Boasting endless sunbaked horizons, dense tropical rainforests and wild southern beaches, Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a passionate love of sport and the outdoors. If you're planning to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee in the bush the next, you'll need to re-think. The geography of the country is huge. It is the sheer vastness of this land that gives Australia and its diverse population much of its envious character.

Best time to visit

Anytime really and definitely before 1788 when the Europeans arrived.

Essential experiences

The dramatic changing colours of sunrise or sunset over uluru (Ayers rock); exploring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef; sampling the wines of the Barossa valley; viewing Sydney harbour after climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge; meeting the native wildlife on Kangaroo Island.

In a few words, Australia is

bronzed Aussies, dangerous creatures, endless beaches, friendly locals, sizzling barbecues, Aussie rules football, beers, cricket, swimming, the Ashes and Kylie Minogue.

Did you know?

In Australia kangaroos don't hop down city streets, it isn't always hot and sunny and it has the oldest continuing culture in the world.