7 Big Surprises I Got When Travelling Australia

Hardly classified as being off the beaten track in terms of backpacker tourism, I was pretty sure I’d know most things about Australia before I got here. I mean English-speaking, part of the Commonwealth and similar culturally and economically to the UK, what could I have been in the dark about? Turns out quite a bit! Here are 7 big surprises I got when travelling Australia.

1. That Winter Exists Down Under

That’s right, not only do winters exist here, but they are cold too. I know, cold! This is especially true down in Victoria or South Australia where daytime temperatures can sometimes even hover below 10 degrees. Brrrr! Moral of the tale is don’t expect Australia to be the permanent sea, sun and surf image they sell you in the tourist brochures. Bring jumpers and be prepared!

2. That You Can Snowboard Here

Yes talking of snowfall did you know that you can ski or snowboard in Australia? No, neither did I! They keep that one quiet in the European tourism adverts too! Turns out the Snowy Mountains (never too mysterious in their naming of places Australians) down in New South Wales, get a decent chunk of the white stuff there every year. When they say Australia is a whole continent in its own right I guess they’re not joking.

3. That Fishing is a Big Catch

So along with snowboarding the other secret hobby Australians don’t tell us they love, is fishing. That’s right, the old rod, line and tackle number. Generally fobbed off in the UK as the sport of rather shifty old men, turns out fishing in Australia is wildly popular and strangest of all, sort of cool. I say this, because even the kids are getting in on it down under and not in an ironic way either. Spend your weekend dangling a bit of string in some water? Sure I’d love to. I blame the fact that almost always large amounts of beer is involved. This also applies to lawn bowls, which is another decidedly older sport loved by the hip and trendy young things of Australia. Weird!

4. That Everyone Has a Tattoo

So in stark contrast to the conservative and rather drab, dusty image of fishing and lawn bowls, you might be surprised to learn that the tattoo gets a huge look in here in Australia. Yes, that’s right, this symbol of rebellious youth and artistic anarchy is loved by almost everyone. Find me someone in Australia without a tattoo and I’ll give you a dollar. Or how about a chinese symbol that I think says “Hope”, but probably says “Chicken” instead.

5. That Hipster is Massive

Yes, it used to be jungle, but now it’s hipster. In keeping with the tattoo theme, let me tell you that the hipster is at large and loose in Australia. Spot them looking like wizards with beards and funny hats at craft beer or vintage coffee shops. Especially common in Melbourne.

6. That I Didn’t Know How to Make Coffee

Despite having been a barista for over 2 years, turns out that I didn’t know how to make coffee when I got to Australia. (Those hipsters have got something to answer for!) Coffee is like another language here, it’s all flat whites and double ristrettos, so be prepared if you’re planning on ordering anything beyond a tea when you visit a café. Also schooners – they’re smaller than pints, but larger than halves if you’re planning on drinking something stronger than coffee.

7. That Magpies Can Be Highly Dangerous Animals

From unfamiliar fish to strange birds, let me tell nothing is quite what it seems in Australia. You are probably are aware that the spiders can be pretty nasty here and you’re definitely aware that sharks and snakes can, but let me warn you that dangerous predators in the land Down Under are not confined to the reptile or insect worlds. No my friends, one of the most violent animals in the whole of this country is the neighbourhood magpie. Despite appearances suggesting these black and white birds are exactly like their harmless European counterparts, come springtime (when they are protecting the nests of their young) these common flyers become vicious attackers. Often cracking people’s skulls open with their beaks or occasionally taking peoples’ eyes out with their swooping pecks, these dangerous birds are certainly worth watching out for.

So those are 7 big surprises I got when travelling Australia. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!