The eastern Mediterranean's great historical corridor — and, above all, Jordan: the rose-red rock of Petra, the red sands of Wadi Rum, Roman Jerash and the Dead Sea.
The eastern Mediterranean's great historical corridor — and, for travellers, above all Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
The Levant is one of the most storied landscapes on Earth, layered with Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic history. For Australian travellers the anchor is Jordan — safe, welcoming and astonishingly rich, from the rose-red rock of Petra to the red sands of Wadi Rum, the Roman city of Jerash and a float in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.
The wider Levant — Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories — holds extraordinary heritage but sees changeable travel advisories. Family-run since 1974, Cooee centres Levant trips on Jordan and follows the current Smartraveller guidance closely, never sending travellers into areas advised against.
Ancient cities, red deserts and the Dead Sea — Jordan packs a lifetime of highlights into one compact country.
Jordan · the rose-red city
The Siq, the Treasury and the Monastery — a 2,000-year-old city carved from the cliffs, and one of the New Seven Wonders.
Jordan · the Valley of the Moon
Jordan · lowest point on Earth
Jordan · the Decapolis
Citadel · souks · Roman theatre
Two countries, one trip
The moments that make Jordan one of the world's great destinations.
Walk the Siq to the Treasury glowing under a thousand candles — then return at dawn for the crowds-free morning.
Oct – AprA luxury desert camp in Lawrence of Arabia's red sands — 4WD, camels and a sky ablaze with stars.
Oct – AprBob effortlessly in the mineral-rich water at the lowest point on Earth, then coat yourself in the famous mud.
Year-roundColonnaded streets, temples and a hippodrome — one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere.
Oct – AprThe Levant is the historical name for the eastern Mediterranean corridor — today usually meaning Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. For Australian travellers, Jordan is the standout: stable, welcoming and home to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. See our Middle East guide.
Jordan is one of the region's most stable and welcoming countries, and a very safe, rewarding destination for Australians. As with anywhere in the region, we plan around the current Smartraveller.gov.au advisory and monitor it closely. See our getting there guide.
Australians get a visa on arrival (JOD 40), but the Jordan Pass is usually better value — buy it online before you travel and it waives the visa fee (for stays of 3+ nights) and includes entry to Petra, Wadi Rum and 40+ sites. See our visas guide.
5–7 days covers the classics: Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, a night in Wadi Rum and at least a full day at Petra. It combines superbly with a Gulf stopover or with Turkey and Egypt. See our itineraries guide.