Australian Solo Adventure

One of the best ways to make use of your Australian travel visa is heading to the land down under for a solo vacation. And you will be surprised at the many things that you find in the country. Here is a quick look at what you can expect when embarking on a loner's trip to Australia.

Preparing for your vacation is actually rather easy. If you have no time to prepare, then there are several companies that offer vacation packages that are especially designed for solo travelers like. These often include activities and itineraries that are suited to your liking.

But, if you are really bent on exploring the country more, it would be a good idea to actually spend some time and sort out the things that you would want to do on your solo escapade. Here, there are several options that you can have. For instance, you can get a prearranged vacation package. On the other hand, many solo vacationers actually opt to go on a backpack trip around the country, as they are actually able to explore Australia more this way.

So what can you expect on your single trip here? As have been said earlier, there are a lot of things to see in the land down under for lone travelers like you. The city of Sydney, for instance, have a wide variety of attractions that you can visit. In particular, the Kings Cross district is a popular destination for solo backpackers like you. And you are in luck, as there are a lot of cheap hostels in the area, so you can easily find accommodations.

On the other hand, beaches are also perennial favorites for travelers like you. For this one, the state of Queensland is probably the most popular destination that you can head to. The state is lined up with a multitude of beaches to visit. And if you are an avid wave rider, then Surfers Paradise is a must visit city. The Great Barrier Reef is also a main attraction for travelers in the area.

On the other hand, the western side of the country offers a wide variety of attractions for the more adventurous travelers. Many backpackers often enjoy the challenge of crossing the vast Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Uluru is also another famous stopover that you might want to visit.

And there are still countless other attractions that you can find in the land down under. So what are you waiting for? Loosen up, pack your bags and visit the country today.

See What The Australian Outback Is All About

When in a vacation in Australia, travel visa holders would often want to visit the Outback. Indeed, the region is considered as one of the main attractions for those heading to the land down under. And they even consider this as one of the biggest adventures ever.

So what is the Australian Outback anyway? The term generally refers to any regions outside the country's major urban centers. However, when the term Australian Outback (note the capital “O”), is used, this usually means the central regions of the continent. These areas generally have rugged terrain and are often sparsely populated.

Now that we have clarified that one, then it's time to see what the Outback has to offer. For the nature trippers, this would definitely be something close to heaven. As the regions are inhabited by only a small group of people, this means that the area is still pretty much unaffected by human activities, so travelers will still be able to enjoy the natural scenery. And if they are lucky enough, explorers will actually be able to encounter some of Australia's most interesting creatures, like the ever popular kangaroo and koala, in their natural habitat.

Some of the most popular regions in the Outback are located in the Northern Territory. One of the most well known of these outback attractions is Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. This huge rock on the outskirts of the city of Alice Springs is actually visited by thousands of people yearly, who come here not to only see the rock, but also learn more about the Aboriginal culture that surrounds it.

Another popular destination in the Outback is the Kakadu National Park, also in the Northern Territory. With an area roughly half the size of the country of Switzerland, Outback travelers will definitely have a huge place to explore. And the terrain here is very varied, which will give hikers a lot of challenge.

And since we have already mentioned the places, then its time to know more about the activities that are popular for tourists in the region. Hiking is probably the most well known of these, as there are several trails that cross the Outback region. Bikers will also definitely love the area, as the rugged terrain will definitely prove to be a challenge. And there are also tons of other extreme activities waiting for folks here.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and strap on your gear and lets head to the Outback.

Groups Urge Australia To Repeal HIV Travel Ban

If you are going to Australia, travel visa bans are probably one of the most disappointing problems that you can come across. As it turns out, there are actually many grounds for being denied entry to the country. And with Australia reviewing its immigration policies, it is likely that there will be more such bans to come in the future.

Of all of these travel bans, there quite a handful that has generated a good deal of controversy. And in here, bans for health reasons have been quite in the news lately. It can be recalled that when the SARS and the bird flu epidemic hit the mainstream news, Australia issued a travel ban on people coming from those countries which have been suspected of harboring the diseases.

Now, health travel bans are again in the news, this time around, with regards to those who have tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). In here, those wishing to immigrate into the country who are found out to be HIV positive are prevented from entering. It should be noted though that temporary visa applicants, like tourists, are not required to present their medical record to the immigration authorities. However, those wishing to get permanent residency are required to take HIV tests as part of their medical examination.

It should be noted that the travel ban on HIV positive people in Australia is nothing new. In fact this one was the same law that was enacted by the Australian government when initial cases of HIV infections were reported more than 30 years ago. However, even today, many people are clamoring for the ban to be removed.

According to some of the supporters of the move to repeal the ban, much of the contents that direct it were written more than thirty years ago, when HIV first came out to light. Thus, they said that these are now inappropriate for today's situations, where a lot has already been known about HIV to dispel the misconceptions about it. They also asserted that these are not adequate grounds to restrict entry for these people.

One of the situations that they pointed out is with regards to refugee seekers, some of whom came from countries that has a high number of HIV cases. Proponents argue that the ban runs contrary to Australia's pledged mission to help asylum seekers. They also said that refusing entry solely based on HIV results is like condemning these refugees to death.

The Australian government is now closely reviewing these travel bans for changes that might be done to them.

Some Alternative Spots To Visit In Australia

For those who have an Australian travel visa and visit the country a lot, going to the same places over and over again can get quite boring. After all, you can only do so much in one place. Luckily though, the Land Down Under has tons of places that you can head to.

So, where can you head to for a more unique vacation? Here are some of the places that you might want to head to for your next vacation. Note that you won't find attractions like Uluru or the Whitsundays here because they are already quite too familiar (and you have probably visited them already).

Forty One Restaurant, Sydney

If you are hungry, then you can head to one of the several hundred restaurants around the city of Sydney. But this one is also something that you might want to see if you are a movie or sci-fi fan. Why so? Well, if you have already watched the film Matrix (then again, who haven't?), then you will likely recognized this restaurant at the top of the Chifley Tower. This is where one of the movie's crucial scenes was shot. And by the way, the food they serve are really great.

Obelisk Beach, Sydney

Since Sydney is located at the coast of the continent, there are many beaches here. But the Obelisk Beach on the southern part of the Middle Head National Park will surely be an interesting place to visit. This beach is actually one of only three legal nudist beaches in the city. This means that you can go literally skinny dipping without care about others. And of course, if you are shy to go all the way, you are still welcomed to take a dip here.

Mt. Augustus, Western Australia

If you are an avid hiker or mountaineer, consider this one as heaven. Mount Augustus is one of the most beautiful rock features in Western Australia. And since it is quite near the city of Perth, then you can easily visit this one on the go. The mountain is often compared to Uluru since they have the same features, though Mt. Augustus is twice as large as Uluru.

Bicheno, Tasmania

This one is a definitely must for animal lovers. Every year, penguins do their regular move to the shores and this has been known as the Bicheno Penguin Parade. Here, you will get the chance to see hundreds of these cute birds as they hang out at the beach. This one will surely be a wonderful sight to see.

Adding An Adrenaline Rush To Your Australian Vacation

Having an Australian travel visa and visiting the country is definitely a great way to spend your vacation. But let's face it, all that usual vacation to-do's, like strolling and sunbathing, often get a bit too boring after a while. And so, wouldn't it be nice to something that's a little more exciting?

Luckily, there are plenty of these in Australia. In fact, extreme activities has become so quite popular with many visitors who travel to the country yearly. And so, here are some of these activities that you might want to try out on your next Australian vacation.

If you are a plane junkie, then there are several places that you can head to. For instance, the city of Adelaide in South Australia has several companies that offers you a spectacular biplane ride over the city and the outlying areas. This will actually be a great experience, since you get to see the city from above.

On the other hand, if you want something a bit more high speed, then you can head to Hunter Valley in New South Wales. Here you will get to experience the thrill of being a fighter pilot, complete with the ubiquitous pilot get up. And you can also choose between either an aerobatic display or a simulated bombing raid for your adventure, which will definitely make you live up all your Top Gun fantasies.

If you want to stay on land, but still feel the need to go high speed, then Victoria is the state that you would want to head to. The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a popular venue for a lot of speed junkies like you. Here, you have the choice of going either on four wheels or in two, though the superbike tutorials are by far the more popular.

And of course, nothing beats the thrill of engaging in an exciting gunfight. For this one, there are plenty of paintball sites in the country that you can visit. The ones in Melbourne are some of the most popular because of the large spaces. They offer players plenty of game scenarios, ranging from from capture-the-flag games to those that have intensive mission details. They even provide night games for those who want more thrills.

Lastly, for those who want to get wet, then Oceanworld Park in Sydney is the right destination. Here, you will get the chance to dive and get up close with the resident sharks of the park. And you will also get to encounter a wide variety of other marine creatures.

Some Party Spots You Might Want To head To In Australia

When heading to Australia, travel visa holders would often want to party. And often, the partying would go up into the night. Luckily, there are a lot of great nightspots that you can visit in the country. Here are some of them that you might want to head to on your next night out.

New South Wales

When in New South Wales, the city of Sydney is probably the first one you will visit. And you will be in luck here, since there are dozens of great bars and restaurants that you can head to when partying. For your first stop, you can head to the Water Bar in the Woolloomooloo suburbs. The food here is really great and there are a lot of drinks for you to choose from. And if you are a jazz lover, then this is also the right place for you, as several jazz bands perform here regularly.

Not surprisingly, the Sydney Opera House is another great venue for those partying at dusk. There are actually several bars and restaurants here that you can frequent, which also brings in a lot of other people. And of course, if you want a theater performance to cap the night, several theater companies regularly perform here for the audience.

South Australia

For those going down south, the capital city of Adelaide is also a good place to head to when looking for places to hang out. One of the stops that you can visit is the Adelaide Festival Center there are several dining areas that you can head to here if you want some to grab some food. And just like the Opera house in Sydney, you will also be able to watch some great performances at the several theaters in the Center.

For party-goers, the Exeter Hotel is a great place to visit. The hotel features several bars that you can hang out in and hosts an exciting multitude of crowds that party till the early morning. The Austral is also another great one to head to for those wanting a great dinner and drink, and it is also suitably located.

Queensland

For those looking for a tropical night out, then the Gold Coast is the right one for you. The Cooly Hotel is a great place for those looking for live music performances, with some of the state's top bands playing nightly. And if you prefer partying at the beach, there are plenty of bars located along the coast and open till the wee hours of the morning.

Australia Attracting A Lot Of Travelers From Asia

In Australia, travel visa holders are one of the largest group of people that arrive yearly. Indeed, the country has been a top tourist destination for many people for the past few years. And with the country's economy is now on a boom, experts believe that travel in the country will also increase great in the years to com.

And one interesting to take note of the people arriving here for a vacation is that they are now not only coming in from the West. In fact, in recent years, the number of of visitors from Asia are also steadily on the rise, as well as those coming in from other countries. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship welcomes these changes and said that this indicates just how popular Australia is for a lot of travelers.

Of the bulk of those traveling for a vacation, a large number of these are coming in from China. In fact, much of the Chinese tourist population choose Australia as their top destination pick. And it is interesting to note that a lot of these Chinese travelers are those coming from the new middle class group that is rising in China. These are the ones that were able partake in the economic boom that the country is experiencing, and thus, have the funds to travel with.

Since a lot of these Chinese travelers would want to experience the beaches, many of them head to Queensland, particularly the Gold Coast. In fact, more than a hundred thousand Chinese visitors flocked to the city in the first three months of this year alone. Melbourne and Sydney are also two of the most popular spots for many Chinese Tourists.

Aside from Chinese vacationers, Australia is also a popular destination for a lot of students coming from Asia. Of these, Indians are the most numerous, well within the thousands. This one is rather a bit surprising, considering all the changes that were made in the student migration program last year. However, these did not deter the arrival of more foreign students from Asia, who consider an Australian education one of the best they can get. And another interesting thing to take note of is that more and more of these foreign students are taking up higher level course, which indicates a greater preference for these.

So what makes Australia so attractive for a lot of foreign travelers? Aside from the ones mentioned above, another big thing that draws in a lot of travelers is the country's culture. Australia's relaxed lifestyle means that they will have no worries here and will be able to enjoy their stay at the most.

Australian Films On A Boom

For those visiting Australia, culture is one of the things that they often would want to know more about. And with Australian culture as diversified as the people living in the country, there are countless things to get to see here with regards to the topic. Thus, you are sure to have a great time in learning more about them.

And of all the cultural aspects of Australia, films are perhaps the most popular here. This one is, of course, not that surprising, since films are indeed very much popular all over the world. And with the Australian film industry now on a boom, film buffs are sure to have lots to watch out for.

But before that, it is interesting to note that Australian cinema's history is in itself a notable one to learn more about. The country was actually home to the first feature length film (that is, over 60 minutes long) ever made. The “Story of the Kelly Gang” debuted in Australia in 1906 and was also released in the United Kingdom a year later. However, only about 17 minutes worth of scenes have been recovered today from the original film.

Australia was also one of the birthplaces of the modern studio system of film making. For those who don't understand the term, the studio system is a method of film making in which everything that the movie needs, including props, lighting and scenery are located in one building, as opposed to location shoots. Some of the earliest movies shown in the country were religious films done by the Limelight Department studio.

Despite being only a far second behind American films for most parts of its history, the Australian cinema begun to boom in the 70's and 80's. These are the periods where Australian films, like “Mad Max” and the highly popular 'Crocodile Dundee”, first became well known to audiences outside the continent. It is also the time when Australian actors first began penetrating foreign markets.

Today, Australian producers regularly collaborate with Hollywood studios to make films. Some of these, such as “Australia” and “Moulin Rouge”, have since became a resounding success, both critically and financially. Also, many actors of Australian descent are now well received by a wider audience. One example of is Hugh Jackman, who became popular as Wolverine in the “X-Men” film series.

And it seems that Australian cinema is bent on reaching more audience in other countries. Just recently, the Australian government, through the Ministry for Sport, Youth, Early Childhood Education and Childcare, has signed up an agreement with the South African Ministry for Arts and Culture for the recognition of joint film production of the two countries. This, paves the way for more collaboration between the Australian film industry and other countries.

Great Queensland Beaches That You Can Visit

Queensland is often referred to by many people as the Sunshine State. And as it is, the monicker is definitely an apt one. With a climate that's sunny almost all year round, a lot of Australia tourist visa holders travel to the state to relax and enjoy the sun.

And since this is Queensland that is being talked about, one thing that many people come here for are the beaches. In fact, you really can't talk about the state without mentioning the many beaches scattered across its coast. And so, here are some of them that you definitely must visit.

Surfers' Paradise
One of the most visited regions in Queensland, Surfers' Paradise is actually a string of beaches, instead of a single one, that line up the Gold Coast suburb of the same name. The Main Beach is the most popular spot here, with a lot of people in the water on a daily basis. And true to its name, the place is definitely a haven for surfers. Though the waves are really not that spectacular, they still give a pretty good challenge for those who want to ride them.

Burleigh Heads
if you are really a surfing fanatic, then Burleigh Heads is definitely a place that you must visit. Just a few minutes drive from the nearby Surfers' Paradise, the area's waves are practically rideable all year round. Another plus factor to those who visit here is that the beach is much less crowded than other surf spots in the country. Aside from surfing, the beach also offers an overall relaxing experience in its shores.

Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Islands, or simply Whitsundays, are definitely great for those who want to have a more exciting beach escape. The islands are located off the central coast of Queensland and offers a relaxing getaway from all the going-ons in the mainland. All the islands have fine sand beaches, which makes them very ideal fro simply strolling around. And since the islands are surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, they offer a good jump off point for scuba divers who want to explore the region. There are also tons of other activities that one can try out here, like boating, island hopping, and trekking.

Nudey Beach
A beach with a rather interesting name, Nudey Beach is located on Fitzroy Island, just off the eastern coast of Cairns. Getting to the island is relatively easy, as there are several ferries that go there from Cairns on a regular basis. However, you might be a bit disappointed when you arrive here. Though the name indeed suggests it, there are actually only a few beachgoers that do go all the way off their clothes here (though it is not prohibited). Nevertheless, Nudey Beach offers a great shoreline where you can enjoy wading in the water all day long.

Australia On A Travel Boom

With the world economy slumping in 2009, Australian immigration was also greatly affected. Travel into the country went down to a significantly low level, both for temporary stay and long term residency. Travel out of the country was also greatly affected, as many Australians fear the uncertainty of the countries that they would go into.

However, as the country starts to recover from the crisis, travel in and out of it also starts to pick up significantly. In fact, according to the latest statistics, the number of student travelers into the country has increased significantly in the first quarter of the year compared to the numbers posted last year. Also, long term and permanent stay immigrant numbers have registered positive growth since last year.

Not surprisingly, one of the countries that have contributed greatly to the recent increase in travel to Australia is New Zealand. Indeed, the two countries actually have close ties together. Thus, travel to Australia by New Zealanders account for significant portion of the number of people coming into the country each year.

And according to the latest figures, New Zealanders are again coming in large numbers. The number of long term stay travelers coming into Australia, for instance, rose to about 3000 arrivals a month on average, compared to just 2100 in 2009. However, authorities say that this is still much lower compared to to the pre-crisis level of more than 4200 arrivals a month. But they are quick to agree that this one is indeed a welcome news.

One of the things that many experts see as the main reason for the new increase in travel from New Zealand stems from Australia own recovering economy. As the country posted high net growth early this yeah, it served as a good signal for many immigrants that a lot of opportunities are once again available for them in the country. Thus, a lot of people have decided to once more move into Australia.

And it would be interesting to note that it is not only New Zealanders who are currently returning to Australia. Travel from India also saw a significant increase, as more and more students move into the country to enroll in the many educational institutions here. This is despite the issues caused by the recent attacks on several Indian students in the city of Melbourne.

And as always, travel from the western countries are also very much on a high level. British travelers are still the most common ones to arrive in Australia, followed by Americans. Other European countries, including Germany and Ireland, also boast of a large number of travelers to Australia.

More Ways To Travel Australia

One of the things that many Australian travel visa holders like about the country is that there is a lot to see and do here. However, if you do travel a lot to the land down under, then you have probably seen a lot of the most popular sites. And the tours offered by travel companies often offer you basically the same thing and get old very fast.

Thus, you are probably wondering if there still other ways to get the most out of your stay in here. Luckily, there are actually a lot of other ways that you can go around and explore Australia. And many of these will give you a great experience that you would often not get with tour packages. Here are some suggestion that you might want to consider and try out on your next vacation.

Surprisingly, walking is actually first on the list. Some people might be thinking that this one is such a crazy idea, considering how hot the Australian climate is. However, traveling on foot is actually a very popular means of exploring the country, such that a lot of tourist eagerly arrive in the country for a backpack trip.

Strictly speaking, you don't actually walk all the way during your trip (doing so will make you drop dead after just a hundred kilometers). However, you will be doing just that for the most part. Here, you will be able to enjoy all the scenery of Australia even more, as you get to travel at your own pace.

And if you want something a little bit faster, then you can go out on a bicycle tour across the country. There are actually a lot of bicycle trails that crisscross the lands here, some even taking you from one end of the continent to the other. Here, you have two options, you can either have your own bike for travel or rent one and drop it off at stopover points to get another. Not only will this get you to most places, it will also actually be a very healthy experience, both physically and mentally.

Australia's numerous rivers and streams are also another great way of going across the continents. Ferries and cruise liners plow through the waters regularly, and since most of the cities in Australia are actually within the banks of a river, you can easily catch them wherever you are. And for those who want a more solitary means of travel here, kayaking is also fast becoming a popular activity, with many travelers often going through all the effort of bringing their own kayaking gear just to explore the country.

And this is actually just the tip of the whole story. There are a lot of other ways to go around Australia. And you will probably use up all of your time trying all of them.

Australia And Turkey: Bond Made In The Battlefield

If you look at the lot of people coming into Australia, visa holders would often come from many different places around the world. This is not really that surprising, because the land down under is considered to be one of the best places to move into nowadays. And one of those countries that have a lot of people moving in to Australia is Turkey.

However, aside from immigration, it is surprising to note that both countries actually share a lot with each other. Though many Australians don't really know where Turkey is (they often think that it's a kind of dish) and vice versa, the two countries actually has a long history of relationship with each other. And as you read on, you will gain a better appreciation of the bond that these two have despite the distance that separates them.

The first meeting between Australia and Turkey actually occurred on the battlefield almost a hundred years ago. In World War I, Australia was one of the major participants in the Gallipoli Campaign, led by the British. The campaign was intended to capture the city of Istanbul, then the capital of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, for the Turks, this was to defend themselves from invasion.

The battle was recorded as one of the fiercest that was fought in modern times with heavy casualties on both sides. Though the intended purpose of the campaign did not succeed, the war did eventually led to the formation of the current Republic of Turkey. The war has since been remembered by the two countries with a commemoration every April 24 and 25 in Canakkale, Turkey, where much of the battle took place. Also, both countries contributed in the building of the memorial in ANZAC Cove, also in Turkey, remembering the soldiers from both sides that have died in battle.

After the wars, it took a long time before formal diplomatic relations between the two countries was began. Finally, in 1967, the two opened up diplomatic relationships with each other. Turkey was the first one to do so when it opened its embassy in Canberra that year. On the other hand, Australia followed suit a year later, when it established its own office in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

It would be interesting to note that, despite starting out as enemies, there has been no point of major conflict between Australia and Turkey in their almost fifty years of diplomatic relations. Though there were often clashes of opinion with regards to certain issues, the two countries seemingly are able to easily patch them up. This one many attribute to the mutual respect that both earned from each other during the wars.

And as indicated by the large number of Turks moving into Australia yearly, this is likely to continue for many more years to come.

Have A Snowy Australian Adventure

One of the things that many Australian tourist visa holders would want to know is whether it really does snow in Australia. Even today, many people, especially those coming from the northern countries, still see Australia as an entirely desert country, much like the Middle East (they actually also do have camels here). This why many people doubt whether the land down under ever see even an inch of snow.

The truth of the matter is that it indeed does snow in Australia. In fact, it actually does snow a lot here. Well, not exactly all over Australia, but there are places that do receive a hefty amount of snow. Being a large continent, the climate varies vastly across the entire country. While the northern and central regions do have tropical and arid conditions, the entire southern part of the country has a temperate climate, which, as you have already known, is very ideal for snow.

One of the snowiest places in Australia is probably Tasmania. Being the southernmost of all the states, the island's climate is well within the southern temperate zones. This is why the state receives a lot of snowfall. This actually makes it ideal as a popular ski resort destination for many tourists. Here, Mount Wellington, where the capital city of Hobart is located, is the best one that you can go to if you want to have a winter adventure. The snow capped mountain actually does have a lot of ski resorts already established at its foot, so you have plenty of options right in front of you.

Next to Tasmania, you can head to South Australia for your winter escapade. The state is also rather temperate, with a temperature average of only 29 degrees Celsius during February (though the highest one recorded here is around 40 degrees). Though the snowfall isn't as much as that experienced in Tasmania, it is still considerable and enough for all those winter activities that you have already planned. Since it's near the ocean, this also make for a rather cool climate.

On the other hand, the Snowy Mountains regions of southeastern New South Wales and northeastern Victoria are also another great region to head to for snow trippers. Much like Mount Wellington, the Snowy Mountains also have a large amount of snowfall during winter, which make them very inviting to skiers. Again, there are a lot of resorts here that you can visit.

What's great about Australia is that, while it's not a traditional winter getaway, it does have complete facilities for such activities. The ski resorts are also well maintained, which attracts a lot of winter tourists

Some Interesting Facts You Should Know About Australia

Most, if not all, of those people applying for an Australian travel visa are definitely serious in getting their papers approved. Thus, they are bent on memorizing all the basic facts about the country that they can read. But of course, traveling to Australia isn't all about the details that you will find in the books and brochures. Here are some fun facts that will make you even more interested in visiting the land down under.

For the faint hearted, it would be a good idea to be warned. Australia is home to about 1500 different species of spiders. Don't worry though, as most of them are relatively harmless little creatures. However, this one should worry you a lot. According to statistics, an average Australian accidentally swallows three spiders every year.

And since we are on the topic of animals, here are some more interesting tidbits about them. Australian sheep actually outnumber Australian people. There are well over 120 million sheep in the country, as compared to only twenty million Aussies living here. And if you think that it is only in the Arabian deserts that you will see camels, Australia, in fact, has the largest population of the one humped variety of these desert animals.

And tourists will definitely be delighted to know some interesting facts about the places in Australia that they would want to visit. Once of such places is Uluru, in the Northern Territory, which many people marvel at the size of. However, you will likely be surprised to find out that the thing that you see above ground is actually just a small portion of it. Most of the rock is actually buried underground.

And would you believe that Australia actually has a hospital for bats? The Tolga Bat Hospital is located in the town of Atherton near Cairns and caters to hundreds of these flying creatures that they rescue daily. And if you want something a bit more worthwhile to do during your vacation, you can actually sign up, as they are recruiting volunteers to help care for and feed these creatures. Don't worry though they're not looking for blood to feed the vampire bats (which are actually plenty in the area).

And as for the people, you will also be surprised to know that the Australian city of Melbourne actually has the second largest Greek population in the world, following only Athens, of course. And to cap this little trivia sheet, you probably have already known that Australians do love beer a lot. But did you know that Bob Hawke once held the title for the fastest beer drinker? He downed 2.1 pints in just under 12 seconds. Who's Bob Hawke? Well, he is no less than the 23rd Prime minister of Australia.

Image reference: http://conference.fidi.com/images/Australian_Facts_6.jpg