In Focus

All about Australia

Lying southeast of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian oceans, Australia is almost completely surrounded by ocean expanses

  • Compiled by D. Hari Nair
  • Published: 00:00 September 28, 2010
  • In Focus

Austraia map
  • Image Credit: Suppied

Land & people

Area: 7,686,850 sq km
Population: 21.515 million(July 2010 est.)
Capital: Canberra
Official language: English
GDP Per capita (PPP): $38,800 (2009 est.)

Lying southeast of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian oceans, Australia is almost completely surrounded by ocean expanses. The mainland is the largest island and the world's smallest, flattest continent. Its 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.

Cash/credit cards

The most commonly accepted credit cards include MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club. Traveller's cheques, preferably American Express, Thomas Cook and Visa, are accepted in the country. Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports.

Getting around

For short-time tourists, planes and car hire are the most time-effective way to travel the country. Domestic airlines such as Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Rex serve state capital cities and regional centres. Car rental companies are located at major airports, central city locations, suburbs and resorts.

In main cities the public transport includes trains, buses, ferries, monorail, light rail and trams. Train travel is a convenient, affordable and scenic way to explore Australia.

Coach and bus travel are comfortable and economical, and the services are frequent and efficient. Australia's national coach operator, Greyhound, offers passes to suit every budget.

Shopping

- For shopping aficionados there is an enormous variety of authentic Aboriginal art for sale or viewing. From traditional dot and bark paintings, modern ‘earth pigment' screen prints, decorated jewellery and wood carvings, to boomerangs, didgeridoos, weapons, ceramics, scarves, or compact discs of traditional music.

- Other items not to be missed include Australian merino wool, the Driza-Bone (raincoat), moleskin clothing, jewellery etc.

Getting there

- Most of the major airlines serve Australia. Emirates airline and Etihad Airways have regular flights to various destinations in the country. Australia's national carrier Qantas flies to several international destinations.

- Australia has several international gateways, with Sydney and Melbourne being the busiest. The cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Perth, Canberra and Hobart also have international airports.

Useful addresses

Australian Embassy,
P.O. Box 32711, Abu Dhabi
971 2 401 7500
971 2 401 7501
abudhabi.embassy@dfat.gov.au
www.uae.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General,
P.O. Box 124400, Dubai
971 4 508 7100
971 4 355 1547

Tourism Australia,
Head Office, GPO Box 2721, Sydney NSW 1006.
61 2 9360 1111
www.tourism.australia.com/(corporate)/ www.australia.com/ (consumer)

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