Despite its reputation as a macho culture, Australia revels in a large and active scene : you'll find an air of confidence and a sense of community that is often missing in other countries - and, what's more, it's friendly and accessible.

The colonists transported English law to Australia, but in 1972 South Australia was the first state to enact decriminalization , followed the next year by the ACT and Northern Territory. Surprisingly, Victoria and New South Wales (generally thought of as liberal states) delayed similar legislation until the 1980s. Less surprisingly, Queensland took the plunge only in 1991, while it took a decade of constant petitioning from the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, and pressure from the Federal Government and the UN Human Rights Committee for the law to change in Tasmania in 1997. In Western Australia there's still an age of consent of 21, whereas the ages of consent in ACT and Victoria (both 16), SA and Tasmania (both 17), are the same as the heterosexual age. In the Northern Territory and NSW, the homosexual age of consent is 18. In Queensland, the age of consent for homosexuals depends on the sexual act practised, with anal sex outlawed until 18 but otherwise 16. Sex between women is either not mentioned in state laws or is covered by the heterosexual age. The foreign partner in a de facto gay relationship can apply to immigrate to or permanently reside in Australia, a much better situation than in many countries, but the current battle Australian gay and lesbian lobby groups are waging is to make same-sex relationships completely equal in the eyes of the law as heterosexual ones, in terms of marriage, next of kin rights, superannuation and age of consent.

Today, Australia is testimony to the power of the pink dollar, and there's an abundance of gay venues, services, businesses, travel clubs, country retreats and the like.

Australia is definitely the place to watch Men At Work - and at play. Aussie boys get a lot of sun and sport - although the scene is a lot more diverse than simply tan and toned muscle, and the community is so large that there's bound to be something for everyone. One thing's for certain: you won't be bored. Just remember to pack your trunks, snorkel and fins, your clubbing gear and some barbecue tongs.

Australian dykes are refreshingly open and self-possessed - a relief after the more closed and cliquey scene in Europe. The flip side of their fearlessness is the predominance of S&M on the scene. Maybe the climate has something to do with it, but you'll see a good deal of tattoos and pierced flesh around.

Dyke scenes are nothing if not mercurial, and Australia is no exception. We've done our best to list bars, clubs and meeting places, but be warned that venues open, change their names, change hands, shut for refurbishment, get relaunched at a new address and finally go out of business with frightening rapidity.