AUSTRALIA · Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Uluru
Rehearse your Australia trip before you go
Australia: harbour cities and café laneways, the reef, and the red desert's sacred rock. In the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed: summer runs December to February.
Dejavoy is a free game: plan a trip, then play it through day by day before you go, and catch closed days, missed bookings and tourist traps before they catch you.
Entry rules by passport
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| Japan | Apply for an ETA in the official app In the government's official 'AustralianETA' app, A$20 service fee, a few days ahead |
| South Korea | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| China (mainland) | Get a tourist visa for Australia An Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600), online; processing can take weeks |
| Taiwan | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| Hong Kong SAR | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| Singapore | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| USA | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| Canada | Apply for an ETA in the app A$20 in the official app |
| UK | Apply for an eVisitor visa Free on the official government site |
| An EU country | Apply for an eVisitor visa Free on the official government site |
| Australia | Your own country |
| India | Get a tourist visa for Australia An Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600), online; processing can take weeks |
| Other | Depends on your nationality: check with the embassy or the official site |
Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.
Traps travellers fall into
In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.
- The red-and-yellow flags SydneyOn Australian beaches, swim between the red and yellow flags; calm-looking gaps are often rip currents
- The Sunday café bill SydneyMany Australian cafés and restaurants add 10–15% on Sundays and public holidays — it's posted at the door or on the menu. Tipping isn't generally expected
Month by month
- JanuaryJanuary is high summer: Sydney 27°C, Uluru close to 40°C, and Cairns is in cyclone season.
- FebruaryFebruary is still summer: a humid 26°C in Sydney, and the peak of Cairns's wet season with rough seas.
- MarchMarch is early autumn: Sydney 25°C. Easter (26–29 March) brings closures and crowds.
- AprilApril is autumn: a fresh 23°C in Sydney, and Uluru becomes good walking weather. Anzac Day on 25 April.
- MayMay is late autumn: Sydney 20°C, Melbourne 17°C; Cairns's dry season begins with calmer seas.
- JuneJune is winter: Sydney 17°C, Melbourne a wet 14°C, Uluru nights near freezing.
- JulyJuly is midwinter: Sydney 17°C with 8°C mornings, Melbourne 14°C with 6°C mornings; Cairns is a dry 25°C.
- AugustAugust ends the winter: a sunny 18°C in Sydney, near-freezing dawns at Uluru.
- SeptemberSeptember is spring: Sydney 20°C, flowers everywhere, and Uluru starts to heat up.
- OctoberOctober is spring: Sydney 22°C, with the UV climbing.
- NovemberNovember is early summer: Sydney about 24°C, Melbourne's weather swings within a day, Cairns humid with stinger season, Uluru over 35°C some days.
- DecemberDecember is early summer: Sydney 25–26°C, Cairns humid as the wet season starts, Uluru 35–38°C.
Sample routes
- ClassicClassic: Sydney and MelbourneFrom the harbour city to the city of laneway cafés and art.Sydney → Melbourne
- DetourDetour: up to the Great Barrier ReefAfter Sydney, north to the tropics for the reef and rainforest.Sydney → Cairns
- Off the pathOff the path: the red centre, then the reefUluru's sunrise and the Field of Light, then a flight to the reef.Sydney → Uluru (Ayers Rock) → Cairns
Hidden gems
- The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk SydneySix clifftop kilometres from beach to beach, past ocean pools and coves. The sun is fierce: hat and water.
- The croissant worth queueing for MelbourneWatch pastry being laminated in a glass room inside a warehouse; they close when they sell out.
- The free lagoon pool on the esplanade CairnsThe sea has crocodiles and stingers, so the city built a huge free lagoon pool on the waterfront.
- A bakery pie and tart SydneyA little corner bakery: beef brisket pies and ginger brûlée tarts, with a flat white.
Before you go
- Install a travel eSIMFor maps and transport apps
- Pack sun protection and a jacketStrong UV, and Melbourne can be cold
- Check the food you're bringingDeclare all food; undeclared items mean fines