In Australia, a country where 90 percent of the population resides near its major cities, traveling from one point to another can be an adventure in itself! The natural, unspoiled wilderness areas of this island continent run the gamut from tropical rain forest and alpine highlands to outback desert and the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Newly revised and updated, this unique guide is devoted to Australia's wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities - scuba diving, snorkeling, skiing, river rafting, hiking, backpacking, wildlife watching, camel trekking, and much more. In a lively, conversational style, author Eric Hoffman conducts state-by-state tours, covering both popular tourist sights and lesser-known destinations. He also offers information on climate, geography, clothing and equipment, transportation, food and lodging, and aboriginal culture. A humorous glossary of Aussie slang and a listing of the author's top fifteen Australian adventures are included.