Australia

General Information

Australia name derived from the Latin word meaning southern. Known as the country down under, Kangaroos and Koalas. But there is much more than a sun-drenched convict island. From diverse landscapes to a profound Indigenous cultural

History and Culture

Mainland Territory: 7,595,342 km2 (2,932,578 sq mi)
Population: 24.6 million (2017)
National Capital: Canberra
International Calling Code: +61

The history of Australia is the

history of the area and people of the Commonwealth of Australia (under the comment allegiance to the British empire for the common good) with its preceding Indigenous and colonial societies. Aboriginal Australians arrived on the Australian mainland by sea from Maritime Southeast Asia between 40,000 and 70,000 years ago. The artistic, musical and spiritual traditions they established are among the longest surviving such traditions in human

The first known landing in Australia by Europeans was by Dutch navigator in 1606. Twenty-nine other Dutch navigators explored the western and southern coasts in the 17th century, and dubbed the continent New Holland. Macassan trepangers visited Australia’s northern coasts after 1720, possibly earlier. Other European explorers followed until, in 1770, Lieutenant James Cook charted the east coast of Australia for Great Britain and returned with accounts favouring colonisation at Botany Bay (now in Sydney), New South Wales.

A First Fleet of British ships arrived at Botany Bay in January 1788[1] to establish a penal colony, the first colony on the Australian mainland. In the century that followed, the British established other colonies on the continent, and European explorers ventured into its interior. Indigenous Australians were greatly weakened and their numbers diminished by introduced diseases and conflict with the colonists during this period.

Gold rushes and agricultural industries brought prosperity. Autonomous parliamentary democracies began to be established throughout the six British colonies from the mid-19th century. The colonies voted by referendum to unite in a federation in 1901, and modern Australia came into being. Australia fought on the side of Britain in the two world wars and became a long-standing ally of the United States when threatened by Imperial Japan during World War II. Trade with Asia increased and a post-war immigration program received more than 6.5 million migrants from every continent. Supported by immigration of people from more than 200 countries since the end of World War II, the population increased to more than 23 million by 2014, and sustains the world’s 12th largest national economy.

Best time to travel to Australia:

Australia’s location in the southern hemisphere has the completely different climate than the northern hemisphere. You can say if the northern hemisphere is winter then the southern hemisphere is summer. So the best time to visit Australia completely depends upon what part of the country you visit. For instance, it will be significantly colder if you visit Melbourne in July then if you visited in December. Whereas, somewhere like Brisbane is generally always around the 20 degrees celcius.

Here are the climate in each part of the country.

Adelaide: A Mediterranean climate means that there are hot summers, which can regularly get over the 40 degree mark, and mild winters. This is a great place to visit during the summer and anytime from September to February/March will have great weather!

Alice Springs: As it is in the middle of the outback, it is always hot in Alice, even during the winter, temperatures are regularly around 3o degrees. This goes upwards of 40 in the summer. If you can’t handle the dry desert heat it may be worth visiting here during the winter months!

Brisbane: The climate of Brisbane is quite constant, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees during the year. It is much hotter in the summer, with 30 degrees. Thunderstorms are quite common, so expect a few rainstorms whatever time of the year you visit.

Cairns: As it is located in the far north of Queensland, Cairns has a tropical climate, which means it has distinct dry and wet seasons. November to May have heavy rainfall, with a dry season from June to October. It’s not much fun visiting in wet season, so it may be best to visit Cairns during the dry season!

Darwin: Like Cairns, Darwin also has a tropical climate and the seasons mirror those of Cairns. Again, I recommend avoiding the wet season, as you won’t be able to make the most of your visit and see Darwin at its best!

Melbourne: As Melbourne is located in the south of the country, it’s climate is more European, with hot summers and cool winters. That said, Melbourne is known as the city of four seasons, so be prepared for days when the weather is extremely dodgy. The summer months are a great time to visit, with a number of music and sporting events taking place!

Perth: The climate in Australia’s most isolated city is Mediterranean, with hot summers and winters being milder and wetter. Perth is actually the sunniest capital city in Australia, with an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine a day!

Sydney: The climate in Australia’s biggest city is subtropical, with hot summers, cool winters and almost uniform rainfall throughout the year. If you want to enjoy the famous beaches here, such as Bondi, then it is best to visit in the summer months.

If you had to pick the best possibility of good weather to visit Australia than October to March are generally the best months to visit Australia, as that is when it is summer.

Visa

Entry requirements for Australia vary by nationality. Confirm passport validity (often 6 months from entry), blank pages, and whether you need a visa in advance or on arrival. Ann Tours can advise based on your passport and itinerary.

Weather & Holidays

Australia has distinct wet and dry periods that affect roads, festivals, and outdoor plans. Share your preferred travel months and we will shape a program around the best seasonal window for your interests.

Bringing Money

Carry a mix of local currency and major cards. ATMs are common in cities; remote areas may be cash-only. Notify your bank before travel and keep a backup payment method.

Do’s & Don’ts

Dress modestly at temples and religious sites, ask before photographing people, and follow your guide’s advice on local customs in Australia. A little cultural awareness goes a long way.

Travel Insurance

Emergency travel and health insurance is not included in our tour packages. Buy coverage in your home country and confirm emergency evacuation benefits.

Packing List

Pack light layers for day-to-night temperature changes, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, any personal medication, and adapters for local outlets. We send a tailored list with your confirmed itinerary.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory. Your trip materials include suggested ranges for guides, drivers, and hotels so you can budget comfortably.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation terms depend on suppliers, season, and how far in advance you book. We outline deposits and refund windows clearly in your proposal before you confirm.