Australia was founded on Federation Day, January 1st 1901.  Australia's capital  is Canberra in the Australian Capital territory (ACT), which ceded from New South Wales (NSW) in 1911 to Australia and its seaport Jervis Bay in 1915. Our coat of arms including the states and territories are pictured below.  Also shown is our national flag, the 'Southern Cross' for so long important to all mariners, explorers and navigators. 

Pictured  below is a typical outback scene.

This picture is indicative of the central part of the main continent which exists on 250mm or less of rain every year. There is little or no water and is mostly useless for farming, and not capable of sustaining life as we know it. The daily temperature out here rises to above 50 degrees Celsius (122F +/-).

This tropical storm heralds the coming of the 'Wet'. The  north of the continent has only 2 seasons, the 'Wet' and the 'Dry'. The Asian like tropical season dumps huge amounts of rain onto the land. But it only gives temporary relief and quickly runs off into creek beds and gullies, due to the earth being rock hard. During the 'Wet', the roads, airfields etc can be rendered useless and impassable. these were some of the unknown factors that the early explorers didn't know about, and which caused them so much hardship.

When the big "WET" comes to the north beware because many of the roads are dirt roads and river crossings can turn into this kind of thing (left) in a matter of minutes. This 4 wheel drive truck is pulling the white  vehicle from the torrent. Remember, use your common sense and do not take chances like this guy did.

Although this paints a harsh picture there are in Australia a wealth of beauty including the rain forests of Northern Queensland, the snow fields of the Australian Alps and the forests of South Western Australia, pictured here, it is a temperate region of vast beauty and ageless tree's.

The southern forests of Western Australia (WA) are indeed ageless, the Jarrah, Karri, Tingle and Gum tree's are a sight to behold. This forest is a planted forest and is only 100 years old, but many old the old growth forests are hundreds of years old. The area's of the lower south west of WA is covered with such beautiful tree's, in the timber town of Pemberton there is one Karri tree that has been used as a fire lookout tree and is over 320 feet high with a fire lookout cabin on top of it. It can be climbed by the public using the covered in steps put in place many years ago. The plunder of the forests has been scaled right back now but still selected timbers can be used for making furniture etc. The forest floor is cleared of old wood and deformed tree's which is used for making wood chips which is exported overseas for paper making. it all comes with a price unfortunately, thousands of jobs have been lost because of the cutbacks but in the long run it is for the benefit of all Australians. Where ever you travel in this country the countryside changes every few miles, there is so much to see, lakes and water holes such as this one are quite common for people to enjoy and look after.

This lush greenery is a far cry from the harsh interior of the country, but the Rain forests of Northern Queensland are stunning as is the snow fields of the Alps in New South Wales and Victorian border area. The beaches of Lower south NSW and the great beaches of Western Australia are something to behold. This not a country to be frightened of, but a country to be respected and wondered at. Please visit us, you will not be sorry. All this to see and coupled with the openness of Australians, who have a great sense of humour, will delight you.