Top 10 Fascinating Australia Facts You Didn’t Know

1. Australia’s Much Bigger Than You Think

When planning your trip, it’s important to take Australia’s vast size into account. Those three million square miles make it slightly bigger than the USA’s contiguous states. Overall, Australia’s the world’s sixth-biggest country after Russia, Canada, China, the USA including Alaska and Hawaii, and Brazil.

The country has three biomes: desert, grasslands, and forests. These are further divided into tropical and temperate grasslands, subtropical, temperate, and tropical forests, and Mediterranean woodlands. Australia contains numerous deserts located in the inland reaches of the country, with most of the infrastructure and major cities along the coast, where 90% of the population resides. Experience just how vast this country is by seeing it from the air in Wilpena Pound.

2. People Have Lived in Australia for 65,000 Years

When Willem Janszoon first landed in Australia in 1606, he wasn’t the first person there. Australia’s Aboriginal peoples were already spread across every corner of the continent.

The artistic, spiritual, and musical traditions of these groups are among the longest surviving in Earth’s history. You can uncover more about these original inhabitants of Australia at Melbourne’s Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Center and the Aboriginal Museum in Sydney.

The National Museum of Australia also pays homage to these intriguing people and is a source of many historical facts about the nation.

3. Australia Has a Huge Wine Route

Australia might not be the first country that comes to mind for wine enthusiasts; however, it boasts over 60 separate wine-growing regions. Collectively, they produce over a trillion bottles of wine each year. A visit to the Barossa Valley wine region reveals a rich experience filled with world-class wineries. If you’re planning a trip there, check out this tour that takes you to four fantastic wineries and includes lunch.

Wine tours in this region offer a variety of activities, including 4WD adventures, steam train rides, and even truffle hunts. Additionally, there’s ample opportunity to taste local delights such as cheese, charcuterie, and exquisite dishes.

Most wine farms are located between Victoria and New South Wales. In Victoria, you can enjoy Pinot Noir, while New South Wales is known for warm-climate varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Other wine varieties include Chardonnay, Sémillon, Riesling, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. At the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards, many Australian wines achieved recognition, winning 17 platinum medals and six Best In Show awards.

4. Uluru Stretches for 15 Miles Underground

Uluru is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most iconic sites and a must-visit destination. Recognized by UNESCO as both a natural and cultural area of significance, it is a favored spot for magical tours and activities. The Uluru area is a sacred site for native Australians and holds great significance for the local Anangu tribe.

One of the best ways to appreciate this enchanting location is to join a sunrise or sunset tour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue as part of the experience. At dusk, the rock famously glows red as the sun descends below the horizon. There’s more to this 600-million-year-old landmark than what meets the eyes.

According to geological studies, the rock formation extends for 15 miles underground, curving downward and joining the Olgas, another remarkable geological feature of Australia.

5. Australia Has the World’s Longest War Memorial

The 150-mile-long Great Ocean Road is dedicated to the servicemen who lost their lives during World War I. Many of these soldiers contributed to the construction of this significant thoroughfare, which stretches along Australia’s southern coast from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. Discover more at Great Ocean Walk – A Beautiful Way to Experience the Twelve Apostles.

Today, the Great Ocean Road is similar to America’s Route 66 and boasts numerous attractions along the way. Notable stops include:

• The 12 Apostles
• Griffiths Island Lighthouse
• The Grotto
• Loch and Gorge
• Beauchamp, Hopetoun, Erskine, and Little Kalimna Falls
• Point Addis

Seize opportunities to explore quaint seaside towns as you navigate the road, each revealing fun facts about Australia and its charming locals. From wherever you find yourself along this route, you’ll enjoy captivating views of lakes, the ocean, coastal heath, and scrub or marshes.

6. Amazing Animal Facts About Australia

One fascinating fact about Australia is that 90% of its native species cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. This includes unique creatures like the koala, kangaroo, dingo, echidna, wallaby, platypus, and wombat. Notably, the duck-billed platypus and echidna are the world’s only egg-laying mammals.

Australia is also home to some of the world’s most dangerous species, such as the box jellyfish, taipan (snake), blue-ringed octopus, redback spider, and stonefish. Explore more about these creatures at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Sanctuaries.

7. The World’s Largest Reef Ecosystem

The Great Barrier Reef stretches along the western shore of Australia and houses over 3,000 individual reefs. Remarkably, it’s the only living thing on Earth that is visible from space.

This vibrant ecosystem is home to a myriad of species, with 1,500 types of fish, 134 different varieties of sharks, the rarest turtle species, and 30 types of marine mammals. Furthermore, it contains one-third of the world’s soft corals and 411 types of hard coral.

You can explore this natural wonder through various curated excursions, including:

• Snorkeling
• Scuba diving
• Glass bottom boat trips
• Rides in semi-submersible crafts
• Cruise ship tours
• Whale watching excursions
• Swimming with dolphins

A helicopter trip over this beautiful destination is one of the best experiences in Australia.

8. It Snows in Australia

Although Australia is known for its high temperatures, if you visit the Australian Alps in winter, you’ll encounter a different climate. These majestic peaks receive about 35 inches of snow annually. Experiencing this time of year allows you to partake in a variety of snowy activities, including skiing, bobsledding, and snowboarding.

Après ski activities include fine dining, traditional pub fare, and socializing by the fire, not to mention year-round opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and photography across the 13 nature reserves spread throughout the Australian Alps.

9. The World’s Largest Sand Island

Fraser Island, located off the coast of Hervey Bay in Queensland, is recognized as the world’s largest sand island. However, it offers much more than just desert terrains. The island is replete with lush forests and breathtaking scenery.

Notable attractions include the serene Champagne Pools, stunning Lake Mackenzie, and miles of unspoiled beaches. It’s also an ideal location for spotting Australia’s dingoes, with around 150 of these wild dogs inhabiting Fraser Island.

Visitors can drive along 75 Mile Beach, hike the Great Walk, explore the rainforest at Central Station, climb the dunes at Lake Wabby, or drift down the idyllic Eli Creek. The Indian Head Lookout Point provides gorgeous views across the island.

After a day of exploration, indulge in seafood at one of the island’s premier restaurants while enjoying ocean vistas. Given all these attractions, it’s easy to see why Fraser Island deserves its recognition as one of the 23 Iconic Places to Visit in Australia.

10. Sydney Opera House Exceeds Expectations

The Sydney Opera House ranks among Australia’s most iconic landmarks, drawing over 10 million visitors annually. This architectural marvel is designed to resemble a sailing boat, conceived by a Danish architect.

Initially, the budget set for constructing the Sydney Opera House was $7 million over four years. Yet, after fourteen years and a total of $102 million, the opera house finally opened its doors. The remarkable structure incorporates 1 million roof tiles and is spacious enough to fit seven A380 airplanes.

In a memorable performance, a live chicken once wandered off stage, landing in the orchestra pit. Consequently, a net was installed to protect musicians.

To keep the Concert Hall at a comfortable 72.5°F for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s instruments, seawater is pumped in from the surrounding ocean to maintain optimal temperature control.

Boat trips around Sydney Harbor offer the best views of the Opera House, particularly during the annual New Year’s fireworks display when it is showcased at its finest.

Explore More of Australia

We trust that these enlightening facts about Australia have sparked your interest in exploring this captivating and diverse destination. With an abundance of experiences to discover, commencing your planning ahead of time is wise.