From Brisbane the Americas are surprisingly accessible — the US West Coast is ~14 hours direct. Flight times, visas for Australians, and the health essentials.
From Brisbane the Americas are surprisingly accessible — the US West Coast is ~14 hours direct, with competitive fares across the Pacific and onward connections everywhere.
Below are the flight times, the visa rules for Australian passport holders (two changed recently — the US ESTA fee and Brazil's new e-Visa), and the health and practical essentials — all handled for you when you book. Family-run since 1974, we take care of the detail.
Most of the Americas are visa-free for Australians, but the USA (ESTA) and Canada (eTA) need online authorisation, and Brazil now requires an e-Visa. Always confirm the latest.
| Destination | Visa? | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ESTA | ESTA (online) | ~USD $40 (raised 2025), valid 2 years. Required even for transit. Apply ≥72 hrs ahead. |
| Canada | eTA | eTA (online) | CAD $7, required for air travel, usually approved instantly. |
| Brazil | e-Visa | e-Visa (online) | Reinstated April 2025 (~USD $81). Apply online. Yellow-fever certificate recommended. |
| Peru | ✓ Visa Free | 183 days | No advance application. Inca Trail permits book out months ahead. |
| Argentina | ✓ Visa Free | 90 days | Extendable once. Use official/app exchange for the best rates. |
| Chile | ✓ Visa Free | 90 days | Strict biosecurity on arrival — declare all food. |
| Mexico | ✓ Visa Free | 180 days | Keep your stamped entry record for departure. |
| Colombia | ✓ Visa Free | 90 days | Medellín, Cartagena & the coffee region are outstanding. |
From Brisbane: Los Angeles ~14–15 hrs direct, New York ~20–22 hrs (one stop), Lima ~18–20 hrs via LA, Buenos Aires ~22–24 hrs via LA or Santiago, Mexico City ~17–19 hrs. The US West Coast is the quickest gateway. See our flight routes guide.
Not a full visa, but you must get an ESTA before departure (esta.cbp.dhs.gov). The fee was raised in 2025 to around USD $40, it's valid two years, and it's required even if you're only transiting a US airport. See our visa & ESTA guide.
Canada needs an eTA (CAD $7). Brazil reinstated an e-Visa in April 2025 (~USD $81). Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico are visa-free for Australians (90–183 days). See the table below and always confirm before travel.
Yellow fever is recommended (sometimes required) for the Amazon and parts of Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia. Hep A & B and Typhoid are advised for South and Central America; consider malaria cover for the Amazon. See a travel-medicine clinic 6–8 weeks ahead. Watch for altitude in the Andes.
Absolutely — comprehensive travel insurance is essential, especially for the USA where medical costs are extraordinarily high. Ensure it covers activities like trekking, skiing and diving, and keep digital copies of your documents. See our Americas activities.