1. Generally, friendlier people than New Zealanders.
2. Excellent roads almost always in the Outback, with regular bathroom facilities, superb and extraordinarily frequent signs about when passing is possible, signs indicating overtaking is coming up in 3 kms, etc, and the most frequent signs indicating no overtaking is possible.
3. Remarkably little signage for some of the national parks, with no 'Welcome to ... Park,' no Welcome Center, no staff, etc.
4. Frequent signs about driving on the left as well as other signs in German, French, and Japanese.
5. Gas cost about $5 US a gallon in April, although that seems comparatively 'cheap' now because of the worsening war with Iran.
6. Burger King is known as Hungry Jack's. Same logo, etc. Don't know about the menu, though!
7. These beef pies, made with various additions, including mushrooms and cheese, were a staple in roadhouses and downtown Perth. They were a perfect quick and inexpensive lunch for only AUD 7 or $5 US each.
8. Very few public trash cans as people are expected to bring trash home.
9. Huge emphasis on no littering and signs at rest areas forbidding people from leaving household trash. The result was an almost total absence of any litter anywhere.
10. Road trains were a common sight away from major cities.
11. Public toilets were located everywhere, just as in New Zealand.
12. Washboard roads are called corrugated roads for good reason!
13. Lots of Op Shops, aka second-hand or thrift stores, just as in NZ.
14. Water glasses and pitchers of water in all restaurants.
15. Also common to order food at the bar and have it delivered to your table.
16. Lots of amusing rules and signs vis-à-vis toilets.
17. Police advertise what they're targeting on a given basis. Fatigue, seatbelt use, etc.
18. No tipping.
19. Never seen so many directions for cemeteries before!
20. Huge emphasis on reforestation in WA.
21. Surprisingly few motorcycles in cities or in the countryside. Is the reason for the latter because of the vast distances between towns to get gas?
22. Every town or village had a Community Resource Centre.
23. Few upscale cars. Only 1 Tesla, for example. Possibly because they would be impractical when driving massive distances in the hinterland?
24. Astonishingly few native Australians in shops, museums, etc. I read that WA has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents of any state in the country.
25. The largest coin I recall ever seeing by far was the .50 piece. Conversely, the most valuable coin, the $2 coin, was smaller than an American penny.
26. Anything but boring sound barriers!
