The land ‘Down Under’, ‘Oz’, land of ‘Dreamtime’; no matter what you call Australia, this great continent of the Antipodes is a land of gratifying surprises. From the first greeting of “G’day, Mate”, one enters a country of warm, friendly smiles that go well with the sunny climate, an abundance of adventure and exuberant hospitality.
Australia is rich in natural phenomena from the Great Barrier Reef stretching thousands of kilometers along the coast of Queensland to the monolithic and sacred Uluru or Ayers Rock rising out of the country’s desert heartland. The vast Outback with its huge sheep ranches, the extraordinary rock formations of the Olgas, Bungle Bungle and the Pinacles, and thousands of miles of sun-drenched beaches are all part of what makes Australia so unique. And speaking of unique, this is the land of 140 species of Marsupials, where babies grow in the pouches of the Kangaroo, Wallaby, Wombat and Koala just to name a few. If you are interested in birds, Australia will keep you glued to those binoculars following the flight of parrots, parakeets, Galas, Emus and Laughing Kookaburras.
It is often in towns and cities that a visitor can explore the character of Australia. Vibrant Sydney, the country’s powerhouse, quietly elegant Canberra, the nation’s capital, culture- and sports-loving Melbourne, charming Perth and fun-loving Brisbane, a surfer’s paradise; each city defines its inhabitants and offers the visitor an endless choice of fascinating things to see and do. But it is the Aboriginal people who add to the Australian mystique, as you will discover when you stand before their millennial-old rock paintings, or listen to their ‘Dreamtime’ interpretation of life.
So, come visit the land of Waltzing Mathilda, boomerangs and the didgeridoo and find out why Australia is ‘fair dinkum’ – the real thing!
Popular Tours to Austalia include the following: (for more information, click on the links below)
The following information on entry requirements has been confirmed with the Australian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with Australian High Commission and its consulates, for up-to-date information.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Australia. The passport must be valid for at least the duration of your sta in the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA has replaced the visa stamp for most tourists or business travelers making a short-term visit to Australia (less than three months). An ETA is obtained directly from any participating travel agent or from an airline reservation office. For detailed information on the ETA, visit the website of the Australian Electorinic Travel Authority.
HEALTH
Health requirements can change at any time. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Ross River virus occurs throughout Australia, especially in the northern states and in coastal areas. To avoid the risks of these mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up, use sleeping nets, and apply mosquito repellent.
Intense sunshine year-round in Australia can result in exposure to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Travellers should protect themselves from extended exposure to the sun and drink plenty of water to avoid complications from sunburn and dehydration.
POPULATION
21, 007, 310
LOCATION
Australia / New Zealand, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.
LANGUAGES
English 7.9%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8%
AREA
Total: 7686,850 square km
land: 7617,930
water: 68, 920
Slightly smaller than the US
COASTLINE
25,760 km
RELIGION
Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7&, none 15.3%
CLIMATE
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east, tropical in the north
CURRENCY
Australian dollars (AUD)
TIME
UTC + 10
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday, ends last Sunday in March
