Huawei P20 Pro Mobile Phone: Australian Release Date, Prices, and Specifications

Huawei has become one of the leading and top-selling smartphone brands in Australia. The brand has already impressed due to its high-end smartphone devices. Mate 10 is a great example of this, which has already impressed many customers due to its striking design and outstanding cameras.

In this article, you will get familiar with all the necessary details regarding Huawei P20 Pro prices in Australia, specifications, release date and availability.

Huawei P20 Pro Specifications

The Huawei P20 Pro offers iPhone X alike notch on the top of the device, which can be turned off luckily. So you can use the device screen according to your wish and style.

The phone is designed as a super-star in the smartphone industry, and it really performs like a powerful mobile phone device. Just like other flagships around, the Huawei P20 Pro is a bezel-less smartphone with a glass back that reflects amazing color patterns when the light directly meets the device.

Considering all the specifications, the most prominent and best-selling feature of this Huawei phone is related to its triple camera setup. According to the manufacturer, the Huawei P20 pro is going to showcase world’s first triple Leica camera with the maximum number of pixels count.

Not only this, you will get the 24MP large front-facing camera with AI and beautification features. With Huawei P20 Pro cameras, you will get the best quality and impressive picture results in any lighting condition.

The smartphone has already got DxOMark’s highest overall scores, so it is safe to say that it is one of the most advanced smartphone cameras you can get right now.

Here is the quick rundown of the Huawei P20 Pro mobile phone specs:

  • Display: 6.1-Inch OLED FHD+
  • Resolution: 1080×2240 Pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 18:9
  • Pixels Density: 408ppi
  • Protection: IP67
  • Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm
  • Processor Chipset: Kirin 970
  • Speed: 1.8GHz Octa-core
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Rear Camera: 40MP+20MP+8MP
  • Front-Facing Camera: 24MP
  • Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo
  • Battery: 4000mAh Li-Po (Non-removable)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2
  • Sensors: Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope
  • Available Colors: Black, Twilight
  • Weight: 180 grams
  • Price: 1099AUD

Huawei P20 Pro Availability regarding Australian Market

The Huawei P20 Pro release date in Australia is set for 18 May 2018. After this, you will be able to pick one from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Mobileciti, and few other major retailers in Australia.

Huawei P20 Pro Prices in Australia

The great flagship device from Huawei is available to purchase at AU$1099 outright on Mobileciti, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman. That price tag makes it a very competitive alternative to Apple and Samsung flagship devices. And when you consider the device with the recommended Australian retailers, you will surely get some amazing discounts and deals too. Compare mobile phone prices from the best price comparison tool in Australia, and make your purchasing even more affordable.

Popular Sports in Australia

Sporting events are an important part of Australian culture. There are a number of sports that are enjoyed throughout the nation. This article takes a look at some of the most common types of sport currently played in Australia.

Cricket

Cricket is a popular sport which involves two teams battling it out against one another. It is a bat and ball game, which involves players acting as batters and fielders. The aim of the game is to get the most amount of runs in a game. A run is scored by hitting the ball and then running to a post known as the crease at the other end of the pitch. If a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, then that player is out. This game originates from Southern England in the 16th century. It later became the national sport of England, and it is now enjoyed all over the world. The Ashes are one of the most famous sporting events of all time. The Ashes are played between the English and Australian teams biannually.

Golf

Golf is a ball sport whereby players use a club to hit a ball across a series of holes on a course. Golf originates from Scotland in the 15th century, although some people believe it dates back much further to the Roman era. Australia has approximately 1500 golf courses. Some of the most famous golf competitions include the Masters, the PGA Championships, and the US Open. Royal Melbourne West is said to be on of the best golf courses in Australia.

Rugby

Rugby is a contact sport, where two teams of players battle it out to get a rugby ball over a certain line. There are two major types of rugby: Rugby League and Rugby Union. Each of which has it’s own rules and regulations. Some of the famous Australian rugby team include the Quantas Wallabies, the Wallaroos, and the Qantas Men’s Sevens.

Netball

Netball is a type of contact sport which is played with two teams, each of which have seven players. The idea of the game is to get the ball through a net in the opposite end of the course, without having the ball stolen from you by a defender. Netball games last for 60 minutes. The ANZ championship takes place in Australia and New Zealand. Netball is a sport typically played by women, however some men’s teams do exist.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport, whereby horses race one another to reach a finish line. Often there are a series of hurdles that they will have to jump over to get there. A famous horse race in Australia is the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

If you want to know more about the sporting world, then you can sign up to a specialist sporting service, where a trained specialist will be able to teach you the rules of the game, and all the most popular sporting headlines, so that you can always stay up to date with what’s going on.

Best Places to Visit in Australia

Australia has a myriad of natural wonders, which means that the adventurous tourist will be spoiled for choice; this country in the Southern hemisphere has something for everyone. Of course, you want to know which places of Australia to visit during your trip and to find the best cities, national parks, islands and others regions that Australia has to offer. I’m pretty sure everyone wants to visit Australia at least once in their lifetime and you should too considering how full of beauty and natural wonder it is.

Australian Culture:

Much of Australia’s culture is derived from European roots. Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences from western European culture, after World War II there was heavy migration from Europe. Today Australia also defines itself by its Aboriginal heritage, vibrant mix of cultures and existence of democratic.

Unique Australian Animals:

Australia teems with different species of animals, many which are found only in Australia. This group includes Kangaroos, Koalas, Tasmanian wolves, wallabies, wombats, and many others. The kangaroo is unique to Australia, it’s a from the family Macropodidae which mean ‘large foot’ It has large hind legs, a strong tail, small forelegs, and long ears. Kangaroos live in Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and New Zealand. The koala it is sometimes referred to Australian koala bear, however they are not a bear. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia. The Koala prefers to move around neither in daylight or night, but rather just after sunset, as 80% of its time is spent sleeping.

Climate of Australia:

Australia is a continent that experiences a variety of climates due to its size. Accordingly, the northern Australia enjoys a tropical climate, and southern Australia a temperate one. The weather can range from below zero temperatures in the Snowy Mountains to intolerable heat in the north-west. In many parts of the country, seasonal high and lows can be great with temperatures ranging from above 50 ° Celsius to well below zero.

Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, The Great Ocean Road are just some of the places we will explore on this journey to Australia. Australia is the perfect destination for you, enjoy our recommendations.

10. Gold Coast Introduction: One of the major tourist destinations to visit in Australia is the Gold Coast also the most populous non-capital city in Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane., There are a number of exciting rides and a number of entertainment avenues. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010 year. With max temperature 25.1 °C (77 °F) and min temperature 17.2 °C (63 °F).

9. Kakadu National Park Introduction: Kakadu national park (name ‘Kakadu’ is from Gagudjuan, an Aboriginal floodplain language) is a living cultural landscape and the largest national park in Australia covering an area of 4,894,000 acres, located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory of Australia. The national park Kakadu is home to 68 mammals, more than 120 reptiles, 26 frogs, more than 2,000 plants and over 10,000 species of insects, the park is ideal of those wishing to know more about Aboriginal culture. You can drive in yourself but for the alligator reason it’s best to take a tour!

8. Broome Introduction: Broome traditional lands of the Yawuru people is a tourist town in Australia 2389km north of Perth, a two and a half hour flight from Perth. Broome is an oasis of color in the outback and place to relax, broome is possibly the most relaxing place I have ever been, time just seems to disappear here. Broome has a tropical climate, high season in Broome is late May to early September when temperature is a balmy 30 °C.

7. Kangaroo Island Introduction: Kangaroo is third largest island after Tasmania and Melville in Australia but Kangaroo has more to offer. It is the best places to visit in Australia with kids. because Kangaroo is like a zoo with rare birds and plenty of kangaroos and koalas the ocean is teeming with fish and sea lions. The wine is pretty good too for you. Visit Kangaroo Island. You’ll see why it’s a tourism icon.

6. The Great Ocean Road Introduction: The Great Ocean Road one of the world’s most unforgettable coastal drives located at an hours drive from Melbourne. The beauty of this road is consists of Australia’s signature limestone rock formations, such as the famous ’12 Apostles’ it’s fancy doing it by car. Road is a 243km stretch of road along the south eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool. Best time to go, probably spring and autumn when the scenery is at its best.

5. Barossa Introduction: Barossa is one of the major wine (red wine in particular) producing regions of South Australia. If you particularly are a wine lover, then Barossa is right place to visit. Barossa valley is formed by the North Para River, being only 60km northeast of Adelaide, the southern end of the valley is only about one hour’s drive from the city. There are more than 50 wineries in the region and 390 hectares of flora & fauna.

4. Uluru Introduction: Uluru has to be one of the best known sights of Australia and one of the world’s greatest natural wonders! For a taste of aboriginal culture and history, make your way to Uluru. Old name of Uluru is Ayers Rock. Uluru is a large monolith rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. The best time to visit is July, August and September.

3. Fraser Island Introduction: Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in world spreads across 1840 km². In fact, Fraser Island is the only place in the world where rainforest are found growing on sand. located along the southern coast of Queensland, Australia. Bird lovers will be in paradise as Fraser Island is home to over 300 species of bird. One of the best things to do is hire your own car and explore the island at your leisure also don’t miss the famous clear Champagne Pool.

2. Sydney Harbour Introduction: Sydney Harbour Bridge is nicknamed “The Coathanger” is commonly referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world location in the first European settlement in Australia and 134 meters above the sea level. 20% of the population of Sydney can see the bridge at least once a day. The best time of year to visit is New Year. Whilst you can drive across the bridge, there is a toll so beware!

1. Great Barrier Reef Introduction: The Great Barrier Reef the world’s largest reef system spreading over 2,600 km with approximately 900 islands, larger than the Great Wall of China, reef is thought to be around 6 to 8 thousand years old. The Great Barrier Reef is the top places to visit in Australia. No trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef. There live 400 types of coral, and 1500 species of fish and large populations of dugongs live there also including many vulnerable or endangered species, some of which may be endemic to the reef system. I highly recommend to visit this place.

Cricket: Pakistan Tour to Australia (an Abstraction):

Australia is the current world champions in one day international and also leads the test teams of the world. Recently Australia played India and new Zealand and won both the series Comprehensively and now it is playing new Zealand in the one day internationals.

Pakistan team on the other hand is ranked in the middle of the world test ratings and most of the players in it are new and young and due to that they have less experience as compared to Australians and have to work hard in the series to win it. But it is not easy for the Pakistani team to not only play well but also beat Australia as many of the players in the Pakistani team is young and less experienced.

Pakistan is touring Australia after 2 years and in which Pakistan will play Three Tests and a trination one day international series in which west Indies will be the third team.

The test series will start from 16th December 2004 to 6th January 2005, and the one day series will be played from 14th January.

These were some fixtures and details about the Australian and Pakistani team after that the current positons of both the teams are discussed .

Australia as we know is the best team in the Cricketing world have world class batsmen namely Ricky Pointing , Adam Gilchrist , Mathew Hayden, Darren Lehman etc . and bowlers are Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie , Shane Warne etc.

However the Pakistani team which is very new and young side are based on only Inzamam ul haq , Yousuf Yohanna Shoaib akhtar Mohammad Sami , Abdur Razak and Shoaib Malik. There are some youngsters also in the Pakistani team which are proving to be promising namely Salman butt . Danish kaneria, which is the only specialist leg spinner in the team the whole team depend on him in the spin department though shoaib malik gives him good support but surprisingly Shahid Afridi is also selected in the test team on the bases of his previous good performances against Austraila in Australia.

In the end it is concluded that Pakistan team would have to work really hard and not only the coach and captain would have to work hard but also all the players new players should work harder in order to face the challenging Australian bowling attack and batting department.

Which Country Is Better for a Permanent Residency Visa – Australia Vs Canada

Both Australia and Canada are beautiful countries; both have high living standards and quality education to offer. Both have common elements including British heritage among other things. Both these countries are popular among the immigrants who are thinking to migrate. People often approach us looking for Visa Immigration Services but most of them are always confused between Australia and Canada. So, here are some comparisons made out.

Australia the smallest continent in the world but is the largest island with warm weather, typical climates are temperate, subtropical or Mediterranean. Canada has mostly the continental type of climate it’s very cold here, during winters. The northern part of Canada mostly covered with snow for around 6 months. When comes to unemployment, Canada has the higher unemployment rate which is 7.1% whereas Australia has an unemployment rate of 6.0% also immigration to Canada is easier and less stringent. The cost of living including housing, rent, groceries are a little high in Australia than in Canada. Healthcare system is slightly better in Australia. People of Canada are friendlier towards the immigrants than in Australia. It would be bad and judgemental if it’s said Australia is a racist country which is not anymore, even though few cases of racism are found but then those don’t make the headlines. Canada is ethnically diverse and multicultural nation which is a product of large scale immigration from many parts of the world.

For permanent residency, both countries follow a point based system, the processing is around 3-4 months in Australia where as in Canada it’s around 5-6 months.

Permanent Residency in Canada

To become a permanent resident, a foreign national must make an application to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizens of Canada). There are various ways in which one can the fastest being The Express entry system. The express entry is considered the fastest in Canada it has 2 stages first, apply for PR invitation and get selected from a pool of candidates based on total point score (based on age, language, work experience, studies etc.). Secondly, on receiving an invitation, the visa application form has to be to the immigration office. Then it is processed by the IRCC within 6 months from the receipt of application. The PR in Canada sub categorised as federal PR and PNP (Provincial nominee program), the former is applicable all over the country. PR expires after every 5 years and has to be renewed after 5 years. The benefits being a permanent resident holds same rights as Canadian citizens, they also may obtain other social as well as Canadian pension plan benefits.

Permanent Residency in Australia

The processing time is around 3-4 months for key permanent residency visas. There are the skilled independent visas and the skilled nominated visas. To apply for PR one needs to follow the point based immigration system firstly there has to be an online submission of an application that is EOI (Expression of interest) in Skill select online system which is an online form which asks a series of questions about your skills depending upon the visa subclass you select. The score is calculated based on education, skills, experience etc. And if you are selected you will get the ITA for the visa.

Also, there’s another factor that affects your visa which is the rules and regulations, considering the immigration rules and policies of both the countries Canada has easier and flexible immigration rules.

Increasing Demand for IT Laborers in Australia

Australia is providing a lot of facilities to work in this country. One of them is visa subclass 485. Under this, a candidate can live or work in Australia after completing his studies here. The most important thing about this visa is that you can only avail it once as the main applicant.

You can apply for this visa under two categories:

• Graduate work-Under this category, you can apply if you have received an educational qualification related to the ones mentioned on the Skilled Occupation List. This visa is provided to the applicant for a period of 18 months from the time he applies.

You can also bring your family to Australia with you on this visa. The visa holder can also register himself on the JobSearch website of the Australian government to find a relevant job for himself. Now, there is a skill assessment which is required for the granting of the 485 visa made mandatory by the ACT (Australian Computer Society). This skill assessment will recognize the crucial ICT (Information and communications technology) skills of a candidate.

If the subclass 485 visa holder is able to get a permanent job in this country, he can also register himself for permanent visa subclass 189. This visa class does not require any nomination from the state governments or the employers.

There is, however, ACT requirements which are required to prove your worth under the general skilled migration program of the visa subclass 189. These requirements include a mandatory 1-year work experience in Australia related to the completed Australian educational qualification and the other mandatory requirement is finishing ACS Professional Year Program of duration 1 year so that a proper skills assessment is received.

There is a colossal demand for people with ICT skills in Australia. The government has understood the need for such skills because they help in a better delivery of services, cost reduction and improvement in efficiency. The government has also introduced the new e-Government strategy due to which it is experiencing a demand for IT labor. That’s why, the Australian Public Service is hiring IT laborers in various domains like systems analysis, project management, security management, software development and website administration.

The supply of ICT laborers is also decreasing in Australia. This is because there is not much interest in gaining an education of this kind which is manifesting itself in decreasing enrollments in such courses. There is also immigration of ICT staff abroad from Australia.

What’s Going To Change In Australia Immigration This July?

Australia’s immigration system is one among the most flexible systems worldwide. Each year, the country government in association with the immigration authorities throws a light on the areas that need improvement and eradicates the loopholes. Besides, it revises the occupation list by removing certain occupations and adding the ones that are a major requirement in Australia. This process generally takes place in the months of June- July. This year, it’s going to be a little different. Effective from July 1, Australian immigration is going to experience a series of changes, in various areas.

Number 1: Maximum age for Skilled Independent Subclass 189 to be reduced from 49 to 44

As of the present norms, a candidate applying for an Australia PR visa under the General Skilled Migrant Scheme must not be over 49 yrs. From July 1st 207 onwards, the age limit would be reduced to 44 for professionals who are keen to settle in Australia. This means that skilled professionals who are above 44 yrs will no longer be able to apply for Australia immigration through the following programs:

  • Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190
  • Skilled Regional Provisional subclass 489
  • New Citizen Stream of subclass 189

The Department of Immigration figures reflect that only 1% of applicants of Subclass 189 visa fall in the age range of 45 to 49 years. While the overall impact may be small in numbers, there would be a significant effect as the age limit for permanent employer sponsored will also be reduced to 44 yrs. Hence, it is advised that professionals who are currently eligible must apply for their immigration before July to avoid ineligibility.

Number 2: Easy pathway for NZ permanent residency to be introduced

Coming straight from the columns for Acacia Immigration Australia, the good news is that skilled professionals who have live & worked in Australia for a minimum time period of 5 yrs can now become permanent residents of New Zealand, effective from July 1 2017. Australia is introducing this easy pathway as a stream within the Skilled Independent Visa program (subclass 189). The New Zealand Citizen stream has significantly lesser demands to qualify:

  • No Skills assessment is required
  • No Points test will be required
  • No English language assessment will be required
  • No SkillSelect Invitation will be required
  • No limits on age
  • Special consideration on health requirement
  • Less Initial application fee

As per the estimates of the Australian Government, over 60-70,000 New Zealanders may be eligible for this stream. Moreover, this stream would be a great benefit for skilled professionals having 5 yrs of living and work experience and a desire to shift to New Zealand.

Number 3: Revision of Skilled Occupation List & Release of Occupational Ceilings

The recently replaced Skilled Occupation List for General Skilled Migration Scheme is expected to be revised from July 1, 2017. This is because there a number of occupations, especially in the Engineering sector of Australia that are listed on the MTSSLL but not listed on STSOL. Plus, there is a specific list of flagged occupations maintained separately by the Department of Education, and these may also be considered for removal.

The Occupational ceilings play a vital role in the operations of the General Skilled Migration programs. They give a hint on the number of EOI invitations that can be issued to applicants of each program, namely- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 & the Skilled Regional Provisional (Family Sponsored) Subclass 489. Each year, Australia announces releases its Occupation ceilings in the month of July, with fresh quota for each occupation category.

Number 4: State Migration Plans shall reopen

Currently, there many of the Australian States that have either restricted their state nomination programs or have closed them. Some of the significant examples are the Western Australia, Queensland, ACT and many more. Also, there are several states that have reached their quotas for prominent and high in demand occupations. Many of such states will reopen again in July with fresh quota of occupation. Through previous statistics, we can analyze that most the of State nomination programs open and fill quickly. For skilled professionals who are keen to settle in Australia through a State nomination must keep their applications ready. This will not only increase their chances for a quick State nomination but also will help them with a fast Australia immigration process.

Australian Wholesalers – Do You Really Need An ABN To Buy From Wholesalers In Australia?

One of the most common questions I am asked, is do you need an ABN (Australian Business Number) to buy from Australian wholesalers?

The answer is yes, you do need an ABN to purchase from most genuine Australian wholesalers. Some may also require you to have a registered business or company name. A few genuine wholesalers will sell to people who don’t have an ABN, but they are few & far between & usually don’t stock particularly popular products. Don’t worry though, keep reading & you’ll find out how anyone can easily meet these requirements for little or no cost!

Why won’t they sell to people without an ABN?

A wholesaler uses a potential customer’s ABN to confirm their business identity – to help verify that they truly are a business customer, & not just an end consumer (general public) trying to get discounted products. This is also why some Australian wholesalers prefer to only deal with people who have a registered business name (though many don’t require this).

The job of Australian wholesalers is to sell to Australian retailers…& NOT to the end customer or general public. If a wholesaler started selling products to end customers, bypassing the retailers, they would not only make the retailers very angry, but would also probably lose many valuable retail customers/shops. They would effectively be cutting into/stealing the retailers’ market share – not a good business move.

Some wholesalers/distributors, especially those of popular brand name products, also like to make sure that their products are only stocked by reputable wholesalers that they consider to be ‘of a high enough standard’. By ensuring that they only sell to people who meet certain minimum requirements – namely an ABN & most likely a business name – they’re helping to ensure that their product is only available in what they consider to be quality outlets.

If someone tries to tell you, that you don’t need an ABN to purchase from the Australian wholesalers listed in their wholesaler list, the alarm bells should start ringing. Either they aren’t telling the truth, or most of their so-called wholesalers are nothing more than discount retailers.

Isn’t it expensive & hard to get an ABN?

No, anyone who is a resident of Australia for tax purposes can apply for an ABN at no cost – you don’t need any registrations other than your Tax File Number to be eligible for an ABN. You can apply for one online at the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) website, www.ato.gov.au, or by calling them on the phone.

A business name costs a little more, but can be registered for no more than $100 to $200 in most states. For most retailing activities in Australia, you’ll find that you don’t need any specific licenses to operate, however you should check the licensing regulations in your state before you register your business name. You can learn more about ABNs, business names & licensing requirements at the Australian Government business website, www.business.gov.au.

Frugal Travel Tips For Sydney, Australia

There is so much more to Australia than kangaroos and koala bears. In Sydney, that so much more can even be frugal. After much contemplation, the top frugal choices were narrowed down to the ferry system, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Art Gallery Of New South Wales.

Ferries

Seeing Sydney from the water is a must. Frugal tourists don’t pay for a boat ride. They take the ferry.

Ferries have been operating in Sydney for more than 135 years. Today, for the price of a day pass (including ferry service), tourists can travel to Manly Beach to watch the surfers and play beach volleyball, to Darling Harbour to see the Australian Maritime Museum (the museum is free), Taronga Zoo (admission charged), and be able to snap great photos of the cityscape, the Opera House, and the interesting Luna Park. All from their seat on the ferry.

Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens is 30 hectares of parkland in the heart of Sydney, hugging the shoreline. Highlights are the iconic Opera House on one side (tourists can peak inside for free but for a better look, they need to either pay for a tour or buy an event ticket) and Mrs. Macquaries Chair, a seat carved into stone where the wife of Governor Macquarie liked to sit and watch the ships come in, on the other. Wildlife include the grey-headed flying foxes (giant bats), cockatoos, and other colorful birds. A kind local gave me some food to feed the birds.

The Royal Botanical Gardens are also a great place for the fitness buff. Nothing like jogging along the shoreline at dawn or dusk.

Art Gallery Of New South Wales

My favorite experience in Sydney is taking the guided tours of the Aboriginal Art Collection in the Art Gallery Of New South Wales. Not only am I given an understanding of the fascinating art styles by an enthusiastic guide (I’ve done the same tour twice with different guides and received new information with each tour) but she also explains bush tucker, hunting styles, religion, women’s lib, and other topics of interest. Admission and the tour is free.

Sydney is a world class city with world class tourist sights. Using the ferry system to get around, visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens, and taking the tours at the Art Gallery Of New South Wales will allow the frugal tourist to experience more for less.

Captain Cook Did Not Discover Australia

Captain James Cook is generally credited with the discovery of Australia in 1770 and children in schools the whole world over, are taught this little gem of untruth. In fact, if you ask most people in the street who discovered Australia, they will also tell you, without hesitation, that Captain Cook did.

However, the Dutch were quite prolific in discovering new lands before that date. William Janzsoon is thought to be the first European navigator to have visited the northern coast of Australia, back in 1606. He wasn’t the first to discover Australia either. Even the Portuguese are thought to have visited Australia before Captain Cook did.

The Chinese discovered Australia long before either of those two noteworthy adventurers. There are records that the Chinese had drawn an official map of Australia as early as 1320. Admiral Zheng He, or more commonly known as Cheng, was commander of the expeditionary fleet during China’s early Ming Dynasty. He made voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Great South Land (Australia), the Middle East, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433. His vice admirals, Hong Bao and Zhou Man, arrived in Australia in 1422. Hong visited the west coast, while Zhou landed on the east coast. The Chinese sailors were mainly after minerals such as lead, gold, silver from Queensland, and uranium in the Northern Territory. Another Chinese record, the “Atlas of Foreign Countries”, which was written in 316 A.D., describes the great south land (Australia) being inhabited by a pygmy race near Cairns, Queensland. Also during the 4th century A.D., Shih Tzu wrote of kangaroos in the Peking ZOO and others reported about Aboriginals and their use of the boomerang.

If that was the case, why was none of this information generally available to the general public? Shortly after Admiral Cheng visited these lands, the Chinese withdrew from foreign trade and diplomatic relations with other countries. They expunged all references to Admiral Cheng’s fleet and their voyages. It was not until 1904, when Liang Qichao published his “Biography of Our Homeland’s Great Navigator, Zheng He, that this new information came to light.

However, even the Chinese sailors may have been beaten to the post. A ship similar in design to a Phoenician trireme was discovered off the coast of Western Australia several years ago. The ship has been dated as belonging to an era before 2,500 years ago. There is also plenty of evidence to suggest that middle eastern traders visited the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 3000 years ago.

Of course, this pales into insignificance when you consider that the ancestors of indigenous Australians are thought to have arrived in Australia about 60,000 years ago! They are believed to have originated from New Guinea, at a time when it was joined to Australia, during a glacial period in its history.

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