|
|
|
Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 45 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
Special Topics
|
 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 South Australia
| Northwards bound again, this time driving up the eastern side of Eyre Peninsula, through Port Augusta and around the top of Spencer Gulf. Further down the eastern coast of Spencer Gulf awaits our next destination; best known for its smelting facilities, what is its name? | Bound for South Australia
|
Port Pirie. The economy of Port Pirie is driven by its huge silver, lead and zinc smelters. These process ore brought from Broken Hill (just over the South Australian border in New South Wales), while the city's large port serves to transport the products of the metal and rural industries that dominate the city. Port Pirie was proclaimed a town in 1876 and its continuing future was assured when the smelting works were constructed in 1889. By 1934, Port Pirie had the largest single-unit lead-smelting works in the world.
| We really will have to come back and visit that part of South Australia next time. Meanwhile, we're still heading south, en route to a town located at the very tip of Eyre Peninsula. Famous for its tuna fishing and aquaculture, what is the town's name? | Bound for South Australia
|
Port Lincoln. Port Lincoln is a busy fishing town whose wealth is derived mainly from tuna farming. It also possesses large grain-handling facilities (47-metre high silos dominate the foreshore) as well as canning and fish-processing works. The town is named after the county in which British explorer Matthew Flinders was born (Lincolnshire) and was once proposed as a site for the state's capital city. A favourite local-boy-made-good story is that of Dean Lukin, a Port Lincoln tuna fisherman who, in 1984, became the first Australian to win an Olympic weightlifting gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
| Heading southwest now, our next stopping place could be easy to miss, since most of its buildings are underground. This town is also famous for its opal; what is its name? | Bound for South Australia
|
Coober Pedy. Opals were first discovered in the Coober Pedy area by 15-year-old Willie Hutchinson in 1915. Since then, Coober Pedy has become the largest producer of opals in the world, accounting for approximately 70% of the world's total output. Living conditions in the outback can be harsh, hence the development of underground housing. This was pioneered by soldiers returning from World War I coming to Coober Pedy and living in "dugouts" similar to the trenches they had lived in while in France.
| Still travelling north, we're now heading into the true outback region of South Australia, so make sure you've slapped on plenty of sunscreen! Skirting the Flinders Ranges National Park, we pass through Lyndhurst before arriving in the town of Marree, situated southeast of a large salt lake that has filled only 3 times in living history. What is the lake's name? | Bound for South Australia
|
Lake Eyre. Lake Eyre is the largest salt lake in the world (covering 8430 square kilometres). However, it's normally dry as a bone! The saltpan of Lake Eyre has been the site of numerous attempts to break the world land-speed record; Sir Donald Campbell achieved this feat in the "Bluebird" on Lake Eyre in 1964. At its lowest point, Lake Eyre is 15 metres below sea level and drains over a sixth of the continent. When the lake does flood (thanks to heavy rains swelling the waterways rising in Queensland that feed it) it is a sight to behold, with the area coming alive with wildflowers and bird life. The last floodings (but not filling!) of Lake Eyre occurred in June, 2000 and in early 2004.
| Having spent some time in the state's southeast, we decide it's time to head back up north. Driving back through the Adelaide Hills, we bypass Adelaide and wind up in Nuriootpa, at the heart of one of Australia's most well-known wine-making districts. Where are we? | Bound for South Australia
|
Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley was first settled by English and German migrants in 1839. The valley is now best known for producing some of the finest wines in the world, thanks largely to the early German settlers who recognised the suitability of the region's climate and soil for growing grapes. Some well-known wineries calling the Barossa Valley home are Chateau Yaldara (Yaldara), Orlando Wines (Rowland Flat), Penfolds (Nuriootpa) and Yalumba (Angaston). Penfolds produce the famous Penfolds Grange, Australia's most prestigious red wine. In January 2003, an imperial-sized bottle of the 1998 vintage sold at auction for just a shade under A$55000 (approximately US$35000)!
| Fresh off the ferry back in Cape Jervis, we drive along the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula around to a popular seaside resort town. This town has a large island of granite just off its coast and welcomes Southern Right whales to its waters every winter. Where are we now? | Bound for South Australia
|
Victor Harbor. Southern Right whales begin arriving in Encounter Bay (on which Victor Harbor is situated) in mid-May, having migrated from their summering grounds in the Antarctic. They can approach as close to 100 metres from the shore, making them ideal for land-bound whale-watching. Tourists flock to Victor Harbor in whale-watching season, and the South Australian Whale Centre on Railway Terrace has an information booth and all sorts of displays on hand to help and inform. Granite Island is a small island connected to the shore by a man-made causeway. The island is home to a colony of penguins and a stroll around the walking trails provides visitors with a peek at a penguin or two and spectacular views of waves crashing against the island's rocky outcrops.
| Hopping into the car, we head south, travelling down to Cape Jervis on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Here, we'll be catching the SeaLink ferry to an island famed for its natural beauty and wildlife. Where are we going? | Bound for South Australia
|
Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island lies just off the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The ferry docks at Penneshaw, and the island's largest town, Kingscote, is a short drive around the north coast. Kingscote is home base to a thriving tourism industry based largely upon the island's wildlife. Seal Bay, on the island's south coast, is home to a large breeding colony of sea-lions. The bay is a conservation park and the sea-lions are protected by law, but visitors are welcome to walk down onto the beach to within a few metres of the sea-lions. There is also a boardwalk from which the sea-lions can be viewed.
| We begin our journey in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, standing next to a bent-over gum tree now petrified with age. Next to this gum tree, the colony of South Australia was proclaimed in December of which year? | Bound for South Australia
|
1836. The colony of South Australia was proclaimed on December 28th, 1836, by the "Old Gum Tree" in what is now the seaside suburb of Glenelg (the nickname of Adelaide's National Basketball League team, the '36-ers, was derived from this date). The city of Adelaide was named after Queen Adelaide, consort of King William IV of England, who ruled from 1830-1837.
| Farmers Union produce one of the most consumed products on the South Australian market. What is the product? | South Australia
|
Iced Coffee. Farmers Union Iced Coffee is an institution in South Australia, and is consumed fanatically by a large cross section of the population. Woodroofe's (Woody's) Lemonade and Balfours Frog Cakes are also legendary South Aussie products. Fritz is a processed meat that is a favourite throughout the state. It is often eaten in a sandwich with tomato sauce.
| The Grace Emily Hotel is one of Adelaide's most unique pubs. On what street is it situated? | South Australia
|
Waymouth Street. The Grace has an awesome laid back atmosphere, and is a great pub to catch a live band, play darts and pool, or just knock back a few beers with the locals.
| Vili's pies and pasties are a South Australian favourite. Refashioning traditional Australian pastries with influences from his country of birth, Vili created a multi million dollar company that now exports throughout the world. What was Vili's country of birth? | South Australia
|
Hungary. Vili's family fled Hungary when he was a child and arrived in Australia when he was nine. He started the company when he turned 18. One of the best places in Adelaide to cure the munchies is at Cafe De Vili's 24 hour bakehouse in Mile End.
| If a South Australian wanted to meet you at the Bay, which Adelaide beach would you head to? | South Australia
|
Glenelg. Glenelg is commonly referred to as 'The Bay'. It is Adelaide's most popular beach and is always bustling on a sunny day.
| If a South Australian sports fan was to go watch the Redbacks play, what sport would they be viewing? | South Australia
|
Cricket. The Southern Redbacks are the South Australia's cricket team. Although they usually struggle to win many games, they have produced such national stars as Jason Gillespe and Darren Lehmann.
| At the conclusion of every school year, South Australian high school graduates migrate to which town for their debaucherous 'Schoolies Week' celebrations? | South Australia
|
Victor Harbor. The southern coastal town of Victor Harbor has its peace shattered at the start of every summer as year 12 students converge on the town to let their hair down and blow off some steam after their final exams.
| South Australia is home to one of the nation's top beer maker, Coopers Brewery. If you were drinking from a Cooper's bottle with a green circle on the label, which beer would you be consuming? | South Australia
|
Coopers Pale Ale. Pale Ale is the highest selling of the Coopers range. Sparkling Ale features a red label, Dark Ale is brown and stout is yellow.
| South Australia is famous for its many festivals. One of its most popular is Womadelaide. Where was this festival held in 2004? | South Australia
|
Botanic Park. Womadelaide is a three day festival of world music and culture held in Botanic Park on the outskirts of the Adelaide CBD. It attracts musicians and tourists from all corners of the globe.
Port Adelaide Power. Port Adelaide Football Club is nearly 125 years old and is the oldest league club in South Australia and is known as the magpies in the local competition. Port Adelaide has only been in the AFL since 1997 and has achieved one premiership since joining the AFL.
The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Overland. The Ghan travels from Adelaide to Darwin. The section from Alice Springs to Darwin was only recently finished.(Well over 100 years after the Adelaide to Darwin rail line was commenced).
The Indian Pacific runs from Adelaide to Perth and Sydney. The original journey from Sydney to Perth included gauge breaks at Broken Hill (NSW), Peterborough, Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie(WA).
The Overland runs from Adelaide to Melbourne and is the oldest inter-capital city train not to have a change of gauge at the state border.
The Sunlander and Tilt Train are Queensland intracity trains that run from Brisbane to Cairns with the Tilt Train being a luxurious tourist train.
Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat. The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus Latifrons) is a rare native masupial native to South Australia. It lives in underground burrows and is vegetarian. Due to their burrowing habits and the undermining of fences, they were hunted nearly to extinction by farmers but are now fully protected. They are the size of a small pig and extremely solid. They are closely related to the koala. They can also be known to mess up the front end of your car very badly if you run into them.
| Mount Woodroffe is the highest mountain in South Australia. It is 1617 metres high and is located in the far north of South Australia. Which mountain range is it a part of? | South Australia (A mixed bag)
|
Musgrave Ranges. The Musgrave Range is on a large plateau in the north of the state. It is located on Aboriginal native title land and are not readily accessable to many people.
Flinders Ranges. The Flinders Ranges, a four-hour drive from Adelaide, are renowned for their outstanding geographical features dating back some 500 million years. There is also an amazing display of wildflowers in spring, carpeting the area with colour. The Great Wall of China is a large rocky escarpment and other features include Wilpena Pound and the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Long Sleep Plain. A stretch of road which has that name ... just try to stay awake. Cars coming towards you will have their headlights on - do likewise so you will be seen. The Nullabor is well to the west. You go past the Army Training area but you don't see it, and the Munyeroo CP is south of Whyalla.
Port Lincoln. The Tunarama is held every January, where, amongst many other things, people can "toss the tuna", an event similar to the Olympic hammer throw. Those fish are a fair weight too. Olympic weightlifting gold medallist of 1984, Dean Lukin, hails from Port Lincoln. Wangary, Tumby Bay and Cummins are all within 50 kilometres.
Edithburgh. You can see those things for miles as you drive south. Warooka and Stenhouse Bay are windy towns too while Ardrossan is further north on the eastern coast of the peninsula.
| In 2007 a new ferry service commenced to cross Gulf St Vincent between Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas. The two embarkation points are at which towns? | South Australia - Odds and Sods
|
Wallaroo and Lucky Bay. It's quite popular. The crossing takes about two hours, but to drive around the Gulf to the same point would be four hours.
Bute and Port Broughton. Every long weekend in October, local service clubs sell homemade cream puffs from this corner as a fundraiser. You have to be there early though.
Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park. Bentwing bats migrate each spring to Naracoorte Caves CP in the south-east of the state, where they join the resident bat population. Infra-red cameras installed in the caves allow visitors to view the bats without disturbing these tiny creatures. Between November and February you can watch thousands of bats flying from the cave to feed on insects in the evening. Innes National Park is on the sourthern tip of Yorke Peninsula, and Pinkawillinie is on upper Eyre Peninsula. I do hope that nobody thought Gotham City to be a possibility.
| Driving through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, you may come to this town and sample some apfelstrudel and Black Forest cake. Which town? | South Australia - Odds and Sods
|
Hahndorf. Hahndorf was originally settled in 1839 by refugees from Prussia and Silesia. Birdwood, Cudlee Creek and Williamstown are also towns of SA, but not necessarily in the Hills. Birdwood was originally named Blumberg.
|
Play Now! 