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Australia is blessed with an amazing diversity of natural attractions, unique flora and fauna, a rich indigenous cultural heritage and a vibrant and energetic multicultural society. From the magnificent Sydney Harbour, complete with Australian icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, to the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kakadu National Park, Australia has a myriad of attractions to please the eye and delight the senses. From the ochre coloured earth of the outback to the bleached white beaches and turquoise waters of the tropics, Australia has something to offer everyone. Coupled, with the easygoing and friendly attitude of the Australian people, Australia is a unique and rewarding holiday destination not to be missed. |
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Country name: Commonwealth of Australia.
Population: 18,090,000.
Capital city: Canberra (pop: 311,000).
People: 94% European descent, 4% Asian, 1.5% Aboriginal.
States and Territories: Northern Territory (Capital city - Darwin), Australian Capital Territory (Capital city - Canberra), Queensland (Capital city - Brisbane), New South Wales (Capital city - Sydney), Victoria (Capital city - Melbourne), South Australia (Capital city - Adelaide), Western Australia (Capital city - Perth), Tasmania (Capital city - Hobart).
Area: 7,682,300 sq km (2,966,136 square miles).
Official language: English.
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Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth.
Prime Minister: John Howard.
Governor-General: Major General Michael Jeffery.
Time zones: Australia is divided into three time zones. Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australia Capital Territory follow Eastern Standard Time. The Northern Territory and South Australia follow Central Standard Time and Western Australia follows Western Standard Time.
Electricity: 240V/50Hz.
Weights & measures: Metric.
Currency: The Australian dollar (One dollar equals one hundred cents). Emergency contact numbers: Ambulance, Fire and Police, dial 000. Australian telephone country code: (0011) 61 + Area Code + Number.
All non Australian citizens require a valid visa and passport before they can enter or travel within Australia (with the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports). The type of visa you will require will depend on the activities you intend to participate in whilst in Australia and the length of time you intend spending in the country. It is important to ensure that your visa is appropriate for you, as travellers will be subject to the requirements of their visa whilst in Australia. It is advisable to obtain the appropriate visa prior to purchasing your tickets for travel to Australia (and to ensure your passport is valid).
Travel agents and airlines in some countries may be able to arrange your visa application for you, or you can apply for a visa through Australian visa offices, including Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates.
For more information on Australian visa requirements, visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/visas.htm
The Electronic Travel Authority is a streamlined travel authorisation system. Under this system, business people and tourists who require a short term entry into Australia can travel to Australia without having to complete a visa application form prior to travelling. As of July 1999, ETA arrangements were available to passport holders from 31 countries. Your authority to travel to Australia is issued and stored electronically.
Participating travel agents and the reservation offices of participating airlines will be able to arrange your ETA, as will Australian diplomatic offices. Intending travellers will be required to supply their passport details to obtain an ETA.
For more information on the Electronic Travel Authority, visit www.immi.gov.au/eta/index.htm
The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs provides important information for travellers intending to visit Australia, including Customs clearance information, Quarantine and a range of other issues. For further information please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website. www.immi.gov.au/visitors/info.htm
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Due to Australia's geographic location it is not surprising that the majority of visitors to Australia arrive by air. The main entry points for overseas air arrivals are the international airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Cairns airports also cater for some international flights. Australia's major domestic carriers offer interstate air services within Australia and a number of smaller airlines service regional centres. |
Australia has an extensive road network (Highway 1 circumnavigates the entire country), therefore travelling Australia by vehicle is an attractive option for many visitors. Hiring a vehicle affords visitors flexibility and independence, especially if they wish to travel 'off the beaten track'. Bus companies operate throughout Australia as do companies that specialise in coach and limousine transfers between destinations. In addition, Australia has an overland rail system which connects all of Australia's major cities, except Darwin.
In Australia, vehicles travel on the left hand side of the road and it is a legal requirement that seatbelts must be worn by drivers and passengers, including children. Road speed limits are invariably far slower through towns, within cities and residential areas than speed limits on the open road. Open road speed limits vary from state to state. Strict drink driving laws apply throughout Australia. Motor cyclists and bicyclists are required to wear a helmet.
In some parts of Australia it is necessary to beware of native animals crossing the roads, especially at night. Road signs are erected to warn motorists in places where animals are commonly seen.
Australia is the world's sixth largest country, the worlds smallest continent and is the only country to cover an entire continent. Australia extends over an area of 7,682,300 km2 (2,966,136 square miles), stretching 4000km from east to west and 3200km from north to south. Australia has approximately 810,000kms (503,010 miles) of roads and 40,000km (24,840 miles) of rail networks. To say Australia is vast is an understatement and many first time visitors express surprise at the distance between major destinations and the time required to reach them, especially when travelling by vehicle. It is advisable to consider the distance to be travelled and the time necessary to complete the journey before undertaking any travel by road, especially in remote or outback areas. If travelling in isolated areas it is usually best to stay on recognised routes, so a good map is essential. Take particular note of the distance between petrol stations and ensure that you carry an adequate supply of drinking water (4.5 litres of water per person per day). It is advisable to take regular breaks if driving over long distances to avoid fatigue. In the unfortunate event of a vehicle breakdown in an isolated area you should never wander away from your vehicle as it can be used for shade and protection from the heat.
Australia has a range of climates extending across the continent. In general, Australia does not experience great climatic extremes. Australian seasons are the opposite to the seasons of the Northern Hemisphere. Summer runs from December to February, Autumn from March to May, Winter from June to August and Spring from September to November. Approximately one third of the Australian continent lies north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Destinations within this zone such as Darwin and Cairns tend to experience a wet season and a dry season. The wet season tends to occur between December and March and is characterised by high temperatures and high humidity. During the dry season rainfall decreases however temperatures tend to remain high. The southern states tend to be more temperate, experiencing variations between the hot and dry summer months and the relatively cool and wet winter months. Apart from the Alpine regions and occasionally in the eastern highlands, it very rarely snows in mainland Australia. During the spring and autumn months, the southern states tend to experience mild temperatures. Tasmania, the most southerly state in Australia is also, on average, the coldest and the wettest state.
Visit the weather page on australia.com for more information.
Electrical appliances in Australia run on the public mains power supply of 240 volts, 50 Hz. Appliances in Australia use three pin socket plugs (which are different to the British three pin plug). Travellers bringing their own electrical appliances should investigate whether their appliances are dual voltage (if not then a voltage transformer may be required). Travellers may also need to purchase an appropriate plug adaptor for their appliances. If you are intending to bring any form of communications equipment into Australia (i.e. mobile phones or laptop computers) it is advisable to investigate whether these appliances are safe to operate in Australia.
For more information on electricity and safety, please visit australia.com
Australian currency is based on the decimal system where one dollar (the basic unit of currency) equals 100 cents. Australian notes are plastic and come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Australian coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations.
Most banks in Australia will exchange foreign currency and traveller's cheques for Australian currency. Most of Australia's major banks are open from 09:30 hours to 16:00 hours on weekdays. Foreign exchange facilities are located at all international airports in Australia and foreign exchange agents are also located in many of Australia's major cities. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Australia and may also be used to obtain cash from ATMs. Automatic Teller Machines generally display the cards they will accept.
Australia has three time zones. Eastern Standard Time (UTC - Greenwich Mean Time - plus 10 hours), Central Standard Time (UTC plus 9.5 hours) and Western Standard Time (UTC plus 8 hours). Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory follow Eastern Standard Time, the Northern Territory and South Australia follow Central Standard Time and Western Australia follows Western Standard Time. During the summer months (usually October - March) Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales switch to daylight savings time by moving their clocks forward by one hour. Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia do not switch to daylight savings time.
The Australian school year is broken into four terms, yet the school holiday periods taken in each state vary slightly. Generally, the summer school vacation lasts from the middle of December to late January. Other school breaks are usually taken during April (over the Easter period), late June to mid-July and late September to early October and these breaks are of approximately two weeks duration. The Christmas break (summer vacation) is an extremely popular time for Australian families to travel, and this tends to be the high season in many locations throughout Australia. The Easter holiday period in April is another popular holiday period for Australian families.
The Australian community enjoys a number of public holidays throughout the year. The public holidays taken vary from state to state. Public holidays taken Australia wide include Australia Day (26th January), ANZAC Day (25th April), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas day (25th December) and Boxing day (26th December). As with school holiday periods, public holidays are times of peak visitation to many destinations and attractions within Australia.
All visitors to Australia should take out health insurance tailored for overseas visitors to protect themselves in the event of illness or accident. Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with some countries, however as not all health services are covered by the agreements it is highly advisable that nationals from these countries also purchase health insurance designed for overseas visitors.
It is important to remember that there are substantial penalties for the importation of illicit substances (drugs) into Australia. There are also strict controls on the types of medicinal products which can be brought into Australia. If you must legitimately bring medication with you, it is important to investigate the import permit requirements for those medications. It is also advisable to bring a letter from your doctor or medical practitioner regarding these medications.
Whilst Australia's beaches and sunshine are extremely enjoyable, Australia's sun is extremely strong and you can get sunburnt. It is advisable to wear a broad brimmed hat, a shirt with a collar and sleeves and sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF 15+ or greater).
For more information on health issues, please visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/health.htm
As of the 1st of July 2000, a Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced within Australia as part of a major tax reform initiative undertaken by the Australian Government.
The GST is a broad-based tax of 10 per cent on most goods and services purchased (except fresh food) and is included in the end price paid by the consumer for the good or service. The amount of GST included in the price of goods and services may not be shown separately, however a useful rule of thumb is to divide the total amount paid by 11 to ascertain the amount of GST that has been included in the end price. The Goods and Services Tax was implemented at the same time that a number of other taxes in Australia were being abolished. As a consequence, the prices of some goods and services have risen, whilst the prices of some goods and services have fallen.
The tax reform package includes a number of initiatives which relate directly to inbound visitors to Australia. Firstly, international and domestic flights purchased overseas by non-residents will be GST free for international visitors. Continuous domestic legs of international journeys will be GST free for Australians and international visitors. Secondly, the New South Wales and Northern Territory Bed Tax has been abolished. Thirdly, tourists and Australians travelling overseas can claim a refund at the departure gate for GST paid on goods purchased in Australia that are taken with them.
For more information on the GST and Australian tax reform initiatives please visit www.2000.australia.com/factsheets/tax.htm
www.2000.australia.com/factsheets/tax2.htm
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia, however it is relatively common if dining in some of Australia's better restaurants to leave a tip of 10 per cent of the bill if you have received good service.
Australia's indigenous people, the Aborigines, can trace back their culture 50,000 years. Aborigines have survived harsh desert conditions and have a detailed knowledge of the plants, animals and water sources available in the country.
For the traveller who wishes to gain an insight into their culture there are a number of tours hosted by or arranged in conjunction with Aboriginal communities. Many tours feature Aboriginal folklore, the Dreamtime, an epic tale of the land and how it was formed. To keep their folklore alive, the Aborigines re-tell their stories in songs, fables, dances and cave paintings. On many tours cave paintings and stone carvings can be visited.
Bark paintings, fabrics, ceramics, jewellery, clothing and musical instruments can be purchased at gift and souvenir outlets in major cities and some outback areas.
Major Aboriginal areas rich in cultural heritage are Arnhem Land and Uluru in the Northern Territory, Quinkan Reserves and Kuranda in Queensland, Bibbulmun Trek and the Kimberley in Western Australia, Ku-ring-gai Chase and Mootwingee National Parks in New South Wales, Tandanya in Adelaide, South Australia, The Grampians (Gariwerd), Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission in Victoria and Namadgi National Park in the Australian Capital Territory.
It is generally thought that Aborigines have been living on the continent for the last 50,000 years, originally migrating from Indonesia. The oldest skeleton found in Australia was discovered at Lake Mungo in south-west New South Wales, is believed to be 38,000 years old, and bears traces of ceremonial ochre. This is thought to be the oldest sign of ochre use ever discovered.
Unlike most other races, Aboriginals were not cultivators, relying instead on a form of controlled burning of vegetation known as 'fire-stick farming'. They did not develop a sense of land ownership, although Aboriginal children were taught from an early age that they belonged to the land and must respect tribal boundaries. Tribes returned to particular sites to bury their dead. Some areas were designated sacred sites because of their association with the Dreamtime, the time when the earth was formed and cycles of life and nature were initiated.
Aboriginal legends, songs and dances tell of powerful spirits who created the land and people during the Dreamtime. There is no written Aboriginal language and most of the 600 tribes spoke different dialects and languages. They rarely met except on ceremonial occasions. The tradition of the Dreamtime, however, was a unifying force and rock paintings depicting this creation period can be found dotted throughout the country. Some of the most striking and best preserved of these can be viewed at rock galleries in Kakadu National Park and other parts of northern Australia.
The arrival of white people gradually brought an end to the traditional Aboriginal way of life, when settlement began to encroach on tribal lands. Today, most Aborigines live in cities and towns or in isolated settlements near tribal lands. Few continue their nomadic ways. In recent years, white Australians have become more sensitive to the plight of Aborigines, resulting in increased health and educational services, greater recognition of Aboriginal land rights and a growing appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Specialised galleries display Aboriginal art, tools, musical instruments and artifacts. These are highly valued and avidly sought by collectors all over the world.
Around 250 separate languages have been recorded throughout Australia. The following is a handful of commonly used Aboriginal words, as well as concepts which briefly describe the Aboriginal experience.
BARRAMUNDI - a large river fish found in the warm, northern waters of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. It is highly valued for its wonderful flavour by both Aborigines and Europeans.
BILLABONG - a small pool or lagoon.
BOOMERANG - used as both a weapon and a clapping instrument to accompany songs and dances.
BORA - initiation ceremony at which boys are admitted into the responsibilities of manhood. Bora Rings, or initiation grounds, occurred in pairs, with a larger ring and a smaller ring joined by an external pathway. The boys were brought to the larger ring by a female relative and handed over to the older men who took them to the smaller ring for the secret parts of the ceremony.
COOEE - a long, shrill call originally used by an Aborigine to communicate with someone at a distance. It has been widely adopted as a signal, especially in the bush.
COOLAMON - wooden vessel for holding water, seeds or a baby, often made from a hollowed knot of a tree. Also called a pitchi.
CORROBOREE - a dance ceremony which may be sacred or informal. In corroborees of ritual significance the dancers act out ancestral scenes.
DIDGERIDOO - long cylindrical wind instrument - usually 90-150cm in length - originally from Arnhem Land - known as the Yidaki. Made of wood and often painted with the owner's own totem, it produces a low-pitched, resonant sound. DREAMING - the spiritual identification of an individual or an object with a place, or with a species of plant or animal. A Dreaming Path is a place or route of Dreamtime significance along which Dreamtime ancestors travelled.
DREAMTIME - the time of creation; a set of events beyond living memory which shaped the physical, spiritual and moral world. The Dreamtime stories tell of the time when the Ancestral Beings rose from the earth in animal and human forms and created the landscape as we now see it. Dreaming is an English word, and each Aboriginal language has its own word with the same or similar meaning.
GUNYAH - a temporary bark shelter built by traditional Aborigines.
KOORI - the name Aborigines from the regions that now encompass most of New South Wales and Victoria use to refer to themselves.
MIMI - the spirit people depicted in rock and bark paintings from western Arnhem Land. Believed to be trickster spirits, the Mimi disappear into the rock walls of caves and shelters and sometimes leave their shadows behind, which appear as paintings. Paintings of the Mimi are characterised by their graceful, elongated shape.
NULLA NULLA - a hardwood club used in fighting and hunting.
PUKAMANI - ceremonial burial poles from the Tiwi communities on Bathurst and Melville Islands, north of Darwin.
RAINBOW SERPENT - a widely venerated spirit of Aboriginal mythology.
WALKABOUT - a journey on foot, as undertaken by an Aborigine in order to live in the traditional way. It originally referred to a hunting and gathering trip that would last from a few hours to a few days.
WOOMERA - wooden spear thrower.
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FACT: Only 11 natural areas in the world meet all four of the criteria needed to make World Heritage listing. Three of them are in Australia: The Tasmanian Wilderness, The Great Barrier Reef, and The Wet Tropics of Queensland.
Australia is a beautiful and ancient land with a remarkable diversity of unusual plants, animals and landscapes. Australia's natural treasures have been recognised by the declaration of 11 world heritage areas shown below. When visiting Australia, help us establish a harmony between people and the natural environment, so that we can conserve fragile habitats and places of cultural importance for future generations. |
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Willandra Lakes Region, NSW
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Tasmanian Wilderness, TAS
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Kakadu National Park, NT
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Uluru - Kata Tjuta Nat'l Park, NT
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Lord Howe Island Group, NSW
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Great Barrier Reef, QLD
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Wet Tropics of Queensland, QLD
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Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, NSW & QLD
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Shark Bay, WA
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Fraser Island, QLD
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Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh, QLD and Naracoorte, SA)
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the largest complex of coral reefs and islands in the world, comprising 3,000 individual reefs and about 600 islands covering an area half the size of Texas. Stretching for more than 1,200 miles along Australia's Northeast coast, the reef is a UN World Heritage site, as breathtakingly beautiful as it is diverse. Under the stewardship of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority and the Queensland Government, it is an environmental wonder of international renown.
SEA: HOW IT GROWS
The Great Barrier reef is a living work-in-progress, believed to be over 10,000 years old and over 500 meters thick in some places. It reaches north from just off Bundaberg in central Queensland to the very tip of Australia, the Cape York Peninsula.
Coral will only develop in water that is clear and salty, above 68 degrees and less than 90 feet deep. It is formed by the marine polyp - a primitive animal closely related to anemones and jellyfish. 'the marine polyp is distinctive in forming a hard surface by producing lime. As polyps die, their "coral skeletons" remain, gradually forming the Reef. New polyps grow on The coral remains of their predecessors, continually contributing to the Reef.
REACHING THE REEF
The Great Barrier Reef is based on the outer margin of Australia's continental shelf - once a part of the Queensland coast. The Reef is closer to the coast in northern Queensland - as near as nine miles from Port Douglas and Cairns - while at its southern end it is nearly 100 miles away.
There are numerous forms of air and sea transportation to the Reef from Queensland's coastline, via scheduled commercial airlines, private light aircraft, helicopters, high-speed catamarans and all size and shape of sea borne vessel. The primary jumping-off points for the Reef are Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville, Shute Harbour, Mackay, Gladstone and Bundaberg.
You can even reach the Reef from Brisbane and the Gold Coast on sea plane day tours for the most breath taking sightseeing experiences you'll ever find.
ENJOY A DAY TRIP TO THE REEF IN STYLE
An unforgettable day trip to the Reef is included in all Goway travel ideas that feature Cairns. Here is what you will experience:
after boarding a wave-piercing catamaran cruiser about 90 minutes later you are anchored to an outer Reef locale and putting your fins on.
You then spend the day viewing coral, snorkeling, swimming and sunning. Guided snorkeling tours with marine biologists, underwater observatories and semi-submersible vessels open a window on the Reef's environment, while helicopter tours and scuba diving excursions offer more in-depth Reef perspectives. After all this activity, a sumptuous seafood buffet lunch hits the spot. A nap in the sun, one last swim and its back onboard the catamaran for a relaxing ride back to the mainland.
ISLANDS IN THE REEF
Australia has hundreds of enchanting tropical islands that are part of, or next to, the Great Barrier Reef.
While the islands come in all sizes and shapes, there are three distinct types: coral cay, continental and sand.
Continental islands make up the vast majority and were formed as they separated from mainland Australia. They are typically surrounded by fringing coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. Many of Queensland's continental islands are excellent access points for day cruises that venture deeper into the Great Barrier Reef.
The cays are sandy knolls of coral, dotted with palm trees and other tropical flora, and are part of the Great Barrier Reef. Lizard, Green, Fitzroy, Heron and Lady Elliot islands are in this group.
THE VIRTUAL REEF
You can still enjoy the Reef from a distance: we can arrange sea planes or helicopters will take you over some of its most scenic points for a unique bird's eye view of the colorful corals below.
The Cairns Oceanarium displays the Reef essentials for mainland visitors in an interactive aquarium format. Townsville's Great Barrier Reef Wonderland and Sunshine Coast's Underwater World are other fun ways to see the Reef from ashore.
SCUBA DIVE DOWNUNDER
Some of the world's most exciting and exotic forms of scuba diving are available in Australia, including wall diving on the Outer Barrier Reef, shipwreck diving and drift diving. Click here for more information on Diving for experienced & non experienced Divers (we have a Learn to Dive suggestion for you).
THE WHITSUNDAYS
Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays share the same climate as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Tahiti. Nature has left a collection of islands - actually drowned mountains - rising from a turquoise sea. The fringing Coral reefs, tropical rainforests, pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, all unspoiled by man, make this one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Part of the world's largest National Park with World heritage listing, the Whitsunday Islands are primarily uninhabited. However, if you pine for civilization, there is always one of the internationally renowned island resorts to choose from. The warm aquamarine waters range between 20 and 25 degrees C so the fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities, which provide a glimpse into the magic of these Great Barrier Reef Islands, can be enjoyed all year round. The Whitsundays with its safe anchorages and coves, sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the world's finest cruising areas and will capture your heart and imagination.
THE CLIMATE
Lying in the tropics close to 20 degrees south, the Whitsundays has an excellent climate. The waters are protected by the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef and most islands are surrounded by a fringing reef system. Summers are warm with frequent rain showers. Winters, considered perfect by many, are warm by day and cool by night. July is the coolest month and January the warmest. Cyclones, if they do occur at all, are most likely between February and March.
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The Wine and Grape Industry in Australia has a long and interesting history. The first vines arrived in Australia in 1788, and after an unsuccessful planting at Farm Cove (the :site of the present Sydney Botanical Gardens), were transplanted to Parramatta, west of Sydney.
By the mid - 1820s, Australian wine production had reached some 90 thousand litres. At about this time, Australian wines began to win medals at European wine fairs.
As European settlement spread over the Australian continent, so did the planting and propagation of the vine. By the turn of the century, Australia had become a major supplier to the United Kingdom with annual shipments approaching 4.5 million litres of mainly full bodied, dry red wines.
By the end of World War 2, Australia was producing 117 million litres of wine per year. The waves of post-war migrants from continental European countries who brought with them their well-established wine culture pushed the Australian industry into further growth.
The industry's success has been the result of development of new grape growing areas (Australia has large tracts of superior grape-growing land), a rigorous show system to set the standards for quality, and continuously improving vineyard practices, winemaking techniques, and equipment.
South Australia , Victoria, and New South Wales (in Australia's southeast quarter) are the largest producers, accounting for 98% of wine grape production. Western Australia and Tasmania have smaller wine industries which are growing rapidly in both volume and quality. Some highly reputed wine areas are Margaret River in Western Australia, Coonawarra, Padthaway, Barossa, and McLaren Vale in South Australia, Yarra Valley in Victoria, and Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
The hallmarks of Australian wines are generous flavour, forward complexity and balance.
The mild Australian climate allows golf to be played throughout the year and there are plenty of opportunities to tee-off on a highly rated golf course for those planning a golf trip to Australia. Indeed few countries in the world are better served with golfing opportunities than Australia. The game's popularity has been stimulated by the regular and often spectacular successes of Australian players, such as Greg Norman, Steve Elkington and Robert Allenby to mention just a few.
HISTORY OF GOLF IN AUSTRALIA
Two clubs vie for the title of being the oldest clubs in the country: the Australian Golf Club in Sydney formed in 1882, and the Royal Melbourne Club formed in 1891. Today there are over 1500 courses ranging from the manicured elegance of Huntingdale in Victoria to the arid, nine hole layouts in the outback with greens of oiled sand.
The courses have contours and intricacies related to the Australian terrain and in some places you can encounter grazing kangaroos; you may be distracted by the singing of colourful birds or have to circumnavigate a wombat's hole.
It is easy and relatively cheap to both play golf in Australia and attend major tournaments as a spectator. There are private, resort and public/municipal golf courses scattered across the country, each with club facilities.
Dress should be neat and casual, however some clubs have strict dress codes and require men to wear a shirt and tie in the dining room.
EQUIPMENT HIRE
Most clubs have quality hire equipment available at reasonable rates Most golfers in Australia pull their own buggies around the course. Caddies are seldom used and motorised carts are usually only available at resort courses.
Play on public/municipal courses is usually possible seven days a week. Reserved tee-off times are available most days.
GOLF RESORTS
Many resorts around Australia offer luxury accommodation and facilities that include the opportunity to play on international standard golf courses that rival the world's best. Resorts are built in outstanding natural locations that range from hillside courses overlooking golden beaches to fairways winding beside rivers and through beautiful bushland.
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