Australia was first called that by a local explorer, Matthew Flinders, who decided to promote the name “Terra Australis”, or “South Land”. It was not officially recognised until the then governor of the country, Lachlan Macquarie named it as such in a dispatch to London in 1817.
Australia has the largest sand island on earth, Fraser Island, which is off the Queensland coast, 200km north of Brisbane.
The world’s largest structure created by living creatures is the Great Barrier Reef, of the Queensland coast. It’s over 2000km long, and covers an area of nearly 260,0002km.
Possibly the world’s biggest state, (of any country) is Western Australia. Covering over 2,252,0002km’s, (the western 1/3 of the Australian continent) it is bigger than all but a handful of countries by itself.
The area of Australia that is covered by snow in winter is larger than the area of Switzerland.
Australia is the richest source of mineral sands in the world.
The famous Aussie Akubra hat is named that, from the Aboriginal word, which means ‘head covering’. They are made from rabbit fur.
The first life-saving club in the world was founded in Australia, Bronte, Sydney, in 1903. It has since saved the lives of many surfers.
The first official world surfing championships were held at Manly, Sydney, in 1964 and won by an Australian, Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly.
Since 1896, the beginning of the modern Olympics, only Greece and Australia have participated in every Game.
Australians are the world’s biggest buyers of 4WD vehicles.
In the mid 70’s, Australians were the 3rd biggest beer drinker in the world. (behind Germany and Belgium) In the late 90’s, we don’t even get into the top ten! (fortunately)
70% of the world’s wool comes from Australia. We have over 126,000,000 sheep, which use fully half the continent for grazing.
Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of beef and veal.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world, with a murder rate of 2 per 100,000 people. The US is up around 8 per 100,000.
The most dangerous ants in the world are the Australian Bulldog Ant, (which is up to 4 centimetres long!) and is responsible for at least three deaths.
