Spotlight on Victoria, Australia: The Mighty Redgum Forests and More

The astounding differences in terrain and climate in just one state of Australia, Victoria, can only be described as one of the many curious miracles of nature. To the far northwest in the general location where the desert scenes of Mel Gibson's famous Mad Max was filmed, to the rugged and treacherous countryside of the Ottway Ranges, where gorgeous, succulent rainforests hug the coastline - there is much to be learned of the country as a whole without actually leaving the state.

The winding inland waterways of Australia are peppered with the most beautiful trees called River Redgums or Eucalyptus camaldulensis. These trees have been, and still grow in other parts of the world, but are native to Australia.

They are part of a family of trees known as Eucalyptus, which most may be familiar with. The trees help to conserve the soil from eroding along river banks, and are a great source of shade and shelter for many species of wildlife, including Kookaburras, reptiles and most inland varieties of parrots.

Redgums are a wonderful sight to behold when laying underneath, gazing up at the massive boughs of their greenish grey, speckled trunks and breathing deeply to inhale the unique scent of the Eucalyptus. However, they can also be very dangerous, particularly in the harsh heat of a summer's day. Redgums are known to very suddenly 'explode' with a loud bang and shed a limb when the day is hot and very still. Ironically, they can and do withstand very high winds. It is the stillness which causes this shedding of branches and since no warning of impending disaster is given, sitting elsewhere on such a hot day is recommended. Sadly, tourists and locals alike have been fishing or paddling the magnificent estuaries, only to take a rest on the banks of the river and be struck down by large falling limbs.

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