guide island solomon travel

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:34:54 -0400 - Posted in st petersburg travel guide






Thanks to the Aboriginal language, Australia has been graced with some unique place names. One of my favorites is right here in Sydney – Woolloomooloo – which is surprisingly supposed to be pronounced like Woo-la-ma-loo instead of how it is spelled. Although some of these names aren’t supposed to be funny or rude, they just happen to turn out that way when relayed in English.

However, not all of these unique place names can be attributed to the Aboriginal language. There are just as many place names with other origins that make up the following list.

Innaloo, WA

Innaloo pretty much becomes funny once you say it out loud. This Perth suburb is located in Western Australia and has a population of about 6,000 people. Even though Innaloo can be a humorous name for a town, it is probably a bit better than Njookenbooroo, which it was originally called until 1927. Apparently, they had to change it since no one could spell or say it correctly.

Come By Chance, NSW

Come By Chance houses a mere 200 people in this remote New South Wales town. It originally got its name from a sheep station that two people were surprised to be able to purchase in the area. However, some might now think that the name is suiting purely because you wouldn’t end up there unless it were by chance. The town’s big event each year are the Picnic Races (horse races) that draw thousands to the area.

Poowong, VIC

Poowong happens to be the unfortunate place name for a small town of around 600 in the South Gippsland Shire of Victoria. It is located around 111 kilometers from Melbourne and has no real claim to fame besides the funny name.

Nowhere Else, TAS

Nowhere Else is the unique place name for a town in Tasmania that surprisingly has just about nothing there. Just 20 minutes from Devonport, the town does not offer any stores or bars – not much besides the popular Nowhere Else Road.

Tittybong, VIC

There’s not much information on Tittybong except that it is a north-west town in the state of Victoria. It is very small, with a now closed-down post office, and is known for its unique name that is said to have caused controversy at times.

Texas, QLD

Texas is located just near the border of Queensland and New South Wales and has a whopping population of around 700 people. The origin of this name is said to have come from a border/property dispute that resembled that between Texas and Mexico.

Coffin Bay, SA

Coffin Bay is a small town in Southern Australia that houses less than 500 people permanently, but brings in many more holiday goers that like to snorkel, swim and surf. It got its unique name from the Sir Isaac Coffin and not because of more dark circumstances.

Doo Town, TAS

Doo Town is a small place in Tasmania known for being a holiday village where every house is named with “doo”. According to Tourism Tasmania, there’s Gunadoo, Doodle Doo, Love Me Doo, Doo Us, Doo Me, Doo Nix, Wee Doo, Xanadu, Rum Doo and Doo Little. Sounds like a fun place to visit, especially since it is located on Pirates Bay.

More Unique Place Names

Of course, that list is far from done. You could probably fill a small book with the number of interesting and unique place names in Australia. Just to give you an idea, here are some more from that list that might make you giggle (don’t worry; I’m not going to judge you):

  • Middle Intercourse Island, QLD
  • Iron Knob, SA
  • Mount Buggery,VIC
  • Rooty Hill, NSW
  • Diehard, NSW
  • Humpybong, QLD
  • Cock Wash, SA
  • Cockburn,WA
  • Fanny Bay in Darwin, NT
  • Eggs and Bacon Bay, TAS
  • The End of the World, TAS
  • Blow Hard, VIC
  • Paradise, TAS
  • Dismal Swamp, TAS
  • Bagdad, TAS

Can you imagine saying that you lived in any of these locations? Better yet… how fun would it be to receive a postcard from Eggs and Bacon Bay?!

Funny Place Names Road Trip!

As if there weren’t already enough options out there to inspire a themed road trip in Australia (beaches, the "big things“, etc.), you can now take it upon yourself to try and reach as many of these funny named places. Of course, as mentioned above, you may not really want to visit some of these locations as there might not even be a sign to signify you’ve arrived, but still it can prove to be an interesting way to see parts of this country you might not otherwise. So, be sure to rent a car or rent a campervan and get to exploring!

Do you know of any other unique place names in Australia that did not make this list? Leave a comment to let us know!

Photo credits: Innaloo; Poowong; Texas; Coffin Bay; Paradise; road trip.

Hours of fun await you with Solomon Islands music and nightlife just minutes away from your Solomons Inn or Bed and Breakfast. Maritime history plays a significant role in Solomons, and with so much to do and see you will never be left bored in this fun and playful Maryland city by the sea.

Bobby McKey's Dueling Pianos
172 Fleet Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
301-567-1488
http://www.bobbymckeys.com/

Bobby McKey's not only hosts nightly Solomons Islands music with their piano duels and events, but has a great selection of seafood and drinks as well. Reservations are suggested at this ever popular bar on the beach. With great nightly crowds and four pianists gracing the stage, you will hear everything from pop to classical pounded out on the eighty-eight. This bar and nightclub is located about an hour and a half from many Solomons Bed and Breakfast locations, but the delicious food and fun atmosphere make it well worth the trip.

Tiki Bar
81 Charles St
Solomons, MD 20688
410-326-4075
http://www.tikibarsolomons.com/Home.aspx

The Tiki Bar in Solomons is a fun island-themed bar, where you will be treated like the Island God or Goddess that you are. It is only open seasonally, opening each year in April and running through October. However, their sister shops, Everything Tiki and The Tobacco Shop are open year round. The bar offers fun nightlife adventures and with 30 years of experience under their belt, The Tiki Bar hosts local events and other goodies as well. Both locals and tourists agree that the specialty drinks are some of the best in the business and with options such as the Blue Tiki and Mai Tai you are sure to find something to suit your taste. Also, if you like getting the celebrity treatment, join the VIP Club for even more specialty drinks and services.

The Naughty Gull Pub
450 Lore Rd.
Solomons, MD 20688
410-326-4855
http://www.naughtygullpub.com/

Set back a ways from the main drag, the Naughty Gull Pub offers locally brewed and mixed drinks as well as tasty seafood, and a spectacular view of the marina. With both dock parking and car parking, this unique pub offers you the choice of visiting by land or by sea. Closing time is at nine during the summer, and as a result you won't find a lot of night parties, or clubbing, but they still have a happy hour with fantastic drinks and a warm, inviting, low-lit atmosphere.

Isaac's Restaurant and Pub
155 Holiday Drive
Solomons, MD 20688
410-394-3618
http://www.isaacsrestaurant.com/index.htm

Near your Solomons Inn the Solomons Islands music gets a little crazier on Saturday nights at Isaac's Restaurant and Pub. Isaac's gives you the chance to make your own beautiful music with Karaoke hours running from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Saturdays. As if seafood and karaoke aren't enough already, you can enjoy them on the Afterdeck, an outside lounge and eating area on the waterfront. If Karaoke isn't really your thing no need to worry, you can enjoy live entertainment and promotions on the weekends, where professionals will do the entertaining instead of Uncle Bob and Aunt Sally.