Australian.Geographic_2014_01-02

C ON T EN TS

AUSTR ALIAN GEOGR APHIC JANUARY–FEBRUARY 201 4

FEATUR ES

THE GOOD LIFE

History, nature and tourism collide on unique Rottnest

Island, a long-time favourite with West Australians.

MER M AIDS OF MOR ETON BAY

Dugongs are the most common marine mammal found

around northern Australia, but one of the least known.

LOFTY AMBITIONS

James McCormack tells the story of his father, a

hot-air ballooning pioneer killed in a 1975 accident.

UP FRONT

14 BIG PICTUR E Unforgettable images

19 TOPOGR APHICAL Evolution of the cricket bat

21 NATUR E Giant fl esh-eating platypus

23 SPACE Attack of the cosmic bugs!

24 ANZANG 2014 Nature Photographer of the Year launched

29 NAR EE NSW’s drying fl oodplains

30 MAPPING AUSTR ALIA From imagination to discovery

36 COMMENTARY Why we need a Dark Sky Reserve

OUT BACK

97 DESTINATIONS China’s dinosaur treasures

108 LAT/LONG Summernats, ACT

123 YOUR AG Mailbag; ask an expert; Frank Povah; Karl Kruszelnicki

129 FROM THE FIELD Behind the scenes with AG

130 R EWIND Heart of glass

YOU R

SOCIET Y

Discover our achievements

for 2013 and learn about

the Kimberley DVD that’s

free for subscribers! p

Australia has about 70,000 dugongs, such as this one

photographed by Douglas Seifert. Weighing up to

400kg, these mammals (Dugong dugon) often attract

juvenile golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus),

which follow in their wake for protection.

ON THE

COVER

6 Australian Geographic

JAMES MCCORMACK

First fl ight. Near Canowindra,

NSW, Wendy Kavanagh

prepares to lift off.

PADDLING THE TROPICS

Kayaking down the Katherine River reveals the bewitch-

ing isolation of one of the Top End’s major waterways.

TR ADE WINDS

An AGS-sponsored expedition attempts to explain the

mystery of 900-year-old African coins found off the NT.

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