Voyagner

Welcome to all first-time travellers in Australia – or “G’day, mate” as you’re likely expecting. Many visitors from overseas are surprised to learn that kangaroos aren’t hopping down the street and we don’t ride them to work every day!

However, Australia is one of the most unique continents you’ll ever visit with one of a kind wildlife and some pretty amazing people. But before you get out there and explore everything this unique landscape has to offer, we answer some of those pressing questions you have about everything “Aussie”:

1. Does the water really spin the other way when you flush the loo?

For many first time visitors, one of the initial things they’ll do once they check into their cheap accommodation in Sydney is head to the bathroom to flush the toilet. However, most travellers will probably be a little disappointed to learn that while in theory, the Coriolis effect does impact the way water drains, it’s not an effect that will be readily observed in a toilet bowl. The shape of the bowl and the rotation of the water will generally dictate the direction of flow.

2. How does Santa Claus travel without any snow?

Because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in the summer months, so an Australian Christmas is all about seafood barbeques and games of cricket on the lawn. If you’re heading to Australia over the holidays, this is your opportunity to join the throngs of visitors that take to the beach to spend their holidays. As for the Big Guy in the Red Suit, it’s understood he trades the suit in for board shorts and gives the reindeer a well deserved break by enlisting some help from the local kangaroos.

3. Is it really true that of the 10 deadliest snakes in the world, 11 live in Australia?

Australia is definitely known for its venomous wildlife, with snakes, spiders, sharks and jellyfish being just some of the deadly animals to watch out for. There’s a lot of debate as to what constitutes a deadly snake, with most of the experts gauging an animal’s deadliness by the potency of their venom. Steve Irwin named his list back in 1998 and his list consisted solely of Australian reptiles. Meanwhile, other lists will include perhaps 9 out of 10 Australian representatives.

So pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime. Australia offers some amazing sites and cheap accommodation – Melbourne shopping, the Sydney Opera House, Uluru and the Great Outback are waiting for you!

What questions do you have about Australia?