Natural Park

Among the most intriguing creatures of the Australian Outback are the cathedral termites, which build slender, 5.8-foot/1.8-m-high pillars clustered throughout the bare earth. These towers, often called "magnetic mounds," are always structured facing north-to-south, possibly to help the insects regulate the temperature inside them. Wichetty grubs, a plump white species found throughout the wilderness, are a staple food of the Aboriginal tribes. Interestingly, Australia is also home to about 10% of all the ants on the globe, which are found here in approximately 1,500 different species. The largest is the bulldog ant, which grows to more than 3 cm long.

Some of the world's most beautiful and deadly spiders live in Australia, although it's unlikely you'll see any of them. The one to look out for is the redback (or red spot) spider, a black widow relative whose bite can be deadly. Another lethal species is the funnel-web spider, which is often found in the dark, woody corners of log piles and garden sheds. This huge, aggressive creature will actually run after prey (and people!) when aggravated, so keep an eye out if you're climbing around delapidated buildings. Equally scary-looking, but far less toxic, is the huntsman spider – which can grow as big as your hand!