26 reasons to head Down Under

There are plenty of reasons to love Australia, here are just a quick 26 of them.

1. It's the "most liveable" place on Earth

It is home to several of the "most liveable" cities in the world, including Sydney, which came 10th in last year's Quality of Living Rankings by Mercer based on factors including political stability, crime, currency exchange, recreational facilities, housing and climate.

Three cities also made the top 10 of the Economist Intelligence Unit's ranking of the most liveable cities in the world, based on factors such as stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure. They included Melbourne (2), Sydney (5) and Adelaide (10). 

2. It has some brilliant place names

Who can't but smile while exploring places like the Bungle Bungle ranges, Humpybong and Yorkeys Knob?

3. With some of the world's most surreal landscapes

Like Tasmania's Bay of Fires:

And Wave Rock in Western Australia:

4. Which you'll have pretty much to yourself

Australia has a population density of around just 3.1 people per square kilometre, making it less crowded than all but six other destinations (Greenland, the Falkland Islands, Mongolia, Western Sahara, Namibia and French Guiana).

5. It offers one of the world's greatest road trips

The Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Allansford, constructed in the Twenties by returned Australian servicemen, has its fair share of jaw-dropping scenery, from sheer ocean cliffs to untouched surfer beaches. But it also traverses one of the most civilised parts of rural Australia – a region rich in farm-fresh produce, seafood and cool-climate wines. 

6. It's got wildlife you won't find anywhere else on Earth

From kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and wombats to the adorable quokka.

7. If you're excited by deadly creatures, it can't be beaten

Box jellyfish, saltwater crocs, sharks, funnel web spiders and pretty much all of the world's deadliest snakes? Check.

8. It has (arguably) the world's most beautiful harbour

With its most famous opera house.

9. The world's largest coral reef system

The Great Barrier Reef is composed of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 1,400 miles. Then there's Australia's "other" reef – the incredible Ningaloo.

10. It's got a giant red rock that's like nothing else in the world

Uluru is a truly remarkable sight and so big it takes around three hours to complete the 10km loop of its base.

11. The wine is worth the airfare alone

And the welcome from its winemakers can't be topped. Telegraph Travel's Robert Joseph explains: "Where French vignerons generally presume that anyone crossing their threshold is a wine enthusiast, the Aussies have learned that they are in the entertainment business. Most normal mortals are fascinated, or at least mildly intrigued, by their first encounter with rows of vines, barrels, wine presses and fermentation tanks, but by the time they see their third set of oak casks, the interest tends to wane.

"So the Aussies often propose rather more than a tour and a tasting. There are art galleries, gardens and golf courses; cafés and cordon bleu restaurants; cottages and luxury suites. Wineries that don't offer food sometimes provide picnic areas and barbecue facilities for you to sort out your own lunches and some even have swings and slides for those too young to taste."

12. Its culinary scene is thriving too

Australia's restaurants are better than ever with chefs unburdened by culinary traditions creating novel, dynamic and delicious dishes.

In fact the culinary scene there is so inspiring that in the last few years, René Redzepi took Noma to Sydney for a pop-up run, while Heston Blumenthal temporarily moved The Fat Duck to Melbourne for six months.

13. It has one of the world's greatest rail journeys

"Australia’s red centre is one of the most spectacular wildernesses in the world, and the Ghan is unquestionably the most comfortable way to see it," describes Telegrap Travel's Anthony Lambert. "The train runs through the heart of the country: 2,979 kilometres (1,861 miles) between the south coast at Adelaide and the north coast at Darwin, taking two nights and three days."

The route runs from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north

14. And one of the most impressive train stations

Flinders Street Station is the busiest railway station in Australia, with more than 100,000 commuters passing through each day. It's also photogenic, especially when the city's trams pass by. Melbourne is also one of the world's coolest cities – "a moody, complex, deep-thinking metropolis more akin to Berlin than Brisbane – a place obsessed with art, food and coffee, packed with switched-on galleries, architectural flourishes, independent bookshops, cafés, and iconic music venues," according to Telegraph Travel's Cristian Bonetto.

15. Expect sun. Lots of it

And Christmas by the seaside.

16. It's got more city beaches than you can shake a windbreak at

Whichever city you choose for an Australian holiday, there will likely be a buzzing metropolitan beach or a secluded cove within easy reach.

17. And some incredible ones in the sticks, too

Like Whitehaven, in the Whitsundays:

18. There's no pretentiousness

It's an informal place – and Aussies have a robust sense of humour.

19. Its national airline is the world's safest

Qantas, that is. They also now fly direct from London to Perth.

20. They've got the "Big Things"

Something of a roadside cult phenomenon in Australia are the many, varied "Big Things" that have sprouted up, mostly in rural towns, including the Big Merino in Goulbourn, New South Wales, The Big Axe in Kew, Melbourne and most recently, the Big Melon in Chinchilla, Queensland.

21. A cruise around the Kimberley region might just change your life

"Here was tectonic chaos laid bare: great lava-like cliffs of rock, towering rock escarpments and a honeycomb strata with holes so big you could put your fists in. It was a thousand geography lessons rolled into one," explains Telegraph Travel's cruise editor Teresa Machan.

22. It's home to two of the greatest hotels in the world

Qualia, in the Whitsundays:

And Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island:

23. Its landscapes are unbelievably diverse

Red dirt deserts, tropical beaches, snow-capped mountains and temperate rainforest can all be found here.

24. It's heaven for surfers

Particularly if 18-metre waves are your thing.

25. And hikers

Try the Grampians in Victoria or the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

26. And finally... it gave us The Castle film

Not to mention former rugby player Campese, cricketers Bradman and Richie Benaud, the Hemsworth brothers, Kylie Minogue, Neighbours, Home and Away, and rock band AC/DC.