By Madeleine Coorey
Sydney - Australians packed polling stations from Bondi Beach to the desert Outback and the steamy, tropical north on Saturday as millions took part in compulsory national elections.
More than 14 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in schools, churches, surf life-saving clubs and community centres being used for the vote after polls opened at 8:00 am (2200 GMT Friday).
Voting is a legal requirement in the vast nation, making elections a logistical challenge requiring 7 700 polling places, 43 million ballot papers and at least 100 000 pencils.
Booths opened under clear, sunny skies in Sydney, where the smell of barbecues filled the air and voters were tempted by stalls selling lamingtons, the nation's favourite cake.
At Bondi Beach, scores of people queued outside the historic surf life-saving club to vote in cardboard booths erected around pennants, medals and trophies collected over the years.
For some waiting in the sun just metres from the beach, a swim after voting was on their mind.
"Our ritual on a Saturday morning is to have a swim," said Bondi local Genevieve Hudson. "I guess we feel fortunate that we can vote, that there has been an open discussion.
"We are so lucky and fortunate to be able to have our say."
Queues stretched for two blocks at harbourside Elizabeth Bay, while in bohemian Newtown, passions ran high over the two main candidates, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott.
"Gillard talks about dignity and a fair go (chance), but that only seems to apply if you were born here," said Lara, a student at nearby Sydney University, referring to the prime minister's tough stance on illegal immigrants.
Briton Tim, who became a citizen last year, said he was excited about voting for the first time.
"You don't hear people talk about politics much here, and it's brilliant to get out in the community on days like today and see everyone have a coffee, a chat and a laugh."
Thousands have already cast their vote for Gillard's centre-left Labor Party or Abbott's right-leaning Liberal/National coalition - including soldiers serving in Afghanistan and East Timor.
The leaders spent their final campaign week attempting to shore up support in marginal seats in Sydney and Queensland, but Australia House in London is again expected to be vote's busiest polling station.
"It took 16 000 votes at the last election," Australian Electoral Commission spokesman Phil Diak said.
In Australia's enormous Outback, officials have travelled more than 1.2 million square kilometres by aircraft and four-wheel drive to reach remote Aboriginal communities, cattle stations and mines.
These votes, collected in the two weeks before the August 21 poll, come from 400 isolated and far-flung places including the fringes of the Kakadu National Park, the setting for 1986 movie "Crocodile Dundee".
Electoral officials make special provisions for scientists and other Australians working in Antarctica, with Tasmania's operations manager Greg Richardson ensuring the 49 citizens working in the cold conditions can vote.
Voting papers - which can stretch to almost a metre long in some states - are emailed to a nominated returning officer and then printed out in pieces and taped or stapled together to match the printed forms.
Australians vote in huge numbers, with turnout reaching 94.76 percent of those enrolled in the November 2007 election, when Labor's Kevin Rudd ended 11 years of Liberal Party rule.
A record 1.8 million people - 12.5 percent of the electorate - had cast their ballot in early voting, officials said. Those who fail to vote are fined AUS$20. - Sapa-AFP