With its iconic opera house, great big outback, over 7000 beaches, Great Barrier Reef and cheeky kuala bears, Australia holds a great allure.
10 October 2007
Name: Commonwealth of Australia
Location: A continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Population: 20.3 million (official estimate, 2005)
Capital: Canberra
Other Cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Hobart
Area: 7.7 million sq km (2.9 million sq miles)
Major language: English
Major religion: Christianity
LIfe expectancy: 78 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents
Internet domain: .au
International dialling code: +61
Time Zone: GMT +10
Daylight Saving Start/End: Last Sunday in October/Last Sunday in March
Electricity: 220-240V 50Hz
Airports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin.
Entry Requirements: A Visa and a valid passport. You can get visa forms from travel agents or download it from Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
Best Time to Go: December to February is Australia's summer and get uncomfortably hot but good for beach lovers. Winter, June to August, offers skiing in NSW and Victoria.
Tipping: Tipping is not expected and at times may even be the source of offence. However, tipping in restaurants is expected and 10% should cover it.