How would you describe Australia to a foreigner?
Three Tourism Australia films that brilliantly capture what it feels like to be in Australia — the blue water, the food, the warmth — and why Coogee Beach is the perfect embodiment of all of it. (4 min read)
One of the questions I was often asked while I travelling the world (from 2012 to 2015) was “What is Australia like?”.
While I would ordinarily have a lot to say in response to a question like that, a few years travelling made me nostalgic and very grateful for my homeland.
For someone who had never visited Australia, I wanted to share what it feels like to live here. And so I looked for the best way to communicate that.
I landed on Tourism Australia’s promotional films – three, in particular. In these films, Tourism Australia brilliantly captures the feeling of Australia with images of blue water, open skies, fresh food and a relaxed sense of adventure.
Being more homesick than I realised, these films would sometimes bring me to tears. And I found myself mimicking the narrative when asked about my homeland. Not because I was drinking the “Kool-Aid” but because it was true!
Every journey to Australia begins with a feeling. A yearning for space, colour, light, freedom or possibility. And my beautiful home in Coogee Beach personifies this qualities.
Blue water: Coogee’s ocean pools, coastal light and cliff top paths are unsurpassed.
Cuisine: Coogee’s independent cafés with fresh, produce‑led menus are the best in the eastern suburbs.
Warmth and connection: walks on the beach, shared meals and calm conversation support the sharing of ideas and experiences.
Sadly, Tourism Australia changed the focus of its promotions when the Government sought a different kind of market. I hate the more recent advertisements because they do not align with my life in Coogee.
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