Discover Australia

Australia at a Glance

A fast, practical overview of the world's sixth-largest country and its only nation that is also a continent.

Geography

Australia occupies the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and thousands of smaller islands. It is the driest inhabited continent, and much of its interior is semi-arid or desert, often called the Outback. Most people live in a narrow band along the south-eastern, eastern and south-western coasts.

The Great Dividing Range runs down the east coast, with Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) in New South Wales as the highest point on the mainland. The country's longest river system is the Murray-Darling, which supports much of its farming. Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) in South Australia is the lowest natural point and one of the largest salt lakes in the world.

Government and regions

Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories. The federal parliament sits in Canberra, a planned city created specifically as the national capital as a compromise between the rivals Sydney and Melbourne. The head of state is the monarch, represented by the Governor-General, while real political power rests with the prime minister and parliament.

Why Australia is unique

Millions of years of isolation produced extraordinary wildlife, from kangaroos and koalas to the egg-laying platypus. The continent is also home to the world's oldest continuing living cultures, explained in our guide to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and to natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef.

Ready to explore further? Browse the major cities, learn about the climate and seasons or jump to practical travel tips.

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States and Territories of Australia

Six states, two mainland territories and several external territories make up the Australian federation.

New South Wales

The oldest and most populous state is the home of Sydney, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Beyond the city you can reach the Blue Mountains, the Snowy Mountains ski fields and the Byron Bay coast.

Victoria

The smallest mainland state packs in a lot: Melbourne's laneways and sports culture, the Grampians National Park, goldfields towns such as Ballarat and the famous Great Ocean Road.

Queensland

Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland stretches from subtropical Brisbane to the tropical far north, where two World Heritage sites meet: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Western Australia

By area it is the largest state and covers about a third of the continent. Perth is one of the most isolated major cities in the world, while the north offers the ancient gorges of the Kimberley.

South Australia, Tasmania and the territories

South Australia is the heart of Australian wine, Tasmania is the island state of rugged wilderness, the ACT contains the national capital and the Northern Territory holds the Red Centre including Uluru. Each of the capital cities has its own profile on our cities page.

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Australia's Major Cities

Nearly nine in ten Australians live in urban areas. Here is what makes each capital city distinct.

Choosing where to go

First-time visitors often begin with Sydney and Melbourne, which are about 880 km apart by road and under two hours by air. Travellers who love nature can pair Brisbane or Cairns with the reef, while foodies should read our food and drink guide. Always check the climate before booking, as a Darwin summer and a Hobart summer are very different experiences.

For regional context see states and territories.

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Australian Wildlife

Isolated for tens of millions of years, Australia evolved animals found nowhere else on Earth.

Marsupials

Kangaroos and wallabies

Australia has several species of kangaroo, including the red kangaroo, the largest living marsupial. They hop at speed and are most active at dawn and dusk. Smaller relatives include wallabies and the tree-climbing tree-kangaroos of northern Queensland.

Koalas

Koalas live in eucalypt forests along the east and south-east and spend most of the day sleeping to conserve energy from their low-nutrient leaf diet. Habitat loss and bushfires are serious threats, so choose ethical wildlife sanctuaries.

Wombats, Tasmanian devils and quokkas

Wombats are sturdy burrowers whose droppings are famously cube-shaped. The Tasmanian devil survives only in the wild in Tasmania, and the cheerful quokka lives on Rottnest Island near Perth.

Monotremes

The platypus and the echidna are among the only mammals in the world that lay eggs. The platypus lives in freshwater rivers of the east coast and Tasmania and has a duck-like bill, webbed feet and venomous spurs on males.

Birds and reptiles

Look out for the laughing kookaburra, rainbow lorikeets, the flightless emu and the endangered southern cassowary of the tropical north. Reptiles include goannas, thorny devils, and saltwater crocodiles, which can grow over 5 metres and live in northern rivers and estuaries.

Marine life

The coast is rich in whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks. The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef offer snorkelling with colourful fish, and at Ningaloo you can swim with whale sharks in season.

Responsible wildlife viewing

• Keep your distance and never feed wild animals.
• Drive carefully at dusk and night, when kangaroos and wombats are on the roads.
• Choose accredited sanctuaries and licensed tour operators.
• Respect national park rules and signage.

Planning a trip? Read our travel tips and browse landmarks and national parks.

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Famous Landmarks and Natural Wonders

From red desert monoliths to world-famous architecture, these are the places that define Australia.

Uluru and the Red Centre

Uluru is a huge sandstone monolith in the Northern Territory, rising about 348 metres above the plain and sacred to the Anangu people. Climbing it has been banned since 2019, but walking the base, joining a ranger-led tour and watching the colours change at sunrise and sunset are unforgettable. Nearby are Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Designed by Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973, the sail-roofed Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932 and can be climbed with a guided tour for panoramic views.

Great Ocean Road

This 243 km coastal route in Victoria was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932. Its star attraction is the Twelve Apostles, a group of limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean.

Kakadu National Park

Australia's largest national park covers wetlands, escarpments and rock art sites that are tens of thousands of years old. It is a dual World Heritage site for both natural and cultural values.

Blue Mountains

West of Sydney, eucalyptus forests release a fine oil mist that gives the valleys their blue haze. The Three Sisters rock formation and the Scenic Railway are highlights.

Other must-sees

• Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, among the oldest rainforests on Earth.
• Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach with its pure white silica sand.
• K'gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world.
• Cradle Mountain and Wineglass Bay in Tasmania.
• The Bungle Bungles in Western Australia's Kimberley.

Many of these sit on Indigenous land. Learn more in our cultural guide, and see the Great Barrier Reef page for the best-known natural wonder of all.

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The Great Barrier Reef

The world's largest coral reef system stretches along the Queensland coast and can be seen from space.

What lives on the reef

The reef supports an enormous variety of life: hundreds of coral species, more than 1,500 species of fish, six species of marine turtle, dugongs, dolphins, rays and migrating humpback whales from June to September.

How to experience it

• Snorkelling: the easiest option, with boat trips from Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach.
• Scuba diving: introductory dives are available even for beginners, as are PADI courses.
• Scenic flights: see Heart Reef and Whitsunday swirls from above.
• Glass-bottom boats and semi-submersibles: good for families and non-swimmers.

Best time to visit

June to October is dry season with calm, clear water and comfortable temperatures. November to May is warmer and wetter and brings the stinger season, when protective suits are recommended. See the seasons guide for details.

Threats and conservation

Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, and cyclones, crown-of-thorns starfish and water quality also affect the reef. Use reef-safe sunscreen, never touch coral, and pick operators with eco certification. Pair your visit with wildlife viewing or other landmarks in Queensland.

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A Short History of Australia

Australian history spans one of the longest human stories on Earth.

First Peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the continent for at least 60,000 years, developing hundreds of distinct nations, languages and ways of caring for Country.

European contact

Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon made the first recorded European landing in 1606 on Cape York. In 1770 James Cook charted the east coast and claimed it for Britain.

Colonisation

The First Fleet of British ships arrived at Sydney Cove in January 1788 to establish a penal colony. Settlement expanded across the continent through the 19th century, with devastating consequences for Indigenous peoples. The gold rushes of the 1850s brought rapid population growth and wealth, especially to Victoria.

Federation

On 1 January 1901 the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. Canberra was chosen as the capital in 1908 and Parliament moved there in 1927.

20th century

Australians fought in both world wars, and the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 is remembered each year on Anzac Day, 25 April. After 1945 large-scale migration from Europe and later Asia, the Middle East and Africa changed the national makeup. A 1967 referendum counted Indigenous Australians in the census and gave the federal government power to make laws for them.

Recent history

The 1992 Mabo decision recognised native title. In 2008 the prime minister delivered a national apology to the Stolen Generations. Today Australia is a diverse, multicultural society that continues to discuss reconciliation. Read more in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and see how modern cities grew from early settlements.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture

The world's oldest continuing living cultures are central to Australian identity and to any visit.

Many nations, not one culture

Before colonisation there were more than 250 distinct language groups. Today people may identify with a specific nation, for example Noongar, Yolngu or Wiradjuri, and Torres Strait Islanders have their own distinct cultures and traditions.

Country and Dreaming

"Country" means the land, waters, sky and all living things, as well as the spiritual and family connections to them. Dreaming stories explain how the landscape and life were created and carry law, knowledge and responsibility from generation to generation.

Art

Dot paintings from the Western Desert, bark paintings from Arnhem Land and ancient rock art at places such as Kakadu are among the best known forms. Many art centres are owned by their communities, and buying from them directly ensures artists are paid fairly. Always look for authenticity labels rather than souvenir copies.

Languages and knowledge

Many languages are endangered, but revival programs are growing. Traditional knowledge includes fire management, seasonal calendars and bush foods that are increasingly recognised by scientists.

Visiting respectfully

• Join a tour led by Indigenous guides to hear stories first-hand.
• Follow signs on restricted or sacred sites and ask before photographing people.
• Acknowledge Traditional Owners; you will often hear an Acknowledgement of Country at events.
• Learn about history to understand present-day conversations.

Notable places with Indigenous-led experiences include Uluru, Kakadu and the Daintree, covered on our landmarks page.

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Australian Food and Drink

Modern Australian cuisine blends British roots, Asian and Mediterranean influences, native ingredients and world-class produce.

Iconic Australian foods

• Meat pie: a hand-sized savoury pie, often eaten with tomato sauce at sporting events.
• Vegemite on toast: a salty yeast spread loved by locals and mysterious to visitors; use a thin layer.
• Lamingtons: sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.
• Pavlova: a meringue dessert topped with cream and fruit, claimed by both Australia and New Zealand.
• Anzac biscuits: oat and coconut cookies tied to the First World War.
• Tim Tams: chocolate biscuits that are a national favourite.

Seafood and barbecue

With so much coastline, seafood is excellent: barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs, Sydney rock oysters, prawns and Tasmanian salmon. The backyard barbecue is a social ritual featuring sausages, steak and lamb.

Bush tucker

Native ingredients such as lemon myrtle, finger lime, wattleseed, kangaroo and macadamia nuts appear on menus across the country, often in partnership with Indigenous growers.

Coffee culture

Melbourne and Sydney are known for specialty coffee. Order a flat white (espresso with silky milk), a long black or a magic, a Melbourne favourite.

Wine and beer

Leading wine regions include the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Margaret River in Western Australia, the Yarra Valley in Victoria and Tasmania for cool-climate wines. Craft breweries thrive in every capital city.

Food markets such as Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne and Adelaide Central Market are great places to sample local produce. See our cities guide to plan a food-focused trip.

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Climate and Seasons in Australia

Because Australia sits in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the reverse of Europe and North America.

Climate zones

Tropical north

Darwin, Cairns and the Kimberley have just two seasons: the Dry (roughly May to October) and the Wet (November to April), with monsoon rain, humidity and cyclone risk. The Dry is the best time to travel.

Arid and semi-arid interior

The Red Centre has hot days, cold nights and very little rain. Visit between April and September to avoid extreme summer heat, which can exceed 40°C.

Temperate south-east

Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra enjoy four distinct seasons. Melbourne is known for changeable weather, and the Snowy Mountains get snow from June to September.

Mediterranean south-west and south

Perth and Adelaide have hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Spring brings spectacular wildflowers in Western Australia.

Bushfire and weather safety

Summer bushfires, floods and cyclones can affect travel. Check official warnings and follow local advice. For planning around the sea, see the reef guide, and for packing and safety, read travel tips.

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Practical Travel Tips for Australia

A checklist of what first-time visitors need to know before and during a trip.

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa or electronic travel authority before arriving. Requirements depend on your passport, so always confirm them on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, and you must declare food, plant material and animal products on arrival.

Money and costs

The currency is the Australian dollar. Cards and contactless payments are accepted nearly everywhere, and tipping is appreciated but not expected. Costs in major cities are high, so book accommodation early for peak periods like December to January.

Getting around

• Flights: distances are vast; domestic flights link all capitals.
• Trains and coaches: scenic long-distance trains such as The Ghan and Indian Pacific are experiences in themselves.
• Driving: traffic keeps to the left. Distances between towns can be huge, so carry water, fuel up often and avoid driving at dusk.
• City transport: each capital has trams, trains or buses with a tap-on travel card.

Safety

• Sun: UV levels are very high. Use SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses.
• Beaches: swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards patrol, and respect rip current warnings.
• Marine stingers and crocodiles: obey signs in northern waters.
• Emergencies: dial 000 for police, fire or ambulance.

Practicalities

Power outlets are 230 V with Type I plugs. Mobile coverage is good in cities but patchy in remote regions, so download offline maps. Time zones vary across the country, and some states use daylight saving.

Etiquette

Australians value friendliness and informality, so greetings like "G'day" are common. Queue politely and be mindful of the cultural guidance in our culture guide. Use the seasons guide to choose when to go and browse cities and landmarks to build an itinerary.

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About This Handbook

An independent guide to learning about and travelling in Australia.

Australia Handbook is an educational reference site that gathers clear, well-organised information about Australia in one place: its geography, cities, wildlife, history, cultures and practical travel advice.

Our approach

We aim to write plain-English articles that answer the questions first-time learners and travellers actually have. Facts such as distances, dates and populations are approximate and may change, so please verify time-sensitive details such as visa rules, opening hours and weather warnings with official sources before you travel.

Explore the handbook

• Australia at a glance
• States and territories
• Major cities
• Wildlife
• History
• Travel tips

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