Australia and Oceania (continent)

I am a giant island surrounded by sparkling blue water. My heart is a warm, red desert, and my forests are filled with the scent of eucalyptus trees. Funny animals you won't find anywhere else hop and climb all over me—bouncing kangaroos and sleepy koalas. I am ancient, with rocks that have been here for millions of years. I am the continent of Australia and Oceania.

For a very, very long time, I was a quiet place. Then, around 65,000 years ago, the first people arrived on my shores. They were clever and kind, and they learned all my secrets. They followed my seasons, found food in my rivers, and painted beautiful stories on my rocks that are still there today. They created a special instrument called the didgeridoo, which makes a deep, humming sound like my buzzing bees. These First Peoples of Australia have the oldest living cultures in the world, and their songs and stories became a part of me.

Many, many years passed. Then, one day in the year 1770, a giant ship with white sails appeared on my eastern coast. A brave explorer from Great Britain named Captain James Cook was on board. He carefully drew maps of my shoreline so others could find me. A little later, on January 26th, 1788, more ships arrived, bringing people from far away to build new homes and towns. This brought big changes for me and for my First Peoples, as new cities began to grow where forests and fields once stood.

Today, I am home to people from all over the world. I have big, busy cities with amazing buildings, like the Sydney Opera House with its roof like white shells, which opened on October 20th, 1973. But I also have my wild places. Just off my coast, the Great Barrier Reef glitters under the waves, a rainbow city for fish and turtles. I am a land of ancient stories and new adventures. I hold the wisdom of my First Peoples and the dreams of all who call me home. I hope you come visit, listen to my stories, and see my wonders for yourself.