Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal. Its capital, Canberra, is inland.
The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, a vast interior desert wilderness called the Outback, and unique animal species like kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.
Getting to Australia
Airlines & Airports
Most major international airlines fly to/from Australia. Australia’s international carrier is Qantas, which has an outstanding safety record (…as Dustin Hoffman said in Rainman, ‘Qantas never crashed’). Australia has numerous international gateways, with Sydney and Melbourne being the busiest.
The Australian international departure tax ($55) should be included in your airline ticket – check when you book.
Sea transport
It’s possible (though by no means easy and not necessarily safe) to make your way between Australia and places such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands by hitching rides or crewing on yachts − usually you have to at least contribute towards food. April is a good time to look for a berth in the Sydney area.
Best places to visit in Australia
Perth, Western Australia, or WA, is the wild side of Oz. Covering the western third of the continent, WA is better known for its otherworldly red rock formations and stunning coastal cliffs. Perth’s remote location has kept the Left Coast surf-and-sun spot a bit of a best-kept secret. But new nonstop flights from London make it easier to discover Perth’s world-class beaches, nearby Swan Valley wineries, Elizabeth Quay waterfront development, and urban-chic hotels.
Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the city fans out from the sparkling harbour to iconic Bondi Beach in the east, golden Palm Beach in the north, the adventure capital in the west and Australia’s oldest national park in the south. The Sydney Opera House is near Circular Quay. In the heart of the city are world-class restaurants, modern and urban hotels grand shopping arcades and other top tourist attractions.
Tasmania, reveling in isolation and busting out with fab festivals and sensational food and drink, riding a tourism-fuelled economic boom that’s the envy of all Australia. It’s wild and rugged, with millions of years of high winds and ferocious seas forming all manner of geological wonders from a fully-functioning blowhole to Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the world’s best example of tessellated pavement.
Melbourne is a cool, cosmopolitan city that is considered by many to be Australia’s capital of culture. With lots of great art galleries, some fantastic museums, and a lively music scene, there is always something to see or do in the country’s second largest city. Its multicultural population is reflected in the delicious cuisine on offer and the unique neighborhoods that make it such a fascinating place to explore.
Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on the face of the earth, the Great Barrier Reef is simply colossal. Stretching for over 2,300 kilometers, it is remarkably visible from space, and nine hundred islands dot this enormous ecosystem, which is actually comprised of 2,900 individual reefs.
Uluru, world famous, spectacular Uluru is instantly recognizable due to its ruddy red hue; it is one of Australia’s most prominent landmarks. The immense rock is incredible to visit and the main reason the national park is such a popular destination. Its grandeur and uniqueness live long in the memory of those who gaze upon it.
Vast misconception when it comes to Australia
A vast misconception that has somehow skipped oceans to form a modern-day fable is that you could possibly die in Australia. The cause of death? Some lethal spider, snake or shark lurking in the shadows just waiting to make its move. Yes, in truth Australia has the largest population of dangerous animals in the world. When reality comes knocking we must face the fact that we are more likely to be killed in a car accident or fatally injured by a horse than eaten by a shark. As long as caution is exercised, the chance of anything eating or killing you in Australia is slim.
Australia cities are among the top 10 in the world
Australia is always among the top 10 countries to live in, especially cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairnes.
Our pick
Our top pick is unsurprisingly, Sydney. For numerous visitors to Australia, Sydney is the primary destination. A modern city with a long history, Sydney is defined by its scenic harbor. The region’s first inhabitants lived along the harbor’s bank for thousands of years.
Book your stay in one of the oldest Sydney hotels, 5-minute walk from the waterfront, cruise ships, high-speed water transport to many of Sydney’s attractions or a nice walk along the water with views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. You can splurge with Sydney’s delicious cuisine, bars, creperies and restaurants in modern and preserved Australian heritage decor.