Currency:

AUD $ - exchange rates

When to go:

All year round

Known for:

Scenery; outdoor activities; wool and unique wildlife

Languages:

In their homes, Australian's speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic.

From the ancient wonder of Uluru to the rugged pristine wilderness of the Franklin River, and the lush rainforests of the Daintree to the brilliant white sandy beaches of the Whitsunday's, Australia is one of the world's great unspoilt frontiers.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.

Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the world’s smallest, flattest continent.

Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometers and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coast, making it an integral part of their laid-back lifestyle.