Top Weird Facts about Australia

Australia is one of the best countries that people go to for a better chance of living, and that is because of the average living costs and affordable lifestyle that the city offers! In addition, Australia offers a great healthcare system! Australia is also very safe, with very low crime rates, which is one more reason why people love this city!

Of course, you have to consider many things before moving to Australia, including whether you’re going to fit in and adapt to the country’s traditions and facts or not. The problem is that sometimes people don’t conduct enough research before they move, so if you’re planning to move, make sure to do your research!

All countries have their own facts that others are not really familiar with, and sometimes these traditions can be really different from what you’re normally used to, and that’s okay! Having different traditions and facts in each country is what makes them unique. Australia is one of these countries with facts you won’t expect, and that is what makes the country special! 

For example, Australia is the only continent without an active volcano! Also, the oldest evidence of life on Earth was found in Australia. So, we’ve gathered a list of the weird facts about Australia we’re sure you’ve never heard of; let’s take a look!

Weird Things about Australia

Before knowing these weird facts and things about Australia, it’s important to understand that each country takes great pride in their traditions and facts, which means that even if they might not make sense in other countries, they still do to their owners! So, let us show you some Australian facts and things you didn’t know! 

Kangaroos in Australia 

There are over 60 different types of kangaroos in Australia. A baby kangaroo is only about two centimetres long when born! Its meat is considered the best, and a lot of people consider it a healthier alternative to beef or lamb. Australians actually eat their national animal! 

The Australian Alps and the Swiss Alps

A lot of people visit Australia for its beaches and amazing sun. The Australian Alps are a great destination for skiing enthusiasts! Since snow usually falls between June and September, Australia is the perfect place to go skiing during the Northern Hemisphere summer. 

One of the weirdest things about Australia is the snow. It’s said that the Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps; that’s why a lot of people end up visiting the Australian Alps; not only do they get to enjoy the weather, but they also enjoy the snow that comes with it. 

Australia Has the Cleanest Air in the World

Australia, especially the island of Tasmania, has the cleanest air in the entire world. If you love walking, this will be the perfect place for you! You’ll also walk and get to see wonderful views, including Wineglass Bay and the Bay of Fires. 

If you don’t like walking, there are other activities you can do, including kayaking, mountain biking, and exploring the island's caves. You’ll also see a lot of animals, including the Eastern Quoll, which is now considered extinct on the mainland. They are commonly sighted in the farmland of Tasmania.

2.5 km of Uluru is Underground

Located in the red centre of Australia, Uluru is surrounded by scrubland and is sacred to various Aboriginal tribes in the area. One of the weird facts about Australia’s Uluru is that it is listed twice as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is listed on both the cultural and natural lists. Also, about 2.5 km of the rocks are thought to be underground and are connected to the Olgas, in which the rocks emerge again. 

The Nullarbor Links

Australia has one of the weirdest things; it has the world’s longest golf course, which stretches more than 850 miles long! It starts from the Eyre Highway along the southern coast of Australia in two states, South Australia and Western Australia, and crosses the Nullarbor Plain at the head of the Great Australian Bight! 

Only Country in the World to have Aircraft Land in its CBD

Perth is the only city in the world where aircraft can land in its CBD (Central Business District)! It is ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities and is an ideal destination for international students. Langley Park, an open space in the central business district of Perth, makes Perth a place where fixed-wing aircraft can land safely. 

Australia's First Police Force Was Made Up Of Convicts

It’s a very weird fact about Australia, we know! Australia had no formal police force when it was first colonised. Since they needed a police force, especially after an economic crisis hit the country, the government created a programme for safety. This, however, did not work well, which led to John Smith becoming the first recorded police officer in Australia! 

The Inspiration of the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. It is located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour and is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings! Its design was inspired by oranges. Architect Eero Saarinen, over breakfast one morning years earlier, used an orange to explain the shape of the shells of the Sydney Opera House to others. Brisbane hosts the world championships of cockroach racing every year! 

Australia’s Dingo Fence

Another weird fact about Australia is that Australia’s Dingo Fence, which is 5600 kilometres long, is longer than the Great Wall of China and Fraser Island! This island, which is the largest sand island, is also found in Australia. Also, Western Australia houses a number of pink lakes, like Lake Hillier, that any international student in Australia must pay a visit to.

Camels in Australia 

Contrary to popular belief, Australia houses a larger population of camels than Egypt and actually exports them to Saudi Arabia! This is by far one of the weirdest facts about Australia, as we didn’t really expect it at all!

Cabbies’ Chitchatting

Another one of the weird things about Australia is that when you get into a cab, it is a given that you will start a quick chitchat with the driver. If you got off without knowing what he used to do before being a cab driver, you failed it!  It is one of the good Australian habits that people love doing every day!

Drivers in Australia are also super-friendly, and they understand that one of the cultural norms in Australia is to chat with passengers about anything they like! This fact is one of the most popular ones, as it shows how friendly and talkative Australians are!

Thong-Throwing

Very weird, right? In Australia, they call their national footwear a thong, and on the 26th of January, there is an Australian tradition that takes place; it’s called the “Thong Throwing Competition”. It basically means that you kick off your thongs (flip-flops), stand behind a line, and throw the thong as far as you can. The winner is the one who throws it as far as possible! This is also another weird thing about Australia that you probably won’t find anywhere else!

It’s important to know all of these weird facts about Australia if you’re planning on travelling to Australia in order to prepare yourself and not look too lost! Each country has its own traditions and facts, and it’s always preferred to educate yourself to avoid any confusion, and you also don’t want to look disrespectful! We hope you found this helpful! 

For more weird things, read our 11 Things Foreigners in Australia Find Weird blog article.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the weirdest facts about Australia?

There are a lot of weird facts about Australia, including:

• The Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps

• 90% of Australians live on the coast

• Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world

2. What are some cultural taboos in Australia?

• Do not forget to tip if you had a good time; it is important because it is considered respectful

• Do not touch a Koala Bear, even if it’s to play

• Do not litter or smoke in public places because it’s not preferred

• Do not climb Uluru (Ayres Rock) 

3. What is a fun fact about Australia?

Australia is home to 1,500 types of spiders and 4,000 types of ants. Also, the Australian mammals, Platypus and Echidnas, are the only two mammals in the world that lay eggs to give birth! It’s also not really known that swimming on public beaches was illegal for more than 60 years in Australia!

4. What's unique about Australia?

Australia is really famous worldwide for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, "The Bush", and "The Outback". Australia is one of the world's most highly urbanised countries; it's well known for its attractive mega cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth! All of this together makes Australia really unique and attractive.