Australia is a proud nation with a deep and spiritual history. Whether it be our Indigenous history, sporting history or coffee history. Australia is a country that is truly unique and this makes it the best country in the world - At least we think so!

Indigenous people of Australia

Today, Australia is home to many people from all walks of life. It is said that Australia was first settled at least 50,000 years ago! The people who first moved to this beautiful country are known as the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people of Australia. The Indigenous people of Australia are thought to have arrived by boat from South East Asia during the last ice age! They are now the oldest living cultural history in the world!

AI recommends: Experience Australia's Indigenous culture at a vibrant and traditional contemporary festival!

Australia Day

Each year on the 26th of January the country bands together to celebrate a national holiday known as “Australia day”. Australia day is a special day in the nation’s history as it allows us to come together as a nation and celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian! It marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of 11 British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales in 1788.

AI recommends: Get among the celebration by having a BBQ and playing some backyard cricket with friends & their families!

Sports

Australia is a very proud sporting nation with a long history entrenched with champion teams and athletes. The very first Australian sporting team that competed overseas was a cricket squad comprised of all-indigenous players in 1868. Since then Australia has put forth many international sporting teams in many different sports. One of the most popular sports in Australia is known as AFL (Australian Football League). AFL has been played for over 100 years and is a mixture of Football (Soccer), Gaelic Football, Rugby and Basketball. During 2015/2016, AFL saw an average crowd attendance of 33,428, which ranked it the 5th highest attended league in the world just behind the English Premier League!

AI recommends: Make sure you go to any of our world class stadiums to experience some fantastic sports on offer!

Coffee

Here in Australia we believe that we are the home of the world’s best coffee! Coffee found its way to our shores on the first fleet in 1788. However, it is believed that it wasn’t always great. The 1950's saw an influx of European migrants who introduced Australia to quality espresso. Today, Melbourne is the capital of the Australian coffee culture but you are sure to find world class coffee just about anywhere in Australia!

AI recommends: We recommend you don't hesitate in trying our wide range of exceptional coffee!

Find out more content like this in our section Discovering Australia.