Destination: Australia
What's On When January February March April May June July August September October November December	Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Australia's most colourful and well-attended festival is Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The festival's spectacular street parade, staged in late February or early March, has grown from humble beginnings in 1978 to attract around 700,000 spectators and some 6,000 participants each year. As a nation, Australia spends a considerable amount of time in holiday and party mode. There are nine annual national public holidays, and each state holds at least one major festival each year. These range from the highbrow cultural events of the Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney festivals to sporting carnivals and the bizarre Henley-on-Todd Regatta at the waterless Alice Springs .	COUNTRY Australia   Viewing   Top Ten   What To See   Where To ...     Eat & Drink     Stay     Shop     Take The Kids     Be Entertained     What's On When   Practical Matters REGION CITIES MAPS World Europe TRAVEL BOOK