10 Unusual Things You Can See Only in Australia
Australia is among the world’s most exotic countries. It is home to plenty of natural wonders and diverse wildlife.
Take a look at 10 unusual but incredible things that can be seen only in Australia.
Coober Pedy
Image source: Businessinsider.com
Coober Pedy is a small town situated in South Australia. The town is known for opal mining and is often called the “opal capital of the world”. What makes the place even more unusual and popular is its below-ground residences, often called “dugouts”. The accommodations are built into caves and hills and reflect red shades from the rock. These houses always stay at 23 degrees Celsius and help the inhabitants survive heat and freeze.
Pink Lakes
Image source: twolostfeet.com
There are more than ten pink lakes in Australia. According to researchers, the reason for their unique color is algae, organisms that accumulate red pigment at high light and temperature. One of these stunning lakes is Hillier, located on Middle Island in Western Australia. Visitors cannot land on the island. However, they can see it by air or the sea.
Gnomesville
Image source: jennytung.blogspot.com
Gnomesville's unique and famous tourist attraction is located in the Ferguson Valley, Western Australia. Alongside stunning nature, this place is known for its community of more than 10,000 Gnomes. This number is constantly growing. No one knows how Gnomes appeared there. It is said that the local community placed some Gnomes at the place, then more were added, turning it to the village. Now visitors must add Gnome before they leave.
Kangaroo Island
Image source: australia.com
Kangaroo Island is situated a short distance from the coast of South Australia. The island is popular with its thriving wine and food industry. However, what makes the island unique is the wildlife park that preserves native and exotic animals such as Kangaroos, Koalas, Short-beaked Echidnas, Sea-lions, penguin colonies, and a variety of birds.
Uluru
Image source: emurun.com.au
Uluru or Ayers Rock is a sandstone monolith situated in the central part of Australia. This place is among the most famous landmarks in the world. It is thought to be formed 550 million years ago. The rock formation is 348 meters above the ground. Most of it is left underground. Uluru is a sacred place for the local community. The shifting of colors makes it even mysterious. The monolith changes from grey to purple, red, golden, and orange during the day due to sunlight.
Tasmanian Devil
Image source: australia.com
The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial animal native to Australia, New South Wales. It got its name when European settlers found the animal with wide jaws, sharp teeth, and red ears, screaming and growling from bushes. The Tasmanian devils are carnivorous. They are not dangerous for humans as long as they do not feel threatened. The species is considered endangered now by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Walking Without Shoes
Image source: reddit.com
One of the unusual things tourists find strange in Australia are people walking barefoot due to the. It is common in Australia to go out without shoes or do grocery shopping barefoot. And if it gets uncomfortable, they opt for another popular thing in the country – flip-flops.
Massive spider webs
Image source: Reddit
This may be a nightmare for people with Arachnophobia (fear of spiders).
The Pinnacles
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The Pinnacles are the limestone structures that are preserved in Nambung National Park in Western Australia. They formed around 25,000-30,000 years ago after the receding of the sea. What makes the Pinnacles even more interesting is their sacred meaning to the local tribe. Some people believe they were fossilized ghosts, while the Aboriginal story tells about the men who walked through the sacred place meant only for women. They were punished and buried alive in the desert. The limestone blocks that reach 3.5 meters in height are said to be their weapons.
Platypus
Image source: parks.tas.gov.au
Platypus is a mammal that is endemic to eastern Australia. This small amphibious animal is a combination of adaptations, including a bill almost identical to a duck’s beak. Platypus is one of nature’s unique animals. Although they are mammals, platypuses lay eggs. Besides, they detect electrical signals in the process of searching for food.