Explore the Wonders of Australia
Australian flora and fauna offer it a distinct sense of place that cannot be rivalled on any other continent. Explore them during a nature tour or wildlife park visit!
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, prospectors flocked to remote towns in search of gold. Sovereign Hill offers you an open-air museum where you can pan for real.
Table of Contents
Location
Australia, the smallest continent, lies between Asia and Europe and boasts the Great Barrier Reef as one of the largest coral reef systems on its southern coastline.
Australia’s relative isolation explains its unique flora and fauna, such as its hundreds of species of eucalyptus trees and marsupial mammals like koalas, kangaroos, and dingoes. Furthermore, in its interior lies a chain of mountains known as the Great Dividing Range which blocks rainfall completely; rendering much of it desert with scorching temperatures and minimal vegetation coverage.
Australia is a Commonwealth realm governed by parliamentary democracy and boasting a mixed economy system, while serving as an international hub for scientific research.
Population
Australia’s population continues to expand at a healthy pace relative to most developed nations, driven by high birth and death rates as well as natural increase, or movement between states and territories known as net overseas migration (NOM) or internal migration (NIM).
Australia boasts an overall life expectancy rate of 81.8 years for both males and females – far surpassing global standards.
ABS defines Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs), or metropolitan statistical areas with at least 10,000 inhabitants, as Greater Capital City Statistical Areas for each Australian state. Their populations are then aggregated to calculate total urban populations within each state.
Languages
Australians speak hundreds of endangered languages and efforts are underway by indigenous communities and linguists to preserve them as key elements of Australia’s cultural identity. Warlpiri, an Aboriginal language spoken in Western Australia; Pitjantjatjara from Northern Territory; and Kalaw Lagaw Ya from Torres Strait Islands are some examples.
Adult individuals in regions with high cultural diversity tend to master four or five distinct languages, for instance in Arnhem Land region several members of a single family can often speak different Western Arnhem dialects and languages.
Australian languages tend to feature fewer consonant contrasts than most others, including no voiced stops such as [p] or [b], non-aspirated alveolar consonants such as t, d and n are usually non-aspirated as are fricatives like [dz]. These characteristics distinguish Australian from most other continental languages.
Religions
The Australian census features a question asking people to identify their religion. While Christian identification has declined (it reached 95% in 1911), there has been a steady increase in people nominating “no religion”, including atheist, agnostic and secular beliefs.
Australia’s spirituality is diverse and rich. It draws influence from Indigenous knowledges, languages and practices as well as migrants from Asia, Europe and Africa who arrive as migrants over time. According to the 2018 Australian Community Survey (ACS), over one quarter reported having had supernatural or mystical experiences and most believed in a spirit or life force (God). Yet spirituality for many Australians goes beyond church attendance – it can include practices such as meditation or yoga or connecting with nature.
Culture
Australia is home to an ancient culture formed from Indigenous traditions and more recently by waves of immigration. Renowned for its stunning beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia also boasts abundant wildlife such as kangaroos, dingoes, and kookaburras that make its presence felt throughout.
Australians take great pride in their sporting abilities and enjoy watching national teams compete on an international stage. Cricket, Australian Rules Football (AFL), and rugby are particularly beloved sports here, producing some world-class athletes along the way.
Australian entertainment has long been revered, from Miles Franklin’s groundbreaking work published in 1901 through contemporary authors such as Tim Winton, Nevil Shute and Thomas Keneally’s success today. Crocodile Dundee movies and Fosters beer commercials remain immensely popular with Australian audiences; furthermore musicians Peter Allen and Johnny O’Keefe have achieved worldwide notoriety.
