CONTENTS
Australian Geographic March • April 2020March. April 7PHOTO CREDIT: FROM TOP: GRAHAME MCCONNELL; ANDREW GREGORY; NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA; ESTHER BEATON;
PEARLS OF PROMISE
A nascent pearl industry is offering
hope to oyster farmers in NSW.38
BLACK SUMMER
A visual explanation and summary
of the causes and effects of the
2019–2020 bushfi re crisis.44
UNBEARABLE LOSS
Thousands of koalas were killed in the
recent bushfi re emergency. What can we do
to save the species from extinction?54
THIS ISLAND’S LIFE
A destructive summer of bushfi res
has broken the hearts of the people of
Kangaroo Island but not their spirit.64
INTO THE FAR WEST
The tough characters and vast, dry land-
scapes of outback NSW make for a true
blue Aussie adventure.72
FINDING ENDEAVOUR
Maritime archaeologists are closing in on the
fi nal resting place of Captain James Cook’s
ship HMB Endeavour.84
FEATURES
92
THE FARAWAY NEARBY
Including a visit from Captain Cook
250 years ago, Agnes Waters and
the Town of 1770 have a rich,
yet laid-back, history.2019/2020 BUSHFIRE CRISIS
Cook: 250 yearsWA
SANT
QLDNSW
VICTASppp
p38 Pearls of promise92 The faraway nearby72 Into the far west84 Finding
Endeavourp