Australia is famous for its laid-back lifestyle, diverse landscapes and multicultural population; but what do you know of its weird and wonderful traditions? From sausage sizzles outside of a hardware store to raucous rounds of a classic gambling game, here are eight Australian traditions you might not know about.
1. Bunnings Warehouse sausage sizzles
Weekends aren’t complete without the smoky aroma of a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Warehouse. Every Saturday and Sunday, outside nearly every Bunnings store nationwide, you’ll find community volunteers grilling sausages on barbecues for hungry shoppers.
The formula is easy: one sausage, one slice of bread, a generous scoop of caramelised onions and your choice of sauce! It’s a simple yet universally loved Australian tradition that unites everyone in a shared appreciation for a cheap, delicious snack.
2. Triple J’s Hottest 100
Every year on the 27th of January, music lovers gather to hear one of the biggest music polls in the world. Listeners vote for their favourite songs of the year and the winning 100 tracks are played on Australia’s beloved radio station, triple j.
It’s an all-day event, so grab your mates and celebrate in the sunshine with a picnic or backyard barbecue.
Read more: Your Guide to The Aussie BBQ
3. Muck-up day
If there’s one day of the year every senior high school student looks forward to, it’s muck-up day. A longstanding Australian tradition, muck-up day happens at the end of the year, when students play pranks on their school as a final hurrah before graduation. Picture school buildings covered in toilet paper, desks and chairs tossed outside and all kinds of crazy costumes. When done right, it’s a fun farewell to school life that brings plenty of laughs!
4. Pie floaters
Imagine a meat pie ‘floating’ in a bowl of thick pea soup, topped with a healthy dollop of tomato sauce. While it may not sound appetizing, the pie floater is a hearty and warming dish. Originally served from pie carts that once lined Adelaide’s streets, they are now an Aussie icon. Many consider it the ultimate late-night snack and swear by its hangover-curing abilities.
Read more: The 10 Best Cheap Eats in Adelaide
5. Boxing Day test cricket
For cricket fans, the 26th of December is more than just a post-Christmas recovery day—it’s time for the Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This annual event brings together fans from around the world to watch Australia compete in a five-day test match against another cricketing nation. It’s a beloved Australian tradition where families and friends gather, often nursing holiday leftovers and hangovers, to watch the game on television or live at the MCG.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Cricket Season in Australia
6. Macca’s runs
Macca’s, as Aussies affectionately call McDonald’s, isn’t just a fast-food place—it’s a destination for late-night munchies and spontaneous hangouts. A Macca’s run often happens after a party or a long drive, when friends pile into a car and head to the nearest McDonald’s. It’s an Australian tradition that’s especially popular among teenagers and young adults.
7. Two-up on Anzac Day
Have you ever heard of a game that is illegal to play except on one day of the year? In Australia, it’s called two-up. This traditional gambling game, popular with soldiers during World War I, involves tossing two coins in the air and betting on whether they’ll land heads or tails. On Anzac Day, people gather in pubs, RSL clubs and community centres across the country to play and remember those who served in the armed forces. This is one of the livelier Australian traditions out there!
8. Meat pies at the football
In Australia, a football game isn’t complete without a piping-hot meat pie. Whether it’s Australian Rules Football (AFL), Rugby League or Rugby Union, stadiums across the country serve this iconic Australian snack as a game-day essential.
The Australian meat pie is typically filled with minced meat and gravy, encased in a flaky crust and topped with tomato sauce. For many Australians, this small pastry is a special symbol and a key part of the game-day experience.
Read more: A Sporting Nation: A Guide to Australia’s Sport Culture
