Australia Tourism - Travel to Australia
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Canberra, ACT |
| Government | Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy; commonwealth and federation of states |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Area | 7,686,850 sq km |
| Population | 19,546,792 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | English |
| Country calling code | +61 |
Australia is both the world's smallest continent and the only country that has a whole continent to itself. Famed for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, Australia is nonetheless one of the world's most urbanised countries and is well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne. The capital of Australia is Canberra.
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Regions in Australia
Map of Australia
The Australian mainland comprises six states and two territories:
(ranked in order of size of population)
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory (including Jervis Bay)
Australia also possesses a number of island territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans:
- Ashmore and Cartier Islands
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Coral Sea Islands
- Heard and McDonald Islands
- Lord Howe Island
- Norfolk Island
In addition to this, Australia also maintains some bases in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Cities in Australia
- Sydney -- the largest Australian city
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Canberra -- the national capital
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Hobart
- Darwin
Other destinations - Travel to Australia
Understand Australia Tourism
British settlers came to Australia in 1788, starting a process of colonisation that almost entirely displaced the aboriginal people who inhabited the land. This reduced native numbers drastically and marginalised them to the fringes of society. They remained second-class citizens almost until the modern day, only being recognised as full citizens in 1966.
While Australia began its modern history as a penal colony, the vast majority of British people who came to Australia were free settlers. Convict settlements were along the east coast, Adelaide and Perth being settled by free settlers. Many Asian and Eastern European people also came to Australia in the 1850s, in the gold rush that started Australia's resource boom. Although such diverse immigration diminished greatly during the xenophobic years of the White Australia policy, Australia welcomed a successive series of immigration from Europe, the Mediterranean and then Asia to formulate a highly diverse and multicultural society.
The separate state-based colonies joined together to form a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Australian Diggers retain a reputation in England and the US as some of the hardest fighting troops along with a great social spirit.
Long-term concerns include salinity, pollution, loss of biodiversity, depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.
Most of the population is concentrated in the south-east of the country, to the east of the Great Dividing Range. This is because the inland and western areas of the country are at best semi-habitable desert, known as 'the Outback'. The most-inhabited states are Victoria and New South Wales, but by far the largest in land area is Western Australia.
Geography in Australia
Australia is the world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; it's slightly smaller than the 48 contiguous United States. The population is concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
Climate in Australia
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north.A regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer.
Time Zones and Australia Tourism
Australia has three time zones :Eastern Standard Time (EST) - operates in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland, 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
Central Standard Time (CST) - operates in South Australia and the Northern Territory (one half hour behind EST).
Western Standard Time (WST) - operates in Western Australia (two hours behind EST).
- Note 1 - some states in Australia observe daylight saving time. In NSW, ACT, VIC and SA, daylight savings time applies from the end of October to the end of March and in Tasmania from the beginning of October to the end of March. Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia do NOT use daylight savings time, because it fades the curtains. Due to the half hour difference between CST and EST, this means that during summer there are five different time zones operating in Australia: GMT+8 (WA), GMT+9.5 (NT), GMT+10 (Qld), GMT+10.5 (SA) and GMT+11 (NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas).
- Note 2 - The city of Broken Hill (NSW) operates on CST and the few roadhouses along the Eyre Highway in southeastern WA operate on an unofficial intermediate timezone between CST and WST (three quarters of an hour behind CST and three quarters of an hour ahead of WST).
People in Australia
Australia is a multicultural nation. Its citizens come from every country of the world, and practise almost every religion. Over one-third of Australians were born to immigrant parents, and there are around five hundred thousand people of Aboriginal descent.
The most multicultural city is Sydney, followed by Melbourne. Both are renowned for the variety and quality of ethnic foods available in their many restaurants, and Melbourne especially is famous as a center for the arts.
Economy in Australia
Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Canberra's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003.
While income disparities grew throughout the 80s, especially in outer suburban areas, strong employment growth and mandated minimum conditions for workers ensured that overall living standards kept growing until the 1990s.
Get into Australia
Australia is 14 1/2 hours direct flight from the west coast of the USA and only four hours from New Zealand. About half the international passengers go through Sydney (via Kingsford-Smith airport at Mascot) and significant numbers through Melbourne (Tullamarine Airport), Brisbane and Perth. Smaller numbers go through international airports at Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Gold Coast (Coolangatta), Norfolk Island, Newcastle and Broome.
Australia has a very strict customs requirement when it comes to animal and vegetable imports including wood, and other prohibited goods. This is because Australia is a large and isolated island, and thus far free of many diseases and insect pests found in other countries. All incoming visitors must pass a customs check for these items. No fruits, vegetables, meat or other food products are allowed in unless they are factory-made and on the approved list of imports (eg, chocolate is okay.) There is no penalty for declaring illegal goods - they'll just be confiscated and destroyed - but if you attempt to bring them in without declaring them, there are extremely heavy penalties including fines and a possible jail term. See AQIS for details.
All foreigners require visas but citizens of certain richer countries can obtain a short stay tourist or business visa online at http://www.immi.gov.au/visit/index.htm.
Get around in Australia
The major methods of mass-movement in Australia are planes, trains and automobiles. Within the capital cities, general people movement is by train and/or bus, and Melbourne has a comprehensive tram network serving the inner suburbs. Sydney has an excellent rail system which includes stations within the metropolitan area and also has a fleet of extremely fun ferries that serve the population living around the harbour.
Due to the extremely large distances involved, most people who want to cross the country from one side to the other will fly on one of the nation's airlines - since the demise of Ansett, Qantas is the only major airline, but Virgin Blue offers a cut-rate service between capital cities. Regional areas are served by several small regional airlines.
Not all states have a public rail network. Tasmania demolished theirs more than twenty years ago and the ACT has never had one. The Northern Territory has a rail line linking Darwin to Adelaide through Alice Springs, and several minor freight lines.
When travelling to Tasmania, taking the ferry service is a viable option to air travel. Spirit of Tasmania I and II travel the Devonport-Melbourne route overnight (travel time approx 10 hours), with additional daytime crossings in peak times; Spirit of Tasmania III travels the Devonport-Sydney route, taking approx 20-22 hours, making a single crossing each day.
Sleep - Australia Tourism
Backpackers hostels are listed at http://home.vicnet.net.au/~hostels/
Stay safe - Australia Tourism
Australia is prone to various regular natural disasters, including cyclones (hurricanes), annual floods and bushfires. Be aware of the times and places at which these will occur - for example, the rainy season for the south of the country is the winter and there is rarely enough rain at one time to cause flooding, while in the northern areas the 'Wet' occurs during the summer months, bringing torrential rains and frequent floods. Australia is a very dry country with large areas of desert and a long-standing drought situation. In some isolated areas, water is not available to travellers due to the drought, so you will need to carry your own. This especially applies if you are Travelling in Outback Australia.
While Australia has many dangerous and poisonous animals, insects and plants, this need not spoil your vacation. With very few exceptions, you are unlikely to encounter these in an urban environment. Be aware that they exist and you'll be okay. The primary rule is 'if you don't recognise it, don't touch it.'
Internet
Broadband is mainly available in major cities, but for more information about Australian Broadband it can be found at Whirlpool's Broadband Choice which contains pricing and availability.
Australian has may options for Broadband that include ADSL, Cable, and Wireless networking. Most Internet service providers offer a A$29.95 ADSL plan a month with a 200mb to 300mb download limit
Cheap modem access can be had nationwide for the cost of a local telephone call with many nationwide Internet service provider providing a nationwide phone number or many numbers for different city around the country.
Modem Internet access can be purchased in many forms include pre-paid, block time, monthly access fee its best to check with the Internet service provider to suit your needs
some of the main Australian Internet service provider are listed below
Telephone & Mobile Phones Information
Local calls are about A$0.25 on most Land Lines and A$0.40 on all Telstra Pay Phones and are not time related.
Australia mobile phone system is mainly based on the GSM standard call rates change form carrier to carrier
An easy way for travelers to chat to people is to buy a prepaid mobile phone these can cost from A$100 upwards depending on what kinda phone you would like and are available at most store around Australia and can be top up with recharged cards.
See Also
External Links for Australia Tourism
- Australia.com (http://www.australia.com/) - official website of the Australian Tourist Commission
- The Australian Public Toilet Map (http://www.toiletmap.gov.au/)
