Whether you are lucky to be exploring the beautiful country of Australia (and accessing the internet whilst you do so) or you are hoping to access your usual Australian services whilst travelling, you will want a solid and reliable VPN service.
A VPN secures and encrypts your internet connection whilst browsing, routing you through a remote server and masking your IP address.
I’ve been travelling and using VPNs for years, both to keep my data safe and to stay connected to my usual online services whilst on the go. And I haven’t always had the best of luck finding a service that is reliable, speedy and affordable.
But after a lot of trial and error, I discovered NordVPN and have been using it ever since! It’s fast, secure, easy to use, and works perfectly whether in Australia or connecting to Australian sites from overseas.
In this article, I’ll explain how to pick the right VPN for Australia, why I personally use NordVPN, and who I think it’s best suited for. Plus a few tips on how to get started with NordVPN!
How to pick a VPN for Australia
When choosing the best VPN for Australia, you should consider your reasons for using it. Some people need a VPN whilst in Australia, for online privacy and better security. Others may need a VPN to access Australian websites or services from abroad.
Either way, here are a few key things that I look for in a VPN service:
- Strong local and international servers for fast, stable connections.
- High-grade encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your data.
- Affordable plans and easy setup across multiple devices.
- Additional security features to help secure you online from malicious links and sites.
NordVPN checks all these boxes and performs reliably – find out more about NordVPN in my full review.
For use in Australia
If you’re living in or travelling around Australia, a VPN is one of the simplest ways to stay private and protected online. Public Wi-Fi networks in cafés, airports, and hotels are convenient, but they can also expose your data to risks, and that’s where a VPN like NordVPN comes in.
By encrypting your connection, NordVPN keeps your browsing safe and private. It also helps you access all your usual internet services at home.
Because NordVPN has multiple high-speed servers located in Australia, you’ll get great connection quality without noticeable slowdowns.
For accessing Australian services
If you’re outside of Australia but want access to your usual Australian services, like online banking, a VPN is the best way to do it. NordVPN makes it easy to access an Australian server remotely.
NordVPN’s reliable Australian servers ensure you can connect quickly and stay connected without interruptions, making it ideal for staying in touch with home or keeping your online accounts accessible wherever you go.
Why I recommend using NordVPN
Over the last few years, I’ve tried several different VPNs (both whilst travelling and working online) and I’ve found that they can really vary in reliability, speed and server locations. Some slow down your connection, others struggle with streaming services, and others don’t provide access to the necessary server locations (like Australia!)
In particular, I would avoid relying on free VPN services, since they are really strict about server locations (Australia typically isn’t offered), and the ones they do offer are often seriously slow.
The VPN that really stood out to me for its consistency, reliability, and range of features is NordVPN. It offers fast speeds, a huge global server network, strong security tools, and affordable plans.
Related: Find out about NordVPN’s eSIM brand (Saily) in my full honest Saily review.
Here are the main reasons why I recommend NordVPN in Australia:
Excellent speeds
One thing I really appreciate about NordVPN is just how fast it is. Based on both my own experience and plenty of independent tests online, it consistently ranks as one of the quickest VPN services available.
When connecting to Australian servers, I’ve found that my speeds barely drop at all, whether I’m browsing, streaming, or working online. Australia is quite far from many major server hubs globally, so a VPN needs to be well-optimised to avoid slowing you down. NordVPN handles this really well.
Even when connecting to servers further away (for example, to access UK or US services while in Australia), the speeds remain steady enough to watch shows comfortably. Sometimes a programme may take a couple of extra seconds to load, but after that it usually runs smoothly unless my own Wi-Fi is having a moment.
I’ve used other VPNs before, including ExpressVPN, and while they’re also fast, NordVPN tends to come out ahead in most speed comparisons. This lines up with my personal experience of fewer slowdowns and a generally more reliable connection.
Reliable for streaming securely
One of the reasons I’ve stuck with NordVPN is how smoothly it handles streaming in general. Whether I’m travelling, using public Wi-Fi, or trying to keep my connection private, NordVPN helps keep my streaming sessions stable and secure.
If you’re outside Australia, connecting to a nearby server helps stabilise your connection and can reduce buffering — especially on hotel or airport Wi-Fi. Likewise, if you’re in Australia and want to protect your privacy while watching your favourite platforms, NordVPN keeps your connection encrypted without slowing down your stream.
In my experience, NordVPN has been one of the most reliable VPNs for streaming overall. I don’t need to constantly switch servers or fiddle with settings. I just connect, and everything runs smoothly.
The largest quantity of servers
NordVPN has over 8,400 servers in 165+ countries, which ensures fast and reliable connections wherever you are. And importantly for Australia, it offers 200+ servers across five cities (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney).
This is especially useful if you’re in Australia and want the fastest local connection, or if you’re outside Australia and need an Australian IP address to access your usual online services.
Having so many servers means you can switch easily if one is slow or crowded, which I’ve found invaluable when streaming Australian content from abroad or working remotely with minimal lag.
Built-in security features
Another thing I really like about NordVPN is that it goes beyond just hiding your IP address. It comes with several built-in security tools that make browsing safer.
NordVPN includes a built-in ad blocker, which I keep switched on across my laptop and phone. It cuts down on annoying ads and helps pages load faster, which is especially handy when you’re on slower connections or using shared Wi-Fi networks.
There’s also threat protection, which scans files you download and checks websites you visit for anything suspicious. It adds an extra layer of safety when you’re browsing in cafés, hotels, or airports (places where you’d usually want your connection to be as secure as possible).
On top of that, NordVPN offers dark web monitoring, which alerts you if any of your personal data ends up in a database leak.
These kinds of features are usually paid add-ons with other VPN services, so it’s a huge bonus that NordVPN includes them for free.
Can be used on up to 10 devices
NordVPN allows you to connect up to 10 devices on a single account, which is one of the most generous limits compared to other major VPN providers.
This makes it really convenient if you use multiple devices. For example, you can have it running on your laptop or desktop, your phone, and your tablet, simultaneously. It also works with both Apple and Windows computers, iOS and Android phones, and you can even add it as a browser extension if you mainly use Chrome.
The 10-device limit also makes it easy to share the account with a partner or family member, without needing separate subscriptions.
Affordable prices
Considering the speed, security features, and the sheer number of global and Australian servers you get access to, I think NordVPN is very reasonably priced. Especially compared to competitors like ExpressVPN.
Their lowest prices start at just $2.99 per month!
Just keep in mind that the lowest prices often apply when you choose a yearly or multi-year plan. You can pay monthly, but it can cost more.
Personally, I’m happy to pay for a longer plan. It keeps the cost down, and it means I’m sorted for a couple of years without having to think about renewing.
| Offering | Basic | Plus | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN, threat protection, and 10 devices | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-malware, ad-blocker | x | Yes | Yes |
| Password manager, data breach scanner | x | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted cloud storage | x | x | Yes |
| Free eSIM (Saily) | 1GB | 5GB | 10GB |
From $2.99  | From $3.89 | From $4.89 |
Pricing in USD
Who would benefit from NordVPN?
Honestly, I think almost anyone who spends time online in or around Australia could benefit from using NordVPN. It’s particularly handy if you want to stay secure while browsing in Australia, whether you’re using public Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels, or airports.
It’s also a great choice for people who need access to their usual websites from home or abroad.
For me, it’s been particularly useful as a remote worker and traveller. NordVPN keeps my devices protected while working from cafés, co-working spaces, or airports, and I’ve been able to access sites from overseas without interruptions.
How to get started with NordVPN?
Getting set up with NordVPN is straightforward. Here’s the process I followed:
- Check device compatibility: NordVPN works with most devices, including laptops and desktops (Windows and Mac), phones and tablets (iOS and Android), and even browser extensions for Chrome. Make sure your device is supported before you sign up.
- Pick your plan: NordVPN has several plans depending on how long you want to commit and whether you want extra features like threat protection.
- Download the app: NordVPN has apps for all major devices. Install it on your laptop, phone, tablet, or browser, depending on how you want to use it.
- Log in and connect: Once installed, log in with your account and pick a server. If you’re in Australia, connect to a local server for speed; if you’re outside the country, choose an Australian server to securely access your usual Australian services.
- Manage your account: The app also lets you manage multiple devices, switch servers easily, and toggle features like threat protection or the ad blocker. You can use one account on up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Getting started takes just a few minutes, and once you’re connected, your internet is secure and unrestricted.
My verdict
After using NordVPN for some time, I can honestly say it’s made browsing, streaming, and working online in or from Australia so much easier. Connecting is quick, and I’ve had consistently fast speeds and stable connections wherever I am.
What I like most is the combination of features: thousands of servers (including plenty in Australia), strong security tools like threat protection and the ad blocker, support for up to 10 devices, and affordable pricing.
Whether you’re in Australia wanting privacy or outside the country trying to catch up on Australian shows, NordVPN makes it simple and hassle-free. It’s become my go-to VPN for the entire world (Australia included)!
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