AUSTRALIA
Australia (Oz or Straya) is a continent; a huge island in the ocean southeast of Indonesia and New Guinea. Because Australia is located below the equator, the seasons are opposite to Europe. You celebrate Christmas and New Year on the beach. In the north the climate is tropical and towards the south it becomes Mediterranean and increasingly cooler.Australian cuisine is known for BBQ of beef, pork, lamb , kangaroo and crocodile. More and more tourists want to know what this tastes like!
The flora and fauna are unique because the continent is isolated from the rest of the world. There are extensive eucalyptus forests, and native animals include the kangaroo, emu and koala. Imported animals, such as rabbits, feral dogs (dingoes) and camels, have become a pest.
The country has been inhabited by aborigines for thousands of years, now a small minority of the population. The English took possession of the continent in the 17th century, using it as a penal colony for criminals and political prisoners.
Australia has been independent within the United Kingdom since 1901 Kingdom. George III is the head of state and appoints the governor. The states have self-government. The official language is English and British culture is reflected in the favorite sports: horse racing, football, rugby, cricket and tennis.
After the Second World War, Australia offers a better life to European emigrants from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, and after 1980 also from Vietnam, Indonesia and South Africa. The population is concentrated along the east coast; the desert-like interior (outback) is sparsely populated.
The state of Queensland, ‘the sunshine state’, is located in the northeast of Australia. The biggest attraction is the Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeast coast. The water at this 2000 kilometer long coral reef is exceptionally clear, making it a paradise for snorkeling or diving! This is possible in Cairns and the surrounding area. There are palm-lined beaches and tropical rainforests along the coast, and the interior is arid and dry. The warm climate has a dry season and rainy season.
Goldcoast is the favorite holiday area of Australians and is located 80 km south of the city of Brisbane.
From abroad you fly to Sydney (New South Wales), a modern metropolis with several 19th century neighborhoods, wide boulevards and kilometers of beaches.
At Sydney Harbor is the Opera House (1993), which has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 2007. The shape of the roof is reminiscent of the sails of a sailing ship. There are numerous halls for concerts, exhibitions and meetings.
The Harbour Bridge (1932) connects two city districts. A walk over the bridge is fun, but daredevils climb all the way to the top with a guide!
The Rocks is located south of the harbor and is known for street food and buskers . George Street is home to 18th and 19th century monuments. The Paddington district has a European atmosphere, the Saturday market is known as Paddington Bazaar. In the Centennial Park (1888, 220 ha.) you can have a nice picnic, walk, cycle and skate.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a two-hour drive from Sydney, near the town of Katoomba. The high plateau is intersected by rivers and waterfalls. There are trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Wall paintings by aborigines have been preserved in caves. In the 19th century this was a mining area where British forced laborers worked. Landslides and falling rocks occur in this rugged region.
Via a coastal road along bays and cliffs you reach Melbourne, in the state Victoria. Melbourne is known as the cultural capital of Australia. It is a green city with a relaxed atmosphere and many rooftop bars. The National Gallery of Victoria exhibits modern and aboriginal art. The climate is Mediterranean, with vineyards and olive trees. Little penguins and sea lions are found along the coast. There are famous surfing beaches.
Adelaide, on the south-west coast, is known for its numerous churches. The Glenelg district was the first British settlement in Australia and the beaches are accessible by tram. The shopping street Rundle Mall has been around since 1837. The South Australian Museum specializes in aboriginal culture. The Botanic Gardens are a haven in the city. The Himeji Gardens are laid out according to Japanese traditions. At the Central Market you can taste local dishes from Tuesday to Saturday. The factory of the well-known brand Haigs Chocolate is open to the public and has sales points in the city.
On the island of Tasmania, the nature reserve Lake St. Claire National Park is a favorite with trout fishermen. For mountain climbers, Cradle Mountain is a challenge, and to see Wineglass Bay you also need a brisk hike. The best time to travel is summer, from December to March, and even then it can snow! The top of Mount Wellington can be reached by car and offers views of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The Tasman National Park is located along the coast and if you are lucky you can spot whales in the sea!
Western Australia is a sparsely populated area with the capital Perth. There are vineyards along the coast and inland mining is the main source of income. The distances in Australia are enormous, passenger transport is usually by plane.
In the Northern Territory, in Kata Tjutja National Park, lies Ayers Rock (Uluru), a huge mysterious rock formation in a barren plain. Aborigines have lived in this area for 10,000 years and Uluru is part of their spiritual culture. In 1950 a road was built and tourism started. Multi-day desert trips are possible, but most tourists arrive by plane. The area is inhospitable with extreme temperature differences from -5 to 45 degrees Celsius.
Do you want to discover the hidden gems of Australia? In addition to hotels in Sydney, our travel agency also offers tours to other parts of this immense country.
$1648,-
| Capital | Canberra |
|---|---|
| Population | 26.194.302 |
| Language | English |
| Currency | Australian dollar |
| Visa required | www.visum.nl |
| Vaccination(s) | no |
| Voltage | 230 V |
| Traffic | Left-hand traffic |
