The Definitive Ranking Of 2014's Australian April Fools' Day Pranks

It's April 1. Here's how Australia celebrated. Ranked from worst to best.

28. Boost Juice Bar's new Brekkie-To-Go is bacon us crazy!

Via Facebook: boostjuice

This is the wurst.

27. The Adelaide Advertiser raised their digital subscription price. LOL.

Via mumbrella.com.au

26. The Gold Coast Bulletin claimed the 2018 Commonwealth Games would revert to the 'Empire Games'.

Via goldcoastbulletin.com.au

"The Bulletin learned late last night that Buckingham Palace, British and Australian Government figures are negotiating a move back to using the “Empire’’ description."

25. Every item on P9 of The NT News was an April Fools' joke, including a ban on drinking during cyclones.

Via Twitter: @MarkDiStef

24. According to alleged new research, the Lamington was definitely invented in New Zealand 'beyond doubt', reported Guardian Australia.

Via theguardian.com

"Watercolour painting shows coconut covered cake is not really Australian and is only an imitation of the earlier 'Wellington'" said Guardian Oz.

23. ISP iinet Unveiled Pet-Powered Wi-Fi.

Via iinet.net.au

"We know you love your pets and you love having them close-by, so why not take advantage of that? Use Pet-Fi to transform your pet into the ultimate – yet cuddly – Wi-Fi hotspot and mobile broadband modem."

Via iinet.net.au

22. Optus rolled out their #FidoPhone.

Optus @Optus

Miss your four-legged friend? Give your pooch a call on #FidoPhone. Coming soon to Optus: http://t.co/OLT7QmxNXE #GiveTheDogAPhone

08:36 PM - 31 Mar 2014

Via Twitter: @Optus

"The world's first communications device that allows you to interact, engage and connect with the most talkative tail wagger."

Via optus.com.au

The accompanying YouTube has been viewed 210 times.

youtube.com

21. Twenty minutes after Optus, Telstra revealed #connectedpet.

Via Twitter: @Telstra

The first Telstra phone for pets, with Bark/Meow To Text and GPS tracker.

Via Facebook: Telstra24x7

We actually want one of these please Telstra!

20. Deal website Groupon offered an exclusive chance to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton and hold Prince George on their upcoming Australian tour.

Via groupon.com.au

"Once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and get a photo holding the Royal baby Prince George."

19. Reddit Australia became Reddit Austria.

Via reddit.com

And Reddit Austria ensured our European friends were equally confused.

Via reddit.com

18. Australia's most famous racecourse has been cloned, claimed Punters Paradise.

Via Twitter: @puntersparadise

17. Scoot Airlines announced that customers will be able to enjoy inflight hot yoga classes.

Via travelweekly.com.au

“The Scoot YogaZone uses our aptly-named s-t-r-e-t-c-h seats’ 38” legroom to their fullest, enabling you to really get a full body workout whilst zooming to your destination,” Scoot chief executive Campbell Wilson told travelweekly.com.au, who seem to have fallen for the prank.

16. Student Flights introduced exclusive top-to-tail business class seat category.

Via Student Flights

"In a bold move for the travel industry, Australia’s leading youth travel retailer is shaking up traditional airfare restrictions to offer two passengers the opportunity to travel in one business class seat" reported news.com.au.

15. The Shovel claimed one recently announced government initiative is an April Fools' gag. Just the one?!

Via theshovel.com.au

14. Meanwhile, The New Daily were reporting John Howard: The Movie.

AAP / Via thenewdaily.com.au

"You’ve marvelled at Lincoln and been transfixed by The Iron Lady, now prepare for Hollywood’s next great political biopic – Howard: Man of Steel."

13. According to SameSame.com.au Tony Abbott has pledged his support for his dog Maisie, a little cream-coloured pup who he now reveals is only attracted to other female dogs.

“I support my lesbian dog 100%,” Abbott allegedly confirmed in a statement today. “And I sincerely hope she obtains equal rights, sometime after my reign as Prime Minister.”

12. Opposition leader Bill Shorten announced a new initiative.

Via Twitter: @billshortenmp

11. PR company Access PR picked up the account for North Korea Tourism.

Reuters

"Tourism North Korea has appointed Access PR to handle its public relations in an effort to boost the appeal of the rarely visited country, with a specific remit to improve the appeal of the Kim Jung-un. The agency’s experience with Destination NSW, Fairfax Events and Cover-More Travel Insurance gave it the edge over other pitching agencies," said CEO Andrea Kerekes.

10. Media website Mumbrella reported that the winner of the Federal Government’s media account will be required to move its headquarters to Western Sydney.

Via mumbrella.com.au

"It is understood that revised tender documents informed the agencies that one of the requirements of the consolidated $137m media account would be that the agency was willing to move its offices to Parramatta or another part of Western Sydney," said Mumbrella.

9. The Holden Racing Team crossed the Bass Strait last night thanks to its new Aqua Pro™ floatation kit.

Via hrt.com.au

"The Holden Racing Team will race at Winton this weekend despite its B-Double transporter missing its ship to cross Bass Strait last night. HRT’s transporter driver, Daryl Kruizinga said the Bass Strait crossing, believed to be a first for a V8 Supercars B-Double race transporter, was comfortable."

8. Outspoken News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt will replace Charlie Pickering on The Project, according to TV Tonight.

Via tvtonight.com.au

A TEN insider allegedly said, “Love him or loathe him, Andrew Bolt gets people talking and right now TEN realises that’s just what they need. Steve Price has worked well for the show so Bolter is the next logical step. It will all make sense after the Murdoch camp buys the network for a song.”

7. The Australian Financial Review newspaper is going online only. If you believe rivals The Australian.

Via The Australian

6. Pop culture delight Junkee are launching a paywall, and BuzzFeedOz may be to blame. Sorry guys!

Via junkee.com

"The industry has altered significantly since March 2013. Competition has increased (oh hey, Buzzfeed, JUST SO GREAT TO SEE YOU HERE), advertising rates have plummeted, and we’re all tired as shit."

5. The Kogan Drone Broadband Network took flight.

Via kogan.com

"Today, we are thrilled to unveil our latest innovation - the Kogan Drone Broadband Network - a game changer that will use drones in the sky to deliver faster Internet for all Australians, replacing the need for the National Broadband Network."

4. Vegemite have launched the iDRINK 2.1 energy drink!

Facebook: vegemite

"Will you swap your Vegemite toast for this when you’re on the go?”

3. Melbourne Metro and DumbWays2Die launched a video showing how to kill your Dad.

Via youtube.com

Watch Do Not Set Your Dad On Fire - a message from Metro.

youtube.com

2. Satirical Jedi Knights A Rational Fear printed 1375 fake WA ballot papers and dumped them near the offices of Perth Now.

Via arationalfear.tumblr.com

The chief investigator of the WA Senate election debacle says he is troubled that the lost votes have never turned up and cannot rule out the possibility that criminality was involved. Source: SMH.

They even set up a fake website.

Via forwhatitsperth.wordpress.com

And made a spoof video.

youtube.com

This effort from A Rational Fear was pretty good too.

tumblr.com

1. Google Maps updated to include Pokemon overlays.

Via Twitter: @harrytuckerr

Apparently, dozens of wild Pokémon have taken up residence on streets, amidst forests and atop mountains throughout Google Maps.

youtube.com

Honourable mention: Nova FM's Fitzy resigns on air. On March 31.

youtube.com / Via novafm.com.au