Strange, Unusual and Expensive Things Found Only in Australia

Found in: The Outback
Est. Cost: $5-$8*

When it comes to Australian stereotypes, the cork hat is probably one of the most famous. But did you know that it actually has a practical purpose? The dangling corks are meant to keep flies away from your face. 

Cork Hats @bedheadhats/Pinterest

Although you won’t see too many people actually wearing cork hats these days, they remain a quirky symbol of Australian culture. Knock-offs can be found in souvenir shops nationwide, but for the real deal, a true Aussie will do it themselves with some string and old wine corks.

Found in: Black Rock, South Australia
Est. Cost: $300 for a bus ticket from Adelaide Airport*

A phenomenon that defies gravity, the Magnetic Hill in South Australia’s Black Rock area is an intriguing and bizarre sight to behold. If you park your car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral, it appears to roll uphill against gravity. 

Magnetic Hill @atlasobscura/Pinterest

This natural illusion is created by the surroundings and is sure to leave you scratching your head in wonder. Places like Magnetic Hill exist in several places worldwide, including Canada, Brazil, India, and Honduras. Still, that doesn’t make it any less of a strange and unique wonder.

Found in: Hyden, Western Australia
st. Cost: $70 for a bus ticket from Perth Airport to Wave Rock*

In the middle of the Western Australian Outback lies a giant rock that looks like a huge breaking ocean wave frozen in time. This iconic landmark is known as Wave Rock and attracts tourists from all over the world. 

©anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock.com

The stunning natural rock formation rises 50 feet high. It stretches 360 meters long, giving visitors the perfect backdrop for unique photographs. The fascinating geology behind the rock’s formation is also worth exploring, as it dates back over 2.7 billion years. Wave Rock truly is one of nature’s most impressive pieces of art.

Found in: Wellington Mill, Western Australia
Est. Cost: $65 for a train ticket from Perth Airport to Gnomesville*

Gnomesville is a quirky and enchanting attraction where visitors will find thousands of garden gnomes in the bush. The gnomes are in various poses, some climbing trees or drinking beer, while others hold miniature tools and tend to the gardens. 

Gnomesville ©becauz gao/Shutterstock.com

The attraction started with just one gnome left on the side of the road but now boasts a vibrant community of gnomes that attracts visitors from around the world. It’s a perfect spot to Snap photos and create memories that are certain to last a lifetime.

Found in: eBay
Est. Cost: $350 per bar*

It’s a pasty yeast extract with robust, bitter overtures that overwhelm unsuspecting tastebuds. It’s Vegemite! And Australians love. Well, some of them do, anyway. In moderation, it’s actually not that bad. Moderation for something that salty, of course, means just enough so that you know it’s there. 

Vegemite Chocolate Bars ©Alpha/flickr

Wouldn’t you know it? Cadbury found the perfect equilibrium of chocolate and Vegemite. In 2015, the chocolatier launched a limited edition Dairy Milk Vegemite bar, which has since been discontinued. Now, Cadbury’s Vegemite bars can be found on eBAY but at $350 a bar; the price is pretty steep.

Found in: Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania
Est. Cost: $25 for a bus ticket from Hobart Airport to Eaglehawk Neck*

The Eaglehawk Neck Tessellated Pavement is a natural phenomenon found on the shore of Eaglehawk Neck in Tasmania. The pavement is a geometric pattern of flat rock slabs that look like man-made tiles but result from natural erosion and weathering. 

©PhotosByRichard/Shutterstock.com

The unique pattern has fascinated scientists for years, and their home location boasts stunning views of the Tasman Sea. It is worth noting that the area is also home to the infamous Port Arthur historic site, which was once a convict settlement and is now a popular tourist destination.

Found in: Silverton, New South Wales
Est. Cost: $7 entry fee*

Movie buffs and car enthusiasts alike will appreciate the Mad Max 2 Museum in Silverton, Australia. Located just outside of Broken Hill, this museum features authentic vehicles, costumes, and props from the iconic 1981 film. Visitors can even take a guided tour of the nearby filming locations. 

Mad Max 2 Museum ©Marcel van den Bos/shutterstock.com

With a replica of the V8 Interceptor and other memorable vehicles, this museum is like taking a step into the film. And what better place to do so, than where it was filmed? Even if someone’s not a fan of the film franchise, to see the quirky collection of artifacts is still worth the $7 entry fee. After all, these things don’t exist anywhere else.

Found in: The East Coast
Est. Cost: N/A

Along the east coast of Australia, a fascinating phenomenon occurs every summer – Moon Jellies, a species of jellyfish that wash up on beaches. These creatures are not harmful as their sting is not strong enough to pierce human skin. 

Moon Jellies That Are Seen Melting In Beaches ©rachid chouaib/shutterstock.com

As a result, locals often scoop them up in buckets and use them as fertilizer for their gardens. What makes them so unique is that they start to melt and disintegrate on the sand, creating a beautiful display of neon colors.

Found in: Sydney, New South Wales
Est. Cost: $102 million*

Perhaps one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the Sydney Opera House is an architectural marvel that attracts millions of visitors annually. The iconic design features a series of shell-like structures that make up the roof, inspired by a grapefruit architect Eero Saarinen had for breakfast one day. 

The Sydney Opera House ©Taras Vyshnya/shutterstock.com

The opera house hosts a variety of performances, from classical concerts to contemporary theatre. During the off-season, guided tours are offered that allow theatergoers the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the building, including backstage areas and rehearsal rooms.

Found in: Sydney, New South Wales
Est. Cost: Free public exhibit

Sydney isn’t known for its street art like Melbourne, but tucked away in the city’s bustling streets is an interesting work of art — the Forgotten Songs sound sculpture. The artwork pays homage to the 50 species of birds that once roamed the city but have since disappeared due to urbanization. 

Forgotten Songs' Sound Sculpture @atlasobscura/Pinterest

The sculpture features cages that hang above the street, each playing the sound of a different bird species at various times throughout the day. It’s a beautiful and eerie tribute to the city’s past, and a reminder to appreciate the wildlife that still calls Sydney home.

Found in: Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia
Est. Cost: $75 for a bus ticket from Perth Airport to Pink Lake*

One of Australia’s natural wonders, Pink Lake, is a 2-mile by 1-mile salt lake that turns pink due to a combination of high salinity levels and the presence of a certain type of algae. Located in southeast Western Australia, this unique lake is a sight to behold. 

A Pink Lake ©matteo_it/shutterstock.com

Visitors can stroll along the pink shoreline, but swimming is prohibited due to the salt concentration. While the lake’s color varies depending on weather conditions, seeing it in its full pink glory is an unforgettable experience.

Found in: Mean Creek, Queensland
Est. Cost: $55 entry fee*

Located in the picturesque town of Mena Creek, Paronella Park is a heritage-listed site built in the 1930s. The park is filled with stunning gardens, a Spanish castle, and even a theater. It was the dream of a Spanish immigrant named Jose Paronella.

Paronella Park ©RYOSUE/Shutterstock.com

Paronella created this magical place as a testament to his love for his new home in Australia. Visitors enjoy guided tours for nominal fees or simply stroll around, taking in the beauty and charm of this one-of-a-kind bush-trekking experience.

Found in: Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Northern Territory 
Est. Cost: $185 for one person in the cage or $285 for two people in the cage*

Watching people get into a shark cage in open water is enough to make some people’s skin crawl. Darwin, Australia’s Crocosaurus Cove, takes cage diving to a whole new extreme. The Cage of Death was created for adrenaline junkies who have dreamt of swimming with the largest saltwater crocs in the world.

The Cage Of Death! @udaypins/@Quora/Pinterest

This experience lets people come face to face with a massive saltwater crocodile while in a clear acrylic cage. The 15-minute session begins as the cage is lowered into the croc’s enclosure for an up-close and personal encounter. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Found in: Shoreham, Victoria
Est. Cost: $18.50 entry fee*

Running around in a giant maze is every child’s dream, but few get the opportunity to see these dreams come to fruition. In Shoreham, Australia, Ashcombe Maze is where that dream comes to life. It’s a perfect stop for kids and an even better place for the adult who never quite grew up. 

Ashcombe Maze @atlasobscura/Pinterest

This hedge maze garden is guaranteed to entertain for hours. There are over 10,000 square feet of different gardens, including a Lavender Labyrinth, Rose Maze, and traditional hedge mazes. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of other activities, such as puzzles, mini-golf, and mazes for children.