Australia has more beaches than any other nation (7,000 of them!) plus a warm climate that produces bright sunny days, even in winter. It is no surprise that a huge variety of sports, as well as days at the beach and al fresco dining, are a way of life here. Virtually any sport you can think of will be catered for.

At international level, Australia has particularly strong teams in cricket, field hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, and performs well in cycling and swimming. It also hosts major tournaments in other sports such as tennis.

Aussie Rules Football

Australian Rules Football is the most highly attended spectator sport in Australia, and has its most fanatical following in and around Melbourne, which is where it originated. It is also one of the most-played team sports in Australia.

There are 18 players a side, on an oval pitch with four posts at each end. There is no offside rule and players may kick, carry or hit the ball. The game's origins and influences are thought to include Gaelic football, rugby and the Aboriginal game of Mam Grook.

Cricket

Cricket is the most common summer spectator sport in Australia, and is usually played on the same grounds as Australian football.

The season extends from October to the end of March.

There are six domestic cricket teams who compete against each other annually for the prestigious Pura and ING Cups.

Rugby

Rugby League is the predominant winter sport in New South Wales and Queensland, however in Canberra Rugby Union is the more popular code.

Elsewhere Aussie Rules football tends to dominate the winter sporting calendar.

The national sides for Union and League are known as the Wallabies and Kangaroos respectively.

Water sports

Sydney's Bondi Beach is probably the famous surf zone in the country.

The Great Barrier Reef is up the coast, off Queensland, and is a mecca for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Popular water sports such as sailing and fishing also take place on Australia's lakes and rivers. In some cities such as Perth, homes with their own swimming pool are common.

Athletics

International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch declared the Sydney Games "the best Olympics ever."

Australia came fourth in the medals tally: winning 58 medals. Hosting the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March 2006 adds to Australia's reputation for world-class sporting venues.

Football (Soccer)

Football in Australia has tended to be a minority sport played by immigrants from Europe.

With the 'Socceroos' qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, and the recent formation of the Hyundai A-League (with televised matches) this may all change: soccer is now the most popular team sport played by Australian children under 14.

Australia also has a national women's football team known as the Matildas.