The Land Down Under has seen several A-list visitors over the decades.

Yet, none of them were as fiery as Hollywood superstar and activist Jane Fonda.

Fonda recently wrapped up her whirlwind Australian tour, and she left more than just a few memorable moments.


Jane Fonda recently concluded her Wanderlust True North tour across the country, where she sat down with journalist Liz Hayes for an intimate conversation.

While many expected that the 86-year-old Fonda would quietly bow out after a few polite speeches, think again!

Fonda's final night in Sydney was a masterclass in passion, provocation, and the kind of 'ruckus-raising' that's defined her extraordinary life over the years.


Last Sunday, 15 June at ICC Sydney, Fonda, along with Liz Hayes, had a candid conversation that spanned her Hollywood career, her decades of activism, and her personal journey.

In true Jane Fonda fashion, she did not just reflect on the past.

She already looked forward to the future and promised her Australian fans that she would be 'coming back'.

Throughout her time Down Under, she had been invited to trek through the outback with a group of Aboriginal women.

'I met a fantastic woman; she said she'd hiked 26 miles, so I'm gonna come back and do it and spend time with some Aboriginal women,' she candidly shared.


Yet, as much as she's fallen in love with Australia, Jane Fonda admitted her heart was heavy watching events unfold back home.

'I love Australia, but it is very hard being here and looking at what is happening in my country, my city, my state,' she confessed as a United States citizen.

'I go home tomorrow, and I'll just go home and raise a ruckus. It's hard to do it when you're not there.'

If you're wondering what 'raising a ruckus' looks like for Jane Fonda, it's not just a catchy phrase.

She has her sights set on an oil well in Santa Barbara, California, which had been notorious for a disastrous spill back in 2015.

'They're trying to start it up again, so I might chain myself to that,' she said in jest during the tour.

During her visit Down Under, she met up with the environmental advocacy group Greenpeace, proving her commitment to the cause despite her age.


At a previous show in Melbourne, she delivered a blistering critique of American politics.

Her tirade did not spare anyone, even the current President, Donald Trump.

'F*** those neoliberals and fascists and people who don't move to love,' she said, urging the crowd to embrace empathy and compassion.

She warned that many working-class Americans would soon experience 'buyer's remorse' over their political choices.


'In the United States, 78 million people voted for Trump, not all of them MAGA,' she stated.

'But people are hurting—men and women—and they're going to realise it.'

Fonda's outspokenness about these matters is not new at all.

She has been a lightning rod for controversy since the 1970s when she championed the Black Panthers, the Women's Movement, and Native American rights.


Jane Fonda's opposition to the Vietnam War and her 1972 trip to North Vietnam earned her the nickname 'Hanoi Jane'.

He also received calls for prosecution from several politicians in the United States.

So, how did she survive the criticism and backlash for her actions?

'I was not alone. I was part of a posse that had my back,' she firmly shared.

'I knew that what I was doing was right... you just go through it. And then they die or go to jail, and you're left,' she quipped, drawing laughter and applause.

'I'll outlive all those f******.'

She's been arrested multiple times for civil disobedience at climate rallies.

For Fonda, activism isn't just a phase—it's a lifelong calling.


Despite her activism, Jane Fonda has had a dazzling Hollywood career.

Jane, the daughter of Oscar-winner Henry Fonda and sister to the late Peter Fonda, has starred in classics like Barefoot in the Park, Barbarella, 9 to 5, On Golden Pond, and Monster-in-Law.

Her roles in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Klute, and Coming Home cemented her status as a powerhouse performer with a social conscience.

She has received seven Golden Globe awards, two BAFTAs, an Emmy for Grace and Frankie.

She also received nominations for the Grammy Awards and the Tony Awards.

Earlier this year, she was honoured with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, where she talked about the importance of empathy during divisive times.

Learn more about Jane Fonda's advocacy and iconic moments here:

But what is Jane Fonda most proud of? It's not the awards or the headlines—it's her personal growth.

'If your early childhood is traumatic, you put an armour around your heart,' she explained.

'It's hard to get rid of that armour—it takes a lot of work.'

'The armour is beginning to fall away, and my heart is beginning to soften—that's what I'm proud of,' she shared.

From Hollywood screens to protest lines, Jane Fonda remains a force of nature—unapologetic, unafraid, and unbowed.

Her visit Down Under was a reminder that it's never too late to stand up, speak out, and raise a ruckus for what you believe in.
What do you think of Jane Fonda's fiery spirit? Have you ever been inspired to 'raise a ruckus' for a cause close to your heart? Share your thoughts about Jane Fonda's advocacies and other related stories in the comments below!