There are still more famous rocks and stones along the south-east coast of Australia, on a highway appropriately named The Great Ocean Road. The most famous set is the Twelve Apostles, a collection of huge rock columns standing up straight out of the ocean - although there are no longer twelve of these structures left. The limestone columns were formed when wind and water erosion separated them from the cliffs, and even today they are constantly changing as erosion continues. The tallest column is about 150 feet high and the cliffs nearby are even higher, so the views along the coast here are astounding. There are other interesting formations nearby, including one named London Bridge, although part of the “bridge” has now collapsed. Geologists think these formations are around twenty million years old.
If you continue further south, you’ll reach Tasmania, the island state of Australia that is quite unique for its climate, animals and industry. Exploring nature in Tasmania is a well-liked activity and one of the most beautiful parts is the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area. Hiking along the Overland Track, seeing Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, is a popular trek. There are mountains, cliffs, gorges and of course, the huge Lake St Clair: it is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake at a depth of 650 feet. When so much of Australia is covered in desert, this often green national park – which even gets some snow in winter – is a completely different corner of Australia, more often compared to New Zealand or Europe.
In the Outback
Speaking of the desert, many people know of the “big red rock” in the middle of Australia called Uluru (the Aboriginal name for what settlers named Ayers Rock). Less famous but equally impressive is nearby Kata Tjuta (or the Olgas). The aboriginal name Kata Tjuta means “many heads,” and this is a very suitable name for the field of about thirty tall, dome-shaped rocks which really resemble a group of very tall people standing together. In fact, the tallest is almost 1800 feet high, 650 feet higher than Uluru. There are several interesting walks that can be taken through Kata Tjuta, although they are quite often closed when the desert temperature is too high and unsuitable for walking.