Egypt is on our bucket list. Is it safe to go there now?

April 30, 2026 — 5:00am

Egypt has been a bucket list item for us for many years. The clock is ticking on the time we have left to travel and we’re wondering if this is a good time to visit? Should we look for a guided tour in Australia or an Egyptian operator?
C. Lee, Chatswood, NSW

Safety is not a major concern at present, the latest advice on the Australia Government’s Smartraveller website is “Exercise a high degree of caution”, the same level of advice that applies to the UK and Indonesia, among many others.

The best month to visit Egypt is November, when the weather is warm but not too hot in most regions and before the peak tourist season. Late February to early March is another good time to visit, when crowds start to thin after the European winter holidays. You might imagine Egypt would be suffering a downturn in tourism numbers given the current unrest in the region but visitor numbers are running just slightly behind the figures for 2025, when the country saw a record number of arrivals.

Prices for hotels and Nile River cruises have galloped and that, plus the need for expert guidance, means you need to take an all-inclusive package tour. Inspiring Vacations and Adelaide-based Bunnik Tours have various small-group tours of Egypt.

My partner and I are travelling to Broome on May 20 before a two-week motor home trip to Perth, followed by a week in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Staying in Port Hedland, Onslow, Exmouth, Carnarvon, Wooramel, Kalbarri and Jurien Bay before Perth and flying to Cocos-Keeling. Can you suggest what flight-seeing we should do from Broome and anything else we should do or see whilst in WA and Cocos-Keeling?
B. Wilde, Rosanna, Vic

This is an awesome WA itinerary that hits many highlights. A few tweaks and additions will lift it from “great” to “unforgettable”. If you want to do one scenic flight from Broome, make it Horizontal Falls, a tidal phenomenon sometimes called one of the world’s great natural wonders, together with the Buccaneer Archipelago, a remote, spectacular group of more than 1000 rugged islands scattered across a surreal turquoise seascape. Another option, choose a seaplane and boat combination and experience the falls up close.

From Onslow, visit Thevenard Island, 22 kilometres off the Pilbara coast, the Mackerel Islands ferry departs from the private jetty at Beadon Creek, usually on Tuesdays and Saturdays from April to October. Another local wonder is sunset over the Ashburton River mouth.

In Exmouth, apart from the swim with whale sharks, include Lakeside, the snorkelling is exceptional, and see the sea turtles at Osprey. Also, take a walk in Cape Range National Park and the Yardie Creek boat cruise if time allows. At Wooramel stay up late, the night sky is spectacular.

At Kalbarri, include the Kalbarri Skywalk and Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend walks in Kalbarri National Park, this is one of WA’s photogenic highlights. At Jurien Bay you might also consider Lesueur National Park, especially if the wildflowers are in season, and take some coastal walks. For the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, focus on Direction Island, snorkel in the crystal waters of the lagoon, take a bike ride on West Island and experience the local Malay culture on Home Island.

En route to Europe in October, my husband and I have a three-night stopover in Delhi, any suggestions for what to see? This will be our first taste of India.
L. Eckersley, Lederville, WA

Take it slow and don’t try to pack too much in, the Indian capital is a full-frontal assault on the senses and first-time visitors are often shocked and overwhelmed. A guide with a driver is essential while you find your feet on the first day at least. At the top of my list, Humayun’s Tomb and the superb new museum in its grounds. Delhi has a tangled history and the museum brings it to life. In the same area, Lodhi Gardens is a sprawling expanse of lawns, gardens and waterways built around the tombs of the Lodhi and Sayyid dynasties, a favourite spot for dog walkers, yoga practitioners and wedding photographers.

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a wonderful Sikh temple close to the heart of the city, plan to be there close to midday when the kitchens are in full swing, they feed more than 30,000 people per day, and nobody pays a single rupee. Save Old Delhi for your second day, it’s very full on, and be sure to include the mosque, Jama Masjid, Kinari Bazaar, where brides go to buy their dresses, bangles and all the paraphernalia that goes with an Indian wedding, and the spice bazaar. I really like the Khan Market, it’s an upscale shopping area in a prestigious quarter packed with boutiques, smart cafes and a couple of outstanding bookshops. I’d skip the Red Fort, it looks imposing from the outside but the British butchered the interior in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The Kwality Restaurant in Connaught Place has an excellent Indian menu, served in comfortable surroundings at a great price.

Your guide will probably want to take you shopping, but whether you go or not, be aware that they will earn a commission on anything you buy. Don’t forget to tip your guide and driver, about INR800 ($12) a day for the guide, INR500 ($7.50) for the driver. Look for a guide with great reviews on Viator.

We’re visiting Ephesus, in Turkey, should we base ourselves in Izmir or Kusadasi?
K. Pritchard, Elanora Heights, NSW

Izmir is about a one-hour drive from Ephesus, Kusadasi is much closer but whether it makes a good base is questionable, it’s a major cruise stop and it’s even more geared to mass tourism than other coastal resorts such as Bodrum. Selcuk is the closest major town, just a few kilometres from Ephesus, but better still is Sirince, tucked into the hills 10 kilometres to the east of Ephesus.

Sirince is gorgeous, a former Greek town that was abandoned following the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-22, and apart from a new mosque, little has changed since. Set on a pine-covered hillside, overlooking vineyards and olive groves, Sirince’s whitewashed walls, ochre tiled roofs, tiny squares and knotted alleyways are an irresistible attraction, but apart from 10am to 4pm when the tour buses arrive, it’s peaceful and quiet.

The place to stay is Sirince Terrace Houses, a group of stone houses that have been renovated to offer self-contained accommodation with just the right touches of luxury, each one set into its own private garden. A substantial breakfast is served on the terrace and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in town. A taxi is your best choice to get from Sirince to Ephesus.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances