Oz-u-Mental Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bondi

The beach was originally occupied by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and evidence of their presence can still be found in various rock carvings and paintings in the area. Today, this one kilometre stretch of beach, which is situated about seven kilometres east of Sydney's central business district, is a mecca for over 2.7 million visitors each year.

It has also become a strong part of Australia's culture, providing the finishing point for the annual City to Surf "fun run", a 14 kilometre race that commences in Sydney, and it has also been the site for a number of TV series such as "Bondi Rescue" (commenced 2006) and "Bondi Vet" (commenced 2009).

Answer: 20,000

The park, which featured prominently in the film "Crocodile Dundee" (1986), is a significant home to a wide range of flora and fauna. It boasts thousands of different fauna, and almost 2,000 species of flora. This World Heritage listed site, which is (roughly) the size of Wales and is situated some 170 kilometres south of the city of Darwin is owned by the Aboriginal traditional owners, who have occupied the region for almost 60,000 years.

As a consequence, it is of considerable cultural importance to them and the whole region is dotted with remarkable rock art.

Answer: Queen Victoria

Located in Sydney's central business district, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a three storey, heritage listed building that serves, mainly, as a shopping centre. Constructed of sandstone in 1893, there was a move to have the building demolished in 1959 and replaced with a civic square and carpark. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and, in 1971, it was decided to preserve the building for its heritage value.

The QVB also houses a rescued statue of Queen Victoria. The statue was originally erected in Dublin in 1908 but the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 created a great deal of anti-British sentiment and a statue of Queen Victoria, quite bluntly, was "on the nose". Correspondence between Australia and the Director of the National Museum of Ireland saw the statue transported to Sydney, "on loan until recalled".

Answer: Convict settlement

Named after George Arthur, the lieutenant governor of Van Diemen's Land (later named Tasmania), Port Arthur was originally a timber gathering camp that was established in 1830. However, three years later it became the delivery point for the most hardened convicts on the mainland. These were persistent repeat offenders, during their time in Australia and it was considered that Port Arthur had the strictest security measures to best detain them. The transportation of prisoners to the facility ceased in 1877.

Port Arthur, situated 97 kilometres southeast of Tasmania's capital city, Hobart, now forms part of a World Heritage listed set of 11 Australian convict sites. It has been described by UNESCO as "the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts".

Answer: True

The railway station was created in 1854 on the banks of the Yarra River by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company. It is situated on the corners of Flinders and Swanson Streets in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. The main platform, which is 708 metres long, is one of the longest in the world.

Construction of the heritage listed yellow façade, which is considered one of Australia's most iconic landmarks, commenced in 1900. It features an arched entrance, and a green copper dome, complete with a tower and clocks.

Answer: Daintree

Situated between Cairns and Cooktown in the northern regions of Queensland, this lush area of the world is said to be both the inspiration for the movie "Avatar" (2009) and over 180 million years old. The rainforest, which is World Heritage listed, is famed for its bio-diversity, being the home for over 2,800 species of plant, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You will also get a chance to spy on some 660 plus species of animals and 230 species of butterfly... among these are the stunning Ulysses butterfly, the tree kangaroo, the saltwater crocodile and the very elusive cassowary.

Answer: True

Covering some 240,000 square metres of floor space on four levels, Australia's new Parliament House was designed to accommodate more than 5,000 people on any sitting day and to provide easy and open access to the public without ignoring the needs and pressures of the landscape, Australia's climate and Canberra's lighting.

The hill that was selected for the building was removed completely, so that the building seemed to be (symbolically) rising out of the ground rather than towering over the nation and appearing to be an institution that was imposing its will upon the people. The building, which cost over a billion dollars to build, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988.

Answer: The Gold Rush

Rather appropriately, the town is situated in Golden Point, a suburb of Ballarat, the site of a massive gold rush in the early 1850s. This proved to be an event that would transform the economy of the country. The imitation town of Sovereign Hill opened in 1970 and is spread across 15 hectares.

The complex, which plays host to some 200,000 people each year boasts cafes, museums and bars and provides regular re-enactments of life in the days of the rush.

Answer: Matthew Flinders

Situated on the western end of Kangaroo Island in South Australia, the Flinders Chase National Park is a protected area that is sanctuary to several endangered species and home to some spectacular geological formations. Among these are the Remarkable Rocks, a precariously balanced cluster of granite boulders that have been shaped by nature's erosive forces for over 500 million years and covered by a stunning array of golden orange lichen. These, along with the Cape du Couedic headland have been classified by the Geological Society of Australia as geological monuments.

As stated, the park is also a sanctuary for a number of endangered species and some of these have since been re-introduced to the mainland. Sadly, colonies of the little penguins, that were sighted on the island between the 1920s and 1960s are now believed to be extinct and this has been attributed to the increase in population of the long-nosed fur seals.

Answer: Perth

There are five main elements that make up the memorial. The cenotaph, which is an 18 metre obelisk set atop a podium over an undercroft and crypt. This was unveiled in 1929 and was built to commemorate those that passed away in World War I. Unveiled in 1955, on the western side of the memorial, is the Court of Contemplation. This carries the names of West Australians who have passed away in various conflicts.

Then there's the Flame of Remembrance, lit in the year 2000 and set to burn continuously, the Pool of Reflection, which invites visitors to "Let Silent Contemplation Be Your Offering" and, finally, the ANZAC Bluff Commemorative Plaque, which commemorates the Australian and New Zealand soldiers that lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign of 1918.