Travelling to Australia: Calendar of most well-known events taking place in Australia.

Visitors to Australia must present a valid passport that expires well beyond the date of departure. That Visa needs have been issued in the visitor's country of origin, unless the visitor happens to live in New Zealand. To apply for a visa you must apply by mail or in person to the Australian Embassy nearest to you.

English is the primary language for most Australians. It is used in schools and it is generally the older individuals who are not fluent in English. Hotel workers, retail clerks, and anyone else directly working with the public will be speaking English.

Australia is subjected to adverse weather conditions including cyclones, annual floods and wildfires. Be aware of the dangers in your area that you wish to explore before setting out to do so.

Because Australia is surrounded on all sides by water, the only way to access the mainland is by boat or plane. All the state capitals have major airports, many have major ports and this is invariably the first stopping place for International travellers. The best time to visit Australia is between May and October. The Southern coastline is a popular destination for many tourists. If you are a skier you can hit the slopes of the Victoria Alps in June through September. If you want to catch the spectacular colors of winter at Kakadu National Park, plan to visit during the wet season.

Road Safety

Ensure that you have some knowledge of the road rules which are applicable in Australia, this will ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Remember that Australia is a very large country and takes a lot of time to travel around. One of the most important factors is to make sure you don't try to drive long distances in one day. We strongly recommend that you take a rest after two hours of driving; even a ten minute rest can make a big difference. The Australian government has been marketing a plan to ensure that all drivers make a safe trip and to reduce road fatalities. Just remember "Stop, Revive, Survive".

The Australian currency is known as the dollar and the symbol is $. It is written out as AU$ (or Australian Dollar). It is worth between $0.50-0.80 United States cents. The exchange rate depends heavily on the US dollar. No other currency is considered during exchange.

Australia was initially formed as a penal colony. The dregs of society were crammed into the holds of ships and had to endure long months at sea. Many died during the eight month crossing, and those who survived were placed into one of two systems once they landed. They were either sold into servitude for the Australian government, or the private land-owners. The government convicts were the convicts who had committed the worst offenses. Shackled together at waist and ankle in heavy chains they were forced to build roads. These chain gangs were also responsible for the entire top layer of Pinchgut Island being removed.

Most of the cities offer busses, open trolleys, or trains. Travelling by train is cheap, but the trips are long and there are no trains available in all places like in other countries. If you take a train from Sydney to Melbourne you are looking at a ten-and-a-half hour trip. However the first-class sleeper accommodations on the longer trips are luxurious and you are treated to spectacular scenery. Travelling motorail means you can take your car with you on the train. There is a central free phone number to contact Rail Australia to sort out your travel plans, or talk to your travel agent.

Using local produce and meats, Australian chefs have successfully blended the flavors of Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East to create this highly successful cuisine. Each region is different, but you can taste such wonderful foods as Yum Cha, a Chinese dish featuring stuffed dumplings and meat or fish, pavlova a meringue dessert made with passion fruit or seasonal delights. Australians are famous for their world-renowned barbecues, so if you get a chance, don't pass one up.

You can find any sort of lodging to fit your needs and your pocket. Exotic tropical resorts, youth hostels, hotels and motels, converted sheep stations, overnight camping in remote areas, Bed & Breakfasts, efficiency apartments, houseboats; you name it you will find it.

An average overnight stay in a typical motel will run you about $50.00 per night. You will have a bed, a private room and a separate shower and toilet. Breakfast comes with the room.

In a hostel, expect to share your room with others, and use a community toilet. You can find a list of backpacker's hostels at http://home.vicnet.net.au/~hostels/

Geography

Australia is the word's smallest continent, but it is the sixth largest country. The main population lies near the coast to the east and the south of the Great Dividing Range. These plateaus were formed over 80 million years ago, when a geological upset occurred pushing these rocks out of the earth towards the sky.

Because Australia is so stringent with the visitors coming into the country, they have very little endemic, communicable diseases. Most of Australia's tap water is perfectly safe to drink. If the area you have travelled to has a bacteria alert for their water, simply boiling the water will then make it safe to drink. In the highly populated areas, you will find first-rate health care, and in the remote areas you will have to travel great distances to reach a hospital.