What many people not familiar with Australia do not realize is the Australia is big, about the same size as the USA’s 48 states, and rather than two coast Australia has four. When people think of underwater Australia, they usually think of the Great Barrier Reef, good diving can be found in the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, but there are other sides to the diving "Down Under", on the reefs of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia, in the far north along the coast of Northern Australia, in the cooler waters of Sydney and New South Wales; and then there is the southside. The best diving in "Oz" may well be in the cold waters of South Australia. The coast of South Australia is home to some of the most spectacular creatures, curious creatures, and dangerous creatures to be found in the ocean. From elaborately decorated members of the sea horse family, to the menacing giant of the deep, the worlds most dangerous shark, the Great White Shark.  The "White Pointer", as the Aussies call him, is a man eater that strikes fear into the hearts of swimmers everywhere. For divers the chance to be in a cage when "Mr. Big" arrives on the scene is the pulse pounding highlight of any diver’s journeys.
	The favorite food of the Great white shark is the Australian Sea Lion. These beautiful pinnipeds are slow swimmers compared to most seals and sea lions so make easier prey. This slow swimming, along with a seemingly unquenchable curiosity and the fact that they seem to like to play with divers, make them a favorite with divers as well. They have beautiful white coats, the graceful moves of an underwater ballet and so make wonderful subjects for underwater photography.
	Close to shore on the rocky reefs and among the pilings of the many piers live a variety of creatures so strange they rival the more famous creatures of the Australian "Outback". The leafy sea dragon, a relative of the sea horse is a creature whose disguise of sea weed like leafy projections is so elaborate that it not only allows him/her to hide from predators, but actually attracts their favorite food. Small brine shrimp swim among the "fronds" of the dragon and find a safe harbor from all predators except the dragon itself, who plucks them from the water at his/her leisure.
	Australia is of course also famous for the strange animals that live on land. These animals are readily accessible in the wonderful National Parks system as well as at the wildlife parks that are near every city and on every tour itinerary. My preference is for the parks where the kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and emus run wild. Seeing these wonderful strange creatures in the wild where they belong is a real privilege. The parks in Australia offer wonderful opportunities for photographers with animals that while not tame, are more comfortable with human presence and the exotic scenery of the Australian Outback.