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Hamilton Island

Ballina Byron

Lord Howe Island

Port Stephens

Sunshine Coast

Fraser Coast

Rockhampton

Coffs Harbour

Port Macquarie

Hunter Valley

Blue Mountains

Christmas Island

Snowy Mountains

Whitsunday Coast

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• Destinations

Luxury Fleet

We have a range of modern, luxury air-conditioned vehicles which cater to individuals, families and small private groups.

Experienced local guides

Our guides have extensive experience, a wealth of knowledge about Australia and are fully licensed. 

Pick up & Drop off

We provide complementary pick up and drop off to your Hotel or Airbnb throughout Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs. 

Wifi on board

Fast wifi from Australia’s premier telco is provided for your enjoyment. 

We provide the best private tour service

Why choose us.

Offering the most scenic tours throughout Victoria, in the most luxuriously appointed vehicles, we will ensure your time with us is a first-class experience.

Sit back and enjoy the charm of the Australian landscape, in all its beauty and ruggedness, while relaxing in the comfort of our custom fleet.

Unforgettable journeys

Discover Victoria’s stunning landscape with our unforgettable private tours in and around Melbourne, allowing you to immerse yourself in all that Australia has to offer. 

Our tailored experiences provide the best of Australia’s unique scenery, food & wine, nature & wildlife, and indigenous culture. 

• Discover the best of Australia
• Wonder at natures sheer awesome power
• Marvel at all Melbourne has to offer

Luxury Private Tours

Yarra valley private wine tour, twelve apostles and great ocean road private tour, grampians private tour, ballarat wildlife park and sovereign hill private tour, customer reviews.

Truely unforgettable experience to see the Twelve Apostles. They tower above the ocean, and the crashing of the waves against the rocks is awe inspiring. Really one of the great places in the world. The other sites on the trip were just as memorable, and I didn’t expect such a range of amazing coastline all next to each other. The tour guide was most helpful and suggested all the best spots and gave good tips to take the best photos. The Twelve Apostles are some distance from Melbourne, so it was great to travel in such comfort. The ride was smooth and I felt like I was siting in first class on a plane. I appreciated my own leather captain’s chair on the way home after a busy day. I would definitely recommend the tour to anyone wanting their own luxury experience and ride.

Had a fantastic day exploring the gold mines of Sovereign Hill, a historical Australian gold mining town, and trying my hand at panning for gold. My family and I spent the afternoon feeding kangaroos, having our photos with a koala and meeting a wombat. The tour guide, Adam, helped arrange it all and was most helpful and knowledgeable throughout the trip. This tour was a real highlight of my family’s trip to Australia. I definitely recommend Premier Tours Australia if you want an amazing tour experience.

Had a wonderful day with my partner touring the best wineries of the Yarra Valley, with a friendly guide, who knew lots about the hidden gems of the area. The private tour made it all the more enjoyable for our anniversary, and would highly recommend using Premier Tours Australia, if you want a luxury experience while visiting the wineries.

Enquiry For Private Tours

Popular destinations.

• Yarra Valley
• Phillip Island
• Morning Peninsula
• High Country
• Great Ocean Road
• Geelong & Bellarine Peninsula
• Daylesford & Macedon Ranges
• Dandenong Ranges

Gallery From Our Tours

Why book with us.

Presenting a combination of scenic and beautiful locations, while traveling in our luxury vehicles, Premier Tours Australia provides you a memorable and authentic Australian experience, through our expert local guides. 

• All tours are carefully picked by us
• Best value private tour experience
• Friendly and experienced local guides
• Trusted by more than 3000 customers

Acknowledgement of country

Premier Tours Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business. We respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders past, present.

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Australia Holidays

experiences

Discover australia, australia holidays.

From ancient Aboriginal culture to the natural world, the infinite Outback, amazingly diverse cities, laid-back coastal living, superb food and top wines, a trip to Australia is more than just a holiday - it’s an experience to be savoured.  As the world becomes ever smaller, there’s never been a better time to experience the magic of this dream destination. So, what are you waiting for? Come and say g’day!

Deciding where to go is arguably your toughest decision. With a country of this size, the possibilities are endless and no matter where you go, you’re sure to have an amazing time!

Sydney is sure to beckon with its iconic attractions and brilliant beaches, whilst sports lovers shouldn’t miss Melbourne. Bustling Adelaide is a...

Australia Flash Sale!

Save up to £1000* off Australia holidays booked by 30 June 2024 for 2024 & 2025 departures.

* Discount dependent on booking value, starting from £100 discount on Australia inclusive holidays with a minimum value of £1000. Cannot be combined with any other discounts including price matches and only available if booked by 30 June 2024.

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Australia Travel Guide

Best time to go.

Australia’s climate varies, from hot and tropical in the far north to cool and even snowy in the south. The Australian winter from June to August is generally mild, but there may be snow in the southern mountain regions and dry, sunny days in the northern states. Summer runs between December and February for most of the country, although it is the wet season in the tropical north.

Travel Information

Australia has numerous gateways, with Sydney and Melbourne being the busiest. All flights (except Perth) involve a stopover, either in the Middle East or Far East. Journey time to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide from the UK is approximately 21 hours; Darwin 17 hours while Perth is approximately 16¾ hours non-stop.

Local currency

Australian Dollar

Regions in Australia

Our recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia .

New South Wales

Famous icons in Sydney Harbour, an endless calendar of events, golden sands and hidden restaurants down historic laneways, hip neighbourhoods - all this and more is Sydney!

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains are justifiably famous.

Australia’s sunshine state is a top holiday hang out with a carefree pace of life.

Tasmania may only be 150 miles away from mainland Australia but it is a whole world apart.

Western Australia

Spanning 1,490 miles from north to south, Western Australia covers a third of the continent and is the largest state you can visit Down Under.

South Australia

One of the hottest and driest regions boasts miles of deserted sandy beaches and an abundance of wildlife, whilst just out back is the awesome, timeless outback where the bright red earth dotted with vivid wild flowers shimmers under huge blue skies.

Being Australia's second smallest state doesn't stop Victoria from packing a real punch.

Northern Territory

In the south of the territory is the Red Centre, the nation’s soulful heart where iconic monoliths soar sublimely from the ruddy desert to create a breathtaking profile against the blue sky.

Unmissable Experiences

Showing 2 experiences in Australia

Phillip Island Penguin Highlights

Depart Melbourne for Phillip Island. Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve in the company of a ranger, head to the Nobbies which is home to one of Australia's largest seal colonies and finally, see Little Penguins waddle up to their burrows at the end of the day.

Great Ocean Road Experience

A full day tour that twists and winds along the spectacular Great Ocean Road with awesome coastal views. Along the way stop to see koalas in the world before checking out the magnificent surf beaches and walk amongst the ancient rainforest. Witness also the gigantic limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles which lie in Port Campbell National Park.

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Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest country by total area.

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Premier Travel Adventures Tasmania Pty Ltd.

Things to do bellerive , clarence , tasmania.

Welcome to Premier Travel Tasmania. Tasmania’s leading provider of premium small group tours, tailor-made private tours and speciality self-drive adventures.

Since 1996 Premier Travel Tasmania has been offering refined encounters with nature, showcasing Tasmania’s pristine environment and wonderful way of life. Their focus is on fascinating nature and wildlife, rich heritage, gourmet food and wine and high quality interpretation. They invite you to be immersed in a rejuvenating environment where lush wilderness is combined with all the comforts of modern life.

Here, at ‘the edge of the world’, let them refresh your body and mind with all that a Tasmanian vacation has to offer.

Our on-the-ground team consists of very experienced tourism professionals who identify with the southernmost Australian Island state.

Our experienced tour guides know Tasmania inside out and will do everything possible to bring you our island with its rich offer of sights, a wide variety of fauna and flora – many of them endemic, excellent food and the history of when Tasmania was still known as a convict island as close as possible.

We have a sustainable approach and have been labelled as a sustainable tour operator by TICT (Tourism Industry Council Tasmania). We are also part of Australian Wildlife Journeys and the Signature Experience Program by Tourism Australia.

From $300 to $10000

Tour Tasmania in style with your local experts. Premier Travel Tasmania offers personalised private tours which are tailored to match your interests and designed to showcase the very best of Tasmania.

Whether your interests are nature, wildlife, history, food and wine, hiking, active holidays, golf, wellness, culture or art, having your own private guide showing you Tasmania is the ultimate way to truly discover Tasmania. Our professional guides’ local knowledge and service excellence will add so much to your experience.

In consultation with you, we will facilitate all your key travel requirements and arrangements, enabling you to completely relax and do what you are there to do, enjoy your holiday. From the time you arrive until the time you depart, you will be the centre of our attention and well taken care of by your private guide and our professional office team. Journeys can range from one day tours to extended multi week journeys.

Disabled Access

This Tasmania tour brings you into contact with pristine wilderness, unique wildlife, beautiful beaches, a sense of history and the best of contemporary Tasmanian hospitality. This four day tour allows you to experience the magic of Australia’s island state.

Designed by people who know and love Tasmania, this small group tour incorporates Tasmanian icons such as the famous wineglass bay, the Tasmanian devil, the convict ruins of Port Arthur and the vibrant Salamanca markets.

This tour will take you off the beaten path to discover some of the hidden treasures of the island.

Mt Field National Park and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

This small group tour takes you to Mount Field National Park, the oldest National Park in the state. Take a rainforest walk to Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees. This enchanting walk in Tasmania’s wilderness is accompanied by a delightful Tasmanian picnic lunch*.

In the afternoon visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and experience Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Wallabies, Quolls and other Australian animals first hand. This dedicated team of wildlife carers provides an invaluable service to the research and protection of native wildlife in Tasmania.

Port Arthur Historic Site and Richmond.

The Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Historic Site are some of Tasmania’s most visited destinations. Explore Tasmania’s famous convict settlement site with its many attractions on this small group day tour and let their experienced guide bring its history alive.

Visit the famous geological features of the peninsula as you explore the rugged coastline. In the afternoon, travel to the historic village of Richmond, nestled in the Coal River Valley, with its well preserved colonial architecture before returning to Hobart.

Tasmania, Australia’s island state, provides a rare opportunity to encounter unique and endemic wildlife. Renown as a prime area for marsupial spotting, Tasmania is a crucial habitat for many species, including quolls, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and the most famous resident, the Tasmanian Devil.

Tasmania provides sanctuary for an abundance of birdlife, including the twelve endemic species, as well as marine mammals and the only two types of egg-laying mammals in the world, echidna and platypus.

Our focus on this small-group tour is to observe wildlife in the wild. It is a soft-adventure tour focusing on wildlife and wilderness but offers a level high level of comfort.

From $2965 to $3615

This newly designed tour is a seasonal offering for those guests who are keen to see the stunning phenomena of the Aurora Australis (or Southern Light) in Tasmania.

We head out on several nights in search of the lights combined with stargazing in a clear and crispy air setting.

This tour also includes a few days of sightseeing and indulgence during the days. The tour will be conducted with a minimum of 10 and a max of 14 guests and led on 3 nights by Daniel, the managing director of Premier Travel Tasmania and passionate Aurora hunter / night sky photographer.

From $259 to $348

Walk the streets of Hobart’s battery point and the historic waterfront and experience fine food, drinks and local produce.

Sample locally roasted coffee, cheese, chocolate and whisky while being introduced into Hobart’s interesting history of a 4-hour walk.

The walking distance is approximately 3 kilometres and is on mostly flat terrain. This tour is suitable for all ages and all fitness levels.

Morning Departure:

Your guide will greet 10.00am-outside the Hobart Visitor Centre to begin your 2-hour walking tour. Start your day at one of Hobart’s oldest bakeries and enjoy a locally roasted coffee. Your guide will introduce you to Hobart’s history while enjoying local delicacies. Continue walking through battery point to the Salamanca area where we taste a range of different Tasmanian cheese creations. Our final stop is a local chocolate manufacture where you sample a range of their sweet treats. The tour ends at the Hobart Visitor centre.

Afternoon Departure:

Your guide will greet your at 2.00pm outside the Hobart Visitor Centre to begin your 2-hour walking tour. Start your day with an Oyster tasting at one of the local outlets around the Constitution dock. Continue walking along the waterfront where our next stop is a local chocolate manufacture where you sample a range of their sweet treats. The walk continues towards Salamanca Place where we sample a range of local Tasmanian cheeses before heading up to Battery Point where your guide introduces you to Hobart’s history. Walk down the famous Kelly steps and back return to the visitor centre where the tour ends.

From $5889 to $7398

This tour combines our 5-day Wilderness and 5-day Wildlife Encounter small group departures to the best of both itineraries for those guests with a bit more time when visiting Tasmania.

Nearby Things to Do

The Brew Hop

Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures

Fish Wild Tasmania – Trout Fishing Tours

Unshackled Hobart Penitentiary

Segway Tasmania

FIND Contemporary Jewellery Collective

Battery Point, Hobart

Also In This Location

• Accommodation

P: 13 34 10 W: https://premierms.com.au/timetable/eden-sydney-pm1/

PM1 | Eden to Sydney – 7 Days

512 DISTANCE (KM)

BOOK YOUR TICKET PM1

Hobart Stargazing and Aurora (Private Tour)

• Private Day Tours
• 1 one day private tour
• AUD 990.00 up to 4 guests (private touring only)

While it gets darker and our eyes have adjusted to the darkness, millions of stars and a great range of constellations will be visible. We spend about 2 hours observing the Tasmanian night sky, where you have the opportunity to look through a telescope and binoculars to explore galaxies and, with lots of luck, the mighty ‘Aurora Australis’, also known as the southern lights. Return to your accommodation just before midnight.

Aurora 2021-2, aurora 2021, aurora australis, mortimer bay reserve, tranmere foreshore.

• Travel Dates
• See the million stars sky of Southern Tasmania
• With a bit of luck, witness the magic of an Aurora Australis
• Join your expert guide for a guidance of the night sky
• Have a look through our telescope and binocular and explore galaxies and planets far away
• Be treated with a hot drink and some sweet treats to keep your self warm in a crispy night

Tour includes: 4 hours privately guided tour, transport in a well-appointed vehicle, hot drinks and use of telescopes and binoculars

STARGAZING TOUR OF HOBART

Be met by your private tour guide at 7.00 pm at your accommodation. Our journey begins with an ascent onto the summit of Mount Wellington/Kunanyi to watch the sunset and enjoy great view over the greater Hobart area and Southern Tasmania. While it gets darker and our eyes have adjusted to the darkness, millions of stars and a great range of constellations will be visible. We spend about 2 hours observing the Tasmanian night sky, where you have the opportunity to look through a telescope and binoculars to explore galaxies and with lots of luck the mighty ‘Aurora Australis’ also known as southern lights. Return to your accommodation before midnight.

Coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available during the duration of the tour.

This private tour is available any day of the year except all state and local Public Holidays between April and September after dark. Please note, that the tour is subject to availability at time of inquiry/ booking.

Exceeded my expectations.

I wanted to experience Tasmania with a knowledgeable guide and in luxury / comfort. It was a tour that exceeded my expectations. We loved Rob and the coach was perfect. Thank you!

Catherine Leggett

USA, January 2019 (private tour)

Highly recommended

We would highly recommend your company. Renke was the best guide of our whole Australia trip and the vehicle was very comfortable.

Paul and Patty Friday

USA. January 2019 (private tour)

Well organised in every aspect

I would recommend Premier Travel as the tour was well organised in every aspect. Quality hotels plus a small group made for a good tour.

Italy, (Small group tour – 5 Day Icons of Tasmania)

I will always remember Tasmania

I will always remember Tasmania because of the good time I had on this tour. I would recommend this company because of its good guides and its mode of transport.

Mrs McBride

USA, January 2019

You may also be interested in

1 Day Hobart’s Art and Fine Wine (Private Tour)

Half-Day Taste of Hobart (Private Walking Tour)

4 Days Icons of Tasmania (Small Group Tour)

AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chinese premier to visit Australia for four-day tour

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will travel to Australia for a four-day visit as the two nations look to restabilise trade ties.

China’s second-highest official will arrive in Australia on Saturday and stay until June 18.

Premier Li will hold talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as part of an annual leaders’ meeting in Canberra followed by a state lunch attended by politicians, business representatives and community leaders.

The Chinese premier will travel to Adelaide and Perth, taking part in an Australia-China CEO roundtable alongside Mr Albanese.

The pair will also attend a community event with members of the Chinese-Australian diaspora.

It will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese premier for seven years.

The visit was a critical step to strengthening links between the two nations, Mr Albanese said.

“Welcoming the Chinese premier to Australia is an opportunity for us to advance our interests by demonstrating our national values, our people’s qualities and our economy strengths,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“Australia continues to pursue a stable and direct relationship with China with dialogue at its core, our approach has been patient, calibrated and deliberate.”

Ahead of the trip, China lifted trade sanctions imposed on Australian beef producers in 2020 when diplomatic relations were at a low ebb.

Similar sanctions were earlier eased on Australian coal, wine, barley.

While Chinese trade barriers remained on Australian lobsters, Mr Albanese said he was hopeful the barriers could be removed.

“I certainly would like to see that any impediments to our lobsters and crayfish, our magnificent seafood, being removed,” he said.

“Australia has an interest in trade with China, China has an interest in receiving our magnificent goods because of their quality, so this is a win-win.

“We’ll continue to put forward our arguments there, as we will continue to pursue Australia’s interests.”

Mr Albanese made a trip to China in November, where the two leaders held talks.

The prime minister said he would reiterate concerns about incidents involving China’s military towards Australian forces.

An Australian Navy helicopter was forced to take evasive action to avoid being hit by Chinese flares during an incident in May.

“(Premier Li) will be very aware of Australia’s position, which is that Australia was engaged in legitimate international activity, and that should not have occurred, because it was dangerous, and should not have happened,” Mr Albanese said.

“We will certainly be putting that forward.”

Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said the Chinese premier’s visit was important for boosting trade links.

“More than 20 per cent of Australian jobs rely on trade, so growing our export opportunity is fundamental to Australia’s continued economic success, creating new jobs and growing new businesses,” he said.

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HSBC Premier World Mastercard

Spending just got more rewarding

With an HSBC Premier World Mastercard, you can choose to earn Rewards Plus or Qantas Points. The perks continue at home and away, with no annual fees, exclusive discounts, complimentary travel insurance, and so much more. 

• Unlock premium benefits and perks from your chosen rewards program, with no annual fees
• Get 0% pa interest on balance transfers for 12 months[@cards-balance-transfer-offer] (2% balance transfer fee applies)[@cards-2-percent-balance-transfer-fee]
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Say goodbye to annual fees

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Australia's Premier Travel Advisory Group

Goldman Group are leaders in premium luxury leisure and corporate travel. Your world makes the difference to us.

Established by Tom Goldman OAM in 1983, The Goldman Group is a multi-award winning, third-generation family owned and operated travel advisory group with in-depth experience in all facets of luxury leisure and business travel. The company’s professional and well-travelled team are leaders in the industry, leveraging excellent relationships with airline and hotel partners to make clients’ travel seamless, luxurious, and cost-effective.

David Goldman (Left) and Anthony Goldman (Right) with Tom Goldman OAM

A leading member of the exclusive Virtuoso * and Link Travel Group founding member, the Goldman Group can access hotels and experiences not always available elsewhere, from room upgrades to on-site assistance in remote locations, and more. The Goldman Group of travel companies includes Goldman Travel Corporation , Travelcall , SmartFlyer Australia and The Cruise Centre by Travelcall.

Winner:  Best Corporate Agency – Multi Location at the National Travel Industry Awards

Winner:  Best Corporate Agency – Single Location at the National Travel Industry Awards

Recognised by the Virtuoso Network as it's Top Partner

Accredited with the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)

Specialties

Business travel.

Numerous corporations operate in a global landscape, making corporate travel a norm. This trend underscores a growing emphasis on cost reduction, effective travel administration through enforceable policies, and robust data management.

Our substantial investment in cutting-edge systems and travel tools enables streamlined operations. We provide online booking tools and on-demand reporting systems to enhance efficiency in booking and administrative processes.

Offers world-class corporate and leisure travel booking services built on a powerful platform of technology, established relationships and genuine, personal service.

The Cruise Centre by Travelcall is widely respected as one of Australia’s leading boutique cruise and leisure travel agencies.

Travelcall is Australia’s most highly awarded luxury Travel Agency, with a long-standing reputation for providing unsurpassed, personal service.

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Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. The city is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. It is also the oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia with an enviable reputation as one of the world's most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, Sydney's set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Long-term immigration has led to the cities reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia and the world. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on this planet.

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Premier Bus in Australia: Does it offer cheaper bus services than Greyhound?

• David Whitley

Yes. Premier Bus offers cheaper Australian bus services than Greyhound – including hop-on, hop-off passes. But Greyhound has a bigger route network and better on-board facilities.

When it comes to covering Australia’s vast distances, most visitors prefer to either take a domestic flight or turning the long driving times into road trips. However, there is a third way – long distance buses. Car hire is not essential for an Australian holiday .

As bus journeys go, Australia’s long distance buses are relatively comfortable. They’re air-conditioned, with reclining seats and on-board toilets. But anyone pretending that sitting on one of these buses for several hours is the best way to travel is lying.

Greyhound coaches vs Premier Bus

The company most associated with long distance buses is Greyhound . Greyhound coaches don’t cover the whole country, but they travel from Melbourne to Cairns on the east coast. They also go up the Stuart Highway from Adelaide to Darwin .

Greyhound’s main rival on the east coast is Premier Bus. The official name is Premier Motor Services, but pretty much everyone calls it Premier Bus anyway.

There are a few significant differences between Greyhound and Premier Bus. For a start, Greyhound offers on-board WiFi and in-seat USB charging points. Premier Bus doesn’t. There are also a few differences in where the buses stop. Greyhound goes to Yamba in New South Wales , but not Lennox Head , for example. The Premier Motor Services route does the opposite.

Premier Bus ticket prices

But which Australian bus service is cheapest? Well, this is where Premier Bus becomes a lot more interesting.

Looking a month in advance for a one-way Sydney to Brisbane fare, Premier Bus charged $98 and Greyhound charged $109. Frankly, at those prices, you might as well get a flight, however. Where the buses come in handy is smaller destinations not served by airports.

So let’s look at Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach in Queensland . That’s $70 with Premier Bus, and $170 with Greyhound. Premier Motor Services is clearly cheaper here.

Both Australian bus companies offer hop-on, hop-off passes too. These allow passengers to travel in one direction between a pair of destinations, stopping wherever they like along the way.

Therefore, you can stop in – for example – Port Macquarie , Coffs Harbour , Mooloolaba , Maryborough and Mackay for a few days, should you so desire. Just book another leg on the journey when you’re ready to move on.

A three month Greyhound pass from Sydney to Cairns (or vice versa) costs $469. A similar pass with Premier Motor Services costs $330.

A general rule of thumb, therefore, is that Greyhound has better facilities, but Premier Bus is cheaper.

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Australians can now travel visa-free to China. Here's what you need to know

Australia has been added to china’s visa-waiver program as part of a new agreement announced by chinese premier li qiang last week in canberra..

Australians will soon save $110, which was approximately the price for a single-entry visa into China. Source: SBS

What does it mean travellers can do in China?

Can travellers land at an airport in mainland china with just their passport.

What if Australian passport holders want to go to China for work?

Does the 15 days count from the day of arrival in or departure to china, how many times can australians enter china using the visa-free stays, can travellers take children or can they travel to china themselves under the visa-free policy, what if they travel as a group, what if australians want to extend their stays whilst in mainland china, are there any restrictions on where i can travel can i go to tibet and xinjiang.

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官方文旅推广人员解析：中国将对澳洲单方面免签 你需知的信息

Over 250 Australian spots use this 'derogatory' name, sparking calls for renaming

【中國對澳洲免簽】官方文旅廳稱過境香港澳門 可逗留逾15日.

You'll need to be aged 35 or younger to apply for this visa. These PhD students say it's 'unfair'

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Visa-free travel to China welcomed by people wanting to reunite with family

Jenny Zhang has plans to travel to China soon to reunite with her 100-year-old mum, and she has welcomed a move to give Australians visa-free entry for short trips.

"This is the best policy. It will provide great convenience to Chinese people living in Australia," she said.

"The Chinese community is very happy about this news."

The 15-day visa-free travel for Australians was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, after a formal meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"We agreed to provide each other with reciprocal access to five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business and visiting family members — so as to better facilitate personal exchanges, China will also include Australia in its Visa Waiver Program," the premier said.

This change will also save Australians about $110, the current cost for a single-entry tourist visa.

The new visa-free travel scheme is due to come in within the next few months.

China's tourism industry peaked in 2019 at a value of $580 billion and has been recovering slowly, according to Statista.

They had forecast that it could take another five years to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

Not everyone happy with move

While Ms Zhang was thrilled with the upcoming change, Ramila Chanisheff, the president of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association said it would not help members of her community.

"Our family members … we can not even talk to them — let alone visit them," she told the ABC.

"Not all of us will be given visas to visit our family members. And if we do, we will be worried about our safety."

Dawa Sangmo, the Chinese liaison officer of the Tibet Information Office in Canberra raised similar worries.

"The visa-free policy is not only an issue that relates to our safety, but a matter that is more beneficial to China and its government," she told the ABC.

There was not much detail in the announcement, but Premier Li did mention it would be "reciprocal", making it easier for Chinese travellers to enter Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the second highest amount of tourists visiting Australia came from China, only behind arrivals from New Zealand, as of April this year.

However, overall, the amount of people travelling out of China is down 40 per cent from pre-COVID levels in 2019, Reuters reported.

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Our Pick Of The Best Prepaid Travel Cards For Australians

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Updated: Jun 25, 2024, 9:04pm

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With one-third of Australians saving and planning on going overseas in 2024, according to research by NAB Economists , it’s no surprise that a travel card is top of mind for many.

While using your debit or credit card abroad may be the most convenient option, you’ll be hit by hefty charges— from foreign transaction fees, withdrawal fees, and even fees just to check your balance at an ATM.

That’s why prepaid travel cards are a great alternative, especially if you’re savvy about the card you choose, as they offer a convenient way to hold multiple currencies, spend and withdraw money abroad, and perhaps even accrue a few travel perks along the way, such as access to airline lounges.

Let’s unpick Forbes Advisor Australia’s five favourite prepaid travel cards for Aussies travelling abroad in the near future.

Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice.

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Wise Personal Card

CashPassport Platinum

Commbank money travel card, our methodology, what is a prepaid travel card, how to choose the right travel card for you, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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On Wise’s Secure Website

Card Issue Fee

Number Of Currencies

40+ currencies

Currency Conversion Fee

Depends on the currency and amount; starts at 0.42% of the transaction

10 currencies at a time on the card, with 22 currencies all up

Travelex's independent exchange rate applies at the time of conversion

The Travelex Money Card is a multi-year award winning prepaid travel card, and for good reason. The free card (with free replacements) operates with 22 currencies, allowing for 10 different currencies to be loaded onto the card at once.

It is free to load money onto the card online via the Travelex website or app, and unlike most prepaid travel cards, offers unlimited free ATM withdrawals (although some ATM operators may charge their own fees). You can also withdraw up to $3,000 AUD in cash (or the foreign equivalent) in a 24-hour period.

You can have up to $50,000 on the card, with the initial load needing to be $350 AUD or currency equivalent and any subsequent reloads at a minimum of $50 AUD (or currency equivalent). Over a 12-month period, the balance across all currencies cannot exceed $75,000.

Unfortunately, Travelex charges a $4 AUD monthly inactivity fee and a $10 account closure fee, meaning it may only be valuable to frequent travellers.

• Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
• No card fee or replacement fee
• Award winning card
• Monthly inactivity fee
• Card closure fee
• Limits on card balance

Despite the initial charge for a Wise card, in our opinion, the benefits and savings outweigh the small fee.

With 40 currencies and counting available, Wise can be used in more than 160 countries around the world. This makes it perfect for travellers on around-the-world trips or individuals who travel frequently.

Plus, you can receive local bank details in nine different currencies, meaning you can transfer and receive money straight into these currencies rather than having to receive into your AUD account and transfer to the appropriate currency.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few fees when it comes to the currency conversions and reloading money onto the Wise card, depending on how you choose to complete these reloads. However, they all start at 0.42% of the transaction, and the Wise app will tell you exactly how much you will be charged before you complete a reload, a currency conversion, or a transfer.

To add money to your Wise account, you can choose to pay via manual bank transfer, Apple or Google Pay, PayID, or debit and credit cards. Plus, you can withdraw up to $350 AUD (or the local equivalent) for free from an ATM every month.

Read More: Wise Review

• Local bank account details
• Numerous reload options
• Card issue fee
• Varying currency conversion fees
• Limited free ATM withdrawals per month

$0 (Free Plan)

Depends on the currency and amount

Revolut would be considered Wise’s biggest competitior , with both companies offering a card that allows travellers to add funds for more than 40 currencies and the ability to open local bank accounts.

With Revolut, you must sign-up to a subscription model: the Free Plan, or it’s paid ‘Metal’ and ‘Platinum’ accounts. The paid subscription models cost $99 and $225 respectively and include travel perks, such as airline lounge access. However, this review has focused solely on the Free Plan as that is the most popular choice among Australians.

To order a Revolut free plan card, there is no charge, while replacement cards cost $8.99 AUD; there is  a $0 reload fee from an Australian bank account or debit card. It’s conversion fees depend on the currency, the amount you are converting, and how you choose to reload your money onto your card. Despite not having a specific conversion fee rate across the board, Revolut’s app is user-friendly and you can view the fees up-front.

If withdrawing cash from an ATM, you’ll be charged a fee of 2% after you hit the $350 AUD withdrawal limit in a month.

Read More: Revolut Review

• Can open local bank account
• No fee to reload from Australian account
• ATM withdrawals slugged at 2% above $350 per month
• Varying currency conversion fee
• Subscription model can be costly

11 currencies

The CashPassport Platinum by Mastercard is a great option for Aussies wanting to go abroad, with 11 different currencies available, including Australian and US dollars; the British Pound and the Euro.

There is no fee for the card, and the initial load fee is also waived. However, the minimum reload amount (including the initial load onto the card) must be more than $100 AUD or the currency equivalent.

While abroad, users can reload money onto their card in three different ways: instantaneously via a debit card (with a fee of 0.5% of the amount), bank transfer (which will take one business day), or BPAY (which can take up to two business days).

There are also maximum reload limits:

• $15,000 AUD in any 24 hour period;
• $30,000 AUD in any 7 day period; and
• $50,000 AUD in any 30 day period.

In Australia, you will be charged 2.95% fee at ATMs. When abroad, the fee you will be charged by CashPassport depends entirely on the currency you are withdrawing. For example, withdrawing USD would incur a charge of $US2.50 ($3.75 AUD), while withdrawing Japanese Yen incurs a ¥260.00 ($2.35 AUD) fee.

• No card issue fee
• No initial load fee
• No fee for converting between currencies
• 2.95% fee at domestic ATMs
• ATM fees change depending on the currency
• Minimum and maximum reload limits

13 currencies

CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange Rate applies at the time of the conversion

Commonwealth Bank was the only Big Four bank to make our top list of prepaid travel cards. We like the fact that the CommBank Money Travel Card is free, is available to those aged 14 years and older, and has no initial load nor reload fees.

There are 13 currencies available on the card, with ‘lock-in rates’ also available so you can maintain that conversion rate regardless of how the Australian dollar moves.

However, it is essential that you make sure you have the right currency on your card when making a payment or a withdrawal from an ATM. If you don’t have the currency loaded, or when CommBank needs to automatically transfer funds between currencies on your card to enable the transaction, you will be charged the exchange rate at the time of the conversion plus an additional 3%.

This means if you’re travelling to destinations that don’t take the 13 currencies available, it could end up costing you quite a fair bit in fees. Plus, there are no free ATM withdrawals: you will be charged $3.50 AUD for every withdrawal or the foreign currency equivalent, and the conversion fee if necessary.

Read More: Wise Vs CommBank Travel Money Card Comparison

• No load or reload fees
• Available for 14 years and over
• Ability to lock in conversion rates
• High fees if you don’t have the correct currency on the card
• $3.50 AUD charge for each ATM withdrawal
• Fewer currencies compared to others

To establish the above list, Forbes Advisor Australia conducted independent research of the prepaid travel cards currently available on the market for new customers.

In order to establish our top picks, we considered the following data points:

• The number of currencies available;
• If the card has a card issuing fee or not;
• What the currency conversion fee charge is;
• If there is a charge for loading money onto the card initially, and for subsequent reloads;
• Whether the card will charge for ATM withdrawals, or if it has limits on how much you can withdraw;
• Any other applicable fees and charges to consider; and
• Consumer reviews online via ProductReview.

A prepaid travel card is known by many different names: a foreign currency card, a travel money card, a multi-currency card and more. But regardless of the name, there is a key similarity: these cards allow you to load funds onto a card to then use abroad in different currencies.

The term ‘prepaid’ comes from the fact that they work in a similar manner to a debit card : it’s funds you already have, rather than funds you are borrowing from a bank. You load these funds onto the card from another bank or account, and then you can transfer them between the currencies available on the card. This makes for a helpful budgeting tool , as you can put a set amount of AUD onto the card before you leave for your trip.

Can You Load More Money Onto a Prepaid Travel Card?

The term ‘prepaid’ may make you think that you can’t load extra money onto the card and that once the funds are cleared, that’s it—but this is not the case.

Travel cards allow you to load more funds as needed even while you’re abroad, with different cards offering different ways to facilitate this. Some cards may allow you to add more money via your credit card, while others may only allow reloads from your bank account.

There are also different charges that apply for loading more funds onto the card, depending on which card you choose. Some won’t charge you at all.

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to travel cards—or any type of debit or credit card, for that matter. Instead, you need to consider your financial habits while abroad to choose the best prepaid travel card to suit your holiday.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Whether it has the currencies you need for the destinations you are visiting;
• If it doesn’t have the currencies, how much it will charge you for ATM withdrawals in a foreign currency, or to complete transactions in that currency;
• How much ATM withdrawals cost in the local currency, and if there are any limits;
• The amount it costs to order the card and whether there are any account keeping fees;
• Whether you are charged each time you load money onto the card or not;
• Any balance limits, such as if you can only add $10,000 AUD onto the card within a month;
• If you can shop online with the card, or anywhere that it may not be accepted; and
• The accessibility of the card and your balance—does it have a user-friendly app?

Benefits of a Travel Card

There are many benefits to having a prepaid travel card. With multiple currencies on offer, it allows you to save money on having to go to a currency exchange store to exchange AUD for the local currency.

This is particularly important in the post-pandemic world, where many places are no longer accepting cash as a form of payment. Thus, having a card that can pay in the local currency and skip foreign transaction fees that your regular debit or credit card would charge can definitely be a blessing.

As previously mentioned, it can also be a helpful way to stick to your budget while abroad by having all of your funds in one place—even if in numerous currencies. Most travel cards will have a smartphone app associated with them, allowing you to view your balances in real time and make sure you aren’t going overboard with your spending.

There are many other benefits to prepaid travel cards but, since all card offerings are different, it’s best to look at the product disclosure statement of the cards you’re considering to see if the benefits suit you. These could include:

• Locked currency conversion rates;
• Complimentary travel insurance;
• Fraud protection;
• Free reloads; and
• Other travel perks.

Should I Use My Bank’s Travel Card?

It can be tempting to simply choose the travel card that the financial institution you already use offers, as quite a few of them do—including the highly ranked CommBank Travel Money Card or the Westpac Worldwide Wallet.

Unfortunately due to the rise of independent bank travel cards, many of the bigger institutions are winding back their offers. The NAB Travel Card was discontinued in November 2020 for new customers, while the ANZ Travel Card closed in October 2022.

If your bank still offers a prepaid travel card option, then the convenience of using a card offered by the bank you are familiar with can be enticing—and may also come with pitfalls. You may be met with high currency conversion fees, limited currencies to load onto the card, ATM withdrawal charges and more.

A key benefit of using your standard bank for your travel card is often that it allows for simultaneous transfers, therefore helping you out if you need to reload your prepaid travel card in a hurry.

With many other cards on the market offering instantaneous transfers, too—without all the hidden charges—it’s definitely worth shopping around and considering a card outside your usual banking habits.

Ultimately, prepaid travel cards are a great investment if you’re going abroad. Yet with so many on the market, it is essential to carry out your own research to decide which would be the best fit for you: whether this is due to the ATM withdrawal charges and fees, the number of currencies available, or the methods of reloading.

Should I have a prepaid travel card or a credit card for travelling?

Taking a prepaid travel card overseas with you is a wise financial move, as having your funds in one spot makes budgeting a breeze. You can also transfer between currencies with ease, and dodge the high interest charges associated with credit cards.

Plus, many credit cards have high currency conversion fees, which could mean you’re spending a lot more than you intend to. However, taking a credit card overseas with you is still also beneficial for many reasons, such as if there’s an emergency that requires more funds than you have on hand or if you have booked your trip using your credit card in order to receive complimentary travel insurance or frequent flyer points.

Of course, there’s no reason you can’t take both away with you: the prepaid travel card for spending, and the credit card in case of emergency.

Related: Our Pick Of The Best Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

Is Wise better than the CommBank Travel Money Card?

Both Wise and the CommBank Travel Money Card are highly ranked by Forbes Advisor Australia, each making our list of the top five prepaid travel cards

While Wise is ranked higher overall due to its many currencies and transparent fees via its app, CommBank Travel Money Card could be more beneficial to those who are travelling to a single-use currency area (such as the United States) due to the ease of transferring from an existing Commonwealth Bank account and the fact that it can be used by those under 18.

You can read more about our comparison between Wise and theCommBank Travel Money Card here.

Does ANZ have a travel card?

No, ANZ closed its dedicated travel card to new customers in 2020 before officially being taken off the market in October 2022.

ANZ said that the decision to close the card was a move to “meet the needs of our customers” following “customer feedback and research conducted” by the bank.

The closure happened during the Covid-19 pandemic when international travel was not taking place, and the rise of neobank offerings became more popular when the borders re-opened and consumers searched for more affordable ways to travel.

Related: How To Save Money In Cost-Of-Living Crisis

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

China’s premier says relations with Australia are ‘back on track’ after Beijing removes tariffs on wine and barley

Australia’s relations with its biggest trading partner, China, have gone through a downward spiral in recent years. Previous prime ministers made the country the first to formally ban Huawei equipment from i ts 5G network and barred foreign political donations over concerns of Chinese influence. Relations hit a low point when the Australian government, under then prime minister Scott Morrison, called for an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus.

Beijing’s reaction was also heavy-handed: It imposed tariffs and blocked imports on a range of Australian goods, like wine, barley, and coal.

But ties between the two countries has improved under current prime minister Anthony Albanese, who took office in 2022. Over the weekend, China premier Li Qiang said that the relationship is now “back on track after a period of twists and turns.” Li is currently in Australia on a four-day visit, the first by a Chinese premier in seven years.

The Chinese premier arrived in Australia late on Saturday. On Monday he met Albanese in Canberra, where the two had a “candid in-depth and fruitful meeting and reached a lot of consensus,” according to comments from Li to reporters after the meeting. Li also announced that Beijing will add Australia to its visa waiver program, which allows a visa-free travel period of 15 days.

Li’s visit follows a trip by Albanese to Beijing in November, the first by an Australian leader in several years.

Icy relations between China and Australia are thawing

Exports of Australian goods to China hit 219 billion Australian dollars ($144.4 billion) in 2023, higher than the $98.4 billion exported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of tariffs according to data from the Australian government.

Since last year, Beijing has gradually lifted its taxes and trade restrictions on goods like barley, beef and wine.

These taxes have hurt Australia’s food producers. For example, Australia exported 1.1 billion Australian dollars ($726 million) of wine to China in 2019. Australian wine made up a quarter of all wine imports at the time. Trade plummeted after Beijing imposed tariffs that reached as high as 200%: Australian wine accounted for just 0.14% of Chinese wine imports in the first six months of 2023.

Yet Beijing continued to buy raw materials from Australia, even as it clamped down on consumer goods. China relies on Australia for goods like iron ore and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Australia is the world’s largest exporter of iron ore, much of which goes to China. Iron ore exports were worth $19.2 billion and accounted for 62% of Australian exports to China in the first quarter of this year, according to data compiled by ANZ Research.

LNG exports to China, valued at around $3.6 billion, accounted for 12% of Australia’s total exports over the same period.

Australian coal exports also rebounded after Beijing lifted its restrictions on Australian coal last January. Coal shipments, measured in terms of value, surged 118% year on year during the first quarter of 2024.

On Sunday, Li promised a more symbolic example of warming ties between Beijing and Canberra. On a visit to the Adelaide Zoo, Li offered to send two new pandas to Australia, replacing the two returning to China later this year.

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