There are 2,966,155 square miles, three time zones, dozens of distinct ecosystems, and 25,000 plant species in Australia, not to mention numerous states, cities, and towns, each with its own ambience and character. Even if you were to spend a full year in Australia, you"d be hard-pressed to see it all. Frommer"s 2000 Australia, however, works hard to help set your travel priorities. The guide begins with 16 pages of color photographs that span the continent, from Sydney"s Harbour Bridge to the Great Coral Reef. The "Best of Australia" lists come next, highlighting the best beaches, restaurants, bush walks, and snorkeling, as well as outdoor adventures and small-town getaways. Once you"ve got an itinerary sketched out, the remaining 700-page guide goes local, detailing the highlights (and lowlights) by region. Intermixed are sections on the Sydney 2000 Olympic games, Australian history and culture, an online directory for Internet research, a pull-out map, and even an Aussie/Yankee lexicon to explain terms like ropeable (very angry) and cobber (good friend). Covering Australia is a tall order, one that Natalie Kruger and Marc Llewellyn (both Sydneysiders) dispatch with admirable skill and flair. --Stephanie Gold