MURRUMBIDGEE

From its source high in the Australian Alps, the Murrumbidgee River winds through the alpine regions of Kosciuszko National Park and the Monaro High Plains, and then through the Australian Capital Territory. Once the river reaches the south-west slopes of New South Wales, it heads west across the riverine plains to its confluence with the River Murray near Balranald. The word Murrumbidgee means “big water” in the Wiradjuri language. The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia. Water has been central to the Murrumbidgee’s growth over the past century. It is one of the most productive regions in Australia as an important food bowl, international exporter and burgeoning tourism industry.

 28 March 1922 - Widening of the main canal with Bucyrus Dragline

BLUE MOUNTAINS

The Blue Mountains is a national Park and a World Heritage Site. The rugged Blue Mountains, so called because the air in the region often appears to be a bluish colour (a phenomen caused by the evaporation of eucalyptus oil from the gum tree forests). This wilderness is popular with bushwalkers, and the area is home to swamp  wallabies, possums, wombats and an incredible range of colourful birdlife. Distinguished by escarpments, forested valleys and spectacular rock features like this at Hanging Rock, which frustrated many early explorers in their search for a route over the mountains. Many species of flora and fauna that are unique to Australia can be easily seen in the Blue Mountains. In 1959, the Blue Mountains National Park was gazetted, ensuring the preservation of the large tracts of remaining wilderness.

The Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, were carved from sandstone by rivers rushing to the ocean. There, spectacular scenery and wild places can be found, such as Hanging Rock jutting out of the golden sandstone walls of the Grose Valley.

Received from Don

SYDNEY

The gateway to Australia

Sydney is Australia's largest and most cosmopolitan city. It is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Although the majority of the 'sydneysiders' are of British and Irish descent, there are substantial minorities of immigrants from Italy, Greece and Asia. Sydney is a sprawling city, and, though the centre contains many tall buildings, most of its inhabitants live in one or two  storey houses in the suburbs and travel into the centre to work.

Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens complement city highrise

Sydney is the biggest port in Australia, with a huge natural harbour spanned by the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. On 31st December, Sydney Harbour hosts the spectacular New Year's Eve firework display. It is also a major cultural centre, with one of the world's most imaginative and best-known opera houses.

Sydney's famous harbour is flanked by the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge

Australians are famous for their ability to relax and enjoy life. In Sydney they can sail, go to one of the many sandy beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach (a paradise for surfers and swimmers), or simply cook up an fresco meal on the barbecue in the garden.