Australia or also known as the Commonwealth of Australia is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's sixth-largest country by total area. The neighbouring countries are Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the northeast; and New Zealand to the southeast. The population of 25 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard.

Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians for about 60,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century. It is documented that Aborigines spoke languages that can be classified into about 250 groups after the European exploration of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606, who named it New Holland, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770. It was initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788, a date which became Australia's national day. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades, and by the 1850s most of the continent had been explored and an additional five self-governing crown colony established. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia has since maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories.

Being the oldest, flattest and driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils, Australia has a landmass of 7,617,930 square kilometres (2,941,300 sq mi). A megadiverse country, its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes, with deserts in the centre, tropical rainforests in the northeast and mountain ranges in the southeast. A gold rush began in Australia in the early 1850s, which boosted the population of the country. 

Australia is a highly developed country, with the world's 13th-largest economy. It has a high-income economy, with the world's tenth-highest per capita income.  Australia is a regional power and has the world's 13th-highest military expenditure. Australia has the world's 9th largest immigrant population with immigrants accounting for 26% of the population. It is also ranked as the third highest human development index, and the eighth-highest ranked democracy globally, the country ranks highly in quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights, with all its major cities faring well in global comparative livability surveys.

How to Get There

By Flight

You are from Singapore and want to travel to Australia; you need to travel there by plane. You need to take a flight from Changi Airport and can choose for transit flights or straight flights to Australia. The ticket price per person will be around SGD530 to SGD1300 depends on your chosen airlines. However, the price of the ticket will be increased at the peak season, which is during the public holiday and school holiday season. Travel from Changi Airport to Perth Airport will be around 10 hours depends on your flight. Once you arrive, you can grab a taxi and go straight to your staying place. Before that, you must ensure that you have an e-visa before visiting Australia.

What to Do There?

Kings Park & Botanic Garden

This huge park covers 4.06km² and is one of the largest inner city parks in the world. It is located on the edge of Perth’s central business district. You can see the amazing scenery across Canning River, the city skyline, the Darling Ranges and Swan River. In the park, you can follow the trails; enjoy landscaped gardens, parklands, children’s playgrounds and discovery areas. There is a Visitor Information Center where you can take free daily walks. During the summer months, there are outdoor movie screenings in Synergy Parkland and children’s theatre at Saw Avenue Amphitheatre.

There are cafes in the park, the memorial status (more than any other park in Australia), Honor Avenue lined with plaques honouring 1600 fallen soldiers, picnic areas, ball courts, cricket grounds, soccer fields, Rio Tinto Naturescape where kids can learn about local nature and cycle tracks for all ages. There are many places around there, including the site of the State War Memorial, a tennis club, Edith Cowan Clock Tower, the DNA Tower, Jacob’s ladder steps leading to Cliff Street and reservoir.

Within Kings Park is the Western Australian Botanical Garden, where you can see more than 3,000 species of flora of the region. Two-thirds of the park is protected and used for research into the native biological diversity.  

Freemantle Markets

The Fremantle Market has been around since 1897 when people would arrive at the Victorian buildings which functioned as a wholesale market until the 1950s. From the 50s to 70s the buildings were used for packing and distribution and then in 1975 the buildings were restored. The Victorian buildings stand within a precinct together with Warders Cottages, Norfolk Hotel, Scots Church and Sail & Anchor Hotel. The entire precinct is on the Register of Heritage Places and the Commonwealth’s Heritage Commission Registrar of the National Estate.

Today more than 150 stalls are selling a wide range of products. The markets offer a large selection of locally grown fresh produce, much of which is organic. The markets are dedicated to promoting indigenous and independent art and products. Among the items on sale are Aboriginal art pieces, boomerangs, souvenirs and didgeridoos. At the market, you can often see demonstrations of didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing. In addition to being a retail venue, the Fremantle Markets are also a springboard for new up-and-coming musical talent. There are many street performers at the market, which add to the atmosphere. 

Perth Mint

The Perth Mint is the country’s official bullion mint, which dates back to 1899. The main attraction of this site is the Gold Exhibition, which uses the latest exhibition techniques to bring the history of Western Australian gold to life using audiovisuals and concept design. Visitors to the Gold Exhibition can follow the journey of the discovery of gold and see the largest gold coin ever made; the Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin which weighs 1 ton. The massive coin is 80cm wide and 12cm deep and valued at more than A$50 million. There is an amazing display of gold nuggets and crystals including the second largest gold nugget in the world which weighs 25.5kg at the exhibition. Visitors can see molten gold poured into moulds to make gold bars and you can even hold gold bullion worth A$500,000. Other gems in the exhibition include the first coin minted in Perth in 1899; the first copper decimal coin made in Australia in 1966 and 10kg Australian Lunar Gold and Silver Bullion coins.

Visitors can weigh themselves to find out their weight in gold and get your name engraved on a souvenir medallion in gold, silver, bronze or aluminium (from A$17). As part of the exhibition, there is a recreated miner’s campsite showing the harsh conditions prospectors faced.

There are hourly guided talks through the grand heritage building, the security vault and the original melting house where you can see a live gold pour. The tour can also be combined with a Devonshire tea.

Where to Stay?

Hyatt Regency Perth

The Pan Pacific Yangon is located at the City of Perth, Australia. This hotel is situated 25-minutes away from Perth Airport. This hotel offers a top class and very quality accommodation in the city of Yangon. The in-room facilities are well equipped with luxurious amenities such as flat-screen television with cable channels, a coffee or tea maker, hypo-allergic bedding, bathrobes, slippers, a private bathroom, and a tub. Besides that, they also provide a place with an air-conditioner and also sofa beds. Even, you as the guests can request extra beds or infant beds.

Moreover, you can enjoy free international calls, and also a free Wi-Fi. The hotel has always kept the rooms clean since they offer a daily housekeeping service. If you have any questions to ask, their 24-hour front desk will always assist you in any related matter. After a long day trip to a few places in Yangon, you can relax your mind and body by swimming at the provided pool. There is also a restaurant that serves different types of dishes which can meet the taste of most guests in this place.

Novotel Perth Langley

As it is located 25-minutes away from the Perth Airport, the Novotel Perth Langley provides affordable accommodation in Perth. Every room in this hotel is well equipped with basic amenities. Besides that, the hotel provides the best facilities and services to make their guests feel more comfortable and convenient during their stays at this hotel. You also can access free Wi-Fi from their room and also in the public area of the hotel. For those wanting to keep fit, there is a fitness centre available in this hotel. Other than that, you can go to the restaurant provided by the hotel.

Adina Apartment Hotel Perth – Barrack Plaza

For those who want to stay in an apartment rather than a hotel, the ideal choice of an apartment to stay is at Adina Apartment Hotel Perth – Barrack Plaza. It is a perfect accommodation for a big family and also for those who want to stay a bit longer in Perth. You can freely use a few facilities that provided by the apartment.  Every room in this apartment is equipped with amazing amenities such as a hairdryer, a television, electric kettle, an air conditioner, and refrigerator. The rooms are also connected. This apartment allowed their guests to bring in small and large pet in their room. There will be a 24-hour front desk to handle the process of check-in and out of the rooms. They are also available to help the guests in case if the guests need any assistance from them. Moreover, the guests who rented a car, they can park them in a garage. They also can stay connected with their families and friends because there is a free Wi-Fi available in public area.