20 fun facts about Australia you probably didn’t know

Australia is home to the world’s oldest culture, the strangest wildlife, and more beaches than you could visit in a lifetime. It’s a place where pink lakes are real, kangaroos can’t walk backwards, and the local coffee obsession borders on religion. Our curated fun facts about Australia will make you see the Land Down Under in a whole new light.

1. Australia is bigger, wilder, and more diverse than most people imagine

It’s easy to forget just how huge Australia really is, it’s about the size of the United States, but with only a fraction of the population. That means endless open roads, ancient landscapes, and room to breathe like nowhere else on earth. From the coral shimmer of the Great Barrier Reef to the snow-tipped peaks of New South Wales, every corner feels like a different world. You can watch the sunrise over desert plains, then be swimming in turquoise water by sunset – proof that Australia is home to every kind of adventure you can dream up. FYI, we dreamed up every kind of Aussie Adventure there is. Check out our Australia tours here!

2. The Great Barrier Reef’s oldest locals are 100-year-old turtles

The Great Barrier Reef has its own resident turtles and some of them are over a century old! Beneath the turquoise surface, generations of green sea turtles return to the same sandy beaches year after year to lay their eggs, guided by instincts older than human memory. The UNESCO world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish and hundreds of coral types, but it’s the turtles that steal the show… graceful, ancient, and unbothered by the cameras. Say hello to more Aussie critters: animals in Australia.

3. The sand island that’s bigger than some countries

Fraser Island (known by its traditional name, K’gari) is the largest sand island in the world, a 120-kilometre stretch of dunes so vast they have their own rainforests growing from them. Crystal-clear lakes dot the landscape, fringed by scribbly gums and satinay trees that rise straight from the sand. And then there are the locals: wild dingoes who rule the beaches like celebrities, posing for more photos than most influencers. Want to see it for yourself? It’s included in our Ultimate Australia trip!

4. Australia has 10,000 beaches (and one for every mood)

Australia’s got 10,000 beaches and one for every vibe. If you hit a new one each day, you’d be busy for 27 years straight. Secure your spot on one of our trips to Australia and see the best beaches in Australia.

5. Some of the world’s deadliest snakes call it home – but you probably won’t see one

Australia has more than a hundred species of venomous snakes, but you’d have to go looking for trouble to meet one. Unless you’re wandering barefoot through the Outback or poking around in the wrong patch of scrub, you’re unlikely to cross paths with the eastern brown, the inland taipan, or their vividly patterned cousins slithering through coral shallows. They tend to keep to themselves, far more interested in escaping the heat than scaring tourists. Seeing wildlife still remains one of the best things to do in Australia though!

6. Tasmania’s air is cleaner than your skincare routine

Tasmania holds a world record you can actually feel… it has the cleanest air on Earth! Down at Cape Grim, scientists measure air so pure it’s used as a global benchmark for atmospheric quality. The secret? Icy winds that sweep straight up from Antarctica, untouched by pollution or industry. Take one deep breath here and it’s like a full-body reset: crisp, wild, and impossibly clean.

7. Aboriginal people have been here for over 65,000 years

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the Australian continent for more than 65,000 years, making theirs the world’s oldest continuous culture. Their deep connection to Country, through stories, art, songlines, and custodianship of the land and sea, shapes Australia’s identity at every level. From the intricate Dreamtime narratives that explain the creation of the world to the enduring practices of caring for Country, this ancient wisdom continues to guide how Australians understand the environment, community, and belonging today.

8. National parks cover more land than Germany

Australia doesn’t do nature by halves… its national parks cover more land than the actual whole country of Germany. Across more than 500 protected parks, you’ll find everything from Western Australia’s deep red deserts to New South Wales’s lush, mist-wrapped rainforests. Together, they protect over 28 million hectares of wilderness wild rivers, ancient rock formations, glow-worm caves, and coastlines that look straight out of a screensaver. Pack your hiking boots (and your camera) the photo ops are endless. Discover the best places to visit in Australia on an ‘everything’s already sorted for you’ Contiki trip. Got some free time on said trip? Why not check out an annual Tulip Time Festival or find the best stargazing spots?

9. Kangaroos and emus literally can’t go backwards

Kangaroos and emus literally can’t walk backwards, their bodies just aren’t built for it. And that’s exactly why they both appear on Australia’s coat of arms. These two icons represent a country always moving forward… no reverse gear, no turning back. The kangaroo’s powerful legs and the emu’s long stride have come to symbolise progress, resilience, and a bit of that trademark Aussie grit. It’s also neither here nor there the fact that some of the finest dining establishments in the country are dishing both up on various menus but anyway.

10. Australia is home to the world’s oldest living thing

Hidden deep in Western Australia, a sprawling patch of seagrass known as Posidonia australis has been growing quietly for about 4,500 years, making it the oldest and largest living organism on earth. Spanning more than 180 km under the waves near Shark Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), this ancient meadow proves that in Australia, even the plants are overachievers.

11. There’s a fence longer than the Great Wall of China

There’s a fence longer than the Great Wall of China, and it runs straight through the heart of Australia. Stretching over 5,600 kilometres, the Dingo Fence was built in the late 19th century to keep wild dingoes away from sheep farms. It slices across deserts, plains, and entire states, a strange monument to Australia’s battle between wilderness and agriculture. Decades later, it’s still standing, still doing its job, and still just as over-the-top as it sounds.

12. The Daintree Rainforest is older than dinosaurs

The Daintree Rainforest is older than the dinosaurs, around 180 million years old, to be exact. Tucked away in tropical Far North Queensland, it’s the world’s oldest surviving rainforest, older even than the Amazon. Step inside and it feels like another world: tangled green canopies, misty rivers, and creatures that look like they time-travelled straight out of prehistory. You might spot a cassowary strutting through the undergrowth or a tree-kangaroo climbing where koalas fear to tread. It’s lush, ancient, and pure Jurassic energy. See it for yourself on our Australia: North Queensland to Uluru trip!

13. Australia has more than 8,000 islands – and most people don’t know it!

Everyone knows about Fraser Island (K’Gari), but Australia actually has thousands of islands scattered along its coastline, each with its own personality. Some are tropical escapes with coral reef systems and palm trees; others are wild, windswept sanctuaries for penguins and sea lions. From the Whitsundays to Kangaroo Island, there’s an island vibe for every kind of traveller, you just have to pick your paradise.

14. The Sydney Opera House was inspired by oranges

The Sydney Opera House was inspired by oranges… seriously! Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed its now-iconic sails by slicing segments from a perfect sphere, much like peeling citrus fruit. The result? A structure that feels both impossibly organic and futuristic, as if it grew right out of Sydney Harbour itself. Covered in more than a million gleaming white tiles, it shifts colour with the light: dazzling by day, golden at sunset, and glowing like a lantern after dark.

15. There’s a golf course that takes 2 days to play

There’s a golf course that takes two days to play, and it stretches clear across the Australian outback. The Nullarbor Links runs for an unbelievable 1,365 kilometres, earning its title as the world’s longest golf course. Each hole sits in a different outback town or roadhouse, connected by endless desert highways and the occasional emu crossing. It’s less about your handicap and more about endurance: a test of patience, sun tolerance, and road-trip spirit. Bring your clubs, your sense of humour, and maybe a kangaroo toy as your unofficial caddy.

16. Australia has a national obsession with meat pies and roadside snacks

Forget drive-through burgers, in Australia, the true taste of the road is a flaky meat pie from a servo (that’s a gas station, for the uninitiated). Cruising through South Australia’s wine country and right on through to road-tripping the Great Ocean Road – every Aussie town has its own local bakery with “the best pie in the country.” Fillings range from classic beef and gravy to curried steak or kangaroo, and yes: tomato sauce is non-negotiable. Pair it with an iced coffee and you’ve officially earned your Aussie road-trip stripes. Our roundup of the most iconic Aussie foods to try while you’re in the land down under is a must-read before your trip!

17. Australia has more camels than Egypt

Australia has more camels than Egypt, and they’re not just surviving; they’re thriving. More than a million wild camels roam the vast red centre, descendants of those brought over in the 1800s to help explorers and traders cross the desert. When trucks and trains took over, the camels were set loose and, true to Aussie form, they made themselves right at home. Today they wander the outback like dusty nomads, perfectly adapted to its harsh beauty.

18. The lakes come in pink

The lakes come in pink… yes, really pink. Lake Hillier in Western Australia and Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia shimmer in shades of bubblegum and rose quartz, their colour changing with light and temperature. The hue comes from salt-loving algae and bacteria that thrive in the water! From above, the contrast between the blush-pink lakes and the deep blues of the ocean or dusty reds of the outback is pure magic. It’s the kind of sight that makes you double-check your camera settings, and your reality.

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19. Coffee is practically a religion

Coffee is practically a religion in Australia and locals take it more seriously than sport, brunch, or arguing about which city makes it best. Forget Starbucks; Australia invented the flat white and built an entire culture around the perfect crema. From laneway espresso bars in Melbourne to beachfront cafés in Byron Bay, the standard is sky-high, and the vibe is pure caffeine-fuelled creativity. It’s a safe bet that you’ll get an unreal brew pretty much anywhere in the country – check out our roundup of the best places to visit in Australia!

20. Australians love an odd world record

Australians love an odd world record, and honestly, who can blame them? From the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast to the longest highway on Earth (hi, Highway 1), Australia has a talent for turning the everyday into the epic. There’s even a museum dedicated entirely to beer cans, because of course there is. It’s all part of the charm in a country that doesn’t take itself too seriously, where “bigger, stranger, and sunnier” is basically a national sport.

What is unusual about Australia?

Pretty much everything… and that’s what makes it magic. Australia is the only country that’s also a continent, with beaches, snowfields, and coral reefs all within one wild road trip. The wildlife looks straight out of a cartoon, the slang sounds made up, and the locals call you “mate” five minutes after meeting you. It shouldn’t make sense… but somehow, it all comes together perfectly.

What is the most iconic thing about Australia?

Ask ten people and you’ll get ten different answers – that’s part of the charm. Some will say it’s the Sydney Opera House, gleaming over the harbour like a seashell sculpture. Others will swear it’s the Great Barrier Reef, glowing with coral cities under turquoise water. For some, it’s the endless red of the Outback, or a laid-back beach town where everyone surfs before work. Maybe it’s the people themselves: friendly, funny, and always up for a chat. Whatever you pick, the real icon of Australia is the feeling it gives you: freedom, sunshine, and a sense that life’s meant to be lived outside, even if it is with a THICK layer of 50+ SPF on.