When I was a kid, Australia epitomised the far-flung, adventurous destination. I’d always wanted to go there, and was thrilled when Sydney successfully bid to host the 2000 Olympics.
Except I didn’t quite make it.
So I planned a trip to celebrate my 30th birthday. I’d saved my annual leave. And then Younger Brother announced he was getting married the month before my birthday…. in Cuba. My leave didn’t stretch to both and there was no way I was going to miss my brother’s wedding.
So I didn’t make it to Australia then either.
This trip was “third time lucky” 🙂
Interesting facts about Australia:
- It’s the world’s largest inhabited island at 7,700,000 square kilometres (it’s as wide as the distance between London and Moscow!)
- The biggest property in Australia is bigger than Belgium
- Australia was the second country in the world to allow women to vote (New Zealand was first)
- It has only 2.66 people per square kilometre (the UK has 248.25)
- It’s home to the longest fence in the world, which is 5,614km long and was originally built to keep dingoes away from fertile land
- An Australia man once tried to sell New Zealand on eBay
And here’s the piece de resistance – the male lyrebird, which is native to Australia, can mimic the calls of over 20 other birds. And if that’s not impressive enough, he can also perfectly imitate the sound of a camera, car alarm and chainsaw (from 1:40). Easily the best thing you’ll see all day.