NATURAL WONDERS
FROM THE SURREAL TO THE STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL, HERE ARE 10 REASONS TO DREAM UP YOUR NEXT AUSSIE HOLIDAY
Australia is home to some of the most wonderfully unique landscapes and incredible natural wonders in the world.
From our peculiar wildlife to the spectacular bubblegum pink lakes, these intriguing natural wonders are guaranteed to kickstart travellers’ dreams for their next Australian holiday, says Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison.
Here are 10 amazing natural phenomena you can start daydreaming about this weekend:
BIOLUMINESCENT PLANKTON, JERVIS BAY, NSW
Jervis Bay, three hours south of Sydney, is renowned for its white sandy beaches, however the beaches in the area are even more wondrous at night. Due to a natural chemical reaction within plankton, the plankton become luminescent and emanate a blue glow. This unusual natural phenomenon, which can only be seen at night, can happen at any time of the year, but is more common in spring and summer months when the water is warmer. While the magical display is difficult to predict, the presence of red algae during the day may indicate a higher chance of bioluminescence in the evening.
MIN MIN LIGHTS, OUTBACK AUSTRALIA, NT
The Min Min Lights are a mysterious phenomenon that have spooked many people in the Outback of Australia from Mataranka (south of Katherine) to Uluru and everywhere in between. The lights have been described by witnesses as floating, fastmoving balls of colour that glow in the night sky and stalk people, leaving some feeling confused and frightened. There is debate as to whether the Min Min Lights exist, or if they are simply an Aboriginal folktale that has been passed down for generations. Day dream about heading to the Northern Territory, a place steeped in Aboriginal culture, from its rugged sandstone escarpments and tranquil waterholes in the north, to the mesmerising beauty of the Red Centre.
MORNING GLORY CLOUDS, BURKETOWN, QLD
During September and October, the rare meteorological phenomenon referred to as the Morning Glory Clouds roll across the Gulf and can be observed above the skies in Burketown. Gangalidda traditional owner Murrandoo Yanner said his people believe the morning glory was created by Walalu, the Rainbow Serpent, and is of great cultural significance. The cloud bank can be up to 1000km long, 1-2km wide and can travel at speeds of up to 60km/h. Although these clouds can be found in other parts of the world, Burketown is the only place where they appear frequently at set times of the year.
CORAL SPAWNING,
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, QLD
In simple terms, coral spawning is the reef reproducing. Coral polyps simultaneously release egg and sperm bundles they’ve spent months growing into the ocean for external fertilisation. This happens in a mass event annually often affectionately named by locals as the world’s largest orgasm. This rare phenomenon lasts only a few nights, but travellers can take a night-time coral spawning dive trip or join an overnight vessel during the coral spawning dates for a chance to view this weird and wonderful sight.
CUTTLEFISH ANNUAL AGGREGATION, EYRE PENINSULA, SA
The annual migration of giant Australian cuttlefish, sepia apama, to the waters of the upper Spencer Gulf to breed is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment. Unique to South Australia’s waters, it is the only place in the world where the cuttlefish aggregate annually in mass and with such great predictability. Every winter, thousands of cuttlefish merge and as expert colourchangers, these masters of camouflage can change their shape and texture to look like rocks, sand or seaweed. Travellers can snorkel with the amazing giant cuttlefish between June and July at Stony Point on the coast of the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in the Eyre Peninsula.
PINK LAKES, SA AND WA
Australia is home to many mesmerising natural attractions, but its extraordinary pink lakes have got to be seen to be believed. From the Outback of South Australia to the coast of Western Australia, there are few things that are as beautiful and baffling as Australia’s pink lakes.
Located on Middle Island in Esperance, Western Australia’s Lake Hillier is known for
its baffling bubblegum pink hue. It’s a surreal sight; the pink lake neighbours the dark blue waters of the Southern Ocean, with a strip of lush green forest acting as a barrier.
Famous for some of the most vividly-hued nature found anywhere in Australia, Western Australia’s Hutt Lagoon changes from red to pink and even to lilac purple. It is on the Coral Coast. Visit during midmorning or sundown to catch the best of its colourful spectrum.
The pale pinks, oranges and yellows of Lake Eyre, a six-hour drive from Adelaide, epitomise the vast landscapes of Outback South Australia. The saltpan lake is a stunning sight but becomes a different kind of beautiful every few years as the lake floods with water.
Contrasting colours of pink, blue and green create the striking scene that is Lake MacDonnell. On South Australia’s breathtaking Eyre Peninsula, Lake MacDonnell is one of the country’s most intensely pink lakes, owing to its high salt concentration. Take the ultrainstagrammable road between the bubblegum-hued Lake MacDonnell and its neighbouring blue-green waters to discover Cactus Beach at the end of the path.
AURORA AUSTRALIS, TAS
Like its Northern Hemisphere counterpart (aurora borealis), the Southern Lights (aurora australis) illuminate the night sky with flickering shades of green, blue, purple and red. The Southern Lights can be viewed all year round – although most commonly during winter, May to August, and around the spring equinox in September. Aurora australis is visible from several spots across the country, but your best chance of witnessing this phenomenon is from Australia’s southernmost state – Tasmania. Head to Bruny Island, Satellite Island, Bathurst Harbour and Cradle Mountain for the beautiful lowlight conditions you need to spot the glimmering light show.
DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS, BROOME, WA
The world’s largest dinosaur footprints can be found near Broome on the north coast of Western Australia. At 1.7m long, these fossilised dinosaur footprints are 130 million years old and extend in patches for 80km along the coast. At the southern end of Cable Beach is Gantheaume Point, a scenic area of red sandstone cliffs where visitors can observe footprints of dinosaurs on the flat rocks 30m out to sea that are only visible at low tide.
Once travellers have finished visiting Australia’s very own ‘Jurassic Park’, if the timing is right they can also catch a glimpse of the Staircase to the Moon at Cable Beach in Broome.
The Staircase to the Moon happens two to three days a month between March and October as the full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. Currently this spectacular sight is being shared live on So Broome’s Facebook page and website.
HORIZONTAL FALLS, WA
Described by David Attenborough as “Australia’s most unusual natural wonder”, Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is a natural phenomenon that is as intriguing as it is beautiful. There are two horizontal waterfalls and both can be found in Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
These incredible natural wonders are the work of some of the largest tidal movements in the world, the first and most seaward is about 20m wide and the second is about 10m wide.
The powerful tides in the Kimberley can reach more than 10m and the direction of the flow reverses, ensuring the water flows two different ways each day, and a unique waterfall effect. You can join a scenic flight or sea safari to the Horizontal Waterfalls.
RED CRAB MIGRATION, CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Walk the red crab carpet in Christmas Island, off the far northwest coast of Australia. The island is home to an estimated 40-50 million bright red land crabs. Each year, at the start of the wet season (November – January), a spectacular awakening occurs. Mother Nature literally rolls out the red carpet as hordes of crabs emerge from the island’s forests and march their way down to the ocean to breed.
Before planning a trip, check for possible spawning dates, and time visits accordingly. Remember, it’s a natural event, so dates are predictions only.