Map and Facts

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FACTS & FIGURES

• Land area: 3 million square miles, of which only 1% is water.
  

• Population: 20.5 million.
  

• Population Growth Rate: 0.9%
  

• Economic Growth Rate: 3%
  

• Inflation rate: 2.8%
  

• Capital: Canberra

• Largest City: Sydney

• Life expectancy: 80 years

• Literacy: 100%

• Government: The Federal Government oversees all the states and is currently headed by Liberal Party Prime Minister John Howard. Each state also has its own semi-autonomous government.

• GDP: US$674.9 billion (2006 estimate)

• GDP per capita: US$32,220, making it 14th in the world.

• Unemployment rate: 6%

• Languages: English, native aboriginal languages

• Health: We recommend taking out travel insurance before visiting Australia. Standards of healthcare are excellent, with private and state-funded systems working in sync. Tap water is safe to drink unless otherwise specified. Cover up and keep hydrated to avoid sunstroke.

• Safety: Australia is a relatively safe country to visit and is generally considered safer than the UK. However, exercise the same caution that you would at home: avoid hitchhiking, look after your possessions and obey notices.

• Law: The minimum drinking age is 18 and drink driving is taken extremely seriously, with limits lower than in the UK. Marijuana is illegal in Australia. Cyclists must wear helmets on the roads. Police officers carry firearms.

• Driving: On the left hand side of the road. An international driver’s licence will suffice for the first year; a UK licence for three months. Full UK licence holders can get an Australian licence by passing a theory test.

• Electricity: UK appliances can be used in Australia. However, you’ll need a socket adaptor to use with UK plugs.

• Transport & travel: Australia is extremely well set up for visitors, with excellent and affordable bus, train and plane networks and plenty of car-hire options. Many guided tour companies offer jump-on, jump-off services around the country. Tourist information is widely available, as is accommodation, with options from £8-a-night hostel bunks and budget family rooms to island resorts and international hotels.

• Costs: Budget independent travellers should allow about £25 a day for food, transport and accommodation. A beer costs around £1.50, a takeaway about £2.50, and dinner for two with wine in a local restaurant can be had for about £20. Petrol prices are lower than the UK.

• Money: The Australian dollar (A$) is currently worth about 40p. ATMs (cashpoints) are widely available in pubs, shops, malls, food courts, casinos and petrol stations, as well as banks and street corners, and will accept most UK cards.