Here's a list of things I've noticed that are weird here or different than in Canada, or notable in some way. Listed in the order I noticed them. I'll add more as they come along. Enjoy.
1. It's hard to get used to the cars driving on the left side of the road. I keep looking left before crossing then almost getting hit by cars from the right
2. Aussies aren't very chatty in shops, very efficient, like what's your order? Money please. Move along. Next please
3. Our dollar is worth basically the same as an Aus dollar, but everything costs more here compared to Canada. Booze and food are really pricey. Six packs go for like $20 and it's really tough to find a meal (fast food or regular) for under ten bucks
4. Taxis and Police drive Ford Falcons instead of Crown Vics
5. Besides the Falcons, the most common vehicle type on the roads are new versions of the El Camino. Chevy, Ford and Holden all make a version
6. Most backpackers seem to be from England, but there are quite a few Canadians and Germans also
7. There are 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins, and 1 and 2 dollar coins. But the 20 cent coins are bigger and thicker than toonies and the 2 dollar coins are smaller but thicker than dimes. So if you get a few 20 cent pieces, or some 50 cent ones, which are bigger than the 20s, then your wallet gets really heavy
8. The 5 dollar bills are purple, the 10 dollar bills are blue and the 20 dollar bills are red. I keep getting them mixed up because those colours have different values in Canada
9. ATMs give out 20s and 50s (which are yellow). I took out $100 and it gave me 2 50s. I was like wtf I don't want two 50s!
10. French fries are called chips everywhere and don't ever come with ketchup
11. Similar to driving, people walk on the left side of the sidewalk instead of the right. This is really hard to get used to
12. Standard greeting is "How you going?" Rather than g'day or how's it going/how are you doing?
13. Roads and sidewalks are in perfect condition
14. Cities are very up and down. In Sydney it's not uncommon to walk up or downhill for like 10 blocks
15. Light switches have to go down to turn on lights
16. All electrical outlets have on/off switches
17. All toilets have low/high flush options
18. Only a couple cereal brands I recognize, and 99% of cereals are healthy here
19. Almost everyone wears athletic shoes/runners instead of dress shoes or skate shoes or whatever. In business areas, most businesspeople wear slip on loafer style shoes, instead of ones with laces.
20. Helmets are mandatory for anyone riding a bike
21. Seatbelts are mandatory on Greyhound buses
22. There are tons of speed cams, even on isolated roads in the middle of the bush, 6 hours from a city
23. Gas is 126.9 per litre
24. A bottle of coke in a machine usually costs $3.50
25. There are no parking meters, instead you have to buy a ticket at a parking machine on the street and put it on your dash
26. Collision or accident repair for vehicles is called "smash" repair
27. All eggs are brown. Haven't seen a single white eggshell
28. In bars, they don't know what rye is. I ordered a rye and Coke and got a blank stare. You have to order Canadian Club or Johnny Walker with Coke
29. A flashlight is called a torch
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