Start of the new calendar year means start of new academic year in Australia.
And many students wander when does the university actually starts?
So in this article, we are going to look at Australian Universities Start Dates for the year 2024.
Before we get started though, a quick disclaimer: While all efforts has been made to check the accuracy of these dates, there is a possibility that there might some inaccuracies. If you do find any, please report it to us at [email protected]
We also suggest that you check with respective university for exact dates.
Now, that done, let’s get back to the topic.
Australian University Calendar
Australian universities typically offer semester or trimester system for study periods.
While most of the universities offer only 2 semester teaching in a calendar year in Australia, some also offer 3.
Typically, these are divided into these main intakes:
February/March Intake (Autumn intake)
July/August Intake (Winter intake)
October/November Intake (Summer intake)
February and July intakes are the most common intakes. While the November intake, also known as summer semester is only offered by fewer universities.
February is the first and the largest intake of the year.
This is when most of the international students and domestic students start their university year.
July is second largest intake with many international students starting their university during this time.
November intake is relatively the least popular and comparing to other intakes, only fewer students enrol into this semester.
For each intake, here are the general timelines:
February intake
Starts
Mid term break
Exam
Ends
February /March
April
May/June
June
July intake
Starts
Mid term break
Exam
Ends
July/August
September
November
November
November intake
Starts
Mid term break
Exam
Ends
October/November
December
January
January
If you are curious to know which intake is the best or worst to study in Australia, then don’t worry, we have complete guide on that topic. Check the guide here.
Australian Universities Start Dates
Here is a list of Australian universities and their respective start dates for each semester for the year 2024:
Australia is packed with an incredible array of events and festivals all year round, and trust us, you won’t want to miss out on the fun.
From stunning cultural celebrations to adrenaline-pumping sports showdowns, culinary fests and music festivals that’ll make your heart sing, there is something for everyone to enjoy at any time of the year.
So, grab your calendars, mark these dates, and get ready for a year filled with wonderful memories as we show you the best events and festivals in Australia to attend.
The year usually opens up with the amazing Sydney Festival, an exciting celebration of arts, culture, and creativity. The festival event features a series of stunning performances including theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and discussions.
The festival usually has a diverse line-up of activities that reflects the variety of preferences of people, from wild outdoor concerts to closed calm stage shows. There are free activities at famous locations such as the Sydney Opera House and Hyde Park which are big highlights of the festival, making it accessible to all.
The Australian Open is like the superstar of tennis tournaments, and it hits Melbourne like a storm of excitement! It’s not just about the amazing tennis you get to see, but it’s also a whole vibe.
People who love tennis and even those who just enjoy a good match all gather to watch their favourite players battle it out. And hey, it’s not just about the game; there’s a whole festival atmosphere going on.
Imagine food stalls with tasty snacks, lively music, and enjoyable activities for everyone. It’s an awesome time, no matter your age or how much you’re into tennis.
The Woodford Folk Festival is one fantastic event held in the beautiful setting of Woodfordia. Picture this: music, arts, and culture all coming together for several days of pure joy.
You’ve got everything set from folk and world music to theatre and circus performances, making it a diverse mix that’s very hard to resist.
Another cool thing is that you not only enjoy the performances but also get to dive into workshops, join discussions, and get practical with creative activities. It’s like a little world of its own where everyone’s part of this big, lively community sharing in the magic of music and arts.
The Rainbow Spirit Festival (previously known as Rainbow Serpent Festival) is a total blast! The festival happens in the beautiful Australian bushland, combining music, art, meditation and generally bringing everyone together.
They’ve got this killer mix of electronic music, cool art installations that’ll blow your mind, workshops where you can learn tons of things, and even spots where you can chill and rejuvenate.
The festival activities are like a whole experience that allows you to connect with others and get in touch with your inner self too.
The St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival goes from city to city across Australia, bringing together a mix of new and well-known music talents.
It has this cool indie and alternative music vibe that draws folks in for an up-close and personal experience of a lifetime. If you’re into that chilled-out atmosphere and dig diverse music flavours, this festival’s a winner.
The Perth Festival is an awesome showcase of all things artsy and cool. During the Perth Festival, the city transforms into a full blazed cultural spot where you can enjoy different kinds of performances like theatre, music, dance and literature.
This festival brings the city to life, offering lots of free and ticketed events. You’ve got everything from huge outdoor shows to more intimate performances that’ll really get you thinking and feeling the vibe.
The Adelaide Fringe is like a huge party for creativity! It’s usually packed with thousands of artists doing all sorts of cool stuff. The best part? Everyone’s welcome to join in! This festival is all about trying new things and showing off your talents to a giant crowd of viewers.
You’ll see everything from funny stand-up comedy and gripping theatre shows to mind-blowing visual arts and lively cabaret performances. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s something awesome for everyone at the Adelaide Fringe.
The Chinese New Year celebrations burst with vibrant energy, honouring the traditional Lunar New Year. It’s a real spectacle! You’ve got stunning parades, colourful cultural performances, lively dragon dances, and oh, the food – an absolute feast!
The whole vibe just sweeps you into the richness of Chinese traditions and the buzzing atmosphere is contagious. Everyone’s invited to join in and soak up the spirit of this fantastic celebration!
The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix hits Melbourne like a bolt of high-speed thrill and excitement. It’s not just a race; it’s a massive magnet for motorsport lovers around the world.
You get to witness live, the best racers revving their engines and diving into heart-pounding competition at the legendary Albert Park track. It’s not just about speed in racing but also showcasing mind-blowing racing skills and the latest in-car tech developments.
The buzz of those engines echoes across the circuit as these drivers battle it out for that prestigious championship title. It’s an adrenaline and suspense cycle that takes over the viewers, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.
WOMADelaide is a big deal on the festival scene, bringing together music, arts, and cultures from all around the world. This festival happens in Adelaide’s Botanic Park, it’s a mix of different music, workshops, tasty food, and deep chats about all sorts of things.
People dive into a world of beats and tunes while getting to know different traditions and creative vibes from across the globe.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a feast for each of your senses, celebrating everything delicious about Victoria. It’s not just about fancy dining but also about the incredible street food that’ll make your taste buds dance in excitement.
Imagine top chefs, wine tastings, and events that let you dive deep into the diverse flavours of Victoria’s food scene. Whether you’re a foodie or just someone who loves a good meal, this festival’s got something special for you to munch on!
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is like a big canvas painting the sky with loads of colourful hot air balloons.
Picture this: against the backdrop of Canberra’s famous landmarks, they have these early morning launches.
It’s such a sight to behold – these vibrant balloons gracefully going up, making the city’s skyline feel magical. People gather just to watch this scenic show!
In the charming coastal spot of Port Fairy, there’s this awesome folk festival that’s all about telling stories through music. They bring together folk, roots, and acoustic tunes with popular and new artists rocking out on a bunch of stages.
It’s got this cosy vibe, lots of workshops, and a real community feel that just clicks with folks who dig folk music. A lovely event to enjoy if you enjoy storytelling.
The Byron Bay Bluesfest is like this huge music party celebrating all sorts of music like blues, roots, you name it. There, you’ve got tons of local and international artists getting the crowd moving to some seriously soulful tunes.
It’s all about soaking up those coastal vibes and enjoying some soulful tunes at the same time. Think laid-back with a side of awesome music—pretty much sums up the Bluesfest in Byron Bay!
The National Folk Festival in Canberra is like a big blend of different music, dance, and art that’s all about Australia’s mixed heritage.
They’ve got both old-school and modern folk music, plus workshops and fun stuff where you can get involved. It’s a chill way to enjoy the mix of cultures that make up Australia’s heritage.
ANZAC Day, which happens on April 25th, is a significant day in Australia and New Zealand where people come together to honour the courage of soldiers who fought and gave their lives in wars and peacekeeping missions.
This is a significant event in the Australian calendar with memorial services, marches, and ceremonies happening all over the country.
It is a chance for everyone to remember and show gratitude to those who served and to recognise the ANZAC spirit that’s a huge part of Australian identity.
The Gold Coast Film Festival is where film lovers get to have real fun. This festival brings together different local and international movies that just wow the audience. Picture this: you get to watch not just regular flicks but also attend workshops and chat sessions with the filmmakers themselves.
It’s a burst of celebration of storytelling through movies, and it brings together a community of film enthusiasts right on the Gold Coast. It’s like a big movie party you don’t wanna miss!
Dark Mofo, the cool winter festival in Tasmania, plunges you deep into art, music, and all things offbeat. It’s all about embracing the weird and wild side of creativity. There are mind-bending exhibitions, performances that make you think, and experiences that push you right into the unexpected.
From fiery rituals that make you question everything to art works that push limits, Dark Mofo is all about turning your notions upside down and creating a party for the bizarre and amazing.
If you fancy yourself with good food and drink, the Noosa Food and Wine Festival is an amazing option for you. Picture this: renowned chefs showing off their skills, cooking demos that make you hungry just by watching, and top-notch wine tastings—all happening against the backdrop of Noosa’s beautiful coast.
It’s a celebration of a variety of flavours where you can explore the local produce and indulge in some delicious dining experiences. Generally, if you’re a foodie, this festival is heaven on Earth.
The Sydney Writers’ Festival is a lovely convergence for book lovers and writers from all across Australia. It’s like a big stage where authors chat, new books get their big moments, and panels dive deep into cool ideas.
It’s a great place for book nerds and folks dreaming of writing their tales to get to hang out with established famous authors, chat about books, and dig into awesome talks about literature and cool thoughts. It’s like a giant book club where everyone’s welcome to join in the chatter!
Vivid Sydney totally lights up the city! It’s all about the amazing light displays that fill the place with music pumping on the side. The whole festival turns Sydney’s famous spots into these incredible artworks.
You’ve got to see these mind-blowing light shows, talks that’ll get you thinking, and concerts that’ll make you want to dance all night long. It’s a total blast!
GABS is like heaven for beer fans! It’s all about showing off tons of craft beers, ciders, and special brews not just from Australia but from all over the place.
They’ve got a mind-blowing lineup of different beers and cool collaborations too. At GABS, you can try out a lot of different beers, join classes to learn more and enjoy live entertainment. It’s a perfect spot for beer lovers who also enjoy great entertainment.
The Kimberley Moon Experience is a big celebration held in the breathtaking Kimberley region. It’s a mix of live music, cultural shows, and incredible views that capture the Kimberley vibe.
It’s like a big party that shouts out the true spirit of Kimberley. You’ll groove to tunes and get a taste of the rich local culture—it’s an experience that’s all about good music and embracing the heart of Kimberley.
The Rising Festival is a real treat for art lovers where there is an awesome mash-up of cool stuff like visual arts, music, and mind-blowing performances by great artists from everywhere.
Held in Melbourne city, it covers a range of areas like city streets, car parks, churches, town square and beloved venues
2. Barunga Festival
Type of Event: Music, Arts, and Cultural Celebration
The Barunga Festival is a lively event that’s all about honouring indigenous roots. It’s flavour-packed with traditional music, dance, art, and sports. Held right in the heart of the Northern Territory, it’s a big nod to the cultural heritage of the Jawoyn and Dagoman folks.
It’s a great place to soak up the rich traditions and amazing storytelling of Australia’s indigenous communities.
You can feel the Queensland Music Festival’s musical vibe all over the state, bringing a mix of performances and events. \
They jam out in small towns and rock the stage in big cities, showing off the awesome talents of Queensland’s musicians. You won’t want to miss out on the sweet tunes that’ll make you feel connected to your community.
The Nightide is all about marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Folks from different communities get together for bonfires, cool lantern parades, and some sweet cultural rituals.
It’s a time to embrace the changing seasons, kind of like hitting the reset button in nature. The whole deal is about celebrating the start of winter and getting everyone in the vibe for the chilly days ahead.
NAIDOC Week is a special time when people come together to honour the incredible history, culture, and accomplishments of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Australia celebrates the heritage and contributions of its Indigenous peoples with art shows, live performances, and gatherings taking place nationwide.
CIAF is all about celebrating the Indigenous arts in the city. It is a cool gathering where artists, art lovers, and collectors come to perform and enjoy the sight of traditional and modern artworks on display.
There are exhibitions and live performances that tell stories and show the creativity of the artists, a pretty awesome platform for them to shine and showcase their talent!
MIFF in Melbourne is like a huge movie party! There are film shows of different kinds from around the world, ranging from local to international hits.
There is space for talks, where you can ask questions to the people behind the films; and there are also cool events where everyone celebrates the lovely storytelling and movie concepts. If you are a movie lover, this is a fun event to attend.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is where the incredible talents of Indigenous artists shine out bright. It’s a great space where artists show both their traditional and modern artworks and sell them to the public.
The fair is big on cultural exchange and helps people understand the beauty of Indigenous art forms.
National Science Week is all about a time of curiosity and fascination with science packed with cool events, science talks and demos happening all over the country.
Think interactive exhibits, science festivals—basically, a whole bunch of awesome stuff that makes you go, “Wow, that’s so cool!” It’s like a celebration of all the clever ideas and discoveries folks have made in the world of science.
So, whether you’re into wild experiments or just love learning new things, this week is a blast for anyone curious about the wonders of science!
The Darwin Festival turns the whole city into a theatre for arts, music, and culture. There are usually lots of performances, art displays and outdoor activities to celebrate Darwin’s tropical vibe.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the festival’s all about enjoying the creative atmosphere and the awesome mix of cultures up in the Northern Territory.
The Brisbane Festival completely changes the vibe of the city, turning it into this awesome cultural scene! They’ve got all sorts of stuff going on – from large outdoor activities to smaller more personal performances. There are lots of talents from all over the world and within who switch things up, making it a blast for everyone who’s into artsy things. It’s such a massive celebration of creativity that just sweeps you up and gets you hooked!
The Royal Melbourne Show is a cherished annual event that brings together agriculture, entertainment, and family fun.
There are the agricultural displays, animal competitions, carnival rides, live entertainment, and amazing food offerings, the show offers a blend of educational experiences and entertainment for visitors of all ages.
The AFL Grand Final is a pinnacle event in Australian sports, drawing passionate football fans to witness the climax of the Australian Football League season.
With so much energy and intense competition, this event crowns the champion team in a bubbling atmosphere at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Want to learn more about AFL and how it is being played? Check our complete beginners guide here.
Floriade, which is like the ultimate spring celebration in Australia, shows off a massive awesome show of flowers and super cool floral designs. Happening at Canberra’s Commonwealth Park, it’s all about those popping flower beds, workshops for all the green thumbs out there, heaps of fun stuff for families, and entertainment that’s top-notch. It’s a total blast where you can soak in all the blooming beauty of gardens in full swing!
The Redcliffe KiteFest is a beauty to the eyes! A super colourful event where the skies get filled with kites of all shapes and sizes. Families spend time together for a whole weekend of kite flying, loads of fun and cool activities. And let me tell you, it creates this amazing lively vibe right by the Redcliffe waterfront. It’s a lovely scene, full of colours and laughter!
You’ve got to check out Sculpture by the Sea! It’s a massive outdoor art gallery that takes over the walk from Bondi to Tamarama. You can just take an easy stroll and soak in the beautiful ocean views while enjoying all the incredible artwork. It is truly a delight for the eyes and a very unique way to experience art, right by the sea.
The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix revs up the excitement on Phillip Island’s circuit. It’s a popular spot for racing fans to see thrilling action and impressive skills as top riders compete in this part of the MotoGP World Championship.
Would you love the thrill of high-speed racing against a beautiful island backdrop? Then this is for you!
The Canberra Nara Candle Festival commemorates the sister city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan. This festival features amazing Japanese cultural performances, lantern-making workshops, and the mesmerising lighting of thousands of candles.
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is a real crowd-pleaser! It’s all about that cool mix of jazz performances that grab your attention. People love it for the wide range of musical styles it brings together – from classic jazz tunes to those out-of-the-box experimental sounds.
The festival happens at different spots around the city, giving everyone a chance to vibe with that jazzy spirit!
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a horse-racing event that is famous for bringing the entire country to a standstill. Sure, there’s the heart-pounding races, but it’s way more than that. It’s a whole vibe of fashion, glitz, and pure entertainment.
People dress up in fancy clothes and enjoy the lively carnival atmosphere that is full of elegance and enjoyment. It’s like a big party where everyone’s dressed to impress, and the excitement is through the roof!
2. Adelaide Christmas Pageant
Type of Event: Parade and Family-Friendly
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Payment: Free
The Adelaide Christmas Pageant kicks off with a huge parade with floats, bands, dancers, and even Santa himself! Just picture families lining the streets, glittering in all the colours, music, and holiday vibes. It’s like the whole city’s buzzing with Christmas cheer, and everyone’s totally into it.
Sydney’s New Year’s Eve bash is an absolute cracker! It’s famous worldwide for its wild fireworks show at the stunning Sydney Harbour. When that clock hits midnight, the sky lights up like you wouldn’t believe— full-on breathtaking, with fireworks going off endlessly.
There’s also music pumping at the side ringing the whole harbour with celebrations. It’s like the perfect welcome to the new year.
2. Falls Festival
Type of Event: Music
Location: Lorne, Marion Bay, Byron Bay, and Fremantle
The Falls Festival is the ultimate way to wave goodbye to the year. It’s a ripper of a music fest happening at different spots across the city.
You’ll be surprised to see lots of local and international music rocking out in different styles.
It’s not just about the tunes; it’s a full-on experience with camping, a lively vibe, and a top-notch way to party into the new year with awesome music and good times!
The Hobart Summer Festival is a blast! It’s a time to enjoy a collision of culture, music, art, and outdoor activities. From street performances that jazz up the city to striking art displays, the festival creates an energetic vibe that pulls locals and tourists into the festive spirit.
Carols by Candlelight is one exciting event happening in different cities across the whole country. It’s a really beautiful way that communities come together and sing classic Christmas carols while enjoying each other’s company.
Folks get to gather in parks and public spaces, singing carol songs by candlelight, bringing everyone closer with a festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
We hope this article gave you insights on major events and festivals in Australia. Check more about specific Australia events on our Explore Australia page.
During summer Australia becomes a wonderland of adventure at several incredible destinations. From pristine beaches to ancient rain forests, there is a spot for everyone to enjoy their getaway.
In this guide, we’ll take you on an adventurous journey, exploring the best getaways in every state or territory in Australia.
So buckle up and grab your sunscreen, beach gear and hiking boots as we look into the top 10 summer getaways in Australia.
Byron Bay
📍 State/Territory: New South Wales
🏙️ Closest City: Gold Coast (in Queensland).
🚗 Distance: Approximately 75 km south of Gold Coast.
Byron Bay has some of the most stunning beaches in New South Wales. If your way of having fun at the beach is surfing or just relaxing and enjoying the warmth of the beach sun, you’d definitely want to check out Main Beach, Wategos Beach or Tallow Beach.
During the cool evenings, you can take a calm serene walk up to the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
You can also visit the Byron Bay hinterlands to enjoy the experience of the picturesque town’s boutiques and cafes as well as the special market days when everywhere comes alive with the local artisans, music and of course, delicious food. This happens on the first Sunday of each month.
Byron Bay is a place full of exciting activities like hiking, sightseeing, kayaking with dolphins, and enjoying the beaches and nightlife.
So pack up your surfboard, sunscreen and hiking boots. You’re in for a massive treat!
Great Ocean Road
📍 State/Territory: Victoria
🏙️ Closest City: Melbourne
🚗 Distance: Approximately 100 km southwest of Melbourne.
The Great Ocean Road is not just another road in Australia but a path of adventure waiting to be experienced one step after the other.
For a start, you can kick off at the famous Bells Beach where you can enjoy away surfing or just relaxing under the warming sun.
Along the way, you would go through the enchanting Great Otway National Park and experience nature’s beauty in its pure form. Strolling through the lush rainforest you just might get to spot Aussie wildlife like the koala, kangaroos, emu, and platypus.
Journeying through the Great Ocean Road will bring you to the most popular spot called The Twelve Apostles. Limestone rock formations look majestic with the golden lights of sunset or sunrise, giving them a magical glow. It’s a truly beautiful sight.
You also get to experience the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, spots with gracious views and fewer crowds where you can have a scenic walk or have some quite time and even take lovely pictures.
From the fun beaches to the park’s wildlife, stunning rocks to the ports, villages, restaurants and other spots, you’d see that this adventure can’t be forgotten in a lifetime.
Imagine a massive tropical paradise of mini utopias filled with pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs and powdery white beaches, that’s the Whitsunday Islands.
These islands offer so much to nature lovers and adventure-spirited folks. You can kick-start your experience with the yacht sail.
Join a tour or charter to enjoy the sightings of the islands with the cool breeze and sail feeling. You can also indulge in snorkeling among the colourful coral gardens and swim with an array of marine life like tropical fish and turtles.
A visit to Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, would make your adventure even more glamorous with the crystal clear waters and overall beach experience.
And to top it all, explore the island’s lush rainforests and witness amazing scenic views inkling the unique wildlife like the wallabies and goannas.
The Whitsunday Islands are tropical havens that offer unforgettable experiences. You can embark on thrilling adventures or simply enjoy the natural beauty.
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Mornington Peninsula
📍 State/Territory: Victoria
🏙️ Closest City: Melbourne
🚗 Distance: Approximately 80 km southeast of Melbourne.
Summer in the Mornington Peninsula will be incomplete without experiencing the spectacular beaches in the area. Whether it’s the still waters of Dromana or the surfable shores of Gunnamatta, there’s something suitable for your taste.
The Peninsula Hot Springs is also a fantastic place to relax and enjoy nature’s soothing thermal pools and spa treatments. The unwinding and renewing process only gets better.
For the wine lovere, you don’t want to miss exploring the boutique wineries and cellar doors where you can taste wines of exceptional quality.
Another stop at the Mornington Peninsula is the Regional Gallery, a place of spectacular local art, exhibitions and workshops. A great place to enjoy the local culture and possibly even pick up a souvenir.
To make your visit to the peninsula even better, you can visit the Enchanted Adventure Garden and enjoy a stroll or picnic, observing the beautiful vibrant garden. There are also fun activities like hedge mazes, zip lines and tree surfing.
The Mornington Peninsula is a must-visit to experience so much adventure and beauty in places, art, and food and have the most relaxing time.
Kangaroo Island
📍 State/Territory: South Australia
🏙️ Closest City: Adelaide
🚗 Distance: Approximately 110 km south of Adelaide.
Kangaroo Island is known as a zoo without fences because it is home to many different types of wildlife, including koalas, sea lions, various bird species, and, of course, kangaroos.
This island is more like a sanctuary for these animals, a special place worth experiencing. You can start your adventure by heading to Sea Bay for a personal encounter with the sea lions on the beach. That man-wildlife connection might just be what you need to fire up your enthusiasm for wildlife conservation.
Up next, don’t miss the sighting of the Iconic Remarkable Rocks and their massive granite boulders sculpted directly by the hands of nature. Their sight is most stunning at sunrise or sunset with the Southern Ocean as the perfect backdrop.
There is also the Little Sahara where you can do sandboarding adventures on the sand dunes or just enjoy the scenic view of the landscape.
To enjoy breathtaking views of the island you can hike to the oldest lighthouse in South Australia at Cape Willoughby and also learn about the island’s maritime history.
At the peak of your adventure, don’t forget to explore the delightful flavours of the island like the food, honey, wine and cheese.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, this place is a must-visit for the full personal up-close experience.
The Margaret River is famous for its remarkable landscapes, wildlife, remarkable wineries and the arts and culture. You’re definitely in for an amazing ride in this adventure.
Start by exploring the limestone caves in the Margaret River area. Discover their intriguing structures and hidden passages as you connect with nature at every step.
The Jewel and Mammoth Cave are popular ones in this region, giving the full cave experience. Down the Margaret River way, you can visit renowned wineries to taste world-class quality wines. These wineries give quite an unforgettable wine-tasting experience.
There is also the Jahroc Galleries and Boranup Gallery available to immerse yourself in local arts and culture while enjoying the adventures of the location.
After the thrilling adventures of the day, you will definitely love the serene and cool atmosphere of the beaches of Margaret River.
The Margaret River is filled with lots of activities and is a great getaway as it has something for everyone.
Rottnest Island
📍 State/Territory: Western Australia
🏙️ Closest City: Perth
🚗 Distance: Approximately 19 km off the coast of Perth.
Rottnest Island is a car-free class A reserve known for its spectacular beaches, paradise environment and unique wildlife.
One of the island’s famous residents is the Quokka, a friendly animal known for its adorable smile and photogenic nature.
With no cars allowed, you can enjoy biking adventures as they are the primary mode of transportation. Rent a bike and explore the scenic parts of the island, discovering wonderful viewpoints.
You will be spoiled for choice for water activities like snorkelling, swimming, surfing and diving on the island. You can also engage in fishing at any of the many fishing spots on the island, you could even cook what you catch.
How about learning the history of the island’s aboriginal heritage and involvement in World War II at the Rottnest Island Museum and Oliver Ill Battery, right? It is all amazing from one thing to the other.
Don’t forget to go ferrying during the beautiful sunset to put the cherry on top of your whole experience.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
📍 State/Territory: Tasmania
🏙️ Closest City: Hobart
🚗 Distance: Approximately 140 km northwest of Hobart.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is infamous for its glamorous wilderness, ancient forests, glacial lakes and rugged mountain ranges. The Cradle Mountain stands at the centre of the park with its majestic peaks towering over surrounding landscapes, truly a spectacle worth seeing.
The mountain has many hiking adventures with beautiful views of the paths from the forest to the sky. This place is a paradise for hikers.
There is also the fun wildlife encounter part of the exploration as you are likely to come in close contact with some wildlife like the wallabies, wombats, echidnas, varieties of bird species and sometimes the revered Tasmanian devil.
At night the Cradle Mountain is a wonderful place for stargazing when the air is clean and the southern skies come alive with the elements. You would also enjoy a tour of the Lake St Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia where the atmosphere is tranquil and the wilderness surroundings are calm.
A great place to take pictures and maybe add to your silhouette collections.
Alice Springs is a place filled with adventure, nature, culture and exploration at its peak. Kickstart your getaway with the thrilling hot air balloon ride soaring above the stunning landscapes at sunrise.
This experience is like nothing ever seen as you get to glimpse the beauty of Alice as a whole. The serene experience gives you a bird’s eye view of the Mac Donnell Ranges the vast site.
Exploring the range, you will encounter stunning gorges, waterholes, fascinating rock formations and the Ellergy Creek Big Hole if you fancy a swim. If your visit coincides with the annual Alice Spring Cup don’t miss the fun experience of watching the camels race and enjoy the lively atmosphere entertainment.
No matter your taste, you are sure to have a really good time at Alice Springs.
Kakadu National Park
📍 State/Territory: Northern Territory
🏙️ Closest City: Darwin
🚗 Distance: Approximately 240 km east of Darwin.
The Kakadu National Park is well known for its ancient aboriginal rock art, wetlands and unique wildlife.
You can begin exploration at the Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock Art sites where you’d definitely marvel at the art and hear the historic stories and traditions of the indigenous people.
All over this park are these aboriginal rock arts, and you’re free to explore as much of it as you want. For a more adventurous step, you can visit the Mamukala wetlands to explore the wildlife more closely and get to see some rare animal species in the park.
The twin waterfall is a soothing sight and relaxing as you can choose to cool off in it. The falls are accessible by a boat cruise or a walk.
In general, the Kakadu National Park is a great place to unwind, relax and have great fun.
Summary
These top 10 summer getaways in Australia offer a variety of experiences, from relaxing by the beach to exciting mountain hikes.
Whether you love nature, culture, or simply exploring, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and have fun!
So, pack your bags and let’s embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Australian adventure!
Feel free to check our articles on Top Getaways during Winter, Spring or Autumn Season in Australia.
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Being a student can sometimes feel like balancing multiple tasks and responsibilities, regardless of whether you’re in your first year or continuing with your studies.There are assignments, exams, work, and social events that all demand your attention.
Sometimes all these activities can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unaware of the easier ways to get things done.
Guess what?
In this blog, we’re going to reveal the 15 tech gadgets that would help you ace your studies while keeping the fun factor alive.
So, here are these ultimate tech gadgets for students in Australia:
Laptop
A laptop is one of the basic gadgets you need as a student in your academic journey.
You’d need a laptop for online learning needs like e-books, virtual trainings, assignments and research.
To choose a good laptop, look for one with a powerful processor and enough RAM to handle multitasking and run your academic software smoothly.
Additionally, consider a model with a high-resolution display for an enhanced visual experience.
Also prioritise portability since you will likely be on the move and durability to withstand the rigors of campus life.
Many students in Australia often choose Apple Macbook as their preferred laptop, but that does not mean you can’t look for alternatives.
We have a complete guide on how to score apple products for cheap in Australia, check it here.
Alternatively, you can compare the prices at Amazon Australia as well.
Tablet
Tablets are like small laptops and can do many of the same things. They are great for taking digital notes, reading e-books, staying organized, and much more.
This device helps you with internet access on-the-go and easier mobility due to its lightweight and slim designs.
Many Australian universities provide e-textbooks and other online learning resources, making tablets a must-have for your studies.
One of the most popular tablets among students in Australia is an Apple iPad. You can check the price of an iPad in Australia here.
Mobile Phone
As a student, your smartphone is more than just a communication device.
It can be used for research, taking photos, navigating around campus, and exploring landscapes as a GPS device.
To make a good choice of mobile phone, select one with a powerful processor and ample RAM for smooth multitasking. A high-resolution display would be recommended for reading research papers and viewing diagrams.
Given Australia’s picturesque landscapes, invest in a smartphone with a quality camera to capture your adventures (unless you are planning to buy a camera) as well as a strong battery.
Having a phone with dual SIM capabilities is very beneficial for international students.
It allows you to have both an Australian phone number and your home country’s number (as long as you are not paying hefty fees for the roaming bill).
The most popular phone brands in Australia are Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.
Having noise-canceling headphones can be a very important study aid, especially when you need focus and want to do away with noise.
Over-ear headphones often offer better noise isolation functionality, perfect for focused study sessions, enjoying music and taking early morning jogs.
In-ear models are more portable and suitable for on-the-go use.
To make a good choice of headphones, look out for those with a comfortable fit and long battery life to ensure comfort during extended hours. Some models also offer customisable sound profiles, allowing you to create audios suitable for different tasks.
For in-ear phones, AirPods are some of the most popular choices.
The Samsung Buds Live headphones are highly sought-after among Android users.
Smartwatch
Smartwatches are like your personal assistant these days.
They assist you in achieving a balanced lifestyle by setting reminders for breaks, exercise, and meals.
This helps prevent burnout and confusion while also helping you stay on schedule.
Many recent smartwatch models are water-resistant, making them suitable for beach trips and water sports in Australia.
This device provides many helpful features for your lifestyle. It also includes health tracking features to monitor your sleep patterns and physical activity.
Portable wireless speakers are ideal for group study sessions, presentations, or creating a relaxed atmosphere during breaks.
This device offers a much louder and even better sound quality than the phone speakers directly.
It could properly fill a large room or space with any sound. Some models come with built-in voice assistants, providing a comfortable hands-free control for music playback and reminders.
When picking out a speaker, prioritise those with long battery life and durability, as they may be used outdoors during picnics, trip to beach or group study sessions.
For these speakers, you can look for deals on JBL Charge 5. But if you are after something really budget and small, then JBL GO 3 Portable usually goes for less than $60 on Amazon.
Bose SoundLink Flex is another popular choice among students without breaking the bank.
Powerbank
Australia’s vast landscapes may take you away from power outlets.
Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, relaxing at the beach, exploring the forests or cruising the countryside, the need for high-capacity power banks cannot be overemphasised.
When picking out a powerbank, ensure it has the power capacity to charge your other devices (phone, tablet, smartwatch, earphones etc.) multiple times.
When looking for a powerbank, consider models with fast-charging, solar power, and multiple USB ports for outdoor use.
Our pick for the powerbank is INIU Power Bank with 20000mAh.
Storage Devices (Hard Drives, SD Cards)
During the school year, you may have limited storage space on your phone or laptop due to the academic, work, and social resources you accumulate.
These resources can include e-books, work papers, textbooks, learning videos, pictures, and audios.
Having provision for extra space will ensure there are no restraints when you need to collect as many files and data as you need.
When picking out an external hard drive, go for one with large capacities that can back up important files, especially if your laptop has limited storage.
Also, high-speed SD cards are vital if you study photography and videography, offering you a very fast data transfer and proper media files handling.
Luckily, some of these storage devices does not break the bank.
Samsung and SanDisk have some of the better storage options in the memory cards game.
Camera
Study abroad means taking lots of pictures (in short, memories).
Whether for study or leisure, capturing moments would help you keep lasting memories of events, places, people and other experiences.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended because it allows you to explore your photography skills and capture stunning Australian landscapes and wildlife.
Look out for the autofocus speed, frames per second (fps), startup time and overall operational speed ratings when selecting a camera.
If you are a beginner, then you might choose a mirrorless camera as they are relatively easy to use.
A Wi-Fi range extender is a must-have, especially if you’re living in a shared accommodation or large dormitory.
It helps solve common issues of Wi-Fi dead zones by extending or enhancing existing Wi-Fi network coverages.
You can easily connect multiple devices and work or study from anywhere in your accommodation, be it your room or even outdoors.
When picking out this device, look out for compatibility, coverage area, band frequency and the ease of set up.
TP Link is one of the most common brand for WiFi Range Extender devices in Australia.
E-reader
An e-reader device is another good gadget to have as a student.
This device is primarily for the purpose of reading digital resources like books, newspapers and many other written content.
This device provides high resolution viewing quality, adjustable font and font sizes, as well as various other edits to suit your reading specifications.
It’s portable, convenient and best for taking notes.
Popular choices for e-readers include Kindle and Kobo.
Printer
While soft copies of documents offer convenience and portability, there are instances where hard copies are required for assignments, essays, reports, and various other purposes.
As a student who might often need documents in paper form, having a printer will do you great benefit.
During the winter months in Australia, having a heated mug can be beneficial.
In the cold seasons you might need a hot tea or coffee to warm up, and having a mug that maintains the temperature of your beverage through long study sessions or classes is indeed delightful.
They don’t necceasrly come at a cheap price tag but are worth the investment if you are a tea or coffee lover and like the cuppa bit warm.
Students often feel discouraged by the size and immobility of regular keyboards, especially as they need to move around with them.
A foldable and wireless Bluetooth keyboard solves that problem with easy mobility, enhanced typing experience and compatibility with several devices.
Logitech is a very popular and trustable brand that solves the problem of regular keyboards.
Conclusion
These gadgets are more than just tools. They are like partners that help improve your academic journey and enhance your overall experience.
From the essential laptop to the convenience of tablets and smartphones, the focus-enhancing headphones, and the balanced lifestyle support of smartwatches; each gadget tackles specific problems and makes you more efficient and productive.
And don’t forget the power of capturing lifetime memories with a quality camera!
With these gadgets by your side, you’re well-equipped to excel academically and make the most of your time in Australia.
Closing this article with a word of advice, buy only what you need and can afford.
Want to see some student discounts for students? Check them here.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy these from the links above, we may get compensated but at no additional cost to you. If you do end up buying something from these links, we would like to thank you for supporting our small business.
Spring is the best season to experience Australia’s unique and beautiful landscapes where everything is alive with colour and energy.
There is something for every traveller to enjoy in spring in Australia.
So, sit back and enjoy as we take you on a journey through the top 10 spring getaways in Australia.
Blue Mountains
📍 State/Territory: New South Wales
🏙️ Closest City: Sydney
🚗 Distance from Sydney: Approximately 81 kilometers
The Blue Mountains, located just a short distance from Sydney, are a magnificent natural gem. The eucalyptus trees’ oils cause the misty blue fog that surrounds this area.
The mountains bloom with wildflowers in the spring and provide scenic hikes and views, including the popular Three Sisters rock formation.
You can explore the beautiful Jenolan Caves, climb Wentworth Falls, or ride the world’s steepest railway at Scenic World.
South Coast
📍State/Territory: New South Wales
🏙️ Closest City: Sydney
🚗 Distance from Sydney: Varies (approximately 2-4 hours)
The New South Wales’s South Coast is a coastal paradise that comes alive in the spring. It’s a perfect getaway offering clean beaches, small seaside villages where you can visit, and beautiful national parks.
You can also visit Jervis Bay, popularly known worldwide for having some of the whitest sands and clear waters. It’s a short drive from Sydney, making it a great weekend escape option.
Whitsunday Islands
📍 State/Territory: Queensland
🏙️ Closest City: Airlie Beach
🚗 Distance from Brisbane: Approximately 1,120 kilometers
The Whitsunday Islands in Queensland are a tropical paradise.
Spring is perfect for sailing, snorkeling, and resting on the pristine beaches. Whitehaven Beach is a must-see, with sand that feels silky soft beneath your toes.
You can sail through the crystal-clear waters of the Whitsundays and anchor at Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, hike to Hill Inlet Lookout and unwind.
Daintree Rainforest
📍 State/Territory: Queensland
🏙️ Closest City: Cairns
🚗 Distance from Cairns: Approximately 111 kilometers
The Daintree Rainforest located in far northern Queensland, is the world’s oldest rainforest, and spring is an amazing sight here.
Explore the dense jungle, take a river ferry, and search for rare animals like the southern cassowary, buff-breasted paradise kingfisher, and Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo.
It’s a very enjoyable place if you value nature experiences.
Grampians National Park
📍 State/Territory: Victoria
🏙️ Closest City: Melbourne
🚗 Distance from Melbourne: Approximately 260 kilometers
The Grampians National Park in Victoria comes alive in the spring. This park is perfect for hiking, known for its waterfalls, caves, lakes and sandstone mountains.
You can explore the several trails to find stunning views from the Boroka Lookout and historic Aboriginal rock art spots.
The Grampians’ crimson cliffs sparkle with a magical sight as the sun sets, leaving you in awe.
In Spring, Bendigo runs its annual Tulip Festival featuring thousands of tulips around the city centre.
While many places around Australia charge entry fees to view Tulips, it is completely free to view Tulips in Bendigo.
The ideal time to view tulips is between mid-September and early October.
Apart from Tulip festival, you can also enjoy local heritage, food and wine in the Bendigo Region.
Yarra Valley
📍 State/Territory: Victoria
🏙️ Closest City: Melbourne
🚗 Distance from Melbourne: Approximately 50 kilometres
Attention: Wine lovers, it’s time to celebrate!
The Yarra Valley, about an hour from Melbourne, overflows with vineyards and cellar doors inviting you to taste some of Australia’s best wines.
The Yarra Valley in spring is a visual feast, with vineyards covered in blossoms. Enjoy a relaxing wine tour as well as the delicious meals, and the beautiful scenery of the countryside.
If you are adventurous, then you might even want to look at the hot air balloon flight during the early hours of the morning.
Everlastings Wildflower Trail, Western Australia
📍 State/Territory: Western Australia
🏙️ Closest City: Perth
🚗 Distance from Perth: Varies
Pack up and get ready to see the biggest natural flower show on earth.
Western Australia’s Golden Outback presents a trail of flowers in pink, white and yellow colours. These Everlastings Wildflowers bloom from Mid-July to Early October. So there is plenty of time to catch up on these blooming flowers during Spring in Western Australia.
If you want to do a whole everlastings trail, then it can take you up to 6 days to visit all the areas including Dalwallinu, Mount Magnet, Morawa, Moora.
Canberra
📍 State/Territory: Australian Capital Territory
🏙️ Closest City: Canberra
🚗 Distance from Canberra: 0 kilometres
Spring is one of the best times to visit Australia’s national capital city with the warm sunny days and cooler mornings & nights.
Canberra hosts the annual Floriade festival in September and October. It’s a large flower display covering over 8000 square feet.
And if you think, they stop it over, you are completely wrong as they continue the Floriade festival celebrations into the night as well with the Floraide Nighfest.
Apart from that, there are many other places to visit in Canberra, including the Nationall War Memorial, National Gallery, Lake Burley Griffin.
Don’t forget to visit Mount Ainslie lookout to get the whole city view from the top of the mountain.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden
📍 State/Territory: Tasmania
🏙️ Closest City: Hobart
🚗 Distance from Hobart: Approximately 2 kilometres
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden located at the centre of Hobart is a must-see in Tasmania.
It is such a landscape of floral beauty, having more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world, creating a colourful explosion.
Explore various botanical collections in the garden, including native Tasmanian plants, French explorers, Sub-antarctic, Significant trees, Cactus, and Herb garden.
Make sure to enjoy the tranquility and fragrance the garden offers.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
📍State/Territory: Northern Territory
🏙️ Closest City: Alice Springs
🚗 Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 463 kilometers
Uluru and Kata Tjuta stand as two sacred massive stones in the core of the Red Centre. The significance of this spectacle is embedded into the fabric of Aboriginal culture.
During spring the low temperature magnifies the sightings, making it the perfect time to visit these sites. Witnessing the sun’s gorgeous touch on Uluru’s rust-red surface while wandering through Kata Tjuta, where desert plants blossom despite the dry landscape, is indeed remarkable.
Getting to experience the culture attached to these sacred sites and watching the colours change at sunrise and sunset is magical.
Barossa Valley Vineyards
📍 State/Territory: South Australia
🏙️ Closest City: Adelaide
🚗 Distance from Adelaide: Approximately 70 kilometres
Barossa Valley Vineyards is located in South Australia. Wine lovers and tourists can enjoy amazing vineyard adventures in the Barossa Valley.
Besides trying out yummy wines, you can eat at amazing restaurants that serve local food and unique cheeses.
You can also have fun at the Barossa Vintage Festival or go for a nice bike ride on the pretty vineyard paths. Barossa Valley Vineyards is sure to offer a great experience.
Summary
These top 10 spring getaways in Australia offer a variety of experiences, from relaxing by the beach to exciting mountain hikes.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a cultural enthusiast, or just an explorer there’s something for everyone to enjoy and have a good time!
So, pack your bags and let’s embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Australian adventure!
Feel free to check our articles on Top Getaways during Winter in Australia or during Autumn Season.
Retail jobs are some of the most popular jobs among international students in Australia.
Students can work in different areas in the retail industry, including supermarkets, chemists, clothing stores, electronic stores and others.
🛒🛍 So if you are interested in working in retail jobs in Australia, then read on.
Benefits of Working in Retail Jobs in Australia
Here are some of the benefits of working in Retail jobs as an international student in Australia:
✅️ Flexibility: It offers flexibility while studying
✅️ Good pay rates: Jobs in retail pay decent wages for students
✅️ Consistent work: Once you start working, you can usually expect consistent work
✅️ Multiple locations: Major retailers have stores all over Australia
✅️ Multiple shifts: They offer shifts across days, evenings, nights, and weekends as well
✅️ Penalty Rates: You receive additional pay penalty rates for working odd hour shifts
✅️ Work Experience: These jobs usually don’t require lots of work experience
✅️ Extra hours: During school holidays and busy periods, you can get additional hours
✅️ Staff discounts: Working in these retail jobs means you get access to staff discounts and other perks
Requirements to Work in Retail Jobs in Australia
✅️ Qualifications: There are no such formal qualifications required to work in the retail industry. However, if you have one, then that will be advantageous.
✅️ Work experience: You don’t need a lot of work experience to work in the retail jobs. However, having some local work experience will give you an edge over others.
✅️ Skills and knowledge: In most retail jobs, you are expected to deal with customers, so you must have good customer service and communication skills.
✅️ Valid work visa: You must hold a valid visa in order to work in these retail jobs. Student visas (subclass 500) allow students to work 48 hours per fortnight (or 24 hours per week).
✅️ Good attitude: Last but not least, a good attitude towards work and customers is always beneficial to get a job in retail.
Different Roles in the Retail Industry in Australia
There are multiple roles you can find in the retail industry, including but not limited to:
✅️ Sales Assistants
✅️ Cashier and Checkout operators
✅️ Shelf Fillers
✅️ Service Station Attendants
✅️ Store Persons
✅️ Customer Service Assistants
Popular Retailers in Australia
Here are some of the most popular retailers that hire international students in Australia:
➡️ Woolworths
➡️ Coles
➡️ Aldi
➡️ Kmart
➡️ Bunnings
➡️ Officeworks
➡️ Target
➡️ JB Hi-Fi
➡️ Ikea
➡️ Cotton-on
➡️ H&M
➡️ Myers
➡️ David Jones
➡️ IGA
➡️ 7-11
➡️ BP
Where to Find These Retail Jobs in Australia?
You might be wandering on where to find these retail jobs in Australia:
➡️ Online Job websites: There are multiple apps and websites in Australia where you can find these retail jobs. Some of the popular apps include Seek, LinkedIn, Indeed, Jora, Adzuna, and Student Job Board.
➡️ Retailers own websites: Some of these retail jobs may not appear on typical job websites. Because the retailers have their own job portals where they post these jobs. So it is always recommended to sign up via their portals.
➡️ Networking: One of the most popular ways to get a job in Australia is through references. And to build references, you need to do networking, which is all about building relationships. If you want to know, how to build your network in Australia, then we have complete guide on that.
🚫Important to note: Most retailers and supermarkets don’t accept walk-in job applicants. So you will need to apply online for those jobs.
Steps to Apply for Retail Jobs in Australia
Here are some of the steps you need to follow in order to apply for these retail jobs:
1️⃣ The first step is to jump online on the career page of the retailer’s website and create a profile. 2️⃣ Then look for the preferred jobs in your nearby suburbs/areas and apply them. 3️⃣ You need to upload your resume, cover letter and usually have to go through some questions regarding your job applications via their portal. 4️⃣ After applying, you might get a call for an interview (if selected). 5️⃣ Then, if you are selected for a role, you will get induction, training and start working.
💡Pro Tip: Even if you can’t find any job in your local areas, you can still create a profile on these platforms, so when jobs do appear, you can apply with a few clicks.
Another important thing that many retail workers do is they join the retail union. This helps them if they need to resolve issues with employers and acts as a bargain power when negotiating pay rates.
If you want a free resume and cover letter template, you can download that from our website.
Pay Rates for Retail jobs in Australia
The pay rates for retail jobs in Australia can vary based on level of experience, type of jobs you do and the location of the job.
But as per the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the minimum wage rate is $24.73 per hour for part-time and full-time employees and $30.91 per hour for casuals.
As per Seek, the average salary for the retail manager is between $60,000 to $70,000 per year.
You can check the pay rate of some other popular jobs in Australia here.
Personal Experience
👋 Sam, our founder, also worked in Woolworths supermarkets at the start of his career in Australia.
He says, “As an international student, I did enjoy working in the supermarket as it was considered a respectable job offering flexible hours and decent pay”.
“I did work in the overnight shifts as they worked out pretty well with my uni schedule and offered me much higher pay rates due to late night work.”
So, that was a detailed guide about finding retail jobs in Australia.
✅️ Now, if you find this information useful, then share this with a friend who needs a job right now in Australia.
