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KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Australia

Sydney

Welcome to Australia Australia covers 7,692,024 square kilometers (nearly 3 million square miles) including the large, mainland island and more than 8,000 smaller islands that lie within its maritime borders. Let’s learn about Australia from kids like you. Olivia lives in Darwin, in the country’s Northern Territory. She is 10 years old.

Olivia loves the water, whether in a pool or the sea! She enjoys swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

The name Olivia is derived from the Latin word oliva meaning “olive” or “olive tree.” Olivia wears a swimsuit when she swims. She wears a mask when she goes underwater so she can open her eyes to see what’s around her.

Jack is Olivia’s brother. His name means “God is gracious.” Jack is in preparatory school. He is a good student.

Jack likes riding his balance bike at the park with his mom. Biking is a popular pastime in Jack’s country. While at the park, he explores the playground. Olivia and Jack love their country and hope you will too. Let’s learn some more about Australia.

Where in the World? Much of Australia’s mainland includes a low-lying plateau. Desert conditions exist in the center of the mainland and most habitation is found along the coasts. Pockets of rainforest exist in some northern regions that experience a tropical climate. The term “outback” refers to the mainland’s interior as well as areas considered remote.

Charlotte lives in Perth, located where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. It has many scenic parks and sandy beaches.

AUSTRALIA

Leo lives in Queensland’s Gold Coast on Australia’s eastern shore. The city is known for its system of inland canals and waterways.

rey De G

Brisbane

Adelaide

Sydney

Canberra

Melbourne

Darwin

Perth

Hobart I N D I A N

Cape Naturaliste

Perth

Adelaide

ell

tch

Melbourne

South East Cape

Woodlark Island

Hobart

Ta s m a n S e a

CANBERRA

Sydney

Newcastle

Cape Byron

Brisbane

Fraser Island

Cape Townshend

3 0 ºS

Coral Sea

1 5 ºS

Louisiade Archipelago

PA P U A N E W G U I N E A

150ºE

PORT MORESBY

Wilson's Promontory King Island Ba ss S tr a it Flinders Island

Murray

Kangaroo Island

Eyre Peninsula

Lake Frome l i n g r Da

Lake Eyre

I A

Lake Torrens

A L

Lake Gairdner

T R

Great Australian Bight

O C E A N

Lake Mackay

O rd

ina

Steep Point

Gasc

oy n e on is ch ur M

zro

Wellesley Islands

Gulf of Carpentaria

org

Shark Bay

r to

F it

Darwin

Ash

Eighty Mile Beach

Cape Leveque

Bonaparte Archipelago

Cape Londonderry

Timor Sea

INDONESIA

Cape York

To r r e s S t r a i t

Arafura Sea Wessel Island Cape Arnhem

135ºE

North West Cape

400 mi

Barrow Island

400 km

C oun t ry ca pi tal Ad mi ni s trat iv e ca p it al Ma jo r c it y

P OL ITI CAL WIT H AD MI NIST R AT IVE S

Cobourg Peninsula Melville Island

ri a V ic to

Rote

e go

120ºE

SumbaSavu

tin

AU S T RA LI A

Di a

Wa r r

t ea Gr r ie

Can You Find It?

Australia has a variety of climates, ranging from tropical to arid. The most temperate conditions exist along the mainland’s southeast and southwest corners. The northern region has pockets of tropical climate, and rainforests exist in these hot and humid areas. Mia lives in Central Australia’s Alice Springs. It has a subtropical desert climate with hot, dry summers and short, mild winters.

Australia’s central region is hot and dry, including both the Great Victoria and Great Sandy deserts. The majority of the country’s mammals and reptiles are found nowhere else in the world. Along with marsupial kangaroos and koalas, who carry their young in a pouch, singular Australian species include wombats, Tasmanian devils, dingoes, and platypus. Many plants and animals living in the country’s forests, wetlands, and woodlands are threatened due to a combination of factors such as increased land-clearing and climate change. 6

Uluru (Ayers Rock) Within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park stands a massive sandstone monolith. Sacred to indigenous Australians, Uluru—also known as Ayers Rock—is one of Australia’s most recognized natural landmarks. The area around it features springs, caves, and ancient paintings. Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Jenolan Caves

Jenolan Caves The world’s oldest cave system and Australia’s largest, Jenolan Caves are located in the Central Tablelands region. The entrance is through the naturally formed Grand Arch, with the Devil’s Coach House another natural open walkway.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef The world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland. Composed of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, it stretches for over 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles).

History 1606 CE Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon is the first European to land in Australia followed by 29 other Dutch expeditions who name the island New Holland.

1770 James Cook lands in Australia, claiming it for the British. He reports that Botany Bay is optimal for colonization.

1831 The South Australian Land Company is established to create a “free” colony in Australia under private financing.

1851 The Australian Colonies Government Act grants representative constitutions to colonies in Australia. The constitutions introduce democratic parliaments but name the British monarch as head of state in a symbolic role. 8

1901 Governor-General Hopetoun declares Australia’s first Federal Constitution, and the separate colonies become a union of states, forming the backbone of White Australia Policy.

1967 A national referendum granting Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal people full constitutional rights passes with 90 percent approval, and Aboriginal people are now counted in official census data.

2008 Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issues a formal apology to the country’s Aboriginal peoples for years of mistreatment.

2010 Julia Gillard becomes Australia’s first woman prime minister, forming a Labor government after coming to an agreement with the Greens and independents. 9

People Prior to British colonization, Australia had more than 500 indigenous groups. Many of these are now a small minority among a population mostly from English and Irish ancestors.

Miro has Aboriginal ancestry. His school lessons are taught in English, but he speaks Nyungar with his family at home. Most of Australia’s population is white. Various other ethnicities represented today include Asian and European groups including Italians and Germans.

The country has no official language. Most people speak English, and Aussies are noted for their unique take on the language, having a distinct accent and using a lot of slang. 10

More than half of Australia’s population is Christian. Major denominations include Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Eastern Orfthodox, Baptist, and Lutheran.

Other religions practiced include Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Islam is the largest nonChristian religion followed by Buddhism.

Grace’s family practices Catholicism. Her name means goodness and generosity.

Names Ian Amanda

Ian is a Scottish name that means “God is gracious.”

Amanda is a Latin name meaning “worthy of love.”

Jason

Kylie

Kylie means “boomerang” in Noongar, an Aboriginal Australian language.

Jason comes from a Greek word meaning “healer.”

e (Male) Nam

Andrew

Origin

M e aning

Greek

strong, manly

Latin

praiseworthy

Brad

English

broad, wide

Craig

Celtic

rock

Darren

Irish

great

Gary

English

spear

Graham Ken Neil

English Scottish Irish

gray home handsome champion

Simon

Hebrew

to listen

Anthony

e (Female) Nam

Origin

M e aning

Alison

French

noble

Angela

Greek

messenger of God

Belinda Jessica

Italian Hebrew

beautiful “God beholds”

Lisa

English

God’s promise

Melissa

Greek

bee, honey

Rachel

Hebrew

ewe

Samantha

English

listener

Tracey

Irish

warlike

Wendy

English

friend 13

Learn Aussie Slang Although Australia has no official language, English is by far the most commonly spoken. It is believed that more than 250 indigenous Australian languages existed when Europeans first visited in 1606 CE. Howdy

HOW-dee (Hello)

G’day

ga-DAY (Good morning)

Crikey!

KRYE-kee (Wow!)

Ow ya goin’?

OW ya GOE-in (How are you?)

TAH (Thanks) Cheers

CHEERZ (Thanks) No worries

noe WIR-reez (You’re welcome) She’ll be right

SHILL bee RAIYT (It’ll be OK) Yep

YEP (Yes)

Yeah, nah

YEH, NAH (No)

Hooroo

hur-ROO (Goodbye) 15

Holidays and Festivals Australia has a rich and dynamic culture, and Australians celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year. Here are a few:

Australia Day Celebrated on January 26, Australia Day is when Aussies come together to celebrate the country and being Australian. It features ceremonies and events across the country such as flag raisings, citizenship ceremonies, the presentation of community awards, parades, and other festive activities.

ANZAC Day April 25 commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing at Gallipoli during World War I. Australians reflect on the meaning of war and lives that were sacrificed. Services at various war memorials take place at dawn across the country. 16

Floriade This month-long festival has a different theme each year featuring over a million flowers. It also includes music, entertainment, cultural celebrations, demonstrations, arts, crafts, and children’s activities.

Sydney Festival A major arts and cultural event, Sydney Festival takes place for three weeks in January. It offers a diverse program featuring art forms such as dance, theater, music, visual arts, and film as well as largescale outdoor events.

Woodford Folk Festival Lasting four to six days, Woodford Folk Festival features Australian and international performers, dances, workshops, arts and crafts, writers’ panels, jam sessions, children’s activities, and more. 17

Food Australian cuisine is increasingly diverse with its larger cosmopolitan cities offering foods from all over the world. However, traditional cuisine most commonly follows the basic “meat and three vegetables” style of English cooking. Meat has been a major part of the Aussie diet since the country’s founding. Local lamb is of the highest quality, remaining plentiful and popular to this day; however, it now vies with beef and seafood.

Vegemite on Toast The salty yeast-based spread, Vegemite—a favorite among Aussies— is smeared over a warm piece of toasted bread.

Rissoles A dish originating in France, rissoles are fried patties made of meat, onion, and breadcrumbs. Unlike its predecessor, the Australian version is not wrapped in pastry.

SconeTopped Beef Casserole A hearty beef stew is slow-cooked topped with dumplings that soak up the savory broth.

Lamingtons Chocolate-covered cubes of sponge cake rolled in grated coconut, Lamingtons are commonly served for afternoon tea.

ANZAC Biscuits Originally sent to troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I, these are crisp eggless cookies made of rolled oats, grated coconut, and molasses. 19

Bush Tea Any tea brewed with gum tree leaves is referred to as bush tea.

Carrot Salad Australia’s version of carrot salad includes a surprising variety of tastes, including the sweetness of raisins and coconut along with the boldness of curry powder.

Scotch Broth The broth of this flavorful soup is made from sheep heads. It also includes pork or bacon, root vegetables, herbs, and peas as well as pearl barley or rice. 20

Barbecued Prawns Australia is blessed with an abundance of several types of large shrimp. After marinating, they require minimal cooking to bring out their flavor. Total Time

4 hours

Ingredients 2½ lbs (1.1 kg) fresh king prawns ¼ cup (5 g) fresh parsley, chopped ¼ cup (60 ml) oil 2 Tbsp (30 ml) barbecue sauce 2 Tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice 1 Tbsp (15 ml) honey

2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh chives, chopped

Directions Peel and devein prawns, leaving tails intact. Combine parsley, oil, barbecue sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and chives in a mixing bowl. Add prawns and mix. Cover and refrigerate for 4–8 hours. Preheat the grill for 3 minutes. 6 Skewer the prawns, place them on the grill, and cook for about 2–3 minutes. 77 Flip the skewered prawns and grill until just cooked through. Serve immediately.

National Symbols National Bird Emu (common name) Dromaius novaehollandiae (scientific name)

National Day Independence Day August 19

National Flower Golden Wattle (common name) Acacia pycnantha (scientific name)

National Animal Red Kangaroo (common name) Macropus rufus (scientific name) 22

National Flag First used – September 3, 1901 Nickname – The “Stars and Crosses”

National Currency Australia’s official currency is the Australian dollar and cent. 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents

National Anthem “Advance Australia Fair”

Lyrics by: Peter Dodds McCormick

Lyrics Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature’s gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history’s page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. Beneath our radiant Southern Cross

We’ll toil with hearts and hands; To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands; For those who’ve come across the seas We’ve boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine To Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair.

Things to See and Do Australia Zoo On Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo is owned by Terri Irwin, wife of wildlife legend Steve Irwin who died in 2006. Home to more than 1,200 animals, it hosts live shows in the Animal Planet Crocoseum.

Eureka Skydeck 88 The Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck, Eureka Skydeck 88 stands at 285 meters (935 feet) tall in Melbourne. On the 88th floor, a glass cube called The Edge provides panoramic views of the city below.

Scitech Featuring Australia’s largest planetarium, Scitech has a variety of entertaining and educational exhibits. Although the hands-on activities are tons of fun, the real highlights of this technology and science center are its daily live shows that explore a range of interesting topics. 24

Yanchep National Park Yanchep National Park is home to a variety of wildlife such as western grey kangaroos as well as more than 400 caves. The koala boardwalk offers views of one of the country’s favorite native animals.

Sydney Opera House One of the world’s most recognizable buildings, Sydney Opera House is shaped like a series of shells. It houses five theaters, five rehearsal studios, two main halls, four restaurants, six bars, and many souvenir shops.

National Arboretum Canberra The 250-hectare (618-acre) National Arboretum Canberra features 94 forests (two of them more than 100 years old), which are home to over 44,000 rare and endangered trees from more than 100 countries. In addition, there are several gardens. 25

Sydney Olympic Park This park offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Attractions include paths for hiking and biking, a splashpad, aquatic center, and archery range.

Australian National Maritime Museum This museum has fascinating artifacts, thought-provoking exhibitions, and fun activities.

National Dinosaur Museum This museum offers insight into Earth’s history with life-like dinosaur models, skeletons, and robotic dinosaurs.

Centennial Parklands Centennial Parklands is made up of three parks: Moore, Queens, and Centennial. Attractions include an equestrian center, bike paths, children’s play garden, labyrinth, and more. 26

Australia Zoo Eureka Skydeck 88 Scitech Yanchep National Park Sydney Opera House National Arboretum Canberra Sydney Olympic Park Australian National Maritime Museum National Dinosaur Museum Centennial Parklands

Location Guid e

Western Australia

South Australia

Northern Territory

Melbourne

New South Wales

Queensland

Tasmania

Canberra

Fun Facts Say Baaa In Australia, sheep outnumber people by three to one. Unsurprisingly, wool is among the country’s top agricultural exports.

Square Peg, Round Hole Wombats are native to Australia and have another special ability besides being marsupials who raise their young in pouches. They produce cube-shaped poops, about 100 a night. Unique in nature and a mystery to scientists, the poop cube is created by the varied elasticity of the animal’s intestines. 28

, Hop Along, Roo The longest recoded jump by a kangaroo measured 12.8 meters (42 feet), made by a female red kangaroo that was being chased in New South Wales, Australia. That one great leap holds a Guinness World Record.

Creepy Crawlies Australia is home to about 1,500 species of spiders, 4,000 kinds of ants, and 350 types of termites. In addition, it has 17 of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

Cast Your Vote Australians don’t have a choice when it comes to voting, as this is compulsory for everyone age 18 and older. Non-voters are fined $20 Australian dollars for their first offense, which jumps to a $50 fine for recurrent non-voters. 29

KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Australia 12 Apostles

Kalbarri National Park

Cranberra

Broken Hill

Melbourne