Question

How was Australia different than continents where coal formed?

Answer 1

I was just trying to read up on this answer, and got directed to a site that attempted to explain coal formation on the basis of a young Earth....for God's sake!

Explanation:

Anyway, I think the premise of your question is wrong. There are abundant coal reserves in Oz. And in fact the Newcastle, Wollongong, Katoomba triangle on the east coast, which includes metropolitan Sydney, lies over a prodigiously rich coal bed. Of course, the real estate that lies above it is a bit too valuable to a build a coal mine there..