10 Australian Place Names You’ve Probably Been Saying Wrong

From capital cities (yes, seriously) to iconic neighbourhoods, Aussie-bred mispronunciations are frighteningly common.

Our laidback drawl is globally adored but did you know we’re pronouncing our own hometowns inaccurately? A recent study conducted by Preply , an online language learning platform, combed through search data for 332 Australian hot spots and discovered the number of times people have Googled ‘How to pronounce’ or ‘How to say’ our most recognisable destinations. While it may be distinctly un-Australian to get all of them right, some are downright cringe-worthy. Drumroll, please…

10. Derby, Western Australia

Don’t say: Dar-bee

Do say: Der-bee

Spectacular dirt terrain, tropical mangrove swamps and one consistently misarticulated moniker. Poor old Derby in Western Australia may serve as one of the most unforgettable things to do in the Kimberley but it’s come in as the tenth most mispronounced place in the country. Resist the temptation to switch the ‘e’ for an ‘a’ and take a more refined approach without a second thought.

a Boab tree in Derby, Australian place names — Swoon over the magnificent Boab Tree in Derby. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

9. Warwick, Queensland

Don’t say: Wor-rick

Do say: Wa-rick

Boot-scootin’ babies can’t get enough of Warwick in Queensland’s Southern Downs, particularly fans of the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft, one of the best events happening this month, but many haven’t the foggiest idea how to say it. Shimmying in at number nine on the list, this country town is more ahh and less ohh.

the Warwick Post Office in Queensland — Visit the heritage-listed Warwick Post Office. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

8. Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory

Don’t say: Nun-uh-wahl

Do say: Nun-nah-wol

It’s home to one of Australia’s best emerging city experiences, but pronouncing Ngunnawal is proving a bit of a mouthful. Registering in eighth place is the land within Canberra and a name that also represents the Traditional Owners of the Canberra region. Ditch the inclination to follow Ngunnawal’s literal ‘a’ at the second last letter and steer it towards an ‘o’ sound.

people under the shade f a tree in Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory — Practice perfecting the name Ngunnawal before you visit the ACT. (Image: Tourism Australia)

7. Balmain, New South Wales

Don’t say: Bal-mah or Bal-mahn

Do say: Bal-mane

Sadly, we’re quite some distance from chic Paris. As tempting as it is to pronounce Balmain with the type of Je ne sais quoi that fancies up Target to Tar-jay (just us?), articulating the inner west suburb of Sydney is way more literal. Next time you’re referring friends to Balmain and its epic secret summer swimming spot, call it directly as it reads.

the Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, New South Wales — Dawn Fraser Baths is a cool swimming pool complex in Balmain. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Don’t say: Can-berra

Do say: Can-bra

It doesn’t get more ocker than this. Yes, Canberra may technically contain eight letters but there’s only six letters worth bothering with. Proving once and for all that we Australians roll right over the pronunciation of an ‘er’, Canberra’s correct articulation ignores the suffix completely. Gotta love Straya’.

hot air balloons floating over Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory — The best way to explore Canberra is by hot air ballooning over Lake Burley Griffin. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Gloucester, New South Wales

Don’t say: Glow-kester or Glou-sester

Do say: Gloss-ter

One of the prettiest Lower Mid North Coast NSW towns on the map, Gloucester on the Barrington Coast is often mispronounced for its likeness to the British town of Gloucestershire. Punch up ‘ouces’ as ‘oss’ and you’ll score top points whenever you’re referring to the magical mecca of bushwalks, cellar doors and outstanding camping.

an aerial view of the Gloucester countryside on the Barrington Coast — Gloucester is surrounded by scenic landscapes. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Launceston, Tasmania

Don’t say: Lawn-ses-ten or Lawns-ten

Do say: Lon-ses-ten

You may get away with pronouncing Launceston similarly to how it’s spelt but you’ll need to check yourself if you’re chatting to Tassie locals. The wonderful river-facing city, home to so many beautiful historical sites and stunning scenery, should be articulated with a ‘lon’ rather than a ‘lawn’.

two people crossing the Cataract Gorge on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift in Launceston — Cataract Gorge Scenic Chairlift in Launceston is one of the longest chairlifts in the world. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Melbourne, Victoria

Don’t say: Mel-born

Do say: Melben

Slipping in at third position is one of our native language’s most criticised pronunciations – Melbourne. Commonly referred to as ‘Mel-born’ around the world, and for understandable reasons given the spelling, our beloved culture capital is more widely accepted with a rounded off ‘ben’ sound. Again, Straya’.

the Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, VIC — Melbourne is home to Australia’s oldest train station. (Image: Visit Victoria)

2. Prahran, Victoria

Don’t say: Praa-ran

Do say: Pran

Keeping the curiosity within Victoria, the trendy suburb of Prahran has proved another bone of contention, arriving on the list in second place. Renowned for its outstanding shopping, dining and entertainment, making it a must-explore on any multi-day itinerary of Melbourne, Prahan should be shortened to just a smidge over one syllable to earn authenticity points off locals.

fresh fruits and veggies on display at Prahran Market, VIC — Prahran Market is a one-stop shop for fresh produce in Melbourne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

1. Cairns, Queensland

Don’t say: Kerns or Can

Do say: Cans

Are you one of the savvy few who don’t stumble over Cairns when you’re saying it out loud? You’re sitting in the minority. Coming in at first place is Far North Queensland’s tropical gateway. Perhaps we should blame the Frenchies for tagging their big Cannes film festival with too-similar a name, but the ongoing debate surrounding the pronunciation of Cairns is as robust as the verdict on pineapple-topped pizza. Here it is, once and for all: Cans. Now, there’s no excuse.

Woman coming out of the water at Ellis Beach in Cairns — It’s the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef but Cairns is a mouthful for many. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

10 Australian place names you’ve probably been saying wrong