Welcome to Australia, the Land Down Under.
Australia
is a destination of contrasts. From fast paced modern cities to the timeless Outback, Australia is a land just waiting to be discovered.
This island continent contains just about every type of terrain from coral reefs and beaches to sub-alpine areas and scorching deserts; there are amazing beaches, tropical rain forests, and huge savannahs. Australia is also home to some of the most unique animal species on earth.
Many people think that Australia is an island but this is actually incorrect because Australia is classified as a continent.
Australia is larger in area than Western Europe, and about the
same size as the mainland United States. Unlike the United States however, Australia
doesn't border any other country because it is completely surrounded by ocean. There is an impressive 37,000 km long coastline with the most beaches of any country on earth, (about 7000).
Australia has also been isolated from the rest of the world for long enough to have unique flora and fauna. Some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 90% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia.
The
Aboriginal culture of Australia is one of the oldest and most mysterious of
all cultures on earth and stands in direct contrast to just over 200 years
of European history. There are many places where one can learn about this
culture and even though Aborigines make up only 1% of the population, they
live all areas of Australia including the cities.
Some
of Australia's must see places, include the Great Barrier Reef, which is the
worlds largest (approximately 2000 km long). This area contains over 900 beautiful
islands and some of the worlds best beaches and diving spots.
Australia also contains the largest desert areas in the world outside of the Sahara, this area is called the Outback, and this is where you will find the unique hardened Australian character exaggerated, famed and personified as Crocodile Dundee.
In contrast to the Outback there are tropical rain forests in Northern Queensland
that are the oldest in the world and
the worlds largest tract of temperate rain forest located in the beautiful
island state of Tasmania.
The New South Wales and Victoria border contains
an area called the Australian Alps where there are a number of ski fields. This area receives more snow in Winter than Switzerland.
Australia also has some unusual almost mystical natural features such as Ayers Rock, The Olgas, Purnululu (Bungle Bungles), and the Pinnacles. In addition to these special places there are an abundance of other less known rock formations and rock gorges that have been carved out of the Outback by eons of erosions.
The cities are also great destinations. For those who have
seen Sydney, few would doubt that it is one of the worlds most beautiful,
yet each city has its own unique flavour. From sophisticated Melbourne to modern
Perth, there is a city in Australia that suits every type of personality.
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