The land down under, known for its unique creatures such as the kangaroo and koala, also has its own unique folklore. Some of the tales that you’re about to read come from Aboriginal (the original people of Australia) origins while some are from European influences. Join us as we dive into the myths and legends from Australia!
From tales of strange creatures to geographical theories about the continent, Australian myths and legends are sure to make you ponder the mysteries of the universe.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the legends!
The Most Fascinating Myths and Legends from Australia
1. The Bunyip: A Delightful Creature or a Devil in Disguise from Australian Myths?
Originating from Aboriginal culture mythology, the bunyip is a creature that lurks within various bodies of water in Western Australia. Some of the homes of choice for the creature are swamps, creeks, billabongs, rivers, and waterholes. The creature is based on Aboriginal beliefs. And Aborigines decorate sacred objects and their stories surrounding them with a lot of extras. However, once Europeans made their way to Australia, they too recorded accounts of the beast from Australian mythology. It seems like this Australian folklore story isn’t just a story after all.
It’s said that the Europeans viewed the bunyip as an exciting new creature to study and document in hopes of fame and riches. But, the original inhabitants saw the bunyip as a force of evil. According to Australian mythology, it is a devil that lurked in the shadows waiting to devour its prey.
There have been many descriptions of the bunyip in Aboriginal stories. Some people say that the bunyip resembles a huge starfish. Others say that it’s more like a seal or dog. Stranger still, others report a long-necked creature with many small heads.
With many differing accounts, it’s hard to know for sure just what the bunyip could be. But, what we do know is that we wouldn’t like to be the ones to meet it!
2. Where is All the Water Flowing? Australian Mythology Seems to Know!
While the Great Artesian Basin takes care of the east half of Australia, the west half has no such luck. But with Australian rivers flowing inland to Central Australia, it begs the question, “Where is all the water going?”
European settlers believed they had an answer to the question and theorized that Australia likely had an internal river system. Based on these thoughts, many expeditions set out to discover what is now still undiscoverable.
A particularly famous expedition was the one headed by Charles Sturt. While the expedition tried their best, the heat of the desert landscape was too strong for them. Eventually, they had to return as Sturt’s health worsened due to scurvy.
Today, the hunt is still on for the next great basin in Central Australia that could turn Australia’s barren deserts into liveable water-filled plains. But the question is, how deep will they have to go to find it? And just what else is down there?
3. The Koala’s Evil Twin from Western Australia
Stories of drop bears are usually told as jokes for unsuspecting tourists or children. The bears are said to resemble koalas, except that they’re larger and have an appetite for flesh. Drop bears also have a signature attack where they hide in trees waiting for an unsuspecting person to walk past before diving onto their heads—hence the name drop bear.
Although drop bears are 100 percent fictional, the Australian Museum went as far as creating a fake entry for the drop bear on their website. Drop bears were described as having orange fur and are roughly the size of a leopard, but the best part is that it was around 130 centimeters (51 inches) long, and weighed around 120 kilograms (260 pounds).
Imagine That!
Regardless of the ongoing drop bear hoax, there does seem to be a real origin story for the hoax. Nature’s Weirdest Events, a BBC nature documentary series, figured out a potential past link for the animal.
The documentary postulated that the drop bear could be derived from the memory of a now-extinct marsupial lion. Many original inhabitants of Western Australia describe it like that. The main reasoning behind this theory was a native Aboriginal rock painting that seemed to depict the marsupial lion standing on a tree branch. On top of this, it was thought to specialize in ambush-style hunting tactics.
Close enough to be the inspiration for drop bears? Maybe. But what we do know for sure, is that you’re unlikely to have a dive-bombing marsupial land on your head anywhere in Australia.
Which Was Your Favorite Myth or Legend from the Aboriginal Culture?
Did the bunyip tale send shivers down your spine? Are you planning a hunt for the elusive underground spring? Or will you keep the drop bear hoax alive for any unsuspecting tourists in Australia? Is there something we haven’t mentioned that lurks in Central and Southern Australia?
Let us know in the comments below!
P.S. Do you have a favorite myth, legend, or hoax from your country that you’d like us to write about? Let us know below so we at Day Translations can share your story with the world.