Australia

Australia is a stunning country located in the South Pacific, which is made up of mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania and a number of small islands in each of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  From whale watching to the Great Barrier Reef to visiting one of the country’s 10,000 beaches, there is no shortage of things to do when visiting “down under”.

Language: English
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Government:  Parliamentary Democracy
 

Interesting Facts

• Australia is the world’s sixth largest country but has the lowest population density in the world
• Australia has more beaches than any other country in the world
• Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef which can be seen from outer space
• There are an estimated 40 million kangaroos in Australia
• Home to about 85.7 million sheep and produces about 42% of the world’s wool

Climate

Due to being such a large country, the climate varies depending on location.  When visiting Australia you can experience anything from a hot summer day on a sunny beach to winter skiing on a snow-capped mountain to getting stuck in a downpour during wet season.  The northern part of the country is in a tropical climate, the centre is full of dry hot desert, while the southern region is temperate, with average rainfall but will range from hot to cold temperatures.

• Spring – September to November
• Summer – December to February
• Fall – March to May
• Winter – June to August

History:

It is said that Australia’s Aboriginal people arrived by boat from South East Asia during the last Ice Age about 50,000 years ago.  Numerous European explorers sailed to costal Australia, but it wasn’t until 1770 that Captain James Cook landed in the east coast and claimed it for Britain.  The original purpose was to use it as a penal colony which lasted from 1788 to 1868 with a total of 160,000 men and woman arriving in Australia as convicts.  In 1901, Australia’s six states became the nation we know it as today.