The Country
Australia is known to be the only nation to govern an entire continent and its islands. The mainland is the largest island and the world’s smallest, flattest continent.
So, what is Australia known for ?
The 4 Rs: Australia’s Iconic Attractions
The Roo - the marsupial family of kangaroos, wallabies and possums.
The Roof – the exterior areas of the Sydney Opera House.
The Reef – referring to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef,Queensland-Largest coral reef on earth & One of the wonders of the world.
The Rock – Uluru, the world’s largest monolith remotely situated in the middle of the continent.
Uluru(Ayers Rock),Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.
The 4 icons are recognized worldwide as being images or pictures that describe Australia.
Features of Australia
The Arts & Culture: theatre, film, music, literature and visual art
The Australians love the arts from theatre and film to literature to music and art. They will congregate at movies and galleries to enjoy their favourite film or admire art pieces. It is popular past time which originated since the 1800s.
The country plays host to world class cultural festivals and events such as the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Music, theatre, dance performances and art exhibitions take place every day of the week. The famous Bangarra Dance Theatre combines aboriginal and western traditions through their aboriginal dance performances. For those who enjoy theatre, ballet and opera, they can participate in the WOMADelaide international music festival in Adelaide. Others who are more on the artistic side can visit the Queensland Culture Centre on South Bank, one of the top and largest museums in Australia. The film industry is Australia’s biggest cultural export hence producing big names in Hollywood like Nicole Kidman, Health Ledger and Hugh Jackman.
Sydney Mardi Gras & Abangarra Dance Theatre
Australia’s Sports Scene
With more than 120 national and thousands of local, regional and state sporting organisations, an estimated six and a half million registered sport participants, sports to the Australians is more than an outlet for excess energy. The most top rated sport in the country is the Australian Rules Football (AFL) which was inspired from cricket. However in New South Wales and Queensland, the National Rugby League (NRL) is the dominating sport and recognized internationally. Besides football and rugby, the Aussies are popular for their swimming and tennis. Major sporting events like the Australian Open attract a huge number of visitors.
With many Australians living near coastal areas, a surfing culture has been created and becomes their way of life. The beautiful beaches and waves have attracted many beach goers all over the world and world class professional surfers for surfing events like Bells Beach Surf Classic. Others prefer to watch boats sail from Sydney Harbour in the famous Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart Yatch Races.
With many Australians living near coastal areas, a surfing culture has been created and becomes their way of life. The beautiful beaches and waves have attracted many beach goers all over the world and world class professional surfers for surfing events like Bells Beach Surf Classic. Others prefer to watch boats sail from Sydney Harbour in the famous Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart Yatch Races.
Surfing competition at Bondi Beach
Multinational diversity of Food and Festivals
As the population of Australia today comprises of 20% foreign born and 40% are of mixed cultural origin, their multi cultural diversity is reflected in the various cuisines that can be found all over the world. From European cuisines to Asian, African and Middle Eastern flavour and even Italian influences, Australians are spoilt for choice. In the recent years, a new cuisine called the Bush Tucker or Pacific Rim was created from mixing flavours from completely different ethnic traditions forming unique fusions. The nation also embraces different cultural festivities such as the Bondi’s Brazilian South American festival and Chinese New Year in Chinatown.
Australia has over 200 years in wine making history and has 1,600 wineries across the country, generating over $2.4 billion in revenue. Hence it has attracted tourists to visit the wine valleys to go for food and wine trails and tour historic wineries.
Hunter Valley,Sydney - It stretches over 160 km and popular with tourists.
The Australian culture originates from stories of battlers, bushrangers and brave soldiers. In today’s context, they refer their culture to sports heroes, thriving performing arts scene and a vibrant multi cultural society as a result of the migrants. It also defines itself by their Aboriginal heritage.
The People:
Aboriginal culture: a rich and timeless tradition
The dreamtime to the aborigines is the sacred ‘time before time’ of the world’s creation. Based on the beliefs of the aborigines, totemic spirit ancestors emerged from the earth and descended from the sky to awaken a dark and silent world. In turn it created the sun, moon and stars, forged mountains, rivers, trees and waterholes and changed into human and animal forms. Spirit ancestors connect this ancient past with the present and future through every aspect of Aboriginal culture. Rock art, craft and bark painting reveal Dreamtime stories, mark territory and record history. Songs tell of Dreamtime journeys and verbally map out water sources and other essential landmarks. The special lyrics which have been passed down are left unchanged for more than 50,000 years. It is often accompanied by clapsticks or the deep throb of the didgeridoo. Similarly, traditional dances reveal creation myths; enact the deeds of Dreamtime heroes and even recent historical events.
Aborigines Today
For the aborigines group, land rights are their top priority hence laws have been passed to allow them to make claims on ownership of land. However many of them have lost or forced to leave their homes due to floods resulting in homes destroyed and development of land to build mines. Although they are groups of aborigines that live in remote areas who go through much suffering, there are others who manage to integrate successfully into the Australian society.
The Urban Aussies
80% of Australians live in cities making it the most urbanized place on earth unlike the myth of a true Aussie to be in the outback. As the majority now holds office jobs, including leisure is crucial to them. As nature is often close to them, some spend their leisure time at the beach or take a stroll at the park or others have a beer at a nearby café. Their lifestyles are mostly relaxed, with the weekends for leisure and “9 to 5 pm” as the working hours for weekdays.
Australia is now a multi cultural society resulting from the massive influx of 6 million settlers from 200 different countries who have made Australia their home. In the 19th century, racism was still deep rooted in Australia and they fear the hordes of Asian settlers. Although it was not easy adapting ,there are others who resorted to other means of settling such as cross cultural marriages. Today, racism is still evident in some areas but not a majority and mostly it is successful in showing cultural diversity.
Life in the Bush (Rural Australia)
This group of people live a life totally different from the urban Aussies. Most of them stay in rural parts of Australia like in the outback and are farmers or cowboys. There is still a large group of them that have not been exposed to globalization and still use traditional methods of farming and raising cattle.
The Traditions:
Australia Day
This day is an occasion whereby Aussies come together and celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It is also a time where they reflect on achievements and re commit to making Australia a even better place to live in, in the future. Held on the , 26 of January, it is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.
Over half of the population attend organised community events while others have gatherings together with family and friends. Citizens get to enjoy fireworks, barbeques, dress up in Australian colours and even feast on traditional Australian fare.
Christmas
As Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere, it is a summer time holiday for Aussies with no chance of a “white Christmas”. Similar to other nations, Christmas is normally celebrated as a family event. Due to the weather, Aussies normally head outdoors to have barbeques. Also, the traditiondal Christams food like turkey,cold ham ,pudding and pies still remains however there is increasing popularity of seafood on ice to complement the hot weather. Some associate it with sport like a game of cricket.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day which is followed after Christmas where it is referred as Proclamation Day. A number of sporting events take place on that. One of them is cricket where ten of thousands will flock to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to enjoy the opening day of the test. Some go there for purely the interest in cricket, others go there for the sake of tradition and even those who just simply enjoy the summer sun. While in Sydney, Boxing Day marks the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Anzac Day
Taking place on the 25th of april,the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day was established to commemorate and honor Aussies who have passed away while serving their country in wars. Veterans usually march the streets and narrate their stories over afternoon tea. Ceremonies are conducted around war memorials and includes wreath laying,singing of hymns, saying prayers and moments of silence and the Australian national anthem.
Traditional Aussie Food
Though Australia boasts of different cuisines , there are some traditional Australian cuisine and staples. Examples include the famous vegetime over sandwiches or toast,pavola (soft meringue dessert with fruit and cream filling,lamingtons( small sponge cake desserts with coconut and chocolate coating and meat pies.
People & Population
According to the Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary, Aborigine is defined as one of a race of tribal peoples ,the earliest known inhabitants of Australia and Indigenous as originating in and characterizing a particular region or country. Prior to the European invasion in 1788, there were about 600 and 700 distinct tribes in Australia speaking up to 250 different languages. Each tribe was made up of communities ,clans and individuals who lived and owned areas which are strictly defined. Each had their own language or dialect, known by a distinct name or customs practiced with their own rites and beliefs.
In the recent years, there has been a growing trend of Indigenous people compared to the rest of the Australian population in terms of number and proportion .According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics ,the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia was estimated to be 517,000 people at 30 June 2006, or 2.5% of the total Australian population. The aboriginal population had a median age of 21 years as compared to 37 years for the non-Indigenous population in 2006.
In 2006, around one-third (32%) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population lived in major cities of Australia, 43% in regional areas and 25% in remote areas. There is a common misapprehension that Indigenous people mostly live in the bush, and it’s true that a bigger percentage of Indigenous people live in remote areas than other people. Overall though, most Indigenous people live in large regional centres and cities like Sydney.
Aboriginal Sites in Eastern Australia
Eastern Australian consists of 3 mainland states – Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The major cities in these 3 states are Brisbane and Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Over half of all Indigenous people live in New South Wales and Queensland. NSW has the largest Indigenous population in Australia (with 30%), followed by Queensland (with 28%).
Queensland
The Tjapukai Tribe,Cairns
Today Tjapukai is one of Australia's largest and most successful tourist attractions. It is a stunning theatrical and symbolic interpretation of a 40,000-year-old society that portrays the Tjapukai Aboriginal culture with dignity and pride. Visitors will experience the essence of life for the Tjapukai people - from the wondrous legends of the Dreamtime through to the present reality of today's Tjapukai people.
Recently Tjapukai launched its newest product ‘Tjapukai by Night' and now presents multiple shows and demonstrations in nine different arenas continuously from 9am till 10pm, seven days a week.
In addition, it is Australia's largest private employer of Indigenous people. An approximate 100 people are employed at Tjapukai of which 80% are Indigenous. Tjapukai is the largest Indigenous tourism commercial enterprise ever undertaken in Australia.
Their Culture
Tijapukai are often described as the “People of the Rainforest” and were nomads within their own tribal boundaries. They have have their own unique customs. For instance, they will practice fire stick farming which involves trading within the tribe or neighbouring tribes. As for their tribal law, the Tjapukai people are very adaptable. They cope with their own laws (lores) as well as laws of today. The Tjapukai community can be seen today as "Village in the Rainforest", one of the major tourists towns in the Far North Queensland. It is home to the majority of the Djabugay people.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Attracting many visitors worldwide, this cultural park showcases theatrical performances and engages tourists in interactive activities to learn the traditional culture and customs of the Tjapukai people.
Visitors can either opt for Tjapukai by Day or Tjapukai by Night. For the day programme, one for enjoy Tjapukai Dance Theatre cultural performances, watch Didgeridoo demonstrations, try fire making the traditional way in the Cultural Village and even give a shot at boomerang and spear throwing ,complete with a taste of bush food. As for the night activities, tourists can immerse in an evening of scrumptious buffet dinner and learn about the traditions of the aboriginal people through traditional dances, music and the telling of dreamtime legends.
The Riverlife Mirrabooka, Brisbane
Presented by the Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers,tourists can gain insight on aspects of contemporary Aboriginal culture by witnessing and participating in traditional songs and dances. They get to see primitive fire starting techniques,the playing of Aboriginal musical instruments (such as didgeridoos) and listen to Indigenous educational talks.
Having performed on an international level for 15 years, the group has gained much recognition from travelers in the United States and Canada.
Daintree cultural adventures
Another popular aboriginal site, the Daintree culture adventures allow visitors to learn about the natural environment and gain a glimpse into Aboriginal history, culture and traditions through the Aboriginal Guided Rainforest Walk. Aboriginal Art and Cultural Workshop are also run to give tourists an opportunity to paint their own Aboriginal inspired artwork using acrylic paints or ochre found on the property, while learning about the history, tradition and culture of the Kuku Yalanji people.
The art gallery,Injune
Travellers get to visit the Art Gallery which contains some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia while strolling in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park. The gallery contains more than 600 stencils and 1300 engravings and the Aboriginal rock art on the sandstone overhangs which serves as a reminder to the Aboriginal people who used the gorge for thousands of years for ceremonies and rituals.
Aboriginal Rock Art, Kakadu National Park
The Kombumerri People, Brisbane, Gold Coast
This group of people was the first indigenous group to settle in Gold Coast about 6000 years ago. Their heritage can still be appreciated through an exploration of this diverse region. The Kombumerri people once feasted at Burleigh Heads, the Yugambeh people lived in Mt Cougal and Springbrook’s many valleys, while aboriginals universally travelled through the Numinbah Valley when attending regular gatherings.
As Gold Coast’s leading native wildlife and coastal rainforest experience, it gives an a rare opportunity to get closer to the amazing native wildlife. Visitors get to savor delicious food, learn traditional culture and get close and personal with Australian animals. Aboriginal music, dance and cultural performances take place seven nights a week.
In a clearing of Melaleuca trees, visitors get to discover a fireside Aboriginal corroboree where you’ll see traditional dance. The haunting sound of the didgeridoo echoing through the Sanctuary’s natural bushland gives memorable experience.
New South Wales
The Wiradjuri
Being the largest Aboriginal group in New South Wales , the Wiradjuri cover a large area of land. Marking their territory by carving trees, they occupy a large area in central New South Wales, from the Blue Mountains in the east, to Hay in the west, north to Nyngan and south to Albury.Their lifestyle involves a “interesting” diet of meat like crayfish,fish, kangaroos, emus to fruit, nuts, yam daisies and even Bogong moths. Today, there is a Wiradjuri walking track thatfollows a route of about 30 kilometers, along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Sydney
The scenic beauty of this iconic park of Sydney ,together with its rich Aboriginal heritage and a strong sense of history have attracted millions of walkers, boaters, swimmers and picnickers. Highlights of the park include the rock engravings, hand stencils and other Aboriginal sites
Mutawintji National Park
The park holds a significant importance to the lives of local Aboriginal people for a long time. It involved the struggles of the traditional owners of the land who were not willing to give the land up. Eventually, it was returned to them and now the Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council and a Board of Management oversees the operation of the park. Visitors can experience Aboriginal heritage through the features of the park.
Victoria
The Gunai /Kurnai people
The Gunai people were the first inhabitants of the Gippsland region. Swan Reach was the central corroboree point for the five clans of the Kurnai. Today, the region is rich in culture and heritage.
The Bataluk Cultural Trail is a wonderful insight into the culture and heritage of the traditional inhabitants of East Gippsland. It tells a story of where they came from and what they encountered .The local Koorie people are friendly in welcoming visitors and give explanations about their traditional lands and culture however they request for respect of their land and culture.
Aussie Slanguage – “Strine”
Although in Australia the primary language used is English, Aussies have a unique colloquial language called Strine. It derives from the saying the word “Australian” throught both closed teeth and the nose and combines many long lost cockney and Irish sayings of the early convicts with words from Aboriginal languages. Words are often abbreviated and “o” or “ie” are added at the end. With the influx of immigrants all over the world, other common languages such as Chinese (2.1%), Italian (1.9%), Vietnamese (1.7%) and Greek (1.4%) are spoken.
Aboriginal Languages
Before the Europeans settled in Australia, it was estimated that there were 600 to 700 dialects of 200 to 250 languages spoken by the indigenous people. Today at least 100 distinct Aboriginals languages are spoken to varying extents. For the Aborigine people, having a association with a particular language is of great social and cultural significance. According to traditions, languages “belonged” to tracts of country. However many of them were either bilingual or multilingual and in this days speak English as well. As of today, there are no fluent speakers left with the exception of those found in the centre of Australia and along the North Coast.
The Aborginal language is quite similar to the English language and often reflects about the people’s close relationship with the environment. Other similarities include the sounds used and the way these sounds are combined. All the languages have the sound “ng” as in “sing” and “ny” as in canyon in them.While many of them speak standard Australian English, in parts of the outback where they seldom use English or do not have access to secondary school education, they are unable to speak it fluently.
In order to have a polite conversion with Aborigine people, visitors are advised to treat it with respect and unless introduced , visitors should introduce from a distance. Also, directness is not encouraged as it indicates rudeness and one should never attempt to speak Aboriginal English.
