A remote coastal town in Western Australia has become an unlikely viral sensation after an Australian language enthusiast uncovered its hidden Spanish connection.
The TikTok Discovery
Corey, a content creator who focuses on Spanish language and culture, shared his finding in a TikTok clip that has amassed an impressive 1.6 million views. "I don't know if every Spanish person knows this about Australia, but I am Australian and did not know this," he admitted in the video.
He proceeded to zoom in on Google Maps, showing the small town of Cervantes, located approximately 197 kilometres north of Perth. What he revealed next captured the internet's attention.
"The funny thing about this place is that almost every single street is named after somewhere in Spain," Corey explained, highlighting thoroughfares including Malaga Court, Valencia Road, Tarragona Loop, Almeria Street, and Andalucia Street.
The Historical Explanation
This seemingly random Spanish theme in the Australian outback has a clear historical explanation. According to Tourism Western Australia, the town was named after an American whaling ship, The Cervantes, which wrecked off the coast in 1844.
The vessel itself carried the name of famed Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of the classic novel Don Quixote. This initial Spanish link established a theme that town planners would later embrace, resulting in the park and street names that now create this unique Iberian atmosphere in the Australian bush.
Local Pronunciation Becomes Talking Point
The viral video sparked lively discussions in the comments section, with many West Australians and visitors joking about the distinctive local pronunciation of these Spanish names.
"Whats funny is the way West Aussies pronounce the town of Cervantes," one commenter noted, while another added: "Been there and no-one pronounces the streets like that lmaoo."
A third person confirmed the local vernacular, stating: "It's about an hour or so from me and none of it is pronounced the Spanish way. And it's Sir Van T's." The comments highlight the charming way Australians have made these Spanish names their own, often quite different from their original pronunciation.
While Cervantes has long been known as the gateway to the spectacular Pinnacles Desert in Nambung Park and for its thriving crayfish industry, this newfound attention has revealed a lesser-known layer to the town's identity, proving there's always something new to discover in Australia's hidden corners.
