Appreciating Australia 🇦🇺
Today we take time to appreciate the great nation of Australia and all the Australians in our lives!
January 26th is the official national day of Australia. It traditionally celebrates the arrival of that first British fleet of ships at Port Jackson in Sydney Harbor, 1788. And while Australia is still part of the British Commonwealth, Australia Day has come to celebrate so much more than the arrival of the British. It now recognizes the people who lived on this continent prior, a spirit of unity and respect, a way of looking back and ahead, and an opportunity to cherish all that makes Australia unique.
So today, as we send a big virtual hug to all our Australian readers and clients, and our two dozen Australian photographers, let’s learn a bit more about the people, places and things that make Australia the incredible place it is.
The Great Barrier Reef
At 1,430-miles, the Great Barrier is the largest coral reef system in the world. We are fortunate enough to be able to swim, dive and snorkel this wonder. Within the park is the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA), the only underwater museum in the Southern Hemisphere, whose amazing underwater installations teach visitors about both the Great Barrier Reef and the Aboriginal people. While scuba divers get the best views, snorkelers can look down on the exhibits, and those keeping their feet on land can wave to the Ocean Siren, an illuminated 13-foot tall sculpture modelled after an Aboriginal girl that stands off the ocean promenade in Townsville.
The Bush
The term, “the bush,” can refer to areas outside of metropolitan cities or any undeveloped areas of nature, where wildlife reigns supreme. It is not a term unique to Australia but has become synonymous with Australian landscape. When we hear “the bush” we envision red dirt, low shrubs, and eucalyptus trees. Koalas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils. And we wouldn’t be wrong. (Though you might be surprised to know that the bush is also home to a strange “town” of over 7,000 garden gnomes. Just Google Gnomesville!). Recovery and conservation after devastating bushfires are making visible progress and visitors are encouraged to visit, learn and help!
Indigenous Australians
Today Indigenous Australians make up 3% of Australia’s population, most residing in New South Wales. They are descended from those people who inhabited the continent long before that British fleet arrived in 1788. They are made up of two groups, the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginal people, and their history goes back over 50,000 years. Even though they are now a small part of the overall population, their art, music, food, and spirituality are still a huge part of the continent. It is thanks to them that we can appreciate such things as the boomerang, the walkabout, the didjeridu, rock art and a dreamy connection with the natural world.
The Commonwealth Games
If you love the Olympics you’re going to love the Commonwealth Games, which Australia exceeds at! Like the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games are an international and multisport event. Athletes from the British Commonwealth countries around the world are invited every four years to participate in sports ranging from diving to wrestling, field hockey to judo. Different countries host each time, but Australia has hosted a record five times and sent athletes to every game since its start in 1930. Australians pride themselves in their participation, often leading the medal tally and holding many records, including youngest and oldest gold medal winners...both women!
Wombats, dingoes and quokkas
There is a misapprehension that Australia is filled with nothing but deadly, dangerous animals. Certainly there are some. But what Australia really does have is an incredibly diverse, unique family of wildlife found nowhere else on earth. In fact, the estimate is that 80% of the continent’s animals and reptiles are unique to Australia alone. So what are some of them? Cuddly koalas, hopping kangaroos and wallabies (which to the untrained eye are just smaller kangaroos), chunky wombats, Tasmanian devils, intelligent dingoes, and smiling quokkas. (Have fun Googling pics of them!) The unique species found here reflect how Australia separated from other land masses millions of years ago to evolve in isolation.
Lamingtons, Vegemite, and emu
With its many cosmopolitan cities, Australia has all kinds of cuisine on offer. But like every country, there are some culinary specialities that are uniquely Australian. Vegemite might be best-known. Aussies love the dark brown paste made from yeast extract spread on toast any time of day. But what might not be as well known is grilled emu and kangaroo, hamburgers topped with beetroot, Tim Tam chocolate biscuits, and handfuls of macadamia nuts, which are native to Australia. At tea time the “national cake” is a lamington, square-shaped and made of sponge cake, chocolate, coconut and occasionally a jam or cream filling.
Grand Prixs and World Tours
Australians appreciate a good race. And they have quite a few to enjoy each year. The year starts off on two wheels with the Tour Down Under in January. This is an 11-day professional cycling race starting in Adelaide, South Australia, and actually kicks off the cycling calendar of world tours. Similarly, on four wheels, the Australian Grand Prix is held in Melbourne each March and kicks off the Formula One racing season. We could say Australians like things to go fast, and are fast themselves! The Tour Down Under, established in 1999, was first and most recently won by an Australian cyclist.
Geological wonders
It is impossible to think of Australia without thinking of incredible geological features. The continent has some of the oldest rock formations in the world, some dating back as far as 3000 million years ago and being shaped over the millennia of Australia’s history. They are a natural legacy that awes and captivates today. Some rise up as massive fiery sandstone monoliths inspiring dreams and tears, like Uluru. Another appears as a giant wave frozen in granite eternity, like the Wave Rock in Hyden Wildlife Park. And others reach up with limestone fingers towards the vast Australian sky, like the Pinnacles, or create ranges of giant sandstone beehives, like Bungle Bungle Range. And this is just the tip of the rock!
Street art
There are many great cities around the world that boast incredible street art. But Australia’s city of Melbourne is the reigning street art capital of the world, even hosting the first international stencil festival in 2004. This may be because in Melbourne street art is totally legal and artists are often commissioned by the city, even restaurants, to show off their talent and let creativity and art literally flow through the streets of the city. Melbourne’s famous cobblestoned laneways are painted in urban, vibrant colors, like Hosier Lane and Bourke Street Mall, where the mood, colors and visuals are constantly changing. But street art is not just found in Melbourne. It’s brightening the streets of cities across Australia, from Sydney to Perth.
The wine country
Australia has become renowned for its wine, holding its own amongst the other top wine-producing regions around the world. The wine country of Australia is primarily in New South Wales and Victoria, as well as Western Australia and Tasmania, the area’s rainfall and diverse soil types, from sand to limestone, making a perfect environment for happy vines and grapes. Once harvested those grapes begin the magical transformation of becoming fruity reds and drinkable whites! Australia is best known for its Shiraz (known elsewhere as Syrah), but it also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.
If you call Australia home, book a photoshoot with one of our local Australian photographers and show off your incredible country so we can all appreciate it!