Introduction:
Australia is full of surprises. It has the world’s oldest and most diverse landscapes, an abundance of unique and unusual animals, a multicultural society, and a somewhat bizarre history. There are many fascinating facts about this incredible land, many of which are sure to leave you scratching your head in wonder. Here are 15 weird facts about Australia.
Fact 1: Australia is home to an upside-down mountain range.
The Lost City, or Hall’s Gap, is the world’s only upside-down mountain range. When the circus arrived in the area in 1860, workers found giant rock formations — but not at the top of the mountains, the bizarre ancient fossils were found to be embedded in the sideways rocks.
Fact 2: Australia is the only continent that is also a country.
Australia is the only continent that is also a country. In 1901, it became an official nation, with the six existing colonies coming together to form the Commonwealth of Australia. It is also the largest island on Earth.
Fact 3:Australia is home to the ‘Drop Bear’, a mysterious, tree-climbing predator.
The Drop Bear is a mysterious mammal that operates in the trees of Australian forests. It has a thick coat of fur and powerful claws that help it to climb trees, making it an intimidating predator. Legend has it that they can drop onto unsuspecting victims from the treetops!
Fact 4: Australia is the flattest inhabited continent on Earth.
Australia is the flattest continent on Earth. From sea level, its highest peak is only 2,228 meters above sea level. The flattest state in the country is Western Australia, which has an average elevation of only 300 meters.
Fact 5: Australia does not have a stiff constitution.
Australia does not have a strict Constitution like other countries. Its laws are based on statutes, which are regularly changed by elected representatives. This gives the country more flexibility, and allows for a ‘living Constitution’ that can be amended as needed.
Fact 6: Australia has hosted the Olympics twice.
Australia has hosted the Olympic Games twice – in Melbourne in 1976 and in Sydney in 2000. The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney were the largest and most successful Olympic Games ever hosted in Australia, with the games being seen as a symbol of the country’s coming of age.
Fact 7: Australia is the only country in the world to occupy a single time zone.
Australia occupies a single time zone – the Australian Eastern Standard Time – and never changes time except for Daylight Savings. This means that all clock and watch times across the continent are the same.
Fact 8: Australia is the driest continent on Earth, with only a fraction of its landmass arable.
Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent, with only a fraction of its landmass arable. This is part of what makes Australia such an outlier, as the rest of the world’s inhabited continents between them contain around 80% of the world’s arable land.
Fact 9:Australia is home to the only species of poisonous bird on Earth.
The native Australian musk parrot is the only species of poisonous bird on Earth. Its toxicity is derived from the toxins it develops in its feathers, and it’s theorized that these toxins are passed on to predators who consume the bird. The bird’s venom isn’t lethal, but it can cause painful swelling and itching.
Fact 10: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism, stretching an astonishing 2,300 kilometers along the Australian coast. It’s home to a variety of wildlife, including coral reefs, manta rays, seabirds, and endangered sea turtles.
Fact 11: The Australian Army uses kangaroos to move munitions and supplies.
The Australian Army often uses kangaroos to move munitions and supplies. It’s thought their strong claws and feet are well-suited for navigating the rugged terrain that they often encounter in training exercises and missions.
Fact 12: Australia is the world’s largest exporter of live animals.
Australia is the largest exporter of live animals in the world, exporting more than 1.2 million animals a year to countries around the world. The country is known for its strict welfare standards for the animals it exports, which are intended to ensure their humane care and treatment in their new homes.
Fact 13: Australia is the world’s smallest continent.
Australia is the world’s smallest continent, but it’s also the sixth largest country. It covers a vast area of 7,741,220 square kilometers, making it the largest island nation on Earth.
Fact 14: Australia has some of the most poisonous creatures in the world.
Australia is home to some of the most poisonous creatures in the world, including the funnel web spider, the box jellyfish, the blue-ringed octopus and the Sydney funnel-web spider. It’s also home to a variety of dangerous snakes and reptiles.
Fact 15: Australia is the only continent with a human-made border.
Australia is the only continent in the world with a human-made border. The settlement of Australia in 1788 saw the creation of a political border that is now one of the world’s most recognized boundaries.
Conclusion
Australia is a unique and fascinating country with plenty of weird facts that are sure to leave you amazed. From upside-down mountains to poisonous birds, Australia truly has it all. So if you’re looking for something a bit different in your next vacation, there’s no better place to explore than down under.
