Base Backpackers

Australia is the only country in the world that is an island and a whole continent itself. The country is aptly named - the name comes from the Latin word australis, which means southern. World famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, its beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback", Australia is actually one of the world's most highly urbanised countries. It is also well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

[Edit] Cities

• Adelaide - the City of Churches, a relaxed South Australia alternative to the big eastern cities
• Brisbane - sun-drenched capital of Queensland, fastest growing city in Australia (and the Southern Hemisphere) and gateway to beautiful sandy beaches.
• Cairns - gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, the Atherton Tablelands, Daintree National Park, and many beautiful beaches and resorts. A great place for people to getaway to and relax.
• Canberra - the purpose-built national capital of Australia
• Darwin - Australia's smallest and northern-most capital, at the top of the Northern Territory
• Hobart - small and quiet capital of Tasmania
• Melbourne - Australia's second largest city and the nation's first capital city. Melbourne is a large sporting and cultural capital, known as a shopping destination in Australia. Melbourne is regarded as Australia's most European city in style.
• Perth - the most remote continental capital city on earth, on the south-western edge of Western Australia
• Sydney - Australia's oldest and largest city, famous for its picturesque harbour. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales

[Edit] See

Owing to its unique geographical character, there is much to see in Australia that you can't see (easily / in its natural setting) anywhere else:

• Australian flora and fauna is essentially unique to the island continent, the result of having been isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years. Amongst Australian animals are a large group of marsupials (mammals with a pouch) and monotremes (mammals that lay eggs!) Just some of the animal icons of Australia are the kangaroo (national symbol) and the koala. A visit to Australia wouldn't be complete without taking the chance to see some of these animals in their natural environment.

There are many tour companies around Australia that offer tours to see many of these unique creatures in their natural habitat such as NatureTour Australia ([1]) Alternatively, there are many wildlife parks and zoos that exhibit excellent displays of native animals including the Warrawong Fauna Sanctuary in South Australia.

[Edit] Do

• Golf
• Scuba diving
• Hot ballooning
• Rock Climbing
• Snorkeling
• Surfing
• Sun Baking
• Skiing
• Sky Diving