4 Odd Facts About Australia

Australia, a land of diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, is not only home to iconic landmarks and wildlife, but it also boasts fascinating quirks that add an extra layer of intrigue to its allure. For those who think they know all there is to know about Australia, here are a few fun facts that you might not have been aware of.

Poisonous Platypus 

They may be the cutest thing ever, but the humble platypus has venom strong enough to kill a small dog. Platypuses deliver the poison via small spurs on their back legs. In one case, a 57-year-old man who grabbed one of the small mammals while fishing said the pain was “so bad I started to become incoherent.” 

Land of Women 

There are almost 100,000 more women than men in Australia, with six out of the eight states and territories experiencing a “man drought.” But it's starting to even out, with almost 105 baby boys currently being born for every 100 baby girls born in Australia. 

Hump Day 

An estimated 750,000 camels roam Australia's deserts, the largest number of pure-bred camels in the world. Australia even exports them to the Middle East. They were initially brought here in the 1800s to help open the interior to several outback settlements and were integral in the building of telegraph lines spanning the country. 

Opening Credit 

The movie business began in Australia. The world’s first feature film was made in Australia in 1899 by the Salvation Army. Soldiers of the Cross focused on the lives and deaths of early Christian martyrs and ran for 2.5 hours. Its first screening was in 1901, although there is some dispute as to whether Soldiers of the Cross was a movie per se as the Salvation Army referred to the project as a lecture. Nevertheless, the world unquestionably recognizes the 1906 film The Story of the Kelly Gang as the world’s first feature film.