Australia

Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Canberra

Population

21,000,000 ^[1]

Government

Independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant)

Languages

English, Aboriginal Languages

Calling Code

+61

Currency

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Time zone

various (UTC+8 to +10.5)

Summer (DST)

various (UTC+8 to +11.5)

Nationality

Australian

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Introduction

T echidna

© All Rights Reserved Breezy13

Australia is one of the most popular destinations on the planet for backpackers and luxury travellers alike. World-renowned landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and some of the most unique wildlife on the planet have helped Australia become a must see destination on any traveller's list.

Brief History

The first people to discover Australia did so approximately 40,000 thousand years before Europeans set foot on the continent. Recently unearthed evidence suggests, in contrary to popular belief, that the first European to visit Australia was Portuguese explorer Christopher de Mendonca, who led a flotilla of four ships into Botany Bay in 1522 -- almost 250 years before Britain's Captain James Cook.

Australian Aboriginals flourished in lush coastal regions as hunter/gatherers. The British colonisation of Australia, which began in New South Wales in 1788, had a disastrous effect on the Aboriginal people, as they fell prey to infectious diseases carried by the new settlers and were gradually displaced from their traditional homeland.

Australia did not become a federated nation until 1901 when all the colonies voted for amalgamation, and at that point the colonies became states. Even then Australia remained a part of the British Empire, with the British Monarch as its Head of State and a population consisting primarily of Anglo-Saxons. In 1931 the Statute of Westminster Act was passed into law in London, and eventually ratified in Canberra in 1942 (backdated to 1939) - this Act gave Australia its independence as a nation.

From 1931 the British Empire no longer existed, instead an association of independent countries has formed over time since then and is known as the Commonwealth of Nations. The British Monarch at this time also continued to be the Australian Head of State - hence in Australia, the official title of the current head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia which is a legally separate and distinct role to her position as the Queen of Britain.

Throughout the 20th century, Australia maintained its ties with the UK, even though the post-WWII years saw increased immigration from other parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. In 1999, Australians voted in a referendum to decide whether to become a republic, but the proposal was rejected by 55% of voters, possibly more so because of a rejection of the model offered than by an overwhelming desire to retain the Queen as Head of State.

Geography

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, covering a land area of over 7,680,000 km². It is sandwiched by the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. As it is an island, it has no neighbouring countries, but it is near Papua New Guinea and Indonesia (north) and New Zealand (east).

Australia comprises six states and three territories: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and the Australian Antarctic territory.

Australia is geographically diverse, partly owing to its immense size. The centre of the continent is desert, known to Australians as the Outback. The vast majority of the population is concentrated around the eastern and south-eastern coasts.

The north eastern coastline hosts the largest coral reef structure in the world, the great barrier reef, consisting of roughly 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 2600 kilometres and cover an area of approximately 344,400 km²

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 2,600 kilometres (1,616 mi) and cover an area of approximately 344,400 km² (132,974 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia.

States and Territories

Australia's six states are:

• Victoria
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia

Australia's two territories are:

• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

Cities

Sydney

It may not be the official capital, but Sydney is the focal point of Australian business and tourism. The iconic Sydney Opera House is one of Australia's best-recognised national symbols. Kangaroos and koalas can be seen at Sydney's prestigious Taronga Zoo, and no visit to Oz would be complete without a trip to the famous Bondi Beach. But a trip to Sydney is not just about seeing the obvious sights: it's also about taking in a diverse multicultural society, enjoying fine wine and food and launching into the surrounding Australian countryside. Read more about Sydney

Melbourne

Melbourne may be not get the hordes of tourists that Sydney does, but rest assured that Australia's 2nd largest city packs as powerful a punch. Melburnians are a fashionable, trendy lot... If you ignore the beer-guzzling sports fans cheering for their favourite AFL team at the MCG, Australia's largest sports stadium. Melbourne is a place where heading down dark alleyways could lead you to some of the city's most unique and interesting bars. Read more about Melbourne

Other cities

• Adelaide - The capital of South Australia.
• Brisbane - The capital of Queensland.
• Canberra - The nation's capital.
• Darwin - The capital of the Northern Territory.
• Hobart - Tasmania's capital city.
• Perth - The capital of Western Australia.

Sights and Activities

• Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is a large sandstone rock in the center of Australia and the country's most recognisable natural feature. Uluru is part of the larger Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta is native for the Olga's, another remarkable feature in this park.
• Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most admired works of architecture.
• Great Ocean Road is a winding coastal road in Victoria. The highlight are the Twelve Apostles.
• The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres.
• The Blue Mountains near Sydney offer an easy getaway from the city with some stunning natural features.
• Kakadu National Park is a tropical wonderland in Australia's north. Beware of the crocodiles.
• Kings Canyon
• Australian Outback
• Pinnacles
• Wave Rock
• The Kimberleys
• Fraser Island
• Whitsunday Islands
• Cape York
• Cape Tribulation, part of the tropical rainforests of Queensland.
• Coober Pedy, the opal capital of the world in South Australia.
• Tasmania, great hiking in the Tasmanian wilderness.
• Nitmiluk National Park, also known as Katherine Gorge.
• Flinders Ranges
• Canning Stock Route, one of the most difficult and rewarding 4wd tracks in the world.
• Monkey Mia dolphin watching.
• the Devils Marbles
• Daly Waters Pub, first international flights landed near this place.
• Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide, great wildlife, among which koalas and kangaroos.
• Wineries, Australia is known for its first class wines and near Adelaide and Syndey you will find lots of wineries, for example in the Barossa Valley.

Events and Festivals

• ANZAC Day specifically commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that landed at Gallipoli, Turkey in World War I and more generally honours the contribution that Australian soldiers have made in various wars. There are major parades and commemoration services in all the cities as well as a minute of silence. ANZAC day is on the 25th of April.
• The Melbourne International Comedy Festival features comedians from around the world and runs for several weeks each year. It is widely considered one of the top 3 comedy festivals in the world, along with the comedy festivals in Montreal and Edinburgh.
• The Spring Racing Carnival is held during spring (October/November), culminating in The Melbourne Cup, which takes place on the first Tuesday in November. It is a public holiday in Melbourne.
• Mardi Gras - Sydney's Gay and Lesbian parade started as a gay pride event almost 30 years ago and has been growing in size and popularity ever since.
• New Years Eve in Sydney - Although there are significant New Year's celibrations in other Australian cities, the Sydney event has gained a reputation as one of the biggest parties in the world. Travellers wanting to see the fireworks spectacle in Sydney should ensure accommodation is booked well in advance, as options become very limited (and hideously expensive) close to the date.
• Outdoor Music Festivals are extremely popular in Australia, particularly over the summer months - check out some of the annual festivals by state: Outdoor Music Festivals in Victoria (Australia), Outdoor Music Festivals in New South Wales
• Gold Coast Indy
• Brisbane Riverfestival

Weather

Australia is a large continent, so weather conditions vary greatly from one side to the other. However in general, summers are warm to hot and winters (May to September) are mild. Snow falls only on high ground.

Inland, much of the country is desert or semi-desert (the famous Outback). Summer days can be intolerably hot but nights are cold. The far north, including Kakadu and the Daintree forest, is lush and tropical because of the drenching rains and humidity of their summer - so it's best to visit these places in the Dry season, when the skies are a clear dazzling blue and the air is warm.

Most Australians live on the coast because the climate is at its most pleasant there, ranging from tropical to Mediterranean as you travel south. Much of the south coast has a more European (i.e. unpredictable) climate - in Melbourne there is a saying, "if the weather doesn't suit you, wait 10 minutes".

If you are planning a working holiday of longer than 6 months, don't make the mistake of leaving all your warm clothing behind - you will acclimatise after a few weeks of 30 °C heat, and a balmy evening will suddenly feel quite chilly.

Getting There

By Plane

Practically every traveller arrives in Australia by plane. There are plenty of flights from Asia, Europe, the United States and the rest of Oceania. For those arriving by plane, the most common entry point is Sydney, though there are also international airports in Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Townsville, Hobart and Darwin. Due to Australia's remoteness, flight times are long and often expensive.

Australia's national airline is Qantas. Virgin Blue is based in Brisbane and is the country's second-largest carrier. Over the past few years, two low-cost carriers, Jetstar and Tiger Airways, have grown in popularity.

By Boat

It is possible to enter Australia by boat, though it is almost invariably the most expensive option. There are no regular connections between Australia and any other country. Several possibilities do exist though. The easiest option is to get on one of the large cruise ships that pass through Australia. Another, slightly less luxurious, but still expensive option, is to book a trip on a freighter. Finally, it is also possible to hitch a ride or crew a yacht headed to Australia.

Getting Around

Australia's size warrants air travel between major cities. For those with more time on their hands, Australia has some excellent highways and roads.

By Plane

The domestic airline industry is currently dominated by Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar (a low-cost Qantas subsidiary). Since the entry of Virgin Blue into the market, prices have become much more competitive, particularly between major cities. The entry of Tiger Airways into the market in late 2007 is expected to drive prices down even further.

By Bus or Train

Buses and trains provide another option for travelling between cities. All long-distance services are of a high standard, air-conditioned and clean. The most famous train journeys are The Indian Pacific (Sydney - Adelaide - Perth), The Ghan (Adelaide - Alice Springs - Darwin) and The Overland (Melbourne - Adelaide), but thanks to their prestige, they are also expensive - much more so than travelling by air. However, you miss out on all the scenery on the way - and of course, train travel is better for the environment!

For the very long distances travelled in Australia, bus travel can be uncomfortable because you can't get up to stretch your legs - but there's no doubt that taking the bus is the cheapest way to get around. Go to any backpackers' hostel and you'll find plenty of choice. Look out for the smaller operators who run services travelling off the major highways - the trip will take longer but will be much more interesting.

By Car

Travellers with a valid overseas licence can drive in Australia without the need for any other licence, provided the licence is in English (or has an English translation). You must carry your licence with you whenever you are driving.

Hiring a car is pretty simple and cars can range from cheap to high quality. Air conditioning is essential during the hot summer months!

Remember to drive on the left. If in doubt about the speed limit, drive 50 km/h in cities and towns or 100 km/h on highways.

Although touring by car can seem attractive (and in fact, many Australians dream of doing a round-Australia road trip), the reality can be very different. Distances are far longer than many visitors are used to, and the scenery can be surprisingly monotonous. Sydney to Brisbane is a 12-hour drive, and while the Australian bush looks exotic at first, it has much less variety than a European or American landscape. If you are thinking of driving by car, make sure you allow plenty of time to recover as you will get tired from long periods of driving. Avoid driving at night, as this is when most of Australia's freight is on the roads in huge trucks, and accidents are common.

Having said that, public transport in smaller towns is scarce, so having a car is useful if you want to visit sights away from the major cities.

By Boat

If you decide to visit Tasmania, you can get there by ferry (Spirit of Tasmania) from Melbourne. The service runs most nights between Melbourne and Devonport and during peak periods there is also a day service. Most people who use the ferry are Australians who want to take their own car with them. It's hard to justify otherwise, as it's more expensive than going by air.

Red tape

Every traveller to Australia, except those with Australian or New Zealand passports, requires a visa of some description. The most popular one is called an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter Australia. The ETA is the same as a visa but is issued electronically, so you do not get a stamp in your passport.

Australians customs laws are very strict about things like drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. All of these are either prohibited or restricted.

As an island, Australia has been lucky to avoid many pests and diseases that are common in the rest of the world. To keep it that way, visitors are not allowed to bring any food into the country. So there is no point in bringing your favourite snack food or drink, or edible gifts for your friends in Australia - they will be confiscated and you could face a hefty fine.

The same goes for anything that is or has been living - seeds, plants, plant products (including wood), animals and animal products.. In general, declare anything you are uncertain about, since the penalties for getting caught are very high. Even better, don't bring it in at all. Australia's plants and animals have no defenses against alien pests - it would be a great shame if your actions destroyed the very creatures you've come to see!

More on Australian Visas.

Money

Australia has its own dollar (AUD), which generally trades at about 80-90 US cents. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 and coins come in 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2. Most places will accept credit cards and debit cards, though charge cards are less commonly accepted.

Australia is a fairly cheap destination when compared with Western Europe or the USA. Accommodation and food are generally good value. When eating out, tipping is not compulsory, though it has become much more common. A 10% tip is more than enough and should only be considered if the service was of a high standard. A more common practice is to simply round the bill upwards.

Work

One of the most popular ways to come to Australia is under a Working Holiday Visa. This option is only available for citizens of Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan or the United Kingdom, aged between 18 and 30, without any dependent children. With a Working Holiday Visa, you can travel around Australia for up to 12 months and work for each employer for up to 6 months.^[2]

If you are not eligible for the Working Holiday Visa, you are generally still able to obtain a Tourist Visa for 3 months.

For citizens of Chile, Thailand, Turkey and USA, there is another visa called a Work and Holiday Visa, which allows tertiary educated people aged 18 to 30 a working holiday of up to 12 months. Only about 100 of these are released per country each year, so these aren't easy to obtain.^[3]

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and Seek are two online job search websites.

Study

Australia has a high quality tertiary education system, which attracts hundreds of thousands of students from abroad. International students pay higher course fees than their Australian counterparts. However, when fees are compared to similar universities in the US or UK, they do still represent excellent value.

In order to study in Australia, certain minimum requirements must be met, including a sufficient level of English language proficiency. If you don't meet the entry requirements, you might be able to enrol in Foundation Studies to prepare you for further study.

Detailed information on studying in Australia can be found on the government's website Study In Australia.

Language

English is Australia's national language. Numerous Aboriginal languages are spoken throughout the country. Kriol, an Australian creole language, is spoken by about 30,000 indigenous people in northern Australia.

Within the major cities, there are large immigrant populations which tend to congregate together in certain suburbs. Greek, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Arabic and Indonesian are some of the largest. It's not uncommon to find yourself in a suburb where all the shop signs are in Korean or Greek!

For all intents and purposes though, mainstream Australia is still a very monolingual society. Many of its inhabitants don't speak any language other than English, so a basic level of English is essential for any traveller, unless you are on an organised tour.

Eat

Australia's traditional staples of meat pies, fish & chips and barbecued meat have in recent times been challenged by an increasingly diverse diet of fine cuisine from around the world. As immigration increased in Australia in the latter half of the last century, with it came exciting new tastes that have turned the country into one of the most diverse culinary landscapes in the world. Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Spanish ... there is a never ending range of options for the discerning diner.

For those interested in tasting some of Australia's native wildlife, it is becoming increasingly common to find things like kangaroo steak on restaurant menus and even as a gourmet item in the supermarkets. Bush foods are still a rarity in day-to-day life, however they are increasingly being embraced because of their natural resilience to the Australian climate and can now often be found in supermarkets as gourmet items.

Most states in Australia now have a ban on smoking in restaurants. These bans are becoming increasingly strict and are also starting to restrict smoking in pubs or clubs when they aren't serving food .

Many restaurants will contain the abbreviation BYO in the window. This stands for "Bring Your Own" and means that customers are able to bring their own alcohol and will likely be charged a "corkage" fee by the establishment. Some restaurants will be "BYO Only", which means the only way to get alcohol is by bringing it yourself.

Sleep

Australia is well built-up for tourism, so there is ample variety of selection when it comes to finding accommodation. As with most Western cities, you can find your usual assortment of 5-star hotels, as well as plenty options for the budget traveller. As you head away from the major cities and towns, accommodation might be a little harder to find, but unless you're going somewhere completely off the map, you should be able to find something. If you're going somewhere completely off the map, take a tent.

Drink

Contrary to the popular myth generated by marketing overseas, Fosters is not "Australian for beer". There are quite a few breweries that can be considered more popular among locals, including Crown, James Boag's and Victoria Bitter. Australia is also a world famous exporter of wine. Visiting one of the many wine regions in Australia is a popular tourist activity.

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 and it is strictly enforced. Anyone under the age of 25 should expect to be asked for ID when purchasing alcohol. The only ID that would generally be accepted for people travelling from outside Australia would be a passport.

Alcohol can only be purchased from licensed venues, such as "bottle shops", bars, clubs and a large number of restaurants. Wine can sometimes also be purchased at the vineyard's cellar door, allowing you the possibility of sampling the various wines produced before making your choice. Some restaurants allow you to bring your own alcohol. This is advertised by the letters BYO. Usually, such establishments will charge "corkage", which can vary in price and is usually charged per person drinking. This is still almost always a cheaper option than ordering from a restaurant's wine list, as those prices can be marked up 100% or more.

Drive-through bottle shops are a common Australian phenomena, allowing you to order your drinks from the comfort of your car window. But don't try drinking that alcohol or even opening the bottle in your car, as that is strictly prohibited.

If you drink, then drive, you're a bloody idiot.

Source: TAC

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is permitted up to a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. Learner drivers and probationary drivers are not allowed any alcohol in their blood. Drinking and driving is taken very seriously in Australia and random breath tests are not uncommon at all. "Booze Buses" will block a road and divert a random selection of passing cars to a breath testing station.

Health

See also: Travel Health

Australia's public health system is run by Medicare. If you are a citizen of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Malta or Italy, you are entitled to subsidised health services ^[4] Otherwise, it is highly recommended to take out travel insurance, as medical services are quite expensive in Australia.

There are no required vaccinations for travel to Australia. However, vaccines for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are recommended, as well as vaccines for Japanese encephalitis, malaria and rabies, depending on where you will be travelling (reference).

Safety

Australia is generally a safe place, though crime is by no means non-existent.

000 is the emergency telephone number in Australia, but the international GSM mobile emergency telephone number 112 also works on mobile phones.

Wildlife

Many travellers to Australia are concerned about crocodiles, sharks, spiders and snakes. Australia is certainly home to some deadly predators. While these threats are near non-existent in Australia's large cities, you are well advised to take the right precautions when you are ou in the 'bush'. Up north, don't swim in waters that you haven't verified as being safe.

Keep connected

Internet

Internet cafés are very common in the larger Australian cities and popular tourist destinations. However, once you leave the major population centres, you might have trouble finding somewhere to log on.

Phone

Australia is on a GSM 900/1800 network, so if you have an unlocked phone that works on those frequencies, you will be able to buy a prepaid SIM-card and stick into your phone when you're in Australia. You will receive a new Australian phone number with the SIM-card.

To dial out of Australia use the prefix 0011, followed by the calling code of the country you are trying to reach, followed by the area code of the city/town (without the 0!) and finally the phone number.

Within Australia, it is necessary to add an area code to the phone numbers if you are calling from outside the area. Below are Australia's area codes:

02 - New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory (Sydney, Canberra)
03 - Victoria & Tasmania (Melbourne, Hobart)
07 - Queensland (Brisbane)
08 - Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory (Perth, Adelaide, Darwin)

000 is the emergency telephone number in Australia, but the international GSM mobile emergency telephone number 112 also works on mobile phones.

Post

Australia Post is the government's postal service. Most suburbs will have at least one post office. A standard letter or postcard sent within Australia will cost $0.50. Internationally, it costs $1.25 (to other Asia-Pacific countries) or $1.85 (rest of the world). It is also possible to send things as parcels or by express mail.