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#AUSTRALIA

Another 25 Facts about Australia

Another 25 Facts about Australia

Another 25 Facts about Australia

  1. If all the sails of the Opera House roof were combined, they would create a perfect sphere. The architect was inspired while eating an orange.
  2. The wine cask (goon sack) is an Australian invention
  3. In Australia, Burger King is called "Hungry Jack's"
  4.  Ugg boots are an Australian design where a sheepskin has been turned inside out and made into a boot.
  5. The world's first compulsory seat belt law was put into place in Victoria in 1970.
  6. Canberra was created in 1908 as a compromise when Sydney and Melbourne both wanted to be the capital city.
  7. 10% of Britons think Australia is further away than the Moon, a survey found in 2013
  8. Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable, meaning gum trees may explode if ignited, or in bushfires.
  9. The wattle was adopted as the national floral emblem in 1912.
  10. In 1975, Australia had a government shutdown, which ended with the Queen firing everyone and the government starting again.
  11. Despite sharing the same verbal language, Australian, British and American sign language are all completely different languages.
  12. It has 16 world heritage listed sites including historic townships, cities and landscapes.
  13. In 1979, debris from NASA's space station 'Skylab' crashed in & around Esperance, Western Australia. Esperance then fined NASA $400 for littering.
  14. Chinese explorers travelled to Australia long before Europeans arrived. As early as the 1400s, sailors and fisherman came to Australia for sea-cucumbers and to trade with Indigenous peoples.
  15. Australians refer to English people as Pome, which is actually the acronym for Prisoners of Mother England
  16. Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by total area
  17. Aussie Rules footy was originally designed to help cricketers to keep fit in the off-season.
  18. Australia is the only Western country in the world to not have a Bill of Rights
  19. Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia
  20. 20 of the world's 25 deadliest snakes are found in Australia, including the entire top 10
  21. An Iraqi man moved to Australia and used the Welfare System as income. Years later, he became successful and wrote a check to the government for every cent they gave him.
  22.  In July 1969, CSIRO's 64-meter (209-foot) radio telescope in Parkes received television signals that allowed 600 million people to watch Neil Armstrong's moonwalk live
  23. A 'real' Australian burger comes with pineapple, fried egg, bacon, cheese and onions, and always beetroot (red beet).
  24. Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, claims to have invented the wireless LAN technology that's the basis of Wi-Fi and they have a patent to prove it.
  25. Australian koalas are in danger of extinction because over half of them have chlamydia
 
 

28 Nov 2015

Truth-telling in Australia: A Path to Reconciliation
Truth-telling in Australia: A Path to Reconciliation

Truth-telling is seen as essential for achieving historical acceptance, one of the five dimensions of reconciliation.

Border Village
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Border Village is located fifty metres east of the Western Australian Agricultural checkpoint, twelve kilometres east of Eucla.

Wagga Wagga  -  Bushrangers & Heritage
Wagga Wagga - Bushrangers & Heritage

Bushrangers were a common sight in the small town of Wagga Wagga during the 1800s.

Off the Track Camp Sites in WA
Off the Track Camp Sites in WA

There are plenty of free camping opportunities around Australia, including campsites specially designed for free campers. Think of the freedom & the money you will save!

Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island entices tourists with its peaceful surroundings, stunning scenery, fabulous fishing and wonderful swimming spots.

River Trading
River Trading

Paddlesteamers are a part of Australia's romantic culture. While an integral part of the Murray transport system, they combined the magic of outback Australia and the River itself.

Bush Safety in Australia
Bush Safety in Australia

If you’re bushwalking or exploring national parks it can take hours to get help in the event of an emergency.

 What is the Makarrata Commission
What is the Makarrata Commission

The Australian government announced the formation of a Makarrata Commission to oversee the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

A Virtual Tour of Parliament House
A Virtual Tour of Parliament House

Parliament House is one of Australia's most recognizable landmarks.

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Quokkas, endearingly known as the happiest animals on Earth, are small marsupials native to Australia, celebrated for their friendly demeanor and photogenic appeal. Their popularity has surged, especially on social media, due to their approachable nature and charming smiles.



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