Jan 30 2008
Australian Monopoly
Australian Monopoly
I had a look at the latest Australian version of Monopoly. Tells you a lot about the real estate values. I’m told that the good folk who live up north on the much-vaunted Sunshine Coast are pretty peed off that their popular tourist spot is seen as the least desirable piece of real estate in Australia. The Sunny Coast and the Great Barrier Reef have replaced downmarket Old Kent Road and Whitechapel as the cheapest spots on the new board, while the Barossa Valley and Adelaide have scored the prime real estate positions. A bit harsh.
The game’s 22 property positions were determined by an online public poll last year with almost 17 million votes recorded. If that doesn’t sound like a lot to you, keep in mind Australia has a population of 20 million. I bet most of those votes were submitted by wine makers in the Barossa Valley who believe in the old adage of ‘vote early and vote often‘.
The tokens are an example of Kitsch Australiana. A pair of thongs, a Holden ute, a surfboard and a Labradoodle. Awful. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find a tacky plastic replica of a Koorie in ceremonial ochre.
Have a look at Aussie Monopoly’s hottest properties…..
- Barossa Valley (SA). A nice place to be sure, especially if you like to eat and drink well
- Adelaide (SA). A quiet town with pretty churches and a festival.
- Kalgoorlie (WA) Ho hum.
- Broome (WA) Someone was on the right tram here.
- Perth (WA) At least Alan Bond and other assorted criminals have left.
- Sovereign Hill (Vic) A nice day out with the kids
- Great Ocean Road (Vic) A nightmare to drive along
- Melbourne (Vic)Yay!
- Launceston (Tas) If you’re driving down, don’t blink or you’ll miss it. You can’t miss the dirty water though
- Cradle Mountain (Tas) Now there’s a bloody beautiful spot
- Hobart (Tas) If you like old jails
- Broken Hill (NSW) Much over-rated
- Tamworth (NSW) Comes alive once a year with a Country Music festival. Asleep for the rest.
- Snowy Mountains (NSW) For 3 weeks of the year in the ski season, and even that is supported with snow machines
- Katherine Gorge (NT) Very striking, eerie and full of ancient power
- Devils Marbles (NT) Amazing rocks
- Kakadu (NT)Watch out for radioactive tailings
- Anzac Parade (ACT) ????
- Lake Burley Griffin (ACT)????
- Cotter Reserve (ACT)????
- Sunshine Coast (QLD)
- Great Barrier Reef (QLD)
Anzac Parade? A street with imported European trees ? Cotter Reserve? Are you joking? I’ve never heard of Cotter Reserve. What is it, a park in the suburbs where politicians jog around once a month with a small retinue of PR staff and the obligatory photographer? The poll was rigged
Like to shout me a cold beer?
