Australia is a sovereign country that includes the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the sixth largest in the world. Its size (7,741,220 square kilometers) gives it a great variety of landscapes and climates, with deserts in the center, tropical jungles in the northeast and mountain ranges in the southeast. The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from Southeast Asia approximately 65,000 years ago. The written history of Australia began with European maritime exploration of Australia. The Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in 1606 was the first known European to reach Australia. In 1770, British explorer James Cook mapped and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for Britain. It is a developed country with a high-income economy, in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund, it was the thirteenth economy in the world. It is a member of international associations such as the United Nations and the G20 among others. It has 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in its territory, from natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef to historic buildings such as the Cockatoo Island prison. Australia is home to thousands of species of animals and plants, many of them endemic.

Programs at Australia

11 nights
€4,783
per person

Useful information for traveling to Australia

To travel to Australia for stays of a maximum of 30 days, a valid passport is required, with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of return and the processing of a free visa (eVisitor) prior to arrival, which is processed at through a platform called ImmiAccount.

It does not have an official language, English is the de facto national language for 72% of the population, there are other languages spoken in very small percentages and about 50 native dialects spoken by indigenous people.

It does not have a state religion, although approximately 50% of the population identify as Christians, and the rest profess different religions.

A very curious Australian custom is not to kill any insects, since their culture is extremely respectful of nature. Although probably the custom that attracts the most attention is that of walking barefoot on the street (Barefoot), a custom that is less popular in cities and widespread in towns.

The climate is greatly influenced by ocean currents. Much of the north of the country has a tropical climate; the extreme southwest has a Mediterranean climate; The southeast oscillates between oceanic and humid subtropical and the highlands have alpine and subpolar oceanic climates. The interior is arid or semi-arid.

No vaccination is required for travelers from Europe.

The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar, which is divided into cents. Currently there are coins minted of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 dollars; and bills of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. It is easy to change euros to Australian dollars at exchange offices and banks. Exchange offices are easily found on commercial streets in cities, as well as at airports.

Debit or credit cards can be used to pay in hotels, restaurants, stores, supermarkets, etc., and are almost essential to rent a vehicle. Visa and MasterCard being the most recommended.

The common voltage is 230 V. The plugs and sockets are type I. It is advisable to carry a travel adapter.

In Australia there are four main modes of transport: train, bus, ferry and trams (also known as light rail), the latter of which is not in use in all cities.

The time zone of central Australia is GMT+09:30 and in its capital Canberra GMT+10:00.

The first settlers introduced British and Irish cuisine to the continent. This influence is seen in the enduring popularity of several British dishes, such as fish and chips, and quintessential Australian dishes, such as Australian meat pie. Sausages, pavlovas, lamingtons, meat pies, Vegemite and Anzac biscuits are considered iconic Australian foods. It is one of the main exporters and consumers of wine, this is produced mainly in the coldest areas of the south of the country. It also figures prominently in beer consumption, with each state and territory home to numerous breweries. And it is also known for its cafe and cafe culture in urban centers.

The distances in Australia are enormous so you have to plan the routes to visit well. Another thing to keep in mind is the time at which the kitchens of bars and restaurants normally close, they generally close between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monuments and other places of tourist interest close at 5:00 p.m. It is advisable not to drive at dusk or dawn on secondary roads because kangaroos, wombats and wallabies, among other animals, constantly cross them. Don't forget that in Australia you drive on the left.

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