Visiting Australia? You’ll find a country–and a continent–replete with human history dating back some 40,000 years. Some of Australia’s historical landmarks are icons of the country, and have also been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Great Barrier Reef, which gave explorer Cook so much navigational difficulty, is the world’s largest single structure created by living organisms. As such, this reef system, the biggest in the world, can be seen from outer space.

Significant sites for the Aboriginal people include the Kakadu National Park, where the Aborigines have lived for at least 20,000 years, and possibly up to 40,000 years. Kakadu is rich with art sites which span Aboriginal culture over thousands of years. Another key Aboriginal historical site is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is home to the national “Rock,” some 348 metres high. Uluru holds deep cultural and spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people.

The Willandra Lakes Region also preserves evidence of early human civilization, including the world’s most ancient cremation site.

Dirk Hartog was a Dutch sea captain who, in 1616, led the second group of Europeans to touch Australian soil. Hartog had a pewter plate inscribed with key information about his discovery, which he then dated and nailed to a post. The original plate resides in Holland, but a replica can be seen in the Shark Bay Discovery Centre of Denham.

Other Australian historical sites include the Royal Exhibition Building, home of the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880-1881, and later the site for the first Parliament of Australia. Colonial-era convict sites add another dimension to the history of Australia.

Historic Paddington

Paddington, known locally as “Paddo,” is an eastern suburb of Sydney, Australia, and boasts a rich historical heritage. In fact, nine buildings in Paddington are listed on the Australian Register of the National Estate….read more