They think all the jokes about the terrifying wildlife are exaggerated. In fact, they’re oh so true. Here’s me, unaware of the danger I was in. I came to Sydney from England about 2 years ago. Ah Sydney. Home of the
Funnel Web Spider
Here’s one looking for a hug
The male funnel web spider has enough venom to kill a human (and there are several recorded deaths) although since the anti venom has been introduced there have been no fatalities in the last few decades.
Huntsman Spiders
“You know why they call me a Huntsman? Because I…hunt…men”.
Now these aren’t deadly or even dangerous at all. Just showing you one I found in MY HOUSE! Do you want to come home to that? No, you don’t. Up the coast a bit we’ve got Queensland, home to a few more friendly critters such as:
Saltwater Crocodile
Reaching over 6m in length, you want to check before jumping into any creeks or even swimming at the beach sometimes. A more common danger, however, are these fellas:
Box Jellyfish
These are found in the Summer months in Queensland’s tropical waters especially (but also further down south), and have the potential to kill swimmers.
What about Snakes? Why yes. We’ve got several of the world’s most venomous snakes here in Aus, including:
Inland Taipan
Eastern Brown Snake
Tiger Snake
These are all perfectly capable of giving you a nasty (ie. fatal) nip. I haven’t seen one yet in Aus, but I know they’re just lurking around the corner.
So you escaped the jellyfish and crocs, but now you’re scared of the land? Thinking of escaping to the water again? Not so fast…
Things That’ll Kill You – Underwater Friends Part 2
Blue Ringed Octopus
Aww, what a cutie. Just don’t try and touch it, since they have enough venom to kill 26 adults (that’s 26 more than I’m comfortable with).
Stonefish
“Ouch, did I just step on a stone.”
No – you stepped on a Stonefish. Dead.
Cone Snail
“Aww pretty shell”. Dead.
Oh well, at least there aren’t any Sha…never mind.
Why did I leave England again?
Just kidding – while it’s kind of a running joke how terrifying Australian wildlife is, in actual fact hardly anyone is killed by any of these animals. They’d much rather run away or hide than confront humans generally.
The only one of these I’ve seen is a croc, and it was about 3 feet long! If you’re smart and respect the wildlife you shouldn’t be in trouble.
Plus, if you’re too scared of the animals you’ll miss out on some amazing views…
This is me on the Great Barrier Reef – where are all the Sharks??
Still no sharks, hmmm.
Happy I didn’t get eaten by sharks.
So to sum up – Australia is great and you should visit!
Lost in Translation: Navigating Australian Vernacular
As the sun-kissed shores of Australia beckon, many foreigners arrive with a common assumption: “Australians speak English.” Yet, beneath the familiar syllables lies a linguistic labyrinth—one that catches even seasoned language learners off guard.
Firstly, there’s the matter of Aussie phrases—those delightful linguistic quirks that dance on the edge of comprehension. From “chucking a wobbly” (throwing a tantrum) to “having a cupa in the arvo” (enjoying an afternoon tea), these expressions form a secret code. For newcomers, it’s like deciphering ancient hieroglyphs. It takes time—about ten days, to be precise—before the fog lifts, and suddenly, you’re nodding along like a true-blue local.
But wait, there’s more! Thick accents weave through conversations like eucalyptus-scented breezes. Picture this: you’re at the local pub, trying to order a cold one. The bartender’s words tumble out in a melodic blur, and you find yourself asking, “Pardon?” more often than a polite tourist should. It’s endearing, really, until it becomes mildly exasperating.
Secondly, the tables turn. Aussies, bless their sun-kissed hearts, grapple with understanding us foreigners. Even when we address them in their own language, our accents—whether Greek, Texan, or a hybrid of both—leave them scratching their heads. It’s like a linguistic tug-of-war, where vowels collide and consonants play hide-and-seek.
So, fellow travelers, heed this advice: study the slang, practice those vowels, and perfect your twang. Otherwise, you might find yourself sipping a brew with the flies, a true-blue “dag” in the land Down Under.
Australia Unveiled: Beyond Kangaroos and Crocodiles
Australia—a land of vast deserts, shimmering coastlines, and a symphony of accents that dance across its sunburnt plains. As you step onto this ancient soil, prepare to be surprised. Here are the untold stories of the land Down Under:
Accents and Wordplay:
Just like America, Australia boasts a kaleidoscope of accents. From the lilting tunes of Queensland to the clipped syllables of Melbourne, each state has its unique vocal signature. But it’s not just about how they say it; it’s what they say. Aussies sprinkle their conversations with phrases like “arvo” (afternoon) and “chucking a wobbly” (having a tantrum). Decode these linguistic gems, and you’ll pinpoint their origins.
Wildlife Whispers:
Yes, we have our share of dangerous critters—the kind that could give Indiana Jones a run for his whip. But fear not! In urbanized areas, encounters with venomous snakes and spiders are rarer than unicorn sightings. Most of these creatures prefer a hasty retreat when faced with humans. So, relax and enjoy the sun; the wildlife won’t crash your beach party.
Camels in the Outback:
Australia harbors a secret: it’s home to the world’s largest population of feral camels. These hump-backed wanderers traverse the arid expanses, their hooves imprinting tales of desert resilience. And guess what? We export them to the Middle East. Who knew camels had frequent flyer miles?
Kangaroo Cuisine:
Move over, beef. Kangaroo meat is having a moment. It graces supermarket shelves, ready to leap into your culinary adventures. High in protein and low in fat, it’s the guilt-free choice for adventurous eaters. So, next time you’re grilling, channel your inner kangaroo.
Hollywood Down Under
Hollywood isn’t just about palm trees and red carpets. Australia’s rugged landscapes have played host to blockbuster sagas. From Neo’s Matrix escapades to Thor’s hammer-wielding heroics, our sun-kissed backdrops steal the show. Even Scooby Doo chased ghosts on our shores. Zoinks!
Coastal Comforts:
Australia sprawls across the map like a sunbathing giant. It’s as vast as the contiguous USA (minus Alaska and Hawaii), yet more than 85% of Aussies hug the coastline. The azure waves beckon, and cities like Sydney and Melbourne thrive along the edge. But wait, there’s a twist…
Capital Conundrum:
Sydney and Melbourne—the sibling rivalry is real. So, a compromise was struck. Enter Canberra, the city built halfway between the two giants. It’s our political heart, where kangaroos hop past Parliament House. Diplomacy, Aussie-style.
Ancient Echoes:
Recent studies whisper a profound truth: Australian Aboriginals carry the torch of the world’s oldest continuous culture. For up to 75,000 years, their stories have been woven through the red sands, connecting past and present. Respect their legacy; it’s etched in the very rocks.
Beer and Bravado:
Bob Hawke, a beloved Prime Minister, etched his name in history—not through policy, but through pints. In a legendary feat, he downed 2.5 pints of beer in a mere 11 seconds. A record that stands tall, like the Sydney Opera House.
So, fellow wanderer, peel back the eucalyptus leaves, listen to the whispers of the Dreamtime, and raise a glass to Australia—the land where kangaroos roam, accents sing, and adventure awaits. Cheers, mate!
Facts
- Australia Day takes place every year and is a celebration of different cultures, races, religions, beliefs and views.
- Nowhere has a higher gambling rate than Australia, with more than 80% of adults involved regularly in some form of betting or gambling.
- The kangaroo and emu are both featured on the Australian coat of arms. This represents the nation going forward, as neither animal is physically able to walk backward.
Monotremes
- The platypus and the echidna are the only two mammals in the world that lay eggs, and both of these creatures can be found in Australia. (These animals are called monotremes.)
- There are 19 world heritage sites in Australia.
- In 1902, women received the right to vote in Australia. This made the country the second in the world to implement this.
- Australia is the largest island (some call it a continent and instead say that Greenland is the largest island, however Australia is, strictly speaking, an island, and is around 4 times larger than Greenland).
- There is no Bill of Rights in Australia, making it the only Western country to omit it from its government system.
- Saudi Arabia imports camels from Australia.
- There are so many different types of species in Australia that only 25% of them have been discovered and are known to humans. This leaves 75% which are totally undiscovered as of yet.
- You might hear that koalas are a mascot of Australia, however there are in fact 10 times more camels than koalas.
- There is a mountain in Australia named ‘Mount Disappointment’.
- Highway 1 in Australia is the longest highway in the world, spanning around 9,000 miles in total.
- The national floral emblem is the wattle, a flower which was selected in 1912.
- There are around 200 different types of races and cultures within Australia, making it one of the most multi-cultural nations in the world.
- More than 70% of the Australian population participates regularly in some form of sport, although over 25% of the country is considered to be obese.
- Around a quarter of all Australians were born overseas.
- Kangaroo meat is widely available, and many people like this meat for its low fat content.