Australia is a tourist destination that should not be missed by any serious traveller. Its ancient landscape is unique in the world and its wild life is unparalleled in diversity and uniqueness. Its location far from the major developed regions of the world has kept it protected from many of the environmental hazards that have damaged other eco systems around the world. Its oceans are clean, its reef still mostly undamaged and its vast outback a haven for its unique wildlife. Even though it is becoming the worlds major source of raw materials its size and remoteness protects it from over development.

The landscape is as varied as the climate which ranges from full tropical in the north to snowy mountain ranges in the south east and Tasmania. Huge areas of rainforest and eucalyptus forests still remain as do wide expanses of arid desert in the interior. Spectacular rocky monoliths like Ayers Rock (Uluru), The Bungle Bungle Ranges and the Olgas attract visitors from around the world. The country has modern cities with excellent tourist infrastructure and stable government creating a safe destination for tourists from around the world. The Australian people are known for their laconic easy going attitude and their desire to see tourists enjoy their country as they do.

There are so many iconic places that a tourist would like to visit. Sydney is the largest city and well known around the world since it was host to the year 2000 Olympic Games. Places like Bondi Beach, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are tourist icons here.

To the north, off the coast of Queensland lies the Great Barrier Reef; this is the largest living organism on the planet and a must see on any Australian travel Itinerary. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays and the island resorts along the coast provide ideal stopovers for anyone wanting to experience this region. Cairns in the north and Brisbane in the south are great places to start an Australian itinerary.

The Northern Territory is home to the great Australian Outback and places like Darwin, Alice Springs, and Ayers Rock are all located here. Kakadu National Park with its aboriginal culture and spectacular scenery is another must see.

In Western Australia the Kimberley region has a huge contribution to make. The landscape is spectacular with ocean inlets terminating in wild waterfalls and magnificent coastal and island scenery to be experienced. Share the history of the old pearling centre of Broome and take a camel ride along Cable beach at sunset. The sports fisherman will be in paradise with a fishing charter in these prolific waters. Further to the south lies the capital of Perth, the winemaking regions of Margaret Riverand the wildflowers of the Swan Valley not to mention the towering forests of Karri and Jarrah at Pemberton.

South Australia is the traditional home of the wine making industry in Australia and regions like the Barossa valley and the Clare Valley produce wines that are internationally recognized as among the best in the world.

Victoria and New South Wales are home to the Snowy Mountains. Here is the location of the Australian alpine skiing region and fabulous snow resorts like Thredbo, Perisher Valley, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham can provide the northern hemisphere skier with excellent off season facilities.

The island state of Tasmania lies to the south and is home to some of Australia’s most important wilderness and forest regions. The west coast is almost completely undeveloped and world heritage listed and a visit to the Gordon and Franklin river systems is most rewarding. Hobart, in the south, is the capital and home to some of Australia’s oldest historical buildings which date back to the days of the first European settlements. The Port Arthur region has all the ruins of the original convict settlements. The wild windswept coastline provides spectacular scenery and the many small coastal villages are a great destination for a few relaxing days.

A campervan or motor home holiday is a great way to see Australia with depots located all around the country.