Destination Australia

A guide to Australia. The illustrations are specially designed to complement the text which describes the geographic and cultural background to each area featured. The historical scene is also set with an anthology of literary and journalistic accounts of previous visits from famous authors.

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Australia is a land of contrasts: a very old continent with a variety of flora and fauna unique in the world: spreading eucalyptus trees, the "living fossil" of the duck-billed platypus and the 2,000-kilometre long Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world. In contrast, the nation itself is young, as is the culture of the white Australians who discovered and colonized the continent some two centuries ago. A fascinating land that was explored by gold diggers and opal prospectors has become a country famed for its sheep farming and its mineral wealth and which today is a nation of modern sprawling cities and distinctive leisure pursuits. Ernst Hermann Ruth spent five months driving more than 50,000 kilometres throughout Australia. His photographs are an impressive revelation of the beauty that the Fifth Continent holds in store: the red desert of the outback, the tropical jungle of Tasmania, broad beaches and pulsating cities. The informative essay by Klaus Viedebantt, an established travel journalist, gives us insight into the fascination drawing him repeatedly to this continent. A collection of literary excerpts reflects the many different aspects of Australia., while a concise travel guide compiled by Birgit Gerke provides practical information and tips for visitors to the country.