All about Australia

Australian Inventions

Some facts are obvious and well known such as being the country responsible for the Boomerang and then their are Wine Casks (of course an Aussie would come up with this invention! lol) and others are still being disputed such as the Pavlova. Was it invented by an Aussie or Kiwi? We will never really know for certain. Either way it's a delicious dessert!

Throughout history Australian inventions have helped shaped the society we live in. One of the most important inventions used every day is the Black Box on airplanes. This important piece of equipment is used on every flight and has helped us understand the cause of plane crashes and make air flight safer. Interestingly the Black Box is not black it's usually bright orange.

Another important invention is the refrigerator which was invented by James Harrison in 1856. He used the principle of vapour compression to invent the world's first ice making machine and refrigerator. We need this to keep our beer cool! We are also the inventors of the world's first Feature film which was released in 1906 - titled The Story of the Kelly Gang.

Then we some icons that might not seem so important but they are to Aussies. We have the famous Tim Tam biscuit, Vegemite (it might not be to everybody's taste but it is an Australian Icon), Lamingtons and meat pies. Don't forget about the Akubra hat (Aboriginal for head covering) which is worn by many stockmen and farmers, Stubbie shorts and Thongs (flip flops)! Oh and don't forget about the clothes line! Officially named the Hills Hoist after its inventor Lance Hills; it is a rotary clothes line that is in most Aussie backyards.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world

The sandy shores of Fraser Island are a highlight of any trip to Queensland. Hervey Bay is the jumping-off point for exploring the island, so hop on a boat and discover the delights of this island paradise - the clear blue waters of Lake MacKenzie surrounded by the white sand shore and the serenity of Champagne Pools, where you can swim in the shallow pools at the edge of the ocean. There are 150 dingoes on the island so it is a great opportunity to spot one of Australia's famous wild dogs but keep your distance as they are wild animals and can be aggressive if approached.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest eco-system in the world

The Great Barrier Reef is the pride and joy of Australia, made up of nearly 2,500 individual reefs and visible from space. It stretched halfway down the eastern coast of the country, meaning there are plenty of places to use as jumping-off points to explore the kaleidoscopic coral.

Cairns is the most famous city to begin a trip out to the reef but Townsville, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach all have great beaches and various tours that can take you out to enjoy the reef. Snorkelling and diving amongst the colourful fish and turtles that make the Great Barrier Reef their home is sure to be a highlight of any trip to Australia.

Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world

The island of Tasmania is the ideal spot to experience the great outdoors - with air as clean as Antarctica, around one-third of the state is a national park or World Heritage protected. It is a walkers paradise, with trails and walkways winding over the whole island, where the coastal paths reveal impressive views over Wineglass Bay and the Bay of Fires.

If walking isn't your cup of tea, enjoy kayaking, mountain biking and exploring the island's caves. The wildlife is an extension of the unique animals of Australia, where the Eastern Quoll, now considered extinct on the mainland are commonly sighted in the fertile farmland of Tasmania.

Australia Has A Huge Wine Route

Australia’s not the first country that springs to mind when you’re looking to explore lush wine lands. Yet, the country boasts over 60 separate wine-growing regions. Between them, they produce over a trillion bottles of wine every year. We toured the Barossa Valley wine region and it was amazing. If you are heading there, check out this tour that takes you to 4 world class wineries and includes lunch.

Wine tours offer a host of varied activities in this part of the world including 4WD adventures, steam train rides, and truffle hunts. Of course, there’s plenty to taste along the way too, including cheese, charcuterie, picnic eats, and haute cuisine.

You’ll find most of Australia’s wine farms between Victoria and New South Wales. Around Victoria, you can sip on Pinot Noir, while New South Wales focuses on producing warm-climate varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Some other types of wine you’ll encounter along the way include Chardonnay, Sémillon, Riesling, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. At the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards, several Australian wines scored top points, winning 17 platinum medals and six Best In Show awards.

90% of Australians live on the coast

The large deserts of central Australia mean that the vast majority of the population live on the shores of this enormous country. The large cities of Perth, Sydney and Melbourne are iconic places to visit, with buzzing centres and a multitude of beaches, from the sands of Bondi to the surf of Trigg. Outside of the major hubs, there are hundreds of smaller beach towns where you can appreciate Australia's beautiful coastline.

Explore Port Macquarie in New South Wales and catch your own dinner or head up to Queensland and discover the parties of Airlie Beach. Australia's island status means that there are thousands of surf towns and beaches to be found, so follow the masses and head to the coast.

Australia: people and culture

Australia is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse nations. Nearly a quarter of the people who live in Australia were born in other countries. Many come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, as well as from China, Vietnam, North Africa and the Middle East.

Australia’s warm, sunny climate and abundance of open spaces give the population a love of the outdoors. The people are also passionate about sports, including swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket, rugby and their own invention – Australian rules football!