The Ten Destinations Where Aussie Travellers Can Stay the Longest

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You’ve worked hard and watched the clock, possibly for decades.

Now it’s the clock’s turn to do you a favour — perhaps in retirement, or on a career break or gap year. That may mean shaking off the shackles of your normal routine at home and jetting off on an extended holiday. And whether you want to experience diverse cultures, trace various chapters of human history, or simply park yourself on the nearest beach with a cocktail in hand, there are plenty of places to visit that allow a lengthy leave of absence from the everyday.

Here are ten top destinations for Aussie travellers taking an extended holiday — and the length of time you can stay without needing to obtain a visa.

1. Australia

Australians have the privilege of being able to travel freely through one of the most beautiful and naturally diverse countries on the planet — their own! So, why not plan an extended holiday in our collective backyard? Whether you choose to do it by car, in a campervan, caravan or a motorhome, or even by boat, you’re guaranteed of a travel experience unlike any other. Popular routes include the east coast between Melbourne and Cairns, the west coast from Perth to Broome, the Red Centre from Adelaide to Darwin, and the Big Lap itself! The latter will take you two to three months to complete at a relaxed pace.

2. New Zealand (indefinite stay)

Drifting dreamily just beyond our eastern horizon, the ‘land of the long white cloud’ could also be known as the ‘land of the extra-long holiday for Aussie travellers’. Australians can travel indefinitely in fabulous New Zealand with only a current passport for documentation. On the North Island, live it up in cosmopolitan cities like Auckland or Wellington and learn the fascinating intricacies of Maori culture in Rotorua. Down on the South Island, some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes beckon — including the Southern Alps, the Marlborough Sounds, Milford Sound, and wildlife haven Stewart Island. Motorhome trips are one of the most popular ways to see New Zealand; give yourself a minimum of two months behind the wheel to really do it all justice.

3. United Kingdom (stay up to 6 months)

With a 2,000-year backstory to explore and endless idyllic landscapes with its borders, the UK has long been popular as a travel destination for Aussies. And while many choose to see it on a relatively short guided tour, why not make the most of the six months Australian travellers can stay in the United Kingdom without a visa? It will enable you to delve deep into the richly layered history of cities like London and Edinburgh, live the quintessential thatched cottage lifestyle in the Cotswolds or Cornwall, breathe in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands or North York Moors, or walk in the footsteps of literary greats such as Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Wordsworth in the Lake District, Lewis Carroll in Oxford, and Agatha Christie in Kent.

4. Canada (stay up to 6 months)

Like the UK, a stay in Canada of up to six months without a visa is possible for Aussie wanderers. And given this is the second largest country on earth, you’re going to need every last second of that time to see and do it all. Vancouver, Whistler, Banff and the Rockies, Toronto, and Niagara Falls will all sound familiar, but there are plenty of lesser known gems to be discovered across the length and breadth of this incredible country. Step back in time in genteel Victoria and get on the trail of grizzlies on Vancouver Island, attend the world’s most famous rodeo in ‘Stampede City’ (Calgary), see the nation’s pre-eminent cultural institutions in capital city Ottawa, brush up on your French for a stay in fabulous Quebec City, and deep dive into the seafaring traditions of the Maritimes.

5. Italy (stay up to 90 days)

There are few Aussie culture vultures who don’t dream of enjoying an extended stay in Italy, so stop dreaming and start booking! Australian travellers can remain in Italy for up to 90 days without a visa. We suggest spending a month up north (choose from Milan, Padua, or Vincenza), a month in Tuscany (based in Florence, Sienna, or Montepulciano), and a month in and around Rome. Reduce those timeframes if you plan to head further south. There are innumerable must-sees to tick off out along the way, including the glittering Italian Lakes, da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan, the shimmering waterworld of Venice, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Florence, the ancient monuments of Rome, the cliff hugging villages along the Amalfi Coast, and the list goes on.

6. France (stay up to 90 days)

Holding much the same allure for travellers as Italy, France is another Europe’s Schengen countries that allows Australians to stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Note however that this doesn’t entitle you to stay 90 days in each country, but as a total across all 29 member states within a 180-day period. Don’t wear out your welcome inadvertently! Spending at least part of an extended French holiday in Paris will be de rigueur for many, and there are lots of easy ways to step off the tourist trail and live like a local in the French capital. Shop at street markets, go to the movies, swim at a local pool, picnic by the Seine, attend small exhibition openings and free music concerts, and explore less frequented areas of the city like Belleville on self-guided walking tours.

7. Spain (stay up to 90 days)

Another of the aforementioned Schengen states — and one with an engrossing cultural and historical pedigree — Spain has long drawn Australian travellers to its sun-drenched shores. So, you may want to split your 90 days between France, Italy, and this southern European nation of 50 million people. Home to Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Família and whimsical Park Güell, the city of Barcelona generally tops the to-do list for most visitors. That said, capital Madrid’s star as a tourist hot spot is very definitely on rise. Here you can lose yourself in the vast collection of art on display the Prado and marvel at the Baroque splendour of the Royal Palace. With around 8,000 kilometres of coastline, the options for tossing a beach break into your Spanish mix are many. Popular coastal retreats on the mainland include Alicante, Malaga, Marbella, Sitges, and San Sebastian up in Basque Country.

8. Barbados (stay up to 6 months)

Speaking of beach holidays and extended stays, the two go hand in hand on the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados. Part of the daisy chain of island nations stretching south from the Florida peninsula in the USA all the way to South America, Barbados welcomes Australian travellers for up to six months without a visa. And with gorgeous turquoise water to splash about in and white sandy beaches to relax on, those with an eye on doing as little as possible on their sunny sabbatical will love this destination! One of the pros of an extended stay in Barbados is that the cost of rental accommodation is significantly less than what you would pay in Australia. That said, the general cost of cost of living (transport, groceries, utilities) is generally slightly higher than at home. Do a budget and see if the Barbados bottom line can work for you.

9. Overland South America tour

South America has a huge amount to offer intrepid travellers, but it’s the road less travelled for many Australians. If you’re uncertain about the best way to undertake an extended stay on this continent of twelve independent countries, consider doing an organised overland tour. They range in length from just a few days to three or four months, and you can leave the logistics to those in the know on the ground while you simply enjoy the experience. Hit the hedonistic beaches of Rio de Janeiro, admire the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon, wander the cobbled streets of historic cities like Cartagena in Columbia and Colonia in Uruguay, learn to dance the tango in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, marvel at the might of Iguazu Falls, travel across the unique landscape of Bolivia’s altiplano, and so much more.

10. Round world cruise

Despite the trials of the pandemic, cruising remains immensely popular — and if you have the means, there’s a stateroom with your name on the door on a growing number of extended world cruises. For example, the Ultimate World Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will see you spending up to nine months on board and visiting all seven continents. Connect with countless cultures and cross many of the planet’s most iconic activities off your bucket list. Bon voyage!

Know before you go

The advice in this story is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Check the visa requirements for your trip with a professional travel advisor. The Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website is also a valuable resource. While a visa may not be required, you may need to complete an electronic travel authorisation prior to your departure or provide local authorities with other documentation on arrival.

If you plan to rent out your home to help fund your holiday, ensure that you have landlords’ insurance and (if applicable) strata insurance in place. Discuss all the possible financial implications with your accountant.

This post was published thanks to Chu.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of top destinations for Aussie travellers taking an extended holiday? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

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