You might have heard it referred to as ‘The Land Down Under’, a mysterious place at the bottom of the southern hemisphere, with strange animals, natural wonders and cities next to beaches…and all of this is true! But there’s much more to Australia than that.
Home to over 26 million people, the country has many diverse experiences on offer across its vast continent. Whether you love interesting animals, sports, enjoying the great outdoors or exploring modern metropolitan cities, Australia has all of that and more.
Read on to find out 30 fun facts about Australia that we bet you didn’t know before.
1. Despite being arguably the most famous Australian city, Sydney is not the capital. Australia’s capital city is Canberra, which is located on the east coast. Canberra was created specifically to be Australia’s capital city and the location between Sydney and Melbourne was chosen to resolve the two cities’ dispute over which one would be chosen to be the capital.
2. 90% of Australia’s population lives on or near the coast. Most of the centre of the country is a hot, dry desert, making it very difficult to live there.
3. Although there are over 26 million people living in Australia, the country has one of the lowest population densities in the world. With such a large land mass and most people living in cities along the coast, there is plenty of uninhabited space.
4. Almost all Koalas have Chlamydia, but don’t worry, it’s impossible to contract the disease from holding or touching a Koala. It’s safe to take your photos with the cute Koalas which you can find at any zoo or wildlife sanctuary.
5. Many people think of Australia as a young country, but Australia’s aboriginal people have lived on the continent for more than 30,000 years.
6. Kangaroos can be very dangerous. Certain species of Kangaroo are over six feet tall, and they can lean back on their tail to deliver a deadly kick with their legs. We don’t recommend petting any kangaroo outside of a zoo!
7. The kangaroo is one of Australia’s national animals,but Australians also eat kangaroo meat! Kangaroo steaks or burgers are a popular barbecue food in the summertime.
8. Most Australians wake up early. In Australia it’s popular to work out, go surfing or go on a walk to get coffee before going to work. This means many people wake up at 5:30 A.M. or even earlier!
9. The King of England is also the King of Australia. Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and recognises the King of England as its sovereign figurehead, but neither the monarch nor the British government has any political control over Australia.
10. The Commonwealth of Australia (the country’s official name) is made up of six states and two territories. Each state and territory has its own government and can make laws for its people. The federal government includes representatives from each state and territory and governs the entire country.
11. The country is home to some of the most dangerous creatures on earth, such as many deadly species of spiders and snakes.
12. Australians drive on the left side of the road and the driver’s seat is on the right-hand side of the car. This is similar to most former British colonies.
13. Australia has snow and ski resorts. When you think of Australia, you probably picture warm, sunny weather, beaches, and surf culture. But did you know that you can ski in Australia too? There are two ski resorts just outside of Canberra where you can enjoy a short ski season from December until April.
14. Uluru is taller than the Eiffel Tower. The famous rock formation which is located in the centre of Australia is 348 metres tall and over 550 million years old. That’s more than 30 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris!
15. Most Australian students attend university in their home city, but they usually move into shared accommodation with other university students. Sharehousing (sharing an apartment or house with other students) is a quintessential part of the university experience in Australia. It’s a great way to make close, life-long friendships with the people that you study with and make the most of your Australian university experience.
16. As a very sporty country, Australians love to play sport, watch sport and cheer on our local and national teams whenever they can. Most of the country watches the Olympics with rapt attention and the country sends hundreds of athletes to compete on its Olympic team every four years. The 2032 Olympics are scheduled to be held in Brisbane, a great time to experience Australia’s sport-loving atmosphere.
17. Australia has several islands off its coasts. Its largest island, Tasmania, has the cleanest air in the world and is often called a ‘mini New Zealand’ because of its similarly rugged landscapes.
18. New Zealand is not part of Australia, although the two countries have been friends and allies for many years. Australians and New Zealanders can move freely between both countries and can easily choose to live in either country.
19. Australians and New Zealanders both think that they invented the pavlova, a delicious dessert made of meringue and usually served with cream and fruit. Regardless of who thought of it first, pavlova is certainly worth a try if you love desserts.
20. Wi-fi was invented by an Australian, allowing people all over the world to communicate and connect from afar. Can you imagine our modern lives without this invention?
21. Melbourne hosts the first Formula One race of the season each year at Albert Park Circuit. The rest of the year, the park can be used for recreational activities such as boating, sports and picnicking.
22. You’ve probably heard that the Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Australia, is the largest coral reef in the world. But did you know that the Great Barrier Reef is so large that it can be seen from space?
23. Multicultural food options are everywhere in Australian cities. Australians love to eat a variety of different cuisines, especially Thai, Indian, and Italian food. In every city you can find excellent options of almost any cuisine.
24. The Australian outback, the desert in the centre of the country, is bigger than the entire U.S.A.
25. There is a town in South Australia that is famous because all of the residents live underground in caves. The inhabitants of Coober Pedy are opal miners who spend their lives working and living in subterranean tunnels. It has now become a tourist destination for those who are interested in the unique underground lifestyle.
26. 90% of the world’s opals are mined in Australia.
27. Whitehaven Beach on K’gari Island (Fraser Island) has been crowned ‘The Best Beach on Earth’. Its crystal clear waters and pure white sand make it one of the most picturesque places in the world to relax and swim.
28. The coin with the lowest value in Australia is the 5 cent piece. When paying in cash, people round up or down to the nearest 5 cents as there is no smaller currency.
29. In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer. Many people spend Christmas Day at the beach, playing sports outside, swimming in the pool, and barbecuing.
30. Australia is home to 43 universities offering various degrees and study pathways. Whatever you want to study, Australia has a university for you.
We hope you enjoyed these 30 fun facts about Australia, but this is just scratching the surface of the diverse experiences to be had in the Land Down Under.
Discover Australia for yourself
Explore your study-abroad options in Australia and find out for yourself what Australia has to offer. Browse universities and programs in Australia or apply to their top international universities. You can even book a call with our student advisors to guide you through the process.