From Down Under to Down South
From Down Under to Down South is a twice-weekly reflection from an Australian making a life in the American South.
After moving from Australia to Tennessee in 2018, I began noticing the subtle cultural differences most people miss — the way politeness sounds different, the way goodbyes stretch longer, the way everyday moments quietly reveal what’s different.
Some episodes explore those contrasts directly. Others are quiet stories from the week — conversations and small moments that say something bigger.
It’s not outrage or culture wars. And it’s not a travel diary. It’s simply one Australian perspective on life between two countries.
If you’ve ever lived overseas, loved two places at once, or found yourself caught between familiar and foreign — you’ll feel at home here.
New episodes are released twice weekly as part of the broader From Down Under to Down South series across podcast and YouTube.
From Down Under to Down South
11 Tourist Mistakes That Will Get You in TROUBLE in Australia
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Australia is generally relaxed — but there are a few cultural missteps that can leave visitors feeling slightly out of sync.
Having lived both in Australia and now in the United States, I’ve seen how easily small misunderstandings happen when people rely on stereotypes rather than context.
In this episode, I look at common mistakes visitors make and explain why they land the way they do.
We’ll cover:
• Why confusing Australia with New Zealand never goes well
• The place of sport — especially cricket — in everyday conversation
• Drinking culture and common misconceptions
• Respecting Aboriginal history and cultural significance
• Wildlife etiquette and environmental awareness
• Queuing, personal space, and unspoken social rules
• How workplace culture differs from what some visitors expect
It’s not about catching anyone out.
It’s about understanding the social cues that Australians take for granted — and how noticing those details makes travel smoother and more enjoyable.
Because most cultural “trouble” isn’t dramatic.
It’s just a matter of reading the room.
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Thanks for watching.
Hoo roo maties.
Check out additional content on our YouTube page!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw
