Etc.
from the March 27, 2008 edition
Besides, I'm having fun with it
Let's see, there's the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, and Uluru (the giant monolith also known as Ayers Rock). Until now, this is basically where the list of the most famous tourist attractions in Australia would end. But Ross Smith is out to change that. In time for the Dec. 21 summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, he hopes to open Stonehenge to visitors.
Now wait a minute, you say; isn't Stonehenge in England? Well, yes – the original. But only a select few visitors are given access because of severe erosion. So Smith, the former owner of a microbrewery, is investing $1.26 million of his own money to recreate the prehistoric monument on his property near the town of Margaret River in Western Australia.
Already, workers at a quarry have spent five months shaping the 2,500 tons of stones that will form the replica, which Smith wishes to be known as "the Henge." Unlike the one in England, this one he expects to be available for weddings and other occasions. Plans also call for an interpretive center and a play area for small children who don't want to tag along as Mom and Dad explore the 4.9-acre site. It will be a "business venture," and thus there will be an admission fee. Our guy projects it will attract up to 300,000 people a year. Why is he doing this? "Because I can," he says.
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