Why is Australia called Down Under?
Australia is called Down Under because it lies in the Southern Hemisphere, below the equator. On world maps that place north at the top, Australia appears far down at the bottom, under most other countries.
The phrase has been used since at least the 1800s, particularly by British people describing Australia and New Zealand as distant lands on the other side of the world. It is still widely used today.
Australians themselves use the term with humor and pride. It appears in advertising, tourism campaigns, sports team names and song lyrics.
A famous song
The nickname was made even more famous by the 1981 song Down Under by Australian band Men at Work. The song reached number one in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, and became an unofficial anthem for Australians abroad.
Its lyrics famously mention Vegemite sandwiches, and it is often played at sporting events and celebrations.
Some people point out that there is no real up or down in space, so putting north at the top of maps is just a convention. Novelty upside-down maps, with Australia at the top, are sold as souvenirs.
Did You Know?
New Zealand is also sometimes included when people talk about Down Under.