Top 5 Aussie Icons

When you think of Australia, what comes to mind? There are some great things that define Australia. We have people, we have places, we have views and we have products that all epitomise who we are. But what are the top five most quintessential Aussie icons? We’ve put our list together, so tell us what’s on yours!

Count down from five to one in the comments below and let’s see what we all think.

5. The Hills Hoist

In 1945, a man called Lance Hill invested something so unique, that it became an International Aussie icon that is often used to depict the traditional Australian household in the 40s and the 50s. The Hills Hoist clothes line. This simple household feature is so well known that it is listed asa National Treasure by the National Library of Australia. During the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, countless homeowners who tragically lost their homes in the storm reported that the only thing remaining on their properties was the Hills Hoist.

4. Uluru

335 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs lies a rock with a circumference of 9.4 kilometres and a height of 348 metres. It is the biggest rock (monolith) in the world and sees well over half a million visitors every year. It is a World Heritage Listed site and has represented native Australians, the Aboriginals and Australian tourism for many years.

3. Kangaroo

The kangaroo is on our coat of arms, is the icon for our national airline, are on our coins and we have sung songs and written stories about them. These native Australian marsupials are known to the world as being one of the most iconic representations of Australia. We have even proudly named our sports teams after them (The Kangaroos and The Wallabies).

2. Boomerang

There are countless jokes about our Indigenous Australian’s hunting methods but the boomerang is a gravity-defying apparatus that is known as an Australian icon all over the world today. The returning throwing stick is traditionally a wooden curved device that was an every day part of life for Aboriginal communities. Although other “throwing sticks” have been recorded throughout the world, the Australian boomerang is the only one that has been crafted to return back to you.

1. Vegemite

Although the manufacturers of this food paste are not only Australian, a jar of vegemite is the most well known Australian icon, mainly because any un-Australian (including US President, Brack Obama) who has tried it can’t believe we eat it! It is really what sets us apart from the world (other than the vast ocean that surrounds us). The paste made from yeast extract and vegetables has been around since 1922. The flavor is described as salty, bitter and malty, something that only the daring would try. Australians since it’s beginning have grown up as “vegemite kids” and are proud of it.

So what do you think are the five most quintessential Aussie icons? Think back to your childhood and tell us what you think by numbering from five to one!