Australia isn't for everybody. It is a place where norms are flipped outside down and logic is thrown outside the window. A country where work and fun are two reconcilable priorities (yes, it is imperative that you have fun here). It is weird, quirky, and mind-blowing at the same time.
Here are ten points to find out if the Land Down Under is the perfect migration destination for you.
Australia might change its season on a daily basis, but it is overly warm. And sometimes, warm is a gross understatement. Temperatures here can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. Sunscreen will be your best friend (check here how warm it can be in each city).
With a huge land area, there is so much ground to cover in the continent, and a lot of wonderful tourist spots, too. Aussies themselves love to roam around, whether inside or outside the country. And being able to travel also makes it easier to connect with them (check here for some of the best activities to do and places to visit in Australia).
In Australia, equality and fairness is king. Everybody is given an equal opportunity regardless of background, race, or gender. Nobody is too fortunate or bottom-scrapping. They split bills and don't go to barbecues empty-handed.
Alright. Australia is, by statistics, still full of white people (and there's a reason for that, check it here). But it’s slowly changing. With more workforce from around the globe landing ashore, it’s not a rare occurrence that you will be working with at least three Asians, two Europeans, and Middle-Eastern. If you’re a xenophobe, this place isn’t for you.
The Land Down Under isn’t just racially diverse, but sexually, too. At work, don’t be surprised if your boss is gay or lesbian or even a transgender. Everybody is being treated with respect here, no matter what their sexual orientation is. Case in point, one of the biggest street festivals in Sydney is the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, in which they totally celebrate open-mindedness.
Aussies love sports, actually, any sports. Cricket, football, tennis, soccer, golf, rugby, basketball, you name it. They like to play them, and like watching them even more either in huge stadiums or in bars and homes, cheering and jeering. If you enjoy these things, this is your home, mate.
Australians are very friendly people, in fact, they celebrate this trait as an integral part of their national identity. If a random bloke starts a gleeful conversation with you, you need to welcome it with open arms. Same goes with riding a taxi. The spirit of mateship dictates that you sit beside the driver and have a good chat.
Laziness is being looked down by Australians, as they take pride being hard workers with so much to contribute to society. Being sluggish is a big taboo, they actually have a derogative word for it: bludger. Being called a bludger is one of the worst labels here. It means you are incompetent, inefficient, and can’t pull your own weight.
Don’t be a bogan. Bogans (yes, that’s another derogative slang) are those guys who who haphazardly dress complete with mullet and creepy mustache. Australians make sure they dress smart, as this exhibits confidence, professionalism, and civility.
Living in Australia is all about driving. The country is big and one of the most sparsely populated on Earth. So not everything is within reach. Sometimes you have to drive three to five miles just to get to your favorite burger joint, or to take a walk at the beach.
Australia is a traveler’s haven. It has the best things the world can offer in one amazing continent. Here are the 10 best places to add to your list and roam, whether you are a native, an Australian citizen, or just a budding tourist.
Sydney Opera House
The flagship of Australian tourism and one of the most iconic structures in the world. This 20th Century masterpiece is home to 1,500 performances annually. The outside is lined up with restaurants, bars, and cafes. So if you’re not into operas, enjoying the drink and the view is just as fun.
Clocking at 2,300-kilometers, it is the largest coral reef system in the world (yes, it’s alive). It is a conglomeration of 900 individual reefs and 900 islands supporting thousands upon thousands of organisms. This World Heritage Site can be seen in outer space, too.
Ayer's Rock
You've seen sunsets on coastlines and metropolitan skylines, but witnessing it on Ayer’s Rock is otherworldly. Known as Uluru to the locals, this humongous piece of sandstone (yes, it’s just one rock) stuck in the middle of Central Australian desert stands at 348 meters with a total circumference of 9.4 kilometers. Like the Opera House, it is one of the most prominent icons of Australia.
Located in New South Wales, Blue Mountain’s most prominent feature is the Three Sisters, three protruding rock formations towering at 900 meters. Here you can trail, bike, or get your adrenaline pumped on rock climbing and abseiling. Not into extreme activities? You can enjoy the view the aboard the glass-roofed carriages of the Katoomba Scenic Railway.
Well, hopefully not literally. The 12 Apostles in Victoria is a collection of limestone vertical stacks that provide a magnificent contrast to the already pristine coastline horizon. The beach is bewildering on both early morning and sunset. Walk the shoreline. Take photos. Relax and enjoy the view.
For art lovers, there’s the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania featuring the impressive (that word is an understatement) collection of Australian art collector and businessman David Walsh. Described by Walsh as a “subversive adult Disneyland”, it houses many of the most controversial and infamous arts. If you like art-appreciation with heated debates, this place is for you.
If wine aficionados were to have a religion, Barossa Valley just outside of Adelaide would be one of the pilgrimage sites. With 50 wineries producing the best wines in the world, a wine-tasting tour beholds not only the eyes, what the with charming vineyards and the rustic ambiance, but satisfies the palate as well.
“AUSTRALIA HAS SNOW?” we can hear you blurting out. Just a three hour-drive from Melbourne, Mt. Buller is famous for skiers and those who are just looking for great sights to appreciate. With over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, the village and resort is complete with amenities such as chairlifts, t-bars, a toboggan park, bars, and restaurants.
New South Wales might be known for extreme adventure spots, but Melbourne is famous for gastronomic explorers. A melting pot of many culinary cultures from around the world, the thriving cosmopolitan has restaurants and cafes lining its streets such as Lygon, Brunswick, Smith, and yes, Chinatown Street. These places are every foodie’s haven.
Koalas are not the only celebrities in Australia’s Cuteness Department, it shares the spotlight with penguins, and most of them are in Philip Island. Just a ninety minute-drive from Melbourne, this wildlife park in Victoria is one of the largest colonies of little penguins in the country, with an estimated 70,000 in number.
Aussies are pretty much laid back people. What with those many holidays and after-work beer sessions. But this doesn't mean they’re all fun and play. Australians are one of the most rigid business people in the world, with very strict work ethics.
Confused? We broke down the points on how Australians roll, both in casual and business/office environments, so you may have knowledge on how to deal with them.
After-work socialization and drinks are not limited to Fridays only. You can have beer any day of the workweek once you step out of the office.
Beer is vehemently sacred here. So pay homage by not talking about things that belong to the board room.
Since we’re on the topic of drinking, it is not unusual to see an Aussie lunging around chugging a cup of beer. Even Prime Minister Tony Abbott can be casually seen drinking in Sydney pubs.
In a friendly manner of course. They swear to exaggerate, strike a point, or express humor. Be sure you assess the people you are with before doing so, though. And then just follow their lead.
Shockingly, Australians get an average of 20 days of leave annually, aside from the multitude of holidays they have. (Find out what Aussies are celebrating big here). Take that, rest of the Western World.
Australians love to roam within and outside the country. They don’t care about long flights and the upscale costs (So how much does it really cost to go around the country? Check it out here.). As long as they get somewhere far and enjoyable. So talks about travel is always welcomed.
Aussies are generally courteous and friendly. It is always considered rude to take the back seat of a taxi if you're the lone passenger. So take the shotgun and have a gleeful chat with the driver. It's much more fun.
When your Aussie friend says “How swell is that?” he/she is not asking for a reply from you. He/she is just saying something is awesome or excellent. They use rhetorical questions to express emotions or fill in awkward silences.
With all the beer and friendly banters, Australians are strict when it comes to time. Always be on time. But not too early either, which might come across as over-eagerness.
If you have tattoos all over, be sure to cover them up. If it shows under your button down, wear another shirt underneath.
If you’re a guy, there’s no reason under heaven to sport dyed, highlighted, or frosted hair in the office. Get a professional cut.
Unless you just picked up something in the office on your way to the beach during the weekend, then that’s fine. Always wear pants or trousers at work.
In most cultures especially Americans, this is a taboo. But it’s OK in Australia. As long as you two are professional at work, they won’t give fuss about what happens after office.
It doesn’t matter how hot it is. Presentation is everything. (Find out how hot it can be in each city here.)
Start with small talks and catching up. Going for the business matters right away might come across as too aggressive or hurrying.
That doesn’t mean you can get away with calling the Operations Manager “Bill from the Office Downstairs.” It only means everybody gets treated with the same amount of respect, friendliness, and engagement from the CEO to the rank-and-files.
If he wears a tie, you need to wear a tie.
We cannot stress it enough. Aussies like to drink, but it’s never a reason to skip work. Ever.
