Population: 20 million
Major Airports: Canberra Airport – Australian Capital Territory - (CBR), Sydney Airport – New South Wales - (SYD), Adelaide Airport – South Australia - (ADL), Melbourne Airport – Victoria - (MEL), Perth Airport – Western Australia - (PER), Brisbane Airport – Queensland - (BNE), Darwin Airport (DRW), Hobart Airport (HBA), Cairns Airport – Queensland - (CNS), Townsville Airport – Queensland - (TSV).
Currency: Australian dollar - AUD ($1 US = $1.32 AUD)
Language: English
Documents: To enter Australia you need both a valid passport and a visa. You are able to drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license for the same class of vehicle you drove back home.
When to Go: Another all-year round destination, but remember that they are the land down under so their seasons are reversed, summer is December to February, while ski season is from June to October. The rainy season that occurs in the Northern Territory and Western Australia is in January. In general, summer, December to February, is a good time to visit, in January there’s the Australian Open, tennis event, in Melbourne, in February there’s Mardi Gras in Sydney as well as the Formula Grand Prix in March. However, when visiting the Northern Territory go anytime between May-July instead as the weather will be more comfortable as it gets too humid outside of this timeframe.
Getting There: Almost all visitors to Australia have to arrive there by air. Flights to Australia will be long and can get expensive, but if you plan in advance great deals can always be found.
Getting Around: Once in Australia due to the massive size of this country, you’ll find that it’s the easiest to travel by air once again. Therefore, plan in advance and make your flight bookings in advance to save from costly last minute airfare tickets. You will be able to get around each city either by bus, train or taxi. If you are feeling extra adventurous you can choose to rent a car and drive, but the Australian outback can be very dangerous. If you want the challenge and are ready to take the risk make sure to read up or consult the locals on what you’ll need to bring with you and pick up a copy of the latest maps.
