Introduction
Australia is a beautiful country. It’s full of unique flora and fauna, it’s got great weather (most of the time), and there are so many places to see! Yes, with all that said, there are some things you should know before moving here. Here are the things no one tells you about living in Australia:
There’s a lot of space in Australia.
- Australia is a big country.
In fact, it’s the sixth largest country in the world and has an area of 7,682,300 square kilometers. That means there are lots of different environments to explore–from deserts and rainforests to beaches and cities. While most Australians live in urban areas (about 80{a6d4e250f4dbd7c38290d51a301669b0b15c2bd58d8474132f85a8137f152abc}), there are still plenty of opportunities for adventure outside the city limits!
Coffeeshops are everywhere.
You may have heard of coffeeshops in Amsterdam and other European cities, but you might not know that they’re also a thing in Australia.
They’re called “cafes” here, but they have the same vibe: lots of people hanging out and working on laptops. They’re great places to meet new people, so if you need help with something or just want someone else’s perspective on something–go find yourself a cafe!
The weather can change after an hour.
The weather can change after an hour. The temperature can go from hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk to freezing cold, and then back again within minutes. It’s not unusual for a day that starts out sunny and clear to turn into a torrential downpour within hours, or vice versa.
Sometimes it rains all year round (and often), sometimes it never rains at all (and you’ll want to move back home). In summertime there are frequent thunderstorms and tornadoes; in wintertime there are cyclones (hurricanes) with their accompanying floods and hail storms that come without warning–or any warning at all!
It’s expensive to get around by plane.
You might think that because Australia is a big country, it would be cheaper to travel between cities than in your home country. But if you’re not careful and book too early or too late, this may not be true.
For example, if I want to fly from Brisbane to Melbourne (a distance of about 1,000 miles), the cheapest ticket costs $125 USD one way on Expedia right now! That’s over $200 AUD! And this doesn’t include taxes and fees–which are higher than those charged by airlines at U.S. airports because they’re government-run monopolies with no competition (and therefore no incentive). If I wait until next week before buying my ticket online, however… Well then my flight might cost only $70 USD one way instead! Or maybe even less if there’s another special offer available somewhere else online…
The country is mostly desert.
As you can probably guess, Australia is a very dry country. It’s the driest continent on Earth, with only about 2{a6d4e250f4dbd7c38290d51a301669b0b15c2bd58d8474132f85a8137f152abc} of its landmass covered by rainforest. The rest is desert–about two-thirds of it!
The largest desert in Australia is called “outback,” and it covers about 70{a6d4e250f4dbd7c38290d51a301669b0b15c2bd58d8474132f85a8137f152abc} of the country. The outback gets less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain per year–so if you want to visit this region during your stay Down Under, make sure you pack lots of sunscreen!
Vegemite is the national food.
Vegemite is a salty, yeasty spread that’s rich in B vitamins and protein. It can be added to toast or used as a condiment for savory foods.
For many Aussies, Vegemite is an acquired taste–the smell alone can be off-putting to some (and even repulsive to others). But if you’re willing to give it a shot, it’s worth learning how versatile this unique food can be!
Australians love their sports and have weird names for them, like AFL (Australian Football League).
The AFL is a game similar to American football, but with a few differences. It’s played on an oval-shaped field by two teams of 18 players each. Each team tries to kick the ball through posts at either end of the field (similar to soccer), which scores six points for them. The player who kicks it gets one point for himself or herself as well as another point for their team if he or she kicks from inside his/her own 40-meter arc (which sounds cool until you realize it’s just another way of saying “end zone”).
The ball can also be thrown between players; you’ll know this has happened when someone yells something like “handball!” If a player catches his opponent in possession of this passable object and knocks him down before he releases it again then both teams get penalized with free kicks against them later on during play–but only if they touch each other without trying hard enough!
Dingo or wild dog attacks are a thing.
Dingo or wild dog attacks are a thing.
Dingoes are not dangerous, but they will bite if provoked. They’re usually found in the outback, not cities or suburbs–and they don’t pose any threat to humans (unless you’re carrying food). But if you see one while hiking or camping, it’s best to keep your distance and make yourself look big by waving your arms around and yelling at them from afar. If that doesn’t work, run away!
Kangaroos and koalas are everywhere! Also, kangaroos kill more people than sharks every year. (They literally will jump you at night.) But they’re adorable so it’s okay? Just don’t go near one! And yes, they’re everywhere too…
Kangaroos are everywhere!
They’ll jump out of the bushes at night and attack you.
This is how Australians get their exercise, by running from angry kangaroos that want to kill them. It’s fun! But don’t worry–if you’re attacked by a kangaroo, just stay calm and don’t kick it in its face because that will make it madder than ever before (and possibly jump on top of your head).
Conclusion
Australia is a beautiful country with lots of amazing things to see. The people are friendly and the cities are clean. If you’re looking for an adventure and want to see the world, then Australia is the place for you!
