It’s Not Perfect in This Down Under Paradise
There are certainly a lot of things to like about Australia, but not even this paradise is perfect.
One of the negatives you will hear about visiting Australia is the cost of everything, but really it’s not that much more than anywhere else in the world. Sure, a burger and fries (keep reading about the latter) or a one-person pizza will set you back $17 in a pub, but you don’t tip so it’s not that much more expensive than in other countries.
Although some things are indeed waaaayyy to expensive, thus the #1 point on our list and, of all things, it’s beer!
So here’s PubClub.com’s list of top five things not to like about a very likeable place.
1.) The Price Of Beer In The Stores
You would think that beer in Australia would be as inexpensive as rum in the Caribbean. But that is most definitely not the case.
First, all, you can only buy beer in designated stores run by provinces. And that beer is expensive!
It’s $15-18 for a six pack. Yes, a six-pack! They don’t sell 12-packs so you are better off getting a carton as they call it, which is a case. Sure, you may have to haul part of it around with you if you’re on the move, but at about $32 for a carton it’s better than paying $16 for a six-pack.
Thankfully the price of beers – which are great, by the way (PubClub.com’s favorite is Toohey’s New) – in the bars is reasonable enough, $5-7.
2.) The Bouncers At The Rocks Bars In Sydney
Here’s something you would hardly expect to happen in Australia. Yet it did, being denied entrance into a pub after having a few beers at another pub.
Seriously.
The Rocks in Sydney is a lineup of old, small and fun pubs but the doormen may deny you entrance, apparently, if it’s after midnight and you’ve had drinks elsewhere. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a row of pubs, if you ask us.
For it to happen in a place with people who have a worldwide reputation for drinking a lot of beer just seems unnatural.
3.) It’s Too Much Like America
If you are from American – and a Californian in particular – you never feel as if you are actually IN Australia.
The signs are all in the same language, everything looks familiar, Sydney is like a manageable Los Angeles, the beaches are pretty much the same and the people are similar. That’s not really a bad thing, mind you, but after traveling halfway across the world you expect to be somewhat lost, confused and at least slightly out of kilter.
In Australia, it’s like walking out the door into your own neighborhood. You want the feeling you are somewhere else, not at home. On the plus side, they do drive on the left side of the road and also walk on the left side of the sidewalk.
4.) The Pesky Australian Flies
Australia has the most pesky and persistent flies you’ve ever encountered. They escort you on walks, and not just fly around you but attack you. They go for your eyes, your mouth, your ears, you name it. And once you walk out of range of one group, another is there to take thier place.
There’s really no defense against them, other than to know about them and be prepared to do the “bush salute” a lot.
Now to be fair they are not everywhere, and once you’ve escaped them, or are having dinner or beers later you’ll forget all about them.. For the moment anyway. But you will encounter them in the cities as well as on those gorgeous walks along the cliffs overlooking the sea. And that will NOT leave you alone.
5.) The Fries, Or ‘Chips’ Side Dish
Nearly every semi-budget meal in Australia comes with fries. Apparently, salads and fruit are not in high demand. They call the fries “chips,” and by the time you leave you will have your fill of them for quite a while.
When you’re in Australia you’re drinking a lot of beer (despite the price of the 6-packs) and eating a lot of “chips,” so you had better be on the move and go on a lot of walks and/or runs. Fortunately, Australia is rich with scenic paths to work off all the chips and beer.
And here’s an odd side note to it: When Aussies are in America and are served American potato chips with a sandwich, they will look at the plate as if were about to spring to life and attack them. They will mumble something incoherent and curl up their nose as if the waitress put a worn shoe in front of them. Very odd.
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