Australia in 3 facts

Sydney is without a doubt Australia’s most famous city, far more so than its capital, Canberra. Walking through the magnificent Botanical Garden is a wonderful way to learn more about this fascinating country that so many travelers around the world dream of visiting.

First, to give you an idea of its vast size, know that Australia stretches from its westernmost point to its easternmost point over the same distance as Europe, from one end to the other! That’s why there are many opportunities in Australia, such as WWOOFing or the Working Holiday Visa, allowing travelers to explore the country for several months—or even years! However, you should keep in mind that a large part of the territory is uninhabited. Australia is home to four deserts, and 70% of its land is considered arid! This has certainly slowed human settlement and can sometimes discourage travelers, as certain areas have really harsh conditions. That said, if you do get the chance to venture into the desert after your visit to Sydney, you might come across some camels! Imported from Saudi Arabia in the 18th century and released into the Australian deserts, they quickly reproduced, and today, over a million of them roam the Australian wilderness! But enough about deserts, let’s turn our attention to the beaches: Australia boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches ,but did you know that this country is also home to the beach with the whitest sand on the planet? It’s even listed in the Guinness World Records! Quite an achievement, considering there are over 10,000 beaches in Australia. Of course, where there are beaches, there are fish, aquatic plants, and marine life… As if that wasn’t enough, Australia also boasts the world’s largest coral reef: the Great Barrier Reef. It’s so vast that it can even be seen from space! This natural wonder is a true paradise for the 400 species of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 species of mollusks that inhabit it. It’s easy to see why it is so crucial to protect it from pollution, which has already significantly damaged parts of the reef. In short Australia is the land of superlatives, and with such a variety of landscapes, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. The British were certainly lucky to discover it first… Though it was a close call: when the French arrived in Australia in 1788, only 4 days after the British had planted their flag!