Australia is a vast nation, as big as the United States, but with just 20 million people. Parts of the continent are very sparsely populated – think of the Outback, its climate inhospitable to all but the hardiest creatures – but its cities are modern and buzzing (think Sydney and Melbourne in particular), and, as Australia is a coastal country with most people living 20 kilometres or so from the water, by the seaside.
Ties between the UK and Ireland and Australia are strong and go back hundreds of years to penal colony days. It's a magnet for families catching up with far-flung cousins, for young families exploring the national parks and Crown lands as well as enjoying the beaches and for gappers taking a break from study or work.
The popularity of soap operas such as Neighbours and Home & Away has whetted appetites for sunshine, barbecues, and the easygoing gregariousness of Australians. We have our winter while they are in summer so a holiday in Australia could be the cure to the start-of-the-year blues. Relatively cheap flights to Australia are available from a slew of airlines including BA and Qantas.
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Australia is temperate, most of the country receiving more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. In summer (December to March) the average temperature is 29 degrees Celsius. The hottest region is the northern two-thirds of the continent, which experience humid and wet conditions in summer. Further south, summer is warm with occasional hot spells and mild nights. Winter (June to August) averages 13 degrees Celsius for the country as a whole, with warm days and mild nights in the northern areas, becoming cool and showery in the south (although there are still plenty of sunny days).
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Peak Season:
Australia enjoys its summer while Europe shivers, so December to February can be a good time to visit. It can get very hot, but it's great weather for the beach. Many airlines offer cheap flights to Australia around this time. In spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) the weather is mild and temperatures are comfortable.
Off Season:
June to August over here is winter in Australia, but skiers and snowboarders might like to go to New South Wales and Victoria for the winter sports. In the north of the country, the summer wet season is very humid and uncomfortable.
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Australia with its huge, unpopulated areas and harsh terrain, cries out for the low-cost airlines.
Virgin blue flies mostly on the eastern side of Australia connecting Sydney with Melbourne, Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the gold coast. It also flies to Adelaide, Perth, Broome and Darwin.
Jetstar - Operating out of Melbourne Avalon Airport, the airline flies to 14 destinations within Australia including Adelaide, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth and the Sunshine Coast.
Skywest flies in Western Australia (Broome, Perth), the Northern Territory (Darwin), and to Bali.
If a trip to neighbouring New Zealand is on the itinerary, Freedom Air connects Melbourne and Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane with Dunedin and Palmerston North in New Zealand.
There are also bargain fares from Qantas - regular red e-deals - that the airline is quick to put in a newsletter and send out.
Train is a great way to see the country, and if your travel budget is not bargain or you have a couple of thousand dollars to spare, a trip on the Ghan offers an unforgettable experience.
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- Public transport is poor, so if you can afford it hire a car to make sure you can see the unspoilt environment in all its glory. In some major cities, you can find rent-a-wreck style hire companies that allow you to hire a secondhand car very cheaply, though mileage limits might mean you may not be able to get as far away from the city as you need.
- If the thought of a banger on the barbie sounds delicious, remember that beef, rather than pork sausages in Australia are the norm. It's unusual to find pork sausages.
- Be very, very careful when disposing of cigarette butts in the country, most of which is national park or Crown land. The vegetation is so dry that the smallest spark can start an inferno and land you in jail.
- Queensland is home to the Great Barrier Reef and averages 300 sunny days a year. Brisbane, political and art capital of Queensland, has a world-class cultural calendar, thriving nightlife, and perfect climate. When you’re not visiting the islands, take in the town’s sights: Queenslander cottages converted to cafes, restaurants, and shops; excellent cuisine; fine arts; and sporting events.
- Also in Queensland, Cairns is the only place in the world with side-by-side World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. In the north, the rainforest touches the reef, and you can go from the beach to snorkelling in the reef. An international tourist destination, Cairns has a nightlife, shopping, and accommodation for all budgets.
- Australia’s oldest city, Sydney, has international style, superb dining, and exuberance. The nightlife offers the renowned Sydney Opera House and theatres as well as trendy clubs, bars, and rowdy pubs. The Harbour Bridge is a must-see and must-climb, and beaches are around the harbour and along the oceanfront. A true cosmopolitan city, the shopping is excellent, especially for opals.
- The sunniest Australian capital, Perth is a city of skyscrapers, yet great beaches are just a bus ride away. Rottnest Island has snorkelling, fishing, golfing, and hiking. Nearby Fremantle has heritage-listed buildings, restored warehouses, museums, and selections of crafts and Aboriginal souvenirs. Or head over to the Darling Range and bushwalk to the oldest rocks on Earth, waterfalls, and forests.
- Melbourne is known for the good things in life: fashion, food, entertainment, nightlife, sports, and shopping. International festivals are held year-round, and sports venues include the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup, car racing, and Australian-rules football. A shoppers delight, there’s everything from high fashion to unique souvenirs and handcrafts. A cultural melting pot, Melbourne has old-world charm with its Victorian architecture and ethnic restaurants.
- If you're looking for accommodation in Australia, Trivago is a website with useful user reviews. It includes information on hotels in Sydney, hotels in Perth and hotels in Melbourne.
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Visitors must hold sufficient funds and all documents required for further travel. A visa or ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is required. An ETA is an electronically issued and verified visa, not visible in a passport. ETAs are issued to passengers travelling for tourist or business purposes. Tourist ETAs are valid for 12 months or the validity of the passport (whichever is shorter) for multiple stays of up to three months each and business ETAs are also available for multiple entries of up to three months each. ETAs are obtainable online at www.eta.immi.gov.au or through most travel agents
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Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals must have a passport valid for intended period of stay, or an identity document showing a photograph. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for British passport holders endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas) if residing in Hong Kong. Other British passport holders are not eligible for an ETA and require a visa.
Irish nationals must have a passport valid for the intended period of stay, or an identity document showing a photograph. A visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required.
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