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The Land Down Under has a reputation for being crazy and dangerous. I think these photos prove that Australia lives up to the hype.

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If you think skydiving sounds scary, it’s a piece of cake compared to what these two men went through. A skydiving instructor and his pupil experienced a scare unlike any other in November of 2014 during a dive over Western Australia.

Twenty-two-year-old Christopher Jones dove during a training program with the Western Australia Skydiving Academy in what was an apparently a standard jump. He exited the plane at 12,000 feet in the air. It was then when the unthinkable happened.

Everything started out fine as Jones exited the plane.

Jones began to have a seizure shortly after jumping from the plane. His instructor, Sheldon McFarlane, struggled to reach him as the two men were in free fall thousands of feet above the ground

Instructor Sheldon McFarlane watched helplessly as Jones plummeted towards the Earth.

His first attempt to grab Jones failed.

Because they were quickly dropping, McFarlane pulled his own ripcord while attempting to grab Jones again.

This time it was successful, and McFarlane was able to pull Jones’ ripcord before his own parachute opened.

The terrifying event was captured on video. Take a look and see the scary rescue for yourself.

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The brand-new hotel for thrill seekers, located in the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, Australia, lets you stay as close to the zoo’s numerous animals as possible. At the lodge, guests will almost be directly sharing a room with live animals. You can take a bath next to brown bears, dine with lions staring at you, and feed giraffes from your balcony — and that’s just the start. Often, the only thing separating guests from the animals is a few millimeters of glass

The suites are broken into three separate residences: the Giraffe Treehouses, uShaka Lodge, and the Jungle Bungalows. Each has a different group of animals available to stare at.

Giraffe Treehouses:
The six suites that make up the treehouses sit higher than the other residences, in a lush giraffe enclosure. Guests of these suites will have the opportunity to feed Hummer, the resident friendly giraffe, at either their suite’s balcony or his enclosure (He gets to choose).

UShaka Lodge: The seven suites in the uShaka Lodge (uShaka is the Zulu word for shark) will have full view of the 52,000 gallon tank full Australian sharks and access to a top terrace packed with “inquisitive monkeys.” The suites are attached the aquarium part of the zoo, and have beautiful views of the lake nearby.

Jungle Bungalows : Every suite in the Jungle Bungalows have nothing but millimeter-thin glass walls separating you from African lions, cheetahs, or even the rare Malayan sun bear.

Accommodations at the hotel are available for one night only, but includes pre-dinner drinks, an African-inspired dinner in “The Cave” restaurant, and a continental breakfast the next morning. The mini bar is also complimentary. Guests will also be given access the full zoo both days, as well as an exclusive tour of the zoo each day.

The suites and rooms are not cheap, starting at $400 per person, per night, but all profits go back to the zoo in the form of programs aimed at assisting animal reproduction at the zoo.

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This is a koala named Jeremy. He’s been receiving medical treatment from four Australian wildlife agencies.

“Get your friends to get sewing,” the Australian Marine Wildlife Research And Rescue Organization wrote on Facebook.

Jeremy was the first victim of a series of brushfires spreading across the states of South Australia and Victoria.

Jeremy received second-degree burns on his paws, but according to the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organization, he was in good spirits.

The AMWRRO is currently asking for donations, including koala mittens.

“Koalas urgently need your help. Please cut out our pattern and get your friends to get sewing too,” the group wrote on its Facebook page.

Here’s Jeremy wearing his brand-new mittens. He looks very stylish. Unfortunately, the group told reporters they expect many more animals coming in in need of medical attention.

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It’s a glorious winter’s day in Sydney, Australia.

18 degrees centigrade (64 degrees Fahrenheit). WOOOOOOOOP!

 While most of Sydney’s 4.5 million souls struggled into work today on Australia’s most congested roads and railways, other commuters weren’t grumbling.

Humpback whales typically commute (aka migrate) 25,000 kilometers (16,000 miles) each year.

Winter Down Under = whale watching season.

“25,000KM COMMUTE: DO YOU HEAR ME MOANING?!”

From May to November, the whales move between their winter breeding grounds in Antarctica and their summer feeding grounds near the Equator.

The migration passes right along Australia’s east coast.

Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to the tropics in winter to breed and give birth.

During the winter, the whales fast and live off their fat reserves.

One of the largest creatures on the planet, adults range in length from 12–16 metres (39–52 ft),

 Adults can weigh 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb).

And they’re still MUCH BETTER swimmers than you.

Humpbacks are acrobatic animals known for breaching and slapping the water with their tail and pectorals.

They just love to show off.

Wildlife enthusiasts can view migrating whales just off the coast of Sydney and right along Australia’s eastern seaboard.

They are a truly MAGNIFICENT sight.

The whales are happy to say “G’DAY”.

Sometimes it seems like they’re showing off.

“G’DAY MAAAAAAATE!”

“LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!!!”

“CHECK ME OUT”

“THAR I BLOW!!!”

“WOOP WOOP”

“YEAH I’M A SHOW OFF, WHATEVS!”

“YEEEEEEEEEEEEE….”

“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

One of the world’s biggest creatures. Right off the coast off Australia’s biggest city!

“HAPPY MONDAY Y’ALL!”

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Royal baby visits Sydney’s Taronga Zoo to open bilby enclosure. Hearts melt.

Prince George joined his parents at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo on Easter Sunday for the opening of the bilby enclosure named in his honour.

An important part of traditional indigenous culture in the deserts of Australia, the bilby’s large rabbit like ears have made it a popular Australian icon at Easter.

When Prince George was born, Taronga announced they would name their bilby enclosure after him.

At the ceremony today, George grabbed a bilby statue. The enclosure was officially open!

For his visit, the stylish young prince was dressed in dark shots, a stripey blue and white polo and dark blue shoes and socks. Cute!

Inside the enclosure he was initially more interested in the photographers.

The he spotted it!

He was like: “What Is This Thing?!”

“WHAT IS IT?!”

“I WANT TO TOUCH IT!!!!”

Prince William held his son close while he got used to the strange creature.

“This doesn’t look like a bunny.”

Then George plucked up courage and moved closer.

The little prince was transfixed.

As Bilby George got a drink, Prince George reached out to touch him.

Bilby George was more interested in his water.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked like breaking the strict no touching rule. No one gave a shit.

William tried his best bilby impression.

William tried his best bilby impression.

Taronga Zoo have named their bilby enclosure after the prince. Today they confirmed they will also be renaming one of the endangered marsupials after him.

Bilby George wanted to kiss the Prince.

“Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllllllbbbbbbyyyyyyyyyy!!!!”

George was presented with a cuddly bilby.

But seemed more interested in eating the envelope.

Oh babies!

Sadly, through habitat loss and competition with introduced animals, the number of bilbies has dramatically reduced over the last 100 years.

Support Taronga Zoo’s Bilby Conservation here.

Or back the Save The Bilby Fund.

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Pythons will eat everything. EVERYTHING.

If you don’t know this already, Australia is a pretty dangerous place. The people may be warm and welcoming, but it’s the wildlife you have to watch out for. There are some extreme climates down under and there are some pretty extreme animals to go along with them. Some of the biggest bugs, most venomous creatures and craziest animals live in Australia.You may not believe it now, but you will after you see this list. The next time you think of going on a trip to Australia… don’t. (Or, just bring lots of Cortisone cream, tube socks and thick hiking boots.)

Pythons grow to be so big they can lift a wallaby.

They also like to explore malls, terrifying shoppers.

Snakes can climb up your toilets. No joke.

The snakes there can eat other, bigger reptiles.

You really need to understand that snakes are everywhere.

Even on planes.

Flying fox bats can spread diseases.

Dingos are dangerous. Even to sharks.

But sharks threaten everyone else.

Especially surfers.

Surfers should also watch out for crocodiles.

Then again, most people should watch out for crocodiles.

Seriously. Crocodiles.

But just to keep some perspective, even the crocodiles are eaten by snakes.

THESE are snake food.

And humans are food for the ticks.

Not to mention all of the other bugs that live there. Like lots and lots of spiders.

This is a bucket of funnel web spiders found at a campsite. Each of them can deliver a fatal bite.

The spiders aren’t the only problem. Soldier beetles also swarm.

But who are we kidding, the flies swarm, too.

So do millipedes.

These don’t swarm, but there are giant earthworms.

These are mole crickets. They are terrifying.

Australia also is home to giant, venomous centipedes.

The centipedes can kill snakes.

There are cassowaries, which are giant, awful birds.

Giant jellyfish are a thing that just show up.

But if you don’t like the big jellyfish, there are Irukandji jellyfish. They are 100x more poisonous than cobras.

Box jellyfish are also pretty terrible, though.

Don’t worry, there are other dangerous sea creatures. Blue ringed octopi are extremely venomous with no known anti toxin.

Marble cone snail stings can lead to respiratory paralysis and death.

Oh, and have you ever heard of stonefish? They are the world’s most venomous fish.

Not only are they dangerous, they look absolutely terrifying.

And THIS is what they can do to you.

Even if you stay out of the waters, death can come from above in form of hail.

Oh, the freshwater swimming holes are pretty scary, too.

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Never go to Australia if you are an arachnophobe.

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Scared of spiders? Maybe score Australia off your bucket list.

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Three years ago, when Ian was was performing Waiting for Godot in Melbourne, he looked like this, and made a quick buck.

Ian was taking a quick break while rehearsing for the play he was in…

When this lady mistook him for a homeless man:

From the 2010 article on the Telegraph:

During the dress rehearsal of Godot, I crouched by the stage door of the Comedy Theatre, getting some air, my bowler hat at my feet (and) seeing an unkempt old man down on his luck, a passer-by said, ‘Need some help, brother?’ and put a dollar in my hat.

So he made a dollar.

And hopefully he spent that dollar well.

Also maybe this is the moment this lady realized she just gave a dollar to Gandolf.

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Wildfires in Australia have caused the destruction of about 90 homes. Families have been escaping the flames by any and all means. Below one family shows their determination to escape.

These emotive pictures of the children clinging together around their grandmother under a jetty were taken by their grandfather Tim Holmes. This all took place in the Tasmanian town of Dunalley. The family was forced to wait the fire out as it consumed all nearby residences.

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David Glasheen lives alone on an island off Australian coast for about 20 years. Once a successful businessman, David had lost $10 million in a stock market crash and moved to a tiny island leased from the Australian government.

The man lives a self-sufficient life, grows vegetables and fruits, catches crabs and brews his own beer. He even has a solar-powered internet connection. Glasheen trades stocks through an online trading account and tries to find his love, as his only visitors are passing yachtsmen and organic farmers.

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