hr) πŸ“… Best time: May – Oct β€” warm and dry; Dec–Mar is hot, humid and storm season

Australia’s answer to Miami. It is defined by towering high-rises built directly on the sand (Surfers Paradise), intense nightlife, and massive theme parks. However, suburbs further south like Burleigh Heads have evolved into sophisticated, incredibly popular surf and cafe hubs for remote workers.


Brisbane

✈️ Getting there: Direct flights from all major Australian cities (~2 hr from Sydney); or train from Gold Coast (~1 hr) πŸ“… Best time: Jun – Aug β€” mild and pleasant; Jan–Mar is hot and very humid

The sunny, rapidly growing capital of Queensland. Built around a winding river rather than a beach, it is generally more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne and features an exploding culinary and arts scene (around Fortitude Valley and West End).