Australia is the largest country in Oceania, and is comprised of the mainland, the island of Tasmania, and a number of other small islands. Unsurprisingly given it’s size, Australia’s geography is extremely diverse, ranging from the snow-capped mountains of the Australian Alps and Tasmania to large deserts, tropical and temperate forests.
Capital city: Canberra
Highest Point: Mount Kosciuszko (7313ft / 2229m)
Lowest Point: Lake Eyre (-49ft / -15m)
Land Area: 2,966,153 sq. mi (7,682,300 sq. km)
Water Area: 22,749 sq. mi (58,920 sq. km)
Total Area: 2,988,901 sq. mi (7,741,220 sq. km)
Coastline: 16,006 miles (25,760 km)
Australia is situated between the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, and confusingly, is both a country and a continent, and part of the larger region of Oceania. It is the sixth largest country in the world, and is only slightly smaller than the United States of America.
Australia has thousands of national parks and conservation areas, protecting a huge variety of environments from rainforests to deserts, and from woodlands to coral reefs. Some of the most famous parks include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Kakadu National Park and Uluru (Kata Tjuta) National Park.
Most people have a romantic notion about being shipwrecked on an island paradise but, when the vessel The Stirling Castle was holed trying to cross the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1836, the experience proved to be far from idyllic. Captain Fraser was in command of the ship and responsible for his…
The Great Barrier Reef is one of world’s most incredible ecosystems and it comprises of over 2,900 individual coral reefs along with around 900 islands. It stretches a distance of around 1,400 miles in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland Australia. It is simply immense and fans of the Great Barrier Reef are…
Uluru, or as its often known, Ayers Rock, is a large, sacred, sandstone structure in Central Australia. At 1142ft (348m) high, and 5.8mi (9.4km) in circumference, it is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. Throughout the day, Uluru appears to change colour, ranging in hue from brown and pink, to delicate mauve, and sometimes…
Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest national park, covering a landmass that is about half the size of Switzerland. The park, which is co-managed by its native Aboriginal owners, protects ancient traditions and the harmony of the region’s natural life. Located within Australia’s aptly named Aligator Rivers region, it features a combination of coastal mangroves,…
The Wollomombi Falls is a plunge waterfall found within the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Australia, dropping an impressive 228m (750ft) into the stunning Wollomombi Gorge. Whilst often covered in mist, the falls offer visitors spectacular views, particularly after heavy rain in the area increases water flow….
Tasmania is an island situated 150 miles (241km) south of Australia, separated by the Bass Strait. The main island is approximately 225 miles (362km) long, though the state includes a further 334 smaller islands. As Australia’s most mountainous state, Tasmania is home to many peaks, the tallest of which is Mount Ossa (1615m/5300ft). Nicknamed the…
Katoomba Falls is a gorgeous segmented waterfall situated within the Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales, Australia. It is one of many waterfalls in the Blue Mountains region, which is also home to Wentworth Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Gordon Falls to name but a few. Walks around Katoomba Falls There are many…
Christmas Island is a small island territory of Australia, covering 135 square miles (350 sq. km) in the Indian Ocean. Despite its relatively small size, the island has aroused great interest among both scientists and naturalists, with two-thirds of its land mass declared a national park. First discovered in 1643, Christmas Island has a history…