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Australia's Weirdest Facts

Down Under & Upside Down

Fish Rain from the Sky

In remote towns like Lajamanu, fish have been known to fall from the sky—swept up by storms and dropped hundreds of miles away. Yes, it actually rains fish.


There Are More Kangaroos Than Humans

Australia’s kangaroo population regularly outnumbers its human population. As of recent estimates, there are about 50 million kangaroos—that’s nearly double the number of people in the country. In some areas, they're considered a pest.


The Dingo Fence Is Longer Than the Great Wall of China

Stretching over 3,400 miles, the Dingo Fence was built to protect sheep farms from dingo attacks. It’s one of the longest man-made barriers on Earth—designed not for people, but to keep wild dogs away from livestock.


Spider Silk Stronger Than Kevlar

Australia’s golden orb-weaving spiders spin silk that’s not only beautiful—it’s incredibly strong. Researchers have studied its potential for bulletproof materials.


A Plant That Explodes

The Hakea shrub waits for fire. When flames come through, it pops open to release seeds—part of nature’s fiery regeneration strategy.


Zombie Frogs Revive Themselves

Australia’s burrowing frogs can dry out and look dead for months—then return to life with the rain. They're nature’s ultimate survivalists.


They Declared War on Emus… and Lost

In 1932, the Australian army tried to reduce an emu population using machine guns. The emus outran the soldiers, and the “Great Emu War” ended in defeat for the humans.


The Ocean Glows in Australia

Certain beaches in Jervis Bay can glow at night thanks to bioluminescent plankton—tiny organisms that emit a blue light when disturbed.


Octopuses Are Known to Punch Fish

Yes, Australia’s reef octopuses sometimes punch fish that annoy them. Scientists believe it may be a way to assert dominance—or just irritation.


UFO Hotline

The tiny outback town of Wycliffe Well claims to be the UFO capital of Australia. Known for its frequent sightings since World War II, it even boasts a 24-hour alien hotline for reporting extraterrestrial encounters. Locals say the skies there are anything but quiet.

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Fodor's Essential Australia

Fodor's Essential Australia

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