Holidays in Australia offer the experience of a lifetime for adventure seekers, city slickers and beach lovers alike.
Visit Sydney’s dazzling harbour, thrilling surf spots and iconic Opera House. Take in the vibrant street art and dining scene of Melbourne, or gaze in awe at vast natural wonders – including the spellbinding Uluru (or ‘Ayers Rock').
Filled with beauty, Australia boasts an abundance of fascinating wildlife and stunning national parks. If beach hopping is on your to-do list, you’ll find endless stretches of golden sand to relax on.
It's also home to some of the most incredible oceanic sights in the world, including the Great Barrier Reef – which you can explore from Cairns and Hamilton Island. Experience it all with an Australia holiday package from Etihad.
Home to ultra-modern cities, relaxing beaches and gorgeous national parks, whether you’re looking to relax and replenish, or explore and discover, you’ll find much to savour on a holiday in Australia.
For an incredible snapshot of what Australia has to offer, head off on an adventure along the Great Ocean Road.
Located just an hour or so south of Melbourne, this scenic 249-mile (400-kilometre) highway stretches from Torquay to Nelson on the southern coast.
Expect the drive of a lifetime, taking you past some of Australia’s most iconic destinations, including coastal rock formation the Twelve Apostles, wild rainforests and some of the country's best surfing beaches.
Australia is home to an array of adorable and truly unique animals seen nowhere else on earth.
A family holiday to Australia wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lighthouse Road in Cape Otway for some koala spotting (they're everywhere, but hide themselves well), while possums and wallabies are also found at the Great Otway National Park.
Free-roaming kangaroos can be seen at the famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane, and at the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park near Sydney.
Morning dining is practically a way of life here, so a luxury Australia break wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its finest brunch spots.
Bondi, Darlinghurst, Manly and the beachside suburb of Bronte in Sydney are home to everything from fluffy ricotta hotcakes to a local delicacy of Vegemite and avocado on toast, allowing you to tantalise your taste buds while enjoying gorgeous views over the water.
Melbourne’s trendy Fitzroy district, meanwhile, has cafes with a cool and laid-back vibe, serving up pastries and internationally inspired snacks.
Australia boasts one of the largest national park networks in the world. In total, there are more than 2,700 designated conservation areas – each with their own unique landscapes and wildlife habitats.
Delve into the depths of inland Australia to visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Home to arguably the nation’s most famous natural landmark, this site has great significance to its traditional owners – the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara peoples.
For waterfalls, wetlands and fascinating insights into indigenous culture, make your way to Kakadu National Park, a two-hour drive from Darwin.
All around the sparkling coast of Australia you’ll find stretches of soft, inviting sand, as well as small hidden coves and ocean swimming hideaways.
Cottesloe Beach has plenty in store for the adventurous traveller. Just 30 minutes from Perth, you can walk, swim, snorkel and enjoy great surf at this popular spot.
To escape into paradise, Whitehaven Beach – located on Whitsunday Island, a short boat trip from Hamilton Island – is awash with endless white sand and dazzling turquoise water.
If it’s a vibrant city with gorgeous beaches you’re looking for, Sydney fits the bill. Great areas to stay here for sightseeing include Circular Quay and The Rocks.
The city's Manly and Bondi areas are ideal places to base yourself if you're looking to enjoy family holidays in Australia or wanting to spend some quality time at the beach.
Melbourne also boasts some beautiful stretches of coastline. St Kilda is a prime spot to stay here with plenty of beach activities on offer, plus a great selection of restaurants and cafes.
A keen adventurer? Want to head into the depths of Australia’s underwater world? Head to Cairns for the perfect start to your Great Barrier Reef odyssey.
It's home to both luxury resorts – such as the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas – and family-friendly options like the Palm Royale. Diving, boat tours and other aquatic attractions await.
Brisbane is a charming place for a couple’s retreat or honeymoon in Australia, with river cruises, island glamping and a stroll along Kangaroo Point all great choices.
Journey to the chic town of Byron Bay to lounge on pristine beaches or explore serene rainforests.
Spend a romantic evening watching the sun set at Cape Byron Bay Lighthouse or exploring artisan markets. You’ll find your little slice of paradise here.
The local currency in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Debit and credit cards are widely accepted and there are plenty of ATMs in towns and cities.
The official and most widely-spoken language in Australia is English. But Italian, Mandarin and indigenous languages are also spoken among some communities.
Australia celebrates a number of public holidays, including Australia Day in January. Anzac Day on 25 April commemorates the troops killed at Gallipoli in the First World War.
A range of transport options are available in Australia, including planes for longer distances and boats for island day trips. Most cities have good public transport networks.
Australia offers a diverse range of dining options. The fact it's such a multicultural society means you’ll find almost any type of cuisine you want, with global influences on show in the renowned restaurant scenes of cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
Outdoor adventurers may want to sample traditional Australian food called ‘bush tucker’, while lovers of spice should stop by one of the many Asian eateries. Brunch is also a popular meal in Australia –many places have turned it into an art form.
Australian chefs are also famous for ‘fusion’ cuisine, which brings together a blend of European and Asian cooking styles. Fresh seafood is found in many coastal towns and suburbs, while delicious pastries and sweets are also commonplace.
Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal people have the oldest continuous culture on earth, having settled here at least 50,000 years ago.
Australia holiday packages allow you to explore this ancient civilisation. Admire more than 5,000 sites of rock art dating back 20,000 years at the world-famous Kakadu National Park, or explore the enchanting rainforests of Mossman Gorge with the Kuku Yalanji people.
To delve into the nation’s more recent past, a number of Victorian-era landmarks can be visited, including the 19th-century Fort Queenscliff – south of Melbourne.
A number of World War II-era bunkers and tunnels are also dotted around the country.
Australia is home to some of the world’s best beaches. Relaxing, enjoying sports and even dining on the sand is a big part of the country’s culture.
Take a short boat ride to Whitsunday Island, which lies between the north-east coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Here, mesmerising turquoise beaches meld with pristine sand – it’s a dream destination.
Head from the Sydney suburb of Manly to the neighbouring Shelly Beach for amazing surfing, snorkelling and diving.
Two hours north of Brisbane, meanwhile, lies Noosa Main Beach with tranquil waters and nine miles of sand, bordered with tropical palm trees at Sunshine Beach.
Abu Dhabi
This vibrant city has amazing beaches and spellbinding wildlife – while dune bashing is a whole new way to enjoy the rolling sands.
Abu Dhabi Holidays
Indonesia
From lush rainforests to beautiful beaches that feel like paradise, the numerous islands here are the perfect destination for nature lovers.
Indonesia Holidays
Hong Kong
This stunning harbour city is home to world-class cuisine and an iconic skyline, while the nearby mountains and parks are ripe for discovery.
Hong Kong Holidays
Thailand
From the buzz of Bangkok to idyllic islands such as Phuket, Thailand offers every visitor a world of adventures and a feast for the senses.
Thailand Holidays
