Australia is the only country on the planet that spans the entire continent of Australia. It is one of the most populous countries with an abundance of natural resources and has a large amount of agricultural land, more than one-third of the country is desert.The number of incredible experiences available when visiting Australia is staggering, and it can be challenging to know where to begin exploring them all. There's something for everyone, whether tourists are looking for excitement, want to see something unique and out of the ordinary, or want to learn more about the country’s culture and history. If tourists are visiting Australia, here are some of the bizarre things they might see during their trip that can only be found in Australia.
10 Hot Pink Slug That Can Only Be Found In Mount Kaputar
Mount Kaputar in New South Wales, Australia, hosts a rare snail species that has never before been documented. According to researchers, these fluorescent pink snails can grow eight inches long, making them real giants by snail standards. Locals have reported this species of Triboniophorus in the past, but only recently has it been confirmed that it is actually unique to this area. Because they can only be found on a ten square kilometer area on the subalpine slopes of Mount Kaputar, a 5,000-foot mountain, the snails appear to be challenging to locate. In addition, snails hide during the day, making it even more challenging to identify them, and they only emerge at night to seek food in trees.
9 Moon Jellies That Are Seen Melting In Beaches
Gigantic jellyfish have been showing up on beaches in the far north of Queensland, where they appear to have melted and left large puddles on the sand after appearing to melt. According to experts, the warm weather and heavy surf in recent days have forced the gigantic jellies to wash ashore on multiple Queensland beaches, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The jellyfish have been spotted melting after resting on the scorching sand due to high temperatures. However, marine scientist Dr. Adele Pile believes it is merely a specific part of the jellyfish lifecycle and not a result of the heat.
8 Tasmanian Devil
Their stocky build and coarse brown or black fur have earned them the reputation of being aggressive little critters. It can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh as much as 26 pounds, making it the largest animal on the planet. Depending on where it lives and how much food it has available, the Tasmanian devil can reach and exceed these sizes. It has one of the most powerful bites of any mammal due to its massive head and sharp teeth and strong muscular jaws. Tasmanian devils, which were once widespread across Australia, are now restricted to the island state of Tasmania. Although they can be found throughout the island, they prefer coastal scrubland and forest.
7 Thorny Devil
The thorny devil, also known as the thorny dragon or the mountain devil, is a mythical creature from the Middle East. It's a spiny lizard that can grow up to eight inches in length and is native to Australia. They can be found in the arid shrubland and desert in the continent's interior, where they thrive. In the genus Moloch, thorny devils are the only species, and they have a lifespan ranging from six to twenty years. Ants are their only prey, so they wait patiently for the unfortunate insects to pass by and use their sticky tongue to lick up any ants it comes across. In fact, thorny devils are so adept at this hunting mode that they can consume thousands of ants every day.
6 Cork Hat
When wearing cork hats, it is believed that the dangling corks will help to keep flies off someone’s face. Visitors from other regions of the world may be perplexed as to why this is essential, yet, it is necessary for Australians as there are so many flies in their country. In the United Kingdom, a single buzzing fly may be considered slightly obnoxious. However, a swarm of flies can fall on anyone in an Australian desert destination like Uluru, the Kings Canyon, Lake Eyre, or Balladonia, seemingly in an endless stream. On a hot day, it's more miserable because no amount of frantic arm-waving appears to be able to dislodge them.
5 Southern Cassowary
Only one of three cassowary species, the southern cassowary, scientifically known as Casuarius Casuarius johnsonii, can be found on the Australian continent. It is one of three cassowary species that are found throughout the world. This large, flightless ratite, similar to an emu or an ostrich, has distinctive feathers and other characteristics that distinguish it from all other birds. Southern cassowaries were found in the tropical rainforests of northeast Queensland, from the Paluma Range to Cape York. Currently, three separate populations of cassowaries can be found in Australia.
4 The Shoey—The Grossest Australian Drinking Tradition
Drinking from a shoe has been used as a good luck charm, a hazing punishment, and a party prank in Australia. This behavior of ‘doing a shoey’ in Australia is widespread. When someone drinks a celebratory drink or any beverage after pouring it into a shoe, this is referred to as a ‘shoey’ celebration. Australian Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo popularized the celebration after winning the German Grand Prix in 2016. Today, many people, especially celebrities that visit the country, try this drinking tradition. In fact, The American singer, rapper, and songwriter, Post Malone did ‘the shoey’ in his concert last 2019.
3 Platypus
The Platypus is a one-of-a-kind creature in Australia. Platypuses have been classified as monotremes for the first time, a new order distinct from all other mammals since they lay eggs. Platypuses were initially viewed with skepticism by European naturalists and scientists due to their unique appearance, which many considered fake. The platypus is a freshwater mammal that is only found in Australia. It is mainly seen in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, as well as eastern, central, and southwestern Victoria, as well as the entire state of Tasmania.
2 Uluru
Uluru, standing 348 meters tall and 550 million years old, is one of the world's most giant monoliths, towering above the surrounding environment and dominating the landscape in Australia. Uluru is a sandstone monolith commonly described as the "heart of the Red Centre" and is one of Australia's most recognizable monuments erected more than 5,000 years ago. The Anangu people of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, possess a unique cultural value since it is a place where they believe that earth and memory dwell as one.
1 Australia’s Pink lake
The pink lake in Australia is a popular tourist destination as the bright color at Lake Hillier on Middle Island, Australia, is unique to any other lake. The lake's unusual coloring, according to the researchers, is caused by algae, halobacteria, microbes, and other things. In addition, this body of water is nearly equivalent to the Dead Sea’s high salinity levels. It's completely safe to swim in, but people can't just jump in and swim a few laps. Lake Hillier can only be seen from the air after taking a helicopter or aircraft flight over the island.