The Oz list

1. The Buzz

The very last of the continents to appear on a map Australia boasts a fantastic history populated by Cook, Convicts, and Controversy!

Aboriginal means “from the oldest known times” and Australia was colonized by people migrating from Africa via India or Sri Lanka around 50,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Western civilization took its time to catch up…

A cartographer and Italian Jesuit by the name of Father Matteo Ricci published a map of the known world in 1603 and the space where Australia should be had the following notation:

No one has ever been to this land in the South; hence we know nothing about it. Followed by the Chinese characters for Fire land and Land of Parrots

Pre-history in Australia ended three years later when Willem Janszoon of the Dutch East Indian Company discovered the continent officially in 1606 and called the northwest coast New Holland.

James Cook opened up the east coast discovering New South Wales in 1770 around the time the British Empire lost her American colonies. From 1779 when Banks founded the first convict settlement in Botany Bay to 1868 Britain transported more than 160,000 convicts to Australia.

Due to these large numbers of people founding most of Australia’s largest cities Britain eventually claimed the entire country (continent!)…

The Aboriginal people were given the usual treatment by Colonization’s evil twin Brutality. During the early years some of the Aboriginals simply escaped to the less accessible areas but with the gold rush in the 1900’s massacres and virtual slavery accompanied exploration of the interior.

Granted self-government in the 1850’s, the Commonwealth of Australia was founded in 1901 although strong ties to the British remain to this day.

As the economic trade relationship with the East and America is growing stronger the British influence is slowly relinquished. Australia continues to struggle with reconciling Aboriginal land ownership and culture with economic ideals. An official immigration policy of “White Australia” was followed until the mid 1960’s and an active policy guarding the country against the ‘boat people’ (immigrants from Asia) continues.

2. The Wonders

When a country occupies an entire continent and has 15 Natural World heritage sites the problem is not finding something to see it is more about deciding where to go and which wonder you are prepared to leave until your next visit.

3. The Worries

The intrepid remain drawn to Australia – it is possible to travel in safety and comfort but you will have to pack your common sense before you visit this great continent.

It has more poisonous animals in the water and on land than any other country including Crocodiles (don’t swim ANYWHERE un), Jellyfish (mostly found in tropical waters during the wet season), Snakes(Red Bellied Black Snake is the most common and the Taipan, King Brown and Brown snakes are very venomous), Sharks and Spiders (Red Back, Funnel web, White tailed spider)

The wildlife however is not responsible for many serious injuries or death.

The roads, sun and adventure activities are the real culprits.

Drive with care – The long distances, high temperatures and wildlife can turn an affordable way to get around into a dangerous expedition.

Be VERY mindful of the Australian sun – sunstroke can happen quickly, be fatal and will at the very least ruin your holiday.

Finally:

Please remember to respect the oldest culture in the world – do not take photos without permission.

4. The Quirks

What to eat...

Vegemite, Mutton and Lamb

What to drink...

Shiraz

What to listen to...

Didgeridoo music

What to watch...

Steve Irwin, Crocodile Dundee, Muriel’s wedding Australian rules football, Rugby league, Rugby union, Cricket

Which building to see...

The Sydney Opera House (designed by Jorn Utzon)

What to say...

“Allright Mate”

5. The Idols & their Quotes

Cate Blanchett (Oscar winning Actor)

You know you've made it when you've been molded in miniature plastic. But you know what children do with Barbie dolls - it's a bit scary, actually.

Toni Colette (Academy Award nominated actor)

When I go to see a movie, if I can't engage emotionally then it doesn't affect me and I can't get anything out of it. When you look at a movie that doesn't reflect your reality [time after time], eventually you're going to get tired and pick up a book

Russell Crowe (Oscar winning actor)

I have respect for beer.

Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee)

Cricket needs brightening up a bit. My solution is to let the players drink at the beginning of the game, not after. It always works in our picnic matches.

Nicole Kidman

What's the point of doing something good if nobody's watching?

Baz Luhrman (Director, Moulin Rouge)

We have some of the most extraordinary landscape on the planet and we want to get two of the most extraordinary actors in the world and put them ... in that landscape.” (On Oz, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe)

Kylie Minogue (Singer)

The Sun in London ran a front page declaring my bum a national treasure. I really did laugh at that. It’s not like it can actually do anything, except wiggle.

Rupert Murdoch (Media mogul)

The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow.

Crocodile Dundee

That’s not a knife!