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About This Quiz
We all grow up being familiar with nursery rhymes, from having them sung to us in the crib to learning the words to them in pre-school. Australia's unique culture means we have plenty of nursery rhymes based on our flora, fauna and traditions. From nursery rhymes that are sung to babies, to classic songs that every Aussie kid had to learn at school (or even tunes that adults love to belt out together!), this quiz covers nursery rhymes and traditional tunes alike. Featuring patriotic anthems that bring Australians together, like "I Am Australian," "Waltzing Matilda" and "Home Among the Gum Trees," to adorable songs from shows like "The Wiggles," "Playschool" and "Hi-5," how much do you know about Australian nursery rhymes and songs for children?Â
Aside from Australian-specific nursery rhymes, Australian kids also grow up with nursery rhymes that are universally known and loved. Are you on top of these familiar, timeless tunes as well?Â
Test your knowledge of all things Australian with this quiz. Why not send it to your mates to see who has the best knowledge of the songs every Aussie grew up with? Be prepared because this quiz gets harder as you progress!Â
"Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong"
"Under the shade of a coolibah tree"
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me"
This line is from the classic Australian ballad, "Waltzing Matilda," by Banjo Patterson. In fact, it's so loved by Aussies, it was once seriously considered as the new national anthem!
"Up rode the troopers, one, two, three"
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"Hey, hey, hey"
"Oi, oi, oi"
While not a nursery rhyme, every Aussie kid grows up knowing this chant. After one person yells "Aussie Aussie Aussie," the rest will repeat "Oi, oi, oi" or repeat a singular "Oi" after someone calls out "Aussie!"
"Yip, yip, yip"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah"
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"Oh, we're bound for Botany Bay"
"Botany Bay" is an Australian folk song detailing the experience of Englishmen sailing to Australia. The song originally comes from a musical that was performed in London and then in Melbourne, Australia.
"Farewell to the well-known Old Bailey"
"Singing too-ral-li-ooral-li-ay"
"Or you'll find us in Botany Bay"
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An avocado
An engagement ring
An evening primrose
An apple
"My Boyfriend Gave Me An Apple" is typically accompanied by a clapping game which school kids are fond of playing. It's a cheeky song with plenty of playful lyrics to giggle over!
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A ship
A boat
While not strictly Australian, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" is a classic nursery rhyme that all Aussie kids grew up with. Typically, preschoolers start singing this song with their teacher's help.
A dinghy
A catamaran
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Among the flowers
Among the gumtrees
"Home Among the Gumtrees" is a country song written by John Williamson that many Aussies grew up listening to. It fondly speaks of the gorgeous natural surroundings enjoyed by Australians.
In the forest
In the bush
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A bow in her hair
A mare
A chair
This is the opening line to the intro song of the iconic Australian children's show, "Playschool." For generations, Aussies have grown up hearing this jingle, plus plenty of other songs on "Playschool."
A deer
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"Yummy, yummy"
Another kids' show favourite, this song is from "The Wiggles." These brightly coloured entertainers put on live shows for children, as well as regular episodes filled with catchy songs.
"With berries"
"For my honey"
"In my tummy"
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"We send no invitation/we do not bid him come"
"And walks about the garden/when the moon is shining bright"
These lines are from the nursery rhyme, "Little Grey Bandicoot," by Maybanke Anderson, which details the adventures of a little bandicoot, and the whole family's efforts to spot the cheeky creature.
"He hops about/as if he were at home"
"Sometimes we hear his chattering call"
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"To see what he could be, be, be"
"To help his knee, knee, knee"
"To see what he could see, see, see"
Slightly different versions of 'A Sailor Went to Sea' are sung throughout the English-speaking world, with fun actions accompanying the lyrics. What variants do you know of the words?
"To flee, flee, flee"
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By the water
On the windowsill
Perched on the tree
On the old gum tree
This popular nursery rhyme was written in 1932, celebrating the trademark laugh of the kookaburra. This bird is known for the merry feeling its laugh gives off, echoing throughout the trees.
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A slice of Vegemite toast
A roast
These lines are also from "Home Among the Gumtrees" by John Williamson, celebrating the little pleasures of having a roast, a slice of Vegemite toast and a cup of tea - all Australian essentials!
A storm
A cup of tea
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Bird
Dog
Mouse
Cat
This nursery rhyme is sung throughout much of the English-speaking world, with the song being regularly performed on "Playschool" in Australia, accompanied by puppets and imagery.
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Make its way through the garden
Crawl down the water spout
Climb up the water spout
Sometimes called "Incey Wincey Spider," this simple nursery rhyme tells the sweet story of a little spider who gets washed away from the water spout it was in, but then makes its way back up again.
Climb over the hose
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Cobbers
Champions
Rascals
Vegemites
This iconic line is from the advertising jingle of Vegemite, Australia's favourite spread. In the ad, children merrily announce their love of Vegemite and the health benefits of the popular product.
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Koalas
This simple nursery rhyme is sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques," and is an ode to one of Australia's favourite animals, the cuddly little koala. It also mentions possums, wombats, wallabies and roos.
Possums
Kangaroos
Joeys
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"I still know my home."
"I know where my heart is home."
"I still call Australia home."
"I Still Call Australia Home" is a touching ode to the land down under performed by Peter Allan in the musical, "The Boy From Oz." Plenty of kids grow up learning this song, especially if they did drama at school.
"I still return to my home."
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In a sturdy Ford
In the pouch of a kangaroo
In a rusty Holden Ute
This line is from Australia's very own take on "Jingle Bells," which includes references to the heat, summer outfits, barbeques, the pool and everything else that makes Australian Christmases so unique!
On a kangaroo sleigh
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Pavlova
Lamingtons
Gravy
Australian musician Paul Kelly wrote "How to Make Gravy" as a Christmas tune, telling the story of a family's Christmas traditions. Plenty of people still analyse the lyrics to figure out who actually makes the gravy!
Roast
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Together
Indigenous
Australian
"I Am Australian" is a rousing classic written by The Seekers and since performed by a host of other Aussie stars. The lyrics celebrate the multicultural nature and fascinating history of Australia.
United
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"There's a smile on my face."
"Let's move side to side."
"Let's do it together."
This fun bop is the theme song of "Hi-5," another iconic kids show. "Hi-5" was made a particularly entertaining show due to the presence of a live audience filled with kids singing along to their fun songs!
"Who's in it together?"
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"Today is so boring!"
"Where are you going?"
"This morning"
"The old man is snoring"
This silly tune is well known in Australia and is thought to date back to around 1912. It's thought to originate from New York, and it is now a popular nursery rhyme in Australia!
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Fall in the muddy bog
Sit on a speckled log
This children's tune is a popular, fairly modern one about the adventures of five frogs, the yummy bugs they get to feast on and the cool water they enjoy dipping into. What a life!
Hide from the neighbour's dog
Sit by the bog
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"Put on a brew."
"Let's have tea."
"We'll all have tea."
This fun little nursery rhyme is popular among Aussie kids and has a simple tune. Amazingly, it was first published in 1803! Did you know when it was first published, Polly was actually a pet name for Mary!
"Let's have a brew."
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Sat on a tuffet
This nursery rhyme first made its rounds in the mid-20th century, featuring a spider startling a young girl. Since its origins in England, it has become a fairly popular nursery rhyme in Australia as well.
Put her hair in a bonnet
Met Mr. Muppet
Went to the buffet
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Raced round the corner
Tried to get warmer
Sat in the corner
Similar to "Little Miss Muffet," "Little Jack Horner" is an older nursery rhyme focusing on a young protagonist. The rhyme tells the simple story of a little boy enjoying a plum pie at Christmastime.
Was what he was known former
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"Please"
"Now"
"Mate"
"Sport"
"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" was a popular song written in the 1960s by the now controversial Rolf Harris. The lyrics mention various Australian animals, but they also use some outdated language.
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Lighters
Tools
Shears
"Click Go the Shears" is an Australian bush ballad telling the story of sheep shearers. The song is a nod to how important the wool industry was to early Australian settlers (and still is to many shearers!).
Recorders
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Dock
The simple tune of "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" is well known by all. Teaching children how to tell time in a fun and approachable way, the song is known by Australian kids as well.
Clock
Chickory
Yay
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Hot
Cute
Short
Another universal classic in the English-speaking world, "I'm a Little Teapot" is a popular American nursery rhyme which features accompanying actions for an added bit of fun.
Small
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Cute, cute, cute
Sweet, sweet, sweet
Hurt, hurt, hurt
Sick, sick, sick
This tune tells the story of Miss Polly who has an unwell doll. It's known by Aussie kids due to The Wiggles performing it with their own flair. The song is another great one for accompanying actions.
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Raspberry
Mulberry
While English in its origins, "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" is a song that many Aussies are familiar with, too. It can be sung to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus," making it an easy one to remember.
Blueberry
Cranberry
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A ranch
A farm
Everyone knows this one about Old MacDonald, his farm and all the noises his animals make! It remains a popular tune among Aussie kids, being one of the first they learn at school.
An acre
A house
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Jump jump
Hop hop
Boing boing
"Kangaroo Kangaroo" is a simple song by Peter Combe, one of Australia's most loved children's songwriters. The song tells the story of befriending various Aussie animals, and it includes the sounds they all make.
Skip skip
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Plane
Wattle
Gum
Jacaranda
Another Peter Combe classic, "Jacaranda Tree" is a simple ode to the beautiful jacaranda tree, which is known for its purple flowers. It also notes the beauty of a bird taking shelter in the large tree.
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You Got:
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