About Australia

Australia. The very word sums up images of beaches, barbecues and sunshine; laid-back English speaking locals, Pacific surf, and tanned, tousled blondes. It’s not surprising that so many of us overcome the challenges of distance to head here in our thousands, for the holiday of a lifetime or a whole brand new life. And quite often, one leads to the other as most Brits arriving Down Under soon start looking for ways to emigrate there!

Life Down Under, whether you are joining it temporarily or permanently, is easy. The sun generally shines, you can eat outdoors for at least half the year; and live amid the incredible ancient landscapes, picture-postcard coastline and verdant rainforests that fringe the continent. The people are adventurous, relaxed, and friendly. The food is fresh, affordable, global and divine. While prices are rising as with everywhere in the world, many things are cheaper than in Britain, including basics like housing, fuel, public transport and food. All in all, there is less to complain about.

For travellers, this vast continent offers an unforgettable trip. It’s safe, civilised and technologically mature, yet full of adrenaline-pumping adventures and idyllic back-to-nature moments, all set against breathtaking backdrops at every turn. The landscapes are diverse, from arid sandy desert to mountain ski resorts carpeted with snow, to tropical rainforests filled with squawking parrots, and vast canyons adorned with crashing waterfalls.

And (contrary to what some snooty but clueless types might say), there’s culture, too. Australia is home to the world’s oldest surviving culture (the aborigines) with colourful traditions, arts and stories dating back 50,000 years. Early European settlers developed their own unique history, and modern Australia is a unique and successful mix of cultures from all over the world, each adding their own arts, festivals, cuisine and traditions into the great Australian melting pot. Thus, Aboriginal rituals, Chinese ceremonies, Latin dance or European opera can be found in any Australian city at any given time.

Australia is unique. A nation with two histories, a thousand landscapes, and a smiling face. Travel light, travel far and open your eyes to everything this enormous continent has to offer.

For more about Australia, check out our Australia facts.

And if you want to find out what it’s like to live in Australia, find out with our guide to emigrating to Australia.