Touring Australia

Ask anyone who has visited Australia what they remember and many will list the icons: the Great Ocean Road, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, sunshine, kangaroos, koalas and wombats. But in between these Aussie icons, there is a surprising breadth of experiences on offer that is just as exhilarating.

From watching migrating whales, visiting rainforests or dusty opal mining towns, to enjoying imaginative world-class cuisine, Australia has many fascinating corners.

And there is one thing all visitors take home with them. No, not a snow dome of Sydney Harbour; rather, the knowledge that Australia is a truly unique country. For starters, the native plants and animals set it apart from every other continent. While you are unlikely to see kangaroos hopping down the main street of major cities, nature is easily accessible, from the possum that lives in the attic and the kookaburras that roost in backyard trees, to the brightly coloured lorikeets that feed in the gardens.

In the sun-scorched Outback, kangaroos, emus, giant lizards and eagles are easily spotted.

The steamy rainforests of New South Wales and tropical North Queensland are a biological time capsule that date from when flowering plants first appeared on the planet. Kakadu National Park, the world's largest national park, is a treasury of bird species and wildlife. The Grampians National Park, with its grand and rugged mountain ranges, has spectacular wildflower displays and a wealth of Aboriginal rock art sites.

The Great Barrier Reef is a living chain of coral that spans more than 2,000 kilometres - it's also the largest living thing on Earth. Clearly, Mother Nature saved some of her most wondrous creations for the world's largest island continent.

In the nation's cities, visitors will discover a rich multicultural population. Since 1945, Australia has seen waves of immigrants from Italy, Greece, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China, Africa, South America and South-East Asia enliven the country's culture.

Along with their fascinating history and unique stories, immigrants have revolutionised Australian dining. Now, almost every shopping strip has a Thai restaurant, a Turkish kebab house or a sushi bar.

Needless to say, the Aboriginal people of Australia have a fascinating culture all of their own. Analysis of ancient art sites and settlements places them on the continent at least 40,000 years ago - possibly longer. In recent times, the country's original inhabitants have become involved in the tourism industry, offering special insights into their traditional lifestyles and their unique relationship with the land.

While Australia's richly coloured Outback exerts an irresistible pull, the nation's cosmopolitan cities offer a fabulous array of metropolitan delights.

Take a leisurely, sunset stroll out along Melbourne's St Kilda Pier, a trip to Rottnest Island from australia-states.asp#statewa, or cruise the deep blue Sydney Harbour to Manly. Fill a roll of film or camera card with memories and vivid impressions of relaxed cities where nature complements a stylish urban lifestyle.

For those in need of action, try the riding and hiking trails of the Victorian high country, the galloping waters of Tasmania, the crystalline waters of the Whitsunday Passage, or the raw, remote beauty of the Kimberley.

If beaches are more your speed, Australia is the place for you. Despite the immense size of this ancient continent, Australia has an excellent road, rail and air system, with a nationwide tourist information network. Factor in the huge range of climates and the celebrated outdoor Australian way of life and you have a wonderful destination for a short break, an extended tour or full-on adventure.

But there is one element missing here. There is one uniquely Australian attribute that ties the whole nation together - the people. This is a country where the wonders of nature have shaped the people. Relaxed, colourful, warm and always offering a friendly welcome.

More than a different place, Australia is a different way of life, a life lived in a different light. There's no place like Australia!

Go to the Tourism Australia web site for further information.