AYERS ROCK
COMPILED by London Swaminathan
Post No. 14,098
Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia – 15 January 2025
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
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15. Quokkas are the happiest animals on Earth
Here is another fun fact about Australia’s wildlife! Quokkas are often considered the happiest animals in the world, thanks to their adorable faces that are always smiling. These furry little marsupials can only be found in Western Australia, with Rottnest Island having the world’s largest quokka population. Who knows if quokkas actually feel as happy as they look, but they are usually unafraid of humans and will gladly smile for photos!
16. There are over 10,000 beaches in Australia
Along that massive and picturesque coastline of Australia, there are over 10,000 beaches. The actual number could even be as high as 12,000, it’s just really hard to measure distinct beaches in Australia. Either way, that is a huge number of beaches. It makes sense why surfing and beach life is such a huge part of Aussie culture!
17. Voting is mandatory in Australia
Australian citizens are required to vote in state and federal elections. Anyone who does not vote will be fined. There is much debate about compulsory voting and whether or not it’s superior to optional voting. But it is an interesting fact about Australia, and it does ensure that citizens get involved in politics.
18. Australia was the second country in the world to give women the right to vote
Another fun fact about voting in Australia: women were given the right to vote and stand in elections in 1902. That makes Australia the second country in the world to grant women’s suffrage, after New Zealand which has allowed women to vote since 1893. So Australia and New Zealand were way ahead of the rest of the world in terms of gender equality.
19. Sydney Harbour is the largest natural harbour in the world
Sydney Harbour, home to famous landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is actually the world’s largest and deepest natural harbour. The entire area covers around 55 square kilometres and is home to a huge array of marine life including sharks, dolphins, turtles, and more
20. Australia is home to the world’s oldest tropical rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest, located in Tropical North Queensland about 3 hours north of Cairns, is the oldest tropical rainforest in the world! This relatively small but stunning corner of Australia is estimated to be anywhere from 35 million to 180 million years old, which is at least 10 million years older than the Amazon Rainforest.
The Daintree Rainforest is also special because it’s a World Heritage Site. Located just offshore from the Daintree lies the Great Barrier Reef, which is also a World Heritage Site. So when you visit Cape Tribulation in the heart of the Daintree, you’re visiting the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet!
21. Perth is the only city in the world where aircraft can land in its CBD
Langley Park in downtown Perth is not only Western Australia’s first airport, it’s the only place where planes can take off and land right in the heart of a city. The beloved green space was used as an airstrip in the 1920s, and though it’s no longer an official airfield, small planes can continue to land in the park to celebrate the tradition.
22. The Australian Dollar is one of the most advanced and impressive world currencies
Australian Dollars are a feast for the eyes! With their vibrant colours and intricate designs, every Australian Dollar is fascinating. Not only is Australia’s currency visually appealing, but its notes (or dollar bills) are some of the most advanced in the world.
Australia was the first country to switch from paper bills to polymer plastic bills in 1988. By 1996, all of Australia’s paper bills were replaced with smooth, waterproof, durable polymer bills that are notoriously hard to counterfeit.
23. Australia is home to the oldest living fossils on Earth
Another interesting fact about Australia is that here you can see the oldest living fossils on the planet, known as stromatolites. These are layers of sediment that contain organisms and bacteria dating back to over 3 billion years ago. And these ancient organisms continue to grow today, making them incredible living fossils. Hamelin Pool in Western Australia is one of the few places on Earth where you can see living marine stromatolites.
24. Uluru is the largest single rock monolith in the world
A monolith is a single rock or stone, and the iconic Uluru in Australia’s Northern Territory is the world’s largest one. Other rock formations may actually be larger than Uluru, but they are composed of multiple types of rock. So Uluru is the largest monolith in the world, and travellers flock to the remote Australian Outback to admire this massive sandstone structure.
Uluru is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its natural wonders and its cultural importance. The monolith played an important role in the beliefs and traditions of the Anangu Aboriginal people, one of the world’s oldest cultures.
25. There are more camels in Australia than Egypt
Australia has a surprisingly large population of camels, even larger than some countries in the Middle East. Camels are not native to Australia, but in the 1800s the British imported them to use for transport across the Outback.
When camel transport was abandoned for more modern methods, the camels were left to their own devices in the Australian desert. The camels have thrived because they have no natural predators here, and now Australia has the greatest population of feral camels on Earth. Australia even exports camels to countries in the Middle East!
26. Around 87% of Australia’s population lives on the coast
Though Australia is the 6th largest country in the world, it’s one of the most sparsely populated countries, geographically speaking. Australia is 55th in the world in terms of population, and the vast majority of Australia’s total population lives near the coast.
In 2001, 85% of Australians lived within 50km of the coast, and the figure increased to 87% in 2019. Most of Australia’s centre is composed of arid desert, whereas the coastal cities and towns have beautiful weather and modern industry. So it’s no surprise why people prefer to live on Australia’s heavenly coastline!
27. There are wild penguins in Australia
Most people associate penguins with Antarctica only. But Australia has multiple healthy colonies of wild penguins in the southern states. The Australian Little Penguin is only found in Australia and New Zealand, and they tend to live on offshore islands and secluded bays where they are free from predators and environmental disruptions.
One of the best places to see wild penguins is Phillip Island in Victoria. Every evening, lots of little penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle across the beach to a cozy spot on land for the night. It’s called the Penguin Parade!
28. Brisbane has the largest city hall in the country
Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, is a fabulous place to visit in Australia. It’s packed with history, culture, and entertainment, and it’s home to the country’s largest city hall! Brisbane City Hall was built in the early 1900s and comprises around two acres, complete with 573 rooms and the largest copper dome in Australia. It was the second-largest construction project of its time (second only to the Sydney Harbour Bridge).
29.Australia is the biggest producer of wool in the world because it has lots of sheep farms. It is also the largest exporter of coal in the world.
30.The Australian flag has three different sections: the Commonwealth Star, the Southern Cross and the Union Jack.
31.Australia is home to the largest cattle station in the world. This cattle station is 34,000 km² (21,126 miles²). This makes it bigger than the entire country of Belgium.
32.Australians have invented lots of things over the years that are crucial to our daily life. These inventions include lawn mowers with engines, the Black Box on aeroplanes, smoke alarms, aspirin, the pacemaker, penicillin, the wine cask, electric drills, car radios, the bionic ear, and long-wearing contact lenses.
TO BE CONTINUED…………………………..
TAGS- Fifty Wonders ,Australia -Part 2
Tamil and Vedas 