The full colour and character of a continent is only partly revealed by its landscapes, plants and animals. It's human inhabitants complete the scene, and the people of Australia present a long and extraordinary diverse history. Ancient Aboriginal art, in the for of rock paintings and engravings, is found in many parts of Australia. The styles and content vary considerably, but the subject matter frequently includes fish, snakes, goannas, kangaroos, people and strange figures from the spirit world.

One of the largest monoliths in the world, lying in the Northern Terrority 430 kms (267 miles) by road to the southwest of Alice Springs. It rises 348m (1142 ft) above the surrounding plain and is more than 8 kms (5 miles) around the base. It is at it's most spectacular at sunset, when it glows like a burning coal on the flat desert.

Australia's largest national park and World Heritage area, covering nearly 20,000 km square (7720 sq miles).The region of rivers, low-lying flood plains, rocky outcrops, waterfalls, rainforest and woodland is backed by the magnificent buttress of the Arnhem Land escarpment that runs for 600 km (373 miles) across the tropical "Top End" of the Northern Territory.

One of a cluster of 36 dome-shaped peaks in central Australia, 30 kms (19 miles) west of Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory. At the peak of Mount Olga, however, these striated and weathered domes rise to 200m (656 feet) higher than Uluru and the many gorges, caves and curious formations are just as intriguing as anything that Uluru has to offer.

Aboriginal legend refers to these often precariously balanced boulders as the "Eggs of the Rainbow Serpent". The Devil's Marbles are actually remnants of a large, single granite mass that has been eroded away over an estimated 1500 million years.

The Bungle Bungle massif and its surrounding national park are now one of the Kimberley's major tourist attractions. Rated by many as one of the scenic wonders of Western Australia. Rising abruptly from the arid East Kimberly plains, the deep red, brown and orche-striped Bungles Bungles are indeed a spectacular sight.

Although much less well-known than it's famous "neighbour" Kakadu, Litchfield National Park offers some superb natural features and attractions. This is a region of rivers, waterfalls, monsoonal rainforest and a rugged sandstone plateau. This park is known for its permanent waterfalls, such as the Florence and Wangi Falls, which cascade off the escarpment into clear, palm-fringed pools.

This area consists of low, rugged hill blocks cut by gorges, covering about 420,000 km sq (162,000 sq miles) in the far north of Western Australia. Monsoon rains fall from November to April, turning the Fitzroy and Ord River into ranging torrents. The rains are followed by dry, hot winter months. Kimberley is the traditional home of several thousand Aborigines.

In keeping with the Australian continent's ancient and different landscape, the abundant wildlife is unsurpassed in it's variety and indigenous adaptation to the unique environment. Several of Australia's animals have, through their long isolation from the rest of the world, developed their own very special forms.

Magnificent gorge of the Katherine River, situated in the Northern Territory, 275 kms (170 miles) south east of Darwin. It is about 12 km (7.5 miles) long and up to 100m (330 feet) deep), but it's water level may rise 18 m (60 foot) during the wet season. An oasis in an arid region, the Katherine Gorge teems with amphibians, reptiles (including snakes and crocodiles), birds & kangaroos.

Sweeping east-west for over 400km, the timeless MacDonnell Ranges form a rugged red barrier across the vast central Australian Plain. The ranges mainly consist of a parallel series of long, steep-sided ridges that rise 100m to 600m above the valley floors. Although arid, the ranges are home to a huge variety of native plants, including many tall trees, such as the majestic ghost gums.

Palm Valley is located in the Northern Territory's Finke Gorge National Park. There is more than 3000 cabbage palms, which are several hundred years old and form a lush oasis among the rugged rocks and gorges. Combine this tremendous natural beauty with the area's fascinating history and you have an excursion that's packed with interest.

Kings Canyon is located in Watarrka Nation Park. Instead of rising up from the surrounding plain like the previously mentioned scenic wonders, the cliffs of Kings canyon plunge dramatically from the escarpment for about 300m (984 ft) into the valley below, forming the Red Centre's deepest gorge.

The Lost City is a series of stark rock formations found in Litchfield National Park. Together with stunning tropical waterfalls and swimming holes, this is a truly beautiful destination found just south of Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory.

The Flinders Ranges are now a series of craggy but low hills, and it is hard to imagine that this was once a lofty mountain range on a Himalayan scale. The once high peaks have been eroded over millions of years and the highest peak is now only 1200 m (3937 ft).

In the far north of Western Australia, Broome is the gateway to the spectacular Kimberly region - a land of rivers, gorges, mountain ranges and ancient rocks that has changed little for many thousands of years.

One of Western Australia's most famous beaches, Cable Beach in Broome, attracts visitors from all over the world each year. Cable Beach stretches for 22 kilometres, and was named after the underwater cable which linked Broome to Java.

Opal Mining town in the Stuart range in Central South Australia, 750 km (470 miles) northwest of Adelaide. The town yields about half of the world's opals. Many of the inhabitants of Coober Pedy live in underground homes carved out of the hillsides to insulate them from the fierce desert sun, where temperatures can reach 52°C (125° F).

Around 20 million years ago, the flat plain known as the Nullarbor formed the bed of a large sea. Pushed up by geological forces, however, this vast area of 200,000 km sq ( 77,200 sq miles) is now a dry and inhospitable plateau. It is the world's largest single piece of limestone, covering a large part of southwest Western Australia and extending well into South Australia.

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island - after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent.

Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. It is also an adventurers paradise