Australia History Blog

Locally known as ‘The Rock’, Ayers Rock is a single stone, larger than an island, lies in the Great Western Desert close to the geographic center of Australia. It is one of the most popular destinations for people vacationing to Australia.

Nothing fuels the flames of New Zealand and Australian ‘Trans Tasman Rivalry’ more than the Aussies taking claim to Kiwi icons. The Kiwi's gripe list is large and ranges from the pavlova (a desert), Phar Lap (a Horse), Split Enz (a Band) to the more recent icons of Russell Crowe and Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes. But now a great-granny from New Zealand may just have the ultimate bargaining chip to get them all back because she says she's in possession of one of Australia's most sought after relics: Ned Kelly's skull. 

Australian English is also referred to as "Strine". The word derives from saying the word "Australian" through clenched teeth - a local accent that some scholars claim arose from the need to try and keep ones mouth closed when speaking, in order to keep the flies out…….  

Humour is a funny business:

The British poke fun at the Welsh and the Americans give it to the Canadians - and so on and so forth… The Trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand has never been stronger - Australians are the butt of Kiwi humor and vice versa, but when all is said and done its fair to say we…err…. um … are moderately fond of each other. Although it all seems good-natured and friendly with plenty of back-slapping banter on and off the field, if you look closely enough there can be some good old petulance to be seen.

The Egyptians may have cornered the market on pyramids, but it is Australia that remains home to the world’s largest population of wild camels. In Western Australia, these ‘ships of the desert’ roam the outback in herds up to 100-strong and the Australian Camel are reaching plague proportions.