Australia, a Country with Tons of Uniqueness! What Are They?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Australia? Perhaps, you immediately think of an animal that keeps its young in its pouch, the kangaroo. Yes, you are not wrong because the kangaroo is a native animal of Australia.

But, did you know that Australia has many other unique qualities? Let’s find out more!

A Small Continent, A Large Country

According to britannica.com, Australia is the smallest continent on Earth and also the oldest, often referred to as “the oldest continent.” This belief is not unfounded but based on various studies.

One of those studies revealed that the oldest rocks on Earth are located in Jack Hills, Australia. After extensive research, it was found that the rocks in Jack Hills formed about 160 million years after the solar system was created. Researchers estimate the Earth to be 4.5 billion years old, while the first research conducted in 2001 showed that the hills in Jack Hills are 4.4 billion years old.

Although Australia is the smallest continent in terms of size, it is one of the largest countries in the world. The Australian mainland stretches 4,000 km from west to east and 3,700 km from north to south. The total area is 7.69 million km² with a land area of 7.68 million km². This makes Australia the 6th largest country in the world, according to Worldometers’ data as of 4 August 2023.

Kangaroos and Koalas

Every country generally has animals that are distinct from it. Australia has its own unique animals, including kangaroos and koalas. Kangaroos are mammals with pouches to store their young, especially in dangerous situations.

As their native country, you can find many kangaroos when you visit Australia, but if you want to see the different species, you should visit Kangaroo Island. To reach the island, you can fly from Adelaide or take a ferry from Cape Jervis.

Besides kangaroos, koalas are also adorable animals native to Australia. If you are interested in interacting directly with koalas, you can visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland. Not only can you see them up close, but you can also hug and play with them. The koala caretakers will decide which koalas are safe for direct interaction with humans. This activity will be closely monitored to ensure the safety and comfort of both the visitors and the koalas.

To get to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can fly to Brisbane Airport from Sydney Airport. Then, continue by taking the BDVL train to Central Station. Walk to Ann Street Stop 7 at Anzac Square, then take a bus to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Tasmanian Devils

If you are a fan of Looney Tunes, you must have heard of the Tasmanian Devil, a character that looks fierce and loves to spin quickly. However, did you know that the Tasmanian devil really exists? But, its actual look is different from what is depicted in the cartoon.

The Tasmanian devil is a native Australian animal that lives on Tasmania Island and is a marsupial, or pouched animal, and a carnivore, or meat-eating animal. This animal likes to scream, and its voice sounds more terrifying than a wolf’s howl. If it bites, it can crush bones.

It is unfortunate that, since 2008, this animal has been endangered. The causes are accidents where many of these animals die from being hit by cars, and a contagious cancer that prevents them from eating until they die. However, conservation groups are working to save these animals from extinction through the #DevilComeback program, which introduces them to new habitats to avoid contagious cancer.

To get to Tasmania Island, you have to take a flight to Hobart or Launceston if you are coming from Sydney or Brisbane. Meanwhile, if you are coming from Melbourne, you can fly to smaller airports such as Burnie, Devonport, King Island, and Flinders Island. While on Tasmania Island, you can visit famous tourist spots such as Freycinet National Park and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. You can find Tasmanian devils at the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Aboriginal People

The Aboriginal people are the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, believed to have settled there in the last 50,000 years. They actually originated from Asia and migrated to Australia. The language spoken by these people is very diverse, comprising 250 languages with 600 dialects.

The distinctive features of the Aboriginal people include brown to black skin, curly hair, and medium height. Although they are all Aboriginal, people in different regions have different physical characteristics. The Aboriginal people hunt and farm for food.

The Aboriginal people use traditional weapons that you must have heard of, the boomerangs. These weapons are made from shaped frames and used for hunting or self-defense when feeling threatened. Additionally, these weapons can be used for other functions such as digging, slaughtering, and even making traditional musical instruments.

Those are the unique gems you can find in Australia. Interested in seeing them for yourself? If so, make sure to protect yourself with Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia. This way, you can explore the uniqueness and beauty of Australia with peace of mind.