Famous Australian people and landmarks on Burke’s Backyard
Suzhou is renowned for having the most beautiful examples of classic Chinese gardens. Don looked at one of the largest, called Zhuo Zheng Yuan or Humble Administrator’s Garden. Designed in the 16th century, it makes great use of water with a maze of connected...
The Great Wall Don visited the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, 90 kilometres north of Beijing. World Heritage listed by UNESCO in 1987, the Great Wall is probably the most widely recognised and enduring symbol of China. In fact, it is said, “The man who...
Don and the Burke’s Backyard team visited the Yu Gardens Bazaar in Shanghai. This is a ‘Disneyland version’ of historical China. Here the Huxin Ting Teahouse seems to float over a lake filled with countless thousands of goldfish. Built in 1784 by...
There is usually a Sacred Way or Divine Road leading to the mausoleums of China’s emperors. Each emperor was known as the ‘Son of Heaven’. The emperors came from heaven to earth through the Sacred Way and they would also deservedly return to heaven...
Shanghai City Shanghai (pron: Shung high), which means the ‘City on the Sea’, is called ‘Hu’ (pron: Who) for short. It is one of the largest cities in China, covering a total area of 6,341 square kilometres with an urban area of 2,643 square...
The Forbidden City, known as Gugong, is the largest and best-preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. Completed in 1420, it was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing dynasties, and was the seat of supreme power for over 500 years. The Forbidden City...
Don visited railway enthusiast, David Fletcher and his wife Alison, who is a keen gardener. David has had a life-long interest in railways of the world and railway history. Alison had never heard of model railroading until she met David. In 1998, after many years of...
On Burke’s Backyard for the last 17 years we’ve had one mantra only, ‘Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without’. We’re opposed to trendy, modern recycling, but we think genuine reusing of things is fabulous for the environment and...
This week, Don and the Burke’s Backyard team visited Alice Springs. Don met some of the locals and had a good look around the area. He loved seeing all the subtle colours: the silvery blue-green of the spinifex and the lovely colours of the gum trees, with their...
Breed: Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Temperament: Headstrong but amenable with training Cost: $700-$1000 broken in Lifespan: Up to 40 years in captivity Maintenance: medium Recommended for: Outback safaris History Camels are not native to Australia. They were...