A note on Australia by Taimoor

As we embark on our research cruise through the Southern Ocean, our first stop and port of departure is Hobart, Tasmania in Australia. This presents the perfect opportunity to get out and explore some of the amazing things Australia has to offer.

Australia is a country with landscape that is truly unique. Each time I come back to the country from a trip I'm struck by the smooth, white bark of the gum trees that dot the entire country, from the coastal capes of Queensland, to the harsh wintry plains of Kosciusko, to the barren desert of the Northern Territory. The natural beauty doesn't stop at our flora. Australia might be known for kangaroos, but we also host a huge range of other animals unique to our island nation. Koalas, bilbies, quokkas and platypuses are some of our cuter mammals. But we are also known for having some of the deadliest reptiles, marine creatures and insects in the world: eastern brown snakes, box jellyfish and funnel web spiders. 

The cultural heritage of Australia spans tens of thousands of years. Australia’s first known inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have imbued the country with languages and customs that are extremely varied. There has been a patchy (at best) history between the indigenous people of the country and the colonisers. Still, migrants to Australia, as well as people from around the world, have a lot to learn about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lived in harmony with the environment. In the past 200 years, Australia has grown into a culturally diverse and urbanised populace. It now boasts one of the highest migration rates in the world, and this is reflected in the wide variety of traditions and holidays celebrated here.

Australia punches above its weight in every aspect of life. From natural beauty to cultural heritage, the country has so much to offer. I encourage everyone to spend some time here exploring the wide variety of landscapes and people. 

--Taimoor