Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > March 2006

THERE is nowhere quite like Australia. It's a vast continent, full of vastly different things to see and do. From its white sun-drenched beaches and sparkling coastal cities, to its rugged mountains and the vast and remote "Outback", there's something to appeal to every visitor.
Australia is the total destination if you want to see unique native animals, swim in the warm ocean, surf, experience the silence of the Outback, study Aboriginal mythology, enjoy the change from business to fun, or just relax and share friendly hospitality.
Your problems can be far away while you relax on an Australian holiday.
Your holiday wish might be a quiet dinner with someone special. Maybe you already have friends around Australia and want to visit, or perhaps you just want to see what makes the country different from other lands.
Modern, connecting highways with excellent coach services, continental trains and a first-class air system will help you discover - from the tropical far north, to the dry centre and the green, temperate south.
If sight-seeing is your preference, Australia has the attractions and the facilities to enjoy it all.
Theatre, nightlife, eating out, shopping, libraries, art galleries, museums, parks and gardens, you can sample them all in most cities and towns.
Perhaps you'd prefer a farm holiday, a walking tour or try fishing in our coastal waters, rivers and hikes, its all within easy reach.
Australia is one of the world's younger nations on one of the oldest land masses.
Whatever type of travel experience you want, it's available in Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef, stretching 2000 kilometres along the north east coast, is one of the world's most impressive attractions.
It's a coral barrier of underwater gardens, teeming with all wonders of marine life.
And the reef is dotted with resorts and facilities which enable the tourist to sightsee, explore, picnic, sail and fish in this idyllic environment.
Or you can "go bush" to see outside the cities and enjoy the easy-going lifestyle of the country.
Landscapes of golden grain crops, lush rolling plains dotted with eucalypts, sheep and cattle grazing on the once virgin bushland, make up the heart of Australia's rural economy.
The proud provincial towns and smaller settlements have a unique and friendly character to be enjoyed by every visitor. Farm tours and holidays give the visitor a lasting holiday experience.
Further inland is the "Outback" - the colloquial description for the vast interior of the Australian continent "out the back of the cities".
It's an ancient land of red sand and rocky outcrops, where only the hardiest of trees and grasses survive. Kangaroo, emu and other native birds and animals have much of the country to themselves.
There's plenty to see and do, like visiting the giant Ayers Rock rising out of the desert and changing colour in tune with the setting sun. Air, coach and four-wheel drive tours link all the spectacular attractions.