Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although much of the special knowledge of the environment has been lost due to
the various impacts upon traditional culture, a great deal still exists. Aboriginal
people's special attachment to land is tied to their social, cultural and economic
wellbeing. Understanding this attachment can provide a good insight into the way
Aboriginal people used and continue to use the land, and their aspirations for look-
ing after their 'country'. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want to
play a role in managing their country. Since invasion, Australia has lost a large per-
centage of its native vegetation and many native species are in danger of extinc-
tion. For Australia to maintain its unique environmental credentials, it needs Abori-
ginal people and their knowledge to play a role in environmental management.
Barry Hunter, Indigenous Land Management Facilitator, Balkanu Cape York Devel-
opment Corporation in Queensland
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for birdwatching. Some species are
rarely seen, while others hang around in flocks so large that you can't possibly miss
them. Australia is in fact the perfect place for lazy birdwatchers because many of our
birds are noisy and easily identifiable, such as pink cockatoos, red-tailed black cocka-
toos, sulphur-crested cockatoos, galahs, kookaburras, parrots and corellas. Australia's
majestic wedge-tailed eagles are a common sight along the Stuart Hwy and you will of-
ten hear a whistling kite before you see it.
JOEY FACTORIES
A kangaroo's breeding cycle will be suspended during periods of severe drought. In
a good year, however, a doe may have an unweaned joey on foot, one suckling from
inside the pouch and a dormant embryo in the uterus. The embryo is prevented
from developing by the suckling of the joey in the pouch, but it's ready for birth
within a day of that joey's departure. Each of the offspring feeds only from one teat
and each teat supplies a different mix of nutrients depending on the age of the
young.
Despite their abundance in central Australia, most reptiles are difficult to observe be-
cause many of them are inactive during hot summer days and hibernate during winter.
Snakes tend to move around more between October and April, when you may spot a
large, active daytime predator such as a large perentie, python or a sand goanna. In
southern and central Australia, following an ant trail in the red desert sand may lead you
