Australia

[metallicat]

Looking for some personal experiences about travel to Australia. I am thinking about doing the work visa thing for six months, and next year is I think, my last opportunity to do so. I believe you have to be under 25, and I just turned 24.

Anyone here go there for an extended period of time? Where did you work, where did you stay...etc. I've researched it in the past, and was sort of thinking about going someplace other than the main cities like Sydney or Brisbane. Cairns is a place that interests me.

So if you have any info, I'd be glad to hear it.

Edit- It seems I've already created a thread identical to this one in the past. Cue the insults! If you have any new insights, or didn't respond to the old thread, feel free to respond here, LOL.

[STeeLy]

Well, I personally don't know much about Australia, but I do have several contacts there, so if there is any sort of info you need, I will be glad to TRY and help.

[Incinerator]

I spent 2 weeks there when I was 8, so my memory is vague, I do remember being real impressed by the opera house though haha and Gold Coast is beautiful.

[Jayems]

The biggest problem with Australia is they're decendants of dirty criminal brits that were kicked off that beautiful island

Never been, but everyone who I know who has, said they absolutely loved it!

My sisters best friend is taking univ. over there, and he might stay.

[Sylvanfan]

Spent a month in Oz 6 years ago. Went Sydney to Darwin by air, by land to Uluru, than flew to Cairns and bussed it down the coast. I thought it was great and only came home because the coin came up tails. Do it!!

[jolinar of malkshor]

From what I understand the working holiday between Canada and Australia is from ages 18-30. The work Visa can be issued for 12 months.

[Patrick]

I would start at Sydney and work my way up the east coast to the top at Cairns. Might want to hit Perth on the far West coast. Mind you most of the population is on the East coast.

Been there twice in the last 3 years. If you want more info message me.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Patrick

I would start at Sydney and work my way up the east coast to the top at Cairns. Might want to hit Perth on the far West coast. Mind you most of the population is on the East coast.

Been there twice in the last 3 years. If you want more info message me.

I'm in Auckland right now, and renting a camper van with Ozy_Flame when we fly into Cairns on Jan. 31, then driving down the coast.

I say do it, mate. Everyone here that's done the Australia bit has loved it - lots to see, many beaches to visit, lots of beautiful women. And I'm 23, so right around your age... it's definitely a cool thing to do, if you can do it.

[MoneyGuy]

My son just got back a few weeks ago from this trip to Australia. It a work trip (under 30, I believe). He also went to New Zealand and Thailand. He liked those two better than Australia. He was down there for eight months. If you like (and because you're an Oiler fan ) if you wish I could ask his permission to give you his email address so you could ask questions. He knows this stuff. PM me if interested.

[Superfraggle]

I'm also planning to do the work visa thing...towards the end of September. A lot of the people I've talked to say that if you're going to Australia, you have to hit New Zealand while you're in the area. A couple places I've heard of that sound interesting are the big rock and bunglebungles. Australians seem to enjoy repetitive names. One of my buddies is from Waggawagga. I figure the place names will be the highlight of the trip. I'll just walk around the town saying Waggawagga to myself and giggling hysterically.

[V]

My sister went there for about 8 months, and for a few of those months she worked a game booth with a traveling carnival. She absolutely loved it because she could see a lot of different places while she worked.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

I live in brisbane australia now. It's my 2nd time in aussie. It's a fantastic place!

Do IT, you will not regret it.

Words I've used and my friends most often use to describe aussie: Paradise


Just make sure you see Brizzy, best city down here. And local ladies luv a canadian accent. How can you really go wrong?

[Daradon]

Where you headed man? I have a lot of experience with Melbourne and surrounding area being there 3 times and some touristy spots outside. PM me if you like.

Oh yeah, and for english speaking cultures, Aussie women are the most likely to blank on a first date. What? I read it on some test, and have had the opportunity to test it myself...

And yes, they DO like the accent, if you aren't taken as an American. A lot of hate against that, esp after the Iraq war they followed into. Wear a flag.

[burn_baby_burn]

I had the opportunity to live in Australia on two seperate occasions. The company I worked for right out of college sent me over for 6 month starting in Dec of 1997 to April of 1998. Than I went over again in September of 1998 till April of 1999. I did get to travel a little. But our office and production was located in Mt. Gambier, SA. So I was there most of the time. It is a small city, 26,000 when I was there. I had a lot of friends go over and do the ag exchange, or just go and back pack. They got to see the entire continent. I didn't get to do that. But I did get to see what it was like to live in Australia and managed to stay away from most of the tourist crap that you see on the East Coast.

If you have a chance. Take it. Australia is beatiful. It is so much like Canada, yet unique and differant as well. I would go back in a heart beat if I could.

[mots]

spentd 5 months out there 3 years back, and just loved it. Drove all the way from Great Ocean road by Adelaide to Port Douglas, past Cairs. My biggest question would be- how long you got? The Sunshine coast is a MUST - fraser island/whitsunday islands are by far my favourite part of it all.

Did some farm work west of Brisbane - and let me tell you, any job ive ever had since then is easy. Definately some of the hardest labor ive ever done - picking zuchinis.

[Ozy_Flame]

Go to Australia, it's much warmer.

Cripes, it's supposed to be summer, and it's FREEZING here in New Zealand - too much wind and rain!

I wouldn't even venture into the ocean for a dip, unless I had a body-suit.

Definitely go to Australia for warmth and sun. NZ just doesn't have it despite what I've heard and read about.

Mind you, there is no ozone over NZ, so when the sun does come out, it is BLISTERING HOT.

[killer_carlson]

been to all 7 continents and been to Australia 4 times and loved it. It would be my favorite (followed by South Africa and Peru).

Hit the gym before you go and pack light.

Work is always available picking fruit somewhere in the country so be sure you're fit enough if you have to earn your wage on a piece rate (ie, so many $$$ per kilo of watermelons or grapes). Service industry is also good, so perhaps get a job here before you go waiting tables or something so you have it on your resume. Don't be shy about asking people at backpackers either about good places to work. Chances are you'll get much better connections for work once you're on the ground than anything you'll line up here. Also, if they are young grape plants, they are really hard on your back. Apples are much easier but you have to hit Tassie for that.

Cairns has the greatest bar I've ever been to called the Woolshed. You'll know once your there.

Do it, enjoy it, appreciate it for the opportunity. New Zealand is also cool, but you can do most of it with 4-5 weeks. Budget most of your time for the East Coast of Australia, 2 weeks for the interior, Perth is cool if you can get out there (there is a reason why Perth has a tonne of successful music acts). Tasmania is wicked if you like BC. Take the ferry down from Melbourne and get to Hobart, which was my favorite city in Australia by far and away. If in Hobart be sure to go to the Cadbury chocolate factory during the day and then down to Salamanca for a great pub and bar scene at night.

Other advice, use sunscreen, lift the toilet seat before you sit down, and be sure you're comfortable with co-ed dorm style living before you go.

have fun.