Australia Holiday - I Love a Sunburnt Country

If a British traveller were to visit the land 'Down Under' any year it should be this one, with the ability to bask in not only in the glorious sunshine but also in a well earned Ashes victory.

Australia, the sunburnt country, boasts one of the most diverse landscapes on earth and attracts thousands of travellers each year from backpackers to those on holiday, drawn to its vastness, its people, and of course, its weather.

Colonised by the British in the late 18th century, the Commonwealth of Australia is one of the planet's youngest developed nations. Following this heritage, the primary language spoken is English, although over 2000 dialects of native Aboriginal languages are still maintained and spoken in certain areas.

The nation also has highly multicultural roots, with Chinese populations established in all major capital cities following the gold rush period of the 1850s, and large Greek and Italian strongholds in Sydney and Melbourne established during a massive post-war immigration drive.

Despite these distinct differences in cultures and the vast space between cities, Australians themselves do not vary in attitude or enthusiasm. The majority of Australians are laid back, easy-going and willing to oblige, however, the Australian love of the outdoors and competitive sporting spirit can often lead to a scuffle on the playing field, whether it be rugby union, Aussie rules or rugby league.

As a visitor the list of attractions cannot be beaten, with a holiday to Australia covering all of the rare British pleasures: sun, surf and yellow sandy beaches that stretch for miles.

From the Northern Territory travelling down the east coast of Queensland and New South Wales and finishing in Victoria, the average holiday maker can encounter a smorgasbord of fun, food, flair and flavour.

The separate states are all known primarily for different reasons, with the Northern Territory maintaining Australia's aboriginal cultural heritage - a rocky hot landscape bustling with crocodiles, billabongs (waterholes) and Mother Nature's marvellous achievements such as Uluru (Ayers Rock).

To the east, Queensland boasts the most diverse landscape, with humid rainforests in the north, the Whitsunday islands on the Great Barrier Reef, perfect sandy beaches at the Gold Coast and outback attractions reliving the harsh life of a Stockman. Those wanting to head off the beaten track are advised to take a weekend as a farmhand at an outback station.

Moving south, New South Wales boasts fantastic skiing facilities as well as Australia's most well-known city, Sydney. The Sydney Opera house and Harbour Bridge cannot be missed and are best viewed from a harbour cruise, readily available from the host area of the 2000 Olympics, Darling Harbour.

Further south still is Victoria, who's capital Melbourne claims to be the cultural heart of the country. Shopaholics and theatre buffs will find little time for anything else once in the city. Australia's island state Tasmania can be accessed from the Victorian coastline via ferry or aircraft and maintains Australia's convict past. Tasmania houses the darkest and cruellest convict prisons of the nation - although out of service nowadays of course!

To the west of Victoria, wineries abound in South Australia and holiday makers can hire a car and travel directly to Adelaide and the Hunter Valley via the Great Ocean Road - one of the planet's most breathtaking coastal drives.

However, holidaying in the country can be tiring as moving between major cities by car can take hours, if not days. Internal flights are becoming more popular these days.

People from Western Australia can boast they are lazier than the rest of the nation because the country is so vast the state is two hours behind the rest. Nevertheless its capital, Perth, is known as 'Australia's prettiest city'.

Overall, the average UK traveller can pass into Australian society with ease and with little fuss. Thankfully, they drive on the same side of the road and international drivers licenses are valid. Airfares to the land 'Down Under' can be expensive, but is well worth the fare.

Medically, there are no problems with eating local meats or seafood, as all is freshly caught and distributed.

Australian seafood is recommended, as it is regarded as among the best in the world. Sweet large flaky reef fish are plentiful as are mussels, crabs, prawns and bugs.

The number one tip for a UK traveller to Australia is to wear loads of suncream because as they say: "It's a different sun down there!"