Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the world's smallest continent and a number of islands in the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia's neighboring countries are Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

The continent of Australia has been inhabited for over 40,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by European explorers and merchants starting in the 17th century, the eastern half of the continent was claimed by the British in 1770 and officially settled as the penal colony of New South Wales on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were successively established over the course of the 19th century.

On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth Realm. The current population of around 20.4 million is concentrated mainly in the large coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Capital Canberra
Largest City Sydney
Area 7,686,850 km²
Population 20,406,800
Language English
Currency Dollar (aud)
Government Constitutional Monarchy – Elizabeth II

Sydney , New South Wales 3,927,473

Melbourne, Victoria 3,600,080

Brisbane, Queensland 1,774,890

Perth, Western Australia 1,457,639

Adelaide, South Australia 1,124,315

Newcastle, New South Wales 505,369

Gold Coast-Tweed, Queensland/New South Wales 469,832

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 369,365

Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sun baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.

Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee the next will have to re-think their grasp of geography in this huge country. It is this sheer vastness that gives Australia - and its diverse population - much of its character.

Check out some of the most spectacular, untouched natural scenery in the world. From the white sparkling sand and turquoise water of our coastline to some of the most dramatic gorges, you’ll be amazed at the unique things you can see and do in Western Australia!

Fremantle - Fremantle is a vibrant port city rich in heritage buildings, unique attractions, maritime history and cosmopolitan culture. Just 20 minutes southwest of Perth, the streets of Fremantle are a buzz with shoppers and al fresco diners seven days a week.

Rottnest Island - Crystal clear bays and coral fringed beaches with sparkling white sands, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, surfing or sunbathing make Rottnest Island one of Western Australia’s favorite holiday destinations. It's the ideal place for a pristine marine experience.

Kings Park - Kings Park offers sweeping parklands, a Botanic Garden, spectacular wildflowers and a huge expanse of native bush land, all only a few minutes from the centre of Perth. Visitors can also enjoy amazing panoramic views of Perth city and the Swan River.

Perth Beaches - Travel only minutes from the city to find some of the most pristine coastline in the world. Powdery white beaches with sparkling blue water stretch for as far as the eye can see, from the city’s western suburbs to Lancelin, 125 kilometers north of Perth.

Australia's Coral Coast.

Kalbarri - Nestled where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean, two hours' drive north from Geraldton. Kalbarri is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday resorts and is the premium place in the mid west for a total holiday experience.

Ningaloo Marine Park - Stretching 260 kilometres along pristine coastline, Ningaloo Reef is Western Australia’s largest and most accessible Coral Reef. With dazzling water, amazing marine life and untouched nature, Ningaloo Marine Park is an unforgettable holiday destination.

Shark Bay World Heritage Area - Shark Bay was Western Australia's first World Heritage listed area. Friendly bottle-nosed dolphins, clear turquoise water and some of the oldest and largest living fossils in the world make for a very unique holiday.

Australia's Golden Outback

Kalgoorlie - An hour's flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream.

Esperance - A picturesque town nestled on the shores of Esperance Bay; Esperance is the ideal destination for lovers of sun, spectacular beaches and awesome adventure. Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Esperance is about a 9 hour drive from Perth.

Wildflowers - Nature puts on an exquisite display of dazzling wildflowers in Australia’s Central Wildflower Country. Considered to be among the finest wildflowers in the world, here brilliant night skies glisten with a myriad of stars above spectacular natural scenery.

History and Heritage - Explore old mining towns, wander through settlements built by goldrush pioneers and listen to dreamtime stories told by local Aboriginals. Or just sit back and absorb the laid back atmosphere of rural life among grandiose heritage buildings and friendly pubs.

Australia's North West

Broome - Broome simply oozes with color and has a fascinating history. It's Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the Indian Ocean's doorstep and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley.

Kununurra - Located in the far north is the eastern gateway to Western Australia's top end and home of outback adventure. With year round warm weather and plentiful water, Kununurra is lush and fertile, and produces much of the State's fruit and vegetables.

Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range) - The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible as you approach from the south. Sweeping over the range a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed.

Karijini National Park - The second largest national park in Western Australia, Karijini is one of the most spectacular sights in the Pilbara. With breathtaking gorges, crystal clear rock pools, waterfalls, and stunning scenery, a visit to Karijini is a must.

Australia's South West

Margaret River - The Margaret River region is a superb blend of good living and stunning nature just three and a half hours' drive south of Perth. Visitors be prepared to indulge in the gastronomic delights of world class wineries and gourmet vineyard restaurants.

Southern Forests - Australia’s South West region has giant trees, more than 400 years old stretching up to 50 meters into the air. You can even climb to the top of some of these beautiful giants and look out over the towering timbers. What an amazing experience!

Wine and Food - You’ll find mouth-watering fresh produce and local arts and crafts at every turn in the Margaret River Wine Region. From full-bodied wine and flavorsome olive oil to premium cheeses and delicious hand-made chocolates, this is a gourmet food lovers’ paradise.

South-West beaches - Visitors to Australia's South-West region will see why surfing is such a popular sport. The combination of warm weather, consistent swells, spectacular beaches and reliable breezes create the perfect conditions for surfing and other water sports.

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Christmas is part of the long summer school vacation and during December and January you can be forgiven for thinking that half of Australia is on holiday. This is when accommodation is almost always booked out.

Australia's arts festivals attract culture vultures from all over Australia to see mainstream and fringe drama, dance, music and visual arts. The jewel in Australia's touring rock festival crown is the annual Big Day Out, a day-long showcase of major local and international bands, which hits most major cities in late January. The huge Festival of Sydney, which takes up most of January, is the umbrella for a number of events from open air concerts, to street theatre and fireworks. The Adelaide Arts Festival takes place at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. Each year, Womadelaide, Adelaide's outdoor festival of world music and dance, takes place in the second week of March. Melbourne has a Comedy Festival in April, the world's biggest Writers' Festival in September and the fabulous Melbourne International Festival in October. A couple of festivals to celebrate Aboriginal arts and culture include the Stompen Ground Festival, which is held in Broome in October and the Barunga Wugularr Sports & Cultural Festival, held near Katherine in June.

Sporty fun includes Darwin's Beer Can Regatta in August, when a series of boat races are held for craft constructed entirely of beer cans; Alice Spings holds the Henley-on-Todd, a boat race 'run' on a dry river bed. More mainstream events include the Sydney to Hobart yacht race (from Boxing Day); the Australian Open tennis championship (Melbourne in January); the Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne in March); Australian Rules Football (around the country from March to September); and the country-stopping Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.

Gay festivals include Sydney's massive, outlandish Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, in February/March, and Melbourne's January/February Midsumma Festival.

Duration: 8 Days

Grab your board, your mates and your wetsuit and explore Margaret River’s world class waves.There are more than 40 places to surf - conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach breaks. You’ll find Margaret River is one of the most consistent, scenic and laid back surfing destinations in the world. Choose the day’s surf destination based on the wind and swell conditions. This itinerary begins in Margaret River – the journey from Perth is about a four hour drive.

Day 1 – Wind: offshore (easterly). Swell: 4-6 foot - Main Break, Margaret River, Surf’s Up!
The day begins early at the Main Break at Margaret River with 4-6 foot glassy waves. The swells here are consistent due to thousands of kilometres of uninterrupted seas between Australia and Africa. While you’re putting on your wetsuit, watch the locals pull in to perfect barrels and make radical snaps off the top. The wave itself is a super steep take off, through a round bowl section into some nice walling cutback faces as the wave peels through towards the beach. It’s one that will leave your heart pounding and can make the whole trip worth it. After an exhausting and adrenalin charged day, grab a gourmet burger from one of the local cafes and watch the sunset over the ocean. Accommodation in Margaret River suits all budgets – from camping grounds and budget motels to forest chalets and five star hotels. Wherever you stay make sure you fall into bed early so you can be up at dawn for the big swell the next day! Overnight: Prevelly, Nr Margaret River.

Day 2 - Wind: north easterly in the morning. Swell: 6-8 foot - Boranup
Take your lunch with you today. This morning as the sun comes up, jump into your vehicle and head south to the long white sandy beaches of Boranup. The surf here provides a range of large but perfect A-frame peaks in pristine, clear water. Here you can pick the peak that best suits your style and relish in the idyllic surf conditions. When the wind turns offshore break for lunch on the beach before driving a few minutes to the caves. Spend the afternoon exploring one of the many caves that are open to the public. Descending the stairs into the mouth of the cave, you’ll be surrounded by towering karri trees. On the drive back to Margaret River, explore the gravel roads through the Boranup Forest where you’ll again be dwarfed by awesome karri trees – some up to 60 metres tall. Head into Margaret River for dinner and drinks at a local pub. Overnight: Margaret River.

Day 3 - Wind: fresh south-westerly. Swell: 3-5 foot - Cowaramup Bay
When the wind picks up, kite-surfers and windsurfers hit the waves. Spend some time watching their amazing aerobatics before travelling fifteen minutes north to Cowaramup Bay. At South Point the waves are protected and clean from the sou-wester. Surfing left, you can race hollow sections and pull sharp snaps, sending spray for metres out the back of the wave. Next to South Point is Huzza’s (Huzzawooee South Point, Cowaramup), a mellower wave that breaks over reef but is suitable for malibus and beginners. Finish the day just as the sun sinks into the sea and return to your accommodation ready for a long and luxurious sleep. Overnight: Margaret River.

Day 4 - Wind: east south east in the morning. Swell: 3-4 foot - Cowaramup Bay ??
Today, head around the back of Cowaramup Bay but this time, try the famous Lefthanders. Here the perfect reef break peels for more than 100 metres across the shallow reef floor. The waves are consistent and offer long barrels and clean walls where you can finetune manoeuvres. You can’t visit Margaret River without a trip to one of the award winning wineries. After all that surfing, you’ve worked up a monster appetite so spoil yourself with a long lunch of fresh local seafood. On the way back to town, drop in for wine tasting at other nearby cellar doors, before heading home for a delicious late afternoon siesta. In the evening join the crowd at the pub to play pool and see a band. Overnight: Margaret River.

Day 5 - Wind: warm north easterlys. Swell: 1-2 foot - Main Break (Southsides/Suicides), Margaret River – Cowaramup Bay
Head to the south side of Margarets for some bigger swell and surf the powerful but fun rights and lefts. These waves start with a jacking take off section breaking into solid walls. The rights fade out and the lefts shut down on to the shallow reef. After a few hours, go back to shore, grab some fish and chips from the local shop at Prevelly and enjoy them on the grass overlooking the sea. Margaret River offers some great diving conditions so in the afternoon explore the reef. You’ll see a big variety of fish around the surf break and you may even spot some crayfish hidden in the ledges and caves. An hour or two before sundown take a leisurely drive to Cowaramup Bay for a relaxing bit of fishing from the rocks. Overnight: Margaret River.

Day 6 - Wind: south east morning, south west afternoon. Swell: 6-8 foot. North Point, Gracetown - Dunsborough
Once the big swell arrives the best option is North Point, a fifteen minute drive north to Gracetown. North Point is one of the best spots in WA, but also one of the hardest. It’s a long, powerful righthander, with big open barrels that have been compared to Backdoor in Hawaii. Here the local chargers pull in to massive stand up barrels, hooting as surfers are spat out from the deep green pit. You’ll need your biggest gun to make the drop, but your reward will be the ultimate adrenalin rush of your life. After a huge morning in massive surf, a relaxing afternoon in smaller surf beckons at The Farm near Dunsborough, about half an hour north. Spend the evening at the local pub with the crew you’ve met during the trip and check out the live music. Tonight, stay in Dunsborough rather than drive back to Margaret River. Overnight: Dunsborough

Day 7 - Wind: south, south-west all day. Swell: 4-6 foot - Injidup
Start the day with a tasty pastry from the famous local Dunsborough bakery. On the way back to Margaret River, check out some of the breaks along the coast. In south westerly wind conditions Injidup is a good choice, offering clean waves and a few options. There’s great right hand barrels at both Car Park and Pea Break, with Injidup Point offering a more mellow left that breaks along the rock lined shore at the Southern end of the bay. After another sensational sunset, try out one of the many excellent restaurants, cafes or takeaways available in Margaret River. Overnight: Margaret River.

Day 8 - Wind: offshore. Swell: 4-6 foot - Main Break, Margaret River
Looking out on Main Break on your last day take a moment to admire the incredible number of quality breaks in view. The thick, hollow wave to the right is known as The Box, aptly named because of the deadly square pit it churns out. Off to the left is the heavy bowling wave called the Bommie and the distant left of Boat Ramps. Paddle out for a final surf at the Main Break and enjoy your last taste of the powerful lefts and rights. Once this trip has finished, you’ll seriously contemplate not returning home. Allow approximately four hours to drive back to Perth.

When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia is basking in the Southern Hemisphere's summer, and vice versa. Midwinter in Australia is July and August, and the hottest months are November through March. Remember, unlike in the Northern Hemisphere, the farther south you go in Australia, the colder it gets.



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