Australian backyard explorer cover page

Australian Backyard Explorer

Learn how to be an explorer in your own backyard! Would you know how to find water and food, collect plants, make a shelter—and stay alive—if you were out in the bush? As you delve into this book full of the adventures of the European explorers of Australia, you will experience with them their many challenges, such as finding their way, mapping an area, trapping animals and coping with drought.

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Discussion video

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Author discussion

Contributor: National Library Publications
Date published: Tuesday, 9 Jun 2009
Duration: 08:55
Format: Flash video 19.8 Mb

Watch as Peter Macinnis discusses his book Australian Backyard Explorer, revealing details of how he came to understand the early Australian explorers such as Hamilton Hume and Edward John Eyre.

Pooter video

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Activity: making a pooter

Contributor: National Library Publications
Date published: Tuesday, 9 Jun 2009
Duration: 08:05
Format: Flash video 19.9 Mb

In this video Peter Macinnis shows you how to make a pooter from materials easily sourced from around the home. What is a pooter, you ask? Watch to find out.

insects video

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Activity: catching insects

Contributor: National Library Publications
Date published: Tuesday, 9 Jun 2009
Duration: 02:30
Format: Flash video 6.6 Mb

Watch Peter Macinnis demonstrating how to catch insects using an umbrella and a pooter.

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