This year our nation special puts the spotlight on that sprawling land down under – and in the process we’ve batted away the kangaroos and shooed off the crocs to get to the real red centre of what Australia represents.

If you close your eyes for a moment and conjour up a vision of Australia, chances are it will look like Byron Bay. It represents all the laidback loveliness of its nation – but it’s also got the financial and innovative savvy to back it up.

Australia’s navy is making waves, having bolstered its military prowess and middle-power status with a new flagship. But it’s not floating everyone’s boat: will it prove to be a buoyant investment or a floundering waste of money?

Be it peacekeeping in the Solomon Islands, exporting TV shows to Germany or getting scientific at the South Pole, Australia’s worldwide reach is greater than you might think. We’ve been on a global tour to discover where the Aussies rule.

What defines the modern Australian? Monocle meets five illustrious nationals, including a steely journalist, a hospitality hero and a barrister, to find out.

Why Sweden may see a return to conscription and Germany's first bicycle superhighway.

Donald Trump’s dress sense, cannabis in Chile and new (kind of) best friends Argentina and Uruguay.

On the road with Chinese president Xi Jinping and ongoing constitutional woes in Thailand.

The latest on Angola’s stagnating economy – and who’s saving African rhinos?

Why Australia is encouraging Kiwi detainees to return to New Zealand and tough times for same-sex couples in Fiji.

Expats, politics and culture: the eclectic range of subjects covered in our essays illustrates the nature of the country they concern. Read on to find out what makes Australia a harmonious land of contradictions.

Australia is upping its defence ante with contracts for submarines and new ways to fight cyber crime.

We sit down to tea in Istanbul with James Larsen, Australia’s ambassador to Turkey.

This is a country that knows how to shop and its canny citizens want more than the colourless clicks of an online spree. Fortunately Australia is blessed with eclectic high streets, innovative retailers and plenty of outstanding mall-makers; bring your shopping bags.

This is a country that knows how to shop and its canny citizens want more than the colourless clicks of an online spree. Fortunately Australia is blessed with eclectic high streets, innovative retailers and plenty of outstanding mall-makers; bring your shopping bags.

This is a country that knows how to shop and its canny citizens want more than the colourless clicks of an online spree. Fortunately Australia is blessed with eclectic high streets, innovative retailers and plenty of outstanding mall-makers; bring your shopping bags.

As the three great Australian high streets we’ve profiled attest, the country’s retail market is proving resilient in spite of the strength of e-commerce and the rise of malls. Australians are still keen to spend money in stores as long as the experience is well thought through. So we’ve compiled a selection of shops in Australia that are setting an example for retailers around the world. If you’re looking for inspiration for your new venture, here’s a rundown of the people and places to watch.

Around the world, Australian companies are making the most of their expertise in creating large-scale retail outlets. Westfield is a household name but it’s not the only company with a knack for building malls: QIC and Lendlease have also made the move abroad, while others operate below the radar. From London to Singapore, Australian businesses are proving it’s not just great coffee their country can offer the world. Here we visit their HQs to see how these industry leaders are creating some of the world’s most dynamic shopping experiences from bases down under.

If you’re an entrepreneur in search of a new venture, fortunes are on the up down under. And the richest seams to be found aren’t anywhere near a mine: fish farming and medical matters are among the numerous opportunities we’ve unearthed.

As far as the firms over the next four pages are concerned, if you want a job done properly you do it yourself. Be they making bikes, furniture, microphones, ferries or guitars, these are companies that all revel in the fact that they still call Australia home.

As far as the firms over the next four pages are concerned, if you want a job done properly you do it yourself. Be they making bikes, furniture, microphones, ferries or guitars, these are companies that all revel in the fact that they still call Australia home.

As far as the firms over the next four pages are concerned, if you want a job done properly you do it yourself. Be they making bikes, furniture, microphones, ferries or guitars, these are companies that all revel in the fact that they still call Australia home.

As far as the firms over the next four pages are concerned, if you want a job done properly you do it yourself. Be they making bikes, furniture, microphones, ferries or guitars, these are companies that all revel in the fact that they still call Australia home.

As far as the firms over the next four pages are concerned, if you want a job done properly you do it yourself. Be they making bikes, furniture, microphones, ferries or guitars, these are companies that all revel in the fact that they still call Australia home.

Australia is not short of iconography that speaks of a strong national character and sense of place, be it a no-nonsense ruggedness or the boundless enigma of the outback. Monocle examines these symbolic shorthands and how they help sell Brand Australia.

With the global demand for pilots climbing, meet the next generation of aviators and discover one flight school that, despite facing threats from a turbulent industry, is undeniably in the ascendancy.

A new Asian-oriented airport in Queensland and efforts to wean Sri Lanka off costly dairy imports.

The warmth of Australia’s wireless provides a crucial platform for overlooked stories and offbeat music – and fights the good fight in uniting a country plagued by the tyranny of distance. Monocle dials into four of the country’s most singular radio voices to meet the people behind the microphone.

The warmth of Australia’s wireless provides a crucial platform for overlooked stories and offbeat music – and fights the good fight in uniting a country plagued by the tyranny of distance. Monocle dials into four of the country’s most singular radio voices to meet the people behind the microphone.

The warmth of Australia’s wireless provides a crucial platform for overlooked stories and offbeat music – and fights the good fight in uniting a country plagued by the tyranny of distance. Monocle dials into four of the country’s most singular radio voices to meet the people behind the microphone.

The warmth of Australia’s wireless provides a crucial platform for overlooked stories and offbeat music – and fights the good fight in uniting a country plagued by the tyranny of distance. Monocle dials into four of the country’s most singular radio voices to meet the people behind the microphone.

Bonza selection of music, magazines and more.

In a fragmented ­media landscape, ‘The West Australian’ is ­straddling multiple ­platforms while providing an authoritative voice on ­regional issues. We investigate how it is succeeding where so many are failing.

We speak to Simon Mordant, collector and chairman of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Australia’s architectural heritage is rooted in practicality but has since been elevated – even those houses that are already on stumps – by modern interpretation to become something altogether more elegant and enduring. Monocle crisscrosses the country to pick out some prime examples.

Australia’s architectural heritage is rooted in practicality but has since been elevated – even those houses that are already on stumps – by modern interpretation to become something altogether more elegant and enduring. Monocle crisscrosses the country to pick out some prime examples.

Australia’s architectural heritage is rooted in practicality but has since been elevated – even those houses that are already on stumps – by modern interpretation to become something altogether more elegant and enduring. Monocle crisscrosses the country to pick out some prime examples.

Australia’s architectural heritage is rooted in practicality but has since been elevated – even those houses that are already on stumps – by modern interpretation to become something altogether more elegant and enduring. Monocle crisscrosses the country to pick out some prime examples.

If you want to know what makes Australia special, you needn’t look much further than the nation’s dynamic design community. Monocle meets a choice selection of its crafty creators.

Miniature models, gigantic plant pots and everything in between

Watches, boots, shoes, sunglasses, shorts and belts – not to mention a boutique shop in former church.

Our round-up of Aussie-designed goodies, from a US-inspired tipple and tasteful totes to an appealing planter, coffee beans and blankets.

With private beaches and rooftop bars aplenty, we present the latest hotel openings from Perth to Sydney, Mollymook to Byron Bay. Plus, our men’s grooming pick to ensure you look the part on your poolside lounger.

Bali’s crafted Katamama hotel is the PTT Family’s tropical take on the ­mid-century Californian style – and there are plans to go global.

Once fallow farmland, Maylands lay dormant for decades before springing forth as fertile land for a budding café and culture scene – and the odd bit of flirting.

Take a culinary tour of enticing new spots, from east coast to west and back again.

David Moyle’s innovative fare is transforming Tasmania into a new food frontier.

The former ‘Vogue Australia’ editor on why her fondness for food isn’t a passing fad.

As Monocle marks its 10th year on the newsstand, editor in chief Tyler Brûlé looks back at his formative years in the business in Australia. It’s a country he greatly admires – and is keen to see realise its potential.

The roadhouses along the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia are vital, serviceable sanctuaries for the truck drivers who frequent them. Monocle hits the tarmac to meet the rich characters who live life in the outback.