People tend to associate the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia to several different things. For some, it might evoke memories of frolicking at the beach and thrilling rides at theme parks. For others, it might remind them of a refined metropolis with chic residents. The place truly has a lot of character that gets people coming back for more.

For holidays that have to have it all, the Gold Coast presents an enticing proposition. Spend some relaxing days at the Main Beach, then hop on over to the beautiful Surfers Paradise that lives up to its name. There are also serene coastal areas for a bit of down time. Once recharged from previous activities, hike up the rainforests at the outskirts of the city. If the children are coming along, take them to a number of theme parks for unforgettable rides.

The beaches stretch as far as 70km, clean and well-patrolled so there are no worries about safety and security. Spend lazy days under the sun at Coolangatta or at strolled along the boardwalk of Burleigh Heads. If craving for adventure, the nearby mountains will amply provide that much needed communion with nature.

With so many options for the intrepid traveler, the Gold Coast attracts millions to its shores every year. Find out for yourself why people can’t get enough of this wonderful city.

The tropical islands, pristine beaches, vast rainforests, wonderful Australian outback and vibrant cities are just some of the things that make Queensland the perfect holiday getaway. This is no wonder why this place is considered as Australia’s Sunshine State. It guarantees its visitors a wonderful experience as soon as they set foot on this amazing paradise.

The capital city of Queensland is Brisbane. It is known as a city that is full of energy with overflowing love for culture and the arts. One popular geographical feature of the city is the Brisbane River. Aside from this, the city is also a perfect venue for music, bars and entertainment that lasts all night long.

The city is also considered as a perfect place to explore the Gold Coast, which is only an hour away from downtown. Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast both offers pristine beaches that are perfect for vacationers. It also has wonderful restaurants that provide scrumptious foods and it also has many stores for shopping. Aside from the beaches, Queensland also offers the lakes of Fraser Island. This is considered to be one of the largest sand islands in the entire world. It is also one of the five World heritage areas in Queensland.

Another wonderful place to visit is the Great Barrier Reef. This reef is so wide that it stretches 2300 kilometers along the coast of the state. This is the place for different and exotic underwater creatures, which makes it a perfect spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Tourists can also sail the Whitsunday Islands or ride a seaplane in order to witness the beauty of the place from above.

The state also has wonderful rainforests especially near the Tropical North of Queensland. It has deep gorges, breathtaking sceneries and a lot of amazing waterfalls. The mountain summits are also open for better sight-seeing of the entire landscape.

The outback of Queensland is also considered to be one of the best in the country. It has amazing dessert sand dunes and fishing holes that make it a fun place for many activities especially for the local and foreign visitors. Aside from this, people can also enjoy drinking ice cold Australian Beer in the iconic pubs of the state while enjoying the experience. Having all these wonderful activities to do in Queensland, Australia, tourists can really expect all the best in this majestic and spectacular place.

Sources for Victoria facts are fairly easy to find before planning a trip to this region of Australia. Victoria is located on the eastern coast of the continent and has roughly the same square mileage of the British Isles. This measurement translates into about 227,600 square kilometers. The capital of Victoria is Melbourne, which sits along Port Philip Bay and close to the Yarra River.

The Physical Features of Victoria

Victoria sits in between 34 and 39 degrees south latitude and 141 to 150 east longitude on a map or globe. It is also about the size of Utah in the United States. Its physical geography is comprised of about 36% forest which a couple of major mountain ranges such as Mount Feathertop and Mount Bogong.

This Australian state has an 1800 kilometer coastline that borders on the Bass Strait, a small body of water that separates the continent from the smaller island of Tasmania. The coast of Victoria has plenty of rugged forest along with several sandy beaches that are popular spots during the warmers months. Three different harbors can also be found in Victoria. The cities of Geelong and Melbourne are located in these areas as well.

Victoria’s Climate

Victoria has a temperate climate throughout most of the year. It typically has dry, warm summers and milder winters. This kind of weather pattern is typical for this southeastern region of Australia.

Summer temperatures usually fall between 14 and 23 degree Celsius in the summer along the coast of Victoria. Mountainous areas are somewhat cooler with a temperature range of 11 to 20 degrees Celsius on average. Winter temperatures fall between 7 and 14 degrees Celsius along the coast and 0-5 degrees further inland. The Australian Alps are located in the northeastern region of Victoria and typically see snowfall during the southern hemisphere’s winter months of June through September.

The eastern highlands of Victoria tend to see the heaviest rainfall. Gippsland and the Otway mountain ranges sometimes have average rains of about 1000 mm per year. The smallest amounts of precipitation are usually found in the Mallee region, and Melbourne sees about 326 mm of rainfall per year.

Industries in Victoria

This region produces about 25% of Australia’s rural produce. Agriculture in this area includes tobacco, barley, corn, wheat, and oats. The meat industry consists of cattle and sheep ranching along with the harvesting of wool for clothing. Victoria also produces much of the continent’s dairy and fruit exports.

Timber is another area of industry in Victoria. Approximately 8 million hectares exist in this region, including about 223,000 hectares within timber plantations. Victoria is also home to the Latrobe Valley where one of the world’s largest coal deposits can be found. This comprises Victoria’s supply of electricity that rivals that of other nations.

Natural gas and oil supplies can be found in the basin of Gippsland, which is located off the eastern coast of Victoria. This energy resource supplies about half of the domestic oil supply for the rest of Australia. Victoria is projected to have a rich energy supply going into the next century.

Victoria is also a center of mining and manufacturing. Most of these industries’ processing plants are located in or near Melbourne. Large factories employ about 34% of the total population. Goods manufactured in Victoria include paper products, clothing, and aircraft just to name a few.

Reading up on Victoria facts can be both interesting and valuable for anyone considering visiting or relocating to this Australian state. It is a vibrant area with a diverse economy and a range of options for tourists to explore as well.

Australia which boasts a population over twenty-two mullion people is an independent Western democracy. With over seventy percent of its people residing in ten of its largest cities it is certainly one of the more urbanized countries in the entire world. Along the eastern seaboard is where the majority live.

Although its lifestyle is certainly reflective of its Western origins, over six million people from more than two hundred countries have taken up residence there bringing a great multicultural flavor with them. Migrants or the first children of migrants number four out of ten Australians and over one half of these people come from backgrounds that are non-English speaking ones.

Historians have traced the background of the Aboriginal people and believe they go back anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 years.

One of the distinct Australia facts is that it is the sole continent occupied by one nation. Another is that its 7.7 million square kilometer size is also the driest of all continents even though there are some extremes of topography and climate. Included in this are fertile croplands in the south west, south and east, desert in the center, snowfields in the southern east and vast plains up north. Over one third of the country is situated in the tropics.

Because the Australian continent was isolated for so many millions of years, fauna and flora sanctuaries were created. Marsupials were saved. Distinctive plants and trees were developed and birds unique to the area flourished. The very best known animals in Australia are of course the kangaroo, spiny anteater, platypus and the lovely koala. The over 700 various species of birds can be found no other place than Australia. Plants number over 20,000 different species including the grass tree and the cycad palm. There are over 1200 species in the family known as Myrtaceae including gum trees and eucalypts.

A patriotic song dating back to the 19th century, Advance Australia Fair, serves as the Australian national anthem since April 1984 when it replaced God Save The Queen. That same year gold and green were adopted as the national colors.

The official language of Australia is indeed English not by law but rather by common usage. There are included some great slang expressions and colloquialisms.

The National Flag Of Australia

The national flag features some of the Southern Cross small stars, a seven pointed star representing the territories and States and of course a small Union Jack highlighting the connection with Great Britain.

In 1912, King George V granted the Australian government’s official coat of arms. It contains badges of the six different states. The wattle, a native plant, the emu and a kangaroo also appear.

The national day in Australia is celebrated on January 26th. It was on this date the Royal Navy Captain Arthur Philip sailed into Sydney cove and claimed the land for England. The city of Sydney was shortly established.

Easier access to Australia via air has led to a continuing increase in the number of visitors to the country. There is simply so much to see and do and there truly is something for everyone no matter what it is they are looking to see or do.

Where exporting of wool was at one time the main business in the country that has now been joined by so many others as manufacturing products of different varieties has blossomed and other industries keep growing.

The countries most exports went to in 2007 included at the top of the list New Zealand, Korea, The united States, China and Japan.

The exports of services and goods continues to grow annually reaching in the year 2007 over $218 billion dollars.

Although fuels and minerals remain the largest of Australia’s export business items manufactured items continue to gain ground.

Austrade which is the Australian Trade Commission continues to do a great job promoting coordination between Australian businesses and their markets around the world.

Australia also continues its efforts to attract and make welcome foreign financial investments. They realize just how vital to economic growth these investments are.

By the same token Australian firms are well aware of the importance of their investing offshore and broadening the global market. The annual numbers invested abroad are rapidly nearing the trillion dollar mark.

The land known today as “Down Under” was home to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, before European settlers arrived. They were very diverse, each region with its own cultural traditions and lifestyles.

Indigenous Australians were in contact with Asian and oceanic mariners and traders for hundreds of years prior to the arrival of the Europeans. The first contact between Australians and the Europeans was in 1606 with Willem Janszoon, a Dutch explorer. From then on, numerous European explorers and traders charted the coastline of Australia, which was then known as New Holland. About 80 years later, British explorer, William Dampier became the first to land on the coast and almost 100 years later, Captain James Cook explored further to claim it for the British Crown.

Upon claiming the land, Britain used it as a penal colony, sending thousands of convicted criminals to serve their time there. The first fleet arrived on January 26, 1788 at Sydney Harbour, known today as Australia Day, an annual celebration.

Over 160,000 convicted criminals were sent to Australia between 1780 and 1868. From the 1790s and on, free immigrants also made the long trip to start a new life in the wool industry and the gold rush.

With all the new growth and new wealth that was brought to the new immigrants, the Indigenous Australians suffered greatly in various ways, including death and illness.

A Nation Is Born

In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Under one constitution, there were six states, and the population of the non-Indigenous people was estimated at 3.8 million. Of these, 75% were born in Australia, with the majority of them being of English, Scottish, or Irish descent.

The new founders of this nation had a vision of Australia being a place of harmony and unity. They strongly believed in human rights, democracy, and the secret ballot.

The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restricted migration from areas other than Europe, until World War II. Australia now has a nondiscriminatory policy, opening its doors to people from over 200 countries.

Between 1900 and 1914, the development of Australia was in full force. Institutions for social services and government were being set up, as was industry and agriculture.

The Impact of War

World War I greatly devastated Australia, where the male population was under 3 million, and 400,000 of them voluntarily went off to war. As a result, over 60,000 men perished, and tens of thousands wounded.

The “Anzac” ethos of courage and spirit resulted from this act of bravery, setting a special date to commemorate those who fought at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915, and to commemorate other soldiers who have fought in following wars.

Between the two devastating world wars, there was a great instability, as social and economic gaps widened. During the Depression, numerous Australian financial institutions buckled. In World War II, Australia was proud to have provided a great contribution to the Allied Forces.

Postwar Prosperity

When the war ended, Australia began to boom, with millions of new migrants arriving for a new life. Women who worked in factories during the time of the war were still able to continue to work even after the fact, as the manufacturing industry was growing steadily. In the 1950s, the economy strengthened further, with major nation-building projects in the works. By 1960, over 70% owned their own homes. Melbourne was host to the Olympic Games in 1956.

A Changing Society

Australia went through political, economic, and social changes in the 1960s thanks to the vast ethnic diversity and the Vietnam War. Australians voted overwhelmingly in favor of including Indigenous Australians in future censuses in 1967. Throughout the 70s, many major changes took place to reform foreign affairs, health, education, and more. With the changing governments in Office, even more positive changes were brought on and continue to this day, trying to make improvements for a better society.

Today, Australia is a leader among cosmopolitan societies. Although English is the official language, over 200 others are spoken. It is diverse in media, business, the arts, religion, foods, fashion and more.

There is no place on Earth like the Northern Territory of Australia. Colloquially known as the Australian outback, this rugged area stretches from the center to the northern region of the island. In the north, known as the Top End, there are a variety of tropical animal life and fauna, while the south is the famously treacherous desert that draws a variety of thrill seekers. The Northern Territory is over three times the size of California, but only has a fifth of the population. Accordingly, there are a great deal of open ranges, tropical jungles, and Aboriginal cultural history that dates back more than 40,000 years.

There are a wide variety of interesting things to do in the Northern Territory. ATVs and other four-wheeled vehicles are popular for rent here, as they provide the best view of the iconic landscapes and gorges in the area. Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, has been called the most easily recognizable natural monument in Australia, and it happens to be located in the Northern Territory as well.

The capital city of this area is Darwin. Although it is not as famous as Sydney or Melbourne, Darwin has a culture all its own, with its own international airport and cruise port to boot. There are several other domestic airports scattered throughout the territory, and Darwin is also linked with Adelaide by train.

While Darwin is the main place of residents for most Northern Territory citizens, there are also big farms and ranches known as stations dotting the outback. These stations can be gigantic in size, and easy to get lost in, which is why having a guide is a necessity in these parts. The famous Kakadu National Park is also located in this area. With over 3.2 million acres of land, the park is filled with wildlife, mangroves, and waterfalls that cannot be seen elsewhere, along with Aboriginal cave drawings and sacred sites that must be seen to be believed.

Alice Springs is the second-largest city in the area, and has its own merits as well. Known as the Red Centre due to the color of its sand, this city has an old world charm that is typical of the Outback. Visitors should be sure to stop by Ayers rock and take in its vast beauty when stopping by Alice Springs.

The Northern Territory is Australia’s best kept secret. While many fear its vast openness, residents know better. This place is a natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world.

South Australia is located in the central southern area of the country and borders the other Australian states. The area offers some of the best vineyards in Australia because the dry climate creates the perfect agricultural atmosphere. The Barossa Valley is Australia’s most notable region for wine. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful, peaceful landscapes and spacious vineyards. Other famous Australian wine regions include the McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. Some of the well-known wineries in the region are Torbreck, Angoves and Peter Lehmann. Three quarters of the region consists of dry land including desert areas. The southern part of the area features the highest amount of agricultural areas, which use the Murray River as their water supply.

Some of the areas attractions include deserts, capital city, Kangaroo Island, Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges and Nullabor Plain. Quite a few terrific festivals take place in the region each year. The Tour Down Under is a popular cycling race that takes place each January. The oldest and largest wine festival in the country, the Barossa Vintage Festival is a favorite among residents and tourists. Art and music lovers can enjoy the annual three-day world music festival, arts festival and outdoor music festivals that the area has to offer. Each October the solar car race, which is called the Global Green Challenge, attracts many viewers.

South Australia’s capital is Adelaide, Australia’s fifth biggest city. Adelaide was founded in 1836 and was named after Queen Adelaide, the consort of King William IV. The city is located close to Barossa Valley, the home of Penfolds Grange. Many government establishments and financial institutions can be found in Adelaide. It is known for Torrens River and close to eight percent of the regional population lives in the large city.

Adelaide is commonly called the “City of Churches” even though it has many more pubs and nightclubs than churches. The area has many parks, large public squares, gardens and boulevards that create a spacious and peaceful atmosphere. The city is well known for its many festivals and sports games as well as its art and lengthy beaches. The beautiful vineyards surround the city and its great attractions appeal to people of all ages. People can enjoy the stunning views seen from Montefiore Hill and enjoy the local museums, art galleries and National Wine Center. Mount Lofty National Park and Norwood Morialta National Park are other nearby attractions. The spacious parks are perfect for long hiking excursions and rock climbing.

Flinders Ranges is known for its beautiful ruggedness and Coober Pedy is an intriguing mining town located underground. Its structures are situated in huge, dug out caves that offer shelter from the severe environmental heat. The town is known as the world’s opal capital. People can watch the whales from the rugged Southern Australian coastline, which is commonly referred to as the Great Australian Bight. Kangaroo Island is filled with wildlife including Koala Bears, Australian Fur Seals, Kangaroos and Wallabies. There is plenty to see in the South Australia region and Adelaide.

Western Australia lays claim to being the real Australia, and there may be a bit of truth to this, as its spectacular remote beaches, and vast open desserts create picturesque landscapes with which few areas of the world can compete. It is quite isolated from the rest of the continent, but for this reason many visitors are drawn to the area.

Its capital is Perth, which is considered by many as one of the most inviting cities in the world. It is home to lovely beaches, a lively social life, and pleasant weather. It is also the gateway to intriguing destinations as the Kimberley Outback Region, the Margaret River, and the Ningaloo Reef. Due to its location, it is the most isolated city on Earth.

Perth is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on one side and the Darling Range on the other, while the Swan River runs through the territory. It enjoys more sunshine than other areas of Australia and has mostly mild winters. World renowned beaches, surfing, and parks activities are popular activities for visitors and residents alike.

Western Australia also boasts more coastline than any other Australian region. However, it is important to check local conditions before swimming, as some of the northern beaches in this area are home to sharks and other dangerous marine life.
The spectacular Ningaloo Reef is also located at the northern end of the coast.The scenery in and around Perth is enchanting.
The Pinnacles, located north of Perth, are a collection of extraordinary limestone rock formations embedded in the ground. Although Western Australia is is mostly empty desert, it is home to the Karri forest, which is home to some of the world’s tallest trees.

Some of the best Australian vineyards are also located in Western Australia, in the neighborhood of the Margaret River. Other interesting places include the Purnululu National Park, Shark Bay, and Rottnest Island. The Great Outback is situated north of Perth, and the areas is characterized by a vast savannah and a lush rainforest, both of which are teeming with numerous wildlife species, including Australia’s celebrated Kangaroo.

The Great Victoria Desert, as well as several other deserts in the area offer beautiful scenery for those who enjoy nature. Nullabor Plain in specific, features outstanding wildflower displays each spring.

For great views of gorges and other natural wonders, the Kimberley Regions offers the most variety. It is a picturesque, rustic area located in the northeast, with pristine waterfalls, ranges and canyons.

Other attractions include the ancient rocks and gorges of Pilbara, Nullabor Cliff, and the Rudall River National Park. In addition, one can indulge in dolphin encounter or an enjoyable road trip. Whichever attractions one chooses, he or she will have the experience of a lifetime in Western Australia.

The Australian Capital Territory, otherwise known as ACT, is the smallest region and has only one city and measures a small 2,366 km2. Canberra is the only city in the ACT.  The ACT is just barely northeast of Sydney, Australia. Even though it is very small, you will find that it has many different areas of interest and offers a lot to seen and discovered.

The first half of the ACT is for the ones that want to see the sights of Australia. There is a national park and a protected reserve that you will find in this half of the ACT. This is the region that is perfect for all kinds of activities to do outside. The mountain ranges and hills are the perfect place for camping or hiking if that is what you enjoy.

Australian National Museum, ACT

The other half of the ACT is for the less adventurous types. In Canberra you will find the tourists sites such as museums, the Parliament house and other government buildings, You can visit Australia and have a very cultural experience and yet you can also have a very adventurous trip as well.

The city of Canberra is obviously the capital of Australia and is the political hotspot for the Australian Capital Territory. It holds the cultural sites of Australia such as the National Library and the National Art Gallery.

Sydney and Canberra are separated by a little over three hours and Melbourne and Canberra are separated by seven hours. It has 329,000 people and is the home to several universities and is a wonderful community, Canberra was established when Sydney and Melbourne were in a feud over who would become the capital of Australia.

The Australian Capital Territory was taken from its political jurisdiction that it had over New South Wales, and was placed until control of the federal government. This is where it was decided that the decision was made to place the Parliament House. Canberra is half way between Sydney and Melbourne, so who won the feud?

Parliament House, Canberra

You can find that most everything can be reached easily, either by walking or by car. The furthest that you would have to travel would be ten minutes away by car. You will find the wonders of nature just outside of the city limits. Here you can see the Snowy Mountains and well as the amazing coastlines.

Canberra was placed on an artificial like called Lake Burley Griffin. In the beginning the city was made up of simple public servants. Eventually the city became one with culture and even began holding a festival in the spring. This festival is a flower festival that has tulips for the main attraction. It is characterized by street food, music, and sometimes you can even find a gnome and scarecrow festival along with it.

You can find other places in ACT to visit. There are many gorgeous ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains which also hold the glacial lakes, mountain and horseback riding, and fishing spots. The highest point in country, Mount Kosciuszko is also found here. Some other sights that are in the region are the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

The political capital of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory is certainly one of many fine and exquisite attractions. You can find the wine gardens, villages with such amazing arts and crafts as well as the gardens and wine regions. A simple two hours south of Canberra you can also find the pristine coastlines. The ACT definitely is a place to find some of the most amazing sights.