About Australia



Australia's population size

Australia is a slightly smaller land mass than the United States but with a much lower population density. In fact, it is the world’s second least densely populated country (second only to Mongolia). Population density of the continents:

  • North America - 32 people per square mile
  • South America - 73 people per square mile
  • Europe - 134 people per square mile
  • Asia - 203 people per square mile
  • Africa - 65 people per square mile
  • Australia - 6.4 people per square mile

Australia is made up of five mainland states, plus the island state of Tasmania. The states are: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Australia's capital city, Canberra, is located in the southeastern part of the country in NSW.


Australia spans 3 time zones and is 8-10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.


The Famous Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the largest complex of coral reefs and islands in the world, comprising 3,000 individual reefs and about 600 islands. The reef is a UN World Heritage site and stretches for more than 1,200 miles along Australia's Northeast coast, containing an astonishingly diverse array of coral and reef inhabitants.

Weather & Seasons

As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe and North America. In other words, winter falls in June-September in Australia while they have summer in December-March. So Christmas in Australia happens during summertime – no snow, just beaches and barbeques! Spring is September-November and Autumn is March-May.


Don’t be mistaken by thinking that it’s always hot and sunny in Australia. Winter can be cold & snowy and the southern states can be cold and wet even in spring. During summer (December to February) it will be hot in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. But a lot of rain falls in the north in January to March and flooding can occur. Round Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, most rain falls January to February. June to October is ski season in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Western Tasmania’s climate is similar to England’s.


Travelling to Australia Next topic: Travelling to Australia