Australia by Red Nomad OZ
Shadows at Uluru, Central Australia

U is for Uluru: 11 Photos; 9 Bloggers; One Awesome Rock!

Uluru. When a Google search produces over 6.5 million results, writing anything else about Uluru becomes SO redundant I’m tempted not to use it for my Aussie ABC. What’s left to say about this massive monolith of sandstone 348 metres (1141 feet) high, 3.6 km (2.2 miles) long, 1.9 km (1.2 miles) wide and 3.33 km² (1.29 miles²) in size? With[…]

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Camels Racing at Bedourie, Outback Queensland, Australia

Aussie ABC: T is for Towns Part 1

Ever wondered what’s out beyond the urban areas where nearly 90% of the Australian population live? There’s a LOT of wide open spaces, a LOT of natural attractions – and a LOT of TOP Aussie Tiny Towns with TERIFFIC Tourist Attractions! The Australian Country Towns in the ABC-within-my-bigger-ABC might be small, but there’s all got something to see that you[…]

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Barcaldine Pub

Aussie ABC: S is for Slang

Most Aussies speak English – but with a twist that turns it into Australian English, otherwise known as ‘Strine’. Strine? Say ‘Australian’ REALLY quickly without any too much emphasis on diction or correct pronunciation – an Aussie will be able to say it in just one syllable – and you’ll get a word that sounds almost like Strine. Get it?[…]

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Bald Rock, via Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia

Aussie ABC: R is for Rocks

With the world’s biggest rock AND largest monolith*, Australia’s the land of the ultimate ROCK – or at least the coolest Australian rock formations! But where’s a keen rockhound to go once they’ve seen Mt Augustus (biggest rock) and Uluru (biggest monolith)?? Check out a few more Australian Rock Stars – otherwise known as distinctive and unusual Australian rock formations – with[…]

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Aussie House made of Stubbies

Aussie ABC: Q is for Quirky

The Aussie sense of humour – ie laconic crossed with off-beat crossed with extreme larrikinism – sometimes manifests itself in unusual, weird and downright bizarre ways. And that means ‘Quirky’! But … be warned! There’s a fine line between ‘Kitsch’ and ‘Quirky’ – and an even finer one between ‘Quirky’ and ‘Tasteless’! So I’ll leave you to decide into which[…]

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Outback near Blinman, Flinders Ranges, South Australia

P is for Patriotic: 26 Reasons to ROCK Australia Day!

As this FAAAABULOUS January 26 gets under way, the ozone layer prepares itself for a high carbon emission onslaught and the planet’s remaining trees breathe a sigh of relief. It’s Australia Day and almost compulsory to have a barbecue and PROVE your Aussie pride.  Do this by putting Aussie flags on every conceivable product from toothpicks to tablecloths; serviettes to[…]

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White Cliffs New South Wales

Aussie ABC: O is for Opal!

Australian Opal I didn’t understand all the fuss about SiO2.nH2O until 2004. That’s when I first visited Coober Pedy.  It’s slap bang in the middle of absolutely freakin’ nowhere in the South Australian Outback.  And it’s where I first found a piece of SiO2.nH2O I wanted to take home with me. You might know SiO2.nH2O better as Hydrous Silica. Or[…]

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90 Mile Straight, Nullarbor, Ten Budget Travel Tips

Aussie ABC: N is for Nullarbor

I was 4 – nearly 5! – the first time I crossed the Nullarbor. Christmas day, and we were on the Indian Pacific* heading for Adelaide. We’d spent Christmas eve in a pub somewhere in rough as guts Western Australian gold-mining town Kalgoorlie, but I don’t remember that.  Maybe I had blanked it out … Many years later, I made[…]

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Mt Kosciuszko from Charlotte Pass Lookout, Snowy Mountains

Aussie ABC: M is for Mount Kosciuszko

‘Good on ya, love,’ a bloke sang out, one of a trio of pensioners trotting past me as I trudged wearily up the last slight steady impossibly steep incline before the Mt Kosciuszko lookout. Leaving the summit behind I only had 2km of the 13 km (8 miles) round trip summit hike to go, and altitude sickness was kicking in.[…]

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Looking towards the coast from the Eungella Plateau, Queensland

Aussie ABC – L is for Lookout!

Downunder, a sign pointing to a LOOKOUT isn’t a warning to LOOK OUT! – it’s a vantage or viewing point from which to better admire the surrounding landscape.  Like this completely gratuitous one above – serving no other purpose in this post but to attract your attention! It worked, didn’t it?! In this relatively flat land, where the highest mountain is[…]

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