35 Things Everybody Knows About Australia (And 15 Only True Aussies Know)

If there's any place in the world that people have a lot of misconceptions about, it's the Commonwealth of Australia! There's a certain expectation that most people in Australia are blonde, tanned, tall, and know how to surf, survive in the wilderness, and barbecue up some shrimp. While this isn't necessarily a negative stereotype, it isn't really true either!

Aside from the stereotypes about the people, there are also plenty of stereotypes about the environment as well. Everything is reportedly a beach or a desert, which simply isn't true since there's plenty of rolling greenland and fertile farm areas across the landmass of the country.

And then, of course, there are the stereotypes of the wildlife. The spiders? Huge, aggressive, dangerous. The land animals? Huge, aggressive, dangerous. The sea animals? Huge, aggressive, dangerous. Basically, there's just this constant murmur about Australian wildlife being on a mission to reclaim the land for itself. There's definitely some truth to that, because there are definitely some creatures to be on the lookout for and steps that should be taken to make sure everyone stays safe, it's also pretty misleading since, as old and tired as this saying is, they're often more afraid of us than we are of them!

Overall, in spite of international expectations, Australia is an incredibly diverse country in every possible way. There are a lot of different animals, insects, arachnids, and plants to be found in the wilderness of this beautiful country's sprawling landscape. The country's culture and history sprawl over time and are ever-growing and changing.

In fact, there's such a variety of things I'd be willing to bet that only true Aussies know the colorful history, unique culture, and quirky facts about the country off the top of their head.

Question 1

What colors are on the flag of Australia?

Much like all countries, Australia has their very own flag that they wave proudly at national monuments and when they celebrate any important patriotic holiday. Their flag has a single-colored background with a Union Jack in the canton, which is flag terminology for the upper hoist (left) quarter. Beneath the Union Jack is a large seven-pointed star called the Commonwealth Star. The fly (another flag term for the edge that's farthest from the flagpole) features the constellation called Crux, although it's better known as the Southern Cross.

Question 2

What is this animal called?

This fuzzy marsupial is one of the most iconic creatures found in Australia, which makes sense because it's one of the country's indigenous animals! There are quite a few different species of this animal, although they are most commonly all referred to by the same name. These animals have big, strong back legs and huge feet adapted for both kicking and leaping. Their tail is long and, like the rest of their body, thick with muscle. The females of this species carry their young, known as Joeys, in a pouch on their frontside.

Question 3

What is the name of this popular spread?

Out of all the food products that have come out of Australia, this spread has proven to be one of the most controversial - or at least the most polarizing. It seems that anyone who's tried it has a strong opinion one way or the other. The country of Australia has made their opinion on this savory spread clear with a national holiday dedicated to it. Outside of Australia, it's almost impossible to get one's hands on the real thing.

Question 4

Is a Koala a type of bear?

The Koala is a small animal that is native to Australian. It is a herbivore, meaning that it only eats plants. Specifically, it likes to eat the leaves of a eucalyptus tree, and therefore, is most commonly found in eucalypt woodlands. Due to its diet of eucalyptus leaves having incredibly limited nutritional value and little to no calories, the koala spends most of its time hanging out in one place. In fact, it spends up to 20 hours of each day sleeping!

Question 5

What is this man's name?

Easily one of the most recognizable celebrities from Australia, this zookeeper and conservationist was internationally renowned for his wildlife documentary television series called The Crocodile Hunter. On this show, he went out into the wild and showed animals in their true element, educating people on how to keep themselves safe from the animals and, most importantly, how to keep animals safe from themselves. Additionally, he owned and operated the Australia Zoo, and worked as a volunteer for Queensland's East Coast Crocodile Management program, helping to capture over 100 crocodiles.

Question 6

What is the name of this television show?

This Australian soap opera, created by Alan Bateman, has been on the air for over 20 years. Its first season, executive produced by John Holmes and Julie McGauran, began in 1988, and its most recent season started in the beginning of 2018. Throughout its whopping 31 seasons, it has racked up a mind-blowing total of 6,914 episodes. It is set in the fictional seaside town of Summer Bay, located in New South Wales, and follows the lives of the town's residents.

Question 7

What is this chocolate frog's name?

This chocolate bar was originally released by the Australian confectionery company MacRobertson's in 1930 by Harry Melbourne. In the 1930s, the MacRobertson's chocolate company decided to add to their selection of children's sweets. The first idea was to produce chocolates in the shape of a cartoon mouse. However, that idea was scrapped because Harry Melbourne was convinced that women and children would dislike the product because they were afraid of mice, so they wound up creating this iconic frog instead!

Question 8

What is in the middle of this koala-shaped chocolate?

This chocolate bar has been produced since 1966 by Cadbury Australia. This sweet treat is in the shape of a cartoon koala named George. It is massively popular in Australia with over 40 million sold per year, taking second only to a popular frog-shaped chocolate bar that is produced by the same company. There have been several crossover products featuring George the Koala, such as milk and ice cream. This mass-market treat is reportedly the first of its kind, in that its modeled after a native Australian animal.

Question 9

What is the name of this triple platinum band from Sydney?

With their June 2018 album topping the ARIA charts, this band is remarkably well-known both in Australia and around the world. They're no strangers to topping the charts, either: their first two studio albums also went platinum, one being a self-titled release in 2014, and another titled, 'Sounds Good, Feels Good' in 2015. Their initial recognition came from YouTube and they built a strong foundation for themselves in Australia by putting on shows and going on tours locally. Eventually, they were discovered by the management of superstar boy band One Direction and invited to be their opening act on a world tour, which skyrocketed them to international fame.

Question 10

What part of Australia is known for being the most beautiful?

Australia is a gorgeous country that is incredibly popular among tourists for a plethora of reasons. Whether it's the indigenous wildlife that's unique to the region, or the allure of popular television shows like The Crocodile Hunter, or just the scenery and culture itself, something about Australia draws people in. There are plenty of regions that are famous for their beauty in Australia, as well as plenty that are infamous for their treachery, but one, in particular, is often recognized by travel companies and tourists alike.

Question 11

Are Drop Bears real?

A Drop Bear is a predatory and carnivorous version of the koala. They are much larger than their docile, herbivorous twin and their mouth is packed full of razor-sharp teeth. They enjoy to find a nice place in the treetops, preferably somewhere that they can soak up some sunlight, and watch for unsuspecting prey to wander by. Once their target is close enough, this vicious little critter drops out of the tree onto their head from above, which is where they get their name from!

Question 12

What country is Australia most often confused with?

Australia is its own thing, there's no denying that. They've definitely made a name for themselves around the world with their unique indigenous creatures and their interesting palates. This beautiful island country is nestled right in the Pacific Ocean in a region of Oceania known as Australasia. This refers to Australia and a small handful of other countries, including one that quite a few foreigners get confused with Australia itself. With similar accents and cultures, but a deep-rooted rivalry that's sprawled out over both of their lifespans, this country is Australia's closest neighbor.

Question 13

What band sang the hit song Down Under?

The Wikipedia category for Australian patriotic songs lists a total of 19 pages, including the country's national anthem. Among these songs is a 1980s new wave/pop rock hit titled ' Down Under'. Although it was originally released as a B-Side to the band's first single "Keypunch Operator," the version that truly excelled in the charts was the October 1981 re-release from the band's debut album Business as Usual. The song was number one in Australia in December 1981, and even managed to top the charts in New Zealand, Canada, and the USA in February 1982, October 1982, and January 1983, respectively.

Question 14

What is this called?

This snack is one of the most widely popular in the nation of Australia for children and people of all ages. It's a simple treat made by taking slices of plain white bread and spreading margarine or butter onto them. Next, take 100s and 1000s, which are those circle-shaped sprinkles that are the absolute best, and coat it liberally. After, just cut it into shapes - or eat it whole, whatever. This treat is one that can be enjoyed in plenty of different ways.

Question 15

What do Aussies call shrimp?

Despite the popular myth that Australians are constantly trying to lure someone into coming to their house for some shrimp on the barbie, that isn't actually true! Actor Paul Hogan, later known as Crocodile Dundee, said it in a series of television commercials broadcast in the USA from the Australian Tourism Commission. These ads ran from 1984 to 1990, which was just long enough for plenty of people from the USA to pick up a part of one of Hogan's quotes, "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for ya," and latch onto it. Forever.

Question 16

Does anywhere in Australia ever experience snow?

Since Australia is an island nation, it's safe to assume that it wouldn't snow there the same way that it does in the USA, Canada, and European countries. Right? Maybe! Or maybe since not all of the country is coastal and suffering from sweltering tropical heat, it's entirely possible that there's been snow in the more mountainous regions of Australia before. While it definitely wouldn't look anything like a winter in Boston or Toronto, it's not too outlandish to imagine an Australian mountain covered in snow. Is it?

Question 17

Which of these places is not real?

Australia is a place that's pretty wacky in terms of snack foods, indigenous wildlife, and even names of places. Seen to the left, there's an actual place called Useless Loop. That's the name of a town in the Shark Bay, Western Australia. It is a closed company town that is home to 70 employees of Solar Salt Operation Shark Bay and their families. Part of its name comes from French explorer Henri-Louis de Saulces de Freycinet who called the area "Havre Inutile" ("Useless Harbor") because he thought that it was blocked by a sandbar.

Question 18

What is McDonald's known as in Australia?

McDonald's is an international franchise that's remarkably popular all over the world. The menu items vary greatly depending on where in the world one hits up their local restaurant. Australia has a particularly interesting menu when it's compared to the standard fare. One of the most notable differences is the Ham & Cheese Pocket, which is basically exactly what it sounds like, but they also have Spicy Shaker Fries and Gravy Loaded Fries. They also have a special menu called the Loose Change Menu, which offers low-price deals.

Question 19

What is the capital of Australia?

Contrary to the way that others perceive the country, the capital city of the country of Australia is NOT Sydney. Despite the fact that Sydney is easily one of the most well known cities outside of the country, the capital city is a completely different city that's located 273 kilometers (or 170 miles) south west of Sydney. The capital is the largest inland city in the country of Australia. It has a population of over 350,000 and it is over 100 years old.

Question 20

What is the name of this octopus?

There's plenty of dangerous wildlife indigenous to Australia. While the Great White Shark is definitely one of the most dangerous ones in the sea, there are plenty of other threats, including this octopus. This animal is only about 20cm (8 inches) long, but size doesn't matter when it comes to danger. This tiny creature is one of the most venomous animals in the ocean! The main side effect of a single bite from this creature is paralysis, and its venom can easily inflict lasting damage (or worse) upon an adult human.

Question 21

What family of fish should be watched out for on the ocean floor?

Australia is infamous for being packed full of dangerous wildlife - and as it turns out, the marine life is pretty dangerous too! There is a family of fish (scientifically referred to as the Synanceiidae) which live in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific seas. They are known for lurking on the ocean floor and blending in perfectly with the rocks and sand around them. The members of this family of fish are dangerous because they are venomous and an encounter with them can even prove to be fatal for humans. They are among the most venomous fish known to man.

Question 22

What would an Australian call these shoes?

Shoes like this are super popular everywhere in the world, but the kind of country that's two-thirds flat desert and absolutely crawling with beaches is definitely somewhere that they're a lasting trend. These shoes are a type of sandal that are typically worn in casual settings, like the beach or to a backyard party, but they can be worn basically anywhere if the weather is right. The main part of the shoe is a flat sole, and they are held onto the foot by a Y-shaped strap that fits between the toes.

Question 23

What is this delectable desert called?

This dessert is named after a Russian Ballerina named Anna. It's a meringue inside of a crisp crust that is topped with fruit and whipped cream. There's been a lot of controversy between Australia and New Zealand over the origin of this dessert. It was created in one of the two countries to honor the Russian dancer when she was on tour in that country in the 1920s. In spite of this rivalry, both countries consider it to be an important part of their national cuisine, and serve it on holidays and during celebrations.

Question 24

Did Lord of the Rings film in Australia?

Based off of a series of novels, The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular series of movies of all time. They're sprawling, epic high fantasy adventure films based in the fantasy world of Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship as they set off on a mission to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. It is considered to be one of the most ambitious film projects of all time, with a budget of over $250 million dollars.

Question 25

What is the name of this popular snack?

Created by the Australian biscuit company Arnott's, this chocolatey treat consists of a sandwich made up of two malted biscuits filled with light chocolate cream, which is coated with a thin layer of textured chocolate. The biscuit was created in 1958 by Ian Norris who discovered the Penguin biscuit in Britain and decided that he would "make a better one". The biscuit broke into the market in 1964, and has quickly become one of the most iconic and popular biscuits in Australia. In 2008, this biscuit even made its way to the USA!

Question 26

Which of these is the symbol for Australian currency?

The Australian dollar, known as AUD, is the currency used in the Commonwealth of Australia. It is also used in external Australian territories like Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Norfolk Island, Kiribati, Nauru, Papa New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Out of all the currencies in the world, it is the fifth most traded, clocking in for roughly 7% of the world's daily share. It is issued in bright, colorful paper banknotes and coins. It is a decimalised currency which rounds up to the nearest 5 cents, eliminating the need for pennies and two-cent pieces.

Question 27

What is the primary number for emergencies?

No matter where in the world a person goes, it's always important for them to know the local phone number to call in the case of an emergency! Most emergency numbers are only 3 digits long to make them easy for the residents of the country to remember. In Australia, there is one primary emergency number, along with two secondary ones. Any calls made to these numbers are generally free of charge and can get callers in contact with a number of emergency services like ambulances, fire and rescue, and the police.

Question 28

What is the language most commonly spoken in Australia?

While there's no official language in Australia, there is one that is commonly spoken by the majority of the residents. Close to 70% of the residents there speak this language in their home. Other commonly spoken languages are two varieties of the Chinese language, Cantonese and Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Italian. When Australia was first discovered by Europe, it is believed that over 250 Indigenous Australian languages existed, which is a stark contrast to the less than 20 that are still used daily by all ages.

Question 29

Which side of the road do Australians drive on?

It's common knowledge that certain countries drive on one side of the road while others drive on the other one. For example, in Canada, the steering wheel is on the left side of the car and they drive on the right side of the road, just like the USA! The majority of Western Latin, European, Asian, and African vehicles also feature steering wheels on the left side, intended to be driven on the right. Some countries' vehicles, however, have the steering wheel on right, and are meant to be driven on the left.

Question 30

How many times have the Summer Olympic Games been hosted in Australia?

Every four years since 1896, the Summer Olympic Games have taken place. The event is hosted by a different country each time it takes place. It is a multi-sport event that takes the best athletes from all over the world and lets them compete against one another in a wide variety of different physical activities. The first Olympic games hosted a total of 42 competitive events, featuring less than 250 all-male competitors from 14 different nations. In 2016, the Olympic games featured 306 competitive events and over 11,200 competitors, both male and female, from a total of 206 nations.

Question 31

What day is Australia Day?

As its name implies, Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. It is an annually celebrated holiday that marks the anniversary of the arrival of the British ships known as the First Fleet in Port Jackson, NSW. It also marks the day that Governor Arthur Phillip raised the Great Britain flag in Sydney Cove. Nowadays, most Australians see it as a chance to celebrate the diverse society and beautiful scenery of their nation, as well as a time to come together to reflect on Australian history, and spend time with their families and communities.

Question 32

How do Australians structure their dates?

The way that dates are set up is another one of those things that changes from country to country. In Canada, for example, they are set up to put the Day before the Month and then the year, but it is also acceptable to put the Month before the Day. However, Japanese dates are set up in the structure of Year, Month, Day (Weekday), with characters inserted after each number. For example: 2018年07月18日 (水) would be Wednesday, 18 July 2018.

Question 33

Which of the following IS NOT a capital city of any state or territory in Australia?

The Commonwealth of Australia is split into a handful of different states and territories, each with their own capital. The national capital is, of course, separate from these. For example, the capital of the state of New South Wales is Sydney. Roughly 65% of the total population of New South Wales resides in Sydney, with just over 5 million out of 7.7 million calling it home. Another example is Perth, which is the capital of Western Australia, and is home to 79% of the state's residents, with 2 million out of 2.5 million living there.

Question 34

Which coast is the Great Dividing Range on?

The Great Dividing Range is the most substantial mountain range in the Commonwealth of Australia. Among the land-based mountain ranges in the world, it is the third longest. It clocks in at more than 3,500 kilometres, which is about 2,175 miles. It stretches from the tip of Queensland and runs across the entire coastline through New South Wales, and ends in Victoria. It is not made up of a single mountain range, however, and actually consists of several different ranges, plateaus, upland areas, and other similar areas, including quite a few relatively flat places.

Question 35

How many countries are larger than Australia?

The Commonwealth of Australia is a considerably large landmass located in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The country is made up of the Australian mainland continent as well as the island of Tasmania and plenty of smaller islands. In the Oceania region, it is the largest country by far. When all countries are broken down by total area, Australia is one of the largest in the world. Although it falls short of the top five, it is in the top ten.

Question 36

What is the national anthem of Australia?

Each nation has its own anthem that is considered to represent it. In the USA, the Star Spangled Banner is the national anthem. In Canada, O Canada is the national anthem. God Save the Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. A cool fact about GStQ is that it is one of the two national anthems that has been used by New Zealand since 1977. It is also the royal anthem, which is played in the presence of the monarch in the UK, NZ, and Australia, as well as a few other countries.

Question 37

Which animal did Australia lose a war against?

In the year of 1932, the Commonwealth of Australia orchestrated a nuisance wildlife management military operation. The purpose of this operation was to address the concern of the Australian citizens because there was a specific animal running amok in a district of Western Australia known as Campion. The soldiers were armed with weaponry and attempted to clear the area of the nuisance animal, which was causing complications for local wheat farmers, but unfortunately, they were unable to accomplish their mission.

Question 38

What is the name of this egg-laying mammal?

This is one of the weirdest looking creatures in the world, in my opinion. In fact, this creature is so strange that when it was first encountered by European naturalists, they believed it to be an elaborate hoax. A lesser known fact about this animal is that it is one of the few venomous mammals in the world. The features of this animal consist of the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the feet of an otter. To make it even stranger? This semi-aquatic animal is a mammal that lays eggs!

Question 39

How much of Australia is flat desert?

While there are certainly mountainous regions of Australia, as is evidenced by the Great Dividing Range, it is also true that quite a bit of the landmass is made up of flat desert. The southeast of the country is made up of fertile plain and, of course, the coastal areas are tropical and beachy. Already mentioned, but worth mentioning again, is the Great Dividing Range, which is only one of the mountainous areas in the country. Simply put, Australia is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world.

Question 40

What is the biggest city in Australia?

The Commonwealth of Australia is a pretty sizable country, with a total landmass of 7,686,850 kilometers. (That's roughly 2,967,910 square miles!) This geographically diverse country is made up of quite a few livable areas. One particular city, however, is the largest of them all by a considerable amount. The population of this city is 5,131,236 as of June 2017, which is roughly 21% of the total population of the country itself! For size comparison, the second biggest city's population is 4,850,720.

Question 41

What is the name of this reef?

This reef is the world's largest coral reef system. It is made up of over 2.9K individual reefs and 900 islands. According to Wikipedia, the total mass of this reef is incredible as it stretches for more than 2,300 kilometres or 1,400 miles over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers or 133,000 square miles! It's hard to even imagine something so massive, but this reef resides in the Coral Sea, which is located off the coast of Queensland in Australia.

Question 42

How much bigger than the human population is the sheep population?

The relationship between humans and animals in Australia is interesting, to say the least. With a lost war against a nuisance species under their belt, a world-wide reputation for having dangerous indigenous wildlife, and a feral cat problem plaguing their natural fauna, sometimes it seems like the humans in Australia are pretty much just living in the animals' world. One species of animal that's gotten a bit out of hand is the sheep. Wool was Australia's major export in the late 19th century.

Question 43

What year did Australia achieve independence from colonialism?

The Commonwealth of Australia, like many countries, was originally a landmass populated by an indigenous group of people which was discovered by the Europeans in 1606. Dutch explorers made the initial discovery, and Great Britain claimed the eastern half of the country in 1770. They settled in the colony of New South Wales in 1788. By the mid-1800's, the majority of the continent had been explored, and the number of established crown colonies had grown to a much larger number.

Question 44

What does the word Australia mean?

Most countries have names that mean something to whoever named it. For example, the USA gets its name from the Italian explorer who discovered part of the continent's coast, as well as the Carribean Sea. This explorer's name was Amerigo Vespucci. According to Wikipedia, Canada is believed to come from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement". Plenty of other countries get their names from Latin words, or from their discoverer, or from the language of its indigenous people.

Question 45

What is this wild dog called?

While this particular creature gained infamy for its unique involvement with babies, it's actually been around in the Commonwealth of Australia for a long time without causing too much of a problem. Similar to wolves in the USA and Canada, this is a species of feral dog that is native to the country of Australia. Because of hybridization with the domestic dog, this species' numbers have been declining so much that it is listed as a Vulnerable Species on the Red List by the IUCN.

Question 46

What is the name of this television show?

This dramatic fantasy series was mostly aimed at Australian youth. It premiered on Australia's Network Ten in 2006, and went on for a total of 3 seasons and 78 episodes before its end in 2010. It follows the lives of three teenage girls, Rikki Chadwick, Emma Gilbert, and Cleo Sertori, as they discover that they are actually mermaids with unique water-based powers. Two of the three main girls, Phoebe Tonkin (Cleo) and Claire Holt (Emma) are internationally known for their roles in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals on The CW.

Question 47

Which of these is not in Australia?

The Commonwealth of Australia has plenty of cities across its impressive landmass. There are a total of 8 capital cities, but it becomes a lot more difficult to break down exactly how many cities there are because the definition of the word is pretty subjective. Some consider a city to be a place with a population of over 100K, while others consider a city to be any place that has a local government that refers to itself as a city.

Question 48

How many states are in Australia?

Like many other countries, The Commonwealth of Australia is split up into a collection of states. Each state features its own capital city. There are a total of ten federal territories, but there are a lesser number of states. Each state was borne from one of the original colonies that were established in the 1800's by the British. The first colony established was the Colony of New South Wales, which was founded in 1788. Another of the states is called Western Australia, which encompasses the majority of the western half of the country's landmass.

Question 49

Who was the first female leader of Australia?

Pictured here is the first female leader of Australia. She was the Leader of the Australian Labor Party from the year 2010 to the year 2013. Prior to being elected, she was the 13th Deputy of Australia from the year 2007 to the year 2010. During her time, her cabinet positions included Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Social Inclusion.

Question 50

What is this animal called?

This carnivorous marsupial is a creature that was once native to the mainland of Australia. Now, it can only be found in the wild on one of the island states. On a tiny island known as Maria Island, a conversation project exists to offer sanctuary to disease-free animals in an effort to preserve the future of the species. This creature prefers to be solitary, but will sometimes join up with others of its kind to share meals and bathroom areas.

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