The land down under

The world's smallest continent, Australia offers vibrant cities, tropical grasslands, arid desert and exotic marine life. Australia is one of the world’s most popular countries to emigrate to; a great climate, laid back approach and good food make it easy to see why people choose to visit for longer. A short distance off the north-east coast visitors can dive amongst the coral of The Great Barrier Reef or snorkel with the sea turtles and humpback dolphins. Surf the waves of some of Australia’s finest beaches on the renowned Gold Coast were you can hire a board or simply relax on the white sand strip. Bondi beach is a fashionable area; stroll along the promenade for great bars and restaurants. Take a tour of the major cities including Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Canberra, the capital city, is home to some of the country’s most historic landmarks and should not be missed.

Why Go?
Travellers to Australia rarely want to leave - most opt to stay for up to four weeks at a time. Visit Australia for a variety of landscapes from subtropical to arid desert. Relax with a beer and eat traditional BBQ food or snorkel off the Great Barrier Reef.

When To Go?
Australia is the flattest and driest inhabited continent on the planet, with a varied climate dependent on the region. The south affords a temperate climate with coastal winds reducing high temperatures. A tropical climate exists in the northern part of Australia due to a landscape of rainforest and swamps. The arid desert area is the hottest with average temperatures of 34°C. April to September is the dry season and is considered the best time to visit.

How To Get There?
International long haul flights arrive into several airports throughout Australia. Melbourne Airport (MEL) offers flights from Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong, connecting to destinations in the UK. Singapore Airlines and Emirates provide indirect services from Sydney International Airport (SYD) and Brisbane Airport (BNE) to the UK; the journey can take up to 35 hours including stopovers. Canberra International Airport (CBR) is a hub for domestic air traffic with scheduled flights available to all the major Australian cities.

Must See
The capital of Australia, Canberra is a central point for cultural activities and must-see attractions. Tour the large National Library of Australia - home to a copy of every book published in the country. Sydney Harbour is an energised destination for festivals; party until dawn or enjoy a performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Visitors to Melbourne shouldn’t leave without touring the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and largest gallery. Australia’s hospitable people and a love for sports make match days a joyful experience, so join the cheering crowds if you get a chance.