Life might be back to normal after the events of 2020 and 2021, but the effects of those strange times linger on in our hearts and minds. Specifically, we all appreciate the simple act of going to spend times with loved ones now, and secondly, the reopening of tourist routes across the globe has reminded us just what a joy and a privilege it is to be alive in an age when practically any corner of the planet is at most a few hours away by plane.

It has caused every single one of us to revisit those old destination bucket lists that we dreamily put together years ago and reappraise them from a more determine and objective perspective.

We all have our own dreams and ambitions when it comes to travel, but if 10 students were asked to name their top five destinations, you can bet that Australia would be a word that would come up several times. The Land Down Under is, for many the dream destination, and so far in 2023, more travelers from Illinois and the rest of the US have been making the trip than ever.

Let’s take a look at the most popular attractions, and add some useful tips for anyone traveling to Australia for the first time.

The capital of Tik Tok cool

In the Tik Tok age, Australia is the place to be. The social media platform is just brimming with photo-ops – or perhaps that should be video-ops – encompassing everything from the stunning beaches to the trendy street art to the sophisticated night life. And that’s before you’ve even taken a first tentative step into Australia’s seemingly endless outback with its unique flora and fauna.

Luxury casinos and opulent night life

As we will see, Australia is a country of extremes. There is something for everyone, but that means you have to plan carefully, as you can only experience so much on a single trip. If clubs, casinos, wine bars and generally partying the night away is your preference, then a few nights in Sydney are essential.

The area around the harbor, where the world-famous Opera House stands opposite the equally famous bridge is known as The Rocks, and this is where all the action takes place on a Friday and Saturday night. Bars and night clubs are in abundance, but for the ultimate Sydney experience, be sure to visit one of the two luxury casinos, the Star or the Crown.

Gambling is massively popular in Australia, and the most popular form is pokies – the Australian term for slot machines. If you’ve never played before, it’s worth spending a little time at an Australian online casino – https://www.casinoaus.net/online-slots/ provides several independently checked recommendations.

Meet the natives in their own environment

No, we don’t mean the lovely locals in the casinos and night clubs, great fun though they are. Australia’s wildlife is genuinely unique and if you have a passion for the weird and wonderful, you will be desperate to meet them.

You’ll need to venture out from civilization for the best experiences. The rainforests are rich with fauna and flora, but to encounter the richest variety of wildlife, consider spending some days on the islands. Tasmania is home, of course, to the world famous Tasmanian devils, plus white wallabies and many other unique species, while the southern coast is a breeding ground for fur seals and sea eagles. Kangaroo island isn’t just the place to see Australia’s best known marsupials. It is also home to thousands of wallabies, koalas, bandicoots, duck-billed platypuses, sea lions and echidnas. If you love penguins, Macquarie Island is a must, but you will need to book your expedition well in advance.

Where to stay during your trip

Accommodation in Australia has a reputation for being expensive. However, it is really not so different to anywhere else in the world. Yes, the flagship hotels in the big cities will charge you an arm and a leg, but if you are a savvy traveler, there are other options that are more agreeable to a student budget.

AirBnb is very popular in Australia, and is a great call if there are a few of you sharing and you plan to spend a week or more in the same location. You can make it a real home from home, and most rentals include everything you need in terms of bed linen, towels, cooking equipment and so on.

Of course, if you are traveling solo or even as a couple, an entire house or apartment might be excessive. Australia has an incredible network of hostels that are reasonably priced and reasonably comfortable. Most have communal kitchens and living areas and then either dormitories or private rooms – some even have en suite facilities. The hostels are great if you like meeting up with fellow adventurers to share experiences and recommendations.

Remember, Australia is big

It might sound obvious, but many visitors fail to comprehend just how big Australia is until they get there. Brisbane and Perth are 2,500 miles apart – that’s further than the distance from London to Moscow! It means you need to be selective about where to go, and to accept that you are not going to see everything in two weeks, or even a month.

Traveling between cities is both time-consuming and expensive – unless, of course, you make it part of the experience. For example, the Pacific Highway is a 570 mile drive from Brisbane to Sydney that takes you past one surfing paradise after another before the landscape gives way to dramatic cliffs where you might just get a glimpse of migrating great white whales if you time it right.

The Pacific Highway also has the advantage of being well-maintained blacktop. There are numerous other Australian road trips you could consider, but anything that takes you inland is going to involve unmade roads and other hazards. These are only traversable with the right vehicle and safety equipment on board, so you will need to make extra preparations.