Australians: A Profile
While it's common knowledge that Australians speak English, Australia also has a unique colloquial language that can confuse visitors when they first hear it. From 'fair dinkum'
to 'cobber', our colloquial language is common throughout the land. Don't worry, you'll pick it up!
 Contemporary Australian culture is a vivid tapestry that weaves
together threads from every corner of the earth. From the dragons and fireworks of Chinese New Year, to the gongs and flowers of a Laotian Buddhist festival, multi-cultural
celebrations are as much a part of Australian culture as Christmas and cricket.
This diversity also ensures that Australia gets the best the world has to offer in the performing and visual arts. From orchestra, opera, avant-garde theatre,
Shakespearean classics and rock concerts, to dance, Aboriginal art, comedy, cabaret and world-touring exhibitions, Australia is a hub of artistic expression.
A nation of festival-goers, Australians are happy to visit mainstream and fringe arts festivals or kick up their heels at country folk festivals. Some
of our entertainment reflects our very dry sense of humour: try a visit to a cane toad race or a brick throwing competition!
Capital cities hold huge annual carnivals and Sydney also celebrates the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras every February - attracting
an international crowd of over 600,000 and lasting an entire month! The Adelaide International Festival is held each March and is one of the largest.
Many of our festivals are 'tongue-in-cheek' - the annual Alice Springs 'Henley-on-Todd' Regatta is a good example. A range of competitors form teams
that 'wear' homemade boats and race on foot down a dry riverbed. Three four-wheel drive 'ships' follow the race with flour bombs and water cannons!
Sport
 It's no secret that Australians have a love affair with sport. With more than 120 national and thousands of local, regional and state sporting organisations,
it's estimated that six-and-a-half million people in Australia are registered sport participants. Not bad from a population of only 19 million!
Culture
The Australian love of life shows in our culture. Whether spent appreciating the arts or exploring the great outdoors, leisure time is an important aspect
of Australian life. Our multicultural diversity has also influenced our culture, from Chinese New Year to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Lifestyle
Australians are known for their love of life and enjoyment of the great outdoors. While we have a reputation for being a little wild at times, our love
of fine dining, the arts and music go hand in hand with our love of sport, the beach and BBQs. Wherever you go in Australia, you'll find a passion for getting
the most out of life.
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