Great Australian icons & specialties

Australian bush hats, clothing and outback accessories... Akubra, Blundstone, RM Williams, Driza Bone and more...

The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House must be one of the most recognisable images of the modern world - up there with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building - and one of the most photographed... This Australian icon - the Opera House, with a roof evocative of a ship at full sail - was designed by renowned Danish architect - Jorn Utzon... Not only is it recognisable, it has come to represent "Australia".

Although only having been open since 1973, it is as representative of Australia as the pyramids of Egypt and the Coliseum of Rome... Situated on Bennelong Point, which reaches out into the harbour, the skyline of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the blue water of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, viewed from a ferry or from the air, is both dramatic and unforgettable.

Uluru an Australian monolith
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is 9.4km if you walk around it, and about 345 metres high if you climb it (and is thought to be the tip of a mountain which extends kilometres below the surface). It's 3.6km long , 2km wide, and is roughly oval in shape. It's made of arkosic sandstone, and is particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset.

Uluru is located in the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park about 335km to the south-west of ALice Springs in Northern Territory, Australia. The park is 132,566 hectares in size and is World Heritage listed.

Uluru is the homeland of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people (also known as Anangu), and was returned to their care and ownership in 1985. The area contains carvings and paintings by Aboriginal people and is also the location of a number of sacred sites which are closed to the public.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most well known and photographed landmarks. It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour.

Fondly known by the locals as the "Coat hanger", the Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrated its 70th birthday in 2002, with its official opening in March 1932.

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's east coast, is one of the wonders of the natural world. It is World Heritage listed and is one of Australia's, and the world's, premier holiday destinations. The combination of glorious weather (be aware that it rains a lot in the wet season!), pristine rainforest, white sandy beaches, and an ocean varying in hue from blue to turquoise to green, ensures it's where the world wants to go to lie on the beach, swim, surf, snorkel, sail, bushwalk and birdwatch.

The area abounds with with wildlife, including dugong and green turtles, varieties of dolphins and whales, more than 1500 species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and more than 200 species of birdlife. The Great Barrier Reef system consists of more than 300- reefs which range in size from 1 hectare to over 10,000 hectares in area. The reef is scattered with beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres... Learn more

Merino wool
The history of Merino in Australia dates back to 1797 when a flock of Spanish Merino arrived via South Africa. Australian Merino today, yields the longest wool fibres in the world and produce the ultimate in wool fibre for all manner of textile products.

Australian designers use this remarkable wool and produce unique and innovative clothing including hand-knitted sweaters and jackets that are the envy of the world... As well as clothing, beautiful soft blankets and bedding are also available. When buying, always look for the Pure New Wool label to guarantee quality.


Akubra
"Akubra". the Aboriginal word for head covering, have been manufacturing hats in Australia since the 870's. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the name Akubra hats has almost become the general term for hat. Like the Stetson in America, the Akubra hat has become part of Australian folklore...

This rabbit fur felt Akubra hat has become the hat of choice in the Australian outback. Akubra also manufactured the famous Australian 'slouch' hats during the first and second World Wars. Over the years, Akubra hats have adorned the heads of prime ministers, US presidents, sporting greats and film stars. A piece of Australian history! The Akubra is stocked by most major department stores and retail outlets.


RM Williams
For generations of Australians, the name RM Williams has been as synonymous with the bush as damper and billy tea. Today this range of boots and clothing is also popular with city dwellers. RM Williams was a famous stockman in his own right and founder of the Australian Rough Riders Association... Throughout his life, he was active in the development of Australian tourism - particularly through his involvement in the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland (well worth a visit). RM Williams clothing outlets can be found in most major and regional shopping centres.


The Driza-Bone
Like the Akubra hat, since 1898, the Driza-Bone has become part of Australian history. Named because it keeps you 'dry as a bone,' its waterproof construction and oilskin qualities comes into its own each year in the wet, worn by man, woman and child alike. The Driza-Bone is usually knee or ankle length, and was designed to keep a rider and saddle dry during long cattle musters in the bush. Made from a mixture of natural oil and cotton fibres, the Driza-Bone keeps you dry during even the heaviest rainfall.

Today, Driza-Bone has evolved from being solely an oilskin work coat, to jackets, vests, hats and leather goods used for both active and leisure outdoor activities. These not only reflect the heritage if Driza-Bone, but also add a smart modern look to this Australian icon.


Moleskin clothing
Part of the Australian outback clothing heritage, moleskin is a densely woven 100 per cent cotton cloth with a soft, velvety feel that is similar in feel to soft suede. With a long tradition in the Australian bush, moleskin garments, mainly pants and shirts, are still worn by stockmen, shearers, and graziers and have become firmly entrenched in Australian folklore... Like much of Australia's original outback clothing, it has now found its way into suburban and city life. You will find moleskin clothing stocked in most major and regional centres.


Billabong beach and surf wear
Named after an Australian watering hole featured in the famous poem Waltzing Matilda, (Australia's "unofficial" National anthem... see 'Waltzing Matilda' lyrics)... Billabong has been designing and producing unique surf and extreme sports wear for generations of Australians. The sponsor of some leading surfing competitions, Billabong is a favourite among Australian beach worshippers. Their clothing is available in most department stores, and retail centres.


Rip Curl beach and surf wear
For over 30 years Rip Curl Australia has been producing colourful surf wear for this nation of surfers!... The Rip Curl approach is best expressed by co-founder Brian Singer as..."give a surfer a board, a wetsuit and an eight foot barrel, and he'll still need something to wear when he gets out of the water,... but make it simple, durable and functional..." Today, Rip Curl produces surfboards, wet suits, board shorts, T-shirts and a host of other beach-related wear. Rip Curl's style is as Australian as it comes and can be found in most major department stores and retail outlets.


Ken Done
Using the vibrant and youthful colours of Australia, Ken Done's work has been described as the most original style to come out of Australia. His canvas, whether it’s swim wear, T-shirts or even the painting of a BMW Art car, captures the essence of Australia... Drawing inspiration from the light at sunrise or sunset, the movement of the sea, the beach, the 'Aussie' garden, or the magnificent Australian interior, his work has a very Australian perspective and is exhibited in collections around the world. His clothing and homeware items are available at select department retail stores.


Mambo!
Mambo, an unusual, irreverent, but very Australian surf and street wear brand. Launched in 1984 in a pair of reasonably authentic board shorts and a small range of gratuitously printed and stylishly over-sized T-shirts. Mambo has grown from an irreverent and sardonic curiosity into an iconic surf wear label... Mambo today has a huge and flamboyant collection of clothing and lifestyle essentials, from loud shirts and swim wear to watches and jewellery. Whatever the item, the style is uniquely Australian and typical of the Aussie sense of humour.


Vegemite
Vegemite - as Australian as you can get and one of the worlds richest known sources of Vitamin B... The spread, now known around the world for its unique taste, first appeared on Australian supermarket shelves in 1923. From this time generations of children and adults have made this a staple at the breakfast table. The Vegemite slogan "It puts a rose in every cheek" is as familiar to Australians as the unusual yeast taste. Whether to taste or take home, Vegemite is an item that should be on every visitors' list. Available, well, .... pretty much everywhere!



Fosters
Fosters lager is Australia's original, full strength lager. Launched by the Foster brothers in 1887, this lighter European style lager became the beer of choice for Australian beer drinkers creating a milestone in brewing history - largely thanks to the brother's innovative refrigeration process. Today, Fosters lager is one of the fastest growing, truly global beer brands, available in more than 150 countries.