Here are all the Australian trends and events that appear in Nostalgia Diary when you play as Australia, year by year. Each year is the calendar year (January–December) when it happened. Because the Australian school year runs from late January to December, it lines up with the school year you were in at the time.
For each year, we picked items from four categories: "Toys, Games & Cartoons," "Music, TV & Movies," "Fashion & Fads," and "Events." We chose things Australian kids and teens talked about that year, based on Australian release dates, premiere dates and other records — but what felt big depends on where you grew up and how old you were. If you spot a mistake, please let us know through the contact form.
Product names, titles, and organisation names are trademarks or works of their respective owners. This site mentions them only to describe what was popular each year and is not affiliated with any of them.
1970s
1970
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSkippy the Bush Kangaroo was the show every Aussie kid watched
- Music, TV & MoviesNed Kelly, starring Mick Jagger, hit Australian cinemas
- Fashion & FadsFlares and bell-bottoms were everywhere
- EventsMargaret Court won all four tennis majors in one year
1971
- Toys, Games & CartoonsClackers clacked away in every playground
- Music, TV & MoviesYoung Talent Time premiered on TV
- Music, TV & MoviesDaddy Cool's Eagle Rock topped the charts for ten weeks
- Fashion & FadsHot pants were the hottest look of the year
- EventsEvonne Goolagong won Wimbledon at just 19
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Curiosity Show started showing kids how science works
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Aunty Jack Show premiered on the ABC
- Fashion & FadsPlatform shoes and glam-rock style took off
- EventsShane Gould won three gold medals at the Munich Olympics
1973
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSeven Little Australians came to life as an ABC series
- Music, TV & MoviesAC/DC formed in Sydney
- Fashion & FadsEnter the Dragon started a kung fu craze
- EventsThe Sydney Opera House opened
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsConnect Four came out — four in a row wins
- Music, TV & MoviesCountdown premiered on the ABC
- Fashion & FadsCheesecloth shirts and flared jeans were in
- EventsAdvance Australia Fair was chosen as the national anthem
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSkateboards came back, rolling on new urethane wheels
- Music, TV & MoviesSkyhooks' Living in the 70's became a record-breaking album
- Fashion & FadsMood rings changed colour on every finger
- EventsColour TV arrived across Australia on 1 March
1976
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe kids' film Storm Boy, about a boy and his pelican, hit cinemas
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Sullivans premiered on Channel Nine
- Fashion & FadsFeathered hair like Farrah Fawcett's was the look
- EventsNadia Comăneci scored the first perfect 10 at the Montreal Olympics
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe animated film Dot and the Kangaroo came out
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars opened in Australian cinemas
- Fashion & FadsPunk style arrived, with safety pins and spiky hair
- EventsKerry Packer's World Series Cricket began
1978
- Toys, Games & CartoonsStar Wars action figures topped every kid's wish list
- Music, TV & MoviesGrease, starring Australia's Olivia Newton-John, was a smash hit
- Fashion & FadsSaturday Night Fever brought disco fever
- EventsKen Warby set the world water speed record in Spirit of Australia
1979
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpace Invaders machines took over arcades and milk bars
- Music, TV & MoviesSimon Townsend's Wonder World premiered on Channel 10
- Fashion & FadsRoller skating and roller discos were the craze
- EventsSkylab fell to Earth over Western Australia
1980s
1980
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMonkey, with its Monkey Magic theme, was the must-watch show
- Music, TV & MoviesSale of the Century premiered on Channel Nine
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was trying to solve the Rubik's Cube
- EventsAlan Jones won the Formula One World Championship
1981
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPac-Man gobbled dots in every arcade
- Music, TV & MoviesGallipoli, starring Mel Gibson, hit cinemas
- Fashion & FadsAdam Ant's pirate look was everywhere
- EventsThe Australian Institute of Sport opened in Canberra
1982
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBMX bikes became every kid's dream ride
- Music, TV & MoviesE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial became the film of the year
- Fashion & FadsLeg warmers and aerobics gear were the look
- EventsBrisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games, with Matilda the kangaroo
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBMX Bandits, with a young Nicole Kidman, hit cinemas
- Music, TV & MoviesMen at Work's Down Under hit No. 1 in the US and UK
- Fashion & FadsOff-the-shoulder sweatshirts from Flashdance were in
- EventsAustralia II won the America's Cup
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTrivial Pursuit became the board game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesJimmy Barnes's first solo album, Bodyswerve, went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsBreakdancing spread from the streets to the schoolyard
- EventsThe $1 coin replaced the $1 note
1985
- Toys, Games & CartoonsHe-Man and the Masters of the Universe ruled after-school TV
- Music, TV & MoviesNeighbours premiered on Channel Seven
- Fashion & FadsMadonna's lace, bangles and big bows were copied everywhere
- EventsUluru was handed back to its traditional owners, the Anangu
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsGarbage Pail Kids stickers were swapped (and banned) at school
- Music, TV & MoviesCrocodile Dundee became a hit around the world
- Music, TV & MoviesJohn Farnham's Whispering Jack, with You're the Voice, was huge
- Fashion & FadsTop Gun made aviator sunglasses and bomber jackets cool
- EventsHalley's Comet returned to the night sky
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Entertainment System came to Australia
- Music, TV & MoviesKylie Minogue's The Loco-Motion spent seven weeks at No. 1
- Fashion & FadsShoulder pads and big hair were in
- EventsPat Cash won Wimbledon and climbed into the stands
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures came out
- Music, TV & MoviesHome and Away premiered on Channel Seven
- Fashion & FadsAcid-wash jeans were the denim to have
- EventsWorld Expo 88 opened in Brisbane
- EventsThe new Parliament House opened in Canberra
1989
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBatman was everywhere, from toys to T-shirts
- Music, TV & MoviesE Street premiered on Network Ten
- Fashion & FadsFluoro colours were everywhere, from T-shirts to bike shorts
- EventsThe Berlin Wall fell
1990s
1990
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit cinemas and toy shops
- Music, TV & MoviesRound the Twist premiered on Channel Seven
- Fashion & FadsSlap bracelets snapped onto wrists in every class
- EventsThe VFL became the AFL
1991
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSonic the Hedgehog raced onto the Sega Mega Drive
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Wiggles formed and released their first album
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Simpsons started on Network Ten
- Fashion & FadsHypercolor T-shirts changed colour with your body heat
- EventsThe Wallabies won the Rugby World Cup
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBananas in Pyjamas came down the stairs on ABC TV
- Music, TV & MoviesStrictly Ballroom was the feel-good film of the year
- Fashion & FadsBaggy jeans and backwards caps were the look
- EventsKieren Perkins won 1500 m gold at the Barcelona Olympics
- EventsThe Sydney Harbour Tunnel opened
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Adventures of Blinky Bill started on TV
- Music, TV & MoviesJurassic Park brought dinosaurs to the big screen
- Fashion & FadsGrunge flannel shirts and Doc Martens were in
- EventsSydney won the bid to host the 2000 Olympics
1994
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMighty Morphin Power Rangers became the show every kid played
- Music, TV & Moviessilverchair's Tomorrow went to No. 1
- Music, TV & MoviesMuriel's Wedding was a hit at the cinema
- Fashion & FadsDoc Martens boots were on everyone's feet
- EventsCathy Freeman ran her victory lap with both flags at the Commonwealth Games
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPogs were collected, swapped and slammed in playgrounds
- Music, TV & MoviesBabe, the talking-pig film made in Australia, was a hit
- Fashion & FadsThe Rachel haircut from Friends was the hairstyle to ask for
- EventsPay TV arrived with Foxtel and Optus Vision
1996
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCrash Bandicoot arrived on PlayStation
- Music, TV & MoviesSpice Girls' Wannabe was the song of the year
- Fashion & FadsTattoo chokers were the accessory of the year
- EventsKieren Perkins won 1500 m gold again in Atlanta, from lane eight
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTamagotchi virtual pets beeped in every schoolbag
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Castle made "Tell him he's dreamin'" a catchphrase
- Fashion & FadsPlatform sneakers, Spice Girls-style, were the look
- EventsPat Rafter won the US Open
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBeanie Babies became something everyone collected
- Music, TV & MoviesSavage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply hit No. 1 in the US
- Fashion & FadsButterfly clips and glitter were in every girl's hair
- EventsMark Taylor made 334 not out, equalling Bradman's record
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Red and Blue came to the Game Boy
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Matrix, filmed in Sydney, blew audiences away
- Music, TV & MoviesHi-5 premiered on Channel Nine
- Fashion & FadsFrosted tips were the hairstyle for boys
- EventsAustralia won the Cricket World Cup
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKick scooters zipped down every footpath
- Music, TV & MoviesKylie Minogue's Spinning Around went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsCargo pants with pockets everywhere were the look
- EventsSydney hosted the Olympics, and Cathy Freeman won the 400 m
2001
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Game Boy Advance came out
- Music, TV & MoviesBig Brother premiered on Network Ten
- Fashion & FadsLow-rise jeans were the cut everyone wore
- EventsAustralia celebrated 100 years of Federation
2002
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBeyblades battled it out in schoolyards
- Music, TV & MoviesKath & Kim premiered on the ABC
- Fashion & FadsSkater style with ties and wristbands, Avril Lavigne-style, was in
- EventsSteven Bradbury won Winter Olympic gold as the last one standing
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFinding Nemo, set in Sydney Harbour, was a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesAustralian Idol premiered, and Guy Sebastian won
- Fashion & FadsTrucker caps were on everyone's heads
- EventsAustralia hosted the Rugby World Cup
2004
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTamagotchi came back as Tamagotchi Connection
- Music, TV & MoviesShannon Noll's What About Me went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsYellow Livestrong wristbands were on every wrist
- EventsIan Thorpe won the 200 m and 400 m freestyle at the Athens Olympics
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo DS came out in Australia
- Music, TV & MoviesKate DeAraugo won Australian Idol
- Fashion & FadsEmo side fringes and black eyeliner were in
- EventsThe Socceroos qualified for the World Cup on John Aloisi's penalty
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Wii came out, and everyone tried Wii Sports
- Music, TV & MoviesHappy Feet, made in Sydney, danced into cinemas
- Fashion & FadsCrocs were the shoes everyone had an opinion on
- EventsMelbourne hosted the Commonwealth Games
2007
- Toys, Games & CartoonsClub Penguin was the online game every kid played
- Music, TV & MoviesSummer Heights High premiered on the ABC
- Fashion & FadsSkinny jeans and oversized sunglasses were in
- EventsThe first Earth Hour switched off the lights in Sydney
2008
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWii Fit got families exercising in the lounge room
- Music, TV & MoviesSo You Think You Can Dance Australia premiered
- Fashion & FadsGladiator sandals were the summer shoe
- EventsStephanie Rice won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics
2009
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBakugan balls popped open in playgrounds
- Music, TV & MoviesMasterChef Australia premiered on Network Ten
- Fashion & FadsLady Gaga's outrageous outfits were the talk of the year
- EventsA giant dust storm turned Sydney's sky red
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds became the game on everyone's phone
- Music, TV & MoviesThe MasterChef final became one of the most-watched shows ever
- Fashion & FadsSilly Bandz rubber bracelets were swapped at school
- EventsMary MacKillop became Australia's first saint
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMinecraft was officially released
- Music, TV & MoviesGotye's Somebody That I Used to Know went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsPlanking was the craze of the year
- EventsCadel Evans won the Tour de France
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSkylanders figures came to life in a video game
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Voice Australia premiered, and Karise Eden won
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Gangnam Style dance
- EventsSally Pearson won the 100 m hurdles at the London Olympics
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRainbow Loom rubber-band bracelets took over
- Music, TV & MoviesVance Joy's Riptide was played everywhere
- Fashion & Fads"Selfie" became the word of the year
- EventsAdam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters
2014
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFrozen fever hit, and kids sang Let It Go everywhere
- Music, TV & Movies5 Seconds of Summer's debut album went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsEveryone did the Ice Bucket Challenge
- EventsAustralia completed a 5–0 Ashes whitewash in Sydney
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsShopkins were the tiny collectables every kid wanted
- Music, TV & MoviesGuy Sebastian sang for Australia at its first Eurovision
- Fashion & FadsSelfie sticks were everywhere
- EventsThe Socceroos won the AFC Asian Cup at home
- EventsAustralia won the Cricket World Cup at the MCG
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Go sent everyone out hunting on their phones
- Music, TV & MoviesSia's Cheap Thrills was a global hit
- Fashion & FadsDabbing was the dance move of the year
- EventsKyle Chalmers won 100 m freestyle gold at the Rio Olympics
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFidget spinners spun on every desk
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch came out
- Music, TV & MoviesEd Sheeran's Shape of You topped the charts for weeks
- Fashion & FadsMaking slime was the craze of the year
- EventsRichmond won its first AFL premiership in 37 years
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFortnite became the game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesBluey premiered on ABC Kids
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Floss dance
- EventsThe Gold Coast hosted the Commonwealth Games
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsL.O.L. Surprise! dolls were unwrapped layer by layer
- Music, TV & MoviesTones and I's Dance Monkey spent a record 24 weeks at No. 1
- Fashion & FadsScrunchies and bucket hats made a comeback
- EventsAsh Barty won the French Open
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons became the lockdown game
- Music, TV & MoviesMasterChef Australia: Back to Win kept families watching at home
- Fashion & FadsTikTok dances spread from phones to playgrounds
- EventsCOVID-19 lockdowns meant learning from home
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPop It fidget toys were popping in every classroom
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber's Stay went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsY2K fashion came back, with baggy jeans and butterfly clips
- EventsAriarne Titmus won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics
- EventsBrisbane was chosen to host the 2032 Olympics
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsEveryone shared their Wordle scores
- Music, TV & MoviesBaz Luhrmann's Elvis, filmed on the Gold Coast, hit cinemas
- Fashion & FadsBeReal made everyone post a photo at the same time
- EventsAsh Barty won the Australian Open
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Barbie movie turned cinemas pink
- Fashion & FadsBarbiecore pink was everywhere
- EventsThe Matildas reached the semi-finals of the home Women's World Cup
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSquishmallows plush toys were collected by kids and teens
- Music, TV & MoviesBluey's longest episode, The Sign, premiered
- Fashion & FadsStanley cups were the drink bottle to carry
- EventsAustralia won 18 gold medals at the Paris Olympics
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch 2 came out
- Music, TV & MoviesA Minecraft Movie, filmed in Queensland, hit cinemas
- Fashion & FadsLabubu dolls dangled from bags everywhere
- EventsOscar Piastri won several Formula One Grands Prix