THE HUMAN FRIENDLY NATURE OF AUSTRALIA

ENIGMA OF OUR MOTHER NATURE

The fauna of Australia consists of a huge variety of animals; some 46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles that inhabit the continent are endemic to it. This high level of endemism can be attributed to the continent's long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and the effects of a unique pattern of climate change on the soil and flora over geological time. A unique feature of Australia's fauna is the relative scarcity of native placental mammals. Consequently, the marsupials – a group of mammals that raise their young in a pouch, including the macropods, possums and dasyuromorphs – occupy many of the ecological niches placental animals occupy elsewhere in the world. Australia is home to two of the five known extant species of monotremes and has numerous venomous species, which include the platypus, spiders, scorpions, octopus, jellyfish, molluscs, stonefish, and stingrays. Uniquely, Australia has more venomous than non-venomous species of snakes.

HIGHLY ENDEMIC MAMMAL , PLATYPUS

 

" in this world we found Sea beaches, mountains, desserts,reefs for scuba diving , situated in different places of earth, but what will happen , if we find all these things in an one place of earth".

 With a thriving Aboriginal arts culture, secluded fishing lodges and a passion for football, the Tiwi Islands promise a holiday like no other.

A unique part of Australia, the Tiwi Islands are an off-the-beaten-track destination for intrepid travellers. The islands are renowned for the excellent fishing opportunities and the locals are welcoming. Almost 90 per cent of residents are of Aboriginal descent and you can meet some of them on a range of cultural tours. Australia  is an incredibly diverse country, and is home to so many different wonderful cultures and communities. But there is something truly unique that links everyone together here – a one-of-a-kind shared spirit and attitude that is the Australian way of life. 

A SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP

"The time I spent in the bush as a kid with my family gave me the opportunity to develop a love and passion for animal conservation. I believe every kid needs this because it very important to  have friendship with animals as we all are the children of mother nature and must help animals when they are in danger and you people might not knew that every animals have a mentality to help humans if you people help them once in a life time!"

For Aussies, a stranger is just a mate you haven’t met yet. Mateship is the beating heart of theAustralian spirit – it’s practically a national trait. Aussies pride themselves on being good friends and neighbours, and not just to people they know. They tend to greet everyone from the mail carrier to the cab driver with a “g’day” or “how ya going?”. For Australians, this emphasis on mateship creates a cheery, welcoming attitude, and one that says anyone can be a mate. 

And who says friends need to be human? With neighbours like fairy penguins, koalas and wallabies, animals are great mates, and our unique wildlife is part of what drives Australians’ enthusiasm for environmentalism and sustainable.

A LOVE OF BEING OUTDOORS

From the red sands of Uluru to the clear blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the flora- and fauna-rich rainforests, Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world – so it comes as no surprise that Australians love to be outdoors. This passion for nature runs deep through Australia’s veins, and is anchored in the foundations of the country's history; a respectful connection with the earth has been central to Aboriginal culture for more than 50,000 years.

Seasonal wildlife means you can swim with whale sharks one month and manta rays the next. But locals are eager to explore their own backyards, too. Sydneysiders enjoy ocean swims at sunrise, Canberrans take weekend bike rides around the lake, and Perth’s King Park is the local’s favourite for a picnic.

COMING TOGETHER OVER FOOD AND DRINK

Whether wining or dining, celebrating with friends, family and the broader community around a shared table is an integral part of the Australian culture. 

The options for experiencing Australian cuisine are endless. From café breakfasts to ocean-side lunches and fine dining, Australian cuisine blends fresh native ingredients with influences from all over the world to create something totally unique. Taking inspiration from the native surroundings runs true for many of Australia’s tasty tipples, too. With thousands of wineries located throughout 65 beautiful wine regions, and a boom in artisan distilleries and craft breweries, many Australians are using native botanicals to create wine, beer and spirits that reflect their surroundings.

Sharing a meal or a drink with a group of mates and an amazing backdrop – whether enjoying pan-Asian flavours down a Melbourne laneway or indulging in a Greek share plate on one of the country’s many, many beaches – is true Aussie style.

WHY AUSTRALIA IS THE BEST PLACE TO VISIT

Why visit Australia? The real question you should be asking yourself is, “Why on earth has it taken me so long?”

From world-class wine to glistening beaches – we’ve lost count of the number of reasons to visit Australia. But, just for the record books, here are a few of our favourites.

OUR BEACHES ARE DIVINE

When you think of Australia (besides kangaroos and koalas) you probably think of sunny beaches and rolling waves – and you’d be right! If you visited one beach a day, it would take you 27 years to see them all. Our sandy stretches are home to world-class surfing, unique marine life, striking ocean pools and unbeatable beach culture. So, it’s no wonder Australian beaches regularly rank among the best in the world. Surf, swim, snorkel, sun-worship – there are endless ways to enjoy Australia's beautiful beaches and islands.

WE'VE GOT SOME REALLY BIG THINGS

How many times can we say Australia has the world’s biggest, oldest or greatest something? A fair few, it turns out. 

From the only living organism visible from outer space (the Great Barrier Reef) to the planet’s biggest rock (no, not Uluru – it’s actually Mount Augustus!), many Aussie attractions defy imagination. We’re the world’s biggest island with the world’s oldest rainforest, the world’s whitest sand and the world’s oldest civilization. 

We could go on, but we’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.

THE WILDLIFE IS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

Did you know that 80 per cent of Australia’s wildlife is so unique it can't be found anywhere else in the world? 

Our exotic animals will make you gasp, laugh and scratch your head, sometimes all at the same time. You’ll be familiar with some – kangaroos, koalas and wombats – others you might not expect. Like harmless whale sharks (swim with them in Ningaloo Reef); the smiling quokka (get a selfie with one on Rottnest Island); the shy platypus (hiding in south-east Australia’s rivers); and one of the planet’s largest birds, the emu. 

Sure, you can visit a zoo or watch a wildlife documentary, but there’s nothing like getting up close to Australia’s magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

WE'RE AN ADVENTURE-SEEKER'S PARADISE

Australia’s adventure options cater to every style of explorer, span every corner of the country and cover all domains – the definition of adventure is up to you!

Ocean adventurers can meet the Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight and come face to face with whales, turtles and over 50 species of shark. Lovers of the skies can enjoy the best scenic flights over Australia, including dramatic air safaris, pub crawls by helicopter and waterway exploration by seaplane. If it’s thrills you seek, you can get your fix with an adrenaline rush. Descend 140 metres (459 feet) down the world’s highest commercial abseil or swim with great white sharks! 

Find more things in exploration area.