| People visit Australia for different reasons | | | | |
| - the country has lively cities, spectacular | | | | Wallabies are often mistaken for kangaroos - |
| scenery and a fascinating Aborigine culture. | | | | just like kangaroos they can hop and jump. |
| And many people go there to experience the | | | | They range in size from just a few inches to |
| country's unique wildlife, animals that | | | | almost six feet long. They can be found all |
| cannot be seen anywhere else, such as the | | | | over the country in every kind of habitat - |
| koala bear, kangaroo, dingo and wallaby. | | | | desert, forest and swamp. Wallabies can go a |
| | | | long time without drinking - in fact they can |
| Australia's diverse conditions and landscapes | | | | actually dig their own wells to locate water. |
| have contributed to the evolution of | | | | |
| creatures with rare or unique | | | | And perhaps the oddest of Australia's |
| characteristics. Millions of years of | | | | wondrous creatures is the Emu - the bird that |
| isolation from other land-masses have also | | | | can run fast but cannot fly. Emus are |
| given rise to flora and fauna that is unique | | | | enormous, often standing up to six feet above |
| to the country. Australia boasts an amazing | | | | the ground; they are also a very old species, |
| 450 species of mammals, 2,000 species of fish | | | | having been around for about 80 million |
| and even an estimated 2,000 species of fly. | | | | years. The Emu has always been important to |
| | | | the Aborigines as it provides them with |
| The kangaroo is perhaps the most instantly | | | | thetwo things most important for them to |
| recognizable of Australia's animals - well | | | | survive, food and clothing. |
| known to anyone who has flown the country's | | | | |
| airline QANTAS, as the airline's striking | | | | Many of these exotic creatures can easily be |
| logo. Surprisingly, there are actually over | | | | seen in the wild, although there are also |
| 60 species of kangaroo and most of them are | | | | plenty of places throughout Australia where |
| found only in Australia - they can be seen | | | | your chances of seeing them are greater. |
| all over the country, from tropical rain | | | | Australia has many natural parks and wildlife |
| forests to hot deserts. The kangaroo is the | | | | sanctuaries, many of which are designated as |
| largest marsupial in the world - it is not | | | | World Heritage sites. Several companies |
| unusual for them to reach seven feet high. | | | | specialize in tours to the Outback or other |
| | | | parts of the country, offering the chance to |
| Australia's cuddly koala bear is almost as | | | | observe animals and birds in the company of |
| well known as the kangaroo, although it isn't | | | | an experienced guide. |
| actually a bear - it's a distant relation of | | | | |
| the wombat. Koalas are definitely cuddly - in | | | | You can cuddle a koala at the Lone Pine Koala |
| fact, they are probably one of the most | | | | Sanctuary near Brisbane, spot wild kangaroos |
| docile animals in the world. If you come | | | | at Jervis Bay near Sydney and stroll through |
| across a koala bear, chances are that it's | | | | the country's biggest butterfly sanctuary at |
| asleep - koalas spend around 80% of their | | | | Kuranda, near Cairns. The huge Kakadu |
| lives asleep and the rest of their time | | | | National Park covers around 6,000 square |
| eating. | | | | miles in the north of the country near to |
| | | | Darwin and offers the chance to see over 75 |
| If you have ever heard the cry of the | | | | species of reptile and around 200 species of |
| Kookaburra, you will understand why the bird | | | | bird. |
| is also known as the laughing jackass. The | | | | |
| bird actually belongs to the kingfisher | | | | And if you are spending your Aussie vacation |
| family although it eats insects and small | | | | time in Sydney, plan an escape to the nearby |
| reptiles, rather than fish; the reason for | | | | Wonderland Sydney theme park, a short |
| its strange laugh? Some people claim the bird | | | | distance from the city. In addition to the |
| is laughing with man, others say it is the | | | | usual theme park rides, you can also enjoy a |
| bird's way of warning of bad weather. | | | | close encounter with many animals, including |
| | | | koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles - in fact |
| The dingo is a wild dog, which was probably | | | | there are over 50 species of native animal |
| introduced to the continent from South East | | | | all in their natural surroundings. |
| Asia. Despite their somewhat ferocious | | | | |
| reputation, Dingoes are no more dangerous | | | | A trip to the Land Down Under is an |
| than any other domestic breed of dog. Dingoes | | | | unforgettable experience. It is a chance to |
| cannot bark although they make up for it by | | | | see some of the world's most unique animals |
| yelping and howling. Unfortunately, the dingo | | | | at home in some of the world's most stunning |
| is dying out due to man encroaching on the | | | | scenery. |
| wilderness and the practice of interbreeding. | | | | |