TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

In Australia there are things to see and things to do for everybody.
Explore majestic rainforest, crater lakes and abundant wildlife at Atherton Tablelands, Queensland.
Watch scores of playful and gracious dolphins at Monkey Mia, Western Australia.
Interestd in horse racing? Visit the tiny desert township of Birdsville in Queensland's Outback for a weekend of partying and horse racing.
The stunning coastal walk on the Bondi Beach in Sydney is a must for fans of beaching and surfing.
Explore the sacred landmark for Aboriginal peoples of Australia- Uluru, Norhtern Territory. This massive rock in the middle of the flats attracts tourists from all over the world.
Four-wheel-driving on Cape York, Queensland
Adventure travelers should not miss a chance to challenge themselves in the most rugged 4-wheel drive adventure in Australia. The creeks and savannah of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland provide the best setting for that.
The 250-kilometre-long Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is home to a wide variety of marine life, including whale sharks in fall.
Underground homes, shops and churches of Coober Pedy in the midst of a rocky, hot desert in South Australia are the best symbols that picture the harshness of Australia's Outback.
For guides to hundreds of Australian cities visit our Australia citiy guides.
Amongst Australian animals are a large group of mammals with a pouch and mammals that lay eggs. Just some of the animal icons of Australia are the kangaroo (national symbol) and the koala. A visit to Australia wouldn't be complete without taking the chance to see some of these animals in their natural environment.
To find out more about Australia, its tourist attractions, activities, nightlife and place to eat, check out our Destination Guides.

TRAVEL TIPS

Australia has a more or less universal sales tax known as the Goods and Services Tax or GST (currently 9.1%). GST is includedin the price of any item you purchase. If you are planning to buy items over $300, you might be interested in the Tourist Refund Scheme, which allows you to obtain a refund of the GST paid.
Tipping is not compulsory and is usually not expected in Australia.
Australia is a vast country with plenty of remote, hard-to-reach areas. You should plan your journeys carefully, particularly if travelling to remote areas. Anyone leaving sealed roads anywhere in Australia is advised to take advice from locals, carry sufficient spare fuel, spare parts, spare tires, matches, food and water (minimum 4 gallons per person per day). Some of these roads might see one car per month or less.Leave your route details and expected time of return with the relevant local tourist authorities or police. Ensure that you also give notification when you return. If stranded, stay with your vehicle and do what you can to improve your visibility from the air.
The crime rate is low in Australia, but like in any other part of the world, be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations. Avoid carrying everything in one bag. Luggage and other personal items left in unattended vehicles and identifiable hire cars and camper-vans may be targeted. Take particular care when walking at night in some of the busy tourist areas of Sydney, such as Kings Cross, downtown George Street, Hyde Park and Centennial Park. Be alert when you are withdrawing cash from cash machines. Thefts from safe deposit facilities at cheaper hotels and hostels. are common.
Australian beaches, particularly the long strips common on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, have extremely strong rips and pulls that most people are unable to detect or handle. Swim between the red and yellow flags which designate patrolled areas.
The number 000 can be dialled from any telephone in Australia, home or payphone, free of charge. This number will connect you with emergency operators for the police, fire brigade, and ambulance service.
An international driving permit is not sufficient for operating a vehicle in Australia, and must be accompanied by a separate valid driving licence. There is an on-the-spot fine for not having your licence with you. You are allowed to drive on a current overseas licence for a maximum of three months. Driving is on left side, as it is in the UK. Seat belts must be worn at all times.
The Australian authorities will take action against anyone who imports or is found to be trafficking illegal drugs. Prosecution can lead to a lengthy jail sentence.
Australia has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, however there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related crimes. Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware of local sensitivities particularly when visiting rural communities.
Before landing you will be given an incoming passenger card on the plane, on which you must declare any food or goods of plant or animal origin. These goods includes nuts, dried fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, biscuits, cakes and confectionery, teas, coffees and milk-based drinks and sporting equipment (including camping gear), amongst others. A full list of items which must be declared, as well as prohibited goods, can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Australia website: "What can't I take into Australia?".
Travellers to north Queensland, the Northern Territory and north of Western Australia, should use insect repellents, sleeping nets and cover arms and legs to guard against the risk of contracting mosquito‑borne diseases such as dengue fever and RossRiver fever.
There have also been reports of cases of Murray Valley Encephalitis, a potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease, in the Northern Territory and north Western Australia with occasional cases in Queensland, central Australia and the central regions of Western Australia.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Australia. Tropical Cyclones occur in some parts of Australia, mainly Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The Cyclone season normally runs from November to April. You can access the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website for updates. Visitors should be aware of the risk of bush fires at the height of summer. Check with local State authorities for current information. For Victoria see: www.cfa.vic.gov.au ; for Tasmania see: www.fire.tas.gov.au ; and for New South Wales see: www.rfs.nsw.au .
For more Australia travel tips on various subjects check out our Destination Guides.
All foreigners except New Zealanders require visas for all visits to Australia. The citizens of some countries, however, can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorit online, which is a tourist or business visa valid for up to three month stays, at one time, up to one year in duration.
Check the list of Embassies of Australia to the World or Embassies of Other Nations to Australia.

BRIEF HISTORY

Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

GEOGRAPHY

Area: total: 7,686,850 sq km; land: 7,617,930 sq km; water: 68,920 sq km.
Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north. Seasons are reversed from those of the Northern Hemisphere.
Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast.
Natural Resources: bauxite (aluminum ore), coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum.
Natural Hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires.
Environmental Problems: soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources.

PEOPLE

Population: 21,000,000.
Median Age: total: 36.9 years; male: 36 years; female: 37.7 years.
Life Expectancy: male: 77.64 years, female: 83.52 years.
Fertility Rate: 1.76 children born per woman.
Major Ethnic Groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%.
Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3%.
Languages: English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8%.

GOVERNMENT

Type: federal parliamentary democracy (Commonwealth of Australia).
Capital City: Canberra.
Time Difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time). Check current time.
National Holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788).
Chief of State: Queen of the UK represented by Governor General.
Head of Government: Prime Minister.
Cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament.
Legislative Branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats) and the House of Representatives (150 seats).

ECONOMY

Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust business and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought, weak foreign demand, and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up. Conservative fiscal policies have kept Australia's budget in surplus recently.
GDP: $635.5 billion, Growth Rate: 2.7%, GDP Per Capita: $31,600.
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Agriculture Products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry.
Major Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel.
Export Commodities: coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment.
Export Partners: Japan 20.3%, China 11.5%, South Korea 7.9%, US 6.7%, NZ 6.5%, India 5%.
Import Commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products.
Import Partners: US 13.9%, China 13.7%, Japan 11%, Singapore 5.6%, Germany 5.6%.
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD). Check current rate of exchange.

TRANSPORT

Airports: 311
Roadways: 810,641 km
Railways: 47,738 km.
Waterways: 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems).
Major Ports and Terminals: Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney.