Can you say these 10 tongue-twister Australian place names?

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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The awkward moment when you realise you’ve been mispronouncing a place your whole life…

In Australia, our place names often originate from First Nations languages that have unique phonetic structures and sounds that are uncommon in English. Unfortunately, that means they are often mispronounced.

New research by language learning and culture experts Preply has analysed Australian place names and revealed the biggest tongue twisters.

Sylvia Johnson, head of methodology at language learning and culture experts Preply, says Australian place names are a clue to the country’s unique cultural heritage.

“While accurate translations and spellings may have been lost to time, many Australian place names are emblematic of those who have existed before," she says.

“When it comes to pronouncing long or unfamiliar place names, my advice is to speak the name slowly and sound out each syllable. Hearing the name phonetically can help imitate the native pronunciation."

How many of these places can you pronounce correctly on the first try?

Carrickalinga Beach in South Australia with person
New research has analysed Australian place names and revealed the biggest tongue twisters. (Image: Mitch Toft)

10. Albury-Wodonga, NSW/Victoria

The border city of Albury-Wodonga is separated by the Murray River with Albury in NSW and Wodonga in Victoria. The Albury-Wodonga area was known as Bungambrawatha, or ‘Homeland’, by the Wiradjuri people, until 1838 when colonisers decided ‘Albury’ was easier to pronounce. Wodonga, meaning ‘bulrushes’, still retains its Aboriginal name.

Pronunciation: Al-buh-ree-Wod-on-gah

Couple enjoying a riverside picnic at Noreuil Park, Albury.
Albury-Wodonga is separated by the Murray River. (Image: Destination NSW)

9. Widgiemooltha, Western Australia

An abandoned town in Western Australia, Widgiemooltha is not quite a ghost town, but it was once a thriving mining community found on the southern shoreline of Lake Leffroy. Located on Kalaako land, Widgiemooltha is believed to be derived from a word meaning ‘beak of an emu’.

Pronunciation: Wid-gee-mool-tha

Lake Leffroy near Widgiemooltha in Western Australia.
Lake Leffroy is near the abandoned Widgiemooltha.

8. Koolyanobbing, WA

Meaning ‘place of large rocks’, Koolyanobbing is an iron ore mining town between Perth and Kalgoorlie on Kapurn Country. Salt is also harvested from nearby Lake Deborah, a five-million-year-old salt lake.

Pronunciation: Kool-yah-nob-ing

7. Bishopsbourne, Tasmania

Bishopsbourne, or The Bourne as it’s called by the locals, is a tiny rural town (only 137 residents were recorded in the 2021 census) in northern Tasmania around half an hour from Launceston. The 13-letter place name is the easiest one for me on this list!

Pronunciation: Bish-ops-bourne

Bishopsbourne Church Of The Holy Nativity
Bishopsbourne is known as The Bourne to locals.

6. Carrickalinga, South Australia

Carrickalinga – or Karrakardlangga/Karragarlangga in Kaurna, a branch of the Pama–Nyungan languages – is a small, coastal town on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, on Kaurna land. The name is reportedly a corruption of the name given to a former Aboriginal camp meaning ‘place of redgum firewood’.

Pronunciation: Ka-ruh-kuh-ling-guh

Aerial shot of Carrickalinga Beach in South Australia
Carrickalinga has a stunning coastline. (Image: Jesse Ehlers)

5. Coonabarabran, NSW

On Wiradjuri Country, Coonabarabran is a small town that sits on the divide between the Central West and the North West Slopes regions of NSW. Meaning ‘inquisitive person’, Coonabarabran is actually the stargazing capital of Australia! The town is right beside Warrumbungle National Park, Australia’s first International Dark Sky Park.

Pronunciation: Koo-nuh-ba-ruh-bran

Scenic sunrise views across Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran.
Coonabarabran is the stargazing capital of Australia. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Nowra-Bomaderry, NSW

Nowra-Bomaderry is one of the easier place names to say on this list, but it does have 14 letters in its name. Nowra-Bomaderry sits on either side of the Shoalhaven River on the NSW South Coast. The land to the north of the river is Dharawal Country, and the land to the south is Yuin Country. Nowra means ‘black cockatoo’ and Bomaderry means ‘fighting ground’ or ‘running water’ in the native languages.

Pronunciation: Now-rah-bow-ma-de-ree

Scenic views of the Shoalhaven River passing through Nowra.
Nowra-Bomaderry sits on either side of the Shoalhaven River. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Boomahnoomoonah, Vic

Containing 15 letters, Boomahnoomoonah comes in third for Australia’s longest place names. Boomahnoomoonah is located roughly three hours’ drive from Melbourne, in the Shire of Moira in Victoria, an area known for its agriculture. Sitting between Yarrawonga and Wangaratta in north-eastern Victoria, Boomahnoomoonah is said to mean ‘big water’ in the local Yorta Yorta language.

Pronunciation: Boo-mah-noo-moo-nah

2. Cadibarrawirracanna, SA

Lake Cadibarrawirracanna is one of Australia’s beautiful salt lakes located near the well-known Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia. It’s also the second biggest tongue twister when it comes to Australian place names with 19 letters. Often referred to as Lake Cadi, Cadibarrawirracanna means ‘the stars were dancing’ in the Arabana language.

Pronunciation: Cad-i-bar-rah-wir-a-can-nah

Aerial shot of Lake Cadibarrawirracanna in South Australia
Lake Cadibarrawirracanna is one of Australia’s beautiful salt lakes.

1. Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya, SA

Taking out the top spot is Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya, a hill in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands of South Australia. With 26 letters, Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya translates to ‘where the devil urinates’.

Pronunciation: Ma-mung-koo-kum-pu-rang-kunt-jun-ya

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.