Australia

Australia is a country located in the southern hemisphere and is the world’s sixth-largest country by total area. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including the rugged outback, stunning beaches, tropical rainforests, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The country is home to a rich and diverse indigenous culture, as well as a thriving multicultural society. Australia is a modern, developed nation with a strong economy and high standards of living. Its major cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, each with their unique character and attractions. Australia is also known for its love of sports, with cricket, rugby, soccer, and Australian Rules football being some of the most popular sports played in the country. Tourism is a significant industry in Australia, with millions of visitors attracted to the country each year. Some of the top attractions in Australia include the Sydney Opera House, Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Ocean Road, and the Daintree Rainforest. The country is also known for its wine regions, such as the Barossa Valley in South Australia and the Margaret River region in Western Australia.

 

Books

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1

4.3/5

Shantaram

by Gregory
David Roberts

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2

4/5

Cloudstreet

by Tim Winton

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3

3.8/5

The Secret River

by Kate Grenville

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4

4.2/5

The Dry

by Jane Harper

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5

4.1/5

The Natural Way of Things

by Charlotte Wood

This epic novel is based on the author’s own experiences living in Mumbai, India. It tells the story of Lin, a fugitive from Australia who finds himself caught up in the city’s underworld. With its rich descriptions of the city and its diverse characters, Shantaram is a sprawling and unforgettable tale of love, loss, and redemption.

This novel explores the lives of two working-class Australian families, the Lambs and the Pickles, who move into a large, rundown house in Perth known as Cloudstreet. It spans several decades and follows the characters as they confront personal struggles, family drama, and the changing landscape of their country. With vivid descriptions and memorable characters, Cloudstreet is a poignant and insightful portrayal of Australian life.

Set in early 19th-century Australia, this novel follows the story of William Thornhill, a convict who is transported to the new colony. After earning his freedom, Thornhill tries to establish a life for himself on the Hawkesbury River, but tensions arise between the colonizers and the Indigenous people who have lived there for generations. The Secret River is a powerful exploration of colonialism and its impact on both the settlers and the original inhabitants of the land.

This mystery novel is set in a small Australian town that is suffering from a severe drought, and follows a federal agent who returns to his hometown to investigate a brutal murder that may be connected to a long-ago tragedy.

This dystopian novel follows a group of women who have been abducted and taken to a remote compound, where they are subjected to brutal treatment and forced to confront their own complicity in a misogynistic society.

Movies

baba
Play Video

1

3.4/5

The Babadook

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Play Video

2

3.6/5

Animal Kingdom

soo
Play Video

3

3.5/5

The Sapphires

aus
Play Video

4

3.3/5

Australia

dm
Play Video

5

3.5/5

The Dressmaker

Directed by Jennifer Kent, this psychological horror film explores the struggles of a single mother who is trying to come to terms with her husband’s violent death, while also dealing with her son’s fear of a monster from a children’s book that seems to have come to life.

Directed by David Michôd, this crime drama follows a young man who finds himself drawn into a life of crime after the death of his mother, and the dangerous family he becomes entangled with.

Directed by Wayne Blair, this musical comedy-drama is based on the true story of four Aboriginal Australian women who form a singing group and travel to Vietnam to perform for American troops during the war.

An English aristocrat travels to Australia in order to save the cattle ranch she inherited. In the process of doing so, she befriends a local called Drover who then helps her accomplish her mission.

Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, this dark comedy-drama follows a talented dressmaker who returns to her small Australian hometown to seek revenge on those who wronged her in the past.

Music

Australian music is a diverse and rich tapestry of styles, reflecting the country’s unique cultural history and contemporary identity. The traditional music of the Indigenous Australian peoples is characterized by the use of didgeridoos, clapsticks, and other percussion instruments, and often tells stories of Dreamtime creation myths and the natural world. In the modern era, Australia has produced many influential and popular musicians across a range of genres, including rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop, and more. Some of the most notable artists include AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil, Sia, Tame Impala, Flume, and Kylie Minogue, among many others. Australian music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest, and Laneway have gained international recognition, and the country has also produced successful music industry events such as the ARIA Awards, which recognize the achievements of Australian musicians and industry professionals. Overall, Australian music continues to be a vibrant and important part of the country’s cultural landscape.

Articles

Cultural Reads

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