Australia

Australia Flag

"Down Under", "Island Continent", "the Great Southern Land", "the Land Down Under", "the Lucky Country", "the Sunburnt Country", "the Wide Brown Land" and "Oz".

Why visit Australia?

Offers something for everyone whether seeking art galleries, backpacking, beaches, boating, camping, culture, fishing, hiking, hunting, museums, natural wonders, paddle boarding, rain forest, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, theatre, vineyards, white-water rafting and wildlife.

Twelve Apostles (Port Campbell National Park/Great Ocean Road), Victoria, Australia. Photo Credit: Keith Gillette/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Boomerangs, Broome pearls, didgeridoos, handicrafts, opals, sheepskins and wool products.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Anzac Biscuit. Barramundi (fish). Chiko Roll (savoury snack). Damper (soda bread). Lamington (butter cake). Meat Pie. Roast Lamb. Tim Tam (chocolate biscuit snack). Vegemite (spread). Weet-Bix (cereal). Witchetty Grubs (white lavare).
• Local Drink to Try: Boags (beer). Bundaberg Root Beer. James Squire (beer). Lemon, Lime & Bitters (LLB). Little Creatures (beer). Swan Lager (beer). Tooheys (beer).

Nambung National Park, Nambung, Australia. Photo Credit: kathrynbax/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Dating 60,000 years ago home to the oldest rock art in the world.
• Around 3000BCE, dingos (dogs) were traded with Indigenous Australians from Austronesians.
  
• During 17th Century (1601-1700), due to Dutch shipwrecks feral cats were introduced.
• In 1770, Captain James Cook, British Explorer claimed the land for England.
  
• Until 19th Century (1801-1900), called New Holland by Dutch Explorers.
• In 1850's, gold was discovered lending to new migrants from China, Europe and North America.
  
• During 20th Century (1901-2000), founded the surf lifesaving movement.
  
• In 1984, established a universal healthcare system, "Medicare" (hospital, medical, optometric) providing all citizens access to free or low-cost care regardless of  income. Visitors from Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are eligible to receive free care during their stay.
• Since 1951, has been a formal military ally (ANZUS Treaty) of the United States.
  
• Mid 1980s, birthplace (Sydney) to flat white coffee (espresso coffee with microfoam).
  
• In 2015, kangaroos out numbered the human population 2:1 ratio. 
• In 2018, known as the country with the highest average wealth (beating Switzerland).
  
• In 2019, koalas were recorded as “functionally extinct” declining numbers due to bushfires, domestic dog attacks, habitat destruction and road accidents.
• Aboriginal Australian Culture is said to be the oldest continual cultures around the world.
  
• Afghanistan introduced camels to help with transporting goods into the Outback.
• The world's largest island, largest country in Oceania and only country is also a continent.
• Home to the world's largest coral reef, Great Barrier Reef.
  
• The Guinness World Records has recognized Hyams Beach (Jervis Bay) for the whitest sand in the world.
  
• Compared to any other country it has more reptile species (approximately 755).
• Passionate about sports basketball, cricket, field hockey, football "footy", horse racing, motor racing, netball, rugby, soccer and tennis. Also, a powerhouse in water-based sports, swimming and surfing.
• A major exporter of coal, gold, iron-ore, liquified natural gas, wheat and wool to China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and United States.
  
• Fourth largest wine exporter in the world, production mainly in the southern area.
• Over 100,000 Aboriginal rock art sites.
  
• Highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Pack your sunblock!
  
• There's a symphony orchestra in each state.
  
• Hosted the Summer Olympics twice in 1956 (Melbourne) and 2000 (Sydney).
  
• Features 8,222 islands within its maritime borders; largest listed in order by size Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, Fraser Island, Flinders Island, King Island and Mornington Island.
  

Bondi Beach, Bondi Beach, Australia. Photo Credit: Flo K/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: Australian Tennis Open (January), Ballarat Beer Festival (January),Brickvention (January), City of Perth Skyworks (January), Illawarra Folk Festival (January), Parkes Elvis Festival (January), Stonefest (January), Summernats (January), Tamworth Country Music Festival (January), Taste of the World Beer Fest (January), BeerFest (February), National Multicultural Festival (February), Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (February), The Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival (February), West Coast Blues & Roots Festival (February), Adelaide Festival (March), Australian Grand Prix (March), Canberra Balloon Spectacular (March), Enlighten Festival (March), Melbourne Comedy Festival (March), Rock It Festival (March), Sea N Beats (March), Sydney Children's Festival (March), Bendigo Easter Festival (April), Bright Autumn Festival (April), Bring It On! Festival (April), Canberra International Music Festival (April), Hunter Valley Steamfest (April), Julia Creek Dirt & Dust Festival (April), Fairbridge Festival (April), National Folk Festival (April), Rip Curl Pro Surfing (April), Tjungu Festival (April), Australian Fashion Week (May), Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival (May), Crookwell Potato Festival (May), Freeplay Independent Games Festival (May), Lovedale Long Lunch (May), National Simultaneous Storytime (May), Thredbo Jazz Festival (May), Yungaburra Folk Festival (May), Barunga Festival (June), Dark Mofo (June), Merimbula Jazz Festival (June), Winter Magic Festival (June), Ardlethan German Beer & Wine Festival (July), Bankstown Bites Food Festival (July), Darwin Beer Can Regatta (July), Davenport Jazz (July), Mary Valley Art Festival (July), Splendour in the Grass (July), Darwin Festival (August), Hamilton Island Race Week (August), Henly-On-Todd Regatta (August), Desert MOB (September), Melbourne Writers Festival (August), Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo (August), Tweed Valley Banana Festival (August), Brisbane Festival (September), Floriade (September), Midwinter Ball (September), Mudgee Wine & Food Festival (September), Orange Blossom Festival (September), Parrtjima (September), Adelaide Film Festival (October), Australian Beer Festival (October), Blackheath Rhododendron Festival (October), Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations (October), Craft Beer Sunshine Coast Festival (October), Darling Harbour Fiesta (October), Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic (October), Melbourne Cup Carnival (October), Oysterfest (October), OzAsia Festival (October), Sculpture by the Sea Bondi (October), Sydney Blues & Roots Festival (October), Vegan Festival (October), Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival (October), Australian Poetry Slam (November), Beers by the Bay (November), Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival (November), Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival (November), Bleach Festival (November), Brisbane Water Oyster Festival (November), Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival (November), Feast Festival (November), Festival of Fisher's Ghost (November), Margaret River Gourmet Escape (November), Oz Comic Con (November), Falls Festival (December), Festival of the Sun (December), Myer Christmas Parade (December), Rollercoaster (December), Summer Rhythm Festival (December) and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (December).
• Holidays: Australia Day (January), Labour Day (March), Anzac Day (April), Queen's Birthday (June), Melbourne Cup Day (November) and Boxing Day (December).

Melbourne City, Australia. Photo Credit: moerschy/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Local wines are often compared to those of France.
• "Black Summer" refers to bushfire season (May - June). 
• European Agreement prevents them from producing champagne, instead sparkling wine.
  
• Camel, emu and kangaroo meat is sometimes a menu item served.
  
• Camels are required to wear taillights (Broome).
  
• Turquoise Bay ranks one of the best drift snorkels in the country.
  
• Whitsunday Islands (Whitehaven Beach) ranks one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 
  
• The rich and famous reside along Bondi Beach (Sydney).
• Due to droughts, water restrictions are often imposed.
• Around the northern coast the Barramundi Fishing is the most prized sport.
  
• Genuine quality Aboriginal products offer a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the local artist.
  
• Driving under the influence is illegal and strictly enforced.
• Major hotels usually have an on-call physician.
• Between June - October is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef for visibility.
• Cyclone Season is from November - April.
• In the north and western areas, particularly November - May the most dangerous marine stingers on earth are known to be in masses.
• A light jacket/sweater is often required during the evenings.
• Expect a longish commute between destinations.
• Air transportation is common to get across the island. 

Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour (Sydney, New South Wales), Australia. Photo Credit: kitkatty007/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000AUD.

Seasons are opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere!

• Best Time to Visit: September - May
• Coldest Months: July - August
• Hottest Months: December - February
• Peak Season: December - January & June - August

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. Photo Credit: Hans Braxmeier/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• Ayers Rock, Barossa Valley, Blue Mountains, Bondi Beach, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Daintree National Park, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Great Barrier Reef, Hunter Valley, Hyams Beach, Island of Tasmania, Kakadu National Park, Margaret River, McLaren Valleys, Melbourne Queen Victoria Market, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Mount Kosciuszko National Park, Ningaloo Reef, Norfolk Island, Paddington Market, Prahan Market, Queensland, Snowy Mountains, South Melbourne Market, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Turquoise Bay, Uluru, Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Wilson Promontory and Yarra Valley. 
  
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Australian Convict Sites, Australian Fossil Mammal Sites, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, Fraser Island, Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Greater Blue Mountains Area, Heard & McDonald Islands, Kakadu National Park, Lord Howe Island Group, Macquarie Island, Ningaloo Reef, Purnululu National Park, Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens, Shark Bay, Sydney Opera House, Tasmanian Wilderness, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Wet Tropics of Queensland and Willandra Lakes Region.

Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Northern Territory (Warumungu). Australia. Photo Credit: pen_ash/Pixabay 

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Perth (Capital of Western), Australia. Photo Credit: Shah Rokh/Pixabay

                                          All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.