Which direction does water go down a plug-hole in Australia?

Answer 1

Depends on the physical characteristics of the plug hole. It does not depend on the Coreolis Effect, which is what your question is probably looking for. [See source.]

On something the size of a plug hole, the CE is way too small to make much difference as the other determinents, like angle of the hole and its shape, are much stronger influences on the direction of the draining. Bottom line, the water might drain counter clockwise or clockwise, just as it does in the northern hemisphere.

Answer 2

I was fascinated by this as a child and have followed many a story with interest. Fact: the Coriolis effect creates cyclonic motion in rising or falling fluid masses. the effect is opposite between the northern and southern hemispheres the force is very small but constant Question: Are there any other sources of rotational motion in your sink or tube? If there are no other forces (symmetric basin) and the water is allowed to sit until all residual eddies have dissipated, the tendency will be to follow the Coriolis force. Note most toilets are designed to create a vortex. Do the American Standard toilets in the US take advantage of the Coriolis force??? It is a really weak force.

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect#