Australia

Facts

Capital City: Canberra
Area (km²): 7,686,850 sq. km
World co-ordinates: 27 00S, 133 00 E
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Exchange rate: £1 = $2.40 (AUD - approx)
GDP: $528 billion
Population: 19,731,984 (approx.)
Languages: English, Native languages


Background
Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.


Interesting Information
  • The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of their most easily recognised mammals. There are more kangaroos in Australia now than when Australia was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.

  • Australia is the sixth largest country in the world.

  • The world's longest continuous fence known as the 'dingo fence', runs through central Queensland for 5,531 kilometres. It is 1.8 metres high and is designed to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog.

  • Australia’s national day, Australia Day, on 26 January, marks the date in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, of the British Royal Navy, commanding a fleet of 11 ships, sailed into Port Jackson (Sydney Cove). Phillip formally took possession of the eastern part of the continent for England and established a settlement, now Australia’s largest city, Sydney.


    • Travel Information

    It is not essential to tip in Australia. It is only necessary to leave a tip if you decide too and if you feel that the service has been exceptionally good. An average tip in Australia is usually 10% of the bill.

    There are full facilities for national and international telecommunications.

    Country Code to Australia: 61, Outgoing International Access: 00 11

    Full International Direct Dial is available. Payphones are red, green, gold or blue. Only local calls can be made from red phones.

    Green, gold and blue phones also have International Direct Dialling (IDD) and Subscriber Trunk Dial (STD). The minimum cost of a local phone call is 40c.

    Telstra Smart Phonecards are available at newsagents, supermarkets and chemists and can be bought in denominations of A$2, 5, 10 and 20 and used for local, STD or international calls. Credit-phones, which take most major credit cards, can be found at airports, city-centre locations and many hotels.

    The Emergency phone number for police, ambulance and fire is 000.