Australia - The Sunburnt Country
Australia is a vast country of more than 7.6 million square kilometres.
It's the sixth largest country in the world - more than twice the size of India, over 80% the size of the USA or Brazil, and three quarters the size of all of Europe.
Despite this, Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world (less even than Iceland), with much of the vast interior being desert, national parks or large pastoral properties.
Anna Creek Station in the "Outback" is the largest cattle ranch and pastoral lease in the world, covering over 30,100 sq kms, which is half the size of England, slightly larger than Israel, and twice the size of Belgium.
Australia today is a diverse multicultural society, with almost 50% of thew population being either born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas.
In the last 60 years the country has welcomed more than six million immigrants from more than 150 countries. While English is the main language, conversations around Australia can be heard in more than 200 languages, and almost every religion in the world is widely practiced throughout the country.
It's the sixth largest country in the world - more than twice the size of India, over 80% the size of the USA or Brazil, and three quarters the size of all of Europe.
Despite this, Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world (less even than Iceland), with much of the vast interior being desert, national parks or large pastoral properties.
Anna Creek Station in the "Outback" is the largest cattle ranch and pastoral lease in the world, covering over 30,100 sq kms, which is half the size of England, slightly larger than Israel, and twice the size of Belgium.
Australia today is a diverse multicultural society, with almost 50% of thew population being either born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas.
In the last 60 years the country has welcomed more than six million immigrants from more than 150 countries. While English is the main language, conversations around Australia can be heard in more than 200 languages, and almost every religion in the world is widely practiced throughout the country.
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THE PAINTED HILLS, JUST A SMALL PART OF ANNA CREEK STATION
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PHOTO BY GWYN MORGAN
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The history of the country has been traced back over 60 million years and it has been inhabited by more than 500 different indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander tribes for more than 50,000 years. However, recorded details of the country's early growth have relied on cave paintings and stories told from generation to generation.
It was only in the late 1700s that Europeans began to establish "western" communities, creating the modern Australia of today and recording its amazing natural beauty and wildlife in detail.
Australia's rich array of nationalities has had a massive impact on the country’s food, cultures, art, literature, music, dress and sport.
Its natural beauty stretches from rugged coastlines, magnificent beaches and coral reefs to tropical rain forests, popular snow fields, deserts, world class mountain ranges and national parks.
However, Australia is also a centre for world class industry, business and technology and has massive mineral resources and other primary industries.
This great diversity and easy-going lifestyle makes Australia one of the top holiday destinations in the world and is one of the reasons thge locals refer to it as "The Lucky Country".
It was only in the late 1700s that Europeans began to establish "western" communities, creating the modern Australia of today and recording its amazing natural beauty and wildlife in detail.
Australia's rich array of nationalities has had a massive impact on the country’s food, cultures, art, literature, music, dress and sport.
Its natural beauty stretches from rugged coastlines, magnificent beaches and coral reefs to tropical rain forests, popular snow fields, deserts, world class mountain ranges and national parks.
However, Australia is also a centre for world class industry, business and technology and has massive mineral resources and other primary industries.
This great diversity and easy-going lifestyle makes Australia one of the top holiday destinations in the world and is one of the reasons thge locals refer to it as "The Lucky Country".
Australian Holiday Destinations
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KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, NORTHERN TERRITORY
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PHOTO BY NIGEL MALONE
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As Australia is such a large continent, it offers thousands of amazing places to discover, from some of the world's most diverse landscapes, unusual wildlife and spectacular modern cities to quaint country villages, amazing fun parks and spine-chilling outdoor adventures.
Check out links to the dozens of stories across Australia's the eight states and territories, as well as a number of island territories.
Check out links to the dozens of stories across Australia's the eight states and territories, as well as a number of island territories.
The Best Markets in Australia - by state
Other Great Australian Destinations include
Gold Coast - Queensland
The beautiful Gold Coast is not only Australia's leading holiday destination; it is a thriving commercial and business centre and the sixth largest city in Australia. Its 40 kilometres of sensation safe surf and swimming beaches are a magnet for travelers from around the world. The vibrant nightlife is equaled by a number of world class fun parks and wildlife sanctuaries nestled against a backdrop of stunning national packs. It also has some of the finest restaurants in the country, supplemented by the catch of fresh fish, prawns, crabs and other delicious morsels brought in daily by the local fishing fleet.
For more information on The Gold Coast click here:
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience on the Gold Coast or Australia.
For more information on The Gold Coast click here:
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience on the Gold Coast or Australia.
Great Ocean Road - Victoria
One of the most spectacular drives in Australia is along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria where you will see “The Twelve Apostles”, a series of massive natural limestone stacks standing just off shore in the Port Campbell National Park. There are now only eight of the outcrops left because they continue to be eroded by the pounding waves of the southern ocean which comes unabated from the South Pole. While it is a popular tourist attraction and the site of many a marriage proposal, this region of the coast it littered with ship wrecks and on a cold and windy day one can really experience the awesome power of Mother Nature. These outcrops continue to erode and crash into the ocean, to this is a ‘must do’ while there are still some standing.
For More information on Victoria Click here
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Victoria or Australia
For More information on Victoria Click here
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Victoria or Australia
Bermagui - New South Wales
The township of Bermagui on the NSW coast is known for its outstanding sports fishing (marlin, tuna, kingfish etc) because of its close proximity to the continental shelf – we often would catch a dozen albacore tuna in half a day’s trolling (and that was after we tagged and released anything under 5kgs). But the whole area is a wonder, surrounded by national parks with a relaxed holiday village where you can even catch prawns at night in the nearby Wallaga Lakes. One popular spot is the Blue Pool – a adult swimming and children’s wading pool complex situated at the bottom of the cliffs. The pools are flushed by the sea water at high tide and in the evening have an enchanting fluorescence that makes them unique.
For more information on New South Wales click here
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Bermagui or Australia
For more information on New South Wales click here
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Bermagui or Australia
Kakadu national park - Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park is a world heritage listed park that covers around 20,000 square kilometres – this is around the same size as Israel, New Caledonia, Slovenia or all of Fiji. Kakadu is world famous for the biodiversity of it environment where you can see ancient aboriginal rock art, huge floodplains spectacular wildlife (including huge crocodiles, wild dingoes, goannas and much more). It has outstanding natural beauty and contains more than one fifth of all of Australia mammals – home to more than 120 different reptiles, 70 mammals, 26 different species of frogs and over 2,000 plant species.
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Kakadu National Park or the northern outback of Australia.
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Kakadu National Park or the northern outback of Australia.
Melbourne - Victoria
Multicultural Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia behind Sydney. It is a city of stylish Victorian architecture, trams, fashion, food, theatres, art galleries and leafy gardens. It is also a city mad for sports, with more world class facilities than many countries. Melbourne hosts events such as the Australian Tennis Open, the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, and the premier horse race that ‘stops a nation,’ the Melbourne Cup. It is also centre of Australia’s own brand of football, Aussie Rules.
For more information on Melbourne click here
• Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Melbourne or Australia.
For more information on Melbourne click here
• Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Melbourne or Australia.
Sydney - New South Wales
One of the world's landmark cities and Australia's largest and oldest city, many people are often surprised when they find that Sydney is not the capital of Australia. However, sitting on the picturesque Sydney Harbour with the internationally-renowned features of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is perhaps Australia’s most well-recognised city. Sydney has a passionate love of the arts, high-powered commerce and diverse mix of world-standard architectural influences. Like many other Australia cities it also has outstanding beaches like Bondi, international sports facilities like the 2000 Olympic stadiums, and cosmopolitan shopping and dining precincts that rival those in most other countries.
For More information on Sydney click here
For More information on Sydney click here
