Pavlova
Pavlova · Australia / New Zealand
A meringue cake named after a Russian ballerina, fought over for a hundred years by Australia and New Zealand.
Know before you go
- Don't declare which country the pavlova belongs to in front of Australians and New Zealanders (it's an old joke between the two)
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A hundred years of 'who invented it'
On 11 November 1911 the New Zealand Herald printed a 'strawberry pavlova', though it was an iced dessert. In 1922 the Australian 'Home Cookery for Australia' included a 'fruit meringue', which the researcher David Burton believes is the earliest recipe resembling the modern pavlova; the Australian food writer Michael Symons disagrees, since it has no vinegar or cornflour and doesn't use the name pavlova. Australia and New Zealand still argue about it today.
Source: Wikipedia: Pavlova
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The pavlova is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and is generally thought to have been created in her honour during or after her tours of Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. It is an important part of both countries' cuisine, and its origin is a long-running dispute between them: in 1911 the New Zealand Herald printed a 'strawberry pavlova', but that was an ice dessert; in 1922 the Australian book Australian Home Cookery included a 'fruit meringue', which some scholars consider the earliest recipe resembling the modern pavlova — others disagree.
Local customs
A classic dessert on the Christmas table (summer in the southern hemisphere), with whipped cream, kiwifruit, passionfruit and strawberries
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Australian beaches: swim between the red and yellow flags
- Swim only between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty
- If you don't know the conditions, ask a lifeguard
- Swimming at unpatrolled beaches or outside the flags
Outside the flags there may be rip currents, and lifeguards cannot reach you in time.
Not yet verifiedSource: Surf Life Saving Australia: beach safety signs
Uluru: climbing is not allowed
- Walk the base track around Uluru and learn about Anangu culture
- Climbing Uluru
The climb closed permanently on 26 October 2019; climbing breaks the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and is punished.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: climb closure
Entering Australia: food, plant and animal products must be declared
- Truthfully declare all food (even small, packaged snacks), plants and animal products on your arrival card
- If in doubt, declare it
- Bringing fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seeds or wooden souvenirs without declaring them
You can be issued an infringement notice; your visa may be cancelled, you may be refused entry and barred from returning for up to 3 years.
Not yet verifiedSource: Australian Department of Agriculture: travelling to Australia
Don’t DON'T
Don't declare which country the pavlova belongs to in front of Australians and New Zealanders (it's an old joke between the two)
Locals appreciate DO
Both Australians and New Zealanders appreciate hearing you say 'it's from your country' — just don't say it when both are in the room.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Supermarkets sell ready-made meringue bases, so you can add cream and fruit yourself
- cafés and bakeries often sell it too. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
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