My Australian Photo Album

Claudia Johnston

In December 2010 my family and I returned to Australia for a six week holiday.

This is my photo journey of the trip………………………………….

SPORT

FAMILYLANDSCAPES

LANDMARKS FRIENDS

ANIMALS

About Australia

Australia is the worlds largest Island, measuring 4,000 km across. Most of the country is Outback, 65% actually. Outback’s are flat plains that are some of the hottest and driest places on earth. A lot of people live in cities and towns along the eastern and southern coasts. The Great Barrier Reef is made from living coral , this is the largest living thing on earth. It is over 2,000km long. Thousands of species live here.

Population : 19.5 million.Money : Australian DollarLanguage : EnglishHello : Hello ( or as I say G’’DAY MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)Pronunciation : Hel-lo ( or GOO D -AY MA –TE)

Australian Wildlife

About Australian Wildlife

There are many beautiful and varied species of animals in Australia. Some of these are quite dangerous and many are endangered. Australians are proud of their wildlife and work hard to protect them. There are many parks and zoos around Australia where you can visit and view the animals in close but safe proximity. When we were in Sydney we visited Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and Sydney Wildlife World

The Kookaburra is a native Australian bird with a distinctive cry. We spotted this one at Sydney Wildlife World in Darling Harbour but you often see them (and hear them) in the suburbs too.

Australian Animals

Kangaroos, Koalas and Possums are found nowhere else on earth. The Kangaroo is a native Australian marsupial (the females carry their baby ‘Joeys’ in a pouch.) The male kangaroos can grow very large and are very powerful especially their tails. Up close kangaroos are very human like in their mannerisms.

Australian Animals

The Koala is also an Australian local, a protected species. They live in Eucalyptus trees but are threatened by habitat loss. They are lazy creatures who sleep the day away. This one particularly liked posing for the camera!

Australian Animals

Australian Insects

Did you know?

Australia has more than:50 species of stick and leaf insects 162 species of mantis 250 species of cicadas 348 species of termites 428 species of cockroaches 550 species of shield bugs 2,827 species of crickets and grasshoppers 4,000 species of ants 7,786 species of flies 20,816 species of butterflies and moths and 28,200 species of beetles!

Source: Wet Tropics Management Authority.

Australian Creepy Crawlies

The Witchety Grub (top left) is a large, white, wood-eating larvae of several moths. The grub is the most important insect food of the desert and was a staple in the diets of Aboriginal women and children. Also featured above are caterpillars and a Stick insect.

About Australian Marine life

There are lots of beautiful creatures to be found underwater in Australia. A large number of these are venomous marine animals, they inhabit Australian waters and knowing their habits can help to keep you safe from encounters, meaning that it is perfectly possible to come to an arrangement where you can enjoy your water activities without being harmed by the resident wildlife. Below you can see a Box Jelly Fish one of the most dangerous of all. Box jellyfish are found in northern Australia's coastline. This jellyfish has long tentacles that reach around 3 metres in length. These tentacles contain a highly venomous poison that can kill within minutes of contact. Scientist call them "dim-witted ocean drifters" but "fast, active predators that hunt and kill [fish] with incredible speed and brutality." Their season is usually October - May, so be especially cautious during this time.

Above there are three Australian Sea Creatures that we saw at the Sydney Aquarium – some Jelly Fish, a Dugong and a Clown Fish………… NEMO!!!!!!! On the next slide you can see some of them in action…..Keep your eyes peeled so you can catch one of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Australian Sea Creatures

Sydney Aquarium

Sydney Aquarium

About Australian Sport

In Australia they take their sport very seriously. There favourite sports are net ball, hand ball, cricket, surfing, Rugby and Aussie Rules. My Cousin Kiara is very good at net ball and has won numerous trophies. My Dads cousin Matt used to play professional rugby league for the St. George Dragons.

Sydney Cricket Ground Jan 2011 (‘The Ashes’)

Andrew Strauss – The English Captain

About Australian Landmarks

There are many famous landmarks in Australia but unfortunately we only got to visit a few. We didn’t get to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) this is in the middle of Australia. This massive sandstone block is a sacred Aboriginal site. It is 10km round and 350 m high and thousands of tourists visit it each year.We did get to visit the uniquely shaped Sydney Opera House House which is one of the busiest art centres in the world.

We also walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Bridge was opened in 1932 firstly in protest by my Great Grand Uncle Colonel Frank De Groot, who charged up on a horse and cut the ribbon before the Premier Jack Lang had a chance to cut it officially. Frank was arrested and sent to a mental institution for assessment!

On a serious note the bridge made a dramatic difference to the lives of Sydneysiders as it opened up trade and transport. The standards of safety during construction were poor and 16 workers died during construction, but surprisingly only two from falling off the bridge. The total financial cost of the bridge was $10 million (double the original quote). This was not paid off in full until 1988.

About The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Landmarks

About My Australian Family

My Dad was born in Australia and so was my brother and I. I still think that I’m half and half though! I have a lot of relatives in Australia. On the next slide you can see some pictures of my family. When I was in Australia I went to my Dads cousins little boys Christening. My Dad was his Godfather so he had to take part in the ceremony. The little boys name is Kynan. He is only 14 weeks old. My Godfather and my Godmother both live in Australia so I got a chance to see them too.

Family

About Australian Food

After wheat, fruit and nuts, vegetables and flowers make up the second largest rural production industry in Australia. Citrus crops of oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes, grapefruit and tangelos are grown in all Australian states except Tasmania. Apples and pears, table grapes, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and berries are the most important fruits grown in cooler parts of Australia. A very wide range of vegetables is grown in Australia. Asparagus, zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onions and lettuce are all major crops. My favourite Australian fruit is mango – Yum!

The Australians are also famous for their wine but I’m not interested in that.

My Dad’s cousin Tim is a well-known chef and he works in a restaurant called Jaspers. We were lucky enough to go there for lunch with my god-mother Marie and afterwards Tim showed us his kitchen. On the next slide you can see some pictures of his food (and Aunty Maries panna cotta) – Yum, Yum!.

Food (and lots of it!)

About My Australian Friends

I made lots of great friends in Australia. Some I had known before and some that I met for the first time. I even went to school at St. Johns Primary School where I made some new school friends! This was the school that my Dad went too and some of his old teachers were still teaching there (cringe!)

Mates at the cricket

Friends

Maybe some new pen-pals!

My Mum’s Goddaughter Jessie

Tea with Will & Holly

The End

Thanks for listening!