Australia 2026

[Hazey_Jane]

So I’ve started dreaming about it.. it must be happening!

A friend of mine in Melbourne will turn 50 at the end of March 2026 and it’s my turn to visit her. Having only been to Europe & North America I’m already thinking about this trip and started a savings account for it.

I have so many questions but for starters:

Where should I go? How long should I stay in each place? Would it be better plan to be in Melbourne for my friend’s birthday at the beginning, middle or end of my trip? How do I get around? Is there anything I ouught to avoid around this time of year? (Think the equivalent of planning to be in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day- not my idea of fun) Assuming that I will ever go Down Under once, is it worth going to Tasmania?

And perhaps most importantly- when is the best time to book a flight for a competitive price, since I want to fly at least premium economy?

[sally maclennane]

I absolutely loved Melbourne, if I was going to live in Australia, its the only place I'd consider. When I went before, I did Sydney/Melbourne/Noosa in 2003. I had friends in Sydney and Melbourne and another friend who'd lived in Australia, recommended Noosa as I wanted a beachy place. In 2009, I did Sydney/Uluru/Whitsundays/Melbourne - my friend was still in Sydney, and I wanted to see both Uluru and the Whitsundays. As I had liked Melbourne so much the first time, I decided to go back there even though I didn't know anyone there.

Getting around, you'll need internal flights, everywhere is bloody miles apart, and takes ages! Driving is easy as it's the same side of the road but the distances would put me off.

Things I did and loved were the Great Ocean Road, the Hunter Valley (wine tasting!) Sydney Bridge climb, Fraser Island. I did love Uluru but it's really awkward to get to, and expensive. The fairy penguins in Victoria were fab, if they still do that.

End of March, watch for the Grand Prix in Melbourne, hotel costs were very high as a result!

I am jealous, it's such a great place to visit. The flights are brutal though so if you can afford premium economy that will help.

[Estrella]

I’d plan your start/end spot around where you can get the best flights into the country (may be Sydney) and yes, check the F1 dates for Melbourne in March.

I don’t know anything about Melbourne- I’ve been twice but it’s been for the F1 both times. I utterly love Sydney though. Much prefer it to Melbourne. I have never been to Tasmania, so I’m no use there. If you do add Queensland to your itinerary, let me know and I’ll be your guide. K’gari (Fraser Island) should be on there if you come up this way.

In March you should also still be able to catch the turtles hatching in Bundy: https://www.bundabergregion.org/turtles

ETA - accommodation, look at Wotif and Stayz. Flights in between cities are a must. Jetstar and Virgin are the cheapest carriers usually.

[Topcat]

The thing with driving over there is, whilst the distances are massive there is nothing like the stress of driving over here so you don't notice it so much.

The roads are wider, tend to have more lanes and not as many cars. I covered hundreds of miles on a regular basis and never once felt tired because of it. It was sort of a weird pleasure.