Australia, the world’s smallest continent and largest island, is a land of remarkable contrasts. This Australia travel guide explores its vast deserts, vibrant cities, and ancient cultures. Located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Commonwealth of Australia spans about 7.69 million square kilometers. Despite its size, it has a population of only 27.4 million people, making it one of the most sparsely populated continents on Earth.

Australia’s natural borders are formed by the surrounding oceans—the Indian Ocean to the west and south, the Pacific (including the Coral and Tasman Seas) to the east, and the Arafura and Timor Seas to the north. Long before British colonization in 1788, this land was home to the world’s oldest continuous living cultures: the Indigenous Australians, who have lived here for at least 60,000 years.

Often described as “the land of drought and flooding rains,” Australia’s geography is defined by extremes. It is the flattest and, after Antarctica, the second-driest continent on Earth. The arid interior is dominated by vast deserts, including the Great Victoria Desert.

The Great Dividing Range stretches along the eastern coast, forming the continent’s most significant mountain system and including Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 meters), the highest peak. Rivers like those in the Murray–Darling Basin sustain fertile farmland and regional communities.

Off the northeast coast lies the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system and one of the planet’s most biodiverse environments. Australia’s long isolation has also produced unique wildlife: marsupials like kangaroos, koalas, and wombats, and monotremes—egg-laying mammals—like the platypus and echidna. Other ecosystems include Queensland’s tropical rainforests, Western Australia’s Ningaloo Coast, and Tasmania’s temperate forests.

Australian culture is a vibrant mix of ancient traditions and modern influences. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples maintain the world’s oldest living cultural practices, deeply rooted in the land and expressed through the Dreaming—a spiritual framework connecting people, nature, and ancestors.

British settlement left enduring marks on language, law, and institutions. English remains the de facto national language, and sports such as cricket and rugby remain cultural touchstones. After World War II, migration from Europe—and later from Asia and the Middle East—reshaped Australian society. Today, hundreds of languages are spoken, including Mandarin, Arabic, and Vietnamese.

While Christianity was historically dominant, modern Australia is increasingly secular, with many citizens identifying as non-religious.

Australian cuisine reflects its multicultural identity and unique natural resources. Traditional bush tucker—foods native to the land such as kangaroo, emu, and wattleseed—has influenced contemporary menus and fine dining. British heritage introduced favorites like meat pies and fish and chips, while the iconic “barbie” (barbecue) remains central to social life.

Immigration has enriched Australia’s food scene with Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern flavors. The country’s coffee culture is globally admired—home of the flat white—and Vegemite remains an unmistakable national symbol.

Australia boasts 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrating both natural wonders and cultural landmarks. Highlights include:

• Great Barrier Reef – the largest living structure on Earth
  

• Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park – sacred to Indigenous Australians and an icon of the Outback
  

• Sydney Opera House – a masterpiece of modern architecture
  

• Australian Convict Sites – 11 historic locations telling the story of forced migration
  

These sites capture the essence of Australia’s heritage—from ancient landscapes to modern innovation.

• • Continent: Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)
    

  • Population: ~27.4 million
    

  • Longest River: Murray River (2,531 km)
    

  • Highest Mountain: Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m)
    

  • Largest Desert: Great Victoria Desert
    

  • UNESCO Sites: 20
    

  • Annual Tourists: Over 8 million (2024)

   

Australia is a continent of contrasts—ancient and youthful, wild and urban, isolated yet welcoming. Whether diving into the Great Barrier Reef, exploring sacred desert landscapes, or sipping coffee in a Melbourne laneway, every journey reveals a different face of this extraordinary land.