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Information about Australia
Australia is a country of stunning contrasts. It is slightly smaller in size than the United States but only has a population of 21 million. It contains arid deserts and lush tropical rainforests. In the north it faces Asia, in the south Antarctica. The original inhabitants of the continent were the sole occupants for almost 50,000 years. In the last 200 years migrants have come here from all over the world ensuring that it is now home for people of more than 200 different nationalities.
The information below will provide you with a little knowledge about the particular city you are going to:
You can also find out about living costs and access the Pre-Departure Guide (PDF - 958kb).
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital city in the state of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia. It is set close to the Pacific Ocean, and is situated beside the Brisbane River on plains between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland.
History
The city is named in honour of Sir Thomas Brisbane who was Governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825. The original settlement grew from a harsh penal colony established at his direction in 1824 at Redcliffe, 28km to the north. The colony was moved to what is now the location of the Brisbane CBD in 1825, and free settlers were permitted from 1842. It was chosen as the capital when Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony, in 1859. The city developed slowly until World War II, when it played a central role in the Allied campaign as the South West Pacific headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur.
Climate
Brisbane has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and dry, mild winters. The city's highest recorded temperature was 43.2°C on the 26 January 1940 and its coldest was -0.1°C on 9 July 2007, which was the first time Brisbane's temperature fell below freezing point.
From 2006, Brisbane and surrounding temperate areas have experienced the most severe drought in over a century, as supplying dam levels dropped below one quarter of their normal capacity. As a result, residents have been mandated by local laws to observe water restrictions.
For further information about weather in Brisbane, please visit: www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/
Entertainment
Brisbane has a thriving live music scene, as well as theatres and museums within the city, South Bank, the South Bank Parklands and Brisbane suburbs. It is the birthplace of internationally acclaimed singers, music bands, authors, actors, artists, sculptors and fashion designers. Many of Brisbane's singers and musicians (both popular and classical) have performed overseas, and have received international awards and recognition.
For further information about Brisbane entertainment, please visit: www.visitbrisbane.com.au/
Transport
Brisbane has an extensive transportation network within the city, as well as connections to regional centres, interstate and to overseas destinations. Public Transport in Brisbane is provided by bus, rail and ferry services.
For further information about Brisbane transport, please visit: www.translink.com.au/
Sydney
Sydney has a population of over four million people and is the largest and oldest city in Australia. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and is perhaps the most well known of all Australian cities internationally.
It is Australia's largest financial centre and is home to the Australian Stock Exchange. Sydney's leading economic sectors include property and business services, manufacturing, tourism, media, and health and community services.
History
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales, and is the site of the first European colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. A resident of the city is referred to as a Sydneysider.
Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast. The city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, leading to the city's nickname, "the Harbour City".
Entertainment
The Sydney Opera House is an internationally recognised symbol of Australia - but it is also a living, vital centre for the arts. National and International Drama, Dance and Music companies offer rich programs for the citizens of Sydney throughout the year.
Sydney is notable for its spectacular harbour and famous ocean beaches at Bondi and Manly The metropolitan area is also surrounded by on three sides by national parks including the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.
The city has played host to numerous international sporting, political and cultural events, including the 1938 British Empire Games, the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup. In September 2007, the city hosted the leaders of the 21 APEC economies for APEC Australia 2007, and in July 2008 will host World Youth Day 2008.
For further information about entertainment in Sydney, please visit: www.sydneyaustralia.com/
Climate
Sydney's climate is mainly dry and mild with fine hot summers and cool sunny winters encouraging an outdoor lifestyle. Summer temperatures average 28ºC and can reach over 40ºC in Sydney's western region. The weather during winter is usually mild (18º C) but overnight temperatures occasionally fall to zeroºC.
For further information about weather in Sydney, please visit: www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/
Transport
Sydney's public transport network combines travel on trains, buses and ferries.
For further information about transport in Sydney, please visit: www.131500.info
Canberra
Canberra, the national capital, is considered one of the most convenient and safest places to live in Australia. It is an international city with more than 70 diplomatic missions. For students, Canberra provides excellent facilities for study including access to the National Library, the largest in Australia. For bicycling enthusiasts Canberra's well-planned bike paths make this a great way to get around.
Entertainment
Canberra is full of fantastic experiences for visitors. Set within leafy surrounds, this modern city offers fun for the kids, a busy calendar of events and festivals, as well as stylish restaurants, bars and shops.
For further information about entertainment in Canberra, please visit:
www.visitcanberra.com.au/
Climate
Canberra has a relatively dry, continental climate with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. The wettest month is October; the coldest month is July and the hottest month is January. The average rainfall is 629 millimetres per year. Average winter temperatures are 6ºC and average summer temperatures are 25ºC.
For further information about weather in Canberra, please visit:
www.bom.gov.au/weather/act/
Transport
Cycling is a popular transport option in Canberra, as its well-planned bike paths make this a great way to get around. The city is also connected by a bus network.
For further information about Canberra public transport system, please visit:
www.action.act.gov.au
Melbourne
Melbourne has on numerous occasions been voted amongst the world's most liveable cities for its safe, secure environment and well-developed infrastructure. It is well known for its numerous parks and gardens and it cosmopolitan, outdoor cafe lifestyle.
There are approximately 50,000 international students currently living in Melbourne, which has a population of over 3.5 million made up of people from over 140 different nations. 45 per cent of Victoria's community is either born overseas or has at least one parent born overseas. More than 150 different languages are spoken in Victoria, so yours is most likely one of them!
History
Melbourne was founded as a British colony on the mouth of the Yarra River in 1835, and it gained independence from New South Wales in 1850. Its farsighted founders envisioned a great city and thankfully planned an abundance of parks and wide roads and boulevards. In the 1850's Melbourne boomed as a result of the gold rush in the region to the north.
Entertainment
Melbourne has a vibrant restaurant culture, offering culinary delights from all over the world. The streets light up at night with a myriad of theatres, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shopping centres that line the city streets and along the banks of the Yarra River in Southbank.
Melbourne has been dubbed Australia's "cultural capital" and is host to many major cultural events each year, bringing participants from around the world in international sports competitions and arts festivals.
For further information about Melbourne entertainment, please visit: www.visitmelbourne.com.au
Climate
Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons in the year - spring, summer, winter and autumn. Summer temperatures average 28-32ºC and Winter temperatures average 10-15ºC. Like much of Australia, Melbourne is currently experiencing a water shortage, and residents have been mandated by local laws to observe water restrictions.
For further information about weather in Melbourne, please visit: www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic/
Transport
Melbourne's well-connected transport system consists of trams, trains, buses and taxi services which offer secure, comfortable travel around the city.
For further information about Melbourne transport, please visit: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Ballarat
Ballarat is a picturesque rural town of 80,000 people and is a living museum of the goldrush period in Australia. Many fine buildings, attractive gardens, fountains, monuments and sculptures enhance the wide tree-lined streets. Features of "small town" living in Australia are the relative safety, lack of traffic congestion and friendly people.
Climate
Ballarat has a similar climate to Melbourne with slightly cooler temperatures in winter.
For further information about weather in Ballarat, please visit: www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic/
Entertainment
Although Ballarat is a historic town, its contemporary heart is alive with restaurants, cafes, bars and boutique hotels. It is home to one of Victoria's famous tourist attractions, Sovereign Hill, and features superb botanical gardens, art galleries and theatres.
For further information about entertainment in Ballarat, please visit: www.visitballarat.com.au/
Transport
Ballarat is just a one hour drive from Melbourne and is also connected by train and coach services.
For further information about public transport in Ballarat, and other areas of regional Victoria, please visit: www.viclink.com.au/
