‘Very racist’: British traveller warns others not to move to Australia

A British man has warned other travellers against moving to Australia, saying our country is far from the “utopian paradise” he had in his head.

A British man has warned other travellers against moving to Australia in a viral clip, saying our country is far from the “utopian paradise” he had in his head.

In a two-part TikTok clip that’s since gone viral, Owen Willis declared he was “deinfluencing” his fellow countrymen and women from relocating down under.

“Australia isn’t going to solve all your problems,” Willis said.

“I’m not saying the UK is perfect, but my idea of Australia in my head was this utopian paradise.”

Willis, who said he lived here in 2022, cited the weather, cost of living, “high” taxes, wildlife and “casual racism” among the things he either observed or experienced that ultimately sent him packing for home.

“I lived in so many places in Australia. I feel like I have a round enough view to categorise the whole country as a racist country,” he claimed, adding he was most shocked by the attitudes of those in Queensland.

“I was actually shocked so many times by what people would say to me, or what taxi drivers would say.”

A British man has warned other travellers against moving to Australia, saying our country is far from the 'utopian paradise' he had in his head. Picture: TikTok

‘I was actually shocked so many times by what people would say to me, or what taxi drivers would say.’ Picture: Instagram

Willis was also perturbed by the frequent run-ins he had with local wildlife – though not the usual suspects tourists are averse to, like snakes, crocodiles, sharks and spiders (which he said were “actually not bad”).

“But the bats? Oh my god, the bats in Australia are actually like a different breed,” he said, comparing the winged mammals to “eagles”.

“The bats you get in Australia are like six-foot wide … and it genuinely ruined my night so many times by not being able to walk down certain streets because I knew bats would hang from the trees.

“It actually used to scare me so much.”

So “worried” was he by the wildlife, Willis said he was “never” able to enjoy going to the park or spending time in the great outdoors.

So ‘worried’ was he by the wildlife, Owen Willis said he was ‘never’ able to enjoy going to the park or spending time in the great outdoors. Picture: Instagram

The “last” gripe Willis had was, somewhat ironically given he’s from ... the UK, the fact that “Australia’s days are so short”.

“Unless you’re in, like, Melbourne where they do have quite long days, like up north in Queensland, and in the winter, the latest the sun sets is like 6:30, 7pm, which does actually take a toll,” he claimed.

“The long summer evening is like a really big thing, so I really missed that, and I’ve absolutely loved that since I’ve been back (in England).”

The video, as expected, proved divisive. Picture: Instagram

Willis’ video, has expected, proved divisive among viewers – with hundreds taking to the comments to weigh in on how accurate his perception of Australia really is.

“(You’re) such a knob,” one TikTok user wrote.

“I moved here 24 years ago, it’s the best place to live on this earth, we really don’t need any more winging (sic) poms.”

“Aren’t you a little ray of sunshine,” another said. “Hopefully you’re happier now at home.”

One user seemingly had the complete opposite experience to Willis, commenting: “I lived there for 3 years and I miss it so much. One of the best experiences in my life.”