Due to being so far from the USA, many wonder: why visit Australia? You will discover that the land down under is filled with excitement and beauty unlike any place else -- and although the length of time it takes to travel there is long, a trip to Australia is well worth the effort.
Why Visit Australia: Eight Reasons
Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere, is divided into eight territories and states. Each one holds something unique for the traveler.
- Queensland
Fifteen regions make up this state including Brisbane and The Gold Coast. Queensland's coast has the famous Coral Sea and The Great Barrier Reef. Rainforests, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and even championship golf courses are part of this area. The Great Barrier Reef is easily accessible from Queensland.
- New South Wales
Sydney, home to the 2000 Olympics, lies in this region. Here you can enjoy the city life, Aboriginal heritage tours, and plenty of shops and restaurants. The Snowy Mountains region offers breath-taking views. This is Australia's oldest and biggest state.
- Tasmanina
Separated from the mainland by the 240 kilometers or 150 miles stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land surrounded by water. Once bridged to the mainland, all that remains of that land bridge now are 51 islands surrounding Flinders Island. King Island, to the northwest of Tasmania, holds empty beaches and rocky coasts.
- South Australia
This territory will serve all of your nature-viewing desires. Dolphins play in the ocean just minutes from the city of Adelaide. Visit the heart of the Outback, just a few hours north of Adelaide, or fly south to Kangaroo Island to get up close and personal with sea lions, koalas, and kangaroos.
- Victoria
Victoria is home to world-class wineries of the Yarra Valley. A two-hour drive from the city of Melbourne will take you to the natural habitat of seals and penguins located on Phillip Island.
- Australian Capital Territory
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is often referred to as the bush capital because pockets of bushland reserve extend almost to the center of this city. Over half of the Australian Capital Territory is classified as national park or nature reserve. Some would claim that this territory alone is enough reason to answer the question "why visit Australia?"
Some of the attractions in this region include the Parliament House, Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia.
- Northern Territory
The Northern Territory's wonders include the National Parks Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock). Vine forests, lotus lilies, crocodiles, wallabies, and brolga can be spotted here. A walk in the desert or a visit to the infamous Outback town of Alice Springs, are a few of the marvels of this region.
- Western Australia
Perth City offers the beautiful Swan River and Kings Park, an inner-city park. For a frontier adventure, the North West holds rugged ancient landforms, rain forests, deep red gorges, vast cattle stations and pioneering personalities, as well as an ancient Aboriginal culture.
How to Get to Australia
With all of these reasons to travel to Australia, it's now time to book a flight. Qantas Airways, the official airlines of Australia, has flights that depart from major US cities every day.
You can also find discount rates at Expedia as well as tips for cheap airfare.
If you need a travel agent, helpful information is easily available.
Traveling Within the Country
Renting a four-wheel drive vehicle is one of the best ways to see the country, especially the Outback. You can rent these at Budget Longbeach. Consider booking a tour at Encounter Tours or seeing The Great Barrier Reef via a charter boat.
The Climate
Keep in mind that the seasons are the opposite of what they are in the continental USA. In Australia, winter is June, July, and August. While it is great weather for skiing in Victoria and New South Wales, the beaches are cold. The best beach weather is during Australia's summer, which is December to February.
Summary
Now that you see all that is waiting for you in this diverse country, you know the many answers to why visit Australia. While you may have only thought of Australia as the land with kangaroos and koalas, now you can add places like the Outback and The Great Barrier Reef to your list of why Australia should be your next vacation site. Start planning your trip!
