Leslie Massey
Australia is a country like no other. It is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent, and it is also the world's driest inhabited continent. Its unique geography encompasses a range of landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to large deserts, tropical rainforests, grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands. Australia's isolation from other continents has resulted in its distinct flora and fauna, including iconic species such as the kangaroo, koala, and the world's only egg-laying mammals, the platypus and echidna. The country boasts over 500,000 Aboriginal rock art sites, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of its Indigenous peoples. With a diverse population, a love for the outdoors, and a passion for sports, Australia truly is a land of wonder and extremes.
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What You'll Learn
- The Outback: a hot, arid region with little water and vegetation
- Uluru: a sacred natural formation, home to ancient cave paintings
- Great Barrier Reef: the greatest mass of coral in the world
- Rainforests: tropical rainforests along the coast, rich in biodiversity
- Climate: a subtropical high-pressure belt, with varied climates across the country
The Outback: a hot, arid region with little water and vegetation
The Outback is a vast, remote inland area of Australia, covering approximately 5.6 million square kilometres, or over two-thirds of the continent. It is characterised by its arid and desert-like conditions, with scorching temperatures, little water, and sparse vegetation. The term "Outback" has been used to refer to these regions since the 19th century, and it is deeply ingrained in Australian heritage, history, and folklore.
The Outback encompasses diverse landscapes, including red rock deserts, grassland plains, and woodlands. It is home to a unique array of plants and animals, many of which are endemic to this region. The mulga tree, mallee (eucalyptus) tree, Spinifex grass, Bloodwood, Corkwood, and Desert Oak tree are some of the distinctive plant species found in the Outback. The region also houses hundreds of thousands of animal species not found anywhere else on Earth, such as the kangaroo, which, apart from the Red Kangaroo, are generally small in size.
The Outback has significant cultural importance, particularly for Aboriginal Australians, who have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years. Aboriginal people have strong physical and cultural links to their traditional country and are legally recognised as the Traditional Owners of large parts of the Outback. Their mythology, art, and history are deeply intertwined with the Outback's landscape.
Tourism is a major industry in the Outback, with many popular tourist attractions, including Devils Marbles, Kakadu National Park, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), MacDonnell Ranges, and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Uluru, a sacred natural formation for the indigenous Pitjantjatjara Anangu people, is a massive sandstone rock formation that rises 1,100 feet (335 meters) tall and is known for changing colour at different times of the day and year.
The Outback is also a site of economic activity, including agriculture, mining, and cattle farming, which remain vital to the region's economy. The sparse population and low-intensity land use have contributed to the Outback being recognised as one of the largest remaining intact natural areas on Earth.
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$12.24 $18
Uluru: a sacred natural formation, home to ancient cave paintings
Australia is a country of diverse geography, from snow-capped mountains to arid deserts, and it is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse nations, with a significant Indigenous population comprising hundreds of groups with distinct languages, histories, and cultural traditions.
One of Australia's most recognisable natural landmarks is Uluru, a massive sandstone rock formation located in the Northern Territory. Uluru is sacred to the Indigenous Pitjantjatjara Anangu people, who have inhabited the region for millennia. Rising 1,100 feet (335 metres) tall, it is the largest rock in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uluru is characterised by its rich red colour, numerous springs, rock caves, and waterholes, and it changes colour at different times of the day and year.
Uluru is also known for its ancient cave paintings, which are of considerable historical and cultural significance to the Anangu people. These paintings, or rock art, are believed to date back 40,000 years and recount Dreamtime creation stories. The Anangu people continue to use the symbols found in these paintings in their artwork today, including geometric shapes, animal tracks, and outlines.
The preservation of the rock paintings at Uluru is a critical concern due to their vulnerability to natural elements and human interference. Anangu and park managers have implemented measures such as viewing platforms and interpretive signs to protect the artwork while allowing visitors to experience it up close. The paintings depict a range of subjects, from ancestral spirits and creation ancestors to animals, both native and introduced by Europeans.
Uluru holds deep spiritual significance for the Anangu people, who consider it a sacred site. Visitors are asked to respect their cultural and religious attachment to the land and refrain from climbing Uluru, similar to how one would respect other religious sites like the Vatican or Buddhist temples.
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Great Barrier Reef: the greatest mass of coral in the world
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms, composed of billions of tiny organisms known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the few living structures visible from space, appearing as a complex string of reefal structures along Australia's northeast coast.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to a rich marine biodiversity, including colourful marine life such as parrotfish, giant clams, coral trout, tropical fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and more. It is also a nesting site for 1.4 to 1.7 million birds and supports 2,195 known plant species. The reef is a true natural wonder and a must-see destination for travellers from all around the globe.
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its outstanding universal value and supporting global conservation efforts. It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981 and was included in the Australian World Heritage list in 2007. The Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland in 2006.
The Great Barrier Reef is under significant environmental threat due to climate change, coral bleaching, and pollution. Ocean warming caused by climate change has led to mass coral bleaching events, with the reef losing more than half of its corals since 1995. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this precious natural source, and visitors are encouraged to practice reef-safe behaviour to help preserve the ecosystem for future generations.
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Rainforests: tropical rainforests along the coast, rich in biodiversity
Australia's geography is incredibly diverse, ranging from snow-capped mountains to deserts, grasslands, heathlands, and forests. Rainforests cover only about 0.3% of Australia, but they are a vital part of the country's unique geography and biodiversity.
The country is home to several types of rainforests, including tropical rainforests, subtropical rainforests, and broadleaf rainforests. Tropical rainforests, mainly found in the northeast, are the richest in plant and animal species. Subtropical rainforests are found near the mid-eastern coast, and broadleaf rainforests grow in the southeast and on the island of Tasmania.
The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland is a famous tropical rainforest, known for its ancient and lush ecosystem. It is home to 663 species of animals, 230 butterfly species, and over 2,800 types of plants, most of which are unique to the region. The Daintree is also home to the "idiot fruit" or green dinosaur, one of the world's oldest flowering plants.
The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a World Heritage-listed rainforest system, is another important rainforest area. It comprises subtropical, warm temperate, and cool temperate rainforests in northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland. This ancient ecosystem is home to endemic plants and animals, including some of the world's oldest species like lyrebirds and bowerbirds.
The rainforests of Australia are characterised by high rainfall, lush growth, and closed canopies. They are typically fire-resistant and contain few or no eucalypt trees. These rainforests support a significant portion of Australia's biodiversity, including many unique plant families. They also provide opportunities for recreation, such as bushwalking and swimming.
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Climate: a subtropical high-pressure belt, with varied climates across the country
Australia's unique location under a subtropical high-pressure belt, along with other climate drivers like El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole, results in varied climates across the country. This climate system makes Western Australia a hot desert, with aridity being a significant feature of the continent. About 18% of Australia's mainland consists of named deserts, covering an area of around 1,371,000 km2 (529,000 sq mi).
The northern regions of Australia and the upper eastern Coastal Plains experience a range of climates, from grassland to subtropical to equatorial, with no winter and extremely hot summers. In contrast, the lower southwestern and eastern Coastal Plains and Tasmania are characterised by a predominantly temperate climate, featuring mild to warm summers and cold winters. These areas are also among the most humid regions on the mainland.
The Australian offshore territories also exhibit diverse climates. Territories near the equator, such as Norfolk, have a subtropical humid climate, while the remote subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands offer a contrasting climate.
The vast centre of the country, known as the Outback, is arid and virtually uninhabited. This region is marked by scorching temperatures, scarce water sources, and sparse vegetation. The Outback's climate stands in stark contrast to the coastal areas, where most of the Australian population resides.
The varied climates of Australia contribute to the country's diverse landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, tropical and temperate rainforests, grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands. Australia's isolation from other continents has also played a role in shaping its unique flora and fauna, including iconic species such as the kangaroo, koala, and the world's largest rock formation, Uluru.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is also the largest country in Oceania and the sixth-largest in the world.
Australia's population was 27.2 million as of 30 June 2024.
Due to geographical features, about 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast. The most densely populated geographic areas of the country are located in the Coastal Plains of the eastern states of Australia and the Swan Coastal Plain in the southwestern corner of the mainland.
Australia has several globally famous geographical features, including the Blue Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef, the Twelve Apostles, and Uluru.
Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. It has a diverse range of climates, including snow-capped mountains, large deserts, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and heathlands. The northern and upper eastern Coastal Plains have a grassland, subtropical to equatorial climate, while the southwestern and eastern Coastal Plains and Tasmania have a predominantly temperate climate.
