G'day, Welcome toa taste of
the 'land downunder'

Australia, commonly known as 'the land Downunder', the 'great southern land' or simply 'Oz' is the sixth largest country on this great planet. Australia is the only nation that occupies a whole continent. It is an island of 7 682 300 square kilometres. Australia is an independent Western democracy, With a population of 18 million.Australia lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. She is divided into six states, Tasmania (Tas), Victoria(Vic), New South Wales(NSW) South Australia(SA) Western Australia (WA) and Queensland (QLD)andtwo territories, Northern Territory(NT) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Australia also has  external territories: Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Islands, Norfolk Island, The Cocos(Keeling) Islands, Heard and McDonald Islands, Coral Sea Islands, and Ashmore and Cartier Islands.

Other sightings of Australian shores and landings occurred, but it was not until 1770, when Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy, landed in on the East coast and claimed Australia for Britain. (that's how we got cricket) *s*
The first settlement to the 'new country' was a British penal colony. Captain Arthur Phillip commanding a fleet of 11 ships of the British Royal Navy left England on May13 1787, arriving at Botany Bay on January 18 1788. Eight days later the fleet established their new settlement on 26 January 1788 at Port Jackson (now called Sydney ). January 26 is now a national holiday, 'Australia Day'.

Van Diemens Land, better known now as "Tasmania" (after Able Tasman) had it's penal colony established in 1803.  From the 1790s free settlers migrated to Australia.

Self-government was granted in1850. January 1st 1901, saw the colonies of NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania become a federation and form the Commonwealth of Australia.

For more information on Australia, including

Flags and coat of arms
Aussie sports
National anthem
Many more links
Info for visitors
Pages on the island state, Tasmania
My own photographs
Aussie slang terms
Aussie cookbook

Visit the Aussie section of my own site here

A few interesting links

Australians Abroad Resource for Australians Overseas.

 About Australia ! Travel, lifestyle and more information.

TRAVEL AUSTRALIA Information helpful for people planing a trip to Australia, or who just want to learn more.

 A chronology of the poems of Banjo Paterson Andrew Barton (Banjo) Patterson 1864-1941.Author of many famous Australian poems, including Waltzing Matilda.

Welcome to Australia Online The Australian magazine on the Internet.

The Australian News Network News from Australia.

Take a virtual tour of Australia

An Australian Cybertour Just as the title suggest, take
a virtual trip to the land down under.

Guide to Australia This is not listed as a 'cyber tour' however, it is very informative and extensive so I feel that it
does fit in this category.

Fair Dinkum Aussie Tucker

Okay, so you may have to go to my Aussie slang site to learn
what 'fair dinkum' & 'tucker' means, but basically it's
Australian food.

Australian recipes Includes lamingtons, damper, pavlova, chocolate crackles and Anzac biscuits and more...