A visa is a document that allows a person entrance into a country. They are formally registered with the government and are usually a requisite for entrance into a country by foreigners. The actual rules governing visas and when they are needed varies vastly between countries.

Visas are split between categories. Australia, among other countries, is divided into Skilled Visa for workers emigrating to the country, Working Holiday Visa for someone under 30 looking to work and live in Australia for under 2 years, Visitor Visa for small holiday or business trips, Business Visa for entrepreneurs or executives looking to emigrate to Australia, Family Visa if you have a family who can sponsor your move to the country, and Fiance/Spouse Visa if you are married or engaged to an Australian or eligible New Zealand citizen. These can all be applied for through the Australian Visa Bureau.

Australian citizens must hold a permanent residency visa in order to be a citizen. They last for 5 years and allow a person to stay indefinitely, but can be revoked by the Minister for Immigration, in the case of criminal activity. Employers can sponsor an overseas employee to fill a vacancy, and families can sponsor a family member for immigration. For visitors like holiday makers a temporary visa is easier to obtain and is done through the ETA scheme, an electronic system which replaces the visa label or stamp on a passport and removes the need for application forms. To be eligible you must have a passport from an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) using country; most western countries fall into this category but advice can be found on Australia’s visa website or from the proper authorities. There is a simple online application form and once obtained the visa allows a tourist to stay in Australia for up to three months.

If there’s one thing that CAN’T be said about living in Australia despite its being an island, (okay, a continent too)?it?s that no man is an island.

Pardon the political incorrectness for a moment. But this is really what’s nice about Australia. Australia is probably one of the sweetest melting pots in the world, a point of convergence for cultures and peoples who wish to live harmoniously. Just go out on any busy market street or any of the teeming, warm beaches, and you’ll see what we mean. People from all over the world being friends with everyone else, all differences banished. It’s as if everyone just recently got washed ashore with a mission to spread goodwill. Australian immigration is plainly the loveliest there is. Aussies welcome their visitors as if they?ve been waiting for each other the whole time.

Australia is indeed a free country where everyone gets equal opportunity. Lebanese mingling with Brits, Chinese mingling with Italians, Aborigines hanging out with Germans, New Zealanders laugh with Filipinos: it?s a welcome clash of culture. Interestingly, Australia has one of the lowest population density of any country in the world. We?re talking 2 people per square kilometer here.

But so what? Petty statistics isn?t going to stop Aussies and immigrants alike from going over their fences just to holler ?G?day, mate!? And oh yeah, have we mentioned Australia, with almost no murder rate, is one of the safest places in the world?

September 15, 2006, Victoria, Australia With the holiday season fast approaching, more and more tourists are flocking to Australia for a different taste of winter. Since the country sits snug in the Southern Hemisphere, the Australian winter is actually the friendly reversal of Europe’s and the U.S.’s version of deep frost and snowstorm. With a warm, favorable winter such as Australia’s then, it isn’t surprising that people who come there either for business or pleasure have every reason to, if not stay, return next year.

The Australian holiday is luring thousands of backpackers as well as business people. Tourists are taking advantage of the country’s holiday maker scheme wherein they are given opportunity to work temporarily and earn in Australia, with equal pay as any Australian employee.

Businesspeople, on the other hand, are wising up on the extended opportunities Australia’s holiday can give their businesses. Even before harsh winter sets in and forces them out of their own countries, investors, senior executives, businesspeople of all kinds are already planning their trips to sunny Australia. To tend their branch offices in the land down under, perhaps do some marketing research, or set-up possibilities.

Australia’s favorable winter for business has, for a time, been unfairly unrecognized; people have come to equate Australia with vacation. But Australia’s brisk economy is soaring higher than ever before. What tourists and businesspeople alike are discovering for themselves is that, in Australia, they can actually mix business with pleasure.

It doesn’t matter how many documentaries you’ve seen or how much you’ve heard about Australia or spoken to others about it, once you’ve taken your first look at Australia you’ll be forever hooked and want to come back for what can only be described as an exotic vacation.

Eventually, the urge will be there, irresistibly, to see it all.

There’s no doubt about it. You’ve not experienced the world until you’ve seen the wonders of Australia. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to swim in crystal clear water, sit under a palm tree while sipping on some exotic drink or laze about beside a pool on a balmy night ? If you have, then Australia’s exotic islands are for you. They’re just irresistible !

However, it’s a big country consisting of some 8,000 islands, including the island State of Tasmania Australia’s island resorts and exotic island getaways offer a richly rewarding experience and are great romantic places for that exotic vacation.

Some of the best honeymoon places in the world can be found on Australia’s islands with resorts situated on islands ranging from small coral ones, where you can walk on the beach to the Great Barrier Reef, to an island made of pure sand – the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s east coast, is one of the wonders of the natural world. It is World Heritage listed and is one of Australia’s, and the world’s, premier holiday destinations. The combination of glorious weather, pristine rainforest, white sandy beaches, and an ocean varying in hue from blue to turquoise to green, ensures it’s where the world wants to go to lie on the beach, swim, surf, snorkel, sail, bushwalk and bird watch.

When it comes to exotic vacation spots, Queensland boasts an inviting array of easily accessible islands, where you’ll find unspoilt beaches, rainforest and superb resorts. Queensland’s islands offer a unique holiday experience and with resorts in the Tropical North, Whitsundays and Southern Queensland, the hardest decision is to choose your perfect exotic vacation spot. If you’re travelling to Sydney, why not get on another plane ? It’s well worth the effort, as you’ll have the opportunity of experiencing the wonders of Lord Howe or Norfolk Islands. Being sub-tropical getaways they’re quite different and, are among the world’s most natural heritage destinations. Located 450Kms off mainland Australia, Lord Howe Island is the lone survivor of an extinct volcano chain. Its incredible, natural environment, with rainforest clad hills, green lagoons and unique wildlife, is perfect for cycling around. Norfolk Island is about 1,700Kms east-north-east of Sydney, or a two and a half hour flight. Much of the island is covered by national parks and reserves where birds are prolific. The sub-tropical climate makes it ideal for fishing, bushwalking, scuba diving and snorkelling. Whether you’re looking for a casual getaway or an indulgent escape, Australia’s beautiful islands cater for all ages, tastes and budgets.

Immerse yourself in the ultimate exotic vacation at some of the world’s most romantic places.

The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn River and Wollemi National Park in the south to the Barrington Tops National Park in the north. Most of the Hunter Valley’s many vineyards are located in the Lower Hunter Valley, with the centre of grape and wine production being Pokolbin, located north west of the town of Cessnock. Although some wineries specialise in particular wines, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Verdelho can be found at most vineyards. The best vintage years for both red and white wines in the Hunter Valley include 1979, 1983, 1996 and 1999, although several other good years were seen during both the 1980s and 1990s. Great wine is accompanied by great food in many restaurants, including a selection of fresh local grown vegetables, locally bred game, delicious seafood from Port Stephens, bread and pastries, cheeses and chocolates.

The Upper Hunter Valley also has several vineyards, and is also home to a thriving horse breeding and racing industry. The centre for thoroughbred horse breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley is the town of Scone, although horse breeding is popular throughout the area. Scone has a range of quality accommodation options and several excellent restaurants, although the main attraction for many is probably the race course. Numerous race meetings are held throughout the year, so chances are good of being able to catch a race when you visit.

Prior to European settlement, the Hunter Valley was inhabited by the Darkinjung people for many thousands of years. The area was cleared for farming during the 1820s and grape vines have been grown there since the mid 1850s, making it the oldest wine region in Australia. In the 1900s coal was discovered in the area, giving the Hunter Valley a new lease of life. The mines eventually closed down to be replaced by wineries and a thriving tourism industry, with over 4500 acres of the Hunter Valley now covered with vines. The region today is a veritable mecca of holiday resorts and activities suitable for families, couples, corporations and international tourists.

The Hunter Valley’s excellent range of wineries, shops, restaurants and other attractions make it the most visited wine region in Australia today. Home to several leading Australian wineries including Lindemans, McWilliams, Wyndham Estate and Tyrell’s, the Hunter Valley is also home to many smaller boutique wineries. In total, the Hunter Valley is now home to over 80 wineries, most of which offer celler door wine tastings and many of which also have quality restaurants. Hunter Valley grape growers do not specialise in any one particular grape variety or wine style. While classic varieties such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon are popular, newer styles like Verdelho and Chambourcin are also commonly found.

Excellent wine and food aren’t the only attractions offered by the Hunter Valley. Outdoor activities are available to suit every taste, ranging from horse riding and golf to hot air ballooning and sky diving, all set amongst wonderfully picturesque landscapes. The Hunter Valley is also a great location in which to enjoy music and entertainment during one of its many festivals. During October you can enjoy music and Australian wine with the Opera in the Vineyards and Jazz in the Vines music festivals. Many fascinating buildings can be found in the Hunter Valley, along with several galleries and museums. Speciality shops and small businesses abound, with galleries displaying antiques, crafts, glassware, jewellery, paintings, sculptures and wrought iron.

The many small towns nestled around the Lower Hunter all offer the visitor something unique. The rural community of Wollombi still lives in the 1930′s, the time in which it was settled. You can wander along taking in the historic atmosphere, go horse riding, or even explore the nearby bushland. Branxton and Greta are popular for their markets and festivals. Cessnock has a range of accommodation as well as modern shopping areas, set amongst its heritage buildings and craft shops. Kurri Kurri hosts several heritage country pubs as well as a mining museum. It is also popular for a mixture of sports including bowls, golf, squash and tennis. For wonderful views of the Brokenback Range head to Broke, or for museums and antique shops go to the old river port of Morpeth.

The ideal location for relaxing time out, Port Douglas is an easy-going tropical paradise with a small friendly village atmosphere and sophisticated creature comforts. The warm reef waters of the Coral Sea, the glorious palm fringed sands of Port Douglas Four Mile Beach, and the crystal clear creeks of Mossman Gorge are the place to refresh, restore and revitalise both body and mind. Seductive, balmy days slip seamlessly into tropical evenings under a canopy of clear starry skies. The sights, sounds and tastes of the tropical environment are a feast for the senses; the stunning array of nature and wildlife is awe-inspiring.

The Port Douglas region has become increasingly aware of the value and uniqueness of its natural environment over the past decade. As a result, ecotourism products which focus on the area’s pristine World Heritage rainforests, marine environment and ecosystems are now a major component of the Port Douglas and Daintree tour industry. Ecotourism balances the requirements of tourism and conservation, and has been defined by Ecotourism Australia as ?ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation?.

Ecotourism in Port Douglas offers an authentic ecotourism experience. This includes interacting with the local population, learning meaningful information about the locations you visit, and leaving the lightest possible footprint on the environment as you depart. Port Douglas tour operators are firmly committed to sustainable tourism and are licensed and accredited to conduct operations in national parks and other sensitive protected areas. They have a high degree of local knowledge, employ local people, and support their local economy and community.

There are ample opportunities for outdoor activities in Port Douglas, ranging from walks and safaris through the breathtaking pristine Daintree and Cape Tribulation Rainforests, horse riding, river cruises and white water rafting to swimming, diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing on the the reef and waterways. Tours are available across the Daintree to Cape Tribulation, and further afield to the Mareeba Wetlands, the Tropical Tablelands, Cairns and Kuranda. Other local attractions include various historical sites, weekend markets, world-class restaurants, nightlife, a fruit winery, indigenous cultural experiences, 4WD safari adventures, world class golf courses, spas, aerial tours by seaplane, helicopter & hot-air balloon, and outdoor cinema and theatre.

At 140 million years old, the Daintree National Park contains the oldest living rainforest on earth. The Park is divided into three main areas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge. Daintree National Park lies between Mossman Gorge and the Daintree River, is known for its long stretch of lush tropical rainforest, and is home to unique bird life and crocodiles. Cape Tribulation is where tropical rainforest and coral reef meet in a scenic coastal setting north of the Daintree River. The area is home to glorious sandy beaches and mangroves environments abounding in wildlife viewing. Mossman Gorge is a steep-sided valley on the Mossman River containing lush tropical rainforest and crystal clear creeks. An excellent location for viewing birdlife and other wildlife. Guided walks visiting Aboriginal heritage sites are provided by members of the Kuku Yalanji Mossman Gorge Community.

Originally founded in 1876 as a service port for the North Queensland goldfields, Cairns is today the international gateway to North Queensland. With a population of 100,000, the Cairns region offers a healthy, relaxed lifestyle with the local economy based on tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and fishing industries. The Cairns International Airport provides a first point of entry for both Australian and International travellers.

Cairns is surrounded to the north, west and south by magnificent rainforests, many of which are protected by World Heritage listings. To the east is Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. The wealth of natural beauty in the Cairns region provides the perfect setting for a huge range of activities including swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, jet-skiing, white water rafting, bushwalking, fishing, hot air ballooning or simply enjoying the fantastic scenery on a drive out of town to Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas, Kuranda or the Nandroya Falls.

The Esplanade in the centre of Cairns, is where restaurants, cafes, markets, nightclubs, pubs and shopping arcades are located, and is also the departure point for most reef tours and island cruises. Accommodation is plentiful in Cairns, with the Esplanade and surrounding areas offering quality accommodation ranging from luxury apartments and five star hotels to caravan parks and camping areas.

Set in a lush tropical environment, the water-based activities available in Cairns are endless. Whether sailing the beautiful waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the islands, canoeing or jet-skiing on the bays and lakes, taking a casual cruise or a dynamic jet boat ride, there are adventure tours available for every taste. If fishing is your passion, Cairns is a brilliant destination at any time of the year. Offering excellent angling opportunities for all areas of fishing. Cairns is famous for its Black Marlin fishing and hosts fishing tournaments September to December. Barramundi and Mangrove Jack abound at Trinity Inlet, while freshwater fishing is available further inland on the Atherton Tablelands at Tinaroo Dam. Further afield, the Gulf Savannah and Cape York offer anglers an almost limitless variety of spectacular locations in which to enjoy the fishing experience of a lifetime.

The Rainforests of the Cairns region are another major attraction that simply should not be missed. Home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and national parks, the rainforests are magical environments containing 200 year old palms where everything seems larger, more colourful and healthier including trees, leaves and seed pods. The rainforests were World heritage listed in 1988 and cover almost one million hectares of lush tropical vegetation. The tropical wet season from January to March is a special time of regeneration and restoration in the rainforest. The rainforests have excellent bushwalking and 4WD tracks, and 4WD Nature Safaris are available. As most rainforest animals are nocturnal, a night excursion can provide the opportunity to view a rich variety of animal life including green tree frogs, pythons, tree climbing kangaroos, geckos and rare possums.

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the Cairns coast to the east in the Coral Sea, and consists of 344,000 square kilometres of warm, clear waters in which an amazing array of sea life abounds, from sea slugs to migrating whales to coral. The many wonders of the Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, or a plane or helicopter flight.

The Great Barrier Reef includes many magnificent locations for day tours and longer expeditions, including the Hinchinbrook Channel, Mission Beach, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, and Green and Fitzroy Islands. Green Island is a tropical island paradise perfect for a day trip from Cairns where you can enjoy activities such as windsurfing, rainforest walks and snorkelling. The best reefs for snorkelling and diving are Arlington, Elford, Agincourt, Oyster, Michaelmas and Upolu Reefs.