Australia is an ancient island continent of contrasts and extremes, f rom the desiccated deserts of the inland to lush tropical rainforests, f rom modern cities to isolated outback communities, from snow-covered mou ntains to snow-white beaches.

The human story of Australia is one of enterprise and perseverance that stretches back some 60,000 years in the history of Indigenous Australians. The convicts and colonists of th e 19th century came from all over the world and laid the foundations of multiculturalism, a feature of today's Australia.

In these pages, gorgeous full-colour images bring to life the towns, cities and outback of Australia, the grandeur of its wild places and the fascinating quali ties of its remarkable people, plants and animals.

This book capt ures the quintessential Australia.