Australia

When to go

Weather

If you plan to tour extensively, keep to the southern coasts in summer (December to March) and head north in winter (July to September). Travel to the dry interior during the transitional seasons between April and June or October and November.

Festivals

The Festival of Sydney, in January, features open air concerts, street theatre and fireworks. Sydney also hosts the famous annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, in February/March. Each March, Adelaide hosts Womadelaide, an outdoor festival of world music and dance. Melbourne holds a Comedy Festival in April, the world’s biggest Writers’ Festival in September and the Melbourne International Festival in October. Aboriginal arts and culture are celebrated at the Stompen Ground Festival, in Broome in October and the Barunga Wugularr Sports & Cultural Festival, near Katherine in June.

Highlights

“I like to think of it as the only Anglo-Saxon country with Mediterranean qualities.” John Douglas Pringle, 1958

Sydney

The country’s oldest city and economic powerhouse. Cosmopolitan and blessed with sun-drenched natural attractions, dizzy skyscrapers, superb restaurants and friendly folk. Don’t miss the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the famous breaks at Bondi.

Great Barrier Reef

Magnificent reef that runs along the coast of Queensland and is considered one of the world’s great natural wonders. It is the biggest structure made by living organisms on earth, home to abundant underwater life and popular with divers.

Kakadu

In the heart of the Northern Territory, this World Heritage reserve encompasses a variety of landscapes, swarms with wildlife and showcases some of Australia’s best Aboriginal rock art.

West coast

Less touristy than its east coast counterpart, the west offers unspoilt Indian Ocean beaches and a vibrant and modern city in Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world. Northerly Broome is an easy-going town and a centre for pearls.

Outback

It’s incredibly vast, but the Outback is a true Australian experience. Popular for bushwalking and characterised by colourful towns with fair dinkum Aussie pubs. The highlight for many is Ayers Rock, or Uluru, a site of deep cultural significance to the Anangu Aboriginals. It’s especially impressive at dawn and dusk when the red rock changes colour.

Being there

Etiquette

An informal atmosphere prevails. As the locals say, ‘no worries mate’.

Food and Drink

Australia produces high quality local produce and seafood. Asian cookery has contributed to the lauded Pacific Rim cuisine. Top quality wines are produced in many areas.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Local wines, wool, clothing, leather, precious stones, modern art, tribal objects, boomerangs.

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Canberra.
Language: English.
Population: 19,546,792.
Population Density: 2.54. (pop per km²)
Size: 7,692,030. (area km²)

Transport

Sydney (SYD), Adelaide (ADL), Melbourne (MEL), Perth (PER), Brisbane (BNE), Darwin (DRW), Hobart (HBA), Cairns (CNS), Townsville (TSV).
Air travel is fastest due to vast distances. Well served by rail, although only one service goes from coast to coast (The Indian Pacific). Driving off major roads in the Outback is difficult from November to February because of summer rain. Car hire available at all major airports and hotels to those over 21.

Red Tape

International Driving Permits for those who’s country’s official language is not English. International Driving Permit only valid with a valid national licence.
UK: Australia House, The Strand, London WC2B 4LA, tel (020) 7379 4334, fax (020) 7240 5333, email firstenquiries.lhlh@dfat.gov.au US: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel (202) 797 3000, fax (202) 797 3168, email public. affairs@austemb.org.
UK: Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600, tel (2) 6270 6666, fax (2) 6273 3236, email bhc.canberra@uk.emb.gov.au. US: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, tel (2) 6214 5600, fax (2) 6214 5970, email info@usembassy.gov.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 77.52, F 83.4.

Finance: Major credit cards and traveller’s cheques in major currencies accepted.
Business hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri.
GMT: North-east/south-east + 10, central + 9.5, West + 8.
Voltage guide: 220/240 AC, 50 Hz.
Country dialling code: 61.