AUSTRALIA

  

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent (the world's smallest), the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, the Australian mainland and Tasmania were inhabited by around 250 language groups of indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north, and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, the eastern half of Australia was claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales, founded on 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in the following years; the continent was explored, and another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established during the 19th century.

On 1 January 1901, the six colonies became a federation and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since Federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth realm. The population is 22 million, with approximately 60% concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The nation's capital city is Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory.

Australia is a prosperous developed country, with a multicultural society. It ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance such as human development, quality of life, health care, life expectancy, public education, economic freedom and the protection of civil liberties and political rights.  Australian cities rank among the world's highest in terms of cultural offerings and quality of life. It is a member of the United Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, OECD, APEC, South Pacific Forum and the World Trade Organization.

The official language of Australia is English. Australian English does not differ significantly from other forms of English. Some slang and colloquial expressions are however commonly used here.

Geography of Australia

Geography of Australia comprises of a variety of biogeographic regions. Australia is the smallest continent and yet the sixth largest country in the world. Most of the population of Australia lies on the eastern and south eastern coasts. The geography of Australia is extremely diverse and ranges from the snow capped.

 The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies a short distance off the north-east coast and extends for over 2,000 kilometres.  

Australia's size gives it a wide variety of landscapes, with subtropical rain forests   mountain ranges,  and a dry desert in its centre.   The driest inhabited continent, only its south-east and south-west corners have a temperate climate. The population density, 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometre, is among the lowest in the world.

Australia is bisected by the tropic of Capricorn and as a result Northern Australia enjoys a tropical climate where as southern Australia a temperate one. Australia, climatically as a country is a great place to travel for outdoor holidays. The joys and excitement of an outdoor holiday in Australia is beyond comparison. Outback exploration is a major attraction among international tourists.

Tourism in  Australia

Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is an island continent and the commonwealth of Australia which include Tasmania is perhaps as large as Europe. Australia is one of the world's most urbanized countries where 70% of the population on 10 major cities.

Australia has a diverse economy and boasts of a well developed services sector that includes a range of secondary manufacturing and an expanding base of new technology. There are numerous tourist attractions in Australia that attract a large number of international tourists all through the year. Australia boasts of rain forests, golden sandy beaches, unique flora and fauna that contribute immensely to the growth of tourism in the country. Some of the major tourist attractions in Australia include the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast of Queensland, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and much more.

MAJOR DESTINATIONS IN AUSTRALIA Melbourne Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is situated atop Port Phillip Bay. Melbourne is also the second largest City in Australia. There are plenty of tourist attractions in Melbourne. Art lovers from all over the world flock to the National Gallery  of Victoria, the Victorian Arts Centre and the Myer Music Bowl. History buffs tourists, who come especially for the championships from all over the world, to participate and to enjoy.   A major tourist attraction in Melbourne is the glittering shopping malls and stores. The city is known to be a style setter and is home to some of the popular stores all over the world. Apart from shopping, Melbourne is also known for its nightlife, on-stop program of film and food festivals, art exhibitions and musical  extravaganza. There are more than 3000 restaurants, cafes and bars in Melbourne serving about 75 different types of ethnic cuisine. You will come across distinctive dining precincts and award-winning epicurean icons whichever way you head in the city for a meal. Melbourne is a city of non stop action which attracts tourist from all over the world all through the year.

Sydney

  Dubbed as the "Harbor City", Sydney is one of the highly acclaimed and much appreciated tourist destinations in Australia.Tourist Attractions in Sydney  are countless; from spectacular natural beauty to splendid landmarks and monuments the city has it all to make your holiday memorable Tourist Attractions in Sydney  is famous for its natural wonders. It is home to some of the spectacular beaches in the country. Beaches like the Cronolla Beach, the Bondi Beach, Balmoral Beach and the Coogee Beach will offer you heart warming glimpses of the sunrise and the sunset. Besides this, the beaches are also home to some of the hair-raising adventure sports that include scuba diving, surfing, and sailing, cruising, boating, windsurfing, and diving. The landscape of the city is diverse and there are mountain ranges near the city. Blue Mountains are famous for its natural beauty as well as breathtaking sceneries. You can also travel to the Echo Point and take some splendid photos of the Three Sisters and Jamieson Valley. If you love wildlife then do visit Sydney as Sydney houses many wildlife parks like the Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary, Featherdale Wildlife Park and Australian Wildlife Park. All these parks feature a wide spectrum of fauna as well as flora.  Sydney boasts of a rich cultural and historical heritage and many sites in the city bear testimony to the past of the city. Sydney is also home to two of the most famous landmarks of Australia that have become synonymous with the existence of the country, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.   

 Canberra

Canberra is not only the capital of Australia; it is also one of the popular tourist destinations in the country. Tourist attractions in the country are numerous and the city boasts of all the prerequisites of being one of the most modern and picturesque cities in the country.

It is a fully planned city and was designed by the Chicago based architect Walter Burley Griffin. Construction of the city began in the 1913 and one of the highlights of the city is that it incorporates areas of natural vegetation, as a result of which it is often referred to as the "bush capital".

The city of Canberra is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the country boasting of all the features that is associated with a modern city and is also a haven for nature lovers. The city of Canberra is also the hub of politics and culture in the country, along with parliament and other administrative offices, the city is also the hub of cultural activities.

The city is a haven for nature lovers, the city is surrounded by hills and the tops of these hills are natural bushlands. These bushlands are known as the Canberra Nature Park, from where you can enjoy spectacular glimpses of the city. You can also check out the National Botanic Gardens and Namadgi National Park, which nestles a wide spectrum of flora and fauna. The city of Canberra is the political capital of the country and boasts of some of the most historically relevant sites of the country. For example you can see the Australian War Memorial and the Parliamentary Triangle. The Parliamentary Triangle includes the Parliament House, the Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery.

Other attractions in the city include the National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Nolan Gallery, National Zoo and Aquarium, Royal Australian Mint, Australian Federal Police Museum, The Canberra Space Centre, Woodworks Gallery and many more.

 Adelaide

Adelaide is the State Capital of Southern Australia nestles between the sea and hills and boasts of ornate stone buildings, churches, wide streets, green belt parks and gardens.

The city of Adelaide is located on the banks of the Torrens River.

The city is known for its beautiful historical buildings such as Ayers Historic House, Edmund Wright House, Adelaide Town Hall, Main Post Office, Government House, Holy Trinity Church, St Francis Xavier Cathedral and St Peters Cathedral. The Tate Museum boasts of an exclusive collection of rock and fossils whereas the South Australian Police Museum showcases 150 years of policing history.

The Adelaide Central Market is a popular tourist destination and is bustling with activity all the time. Fishmongers, greengrocers, fruiterers and butchers compete with a brigade of buskers. You must visit the JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Metal and Stone and Gray Street Workshop. There are weekend markets at Uraidla, Littlehampton, Mylor, Meadows and Macclesfield. The market at Striling produces honey, herbs, strawberries, apples, home-made cakes and preserves.

The Adelaide Hills offer spectacular views, morning mists and grand mansions. Explore the historical townships of Stirling, Aldgate and Bridgewater and regale the spirit and charm of the colonial days. Cleland Wildlife Park is a great place for animal lovers where you will come across native birds and animals, including koalas and kangaroos.

There are numerous restaurants around Adelaide known to serve innovative cuisine with local wines. Some of the famous eating destinations in Adelaide include O'Connell and Gouger streets, Norwood Parade and Rundle Street East or the 'East End'. There are numerous cafes that serve authentic sea food.

The Glenelg Beach is a short drive away from the central business district in Adelaide and is a popular tourist attarction. The beach offers you a serene and peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The sandy shores beckon visitors to linger and soak up the warm sun. Swimmers, windsurfers, cyclists and rollerbladers find plenty of space here for taking up their favorite pastimes as well. Vintage trams run from Adelaide to Glenelg, making the trip a pleasant excursion.

Perth

There are numerous tourist attractions in the capital city of Western Australia, Perth. Perth is located on the south west corner of the continent and is wonderful destination for a great holiday.

A popular tourist attraction in Perth is the Swan Bells.

This popular destination with its green glass spires with copper sails was inaugurated in the year 2000. The Swan Bells was gifted by the UK Government to the city of Perth to commemorate the bicentennial of Australia.

Perth offers a number of exotic beaches and for a quiet retreat you could head to Rotto. Visit the King's Park for some fascinating views of the Swan River and of the city. The park plays host to the Western Australia Wildflower festival. Other tourist attractions in Perth include the Old Mill built in 1835. This sleepy little town is located between a throughway and the Swan River. The port city of Fremantle is also a major attraction. The historic towns of Toodyay and York Hey are replete the rich experience of a walk through art galleries, museums, craft shops and cafes.

Another tourist attraction in Perth is the Avon River which is very popular among adventure lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts. You could indulge adventure sports such as hot air ballooning, surfing, sailing and a host of other adventure sports like sky-diving. Northbridge is a food lover's delight with the finest beers in the world it offers.

The Perth International Film Festival is a popular tourist attraction and is a treat for all the art connoisseurs, film and music buffs and theatre-lovers. There are theatre performances, contemporary music, literature, classical music, opera, visual arts, film, jazz and dance programs that are organized during the four-week festival period.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a modern and bustling cosmopolitan city and is the capital city of Queensland. The city is synonymous with persistent growth and dynamism and has become a hub of many leading industries in the state.

There are 1700 parks, and welcoming walks & bikeways in Brisbane and the parks are elegantly groomed and exhibit the most alluring local flora. A tour around Brisbane will take you well maintained parks, figurative churches, ornate cathedrals, and majestic old time government buildings. Some of the tourist attractions in Brisbane include The St. John's Cathedral, Customs House, St. Stephen's Church, The Old Windmill, The Old Commissariat Store, Kingsford Smith Memorial, Newstand House, the Mansions in William Street, Parliament House and Old Government House. The Brisbane River Festival is hosted by the Story Bridge which is a replica of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

The entertainment of hub of Brisbane is the Southbank. You will find numerous restaurants, and is certainly a gourmet's delight. Mt. Cootha is a tourist attraction in Brisbane that spans 57 hectares of botanical gardens and reserve for sub-tropical Australia Flora. Visit the ruins of Old Queensland Prison at St Helena Prison.

Some of Brisbane's important events include the River Festival which is usually held in September every year. The annual Gabba Cricket Test Match is also an important event in the Brisbane calendar. Apart from these annual events, Brisbane regularly hosts a number of art exhibitions, and cultural programs that attract tourists to this city.