Australia

Australia is where it all started. In 2009 I spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney. I was a college student on a tight budget in a very expensive country, so I did not explore nearly as much as I wanted to. But the trips I did take, like diving the Great Barrier Reef, are the reason I never stopped traveling.

What I did

• Studied for a semester at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales.

• Played tennis for the university at the Australian University Games in Melbourne.

• Scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef out of Cairns.

• Visited Sydney: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the beaches.

• Held a koala and pet kangaroos at a wildlife park.

• Lived the beach town student life in Newcastle, with surf beaches a short walk from the city center.

My experience

This was the trip that got me hooked on travel. Diving the reef, holding a koala, petting kangaroos, competing at the University Games and living somewhere completely new showed me what I wanted my life to look like. The one regret is that I was a broke college student in one of the most expensive countries in the world, so I barely scratched the surface. I would love to come back and do it properly: the east coast, the Outback, Tasmania and the west.

Where to stay

• Sydney, Surry Hills or The Rocks: walkable, close to the harbor and full of good restaurants. Bondi or Manly if you want to wake up by the beach.

• Melbourne, CBD or Fitzroy: laneway cafes, bars and trams everywhere. St Kilda for the beach side.

• Cairns or Port Douglas: the bases for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Port Douglas is quieter and more upscale.

• Newcastle: an easy, laid back beach city two hours north of Sydney and the gateway to the Hunter Valley.

Getting there and around

• Flights: it is a long way from almost everywhere. Sydney and Melbourne are the main entry points.

• Distances: the country is huge. Fly between Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Perth, and rent a car or campervan for regional trips.

• Airport to city: the Airport Link train runs from Sydney Airport to the center in about 15 minutes. Melbourne has the SkyBus.

• In cities: trains, trams and ferries are excellent. Tap on with a contactless card.

What to eat

• Meat pies and sausage rolls from a bakery.

• Fresh seafood: barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs and Sydney rock oysters.

• Brunch culture: smashed avocado and a flat white, Melbourne does it best.

• A backyard barbecue, and Tim Tams and Vegemite on toast at least once.

What to drink

• Wine: world class. The Hunter Valley is an easy day trip from Newcastle or Sydney, and the Barossa Valley near Adelaide and the Yarra Valley near Melbourne are both worth a visit.

• Coffee: some of the best in the world. Order a flat white or a long black.

• Beer: craft breweries in every city, plus the classics like Victoria Bitter and Coopers.

• Spirits: Tasmanian whisky and Australian gin have become excellent.

Don't miss

• The Great Barrier Reef, diving or snorkeling from Cairns or Port Douglas.

• Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

• Melbourne's laneways, food scene and a sporting event at the MCG.

• The Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles.

• Uluru in the Red Centre.

• The Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach.

Day trips and side trips

• The Blue Mountains from Sydney.

• The Hunter Valley wineries from Newcastle or Sydney.

• Port Stephens for sand dunes and dolphins, near Newcastle.

• The Daintree Rainforest from Cairns or Port Douglas.

• Phillip Island penguins from Melbourne.

Festivals and events

• Australian Open: Melbourne, January. One of tennis's four Grand Slams, and a must for any tennis fan.

• New Year's Eve fireworks: Sydney Harbour, December 31. One of the best fireworks shows in the world.

• Vivid Sydney: Sydney, usually May to June. Light installations across the harbor and the Opera House.

• Melbourne Cup: Melbourne, the first Tuesday of November. The race that stops a nation.

• Splendour in the Grass: Byron Bay area, usually July. One of the country's biggest music festivals.

• Field Day: Sydney, January 1. A big electronic and dance music day festival.

• Australia Day: nationwide, January 26.

Music and dance

• A strong live music scene, from indie and rock to a big electronic and dance music culture in Sydney and Melbourne.

• Melbourne is the live music capital, with gigs most nights in Fitzroy and Collingwood.

• Aboriginal music and dance, including the didgeridoo, can be seen at cultural centers and festivals.

Photography spots

• Sydney: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquarie's Chair at sunrise.

• Great Ocean Road: the Twelve Apostles at sunset.

• Great Barrier Reef: a scenic flight over Heart Reef in the Whitsundays.

• Uluru: sunrise and sunset from the viewing areas.

• Drones: rules are strict around cities, airports and national parks. Check current rules.

Cost of living

• Overall: Sydney and Melbourne: $$$$, about 5% cheaper than New York. Brisbane and Newcastle run a little lower, Cairns higher for tours.

• Coffee: about $4

• Local lunch: about $14

• Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $110

• Beer or cocktail: about $7 / $13

• Ride across town: about $18

• Mid-range hotel: about $180 a night

• Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $2,300 a month in Sydney's Bondi area, $1,900 in Melbourne's Fitzroy

• Daily budget: about $100 budget, $220 comfortable, $450+ luxury in Sydney or Melbourne

Australia was a stretch on a student budget, and it is still expensive, especially Sydney and the tourist-heavy Queensland coast. Cooking some meals and booking trips ahead helps. Wages are high, so even cheap meals cost more than you expect. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

• Wi-Fi: Fast and reliable in cities, typically 50 to 250 Mbps, though rural areas and some islands are much slower. Mobile data is usually the better backup.

• Coworking and cafes: Sydney and Melbourne have the best coworking and cafe scenes, with WeWork and Hub Australia. Brisbane is a cheaper, warmer alternative.

• Time zone: Varies by state. Sydney is UTC+10, or UTC+11 in summer, about 14 to 16 hours ahead of US Eastern, with the gap shifting through the year.

• Visa for longer stays: US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authority before arrival. There is no digital nomad visa, and tourist visas do not allow work for local employers. Check current rules.

• Nomad rating: 3 out of 5. Easy, safe and English speaking with great internet, but cost and the time difference with the US hold it back.

Good to know

• Language: English.

• Currency: Australian dollar. Cards and tap to pay work almost everywhere.

• Plugs: Type I, 230V.

• Entry for US citizens: you need an ETA visa before you fly, applied for through the official app. Check current rules.

• Best time to visit: September to November and March to May for most of the country. The tropical north is best from May to October.

• Cost: expensive, especially accommodation and eating out. Budget more than you think.

• Tipping: not expected. Round up or leave 10 percent for great service.

• Apps: Uber and DiDi for rides, Uber Eats and DoorDash for delivery.

• Water: tap water is safe to drink.

Nightlife

Australian nightlife is pub based. People gather early, drink at a quick pace and head to a club late, and it feels more casual than a night out in the US, though drinks cost more. I was a student in Newcastle, so my experience is the pub scene there and in Sydney.

• When people go out: Dinner at 6 or 7, bars busy by 9, and clubs until 3 or 4. Thursday to Saturday are the big nights, and closing and lockout rules vary by state.

• Where the action is: In Newcastle, Hunter Street, Darby Street and the Honeysuckle waterfront. In Sydney, Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and the Rocks.

• The music: Pub rock, indie bands and live acts, with pop and electronic music at clubs.

• Good to know: Covers are modest and often free early, and drinks are expensive, so pre-drinking is common. Dress is smart casual, and many clubs refuse thongs (flip flops) and sportswear. Bring ID everywhere, and take a ride app or licensed taxi home.

Meeting people

• Social scene: Sydney and Melbourne are easy for meeting people, with beach sports, run clubs, coworking spaces and weekend markets. Bondi and Manly are the social beach areas in Sydney. Australians are relaxed and quick to start a conversation.

• Apps: Hinge, Bumble and Tinder are all popular. Bumble BFF and Meetup work well for friends, and Facebook groups cover nomads, hiking and sports.

• Etiquette: A handshake and a casual hello are standard. Be on time, since being late without a message is frowned on. Rounds of drinks are common in pubs, so take your turn. Bills are often split.

• Stay smart: Meet in public, watch your drink and use licensed taxis or rideshare at night.

Staying safe

• The sun is brutal. Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses even on cloudy days.

• Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches, and watch for rips.

• In the tropical north, respect stinger season (roughly November to May) and crocodile warning signs.

• Distances in the Outback are huge. Carry water and plan fuel stops.