From endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest and wild southern beaches, Australia’s biggest attraction is its natural beauty. Scattered along the coasts, its citied a European enthusiasm for art and food with a passionate love of sport and the outdoors. Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee the next day will have to re – think their grasp of geography in this huge country. Lt is its sheer vastness that gives Australia – and its diverse population – much of character.

Any time is a fine – and definitely before 1788 when Europeans arrived

Watching the dramatic changing colours or sunrise or sunset over Uluru ( Ayers Rock )

Exploring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reet

Sampling the exquisite wines of the Barossa Valley

Discovering the natural beauty of tropical Fraser lsland by 4WD

Viewing Sydney Harbour after climbing to the top of the “coathanger”, Sydney Harbour Bridge

Meeting the native wildlife Kangaroo lsland

Read Remembering Babylon by David Malouf, a compeling insight into the social dynamics of early – colonial Australia; Bruce Chatwin’s controversial Songlines for a look at the Aboriginal lay of the land

Listen to Slim Dusty’s ‘Pub with No Beer’, a classic Australian country tune; Paul Kelly’s Songs from the South greatest hits compilation

Watch The Castle, about an ‘Aussie battler’ who takes on the big guys and wins

Eat Kangaroo or emu – if you can bring yourself to eat the animals represented on Australia’s coat of arms! Try the fresh seafood – local specialities are always your best choice

Drink ice – cold beer; Australia’s superb wines, in particular shiraz and chardonnay

G’day mate!

Bronzed Aussies; dangerous creatures; endless beaches; friendly locals; Outback

Pubs; sizzling barbecues; Aussie Rules football

Kangaroos don’t hop down city streets; it isn’t always hot and sunny; it has the oldest continuing culture in the world

Few people who visit the Northern Territory ( NT ) leave untouched by the experience – it’s that sort of place. While it’s the most barred and least – populated area of Australia, this is where many people find the country’s soul. lt is in the Centre – the Red Heart – that the picture – book, untamed and sometimes surreal Australia exists.