Australia, what can we say, probably the place that the majority of people dream of going to. A country so huge that it is possible to drive for hours and not see another car or person.

Where do you start with a country with so many diverse cities, climates and attractions? This is by no means a comprehensive guide to Australia but aims to give you a flair for the major regions, attraction and culture of Australia.

The Capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney as is often thought. Sydney is most certainly the cosmopolitan city of Australia, with the structurally magnificent opera house, Harbour Bridge and an abundance of beaches, including Bondi and Manly. Sydney is a stop on most people's agenda, and it is easy to see why. The oldest settlement in Australia it is a spectacular setting for a city. Take a look at the things to do in Australia section!

Major cities to visit in Australia include Melbourne, in the Garden State of Victoria, as the name indicates a lush city with tree-lined streets, parks and colourful plants galore. Melbourne is a melting pot of people and cultures, the 2^nd largest city in Australia and home to many sporting events and cultural attractions.

Perth on the Western coast of Australia is a lively city; the fastest growing area of Australia has a population of whom half are under 24 years of age! The lifestyle is leisurely, with an almost Mediterranean climate. Perth is surrounded by a vast outback and provides ample opportunity to mix Cosmopolitan City life with the traditional aboriginal history. Surrounding Perth are many old gold towns, there is even a mine that has been kept operational as a tourist attraction.

Cairns is the gateway to the awe inspiring Great Barrier Reef, a modern city with tropical temperatures, Melbourne a leafy bay side community with fantastic shopping, restaurants and nightlife, Brisbane in the sunshine state of Queensland is the playground for anyone and everyone, this is the winter retreat for many, the slow pace, beaches ad many attractions make it one of the most popular beach resorts. Kimberley on the other hand at the northern end of West Australia is quintessential Australia. Remote, with stunning scenery, Kimberley is the home to Bungle Bungle National Park, wallaroos, gum trees, crocodiles, a fantasy of wildlife.

The outback itself is a seemingly never-ending plain of red dust, empty tracks, sporadic rainfall and little civilisation. Some of the most haunting landscape in the world, if you have a sense of adventure and a 4WD you can visit and experience this amazing land. In the midst of the outback you'll find Alice Springs an informal yet modern, thriving community of people, and fantastic base for so many of the local attractions such as Ayers Rock.

To the North of Australia Darwin is the only really cosmopolitan city, surrounded by desert / outback Darwin is a gem among thieves. Being closer to Asia than the South of Australia, Darwin is a truly cosmopolitan city with a rich flavour of many cultures. Having been rebuilt many times due to wars and cyclones this is a new city with a fresh feeling (apart from the weather in summer of course!)

Australia has its summer when we have our winter in the UK and as such the best time to visit the northern region is in their winter period, April to September. Summer temperature can soar, especially in Darwin and mixed with the rainy season it is hot, wet and very humid, not pleasant for travelling or sightseeing!

To the South of Australia the weather is not so extreme and the most pleasant time to visit is December through January. Winter in the South is obviously not as warm as in the North, but temperatures rarely fall below freezing, with the exception of parts of Tasmania, and the mountains in New South Wales.

Learn to play the digeridoo at the Aboriginal Art and culture centre in Alice Springs. There are many aboriginal centres in Australia and wherever you go there is sure to be one nearby.

Visit one of the many natural attractions such as Ayers Rock & Olgas, go scuba diving or snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

Go on one of the many bush tours, ranging from large organised trips to locals taking small groups or on a one-to-one basis. Details are available from the local tourist office

Kakadu National Park is Australia's biggest; expect to see crocodiles, waterholes, art and countless birds.

Visit the wine-producing region of Barossa Valley near Adelaide

Skiing in New South Wales and Victoria during the winter months (June to October) or hiking in the same region during the summer

In Melbourne visit Captain Cooks cottage, the zoo that has no cages, the museum ad National art gallery. If you're in town for a cricket match the ground can hold 120,000 people.

Swim with dolphins at Monkey Mia in Perth

In Sydney the must dos; include Sydney Aquarium, The Royal Botanical Gardens, the inter-active Powerhouse Museum, St James the cities oldest church and The Australian Museum. So many things to do, these are only a few of the most popular, not mentioning The Opera House, or simply walking across Harbour Bridge.

Spend a day at the old prison at Port Arthur in Tasmania or visit Tasman Devil Park to see the wildlife. To the centre of Tasmania the scenery is picturesque with hidden waterfalls and flora and fauna.

The Lone pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland is well worth a visit, not only for the koala's but also the hairy nosed wombat, Tasmanian devil and red nosed kangaroo!

Feed the fish at Doctors Gulley in Darwin at high tide, you'll be surrounded by thousands of fish and be among many people who have fed them for more than 20 years.

The Rough Guide to Australia ~ Margo Daly, et al (Paperback - 26 August, 1999)

Lonely Planet: Australia ~ Hugh Finlay, et al (Paperback - 20 April, 2000)

Living and Working in Australia ~ David Hampshire (Paperback - January 1998)

Lonely Planet: Western Australia ~ Sally Webb, Ilsa Colson (Paperback - 23 February, 2001)

AA Spiral Guide Australia ~ Pip Moran, Jenni Muir (Paperback - 1 April, 2000)

Australasia's 'Big Day Out' touring musical festival generally hits New Zealand (Auckland) mid January.

Every 2 years sees the Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival (next one 2002). This is supposed to be the premier Maori event in the world with arts, crafts, music and dancing galore. As is the Main New Zealand Festival also held bi-annually and next die in 2002. The next jamboree is set for the end of Feb/ March time in Wellington.

March (1^st Saturday) the Air New Zealand Iron man triathlon. Flex those muscles…

Mid July the Auckland International Film Festival exhibits a wide range of films, not only those made in/ by the USA, there is also showings at Wellington. Smaller versions of this event are held at Dunedin, Masterson, Palmerston North, Napier, Tauarnga, Nelson, Hamilton and Christchurch at the end of July through September.

Mid July the quiet town of Queenstown comes alive for the Air New Zealand Queenstown Winter Festival.

3^rd Friday of September the FIA World Rally Championship hits the town of Auckland. This is round 10 of the championship.

Towards the end of September at Nelsons sports stadium the Montana New Zealand wearable art awards show off some of the most amazing clothes. This has developed into an International event.

The Alternative Health Fair at the start of November each year gathers a plethora of new age remedies and is thought of as the Mecca of alternative therapists.

Auckland Botanic Gardens house the Ellerslie Flower Festival at the end of November; this is now the largest floral exhibition in the Southern hemisphere.

November (the final Saturday each year) - Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - the second largest fun bike ride around one of the countries most magnificent lakes, over 5,000 people participate each year.

New Year sees a huge party 'Gathering' in Nelson, New Zealanders really know how to party.

There is a plethora of accommodation in Australia if you know where to look, from hostels and Bed & Breakfast for the students and backpackers through to tourist, 5 Star and business class central locations. Most Australians take their summer vacation in January so you'll find very little available or reduced in price

The Waterside in Coffs Harbour, and Parklands in the Blue Mountain region, both being small hotels offering top luxury, individual garden suites available at roughly £100pppn. There are hotels like these scattered throughout the country, a good travel agent will be able to advise, or alternatively get a good map and then surf the internet looking for their web sites!

Hostels, Motels and B&B prices range from 5 to £17 pppn. Tourist Information in the different areas of Australia will be able to provide you with a comprehensive list. The Funk House in Sydney for example only costs approx £6 pppn in a shared dormitory if staying for a week.

An average holiday resort in Australia costs from approx £10 pppn.

Visitors to Australia from the UK need a valid passport, and for tourist stays of up to 3 months an Electronic Travel Authority Visa (ETA), these are available from travel agents. For longer stays and further information check with the Australian High Commission in London.

Yellow Fever immunisation is essential if arriving within 6 days of visiting an infected country. Please seek professional advice; these are only guidelines.

Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of (bottled) water and use high factor sun creams.