Australia is more than just a destination—it’s an entire continent with diverse landscapes, climates, and experiences. Planning a trip here can feel overwhelming: where should you go? When is the best time to visit? How do you get around? Finding clear, reliable information can be a challenge, with many sources offering conflicting advice.
To help you navigate this incredible country, I’m sharing our personal experience from a 16-day self-organized adventure. Traveling with my wife and our two daughters, we explored Australia’s most iconic destinations—from bustling cities to remote natural wonders—all on our own terms.
Ultimate Guide to Planning a DIY Trip to Australia
Australia is more than just a destination—it’s an entire continent with diverse landscapes, climates, and experiences. Planning a trip here can feel overwhelming: where should you go? When is the best time to visit? How do you get around? Finding clear, reliable information can be a challenge, with many sources offering conflicting advice.
To help you navigate this incredible country, I’m sharing our personal experience from a 16-day self-organized adventure. Traveling with my wife and our two daughters, we explored Australia’s most iconic destinations—from bustling cities to remote natural wonders—all on our own terms.
Essential Pre-Trip Notes
Planning an independent trip to Australia is entirely possible with online resources, but be prepared for high costs, particularly due to multiple domestic flights and the expense of visiting Uluru. On the plus side, Australia is a generally safe destination for travelers.
Booking your international flight well in advance is crucial to securing the best deals. We booked ours six months ahead and managed to get an excellent fare with Thai Airways for just 780 euros.
Visa Requirements for Australia
Before setting off on your Australian adventure, don’t forget to check visa requirements. Most travelers need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa, which can be easily applied for online. For a hassle-free visa application process, check out OntrailVisa, a reliable service for securing travel documents efficiently.
16-Day Itinerary – August
Crafting the perfect itinerary for Australia can be challenging due to its vast size and diverse landscapes. To make the most of our time, we focused on a mix of vibrant cities, stunning natural wonders, and unique cultural experiences. Here’s the route we followed during the second half of August:
- Melbourne – 2 days
- Flight + Car: Adelaide – Kangaroo Island – 3 days
- Flight + Car: Gold Coast – 2 days
- Flight: Sydney – 2 days
- Flight + Car: Uluru/Kata Tjuta/Kings Canyon/Alice Springs – 3 days
- Flight + Car: Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Litchfield Park – 4 days
- Flight: Bali – 5 days
This itinerary allowed us to experience a diverse mix of Australia’s landscapes, from the cosmopolitan energy of Melbourne and Sydney to the remote beauty of the Outback and the lush tropical parks of the Northern Territory. We also included a relaxing stop in Bali at the end to unwind before the long journey home.
When to Go: Climate Considerations
Deciding the best time to visit Australia depends largely on the regions you plan to explore. Based on our experience, August is an excellent time for visiting the northern national parks and the Uluru region—warm during the day and cool at night, making outdoor activities comfortable.
The Gold Coast and Sydney have mild daytime temperatures with cooler evenings. Swimming in the ocean requires a wetsuit unless you’re particularly resistant to cold water. Meanwhile, the southern areas, including Melbourne, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island, experience colder temperatures in August. Packing a warm jacket (or even a down coat) and a hat is essential.
In contrast, visiting during the Australian summer (December) brings extreme heat to Uluru, with some hiking trails closing during peak hours. Darwin experiences heavy rainfall, making many unpaved roads impassable. On the other hand, Melbourne, Kangaroo Island, and Sydney enjoy their best summer weather during this time.
A Note on Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see, especially during the Australian summer. However, in August, the sea is still quite cold, and snorkeling or diving requires a wetsuit. Since we weren’t too keen on those conditions, we chose to visit Bali instead—just a short two-hour flight from Darwin. Bali offered the perfect warm and relaxing break to recharge after an intense travel itinerary and to break up the long journey home.
How to Get Around: Transport and Roads
Distances in Australia are vast, making domestic flights essential for short trips.
Budget airlines: JetStar and Tigerair offer the best deals, but be mindful of baggage allowances, as exceeding weight limits can incur additional costs. Qantas and Virgin Australia have more generous baggage policies.
Car rental: An international driver’s license or a certified translation is technically required, though we used our Italian licenses without issues (we also had an online-certified translation for €34). I recommend Discovercars.com as they have the best deals and customer service.
- Kangaroo Island is easily reached by car from Adelaide (70-minute drive) and a 45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis. The ferry can be rough, so be prepared.
- The island’s main sights are accessible with a regular car—4WD is unnecessary.
- The Uluru/Kings Canyon/Alice Springs route and Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield parks have well-paved roads, except for Meerenie Loop, Jim Jim Falls, and Maguk, which require a 4WD.
Practical Travel Tips
Northern Parks
A 4 to 5 day loop from Kakadu to Katherine and Litchfield is ideal. Base yourself at Cooinda Lodge instead of Jabiru in Kakadu Park—it’s more convenient for excursions and bookings.
Uluru
Fly into Ayers Rock Airport (Uluru and Kata Tjuta are just 50 km apart). If visiting Kings Canyon, consider a day trip from Uluru instead of staying overnight—the accommodations are very basic. The drive to Alice Springs (460 km) is long and monotonous unless necessary for flights or if you’re taking the Meerenie Loop (4WD required).
Recommended Tours (Book On-Site)
- Jim Jim Falls – A challenging trek: two hours on a rough dirt road plus a one-hour hike over rocky terrain.
- Yellow Water Cruise – A great way to see crocodiles and wetlands.
- Field of Light at Uluru – A stunning desert art installation by Bruce Munro, featuring thousands of illuminated bulbs.
Accommodation
Book in advance for Uluru and the northern parks, where options are limited, somewhat dated, and often pricey.
What to See in August: DIY Australia
Uluru
Spiritual, mysterious, and surrounded by red desert. Don’t miss:
- Field of Light
- Uluru base walks
- Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
- Sunset/sunrise viewpoints
- Kings Canyon (somewhat underwhelming)
Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield Parks
Stunning nature, crocodiles, and swimming spots. Highlights:
- Jim Jim Falls
- Yellow Water
- Ubirr rock art
- Canoeing on the Katherine River
- Swimming in Florence Falls
Sydney
Must-do experiences:
- Walk from Circular Quay to Luna Park via The Rocks and Harbour Bridge (return by ferry)
- The Opera House
- Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach walk
Kangaroo Island
Remote, wildlife-filled, and uncrowded. Highlights:
- Flinders Chase (Admirals Arch & Remarkable Rocks)
- Seal Bay and its sea lions
- Little Sahara
- Nocturnal wildlife (kangaroos, wallabies, koalas)
Cleland Wildlife Park (Adelaide)
A guaranteed way to see and interact with koalas and kangaroos in their habitat.
Melbourne
A cosmopolitan, modern city with colonial influences. Must-sees:
- Federation Square and Flinders Station
- Eureka Skydeck
- State Library of Victoria
Gold Coast
A hub for surfing and theme parks, showcasing Australian beach culture.
- Visit Surfers Paradise
- Theme parks (a bit dated but still fun)
Final Tip
Darwin, Adelaide, and Alice Springs are charming but often overlooked cities. While worth a quick stop, we recommend not spending too much time here during your DIY Australia adventure to make room for the country’s more iconic destinations.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
