Australian Culture – 11 Cultural Facts in Australia You Should Know

Believe it or not, the stereotype of Australian culture promoted by cheesy 1980s Hollywood blockbusters and old Foster’s commercials is untrue. Check out these cultural traits to get a taste of the real Australia.

Table of Contents

Australians are irreverent

Want to learn more about Australian humor? Bob Hawke, a former prime minister, started off with this joke. Australia is a country where it’s acceptable to greet your boss with “G’day, mate,” where profanity is used as liberally at the dinner table as salt and pepper, where we make fun of our politicians and are equally quick to make fun of ourselves. No, Australians aren’t particularly good at the whole “solemn reverence” thing.

Are Australians perceived as egalitarian?

The notion of the “fair go,” or the idea that everyone should be given an equal opportunity, is one idea that Australians do hold in high regard. This idea is demonstrated by the fact that everyone supports publicly funded healthcare and education systems. Australians take pride in their ingrained egalitarianism, having rejected the ostentatious class structure of their historical motherland, Britain.

Australian “tall poppy syndrome”

The drawback of that irreverent, egalitarian philosophy is a malady known as “tall poppy syndrome,” in which individuals are mocked for their alleged wealth, success, or status. This contempt for a tall poppy, who is invariably made smaller the moment they get too big for their boots, results from Australians’ love of an underdog.

Is Australia diverse?

Australia is made up of many different cultures as a result of waves of immigration that occurred after European colonization in the late 18th century, so the nation does not have a single unified national culture. Early British and Irish settlers, immigrants from Europe after World War II, and recently expanding Asian and African communities have joined the hundreds of Indigenous groups. In actuality, one-fourth of Australians were born abroad, and another one-fourth had at least one parent who did as well.

Australia is home to the oldest surviving civilisation on Earth

Australia’s First Peoples, who represent the oldest continuously existing culture anywhere in the world, are one of the most important elements of this multicultural environment. There are currently 650,000 Indigenous people in Australia, or roughly 2.8% of the entire population, and archeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lived on the continent for 60,000 years.

Do Australians eat kangaroo?

Due to the country’s thriving multiculturalism, lamb roast is just as common in Australia as fettuccine, pho, or falafel. However, there is one peculiar aspect of Australian cuisine: kangaroo frequently appears on the menu. Australia’s national symbol is a common meal, such as steak or sausages (known as “kanga bangers”), as there are 50 million roos roaming the country, which is twice as populous as humans.

Australians enjoy drinking.

Australia ranks 19th overall and third outside of Europe on the World Health Organization’s list of the world’s thirstiest countries, consuming 12.2L of alcohol per person annually. And it’s no wonder we love a drink with so many wonderful wineries dotted throughout the countryside and a thriving brewery scene emerging in our cities. Cheers!

Are Australians too obsessed with sports?

Australians may not take themselves too seriously, but when it comes to sports, the opposite is true. Australia is a sports enthusiast’s paradise, offering everything from major international competitions like the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne to local leagues like the AFL and the NRL, as well as the cherished summer cricket season, and all the water sports that miles of golden coastline afford.

Australians are beach bums and city slickers.

Despite the common misconception that Crocodile Dundee roams the Outback, Australia is one of the world’s most urbanized countries. A total of 25 million people, including 10 million in the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, reside within 50 kilometers of the coast. Maybe it’s impossible to resist the allure of Australia’s 10,685 sparkling beaches.

Australians are tolerant

Australia has consistently ranked as one of the most tolerant countries in the world, and last year’s postal survey on the topic of marriage equality put that claim to the test. A resounding (and long overdue) victory for a nation so proud of its progressive values was achieved by 62% of Australians who voted yes to legalizing same-sex marriage despite months of repugnant public debate.

Australian Culture - 11 Cultural Facts in Australia You Should Know — Couple at Mardi Gras Festival | © Courtesy of Ann-Marie Calilhanna/Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Why is Australia called “the lucky country”?

Australia is fortunate to be one of the wealthiest countries on earth, according to the UN Human Development Report and the Economist Intelligence Unit’s quality-of-life index. Since the term was first used to describe Australia fifty years ago, it has frequently been referred to as “The Lucky Country,” and it is a fitting nickname for a country with such a desirable climate, a dependable political system, and an abundance of natural resources.

Topic: Australian Culture – 11 Cultural Facts in Australia You Should Know

Join the “I Left My Heart in Australia” in Our Community on Facebook. A place where members can be honest with each other, share their stories and travel photos, and try out a new way to see Australia together.