Local Apt Mirrors

This page contains information regarding Ubuntu apt mirrors for users connected to Australian ISPs. Some ISPs offer unmetered downloads to certain mirrors - see below. For downloading CD images (.iso) see http://ubuntu.com/download.

How to set it up

Automatic (GUI) setup

The best way to choose your mirror if you're not familiar with editing files on Linux is to use the provided tool, accessed through the Dash and search for "Software Sources". (If you use Kubuntu or Xubuntu, the method of access will be different, but should have the same general effect.)

In the Ubuntu Software tab, there is a "Download from" drop-down menu. If you choose "Other..." from this menu, a dialogue will appear showing all of the available mirrors, with Australian mirrors expanded by default (if you selected Australia as your location when you installed Ubuntu). Choose the appropriate mirror from the list there, close the software sources dialogue, and choose "Reload" when prompted to refresh the software sources.

You are now set up to download from your preferred mirror!

Manual (text file) setup

The following is an /etc/apt/sources.list template for Ubuntu. Replace <mirror> with one of the mirrors listed below and <version> with your distribution name (dapper, gutsy, hardy, intrepid, jaunty, karmic, lucid, maverick etc)

## All officially supported packages, including security- and other updates
deb <mirror> <version> main restricted
deb <mirror> <version>-security main restricted
deb <mirror> <version>-updates main restricted

## The source packages (only needed to recompile existing packages)
#deb-src <mirror> <version> main restricted
#deb-src <mirror> <version>-security main restricted
#deb-src <mirror> <version>-updates main restricted

## All community supported packages, including security- and other updates
deb <mirror> <version> universe multiverse
deb <mirror> <version>-security universe multiverse
deb <mirror> <version>-updates universe multiverse

## The source packages (only needed to recompile existing packages)
#deb-src <mirror> <version> universe multiverse
#deb-src <mirror> <version>-security universe multiverse
#deb-src <mirror> <version>-updates universe multiverse

Another way is to modify the file that contains the mirror list:

/usr/share/python-apt/templates/Ubuntu.mirrors

Checking mirror status

See https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archivemirrors to find out whether your preferred mirror is up-to-date.

Australian Mirrors

Official

For those who select Australia as their location in setup, this is the mirror they are given. Currently this leads to the AARNet Australian Ubuntu mirror.

http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/

AARNet

http://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/pub/ubuntu/

Bigpond (Telstra)

As of early 2015 it would appear Bigpond has discontinued its unmetered access to the AARNet mirror. The Ubuntu Australia Team is unaware of any unmetered content for Bigpond users.

FileArena

Local traffic for Adam Internet

http://ftp.filearena.net/pub/ubuntu/

iiNet/OzEmail Mirror

Unmetered for iiNet, OzEmail and Westnet users, but available from anywhere.

http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/ubuntu/

Internode

Unmetered for Internode ADSL/ADSL2 users, but not unmetered for Internode(Optus) 3G users.

http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/ubuntu/ubuntu or ftp://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/ubuntu/ubuntu

Refer to here for more information on unmetered content

Netspace

Unmetered for Netspace users.

ftp://ftp.netspace.net.au/pub/ubuntu/

OptusNet Mirror

Is NOT unmetered for Optus users

http://mirror.optus.net/ubuntu/

Griffith University

http://mirror.griffith.edu.au/

Created by JoelStanley, iiNet/OzEmail & OptusNet mirrors added by MistaED, Westnet added by Gabz, Griffith added by Vantrax, Telstra updates by JaredNorris, miscellany by PaulGear