Australia

Australia is a vast nation but with just 20 million people, parts of the continent are very sparsely populated. The Outback offers some of the most intriguing and awe-inspiring places to visit and Australia's cities are modern and buzzing and, as Australia is a coastal country you have plenty of superb beaches and watersports to keep you busy. Sydney is a rare treat; a city where you can combine sunbathing on the beach with shopping in sophisticated malls and where you can dine alfresco on delicious seafood before taking your seat in a world-famous opera house. Oh, and who could forget the famous Sydney Mardi Gras. The Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland has a tropical rainforest and underwater coral gardens that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Melbourne is exceptionally gay friendly and enjoys a bohemian appeal.

Another unique feature is Uluru (or Ayer’s Rock) in the Northern Territory, whilst the beaches and winelands near Perth combine with the glitz of the Gold Coast and the cattle ranches of Western Australia to display the incredible diversity of this distant country. It is a place best visited during our autumn, winter and spring months, when the days and nights are warm enough for outdoor activities and the azure skies reflect the tropical wonderland beneath.

There is no doubt that the popularity of soap operas such as Neighbours and Home & Away has whetted our appetites for sunshine, barbecues, and the easygoing gregariousness of Australians. We have our winter while they are in summer so a holiday in Australia could be the cure to the start-of-the-year blues.