Travel to Australia



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Facts About Australia

Australia is the world's leading wool producer, is one of the world's leading meat-exporting countries, and has a booming iron-ore mining industry. Australia is sometimes called "the land down under" because it lies in the Southern Hemisphere, almost halfway around the world from England, its mother country. Covering an area of almost 3 million square miles, Australia ranks sixth in area among the countries of the world, behind the Soviet Union, Canada, China, the United States, and Brazil. Summer officially lasts from December to February, but water temperatures are suitable for swimming for about seven months, from as early as October to as late as April.

Australia's Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:
Australia's lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
Australia's highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Australia's Population: 19,731,984 (July 2003 est.)
Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Australia's Capital: Canberra

Australia's climate and the fact that it is the driest continent on earth makes it a fabulous holiday destination all year round, whatever you're planning to do. In the Australian winter you can ski in the southern states one day and be diving in the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland the next. Such temperate conditions make al fresco dining, sublime days on the beach or the water, outdoor barbeques, and a huge variety of sports a way of life here. No wonder Aussies believe life is for living!

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.

Australia boasts over 7,000 beaches - more than any other nation. Australia also produces 95 per cent of the world's precious opals and 99 per cent of black opals. And Australia owns the longest fence in the world: the world's longest continuous fence known as the 'dingo fence', runs through central Queensland for 5,531 kilometres. It is 1.8 metres high and is designed to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog.

Popular places to travel in Australia:
  • Sydney: Sydney's most famous beach is Bondi. In many ways it's a raffish version of a Californian beach, with plenty of tanned skin and in-line skaters. If you follow the water along to your right at Bondi, you'll come across a very scenic cliff-top trail that takes you to Bronte Beach (a 20-min. walk), via gorgeous little Tamarama, nicknamed "Glamourama" for its trendy sun-worshippers.
  • Adelaide: State capital of South Australia.
  • Coober Pedy: Tough opal mining town, where the residents live underground to escape the heat.
  • The Wine Regions: The Barossa Valley is world renowned, and the smaller regions are getting a reputation too.
  • Coorong National Park: The perfect stop off point if you're on the way to Mount Gambier.
  • Karijini National Park: Becoming more popular, but still relatively quiet, this has some of the best gorges you will hope to see in Australia.
  • Broome Pearling: Town on the coast, possessing the beautiful Cable Beach, and a starting point for many Kimberley tours.
  • Perth: The Capital of Western Australia, and a starting point for many travellers exploring WA.
  • Fremantle: Just outside Perth, an elegant city with a colonial look to the buildings and pub, restaurant and coffee shops in abundance to spend your evenings.
  • Darwin: A travellers haven with plenty of things to do here, and just about every pub is doing a deal on food and drink, to entice you to drop in. There are more hostels here than you would care to imagine! Darwin in summer is party town!
  • The Blue Mountains: An hour from Sydney and you are in another world.
  • Newcastle: Fantastic Victorian buildings rise up from the harbour to the surrounding hills.
  • Brisbane: Situated on the Brisbane River, the third largest city after Sydney and Melbourne is a lively, yet friendly place.
  • Melbourne: The second largest city in Australia. A cosmopolitan, lively place with too many attractions to list them all.
  • Kangaroo Island: Kangaroo Island is fresh air, pristine beaches, dramatic scenery and thriving native wildlife. Small tours, cycling, horse riding, diving, farming, walking and fishing all adhere to the rules of eco-friendly treatment. Walk close to wildlife. Delight in the abundance of wildflowers.

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