Australia

Map from Around the World on Eighty Legs by Amy Gibson

Click to return to the interactive map

ACTIVITY

Create an Aboriginal Dot Painting

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection
Explore examples of traditional Aboriginal dot paintings. Then  imitate dot painting (using tempera and Q-tips or thin-tipped paintbrushes) to create a colorful Australian animal of your own.

Thorny Devil illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

SITES WORTH A VISIT

Australia, affectionately known as “The Land Down Under,” is like no place else on Earth. Explore the weird and wonderful wildlife who call it home.

Australian Koala Foundation
Are koalas really bears? Do koalas get “drugged” by eucalyptus leaves? Find lots of koala facts, downloadable diagrams and coloring sheets at this conservation site.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Our Animals
Meet many Australian animals at this easy-to-read site for young learners.

San Diego Zoo – Animal Bytes – Echidna
Did you know a baby echidna is called a puggle? Or that these mammals lay eggs? Learn more about these truly unusual monotremes.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Explore these facts and photos about Australian wildlife, download coloring pages or check out the platypus cam.

Perth Zoo
Discover downloadable fact sheets on Australian animals and more.

Unique Australian Animals
Find a host of facts, photos and links about Australian animals, including the goanna, bilby and thorny devil.

 

BOOKS ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Check out this extensive list of Australian resources in print.