Australia

Welcome to the land Down Under. It's the largest island on planet earth, and surrounding Australia's shores are countless smaller islands. Above and below the water is unique wildlife and fauna you will see nowhere else in the world. It's home to the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef, visible from outer space. Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, the Simpson Desert, Uluru - the largest monolith in the world and vibrant capital cities. These are just a few of the myriad of prospects for any traveller to explore.

Divided into six states and two territories, Australia has a variety of landscapes from snow-capped mountains to ochre dunes and white beaches fringed by coral reefs. There are iconic man-made structures like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Sydney. See the street art in Melbourne, sip a coffee at a stylish cafe, or a cocktail at one of the many funky bars.

Dining has become a dream for any foodie throughout the country, no matter what your tastes, with a multitude of paddock-sea-to-plate experiences. Australia's cities have a vibrant cafe and restaurant scene with alfresco dining popular. Chefs, love to push 'culinary boundaries' and the locals love it. Live music is everywhere in bars, pubs and clubs and music festivals of all sizes thrive all-year-round.

Explore wine regions and enjoy country life in farm stays, delve deeper into meeting locals, and discovering the variety of ecosystems that exist from the reef to the outback.

Australians love the beach, and holiday times mean the coastal areas are busy and full of fun for all ages. Surf lifesavers in their classic yellow and red uniform patrol some beaches as summer in Australia equal sand + sun + fun. Australians come together in back yards and parks for a BBQ's and a beer. Cricket is played all day in the summer, and football is an obsession in the winter months. Roads lead to regional cities and country life in cute towns where local events such as a rodeo draw residents and visitors alike together.

There are over 500 national parks from the reef and rainforest to the outback, to snow-capped mountains and wilderness areas. No wonder Australia is such a popular place to visit. Join the party down under and discover Australia in its glory.

Best time to visit Australia

There is no wrong time to visit Australia! If you want to go skiing, winter is the only time as is travel into the outback as many attractions close over the hot summer. December to February and other school holidays are peak times for Australians to have a beach holiday so accommodation can get scarce - it's best to pre-book anytime with the multitude of events and festivals happening all year round.