Australia Overview

GENERAL

Capital

Canberra.

Geography

Australia borders the Arafura and Timor Seas to the north, the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea of the South Pacific to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south and west. The total coastline is 36,738 km long. The east and south-east coasts are the most densely populated. Australia is the smallest continent in the world and almost as big as the mainland of the United States. 40% of the country is in the tropics. The landscape is extraordinarily diverse, ranging from desolate red desert to lush green rainforests. The interior consists mainly of plains with a few lakes and rivers; Mountains rise especially in the coastal regions. The peaks of the Great Dividing Range to the east are the highest in the country. The southeast is a huge fertile plain. In the far northeast, on the Cape York Peninsula, dense jungle prevails. Along the east coast of the peninsula lies the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, a 2012 km long coral reef. Australia is the driest country in the world, but has snowfields as big as Switzerland. The geographical features of the individual states and territories are mentioned under the appropriate headings.

Government

Parliamentary monarchy (in the Commonwealth) since 1901. Constitution of 1901. Federal parliament consisting of two chambers: House of Representatives with 150 members and Senate with 76 members. Each of the six states and two territories has its own legislature, executive and jurisdiction. In a referendum held at the end of 1999, Australia decided with a clear majority against the abolition of the monarchy and the conversion into a republic.

Head of state

Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952), represented by Governor General Peter Cosgrove, since March 2014.

Head of government

Malcolm Turnbull, since September 2015.

Electricity

220/240 V, 50 Hz. Adapter required.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Each state has first-class hotels from major international chains, and cheaper hotels are often in the suburbs. Excellent motels on the highways on the outskirts of town offer self-contained family accommodations. Some restaurants are also available. Almost all hotel and motel rooms are equipped with a telephone, shower and / or bath, toilet, refrigerator and electric kettle. Hotels, motels and motor inns usually have a restaurant, a bar for hotel guests and possibly a public bar (mandatory for hotels). Many motels with excellent comfort are therefore not hotels in name only, because they prefer to make their bar only available to guests. Motels in rural areas generally only offer breakfast whileMotor Inns are equipped with restaurants and sometimes a hotel bar. Bars are not permitted in pensions. ´

For more information, contact the Australian Hotels Association, Comerce House, 24 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT 2600. (Tel: (02) 62 73 40 07. Internet: aha.org.au/).

Camping

There are numerous organized camping tours, sometimes in the most remote areas. Join a group with an experienced guide and help with cooking, washing up, etc. Vehicles and equipment are provided. Special tours with the Land Rover are also offered. The equipment is simpler here, but the driver / guide and cook are still involved. Such tours are the best way to get to know the outback. The local tourist offices can provide information.

Outside the designated campsites, which can be found in small towns, on highways, on beaches, river banks and in many national parks, camping should not be carried out, especially because of the increased risk of fire due to the extreme drought. The facilities available vary, but standard equipment includes electricity, hot and cold water, showers, toilets and washing machines. A number of companies also rent out well-equipped RVs.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 20 can now travel to Australia on their own by motorhome. While the well-known landlords (e.g. Apollo, Britz, Kea, Maui) require a minimum age of 21 years for the rental, you can get a vehicle at Wicked Campers at the age of 18. The tourist office (see addresses) can provide further information.

Other accommodation options

It is found all over Australia, especially in densely populated areas and larger cities. Australian youth hostels are affiliated with almost all international youth hostels. Further information from the Australian Youth Hostel Association, National Office, 422 Kent St. Tel: (02) 92 61 11 11. (Internet: www.yha.org.au)
Student rooms
During the semester holiday season (May, August, end of November until the end of February) you can find cheap accommodation in dormitories at universities and colleges.

Country Pubs
Offer meals and simple but comfortable accommodation from A $ 30 per night. Pre-registration is not absolutely necessary.

Information point
Bed & Breakfast and Farmstay of South Australia, Devon Street, South Brighton, SA 5048 (Tel: (02) 1300 559 943. Internet: http://www.bandbfsa.com.au/).

Guest houses, private rooms, holiday apartments and farm holidays
There are numerous holiday apartments and houses available, especially on the east coast. From guesthouses on huge sheep farms to simple sleeping quarters on small farms, everything is represented inland. Numerous private households and farms take in guests and offer inexpensive accommodation options in a family atmosphere and sometimes also tourist information. Bed and breakfast rooms can be found across Australia, a country located in Oceania listed on aristmarketing. Details at the tourist office.
No alcohol may be served in boarding houses.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +61 Area (km2) 7692024 Population 24375700 Population density (per km2) 3 Population in 2017 Member of the EU No main emergency number 000