A continent-sized country of extreme landscapes — the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru's spiritual gravity, Sydney Opera House's sails, kangaroos, and a wine-and-food culture punching above its weight.
- Capital
- Canberra
- Population
- 27,400,013
- Area
- 7,686,850 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (A$)
- GDP
- $1,771,681M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Meat pie,Roast lamb
Annual visitors
1,828,000 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.85/100k)
Big Mac
$5.69
Avg temp
22.1°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
Travel guide
There is nowhere else quite like Australia, nicknamed the Land Down Under, the only country that has a whole continent to itself. With Indigenous cultures that go back over 65,000 years and truly global immigration in modern times, the country is famous for its natural wonders, wide open spaces, beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback". However, it is also highly urbanised, with an array of cosmopolitan cities – the largest and most famous being Sydney, situated on one of the most famous harbours in the world.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Australia
Best time to visit
Australia's seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere. Sydney and Melbourne: September–November (spring) and March–May (autumn) are best. Great Barrier Reef: June–October (dry season). Northern Territory: May–September (dry season). Tasmania: December–February.
Visa
Most nationalities must apply for a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before arrival. US, UK, Canadian visitors can get an ETA in minutes via the Australian ETA app. Most EU nationals require an eVisitor visa (subclass 651), free and fast online.
Highlights
Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most famous buildings. You can take a photo on the steps of the Opera House, explore it majestic exterior and splendid interior on daily tours, and enjoy performances held under its iconic white sails. On the edge of Sydney Harbour, one of the world’s great natural harbours, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was evaluated as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind”. For daily tours, join the Sydney Opera House Tour, the Backstage Tour or the Tour and Tasting Plate, which includes a guided tour and a three-tier gourmet tasting plate at the Opera Kitchen. Foreign language tours are in Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish and German. The Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1973. With its shimmering sails and prominent position on Bennelong Point, this astonishing building has come to define its city, the nation of Australia and has become the benchmark for iconic building design, for the arts and beyond. Today, the Opera House is a busy performing arts centre, home of Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and the Sydney Symphony.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (21)
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Major cities
Sydney
Australia's harbor city, anchored by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with world-class beaches and a vibrant food scene.
Melbourne
Australia's cultural capital — a city of coffee obsession, laneway art, world-class restaurants, and passionate sports culture.
Cairns
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, two of Australia's greatest natural wonders.
Perth
Australia's most isolated major city — world-class beaches at Cottesloe, Rottnest Island's quokkas, and the Margaret River wine region.
Adelaide
South Australia's elegant, food-obsessed capital — Barossa Valley wine, Central Market, and the Flinders Ranges day trip.
Gold Coast
Australia's theme park capital with Surfers Paradise beach, world-class surf, and the Gold Coast hinterland rainforest.
Hobart
Tasmania's capital and gateway to Cradle Mountain — MONA contemporary art museum and fresh seafood straight off the boat.