The Ross Ice Shelf where B17B broke away.

A giant iceberg double the size of Sydney Harbour is heading towards Western Australia on a collision course.

The iceberg, imaginatively named B17B by scientists is currently 1000km south west of the Australia coast and is drifting, intact, pulled by the ocean current and winds. It’s the largest iceberg to have drifted so far North and remained in one piece. It currently measures 19km long by 8km wide.

Dr Neal Young, a glaciologist for the Australian Antarctic Division said that if the iceberg collided with the coast of Australia it could cause a tremor on a point 3 to 4 scale.

However there’s no need for Sydneysiders to panic just yet, it is thought that once the iceberg hits warmer waters it’ll break up into hundreds of smaller pieces, creating a shipping hazard but no major tremors.

The iceberg broke off Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf in 2000 where it was originally three times its current size. It drifted around Antarctica for a time before settling in one spot where it remained for 5 years. However, possibly upon reading our fantastic article on winter fun in Australia, it’s now on the move again and heading for the coast. If there’s a stray polar bear on there we hope he’s got his Australian visa ready or else he’ll be shipped off to Christmas Island!

Many other icebergs have been spotted along the Australian and New Zealand coasts in the past few weeks, but B17B is the biggest spotted since the 19^th century.

Dr Young warns that with global warming, these large iceberg sightings could soon become a common occurrence as the sea temperatures rise and more giant blocks of ice break off the ice shelves in Antarctica.

But for now, sunbathing Aussies can rest in peace, sipping their cocktails on the beach and asking: “Do you want ice with that?”

Head down to the beach this Christmas.

It looks like all the stars are travelling to Australia this Christmas, swapping roast turkey for a barbie on the beach!

Nicole Kidman will be catching a flight to Australia with hubby Keith Urban and 16 month old daughter Sunday Rose to spend Christmas in their Sutton Forest Homestead in the Southern Highlands.

A traditional family Christmas is on the cards for the pair as Keith revealed: “We’ll be able to spend (Christmas) with all of our extended family on Nic’s side and my side. My sister-in-law has four children and my brother two, so there’ll be lots of kids.” Let’s hope they have enough sausages to go round on the barbie then!

Peter Andre is also set to spend Christmas with his parents in Australia and in a rare moment of reasonableness, Peter and his ex-wife Katie Price have agree to share the children over the festive period. Katie will have the children over Christmas and then they’ll fly to Australia to be with their dad and his family for New Year.

Peter Andre’s parents were said to be delighted that they’ll get to see the children for the New Year.

With Britain experiencing lashings of rain and the all too familiar bitingly cold winds, it’s no surprise the stars are heading out to Oz for Christmas. If you fancy spending Christmas day sipping ice-cold cocktails on the beach, then check out our guide to Christmas in Australia.

Why not share with us your festive traditions and plans for the Christmas season? Join our vibrant Australia forum and discuss your plans with other members or add them to our comments box below.

Turkey or barbie – which will you plump for this year?

Ever wondered what to call the next decade? 2000 to 2009 was the noughties, so what do you call the period from 2000 to 2010? Some are suggesting the tenties, others say the zeros. Well now Australia reckons it has come up with the answer.

A leading Australian news site news.com.au has come up with a competition to name the last decade and the suggestions came flooding in. The popular suggestions of tennies, tenties and teenies were rejected because they were deemed to be too popular.

The winning suggestion came from Adam Vujic who won $1,866 (£1,122) with his winning suggestion of One-ders. Altogether 3,500 suggestions were sent in by Aussies caught up in the spirit of the naming event.

The website said the suggestion suggested “bright-eyed optimism” but others disagree, one contributer said: “Is this decision binding on the whole world?” Others said the preferred the names of tennies or teenies. However the site said: “We needed something that communicated a feeling, not just denoted a number.”

The site that said that Vujic’s suggestion held out “hope of many scientific, humanitarian and environmental breakthroughs”.

The competition was open to Australian residents who had to come up with a name and a reason behind the name, using 25 words or less. Many people we’re sure, would love to know the reason behind Vujic’s name of the decade.

Does this mean my daughter is a One-der child? I guess so!

Susan Boyle proved a huge hit around around the world.

Susan Boyle has taken Britain by storm, and the US and now she looks set to do the same in Australia.

Her album, I Dreamed a Dream has reached the top spot in the Australian chart as well as the UK and record sales have been reported for the US where she sold 130,000 copies of her debut album in one day.

Ms Boyle rocketed to stardom on Britain’s Got Talent earlier in the year where she stunned judges with her amazing voice, despite initial scepticism because of her appearance. She has now cast aside her frumpy looks for a glamorous appearance worthy of Hollywood itself.

Over 70,000 copies of her first album have been shipped to Australia by Sony, which could be enough to earn her platinum status.

Ms Boyle is already on a promotional tour of the US where a reported recent public meltdown sparked mental health fears. It’s not certain if she will be travelling to Australia, but as her album hits the top spots worldwide it’s certainly a testimony to her enduring popularity.

She already has an Australian website dedicated to her, where fans can chat to each other, find out more about Susan Boyle and get all the latest news on their idol.

Perhaps Aussie fans are hoping that Ms Boyle will follow her fellow singer and one-time winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Paul Potts who has toured Australia and has even starred as guest performer on Australia’s Got Talent. The 2007 winner showered Ms Boyles with praise when they both appeared on Australia’s TODAY programme, in April. He also gave her this advice: “She may well find herself going to places she’s never been to. I’m here in Australia. I find myself going to places I never dreamed of going.” Aussie fans will be hoping that she takes his words to heart and plan a visit to Australia.

One thing’s for sure, she’s certain to receive a warm welcome from the Aussies who have taken her to their hearts, just like the rest of the world.

Conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna who have been successfully separated.

The mother of conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna, who were successfully separated after 32 hours of surgery last Monday, has been speaking of her wish for the girls to live in Australia.

The two girls were born in Bangladesh nearly three years ago and had been joined at the top of the head. They were being cared for at the Mother Teresa home in Dhaka before being brought to Melbourne for the pioneering surgery. Their mother, 22 year old Lavlee Mollik spoke of her joy at seeing them separated and spoke of her desire that they should remain in Australia.

“We don’t want them back because we don’t have the ability to take proper care of them”, she said through a translator.

Mrs Mollik is a student at the Keshobpur Agricultural College in Jessore and about to undergo her final examinations. Her husband, Kartik, is a factory worker in Khulna. When the twins were a month old, Lavlee and her husband decided to give them up for adoption.

Explaining her decision an emotional Mrs Mollik said: I didn’t want to give them (away) but my husband, my mother, other ladies told me to give them for the benefit of the children.

I want them to live in Australia and be educated in Australia. And one day when they have become very respected people I want them to call me “mother”.

Mrs Mallik saw her children separated for the first time on television and paid emotional homage to the team behind the successful operation, comparing them to gods.

The twins remain in a serious condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, with Trishna recovering faster than her sister, Krishna.

Margaret Smith, chief executive of the Children First Foundation in Melbourne confirmed that the twins would remain in Australia for at least the next two years, under their care, adding that they would need significant support. 

Whilst in Australia the twins have been cared for by Moira Kelly who is the girls’ legal guardian, it is rumoured that she would like to adopt the girls but Ms Smith said that it would be something to be considered in the future.

Matt Giteau missed the crucial kick that cost Australia the game.

Scotland reigned victorious yesterday against Australia for the first time in 27 years!

The Scots didn’t think it would be possible, to defeat the lethal Australians and it certainly looked as though Australia would emerge the winners once more as they dominated territory and possession. Yet at half time the score was 3-3 and the whole of Scotland held its breath. Perhaps here the writing was already on the wall.

Then Godman’s penalty and Paterson’s drop-goal put Scotland ahead and the crowd were going wild. The last three minutes were heart-stopping as Australia went all out to claw back victory. Finally it all rested upon Australian Matt Giteau to take the final kick for Australia, having already missed three kicks in the game.

The noise was thunderous but all eyes were firmly fixed on Giteau’s boot as he levelled it at the ball and kicked, it went left and the Scottish crowd erupted with joy and ectasy. The match went to Scotland, 9-8.

It was Scotland’s first triumph over Australia since 1982, enduring 16 painful losses to the Wallabies in the meantime. Yesterday was their chance to atone for their losing streak and prove that they still had what it takes to be the best.

Australian media are describing it as a humiliating defeat for Australia with News.com commenting: “Australia should have had more than enough class to put lowly-ranked Scotland to the sword.”

Ah well, perhaps the Aussies will have better luck next week when they play the Welsh. But for now, the victory is all Scotlands and no doubt there’ll be a few sore heads this morning.

An aircraft similar to the one Captain Dominic James landed in the Pacific Ocean.

An Australian pilot was branded a hero yesterday after safely bringing his stricken plane down into the Pacific Ocean.

Captain Dominic James, formally a Cleo bachelor of the year nominee, was on a flight travelling from Samoa to Melbourne, Australia with a sick female passenger, her husband and two medical crew when it ran out of fuel.

They were due to refuel at Norfolk Island, 930 miles off the east coast of Australia, but after several unsuccessful landing attempts and his fuel gauge at empty, the captain took the decision to ditch the plane into the ocean. Then he showed his remarkable skill in guiding the plane into the water in pitch blackness so gently that not one person on the plane was injured.

Once on the water however, the aircraft quickly sank which meant that there was no time to get the life raft out of the aircraft and the pilot and his five fellow passengers were forced to huddle together in the Pacific Ocean.

Luckily people on the coast of Norfolk Island spotted the lights on their lifejackets and were able to help direct rescuers.

One of the first to reach the stranded people was Glenn Robinson, manager of the Norfolk Island airport: “They were pretty relieved to see us - They were shaken up as you’d imagine,” However he was full of praise for the Captain’s efforts: “Full credit to the pilot - the aircraft sank rapidly and he pulled [the passengers] together. It was just an amazing effort by him.”

All six were taken to hospital to be treated for shock and hypothermia but no-one suffered any serious injuries. The sick woman is thought to have fallen ill through an infection she picked up in Samoa.

Pel-Air Aviation who owned the plane were also quick to praise the pilot and his first officer; “Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome,” remarked Pel-Air chairman John Sharp. “They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water. The pilots ensured that the aircraft landed close to the coast, close to rescue.”

An investigation is now being launched by the air safety regulator.

Ben Elton lays into council officials and their pesky planning laws!

Poor Ben Elton isn’t having a good week. First of all he insults the Royal Family on Australian TV and then he upsets the local authorities in Perth by apparently flouting planning permission laws.

Elton, who is married to Australian saxophonist Sophie Gare, decided to migrate to Australia with their three children earlier this month because of travel issues.

The comic is famous for his criticisms of the UK and to many, his move to Australia came as no surprise. However Mr Elton suggested that the move was due to the constant travelling back and forth from Australia to the UK and back. He is said to be tired of the 10,500 mile journeys and denies that he is migrating to Australia for good.

Elton bought a 2 story heritage-listed house in North Fremantle near Perth in Western Australia for a cool £1 million. But his decision to install energy-saving solar panels without applying for planning permission, made local council officials see red.

Because the house is deemed to have historical significance, any alteration needs to be approved by the council first. Elton failed to do this and the council initially ordered him to remove the panels or face a £30,000 fine.

Elton was furious when he found out and no doubt gave the council officials a glimpse of the snappy tirades that have made him famous. A source close to the Elton family said it was “bureaucracy gone beserk”.

Council officials finally relented and let him keep the solar panels so long as he removes them after 25 years in order to update them with the latest technological advancement.

Earlier in the week Elton found himself in hot water when he branded Prince Philip a “mad old bigot” and described the Queen as a “sad little old lady” on the Australian satire show Good News Week. Elton, who has dual Australian and British citizenship, later declared his love for Britain and apologised for any offence caused.

Somehow I think Ben Elton will fit in just fine!

Mr Stewards wrong turn saw him end up in Melbourne, 600km away from where he started.

An 81 year old Australian man popped out to the shops to buy a newspaper in Yass, NSW and ended up 600km away in Melbourne, Victoria!

His marathon eight hour drive only ended when, after taking a wrong turn on the highway (although we suspect he made plenty of other wrong turns beforehand) he asked for help from the Victorian state police.

Explaining his actions Mr Eric Steward said: “I just went out on the road to have a drive, a nice peaceful quiet drive. I didn’t know where I was going but I knew it was somewhere, and with a bit of luck I would eventually find my wife again,”

Mr Steward was visiting friends with his wife in the town of Yass, south of Sydney. On Monday morning he thought he would take a drive to buy a newspaper. When he didn’t return after several hours, his worried wife reached him on his mobile telephone and asked him where he was. Mr Steward managed to explain that he didn’t know, but that he could see a sign for the famous Westgate Bridge landmark in Melbourne.

Mr Steward then pulled into a service station and approached Victorian state policeman Clayton Smith to tell him that he was lost. When asked why he hadn’t stopped earlier his response was, “I just like to drive.”

Mr Steward, who has slight dementia, remained unconcerned and puzzled about all the fuss his epic journey had created. “It’s a lot of fuss isn’t it?” He stated.

When asked about getting a satellite navigation system he retorted: “Why would you want one of those? You can’t get lost. There is no fun in that.”

Well Mr Steward’s sense of fun certainly gave him an adventure his family won’t forget in a hurry!

Rolf is hoping for a Christmas Number One.

Australia’s favourite personality Rolf Harris, is to team up with Status Quo singer Rick Parfitt to release a festive Christmas single this year.

The new single, Christmas in the Sun, has already been recorded and is due to be released on the 7^th of December. Here in the UK it will be battling against the popularity of the X Factor song which has topped the charts every Christmas for the last four years.

Rolf says that the single was inspired by his childhood memories of Christmas in Western Australia, where he grew up. ”The Christmases that I remember when the temperature was like 104 degrees in the shade, and we didn’t have heavy turkey and pudding – you’d go down to the beach with a barbecue.”

Rick Parfitt is said to have created a great musical accompanying piece that obviously impressed Rolf: They came up with musical surprises and guitar rhythms that sent shivers up and down my spine. These guys have given me everything I wanted: a positive, hard-driving sound, lively and bouncing with good times, laughter and lots of fun.

Rolf will no doubt be hoping for a success to match Two Little Boys that shot to the top of the charts 40 years ago and stayed there for six weeks. And perhaps if X Factor don’t get in the way they may just manage it.

However past attempts have fallen flat, including Status Quo’s own Christmas single, It’s Christmas Time this time last year that just managed to make the top 40, coming in at 40.

However Rick and Rolf remain positive and upbeat about their chances of hitting the top spot, with Rolf asking if most people wouldn’t have had enough of X Factor by then and Rick, joking: “Forget Rock ‘n’ Roll, this is Rick ‘n’ Rolf. This is a great track that we will be playing for years to come.

And if that gets you in the mood for a little sunshine this Christmas then check out our guide to spending the festive season down under.