Approximately 50,000 years ago, Indigenous Australians invented the Boomerang and since then the most imaginative minds in the country have developed Wi-Fi, medical penicillin and box wine. Here are 20 of the most ingenious and awesome things to come from Australia.
Australia leads in niche technologies
Australian success stories include the application of blockchain in finance; immersive simulation in education; robotics in medical procedures; and the Internet of Things in agriculture. Australia is also recognised as a world leader in silicon-based quantum computing research.
The Owen Gun, developed during the Second World War, and the more recently developed Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle are two examples. The Bushmaster is still in use, protecting Australian and international troops being transported in combat zones.
Lance Corporal William Beech, of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), invented the periscope rifle in May 1915. The device allowed a soldier standing in a trench to aim and fire without exposing himself to the enemy.
The spearthrower (known in some parts of Australia as the woomera) is a unique Aboriginal invention. It was designed to increase greatly the distance a spear could be thrown, acting as a first order lever.
Australia ranks amongst the highest in the world for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights.
If there's one thing Aussies are known for, it's their easy-going, friendly attitude. Of course food, events, art and history are all vital parts of the Australian culture, but what really distinguishes an Aussie is his or her laid-back outlook on life.
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world's oldest continuing culture. We have a highly skilled workforce and a proud history of democracy and stable government.
The world's 12th largest economy
Strong growth in 2021 solidified Australia's position as the world's 12th largest economy in 2021. Nominal GDP was around A$2.2 trillion (US$1.6 trillion) in 2021. Australia is home to just 0.3% of the world's population, but accounts for 1.7% of the global economy.
Papua New Guinea remains Australia's largest bilateral development program. In the Pacific, this is followed by Solomon Islands Vanuatu and Fiji. We also have substantial bilateral programs with Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru and other Pacific Island countries. For details refer to the country specific pages.
Wi-fi has been recognised internationally as one of Australia's greatest scientific achievements. O'Sullivan and his team ... ushered in the age of high-speed, always-on wireless connectivity we enjoy today.
Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of coal, iron ore, lead and diamonds, with ores forming around 23.5% of Australian exports. According to the Minerals Council of Australia, iron ore is the country's largest source of export revenue.
What Australia is well known for? Australia is globally famous for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, "The Bush", and "The Outback". Australia is one of the world's most highly urbanised countries; it's well known for its attractive mega cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
There are also a number of terms for Australia, such as: Aussie, Oz, Lucky Country, and land of the long weekend.
Australia is a highly developed country with a mixed economy. As of 2023, Australia was the 13th-largest national economy by nominal GDP (gross domestic product), the 19th-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP, and was the 20th-largest goods exporter and 24th-largest goods importer.
Australia has plentiful supplies of natural resources, including the second largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth largest reserves of coal and significant gas resources. For a long time, commodities have made up a sizeable share of our exports.
Australians are the richest people in the world, with a median wealth three times that of the average American, a new report has shown.
The islands were settled by different seafaring Melanesian cultures such as the Torres Strait Islanders over 2500 years ago, and cultural interactions continued via this route with the Aboriginal people of northeast Australia.
The History of Australian Football
In 2008 the AFL published The Australian Game of Football Since 1858 which examined the development and growth of the only game invented in Australia, its position within communities across every part of the country, and its great heroes and great moments.
Among the huge variety of Australian inventions are the boomerang, cochlear implants, polymer banknotes and wi-fi technology.