Australia History

Early European explorers had been curious about the possible existence of Australia long before they actually found it. During the first 250 years of Pacific exploration, a large blank space in the corner of navigators' maps was marked Terra Australis Incognita, meaning Unknown Southern Land. In 1770, Captain James Cook reached the southeast coast. He claimed the land for England, named it New South Wales, and sailed 2,500 mi/4,000 km along its shores, charting the coast and barrier reef. The "new" land wasn't empty, however. Cook encountered a dark-skinned race of nomadic hunters and gatherers. The distant ancestors of these people had begun their migration into the land as early as 75,000 years earlier, passing across land bridges and shallow seas connecting Ice Age Asia to present-day Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
England didn't do much with New South Wales until 1787, when the First Fleet was dispatched, transporting convicts from overflowing British prisons to Botany Bay. The fleet anchored there in January 1788 and then headed a few miles north to Port Jackson, within a pistol shot of Sydney Cove.

More prisoners were transported and other convict colonies founded. Free settlers soon followed. Slowly, the land was explored and domesticated, in some ways parallel to the opening of the west in the U.S.: Settlers in wagons followed pathfinders to make homes in wild country; pioneers and the Aboriginal peoples engaged in bloody conflict; great cattle stations (similar to ranches) were founded; gold was discovered in 1851 and fortunes made and lost in boomtowns; railroads were built along old wagon routes; and paddle wheelers were launched for transport.

This experience, set in a land that for a hundred years remained at the ends of the world's transportation and communication lines, bred a special frontier spirit and independent attitude. It persists today in every Aussie, who would "never let a mate down."

Australia Basics

Capital City: Canberra

Economy: Industry, service.

Language Description: English and Aboriginal languages.

Passport/Visa U.S.: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which substitutes for a visa. The ETA is free and available through travel agents and airlines. (Most people get their ETA on the inbound flight.) Contact the nearest Australian embassy for more information. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.

Population: 19,164,620

Religion: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic).

Telephone Codes: 61, country code

Time Zone: 8-10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+8 through +10 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed in some states from the last Saturday in October to the last Saturday in March

Tipping Overview: Tipping traditionally has not been required in restaurants or taxis, but the practice is changing. Everyone you'll meet seems to have a different opinion on the subject, so use your own judgment.

Voltage Requirements: 220 volts. Most travelers will need an adaptor because the Australian three-prong plug is different from those in most countries

Recommended Vaccinations

See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect (as Appropriate for Age)
Rabies - Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation. Hepatitis A - Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) (except for Australia and New Zealand). Booster Shots - As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants. Typhoid - Typhoid (except for Australia and New Zealand), particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.

Safety Information

Travelers' Diarrhea: Travelers' Diarrhea, the number one illness in travelers, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe.

Malaria: Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription antimalarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites. A high risk for malaria exists all year in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Travelers to these areas should take mefloquine for malaria prevention. For more detailed information about specific locations, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Australia and the South Pacific[on the CDC website].

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are coming from a tropical South American or sub-Saharan African country. (There is no risk of yellow fever in Australia and the South Pacific.) For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements[on the CDC website].

Insect Carried Diseases: Dengue, filariasis, and Ross River virus are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases.

General Health Information

Source: Prof. Marshall W. Raffel

Good medical care is available. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.

Health care in Australia is comparable to the care one would receive in the United States. All Australians, permanent residents, and citizens of nearby New Zealand (a country with which there is reciprocity) are covered for care under the Australian national health system which is known as Medicare. Medical care is provided by private and salaried doctors, and in both public and private hospitals. The health system is financed by tax monies raised by the Australian federal and state governments, supplemented by private health insurance, and patient copayments.

Americans can easily access the Australian health care system. As in the United States, for nonemergency services, all one has to do is contact a primary health care doctor and pay the fee charged for whatever care is provided. The fee is likely to be less than one would pay in the United States. For emergency care they should go to the nearest public acute care hospital which has an emergency department where the appropriate care will be provided and a bill rendered for that care. Nearly all large public hospitals have emergency departments. If one cannot get to the hospital or to a doctor in an emergency situation, one should dial 000 on the telephone for an ambulance.

Most doctors are in private practice and are paid under Medicare on a fee-for-service basis. Australian patients are free to choose their own primary care doctor. Specialist consultation requires a General Practitioner's referral though in some instances a partial benefit will be paid if the patient consults a specialist without a referral. Private doctors are free to charge whatever they wish, but the majority of General Practitioners (over 70%) accept Medicare payments as full payment and bill Medicare directly. Patients have a small copayment for the services of those doctors who do not accept Medicare payments as full payment. Public hospital doctors are salaried. Australia has a native population - the Aborigines - who, like the Native Americans, receive medical care and other benefits distinct from the Medicare program.

Australian patients are entitled to care without charge in public hospitals, as well as in some - but not all - private hospitals. When admitted to hospital patients are treated by a doctor selected by the hospital. If the patient chooses, however, to be a private patient in hospital, and choose their own doctor and type of accommodation, they must pay for the additional hospital services and a fee for the doctor's care. These additional costs may be covered in full or in part if the patient has private health insurance. Slightly more than 31% of the Australian population has private health insurance to cover hospital and doctor copayments and other services not covered under Medicare, and to cover the cost of care in private hospitals. To encourage enrolment in private health insurance, the government gives lower income enrollees a 30% rebate on their annual premiums. As in many countries, there are waiting times for some nonemergency admissions to public hospitals, a factor which encourages people to take out private health insurance. There are no waiting lists for emergency care.

Drugs dispensed to hospital inpatients are included in the hospital benefit, but out-of-hospital prescriptions require a patient copayment. Dental services are not covered under Medicare but they are provided to school children and others of low income by other government programs. Some private insurance policies are available for dental care.

Australia is a vast country with large areas thinly populated. Medical services to remote locations - small, isolated communities as well as individual stations or ranches - are provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Financed by voluntary contributions and government grants, it provides medical consultation and other services to people in remote areas. The Service maintains radio contact for consultations and monthly visits to remote small hospitals and clinics. It uses its 33 airplanes to fly doctors to these remote locations as well as to evacuate patients if required.

Pharmacy Information

In Australia, what is known as a pharmacy in the United States is referred to as a "chemist."

In general, the pharmacies in Australia are reliable. That is, they dispense the proper medications and the drugs themselves are of a U.S./Western level of quality. A listing of local pharmacies open outside of regular business hours can be found by consulting your hotel concierge or the phone book.

The pharmacists themselves are trained professionals with degrees in their field. Pharmacies in Australia can be used for all of your prescription and over-the-counter drug needs. As in the United States, pharmacists cannot distribute prescription medications without authorization from a doctor. Most of the types of drugs found as over-the-counter in the U.S. are also found in Australia, though there is a smaller selection. Most prescription medications are only available at pharmacies, but some medications for discomfort needs can be found in a variety of places such as supermarkets.

Amcal Chemists and Chemmart are reliable chains of pharmacies throughout Australia that can be counted on for quality medications and reliable services. In addition to the chains of pharmacies, there are many individually owned shops that are equally reliable.

Regardless of the pharmacy situation in any country, it is always advisable to bring enough medication to last through your trip. Be sure to carry it with you rather than trusting it to checked luggage (many frequent travelers bring a double supply of medication and pack each in different bags). It is also advisable to carry extra prescription sheets written by your doctor (with the generic names) in case you need refills during your trip and to show at customs as proof of the medication's identity and necessity. Always remember to check the expiration dates on all medications, whether they are from home or abroad. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also want to carry an anti-diarrheal medication and/or ask your physician for an appropriate anti-diarrheal prescription, as a precautionary measure.

Australia Transportation

Most international airlines offer service to Australia's major cities. Sydney's Kingford Smith International Airport (SYD), which is 6 mi/10 km southwest of the city, is the country's primary gateway, but international flights also arrive at Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Cairns. Because of the long distances between various parts of the country, the best way to get around is by air -- unless you are staying for several weeks or more. Several airlines, including Qantas, offer air passes that allow visitors to stop at several cities for much less than the price of individual tickets. These passes often are sold only overseas (check with your travel agent for more information).

Good rail and bus service also are available, but be aware that travel times are lengthy. The famous Indian-Pacific train from Sydney to Perth takes about 65 hours (less if you depart from Adelaide). Other trains include the Queenslander (the Cairns-Brisbane run is 32 hours) and the Ghan (22 hours between Adelaide and Alice Springs). Major bus companies include Greyhound Pioneer Australia and McCafferty's. Bus and rail passes that allow unlimited travel within certain time frames are available.
Because of Australia's size, escorted/hosted tours often offer an efficient way to cover a lot of ground. And tours are plentiful -- you can spend several days with a group camping in Kakadu National Park, explore the Outback as part of a camel train or cruise the Great Barrier Reef on a sleep-aboard dive boat. If you prefer independent travel, you can always rent a car or a camper van or charter your own sailboat.

Public transportation within the country's big cities is generally excellent. Some cities have special passes for visitors. The SydneyPass, for example, allows you to visit most attractions using public buses, subway trains and ferries. (And you'll definitely want to take a ferry across Sydney's magnificent harbor to one of the outlying beach suburbs or to the zoo.)

Australia Dining

Traditional English fare has given way to more cosmopolitan cuisine, particularly in the country's larger cities. Visitors can thank the post-World War II waves of immigrants from southern Europe and, more recently, from Asia who brought with them spices, garlic and a variety of recipes. Fresh local produce and seafood (no longer coated in a heavy batter) are being served almost everywhere. We liked the crayfish (lobster), prawns, Sydney rock oysters (raw with a touch of lemon and black pepper), Moreton Bay bugs (a type of lobster), coral trout, coral cod, barramundi (wrapped in plantain leaves), bream, trevally, Tasmanian salmon, mud crabs, mussels and scallops. The once-maligned "bush tucker" (a stew made of native specialties) is now featured in trendy restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Crocodile, buffalo, kangaroo (usually kangaroo-tail soup), witchetty grubs (large white insects that taste surprisingly like peanut butter) and damper (campfire-cooked bread) sometimes crop up on Outback-type menus. Do try Vegemite, a yeast spread that has the same standing that peanut butter has in North American cuisine. But it's best to start with a small taste (and we mean small ).

You'll still find a definite British influence on most menus, however. Steaks (beef) and chops (lamb) are popular and often cooked on a "barbie" (barbecue grill). The national dish remains the meat pie, a pastry shaped like a small pie and filled with mysterious meat in a dark gravy. (It is best eaten with "sauce," which is the Australian word for ketchup.)

Inventive Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian food can now be found throughout the country -- not just in Sydney's Chinatown.

Beer still reigns as the national beverage. Every state has its name-brand beer (Swan Lager in Western Australia, etc.) and its loyal drinkers. But wine, once called "plonk," has mounted a strong challenge to beer. Wines from the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Barossa Valley and Swan River Valley are very good, sometimes great. You'll find all the familiar varietals, plus one -- shiraz -- not often produced outside Australia.

Australia Shopping

There's no shortage of souvenir shops selling Australia's signature goods. Everything from boomerangs to sheepskins and wool products to Aboriginal handicrafts and didgeridoos can be found just about anywhere. Jewelry stores selling Broome pearls, opals and other gems native to the country line the streets and shopping malls in larger cities. One of our favorite shopping experiences is to visit a weekend market. Mostly held in cities, the markets are wonderful places to meet local residents as well as shop for arts and crafts, unusual gifts, and fresh fruit and produce. In Sydney, canvas tarps billow over vendors selling their wares in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge in The Rocks neighborhood. Melbourne's Queen Victoria market is chockablock with fresh produce. The markets of Adelaide and Cairns offer local crafts and jewelry as well as seasonal fruits.

Be aware that Aboriginal arts and crafts have become such popular souvenirs that the quality and authenticity of some of what is sold is questionable. Look for shops that are at least partly owned by Aborigines or that have a long-standing relationship with Aboriginal artists.

Australia Climate

The seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere -- when it's summer in the north, it's winter south of the equator (Australian winters are fairly mild, but a bit rainy). Our favorite months are October and April, though September-May is all right in most parts of the country. December and January are the hottest months, July and August the coldest (Melbourne and Sydney, in particular, can be rather cold and drizzly then). The Great Barrier Reef is best visited September-December, but it can also be seen May-August (it's a bit cooler then; cyclones can disrupt sightseeing plans January-April). Take a sweater, no matter when or where you're going.