Australia is an unbelievably large, diverse and beautiful country that is high on my own wish list. From breathtaking coastal landscapes, gorgeous beaches to deserts, the outback and hostile environments, this country has it all. Of course, it is also known for its biodiversity, which also includes kangaroos, crocodiles and of course the koalas. See andyeducation.com for education in Australia.
| Capital City | Canberra |
| Size | 7.692.024 km² |
| Resident | 23.625.600 |
| Official Language | English |
| Currency | Australian dollar |
| Time Zone | UTC+8-11 |
| Telephone Area Code | +61 |
Fast facts to know
- Large, scenically very varied country.
- Australians are crazy about BBQ.
- Due to the ozone hole over Australia, pay particular attention to sun protection.
- A tourist visa is required for entry (valid for 3 months).
- There is left-hand traffic.
- No food imports allowed.
- Poisonous jellyfish are a great danger when bathing in the sea.
- Aboriginal people don’t look you straight in the eye during a conversation.
Exciting cities in Australia
- Canberra
- Sydney
- Perth
- Melbourne
- Darwin
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
History of Australia
- Aborigines have lived in Australia for 50,000 to 60,000 years.
- Discovered by European seafarers in the 16th century.
- From 1770 colonization by the British.
- From 1788 establishment of penal colonies and use as a “prison island”.
- 1851 Start of the gold rush.
- 1901 merged to form the Australian Confederation.
- Almost complete independence from Great Britain in 1907.
- 1986 Australia Act becomes a formally constituted nation.
- 1999 referendum: monarchy instead of republic.
Climate & travel weather in Australia
- North primarily tropical.
- South temperate climate.
- Summer half-year from November to April.
- November-April: Heavy rains in north / south dry.
- May-October: south with rainfall / north rather dry.
- Central Australia very dry and partly desert-like.
- Best travel times:
- Outback / North: April – October
- South: March, April and September – November
- Tasmania: October – March
Ideas for trips in Australia
- Carlton-Gardens
- Sydney: Opera House und Harbour Bridge
- Great Barrier Reef
- Outback
- Devils Marbles
- 12 apostles
- Great Ocean Walk
- Wave Rock
- Kangaroo Island
- More than 20 national parks
- Popular:
- Kakadu National Park,
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Cape Le Grand National Park
- Kings Canyon
- Mitchell Falls
Eating & Drinking in Australia
- Roots in English cuisine, influenced by Southeast Asian, Greek, Italian and Lebanese cuisines.
- Seafood and fish important ingredient.
- Barbecue very popular.
- Well-known food: Vegemite (yeast extract, used as a spread).
- Popular meats: Kangaroo, Crocodile, Emu, Camel, Possum.
- Typical dishes:
- Barbecued Prawns (marinated, grilled king prawns).
- Barramundi Fillets (White Barramundi Meat, Chopped Macadamia Nuts).
- Kangaroo Citizen with Beetroot (kangaroo meat in a hamburger bun, beetroot).
- Pavlova (fresh berries, peaches, kiwis, passion fruit).
- Tasmanian Samon with Bok Choy and Chilli Jam (Tasmanian salmon with bob choy, chili sauce, ginger, brown sugar, vinegar, lime juice).
Particularly scenic
- Ayers Rock (Uluru)
- Great Barrier Reef
- Kakadu National Park
- Outback
- Snowy Mountains
- Fraser Island
Australia Fast Facts