Australia is famous for unique animals like the kangaroo, koala, and platypus, along with other iconic marsupials such as the wombat, quokka, and Tasmanian devil, plus the native dog, the dingo, and large flightless birds like the emu, with many species found nowhere else on Earth.
Arguably the most famous Aussie animal of all, the kangaroo can be spotted just about anywhere across the country, but how can we go past a location named after these iconic creatures?
Some of our Australian animals are very well known like kangaroos, dingos, wallabies and wombats and of course the koala, platypus and echidna. But, there is still so much we don't know about Australia's native animals. Here we explore weird and wonderful fun facts about 10 of them.
Curiosity to official emblem
Hunted for meat and for sport, and used as a motif in the decorative arts, the kangaroo was finally recognised as an official symbol of Australia when it was included on the nation's coat of arms in 1908.
The coat of arms of Australia, officially the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is a formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. It depicts a shield, containing symbols of Australia's six states, and is held up by native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu.
Australia: No official motto. Formerly Advance Australia.
The Dingo is sacred to many Indigenous tribes across Australia❗️ Dingoes are Totem and regarded as one of their spirit protector animals, and are in fact part of the Australian Indigenous Dreamtime.
20 best things to come out of Australia
Australia's national symbols that have been officially chosen (via vote, legislation or proclamation) to represent Australia and its states and territories include:
First recorded in 1840 by the collector John Gilbert, from whom it takes its scientific name, Gilbert's Potoroo was once thought to be extinct. Today, it holds the critical distinction of being the world's rarest marsupial and Australia's rarest mammal.
Dogs. Dogs come in at number one, with48.3 million households owning dogs in the United States, making these four-legged friends one of the most popular pets around. For people who live active lives and love giving out belly rubs, dog ownership can be a rewarding experience.
Australia is full of weird facts, including having more kangaroos than people, the world's longest golf course (850+ miles!), pink lakes, a "Dingo Fence" longer than the Great Wall of China, and unique wildlife like the venomous male platypus and egg-laying mammals (platypus & echidna). Kangaroos and emus can't walk backward, symbolizing progress, while the continent hosts the oldest rainforest (Daintree) and is the only one without active volcanoes.
Koalas. No one can resist the cuddly allure of koalas. These iconic Australia animals are marsupials, a kind of mammal that is born undeveloped and is carried in a pouch. Like all marsupials, including kangaroos, wombats and Tasmanian devils, baby koalas are called joeys.
Ten unique animals include the Aye-aye (nocturnal lemur with long fingers), Axolotl (regenerating salamander), Pangolin (scaly mammal), Narwhal (tusked whale), Blobfish (deep-sea gelatinous fish), Leafy Seadragon (camouflaged marine fish), Maned Wolf (fox-like South American canid), Okapi (zebra-legged relative of the giraffe), Glass Frog (transparent-bellied amphibian), and Echidna (spiny egg-laying mammal).
It's rare to see a quokka without a big 'smile' on their face! This, along with their friendly and endearing personalities, has earned them a reputation as the happiest animal in the world.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
"Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, Oi Oi Oi" (often written as "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi") is a patriotic Australian sports chant, a rallying cry of national pride, originating from older British cheers like "Oggy Oggy Oggy," with "Aussie" being slang for Australian, and "Oi" functioning as an emphatic interjection, similar to "Hey!" or "Go!". It's used at sporting events, sometimes considered a bit cheesy or "cringey" by some Australians, but generally seen as an inclusive way to support national teams.
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world's oldest continuing culture. We have a highly skilled workforce and a proud history of democracy and stable government.
Here are ten commonly known spirit animals and their meanings:
Yara-ma-yha-who, Australian Outback
A cryptid creature also known as 'The Outback Vampire' has been told in Australian Aboriginal mythology since the Dreamtime.
10 Native Australian Animals
Common nicknames for Australia include "The Land Down Under," "Oz," "Straya," and "The Lucky Country," reflecting its southern location, short-form slang, and fortunate resources/lifestyle. Other poetic names are "The Sunburnt Country" and "The Wide Brown Land," inspired by Dorothea Mackellar's poem.
Here are 5 common Aussie slang words/phrases: G'day (hello), Mate (friend), Arvo (afternoon), No worries (no problem/you're welcome), and Barbie (barbecue), with many Aussies shortening words (like Brekkie for breakfast, Servo for gas station) and using colourful terms for everyday things.
“Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the ...