Yes, Australians often walk around without shoes, especially in casual settings, due to a relaxed culture, warm climate, and strong beach/outdoor lifestyle, though it's more common near coastal areas, and some places like formal restaurants or certain businesses may require footwear for health/safety reasons. While not everyone does it, it's a normal sight in places like grocery stores, parks, and even pubs, with flip-flops (thongs) being a very popular alternative.
Yes, Australians do walk barefoot, especially in coastal, warmer areas, and during summer, viewing it as a casual expression of their relaxed lifestyle, a connection to the land, and a cultural habit, though it's less common in cities and formal settings, with most people wearing shoes in places like major supermarkets or restaurants. It's a common sight at beaches, parks, and even some local shops and pubs, but many Australians also wear shoes for practicality, protection from hot pavement or hazards, and social norms, with the custom varying by region and individual.
Apparently, a ``shoey'' became a thing during the last decade in Australia, a custom where the host invites the guest to drink alcohol out of his shoe, as a sign of friendship or good fortune.
While it shifts with trends, the Nike Air Max Plus (TN) holds a legendary, cult-classic status as a consistently popular and iconic shoe in Australia, alongside dominant players like the Nike Dunk, Air Jordan 1, and retro styles like the Adidas Samba and Veja Campo, with Nike generally being the top sportswear brand.
Indigenous cultures worldwide have embraced barefoot living as part of survival, health, and spirituality. In many African cultures, particularly the Himba people, walking barefoot was essential for maintaining foot strength and natural biomechanics.
They're airy, light, and perfect for wearing to the beach, which is why many see the Aussie thong as a symbol of summer. As I live in the land of eternal summer and outback dust, it's common for many Aussies to own a few pairs of thongs for different occasions.
The "3 Shoe Rule" is a popular travel hack that suggests packing only three versatile pairs of shoes to save space and avoid overpacking, typically consisting of a comfortable walking shoe, a versatile day-to-night option (like flats or loafers), and a weather-appropriate or activity-specific shoe (boots, sandals, or sneakers). This minimalist approach ensures you have appropriate footwear for various activities without lugging heavy, bulky shoes, creating a functional and stylish capsule wardrobe for your trip.
The average Australian woman wears size 16
Australia and New Zealand
Removing shoes before entering a house is common-place in New Zealand, in all areas and may stem from the Māori tradition of removing shoes before entering the wharenui. In Australia, they follow similar customs to remove shoes like that of New Zealand.
Gen Z is wearing a mix of retro sneakers, chunky/dad shoes, and sporty trainers, favoring brands like Adidas (Sambas, SL 72, Tokyo), New Balance (1906R, 1000), Nike, and Onitsuka Tiger, often styled with high socks or as part of a sustainable/DIY look, while also embracing classic ballet flats for a softer touch. Comfort, nostalgia, and authenticity drive these trends, moving away from overly chunky styles towards sleeker vintage designs and functional athletic wear.
A "shoey" in Australia is a quirky tradition of pouring a beverage, usually beer or sparkling wine, into a shoe and drinking it, often as a celebratory act after a sporting victory or as a dare for celebrities, symbolizing Australian irreverence and good fun, though some find it gross. It involves someone's sweaty shoe (or a clean one) becoming a makeshift glass, popularized globally by F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.
Approximately 41% of the population (aged 14 years and over) drink alcohol at least once per week, including 5% of the population who drink daily. Twenty-three percent of Australians do not drink alcohol at all.
“The culture developed of removing your shoes as a sign that you've left the northern hemisphere behind,” he said. “This is a new country, a sun-loving, fun-loving place. You can cast off your footwear and embrace the land.”
There's no single "weirdest" law, but top contenders include Western Australia's former rule against possessing over 50kg of potatoes without a license, Queensland taxis needing a bale of hay in the trunk, and Victoria's law against making artificial rain, with many others involving attire, horse care, and specific public behaviors, though most are outdated or rarely enforced.
In many countries like Germany, Switzerland, Skandinavian countries, Turkey, Japan, Korea etc. it is common use to take off the shoes when entering someone's home. In these countries it is considered a major faux pas to walk through a house with shoes on.
Driving in Unsafe Footwear
While it's not illegal to drive barefoot or in thongs or heels, it can be dangerous. Loose or slippery shoes can get caught under pedals or slip at the wrong moment. Choose footwear that's secure and provides good grip—especially for longer drives or in heavy traffic.
It is common for Australians, particularly young people, to be barefoot in public places, especially during summer. Barefoot walking, known as "earthing", has been used by the Australian cricket team to "capture positive energy coming out of the earth."
Short answer: No. It's perfectly polite to ask your guests to take their shoes off in your home, as long as you do it in a way that still makes them feel welcome (and doesn't make your foyer feel like an airport security line).
There's a superstition that bad luck will come to you if you place shoes on a table. A belief common in North England is that superstition comes from mining. When miners died at work, their shoes were brought home and placed on the table – so the practice was believed to be a sign of death in the family.
In Australia, a size 12 is generally considered a "straight" or "missy" size, falling within average ranges, but due to vanity sizing and inconsistent measurements across brands, it can represent different body sizes; health-wise, a larger waist (over 88cm for women) is a risk factor, and the actual average Australian woman is now closer to a size 16-18, meaning a size 12 is smaller than average, though "fat" is a subjective term related to body image and health metrics like BMI, not just a single number.
The foolproof way travel writers and frequent fliers are achieving carry-on-only travel is called the 3-3-3 packing method. This fuss-free, minimalist approach is simple; you pack just three tops, three bottoms, and three shoes (yes, really, that's it!) into one carry-on bag and mix and match to create up to 27 looks.
Best Ways to Store Sneakers
Original boxes are great because they: Provide exact fit and protection. Keep labels intact so you can find pairs easily. Help retain value for sneaker reseller.