Get a passport. Australia requires that all foreign visitors except those from New Zealand have a passport to enter the country. Plan on paying about $100 for a United States passport for an adult over 16, and expect to wait from 4 to 6 weeks for it to be processed. Check the United States Passport Services Office website for details and an application form (see Resources below).
Apply for a visa. It will depend on the nature of your trip as to which visa you will need, but for most vacationers you'll need an Electronic Travel Authority Short-Stay Tourist Visa. These can be issued by your travel agent, or by applying online at the Australian Visa Bureau (see Resources below).
Decide on the region you would like to visit. Remember that Australia is almost as big as the 48 contiguous United States, so you won't be able to plan everything in one trip. If you want to see the Opera House, you'll want to go to Sydney, but if you're looking for the Great Barrier Reef aim for Cairns. Uluru (aka Ayers Rock) is located in the southern part of the Northern Territory.
Pick a season to visit Australia. Keep in mind that Australia's seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere, so if you leave wearing parkas and boots, you'll be sweating in the summer heat when you get there. It's always warm in Northern Australia, and the best time to visit in sometime in May or June, just after the rainy season. Southern Australia can get quite cold, however, so September and October are considered the best months to visit.
Book your tickets. June, July and August are peak tourist season in most of Australia, so you may pay more for tickets during these months. Check into discount ticket brokers like Travelocity or Orbitz for good deals on your airfare (see Resources below).
Exchange your money. Australia uses the dollar, but not the American dollar. Ask your bank whether they have money exchange services, or check with your travel agent. You can also buy foreign money through Travelex, either online or at a location near you (see Resources below).
Find accommodations. Your travel agent should be able to help you with a package deal for your airfare and your hotel, but if you're going without the help of an agent you may want to check online with Travelocity or Orbitz (see Resources below). They can help you find the perfect hotel.
Rent a car. There are several ways to get around Australia, but most prefer to have their own transportation. Travelocity, Orbitz or your travel agent should be able to help you, or you can go directly to car rental agencies like Hertz, Budget or Avis (see Resources below).
Verify your vaccinations. There are no vaccinations required for a regular visit to Australia, but if you've visited an area in the last 6 days before your trip where Yellow Fever is present, such as areas of Africa or South America, you may need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination. A Japanese B encephalitis vaccine is also sometimes recommended, but not mandatory.
Visit Australia's official tourism website to help answer any questions you may have before your trip (see Resources below).
