In an astonishingly misguided move, the Australian Tourist Commission has launched a new campaign aimed at promoting what they are calling the "hidden gems" of Australia—except, in a move that has left everyone scratching their heads, they’ve accidentally marketed Iraq instead. Dubbed "Down Under in the Middle," the campaign was designed to showcase lesser-known attractions in the Land Down Under. Instead, it appears the agency’s interns got a bit too creative while Googling, mistaking Google Maps for an atlas. The campaign features slogans like “From the Outback to the Altar” and “Kangaroo or Kebab? Why Not Both!” with colorful images of ancient ruins being paired with iconic Australian wildlife… all set against a backdrop that suspiciously resembles the Middle Eastern desert. The brochure opens with a glowing description: “Experience the serenity of Iraq’s stunning landscapes, where you can find the world’s oldest ziggurats. Did we mention they also have camels? Just like our Aussie kangaroos, but with a lot less bouncing!” Among the must-see attractions listed are the "Great Wall of Baghdad," which, locals inform us, might just be a typo for the "Great Wall of China," and “The Tigris River Beach Resort,” which sounds suspiciously like a place you wouldn’t want to visit without a swim cap—or a flak jacket. Tourists who have somehow received the promotional materials are equally baffled. "I thought I signed up for an outback adventure, and now I’m packing for a desert tour,” complained one bewildered traveler. “My biggest concern is whether my safari hat will protect me from sandstorms or just make me look ridiculous." In a hilarious twist, travel agencies in Australia have started to take advantage of the mishap. “We’re offering a ‘crazily misguided tour package’ that takes participants through the best of both worlds,” said a cheery travel agent. “You can sip tea in Iraq while sporting a cork hat and checking for kangaroos out of the corner of your eye!” This globe-trotting deal includes a careful itinerary to ensure that no traveler accidentally stumbles into any “hot zones” while still comfortably avoiding anything that resembles a shrimp on the barbie. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken a break from his busy schedule to address the situation. “Look, it happens to the best of us. Yesterday, my assistant tried to book me a flight to Tokyo and accidentally sent me to Kokoda. At least both places have nice views!” he announced during a press conference, while strategically avoiding eye contact with the economic adviser standing at his side. Yet the most unexpected outcome of the botched campaign may be its unintended popularity. Social media has exploded with memes and hashtags like #AllTheWrongPlaces and #KangarooToBaghdad, with users posting images of kangaroos with turbans and camels depicted as "the new Australian mascot." As the Tourist Commission scrambles to correct the mix-up, many are wondering if perhaps they should just lean into the chaos. Why not promote both destinations? It’s an opportunity for Australians to connect with their international roots and, of course, to address the pressing issue of how to travel casually between Baghdad and Brisbane in style. So, whether you're dreaming of dashing through the rugged Australian outback or gallivanting around the glorious ruins of Mesopotamia, remember: sometimes the best tours are the ones that take you places no one ever intended to create. Cheers to that!