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Wikipedia Exposed As Corrupt Tool of The Establishment OCTOBER 26, 2018 BY 21WIRE 

https://21stcenturywire.com/2018/10/26/wikipedia-exposed-as-corrupt-tool-of-the-establishment/ 

Big Business have turned Wikipedia into platform for propaganda into a platform for private propaganda for the ruling elite ..

RT America’s Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Chris Hedges, talks with investigative journalist Helen Buyniski who exposes an editing racket resembling a type of “pay to play” policy, along with a collapse in credibility of this highly-politicized organization. Despite the obvious signs, a wave of disinformation is still being allowed by Wikipedia’s aloof co-founder Jimmy Wales (pictured above) who has knowingly allowed his online portal to transition from an egalitarian knowledge base into yet another corrupt tool of the ruling elite.

“... its become more and more obvious that Wikipedia is a website that should have no credibility at all … it would be one thing if Wikipedia was considered to be just a bias source like a trash rag … the bathroom wall of the Internet I like to call such trash rage… but it’s not ,, Wikipedia is considered the holy oracle of truth ….. however Wikipedia is really anything by the holy oracle of truth …” ….  investigative journalist Helen Buyniski 

“..Wikipedia has become an online source of instant information about politics, people, countries, conflicts and an array of historical events that confine our culture …

But this online Wikipedia search is completely different from the old scholarly well researched encyclopedia or academic journals  that once graced library shelves … Wikipedia’scontributors and editors are largely anonymous and are not required to show or produce any expertise in the subjects they write about and edit .. they are often unpaid …there are those who bear grudges .. or … champion particular ideologies or conspiracy theories .. along wit bib business …that closely monitors and edits all that appears about its products and business dealings that has turned Wikipedia into a platform for private propaganda … nowhere is this more evident in the way Wikipedia treats left wing anti capitalist critics such as the British MP George Galloway …  along with journalists such as Glen Greenwald and Seymour Hersh … Joining me is investigative journalist Helen Buyniski  to discuss Wikipedia and how it has become the tool to ]propagate the reining ideologies and biases for the ruling elite ….” …RT America’s Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Chris Hedges,

Investigative journalist Helen Buyniski exposes Jimmy Wales' egalitarian Wikipedia as yet another tool of the ruling elite writes for RT And is on Twitter @Bellocirapture23 www.helenofdestroy.com/

ON CONTACT: 

Wikipedia 

 A Tool Of The Ruling Elite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDPrpKDjQ5U

RT America: Published on Oct 20, 2018


On the latest episode of On Contact, investigative journalist Helen Buyniski exposes Jimmy Wales' egalitarian Wikipedia 

as yet another tool of the ruling elite. 

More from Helen here: http://helenofdestroy.com/index.php/4...

Find RT America in your area: http://rt.com/where-to-watch/ 

Or watch us online: http://rt.com/on-air/rt-america-air/ 

Like us on Facebook //www.facebook.com/RTAmerica Follow us on Twitter //twitter.com/RT_America

Category: News & Politics


Two Clintons 41 years 

$3 Billion

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/clinton-money/??noredirect=on

A Washington Post investigation reveals how Bill and Hillary Clinton have methodically cultivated donors over 40 years, from Little Rock to Washington and then across the globe. Their fundraising methods have created a new blueprint for politicians and their donors.

The Clintons have raised $3 billion in support of their political and philanthropic efforts over four decades. Nearly all the funds went to support six federal campaigns and their family foundation.

By Matea Gold, Tom Hamburger and Anu Narayanswamy - Published on Nov. 19, 2015

LITTLE ROCK — Over four decades of public life, Bill and Hillary Clinton have built an unrivaled global network of donors while pioneering fundraising techniques that have transformed modern politics and paved the way for them to potentially become the first husband and wife to win the White House.
The grand total raised for all of their political campaigns and their family’s charitable foundation reaches at least $3 billion, according to a Washington Post investigation.
Their fundraising haul, which began with $178,000 that Bill Clinton raised for his long-shot 1974 congressional bid, is on track to expand substantially with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 White House run, which has already drawn $110 million in support.

The Post identified donations from roughly 336,000 individuals, corporations, unions and foreign governments in support of their political or philanthropic endeavors — a list that includes top patrons such as Steven Spielberg and George Soros, as well as lesser-known backers who have given smaller amounts dozens of times. Not included in the count are an untold number of small donors whose names are not identified in campaign finance reports but together have given millions to the Clintons over the years.

                                 Edward Snowden:

            Assange’s Arrest and the Mueller Report Show

                  a ‘Two-Tiered System of Justice’

                In a CYBER podcast, we sat down with Edward Snowden

              to talk about his life in Russia, Julian Assange, and press freedom.

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/597pvk/edward-snowden-assange-arrest-mueller-report

                                                          
                                                                                                         Edward Snowden

When Edward Snowden was stranded in a Russian airport, before the government of Vladimir Putin granted him asylum, he turned to WikiLeaks and their lawyers for help. Since then, Snowden has inevitably been linked to WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange.

Naturally, when Snowden sat down with CYBER host Ben Makuch, we asked him what he thought about Assange’s case. For Snowden, the story about Assange’s arrest should focus more on Ecuador’s motivations, and the fact that Assange is being held to a different standard than president Donald Trump. The former NSA analyst mentioned the fact that Ecuador got $4.2 billion in funds from the International Monetary Fund in early March as a sign the country was getting closer to the West, and in turn more inclined to give up Assange.

“Journalists who have been covering the story haven’t really been looking at that, because Julian as an individual is such a tragically flawed figure,” Snowden said.

Snowden also criticized people who changed their minds about Assange after the 2016 election.

“A lot of Americans now hate Julian,” he said. “Even though the sort of people who are on the center to the left part of the spectrum had been singing his praises during the Bush administration, now they’re on the other side because of his unfortunate political choices in the 2016 elections.”

Yet, Snowden defended Assange’s journalism work in the lead up to the 2016 elections, arguing the leaked emails, which major media companies covered, showed that the Democratic Party tried to favor Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. That, Snowden said, “had profound public interest.”

As Motherboard reported last week, the Department of Justice says that it isn’t positive that Assange helped whistleblower Chelsea Manning crack a password hash in order to obtain cables related to the Iraq War, but that he’s being charged with that crime anyway. Snowden juxtaposed his treatment with that of Trump’s treatment in Robert Mueller’s report.

“Mueller says it didn’t actually result in obstruction because the people that Trump ordered to do this simply ignored him,” Snowden said. “The DOJ’s defense of not charging Trump is look he tried to commit a crime but he failed to actually do this. And at the same time they’re charging Julian Assange under precisely the opposite theory. Where they say ‘Look, Julian may not have actually cracked a password—we don’t have any evidence that he did, we’re not even going to try to prove that he did, we’re going to say that the agreement to try is enough.”

“So this is a real question of a two-tiered system of justice. Where if you’re the president and you try to commit a crime, you can skate,” he added. “Why is it that journalists are being held to a higher standard of behavior than the president of the United States?”

Finally, Snowden attacked the Department of Justice for charging Assange with conspiracy to crack a password, “a pretty low level infraction relative to the things Assange has been accused of in his life.”

Listen to CYBER, Motherboard’s new weekly podcast about hacking and cybersecurity

Got a tip? You can contact this reporter securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, OTR chat at lorenzofb@jabber.ccc.de, or email lorenzofb@motherboard.tv

The Torture Of Assange:

A Blight On The US Justice System

RonPaulLibertyReport

Streamed live on Aug 30, 2018 

Wikileaks founder and chief editor Julian Assange has been in solitary confinement in the Ecuadorian embassy for more than six years. 

Though the original charges have been dropped against him, he remains in the Embassy for fear of being extradited to the US for prosecution.

His "crime"?

Publishing things the government does not want us to know. It is past time for Assange to be freed.

Category

News & Politics

Sweden Tells the UN that Indefinite Detention Without Charge is Fine

05 February 2015

The United Kingdom’s costs for its embassy "siege" against Julian Assange, who has not been charged with an offence, has hit 10 million pounds, Scotland Yard confirmed today. Meanwhile, damning footage has been released from the United Nations. ...

https://wikileaks.org/Sweden-Tells-the-UN-that.html

Sweden Tells the UN that Indefinite Detention Without Charge is Fine

05 February 2015

The United Kingdom's costs for its embassy "siege" against Julian Assange, who has not been charged with an offence, has hit 10 million pounds, Scotland Yard confirmed today.

Meanwhile, damning footage has been released from the United Nations.

https://youtu.be/aT2A58X62ak

Sweden fell under fire at the UN over its decision to insist on the detention of Assange for more than 1,500 days without charge. It aborted its own press conference after pointed questions from journalists, and explicitly stated that it had no problem with indefinite detention without charge, not just for Mr Assange, but as a principle. Most countries place strict limits on detention without charge. In the UK and Australia, and in the US (except for Guantanamo Bay), a matter of hours.

Mr Assange said: "Sweden has imported Guantanamo's most shameful legal practice - indefinite detention without charge."

On 26 January 2015 Sweden was the subject of the United Nations Human Rights Commission Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN in Geneva. Fifty-nine human rights organisations filed complaints against Sweden's behaviour in the Assange case as part of the UPR.

UN member states also reviewed, questioned and made recommendations to Sweden on their human rights policies and record. During the session seven member states made recommendations involving Julian Assange's case, raising concerns about how Sweden treats the rights of those with asylum and those it detains pre-trial, and especially those detained without charges: Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, Macedonia, Nicaragua, Slovakia and Uruguay. Sweden neglected to respond within the session to most of these countries' concerns, except to recall its non-recognition of Mr Assange's asylum.

After the UPR session the Swedish delegation – headed by Annika Söder, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs – held a press conference at 1pm outside the UN room in which the UPR had been conducted. The press conference lasted only 4 minutes before Ms. Söder abruptly cut it off after finding that all the questions were about Sweden's mishandling of Assange's case.

After the press conference WikiLeaks journalist Sarah Harrison (well-known for "rescuing" Edward Snowden from Hong Kong) approached Anders Rönquist, Director-General for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to ask for a response to Ecuador's recommendations. These were that Sweden time-limits any type of detention where the person has not been charged, and that Sweden implements more mechanisms in their prosecutorial procedures to ensure the rights are protected of those that have asylum or are refugees. The Director-General responded that Sweden was under no obligation to limit time in pre-trial detention, or limit the time someone is detained, even if not charged. He stated that he had no issues from a human rights perspective of detaining someone indefinitely, even if they have not been charged.

Julian Assange, Editor-in-Chief of WikiLeaks, has not been charged with any crime in any country although he has been formally detained by Sweden's detention decision for 1,522 days – 960 days in the embassy.

He has been given asylum by the government of Ecuador to protect him from the threat of the United States Government, which is preparing an "espionage" case against Mr Assange and WikiLeaks that is "unprecedented in scale and nature". The offences listed so far total 45 years. Sweden and the United Kingdom are blocking Mr Assange's right to take up his asylum. While Sweden refuses to use any of the standard legal mechanisms available to question Mr Assange over allegations, the UK, whose spending on policing the Ecuadorian embassy in London today, Thursday, 5 February 2015, hits 10 million pounds, prevents him taking up his legal right to asylum.

WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said: "It is embarrassing to see the UK Government spending more on surveillance and detaining an uncharged political refugee than on its investigation into the Iraq war, which killed hundreds of thousands."

This video was shot by filmmakers "El Colectivo", who are shooting a forthcoming documentary "The Challenge" about former investigating Judge Baltasar Garzón, who attempted to extradite Chilean dictator General Pinochet from the United Kingdom. Judge Garzón is now head of Assange's legal team and was scheduled to give a press conference later that day about the UPR and new developments in the US case against WikiLeaks and its staff.

Chomsky: CIA Targeting of Julian Assange

of WikiLeaks is "Disgraceful Act"

Democracy Now!

Published on Apr 26, 2017

http://democracynow.org - Last week, the Trump administration reportedly prepared an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange,

and Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department was seeking to put Assange in jail.

Amy Goodman asked world-renowned linguist and dissident Noam Chomsky about the U.S. targeting of Julian Assange,

during a wide-ranging conversation at the First Parish Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday night.

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs weekdays on nearly 1,400 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday.

Watch our livestream 8-9AM ET: http://democracynow.org 

Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today: http://democracynow.org/donate 

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Category

News & Politics

Taken from:

http://awn.bz/BilderbergGroupHistory2.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4671950

WikiLeaks is an international new media non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources andnews leaks. Its website, launched in 2006. Within a year of its launch, the site claimed its database had grown to more than 1.2 million documents.

WikiLeaks has received praise. The organization won a number of awards, including The Economist's 2008 New Media Award.  In June 2009, WikiLeaks and Julian Assange won Amnesty International's UK Media Award, in the category "New Media", for the 2008 publication of "Kenya: The Cry of Blood – Extra Judicial Killings and Disappearances", a report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights about police killings in Kenya.  In May 2010, New York City's Daily News listed WikiLeaks as first in a ranking of "websites that could totally change the news". Julian Assange was named the Readers' Choice for TIME's Person of the Year for 2010. In April 2010, WikiLeaks posted video from a 2007 incident in which Iraqi civilians and journalists were killed by US forces, on a website called Collateral Murder. In July of the same year, WikiLeaks released Afghan War Diary, a compilation of more than 76,900 documents about the War in Afghanistan not previously available for public review.  In October 2010, the group released a package of almost 400,000 documents called the Iraq War Logs in coordination with major commercial media organisations. In November 2010, WikiLeaks began releasing U.S. State department diplomatic cables. WikiLeaks was originally launched as a user-editable wiki site, but has progressively moved towards a more traditional publication model, and no longer accepts either user comments or edits. The site is available on multiple servers and different domain names following a number of denial-of-service attacks and its severance from different Domain Name System(DNS) providers

WikiLeaks states that can  be of assistance to people of all regions who wish to reveal unethical behaviour in their governments and corporations." In January 2007, the website stated that it had over 1.2 million leaked documents that it was preparing to publish.

WikiLeaks (/ˈwɪkiliːks/) is an international non-profit organisation that publishes news leaks, and classified media provided by anonymous sources.  Its website, initiated in 2006 in Iceland by the organisation Sunshine Press,  claimed in 2016 to have released online 10 million documents in its first 10 years.  Julian Assange, an Australian Internet activist, is generally described as its founder and director.  Since September 2018, Kristinn Hrafnsson has served as its editor-in-chief.

The group has released a number of prominent document dumps. Early releases included documentation of equipment expenditures and holdings in the Afghanistan war,  a report informing a corruption investigation in Kenya,  and a manual for operations at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  In April 2010, WikiLeaks released the Collateral Murder footage from the 12 July 2007 Baghdad airstrike in which Iraqi journalists were among those killed. Other releases in 2010 included the Afghan War Diary and the "Iraq War Logs". The latter allowed the mapping of 109,032 deaths in "significant" attacks by insurgents in Iraq that had been reported to Multi-National Force – Iraq, including about 15,000 that had not been previously published. In 2010, WikiLeaks also released the US State Department diplomatic "cables", classified cables that had been sent to the US State Department. In April 2011, WikiLeaks began publishing 779 secret files relating to prisoners detained in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. In 2012, WikiLeaks released the "Syria Files," over two million emails sent by Syrian politicians, corporations and government ministries.  In 2015, WikiLeaks published Saudi Arabian diplomatic cables,  documents detailing spying by the U.S. National Security Agency on successive French Presidents, and the intellectual property chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a controversial international trade agreement which had been negotiated in secret.

During the 2016 US presidential election campaign, WikiLeaks released emails and other documents from the Democratic National Committee and from Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, John Podesta

The US Justice Department began a criminal investigation of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange soon after the leak of diplomatic cables began. Former Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed the investigation was "not saber-rattling", but was "an active, ongoing criminal investigation". The Washington Post reported that the department was considering charges under the Espionage Act of 1917, an action which former prosecutors characterised as "difficult" because of First Amendment protections for the press. Several Supreme Court cases (e.g. Bartnicki v. Vopper) have established previously that the American Constitution protects the re-publication of illegally gained information provided the publishers did not themselves violate any laws in acquiring it. Federal prosecutors have also considered prosecuting Assange for trafficking in stolen government property, but since the diplomatic cables are intellectual rather than physical property, that method is also difficult. Any prosecution of Assange would require extraditing him to the United States.  One of Assange's lawyers, however, says they have been fighting extradition to Sweden, because it might result in his extradition to the United States. Assange's attorney, Mark Stephens, has "heard from Swedish authorities there has been a secretly empanelled grand jury in Alexandria, [Virginia]" meeting to consider criminal charges for the WikiLeaks case.

Julian Assange says he could be killed in US jail

Edited on Thu Dec-23-10 10:24 PM by Turborama

Source: AFP

WIKILEAKS chief Julian Assange says there is a "high chance" he would be killed in a US jail if he were to be extradited from Britain on espionage charges.

The Australian is on bail in Britain fighting a bid by Sweden to extradite him over sex assault claims, but Washington is believed to be considering how to indict him over the leaking of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

Mr Assange told The Guardian it would be "politically impossible" for Britain to send him across the Atlantic, adding that the government of Prime Minister David Cameron would want to show it had not been "co-opted" by Washington. "Legally the UK has the right to not extradite for political crimes. Espionage is the classic case of political crimes. It is at the discretion of the UK government as to whether to apply to that exception," he said.

Mr Assange added that if the United States succeeded in getting him extradited from Britain or Sweden, then there was a "high chance" of him being killed "Jack Ruby-style" in an American prison.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/julian-assange-say... 

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says there is a "high chance" he would be killed in a US jail.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8188503/assange-says-he-could-be-killed-in-us-jail

The Guardian article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/23/julian-assa... 

A historical refresher for anyone who might not know what Jack Ruby did...

On Sunday, November 24 Oswald was being led through the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters preparatory to his transfer to the county jail when, at 11:21 a.m., Dallas nightclub operator Jack Ruby stepped from the crowd and shot Oswald in the abdomen. Oswald died at 1:07 p.m. at Parkland Memorial Hospital—the same hospital where Kennedy had died two days earlier.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Harvey_Oswald#Death

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says there is a "high chance" he would be killed in a US jail.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8188503/assange-says-he-could-be-killed-in-us-jail

Fri Dec 24 2010

Assange says he could be killed in jail

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange says there is a "high chance" he would be killed in a US jail if he were to be extradited from Britain on espionage charges.

The Australian is on bail in Britain fighting a bid by Sweden to extradite him over sex assault claims, but Washington is believed to be considering how to indict him over the leaking of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

Assange told The Guardian it would be "politically impossible" for Britain to send him across the Atlantic, adding that the government of Prime Minister David Cameron would want to show it had not been "co-opted" by Washington.

"Legally the UK has the right to not extradite for political crimes. Espionage is the classic case of political crimes. It is at the discretion of the UK government as to whether to apply to that exception," he said.

He said US authorities were "trying to strike a plea deal" with Bradley Manning, the US army soldier suspected of providing WikiLeaks with the cables.

Assange added that if the United States succeeded in getting him extradited from Britain or Sweden, then there was a "high chance" of him being killed "Jack Ruby-style" in an American prison.

Ruby, a nightclub owner, shot dead Lee Harvey Oswald at a police station in Dallas, Texas days after Oswald was arrested for the assassination of US President John F Kennedy in 1963.

Ruby's alleged links to organised crime sparked conspiracy theories about his involvement in an overall plot surrounding the assassination of Kennedy.

Assange has previously said that he and other WikiLeaks staff have received death threats since the website began to release a cache of about 250,000 secret US State Department cables in November.

The 39-year-old has been staying at a friend's country mansion in eastern England since his release from jail last week on strict bail conditions that include reporting to police daily and wearing an electronic tag.

A court in London is due to hold a full hearing on the Swedish extradition request starting February 7.

Wikileaks Julian Assange  accusers

Anna Ardin and Sofia Wilen accused

100 Best Things to Do in Australia

Your RVF Lifestyle

RV Road Trip

RV-ing around the world

RV Road Trip

100 Best Things to Do in Australia

by J Rogers

https://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/things-to-do-in-australia/

Australia has a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from mountain ranges in the south-eastern and western sections, tropical rainforests in the north-east quarter, with arid and semi-arid desert in the middle. It is the sixth largest nation in the world. The capital city is Canberra.

The country has an extremely diverse way of life and is equally famous for the beautiful beaches, as it is for the rugged outback. Most visitors simply do not realise just how vast the country is!

Each state has different things to offer the tourist. Victoria is widely recognised as the cultural capital, and it is here that you will find the best food and wine. Queensland is mostly tropical, while New South Wales has magnificent beaches. Tasmania is cooler, while the western and northern territories are rugged. Capital Territory prides itself on culture, with many galleries and museums to explore.

1. The Great Barrier Reef

This is located off the coast of Queensland, and is the largest coral reef in the world. It is a huge tourist destination, with cruises and diving boats which offer special expeditions to the reef.
Diving gear is normally available to hire, when you have produced diving documentation, so be sure to take it all with you.
Make sure you book any tours in advance as they are a very popular way to see the reef.

2. Sydney Harbour Bridge

You may also hear of the bridge as ‘the Coathanger’ because of the arch shape. The bridge spans the harbour and carries vehicles, trains, bicycles and foot passengers between the central business district and the North Shore.
The bridge is an iconic feature of the harbour, it was built in 1932 and is the sixth longest spanning bridge in the world. It also ranks as the tallest arch bridge, being 44-feet from the water level to the top.
Plan on spending a day in the area, and make sure you have your camera with you.

3. Uluru

You may have also heard of this as Ayers Rock, which is the more well-known name. It is a huge sandstone rock which can be found in the Northern Territory, 335 km west of Alice Springs.
The rock is sacred to the aboriginal people of the area. The Anangu people often lead walking tours of the rock and surrounding area, and are very informative about the fauna and flora there.
If possible, try to visit at dawn or sunset when the colours are at their most spectacular.
Allow a half day or more, depending on how much exploring you want to do.

4. Sydney Opera House

This ranks as one of the most distinctive and famous of buildings to have been built in the 20th century. It was opened in 1973.
The complex covers the entire Bennelong Point on the harbour, you simply cannot miss it!
There are different venues in the complex, with over 1,500 shows each year. There are three resident companies there, namely Opera Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
If you plan to see any show here, you must book in advance. Should you want to stay the night, you will find plenty of hotels in the area.

5. Port Jackson

This is an area, rather than a specific thing. It is where the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour, Parramatta River, and Lan Cove all meet. Significantly, it is the spot where the first European settlement in the country took place.
You will remember some events which take place there, namely the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The harbour is also famous for the New Year’s Eve firework display.
Spend a full day looking around the area, there are many places where you can get lunch during the day.

6. Cable Beach

This magnificent beach is 6 km west of Broome, and is a 22 km stretch of beautiful white sands.
The waves are very gentle during the season from May to October. After that, there is an influx of jellyfish, so swimming is not advisable.
Take a camel ride along the beach at sunset and sunrise, and look out for the ‘clothing optional’ area, if this appeals to you.
If you head for the southern part of the beach you will find Gantheaume Point where you may be lucky to see whales and dolphins as they migrate.

7. Visit Uluru

This is the heart of the outback and well worth a visit. You will find out how the residents managed with the Royal Flying Doctor Service as their only medical help, and how they coped with fearsome desert creatures.
Be sure to check out the Reptile Park, where you will see some of them!
If you like, you can head out into the West Mac Donnell Range and hike to the top of Anzac Hill.
Make sure you stop at the historic Overland Telegraph Station, which was built in 1872 and was the first communication outpost in the area.

8. Eureka Tower

You will find this skyscraper in the Southbank area of Melbourne. It is the highest public vantage point in any building in the southern hemisphere, measuring 935 feet. The observation deck is on level 88.
This is the second tallest building in the country, and still the tallest to the roof.
On the observation deck you will find 30 viewfinders so you can check out the whole of Melbourne. There are also free binoculars which you can use. If you are brave enough, head for the small outside area called ‘The Terrace’, which fortunately is protected from the winds.
Especially for the brave, try the glass cube called ‘The Edge’, which is a glass box hanging over the edge of the tower, only adding to the experience of height!

9. Great Ocean Road

If you visit Australia, then this should be on your list of things to do! The road runs between Torquay and Allansford, for 243 km along the south-eastern coast.
The road itself is a memorial dedicated to soldiers killed during WWI, and winds over different terrain along the coast. There are several landmarks you will pass along the way such as the Twelve Apostles rock formations.
Warrnambool is the largest city along the route, so you should stop here for supplies if you need them. The road is two lanes, one in each direction, and the speed limit changes, so be aware of this and watch for the road signs.

10. The Shrine of Remembrance

This dedication is found in Melbourne. It was constructed in dedication to those who served in WWI, although bow it is a memorial to all Australians who served in wars.
The shrine is constructed of Tynong granite, containing the marble Stone of Remembrance.
Be sure to check out the engraved words ‘Greater love hath no man’. Of significance here is that once a year, on 11th November at 11am (Remembrance Day), the sun shines through the roof and lights up the word ‘love’.
Look for the crypt below which has a bronze statue of a soldier and his young son. The panels list each unit of the Australian Imperial Force.
Plan to spend a half day here, although longer if you are searching for a name on the panels.

11. Mount Kosciuszko

This mountain is part of the Australian Alps national Parks and reserves, and you will find it on the main range of the Snowy Mountains, in New South Wales.
At 2,228 m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the country.
You will many outdoor activities here such skiing and snowboarding in the winter months, and great walking in the summertime. There are many trails for mountain biking and bushwacking. You can rent mountain bikes at some of the trails.
This is a great area to take an RV and spend a few days.

12. The Twelve Apostles

You will find this outcrop off the shore of Port Campbell National Park. It is also visible from the Great Ocean Road. This is a very popular tourist attraction.
Originally there were 12 outcrops, but over time, some have eroded and collapsed. Right now, there are only eight, as one collapsed in 2005.
The remaining outcrops are over 50 metres high. Hikers and walkers will enjoy the many trails in the area, and this is a good place to take an RV for a few days. Be aware that you must take all your provisions as there may not be anywhere to stock up on.

13. Darling Harbour

You will find this harbour in Sydney near to the city centre. It is also well-known as a recreational area, with a pedestrian precinct.
There are many attractions to be seen in the area, such as the Chinese Garden of friendship, and the Powerhouse Museum.
Madame Tussauds is there, as is the Sydney Aquarium, so it is a good idea to spend a full day here. Perhaps even book into a hotel and stay longer.

14. Queen Victoria Market

You may also hear this called the ‘Queen Vic’. It is a very well-known landmark, and the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. You will find it in Melbourne.
The market has been going strong since the 19th century. There used to be three markets, but the other two closed, leaving the Queen Victoria market as the oldest surviving market.
This is a very popular market, where you can find almost everything you want. It is now part of the Victorian Heritage register. If you plan to spend a full day there, you will not be disappointed.

15. K’gari (Fraser Island)

The whole island is heritage-listed, and you will find it on the south coast. It is the largest sand island in the world, with a variety of microclimates such as sand dunes, lakes, and rainforests.
The island is Queensland’s largest, as well as Australia’s 6th largest island. It is populated by only a handful of people, because tourists go there to walk and hike, before returning to the mainland.
Expect to see an abundance of plants, and a diverse range of animals including the saltwater crocodile!

Plan a day hiking or walking here, and be on the lookout for reptiles and mammals.

16. The Snowy Mountains

These are also known as ‘The Snowies’. They are the highest mountain range in the country. It is here you will find the highest mountain namely Mount Kosciuszko. There are also another five peaks above 2,100 metres high.
Look out for the ‘Mountain Plum Pine’ which is thought to be the world’s oldest living plant, it is a type of conifer.
In winter, the area is very popular with skiers and snowboarders, while in the warmer months, hiking and rambling takes precedent.
Allow yourself plenty of time to explore the area, in the warmer months it is a great place to take an RV for a few days.

17. Kata Tjuta

You will find these amazing rock formations 365 miles southwest of Alice Springs. You may also hear it called ‘The Olgas’. You will know it by the large group of domed formations.
The highest dome is Mount Olga, which is 1,066 metres above sea level.
If you enjoy hiking and walking, then this is a good place to head for. There is also coming in the area, so plan to spend a few days here and explore.

18. Melbourne Aquarium

This is no ordinary aquarium! Not only can you look at sharks – you can dive with them! Grey Nurses, Whaler Sharks, and Seven Kill Sharks, all make up the inhabitants of this complex.
You will take to the water with a fully qualified dive instructor who will ensure that your dive is not only safe but enjoyable.
You do not need any diving experience – a sense of adventure is all that is needed!
You must book your tickets in advance, and the best way to do this is online.

19. Burleigh Heads

This interesting suburb is found in the city of Gold Coast. This is very popular with surfers, and you will find the beaches a great place to barbeque and play a few cricket matches.
On Sundays the town centre is filled with buskers, and local musicians, along with fire-twirlers to keep the kids amused.
In the high street you will find an assortment of delis, cafes, and interesting shops, so it is worth spending a full day here and enjoying the atmosphere.

20. Bay of Fires

The name was given to the bay by Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773, when he saw the fires of the Aboriginal people on the beach.
You will find that the beaches are wonderfully white, the water incredibly blue, and the outcrops an amazing colour of orange shades.
The northern area is national park, while the southern part is conservation area.
In and around the Bay of Fires there are many outdoor activities for families, such as boating, swimming, and fishing. It is also a great place for bird watching.
There is a campsite, so you can pitch a tent or take an RV and spend some time in this lovely area.

21. Dandenong

This is an area, rather than a single place. It is a suburb of Melbourne, about 30km southeast of the centre.
What makes this unique is the diverse population who live here. It is therefore, a great place to sample different types of cuisine, which will have influences such as Turkish and Albanian.
There are many eclectic shops and literally dozens of interesting restaurants, so plan to spend a full day here.

22. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

You will find the sanctuary in Brisbane. This sanctuary not only takes care of Koalas, but also kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. It is the largest and oldest koala sanctuary in the world.
If you have children, then try to visit here as you get to hold the koalas! They are not allowed to be held for more than 30 minutes per day. You can also help with feeding the kangaroos.
Once a day there is an exhibition of the birds of prey, showing off their speed and incredible eyesight.
There is also a small farm where you may see sheep dog shows, so you should plan to spend the full day here to see everything!

23. Stradbroke Island

The easiest way to visit this island is to take a tour which leaves from Brisbane. The island has over 100 fresh water lakes, which you can visit. The lakes are safe to swim, or just to walk along.

Watch out for dolphins, manta rays, turtles, and even whales as you cross the water. You may also see kangaroos and koalas on the island.

There are small towns where you can buy lunch, although this is often included on trips.
If you want to stay longer, there is an excellent hotel on the island.

24. Hervey Bay Whale Watching

The best way to see whales is to take a whale watch tour, and you will find these readily available in Hervey Bay. Most of the tours last about 4 hours, and often the vessels have underwater viewing windows.
Often the tour will include your lunch and afternoon tea, so they are really good value for money. Many of them will collect you at your hotel and drop you back there. You will be able to book tickets for tours at your hotel.
Look out for Humpbacks on their annual migration. Note that the tours are seasonal, so check to make sure they are running, don’t assume they are.

25. Tully and Barron River

If you enjoy water sports, then make sure you head here for some water rafting, and rapid riding. You will need to go with a group of like-minded people, and the adventure will take about five hours.
The river rafting tours are suitable for kids as well as adults and carry on all year round. Both rivers offer rafting opportunities, with no previous experience being needed. All training is given on the day by professional rafters.
Allow yourself a full day here, and make sure you bring dry, warm clothing for when you are done.

26. Kurunda Scenic Railway

This railway runs from Cairns to Kurunda, and snakes its way through the Macalister mountain range. It used to be used as a regular commuter train, but it is not only used for tourists. It operates daily apart from Christmas day.
The journey will take about 2 hours and will pass through the most beautiful terrain, on the climb to the falls. The tropical gardens are a delight to see and a very well-known attraction.
You will get the opportunity for photos as the train stops at a lookout, where you can see Barron Falls. Look out for Stoney Creek Falls as you pass, as they are just a few metres from the train.
Near the station you will find a zoo where you can feed kangaroos and hold the koalas. There is also an information centre and a gift shop.
Allow yourself a full day for this, as you can then spend some time in the town.

27. Queenstown Winery Tour

This half day tour is available in Queenstown, and it is a great idea to take advantage of it. You will get to see three different wineries, as well as take a tour of an underground wine cave.
The tours normally start in the afternoon, and for an extra fee you can visit a craft beer tasting centre.
Each vineyard will select some wines to sample along with snacks, so you will not go hungry!
The guides are normally very knowledgeable about the wines you taste, having a passion for wine themselves, so you will be well cared for.
These tours are not suitable for children.

28. Phillip Island

This island is found about 140 km south-east of Melbourne. It was named after the first governor of New South Wales. The island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters in Western Port.
The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, which was originally made of wood. The population of the island is about 10,000, although in the summer it increases to 40,000. Most of the island is for grazing cattle and sheep.
If you enjoy wildlife, this will delight you. The island has a significant population of penguins and pacific gulls. You may also see wallabies and kangaroos, who are tame enough to be fed.
Make sure you head to the western side as this is where you will find the largest colony of seals in Australia.
Plan on spending a full day here and enjoy the amazing wildlife!

29. Take a Wild Tour

These tours are a great way to see wildlife. They leave from many Melbourne hotels, and are normally in small groups.

Most of them include a picnic lunch. You will take a guided walk through the bush, and visit the wildlife sanctuary, which has koalas in their natural environment. Look out for tribes of emus, and flocks of cockatoos.

The tour company will arrange pick-up and drop off from your hotel, making this is a very easy way to see the natural side of the country

30. Nitmiluk National Park

This national park is 244 km southeast of Darwin. There are a series of gorges which are accessible by flat bottomed boat or canoe.
In the dry season, the water level is lower, so the gorges do not run into each other, but in the rainy season you can explore them together.
You will find a visitor centre at Katherine Gorge which is about 30 km east of the town of Katherine. There you will find maps that explain the layout of the gorges, and the landscape. Tours are available to book here, if you prefer.
This is a great place to spend a few days, you will find two permanent campsites for both tents and RV’s.

31. Lord Howe Island

You will find this small island in the Tasman Sea. It is east of Port Macquarie. It has a very diverse terrain, but is best known for the beautiful, sandy beaches.
You will also find subtropical forests here with clear streams. There are many trails, but the best one is the trail that winds up Mount Gower, where you will have the most amazing views!
Look out for seabird colonies, which include Masked Boobies. If you enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling, then be sure to take your equipment with you as you can do this on Admiralty Island, which is nearby.

32. Royal Botanical Gardens

These gardens are in Melbourne and were founded in 1846. The garden extends to the river, with trees, landscaped gardens, and lakes. You will find over 50,000 different plants here from 8,500 species.
Look out for the algae and fungi collections which are one of the most comprehensive in Australia.
There is a café where you can get lunch, so plan to spend most of the day here, and enjoy the gardens.

33. Blue Mountains

The name comes from the natural blue haze which is created by the eucalyptus forests in the area. You can get to the Blue Mountains from Katoomba by train, as it only takes about two hours.

The whole area is filled on interesting things you can do, such as take the glass-floored cable car to the top of a peak.

There is an Aboriginal tour which will take you through the Blue Mountains, and this departs from Faulconbridge Train Station.

If you enjoy hiking, then you will love the many trails which take you to secret waterfalls and valleys.

Rock climbing is very popular, and you will also see abseiling.

This is a great place to take an RV, spend a few days, and get to know the area.

34. Margaret River Distillery Tour

The best way to visit this area is to join a tour. These leave from the main car park at the Margaret River Centre, and you will visit four delightful distilleries through the day.

The area is famous for beer, wine, and gin, and you will be plied with interesting cocktails through the day.

Lunch is included in these tours, making them very good value for money. These are not recommended for children.

35. Hobart

This is the capital of Tasmania, and the second oldest city in the country. You will find it on the south-east side of Tasmania.

Hobart was founded in 1804 as a penal colony, and you will find the city steeped in history. One of the best ways to see the city is to take a guided tour. These are available three times a day and for different lengths of time. The River Derwent runs through the town, and there are many small cafes along the front.

Close by you will find Battery Point which is an historic district. Look out for the Colonial cottages.

In the distance you can see Mount Wellington, which is 1,270 metres high and has plenty of hiking and cycling trails.

Make sure you check online for upcoming events and plan a night in the city.

It is well worth spending a few days here. There are many hotels in all price ranges.

36. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

This is regarded as the best wildlife park on the Gold Coast. You will find it in Currumbin. It also has the cheapest entry tickets!
Make sure you visit the wildlife hospital where you can see animals who are recovering from injury and illness. You may see kangaroos, crocodiles, and many others.
You can hand feed some of the animals, and also stay for feeding time at the Rainbow Lorikeet house.
Make sure you get your photo taken with a cuddly Koala bear!

37. Daintree Rainforest

You will find this rainforest in the north-east section of Queensland. It covers 1,200 square km, making it the largest tropical rainforest in the country. In fact, the rainforest grows right down to the coast, and the edge of the sea.
If you enjoy hiking, camping, walking, and investigating flora of all sorts, then make sure you head here. Accommodation is available in the way of camping, glamping, or in the luxury eco resort.
This is one of the oldest rainforests left in the world, so you should not miss the opportunity to see it.

38. Lake Eyre

This is also known as Kati Thanda, and is the lowest natural point in the country, being at 15 metres below sea level. When the lake fills it becomes the largest lake in Australia.
An interesting point here is that when the lake fills, it is as salty as the sea, although when it dries up, the water evaporates, and the saltiness is increased.
The lake was named after John Edward Eyre, the first European to set eyes on it, back in 1840.
This is a good place to bring an RV, you can hike around in the day, and barbeque in the evenings.

39. Salamanca Market

You will find this street market in Hobart. The market days are held on Saturdays, although in January and February, the are also held on Sundays.
Whatever you want, you are most likely to find here, with over 300 stallholders, selling things from gourmet produce to arts and crafts.
In the immediate vicinity, you will find hotels, bars, and restaurants, so it is worth spending a night or two here when the market is on.

40. Bungy Jumping and Minjin Swing

This is for those who like adventures while they travel. You will find these right outside Cairns. The bungy Tower offers two of the best adrenaline rushes you could ask for, in the same location.
The bungy jump has over 16 different jump styles to choose from, while the swing allows you to pair up with a friend for the ride of your life.
The views, of course, are spectacular- if you have your eyes open!

41.The Three Sisters

This is a very unusual rock formation in the Blue Mountains. They are close to the town of Katoomba.
Legend has it that three sisters from one village fell in love with three men from another village. They were forbidden, by law to marry. The men planned to capture the women and run off with them, and a tribal battle began. The sisters were turned into stone by an elder, who was then killed before he could turn them back.
Whatever you believe, it is a spectacular spot to visit, with great hiking and amazing views!

42. The Giant Stairway

This is not too far from Katoomba. It is a bushwacking trail which will lead you to the Three Sisters, and further down to the floor of the Valley. To each the floor you will need to use the steps – 800 of them!
The trail will take you about an hour and a half, with great views along the way.
If you do not feel you can negotiate the steps, you can also reach the floor of the Valley by train which leaves from Katoomba.

43. City of Perth

The city of Perth is found next to the Swan River, and is one of the most isolated capital cities in the world. You will find that it is near to the Australian bushland, which gives the city an ‘outdoor’ feel.
Perth is full of interesting things to see and do. You may visit the Pinnacle’s Deserts limestone pillars, or take a trip to the Margaret River wine region.
In the southern parts you will find forests with formidable trees.
It is worth booking into a hotel for a few nights, and exploring the area.

44. Cairns Wildlife Dome

This is an all-weather wildlife exhibit which you will find on top of the iconic Reef Hotel Casino.
This is one of the leading zoos in the country, and is enclosed in a 20-metre high glass dome. You will find birds, pythons, turtles, and crocodiles, to name a few of the animals there.
You can buy a ticket which will last you for four days, so you can take your time and see all there is to see. This is an excellent way to see the zoo, and all the animals.

45. Bondi Beach

You will find this very popular beach about 7km east of Sydney. It is one of the most visited beaches in the country. You may know of some of the competitions which are held here every year.
The area hosts the National Rugby League, as well as the City to Surf run, which happens every year in August. This is a fun run, attracting over 60,000 entrants.
You may be there when the Flickerfest takes place in January. This is an international short film festival.
There is a beach market which takes place every Sunday, and a food market at Christmas.
If you are staying in the area, then you will see many families spending Christmas Day on the beach.

46. Brisbane River

This river flows through Brisbane, and is the longest river in Queensland. The river starts at Mount Stanley and has been dammed to form lakes along the way.
You may remember that the largest ship to be built on the river was the Robert Miller. You might be lucky and see bull sharks, which appear from time to time.
If you fish, they you may catch lungfish and river cod. There are 16 bridges that cross the river, and the Clem Jones Tunnel is the first underground crossing for transport.
Plan to spend a full day in the area so that you can grab a bite along the river, and explore the surroundings.

47. Nambung National Park

You will find this park in western Australia, 17 km south of the town of Cervantes. In the park, you will find the Pinnacles Desert which has the most amazing limestone formations.
You will also find beaches here at Kangaroo Point, and Hangover Bay, with beautiful coastal dunes and flowering plants.
If you head for the northern part of the park, there is a boardwalk which lets you see thrombolites, which are over 3 million years old.
Allow yourself a full day here, and take a packed lunch if you do, as well as water.

48. Melbourne Cricket Ground

This sports venue is found in Yarra Park, Melbourne. It is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club, and the 10th largest stadium in the world. It has the tallest light towers of any sporting venue in the world.
You can walk to the complex from the city centre. One of the most popular events is the annual Boxing Day Test, although many other events are hosted through the year.
If you plan to see any event, you must book in advance to avoid disappointment.

49. Skydive over Byron Bay

If you have never done a skydive before, then this is the place to try it! Not only is the scenery magnificent, but you get 60 seconds to look at it while you are in freefall. It is a great idea to have a video of the skydive, this is so different from regular holiday photos!
If you are not jumping, you can watch your friend land, this may make you change your mind!
You must book this in advance as they get extremely popular especially around Mother’s Day, ot public holidays.

50. Lone Pine Sanctuary

This is the world’s largest Koala sanctuary in the world, and it is one of Brisbane’s most popular tourist attraction. There are over 130 Koalas who live there.
This is a fund day out for the family, you get to cuddly the Koalas anytime you like, and feed the kangaroos.
Another animal you will see is the rare Platypus. There are shows that take place through the day, and great entertainment for all ages. You should plan to spend the entire day here.

51. Kings Cross Farmhouse Restaurant

This is one place you should try, if you are in Melbourne. It’s a local restaurant who uses locally sourced products.
Try the trout or the Blue Crab, and you will not be disappointed. Mind you, the dessert menu is also fantastic!
The restaurant has a very impressive wine and beer menu, and the staff make it a great place for a delightful evening meal. You must book your table as it gets very full.

52. Royal Botanic Garden

This garden is found in the middle of Sydney. It opened in 1816, and is still the oldest botanical garden in the country.
The garden is open every day of the year, and better still – it is free to enter. The stunning views of the harbour and the opera house make it a delightful venue to spend an afternoon.
The gardens are formed into an amphitheatre and are divided into four different areas, namely Lower Gardens, Middle Gardens, Palace Gardens, and the Bennelong section. In each section, you will find smaller gardens, with a café area in the middle of this layout. At the café you will find a visitor’s centre and a bookshop.
It is worth spending a full day here, certainly you will want to do this if you are interested in gardening.

53. Cape Tribulation

You will find this headland in Queensland, in the Shire of Douglas. Back in the mid 80’s the population was around 300, with the area being mostly popular with hikers.
Since then hostels and resorts have been built to cater for tourists. There is accommodation to suit all budgets.
The best time to visit is between July and November, when swimming is the best, with no stingers in the water.
If you plan to stay, then be sure to book your accommodation in advance.

54. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

If you want to see and learn about the incredible traditions of the Aboriginal people, then this is a ‘must’. The park lies between cairns and Palm Cove. Spend a whole evening here, and enjoy the traditional music and dance routine.
There is an art gallery where you can see interesting pieces. After that you will be able to sample a selection of native spiced canapes, before you attend a face painting session!
There is a dance ceremony and a fire-making ceremony, with dinner served at a relaxed pace.
You will be served traditional food, prepared by Tjapukai chefs. You may get to taste kangaroo burgers, or grilled mackerel.
The entire evening lasts only from 7-9.30, so it is not a late night, but well worth seeing!

55. The Rocks

This is an area, rather than a thing. It is a tourist area in the historic section of Sydney. It was the site of the first European settlement in the country, in 1788.
You will find wonderful views of the harbour bridge, as well as many historic buildings.
Be sure to check out the two oldest pubs in Sydney, namely the Fortune of War, and the Lord Nelson. There are many other pubs close by, and many interesting restaurants, art and gift shops.
Be sure to explore the colourful history of this area.

Try to make time to see Susannah Place Museum while you are there. It is a good idea to spend a full day here, as there is plenty to see and do.

56. Fish at the Rocks Restaurant

If you enjoy seafood, then you need to head here to taste some delicious seafood dishes. You will find the restaurant in Sydney.
Try the oysters and calamari for starters, and maybe the linguini for the main course.
If you are a dessert lover then be sure to ask for the apple and rhubarb crumble, which is truly delicious!
If you cannot make up your mind for a choice of wine, the staff will bring you a sample of each!

57. Snorkelling around Green Island

If you enjoy seeing life under the water, then treat yourself to a trip here. Leaving from cairns, you will head for the very popular Green Island, in a glass-bottomed boat.
After you have snorkeled to your heart’s content, be sure to check out the island, as it is a nature lover’s paradise! There is a self-guided tour you can take around the island, stopping for a dip in the island swimming pool, if you like.
Other things you may enjoy are parasailing or helicopter rides. You will find a well-informed visitor centre, and a café where you can get lunch, so you should plan to spend a full day here.

58. Salamanca Place

You will find this area in Hobart. What used to be warehouses, have now been transformed into beautiful restaurants, gift shops, galleries, and offices.
Enjoy visiting some of the local bars which you will find down at the wharf. The area is one of the most visited attractions here in the year.
While you are there, try to see the market, which is held on Saturdays.
If you are here after dark, you will find the area alive with music and people. There are many hotels in the area, so you could stay a day or two.
An interesting point here is that Salamanca Place is found on the Australian game of Monopoly.

59. Luna Park

If you have kids, then this is where you simply need to go! Even adults will thoroughly enjoy a day here! This amusement park is found in St Kilda, Melbourne. It was opened in 1912.
You will find the oldest operating roller coaster in the world here. It is one of only three where a brakeman stands in the middle of the train.
The park is filled with rides of all types, such as the Japanese built pirate ship, Twin Dragon, and the Holodeck, which is a motion simulator ride, to name a few.
Plan to spend the entire day here, the kids will not want to leave!

60. Penguin Island

The only way for you to get to this island is by boat, which you can arrange in Shoalwater. Camping is allowed on the island, for up to five days at a time.
You will be able to meet dolphins, over the side of the boat, and see them cajole about in the water right next to you.
The island has other interesting things to see such as birds and wildlife. The island is also very good for fishing and swimming, and a very pleasant way to get away and relax for a few days.
Be aware that there are no cafes on the island, so you need to carry all you need with you.

61. The Pub at Aussie World

You may be surprised to learn that this is one of the main attractions in Queensland, and is well deserving of a visit.
Aussie World is also the place for you to buy any special souvenirs from your visit, as it has a great gift store.
The Pub is open from 9am till late and has delicious lunch and dinner menus. They specialise in local produce and the feature of the day is often grilled steaks.
There is no better way to spend an afternoon relaxing with an ice cold beer.

You will also find a range of upmarket shops, and plenty of small cafes, making this is a good place to spend a full day.

62. Yarra River

You will find this is Victoria, and emptying into Hobsons’ Bay in Port Phillip. Originally the river was used for agriculture, and later mining, although now it is used for container shipping from Port of Melbourne.
For the public, the river means swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and rowing, and a good day out in the fresh air.
Try to visit at the annual Moomba Festival which is celebrated along the river.

63. Mount Coot-tha-Lookout

You will find this interesting place near Brisbane. It is a very popular spot for fantastic views of the greater Brisbane area.
There are buses which will take you up to the top, and bring you back down again, and there are places where you can get snacks and refreshments.
It will only take a half day to see this, but the views are worth it.

64. Wave Rock

This is one of Western Australia’s most spectacular and unique rock formations. The ‘wave’ is about 14 metres high and 110 metres long. It was formed millions of years ago. The formation is in the exact same shape as you would find in the ocean.
Pack yourself a picnic lunch, or join one of the many tours which go there, and enjoy exploring this amazing spot. There is an entrance fee at get close, although you will find it worth the amount. Remember to take a camera!

65. Legoland

This is in Melbourne. Regardless of whether you have children or not, this is a ‘must see’. There are 5 Lego play areas where the kids can get as creative as they like.
There is also a 4D cinema, and gift shop where you can pick up some of the latest additions to the Lego family.
There is a café, so you will have no excuse to leave early!

66. Whitsunday Islands

There are no less than 74 islands in this group! It is a very popular destination for tourists, and it is between Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.
If you enjoy walking, then look for the trail called the Ngara Sea Trail Great walk. This is a combination of short walks, and sea ways, which cross some of the islands, namely South Molle, Hook, and Whitsunday.
You can camp at 8 areas on three of the islands, and this is great for sailing, powerboating, or kayaking.
There is varied accommodation available, to suit all budgets, so you may want to book a few nights and enjoy the area.

67. Jenolan Caves

You will find the caves in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve. They are about 30 km west of Katoomba.
These are the oldest open caves in the world, and are well-known for their beauty. The caves are still being explored, although tourists have eleven caves to view.
To view these amazing caves will take you a half day, and then you may want to head into the town and have a look around there.

68. Valley of the Giants

You will find this forest of giants near Walpole, in the south-east part of the country. Be ready to be awed by their magnificence.
These giant red tingle trees grow to as high as 40 metres, and are unique to this area. There is a treetop walk which you should try, unless you are afraid of heights!
The walk will give you an idea of just how tall the trees are, and of course, the view from the top is amazing.
When you come down into the boardwalk below, you can follow the Ancient Empire Walk, which winds around the trees. Some of the trunks are up to 15 meters in circumference.
These are among the tallest trees in the world. There are other attractions here, such as a perfect swimming and picnic spot.
Be sure to look for the oldest eucalypt, which is not far from the giant Tingle Tree.

69. Kakadu National Park

You will find this 171 km southeast of Darwin. The park is enormous, covering an area of almost 200 km north to south, and over 100 km east to west. Put another way, it is half the size of Switzerland!
Here you will find some of the best examples of aboriginal rock art in the country. Look for the Nourlangie and Ubirr sites, where you will find the rocks.
If you are a bird watcher, then this will delight you, as over 30% of the country’s bird species can be found here.
You are very likely to see large saltwater crocodiles at Yellow Water, and East Alligator River, and you may be interested to know that this was where Crocodile Dundee was filmed. Make sure you take care around any crocs as they are dangerous.
You are welcome to fish in the park, but hunting is forbidden. You have the option of several places to stay, if you want to spend a few days here.

70. Taronga Zoo

This zoo has one of the finest collection of animals in the entire country. To get here, you need to take a ferry from Circular Quay, in Sydney Harbour. Often you can buy your ferry ticket zoo entrance together, which works out cheaper.
You will see the opera house from the water, which is spectacular! In the zoo, you will see zebras, kangaroos, and many other animals. The ticket includes a Sky Safari Cable Car ride, which lets you see the zoo from above.
Plan to stay the day, as you can buy lunch there, and take your time.

71.Whitehaven Beach

This beach is found along Whitsunday Island and can be reached by either boat, helicopter, or seaplane. The pure white sand is made of 98% silica, which gives it the amazing colour.
It is very popular with tourists as it makes the perfect place for a barbeque, and swimming.
There are camping facilities, so you can stay a few days and enjoy the outdoor life.

72. Port Arthur Historic Site

A good way to see this (as there is plenty to see) is to buy a two-day pass, which allows you to see things at your leisure. Some passes even include a Carnavon bay cruise, so look out for these.
There are over 30 historical buildings that you can visit, to learn about the colonial convict history. There is a museum, Interpretation gallery, and Dockyard, to mention just a few places.
There are plenty of hotels in all price ranges, making this is a good place to stay a few days.

73. Lake McKenzie

This is also called Boorangoora, and is found on Fraser Island, in the Great Sandy National Park.
Locals regard this as a wonderful family area, with pure white sands around the lake, and excellent picnic facilities, with even the toilets being of a high standard!
Allow yourself a full day here, pack a picnic and enjoy the area.

74. Yarra Valley

Yarra valley is the area which surrounds the Yarra River. So, while this is not one particular place, it is an area that you should try to explore.
There are many delightful towns in the region such as Woori Yallock, which is very popular with tourists.
If you enjoy walking, then you will find plenty of great trails to follow such as the Lilydale to Warburton Trail.
The area is well-known for wine growing, and there are numerous wineries that you can visit, and sample the wine, then perhaps buy a few bottles.

Make sure you check online for any upcoming events in the valley.

It is a good idea to take an RV around this area, and spend a few days exploring it.

75. The Ekka

This used to be called the Royal Queensland Show, and it is an agricultural show which is held annually at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
The show is Queensland’s largest annual event, so be prepared for it to be busy, as over 400,000 visitors arrive each year.
There are normally over 21,000 competition entrants in various events such as animals, and food sections.
Try to stay until nightfall, as there is always great entertainment well into the evenings.
The show is normally held over a week towards the end of August.

76. National Maritime Museum

This is a great place for people of all ages. The museum is found in Darling Harbour, Sydney.
There are many exhibits which are designed to be ‘hands-on’, so are perfect for kids of all ages. You can go aboard one of the famous vessels the dock at the harbour, so be sure to check when they are due.
There is a Mini Mariners Play Zone for the younger ones, and plenty of cinematic experiences where you can learn about the history of the Navy.
Allow yourself most of the day to see this, especially if there are interesting ships that have docked.

77. Kalbarri National Park

The park is situated 485 km north of Perth. The major tourist attraction is the Murchison Gorge, which runs for over 80 km down the lower part of the river.
The park is open all year round and is great for hiking and rambling. Winters are warm with moderate amounts of rain, while summers can get extremely hot, with temperatures often reaching above 40 degrees Celsius.
You must watch the rainfall if you want to hike in the park during the months of May through August as some roads to the gorge will be closed.

78. Tour Melbourne

Probably one of the best ways to explore Melbourne is to take a guided tour. This way you get to ask as many questions as you like, and your guide will answer them.
Most tours will take you through Sovereign Hill, which is a ‘frozen in time’ village from the 1800’s. You will be able to try your hand at panning for gold here.
Other things you may see include the Eureka Stockade, and Ballarat Wildlife Park, where you will be able to get lunch (included on most tours)
Allow yourself a full day here, whether you explore on your own, or take a tour, as there is plenty to see and do.

79. Cairns Cruise

If you do not snorkel or dive, and still want to see the Great Barrier Reef, then why not take a cruise?
Most cruise boats have glass bottoms to allow you to see the amazing sights below. You will find the tour guides very knowledgeable about the reef, and they will point out many interesting things and fish.
Snorkelers can get in the water when the boats stop. You will be served lunch on board, and maybe afternoon tea.

80. Tallebudgera Creek

If you enjoy outdoor activities, then this will appeal to you. You will find the creek in Burleigh Heads National Park. Kayaking is the most popular pastime here, although canoeing is also popular.
Walking and hiking through the area is a great experience, as there are many different plants and animals to see while you explore.
The beaches are lovely, and you can pack a picnic lunch while you relax on the warm sands.
Close by is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can cuddle the Koalas, so it is worth planning a full day in the area.

81. Hot Air Balloon over Hinterland

If you want to see the landscape from a different angle, then try a hot air balloon flight. You can book this at Gold Coast Hinterland, and most flights last 30 minutes, although you can book longer ones if you like.
Balloon rides will take you over the rim of the Gold Coast, with the most spectacular views!
Be sure to check out their special birthday offers and champagne breakfasts.

This may not be the ride for you, if you are afraid of heights, but it is a great way to start the day!

82. Ningaloo Coast

This site is found in the western part of the country, along the East Indian Ocean. The Ningaloo Reef runs for 260 km along the coastline, and is the largest coral reef this close to the shore.
Walking is exceptional along the shoreline, and up on the cliffs, where you may catch sight of sharks. There are between 300 and 500 whale sharks who move through the waters.
Very close to the shoreline, you may see mangroves. There are estuaries and lagoons, as well as rocky shores, all worth exploring.
This is a great place to take an RV, spend a few days, and enjoy the area.

83. Circular Quay

You will find this harbour in Sydney, on the northern edge of the business centre. It is a very popular area for tourists, with many walkways, parks, and restaurants.
If you happen to be here at New Year, then this is where you will find people gather to watch the fireworks, and see the New Year in.
In the area you will also find the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the City Library.
Well worth spending a full day here, as there is a lot to see and do.

84. Quarantine Station

You will find this in Sydney. It is possibly the most haunted site in the country! For this reason, you may choose to go on a tour with other people, instead of alone!
These tours take about two and a half hours, and are normally only for adults, so don’t be tempted to bring the kids as they will not be allowed.
You get to visit the hospital, the morgue, and the shower block, among other things. No doubt you will hear all manner of noises as you explore the station.
Allow a full evening for this, then allow yourself a stiff drink afterwards!

85. Indoor Skydiving

If you just don’t fancy making a real skydive, then this may appeal to you. You will find the centre in Sydney, in Surfers’ paradise.
You’ll receive a comprehensive training session, so you know what to expect, and the instructors will be at hand if you need them.
Your entrance fee includes two flights and a flight certificate afterwards. You can get a video and photographs of your flight, as a keepsake.

86. Museum of Tropical Queensland

This is the perfect venue for adults and kids alike. The museum is located in Townsville, and has a huge amount of information of fauna and flora of the country.
You will learn all about the Great Barrier Reef, and Queensland in general. Many exhibits are designed for the kids and are interactive.
There is a place where you can get lunch, so if you have a bad weather day, then plan to spend it here.

87. Freycinet National Park

This park is found on the east coast of Tasmania, about 125 km northeast of Hobart. It was founded in 1916, and is the oldest park in Tasmania.
Be sure to visit Wineglass bay, which has been voted one of the ten best beaches in the world. Look out for the magnificent pink and red granite rock formations, and the jagged peaks, locally known as ‘The Hazards’.
This is the perfect place to escape to, if you enjoy walking through the bush or strolling along unspoilt beaches.

88. Carlton Brewhouse

This brewery is on the banks of the Yarra River. It is the largest brewery in Australia, and has been working for over 150 years.
Once at the brewery, you can join the guided tour which will take you around the brewery and show you the process. You will also get to sample some of the famous beers that are produced there.
There is a great restaurant and beer garden where you can relax after the tour, and have lunch, and a beer. Allow a half day for this, and make sure any visitors are over the age of 18.

89. Jet Boat on the Gold Coast

This is a great, exciting family adventure! Certainly a ‘must do’ part of your holiday! You can book your ride at Surfer’s Paradise.
You’ll love the 360-degree spins, and the wake surfing of this thrill ride along the coast! The rides take about an hour, and pass Wavebreak Island and Sovereign Island before weaving through the Aldershots mangrove channel.
After the boat ride, you may want to spend the afternoon looking around the area. There are plenty of restaurants and iconic shops to see.

90. Comedy Lounge

You will find this in Melbourne, and if you enjoy comedy shows, then be sure to head here. You will enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy, with laughs a second, with some well-known comedians.
This is in fact the longest running comedy club in the country. The shows normally last about 2.5 hours, with the option of dinner afterwards.
You must purchase your tickets in advance, either online or at the ticket office.

91. Low Isles

You get here by sailing from Port Douglas, and this is a great way to spend a day with the family. You can moor up in calm waters in the lagoon, and spend the day exploring the island.
There are boat trips that leave from the island, whish take you around the area. Normally these have glass bottoms, so you get to see the amazing marine life. Turtles are often to be see, as are many brightly coloured fish.
Allow yourself a full day here.

92. Kings Park

This is to be found on the west side of Perth. It is a combination of grassland, bushland, and botanical gardens. The views are superb of the Swan River and Darling Mountains.
There are over 80 bird species here, as well as over 200 fungi species. The park is the habitat of over 324 native plants.
This is the biggest inner-city park in the world, and also the most popular tourist destination in the country. In area, this park is larger than New York Central Park.
Look out for the State War Memorial and the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club.
If possible, try to visit during September, when the park hosts the largest wildflower show in the country.

93. See Skypoint

You will find this in Surfer’s Paradise. It is the highest point on the Gold Coast. This is not for the faint-hearted! Neither is it recommended if you are afraid of heights.
The climb lasts about 90 minutes, and will take you right to the top of the largest residential building in the world. You will have climbed over 270 metres above sea level.
If this isn’t enough, you then have the opportunity of walking around the edge of the building with a sheer drop right below you!
This is an incredible opportunity, and if you can, you should try it!

94. Cradle Mountain National Park

This park is just beautiful! This is in Tasmania near the towns of Deloraine, and Carrick. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular landscapes, and breath-taking views are what you will find here.
For hikers, there is a trail called the ‘Enchanted Forest Walk’, which is well worth taking. You will find amazing views of Dove Lake along the way.
Look out for wombats and wallabies along the way, and even a platypus or two!

Allow a full day to appreciate the beauty of this park.

95. Palm Valley

You may want to take a guided tour which leaves from Alice Springs. You will head off in a 4WD vehicle on a safari adventure, through beautiful rugged terrain.
You will pass through Finke Gorge national Park, and get to see the art gallery at Hermannsburg Aboriginal Community.
Allow yourself a full day for this, lunch is included in the tours.

96. Do a Bungy Jump

Australia is the home of Bungy Jumping, and this is possibly the ultimate adrenaline rush! As long as you are 10 years and older, you can have a go.
Head for Cairns, and you will find the fist bungy jump location in the country. Cairns is also home to the World record for the most jumps in 24 hours – a staggering 542!
After your jump you will receive a t-shirt and a certificate – if you are brave enough!

97. Visit the Tasman Peninsula

This is best done with a guided tour, which leaves from Hobart and takes about 3 hours. This is the best way (unless you have your own boat) to get down to the peninsula.
The trip winds along the shore of the Tasman national Park where you will see falcons and seals, before stopping at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Lunch in included here.
From the boat you will be able to see some of the southern hemisphere’s tallest sea cliffs, and you may get to see peregrine falcons who nest there.
Dolphins, seals, and even whales have been spotted here.

98. See Ramsey Street

No doubt you are familiar with the television series ‘Neighbours’. Well, here in Melbourne, you will be able to see the official Ramsey Street. Neighbours is the longest running soap series in Australia.
You can get behind the scenes to see how the show is produced, and who knows, you may even get to meet a star of the show!
Allow yourself a half day here.

99. Explore Boggo Road Gaol

You will find the gaol in Brisbane. The prison is famous for the dramatic escapes in the 80’s, the infamous inmates, and roof top protests.
You can learn about how the prison was run, and visit the gatehouse, yards, and F Wing where the rooftop protests were held in 1988.
Make sure you look out for the plaque with the story of the cat called Tripod, and read about Slim Halliday, who escaped twice!

Summary of 100 Best  Things To Do in Australia 

Although Australia is mostly desert, or semi-desert, you will find there are a diverse range of terrains, from tropical forests to beautiful beaches, and everything in between!

Australia has the greatest number of reptiles of any other country, with over 750 species, and because of the age of the country, you will find extreme weather patterns. This works to an advantage, because the country is popular with people who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, as well as people who like to be indoors.

Whatever you enjoy when you take a holiday, there will be something in this vast country that appeals to you.

WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson (C) listens to questions from the media during an event at the Frontline club in London, December 1. The disclosure of a trove of confidential US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks is perfectly legal, the spokesman for the whistle-blowing website said on Wednesday. — Photo by Reuters

LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of being assassinated over the release of secret US documents and will remain in hiding for his own security, the website’s spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said the Australian’s safety was at stake after US politicians called for him to face treason charges and an adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reportedly said he should be killed.

“We have had threats from governments and commentators, some of them totally preposterous, even calls for the assassination of Julian Assange,” Hrafnsson said during a debate at the Frontline Club in London.

“He is justified in being concerned for his safety. When you have people calling, for example, for his assassination, it is best to keep a low profile,” he added.

Hrafnsson said Assange’s whereabouts would remain secret. He is known to have recently spent time in Sweden and London and is the subject of an Interpol arrest request over a rape allegation in Sweden.

He has faced calls from the United States for his arrest, with Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential hopeful, reportedly saying that those responsible for the leaks were guilty of treason and should face execution, CNN reported.

Separately, Tom Flanagan, an advisor to Canada’s prime minister, said flippantly in a television interview that Assange “should be assassinated” and that US President Barack Obama “should put out a contract and maybe use a drone.”

Hrafnsson, an Icelandic former journalist, defended Assange’s decision to remain in hiding and not to face up to the Swedish arrest warrant, saying the timing of the Interpol alert was “curious”.

“He is in a secret location and working on the project with a group of our staff. It is necessary in the circumstances to keep his location secret,” Hrafnsson said.

The spokesman also pointed to the fact that WikiLeaks was suffering repeated cyber attacks as evidence that it was being targeted.

“We know the interest of the US government in bringing down WikiLeaks,” he said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused WikiLeaks on Monday of an “attack on the international community” by releasing the documents, but Hrafnsson insisted that WikiLeaks had done nothing illegal.

“There has been a lot of talk about legal actions taken against Wikileaks and Julian, about how we have done something illegal, that we are criminals, but we have not seen any reference to how we are supposed to have broken the law,” he said.

Assange says he could be killed in jail

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange says there is a "high chance" he would be killed in a US jail if he were to be extradited from Britain on espionage charges.

The Australian is on bail in Britain fighting a bid by Sweden to extradite him over sex assault claims, but Washington is believed to be considering how to indict him over the leaking of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

Assange told The Guardian it would be "politically impossible" for Britain to send him across the Atlantic, adding that the government of Prime Minister David Cameron would want to show it had not been "co-opted" by Washington.

"Legally the UK has the right to not extradite for political crimes. Espionage is the classic case of political crimes. It is at the discretion of the UK government as to whether to apply to that exception," he said.

He said US authorities were "trying to strike a plea deal" with Bradley Manning, the US army soldier suspected of providing WikiLeaks with the cables.

Assange added that if the United States succeeded in getting him extradited from Britain or Sweden, then there was a "high chance" of him being killed "Jack Ruby-style" in an American prison.

Ruby, a nightclub owner, shot dead Lee Harvey Oswald at a police station in Dallas, Texas days after Oswald was arrested for the assassination of US President John F Kennedy in 1963.

Ruby's alleged links to organised crime sparked conspiracy theories about his involvement in an overall plot surrounding the assassination of Kennedy.

Assange has previously said that he and other WikiLeaks staff have received death threats since the website began to release a cache of about 250,000 secret US State Department cables in November.

The 39-year-old has been staying at a friend's country mansion in eastern England since his release from jail last week on strict bail conditions that include reporting to police daily and wearing an electronic tag.

A court in London is due to hold a full hearing on the Swedish extradition request starting February 7.

Assange says he could be killed in US jail

The creators of WikiLeaks have not been formally identified.^[30] It has been represented in public since January 2007 by Julian Assangeand others. Assange describes himself as a member of WikiLeaks' advisory board.^[31] News reports in The Australian have called Assange the "founder of WikiLeaks".^[32] According to Wired magazine, a volunteer said that Assange described himself in a private conversation as "the heart and soul of this organisation, its founder, philosopher, spokesperson, original coder, organiser, financier, and all the rest".^[33] As of June 2009, the site had over 1,200 registered volunteers^[4] and listed an advisory board comprising Assange,Phillip Adams, Wang Dan, C. J. Hinke, Ben Laurie, Tashi Namgyal Khamsitsang, Xiao Qiang, Chico Whitaker and Wang Youcai.^[34]Despite appearing on the list, when contacted by Mother Jones magazine in 2010, Khamsitsang said that while he received an e-mail from WikiLeaks, he had never agreed to be an advisor.^[35]

WikiLeaks states that its "primary interest is in exposing oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but we also expect to be of assistance to people of all regions who wish to reveal unethical behaviour in their governments and corporations."^[4][36]

In January 2007, the website stated that it had over 1.2 million leaked documents that it was preparing to publish.^[37] An article in The New Yorker said:

One of the WikiLeaks activists owned a server that was being used as a node for the Tor network. Millions of secret transmissions passed through it. The activist noticed that hackers from China were using the network to gather foreign governments’ information, and began to record this traffic. Only a small fraction has ever been posted on WikiLeaks, but the initial tranche served as the site’s foundation, and Assange was able to say, "[w]e have received over one million documents from thirteen countries."^[29][38]

Assange responded to the suggestion that eavesdropping on Chinese hackers played a crucial part in the early days of WikiLeaks by saying "the imputation is incorrect. The facts concern a 2006 investigation into Chinese espionage one of our contacts were involved in. Somewhere between none and handful of those documents were ever released on WikiLeaks. Non-government targets of the Chinese espionage, such as Tibetan associations were informed (by us)".^[39] The group has subsequently released a number of other significant documents which have become front-page news items, ranging from documentation of equipment expenditures and holdings in theAfghanistan war to corruption in Kenya.^[40]

The organisation's stated goal is to ensure that whistleblowers and journalists are not jailed for emailing sensitive or classified documents, as happened to Chinese journalist Shi Tao, who was sentenced to 10 years in 2005 after publicising an email from Chinese officials about the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.^[41]

The project has drawn comparisons to Daniel Ellsberg's leaking of the Pentagon Papers in 1971.^[42] In the United States, the leaking of some documents may be legally protected. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution guarantees anonymity, at least in the area of political discourse.^[42] Author and journalist Whitley Strieber has spoken about the benefits of the WikiLeaks project, noting that "Leaking a government document can mean jail, but jail sentences for this can be fairly short. However, there are many places where it means long incarceration or even death, such as China and parts of Africa and the Middle East."^[43]

On 24 December 2009, WikiLeaks announced that it was experiencing a shortage of funds^[44] and suspended all access to its website except for a form to submit new material.^[45] Material that was previously published was no longer available, although some could still be accessed on unofficial mirrors.^[46][47] WikiLeaks stated on its website that it would resume full operation once the operational costs were covered.^[45] WikiLeaks saw this as a kind of strike "to ensure that everyone who is involved stops normal work and actually spends time raising revenue".^[48] While the organisation initially planned for funds to be secured by 6 January 2010,^[49] it was not until 3 February 2010 that WikiLeaks announced that its minimum fundraising goal had been achieved.^[50]

On 22 January 2010, PayPal suspended WikiLeaks' donation account and froze its assets. WikiLeaks said that this had happened before, and was done for "no obvious reason".^[51] The account was restored on 25 January 2010.^[52] On 18 May 2010, WikiLeaks announced that its website and archive were back up.^[53]

As of June 2010, WikiLeaks was a finalist for a grant of more than half a million dollars from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation,^[29] but did not make the cut.^[54] WikiLeaks commented, "WikiLeaks was highest rated project in the Knight challenge, strongly recommended to the board but gets no funding. Go figure”. WikiLeaks said that the Knight foundation announced the award to "'12 Grantees who will impact future of news' – but not WikiLeaks" and questioned whether Knight foundation was "really looking for impact".^[54] A spokesman of the Knight Foundation disputed parts of WikiLeaks' statement, saying "WikiLeaks was not recommended by Knight staff to the board."^[55] However, he declined to say whether WikiLeaks was the project rated highest by the Knight advisory panel, which consists of non-staffers, among them journalist Jennifer 8. Lee, who has done PR work for WikiLeaks with the press and on social networking sites.^[55]

On 17 July, Jacob Appelbaum spoke on behalf of WikiLeaks at the 2010 Hackers on Planet Earth conference in New York City, replacing Assange because of the presence of federal agents at the conference.^[56][57] He announced that the WikiLeaks submission system was again up and running, after it had been temporarily suspended.^[56][58] Assange was a surprise speaker at a TED conferenceon 19 July 2010 in Oxford, and confirmed that the site had begun accepting submissions again.^[59]

Upon returning to the US from the Netherlands, on 29 July, Appelbaum was detained for three hours at the airport by US agents, according to anonymous sources.^[60] The sources told Cnet that Appelbaum's bag was searched, receipts from his bag were photocopied, his laptop was inspected, although in what manner was unclear.^[60] Appelbaum reportedly refused to answer questions without a lawyer present, and was not allowed to make a phone call. His three mobile phones were reportedly taken and not returned.^[60]On 31 July, he spoke at a Defcon conference and mentioned his phone being "seized". After speaking, he was approached by two FBIagents and questioned.^[60]

Assange is quoted as acknowledging that his practice of posting largely unfiltered classified information online could one day lead the Web site to have "blood on our hands."^[61]

In 2010, at least a dozen key supporters of WikiLeaks have left the website.^[62]

Administration

According to a January 2010 interview, the WikiLeaks team then consisted of five people working full-time and about 800 people who worked occasionally, none of whom were compensated.^[48] WikiLeaks has no official headquarters. The expenses per year are about €200,000, mainly for servers and bureaucracy, but would reach €600,000 if work currently done by volunteers were paid for.^[48]WikiLeaks does not pay for lawyers, as hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal support have been donated by media organisations such as the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association.^[48] Its only revenue stream is donations, but WikiLeaks is planning to add an auction model to sell early access to documents.^[48] According to the Wau Holland Foundation, WikiLeaks receives no money for personnel costs, only for hardware, travelling and bandwidth.^[63] An article in TechEYE.net wrote

As a charity accountable under German law, donations for WikiLeaks can be made to the foundation. Funds are held in escrow and are given to WikiLeaks after the whistleblower website files an application containing a statement with proof of payment. The foundation does not pay any sort of salary nor give any renumeration [sic] to WikiLeaks' personnel, corroborating the statement of the site's former German representative Daniel Schmitt (real name Daniel Domscheit-Berg)^[64] on national television that all personnel works voluntarily, even its speakers.^[63]

Site management issues

Within WikiLeaks, there has been public disagreement between founder and spokesperson Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg, the site's former German representative who was suspended by Assange. Domscheit-Berg announced on 28 September 2010 that he was leaving the organisation due to internal conflicts over management of the site.^[65][66][64]

Hosting

WikiLeaks describes itself as "an uncensorable system for untraceable mass document leaking".^[67] WikiLeaks is hosted by PRQ, a Sweden-based company providing "highly secure, no-questions-asked hosting services". PRQ is said to have "almost no information about its clientele and maintains few if any of its own logs".^[68] The servers are spread around the world with the central server located in Sweden.^[69] Julian Assange has said that the servers are located in Sweden (and the other countries) "specifically because those nations offer legal protection to the disclosures made on the site". He talks about the Swedish constitution, which gives the information providers total legal protection.^[69] It is forbidden according to Swedish law for any administrative authority to make inquiries about the sources of any type of newspaper.^[70] These laws, and the hosting by PRQ, make it difficult to take WikiLeaks offline. Furthermore, "Wikileaks maintains its own servers at undisclosed locations, keeps no logs and uses military-grade encryption to protect sources and other confidential information." Such arrangements have been called "bulletproof hosting."^[68][71]

On 17 August 2010, it was announced that the Swedish Pirate Party will be hosting and managing many of WikiLeaks' new servers. The party donates servers and bandwidth to WikiLeaks without charge. Technicians of the party will make sure that the servers are maintained and working.^[72][73]

Some servers are hosted in an underground nuclear bunker in Stockholm.^[74][75]

After the site became the target of a denial-of-service attack from a hacker on its old servers, WikiLeaks moved its site to Amazon's servers.^[76] Later, however, the website was "ousted"^[76] from the Amazon servers, without a public statement from the company.^{[citation needed]} WikiLeaks then decided to install itself on the servers of OVH in France.^[77] After criticism from the French government, the company sought two court rulings about the legality of hosting WikiLeaks. While the court in Lille immediately declined to force OVH to shut down the WikiLeaks site, the court in Paris stated it would need more time to examine the highly technical issue.^[76][78]

WikiLeaks is based on several software packages, including 

On 4 November 2010, Julian Assange told Swiss public television TSR that he is seriously considering seeking political asylum in neutral Switzerland and setting up a WikiLeaks foundation in the country to move the operation there.^[81][82] According to Assange, Switzerland and Iceland are the only countries where WikiLeaks would feel safe to operate.^[83][84]

Financing

WikiLeaks is dependent on public donations since it is a non-profit organisation. Its main financing methods include conventional bank transfers and online payment systems. Wau Holland Foundation, one of the WikiLeaks' main funding channels, stated that they have received more than €900,000 (US$1.2 million) in public donations between October 2009 and December 2010, out of which €370,000 has been passed on to WikiLeaks. Hendrik Fulda, vice president of the Wau Holland Foundation, mentioned that the donations throughPayPal was twice^[vague] as through normal banks, before PayPal's decision to suspend WikiLeaks' account. He also noted that donations were never as strong as when WikiLeaks started publishing leaked diplomatic cables.^[85][86]

Name servers

WikiLeaks had been using EveryDNS's services, which led to DDoS attacks on the host.^{[clarification needed]} The attacks affected the quality of service at EveryDNS, so the company withdrew their service from WikiLeaks. Pro-WikiLeaks supporters retaliated by launching a DDoS attack against EveryDNS. Due to mistakes in the blogosphere, some supporters accidentally mistook EasyDNS for EveryDNS and attacked it. The attacks caused both EveryDNS and EasyDNS to experience outages. Afterwards EasyDNS decided to provide WikiLeaks its name server service.^[87]

Name and policies

Despite using the name "WikiLeaks", the website is no longer wiki-based as of December 2010. Also, despite some popular confusion^[88] due to both having the term "wiki" in their names, WikiLeaks and Wikipedia have no affiliation with each other;^[89][90] i.e. "wiki" is not a brand name. Wikia, a for-profit corporation loosely affiliated with the Wikimedia Foundation, did however purchase several Wikileaks-related domain names (including "wikileaks.com" and "wikileaks.net") as a "protective brand measure" in 2007.^[91]

The "about" page originally read:^[92]

To the user, WikiLeaks will look very much like Wikipedia. Anybody can post to it, anybody can edit it. No technical knowledge is required. Leakers can post documents anonymously and untraceably. Users can publicly discuss documents and analyze their credibility and veracity. Users can discuss interpretations and context and collaboratively formulate collective publications. Users can read and write explanatory articles on leaks along with background material and context. The political relevance of documents and their verisimilitude will be revealed by a cast of thousands.

However, WikiLeaks established an editorial policy that accepted only documents that were "of political, diplomatic, historical or ethical interest" (and excluded "material that is already publicly available").^[93] This coincided with early criticism that having no editorial policy would drive out good material with spam and promote "automated or indiscriminate publication of confidential records."^[94] It is no longer possible for anybody to post to it or edit it, as the original FAQ promised. Instead, submissions are regulated by an internal review process and some are published, while documents not fitting the editorial criteria are rejected by anonymous WikiLeaks reviewers. By 2008, the revised FAQ stated that "Anybody can post comments to it. [...] Users can publicly discuss documents and analyse their credibility and veracity."^[95] After the 2010 relaunch, posting new comments to leaks was no longer possible.^[96]

Verification of submissions

WikiLeaks states that it has never released a misattributed document. Documents are assessed before release. In response to concerns about the possibility of misleading or fraudulent leaks, WikiLeaks has stated that misleading leaks "are already well-placed in the mainstream media. WikiLeaks is of no additional assistance."^[97] The FAQ states that: "The simplest and most effective countermeasure is a worldwide community of informed users and editors who can scrutinise and discuss leaked documents."^[98]

According to statements by Assange in 2010, submitted documents are vetted by a group of five reviewers, with expertise in different fields such as language or programming, who also investigate the background of the leaker if his or her identity is known.^[99] In that group, Assange has the final decision about the assessment of a document.^[99]

Legal status

Legal background

The legal status of WikiLeaks is complex. Assange considers WikiLeaks a whistleblower protection intermediary. Rather than leaking directly to the press, and fearing exposure and retribution, whistleblowers can leak to WikiLeaks, which then leaks to the press for them.^[100] Its servers are located throughout Europe and are accessible from any uncensored web connection. The group located its headquarters in Sweden because it has one of the world’s strongest shield laws to protect confidential source-journalist relationships.^[101][102] WikiLeaks has stated that they "do not solicit any information".^[101] However, Assange used his speech during the Hack In The Box conference in Malaysia to ask the crowd of hackers and security researchers to help find documents on its "Most Wanted Leaks of 2009" list.^[103]

Potential criminal prosecution

The U.S. Justice Department opened a criminal probe of Wikileaks and founder Julian Assange shortly after the leak of diplomatic cables began.^[104][105] Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed the probe was  “not saber-rattling”, but was "an active, ongoing criminal investigation."^[105] The The Washington Post reported that the department was considering charges under the Espionage Act, a move which former prosecutors characterised as "difficult" because of First Amendment protections for the press.^[104][106] Several Supreme Court cases have previously established that the American constitution protects the re-publication of illegally gained information provided the publishers did not themselves break any laws in acquiring it.^[107] Federal prosecutors have also considered prosecuting Assange for trafficking in stolen government property, but since the diplomatic cables are intellectual rather than physical property, that approach also faces hurdles.^[108] Any prosecution of Assange would require extraditing him to the United States, a step made more complicated and potentially delayed by any preceding extradition to Sweden.^[109] One of Assange's lawyers, however, says they are fighting extradition to Sweden because it might lead to his extradition to the United States.^[110] Assange's attorney, Mark Stephens, has "heard from Swedish authorities there has been a secretly empaneled grand jury in Alexandria [Virginia]" meeting to consider criminal charges in the WikiLeaks case.^[111]

In Australia, the government and the Australian Federal Police have not stated what Australian laws may have been broken by WikiLeaks, but Julia Gillard has stated that the foundation of Wikileaks and the stealing of classified documents from the US administration is illegal in foreign countries.^[112] Gillard later clarified her statement as referring to "the original theft of the material by a junior US serviceman rather than any action by Mr Assange."^[113] Spencer Zifcak, President of Liberty Victoria, an Australian civil liberties group, notes that with no charge, and no trial completed, it is inappropriate to state that WikiLeaks is guilty of illegal activities.^[114]

On threats by various governments toward Assange, legal expert Ben Saul argues that founder Julian Assange is the target of a global smear campaign to demonise him as a criminal or as a terrorist, without any legal basis.^[115]

Insurance file

On 29 July 2010, WikiLeaks added a 1.4 GB "Insurance File" to the Afghan War Diary page. The file is AES encrypted and has been speculated to serve as insurance in case the WikiLeaks website or its spokesman Julian Assange are incapacitated, upon which thepassphrase could be published, similar to the concept of a dead man's switch.^[116][117] Following the first few days' release of the US diplomatic cables starting 28 November 2010, the US television broadcaster CBS predicted that "If anything happens to Assange or the website, a key will go out to unlock the files. There would then be no way to stop the information from spreading like wildfire because so many people already have copies."^[118] CBS correspondent Declan McCullagh stated, "What most folks are speculating is that the insurance file contains unreleased information that would be especially embarrassing to the US government if it were released."^[118]

Investigations, censorship, harassment, and surveillance

According to The Times, WikiLeaks and its members have complained about continuing harassment and surveillance by law enforcement and intelligence organisations, including extended detention, seizure of computers, veiled threats, “covert following and hidden photography.”^[119] Two lawyers for Julian Assange in the United Kingdom told The Guardian that they believed they were being watched by the security services after the US cables leak.^[120]

By governments

Police raid on German WikiLeaks domain holder's home

The home of Theodor Reppe, registrant of the German WikiLeaks domain name, wikileaks.de, was raided on 24 March 2009 after WikiLeaks released the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) censorship blacklist.^[121] The site was not affected.^[122][123]

P.R. China

Wikileaks's website claims that the government of the People's Republic of China has attempted to block all traffic to web sites with "wikileaks" in the URL since 2007, but that this can be bypassed through encrypted connections or by using one of Wikileaks's many covert URLs.^[124]

Potential future Australian censorship

On 16 March 2009, the Australian Communications and Media Authority added WikiLeaks to their proposed blacklist of sites that will be blocked for all Australians if the mandatory internet filtering censorship scheme is implemented as planned.^[125][126] The blacklisting was removed 30 November 2010.^[127]

Thai censorship

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is currently censoring the website WikiLeaks in Thailand^[128] and more than 40,000 other webpages^[129] because of the emergency decree in Thailand imposed as a result of political instabilities (Emergency decree declared beginning of April 2010^[130]).

United States

Access to WikiLeaks is currently blocked in the United States Library of Congress.^[131] On 3 December 2010 the White House Office of Management and Budget sent a memo forbidding all unauthorised federal government employees and contractors from accessing classified documents publicly available on WikiLeaks and other websites.^[132] The U.S. Army, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department are considering criminally prosecuting WikiLeaks and Assange "on grounds they encouraged the theft of government property",^[133] although former prosecutors say doing so would be difficult.^[106] According to a report on the Daily Beast website, the Obama administration asked Britain, Germany and Australia among others to also consider bringing criminal charges against Assange for the Afghan war leaks and to help limit Assange's travels across international borders.^[134]

Iceland

After the release of the 2007 airstrikes video and as they prepared to release film of the Granai airstrike, Julian Assange has said that his group of volunteers came under intense surveillance. In an interview and Twitter posts he said that a restaurant in Reykjavík where his group of volunteers met came under surveillance in March; there was "covert following and hidden photography" by police and foreignintelligence services; that an apparent British intelligence agent made thinly veiled threats in a Luxembourg car park; and that one of the volunteers was detained by police for 21 hours. Another volunteer posted that computers were seized, saying "If anything happens to us, you know why ... and you know who is responsible."^[119] According to the Columbia Journalism Review, "the Icelandic press took a look at Assange’s charges of being surveilled in Iceland [...] and, at best, have found nothing to substantiate them."^[135]

In August 2009, Kaupthing Bank succeeded in obtaining a court order gagging Iceland’s national broadcaster, RÚV, from broadcasting a risk analysis report showing the bank's substantial exposure to debt default risk. This information had been leaked by a whistleblower to WikiLeaks and remained available on the WikiLeaks site; faced with an injunction minutes before broadcast the channel ran with a screen grab of the WikiLeaks site instead of the scheduled piece on the bank. Citizens of Iceland felt outraged that RÚV was prevented from broadcasting news of relevance.^[136] Therefore, WikiLeaks has been credited with inspiring the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative, a bill meant to reclaim Iceland's 2007 Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) ranking as first in the world for free speech. It aims to enact a range of protections for sources, journalists, and publishers.^[137][138] Birgitta Jónsdóttir, a former volunteer for WikiLeaks and member of the Icelandic parliament, is the chief sponsor of the proposal.