Almost anyone can point Australia out on a map. I’ve never been there, but my brother lived there for years. My parents have visited, and my sister-in-law was born there and lived there for over twenty years.
Even though countless actors, musicians, movies, products, and television shows are from Australia, there are a growing number of people who are convinced it doesn’t exist. They think that even the people who claim to live there are either actors or government agents.
Whether it’s about the “fake” kangaroos or the belief that every pilot in the world is in on the conspiracy, here are a few of our favorite — albeit very strange — theories.
Australia Is a Hoax Created by the British
Some believe Australia was invented by the British government to cover up mass executions. In this theory, when Britain claimed it was sending convicts to Australia, it was actually killing them. The whole continent was invented to hide this historical crime.
Airline Pilots Are Paid to Lie About Australia
In the minds of these theorists, every airline pilot who claims to have flown to Australia is lying. I’m not sure how this happened — do they all take a course? Are they all in the same meeting where they agree to stick to the plan that Australia is “real”?
Conspiracy theorists argue that planes land in remote, uninhabited parts of South America, and passengers are tricked into thinking they’re in Australia.
Satellite Images of Australia Are Fabricated
According to these believers, all satellite images showing Australia are digital forgeries. They claim that organizations like NASA are complicit in creating fake visuals, complete with false weather patterns and topography to convince the public Australia exists.
Australian Animals Are Fake Animatronics
One of the strangest beliefs is that iconic Australian animals, like kangaroos and koalas, aren’t real. The theory suggests these creatures are sophisticated animatronics or simply made up by the global elite to keep up the illusion of Australia’s existence.
Australians Are Actors
People who say they’re from Australia? According to this theory, they’re all actors. Whether it’s celebrities like Chris Hemsworth or people you meet online, conspiracy theorists believe they’re paid to perpetuate the Australia myth.
Maps Have Been Altered to Include a Fake Continent
These skeptics insist that mapmakers have been instructed to include Australia as part of a global cover-up. According to them, cartographers are pressured by governments and international bodies to keep the fake continent on all world maps.
Australia Doesn’t Show Up on Radar
In another twist, believers claim that real-time radar systems never show planes flying over or to Australia. They argue that this is because the flights are redirected to other locations, but this fact is hidden from the general public.
The “Australia” You Visit Is Actually an Island Near South America
Those who think Australia is a myth argue that tourists who believe they’ve visited the continent have actually been flown to a secret island off the coast of South America. There, a carefully staged environment mimics the look and feel of Australia.
Australian History Is Completely Fabricated
All the stories you’ve heard about Australia’s colonization, the gold rush, and even World War II battles fought there? Conspiracy theorists believe these are all invented events, created to give the fake country a backstory and make it seem real.
Australia Exists Only in Hollywood Movies
Some conspiracy believers think Australia only exists in movies and TV shows. They argue that depictions of Australia in popular media, like “Crocodile Dundee” or “Mad Max,” are filmed in other countries and passed off as Australian scenery.
The Sydney Opera House Is a Prop
To support their claims, these theorists argue that iconic landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House, are props or movie sets. They claim that tourists are shown carefully constructed facades that disappear when the cameras are off.
Time Zones Were Created to Support the Lie
In their minds, Australia’s time zone exists solely to bolster the belief that there’s a continent far to the east. These conspiracy theorists argue that the existence of a different time zone gives the illusion of a place far away, but it’s all just a trick.
The Great Barrier Reef Is a CGI Creation
Some argue that the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most famous natural wonders on the planet, doesn’t actually exist. They claim that footage of the reef is created using CGI and other digital effects, designed to convince people that Australia is real.
No One Has Ever Traveled Through the Outback
In this belief, the vast, harsh landscape of the Australian Outback is another part of the hoax. Conspiracy theorists claim that no one has ever truly traveled across it because it doesn’t exist—any stories about it are just part of the ruse.
International Trade With Australia Is Faked
Skeptics claim that any trade involving Australian goods, like wine or wool, is faked. They believe these products are actually made elsewhere and labeled as Australian, further propping up the lie about the country’s existence.
Australian Accents Are Manufactured
According to some theorists, the distinct Australian accent is a construct. They claim linguists and voice coaches were hired to create a new accent, which actors then used to make the “Australian people” seem real.
No Astronaut Has Ever Flown Over Australia
A common point in the conspiracy is that no astronaut has ever confirmed seeing Australia from space. They believe that any astronaut claiming to have done so is either lying or has been misled by fake satellite imagery.
Antarctica Covers Up Australia’s Nonexistence
In another twist, conspiracy theorists argue that Antarctica’s large, unexplored expanse is used to hide the truth about Australia. They claim that by shifting the attention toward the southern ice, governments can more easily cover up that Australia doesn’t exist.
Australia Is Part of a Global Brainwashing Scheme
The strangest, most overarching belief is that the idea of Australia is part of a larger plot to brainwash and control the public. These theorists believe that the lie is part of a wider conspiracy to make people question reality and accept false information.
21 Things Pilots Are Forbidden to Do During Flights
Have you ever wondered what rules pilots must follow while they’re in the cockpit? Being a pilot is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility and a strict set of rules to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
These rules ensure that pilots maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism while flying. By adhering to these guidelines, they help ensure that every flight reaches its destination safely.
Read More: 21 Things Pilots Are Forbidden to Do During Flights
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
