Facts of Australia

Facts

Land & people
Area: 7,686,850 sq km
Population (July 2006 est.): 20.26 million
Capital: Canberra
Official language: English
Per capita GDP (2005 est.): $31,600

The sixth largest country in the world, Australia is a continent in Oceania located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It is the world's smallest continent but the largest island and is about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the US, and 50 per cent larger than mainland Europe.

Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

The country's administrative divisions include six states and two territories. States include New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia; and the territories are Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.

Dependent areas include Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.

It is the country's sheer vastness that gives Australia, and its diverse population, much of its character.

Useful addresses

Passport/visa

If you wish to travel to Australia for tourism or for a business trip, you will need a valid passport as well as an entry permit such as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or a Valid Short Travel Visa. For information, contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Credit cards/cash

Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for everything from a hostel bed or a restaurant meal to an adventure tour. A credit card is essential if you want to hire a car. They can also be used to get cash advances over the counter at banks and from many ATMs, depending on the card.

Charge cards such as Diners Club and American Express (Amex) are not as widely accepted. Debit cards are also widely used in the country. You can draw money directly from your home bank account using ATMs, banks or Eftpos machines around the country.

When to go

Australia's climate is typically mild in comparison with the extremes that exist in both Europe and North America. The seasons include Spring (September-November), Summer (December-February), Autumn (March-May), and Winter (June-August). Any time is a good time to be in Australia.
Getting there

Most visitors take long haul flights to get here. Qantas is the country's international flagship carrier, and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are the major international airports, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Cairns.

Getting around: Enjoy at your pace

Australia is a vast continent full of amazing sights. If you're on a short trip, it's preferable to travel by air.

The country's domestic airlines provide extensive coverage allowing you to get around quickly between cities and sights.
For a more leisurely pace, travel by rail or road.

The road and highway network is vast and well maintained and you can enjoy some of the most beautiful road touring in the world.
All cities, except Hobart, are linked by a rail network.