Jaunted

· Vegemite: This sticky black yeast extract is the salty stuff that Aussies love to spread on their toast – and taunt foreigners with. Expect the worst and it'll slightly exceed your expectations. But eat it every day of your trip and you might turn into a fan.

· Lamingtons: These small cakes are provided to new Australians after citizenship ceremonies, so they must be good; unlike Vegemite, most foreigners seem to like them. Basically made up of sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and coconut, you can find them in any Aussie bakery.

· Kangaroo meat: While this used to be a cheap meat fed only to pets, kangaroo meat has gone through a renaissance since Aussies discovered that it's one of the leanest meats there is. It's still not exactly common, but can be found in many a restaurant menu and in most supermarkets in a ready-for-the-BBQ pack.

· Tim Tams: These chocolate biscuits are a must-try. They come in different varieties these day, but the original is best. Aussies will encourage you to try a Tim Tam Slam: bite both ends off the biscuit, then drink your coffee using the biscuit like a straw. The soft insides melt, and this really works. If you practice.

· Meat pies: An Aussie meat pie might not have exactly been invented in Australia, but it's the snack of choice if you're at any sporting event or just feeling hungry on the road. Wikipedia says that the average Australian eats 12 meat pies a year and the important point to note is that you can't ask for ketchup with your pie – you have to use the Aussie equivalent, tomato sauce.

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[Photo: dave.palmater]