National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

This week's virtual field trip takes us to Australia and beyond. Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, from coral reefs to rain forests, and golden beaches to ethereal desert plains. See the spectacular fossils from a newly discovered prehistoric rainforest, learn about the landmark move as Australia hands control of its newest national parks to Indigenous peoples, and discover why stingrays are making sounds for the first time. Plus, tour some of the more unique wineries around the world.

This sawfly lived in what is now southeastern Australia between 16 and 11 million years ago, and grains of pollen are still preserved on its head—a snapshot of life in an ancient rainforest.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL FRESE

See the spectacular fossils from a newly discovered prehistoric rainforest

Hundreds of amazingly well-preserved finds from Australia include plants, insects, fish, and more that existed more than 11 million years ago.

ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING

Talbot Bay is among the thousand islands making up Western Australia’s pristine Buccaneer Archipelago, where Indigenous peoples will co-manage three new marine parks.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AUSCAPE INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD., ALAMY STOCK PHOTOS

Australia hands control of its newest national parks to Indigenous peoples

The landmark move includes tourism efforts highlighting 60,000 years of Native culture and is part of a push to reckon with the country’s colonial legacy.

ABORIGINAL HERITAGE

A cowtail stingray glides through Heron Island, Australia, part of the Great Barrier Reef.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHNNY GASKELL

Stingrays recorded making sounds for the first time—but why is a mystery

New videos taken in Australia and Indonesia reveal at least two stingray species make clicking noises—but it's unknown how they do it.

WHAT DOES THE STINGRAY SAY?

THIS ANIMAL WAS NAMED AFTER THE ORANGE-AND-WHITE CARTOON CLOWNFISH. WHAT IS IT?

A. SPIDER
B. CRAB
C. FISH

CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

Conrad Maralngurra starts a low-intensity blaze to protect his community in Mamadawerre, an outstation along the northern border of the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW ABBOTT

How Australia’s Aboriginal people fight fire—with fire

They’ve revived the ancient practice of planned burning to renew and preserve their homelands, and help support their communities.

THE PROBLEM IS THE SOLUTION

SIP YOUR AWAY ACROSS THE GLOBE

1.

Here are 9 volcanic vineyards for wine tasting with a view

2.

Discover one of Europe’s most underrated wine regions

3.

This Croatian seaside paradise has made delicious wine for 2,400 years

4.

South Australia's adventures of a lifetime: tour the wine trails

Located in western Australia’s Burrup Peninsula, Murujuga is one of the world’s most significant rock art regions, with an estimated one million petroglyphs created more than 40,000 years ago.

PHOTOGRAPH BY VIKTOR POSNOV, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Pollution is threatening some of the world’s oldest rock carvings

Scientists fear climate change and mining contamination could destroy Murujuga—Australia’s next UNESCO site—within a century.

A MILLION IMAGES

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

© 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.