From the rose-red rock of Petra to the glittering towers of Dubai, the balloons of Cappadocia to the dunes of Wadi Rum — the cradle of civilisation and the cities of the future in one region.
The Middle East is where human history began — the first cities, the first writing, the first great faiths all rose from this crossroads of continents. Nowhere else can you stand in a 2,000-year-old rock-cut city at dawn, ride a camel across dunes that have swallowed empires, and dine that same night at the top of the world's tallest building.
For Australians, it is astonishingly accessible. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad — have turned Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi into the natural stopover between Australia and Europe, which means a few days in the region cost almost nothing extra in airfares. Add Jordan's Petra, Turkey's Istanbul and Cappadocia, and Oman's wadis and mountains, and you have one of the world's most rewarding — and underrated — travel regions.
Family-run since 1974, Cooee plans Middle East trips around the region's welcoming, tourism-ready destinations, with the current safety picture always front of mind.
Ancient wonders and future cities — the places that define a journey through the region.
Jordan · the rose-red city
Walk the Siq at dawn to the Treasury's facade — a 2,000-year-old Nabataean city carved from sandstone cliffs.
UAE · skyscrapers & souks
Türkiye · Hagia Sophia & the Bosphorus
Türkiye · fairy chimneys
Jordan · the Valley of the Moon
Muscat · wadis · the Empty Quarter
The region runs on a winter-sun calendar — timing is the difference between glorious and unbearable.
The prime window across the Gulf, Jordan and Egypt — warm, sunny days (25–30°C) and cool evenings, ideal for deserts, ruins and cities. December–February is peak in the UAE. Book ahead for Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Spring and autumn are perfect for Turkey — warm days, wildflowers or autumn colour, and comfortable sightseeing in Istanbul, Cappadocia and along the coast. Also pleasant for Jordan and the northern Gulf.
Gulf and desert temperatures routinely exceed 45°C — best avoided except for the UAE's indoor-resort and shopping scene, when hotel rates fall sharply. Turkey's coast stays enjoyable for beach holidays.
From the glittering Gulf to the ancient Levant and the crossroads of Turkey — each region is a different kind of trip.
The UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — futuristic skylines, world-class stopovers, desert adventure and, in Oman, some of Arabia's most beautiful and traditional landscapes.
The region's most popular destination and stopover — Dubai's superlatives, Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and culture, and seven emirates of desert, coast and non-stop attractions.
Jordan anchors the eastern Mediterranean's great historical corridor — Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Jerash. We centre trips on Jordan and follow current advisories closely for the wider Levant.
Where Europe meets Asia — Istanbul's domes and bazaars, Cappadocia's balloons, the Turquoise Coast, Ephesus and Gallipoli. Now visa-free for Australians (since April 2026).
The Pyramids of Giza, Luxor's temples and a Nile cruise — the ancient world's greatest survivor. (Egypt sits in our Africa guide, but pairs naturally with a Middle East trip.)
Beyond the icons — Jerash and the Roman Decapolis, Ephesus, Palmyra's legacy, the frankincense forts of Oman and the rock art of AlUla in Saudi Arabia.
The moments that make the region one of the world's great — and most surprising — destinations.
The Treasury through the Siq at dawn, the Monastery's climb, and Petra glowing under a thousand candles at night.
Oct – AprA luxury desert camp beneath the stars in the red sands where Lawrence of Arabia rode — 4WD and camel by day.
Oct – AprFloat at sunrise over fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches — the world's most photographed balloon flight.
Apr – OctThe Burj Khalifa, a desert safari, the gold and spice souks, and dinner on the world's highest terraces.
Year-roundHagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia.
Year-roundAbu Dhabi's dazzling white-marble masterpiece — one of the world's largest and most beautiful mosques.
Year-roundHaggle for gold, saffron and frankincense in the great bazaars of Istanbul, Dubai, Muscat and Amman.
Year-roundGiza's pyramids and Sphinx, Luxor's Valley of the Kings, and a felucca on the Nile at sunset.
Oct – AprThe Gulf hubs are the natural stopover between Australia and Europe — which makes a few days in the region almost free.
Entry rules are easy for Australians across the region's tourism destinations — and one just got easier. Always confirm the latest before you travel.
| Country | Visa? | Type | Notes for Australians |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye (Turkey) | ✓ Visa Free | 90 days | Visa-free for Australians since 17 April 2026 (previously an e-visa). Up to 90 days in any 180. |
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | On Arrival | ~30 days, free | Free visa on arrival, typically 30 days, extendable. Passport valid 6 months. |
| Qatar | On Arrival | 30 days, free | Free visa waiver on arrival for Australians. Great for a Doha stopover. |
| Jordan | On Arrival | JOD 40 / Jordan Pass | Visa on arrival, or buy the Jordan Pass — it waives the visa fee (3+ night stays) and includes Petra. |
| Oman | e-Visa | ~20 OMR, 30 days | Apply online before travel (~AUD $80). Single entry, 30 days, extendable once. |
| Saudi Arabia | e-Visa | 1-year multi | Tourist e-visa now open to Australians — apply online; multiple entry, valid one year. |
| Egypt | VOA / e-Visa | USD $25, 30 days | Visa on arrival (USD $25) or e-visa (apply ~7 days ahead). Egypt sits in our Africa guide. |
| Bahrain | e-Visa / VOA | 14 days+ | e-visa or visa on arrival for Australians; a short-hop add-on from the UAE or Qatar. |
Break the long Australia–Europe flight with 2–4 nights in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. It costs little extra in airfare and turns a transit into a highlight — or a launchpad for Jordan and Egypt.
The desert regions are glorious in winter and brutal in summer. Time Petra, Wadi Rum, the Gulf and Egypt for October–April; save Turkey's interior and coast for spring and autumn.
If you're staying three or more nights, the Jordan Pass waives your visa fee and bundles entry to Petra, Wadi Rum and 40+ sites — almost always the cheapest way to see the country.
The region is diverse and advisories shift. Base your plans on current Smartraveller guidance, stick to the established tourism destinations, and let us handle the on-the-ground logistics.
Quick answers to the questions Australian travellers ask us most.
It varies by country. Turkey became visa-free for Australians (90 days) in April 2026. The UAE and Qatar give a free visa on arrival (~30 days); Jordan a visa on arrival (JOD 40) or the money-saving Jordan Pass; Oman a low-cost e-visa; Saudi Arabia a tourist e-visa. Always confirm before you travel — see our getting there & visas guide.
The established tourism destinations — the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and Turkey — are welcoming and, for everyday travel, very safe, with low crime and warm hospitality. The wider region is diverse, and advisories can change quickly, so we always plan around the current Smartraveller.gov.au guidance and never send travellers to areas under a "do not travel" advisory. See our getting there guide.
October to April is the sweet spot — warm, sunny days and comfortable evenings across the Gulf, Jordan and Egypt. Summer (June–August) brings extreme desert heat, best avoided except for the Gulf's indoor-resort scene. Spring and autumn are ideal for Turkey. See our best time to visit guide.
Two combinations work beautifully: Dubai plus Jordan (a glittering city stopover paired with Petra and Wadi Rum), or Turkey on its own (Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast). Both are easy, safe and endlessly rewarding for first-timers. See our itineraries guide.
Dress modestly, especially at religious sites — cover shoulders and knees, and women should carry a scarf for mosques. The weekend is usually Friday–Saturday, and during Ramadan daytime eating is limited in public. Hospitality is extraordinary; a little cultural respect goes a long way. See our getting there guide.