Planning a Trip

Size Does Matter

When planning your trip, keep in mind that Australia is as big as western Europe and about the same size as the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Melbourne and Brisbane are a long day's drive from Sydney, and driving from Sydney to Perth takes the better part of a week.

The Drought Continues.

Australia has been experiencing a severe drought since 1992. In 2007, the dry spell was officially classified as the worst on record. Most state capitals have been trying to cope with severe water restrictions for years, as lakes dry up and the population grows due to increased immigration. Some major reservoirs are so depleted of water that emergency water procedures have been put in place. One of Australia's largest water supplies, Lake Eucumbene, in the Snowy Mountains of NSW, is so low that the remains of the town of Old Adaminaby have been exposed. The town was has been submerged deep under water since 1957, during the construction of Australia's biggest hydroelectric project.

In 2007, Australians saw trees die and important wetlands for breeding birds dry up or become polluted by salt and other contaminants. A desalination plant designed to turn to turn sea water into fresh, was being seriously considered in Sydney. Irrigators along the enormous Murray-Darling river system faced having their water supplies cut off. Fruit and vegetable prices rose, and there was talk of a milk shortage. Some farmers were committed suicide, and the threat of bush fires was ever present. Grape harvests were poor, leading to falls in wine production. And so it went on ... and on.

Australian environmentalists point to the increasing frequency and severity of drought-causing El Niño weather patterns, blamed on global warming. Australia is among the world's biggest per-capita energy consumers, and produces more carbon dioxide emissions per capita than anywhere else in the world. Deforestation is still a major problem. In 2007, Australia, along with the U.S, were the only two industrialized nations refusing to ratify the 1997 Kyoto protocol.

Where to Cuddle a Koala

Koalas might look soft and cuddly, but the reality is a bit different. They are wild animals with sharp claws, and you should treat them with caution. Koalas in the wild are not safe to approach -- even if you could reach them. Most of your encounters with them will be at a distance, looking on as they rest high in the branches of a tree, or in a wildlife park where "controlled cuddling" is allowed. Cuddling is allowed only in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. In Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, holding a koala is not allowed, but in some places you can pose beside one and have your photo taken. There are no koalas in the Northern Territory.

For more on koalas and where to see them in their natural habitat, contact the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) (tel. 1800 4KOALA or 07/3229 7233; www.savethekoala.com) or drop into their office at 40 Charlotte St., Brisbane.

Meet the People Down Under

If you want to see an Australian Rules football game in the company of a knowledgeable local in Melbourne or swim at Bondi Beach with a Sydneysider, contact Friends Overseas -- Australia (tel. 718/261-0534; www.friendsoverseas.org). This program is designed to match visitors with friendly Aussies of like age and interests, so you can spend time with them. The membership fee is US$25.