Nature/Environmental Tourism Australia & New Zealand

Nature/Environmental Tourism Travel to enjoy a natural setting or wildlife. Travel to enjoy a natural setting or wildlife. Other forms of tourism Australia/New Zealand could fall under are: Other forms of tourism Australia/New Zealand could fall under are: Adventure Adventure Wilderness Wilderness Recreation Recreation Social Social

Physical Characteristics Most people live within a few 100 km’s from the coastline in large dynamic cities such as Sydney Most people live within a few 100 km’s from the coastline in large dynamic cities such as Sydney The Outback (vast, desert interior of the island) is the home of the Aboriginal people The Outback (vast, desert interior of the island) is the home of the Aboriginal people 6 th largest country in the world 6 th largest country in the world The world’s flattest continent; only 6% of Australia lies above 700 m in elevation The world’s flattest continent; only 6% of Australia lies above 700 m in elevation

Western Plateau Central Lowlands Southern Faultlands Eastern Highlands

Climate Characteristics Bright sunshine, blue skies, warm temperatures – area of high pressure Bright sunshine, blue skies, warm temperatures – area of high pressure A hole in the ozone layer = Skin cancer capital of the world. A hole in the ozone layer = Skin cancer capital of the world.

Subtropical: areas north of Tropic of Capricorn experience warmth year round, areas south have warm summers, mild to cool winters Subtropical: areas north of Tropic of Capricorn experience warmth year round, areas south have warm summers, mild to cool winters

Only higher elevations (Australia Alps, Central Tasmania, Victoria) receive snow Only higher elevations (Australia Alps, Central Tasmania, Victoria) receive snow Season are opposite to North America Season are opposite to North America Victoria Australian Alps Central Tasmania

World’s driest inhabited continent, yet sudden severe thunderstorms can result in flash floods (monsoons are common in Northern Territory) World’s driest inhabited continent, yet sudden severe thunderstorms can result in flash floods (monsoons are common in Northern Territory) The only part of Australia that receives reliable and abundant rainfall throughout the year is along the east coast (northern Queensland – Tasmania) * most populous area. The only part of Australia that receives reliable and abundant rainfall throughout the year is along the east coast (northern Queensland – Tasmania) * most populous area.

Wildlife & Natural Vegetation Marsupials – mammals whose young mature in a pouch (kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, possums) Marsupials – mammals whose young mature in a pouch (kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, possums) Monotremes – egg-laying mammals * Australia is home to only 2 species known to exist in the world (platypus, echidna (spiny ant-eater) Monotremes – egg-laying mammals * Australia is home to only 2 species known to exist in the world (platypus, echidna (spiny ant-eater)

Eucalyptus trees, acacia trees, and gum trees dominate the lands: they survive in drought conditions. Eucalyptus trees, acacia trees, and gum trees dominate the lands: they survive in drought conditions. Why does Australia contain such distinct wildlife and vegetation? Why does Australia contain such distinct wildlife and vegetation? Isolated for millions of years Isolated for millions of years

Home to the Salt water crocodile – 1 of the largest species in the world Home to the Salt water crocodile – 1 of the largest species in the world 8 of 10 world’s most poisonous snakes reside in Australia 8 of 10 world’s most poisonous snakes reside in Australia