The Australian States

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Canberra
• Victoria


• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory

An overview for overseas visitors

SIZE:Australia is roughly the size of Europe or mainland USA. Although ithas been inhabited continuously for over 60,000 years by human beings,it was only settled by white folk just over 200 years ago.

POPULATION:Australia's population reached 19 million in August of 1999, of whomaround a quarter of a million are descendants of the originalinhabitants - our Aboriginal people (and very few of those would haveno white ancestry today).

STATES:This country is divided into six States and two Territories.They are Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, NewSouth Wales and Victoria, plus the Northern Territory and AustralianCapital Territory (our federal capital - Canberra). It is hopedthat the Northern Territory will be granted full Statehood in the nearfuture. It is where a large proportion of the Aboriginalpopulation reside and can be found at the centre of the northerncoast of Australia.

LANGUAGE:The language spoken is English, as might be imagined, since the firstcolony and settlements were Englishmen. However, the Aboriginal peoplestill speak all their own languages as well as English and now thereis such a large proportion of Australians that were born overseas,many still also speak their original language.

CURRENCY:The currency is in Australian dollars and cents, worth about 50% ofthe American currency of the same denomination i.e. Aus$1=US54cents.However, the Australian dollar is worth about 20% more than the NewZealand dollar (NZ$1). One pound sterling will buy more than twodollars Australian. Usually around $2.20-$2.40.

CLIMATE:Australia is divided into two regions really - the northern half issub tropical to tropical and here there are only two seasons - The Wetand The Dry. Touring is recommended in the Dry months only,because of monsoons, flash floods and cyclones being common in TheWet, which takes place from November through to April each year.Tour companies only operate in The Dry season. In the moresoutherly areas, say from a line across from Perth on the westerncoast to mid New South Wales on the east coast, there are fourseasons, with which people in the northern hemisphere will befamiliar. This means that some of the world's best snowfields andskiing is available in our Winter (from July through to September),then there are magnificent wildflower displays in the semi desert andmountain areas in Spring, (September to November), followed by longhot summers when the beaches and offshore islands are at their mostpopular (December to March) and finally (April, May June) autumn, whenall the European trees planted by settlers over the past 200 yearslook their most colourful. Australian native trees, not beingdeciduous, look much the same all year round - very green.

DIYTOURING: Australia has over 3,000 tourist, caravan, RVand trailer parks of a very good standard and most offer excellentself contained family cabins, with two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom,colour television and all mod cons from around $45 nightly.There are also motels to be found almost everywhere, the average priceoutside capital cities being around $50-80 nightly, depending on thestandard. There is also heaps of top class back packeraccommodation to be found at around $15 per bed, plus a wide range ofcosy bed and breakfast opportunities at around $100 or more nightlyfor two. There are numerous car hire companies from whom one can renta vehicle, as well as motor home and motor camper hire at majorairports and in most cities. But, beware, if you want a vehiclewith toilet facilities you must specify so. Very few Australianrv's or caravans have toilet compartments, although many hirecompanies are now ensuring larger proportions of their fleet vehiclesdo. All will provide local maps and city directories on loan byrequest. This is a safe country in which to travel.Gasoline is called petrol in Australia and it is purchased by thelitre at around $1.00 per litre. Much dearer than the USA, butmuch cheaper than England or New Zealand. Traffic proceeds along theleft hand side of the road, as in England, South Africa and NewZealand, but on the opposite side to America, Europe and many Asiancountries.

BOATING:There are extensive facilities for boat hire in this country,including bare boat charter and deep sea fishing boats and yachts,with or without crew, in the Whitsunday's and the Great Barrier Reefarea off Queensland. See our notes on that State to learn more.

DISTANCES:

The Australian States

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Canberra
• Victoria


• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory