There are many routes to get to Australia (or Oz). You can go by boat, on a cruise. However, the most common is to fly there. And the most common way to go when flying is getting there is via other locations.

After all it's a bit pointless flying by some of the most exotic and/or interesting places in the world if you can't "pop in" and check them out.

Places to get to on the way, or way back, include:

• Fiji
• Thailand
• Singapore
• Malaya
• Indonesia
• Hong Kong
• New Zealand

• Dubai
• Hawaii

Each place has its own "must visit" locations.

Generally most people arrive in OZ by flying into Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. And I'm going to tell you some of the places to visit to get the true flavour of Australia.

Australia is a relatively sparsely populated country compared to China, India, America or the United Kingdom. And most of population live along the Australian coasts

The Outback

And if you like space the Australian outback has it in spades. The outback is the interior of the continent of Australia and there really are very few people there. Break down in your car without sensible precuations when travelling and you really risk dying from the sun.

Sun and Surf

If you're keen on sunshine and surf then Sydney is the place to go. Love seeing marine life, visit The Great Barrier Reef. Fascinated by penguins? Check out the penguin commuters traipsing back home every evening to Phillip's Island.

Australian Parks and Wildlife

Australia also has massive National parks where you can go and marvel at the landscape and the wildlife such as Koalas, Kangaroos and Wombats.

Whilst Australia is a young continent it still has places and buildings that display its history.

The 10 Top Places In Australia

And over the next few pages I'll be describing the top 10 places to visit in Australia. These will be my own personal top 10 and if there's sufficient interest I'll provide a further reserve 10 later so you've more places to choose from.

The top 10 places I would visit in Australia are as follows:

• Ayers Rock
• Hanging Rock
• Sydney Opera House
• Captain Cook's Cottage
• The Great Barrier Reef
• Bondi Beach
• Phillip's Island
• Manly Beach
• Wilson's Prom
• Sydney Harbour Bridge