Taiwan — Asia’s Best-Kept Secret for Australians
Visa-free for 90 days. Cheaper than Japan. Roughly the same flight time. Extraordinary food, world-class public transport, and a Smartraveller rating of Normal Safety Precautions — the lowest possible level. Taiwan is one of the most compelling destinations in Asia for Australians, and one of the least discussed. This guide collection covers everything you need to plan a trip that goes beyond the surface.
⭐ Start Here
New to Taiwan? The essential first read is our full case for why Australians have been sleeping on this destination — visa facts, costs, what not to miss, and the honest argument for why Taiwan belongs at the top of every Australian’s Asia shortlist.
📚 All Taiwan Guides
Our growing collection of Taiwan travel content for Australian travellers — from destination comparisons to personal accounts and practical city guides.
📅 Coming Soon to This Collection
We’re building out a complete Taiwan guide library for Australian travellers. Here’s what’s in the pipeline.
Taipei City Guide
Neighbourhoods, transport, day trips, where to stay, and the essential Taipei experiences organised by area — from Xinyi and Ximending to Zhongshan and Da’an.
In ProductionTaiwan Food Deep Dive
The complete guide to eating in Taiwan — the dishes, the night markets ranked, the regional variations from north to south, and the Michelin-recognised street food stalls.
In ProductionTaroko Gorge & East Coast
How to get there, what to expect, how to structure a day trip from Taipei, and why the east coast of Taiwan is arguably the island’s most extraordinary landscape.
PlannedGetting Around Taiwan
The complete guide to Taiwan’s transport — the EasyCard, the HSR, TRA trains, intercity buses, scooter hire, and how to plan an itinerary around the island without a car.
PlannedTaiwan Night Markets Ranked
An independent ranking of Taiwan’s best night markets from Raohe and Ningxia in Taipei to Keelung Miaokou, Fengjia in Taichung, and Liuhe in Kaohsiung.
PlannedTaiwan Itineraries: 7, 10 & 14 Days
Practical, day-by-day itineraries for different lengths of stay — what to prioritise, how to combine Taipei with the east coast and the south, and what to skip.
Planned📌 Taiwan Practical Facts for Australians
✅ Visa
Visa-free 90 days. Free digital arrival card (TWAC) within 72hrs before travel. Passport valid 6+ months. Return ticket required. No extensions.
✈️ Flights
~9hrs direct from Sydney/Melbourne to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE). China Airlines, EVA Air, Qantas, Jetstar. Brisbane/Perth typically via Singapore or KL.
💵 Currency
New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). NT$50 ≈ A$1 (April 2026). Cards widely accepted in cities; bring cash for markets, small restaurants, transport.
🚊 Transport
EasyCard (~A$6) for Taipei MRT, buses, YouBike. High Speed Rail (HSR) for intercity — Taipei to Kaohsiung under 2hrs, ~A$20–50.
🌞 Best Time
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Oct–Nov) ideal. Summer hot, humid, typhoon risk. Winter mild (15–20°C) — excellent for Australians fleeing summer crowds.
🛣️ Safety
Smartraveller: Exercise Normal Safety Precautions — the lowest risk level. One of Asia’s safest destinations. Australian Office in Taipei: (+886 2) 8725 4100.
Plan Your Taiwan Trip with Cooee Tours
Our team can help you build a Taiwan itinerary that goes well beyond the standard tourist trail — from Taipei’s night markets to Taroko Gorge, the east coast, and everything in between.
Talk to Our Team More Asia Guides →