Travelogue From Australia

Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself and is the 6th largest country in the world.  With a population of only 22million, though, it is rather sparsely populated and driving from one city to another can take up to 50 hours.  Australia is a land of contrasts and ultra-modern skyscraper cities are separated by vast stretches of uninhabited Outback.  Divided into seven regions, Australian landscapes range from The Northern Territory's red deserts to Victoria's stunning beaches to Tasmania's unpeopled jungle wilderness.  English is Australia's official language and its currency is the Australian Dollar.

Australia's New South Wales Region features Sydney, the country's largest city, as its focal point.  Central to the Sydney tourism industry is, of course, the Sydney Opera House and its familiar profile is recognizable worldwide.  Western Australia has a rich maritime history and one of its most interesting attractions is the wreck of the Batavia.  Lying in only a few feet of water, this mysterious wreck is easily accessible by divers with any level of ability.

The Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory's Alligator Rivers' Region and this enormous park's attractions include the Nanguluwur, Ubirr and Nourlangie Aboriginal art sites as well as the tranquil Mamukala Wetlands.  When in Victoria, make time to visit The Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations on the Port Campbell National Park coastline.  These amazing limestone fingers poke out of the surf and, due to erosion caused by constant wave activity, disintegrate and fall into the sea on a regular basis.

The Queensland Region is home to the Great Barrier Reef and tourists flock to visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and dive or snorkel among the reefs.  The park also offers birdwatching, boating and fishing, and visiting it is an unforgettable experience.  Tasmania, an island separated from the Australian mainland, is one of the world's last unspoilt wildernesses.  Portions of the island have even been declared a World Heritage Site, including the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, with its 4,951ft high King David's Peak, and Mole Creek Karst National Park, home to the fascinating carbonate rock karst formations.  And last but not least is South Australia, with such diverse attractions as the wine-producing Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island, where visitors walk among basking sea-lions.

Australia's attractions are too numerous for any one article to do them justice and must be seen to be believed.