My Country was written by Dorothea MacKellar in 1904 while she was living in England and missing home, Australia. One of the most popular verses in the poem is:
I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me! Most Australians can quote the first line of this verse (it's actually the 2nd of 6 verses). In the 90's Bill Bryson authored a book using a play on the iconic line I Love a Sunburnt Country. In a Sunburned Country became a best seller but received critical reviews. I read it and for the most part I liked it. As an expat Aussie, parts of the book made me laugh, and parts made me cringe. It's not a life changing book, but maybe it will make you want to visit or go back a second time. In the meantime here are some more images of My Country, from our recent trip.
Blue skies and gum trees
Penguin crossing
The Hazards, Tasmania
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Sydney Harbour Bridge, ferries - part of the public transportation system in Sydney.
Sydney Opera House and another ferry.
Sunset, Wynard, Tasmania