Australia is a country that before European settlement, was almost completely untouched by man. When the British came and settled in Australia, they quickly assimilated the few native people to their customs and most indigenous people died from famine and disease (great way to start a blog post where I am trying to show you how amazing Australia is). After fighting for the British in World War I, the nation of Australia began to work toward independence. Now an independent nation, Australia is interesting as its culture is very similar to Great Britain and the United States, but the slang and the overall landscape makes it one of the most popular travel destination in the world.

Australian slang is unlike any other style of speaking. Australians are very blunt and say what they are thinking rather than hiding it for the most part. I met an Australian in Mexico named Braeden and he exemplified this quality. While he spoke what on his mind, he was still friendly with everyone, making his life an open book. He spat out terms like bloody, give it a burl, mate’s rate, ridgy didge, and other terms that are considered profanity here (it took a while to actually understand him at times). I thought it was too different to get used to but being exposed to it for a prolonged amount of time actually makes the slang feel very natural and I found myself repeating a few of these terms during my time with him. Speaking to Braeden, I became quite interested in looking up how Australia was and I was not disappointed.

Unlike other countries, where their culture is what sets them apart, Australia’s landscape is what sets it apart. Along with the wildlife that is unique to only Australia, such as kangaroos and koalas (I should not have to convince you any more after koalas), they have many different beautiful areas to visit. Uluru, Bungle Bungles, and the Snowy Mountains are three of the few elevated areas of Australia. These scenic views allow you to see the outback stretch out for miles out onto the horizon. If you go at the right time, you can see the sun set over the horizon, giving you a beautiful sense of what Australia is all about. There is also the Daintree Rainforest, which is a rainforest in the northern part of Queensland where shallow ponds lie, allowing for a rich diversity of animals in the rainforest. Shark Bay (believe it or not, not famous for its sharks) and 12 Apostles are two beautiful shorelines that people frequently visit. Shark Bay is home to the Dugong while 12 Apostles has some amazing rock structures off the shoreline that leave people in awe. Along with all these unique places, there is also the famous Great Barrier Reef, which is home to hundreds of unique species as it is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. People visit Australia for this amazing reef alone, but there is so much to enjoy in this large country.

Australia is unique because it was a paradise untouched by land. Even many people not live there, it is still a place that holds it natural beauty throughout all these years. The people are friendly, the landscape is beautiful, and it will feel like “home away from home”. I hope to visit soon to see all these wonders myself and I hope that you will join me!