Things to See in Australia

The Daintree is the accessible section of breathtakingly beautiful coastal lowland rainforest in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. This dense, lush area hosts amazing pockets of biodiversity with unique swamp and mangrove forest habitats, eucalypt woodlands, native birds and tropical rainforest.

This is one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, especially between Anglesea and Apollo Bay. Contrasting the fabulous surfer-style beaches is the lush green of the Otway Ranges, the dramatic limestone cliffs of Port Campbell and the pretty and fashionable town of Lorne.

Tasmania's best-known national park has spectacular mountain peaks, deep gorges, lakes and wild moorlands. It's one of the areas affected most by glacial activity in Australia. There are plenty of day walks, but it's the spectacular 80.5km (50mi) walk, known as The Overland Track, between the Cradle Valley and Cynthia Bay regions that has turned this park into a bushwalkers' mecca.

On Tasmania's beautiful east coast, the peninsula is part of Freycinet National Park and features secluded beaches and coves, rare plant, bird and animal life and excellent bushwalks. A particularly popular walk is the return trek to Wineglass Bay. The park has several camp sites and lodges.

The Barossa Valley is arguably the best-known wine-producing region in Australia. It's a beautiful, well-tended area with over 100 wine producers, around 70 of which encourage casual visits for tasting and cellar sales. To fully appreciate the area, get off the main road and take the narrow backroads between settlements.

The Snowy Mountains is the highest section of Australia's Great Dividing Range. Kosciusko National Park covers most of the mountains and includes ski resorts, rugged alpine scenery, caves, glacial lakes and forests. Although renowned as a winter playground, the park is also popular with bushwalkers in summer.

Bronzed surfers and wine-quaffing city slickers rub shoulders in this buzzing tourist hub that offers some of the best surfing in Australia and some of its most delicious wines. Wild coastal scenery, sophisticated restaurants, internationally acclaimed vineyards and a string of fascinating limestone caves are real crowd-pleasers.

Kakadu National Park is a natural marvel encompassing a variety of habitats, a mass of wildlife and some of Australia's best Aboriginal rock art. It stretches more than 200km (124mi) south from the coast and 100km (62mi) from east to west. It is World Heritage-listed for both its natural and cultural importance (a rare distinction).

Larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. The 2000km (1240mi) conglomeration of colourful coral stretches along the Queensland seaboard and makes for some of the most spectacular diving landscape imaginable.

The rugged Kimberley is one of Australia's last frontiers, a little-travelled and very remote area of great rivers, oases and magnificent scenery. It's the quintessential Australian landscape of red earth, rock, gumtrees, crocodiles, wallabies and blue skies. Attractions include the spectacular gorges on the Fitzroy River and Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park.

The Sydney office is located at level 34, Colonial Centre, 52 Martin Pl, in the CBD (02 9231 3455).

The main embassy is situated in Canberra but there is a Sydney office located on the 16th floor of 1 Macquarie Pl, Sydney Cove (02-9247 7521) and a Melbourne office on the 17th floor of 90 Collins St, Melbourne (03-9652 1600).

GALTA can provide a wealth of information about gay and lesbian travel in Australia.

This is the best place to get any travel-related shots and medical advice.

Tourism Australia is the government body charged with improving foreign tourist relations. A good place to start some pre-trip research is the commission's website, which has information in 10 languages (including French, German, Japanese and Spanish).

The Sydney branch of the US Embassy is located at level 59, 19-29 Martin Pl, in the CBD (02 9373 9200) and the Melbourne office is at level 6, 553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne (03 9526 5900).

The nonprofit Conservation Volunteers Australia organises practical conservation projects for volunteers (including overseas visitors) such as tree planting, walking-track construction and flora and fauna surveys. It's an excellent way to get involved with conservation-minded people and visit some interesting areas of the country.

The Sydney office is located at level 8, 131 Macquarie St, Sydney (02-9241 2542).

For comprehensive information on customs regulations, contact the Australian Customs Service. When entering Australia you can bring most articles in free of duty provided that customs is satisfied they are for personal use and that you'll be taking them with you when you leave. There's a duty-free quota per person of 2250mL of alcohol, 250 cigarettes and dutiable goods up to the value of 900.00.

Reliable information is the key ingredient for travellers with a disability and the best source is Nican. It's an Australia-wide directory providing information on access issues, accessible accommodation, sporting and recreational activities, transport and specialist tour operators.