With 1.03 million hectares of awe-inspiring views, spectacular sandstone plateaus, sheer cliffs, gorges, and swamps teeming with life, the Greater Blue Mountains Area provides a significant representation of Australia’s biodiversity. Situated 60 to 180 kilometers (37 to 111 miles) inland of Sydney in New South Wales, this natural wonder is a unique place for the study of the evolution of Australia’s eucalypt vegetation. It also contains species of immense global significance, such as the critically endangered ancient Wollemi pine, a “living fossil”, that is one of the world’s oldest and rarest conifer trees. On November 29, 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains Area was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to preserve its geographical and cultural importance. The name “Blue Mountains” stems from the dreamlike blue haze that seems to envelop the area. The Greater Blue Mountains Area are home to over 400 different species of animals. The Greater Blue Mountains Area is managed and protected under national legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The major challenges include inappropriate tourism and recreation activities, loss of biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change.

One of my favorite spots is Koekohe Beach, where we may see its magically impressive Moeraki Boulders. These outstanding boulders are an unusual geological phenomenon that have been millions and millions of years in the making. Now famous, they have entertained countless travelers and have been playfully dubbed the “Bowling Balls of the Giants,” “Alien’s Brains,” “Dinosaur Eggs,” and the “Stonehenge of New Zealand.” The biggest of the boulders at Koekohe Beach, New Zealand, weigh up to seven tonnes. The Moeraki Boulders of New Zealand reach up to two meters in diameter. Each boulder is adorned with unique geometrical patterns like the reptilian scales of a dragon. For hundreds of years, they have ignited the imaginations of many sightseers who have come to this otherwise solitary stretch of New Zealand coastline. There are 50 boulders remaining in Koekohe Beach, which are now protected by New Zealand law. Since 1971, laws in New Zealand were passed to ensure that the unique Moeraki Boulders be protected, just like other national treasures including us Hooker’s sea lions.