Its new presence comes in the form of ‘The Pond' which features islands with Australian themes and recreations of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, the Outback and Uluru.

The company says at The Pond, avatars (the 3D virtual characters that people create to represent themselves in Second Life), can go car racing, scuba diving and ice skating as well as go shopping together at The Dome Shopping Mall, or go dancing at the Illusion Club.

BigPond Group Managing Director, Justin Milne said: "The Pond will showcase our range of online entertainment in a unique way that will encourage users to become involved.
 
"BigPond Members can join VIP clubs where they'll gain access to special in-world events and enjoy special benefits.

"If they find something they like, they'll be able to click through to the BigPond website to purchase, or they can visit the in-world BigPond shop.

"Second Life is a very compelling package offering entertainment, creative collaboration and business possibilities.

"There's so much going on in Second Life, both at The Pond and in the wider virtual world - it's entertainment, a way of interacting socially, even a medium for corporations to set up meetings. Excitingly the direction it takes will be determined by the public," Milne said.

See: www.bigpond.com