Where to stay in Australia: areas and hotels

Australia is a continent, not a city, so the question 'where to stay' has a different answer depending on where you land and what you want to see. If you're in Sydney for the first time, the best base is around the harbour, in the city centre or Darling Harbour, from where most attractions are within walking distance or a tram ride away. In Melbourne, the city centre (CBD) is the most sensible choice, as the city is built around its laneways and trams. Couples seeking relaxation and beaches head to the Gold Coast, while families with children find hotels with pools and easy access to theme parks in the same area. Those wanting a coral reef and tropical climate are drawn to Cairns, while the west coast, centred around Perth, remains the most remote but also the quietest option.

A trip to Australia rarely limits itself to one city, as the distances between major urban centres are vast and usually covered by internal flights rather than road trips. Sydney and Melbourne are approximately 880 km apart, while getting from Sydney to Perth takes almost five hours by plane, similar to flying from Greece to New York. If you have limited time, it's better to choose two or three cities and explore them in depth, rather than trying to see them all.

Budget also plays a role in choosing an area. In central Sydney and Melbourne, accommodation prices are among the highest in the country, while in well-connected suburbs, you can find more affordable options without sacrificing much in terms of transport convenience. In the Gold Coast and Cairns, where leisure tourism predominates, resort hotels often offer better value for money than the urban hotels in the major cities.

Practicalities for your trip to Australia

Australia does not have direct flights from Athens, so the journey almost always includes a stopover, usually in Doha, Dubai, Singapore, or Hong Kong. The total travel time from Greece usually exceeds 20 hours, including the stopover, so it's worth checking out some tips for cheap flights and planning one or two nights of rest in your arrival city before continuing. The main international airports are Sydney Kingsford Smith, Tullamarine in Melbourne, Brisbane Airport, Cairns Airport, and Perth Airport, all with direct connections to the city centre via train or bus.

Getting around cities is easy with public transport. In Sydney, the Opal card covers trains, buses, trams, and ferries, and there's also a free circular tram in the city centre. In Melbourne, the Myki card works on trams, trains, and buses, and the city centre zone has free trams for visitors. On the Gold Coast, the G:link tram runs along the beach, while in Cairns and Perth, transport is mainly by bus or car, especially if you plan excursions outside the city.

The season matters greatly, as Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and its seasons are opposite to Greece's. Summer there is from December to February, with heat and high humidity in the northern part (Cairns, Brisbane), while winter, June to August, is the best time to visit the tropical north, as you avoid the monsoon season and jellyfish on the beaches. In Sydney and Melbourne, spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds compared to January, when Australians are on summer holidays and accommodation prices rise significantly.

For those planning to combine Australia with another long-haul destination on the same trip, many choose a stopover in Singapore or Dubai, two cities with good connections to Australian airports.

Sydney

Sydney is almost always the first stop for visitors to Australia, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge forming the natural gravitational centre of the city. For a comprehensive guide to accommodation in the city, it's worth checking our dedicated guide on where to stay in Sydney, where we analyse the neighbourhoods in more detail.

1. W Sydney

A modern hotel in Darling Harbour, with distinctive design and easy access to the city centre and the harbour on foot.

• Average cost: 280 to 420 euros per night
• Ideal for: couples and travellers seeking a design hotel

2. Shangri-La Sydney

Located in The Rocks neighbourhood, with views of the harbour and Opera House from many rooms, an ideal starting point for strolls through the historic side of the city.

• Average cost: 260 to 400 euros per night
• Ideal for: first-time visitors focusing on views

3. Sydney Harbour Hotel

A more budget-friendly option near the city centre, with comfortable rooms and quick access to trains and buses to all neighbourhoods.

• Average cost: 140 to 210 euros per night
• Ideal for: travellers on a moderate budget

4. Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour

A family-friendly hotel next to the aquarium and Darling Harbour park, with spacious rooms suitable for children.

• Average cost: 190 to 280 euros per night
• Ideal for: families with children

Melbourne

Melbourne was built around a network of laneways filled with cafes, street art galleries, and small restaurants, which is why the city centre (CBD) is the most logical base for exploring it on foot and by tram.

5. The Victoria Hotel

An historic hotel in the city centre, next to the Town Hall, with simple but comfortable rooms and some of the most affordable prices in the CBD.

• Average cost: 110 to 170 euros per night
• Ideal for: budget travellers

6. Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Located near Federation Square and the Yarra River, with large rooms and easy tram access to all neighbourhoods.

• Average cost: 200 to 300 euros per night
• Ideal for: families and couples

7. QT Melbourne

A hotel with a strong design character in the heart of the CBD, close to the theatres and the city's best restaurants.

• Average cost: 230 to 340 euros per night
• Ideal for: couples who want style and vibrancy

Brisbane and Gold Coast

Brisbane is the gateway to the state of Queensland, but most visitors continue south to the Gold Coast, home to the country's most famous beaches and large theme parks. Surfers Paradise is the heart of the area, with high-rise hotels on the beach, suitable for both couples and families.

8. Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

A high-rise hotel on Surfers Paradise beach, with a pool overlooking the ocean and rooms with balconies.

• Average cost: 220 to 340 euros per night
• Ideal for: couples and families

9. Mercure Gold Coast Resort

A resort with gardens and pools just outside the centre of Surfers Paradise, offering a relaxed atmosphere and good value for money and space.

• Average cost: 150 to 220 euros per night
• Ideal for: families with children

10. Rydges Gold Coast Airport

A practical option near Gold Coast Airport, useful for those with early morning or late-night flights.

• Average cost: 120 to 180 euros per night
• Ideal for: travellers with flights at unusual times

Cairns

Cairns is the base for those wishing to visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The city does not have a natural beach in the centre, so hotels rely on large swimming pools and the Esplanade Lagoon, while reef excursions depart daily from the harbour.

11. Hilton Cairns

A hotel on the waterfront, next to the departure point for reef boats, with sea views from most rooms.

• Average cost: 180 to 270 euros per night
• Ideal for: those wanting easy access to reef excursions

12. Pullman Cairns International

A central hotel with a large pool and garden, near the Esplanade Lagoon and the city centre's restaurants.

• Average cost: 160 to 240 euros per night
• Ideal for: families with children

Perth

Perth, on the west coast, is Australia's most isolated large city, with the Swan River flowing through its centre and Rottnest Island a ferry ride away. Visitors usually stay in the city centre for easy access to public transport, museums, and Kings Park.

13. Pan Pacific Perth

A hotel in the city centre, near the Swan River and the bridge to Rottnest Island, with large rooms and a quiet atmosphere.

• Average cost: 170 to 250 euros per night
• Ideal for: couples and leisure travellers

14. Quay Perth

A newer hotel next to the Elizabeth Quay waterfront, with modern design and easy access to trams and buses.

• Average cost: 190 to 280 euros per night
• Ideal for: couples wanting a central location

15. Novotel Perth Murray Street

A practical hotel in the city's commercial centre, with affordable prices and quick access to the pedestrianised Murray Street mall.

• Average cost: 130 to 190 euros per night
• Ideal for: budget travellers

Area Comparison

Before booking flights, it's worth checking out a guide to Dubai if you plan to stop there, or a guide to London, as many flights to Australia pass through there with open tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are needed for a trip to Australia?

For a first acquaintance with Sydney, Melbourne, and one other area (Gold Coast or Cairns), you need at least two weeks, not including flight hours from Greece. If you want to add Perth or inland areas, three weeks offer a more relaxed pace.

What is the best time to stay in Sydney and Melbourne?

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds. January is the period of Australian summer holidays, with higher accommodation prices and crowded hotels.

Do I need a car to stay on the Gold Coast?

Not necessarily. The G:link tram connects most coastal areas, but if you want to visit the hinterland or theme parks away from the beach, a car makes travel more flexible.

Where should I stay if I only have one stop in Australia with a layover?

If you're only making one stop, Sydney is the most practical choice, as it gathers the most famous attractions and has the densest network of direct international flights.

Which area is most suitable for families with young children?

The Gold Coast and Darling Harbour in Sydney gather the most hotels with large pools, parks, and easy access to family activities.

Is it worth staying near the airport before an internal flight?

If you have an early morning or late-night flight to another Australian city, a hotel near the airport saves you stress and time, especially in the Gold Coast and Brisbane where distances from the city centre are greater.

Is accommodation in Australia expensive compared to Europe?

Accommodation prices in the centres of Sydney and Melbourne are comparable to or slightly higher than equivalent European capitals, but in suburbs, on the Gold Coast, or in Perth, you can find better prices without a significant loss in quality.