We wants to show you some interesting facts about life in Australia, and the bonus picture will definitely surprise you. Let’s take a short trip Down Under!
1. Roos in the front yard
It is not unusual for an Aussie to enjoy the company of wallabies or kangaroos. There is plenty of land and sunshine for everybody.
On the other hand, every Australian is aware that kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas have huge claws, so it’s a good idea to keep some distance from them. Just in case.
2. Driving in summer
You know that you are in Australia if you cannot touch the steering wheel without oven gloves. What can we say? It’s hot.
3. Voting
Voting in Australia is compulsory. If you don’t vote, you get a fine.
4. Nature
It may look pretty and peaceful, but keep in mind that thousands of different creatures here will try to kill or at least harm you. Sharks, snakes, crocodiles, even a jellyfish — they all want to get you. OMG, how do people survive over there?!
However, most of these creatures are very rare, live in isolated areas, and usually run away from you way before you even spot them. But every Australian knows to keep an eye out for snakes, spiders, and a few other nasty things.
5. Monotremes
The monotremes are the mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live cubs, and Australia is home to these incredible animals. It seems that somebody with a great sense of humor decided to borrow different pieces from many animals and combine them all together.
That’s how Australia got the platypus: the beak of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the feet of an otter.
Another one is the echidna, which has spines like a hedgehog, a pouch like a kangaroo, and a beak like a bird.
6. Marsupials
Marsupials carry their youngsters in a pouch. The newborns crawl to the safety of mama’s pocket and stay there for a while. Well-known marsupials are kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums, opossums, wombats, and Tasmanian devils.
7. Sugar gliders
This cute little animal lives in Australia, New Guinea, and a few Indonesian islands. They look like a small squirrel, and they can glide.
8. The laughing kookaburra
What can be more “inspiring” than waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning from this Homeric laughing coming from a little bird enjoying itself on YOUR balcony? Maybe 2 birds?! If you need a good giggle, listen to them.
The kookaburra is a native of Australia and New Guinea and is known for its unique look and sound.
9. Christmas
While most of the world celebrates Christmas in winter and some people even have the opportunity to enjoy a white Christmas, Australians have it in the middle of summer. They often spend it on the beach or near a pool.
10. Road signs
Aussies love their wildlife. While the rest of the world slows down for pedestrians, Australian drivers change their speed for kangaroos and koalas. Just kidding! They slow down for pedestrians as well.
11. Vegemite
Can somebody explain to us how and why this black substance, which looks like heavy residual oil, became the national delicacy? It has a very unique smell and taste, and you either love it or hate it.
12. Cassowaries
These birds live only in Australia and New Guinea, and they look like somebody combined a turkey and an ostrich. They are very pretty and colorful, but don’t be disrespectful to these fascinating birds as they can absolutely kill you.
13. Magpies and cyclists
Every cyclist in Australia knows how nasty these birds can be in springtime. They will chase and attack with no mercy. This is why cyclists wear these funny helmets with spikes that look like hedgehogs.
14. Wi-Fi
This is the painful part. Wi-Fi in Australia is not just slow — it’s deadly slow.
15. Strict quarantine rules
Australia is extremely strict about what you are allowed to bring in from overseas. It also applies to pets, and Johnny Depp learned this the hard way a little while ago. Most of the time, pets have to stay under quarantine for a long time before being allowed to get to Australia. We don’t mean days; we mean MONTHS. The reason for this is that some common animal diseases have never been reported in Australia.
16. Free fruit for kids
A few years ago, one of the biggest supermarket chains started a campaign of “free fruit for kids.” The basket gets filled with pears, apples, and bananas, and kids can take a piece of fruit to enjoy while their parents get the groceries. Lots of people questioned the hygiene, but it is probably up to the parents how to deal with it. We think it’s a great idea.
17. Street fights
Street fights in Australia look like this. If you happen to get somewhere near it, do not get involved. In fact, stay as far from these guys as possible, and let them decide who the biggest boy in the state is. And keep your dogs away too.
18. Gigantic lace goanna
When we say “lizard,” we normally think about a tiny cutie. But not if you are in Australia. This thing can grow up to 6 feet. Another interesting fact is that the lace goanna can climb trees. Just imagine: a 6-feet-tall reptile climbing the tree in your backyard or, even better, the wall of your house.
19. Pygmy possum
Let’s be fair — not every animal in Australia is dangerous, scary, venomous, or trying to kill you. This adorable pygmy possum will melt your heart, just like it did to ours.
20. Quokka
Another cute native animal is the quokka. They live in very isolated areas of Western Australia and are not very easy to meet. They are about the size of a cat, and it seems that they love taking selfies and are always smiling.
21. Australian firefighters
In 1993, The Australian Firefighters Calendar Campaign started its journey, and it has raised more than $2.3 million since. Shirtless Aussie firefighters pose with puppies, kittens, and koalas, and they are hot indeed.
Yes, they are real firefighters, not models.
No, you cannot make false calls about fires. You just have to buy the calendar.
22. AFL
AFL is the Australian Football League, and you might guess that it is a very Australian sport. The rules are quite different from Rugby League. And the shorts are quite shorter...
23. Danger scale
You know that you are in Australia when the second lowest grade on the fire danger scale is HIGH.
24. Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is famous not only for its unique look but also for its terrible acoustics. It seems that the architect of the Opera House didn’t really plan that it might be used for operas.
Bonus: Hail
Hailstorms in Australia are relatively common. The good thing is that they only last for a few minutes. The bad thing is that they can do lots of damage. Everybody in Australia knows that if it looks like it might start hailing, stay inside, and get your pets under cover.
Apparently, if you are driving, the safest thing to do is get on the floor in front of the back seat and then recline the back of the front seat down on top of you so the cushion protects you from the glass if the windscreen gets smashed. Of course, you should stop first. But if your car is a convertible or has a sun-roof, you might be in trouble.
