Taiwan sits 200km off the coast of southern China and 500km from Japan — geographically close to both, culturally distinct from either. For Australian travellers, it's an 8-hour flight from Sydney with 90-day visa-free entry, one of Asia's safest countries, extraordinarily good food and dramatic natural landscapes that most visitors completely miss because they spend all their time in Taipei. Here's the complete guide.
Visa and Entry for Australians
Australian passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry to Taiwan (Republic of China). No advance registration required. Present your passport at immigration. Taiwan is one of the few destinations where the visa-free allowance is genuinely 90 days with no annual cap or rolling window — you can visit multiple times per year with 90 days each visit.
Getting There
China Airlines, EVA Air and Starlux fly direct Sydney–Taipei (TPE, Taoyuan International) in approximately 9 hours. Return fares: AUD $700–1,100. Both China Airlines and EVA Air have excellent long-haul products — EVA Air's Hello Kitty themed aircraft are popular with families. Taipei is also an excellent hub for onward travel to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Taipei — The City
Taipei 101: The 508-metre skyscraper that was the world's tallest building from 2004–2010. The observation deck on the 89th floor provides extraordinary city views. AUD $25 entry. The tower's engineering — designed to resist typhoons and earthquakes — is explained in the lift journey up.
Shilin Night Market: Taiwan's most famous night market and a legitimate culinary destination. Oyster omelette, stinky tofu (the smell is genuinely confronting, the taste converts most sceptics), scallion pancakes, bubble tea, grilled corn, and enormous portions of xiaolongbao. Arrive 7–8pm. AUD $3–8 per food item.
Jiufen: The hillside old mining town 50 minutes from Taipei that inspired the animated film Spirited Away (disputed, but widely believed). Narrow red lantern-lit lanes, teahouses overlooking the Pacific Ocean, sea of clouds in misty weather. A must-do day trip.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: The enormous ceremonial plaza and memorial to Taiwan's controversial former leader. The changing of the guard ceremony is one of Asia's most precise military rituals — performed on the hour. Free entry.
Beyond Taipei — Taiwan's Natural Wonders
Taroko Gorge: A 20km marble gorge in eastern Taiwan accessible from the city of Hualien (2.5 hours from Taipei by train). The Shakadang Trail and Zhuilu Old Trail run through extraordinary cliff-face scenery above turquoise river water. One of Asia's great natural landscapes. Stay in Hualien 1–2 nights — the city is pleasant and the gorge deserves a full day.
Sun Moon Lake: Taiwan's largest lake, in the mountains of central Taiwan. Cycling around the lake (17km loop, flat and scenic), aboriginal culture at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, and some of Taiwan's best oolong tea from the surrounding plantations. 4 hours from Taipei by bus or train/bus combination.
Kenting National Park: Taiwan's southernmost tip — tropical beaches, coral reefs, street food market and the only place in Taiwan where you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific and set over the Taiwan Strait on the same day. Good snorkelling and diving. 4.5 hours from Taipei by train to Zuoying then bus.
Taiwan Food Guide
Taiwan's food scene is one of Asia's finest and most underappreciated. The island's complex history (indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, American military influences) created a unique culinary culture. Must-eat: beef noodle soup (Taiwan's national dish — slow-braised beef in a rich spiced broth, AUD $5–10), scallion pancake (cong you bing — crispy layers with egg, AUD $2–4 from street stalls), pineapple cake (the classic Taiwan souvenir, every bakery has them), bubble tea (originated in Taichung in the 1980s — try it at Chun Shui Tang, the originator, AUD $4–7).
Taiwan Costs
Taiwan is excellent value. Budget: AUD $60–90/day. Mid-range: AUD $100–180/day. Night market meal: AUD $5–15. Guesthouse/hostel: AUD $30–60/night. Business hotel: AUD $80–150. High Speed Rail Taipei–Kaohsiung (whole island length, 90 minutes): AUD $60. Taiwan offers extraordinary value for the quality of the experience.
Why Taiwan Is Underrated by Australians
Taiwan consistently disappoints no one who visits but remains significantly under the radar for Australian travellers compared to Japan, Thailand and Bali. The reasons are partly proximity (direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne take 9-10 hours via China Airlines or EVA Air, AUD $800-1,400 return) and partly unfamiliarity. What Taiwan delivers: one of Asia's great food cultures (the night market system is the best in the world), genuinely excellent public transport, safety as high as Japan, outstanding natural scenery (the Taroko Gorge, the east coast, Alishan Forest Railway), and a unique cultural identity that blends Chinese tradition, Japanese colonial influence and Taiwanese democracy into something found nowhere else.
Taiwan's Night Markets
Taiwanese night markets are the primary reason to visit and the best introduction to the food culture. Shilin Night Market in Taipei is the largest and most famous -- arrive after 6pm, eat the oyster omelette (AUD $3-5), the stinky tofu (challenging but worth it), the bubble tea from the original Chun Shui Tang, and the scallion pancakes. Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei is smaller and less touristy -- the black pepper buns from the famous stall (30-minute queue, worth it) and the braised pork rice are standouts. Outside Taipei, the Fengjia Night Market in Taichung is the largest in Taiwan and less internationally known, making it more atmospheric for travellers who have visited Shilin.
Getting to Taiwan from Australia
Direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport operate via China Airlines (AUD $900-1,400 return, 9 hours) and EVA Air (AUD $850-1,300 return, 9.5 hours). Both are full-service carriers with good inflight experiences. Australian passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry to Taiwan. The Taiwanese dollar (NTD) provides excellent AUD value. Transport within Taiwan: the HSR (High Speed Rail) connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in 90 minutes (AUD $35-50), the TRA regular rail serves the east coast scenic routes, and the MRT covers Taipei comprehensively at AUD $0.60-2 per ride.
Taiwan is also notable for being one of the most affordable destinations in East Asia for Australians. A comfortable mid-range Taiwan trip costs AUD $100-140/day including accommodation -- cheaper than Japan at equivalent quality levels and with a food culture that rivals it. Taiwan's night market culture is more extensive and more food-focused than any other Asian country -- plan at least one night market evening in every city visited, as each has its own specialties and atmosphere.