Australia is a very popular country among Japanese people. A large number of people from Japan choose Australia as travelling or moving destination. Australia is known to be a pro-Japan country.
Australia is a beautiful, expansive country that is full of diversity. It is the sixth largest country in the world and has the third highest standard of living, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Not only that, four of the ten most livable cities were voted as being in Australia as well. Geographically, it encompasses rainforests, snowfields, deserts, bushland, over 10,000 beaches, and 50,000 km of shoreline. Culturally, it is reported that one out of every four Australians were born in a country other than Australia. With a diverse cultural history and many cities and places to explore, visitors easily fall in love and wish to move to and stay in Australia for long time.
Much of Australia’s rich cultural history begins with the Aboriginals. They have lived on the Australian continent for over 60,000 years. With more than 600 tribes, it is important to recognize the vast differences exist within Aboriginal culture. It is safe to say that all Aboriginal tribes’ history and culture were impacted significantly starting in the 19th century with the colonization by Anglo-Saxon settlers. Yet the Aboriginal people still thrive, and today there are approximately 460,000 Aborigines that make up 2.4 percent of the total Australian population. When people come to visit or move to Australia, there is a natural desire to understand and experience the Aboriginal cultures and the Australian outback. Luckily, there are many companies that provide many opportunities to do so. It is recommended to hire an organization that is Aboriginal owned and operated to grasp an even deeper understanding of these remarkable Aboriginal cultures. Not only will you get a unique insight, but you will be benefiting those you are learning about. Try Four Winds Dreaming tours in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia, or Uptuyu 4WD Tours and Wandjina Tours in Kimberley.
To understand the people of Australia, you must also understand the relationship of Australia and Britain. The British government established penal colonies in Australia in the 18th century and between 1788 and 1868, and they brought over 150,000 convicts to Australia against their will. Many convicts had only committed petty crimes, yet most of them stayed in Australia after serving their terms. It is estimated that around 20% of Australians today are descendants of transported convicts. Once a tarnish or “convict stain,” it is now considered a privilege to have descended from a convict. In 2010, eleven Australian Convict sites were added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO. When travelers come to Australia, they should visit these sites to understand more about the convicts and historical colonial expansion.
A large number of people visit Australia because they love nature, the ocean, and they want to see the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, a World Heritage site, and can actually be seen from outer space. The reef has more than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays, and many inshore mangrove islands. The spectacular array of marine life stretches for 2,300 km and provides some of the best diving and snorkeling opportunities in the world. You can even take a helicopter ride over sections of the reef, for even more magnificent views. Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Thorsborne Trail, and the Daintree Rainforest are all great stops to enjoy when visiting the reef, but as visitors will attest, it is all breath-taking.
Australia is full of glorious, uninhabited land, but it does have a number of major cities. Almost three-quarters of the Australian population lives in one of eight cities, with three of the largest cities and most attractive cities being Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Each city offers something unique and all should be visited.
Sydney is a natural choice for those who have never visited Australia before. The diversity of Sydney is evident from beach bums, surfers, and the fashion-forward cosmopolitans all moving along together in this thriving metropolis. With a skyline that includes the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, it is one of the most brilliant cities in Australia. Located on the New South Wales eastern shore, it was the first city established in Australia and since its birth it has seen high levels of immigration. Many Europeans and Asians have immigrated to Sydney and have created a melting pot of sorts for all things cultural, including music, religion, art, and cuisine. This large city that draws visitors from all over the world to interact with their 4.5 million people, continues to have a reputation for being a very friendly and laid back city.
Melbourne is a diverse and stunning city with which it is easy to fall in love. Part of Melbourne’s diversity dates back to the 1850s when the entire world experienced a gold rush. Gold was discovered in the hills around Melbourne, and many people from around the world came to the area. Then again during World War II, many immigrants from southern Europe came to Melbourne and fell in love with the city and stayed. The cultures of the Chinese, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, and Lebanese all blend together in this striking city to create a cultural quilt of sorts. One-third of those who currently live in Melbourne were born in a different country, or have parents from a different country. In fact, Melbourne has the most people of Greek descent than any other city in the world, second to Athens. When you visit or move to Melbourne, you will find brilliant dining, music, art, architecture, and culture that has a distinctive and romantic European feel.
One of the best places to start your time in Melbourne is to visit the Eureka Tower and go to their Skydeck. This vantage point is the Southern Hemisphere’s highest platform for viewing. Centrally located to overlook the city, you will have a much better grasp of how the city is laid out, and your bearings will be grounded from the get go. For those who are not afraid of heights, challenge yourself to step onto “The Edge” at the Skydeck. You will literally go over the edge of the building and be inside a glass box that looks straight down at the city landscape below. You can also see the city by hot air balloon. Book an early morning departure for a calmer ride and experience a one-of-a-kind ride that few cities in the world offer. From there, check out some of the places actually on the ground, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, close-by historic Flinder’s Street Station, the Queen Victoria Market, or one of the many quirky alley ways, or laneways, where one can wander and be entertained for hours.
If you find yourself on the western coast of Australia, you will be in luck as Perth is a city that is full of confidence and fun. With sunny beaches on the Indian ocean, glittering photographic skyscrapers, historic colonial architecture, and distinctly funky neighborhoods, Perth is a city that embraces its past and pursues its future like few others. Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the gems of Perth. With over six million visitors every year, it is one of the largest inner city parks in the world. Many of the unique varieties of plants that exist in Western Australia are showcased in the botanical gardens and inside the park. One of the main man made attractions in the park is the DNA Tower. This tower resembles DNA structure and stretches 15 meters high, with a spiraling staircase of 100 steps to get to the top. Perth should be visited by anyone and everyone who is able to go and experience the western coast of Australia.
For Japanese people, Australia is truly one of the best countries to visit and live, and with its size, there is always more to see and explore. Come explore the reefs and the beaches, the cities that inspire, or get to know the people that have lived here for a few years or a few millenniums.