Follow Your Heart Down Under

Have you dreamt of visiting the land down under? Imagining the surf and sand, breathtaking views, unique cuisine, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife spottings? Few places in the world have captured hearts like Australia has. So why does it often stay on travelers’ bucket lists rather than making it to their need-to-go-back list? We’ve rounded up the top three reasons Australia draws you in and the misconceptions that keep you on this side of the hemisphere. 

Three W’s – Wildlife, Wine, and Weather! 

Wildlife:  Australia is blessed with unique nature that can’t be found anywhere else, with animals so unmistakable that many have come to represent the country themselves. 

A massive island steeped in rainforests, beaches, desserts, and national parks, you can expect to see a range of incredible species in their environment during a visit. From dingoes and dolphins to koalas and kangaroos.  

Wine: Home to more than 60 stunning wine regions, 6,000 grape growers, 2,000 wineries, and the fifth-largest wine exporter in the world, Australia’s wine industry is thriving! Most of Australia’s wine regions are in the cooler Southern parts of the country, including the well-known Margaret River Wine Region, the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Claire Valleys, and the Swan Valley near Perth. Australia’s primary vineyard produce is Shiraz, followed by Chardonnay, with the two varieties making up 44% of the total wine production. 

Weather: The Australian continent stretches from North to South and East to West, covering more land mass than all of Europe and crossing different climate zones. In short: Australia has nearly every weather and climate imaginable, including snow!

Located in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere, making it an ideal destination for a winter getaway! December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring. Many visitors find the best time to explore Australia is September to November, just between the wet and dry seasons when the landscape is lush and green, and temperatures are moderate. 

Top three misconceptions about traveling to Australia

Distance: Year after year, Australia is considered one of the world’s most desirable locations. But the distance from the United States is often a deterrent to planning a visit. 

While avoiding Australia’s distance from the US is impossible, airlines have made it easier to manage with direct flights from California and Hawaii, drastically reducing travel time. When you compare a direct flight to Australia with a flight to a European country (many of which require layovers), you may find the time spent traveling to either location is not that different from one another! 

Time: Australia’s landscapes range from tropical rainforests to the red deserts of the Outback, snowcapped peaks, coastlines, and cosmopolitan cities – and you want to see it all! But considering Australia’s size (nearly as big as the continental US), you may wonder if you have the vacation time to get it all in. 

Fear not. Thanks to an efficient network of domestic flights, and with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced travel advisor, you can experience many of these landscapes in your preferred travel style.  

Expense: People come for Aboriginal experiences, unique wildlife, scenic wine regions, breathtaking beaches, and natural wonders. However, much as Australia has to offer, it also has a reputation for being a costly destination. 

Part of this misconception lies in that Australia publishes rates differently than the US by including taxes, tips, or fees in the total price shown. So while it may seem pricey at first sight, consider that when booking a hotel stateside, you often don’t see the total cost online. Without hidden fees, planning your vacation and sticking to a budget is much easier. 

Accent on Travel has shared some of their favorite itineraries below to inspire your journey ‘down under’.  

11 Nights Classic Australia  – Independent travel moderate 1st class accommodations

11 Nights Great Sights of Australia – Hosted tour with moderate 1st class accommodations

12 Nights Wings Over Australia – Hosted Small Group with luxury accommodations

22 Nights Wonders of the South Pacific: Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands by Private Jet – small group luxury accommodations

If Australia is calling you, leave your worries at home and follow your heart to the land down under! Call our expert travel advisors on 888-806-2337  or fill in our handy form below and reserve your Australian vacation today!