Australia - The Land Down Under

[Condobloke]

Always intrigued by Australia.

You are not alone in that sentiment. Tourists coming here occasionaly go home wondering what all the fuss was about.
That tells me, they were either on a leash, or they just didn't get to see what there really is to see......which is ginormous !.... too much to take in, in one visit.

What a great deal of people fail to realise is the enormity of Australia. It is a big country, spread out over big distances, an ever changing landscape, attitude changes between the various states, sometimes even between towns, ...

I could ramble on for ever. but...I can assure you the spiders are twice the size quoted, and the snakes are three times longer
Ok, I'll stop pulling the wool (talking bs)

The spiders and snakes, while they are present, you would be really hard pressed to find them in a city, and in most circumstances in the country/regional areas, you would damn near have to go looking for one to see one. If you did happen to come across one, the best approach....is not to approach. Keep your eye on him, and gently and quietly put distance between him and yourself. No screams or yells. Snakes pick up on that, and then become a touch unpredictable.
All the snake wants is to be left alone. Do so.
Spiders are a different kettle of fish. get to know what a funnel web spider and a red back spider look like....and stay away....if you cannot arrange that, be sure your health insurance is up to date, and remember the phone number for emergencies in Australia is 000 (triple zero) (make sure your phone is working in oz) Spiders have no respect. Snakes have some.

I can tell you pretty much anything you wish to know about this place. i have lived here all my life. The locations I have been cover most if not all of Australia.

The best thing about Australia?.....people in the country/regions.

 

[Deleted member 197709]

The best thing about Australia?.....people in the country/regions.

Now that sounds cool! I've always been somewhat of an introvert. Big crowds of people, I'm going in the opposite direction. Probably why I love camping and wandering in the forest so much.

I got in trouble constantly at work for skipping meetings held in a room packed full of people. When they did scold me and get my butt in one, I had to sit by the door making sure my escape route was good to go. I'm not anti social by any means, but surrounded in a crowd has always kinna freaked me out.

Wow!! Those spiders!! I'd be drawing color pictures of em and embed them into my brain! I think my worst fault is that I'm not scared of creepy crawlers. Got grounded as a kid often by catching them and bringing em home to show mom and dad, usually to their shock! Hence my first rattle snake bite. I wasn't careful enough when i caught the little critter! I'm wiser these days and when I see something that doesn't look friendly, I kinna tiptoe away.

Thanks! I'm still intrigued

 

[Deleted member 197709]

If you did happen to come across one, the best approach....is not to approach. Keep your eye on him, and gently and quietly put distance between him and yourself. No screams or yells. Snakes pick up on that, and then become a touch unpredictable.
All the snake wants is to be left alone. Do so.

Made me remember an encounter I had quite some years ago walking across a huge field. I came across this snake and stopped as his head popped up. He was alarmed! Every time I took a step backwards he approached closer.

Long story short, I was running my ass off with a very angry snake chasing me. Despite hoping I could run faster than it, I was astonished at how fast a snake can be even though it doesn't have legs! It eventually gave up and I caught my breath and took the long way around that field.

Later I learned it was a blue racer. They instinctively chase anything that threatens them. Not poisonous really, but still, noone wants to get snake bit!

 

[Condobloke]

The snake to be extremely wary of here in Australia, is :
The eastern brown snake, scientifically known as Pseudonaja textilis, is a highly venomous snake native to eastern and central Australia and southern New Guinea. It is recognized as the second most venomous land snake in the world, with a color range from pale brown to black and a slender build that can grow up to 2 meters in length.
Wikipedia

the wikipedia article is mostly accurate, and is worth a read.

 

[KGIII]

I have always been intrigued by Australia.

It's well worth the trip. I've been there twice, though there was a romantic interest at the bottom of it all. It's still worth visiting.

I think my experience might be a good descriptor...

Some time after we concluded that it wasn't going to work (we just couldn't decide which of us was going to leave our home country for extended periods of time), she was on her way to work at a local cafe when she was accosted by an angry magpie. The magpie kicked the ever-living snot out of her, cutting her face badly enough to leave scars and require emergency medical treatment.

That's not something I wanted, or anything like that. We're still communicating with each other all these years later. No, it's not something I wanted; it's just something she faced while on an ordinary walk to work at an ordinary job.

Welcome to Australia, where even the birds are dangerous.

Magpies are also a protected species in Australia. So, she doesn't get the joy of hunting down and killing the offending magpie.

Still, I'd argue that it's a great place to visit.

By the way, she's now married with a couple of kids. The scars mostly faded. She doesn't even hate magpies. Now and then, someone will be attacked (often postal workers, from what I've seen), and she'll send me a link to remind me of how dangerous magpies are.

 

[Deleted member 197709]

Magpie attacks!! Goodness gracious! Snakes I've encountered often and learned my lessons. Some the hard way. I'm in florida rather away from cities, and wildlife here is abundant. Squirrels everywhere, some trying crawl up leg wanting a treat. This possum that says hello in the mornings crawling over my feet. I don't even try to touch it as its teeth are scary looking. Even Smoke smokes my cat won't go near it. She just looks at me as if to say ...Hey that possum is your problem! Animals seem attracted to me verses leaving me alone as I try to leave them alone. Raccoon marched pass me the other morning seemingly in slow motion. Stopped and looked at me for a bit, as if to say hi, or you cool, i'm not going to attack you. It was an ordeal even getting adopted by smoke smokes my cat who spent months attacking me before zooming into my house uninvited.

I don't think I would be able to stay healthy in Aussie land with my love of being away from cities! Snakes I can deal with. Even that blue racer as the worst thing you can do is run from them. They are programmed to chase you if you do. Lesson learned.

Why is Aussie so poisonous and dangerous?

I would be a nervous wreck visiting as I adore camping in the woods. I could see me spinning around constantly to make sure I'm not gonna get chased my something. Ugh!

 

[Condobloke]

On the flip side of that coin, I was always told that the maggy will defend its nest with young in it, to the death. I was told that as a very young boy.
Now, more than a few years older, I know that to be the truth. They defend any perceived threat ferociously.
Their ire can be heightened by anything that is shiny....eg earrings, necklace etc

Further to the flip side, I have a mischief of maggys who frequent our backyard....especially when myself or my wife are gardening, mowing grass, using the brushcutter, etc...... but particularly when I am hanging clothes on the line. They strut about the place, I talk to them and they chatter back. i have a 6" round mirror, which I occasionally rest up against a brick in the backyard. The visitors will come and take a look in the mirror.....they actually recognise themselves. They will push their mate next to them out of the way so they can view themselves. They don't peck the mirror.
The intelligence displayed is quite remarkable.

I do not feed them. Very rarely, if I am munching a biscuit etc when I walk out into the yard, (usually heading for my workshop with a cuppa).... I may toss whichever of them is around a few small pieces off the bikkie.

But, I don't encourage them. That creates dependency on their part. In drought weather that can leave them dying of hunger etc.....I do leave a bowl of water.

One in particular, which I call boofhead, a female (greyish white marking across the back of their necks) she flew down into the yard one day, with what was obviously a young maggy with her. Young maggies are quite motley in colour, grey/white/a bit of black...the black takes time to develop.
She was bringing her young to me, to show me her pride and joy. I kept a respectful distance and chattered to her, and she chattered back....big time!....I was mindful not to approach the youngster, being quite certain that if I had all hell may have broken loose.

Fascinating bird. Probably not deserving of the reputation that is sometimes attached to them.

Another thing they have, in spades. A long memory. My Mum told me at that same young age...'for heavens sake Brian, don't throw a stone at them....they will not forget you if you do'

Australian magpie​

The Australian magpie is a black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea, and introduced to New Zealand, and the Fijian island of Taveuni. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus Gymnorhina and is most closely related to the black butcherbird Continued in Wikipedia

Recognising Magpie Gender: Determining Whether a Bird is Male or Femal

In most cases, it can be quite simple to distinguish the gender of an adult magpie. They have obvious visual differences between males and females, including variations in size and coloration. Males are typically larger than females and have longer beaks, while females a

www.shop.themagpiewhisperer.com

 

[Deleted member 197709]

Fascinating bird. Probably not deserving of the reputation that is sometimes attached to them.

I can understand better now. Perhaps, or more than likely, The attacks are just being a threat to them without knowing it. It's always helpful to be aware of the wildlife around us. Individuals within a species can certainly have unique personalities. I see that especially with all the squirrels running around my property. Some always very timid, and others so bold as to want to crawl up my leg. I put out bird feed often and they, i'm sure, think i'm feeding them. We have so many different kinds of birds in Florida, and watching them is so fascinating to me. Nothing like Magpies though, that I have seen.

 

[Deleted member 197709]

Crows and sometimes Ravens I see often. They look similar looking to a magpie I think, except for color as they are black. Very intelligent and will sometimes try to adopt someone for mysterious reasons. Their temperment isn't anything like a magpie though, as far as attacking people when threatened. Although if you messed with their young or nest, I'm sure they would put up a fight as most birds would.

Mom always had this huge pin / birdcage with Cockatiels and finches. She fussed over them like they were her babies. The bond they had with her, and anyone they got use to, was unbreakable! The love those birdies had for her was awe inspiring! One Cockatiel would do the strangest things mimicking my whistles and dance around so excited when I would show up. I was always like damn dude! You going to have a heart attack or something! Bouncing up and down and freaking out. Taking him out and spending time with him was pure joy! Birds in general are way more intelligent than we give them credit for I think.

Baby squirrel I saved from a cat one day. Goodness what a bond it had with me. No way was i able to give him back to his parents!! Every time I tried, he jump down and run after me. Up my leg and panting under my hair on my shoulder. Oh my God did that little guy steal my heart!

 

[KGIII]

The intelligence displayed is quite remarkable.

They are Corvidae. They're a pretty smart family of birds. Crows and ravens are in the same family.

We get crows, blue jays, ravens, and a couple of others.

There's a PBS documentary called 'A Murder of Crows', which is very illuminating. (A group of crows is called a murder of crows.)

I decided to find it. It's not a very high bitrate, but that's okay.

 

[Deleted member 197709]

It's difficult for me to not be a little sad when Smoke smokes, my beasty cat brings me a birdy as a gift. I know why she does it. I just say, I Love you too! Ugh!!!

If a monster with lethal weapons got me and killed me for a good cause, I suppose there could be worse ways to die! Ugh... I'd just say.. I'm here early God! A freakin monster got me!

 

[Condobloke]

Farmers to receive fertiliser from Indonesia after deal struck

Follow the latest headlines from ABC News, Australia's most trusted media source, with live events, audio and on-demand video from the national broadcaster.

www.abc.net.au

250,000 tonnes of Urea will not go far....Australia is a big country, but it is a start.

 

[Condobloke]

How Maltese migrants united to build a Queensland sugarcane legacy

Long before they were cast in bronze, a group of Maltese migrants quietly reshaped who would own farmland across north Queensland.

www.abc.net.au

The statues are based on a candid photograph by Joe Caruana in 1994. (Supplied: Carmel Baretta)

 

[Condobloke]

Why this cattle farmer is flooding his property with salt water

More than half a century ago, lush wetlands along the Queensland coastline were cut off from the ocean as farmers built physical barriers to stop salt water flowing into their land. Now, conservation groups and traditional owners are restoring tidal flows and bringing life back to the land.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Condobloke]

The world wants to eliminate cervical cancer - how Australia led the way

For the first time, Australia has recorded no new cervical cancer diagnoses in women under 25. To get there, they vaccinated young men.

www.bbc.com

 

[Condobloke]

Ok, you have read reams of material about Australia here and elsewhere, and are just itching to take a bit of a trip around/over/through Oz.
You have convinced yourself you can handle this.... 'I can do this' has bought you to making a decision.

The article below hops all over the country, and the places being spoken about change quickly, ....in one breath describing The Nullarbor Plain (in South Australia and Western Australia, and in the next breath, talking about Waterfall Way, which is between Coffs Harbour and Armidale in NSW. It would be easy to think that they were close together.... in fact they are 2500 KM apart. Not exactly neighbours.

Confused by Kilometres vs Miles?
A kilometer (km) is a metric unit of length equal to approximately 0.6214 miles (mi), which is used in the imperial system. The mile is commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom, while kilometers are used in most other countries.

So, the 2500 KM I spoke of is a bit of a long way. Just keep driving, You will get there. Pay attention to the vehicle you are driving. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.
A good map....paper....is essential. Google and Waze etc are brilliant. But, if the signal drops out, it can get very confusing, very quickly.

Take your time. Rushing is not in the countries dna.

Dreaming of an escape? Try these bucket-list Aussie road trips

Whether you want to explore the red desert or picnic by a waterfall, an Aussie road trip awaits.

www.abc.net.au

^^^....part of the Nullarbor Plain, where it meets the Great Australian Bight at Bunda Cliffs

Ebor Falls, near Ebor, north east of Wollomombi, New England NSW....between Coffs Harbour (east coast NSW) and Armidale (University city, population around 30,000, ....around 200 - 250 km in from the coast....elevated....on top of the Great Dividing Range...elevation 980 meters (3,220 feet) above sea level.)

^^^^^....Savannah Way. Where: From Cairns, Queensland to Broome, Western Australia....length, 3,700 Km.
Travel across three states and territories on this 3,700-kilometre outback adventure from Cairns, Queensland, to Broome, Western Australia.
Not exactly next door to each other.

Thirsty?

Where: From Marree to Marla, South Australia

Length: 617 kilometres
Warning: Unsealed road.
Warning: Damn Hot in summer (December, January and February are the hottest)

The Outback Way:
Where: From Laverton, Western Australia, to Winton, Queensland

Length: 2,700 kilometres

Known for: Rugged remote landscapes

Dubbed Australia's longest shortcut, the Outback Way travels through the heart of Australia, across three states and territories.

Is it hot out there ?.....you bet your nelly its hot !!....and after the sun goes down, it gets damn cold too !

Welcome to Australia. A land of extremes.

Pack your common sense and bring it with you.

Just to wax poetic for a moment, stanzas 2, 3,4 5.......'I love a sunburnt country, etc etc right down the last stanza..... That, is Australia.

(then again it may just rain the whole time you are here !!)



The love of field and coppice
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies
I know, but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests,
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops,
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine
She pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze ...

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand
though Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.

 

[Condobloke]

Of ragged mountain ranges,

And these people learned first hand the perils which can be associated with some of those mountain ranges.....
They used an EPIRB to alert emergency people to their situation.....

Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station​

An emergency position-indicating radiobeacon is a type of emergency locator beacon, a portable battery powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate airplanes, vessels, and persons in distress and in need of immediate rescue. In the event of an emergency, such as the ship sinking or an airplane crash, the transmitter is activated and begins transmitting a continuous radio signal which is used by search and rescue teams to quickly locate the emergency and render aid Continued in Wikipedia

Climbers winched to safety after overnight ordeal in the Warrumbungles

A falling rock sparks a tense rescue in the Warrumbungle National Park in central-western New South Wales.

www.abc.net.au

 

[wizardfromoz]

I haven't been here for a month and I am just playing catchup.

On

...when she was accosted by an angry magpie. The magpie kicked the ever-living snot out of her, cutting her face badly enough to leave scars and require emergency medical treatment.

I feel for her. I have had one chase me on my bicycle and it kept swooping for me.

In defence of the maggies though, there is the following.

Those are/were city/suburban magpies. Very agro - who wouldn't be, living in the city?

2003 made our tree change, lived in 3 different areas, all with maggies.

No problems, in rural communities.

 

[KGIII]

An emergency position-indicating radiobeacon is a type of emergency locator beacon, a portable battery powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate airplanes, vessels, and persons in distress and in need of immediate rescue.

It's also not terribly costly (for many people) to get a satellite phone. You just pay for the service before you need it. They don't change much, so you don't need to replace it often. It's stored (and carried) without power, so you don't really need to carry more than one extra battery.

No problems, in rural communities.

The thing is, she lived in Cann River. That town has like 200 people in it.

We have large Canadian geese that'll chase you away. You're not really allowed to fight them. They're considered a migratory bird, so they're protected. They're pretty much the opposite of endangered. We have an abundance of them.

These days, you can hunt them, but only for part of the year and with limits. I don't know one person who bothers to hunt them. Maybe I'll go find some later this year. I've never eaten wild geese. I suspect they're delicious. They're pretty big, but not like emu levels of big.

 

[wizardfromoz]

The thing is, she lived in Cann River. That town has like 200 people in it.

Most unusual.