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Australian World Heritage
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Australia has been adding to it’s World Heritage Sites since 1981. With 14 heritage sites Australia has provided a series of spectacular natural untouched locations that represent nearly all of the geographical and bio diversity of this continent.

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Australian World Heritage Sites

Australia has been adding to it’s World Heritage Sites since 1981. With 14 heritage sites Australia has provided a series of spectacular natural untouched locations that represent nearly all of the geographical and bio diversity of this continent.

   

Australia has been adding to it’s World Heritage Sites since 1981 with the introduction of the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park and the Wilandra Lakes Region.

With 14 heritage sites Australia has provided a series of spectacular natural untouched locations that represent nearly all of the geographical and bio diversity of this continent. Importantly, many of these sites also reflect a rich, ancient cultural heritage as well adding immeasurably to the experience of visiting them.

A number of Australian World Heritage sites are managed by the indigenous people that have occupied these locations for more than 40,000 years. Their unique understanding and kinship with the land and its resources contributes to the real intentions of World Heritage sites.

World Heritage sites are sponsored by UNESCO as a way of recognising the universal value of these sites and providing protecting for these sites from damage and development.

Currently more than 100 countries participate in adding national sites to the world’s register of Heritage sites with 9 new cultural sites being added during 2002 to around 730 natural and cultural sites globally.

Within Australia, World Heritage Sites present a diverse choice of representative locations to choose between when planning a holiday to this region. Your choices will all come down to your interests. For those interested in natural history, take a visit to the Wilandra Lakes region or to Australian fossil mammal sites at Riversleigh and Naracoorte where you will find archaeological evidence of human settlement dating back 45 – 60,000 years and the fossils of giant extinct marsupials!

If the sea interests you then there are a number of sites related to marine environments including Shark Bay (W.A.), the Lord Howe Island Group and Fraser Island.

The Great Barrier Reef, with some of the world’s best marine life and tourist resorts is a very popular destination. In between the sea and ancient lakes are other key sites to visit throughout the vast continent (see sidebar).

Vast and unique, Australia offers travellers a rich natural and cultural experience. Australia's World Heritage sites are geographically dispersed across the whole continent. The best way to include a visit to several sites and really appreciate Australia's diversity is through independent travel.

A self drive motorhome or car rental provides both mobility and accommodation, as well as a freedom of movement untied to planned itineraries.

Drive Travel offers you a one-stop booking centre to help you select the most suitable Australian self drive holiday for your needs, giving you access to expert travel advice and enabling you to choose between all the leading rental brands with a best price guarantee.

 

Australia's 14 World Heritage sites include:
Great Barrier Reef (1981)
- contains the world's largest collection of coral reefs and 1000's of unique species.
Kakadu National Park (1981)
- an archaeological reserve displaying paintings and rock carvings as well as a complete and unique eco-system.
Willandra Lakes Region (1981)
- the Pleistocene remains of a lakes region with fossilized giant marsupials
Tasmanian Wilderness (1982)
- a unique, forested region the remains of glaciation with sites showing early human occupation
Lord Howe Island Group (1982)
- volcanic islands with extensive bird populations
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (1987)
- a major set of geological formations and a cultural site for local original inhabitants
Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (1987)
- situated on Australia's east coast, volcanic remains with unique rainforests
Wet Tropics of Queensland (1988)
- a varied tropical eco-system with rare plants, marsupials and birds
Shark Bay, Western Australia (1991)
- Australia's most westerly point, featuring very unique natural formations
Fraser Island (1992)
- the world's biggest sand island
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites - Riversleigh/Naracoorte (1994)
- illustrates Australian fauna's evolution
Heard and McDonald Islands (1997)
- islands situated in the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean
Macquarie Island (1997)
- made up of rocks from the Earth's mantle and the boundary between two geological Plates
Greater Blue Mountains Area (2000)
- plateaux, escarpments and gorges with temperate eucalypt forests
Further information regarding world Heritage sites can be found on
UNESCO’s website