Australia is a popular travel destination, attracting tourists with its natural beauty and unique opportunities for outdoor activities. Find out how to organize your dream trip to the continent, what to see and entry documents

Australia is an extraordinary travel destination for many people in Europe. The smallest continent on Earth attracts visitors from all over the world. Australia is known for its kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. Despite its large distance from most other countries, the country welcomed 7.5 million tourists in 2024. Numerous young people plan to spend a year in Australia after school on a work and travel visa. This gives them the opportunity to travel the country and work at the same time. Many of them travel Down Under as backpackers, gaining unique experiences.

However, you don't necessarily have to bring that much time. Even if you only have a few days or weeks, a trip to this fascinating country is worthwhile.

One of the most interesting regions in Australia is in the northeast of the country, in the state of Queensland. The region around the city of Cairns is ideal for a vacation, especially for travelers seeking adventure and nature. Temperatures here are tropically warm year-round. The months of June to September are relatively dry compared to the rest of the year. This is also the time of the Australian winter.

The city of Cairns has a population of approximately 128,000 and is located directly on the northeast coast of the state of Queensland. It is an ideal starting point for various activities and excursions.

The Great Barrier Reef

Off the coast of the city of Cairns lies the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest coral reef in the world and covers an area of ​​334,000 km². It stretches for 2,600 kilometers along the east coast of Australia. From Cairns, you can take a snorkeling tour or, if you prefer, a diving tour. Among the colorful corals, you will encounter countless fish, underwater plants, and even sea turtles. Those with no diving experience can take a diving course. The reef was even recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Rising sea temperatures and the effects of climate change are threatening the fragile corals. Fortunately, the Australian government is investing heavily in preserving the reef and monitoring the health of the corals.

Jungle Hikes

For hikers, there are many trails in the area around the city of Cairns. Most trails lead through dense jungle, past beautiful waterfalls, or even through small rivers. If you prefer mountains, you can hike up Walsh's Pyramid. It is located approximately 26 kilometers south of Cairns.

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will take place again from July 11 to 13, 2025. Visitors can learn more about the local Indigenous population. There will be both an Indigenous art exhibition and various dance performances. The event has been taking place since 2009 and now attracts more than 50,000 visitors.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you high above the trees of the tropical rainforest. The cable car's starting point is only about 14 minutes by car from Cairns city center. However, there are also buses that visitors can take to reach the cable car. During the 7.5-kilometer ride, you'll see the impressive natural beauty of the rainforest and the Barron Falls.

What do I need to consider when planning my trip?

In most cases, you will need a visa to travel to Australia. For leisure travelers (and business travelers) who hold a passport from a European country, it is usually possible to obtain an eVisitor visa for Australia. This is also the cheapest and easiest way to fulfill the visa requirements. This allows you to spend up to three months at a time in Australia during its one-year validity period. You can apply for an eVisitor visa for Australia quickly and easily at VisaAustralia.com. You also have the option of submitting your application using a German-language form. All you need to do is bring your passport. You don't even need to have your exact travel dates set yet. Apply for your visa early. Then nothing will stand in the way of your dream trip to Australia!

As a reminder! The Australian Working Holiday Visa (WHV) allows young people from different countries to work and travel in Australia for a year with the possibility of extension. We have already told you who can get a visa and how to go through the application procedure in 2025.

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