About Australia

Climate

Celebrations and Holidays

Currency

Planning your trip

Visa Information

Australia is one of the safest and friendliest destinations in the world.  Travellers from 170 countries rated Australia as the number one place they most wanted to visit, in a 2006 survey conducted by Lonely Planet travel group.

With a population of more than 21 million, it is the earth’s biggest island.  It stretches about 3700 kilometres from north to south and 4000 kilometres from east to west.   In total 50000 km of beautiful coastline.

Australia has crystal clear beaches, unique fauna, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere.  It is known throughout the world for its spectacular natural environment, rich Indigenous history and culture, multicultural communities, and high-quality cuisine.

Australia is a land like no other, with about one million different native species. It has 10 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world.

The quality of life enjoyed by people in Australia is one of the highest in the world. From the clean physical environment and relaxed lifestyle, Australia really is the number one place to visit. 

Climate

The seasons in Australia are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere.  Between December and February is summer for most of the country, and the wet season in the tropical north. The Australian winter from June to August is generally mild, but offers snow in the southern mountain regions and dry, sunny days in the northern states.

For up to date detailed information go to Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology.

Celebrations and Holidays

Australia has several national and state public holidays and celebrations throughout the year.  These include:-

• New Year’s Day -1 January

• Christmas Day - 25 December

• Boxing Day - 26 December

• Easter - between late March and late April

• Australia Day - 26 January

• Anzac Day - 25 April

• Melbourne Cup Day - the first Tuesday of November

Currency

The Australian dollar, which divides into 100 cents, is the national currency (100 cents = $1).  Notes are in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.  Coins come in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2.

Changing foreign currency or travellers cheques is usually no problem at banks throughout Australia or at licensed moneychangers. 

The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine).  These can be found in all cities and major towns. 

Planning your Trip

To plan your trip go to the official Tourism Australia website, offering a wide range of travel information and planning tools including more than 2000 images, a currency converter, daily weather updates, interactive maps, and suggested holiday itineraries, holiday deals, specialist travel agents and more. Available in nine languages.

Follow these sites to learn more about the cities and states of Australia

• Visit Victoria
• Visit Melbourne
• Queensland Tourism
• Visit Brisbane
• Lonely Planet Guide to Sydney
• Visit New South Wales
• Explore Western Australia
• Visit Canberra
• Lonely Planet Guide to Darwin
• Discover Tasmania
• Discover Adelaide, South Australia

Visa Information

To stay in Australia and learn English with Australia English Institute, you will need a Visa.  You must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can visit Australia for a stay up to 3 months as a visitor.  A Visitor Visa is for people who are outside Australia and want to visit Australia for informal studies or training.

You can apply for a range of visas at your nearest Australian Consulate.  For more detailed information go to the Australian government Visas & Immigration website