Australia - almost at the end of the world
General information
Australia is both a country and a continent - a feature that explains much of its character. It covers a vast area, but most of the population lives on the coast, where the best-known cities are located. The country is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and its nearest neighbours are Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north and New Zealand to the south-east.
The capital is Canberra, but the cities best known to visitors are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Each has its own character, and the huge distances between regions make Australia more a country for several different trips than for one classic tour.
Here you can see modern cities, some of the world's most famous beaches, rainforests, deserts, coral reefs and unique wildlife. Kangaroos, koalas, wombats and Tasmanian devils are just some of the animals that have evolved differently from those in the rest of the world.
Climate
Australia's climate is extremely varied because of the country's sheer size. The north has a tropical climate, the centre is dry and desert-like, and the south-east and south-west have a more temperate climate.
This means that when it is summer in Sydney, it is winter in Europe. Australian seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere - summer is roughly from December to February and winter from June to August.
For Sydney, Melbourne and the south, spring and autumn are very pleasant for exploring the cities, while winter can also be a good time to travel. Queensland and the north coast have a warmer climate and during the European winter months are among the favourite places to escape to the sun.
When visiting the Great Barrier Reef it is important to consider the season and conditions in the specific area, as the north of the country has a distinct wet and dry season.
Culture and history
Australia's history began long before the arrival of Europeans. Aboriginal peoples have inhabited the continent for at least tens of thousands of years and have some of the oldest continuous cultural traditions in the world.
Their connection with the land, nature and the spiritual world is part of Australia's cultural heritage. The art of Aboriginal communities is especially recognisable for its symbols, geometric motifs and images linked to nature, legends and the so-called Dreaming - a system of stories and beliefs that explains the origins of, and the bonds between, people, the land and the natural world.
The country's European history began with British settlement at the end of the 18th century. In 1788 the first British colony was established in the area of present-day Sydney. Separate colonies gradually took shape and in 1901 united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
Sydney is the largest city and one of the most recognisable cities in the world. Its symbol is the Sydney Opera House - the building with the distinctive sail-like roofs, designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973.
The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge form one of the most famous city panoramas. The harbour area is wonderful for walks, and from various points you can see the Opera House, the bridge and the waters of the bay all at once.
Sydney is also famous for its beaches. Bondi Beach is one of the most popular and is part of city life rather than just a tourist attraction. Surfing is an important part of Australian culture, and it is on the coast that you best feel the country's connection with the ocean.
Melbourne has a completely different character. The city is known for its café culture, street art, music, sport and architecture. The maze of small laneways in the centre has become a kind of open-air gallery covered in graffiti and murals.
Melbourne is also one of the country's great sporting centres. It hosts the Australian Open, a Formula 1 race and many other international sporting events.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is more tropical and relaxed. The city lies on the Brisbane River and is a good starting point for the Gold Coast and the islands of Queensland.
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's best-known seaside areas. Long sandy beaches, surfing, modern hotels and theme parks make it a popular holiday destination.
In the north of Queensland lies Cairns - one of the main gateways to the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest coral reef system in the world and stretches a vast distance along the Queensland coast.
A visit to the reef is one of Australia's great experiences. Depending on the area, diving and snorkelling can be arranged, revealing an underwater world of coral, fish and marine life.
Not far from Cairns is the Daintree - one of the oldest rainforests on the planet. The area is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland and shows a completely different face of the country.
In central Australia the landscape changes completely. Here stands Uluru - the huge sandstone monolith rising above the red desert. For the local Aboriginal communities, especially the Anangu people, Uluru has deep spiritual significance.
Today the area is protected, and a visit helps you understand why nature holds such an important place in Australia's traditional culture.
Perth, on the west coast, is one of the most isolated large cities in the world. It is known for its sunny climate, beaches and closeness to the Margaret River region, famous for its wines and beautiful scenery.
Adelaide also deserves attention, especially for lovers of food and wine. Near the city lies the Barossa Valley - one of Australia's best-known wine regions.
Australian cuisine reflects the country's multicultural character. Seafood, meat and local produce are part of the traditional cuisine, but the strong Asian influence is especially noticeable in contemporary gastronomy. Melbourne and Sydney are known for their restaurant scenes, where Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and Mediterranean influences meet.
Why and when to visit?
Australia is a destination that can hardly be explored in one go. For a first trip, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef are often chosen, and with more time Melbourne, the Gold Coast or Uluru can be added.
December to February is summer in Australia and is good for the southern cities and beaches, but the tropical north is then in its wet season. From June to August the weather in Sydney and Melbourne is cooler, while northern Queensland offers warmer conditions.
For nature lovers, Australia is hard to compare with any other destination. Here a single trip can include a coral reef, a rainforest, a desert and the ocean, with two very different cities in between.
For a city break, Sydney offers architecture, beaches and cultural events, while Melbourne is stronger in art, cafés, sport and urban culture. Queensland is the natural choice for a combination of sea, tropical nature and the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia is also a country of great distances. That is why good planning is important - not all popular places can be combined conveniently on a short trip. But when the route is well chosen, the variety is impressive.
This is a country where travelling often means changing a whole world, not just a city. From a café in Melbourne to the surfers of Bondi, from the corals of the Great Barrier Reef to the red rocks of Uluru, Australia offers experiences that can hardly be gathered into a single picture.
