I suspect it is much like life in the US, but way less political, and way less dangerous.
Most of our cities have rough areas, but there are only a very few places you would be better to not visit.
Country Aussies are very friendly, and mostly very layed back.
Sadly we are not all like crocodile Dundee, however the scene in the Pub with his mate donk.
Lol, that is a hell of a lot like a lot of pubs I have been too out the bush.
Country blokes often drink a lot but are mostly harmless.
Interestingly when you head out traveling, you see almost more tourists than locals.
So tourism is big here. The Grey Army could take over Australians roads just by sheer numbers
I don't much like the culture in our cities. I am a little biased, but we tend to have a lot of people that are yuppies.
The biggest change I have seen over recent years, decades has in some ways for me been changes for the worse.
We have lots of folks from the city looking for a tree change. They don't like the hustle and bustle of city life so they shift out country. But can often bring the unfriendliness of the city with them.
As an example.
When I was growing up, if you saw a neighbors cows or sheep out. You would grab a couple of family members, heard them back in, and fix the break in the fence.Then probably in a week or two you would see the owner and say something like, "Hey we put some sheep back in the south paddock there the other week"
Now you often have a situation where if my dog gets out of the yard. The neighbor 2 doors up will ring the ranger, the dog will be caught and you get a $200 fine to get it out.
So things are changing a bit. But mostly Aussies are a pretty friendly lot.
One thing though if you ever come here. have thick skin, because we do an awful lot of hanging shit on each other.
In fact it is literally a sign of affection here. If an Aussie is taking the piss out of you, it is most likely because he likes you.
You are far more likely to be ignored if an Aussie doesn't think much of you,
For example, years ago I went to a family gathering for a wedding. It was in WA and I hadn't seen my cousins in 20 years. I walked through the door and my older cousin Danny yelled from the other side of the room.
Ray ya fat bastard, you've, been in a bloody good paddock haven't ya.
to which I replied.
Jesus Danny you ugly prick, you haven't gotten any better looking either ya grey haired old bastard.
Then we shook hands, laughed and got pissed.
Here is where I live. Keep in mind I am now separated and rent the end of a shed to it is not exactly the Ta j-mahal
This is very typical of rural Victoria. It is very very different out in the Northern territory, and WA.
And if August posts photos your going to cry, if there is the garden of Eden on earth, it is in Augusts neck of the woods. It is absolutely jaw droppingly beautiful in Tasmania.
Looking back behind me from the back of my car.
Looking out the back way now.