Australia Holidays

You can book your Australia holiday online by simply choosing from our huge range of flights and hotels to create your own unique arrangement. By booking with Unwind Worldwide you can be asssured that our Australia holidays represent excellent value for money. We pride ourselves in sourcing the cheapest offers on the best flights and hotels.

Booking a holiday to Australia online is simple, safe and secure. However, should you have any questions, our Reservations Team are always are on hand to help you book your ideal holiday to Australia. You can contact our team via LiveHelp or by telephoning 0203 282 7684.

Australia Travel Guide

Australia is the only country in the world that has a whole continent to itself, although the smallest continent it is the sixth–largest country by land area. It is approximately the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre.

It is world famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, its beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback", Australia is actually one of the world's most highly urbanised countries. Tourist attractions in Australia are infinite; offering a wealth of charm, beauty and nature, endless natural attractions, scenic beauty, wildlife, historical landmarks, golden beaches and more. It is also well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fraser Island and the Gold Coast.

Australia is highly urbanised with most of the population heavily concentrated along the eastern and south–eastern coasts. Australia's coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, making it an integral part of the laid–back lifestyle. It is therefore little wonder that since 1945 more than six million people from across the world have come to Australia to live.

History

Australia's Aboriginal people were thought to have arrived here by boat from South East Asia during the last Ice Age, at least 50,000 years ago. At the time of European discovery and settlement, up to one million Aboriginal people lived across the continent as hunters and gatherers. They were scattered in 300 clans and spoke 250 languages and 700 dialects. Each clan had a spiritual connection with a specific piece of land. However, they also travelled widely to trade, find water and seasonal produce and for ritual and totemic gatherings.

In 1770, the expedition of the Endeavour under the command of Captain James Cook navigated and charted the east coast of Australia, making first landfall at Botany Bay on 29 Apr 1770. Following the exploration period, the first wave of British settlers came to Australia in 1788, starting a process of colonisation that almost entirely displaced the Aboriginal people who inhabited the land. Australia has since welcomed a successive series of immigration from Europe, the Mediterranean and later Asia to formulate a highly diverse and multicultural society.

New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales is Australia's most populous state. The Harbour City of Sydney is Australia's largest city. The coast of New South Wales is lined with beachside communities, each one offering experiences for the traveller. A little inland are the mountain ranges of the Blue Mountains, and the purpose built capital city of Canberra, excised from New South Wales.

Northern Territory

From the red deserts surrounding Uluru and Alice Springs up to the tropics of Darwin and Kakadu National Park, the Northern Territory is stunningly beautiful, and easier to access than you might think.

Queensland

Famous for its sunny warm weather, Queensland offers coastal exploration from the vibe of the Gold Coast to the tropics of the Great Barrier Reef to the bustling city of Brisbane. It is also home to tropical rainforests of the Daintree National Park, and the island resorts of the Whitsundays. Inland lies the ranges of the hinterland, and further on the vast expanses and beauty of outback Australia.

South Australia

Renowned for the fine wines of the Barossa Valley, the beauty of the Flinders Ranges and the outback, and the beaches and events and culture of the City of Churches, Adelaide.

Tasmania

Separated from the mainland by Bass Strait, Tasmania has rugged beauty of Cradle Mountain and the west, the beaches of the east, and the complete wilderness of the south. Hobart was the site of the second European settlement in Australia, and many historic sites are well preserved. The island has well developed facilities for travellers.

Victoria

Small, vibrant and with something for everyone, Victoria has dramatic surf beaches along the southwest and central coast, green rolling farmland and photogenic national parks. The diversity of rural Victoria is very easy to access due in part to its size and well maintained roads. Australia and Victoria's sporting, shopping, fashion and food capital is Melbourne.

Western Australia

The south–west contains the state capital and major city of Perth closely surrounded by the wildflower, wine growing and scenic destinations of the Margaret River and Albany. North to the tropics and the beachside destination of Broome. Small townships, roadhouses, mining communities and national parks scattered around the long distances between.

Things to See and Do

There is much to see in Australia that you can't see easily in its natural setting anywhere else:
Wildlife – Australian flora and fauna is unique to the island continent, the result of having been isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years. A visit to Australia would not be complete without taking the chance to see some of its wildlife in its natural environment.
Kangaroos and Wallabies – Kangaroos and wallabies reside in national parks all around the country. You won't see any kangaroos hopping down the street in Central Sydney, but they are abundant not too far from the centre of the nation's capital.
Wombats and Echidna – Wombats and Echidna are also common, but harder to find due to their camouflage and tunnelling. See lots of Echnida on Kangaroo Island.
Koalas – Koalas are present is forests around Australia, but are very notoriously hard to spot, and walking around looking upwards into the boughs of trees will usually send you sprawling over a tree root.
Emu – Emu are more common in central Australia. You will certainly see some if you venture to the outback national park at Currawinya.
Platypus – Platypus are found in reedy flowing creeks with soft river banks in Victoria and Southern New South Wales – seen at dusk and dawn – you have to have a bit of luck to see one.

Traditional Foods

Kangaroo, if you fancy some, it is commonly available from most supermarkets and butchers shops.
Crocodile, meat from farms in the Northern Territory and Queensland is widely available around the top end, and occasionally elsewhere.
Emu, yes, you can eat the Australian Coat of Arms. Emu is low in fat, and available in some speciality butchers.
Bush tucker, many tours may give you an opportunity to try some bush tucker, the berries, nuts, roots, ants, and grubs from Australia's native bush. Macadamia nuts are the only native plant to Australia that is grown for food commercially. Taste some of the other bush foods, and you will discover why.

Climate

As a large continent a wide variation of climates are found across Australia. Most of the country receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Generally, the north is hot and tropical, while south tends to sub–tropical and temperate. Most rainfall is around the coast, and much of the centre is arid and semi–arid. As Australia is in the southern hemisphere the winter is June–August while December–February is summer. The winter is the dry season in the tropics, and the summer is the wet. In the southern parts of the country, the seasonal temperature variation is greater.