A Brief Description

The initial inhabitants of Australia traveled here from far-southeast Asia, and from the Torres Strait islands. From their initial settlements in the north some 70,000 years ago, their individual lifestyles and cultural traditions eventually spread across this vast uncharted land.

The first European exposure to Australia occurred in 1606, when the Dutch explorer, Willem Janszoon, sighted, then landed on the Cape York Peninsula. He found the area inhospitable and moved on. Regardless, adventurers and traders, aggressively searching for riches in the southern hemisphere, continued to sail through the northern coastal areas bordering a land the Dutch named New Holland.

In 1688, on one of his three circumnavigations of the globe, William Dampier became the first British explorer to set foot on Australian land, coming ashore in Shark Bay.

In the mid 18th century, Britain had an overcrowded prison population, and they required a new penal colony. In 1770, the legendary British explorer, James Cook, arrived in Australia and found the eastern coastline a most desirable location. He subsequently named this land New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain.

Eighteen years later (one of the world's greatest sea voyages), a grueling 252 day, 15,000 mile journey brought eleven ships carrying about 1400 people (mostly convicts) from England all the way to Australia.

They anchored at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbor) on January 26, 1788. There, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, in his capacity as the colony's first Governor, the British Crown Colony of New South Wales was established. That day (Australia Day), is an official public holiday celebrated in all states and territories of Australia.

For the next 80 years - in a somewhat provocative move - over 150,000 additional men and women (convicted criminals) were shipped to Australia, often enduring difficult and deplorable conditions during their lengthy ocean journeys.

As a result, until the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850's brought thousands of (free) immigrants to Australia in search of riches, the settler population was dominated by convicts and their descendants.

In this land of incredible opportunity (for some), the indigenous Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders were suffering. Their population base decreased dramatically in the 19th century as imported diseases killed thousands, and forced displacement and blatant land grabs disrupted their traditional lifestyles.

During the 19th century, separate (somewhat independent) colonies were formed from parts of New South Wales, which loosely occupied the eastern half of the country; they included Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.

On January 1, 1901, a federation of colonies took shape after years of discussions and planning. The Commonwealth of Australia was created as a Dominion of the British Empire, and a new nation was born. Western Australia, granted self-government in 1889 by the British, was the most reluctant participant in this new Commonwealth of Australia, but joined nevertheless.

Immediately thereafter, the Australian Capital Territory was formed from a part of New South Wales, in an effort to provide a location for the new federal capital of Canberra. The Northern Territory joined the Commonwealth that same year, and at that time, the population of Australia was nearly 4 million, which included approximately 95,000 indigenous peoples

The founders of this new nation promoted their belief in civil, economic, political and social equality for all. Free education, trade unions, women's suffrage, maternity allowances, sick leave and old-age pensions were successfully introduced.

On April 25 each year (ANZAC Day), Australia commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey. That decision to fight alongside Britain partially decimated the male population of Australia, as over 60,000 of its bravest were killed and many thousands were severely wounded.

During World War II, Australian forces played a significant role in the Allied victory in Europe, as well as in the South Pacific, where they engaged the Japanese in many difficult battles within remote areas of New Guinea. The Aussies stood tall, and helped win the war.

World War II literally sparked the country's economy, as unparalleled growth swept across Australia. Workers were needed and countless thousands of migrants from Europe arrived to fill the positions. Many were the wide-eyed young, all hopeful for a bright and profitable future, and they would not be disappointed.

In total, almost two million immigrants came to Australia between 1948 and 1975. Across the country major construction projects paid solid wages, and home ownership rose dramatically.

In 1956, Melbourne, Australia hosted the Olympic Games and the world watched this new country shine.

The 1960's were a transition period for Australia. At the forefront of change, the far-sighted citizens of Australia voted (overwhelmingly) for full citizenship and a (government-mandated) quality education for the estimated 350,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that lived in their country. And after some (short-sighted) immigration restrictions were finally lifted, Australia is today a beacon of democratic procedures and non-discriminatory policies.

In September of 1999, Australia led the international peacekeeping force sent to restore order in East Timor. That same year, Australia's 11.6 million voters rejected a referendum that would have ended Australia's formal allegiance to the British Crown.

Australia remains a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Australia. She is represented (symbolically) by the Governor-General at the federal level, and by the Governors at the state level. Although the Governor-General maintains certain powers, the leader of the political party with the majority of support in the House of Representative becomes the country's Prime Minister.

Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the dominant European economies. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products are fueling that economy, particularly in mining states. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors behind the economy's 16 solid years of expansion.

At the close of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the Australian rock group "Men at Work" sang their popular and patriotic signature song, "Down Under." One of the lyrics asks the question, "Do you come from a land down under?" Well, millions of travelers each year could easily answer, "No, but I've been to the land down under, and I loved it!"

Of all the travel destinations on Planet Earth, Australia remains one of the most attractive choices. Surely it offers a wide variety of things to do, sites to see and family attractions of all description, but in this land of dazzling scenery and big blue skies, it's the charming, friendly faces that make all the difference.

Fast Facts

Name: Australia

(long form) Commonwealth of Australia

(conventional short form) Australia

Capital City Canberra

States and Territories (Capital Cities)
New South Wales - Sydney
Northern Territory - Darwin
Queensland - Brisbane
South Australia - Adelaide
Tasmania - Hobart
Victoria - Melbourne
Western Australia - Perth

Cities (largest by population) Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast-Tweed

Currency Australian Dollar - (AUD)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
$773 billion (2007 est)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (per capita)
$37,300 (2007 est)

Holidays (national) January 26, Australia Day;
April 25, ANZAC Day

Language English 79.1%, others

Population 21,007,310 (2008 est.)

Population of States and Territories
Capital Territory - 340,800
New South Wales - 6,889,100
Northern Territory - 218,380
Queensland - 4,182,100
South Australia - 1,598,000
Tasmania - 497,312
Victoria - 5,205,200
Western Australia - 2,130,800 Travel Information

For the people that journey to this vast country, the enticing lure of Australia is the sheer number of its totally unique attractions; including "Uluru," or Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Nullarbor Plain, Shark Bay and The Kimberley region, to name but a few.

In addition, the Blue Mountains, Fraser Island, Gold Coast beaches, Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, Sydney Harbor and Tasmania are major draws.

From major cities to small towns; from east to west; north to south, and across the desert sands and outbacks of Australia, there is so much to see and so much to do that it literally boggles the mind.

General Items of Interest

Currency The Australian Dollar is the official currency for Australia, and used in all financial transactions.

Note: Instead of traveling with your own country's currency and then paying the expensive cash conversion rates - to get the best exchange rate - we suggest you use an ATM for cash, and a credit card for purchases.

Electricity Australia runs on 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles). Note that most modern laptop, cell phone and digital camera chargers are dual voltage and will work perfectly in Australia with just a simple adapter plug.

Times to Travel Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are directly opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere.

In the northern tropical regions there are two seasons to note (warm and dry) and (wet and hot). The best time to visit the north (weatherwise) are in the dry season months of April through August.

Conversely, the most desirable times to travel to the southern regions of Australia (weatherwise) are the summer months, November through March.

Brisbane High Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 85/29 (Feb) 84/29 (Mar) 83/28 (Apr) 79/26 (May) 74/24 (Jun) 70/21 (Jul) 69/21 (Aug) 71/22 (Sep) 75/24 (Oct) 78/26 (Nov) 81/27 (Dec) 84/29 Low Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 70/21 (Feb) 70/21 (Mar) 67/20 (Apr) 63/17 (May) 57/14 (Jun) 52/11 (Jul) 49/9 (Aug) 50/10 (Sep) 55/13 (Oct) 60/16 (Nov) 65/18 (Dec) 68/20	Darwin High Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 89/32 (Feb) 89/31 (Mar) 89/32 (Apr) 91/33 (May) 90/32 (Jun) 87/31 (Jul) 87/30 (Aug) 88/31 (Sep) 91/33 (Oct) 92/33 (Nov) 92/33 (Dec) 91/33 Low Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 77/25 (Feb) 76/25 (Mar) 76/24 (Apr) 75/24 (May) 72/22 (Jun) 68/20 (Jul) 67/19 (Aug) 69/21 (Sep) 74/23 (Oct) 77/25 (Nov) 78/26 (Dec) 78/26
Hobart High Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 72/22 (Feb) 72/22 (Mar) 69/21 (Apr) 65/18 (May) 59/15 (Jun) 55/13 (Jul) 54/12 (Aug) 56/13 (Sep) 59/15 (Oct) 63/17 (Nov) 66/19 (Dec) 69/20 Low Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 53/12 (Feb) 53/12 (Mar) 51/11 (Apr) 48/9 (May) 44/6 (Jun) 40/4 (Jul) 39/4 (Aug) 40/4 (Sep) 43/6 (Oct) 45/7 (Nov) 48/9 (Dec) 51/11	Perth High Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 89/32 (Feb) 89/32 (Mar) 85/30 (Apr) 77/25 (May) 71/22 (Jun) 66/19 (Jul) 64/18 (Aug) 65/18 (Sep) 68/20 (Oct) 72/22 (Nov) 78/26 (Dec) 84/29 Low Temperatures ( Fahrenheit/Celsius ) (Jan) 63/17 (Feb) 64/18 (Mar) 61/16 (Apr) 56/13 (May) 51/10 (Jun) 49/9 (Jul) 47/8 (Aug) 47/8 (Sep) 48/9 (Oct) 51/10 (Nov) 55/13 (Dec) 59/15