Taiwan welcomed over 7.8 million international visitors in 2024, with Australian arrivals jumping 45% year-on-year according to Taiwan Tourism Administration data.
Yet this island of 23 million people remains criminally underrated by Aussie travellers who flock to Japan or Thailand. Flights from Sydney now reach Taipei in under 9 hours, and the Australian dollar stretches further here than almost anywhere in East Asia.
Here’s exactly what to do in Taiwan to make every day count.
Why Taiwan Deserves a Spot on Your Asia Itinerary
Taiwan packs the density of Japan, the street food culture of Thailand, and the mountain landscapes of New Zealand into an island the size of Tasmania. You can surf in Kenting at breakfast and soak in hot springs in Beitou by dinner.
English signage is widespread, the MRT is world-class, and 7-Eleven stores handle everything from train tickets to parcel pickups.
For Australians, the practical draw is simple: no visa required for stays up to 90 days, and a mid-range daily budget of AUD $90 to $130 covers food, transport, and accommodation comfortably.
What to Do in Taiwan’s Capital: Taipei Essentials
Taipei is where 90% of visitors start, and four days here is the sweet spot.
Taipei 101 and Xinyi District. Skip the observation deck at sunset when queues blow out. Go at 10am or after 8pm instead. The building housed the world’s tallest title from 2004 to 2010 and still holds the record for the fastest pressurised lift.
Jiufen Old Street. A 40-minute drive northeast of Taipei, this former gold-mining town inspired the aesthetic of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. Visit on weekdays to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. The A-Mei Tea House at dusk is the shot you’ve seen on Instagram.
Night Markets. Shilin is the biggest, but locals rate Raohe and Ningxia higher for food quality. Try pepper buns (hujiao bing), stinky tofu if you’re brave, and oyster omelettes.
Longshan Temple and Bopiliao. The 1738 temple sits in Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest district. Pair it with the restored Bopiliao Historic Block next door for a two-hour cultural morning.
Beitou Hot Springs. A 30-minute MRT ride from central Taipei gets you to one of the few urban geothermal zones in the world. Public baths cost AUD $2 to $4.
What to Do in Taiwan Beyond Taipei: The Island Circuit
Most first-time visitors make the mistake of staying in Taipei. The high-speed rail (HSR) runs the length of the west coast in under two hours, making day trips and island loops genuinely easy.
Taroko Gorge: The Marble Canyon
Located on Taiwan’s east coast near Hualien, Taroko is an 18-kilometre gorge carved through marble cliffs. Note that the 2024 Hualien earthquake closed several trails, and as of early 2026 the Shakadang and Swallow Grotto trails remain under assessment. Check the Taroko National Park website before travelling.
Sun Moon Lake: Central Taiwan’s Highland Escape
The largest lake (image left) in Taiwan sits at 748 metres elevation in Nantou County. Rent an e-bike for the 30-kilometre cycle path, one of the ten most beautiful cycling routes in the world according to CNN. Stay overnight in Shuishe Village and catch sunrise over the water.
Tainan: The Former Capital
Taiwan’s oldest city served as capital from 1683 to 1885. It’s where you eat, not where you tick monuments. Try danzai noodles, coffin bread, and milkfish soup. Anping Old Fort and the Confucius Temple give the culture layer.
Kenting National Park
The southern tip of the island is Taiwan’s tropical beach zone. Surf at Jialeshui, snorkel at Houbihu, or drive the scenic coastal road to Eluanbi Lighthouse, mainland Taiwan’s southernmost point.
Taiwan for Food Lovers
Taiwanese cuisine is underrated globally. Five dishes you must hunt down:
- Beef noodle soup (niurou mian). The national dish. Lin Dong Fang in Taipei is the cult pick.
- Xiaolongbao. Din Tai Fung started in Taipei in 1958. The original branch on Xinyi Road is still running.
- Gua bao. Braised pork belly in a steamed bun, topped with pickled mustard greens.
- Bubble tea. Invented in Taichung in the 1980s. Chun Shui Tang claims the original recipe.
- Shaved ice (baobing). Mango shaved ice in summer is non-negotiable
What to Do in Taiwan by Season
Taiwan’s climate varies sharply by region and time of year. Here’s how to match your trip:
March to May (spring). Best overall window. Cherry blossoms in Alishan, mild 18 to 25°C, low rainfall.
June to August (summer). Hot, humid, typhoon season. Good for beach trips in Kenting but check weather apps daily.
September to November (autumn). Second-best season. Dry, 20 to 28°C, fewer crowds.
December to February (winter). Cool (10 to 18°C) in the north, still warm in the south. Peak hot spring season and lowest flight prices from Australia.
Staying Connected While Exploring Taiwan
Australian carriers charge AUD $5 to $10 per day for roaming in Taiwan, which adds up fast on a two-week trip. A local Chunghwa Telecom SIM works but requires a passport, a physical store visit, and dealing with Mandarin-language activation.
The simpler option for most Australian travellers is an eSIM, which you install before boarding your flight and activates the moment you land. Holafly’s eSIM Taiwan offers unlimited data on Chunghwa Telecom’s network, which Opensignal rated number one for 4G availability in Taiwan in its 2024 mobile experience report. Activation takes under five minutes, there’s no physical SIM to swap, and you keep your Australian number active on WhatsApp.
What to Do in Taiwan: A Suggested 10-Day Itinerary
For Australians with two weeks of annual leave, here’s the itinerary I’d run:
Days 1 to 4. Taipei: city highlights, Jiufen day trip, Beitou hot springs.
Day 5. HSR to Taichung, visit Rainbow Village and Feng Chia Night Market.
Days 6 to 7. Sun Moon Lake: cycling, Wenwu Temple, Ita Thao Village.
Day 8. HSR to Tainan for food and heritage.
Day 9. Train to Kaohsiung: Lotus Pond, Pier-2 Art Centre.
Day 10. Fly back to Taipei from Kaohsiung, return to Australia.
Skip Taroko if trails remain closed and swap in Alishan Forest Railway for mountain scenery instead.
Practical Tips for Australian Travellers
- Currency. New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). AUD $1 ≈ NTD $20 (April 2026). ATMs at 7-Eleven and Family Mart accept Australian cards.
- Transport. Buy an EasyCard at any MRT station. It works on buses, trains, the HSR (with surcharge), and convenience stores.
- Tipping. Not expected anywhere. Service charges are included in restaurant bills.
- Power. Type A/B plugs, 110V. Bring a universal adapter.
Language. Mandarin is official; Taiwanese Hokkien is widely spoken. English works in tourist zones and among under-35s.
FAQ
Is Taiwan safe for Australian tourists?
Yes. Taiwan ranks consistently in the top 5 of the Global Peace Index for Asia. Violent crime is rare, and solo female travellers report high comfort levels.
How many days do I need in Taiwan?
Seven days minimum to cover Taipei and one other region. Ten to fourteen days to do the island properly.
Do I need cash in Taiwan?
Yes, for night markets, small restaurants, and temples. Cards work at hotels, chain stores, and the HSR.
Is Taiwan expensive?
No, it’s cheaper than Japan, Singapore, or Hong Kong. Budget AUD $80 to $100 per day; mid-range AUD $120 to $180; luxury from AUD $300.
When is the cheapest time to fly from Australia to Taiwan?
Late January to early March (post Lunar New Year) and mid-October. China Airlines and EVA Air run direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
