Aussie public bathrooms are no stranger to unique features, but one particular design has left travellers scratching their heads and locals in fits of laughter.

What started as a simple visit to a bathroom turned into a puzzling ordeal for tourists, leaving many wondering: what’s the deal with this bizarre feature?

The confusion sparked a wave of reactions, but the answer might surprise you.


A tourist’s baffling experience with a unique feature in Australian public urinals left him scratching his head, and it didn’t take long for the internet to get involved.

The perplexed traveller shared his story on social media, recalling his first encounter with a urinal grate.

This feature, often found at the base of Australian urinals, is designed to be stood on while using the facilities.


'I visited your beautiful country and had a wonderful time,' he began.

'But I didn't know how the f*** to p*ss on this thing.'

The post quickly gained traction, with locals rushing to explain the purpose of the grates and how they help maintain bathroom cleanliness.

One fellow tourist admitted he too was initially confused.

'I was in Australia last month. I didn't realise you were supposed to stand on the grate and [use the bathroom],' he said.


The traveller recalled an awkward moment when another man came in and stood on the grate, prompting him to clarify: 'I meant no disrespect, sir. I didn't realise you were supposed to stand on the grate.'

To which the Aussie replied: 'That's okay, mate, I'm just jealous of the blokes who can stand back there.'

The funny exchange had many Aussies chipping in to shed light on the mystery of the grate.

One social media user explained: 'The whole point of the grate is so that errant streams and drips don't end up on the floor.'


'See the drips on the ground? That's what standing on the grate is supposed to alleviate.'

Another user shared their frustration, saying: 'I'm a cleaner and can 100 per cent agree that it doesn't matter where you go because it just ends up on the floor anyway. Hope this helps.’

It was also revealed that these grates aren’t just an Aussie thing, as New Zealand has them too, though they often leave Kiwis equally perplexed.

'I have no idea,' confessed one New Zealander.


'We have these in New Zealand, and I've always just gone in the bushes.'

Despite the confusion, the original tourist was full of praise for the laid-back Aussies.

'What a wonderful bunch of people,' he remarked.

Women also joined in the fun, with one saying: 'As an Australian woman I have no idea if some of these answers are true or just taking the p*ss (pun intended) out of the foreigner.'


'I've never been happier to be a woman,' another added. 'Why does that look so disgusting?'

For future travellers to Australia, the advice is clear: stand on the grate, aim carefully, and leave no trace of your visit.

Or as one commenter put it: 'It's not rocket science, mate - but it's definitely an Aussie science.'


Is this bathroom feature practical or just plain puzzling? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below.