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10 Fun facts about Australia: The world’s oldest culture and 10,000 beaches

Discover fun facts about Australia, from its ancient culture and stunning Great Barrier Reef to pink lakes, and summer Christmases.

Updated: July 21, 2025

Australia is a country, a continent, and an island—truly one of a kind. From ancient Indigenous culture to iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru, it’s packed with unique wonders and surprising trivia. Ready to learn more? Here are 10 fun facts about Australia that might just inspire your next trip. And when you go, don’t forget to stay connected with an unlimited data eSIM.

Close-up of a map of Australia with an Australian flag in the middle of the map. The Holafly logo on the top left corner and an illustration of an aeroplane on the bottom right corner.

Australia’s home to the world’s oldest living culture

Close-up of an Indigenous Australian man with a long beard holding traditional smoke ceremony tools (feather and smoking materials).
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the oldest continuous living culture on Earth. Their traditions form part of Australia’s rich heritage. Source: Shutterstock.

A unique Australian fact is that it’s the home of the oldest continuous living culture on Earth, the Indigenous Australians. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have inhabited the land for 65,000 years. Aboriginal People are the traditional owners with their own traditions, art, and spirituality. Their innovative use of natural resources and connection to country and Dreamtime stories are fascinating aspects of Australia and long-standing Aboriginal culture.

Christmas in Australia is a summer celebration

A man dressed as Santa Claus in red shorts, holding a surf board and walking along the beach.
Christmas in Australia looks different from many parts of the world, with beach swims and barbeuques topping the list of activities. Source: Shutterstock.

If you’re looking for some fun facts about Christmas in Australia, here’s a great one: unlike many parts of the world, Christmas in Australia falls during the summer! With a sunny climate, many Australians live out the festive season with barbecues across the country’s numerous beaches, picnics, and seafood instead of snow and hot meals. Christmas trees are also often decorated with native Australian flowers.

Australia has more kangaroos than people

Two kangaroos front-facing, with the ocean and cliff faces in the background.
With over 50 million kangaroos, these famous furry creatures outnumber the human residents of Australia. Source: Shutterstock.

One of the most widely known fun facts about Australia is that there are more kangaroos than human residents. With over 50 million kangaroos roaming freely, these creatures symbolize the country’s diverse animal species. You’ll spot them in national parks, the Australian outback, smaller beach towns, and regional spots across the entire continent. The vast majority of residents have spotted Australia’s wildlife up close.

The Great Barrier Reef is visible from space

Aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space. Source: Shutterstock.

When discussing Australia facts, the Great Barrier Reef on the north-eastern coast always comes up. This natural wonder off the coast of Queensland is the world’s biggest coral reef system, stretching over 1,429.15 miles. And this incredible country keeps delivering so many interesting facts; the reef is so vast that it’s visible from space! Home to many animal species and corals, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a diver’s paradise.

Australia’s the only continent without an active volcano

The Australian outback, with trees, greenery, and rock formations in the background.
Australia is the only continent that doesn’t have an active volcano, so its landmass remains geologically stable. Source: Shutterstock.

While some countries are famous for their fiery peaks, here’s a cool fact about Australia that perhaps most of the Australian population might not know: it’s the only continent without an active volcano. While there are some extinct volcanoes, the landmass of mainland Australia itself is geologically stable, offering a unique contrast to its Pacific Rim neighbors.

You can find a pink lake in Australia

Aerial view of Lake Hillier in Western Australia.
Just seven hours from the capital city of Perth, Lake Hillier in Western Australia is famous for its vibrant pink color. Source: Shutterstock.

Australia’s full of natural wonders that contribute to some weird facts about Australia’s landscapes. Lake Hillier in Western Australia is one of them. This lake boasts a striking bubblegum pink color, believed to be caused by a specific type of algae. As it’s the only place in Australia with this type of lake, it’s a surreal sight for visitors. And, armed with a solo Australia travel guide and pocket WiFi for navigation, single travelers can journey from Perth to the lake, experiencing the country’s diverse natural beauty.

The Dingo Fence is longer than the Great Wall of China

Aerial view of the Dingo Fence in outback Australia.
Stretching over 3,400 miles, the famous Dingo Fence in Australia is one of the longest man-made structures in the world. Source: Shutterstock.

Among the interesting facts about Australia, the Dingo Fence stands out. This incredible structure stretches over 3,479.7 miles, making it one of the longest man-made structures in the world – even longer than the Great Wall of China. Built to protect sheep and cattle from wild dingos, it’s a monumental feat of engineering across the Australian landscape. When thinking about how much it costs to go to Australia, it’s definitely worth budgeting for a road trip to see this structure up close.

Australia has over 10,000 beaches

Aerial view of the Goal Coast and its shoreline.
Spoilt for choice, Australia boasts over 10,000 beaches stretching for over 31,000 miles. Source: Shutterstock.

If you love coastal living, this is one of the best fun facts about Australia. With a coastline stretching for almost 31,068.56 miles, Australia is blessed with a large number of beaches – over 10,000 of them! If you were to visit a new Australian beach every day, it would take you over 27 years to see them all. From famous beaches like Bondi to secluded coves, you can travel along the East coast, Southern coast, and states like New South Wales, swimming in beautiful beaches.

And whether you’re road-tripping from beach to beach or just soaking up the sun in Byron Bay, staying connected is key. If you’re comparing connectivity options, you might consider getting an Australia SIM card or opting for an eSIM with unlimited data for a smooth travel experience.

Australians love their unique slang

A piece of white bread with Vegemite on it, and the word "mate" scratched in the middle.
Shortening of words, nicknames, and colorful expressions are part of Australia’s quirky culture. Source: Shutterstock.

 A funny fact about Australia’s culture is its distinctive slang, often referred to as “Strine.” Australians have a knack for shortening words and creating colorful expressions. “Arvo” (afternoon), “barbie” (barbecue), “brekkie” (breakfast), and “thongs” (flip-flops) are just a few of them. Learning some local lingo is definitely part of the Australian fun facts experience!

Canberra was chosen as the capital due to a rivalry

The city of Canberra and Parliament House.
After winning the title following a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney, the city of Canberra is Australia’s official capital. Source: Shutterstock.

Among the what are some fun facts about Australia questions, the capital city often comes up. Many people think Sydney or Melbourne is the capital. However, Canberra holds that title. A fascinating fact is that Canberra was chosen as the capital in 1908 as a compromise between the two rival cities, Sydney and Melbourne, which both vied for the title.

Explore fun facts about Australia in person with Holafly

After learning about Australia’s fun facts and rich history, you may already be thinking about booking your next trip! When you do, a reliable internet connection is a must-have.

Consider an unlimited data travel eSIM for a hassle-free trip. These modern solutions make staying online a breeze, so you can navigate, share experiences, and discover more cool facts about Australia with a secure data connection.

Holafly’s eSIM for Australia offers the convenience of flexible plan choices, 24/7 customer support, and an intuitive app. For as little as $3.69 a day for a 10-day Australian vacation, enjoy unlimited internet plus 500 MB of daily hotspot sharing.

If your journey to Australia is long-term—perhaps as a remote worker, or digital nomad—consider Holafly Plans, a pay-monthly eSIM subscription service for frequent travelers. You can choose from three plans (unlimited, 25 GB, 10 GB), with the unlimited data plan for $64.90 monthly. 

Use your phone to navigate bustling cities or remote landscapes, uncover Australia’s fascinating facts and famous sites, all with a secure data connection.

I’m a communications professional with over 17 years of experience in the social justice sector. Eight years ago, I started working as a freelance content writer and strategist. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a mix of social enterprises, NGOs, government agencies, and corporate clients. I have lived and worked in Australia, Austria, Mexico, and Indonesia. I love crafting content that resonates across cultures and tells a meaningful story.

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