What makes Australia unique

So, every other traveler would kill or sell their passports for a chance to go Down Under. Most would fly from one end of the Earth to the other, just to experience the Outback.   But what makes Australia so special? I hear you say. Bet you’ve never been there, because once you step foot on that unique piece of continent – you’ll see its extraordinary unique magnetism.

Let’s take a look at what’s unique to Australia (that you can’t find anywhere else in the World)!

Koalas, Kangaroos and Tasmanian Devil

These unique animals are endemic to Australia – originally found here and cannot be found anywhere else. And what a coincidence how adorable these Aussie Indigenous creatures are!

The name Koala comes from an Aboriginal word. It means “no drink”, as Koalas get enough fluids through the eucalyptus leaves they feed on. Did you know that Koalas are actually not bears, despite the common saying?

The Devil is alive and kickin’ in Tasmania and will still raid farms to kill and make off with hens. Despite how Warner Brothers has made it look, it is a fierce looking little creature, solidly built and with white bars across its dark body.

Boomerangs

The Boomerang might not be only found in Australia, but is definitely the most commonly seen in the land of the Aborigines. Believed to be used as a weapon for the stone age hunters, boomerangs can take down a kangaroo on impact to its legs, or break the neck of an emu. Boomerangs can be variously used as hunting weapons, percussive musical instruments, battle clubs, fire-starters, decoys for hunting waterfowl, and as recreational play toys. Tribal boomerangs are usually inscribed with aboriginal art these days, for tourist purposes.

Nowadays, although no one really uses the Boomerang for any practical purpose, it still works as a souvenir to bring back home!

Billabongs and waterfalls

As though God had not blessed Australia with enough charm, there are thousands of stunning billabongs and thundering waterfalls dotting the Aussie wilderness. A Billabong is a stagnant lake attached to a waterway. As an Australian English word, ‘billa’ refers to an Indigenous Australian creek, while ‘bong’ means dead. Might not be as exotic as its name sounds – but whilst cruising along a billabong and listening to the birds and the tranquility of the lake, you might just understand how it lives up to its name.

Waterfalls in Australia are like Fat people in America, they’re everywhere! (No offence!) Of course, voted as No. 1 Waterfall of Australia is the Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park (We’re on our way there right this minute! – Watch out for my next post. )

A Barbie (BBQ) for Xmas

The Aussies, with everything of their own, even gave BBQ a slang word of their own – they call it ‘Barbie’. (no, not the doll.) The Aussie Barbie is symbolically representative of Australian’s relaxed, casual culture and their love of the outdoors. It is a great social event, with snags (sausages), chops, steak and fried onions smoking on the grill, and endless flow of ice cold beer.

Granted, not only the Aussies experience Summer during X’mas, so do the Argentinians and Kiwis… but who else makes the BEST Barbies in the world AND enjoy them on the beach at X’mas?!

Head down to Sydney’s Bondi Beach over the Christmas season, and sure enough, you’ll find loads of Aussies gathered around the smokin’ Barbies, enjoying a steak or two.