Australia sights
- Ayers Rock- Great Barrier Reef- Kakadu National park- Sydney Opera House- Snowy Mountains- Harbour Bridge- Flinders Range National Park- Frasers Island- Cape Tribulation National Park- Great Ocean Road- Kimberley Region
The Great Barrier Reef
Thee Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef in the world (2.300 m long), has got the largest world heritage area (347 800 square kilometres big) and also the world biggest system of coral reefs. It is grouped in five sections because of his dimension.The reef is located in the north-east of Australia, near the east coast of the federal state Queensland in the south pacific and is 18 million years old.It was detected by James Cook 1770, who got there and it is called one of the “7” wonders of the world.The Great Barrier Reef is famous for 1.900 singles reefs, 1000 islands, and many flats. There are 1.500 species of fish, ca. 400 species of corals, 215 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles, reams of sponges, sea stars and shells. There also live sharks.About two million tourists want to see the reef every year. The best way to discover the wonderful underwater world is snorkelling. For all fishers, it isn‘t allowed to fish there!
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world and a UNESCO world heritage. It's one from the emblems of Sydney and was built in 1959-1973 by Jørn Utzon. Queen Elizabeth 2nd dedicated the opera in 1973.The Opera House is 184 m long, 118 m wide and 67 m high. On the roof there are about 1 million white ceramic tiles. In the emblem there are five theaters with 5532 seats.The Building cost much more as anticipated, even 100 million Australia dollars.Today it's one of the famoust tourists attractions in Australia and one of the biggest culture centers in the world. Every year there are about 2500 shows with 4 million tourists.
Harbour Bridge
The Harbour Birdge is the main connection between the north and south coast from the port of Sydney. The Bridge is also en emblem of Sydney and a national monument.The natives call it “coat hanger.“It was built from 1923 to 1932 . Trains, cars, pedestrians and bikes can use the bridge.The construction is 1149 m long, 49 m wide and 134 m high. 1400 men built the bridge with 52.800 barrels steel. Thus it's one of the longest and heaviest!
Fraser Island
The Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world (1840 km² (124 m long and 25 m wide)). It belongs to the federal state Queensland and is on the east coast of Australia. Since 1992 the island is a UNESCO world heritage. It's called “Fraser“ because 1836 the captain James Fraser, who sank there with his ship, saved himself on the island. The last ship sank in 1935.The Aborigines call the island “K’gari“( this means paradise). For about 5500 years Natives lived there. Today there live 360 people, but just 11 Aborigines.There are 200 fresh-water lakes, 350 species of birds and 40 different species of mammals.
Great Ocean Road
The beautiful Great Ocean Road is between Torquay – Allansford in the federal state of Victoria and is 243 km long. Every year about 7 million visitors drive along there. Since 2011, it's a national monument. The first idea was 1864 to have a good connection between the coast cities.On the road there are the 12 apostels (rocks). They are different in heights and length and the most photographed sight.
Ayers Rock
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs, 450 km (280 mi) by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to a plethora of springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory of Australia, 171 km southeast of Darwin. Kakadu National Park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It covers an area of 19,804 km2 extending nearly 200 kilometres from north to south and over 100 kilometres from east to west. It is the size of Slovenia, about one-third the size of Tasmania, or nearly half the size of Switzerland. The Ranger Uranium Mine, one of the most productive uranium mines in the world, is surrounded by but separate from the park.
Snowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains, also known as "The Snowies", are the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 metres. The range contains the five highest peaks on the Australian mainland, all above 2100 metres (6890 feet). They are located in southern New South Wales and are part of the larger Australian Alps and the Great Dividing Range. This is mainland Australia's only true Alpine region with large natural snowfalls every winter. Snow normally falls the most during June, July and early August. Most of the snow has melted by late spring. The Tasmanian highlands are the other Alpine region in Australia.
Flinders Range National Park
Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts approximately 200 km north-west of Adelaide. The park is over 430 km from Port Pirie to Lake Callabonna huge. The most characteristic landmark is Wilpena Pound, a large, natural amphitheatre covering nearly 80 square kilometres, containing the range's highest peak, St Mary Peak and adjoining the Flinders Ranges National Park. The northern ranges host the Arkaroola wilderness sanctuary and the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. The southern part of the ranges is notable for the Pichi Richi scenic railway and Mount Remarkable National Park.
