Astral Plains

Question: What island is wider than the moon (and only slightly more hospitable)?

Answer: Australia.

Australia is often given a bad rap as a fantastical haven for deadly creatures who seemingly emigrated from King Kong’s “Skull Island.” You’ve probably heard the stories: Giant spiders with heart-stopping venom, poisonous snakes with monstruous fangs, dinosaur-sized saltwater crocodiles, hungry man-eating sharks lurking underneath murky waves, lethal jelly fish ready to zap you in ankle-deep water—the list is endless.

Despite how thrilling it can be to imagine the existence of such a treacherous place, it’s time we set the record straight. Believe it or not, you're statistically more likely to meet your fate in Australia by crashing your car into a stray cow or falling off a horse (yep, you heard that right—check out the fun facts below). Yet, there's a nugget of truth in the danger myth, especially when you dive into the heart of the island continent—the infamous "Red Center” or “the Outback.”

Ever fantasized about astronaut adventures without the zero gravity? Well, the Outback's your ticket—red dust, intergalactic vibes, and a survival quest that even NASA might envy. If you threw somebody out there with no water, they’d probably have a better chance of surviving on the lunar surface without oxygen.

The Aussie Outback, also known as "the Bush," is one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth, comprised of arid plains, desolate deserts, rocky plateaus, and scarce vegetation. If Mars were to have a sibling, the Outback would undoubtedly be its cosmic twin, owing to the iconic red hue derived from the iron oxide present in the soil. There, one can find Earth's natural theme park for visiting the “Red Planet” or the moon—just swap the spacesuit for a fly net.

Thus, it’s totally understandable why 95% of Australians opt for coastal living. With temperatures soaring to a blistering 123 degrees, the Red Center isn’t exactly prime real estate compared to the sub-tropical shores of the Gold Coast. Still, the enormity of the Outback’s expanse it’s fair share of credit: Making up about 81% of “the Land Down Under,” the Outback is the reason why the island continent can claim that its width eclipses the moon's equatorial diameter (pun intended!).

Indeed, while the moon boasts a diameter of roughly 2,159 miles, Australia spans an impressive 2,485 miles. If you shoved Australia right through the center of the moon, the Land Down Under would stick out on both sides.

Fun Facts About Australia, the Outback, and the Moon:

• Australian wildlife isn’t as perilous as it’s made out to be—cows and horses have caused more deaths than any other creature in the Land of Oz: All around the world, people are under the impression that everything in Australia is out to kill you. It wouldn’t be outlandish for an unwitting American to assume that the average Aussie must battle a spider larger than a dinner plate, wielding nothing but a broomstick, just to get the mail. But, the truth is, statistically speaking, you're more likely to get into trouble with a domesticated cow or horse when you’re in the Land Down Under. In fact, in the past decade, cows and horses have caused more deaths than snakes, sharks, and crocodiles combined. That's right: In his prime, the iconic Australian racing horse, Phar Lap, would have been more dangerous than a "drop bear" (see next bullet), saltwater crocodile, great white shark, or poisonous snake.


• Local Australians tell tall tales of imaginary creatures like the "drop bear": This carnivorous, predatory, leopard-sized marsupial drops on unwary bush walkers—unless, of course, you wear some good ol’ drop bear repellant: forks in the hair, Vegemite or toothpaste spread behind the ears, or other wacky measures for protection.


• While the Outback isn’t at all a hospitable environment, humans have managed to survive out there for centuries: Although it may seem completely barren, the Outback is home to unique and resilient wildlife—including the kangaroo, emu, thorny devil lizard, and more. That’s not to mention that people do live in rather isolated towns out there—albeit only 5% of the population—and the aboriginals survived there for centuries. In fact, there are many sacred aboriginal sites you can visit out in the Bush. One of the most famous sites is Uluru—also known as Ayers Rock—which is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Outback. It appears to change colors, particularly during sunrise and sunset, creating a breathtaking display.


• While bodies of water are scarce in the Outback, they do exist: Lake Eyre—Australia's largest salt lake located in the Outback—can transform from a dry, cracked basin into a massive, shimmering expanse of water during rare periods of heavy rainfall. There are also quite a few rivers that will flow in the rainy season (but to be fair, they’re usually dried up).


• In contrast to its Red Center, many parts of the island continent host some of the most hospitable environments on Earth: The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's northeast coast, is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles. It's so vast that it can be seen from space.


• Australia is the world's largest island, smallest continent, and sixth largest country: Australia is simultaneously the world's smallest continent and the world’s largest island. And, despite having a similar population to that of Greater Tokyo, Australia is the sixth-largest country globally—almost three times the size of India.

On our A South Pacific Odyssey: Australia, the Outback & New Zealand adventure, you can experience a wide range of Australian habitats—both hospitable and inhospitable—from the barren "Red Center" to the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, and more.