What is all the fuss with Australia? This large island is the most unique in many ways. Visitors are drawn to her animals, people, landscapes and botany that are found nowhere else on earth. Geologically it is the most ancient, and being isolated has caused things to be unaltered until Europeans began settling it in 1788.

Australian Aboriginals are the oldest inhabitants of the planet. Without the influences of other nations and peoples, many of their racial habits are preserved and some of them are still in practice. There were about 500 tribes all living a nomadic existence; today the population of full-blooded is about 40,000, with part bloods being about 100,000. They live from a wholly primitive life to a modern one.

The Aboriginal’s boomerang is unlike any weapon made elsewhere. Few people understand how it works, or even returns to the user. There are many shapes and sizes with dynamics much like the wings of an aeroplane.

There are over 120 different species of marsupials native to Australia. Many of these pouch babies have become national symbols for the country. Kangaroo, koalas, wombats and opossums being the most recognized world-wide. They appear cute and cuddly, but can be dangerous when threatened with sharp claws in defensive motions. Wildlife reserves and parks are erected for the preservation and care, although roos are stilled culled when over populated and damaging crops.

There are 49 extraordinary parrot species of Australia, some are the most beautiful and expressional birds prized in homes as pets in the world. Rosella, sulphur-crested cockatoos, budgerigar, pink galahs, five kinds of black cockatoos, corellas and lorikeets are readily seen everywhere. They travel in flocks and the different calls are alluring.

Of the other bird species the emu and laughing kookaburra are the most recognized globally. The lyrebird is the bird of a 1,000 voices, the cassowary an ancient looking specimen from the age of dinosaurs and the frogmouth that blends so expertly to its surroundings should all be discovered by visitors because of their unique qualities.

Reptiles are numerous across the continent. The frilled-neck lizard running erect across the sand is unforgettable. The large goannas that lumber across the bush seem like small dinosaurs. Blue Tongue, horned devil, 50 gecko species, numerous skink species, barking lizards; all capture the imagination and tinkle the funny bone.

Australia is home to the most venomous snakes of the planet. There are 160 species and two thirds are venomous, but fewer than 20 are deadly. The taipan is the deadliest with venom so strong and quantity administered so vast it could kill 200 sheep. The tiger snake (Australian) could knock out 118, death-adder (Australian) 84 and King Cobra of India only 34.

There is 1500 different spider species, the redback and funnel web being the deadliest. The barking spider is the largest at 60mm long, 25mm wide and legs 76mm long. They are numerous across the land and many will cause you to become ill when bitten.

The most ancient in the water is the lungfish, it is a living fossil, they can live in water or land. Another amphibious fish is the mud skipper, it comes ashore to eat insects and to lay its eggs. More than 2,000 species of fish inhabit Australian waters, from the tiny to huge whales. Fifty species of rays, dugongs, Tasmanian mountain shrimp, cuttlefish and weird kurtas fish to name a few others.

Last, but not least in the animal section, is the oddest creature on earth. It is a mix of reptile, bird and animals, the platypus. Covered in soft fur, a duck bill, and webbed paws they live in water and land. Their heart is of an animal but organs similar to a reptile. They also have no teat, the babies drink milk from the mother’s skin pores. Thought to be a fake when first discovered, men are still researching this bizarre creature.

Eucalyptus trees, the mighty gums, have become prized all over the world for their hardiness, ability to grow quickly and their properties. They are bringing wealth to other nations with many of the 500 species from these shores. Other unusual tree species is the karri, jarrah, baobals, and the wattle. Wattles are so beloved they have become the national emblem of Australia.

The wildflowers and plants of this nation have been capturing the creative mind in paintings and art motives for centuries. There are almost 7,000 species with new ones still being found. Kangaroo paw, pitcher plants, flying duck orchid, waratah, banksia, bottlebrush and parakalya; just to name some of the more familiar.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest deposit of coral in the world. It is teeming with life and glorious colours that many flock to see. It covers more than 200,000 square kms with an ever-changing ecosystem of life.

The Australian landscape is so vast and varied, you cannot claim any part to be typical of the nation as a whole. There are deserts, snowfields, flat lands, plateau regions, rainforests and more. You can walk out of a forest glen onto the red dust open of bushland in the same day. Each region has unique features that draw people to explore and enjoy.

Nullarbor Plain is a vast nothing filled with caves that still have not been completely, if ever, explored. Alice Springs now blossoms on the frontier as the gateway of the heart of Australia. It boasts Ayers Rock, the largest rock in the world, a red goliath sticking out of the plains. Its sister, Mount Olga sits 30 kms to its west with five immense bluffs.

Burning Mountain in Wingen, NSW is taking a huge loss with coal wastage. The smoke is caused by a burning seam of coal known as the Greta Seam and has been burning for thousands of years. It is easy to get to with a small 2 km walk from the parking area off the New England Highway. It was once thought to be a volcano, but was quickly dismissed by geologists.

Many people know about the beaches and outback, but Skiing had been established in Australia since the early 1860s in their very own Alps. They are not as large as counterparts, but have safer conditions. These Alps hold snow 10 months out of the year and approximately six of those are peak for skiers.

No matter your reason for coming to see the island you will not be disappointed. There is such a variety offered it can fill your every desire. Track through the mountains, rough it in the bush or get pampered in the cities and towns. You can spend a day in the outback and that night wiping the dust off for an opera.