Destination Australia

Australia has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by European explorers and merchants starting in the seventeenth century, the eastern half of the mainland was claimed by the British in 1770 and officially settled through penal transportation as the colony of New South Wales on 26 January 1788.

• Discover Australia Guide

» Destination New South Wales

In the journal covering his survey of the eastern coast of the Australian continent, the then Lt. - later Captain - James Cook first named the east coast of Australia New Wales, which he later corrected in his journal to New South Wales. The original inhabitants were Aboriginal tribes who arrived 40-60,000 years ago …

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» Destination Northern Territory

There are many tiny settlements scattered across the Northern Territory but the larger centres are located on the single sealed road that links Darwin to southern Australia, the Stuart Highway. The Territory is also home to two spectacular natural rock formations, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) …

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» Destination Queensland

Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent. It is neighboured by the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south-west and New South Wales to the south. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean …

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» Destination South Australia

Evidence for human activity in South Australia dates back as far as 20,000 years ago with flint mining activity and rock art in the Koonalda Cave on the Nullarbor Plain. In addition wooden spears and tools were made in an area now covered in peat bog in the South East. Kangaroo Island was inhabited long before the island was cut off by rising sea levels …

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» Destination Tasmania

Tasmania promotes itself as the Natural State and the Island of Inspiration owing to its large, and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Formally, almost 37% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. The state capital and largest city is Hobart …

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» Destination Victoria

In 1901 Victoria became a state in the Commonwealth of Australia. As a result of the gold rush, Melbourne had by then become the financial centre of Australia and New Zealand. Between 1901 and 1927, Melbourne was the capital of Australia while Canberra was under construction …

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» Destination Western Australia

The first inhabitants of what is now Western Australia were Indigenous Australians, from a wide variety of language and kin groups. These groups retain significant presences throughout the state and, in some areas - like the Kimberley - continue to form the majority of the local population …

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• Most Popular Destinations

» Destination Sydney

The first European colony in Australia, Sydney was established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip who led the First Fleet from Britain. Built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, the city has been called the Harbour City. It is Australia's largest financial centre and is also an international tourist destination …

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» Destination Melbourne

Melbourne, often referred to as the sporting capital of Australia, hosts many major Australian sporting events including: the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival (including the 'race that stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup), the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian Tennis Open and the AFL Grand Final …

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» Destination Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia. It is set close to the Pacific Ocean, and is situated beside the Brisbane River on plains between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland …

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