Sports

Australia's 36,735-kilometre coastline, bordering two oceans and four seas, is basically one big, long beach - punctuated by spectacular cliffs, headlands, inlets, rivers and waterways. Aquatic activities range from swimming, diving and surfing to underwater hockey. 
                                       
Anyone who watched the Sydney 2000 Olympics won't doubt Australia's enthusiasm for swimming. You don't have to compete to enjoy it. Diving is pursued avidly, too, and there are hundreds of classic dive sites.Want to learn surfing? Australia offers plenty of moderate waves for practice. Already proficient? Then you'll be in surf heaven!

Australia's harbours, seas and lakes offer glorious windsurfing as well. Mighty rivers surge throughout Australia, many of them perfect for whitewater rafting. The wild Franklin River in temperate Tasmania and the Tully in tropical north Queensland are justifiably renowned.

Sea-kayaking in calm Great Barrier Reef waters is pure bliss. Intrepid canoeists hit the seas off Tasmania's rugged coast or calmly paddle the Northern Territory's astonishing Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.

Fast-moving underwater hockey builds swimming and free-diving ability. It's played on the bottom of a swimming pool by two teams of six players in fins, masks, snorkels, protective gloves and headgear

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Australia echoes to the sound of high-octane festivals: races, rallies and motor-sport spectaculars. Catch the Telstra Rally Australia in Perth, Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast or V8 supercars roaring through Adelaide. Thrill to the Formula One Grand Prix World Championship in Melbourne.   
                             
One of Perth's best-loved and most exciting sporting events, Telstra Rally Australia, pits rally drivers against the clock and each other. They speed over tarmac, gravel, a flyover and though a tunnel. This four-day motor-sport spectacular at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit includes international and Australian support races. Its climax is the running of the Formula One Grand Prix World Championship.

'Indy Go' is the catch-cry for the Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast. Nothing will compare to being in Surfers Paradise when the Indy racers roar through the streets in October every year. Adelaide's three-day Clipsal 500 race hits top gear as V8 supercars zoom through 78 laps of the city street circuit. A rock concert and aerobatics fuel South Australia's high-octane party of the year.

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is held at the beautiful Phillip Island motor racing circuit, a two hour drive from Melbourne. It includes a round of the FIM World Motorcycle Championships for 500cc, 250cc and 125cc classes.

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From Evonne Goolagong and Margaret Court to Rod Laver, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, Australia has spawned more than its share of tennis champions. No competition is more keenly watched than the Australian Open, played at Melbourne Park. Squash, badminton, basketball and netball also command strong followings.                                  
One of the four Grand Slams, the Australian Open attracts the world's top tennis players each January to one of the world's premier tennis venues, Melbourne Park. The atmosphere is wondrously exhilarating. Squash is exciting at any level and courts abound in Australia. Australia's last male world champion was Rodney Eyles in 1997, while Sarah Fitz-Gerald won her fifth successive world title in 2002.

Basketball has a keen following and teams take the trophy for colourful names. Catch action from the Perth Wildcats, Townsville Crocodiles, Melbourne Tigers, West Sydney Razorbacks or Cairns Taipans. Netball has grown to become the most popular women's sport in Australia, with a national membership of over 350,000 and 541 affiliated associations. You won't have to travel far to watch or play a game.

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Balls are kicked, thrown and whacked with sticks throughout Australia in a celebration of sporting prowess. The smorgasbord of events spans Aussie Rules (Australia's own fast-scoring brand of football) and more traditional codes like Rugby, soccer and cricket. Not to mention golf!
                                       
You've watched Australian golfers play all over the world, now it's your chance to play on their courses. Australian golf courses, whether public, resort or private, offer plenty of opportunity to improve your game but not stretch the budget.

Golfing holidays in Australia are memorable and affordable experiences, known for the pristine natural environments that mark the country’s world-class courses.
Gaelic football, Aussie ingenuity and a round pitch helped create Aussie Rules or AFL, Australia's own fast-scoring brand of football. A hundred thousand fans yell themselves hoarse each September Grand Final. Cricket's original leisurely pace, gentlemanly white garb and tea breaks have given way to a faster, more colourful sport. Australia's late Sir Donald Bradman was one of its greatest practitioners.

Australia's Wallabies are usually at the top of the world Rugby Union table or very close. This powerful, skilful winter game, played by teams of 15, has a big following in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra (link to where-to-stay/Canberra).

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A country surrounded by water produces keen fishermen. Angling opportunities extend from Cairns in Queensland's tropical north, regarded as the black marlin capital of the world, to Tasmania's mountain streams and lakes, perfect for trout fishing. Fishing charter services, guides and tours help.        
                             
Trout and fly fishing excel in Australia. Tasmania is renowned for its pristine waters and abundant wild trout. Fly fishing in the Goulburn Valley in New South Wales is spoken of in hushed tones.

Roll up for the annual Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic! In October, 100 anglers from around the world gather in Queensland to compete in 25 to 30 teams in this celebrated tag-and-release event.Trumpeter whiting, King George whiting, sand whiting - whatever sort you're after, you'll catch these succulent eating fish in Australia's bays, inlets, harbours and estuaries. Sand worms are good bait.

The Albert River in Burketown, Queensland, is the venue for the annual World Barramundi Fishing Championships. Competitors will fish for three days at Easter, with bar and barbecue provided each evening. Beach fishing is a delight, especially on balmy summer nights. Species to be caught include biggies like kingfish and bonito, along with tailor, kawahi and Australian salmon (no relation of true salmon.

Source: Tourism Australia 2006

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