Chile is the only country apart from Argentina that has direct flight links to Australia. Lan Chile operate a service from Sydney to Santiago (with a stop in Auckland) which is also codeshared with Qantas. This makes Chile the usual entry point to the continent for most Aussie travellers.

Unfortunately many carry straight on to Brazil or Peru or maybe just spend a couple of days in Santiago. That is a pity as Chile has plenty of attractions itself such as the wineries just outside the capital, the waterfalls at Laguna de La, the Lake District, where Lake Villarica and the Trancura and Cincira rivers combine to create beautiful scenery, and an angler's paradise, Arica, with its good beaches and the famous San Marcos Cathedral and the unique landscape of the Atacama Desert.

Chile is also the governing nation of Easter Island situated 3,800km (2,361 miles) west of the mainlandand famous for the mysterious gigantic stone figures up to 9m (30ft) tall which can be found all over the island. (Ask anybody who has been there and they will tell you its also famous for rain!). Easter Island is serviced from Santiago by Lan Chile but its only a reasonably priced stopover if done as part of a Oneworld round the world ticket.

Australian passport holders can stay in Chile without a visa for up to 90 days but on arrival you will be charged US$56 as a " reciprocity fee". Another country that is a bit put out by Australian visa requirements perhaps?

While in Chile you can obtain consular help from:

Australian Embassy,

Isidora Goyenechea 3621,

12 and 13th Flrs,

Las Condes,

SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Tel: (+56 2) 550 3500

Fax: (+56 2) 331 5960