In search of quirk...
AII countries have their own particular kind of quirk but Australia is a continent well known for its high quirk content. Historically, in terms of European discovery and settlement, the first records of quirk were made by the early explorers. Australia's kangaroos stunned them; the Platypus, more than any other creature, caused intense curiosity. This now world-renowned creature was first recorded in 1799 by the British scientist Dr George Shaw. His initial reaction to the original specimen was that it was an elaborate hoax. He even took a pair of scissors to the pelt, expecting to find
stitches attaching the bill to the skin!
Since then the nation's eccentric animals, characters and landscapes have attracted tourists, film-makers,
photographers, writers and artists from all over the world - after all, no other continent has an Uluru, a Kookaburra or a Koala.
As a photographer I have long used the "pursuit of quirk" as a recreational activity while travelling from one place to the next. My eye is well trained in recognising the visual appeal of oddities in nature as photographic subjects and it is the out of the way places that have taken my fancy as places to prowl. The thrill of a quirky human discovery now brings me as much pleasure as finding and filming a new bird, frog or fish. In fact, as I grow older and maybe a little more cynical with the passage of time, the delightful peculiarities of human quirk become very hard to beat. I trust that you will enjoy sharing some of my quirky Australian discoveries.
"Unconventional, eccentric, zany, erratic, off-beat, extraordinary, kooky"
— one word you won't hear used to describe Australia's unique landscapes, wildlife or way of life is "dull".
This fullcolour exposé of the continent's quirks takes you from huge tourist attractions to majestic monoliths and inside unusual outback homes, revealing the humour, individuality and vibrancy of Australia and its people.