#AUSTRALIA

Did You Know?

Another 25 Facts about 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

Port Arthur
Port Arthur

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations located on the Tasman Peninsula.

ROADTRIP:   Towing safety checklist
Towing safety checklist

Towing a caravan can be difficult – especially if it’s your first time. Pre-trip towing safety checklist.

Haunted Houses of Australia
Haunted Houses of Australia

If you’re looking for a thrill and some spine-tingling experiences, consider visiting one of the many haunted houses in Australia.

Canberra CBD from Mount Ainsley lookout, with Lake Burley Griffith in the background.
The Heart of Australia

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a hidden gem in the heart of Australia, home to the government's capital city Canberra, which offers much more than just being a hub for politics.

Monkey Mia / Denham
Monkey Mia / Denham

Monkey Mia, 850kms north of Perth is renowned for its wild, free-ranging friendly bottlenose dolphins.

Mount Kosciuszko - Our tallest mount
Mount Kosciuszko

Mount Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest mountain, located in the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales.

Ceduna [The Nullarbor]
Ceduna [The Nullarbor]

Ceduna is a great base for exploring the pristine ocean and rugged coastline of the Great Australia Bight.

A Brief History of First Nation People
A Brief History of First Nation People

First Nation Peoples descended from groups that lived in Australia & surrounding islands before British colonisation.

Pet Friendly Holidays
Pet Friendly Holidays

More and more hotels & campsites are becoming pet friendly, including holiday parks and B&Bs, boutique properties and luxury hotels.

The history of same-sex marriage in Australia
The history of same-sex marriage in Australia

From early activism to the nationwide campaign that ultimately led to legalization, we explore the journey of love and equality for same-sex couples.



TOP