Australia Travel Guide
Season • Note
Are December and January good months to visit Australia?
December
High
season
January
High
season
Did you know?
Canberra was chosen the capital of Australia in 1908. The choice was made by a compromise between rival Sydney and Melbourne. Eventually it was decided to create a completely new city, 154 mi from Sydney and 300 mi from Melbourne.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Canberra (AU) and Washington D.C. (US) is 9907 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Canberra click here
Country Comparison
Compare Australia to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.
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Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Australia
| Miles | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide | Canberra | Hobart | Cairns |
| Sydney | - | 443 | 455 | 2045 | 722 | 154 | 657 | 1219 |
| Melbourne | 443 | - | 854 | 1692 | 407 | 289 | 371 | 1444 |
| Brisbane | 455 | 854 | - | 2241 | 994 | 587 | 1112 | 863 |
| Perth | 2045 | 1692 | 2241 | - | 1324 | 1919 | 1871 | 2138 |
| Adelaide | 722 | 407 | 994 | 1324 | - | 595 | 722 | 1320 |
| Canberra | 154 | 289 | 587 | 1919 | 595 | - | 533 | 1286 |
| Hobart | 657 | 371 | 1112 | 1871 | 722 | 533 | - | 1796 |
| Cairns | 1219 | 1444 | 863 | 2138 | 1320 | 1286 | 1796 | - |
A Brief History of Australia
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
60,000 - 40,000 B.C.
The beginnings of settlementPeople from Southeast Asia settle in Australia. Their descendants are the Aboriginal people.
8000 B.C.
Australian boomerangAborigines invent the boomerang. This wooden weapon, which is used for hunting, returns to its thrower.
1770 A.D.
British coloniesBritain claims Australia. It settles the first of six colonies in 1788.
1850s
Gold minesGold is found in southern Australia. Entire settlements are deserted as folks rush to the gold mines.
1901
Commonwealth of AustraliaThe six colonies join to form the Commonwealth of Australia. It has a democratic government. Britain's royalty has only a ceremonial role.
1927
New capitalCanberra officially replaces Melbourne as the nation's capital.
1962
Right to voteAborigines are given the right to vote. Five years later, they're recognized as citizens.
1976
Aboriginal Land Rights ActThe Aboriginal Land Rights Act is passed. It is a legal turning point for Aborigines, giving them the right to make claims on their ancestral land in the Northern Territory. Nine years later, Uluru is returned to Aborigines.
2000
Olympic GamesSydney hosts the Summer Olympic Games.
2008
The government apologizesThe Australian parliament formally apologizes for past wrongs committed against the Aboriginal people.
Best Ways to Experience Australia
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreAustralian Dollar (AUD)
- AUD
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- AUD
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Australia.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Australia for tourism
A visa is required but can be obtained online (e-Visa).
- Allowed stay: 90 days
- 90 days on each visit in 12-month period if granted
- May enter using SmartGate.
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Australia the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type I sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type IFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 55 / 231 Ranking | 25 499 884 white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% |
Area | 7 / 230 Ranking | 2.97 mil. mi² It is approximately 81% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 9 / 196 Ranking | 82.9 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 80.7women 85.2 |
Median age | 111 / 157 Ranking | 37.5 Average age of population expressed in years.men 36.5women 38.5 |
Population growth | 70 / 172 Ranking | 1.31% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 37 / 131 Ranking | 96% Ability to read, write and count.men 96%women 96% |
GDP | 21 / 194 Ranking | 52 397 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |