Australia

Facts and Information

a. Official Name
The official Name of Australia is Commonwealth of Australia
b. Geographic Location

Australia is a country in
the Southern Hemisphere, south
of Asia, near Indonesia, New
Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

It is an island nation that

comprises the
Australian continent as well as
the island of Tasmania and some
other small islands. Australia is
considered a developed nation,
and it has the world's 12th-
largest economy and sixth-
highest per-capita income. It is
known for a high life
expectancy, its education, quality
of life, biodiversity, and tourism.

With an area of 7,617,930

square kilometres (2,941,300 sq
mi), Australia is the largest
country by area in Oceania and
the world's sixth-largest country. Australia is the oldest, flattest, and driest inhabited
continent, with the least fertile soils.

c. Flag
The flag has three elements
on a dark blue background:
the Union Jack,
the Commonwealth
Star and the Southern
Cross. The Union Jack in the
upper left corner
acknowledges the history of
British settlement. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth star.

d. Form of Government
 Federal Parliamentar democracy; Commonwealth realm.

Australia, now officially called the Commonwealth of Australia, is a federal

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm. It has an executive branch
with Queen Elizabeth II as the Chief of State as well as a separate prime minister as head
of government.

The legislative branch is a bicameral Federal Parliament consisting of the Senate and the
House of Representatives. The country's judicial system is based on English common law
and is composed of the High Court as well as lower-level federal, state, and territorial
courts.

e. Major Language
English. The majority of Australians speak English as a first or other language, however
a significant number of people also speak languages other than English. About 76% of
Australians reported speaking only English at home in the 2021 Census. The majority of
Australians speak English as a first or other language, however a significant number of
people also speak languages other than English. About 76% of Australians reported
speaking only English at home in the 2021 Census.

f. Major Religion
Christianity (43.9%)
No religion (38.9%)
Islam (3.2%)
Hinduism (2.7%)

g. Currency
Australian Dollar. Australia's national currency is Australian dollars (AUD), which
comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20
and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations.

h. Popular landmarks

1. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

In Australia, one of the most iconic Australian landmarks

would have to be the Sydney Opera House.

Not only is the famous opera house one of the most

architecturally stunning Australian landmarks in a city, but it’s

also one of the most well-known buildings in the world.

 2. ULURU

Uluru is one of the most distinctive landmarks in

Australia and certainly one of the most culturally
significant.
The craggy sweeping mountain ranges and sweeping plains
around Uluru hides a treasure trove of spectacular gorges,
canyons, craters and waterholes.
Previously known as Ayers Rock, this World Heritage
site rises 348m from the desert floor and is an
impressive Australian landmark that dominates the
landscape.
Uluru is more than 550 million years old and is a sacred
site to the Anangu people. For its location in the centre
of Australia, Uluru is often called the heart of
Australia.

3. GREAT BARRIER REEF

The Great Barrier Reef itself is an Australian landmark when

viewed from space.
Anyone in the world can tell you that the term Great Barrier
Reef identifies with Australia, but the most apparent
indication you’re looking at the Australian Great Barrier
Reef is that eye-catching heart-shaped reef.
The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef stretches
2300 km along the Queensland coast and has a remarkable
assortment of marine life.
From whales, dugongs, dolphins and sharks to millions of
fish, coral and turtles call this national treasure home.

4. PORT ARTHUR

Port Arthur is a historically significant landmark in Australian

history.
Between 1788 and 1868, around 164,000 convicts were shipped
to the Australian colonies on board 806 ships.
It was an episode in history that steered the direction of
two nations – Australia and Great Britain.
 5. 12 APOSTLES
The Twelve Apostles is an Australian landmark along
the Victorian coastline.
As it’s one of the most scenic drives in the world, the
Great Ocean Road most certainly deserves its place
on everyone’s top Australian landmarks list.
The Twelve Apostles is an Australian landmark along
the Victorian coastline.
The road hugs the Victorian coastline and is a
stunning drive past coastal villages, beaches,
waterfalls and rainforests.The highlight of the drive is
the 12 Apostles, which are twelve limestone
monuments that jut out from the Southern Ocean.
These rock formations are 15 to 20 million years old

6. THE THREE SISTERS

Of all the Australian landmarks, the Three Sisters

is one of the most romantic. The rugged 50-
million-year-old range is home to one of the most
famous Australian landmarks, the Three Sisters.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue
Mountains is one of the natural wonders in
Australia, with 1.03 million ha of amazing
sandstone plateaux, plunging gorges and
temperate eucalypt forest.
Food Culture
a. Traditional food and Beverage
Traditional food:
1. Chicken parmigiana
This classic Aussie chicken dish – with roots in
Italian-American cooking – is a staple offering at
many pub menus in the country. Whether you call it
a parmi/parmy or a parma (but never a parmo),
there’s huge debate about where does the best
parmigiana in Australia.
One contender, in terms of the holy mix of size,
quality, topping and chips, is the Corner Hotel in
Alexandra, Victoria. Dating back to the gold rush
era, this hotel has award winning parmas that are
huge, source free range chickens and have a house
secret crumb. Eight options ranging from traditional
to vindaloo and the double banger await those keen
to explore this sensation.
2. Barbecued snags (aka sausages)
It’s no surprise that Aussies love to grill, and nothing is
more important to a good barbie than a decent
sausage – whether you’re at a mate’s place or at your
local Bunnings for a sausage sizzle. Traditional
Australian sausages are usually pork or beef, but if
you’re feeling adventurous, there are other animals to
sample. Wrap a slice of bread around your snag and top
it off with some fried onions and your favourite sauce.
According to the Australian Meat Industry Council’s
Sausage King competition, the best beef snags are
found in Nowra, NSW, and the best pork bangers come
from Mawson, ACT.

3. Lamingtons
Lamington is recognised as the ‘National Cake of
Australia’ after the National Trust of Queensland voted this
sweet treat an Australian icon. It’s named as it was after
Lord Lamington, a former Governor of Queensland who
apparently had quite the sweet tooth.
The lamington is a modest square-shaped sponge dipped in
chocolate and coated with desiccated coconut. Other
variations include two layers an d a cream or jam filling –
seen by many as a vital addition. They go perfectly with a
nice cup of bush tea, or maybe one of Melbourne’s world-
famous coffees, and are available in all good bakeries and
cafes. Although the cake is thought to have been first served in Toowoomba, the national success
has seen it take off in cities across Australia. Flour and Stone bakery in Sydney’s
Woolloomooloo is touted as one of the best places to sample this Australian food.

4. A burger with ‘the lot’

If tomato, lettuce, onions and a juicy meat
patty just isn’t enough burger, then maybe you
should try the Aussie gut-buster with ‘the
lot’. Take a burger bun and stuff it with
barbecued meat, salad, sauce and, for the
Australian twist, add a slice of pineapple,
some pickled beetroot and a fried egg. The
perfect Australian food after a long day surfing
or relaxing on the beach.
Every city, or even suburb, claims to have the
best burgers in Australia, so finding the very
best is tricky. Somewhere to start your search
may be Easey’s in Collingwood, Victoria, a
bar and grill that regularly wins awards in this
area.
5. Pavlova
Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to
inventing this famous dessert, created in honour of
the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova’s visit to
Australasia in the 1920s. As a truly Australian after-
dinner sweet, the pavlova’s crispy meringue crust,
light fruit filling and whipped cream topping ensure
it’s a family hit.
Australian food claims on this dish go back to the
1930s and Perth’s Esplanade Hotel. While that hotel
no longer exists, the city still holds a strong claim on
the dessert. Where the best slice is available is still
contested, but add your voice to the ongoing debate
by trying the options at Whisk Creamery, C
Restaurant in the Sky or The Treasury Lounge Bar.

Traditional Drink

1. Flat White
Flat white is a coffee variety that couples a
double shot of freshly brewed espresso and
milk, which is usually steamed to create a
light, silky microfoam. A perfect flat white
should have an intense coffee flavor, and
milk should only be a complement, not a
predominant element, while the froth on
top should be less airy and bubbly than in
the classic cappuccino or caffè latte.

It is believed that the flat white originated

sometime in the 1980s, but it is still
disputed whether it initially appeared in Australia or New Zealand.

2. Long Black
Long black is a coffee variety that is often
considered to be a close relative of caffé
Americano. They both combine an espresso shot
with hot water, but unlike its counterpart, long
black is prepared by pouring or directly
extracting the espresso into a cup of hot water.

The result is a full-bodied drink that leaves the

crema—a thick, creamy foam on top—intact. It
is believed that the term and the coffee style
originated in Australia or New Zealand.
 3. Shiraz (Australia)
Shiraz is the most prized Australian grape variety.
The grape is identical to French Syrah, and although it
is not native to the region, this old French grape found
its spiritual home in Australia. It is cultivated in all
Australian wine regions, and it remains the most
prolific and popular grape in the country.
The wines can vary in character depending on the
region, but they are typically dark, full-bodied, and
fruit-forward. The wines from Barossa Valley are
often cited as classic representatives. They are rich
and concentrated, with firm and well-integrated
tannins and fruity aroma and flavor, usually reminiscent of ripe dark berries and plums.
They will usually have hints of spice and some earthy notes. Warmer Australian climate
affects the alcohol, and Australian Shiraz will typically have a higher ABV, around 15%.

4. Lemon, Lime and Bitters

Lemon, lime, and bitters is a cocktail made with a
combination of lemonade, lime juice cordial, and
Angostura bitters. In order to prepare this soft, soothing
cocktail, all ingredients should be combined in a jug,
then poured into ice-filled glasses garnished with lemon
or lime slices.
Another way of preparing the cocktail is to rim the
glasses with Angostura on the inside until the glasses are
fully coated with the aromatic bitters. Due to the
extremely low alcoholic content, LLB is often
considered a mocktail or a non-alcoholic cocktail.
It is especially popular at Australian and New Zealander
golf courses.
5. Death Flip
Death Flip is one of the so-called modern classics.
This cocktail combines blanco tequila, yellow
Chartreuse, Jägermeister, simple syrup, and a whole
egg. The ingredients are shaken with ice and strained
into a glass. Death Flip is usually served in a coupe
glass.
The top is traditionally garnished with freshly grated
nutmeg. The cocktail was created by Chris Hysted-
Adams, a bartender at Black Pearl in Melbourne,
Australia. It was first introduced in 2010. The name is
a reference to flip cocktails—a 19th-century cocktail
category that includes eggs, while the death part could
 be a reference to its potency.Adams claims that the name is associated with a challenging
skateboarding trick.

b. Herbs and Spices and Traditional Ingredients

1. Native River Mint (Mentha australis)

Mentha australis is a low-growing herb that thrives on the

riverbank and in other damp, boggy and/or shaded areas -
hence why it is affectionately known as Native River Mint.

2. Native Thyme (Prostanthera incisa)

Also known as Cut-leaf Mint Bush, Native Thyme has

mint-scented foliage that bursts with small purple flowers
in Spring. Because of its shrubby nature, Native Thyme is
suitable as a hedging or screening plant in your garden or
as a feature plant in your garden beds!

3. Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)

As one of the most popular Australian native herbs, Lemon

Myrtle is a beautiful tree with strong lemon scented foliage
and clusters of white flowers. With a large range of
medicinal and culinary benefits, Indigenous Australians
have been using Lemon Myrtle for thousands of years.

4. Cinnamon Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia)

Cinnamon Myrtle is an Aussie native with cinnamon

fragrant leaves and fluffy, white flowers that bloom in
mass from late-Winter through to Summer. For the best
flavour, pick the soft young leaves!
 5. Aniseed Myrtle (Syzygium anisatum)

Also referred to as Ringwood, Aniseed Myrtle is

renowned for its glossy foliage that boasts an
aniseed and fresh eucalyptus flavour. In Spring
and Summer, the tree bursts into clusters of white,
scented flowers – making it a stunning feature
and/or hedging plant for your garden.

Traditional Spices:

1. Lemon myrtle

The lemon myrtle herb is another of the category of herbs with a citrus flavor and aroma. In that
respect, it is similar to lemongrass and lemon verbena. It is native to some coastal parts of
Australia but has been naturalized globally, including Asia, North America, and Europe.
Lemon myrtle is used in Australian cooking to provide a lemon flavor. It offers the lemon aroma
and taste but has no acidity so that it won’t curdle dairy products. Lemon myrtle is commonly
used in any dish where lemon flavors would be an asset, including as an ice cream flavor and a
pasta seasoning. The traditional primary use for it in Australia is as a tea herb.

2. Mountain pepper
Australians use mountain pepper for cooking and preserving food. It has an earthy flavor and
spicy heat that enable it to be an effective alternative to black pepper. The leaf of the mountain
pepper plant can be consumed as an herb while the berry can be dried, ground, and used like
black pepper.
The traditional way to use mountain pepper berries is on steaks and other cuts of meat. Mountain
pepper is also known by other names outside of Australia. In the early 20th century, The
Australian spice was introduced to Cornwall in the United Kingdom, where it was dubbed
Cornish pepper. The traditional way to use mountain pepper berries is on steaks and other cuts of
meat. Mountain pepper is also known by other names outside of Australia. In the early 20th
century, The Australian spice was introduced to Cornwall in the United Kingdom, where it was
dubbed Cornish pepper.

3. Wattleseed
Sometimes written as two words (wattle seed), wattleseed is sometimes considered a grain rather
than a spice. Wattleseed is the seed of a type of acacia tree from Australia and has a flavor that is
often likened to a blend of chocolate and coffee with strong nutty hints. The flower from this
variety of acacia trees is the Australian national flower.
Wattleseed is dark brown and is usually ground to powder so that it looks a lot like coffee.
Australians use it in a variety of sweet preparations like ice cream, cheesecakes, and sorbets. It
can also be used in some savory applications like wheat bread, where it sometimes replaces a
small portion of the flour.
4. Native mint
The herb commonly referred to as Native mint is a member of the mint family, which means that
it is related to spearmint and peppermint. It is also called river mint because it grows along the
Murray River, which is Australia’s longest river.
Native mint comes from the eastern part of Australia but can be found everywhere except for
Western Australia. Traditional applications for this herb include as a culinary herb to be used
when cooking kangaroo and other local meats.

5. Finger lime
Finger limes are an Australian citrus fruit with a cylindrical shape. The fruits are filled with a
caviar-like pulp that can have a pink, golden, or green color depending on the variety. Finger
limes have a flavor profile somewhere between a grapefruit and Persian lime. The tart, bright
citrus flavor makes it an excellent complement to seafood.

Idigenous cooking Utensils

c. Customary Ways of Preparing, Serving and Eating Traditional Foods