[ArrogantBustard]

The layout of the Australian Flag, explained.

The five stars at the fly end are the Southern Cross (constellation), which is not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

It's very recognizable in the Australian sky, much the same way as Orion and Ursa Major are here. Or, at least, I found it so.

[SoothingDave]

Thanks. I thought it was just some “design element.”

[stormer]

The Southern Cross is most certainly visible from the northern hemisphere, although in it’s entirety only from about 25 degrees north and southward (Hawaii, for example). Orion is visible at some point during the year globally, while Ursa Major is only viewable in the northern part of the southern hemisphere during a portion of the year.