Beyond the Myths: What Travelers Think Australia Is Like…And What It’s Really Like

Australia … it’s on the bucket list for so many travelers, yet for just as many, it remains an elusive dream. As travel advisors know all too well, clients often light up at the idea of visiting “Down Under”— but they can just as quickly rattle off the reasons why they haven’t made the trip yet. From fears of long flights and “deadly animals” to assumptions that Australia is just beaches and kangaroos, there’s no shortage of myths that hamper potential visitors from taking the plunge.

But here’s the truth: Australia is adventurous, diverse, welcoming, and absolutely worth the journey. For travel advisors looking to boost confidence in this destination and close more sales, debunking these common myths is key to turning daydreamers into bona fide Aussie travelers.

Myth #1: The Flight Is Too Long

Let’s start with the most common hesitation. Yes, Australia is far from North America — but so are many other beloved destinations. The reality? Today’s travelers are more comfortable than ever with long-haul flights, especially when the journey is broken up into segments. Advisors can recommend stopovers in Hawaii, New Zealand, or even Asia to split the trip — and add another experience in the process.

Chelsea Sarauer, vacation travel advisor, Fox World Travel, offers this advice: “Overcoming the length of the trip itself to me is the hardest part. Explaining how I can work a trip over to the West Coast for clients and offer an overnight in Los Angeles and then flying out nonstop to the next point tends to help. 

“Then also explain how to stay comfortable during the flight, taking something to possibly help you sleep, getting around and walking a little bit, drinking enough water during the flight, and so on, help people visualize the flight itself and how doable it really is. I then transition the talk around their interests and what they are trying to see and experience when they get in destination to help build that excitement.”

Myth #2: Everything Wants to Kill You

We’ve all heard the jokes. “Isn’t everything in Australia venomous?” or “I saw a video of a spider the size of a dinner plate!” While Australia is home to some unique wildlife, the odds of encountering anything dangerous are slim — unless, of course, the client wants to seek it out on a guided outback adventure or reptile park visit.

Summer Bowers, travel advisor and franchise owner, Cruise Planners, says: “I share my own experience that it really depends on where you travel in Australia for dangerous animals – are you going to the middle of nowhere by yourself, or with a guide? Have you ever been to Texas and seen rattlesnakes? Or Alaska and seen grizzly bears? There are dangerous animals all over the world, but you’re probably not experiencing them in tourist areas.”

In truth, Aussies live harmoniously alongside their environment, and safety is a priority in national parks, snorkeling spots, and even urban green spaces. For nervous clients, reassure them that any close animal encounters will be planned, safe, and often adorable (koalas and quokkas, anyone?).

Myth #3: It’s Just Beaches and the Outback

Many travelers don’t realize how incredibly diverse Australia is. While the beaches are legendary (take Bondi and Whitehaven), there’s far more to explore. Vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne buzz with culinary creativity, Indigenous culture, and world-class arts. The Blue Mountains, Great Ocean Road, and Daintree Rainforest offer jaw-dropping nature that feels worlds away from the “red center” of the outback.

There’s wine country in South Australia, coral reefs off the Queensland coast, and Tasmania’s wild, unspoiled beauty just a short flight away. Advisors can tailor trips based on interests — food and wine, adventure, wildlife, or culture.

Sarauer explains her approach: “I do touch base on the beaches and the Outback, I don’t shy away from those topics because that is what most people know, but I elaborate on how much more there is to the experience in both of those types of destinations, and talk about the cultural aspect in those destinations. I then touch base on the history, the scenery, the culture and get them interested in more in-depth topics regarding the Outback or their beach stay. I then bring out the information regarding the history of the other cities they may not know a ton about, the sanctuaries, the food scenes, the people in destination, and so on, and try to get them a little more interested in seeing something ‘off the beaten path’ that they are familiar with.”

To drum up interest in visiting Australia’s cities, Bowers says: “I did a deep dive of Brisbane and Sydney in my Facebook groups, showing that there is more to Australia than beaches and the Outback. In Brisbane, it was such a beautiful and clean city, where we took part in a food tour (the best food and drinks tour I’ve ever been on) and had the chance to meet Aboriginals and learn more about their culture and life in Brisbane and Sydney.”

Myth #4: It’s Too Expensive

Australia can be a splurge, but it also offers incredible value. There are luxury lodges that rival the best in the world, but also stylish boutique hotels, glamping retreats, and charming B&Bs in wine regions and coastal towns. With the favorable exchange rate from USD to AUD, clients can often afford more than they think.

“Australia, once you get there, is affordable, and the destination has activities available in all different price points,” notes Sarauer.

Advisors can also work with suppliers who bundle air, tours, and experiences to create seamless, value-packed itineraries. And because Australia is such a once-in-a-lifetime destination for many travelers, they’re often willing to invest more.

Myth #5: There’s Too Much to See in One Trip

It’s true, Australia is massive, and it would take months to explore it all. But that shouldn’t stop clients from going. In fact, it’s a great excuse to go again.

“The most common misconception about Australia that I personally have dealt with is that travelers think they are able to see the whole country in a week and don’t realize how large it really is, and the travel time it takes to get from one place to another,” Sarauer reports.

To help them understand the reality, she says, “I create the picture that Australia is almost as big as the U.S., and then also create the picture that taking a day trip to see the Great Barrier Reef isn’t possible because it would be like flying from New York to Florida in the same day, plus getting in the time for the excursion itself to see the reef. Giving them something that is familiar so they can see the why behind my explanation.”

Furthermore, Sarauer explains: “For multi-stop itineraries, I like to tell clients to give themselves more time in destination, taking into consideration how long it takes to get from place to place, whether it be driving there or flying. You don’t want to unpack your bags to simply pack them up again the following day.”

Bowers says what surprises her clients the most about Australia is “how many different experiences they can partake in, as well as how far apart things are in Australia. It’s best to fly or travel via train, but to keep in mind that places like Kings Canyon and Alice Springs are hours apart through the desert.”

The key for advisors is to help travelers focus. Itineraries can be built around a theme or region — like a Queensland beach adventure with snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and Indigenous-led rainforest hikes, or a foodie-focused escape in Melbourne with day trips to Yarra Valley vineyards. Or the trifecta of the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and Sydney Harbor (Australia’s answer to Italy’s favored Rome, Florence, and Venice itinerary). Remind clients they don’t have to see it all — they just have to start.

The Real Australia: Warm, Wild, and Wonderfully Welcoming

Once travelers arrive, the myths fade fast. Australians are famously friendly, quick with a joke, and eager to share their stories. Whether clients are learning to surf with locals, sharing a sunset barbecue, or joining an Aboriginal cultural experience, they’ll find themselves immersed in a land that is laid-back and deeply layered.

And it’s not all adrenaline and adventure (though there’s plenty of that, from skydiving over beaches to bridge climbing to camel rides in the desert). Australia’s pace allows for lingering. It’s the sound of waves outside a beachfront villa. It’s sipping Shiraz under gum trees. It’s the unforgettable sunrise over Uluru that leaves travelers speechless.

“I think Australia is a hidden gem, and if you haven’t experienced it, it’s an absolute bucket list item!” recounts Bowers. “It’s worth it to see the ‘tourist’ spots like the Sydney Opera House because it’s such a ‘pinch-me moment.’ The people of Australia are incredible, friendly, and hospitable. The food is phenomenal, and it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I had assumed.”

Sarauer says: “Australia really is a destination for everyone. It is not just thrill-seeker based, or just a beach destination. There is so much more to it, if you look a little deeper than the general stereotype that most people give the country. 

“If you are a foodie, you will find so many up-and-coming districts within the cities that are eclectic and hit that food-and-wine scene. If you are active, there is so much hiking, sports activities available, and changes in scenery to make it as challenging or as easy as you would like it. If you like a more relaxed vacation, there is so much wellness, and relaxation activities throughout the county that can tap into a spiritual, holistic, luxury, and more type of vibes you are looking for. There is something for everyone, I promise. We just need to get you there.”

Why Travel Advisors Are the Key

Advisors are critical to making Australia accessible and exciting for hesitant travelers. Their expertise in routing, logistics, and hidden gems makes the destination feel less daunting and more doable. And because Australia excels in customized, immersive experiences — think private Aboriginal-guided walks, luxury rail journeys, and snorkeling tours with marine biologists — travelers rely on the insights of their trusted travel advisors more than ever.

FROM THE SPONSOR:
Independent travel specialist Avanti Destinations can help you create completely customizable, seamless vacations in Australia tailored to the specific interests, budget and timeframe of each FIT client. The company also offers six different fixed-price/fixed-itinerary Australia packages ranging from nine to 16 days, as well as hundreds of hotels and resorts, and a wide range of private and shared sightseeing tours, transfers and unique experiences focused on wildlife, aboriginal culture, scenery, adventure travel, food, wine, coffee, and many others in all regions of this spectacular and multi-faceted country.

Avanti sells exclusively through travel advisors, not directly to consumers, and provides an array of selling tools for advisors, including webinars, dedicated Destination Specialists for each country, e-brochures, a regional website southpacific.avantidestinations.com, and a printed reference guide just for advisors on Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (www.avantidestinations.com/orderbrochures ). 

In addition to the South Pacific, Avanti helps advisors create customized FIT vacations to Europe, Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Let us help you create unforgettable vacations that will have your clients coming back again and again.