South Korea has had a remarkable cultural moment globally — K-pop, K-drama and Korean cinema have introduced the country to audiences that might never have considered visiting, and those who do visit discover that Korea delivers on every front. Extraordinary food (Korean BBQ alone justifies the trip), excellent public transport, a fascinating mix of ancient Buddhist temples and hyper-modern urban architecture, and a unique cultural vitality that feels completely different to its East Asian neighbours Japan and China.
Visa for Australians
Australian passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry to South Korea. No advance registration required — present your passport at immigration, show evidence of onward travel and accommodation. Simple and fast. Korean immigration officers are generally efficient — Incheon Airport arrivals processing is typically 20–40 minutes.
Getting to South Korea from Australia
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines fly direct Sydney–Seoul (Incheon, ICN) in approximately 10 hours. Qantas codeshares with Korean Air. Return fares: AUD $800–1,300. Korean Air's business class (Prestige Class) is excellent and available via Qantas Points on some routes. Cheaper options: Scoot and Jeju Air via Singapore or other hubs, from AUD $600–800 return. Melbourne and Brisbane also have increasing direct options — check Google Flights for your departure city as routing options have expanded significantly in the past two years.
Getting Around South Korea
South Korea has one of the world's best public transport systems. The Seoul metro is comprehensive, clean, and cheap (AUD $1.50–2.50 per journey). Get a T-money card from any convenience store on arrival (AUD $2.50 for the card, load credit as needed) — works on metro, buses, and taxis across the country. For intercity travel, the KTX high-speed train network connects Seoul to Busan (2.5 hours, AUD $55–65), Gyeongju, and most major cities. Far faster and more comfortable than flying domestically.
Seoul — The Essential Days
Gyeongbokgung Palace: The main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1395), recently partially restored to original scale. The changing of the guard ceremony at 10am and 2pm daily. Entry: AUD $4. Rent a hanbok (traditional dress) from the nearby rental shops — hanbok-wearing visitors enter free and it makes for extraordinary photographs in the palace courtyard.
Bukchon Hanok Village: A hillside neighbourhood of traditional Korean hanok houses. Now mostly boutique guesthouses, galleries and teahouses. The view from the top of the hill over the hanok rooftops to the modern city beyond is one of Seoul's signature images. Go early morning (before 9am) to beat the crowds and photograph the lanes without tour groups.
Myeongdong: Seoul's most intense shopping district. K-beauty products at street stalls (much cheaper than buying the same brands in Australia), fast food from famous chains, street food at every turn. Essential for an evening wander even if you're not shopping — the energy is worth experiencing.
Hongdae: The university district — young, creative, full of independent music venues, art galleries and street performance. Best on Friday and Saturday evenings when local bands perform in the streets. Korea's indie music scene is exceptional and almost entirely undiscovered by international audiences.
Insadong: Traditional arts and crafts, tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations, antique shops and excellent traditional restaurants. More cultural depth than Myeongdong.
Namsan Seoul Tower: The city's most recognisable landmark — visible from across Seoul and worth the cable car ride for panoramic views. The love lock fence and observation deck are best at night when the city lights extend in every direction.
Beyond Seoul: Day Trips Worth Taking
Busan (2–3 days or day trip): South Korea's second city — completely different personality to Seoul. Haeundae Beach, the Gamcheon Culture Village (terraced hillside neighbourhood painted in bright colours), Jagalchi Fish Market (one of Asia's best seafood markets), and significantly cheaper prices than Seoul for everything. A day trip is possible on the KTX but an overnight stay does it more justice.
Gyeongju (day trip or overnight): The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom — essentially an open-air museum of royal burial mounds, temples and artefacts. Bulguksa Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Easily reached from Busan or Seoul by KTX.
DMZ Tour (day trip from Seoul): The Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea — one of the world's most sobering and fascinating day trips. Various operators run guided tours from Seoul for AUD $60–90. Book through Viator for reliable, English-speaking guides and flexible cancellation.
Jeju Island (2–3 days): South Korea's island paradise — volcanic landscape, spectacular coastline, hallabong citrus orchards, and the Jeju haenyeo (female free-divers, a UNESCO cultural tradition). Cheap domestic flights from Seoul (AUD $40–80 return).
Korean Food — The Real Reason to Visit
Korean cuisine might be the most underrated food culture in Asia. The combination of fermented complexity (kimchi, doenjang, gochujang), grilled meats, soup culture and the extraordinary variety of banchan (small side dishes served with every meal) creates a food experience that is genuinely unique.
Korean BBQ: Table-top grilling of marinated beef (bulgogi), pork belly (samgyeopsal) and short ribs (galbi). Order the works, wrap in lettuce with garlic, gochujang and kimchi. AUD $20–40 per person at a good restaurant. One of the world's great dining experiences — book a BBQ restaurant on your first night as a deliberate celebration of arriving.
Bibimbap: Mixed rice bowl with vegetables, egg and chilli paste. Available everywhere from AUD $8–15. The dolsot version (served in a hot stone bowl that continues cooking at the table) is best.
Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes in gochujang sauce. The definitive Korean street food. AUD $4–8 from any pojangmacha (street cart). Available at every street market and a staple snack throughout the day.
Korean fried chicken: Double-fried for extraordinary crispiness, available in dozens of sauce variations. Best with Korean beer (Hite, Cass or the excellent craft options now available across Seoul). AUD $20–30 for a whole chicken at a chicken-and-beer bar — one of Korea's great casual dining institutions.
Jjigae (stews): Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew with tofu and pork), doenjang jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew), and sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) are the daily staples of Korean home cooking. Available at any traditional restaurant for AUD $8–14, incredibly warming, and among the most comforting things you'll eat on any trip.
South Korea Costs for Australians
South Korea is moderately priced — more expensive than Southeast Asia but considerably cheaper than Japan or Australia. Budget traveller: AUD $80–130/day (hostel, eating mainly at local restaurants and convenience stores). Mid-range: AUD $150–250/day (comfortable hotel, mix of restaurant dining and occasional splurges). Seoul metro: AUD $1.50–2.50 per journey. Guesthouse/hostel dorm: AUD $25–45/night. Mid-range hotel: AUD $100–200/night. Restaurant meals: AUD $8–20. Korean BBQ dinner: AUD $25–50/person. KTX to Busan: AUD $55–65 each way.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times — mild temperatures, low humidity, and the cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) that transforms Seoul's parks and river banks. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid with a rainy season (jangma) in late June–July. Winter (December–February) is cold but beautiful with snow — and the ski resorts (PyeongChang, Vivaldi Park, High1) are excellent. South Korea is genuinely a year-round destination with each season offering something distinct.
Booking Accommodation in South Korea
Seoul has a wide range of accommodation options from budget guesthouses and hostels in Hongdae and Myeongdong (AUD $25–50/night for a clean private room) to luxury international hotels. Booking.com has the best coverage of Korean accommodation including the traditional hanok guesthouses in Bukchon that offer a genuinely unique experience. Book at least a week ahead for popular Seoul neighbourhoods in cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) — this period books out months in advance.