Geographical Oddities Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rock Formations

A travel writer once described these stunning rock formations, that rise up in the Purnululu National Park in the northwest of Western Australia as "giant Martian beehives" and that description sits rather comfortably with them. Forming cylindrical towers of porous rocks, thought to have been deposited there some 375 million years ago, these rocks are some of the most impressive rock formations on the planet... we reckon that even the Martians would be impressed.

The rocks are in a very remote area of Australia, which is why they were not discovered until 1983, and it may be the reason why they will be preserved for many years to come.

Answer: Sinkhole garden

Not far from the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier (formed in the crater of an extinct volcano) the Umpherston Garden was been created in a sinkhole in 1886. The sinkhole was created when a large subterranean cave collapsed into itself. A local gent, James Umpherston, conceived the idea of a garden there and began planting. Today, the garden is a public park with manicured lawns, fountains and flowers.

Answer: Blowholes

In Kiama, south of Sydney, there is a sea-cave into which the Pacific Ocean rushes with force. So much force that it creates a sea-spout that fires out of the blowhole above the cave and reaches an amazing height of eighty two feet. It is one of the most powerful sea-cave blowholes in the world.

There is an almighty "BOOM" that comes with every eruption and it is felt that it was this deafening roar that attracted the captain of a whaling ship in the mid 1700s, leading to its discovery. This is a popular tourist attraction in New South Wales but caution is advised, this is also a dangerous site.

Answer: Opalised fossils

White Cliffs is located 90 km north of Wilcannia, developed after the discovery of opals in the area in 1881. Opalised fossils found there include ichthyosaurs, and a small dog shark. The remains of the mines (mullock heaps) give the place an eerie look, especially as there are not many buildings in sight - they are underground. Millions of opals were collected there and sold all around the world.

The first solar power station in Australia was built there.

Answer: Meteorites

A meteorite, upon entering Earth's atmosphere some 4,700 years ago was split into several pieces and, at estimated speeds of 40,000 kilometres per hour, smashed into the central Australian desert. The footprint that was left behind were a dozen craters that we are still fortunate enough to be able to see today. Sadly they are now somewhat eroded and their sides have given way to foliage but they make themselves an oddity when viewed in contrast with their surrounds, which are totally flat.

Answer: The Twelve Apostles

Well, only eight now. In fact the collection of miocene limestone rock stacks only ever numbered nine. Originally known as 'the Sow and Piglets', they were renamed for tourism reasons. There was a bridge formation nearby, known as London Bridge, which collapsed without warning in 1990, leaving a couple stranded on the wrong side. They were rescued by helicopter.

Answer: Sea Cliffs

Tasmania is home to some of the most remarkable scenery in Australia. Amongst its stunning sites is a rather formidable (and aptly named) island called Desolation Island. On this island are the Cape Pillar sea cliffs. These are the tallest cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere and they have earned the unofficial title as "The Scariest Cliffs in the World".

These cliffs are two massive stone pillars that rise some three hundred metres above the magnificent Pacific Ocean. The dolerite formations go straight up, and are popular with climbers. If you're not inclined to climb you can marvel at the view from the safety of a cruise boat.

Answer: Rock Formations

If the Bungle Bungles are said to look like Martian beehives then The Pinnacles must represent a Martian's bad hair day. Set in the Nambung National Park near Cervantes, approximately 200 kilometres northwest of Perth, The Pinnacles are thousands of limestone pillars, standing as high as ten feet, spread through the Pinnacles Desert.

They are said to have been formed over millions of years by ocean winds whipping small grains of sand over shells that slowly formed limestone bases, growing into the stunted crags that we see today.

Answer: Lava blisters

What is a lava blister? On the surface they look like a circular mound of loose rocks that someone had collected. In fact it could have represented a couple of weeks work for a prison chain gang. The reality for these Tumuli formations is that they are not man made, they were created naturally, and their formation is a rare natural phenomena. What happens is that lava wells up underneath the Earth's surface until, eventually, the lava tubes buckle and then they bulge, causing cracks in the surface and allowing blobs of lava to seep out and create the blisters.

The Tumuli formations are almost the size of a small house the mounds are circular, about twenty metres in diameter and they stand about ten metres in height.

Answer: Giant Pink Slugs

Located in the Nandewar Ranges (which were created by volcanic activity). From the top of Mount Kapatur it is possible to see an incredible 10% of New South Wales, on a clear day. Unique flora and fauna exist in the park, including the seriously bright cerise slugs. Other wildlife likely to be seen include wallabies, quolls and bats.