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In terms of geographic area Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, covering some 7.7 million-square-km. It comprises of the Australian mainland and several islands. This vast country has an amazingly diverse landscape which includes desert, rainforest, mountains and stunning coastlines. Australia has a population of almost 25 million. Most of the population is located in the eastern states, in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
An ancient rock-shelter, Madjedbebe, is the oldest evidence of human activity in Australia and potentially dates from around 50,000 years ago. The indigenous inhabitants of Australia included the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These groups had, by the arrival of Europeans, established a significant oral tradition which honoured and respected the land. At this time, it is estimated there was an indigenous population of between 300,000 and 750,000.
In 1788 Europeans made their first permanent settlements in country and although some aboriginal communities continued as previously, Europeans controlled most of Australia in just over a hundred years. The Pintupi were the last people living a traditional hunter-gather lifestyle, in the Gibson desert until contact was made in 1984. As a British colony, Australia is well known as a place convicts were sent, in fact over 160,000 were sent to Australia from Britain between 1788 and 1868. Australia was united on January 1st, 1901 as The Commonwealth of Australia.
Today Australia is a modern country with a diverse and growing population. It is a vibrant, fun-loving nation and 65% of the population is of working age. Over 80% of the population live in cities, the largest being Sydney. Arts and culture is a significant part of the modern Australian economy with world-class venues such as the Sydney Opera House drawing in tourists from all over the world. Sport is also a massive part of the national identity with rugby, cricket and soccer having huge popularity, however the most popular sport in Australia is swimming, perhaps unsurprising for a country where 85% of people live within 50km of a beach.
Sydney is the oldest city in Australia and its architecture reflects this, with a wonderful melting pot of styles, periods and design. St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral is a fine example of the city’s Gothic Revival architecture, whereas the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge demonstrates the steel-arched modernity of the 1930s.
It is of course the Sydney Opera House which is the most famous building in Sydney. Opened in 1973 this attraction brings in over 10 million visitors every year. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. With around 40 shows every week, ranging from traditional dance to classical music there’s something for everyone here.
Get back to nature with a visit to Melbourne’s world class botanical garden. Though there are options to pay for guided tours, entry to the grounds is free. Make a whole day of memories wandering amongst rare plants, trees and wildlife. There are special children’s gardens and plenty of amazing activities for all the family. Save money and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy in the beautiful grounds, but no barbeques.
Standing at 195 metres above Black Mountain, Telstra Telecommunication Tower offers unrivalled panoramic views of Australia’s capital city and its surroundings. Access for adults costs $7.50 with children and seniors costing $3. Be sure to visit the café for coffee with one of Australia’s most spectacular views.
Located in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, Surfer’s Paradise is a hub of tourism, not only for surfers but for anyone wanting to enter into coastal vibe of surf culture. With an impressive skyline of high-rise buildings and some spectacular shopping opportunities, ‘Surfers’ is a fun-packed destination for everyone. Of course, while you’re here you might want to ride a wave or two, and even if you’re not an experienced surfer help is on hand. Go Ride A Wave is a popular surf school, offering instruction not only with surfing, but also kayak, stand-up-paddle-boarding. They even offer specialist instruction for kids.
Australia is the driest country on earth, so it’s hardly surprising it has some wonderful desert to explore. Spend a few hours here and you will discover the desert is far from an empty barren place, instead you’ll see what a richly diverse landscape it is, which is home to a wide range of plants and animals. The park is open daily (except 25th Dec) from 7.30am to 6pm. Entry is $37 for adults with children under 5 receiving free entry, there are a range of other concessions available on the official website.
There is lots of choice when it comes to your flight options. The busiest airport in Australia is Sydney, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane. Most of the world’s major airlines have routes to Australia, including British Airways, Virgin and Emirates.
Flights to Australia usually involve a layover and can take anywhere between 22 and 55 hours depending on how long it is between your flights. You could choose to take advantage of your layover in a city such as Hong Kong or Bangkok with a few days there, just be sure to check out Visa requirements. Recently Qantas has been testing direct non-stop flights from both the UK and USA to Australia and other airlines are likely to follow suit.
Enjoy is available to pre-book vehicles for collection through our partners at airports and cities throughout Australia. Be sure to book in advance to avoid any disappointment or inability to secure the size and type of car you need for your trip.
Being the 6th largest country in the world, with a land mass of 2,969,121 square miles, Australia proudly displays its supremacy with over 300 cities. Led by Sydney, the cities spread across the six states. And they bear the true definition of the Australian culture.
Car hire is an excellent option for travellers who like the freedom to plan their own schedule and the ability to travel any distance in comfort. Enjoy works with a wide range of local partners across Australia to offer you the best deals. Booking in advance of your trip will save you time and money, it will also ensure you have the widest possible choice of vehicles, meaning you can have peace of mind, knowing your booking is secured.
Name | Review | Rating |
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Helen Blackburn | Car hire in Australia in October was so easy. The Nissan Juke was ideal for dealing with longer road trips up to the Blue Mountains, and it was easy enough to navigate through the city. | |
George Stevenson | We hired a Skoda Scala when we visited Australia in the summer. Its durability and reliability on the roads made our trip stress-free and easy to get around. | |
Sam Williamson | Hiring a car was essential for our Australia road trip in summer. It made getting up and down the East Coast an absolute breeze, thanks Enjoy Travel. | |
Andreas Fernandes | We hired a car during our visit to Australia this autumn, and the Kia Sportage we were given was perfect for our needs as a family of five. | |
Leah Walters | Renting a car for our annual trip to Australia to visit family this November made getting around so much easier. | |
Dan Henderson | We hired a car during our visit to Australia, and the compact Suzuki Swift made driving through Perth’s streets super easy. | |
Isaac Thompson | Renting a Hyundai i30 in Australia this summer was ideal for getting around with the family – I highly recommend using Enjoy Travel for your car hire needs. | |
Alexa Sanchez | This is the fifth time we’ve visited Australia but the first time we’ve hired a car. We won't go back to using public transport now, getting around was so much easier thanks to Enjoy Travel. | |
Elias Virtanen | The Ford Ranger we hired in Australia this winter was perfect for both traversing country lanes and the long, endless roads of the Outback. It made our visit so much better. | |
Ken Wong | Renting a car when we visited Australia in February was a must, even for the air con alone! We were able to visit places that wouldn't have been possible if we had used public transport. | |
Pauline McDonald | Thoroughly enjoyed the Toyota Yaris I rented when visiting my sister in Australia this March. It was perfect for both of us to get around and very easy to drive. | |
Toby Plant | I always hire a car when I visit Australia, and this April’s trip was no different. It’s so much easier to get around, whether you want to do long road trips or explore cities. | |
Finley McCaughtrie | My partner and I rented a Toyota Camry when we went on a road trip across Australia this summer. The car handled the roads excellently and we would definitely hire a car again. | |
Luke Bell | I rented a car when I went to visit my parents in Australia this June. It was ideal picking it up from the airport as I just got in and drove right away. | |
Lily Harrison | Hired a car when we visited Brisbane, Australia this summer. It enhanced our trip hugely and we were able to make the most of the beautiful coastal roads in our 3-week visit. | |
Sharon Carter | I’ve never hired a car before, but I did for the first time when I visited Australia in September. It was such an easy process, and the Suzuki Swift was perfect for me in every way. |