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Australia

At A glance

Capital City: Canberra

Land size: 7,682,300 sq km

Population: 26,141,369 (2022 est.)

Official language: officially none but English is most commonly spoken

Currency: Australian Dollars ($ / AUD)

UNESCO properties and sites:

Great Barrier Reef,
Kakadu National Park,
Willandra Lakes Region,
Lord Howe Island Group,
Tasmanian Wilderness,
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia,
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,
Wet Tropics of Queensland,
Shark Bay in Western Australia,
Fraser Island,
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte),
Heard and McDonald Islands,
Macquarie Island,
Greater Blue Mountains Area,
Purnululu National Park,
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens,
Sydney Opera House,
Australian Convict Sites,
Ningaloo Coast,
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/australia/

Australia is famous for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a laid-back lifestyle. Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Sydney, where you can marvel at the iconic Sydney Opera House, explore the picturesque coastal cliffs of Bondi Beach, and immerse yourself in the bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere. Journey through the vast Outback, with its red deserts, ancient rock formations, and fascinating Aboriginal culture.
Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Australian people, experiencing their outdoor lifestyle, and embracing the cultural diversity that defines the country.

Australia is a great destination for horseback riding holidays thanks to its vast wilderness and a deep love for horses. Ride along the pristine beaches of New South Wales, feeling the salty breeze on your face as you explore the sandy shores and turquoise waters. Journey through the lush rainforests, where vibrant foliage, cascading waterfalls, and exotic wildlife create an enchanting backdrop for horseback riding adventures.

Brief History

Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories.
Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, English captain James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies respectively. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868.
As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933.
Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859).

The Australian gold rushes in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia.

In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/australia/

Cultural Insights

The legality of using e-cigarettes in Australia differs between States. Liquid nicotine is classed as a poison and banned from sale nationwide, however some States allow importation for personal use and the use of e-cigarettes without nicotine. You should seek local advice on what restrictions are in place at your destination.

Since its days as a British colony Australia has developed a complex national culture with immigrants from many parts of the world as well as an indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. The strong sense of societal and historical distinctiveness among the different states and territories has not developed into major subcultural diversity based on geographic regions.

Australian English probably originated as a combination of British regional dialects used by groups of convicts and others who came to the colonies. Australian English is different from British and American English but does not vary much regionally.

A predominant image among Australians is that they are very casual, easygoing, and familiar. First names are used commonly as terms of address.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Australia.html
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/local-laws-and-customs

Transportation

By Air
Sydney’s International Airport is serviced by many international airlines, making it an easy gateway to arrive in the country from overseas. Flights arrive from many cities in Asia, the Middle East, North America, South America, and the Pacific.

As Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne has a great selection of international flights. Most of the airlines that fly into Sydney’s International Airport will also fly into Melbourne Airport.

It’s easy to get to Brisbane from overseas. Brisbane’s International Airport receives flights from North America, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

Source: https://www.australia.com/en-ca/facts-and-planning/getting-around/how-to-get-to-australias-most-iconic-cities-and-destinations.html

Money

Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports. Australian banks offer the same range of services typical in other western nations, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widespread, although facilities may be limited in remote towns and the outback.

EFTPOS (electronic payment system) is widely available in most Australian shops, restaurants and hotels, allowing you to pay for purchases with your credit or debit card. Fees may be charged on transactions, particularly if withdrawing from an international account, so it is advised you check with your bank before travelling.

Source: https://www.australia.com/en-ca/facts-and-planning/useful-tips.html

Health

The standard of healthcare in Australia is very good.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 000 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Australia to ensure the medication is legal in Australia.
Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Air pollution is a significant problem during certain months in Australia due to bush fires. Consider the impact seasonal bush fire season pollution may have on you, and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/health
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Australia.html

Electricity

Australia operates on a 240V supply voltage and uses type I plugs.

The Type I plug has two flat pins in a V-shape as well as a grounding pin. A version of the plug, which only has the two flat pins, exists as well.

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

Communication

Time zone in Australia: Australian Western Standard Time (GMT + 8), Australian Central Western Standard Time (GMT + 8:45), Australian Central Standard Time (GMT + 9:30), Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 10), Australian Central Daylight Time (GMT + 10:30), Australian Eastern Daylight Time (GMT + 11)

International country code – 61

The Australian telecom market since 2020 has been impacted by the pandemic, which forced many people to school and work from home and thus adopt fixed-line broadband services. Internet traffic, both fixed and mobile, increased substantially as a result.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/australia/

Entry Requirements

Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country.

New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country.

All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of Australian visa types at your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. You can also apply for certain types of visas on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-australia/can-i-go-to-australia

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6214-5600

U.S. Consulate in Melbourne
553 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Telephone: (03) 9526-5900

U.S. Consulate in Perth
16 St. George’s Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 6144-5100

U.S. Consulate in Sydney
50 Miller Street
North Sydney NSW 2060

High Commission of Canada in Canberra
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra, ACT 2600
Telephone: (61) 2 6270 4000

Consulate General of Canada in Sydney
Level 6, Quay West Building, 111 Harrington Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: (61) 2 9364 3000

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

UNESCO Sites

Photo by Camille Loiseau

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusk. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

Kakadu National Park
This unique archaeological and ethnological reserve, located in the Northern Territory, has been inhabited continuously for more than 40,000 years. The cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region’s inhabitants, from the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the Aboriginal people still living there. It is a unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateaus, and provides a habitat for a wide range of rare or endemic species of plants and animals.

Willandra Lakes Region
The fossil remains of a series of lakes and sand formations that date from the Pleistocene can be found in this region, together with archaeological evidence of human occupation dating from 45–60,000 years ago. It is a unique landmark in the study of human evolution on the Australian continent. Several well-preserved fossils of giant marsupials have also been found here.

Lord Howe Island Group
A remarkable example of isolated oceanic islands, born of volcanic activity more than 2,000 m under the sea, these islands boast a spectacular topography and are home to numerous endemic species, especially birds.

Tasmanian Wilderness
In a region that has been subjected to severe glaciation, these parks and reserves, with their steep gorges, covering an area of over 1 million ha, constitute one of the last expanses of temperate rainforest in the world. Remains found in limestone caves attest to the human occupation of the area for more than 20,000 years.

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
This site, comprising several protected areas, is situated predominantly along the Great Escarpment on Australia’s east coast. The outstanding geological features displayed around shield volcanic craters and the high number of rare and threatened rainforest species are of international significance for science and conservation.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
This park, formerly called Uluru (Ayers Rock – Mount Olga) National Park, features spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. Uluru, an immense monolith, and Kata Tjuta, the rock domes located west of Uluru, form part of the traditional belief system of one of the oldest human societies in the world. The traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta are the Anangu Aboriginal people.

Wet Tropics of Queensland
This area, which stretches along the north-east coast of Australia for some 450 km, is made up largely of tropical rainforests. This biotope offers a particularly extensive and varied array of plants, as well as marsupials and singing birds, along with other rare and endangered animals and plant species.

Shark Bay in Western Australia
At the most westerly point of the Australian continent, Shark Bay, with its islands and the land surrounding it, has three exceptional natural features: its vast sea-grass beds, which are the largest (4,800 km2) and richest in the world; its dugong (‘sea cow’) population; and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which form hard, dome-shaped deposits and are among the oldest forms of life on earth). Shark Bay is also home to five species of endangered mammals.

Fraser Island (K’gari)
At 122 km long, it is the largest sand island in the world. Majestic remnants of tall rainforest growing on sand and half the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes are found inland from the beach. The combination of shifting sand dunes, tropical rainforests and lakes makes it an exceptional site.

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)
Riversleigh and Naracoorte, situated in the north and south respectively of eastern Australia, are among the world’s 10 greatest fossil sites. They are a superb illustration of the key stages of evolution of Australia’s unique fauna.

Heard and McDonald Islands
Heard Island and McDonald Islands are located in the Southern Ocean, approximately 1,700 km from the Antarctic continent and 4,100 km south-west of Perth. As the only volcanically active sub Antarctic islands they ‘open a window into the earth’, thus providing the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics. The distinctive conservation value of Heard and McDonald – one of the world’s rare pristine island ecosystems – lies in the complete absence of alien plants and animals, as well as human impact.

Macquarie Island
It is an oceanic island in the Southern Ocean, lying 1,500 km south-east of Tasmania and approximately halfway between Australia and the Antarctic continent. The island is the exposed crest of the undersea Macquarie Ridge, raised to its present position where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate meets the Pacific plate. It is a site of major geoconservation significance, being the only place on earth where rocks from the earth’s mantle (6 km below the ocean floor) are being actively exposed above sea-level. These unique exposures include excellent examples of pillow basalts and other extrusive rocks.

Photo by Camille Loiseau

Greater Blue Mountains Area
The Greater Blue Mountains Area consists of 1.03 million ha of sandstone plateau, escarpments and gorges dominated by temperate eucalypt forest. The site, comprised of eight protected areas, is noted for its representation of the evolutionary adaptation and diversification of the eucalypts in post-Gondwana isolation on the Australian continent. Ninety-one eucalypt taxa occur within the Greater Blue Mountains Area which is also outstanding for its exceptional expression of the structural and ecological diversity of the eucalypts associated with its wide range of habitats. The site provides significant representation of Australia's biodiversity with ten percent of the vascular flora as well as significant numbers of rare or threatened species, including endemic and evolutionary relict species, such as the Wollemi pine, which have persisted in highly-restricted microsites.

Purnululu National Park
The 239,723 ha Purnululu National Park is located in the State of Western Australia. It contains the deeply dissected Bungle Bungle Range composed of Devonian-age quartz sandstone eroded over a period of 20 million years into a series of beehive-shaped towers or cones, whose steeply sloping surfaces are distinctly marked by regular horizontal bands of dark-grey cyanobacterial crust (single-celled photosynthetic organisms). These outstanding examples of cone karst owe their existence and uniqueness to several interacting geological, biological, erosional and climatic phenomena.

Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
The Royal Exhibition Building and its surrounding Carlton Gardens were designed for the great international exhibitions of 1880 and 1888 in Melbourne. The building and grounds were designed by Joseph Reed. The building is constructed of brick and timber, steel and slate. It combines elements from the Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic and Italian Renaissance styles. The property is typical of the international exhibition movement which saw over 50 exhibitions staged between 1851 and 1915 in venues including Paris, New York, Vienna, Calcutta, Kingston (Jamaica) and Santiago (Chile). All shared a common theme and aims: to chart material and moral progress through displays of industry from all nations.

Photo by Camille Loiseau

Sydney Opera House
Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a great architectural work of the 20th century that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation in both architectural form and structural design. A great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip of a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture. The Sydney Opera House comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. These shell-structures are set upon a vast platform and are surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. In 1957, when the project of the Sydney Opera House was awarded by an international jury to Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it marked a radically new approach to construction.

Australian Convict Sites
The property includes a selection of eleven penal sites, among the thousands established by the British Empire on Australian soil in the 18th and 19th centuries. The sites are spread across Australia, from Fremantle in Western Australia to Kingston and Arthur's Vale on Norfolk Island in the east; and from areas around Sydney in New South Wales in the north, to sites located in Tasmania in the south. Around 166,000 men, women and children were sent to Australia over 80 years between 1787 and 1868, condemned by British justice to transportation to the convict colonies. Each of the sites had a specific purpose, in terms both of punitive imprisonment and of rehabilitation through forced labour to help build the colony. The Australian Convict Sites presents the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts.

Ningaloo Coast
The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. On land the site features an extensive karst system and network of underground caves and water courses. Annual gatherings of whale sharks occur at Ningaloo Coast, which is home to numerous marine species, among them a wealth of sea turtles. The terrestrial part of the site features subterranean water bodies with a substantial network of caves, conduits, and groundwater streams. They support a variety of rare species that contribute to the exceptional biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial site

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
Located in the traditional Country of the Gunditjmara people in south-eastern Australia, it consists of three serial components containing one of the world’s most extensive and oldest aquaculture systems. The Budj Bim lava flows provide the basis for the complex system of channels, weirs and dams developed by the Gunditjmara in order to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel – Anguilla australis). The highly productive aquaculture system provided an economic and social base for Gunditjmara society for six millennia. The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is the result of a creational process narrated by the Gunditjmara as a deep time story, referring to the idea that they have always lived there. From an archaeological perspective, deep time represents a period of at least 32,000 years. The ongoing dynamic relationship of Gunditjmara and their land is nowadays carried by knowledge systems retained through oral transmission and continuity of cultural practice.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/?searchStates=germany&id=&region