India is pretty special....

India is so vast that it has a number of airports by which you can enter from Australia. Delhi is the main international airport to enter through in the north. There are no direct flights from Australia to Delhi but Qantas operate a direct Sydney - Mumbai service. There are numerous indirect connections from Australia; not just to Delhi and Mumbai but also Kolkotta, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Chennai and Armritsar. Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines are the best two carriers for these.

There literally are too many to mention as far as highlights go, as the Indian Subcontinent stretches from the Himalayas in the north right down to the tropical coastal regions of Goa and Kerala. Delhi a city several centuries old, teeming with narrow winding streets, temples, mosques and bazaars. Must sees include the Red Fort and the nearby Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque). Then there is the Golden Triangle, an area filled with ancient sites and monuments. In the southeast lies Agra, city of the fabled Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Other important landmarks are Akbar's Palace, the Jahangir Mahal, the octagonal tower Mussumman Burj and the Pearl Mosque. The southwestern pivot of the triangle is Jaipur, gateway to the desert state of Rajasthan.

The Hill Stations of India are an enchanting must-see. They have long been popular among Indians and foreign visitors alike for providing a relaxing and salubrious retreat from the heat of the plains. National parks are plentiful in India. The most popular place to see Tigers is at Ranthambhor National Park.

Mumbai has a pleasant seafront with a palm-lined promenade and attractive beaches such as Juhu, Versova, Marve, Madh and Manori. Goa's 100km- (60 mile-) long coastline offers some of the finest beaches in the subcontinent. The state of Kerala is where many of India's major coastal resorts are to be found. Among the finest is Kovalam, offering unspoilt beaches with increasingly modern amenities.

Australian passport holders require a pre-obtained visa to enter India; a 6 month visa costs around $100. There are Indian consulates able to provide visas in a number of state capitals and there is a bit of paperwork required. Check it out by clicking here.

Whilst in India you can contact Australian government support at:

Australian High Commission,

Australian Compound,

No. 1/50 G Shantipath,

Chanakyapuri, NEW DELHI 110 021

Telephone (+91) 11 4139 9900 Fax (+91) 11 2687 2228

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