Australia

Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches.

Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport.

- Read more destination guides with Lonely Planet

Date: 5 October 2008
Venue: Phillip Island
Track length: 4448m
Laps: 27
Race length: 120.096km

The Australian GP is one of the highlights of the MotoGP season with riders enjoying the fast flowing track at Phillip Island. The second fastest circuit on the calendar, the south Australian race gives the riders a huge challenge and tests their complete riding skills. Marco Melandri holds the MotoGP lap record, setting a time of 1:30.332 in 2005.

MotoGP 2008 racing calendar