Major cities in Australia. The capital of Australia, Canberra, is the administrative center of the country.

Nestled among the hills of a picturesque valley, Australia's capital is surrounded by dense forests of eucalyptus trees. Locals call Canberra the "forest capital" as the city's neighborhoods include significant areas of natural vegetation. The city was conceived as a garden city and, indeed, there are more green areas here than anywhere else; for four hundred residents, the city has 8 million trees.

Canberra took more than half a century to build, and before that, it took another 10 years to choose a place for construction. The decision to build a new city and call it the capital arose after many years of serious disputes and disagreements between the two largest and most significant cities in Australia - Sydney and Melbourne. The government opened an international competition for the best design for the new city, which was won by the American architect W.B. Griffin. According to his plan, the center of the city was to be Parliament, and a system of ring and radial wide streets radiating from the center would connect it with residential areas. Construction began in 1913. Unfortunately, not all of the ideas of Griffin's progressive plan were implemented; the author of the project resigned in 1920, disappointed with the results of construction and interference from local officials.

The Molonglo River flows through Canberra, on which a dam was built to form the artificial Lake Burley Griffin. Before the construction of this dam, the population of the surrounding hills suffered severe floods every year during the monsoon season, and the city was subject to flooding. The downtown area, built largely according to the Griffin plan, is traversed by a highway that is part of the Y-Plan, a city development program in which commercial and retail areas are connected by freeways. The location of these areas, urban centers, resembles the letter Y. Canberra consists of seven districts, each of which has a city center, suburbs, villages and industrial areas.

The majority of the city's population is young, with the average age of a Canberra resident being 32 years. These are mostly natives of Australia, and only a fifth are immigrants. The capital has the highest per capita income, low unemployment and the highest housing rents. Residents work primarily in government, defense, and software companies.

Canberra has many national museums, monuments of historical and national significance, art and art galleries, theaters and music venues. Very interesting to visit.

This extraordinary place is impossible to imagine, one can only dream about it. Australia is both a continent and a land. People dreamed about this land for hundreds of years, and it was this land that made them cheerful, open and at the same time mysterious. Everyone who began to live on this continent struggled with the elements for survival, and it was this struggle that became their religion. All of Australia is the opposite, where barren lands and fertile lands are combined, a place of games and a battlefield. The modern nation is only 200 years old, but people have existed on this land for more than 40 thousand years.

A very distant country

Australia ranks 6th in the world in size, it is not much and not small, but more than 7 million square kilometers. In size, Australia is, of course, inferior to Russia, which is the largest in the world, Canada, China, the USA and Brazil.

The next largest country (in 7th place) is India and it is already 2 times smaller than Australia.

Due to its vastness, including in relation to the countries of Oceania, of which it ranks 1st, there are significant problems with settlement, or rather with the number

Sadly, the country ranks practically last in the world in terms of human population, surpassing only Namibia and Mongolia. The country has a population of 2.8 people per square kilometer.

First of all, this is affected by the huge deserts, which occupy 44% of the entire territory, which are located in the north-west of the continent and are located in two climatic zones - tropical and subtropical. Moreover, water on the land surface occupies only 1%

However, to a greater extent, due to its remote location from the main world players: Europe and America, it ranks 2nd in the world in terms of the human development index (life expectancy, literacy, education and standard of living) and 16th in the world in terms of the country's GDP. Indeed, all these indicators are directly related to the close connection with the UK.

Center of the country

When talking about Australia, not everyone can immediately say which city is its capital. Probably most people will say that this is Sydney. This is primarily due to awareness of the Summer Olympic Games held in this city in 2000

However, the capital of the Commonwealth of Australia is the city of Canberra, which is the largest in the country. Unlike large cities, it is not on the coast, but at a considerable distance from the ocean inland. The question of which city would be the capital, Sydney or Melbourne, has been going on since the mid-19th century. However, the decision was made unexpectedly. The region of New South Wales was chosen as the capital, where the city of Canberra was built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Interestingly, there was a condition that the capital should not be closer than 160 kilometers from Sydney, and Melbourne should become a transshipment base for a large construction project.

The population of the capital is about 360 thousand people, which is significantly higher in many large cities, with the exception of such huge ones as:

All million-plus cities are located on the coast, which is very typical not only for Australia, but also for all countries with access to the sea or ocean. Since ancient times, people have preferred to live by the sea or ocean. This is both prestigious and economically beneficial. Given the choice, there are often not many people who want to live in northern latitudes.

Sydney is considered one of the most brilliant and attractive places on Earth. The city has already received the status of “The Most Beautiful City in the World” several times in a row, and in 2000 the Summer Olympics were held here. What makes Sydney so attractive is its magnificent coastline, bordered by luxurious palm trees and white yachts, and numerous clean beaches.

Today's Sydney population includes more than 200 nationalities and cultures. That is why you can immediately feel at home here. Sydney gives joyful emotions and self-confidence, perhaps this is the reason why the most talented and rich people flock here. Walking along the streets of the city, you can easily meet a celebrity and even feel like one of them!

Climate and weather

The seasons in Sydney, as throughout Australia, are exactly the opposite of European ones: summer falls during winter, although even in winter it is not at all cold here and the sun constantly shines.

Sydney has a subtropical warm climate with lots of sunny days. The average annual temperature ranges from 18-26 °C. The warmest month is January (26.8 °C), and the coldest month is July (17.2 °C). The average ocean water temperature in summer is 22.6 °C, in winter - 18 °C.

The city can be visited literally all year round, as it is not at all cold here even in winter (June-August).

Nature

Sydney is located in the south-eastern part of Australia in the Gulf Port Jackson. In the west the city is bordered by the Blue Mountains, and in the east by the Pacific Ocean, and its coastline is indented by numerous bays.

Port Jackson Bay including Sydney Harbor, is the largest natural harbor in the world. In a northern direction from Sydney flows the picturesque Hawkesbury River, lies in the south Voronora plateau.

Attractions

Sydney was founded in 1788, and its very first citizens were convicts. Two centuries later, the city has become a huge metropolis, home to approximately 20% of the population of all of Australia. The main symbol of the city and a masterpiece of modern architecture is the Sydney Opera House. At first glance, the ultra-modern huge building may remind many of a futuristic orange that has not been fully peeled. Every self-respecting tourist strives to get to this theater, regardless of his love for opera.

The famous bridge is also amazing and breathtaking Harbor Bridge, connecting the shores of Sydney Bay. After the opening of the Sydney Opera House, the bridge hanging over the bay was jokingly nicknamed “the coat hanger” by Sydneysiders for its distinctive shape.

The Royal Botanic Garden is also interesting, almost all of whose plants, like most of the city’s residents, are immigrants who have taken root well in the friendly and hospitable land of Australia. And you can look at the rich underwater world of the Australian coast at the no less famous Sydney Aquarium. It is also worth paying attention to the Rocks city quarter, which was originally the site of the very first European settlements in Australia. There are many restored and recreated houses from that era, as well as the oldest pub in the country, the Lord Nelson.

Sydney is famous all over the world Bondi Beach, where many famous films were filmed. A windsurfing festival is held here every year, during which the water rescue service puts on a spectacular show.

40 km from Sydney lies a reserve with wild animals living here in their natural environment. Here tourists have the opportunity to calmly feed a giraffe and a kangaroo, as well as take a photo with a koala, the famous symbol of Australia. And if you drive even further, you can visit the Blue Mountains National Park. In this natural oasis, the oldest forests have been preserved; the age of their trees reaches 2000 years. The park got its name from the color of the haze that forms over the luxurious eucalyptus forests, which more than three million tourists come to see every year.

Nutrition

Fish and other seafood are an integral part of the Sydney menu. The waters surrounding the city are home to a huge variety of fish and invertebrates. Sydney's favorite dish is salmon marinated in lime juice and served with baked tomatoes. Also in many restaurants you can try: eels, green oysters, mussels and crayfish.

Regular items on the menu of any Sydney restaurant are meat pie (layer pie with filling), marsupial steak (made from kangaroo meat) and brains in red wine. As a dessert, it is necessary to note the signature dish Pavlova, which consists of kiwi slices and meringue drenched in cream.

Australia is famous throughout the world for its excellent wines. Of these, the most famous is wine "Shiraz" And "Semillon”, which can be tried in almost any establishment in the city. In addition, in Sydney hotels (beer pubs) you can taste Australian beers ( Fosters, Coopers and etc.).

Accommodation

Australia is not a very cheap country, and finding affordable housing here can be difficult. Hostels are considered the most budget-friendly accommodation option in Sydney (from $30). In addition to the reasonable price, their advantage is their location in the city center. YHA is considered the most famous hostel chain in Sydney, offering comfortable rooms and professional service.

Also, the city is full of all kinds of hotels and hotels of different price categories. The most prestigious and expensive hotels in the city have proven themselves to be Shangri-La Hotel 5*, InterContinental Sydney 5* and many others. Cheaper hotels are often located outside the central part of the city, and their prices are much lower ( Base Sydney and etc.).

The most affordable accommodation option would be to stay in campsites and caravan parks (from $75), of which there are quite a few within the city - Campgrounds Lane Cove River Caravan Park, BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, Sydney Family Holiday Accommodation and etc.

In addition, in Sydney there is always the opportunity to rent an apartment, studio or furnished room (from $600 per week).

Entertainment and relaxation

Sydney is widely known for its vibrant and vibrant nightlife. Some lovers of nightlife don't even go to bed after a sleepless night. The most famous and fashionable place in the city is the luxurious Black Market Night Club. Jazz lovers flock to Real Al Cafe and Harborside Brasserie at night. In general, the dream of nightlife fans is the City area, where there is an innumerable number of nightlife establishments and bars. The King's Cross area is also popular, although it doesn't have the best reputation, but this gives it a unique flavor.

Sydney also attracts a large number of beach and active holiday lovers. The most popular beaches are Googee, Bronte, Callory and Palm Beach. These places have ideal conditions for recreation and water sports, and there are diving schools. For climbers, Sydney also offers worthy entertainment: climbing the giant Sydney Bridge.

In addition, Sydney hosts various cultural and sporting events all year round - various festivals, gastronomic competitions, yacht races and many other interesting entertainments. The city's main cultural events are the Sydney Festival, which includes opera and theater performances, and the Sydney Film Festival. The city also hosts the largest festival of sexual minorities - Mardi Grass.

Purchases

In Sydney there are entire networks of shopping and entertainment centers and large stores. The most famous chain of shopping centers is Westfield Shopping Centers, where shops and boutiques of a variety of companies are presented. David Jones and Mayer’s are no less popular.

The most elite shopping place is the Queen Victoria Building, which amazes not only with its brilliant interior decoration, but also with incredibly high prices. Every year in January, the most luxurious Christmas tree in the city is installed here. Another historic building and shopping center rolled into one is the pretentious Passage Strand.

The best place to buy souvenirs and things in Sydney is at Peddy’s Market, which is usually open only on weekends. It is there that a variety of inexpensive cute trinkets are sold. The most unusual souvenirs in Sydney are bottle openers and key rings made from kangaroo scrotums. The most expensive souvenirs of the city are opal jewelry.

Other interesting shopping spots include Crown Street and King Street, where you can find home decor, retro items and luxury clothing.

Transport

In Sydney, as in any metropolis, urban public transport is well developed. There are a huge number of buses running in the city (from $2), but a characteristic feature of Sydney is traffic jams during rush hours. Therefore, it is much faster and more convenient to travel in the metro, which is called train here. It is located underground and consists of two-story electric trains with 6-8 cars each. The cost of travel on the train is quite high and depends on the type of ticket and the distance of the trip.

There is only one tram line in Sydney (Sydney light rail), it runs through several city blocks. The city also has an ultra-modern form of transport - Monorail (monorail). It consists of a small round-shaped train that moves on rails located at a height of about five meters above the streets. In addition, citizens actively use numerous water transport.

In addition to all of the above, double-decker tourist (excursion) buses run around the city every 25 minutes. This complete route, including stops, will take about 1.5 hours, the cost of the trip ranges from $25.

Connection

You can make calls in Sydney from pay phones, which are located everywhere. The cost of a call within Australia is 0.3 €. You can also make international calls from the machines. For convenience, shops and newspaper agencies sell telephone cards.

Cellular communications throughout Australia operate using GSM standards. Therefore, you can use roaming or purchase a SIM card at any mobile phone store (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Orange one).

Sydney has many internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, some of which are free. Large hotels also provide Internet access to their guests.

Safety

Sydney is considered an absolutely safe city, and there is practically no street crime here. There are even cases when people return their wallets with significant amounts to those who lost them, without taking a single cent from it.

In general, the thing to be afraid of in Sydney is not people, but sharks; several people die here every year from them. Therefore, it is necessary to swim only in specially designated places and not to swim far, in this case there is no danger. It is also better to take care of sunscreen in advance, as the sun in Sydney can be very active.

Business climate

Sydney is ranked among the top five in the world as the best place to start and run a business. The most developing and profitable industries are mining and chemicals, as well as housing construction, telecommunication systems, programming and various types of tourism and services.

Australia has a special business immigration program that encourages the influx of business people and entrepreneurs who can enrich the country's economy through connections to international markets, export of goods and services, job creation and the production of new goods.

Real estate

Today Sydney is not only the largest city in Australia, but also one of the most expensive cities in the world. Property prices here began to increase sharply in the 90s, peaked in 2003, and then dropped by about 6%. At the moment, many analysts are predicting a possible sharp increase in 2013-2014. This is facilitated by constant migration to Australia and a decrease in construction volumes.

In general, housing in Sydney is always more expensive than in other Australian cities. By the end of last year, the average cost of a home in the city was $600,000, which is higher than in the capital.

Australia provides a tax refund service (approximately 12%) on goods purchased in the country. In this case, it is necessary that their total cost is at least $300, and transportation is carried out in hand luggage. To receive compensation in a store, when purchasing, you need to take a special receipt and, at the airport, go to one of the Tourist Refund Scheme branches, present your passport, receipt, goods and international ticket.

Australia is a continental country. This is one of the most amazing states in the world because it has a unique nature, topography, flora and fauna. Australia is a country with “character”: the climate here is very difficult, summer here begins in the midst of winter, and winter - during summer.

Australia is full of contrasts. It is an island surrounded on all sides by the ocean, but most of it is desert. Aboriginal culture and the culture of the modern world coexist here. Industrial cities are surrounded by wild nature. It is impossible to get tired of this continent; Australia constantly amazes the imagination of tourists. And the tourists themselves want to return to this stunning country to once again enjoy its chic and simplicity.

Capital	Canberra
Population	23,002,866 inhabitants
	7,692 thousand km²
Population density	2.8 people per km²
	English
Religion	Multi-religious country, has no official religion
Form of government	A constitutional monarchy
	Australian dollar (AUD)
Timezone	Three time zones: Western Time (UTC+8), Central Time (UTC+9:30) and Eastern Time (UTC+10)
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity	220 V, 50 Hz, three-pin sockets

Climate and weather

The climate in Australia is determined by its close location to the equator. Winter (December to February) is the hottest time here. Air temperatures can reach +36 °C, and sometimes +40 °C in the center of Australia and +30 °C on the West Coast. Summer, on the contrary, is very cool, up to +20 °C in Central Australia and up to +10 °C in the west.

The most inhabited part of Australia is the southeast coast. This part is also the most loyal in terms of climate: winters here are not so hot (+25...+27 °C), and summers are mild and rainy with temperatures up to +12...+14 °C.

The climate of the island of Tasmania is the mildest in the entire country: in summer the temperature reaches +10 °C, and in winter - +17...19 °C.

The driest climate is found in central Australia. There is minimal precipitation per year here, which is why the desert spreads here. The island of Tasmania receives the maximum amount of rainfall in the country in winter. This is the rainiest place in Australia.

Nature

Australia is a country with rich and unique nature. There are almost no rivers in Australia, but there are a large number of lakes. The most significant river here is Murray. The largest lake is Air, which is salty. However, Australia attracts tourists not with its rivers and lakes, but with its sea beaches with white delicate sand, comfortably located in the northeast and east of the mainland. Also attracts Great Barrier Reef- the largest coral reef in the world. Diving and surfing lovers return here again and again to once again plunge into this stunning beauty and enjoy the unimaginable underwater world.

Some tourists are attracted by the deserts and semi-deserts that occupy most of Australia. They also have something mysterious and unique, especially oases.

In Australia there is a valid Mawson Volcano(this is the highest point in the country).

The flora and fauna of this country are unique and inimitable. Many of Australia's plants are evergreen, but some have been able to adapt to dry weather and fires. However, it is the local fauna that is of greatest interest. After all, you won’t find animals like these anywhere else (except in zoos). Platypuses and echidnas, kangaroos and koalas, emus and cockatoos - they are all striking in their dissimilarity to the animals we are used to. It's worth going to Australia just for them. Please note that there are a lot of venomous snakes in Australia.

In the north of Australia there is Kakadu National Park, where you can get acquainted with the rich flora and fauna of this beautiful country. It also contains Aboriginal rock art dating back over 25,000 years.

Attractions

In Australia, man-made attractions cannot be separated from those created by nature.

The highlights of Australia include the extraordinary flora and fauna of the country-continent, a mountain made of red soil Ayers Rock , oases in the middle of the desert, Great Barrier Reef, which is included in the UN World Heritage List.

Sydney is the most beautiful city in the world. It combines the industrial modern world with its skyscrapers and the ancient buildings of the King's Cross and Rocks districts, parks and boulevards and Asian quarters. In Sydney, it is worth visiting the well-known Sydney Museum of Australian History and Anthropology, Museum of Modern Art, Nicholson Museum of Antiquity, National Maritime Museum, Australian Wildlife Park and Hyde Park. Particularly noteworthy is the embankment in the Woolumulu area and the opal factory, where you can buy jewelry made from opals, pearls or diamonds. Sydney is worth visiting if only to get into the spirit of Australia, to feel its contrasting and contradictory nature, alluring with its uniqueness.

Melbourne is the largest city in Australia. Melbourne's small city center is home to museums, galleries and wonderful shops. A huge part of the city is given over to parks and squares; there is also Royal Botanic Garden. It is also worth visiting the National Gallery and Victoria Museum, St. Patrick's Cathedral, James Cook Memorial and the city's old Mint, Phillip Island, the Great Ocean Road, the beautiful Port Campbell National Park and the picturesque weathered coastlines of south-west Victoria.

City Darwin is a small modern city. Here you can stroll through a large number of parks: Kakadu Park, Northern Territory Wildlife Park, beautiful parks Lichfield And Katerina Gorge. This city will help you immerse yourself in the unique wild nature of Australia.

Nutrition

There is no traditional Australian cuisine, it is a continuation of British cuisine. However, all kinds of seafood predominate here. In addition, they eat kangaroo meat, crocodile meat, emu meat and even larvae and beetles. But don't worry, there are many restaurants and cafes here offering almost all types of international cuisine. In addition, there are plenty of fast food restaurants in Australia.

Australian wines are very popular abroad. But the most popular drink among Australians themselves is beer.

In Australia, you can take advantage of the following food options:

BYO Restaurants, which means "bring with you". In this case, we mean alcoholic products. This is due to the fact that not all restaurants in Australia receive a license to sell alcohol. Please note that some restaurants of this type only allow you to bring beer, others only wine. You must pay a fee for drinking alcohol in such establishments. (from 2 to 15 $).

Chains of Asian eateries are very common in this country.

In many parks you can cook your own barbecue.

In Australia there are also so-called "salad bars"— self-service bars. Here you have to pay an entrance fee of around 6-8 Australian dollars. The assortment includes salads, appetizers, soups, vegetables and fruits.

Accommodation

In Australia, tourists are offered a wide variety of accommodation options, be it a hotel, inn, hostel, campsite or apartments.

The most affordable accommodation option in the country is a hostel. Here you will be provided with a private room with a shared bathroom for 20-30 $ per night. The same price includes the opportunity to use a kitchen with a refrigerator and a supply of food.

Hotels are a more expensive accommodation option. It is worth noting that Australian hotels are divided into classes, but without taking into account stars. Here you will be provided with a high level of service with free internet, morning newspapers and meals.

Motels This is the most common accommodation option in Australia. They are cheaper than hotels, but the quality of service is simpler. The cost of living is approx. 50 $ per night. For this amount you will be offered a separate room with a personal shower and toilet.

Apartment rentals are also available for tourists. But, as a rule, apartments are provided for a short period of time (maximum a couple of nights). In this case, you can use the kitchen, washing machine, clothes dryer and other services.

Alternatively, you can live on a farm. Here you will be provided with quality food and Australian flavor.

Entertainment and relaxation

Sun and beach are what comes to mind when the word “Australia” is mentioned. This country attracts hundreds of tourists with its beach holidays. Australia has more than 10 thousand beaches. Every tourist can choose a vacation to their liking.

The most popular beach in Australia among tourists is Bondi Beach. There are many cafes, restaurants and hotels here. Gold Coast main beach Surface Paradise. The most picturesque Australian beach, which “plays with colors” in the rays of the rising and setting sun, is Cable Beach. For those who like a secluded, relaxing holiday without crowds of people, Carramoin and beaches Bedarra Islands. Beaches are a great place for tourists with children. Dunk Islands And Magnetic.

Everyone knows that Australia is very popular among water sports enthusiasts. Its beaches leave no one indifferent to surfers, yachtsmen, or fans of diving and water skiing. Here you can try spearfishing.

Australians are big fans of golf, tennis and badminton. Therefore, there are a lot of areas for practicing these sports.

Australia's main cultural event is the Sydney Festival, which is celebrated in January. It includes a military parade, street performances, and theater premieres.

In February in Sydney you can attend the festival of sexual minorities.

In Melbourne at the end of January you can attend a tennis tournament, and in February - the Formula 1 world championship at the Australian Grand Prix.

Purchases

Australian stores are usually open from 09:00 to 17:00, weekends are Saturday and Sunday. However, some supermarkets allow themselves to be open on weekends, but not for long.

If you made a purchase in an Australian store for more than AUD 300 in one receipt, you may be eligible for a GST refund of 9.1%. To receive a tax refund, you must have the purchase in its original condition, as well as the receipt.

Transport

In Australia, you drive on the left. This must be taken into account when driving a car in this country. Many people note that Australia's roads are very good.

The distance between the main cities of the country is significant (for example, from Sydney to Melbourne 900 km). Because of this, airplanes are the most common form of travel within the country. The flight cost is low. Flights depart from Melbourne to Sydney and back every 15 minutes.

Rail transport is poorly developed in this country. This is due to the fact that the states poorly cooperate with each other on this issue, as well as due to the large distance between cities and the difficulty of laying a railway. In addition, not all states have it available at all. The cost of traveling by train is not much lower than by plane, but the speed is much lower.

Traveling by bus is a more popular mode of transportation. You can use a variety of types of tickets, including charter flights.

Ferry is another popular mode of transport. The main ferry service is between Melbourne and Devonport. The ferry can be used every day. There is also a ferry service between Palm Beach, which is on the central coast of New South Wales, and Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Connection

Wireless Internet is very widespread here, with quite a few access points. There are Internet cafes in large cities. Most hotels offer their guests free Internet access.

There are pay phones all over the country. With their help, you can make both long-distance and international calls. In addition, you can purchase a SIM card. Topping up your balance occurs through the purchase of a “voucher” that must be activated. When purchasing a SIM card, your balance will be zero.

Safety

Travelers should be aware that food, firearms, drugs, certain medications, and animal and plant materials are prohibited from being brought into Australia.

It is also prohibited to export animals and plants, bird feathers, corals, shells, bones, and bamboo products from Australia without the necessary permit.

We offer you emergency numbers:

013 — emergency calls;
000 - police, fire service, emergency medical services. When you dial this number, you will be connected to an operator who needs to tell you a code word indicating the help you need: police, fire or ambulance.

Here are some important laws, failure to comply with which will result in a fine or even visa revocation and deportation:

• alcohol and cigarettes can only be purchased by persons over 18 years of age;
• smoking in public places is prohibited;
• you cannot purchase, sell, store, or use illegal drugs, including marijuana;
• Under no circumstances should you spit on the street, otherwise you will receive a fine;
• It is prohibited to carry weapons, including knives.

Never drive after drinking alcohol. This is not only unsafe, but is also punishable by a fine. You should also drive on the roads at night carefully, do not drive recklessly. In Australia, police regularly patrol at night and enforce traffic rules. The fine for violating these rules can be AUD 100 or more.

Real estate

Property prices in Australia are relatively high. The most expensive real estate is in large cities. For example, in Sydney or Melbourne a house costs approximately 580 000 $ , and the apartment will cost the amount 540 000 $ . In smaller cities, property prices are also lower. Thus, a house in Adelaide is selling for $400,000, and an apartment can be purchased for 325 000 $.

The process of buying property in Australia for foreign nationals is not easy. To purchase real estate in this country, you must obtain permission from the Government Council on Foreign Investment. In addition, a mandatory condition for carrying out a real estate transaction is the participation of a lawyer in it.

Payment for the purchased property must be made only by bank transfer.

In addition, it must be taken into account that if the visa to leave Australia expires, the property must be sold. If you want to avoid this trouble, real estate can be registered in the name of a legal entity registered in Australia.

Business climate

Australian law allows anyone to do business. This contributes to the “survival” of the strongest in the business environment - most companies cease to exist within the first year of operation and lose a lot of money. The organizational and legal forms here are different: from private small businesses to large foreign companies.

Every company in the country, small or large, is required to keep accounting records, be a good taxpayer and insure all its employees.
If you need additional funds to start your own business, you can easily take out a bank loan for a long period at a low interest rate, but only if you have a good credit history.
The financial year in Australia ends on 30 June. At the end of this period, until October 30, taxpayers are required to fill out a tax return and pay the state. Residents of the country are required to pay taxes on all income received (including income outside the country). Non-residents pay taxes only on income received in Australia. The income tax rate here is quite high - 30 %. The VAT rate is relatively small - 10 %.

The most developing industries in Australia are programming, mining and chemical industries, construction, and medicine. They account for the majority of exhibitions and conferences held in Australia. Their main goal is to increase the level of development of industries and agriculture both in Australia and abroad, exchange experience and knowledge, as well as protect the unique ecosystem of Australia and Oceania. Mostly exhibitions are held in cities such as Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy your holiday in this impressive country.

A total of 900 Australian dollars worth of goods can be imported into Australia duty-free. For goods exceeding this amount, you will have to pay customs duty. You can import no more than 250 cigarettes (250 grams of other tobacco products) and 1125 ml of alcohol duty free.

Banks in Australia are open only on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 or until 17:00. Currency exchange offices are open not only on weekdays, but also on weekends. ATMs operate 24 hours a day.

If you decide to travel inland, then first stock up on fuel, water, food, matches and spare parts for the car. You will not find telephones in the interior of the country, there is no mobile communication there, so it would be a good idea to take a satellite phone with you, and also tell your friends or the local police exactly where you are going and for how long.

If you decide to rent a car, you will need to have an international driving license, a deposit amount, as well as more than a year of driving experience and an age over 21, but not more than 75.

Be careful in the wild: Australia has many wild venomous snakes and insects. Before traveling to this country, read the rules for providing assistance in case of bites from venomous animals.

Also remember about the rules of behavior on the water and the presence of sharks. Safe swimming areas are indicated by green or red-yellow flags, while red or yellow flags warn of a dangerous swimming area.

Visa information

To visit Australia, citizens of the CIS countries and the Russian Federation must obtain a visa, which can be a visitor or transit visa. A visitor visa is provided to persons whose purpose of visit is to visit their relatives or friends (for up to 12 months), tourism, and study (no more than three months). Moreover, the person who decides to issue this visa must make sure that the applicant intends to visit Australia only for tourism purposes. Otherwise, the visa will be denied.

A transit visa is issued to those persons whose purpose of visit is direct transit through Australian territory to a third country. In this case, the period of stay in Australia should not exceed three days.

Means “entrance to the lakes” - in this place an extensive network of rivers and lakes flows into the ocean, creating ideal conditions for fishing.

Indeed, at the pier in Lakes Entrance there were many fishing trawlers, which immediately sold fresh fish and shrimp. Almost all vacationers in this place in Victoria could see a boat; many hotels have corners with tables for cutting fish.

Well, where there are fish, there are pelicans.

And the fishermen, accordingly...

In general, apart from fish and a couple of beaches, there is nothing special to see in Lakes Entrance, except for the private maritime museum Griffiths Sea Shell Museum, where you could find just tons of different types of shells, preserved and dried fish and other sea creatures.

Not far from Lakes Entrance are the Buchan Caves.

Well, after visiting the caves, it was nice to have a glass of local beer at the Bullant Brewery.

25 Aug 2012 12:12

We were already in Canberra in 2008, stopping for a couple of days on our way to Sydney. Then we saw that there are many places in the city that can be visited in a few days.

Before leaving Canberra we visited the Australian Parliament building. There were several police officers at the entrance who let visitors through a frame, like at airports. After walking through the halls and offices, visiting the green roof, we moved on...

15 Aug 2012 02:10

Consulting group the Economist Intelligence Unit has published its list of the world's best cities, with Melbourne topping it for the second year in a row.

The top ten cities look like this:

Great Ocean Road

20 Jul 2012 03:02

We took a trip to the Great Ocean Road last December and just added everything from that trip yesterday.

You can drive the entire road in one day if you leave early in the morning, don’t stop everywhere, and return directly along the highway. To take our time with sightseeing, we stayed for a couple of nights right in the center of the road, in the town of Port Campbell (Summer's Rest Units).

On the first day it was cloudy, so we had to wear jackets, but on the second day the sun came out and it became much more fun.

A few attractions we visited:

Despite s18(1) of the Spam Act 2003 (Cth), I agree and acknowledge that any message Vodafone sends me will not contain an unsubscribe facility. I understand that I can, at any time, opt out of receiving marketing material by contacting Vodafone Customer Care.

In general, Australian laws do not have to be followed, the main thing is to communicate this in small print.

23 Feb 2012 05:13

She received the surname Macpherson from her stepfather Neil Macpherson.

Thanks to her ideal body proportions (90-61-89), at the age of 18, Elle signed her first contract with the famous modeling agency Click Model Management.

In 1985, Elle decided to marry photographer and creative director of Elle magazine Gilles Bensimon, who was 20 years older than Macpherson. Thanks to her marriage, Elle appeared in every issue of Elle magazine for six years.

In 1986, Elle made the cover of Time magazine. By that time, she had already been on the covers of magazines such as Cosmopolitan, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and Playboy. Elle also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated six times during her career.

In 1989, MacPherson and Bensimon divorced, and along with her husband, Elle lost her largest employer, Elle magazine. This period in the girl’s career and life is difficult, but Elle pulls herself together and decides to move on.

Elle Macpherson in the movie "On the Edge"

In 1990, the first film starring the famous model, Alice, directed by Woody Allen, was released. Then she plays in several films: “Sirens” (with Hugh Grant), “Batman and Robin” (with George Clooney), “On the Edge” (with Anthony Hopkins) and others.

Also in 1990, Macpherson launched her lingerie line, Elle Macpherson Intimates, which is sold exclusively in Australia.

In 1995, together with her supermodel friends, Elle opened the Fashion Café restaurant chain, which did not become profitable and was closed in 1998.

In 1999, Elle Macpherson starred in five episodes of the popular TV series Friends.

In 2003, Elle was engaged to French financier Arpad Busson, with whom she had two sons, Flynn in 1998 and Cy in 2003.

In 2005, the couple broke up, and today Elle and her children live in London.

Smile!

22 Feb 2012 02:08

I read in the local newspaper today about what to do when traveling, and I saw this advice:

Smile. Always smile.

It"ll get you places you wouldn"t believe. From persuading Parisian waiters to speak English to figuring out where the hell you"re supposed to be sitting on that train, a little smile and a good attitude will get you help in no time. NB: There"s an exception to this rule – it "s called Russia. (They"ll think you"re mad.)

In translation:

Smile! Always smile.

This will open up so many new opportunities for you that you never dreamed of. For example, a waiter from Paris suddenly speaks English, or you finally find that fucking seat on the train - just smile a little and act accordingly.

One exception to this rule is Russia. They'll think you're crazy.