Australia is a fascinating country with a rich culture and diverse landscape. It’s no wonder so many riddles and brain teasers have emerged that test your knowledge of all things Aussie. From landmarks and wildlife to sports and slang, here are 42 riddles about Australia to challenge even the biggest fan of Down Under!
Australian Wildlife Riddles
Let’s start with some classic Australian animal riddles:
Riddle #1
What hairy Aussie animal likes to eat eucalyptus leaves?
Answer: The koala!
Riddle #2
This large hopping marsupial with big ears and a powerful kick is a symbol of Australia. What is it?
Answer: The kangaroo!
Riddle #3
What is the only egg-laying mammal in the world found in Australia?
Answer: The platypus!
Riddle #4
I have a coat made of feathers, a fluffy tail, and I soar through the skies of Australia. What am I?
Answer: A wedge-tailed eagle!
Australian Landmarks & Cities Riddles
Now let’s move on to some riddles about the most famous sights and places in Australia:
Riddle #5
I’m made of sandstone and stand tall overlooking Sydney Harbour. Who am I?
Answer: The Sydney Opera House!
Riddle #6
I’m a giant red rock formation found in Australia’s Northern Territory. Aboriginal people have been living near me for thousands of years. What am I?
Answer: Uluru (Ayers Rock)!
Riddle #7
I’m home to the world’s longest fence which was built to keep rabbits out of Western Australia farmland. What am I?
Answer: The Nullarbor Plain!
Riddle #8
I’m a huge sand island located off the coast of Fraser Island in Queensland. Tourists flock to my pure white sands. What island am I?
Answer: Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island!
Riddle #9
I’m a famous big red rock in the middle of Australia’s Outback. I appear to change colors throughout the day and almost look like I’m glowing at times. What am I?
Answer: Kata Tjuta!
Riddle #10
I’m a huge monolith found in Central Australia that was once climbed illegally by tourists until it was banned. What landmark am I?
Answer: Uluru (Ayers Rock)!
Australian History Riddles
Step back in time with these riddles related to Australian history:
Riddle #11
I’m the name of an Indigenous Australian man who guided early European explorers through the Outback in the 1860s. A famous Australian town is named after me. Who am I?
Answer: Jacky Jacky!
Riddle #12
I’m the Indigenous woman featured on Australia’s $50 note for my role advocating for Aboriginal people’s rights. Who am I?
Answer: Catherine Helen Spence!
Riddle #13
Thousands of us were rebels exiled from Britain to Australia in the late 1700s for illegal activities. What were we called?
Answer: Convicts!
Australian Culture Riddles
Learn something new about Australian traditions and way of life in these culture riddles:
Riddle #14
I’m an Australian song used unofficially as the national anthem. I was composed by a Scottish-born poet in the 1800s. What patriotic tune am I?
Answer: “Waltzing Matilda”!
Riddle #15
When I greet my Aussie pal, I might call them this rhyming nickname. What do I say?
Answer: Mate!
Riddle #16
On Australia Day each year, you might attend one of my outdoor community parties or festivals. What am I?
Answer: A barbecue or “barbie”!
Australian Food & Drink Riddles
Time to get your taste buds ready for these food and drink riddles from the land Down Under:
Riddle #17
I’m a chocolate and coconut candy bar that’s hugely popular in Australia. What sweet treat am I?
Answer: Cherry Ripe!
Riddle #18
Dave Hughes and Hamish Blake created me as part of a comedy duo. Now I’m a classic Aussie meat pie sold at convenience stores all over. What am I?
Answer: A “Hughesy and Kate” pie!
Riddle #19
Australians can’t get enough of my yeasty, savory spread that’s great on sandwiches and toast. What am I?
Answer: Vegemite!
Riddle #20
I’m an egg-sized Australian fruit with fuzzy green skin and bright green sherbet-y flesh. What am I?
Answer: Kiwi fruit!
Riddle #21
I’m a fizzy, caffeinated beverage made from the leaves of a native plant that’s very trendy right now in Australia. What am I?
Answer: Kombucha tea!
Australian Movie Riddles
Pop some popcorn for these riddles about films set in Australia or made by Aussies:
Riddle #22
I’m a 2008 epic historical drama film directed by Baz Luhrmann. I dramatize a romantic tragedy set in the Australian Outback in the 1940s and 50s. What am I?
Answer: “Australia,” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman!
Riddle #23
I’m a beloved 1994 family film about the friendship between a pig and a dog in the Australian Outback. What movie am I?
Answer: “Babe”!
Riddle #24
I’m a survival drama film from 2010 about a girl stranded in the harsh Australian wilderness with a dingo. What movie am I?
Answer: “Tracks,” starring Mia Wasikowska!
Australian Slang Riddles
These Aussie slang riddles and lingo will leave you totally knackered!
Riddle #25
If an Aussie says “Let’s grab brekky at the arvo barbie,” what are they suggesting?
Answer: That you should get breakfast (“brekky”) at the afternoon (“arvo”) barbecue (“barbie”).
Riddle #26
My Aussie friend said, “There’s heaps of bottlo options for the BYO do.” What is he talking about?
Answer: There are many (“heaps of”) liquor store (“bottlo”) options for the “bring your own” (“BYO”) party (“do”).
Riddle #27
My Aussie pal recently called in sick to work because he was feeling crook. What did he mean?
Answer: He was feeling sick or ill (“crook”).
Australian Sports Riddles
Try your hand at these riddles for sports fanatics:
Riddle #28
I’m a football game with oval-shaped fields, 18 players to a team, and rules including no tackling above the shoulders. What fast-paced sport am I?
Answer: Australian rules football!
Riddle #29
I’m one of the most famous annual sporting events in Australia – an open championship series of horse races taking places across five days in November. What event am I?
Answer: The Melbourne Cup!
Riddle #30
Australia and New Zealand have been jointly hosting me, an international cricket tournament, for over 30 years. I take place every 4 years. What competition am I?
Answer: The Cricket World Cup!
Australian Geography Riddles
Learn all about this gigantic island country with these geography brain teasers:
Riddle #31
At over 2,400 miles long, I’m one of the longest fence lines in the world, built to control rabbits across properties in Western Australia. What barrier am I?
Answer: The Rabbit-Proof Fence!
Riddle #32
I’m a tropical zone located in Australia’s far north with wet, humid weather. You’ll find the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest within my boundaries. What region am I?
Answer: The Wet Tropics!
Riddle #33
We’re a range of ancient mountains made of eroded sandstone peaks and towers found in New South Wales. Parts of us look like a grand pipe organ, which inspired our name. What are we?
Answer: The Blue Mountains!
Australian Music Riddles
Tap your foot as you solve these musical riddles from Australia:
Riddle #34
INXS and Men at Work are two world-famous bands in this genre of Aussie rock music with punk and pop influences. What genre are we?
Answer: New wave music!
Riddle #35
I’m an opera house located on the Sydney Harbour that opened in 1973. My visually striking roof design resembles billowing white sails. What iconic concert venue am I?
Answer: Sydney Opera House!
Riddle #36
I’m a music and arts festival famous for surprise performances from top musicians in multiple genres. I happen annually in the southern Australian city of Melbourne. What event am I?
Answer: The Melbourne Big Day Out!
Tricky Australian Trivia Riddles
Think you know everything about Australia so far? Try these extra tricky Australia trivia riddles!
Riddle #37
Australia is home to the only major city in the world located on which continent’s mainland?
Answer: Antarctica (Melbourne)!
Riddle #38
Which animal found only in Australia has venom strong enough to kill over 20 humans within minutes?
Answer: The box jellyfish!
Riddle #39
Before Australia used dollars and cents for currency, what animals were featured on some of their old coins and banknotes?
Answer: Kangaroos and emus!
Riddle #40
Which country is closest geographically to Australia?
Answer: Indonesia!
Aussie Jokes & Puns
Give these painfully cheesy Australia jokes and puns a go if you really want to make your friends groan!
Riddle #41
Why can’t you ever starve to death in the Australian desert?
Answer: Because of all the sandwiches there! (“Sand which is there” – sand dunes)
Riddle #42
What do you call an Australian who has had too many beers?
Answer: G’day mate! (In other words, just a typical Aussie!)
Conclusion
From the Outback to the Sydney Opera House, there’s so much to learn about Australian culture, wildlife, history and more through these riddles! Take the quiz and see how much you really know. No matter your score, Australia’s vibrant diversity will always have something new to discover!
