Geography
The geography of Australia is very diverse – there’s the thin fertile strip of land along the eastern coast, lush rainforests in the north east, rocky mountains in the west, and a vast inland desert making up the centre. The island of Tasmania is green and mountainous, lying off the south eastern corner of the mainland. New Zealand consists of two main islands (the North Island and the South Island), as well as numerous smaller islands. The main islands are long and thin, stretching 1600 kilometres, with a mountain range running along the South Island, including Aoraki/Mt Cook – the highest mountain at 3754 metres. The North Island is volcanically active, with a central plateau. New Zealand is well known for its stunning, rugged and dramatic landscapes.

Culture
Around 90% of Australia's population is of European descent (the majority from the British Isles). The Indigenous population — mainland Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders — is around 2.2% of the total population.While Australia has a distinctive culture, it reflects strong influences from Europe, Asia, America, and indigenous cultures. Around 78% of New Zealanders have a European background, mostly British and Irish, but with some Dutch, Romanian, Bulgarian, Albanian, Italian, and German. Indigenous Maori people are the largest non-European ethnic group, at around 14% of the population. Non-Maori Pacific Islanders and Asian ethnicities are also represented.

Climate
Summer (December to February)in Australia is warm to hot in the southern areas, hot in the centre, and wet and very humid in northern Australia. Autumn and spring are mild in the southern areas and pleasant in the north, while winter (June to August) can be cool or cold in the south, with snow in the mountain areas. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate with moderate rainfall. Because New Zealand is a long country, it is generally warmer in the north and cooler in the south. The summer months of November to February are warmest, while in the winter months the mountain ranges of both islands become snow-covered.