Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Canberra
Australian Dollar (AUD)
English
Sept–Nov and Mar–May
AEST (UTC+10), ACST (UTC+9:30), AWST (UTC+8)
Welcome to Australia, a vast island continent where red desert outback, tropical rainforests, and pristine coastlines coexist within a single extraordinary country. Sydney's iconic Opera House and harbor skyline greet visitors with world-class energy, while Melbourne charms with its laneway cafés and creative culture. Inland, the ochre monolith of Uluru rises from the desert at sunset, sacred to Aboriginal communities and unforgettable to witness. Along the northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef teems with vibrant coral and marine life visible from the surface or below. Tasmania's wild forests and rugged coastlines offer a quieter, untamed beauty for adventurous travelers. Australia's unique wildlife, from kangaroos to koalas to platypuses, exists nowhere else on Earth in such abundance. Beaches stretch for thousands of miles, ranging from surf breaks to secluded, powder-white coves. Australia welcomes you to a land of scale, diversity, and natural wonder found in few other places on the planet.
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Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Australia's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
A flaky pastry filled with minced beef and rich gravy, commonly served with tomato sauce at bakeries, sporting events and neighborhood cafés.
A thin layer of salty, savory Vegemite is spread over buttered toast, creating one of Australia’s most recognizable breakfast snacks.
Fresh prawns are grilled with lemon, garlic or herbs and often enjoyed outdoors during warm-weather gatherings and coastal celebrations.
This mild Australian fish is grilled, pan-fried or baked and commonly served with seasonal vegetables, salads and citrus-based sauces.
A hearty beef burger may be topped with beetroot, fried egg, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and barbecue sauce.
A breaded chicken cutlet is topped with tomato sauce, ham and melted cheese, then served with chips and salad in pubs across the country.
Squares of sponge cake are coated in chocolate icing and rolled in coconut, sometimes layered with cream or jam.
A crisp meringue shell with a soft center is topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit such as berries, kiwi or passionfruit.
Crunchy biscuits made with oats, coconut and golden syrup have strong historical associations with Australian and New Zealand military service.
Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent, and nearly 90% of its population lives within about 30 miles of the coast. Despite its enormous size, much of the interior—known as the Outback—is sparsely populated, making Australia one of the most urbanized nations in the world. It is also home to the world's longest fence, the Dingo Fence, stretching more than 3,400 miles to help protect livestock from wild dogs.
One surprising fact is that Australia has more camels than Egypt. The country's wild camel population descends from animals imported during the 19th century to explore the interior, and today many are exported to the Middle East. Australia is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth, so massive that it can be seen from space.
Australia's wildlife is unlike anywhere else on the planet. Around 80% of its mammals, reptiles, and amphibians are found nowhere else in the world, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and the egg-laying platypus. The country also boasts some of the world's clearest night skies, making it a favorite destination for astronomers and stargazers.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.
Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"—a centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.
