Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Australia is wildly popular with tourists around the world, and has long been a favorite vacation destination for those seeking either a long vacation or just a weekend away. More than 4 million people visit Australia each year, and most of the tourists visiting Australia come from Japan and other points in Asia.

Australia became a country in 1901, and since the end of World War 2, a large percentage of Australia’s income has come from tourism. There are a great many sights to see in Australia, and the country is full of natural beauty. The Great Barrier Reef is just one of the many places around Australia that are popular with conservationists, and is considered among the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. Uluru, also known as Ayer’s Rock, is another of the popular natural destinations within Australia. Popular with backpackers and other “eco travelers”, Australia’s tourists often take extended vacations within the country, traveling from place to place as they get the whim.

Australia’s coastal areas are largely undeveloped, leading to miles and miles of pristine beaches and cliffs. The ocean waters are teeming with rare life and unusual fish. Surfing the large waves that grace the beaches of Australia is one of the greatest pastimes of both residents and tourists alike. There are national parks located around the coastline, making much of it protected from development. The center of the country is largely dominated by desert land, and it’s this sparsely populated desert that holds many of the natural wonders of the country. Uluru is located in the vast expanse of desert that dominates the country’s interior, and despite the inhospitable conditions, many domestic travelers venture to the inland regions to visit the famous monolith.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city and the most popular tourist destination in the country. Home of the famous Sydney Opera House, visitors to Sydney often spend their entire vacation without leaving the city. One of the best ways to see the Opera House is to take a Sydney Harbor Tour. Tours leave often from the local piers, and there are both public and private companies that run tours. Depending on the tour, it can last from 1 to 3 hours, and even extremely popular dinner cruises are available.

Here are just a few of the places you should consider visiting before you start your Australia travel adventure.

The World Factbook is a publication from the Central Intelligence Agency that gives vital data about all the countries in the world.

Lonely Planet is a website dedicated to travel around the world. It includes resources and links that will help you find the places you want to visit, and provides reviews and tips from users and travelers just like you.

Australia Board of Tourism maintains this website to provide resources for travelers who may feel a bit overwhelmed at the sheer number of things to do in Australia.

AboutAustralia.com gives users a comprehensive look into the history and culture of Australia and its many different people, but if you’re looking for a more personal touch, check out The Australia Blog. It provides regular updates about the news and happenings all over Australia, told from the point of view of someone who lives in the country. It provides a less formal tone and presentation than, for example, MongaBay.com which acts as an information site for those looking for obscure and fun things to do in-country.

10Best.com has a comprehensive list of the best things to do just about anywhere in the world. It’s a great place to start if you’re not quite sure what to do when you land in Australia.

The Australia Board of Statistics website gives all of the latest statistics available on nearly every aspect of life in Australia, from the demographics of a particular city to how many people of each nationality come into Australia each year.

For information about traveling anywhere in the world, check out the invaluable website PlanetWare.com. It provides useful information for some of the top tourist destinations on the planet, from the perspective of both professional business travelers and leisure travelers.