Australia – Also known as The “Land Down Under”, New South Wales and New Holland, depending upon when it was named and by whom, Australia is a country of fascinating people, exceptionally diverse geographical differences and interesting flora and fauna of every type. With its early inhabitants originating over 42,000 years ago, Australia’s indigenous peoples have contributed tremendously to its heritage and the folklore of the Outback. In 1770 the British claimed the eastern half of the country as the colony of New South Wales, settled through Penal Transportation. Five other Crown colonies were established during the 19th century and they collectively became a Federation on January 1st in 1901, establishing the Commonwealth of Australia.

If you are a sports enthusiast, Australia is a superb country to visit. From scuba diving along the Great Barrier Reef to rowing, swimming and yachting, water sports are a major part of Australian society. Team sports are integral to Australian society, with 25% of the population over 15 participating in team sports like cricket, hockey, netball, rugby and soccer. Australia also makes a very strong showing in tennis, where its Australian Open is one of the four world class tennis tournaments of the Grand Slam.

Queensland is Australia’s second largest state and is the most predominant coastal state of the Great Barrier Reef region, where it is home to some of the greatest beaches in the world. Tropical North Queensland contains both rainforest and the reef, creating an unbelievable opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. Pormpuraaw was once a haven for Captain Cook over 200 years ago as he repaired The Endeavor. Just as the area accommodated Captain Cook back in the days of old, today it is one of few locations on the east coast where visitors and locals alike can gain public access to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is considered the heart of the tropical north, with its oceanfront promenade, phenomenal nightlife and extreme sports activities. As an international port with global air service, world class accommodations and boutique shopping, Cairns is another marvelous find in Australia. The Gold Coast surfer’s paradise has fantastic beaches and great theme parks. Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane, combines the enchantment of the rain forest with the beauty of Rainbow Beach.

Whale watchers can pursue their interests at Fraser Coast South Burnett, which houses the world’s largest sand island, offering backpacking, B & B’s, caravan camping, farm stay and conventional lodging.

Bundaberg and Coral Islands are the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Lodging runs the gamut of typical Australian accommodations.

Southern Downs is a low key, agricultural wonder, where you can enjoy fresh stone fruit and magnificent local wineries.

Whitsunday is a paragon of any diver’s paradise. It lies in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, with 74 islands that stand out like shimmering oases for divers and snorkelers to base each daily quest of the Reef.

Outback Queensland, Thargomindah is Opal country. Rural, rustic and not for the faint of heart looking for high end lodging, it is one of those places where you might be able to buy your opals directly from the miner. Mount Isa is the very image of rugged four wheeling Outback country, with ample places to fish and camp out in the midst of the Outback. While there, check out the Lawn Hill Gorge or the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields. Queensland has a wealth more to offer, but we must move on to the other wonderful places to visit in Australia, so please check out the recommended websites.

Sydney is one of the most vibrant cities of Australia. Home to the exceptional Sydney Opera House, Sydney offers much more than the well known places to visit. Blacktown City is a good place to take your family to buy any gear you may need for sports activities or tourist items to celebrate your visit to the city. For fun you can check out the ghost tour at St. Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery or see native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park .If you need a little more excitement? Try the Motor Sport Capital at Eastern Creek. However for something more sedate try the historical walking tours around the city.

For many great attractions try New South Wales, ACT, the Australian Capital Territory, home to Canberra, the urban center of the ACT and the nation’s capital. This is not your Mother’s idea of a stogy old school capital. This modern city of 320,000 is a multiplex of stylish restaurants, haute couture shopping and year round activities. As you bask in the warmth of the city’s ambiance, keep in mind that just 45 minutes’ drive outside of the city you can enjoy Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or Namadgi National Park, each with its own features and charms, where you will find native flora and fauna on display, with horseback riding, fishing and other activities at hand to help the avid sportsperson pursue his/her favorite pastimes.

Victoria is a warm and fuzzy part of Australia for “foodies” and wine lovers. Melbourne, the urban center for the region, focuses much of its nightlife on Brunswick Street’s cafes, restaurants and bars. Now, Smith Street, which is nearby, offers a wide array of multicultural fare that will appeal to the venturous, as well as the bargain hunters out there; however, should you get hungry while walking between Brunswick and Smith, don’t hesitate to venture into the Tapas and Flamenco bars that populate Johnson Street for some incredible Spanish fare. Like most of the country, there is ample seaside to enjoy, led by Phillip Island’s quick access from Melbourne (under 2 hours).

For incredible countryside and the allure of 55 world class wineries, visit the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs. Go through Marysville and visit Steavenson Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Victoria at 82 meters. While you are there, take a drive along Lady Talbot Drive and its incredible Eucalyptus forest. Move on to Healesville, which is host to the annual Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival. You can visit local wineries to sample regional wines from such renowned wineries as Rochford’s Eyton, Domaine Chandon and Coldstream Hills. Or visit Healesville Sanctuary and see some of the most fascinating indigenous animals of the land, including platypuses, koalas, Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos and wallabies, emus, echidnas and lyrebirds. The Australian Wildlife Center there is one of the foremost of its kind in the nation and a “must” visit for animal lovers. Just 51 kilometers outside of Melbourne, via the Melba Highway, you will find the popular weekend getaway of Yarra Glen, home of the state’s leading wine makers, like Yering Station De Boroli and TarraWarra Estate.

Australia has infinitely more charm than we have touched on here. The “About Australia” website listed below is one of the most informative sites that you will ever find. Set aside three or four hours to seriously review this website before you plan your trip to Australia. The most difficult task you will have afterward will be to figure out how to do everything you have on your list.

Global Net Trading’s favorite websites - These represent some of the very best websites we have seen, which is quite unique for one country:

http://www.about-australia.com/new-south-wales/ This is the most comprehensive website you will find on Australia. It breaks the country down to the smallest detail on areas of interest for tourists and was the primary source for information for this article. Kudos to its creators

http://www.australia.com This vibrant website is fun, informative and exceptionally helpful in visualizing your trip to Australia. One of the best websites we have seen

http://www.gov.au/ Australian government reflects the typical efficiency of English colonialism. You can find virtually anything you could ever need to know about the state, territorial and local governments of Australia. Their structure, services, activities, resources, employment opportunities and much more is provided through the links found in this website. Once again we have found an outstanding presentation of what you can find in Australia.

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/ Intellectual Property is the soul of a country’s growth potential and just like the two preceding websites, this one is a spot on presentation of IP in Australia. If you simply wanted a good treatise on the subject you could not find a better website.