Why visit
Australia is continental travel. Sydney Harbour, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Great Ocean Road, Tasmania's wilderness, and wine country at Margaret River. Distances are American-scale.
Country · Oceania
Australia
beachnaturefoodcityadventure
At a glance
Location
-27.0°, 133.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
7,692,024 km²
2,969,906 mi²
Country population
26.6 million
3/km²
Subregion
Australia and New Zealand
Currency
Australian dollar ($)
AUD
Dial
+61
Language
English
Demonym
Australian
Internet
.au
UN
Member state
ISO code
AU / AUS
Where in the world
-27.0° · 133.0°
Australia
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Did you know
- Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth: visible from space.
- 91% of Australians live on the coast; the interior is mostly unpopulated desert.
- Australia has more camels than the Middle East: feral camels in the outback, brought in the 1800s for exploration.
- Canberra exists because Sydney and Melbourne could not agree on which should be the capital.
Traveler notes
- eVisitor visa for most Western passports (free)
- East coast Sydney → Cairns is a classic long drive or flight route
- Seasons reversed. December is summer
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Canberra, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Signature travel cities in Australia
Sydney
Sydney is the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Bondi and Manly beaches, the Blue Mountains, and a harbor city where ferries beat taxis for most routes.
Melbourne
Melbourne is coffee culture, graffiti laneways, live music, Queen Victoria Market, the Great Ocean Road 90 minutes away, and Phillip Island's penguin parade.
Cairns
Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef's main port. Live-aboard dive trips, Daintree rainforest, Kuranda scenic railway, and crocodile-rich river cruises.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Australia
What is the capital of Australia?
Canberra is the capital of Australia.
What currency does Australia use?
Australia uses the Australian dollar ($), ISO code AUD.
What languages are spoken in Australia?
The primary language is English.
Is Australia landlocked?
No, Australia has a coastline.
What is the international calling code for Australia?
The calling code is +61.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
Sep–Nov, Mar–May. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Oceania destinations
Nadi (Fiji)
Nadi is Fiji's international gateway and the hub for Mamanuca and Yasawa island-hopping. Small itself, worth a day before heading to the islands.
Fiji
Fiji is 330 Pacific islands. Yasawas and Mamanucas for beach-bungalow travel, Taveuni for rainforest, and some of the friendliest welcomes on the planet.
Kiribati
Kiribati is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Micronesia
Micronesia is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Nauru
Nauru is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.