Local traditions and culture in Australia and Oceania

4 more images

Each year, there are several festivals being held in any Australian city, town or suburb.

For instance, there's a multicultural festival sometime in May or June so check with the local papers or the council (where you are going) and look at their website. Chances are you will find a festival near you any season!

In our area, there's the big multicultural festival which culminates on a parade participated in by the numerous multicultural groups- Indian, Filipino, Italian, Fijian, Maori, etc.

As Australia is vastly a conglomeration of various cultures and races, people who come from this varied heritage are given a chance to show off their culture via music, dancing, paintings and arts exhibits, etc.

Moreover, whatever is the main product in a local area, be it tulips, oranges, cherries, etc., there is always a celebration held in its honour so there is bound to be a festival near you anytime of the year!

Australia is also big on agricultural shows like the Easter Show every April, caravanning and camping show, etc. These have entry fees usually unlike the local festivals where the council even give away lots of free stuff like plants, caps, pens, etc.

Festivals are big affairs with food stalls selling delicacies and dishes from all over the globe so it is something really amazing.Aside from the exhibits, lots of groups also contribute their talents i.e. wood turners, writers' civil associations, even the reserved services leagues(RSL) are big contributors to these type of events.

At Darling Harbour, near the centre of Sydney, regular festivals like food fests and other cultural events are held including free concerts and exhibits so just watch out for local events if you're ever anywhere in OZ.

1 more image

in Australia, I've seen big colonies of Pelicans in Western Australia...a wonderful expirience. did you know: a Pelican mother ripps her chest open, in times of no food, to feed the chicks.its true!
it is also true, that the black swans from Australia immigrate to NZ and doing here on the River Avon just fine, thank you very much.
they can be a bit aggressive, the male that is, when mating time and specialy when the youngens have hatched.

1 more image

you will find many talented people in this region. Art, Craft, Music..people had to entertain themselfs, a long way away from the pulsating european or american way of life.
they came up with their own creativity, playing the piano, the flute, dancing or expressing themselfs in paintings and photography, not to forget the wonderful writters. I do not wish to add names, one country might be under represented......maybe one, which I admire dearly.....Katherine Mansfield.
the Museums are outstanding, often free of emisson fee's, and the art which has been shown, quite extraordinary
the new Art Gallery in Christchurch is one example, and I also know the Museums and Art Galleries in Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as in Sydney. yes there is a lotta talent here...and here a Musician I meet at the Art Center in Christchurch, it took him a Year to get his Puppet right, to mimic his Violin play
Jasper he called him..have a look at the close up

1 more image

Australians have a great reputation for their friendliness, though we don't QUITE go around hugging strangers as the sign in the photo suggests ;-)

This sign, in February 2006, is plastered all around Melbourne's Flinders Street Station, and though it's an ad for Rexona, it's got more to do with the coming Commonwealth Games.

Stay tuned for some photos of Australia's most famous biscuit (apart from the Anzac biscuit), the Tim Tam - now available in several different flavours, including Cherry, Black Forest and Caramel, even ice cream too.

There's also a great little trick you can do with Tim Tams (which my husband believes is rather common knowledge, though I'd never tried it before...to follow )

Relax and enjoy this amazing country - Australia!

Forget about comparisions... open your mind to the wonder that has people from all around the world returning time and time again to the place that I call home.

Leave your stress and complaints behind on the kitchen table and make the most of a place that has so much to offer... so much to give... you'll find yourself taking home more pleasent things than just a suitcase of dirty laundry.

1 more image

it's the wild one.....Kea, alpine Parrot, the checky Bird, rubber mad and an unbeturbed mindset to destroy cars...when driving the West Coast route from Christchurch through the Arthur's Pass....stay by your Car....you've been warned, the cheeky, smart and clever buggers. even know to destinct between a local and a tourist....the local stays by the Car, the Tourist ..has a Camera around his neck, gosh could he/she get the beak an that one...only once!!
years ago, the BBC made a documentry about...who is the smartest animal. the Kea came out on top.....by miles, one significant point was, the birds communicate, or so it seems. when one bird had learnt something, the other one could follow up on his /her mate success.

in Western Australia..if you have the chance to travel at a certain time, not every year the Desert comes alive, the Wildflowers in Western Australia is a special expirience. after a longe time of heat and draught, the rain arrives and brings everything alive. seeds who have lying dormend for maybe many years just spring into action...over nite. it is awesome I can tell you.