Australia Overview

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While people have been making the journey to Australia for over 40,000 years, the continent retains a magical, dream-like quality. Turns out, Australia is unlike anywhere else. Where else can you enjoy world-class wine tasting, get dangerously close to a saltwater croc, learn to play the didjeridu, snorkel in expanses of ancient coral reef, and dance the night away at the largest nightclub in the Southern Hemisphere? What other continent offers a bustling metropolis like Sydney on the same platter as the vast Outback, the rainforests of Cape York, and the colored sands of Fraser Island? You may need to pinch yourself, but rest assured: it’s not a dream, it’s Australia.

Facts And Figures

Capital: Canberra.
West-To-East Diameter: 4000km.
Number Of Aboriginal Languages: Over 200.
Human Population: 20.6 million.
Kangaroo Population: 59 million.
Australians Who Follow The Jedi Faith: 70,509 (2001 census).
Number Of Beaches: Over 10,000.
Claim To Locomotive Fame: World’s longest stretch of straight railway (478km), across the Nullarbor plain.
Number Of Plant Species: More than 22,000.
Amount Of Foliage Koalas Must Eat Daily: 500-600g (over 1 lb.).
Annual Beer Consumption, Per Australian: 94.5L.
Jars Of Vegemite Produced Per Year: 22.7 million.
Largest Cattle Station: 34,000 sq. km, outsizing the nation of Belgium.
Species Of Fish On The Great Barrier Reef: 1500.

Essentials

Passport Required: Yes.
Visas required: Yes, except for holders of Australia or New Zealand passports.
Phone Numbers: Dial 000 or 112 from cell phones in case of emergencies; dial 1223 for national directory assistance.
Drinking age: 18.
Smoking regulations: Prohibited in all public places nationwide.
Driving: Left-hand side of the road; 4WD strongly advised for most routes.
Measurement: Metric system.
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).
Sales tax: A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the possibility of a tourist refund.
Tipping: Unnecessary, mate.

Planning Your Trip

Entrance Requirements Passport . Required of all visitors. Visa . Required of all visitors except holders of Australian and New Zealand passports. Eligible short-term visitors may alternatively ...more

When To Go

Since Australia is huge and its climate can vary greatly between regions, the best time to visit should be determined by the things you’d like to do rather than by the calendar or season. Crowds ...more

Basics

Tropical in the north, temperate in the south, Australia is blessed with a bevy of different climates. In many areas of Oz, the parched deserts of the Outback get a welcome drink as the Dry gives way ...more

Cultural Essentials

The Land Down Under may be inconveniently located, but it’s got something for everyone. As the world’s sixth largest country by area and one of its most sparsely populated, the vast empty ...more