Studying in Australia can be an amazing experience, the country has some of the world’s best educational institutes and has one of the best education systems in the world. However, it also has some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.
As an international student, you can enjoy the unique blend of Natural Wonders, Diverse Wildlife and the country’s rich cultural heritage.
An Overview of Australia
Australia is officially called the “Commonwealth of Australia” popularly known as the “Land Down Under” located in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the sixth largest country in the world and the only continent that is also a country.
It is an extraordinary destination for not only students but also for tourists and working professionals. It is the world’s twelfth-largest economy making it the perfect destination for lucrative jobs.
15 Interesting Facts about Australia
💡 Australian Alps:
The Australian Alps are located in the southeast region of Australia. It is quite popular for skiing enthusiasts.
Snow usually falls from June to October making it the perfect destination for individuals from overseas who would like to ski during the northern hemisphere summer.
Moreover, hundreds of animal species reside in the Australian Alps. There are approximately 200 bird species,40 native mammal species 30 reptiles and 29 amphibian and fish species residing in the region.
💡 Coastal Australia:
Over 90% of Australia’s population resides in the coastal areas of the country. Coastal cities like Perth, Sydney and Melbourne are some of the largest cities and some of the most iconic cities in the world.
Australia is known for its picturesque coastline. Australia is home to almost 12,000 beaches which means that it would take an individual 32 years to see all the beaches if they visited one beach per day.
💡 Cleanest Air in the World:
The Island of Tasmania boasts the title of the “Cleanest air in the world”. It is considered a great spot to experience the outdoors.
The air quality is quite often compared to that of Antarctica as one-third of the island is a national park that is protected as a world heritage site.
You can enjoy a variety of activities such as walking, kayaking, mountain biking and exploring the island cave systems. Moreover, the island has a national park that has a wide variety of wildlife. Lastly, it is the home of the Eastern Quoll which is now considered extinct on the mainland but can be quite commonly sighted in the farmlands of Tasmania.
💡 The Great Barrier Reef:
The Great Barrier Reef located on the northeast coast of Australia is a world heritage site. It is the world’s largest collection of coral reefs.
It has over 400 different types of coral,1500 species of fish and about 4000 types of molluscs. They are of significant scientific importance as they are the habitat of certain species like the Dugong or the sea cow and the large green turtle that face extinction.
Snorkelling and diving amongst the colourful aquatic life is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike.
💡 Fraser Island:
Australia is home to the largest sand island in the world. It is located near Queensland. It has a popular jumping-off point called the Hervey Bay.
The island has a clear blue lake called Lake Mackenzie. The island also has a dingo or Australian wild dog habitat. However, it is best to keep your distance from them as they might be aggressive in certain instances.
💡 The longest straight section of train track in the world:
Australia offers a huge variety of mesmerizing railway journeys. However, the Indian Pacific train moves its way through the longest straight section of the train track in the world.
Furthermore, it makes its way through the Blue Mountains, thus allowing tourists to enjoy the varied landscape of Australia while enjoying the luxury services provided by the train service.
💡 The World’s largest war memorial:
The Great Ocean Road is considered to be one of the most famous drives in Australia due to its historical significance.
It was built by the returning soldiers of World War One. This road acts as a memorial for the soldiers who died fighting in World War. Moreover, it was built to allow a way into the isolated communities of the rugged Victoria coastlines.
Tourists can enjoy sights such as the Twelve Apostles and Split Point lighthouse and can sometimes spot southern right whales along the coast.
💡 Unique Wildlife:
Australia has a very unique population with over 80% of animals being native only to the country. The country offers a lot of opportunities to individuals who would like to experience the wildlife of the country.
There are several zoos, wildlife sanctuaries and parks where these unique animals can be spotted in their natural habitat.
💡 Ayers Rock:
Uluru or Ayers Rock is a large sandstone formation located in the centre of Australia. It is one of the most natural landmarks of Australia and is a popular tourist destination.
It has not only been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage once but twice both in terms of Cultural as well as Natural relevance.
The most amazing fact about Ayers Rock is that 2.5 Km of the rock is underground and is thought to be connected to the Olgas which is 16 miles away. It is also a sacred site for the indigenous people of Australia.
💡 Kangaroos:
One of the most popular Australian animals is Kangaroos. There are over 60 species of Kangaroos found all across Australia with one Kangaroo species that can climb trees. Kangaroos are also featured in the Australian coat of arms along with the emu.
💡 Home to one of the few mammals that lays eggs:
The platypus is one of the few mammals that lay eggs. They are unique animals that are native to Australia. Furthermore, the male of these species is one of the world’s few venomous mammals.
💡 Ancient Indigenous Culture:
Australia is home to the aboriginals. Their culture dates back over to 65,000 years ago making them one of the oldest continuous civilizations on earth.
💡 Land of the extreme:
Australia is quite often considered the land of the extreme with the highest ever temperature being recorded at 50.7 ℃ and the lowest recorded temperature at -23℃.
💡 The Victorian gold rush:
In the 1880s Melbourne was reportedly one of the richest cities in the whole world due to the discovery of gold in the state of Victoria. It experienced a rapid economic boom and became even more populous than Sydney. However, the moment was short-lived as it ended eleven years later when Melbourne’s economy eventually got struck by a severe depression.
💡 One of the highest life expectancies in the world:
Australia boasts one of the highest life expectancies in the world. In the year 2022 Australians had a life expectancy of 83 years for both males and females combined.
The reason behind this is the country’s improved medical knowledge, technology, health care availability, improved living conditions and an overall better quality of life.
💡 Longest Highway in the world:
Highway 1 is the world’s longest national highway network. It loops around the entire continent, connecting the entire country and joining all the state capitals of Australia. It spans over 9000 miles or 14,500 km in total.
💡 Driest Inhabited continent in the world:
Australia is one of the driest inhabited countries in the world. 70% of the continent is either arid or semi-arid land. These areas receive an average rainfall of less than 250mm making it the driest continent in the world.
What are some of the top cities in Australia that international students prefer to study in?
- Sydney: Sydney is one of the most popular cities in the world. The city is not only known for the iconic opera house and the harbour bridge but also for its amazing scenery, mesmerizing beaches and the availability of some of the most world-class universities. Thus, Sydney is one of the most in-demand cities in the country.
- Melbourne: Melbourne is considered the cultural hub of Australia. It is home to some of the most top -tier universities in the world. Furthermore, it has a bustling nightlife and scenic views of snow-capped mountains and seashores which makes this city a top choice amongst international students.
- Brisbane: Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia. It is preferred by international students as the city offers a safe and friendly ambience, easy-to-navigate public transportation and is an inexpensive city to live in.
FAQs
What is the best season for enjoying the outdoors in Australia?
September to November and March to May are considered the best times to enjoy the outdoor scenery of Australia.
Can I work while studying in Australia?
A lot of international students work while studying. The (subclass 500) Australian International Student Visa allows students to work while studying.
What is Australia Day?
26th of January is celebrated as Australia Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the hoisting of the Union Flag of Great Britain by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a small bay on the southern edge of Sydney Harbour.
What are some of the cultural events and festivals that are celebrated in Australia?
The Sydney New Year’s Eye, The Australian Open, The Adelaide Fringe, and Floriade are some of the largest events and festivals in Australia.
Why is Australia unique?
Australia is considered one of the largest countries on earth, covering an entire continent. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries, and nearly a quarter of people who live here are born in another country.
How many states does Australia have?
Australia is split into six states and two internal territories:
States:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Tasmania
Territories:
- The Northern Territory
- The Australian Capital Territory