Down Under

During the southern winter and spring from July to November, 12,000 plant species cover the state of Western Australia in red, pink, yellow and lavender flowers. Sixty per cent of these species are not found anywhere else in the world.

Tourists have been staying away from Queensland because of the recent flooding. Now the state and federal governments, as well as Tourism Australia, are hoping that one person can bring them back. That person is Oprah Winfrey.

The Wednesday morning weather forecast for Melbourne, Australia, was a bit unusual: "Heavy rain with locusts." The announcer on radio station Triple J paused and added, "It actually says that."

Steve Irwin's exuberant personality, Australian accent, khaki shorts and catchphrase "Crikey!" became known worldwide. At one point, his Crocodile Hunter television show was broadcast in 137 countries and watched by 500 million people.

It is among the top 10 most livable cities in the world says The Economist. Spotlight's Janina Schneider-Eicke, who spent a year studying in Australia, shares her photos and impressions of the most spectacular city in the land down under.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine-growing region, known for its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc. Discover the fields of vineyards and wineries on the Wairau plain.

Cobbler's Beach is ideal for getting that all-over tan. Obelisk Beach is famously sunny, but because Australia gets so much sunshine, it is advisable to use lots of sunscreen. It's extremely uncool to get sunburn or to arrive at the pub with a red face.

What Crocodile Dundee once did for Australia is what the makers of Australia hope their film will do for the continent.