Next Monday 6 June is Queensland Day, and, since I am a Queenslander, I thought I’d share a little about my home state, including Queensland authors and illustrators I have interviewed over the years.
12 Facts about Queensland
- Queensland is in north-eastern Australia. It is the second-largest state by area (after Western Australia) and the third-largest in population (after New South Wales and Victoria).
2. Queensland is bordered by New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia. The Pacific Ocean is along its eastern coastline.
3. The most northern part of Australia, Cape York, is in Queensland. Though I am told it is very beautiful and is a popular camping and four-wheel drive destination, I’ve never been there. (I’m not a camper or a four-wheel driver.)
4. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef, is located along Queensland’s coastline.
5. The world’s three largest sand islands, Fraser, Bribie and Stradbroke, are also located on Queensland’s coast.
6. The capital of Queensland, Brisbane (where I live), is located in the south-east corner of the state.
7. Queensland Day celebrates the day in 1859 that Queensland separated from New South Wales to become an independent colony.
8. Queensland’s state fauna emblem is the koala. The koala is a marsupial (mammal with a pouch) that is native only to Australia and lives mainly along the east and south coasts.
9. Queensland’s state floral emblem is the Cooktown Orchid. It is native to northern Queensland and was named after a town there.
10. Queensland’s state bird emblem is the brolga, a tall bird which is noted for its graceful mating dance.
11. Queensland’s state gem is the sapphire, and the aquatic symbol is the anemone fish from the Great Barrier Reef.
12. Anyone in Australia who follows sport, probably doesn’t need to be told that our state colour is maroon.
Continue reading: Let’s Celebrate Queensland Day 2022 – readilearn
Norah Colvin 
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