Things I Like/Dislike About Australia

Hey! I'm back from Australia now. I ran out of money so I came home early. Good to be home actually; a bit disappointed I couldn't stay in Australia for longer but my trip has definitely taught me a few things. I've got a list of things that I like and dislike about the country I spent almost five weeks in.




Things I Like About Australia

• Australians. Almost everyone I met was about as polite and cool as you could want someone to be. There were a few people I could have spent hours talking with.
• Sydney. It's a pretty badly laid out city but I love it. The skyline is one of my favourites, and the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are (in my opinion) almost perfect looking buildings/structures.
• Melbourne. Very different to Sydney. Much more laid back, and a hell of a lot easier to get around. Some really interesting architecture as well, but strangely the skyline isn't very recognisable.
• The Blue Mountains. They're so beautiful; not like anything else I've seen before somehow.
• Tasmania. Very much like parts of England and Scotland, but Hobart is a great little town. It's probably the happiest place I've ever been: everyone I met was so cool and friendly, and seemed totally contented.
• Good News Week. Genuinely hilarious current affairs panel show that isn't broadcast in the UK.
• The size. It's good to feel small sometimes and Australia can do that no problem.
• People have heard of Gotye. If you haven't, listen to this: 

Things I Don't Like About Australia

• Suburbs. Every suburb I went to was very drab; no defining features.
• Casual Racism.
• Teenagers trying to sound American.
• $8.60 (£5.11) for a pint?
• EVERYTHING in Sydney seems to cost money.
• Australian TV. Except for Good News Week, The Chaser, and Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, everything is trash. Also, almost every TV channel has an ad break every five minutes.
• Imported TV shows are months behind anywhere else.
• Books, CDs and DVDs are all hugely overpriced. $27 for a book I can get at home for less than £5? No thanks.
• Why can't I check my balance on a pay as you go phone? Lots of things seem to be like this; it makes Australia feel like a country 10 years behind everyone else.
• It's way too far from anywhere else for my liking. I like being close to Europe.

This probably makes it sound like I hate Australia, but that isn't true. I love it, but going for five weeks, staying in the suburbs, having an Australian bank account/phone etc. has made me realise I probably don't want to live there. I don't think it would feel special any more if I did.