Why to visit Australia

If you ever wanted to visit Australia you should know several things about this magnificent country / continent.

Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal. Its capital, Canberra, is inland. The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, a vast interior desert wilderness called the Outback, and unique animal species like kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.

The Outback’s arid Red Centre region is home to the remote town of Alice Springs, a hub for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The park is the site of the Olgas geologic formation and Uluru (Ayers Rock), both sacred to the local indigenous people. Closer to the east coast, Cairns’ Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Canberra’s National Museum of Australia both explore Aboriginal culture. The country is also known for outdoor activities like snorkelling, surfing, adventure sports and hiking. Visitors can explore rainforests, desert, beaches and alpine ranges, as well the Barossa Valley’s vineyards, known for their Shiraz wines.

When to visit Australia

A country of two climates, Australia’s northern half is driest and most accessible between April and September. Warm sunny days show the national parks and beaches at their very best, providing opportunities for swimming and barbecues.

The north is humid from October to March, with more rainfall, but this is offset by the active wildlife, and reinvigorated rainforests and wetlands. In the southern half of Australia, the summer months of December to February bring hot weather.

Autumn (March to May) is also a lovely time, with numerous festivals and the busy grape harvest. Winter (June to August) is less busy and generally attracts a temperate climate that’s ideal for walking, while spring (September to November) often sees more wildlife activity.