Sydney to Auckland? Sure, mate

Olympics bring clueless tourists to Australia

VIDEO CNN's Martin Savidge reports on tourists' odd downunder questions Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- One American asked where he could get Aboriginal shoelaces. Another yank, after learning spring had come to Sydney, wanted to know what month it was.

And then there were the folks who asked if they could drive from Sydney to Auckland. Sure they could -- if their car was as inflatable as its tires. Auckland is in New Zealand; there's the little matter of the Tasman Sea, which separates New Zealand from Australia.

And so it went at the Sydney Visitor Center in recent weeks. Olympic visitors from around the world -- the geographically challenged, the culturally clueless, the socially ignorant -- descended on Australia, lobbing all kinds of questions to the frequently amused, bemused natives.

CNN's Martin Savidge takes a look at tourists' Aussie ignorance.

An Olympic ode from Down Under
September 28, 2000
Riding the Ghan across the Australian Outback
September 21, 2000
The Top End: Australia in the rough
September 15, 2000
Adventurers enjoy dramatic view from Sydney Harbour Bridge
September 8, 2000

Sydney Visitor Center
Sydney 2000 Olympics

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