Topic: Australia

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. Its capital city is Canberra and its largest city is Sydney. Most of the population lives on the Eastern Sea Board. It has a diverse terrain with deserts, rain forests and some mountain ranges in the south-eastern part of the country, although in general the land is flat and arid.

Sydney

With a population of over five million, Sydney is a buzzing but very attractive city with wide beaches, and some excellent surfing. To sit outside the many restaurants or bars lining the harbour area and view the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House is a must for every traveller. There is excellent walking from cove to cove and the boat trip to Manley Island is not to be missed.

The Great Barrier Reef

Travellers flock to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, which is located off the coast of Queensland. Many boat tours organise snorkelling and diving trips. The Great Barrier Reef is considered by many to be the most pristine coral reef on the planet, with awe-inspiring colours and a myriad of fish of all shapes, hues and colours. Situated in the Coral Sea and safeguarded from ecological damage by the Great Barrier Marine Park, although climate change, pollution and fishing threaten its survival, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1981.

Uluru or Ayers Rock

Located more or less in the centre of Australia approximately 300 kilometres from Alice Springs is Ayers Rock. This large sandstone formation is sacred to the Aboriginal people who live in the area. The landscape is dotted with water holes, caves, ancient paintings and springs. There is a superstition that anyone who takes rocks away for the edifice will suffer misfortune. It is a Unesco Heritage Site.