ANZ Outlook / Issue 5 by TNT Multimedia Limited

Alice 5

A town called

Alice Springs is a must. A quirky place, no doubt about it

Freedom on the

working down under A look at the job market Tasmania A world apart Traveller's guide Wineglass Bay PLUS Migration news, A town called Alice, A rite of passage for backpackers

Expat profile, Ask the expert

Christchurch earthquake Disaster rocks the nation

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Earthquake rocks New Zealand EDITORIAL Editor: Ian Armitage Writers: Colin Chinery Chris Farnell Ruari McCallion Jane Bordenave

Our hearts go out to all those affected by this month’s devastating quake in New Zealand. More than 140 people, including two Britons, have died and a many more, who are currently unaccounted for, are feared dead.

BUSINESS General Manager: Stephen Warman Research Manager: Don Campbell Researchers: Andy Williams Elle Watson Dave Hodgson Chris Bolderstone Advertising Sales Manager: Andy Ellis Sales Executive: Jon Jaffrey Sales Administrator: Abby Nightingale

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which rocked the city of Christchurch on February 22 at 12.51pm local time, left around 2,500 people injured, 164 seriously. New Zealand prime minister John Key said it was the country’s “darkest day.”

ACCOUNTS Financial Controller: Nick Crampton Accounts: Margaret Roberts, Alexandra Buchlakova

Christchurch’s CBD was the area worst affected. Police said up to 120 bodies are likely still trapped in the demolished Canterbury Television (CTV) building, a high profile victim of the quake.

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Magazine Design: Optic Juice Production Manager: Jon Cooke DIGITAL & IT Head of digital marketing and development : Syed Ahmad TNT PUBLISHING CEO: Kevin Ellis Chairman: Ken Hurst Publisher: TNT Publishing Ltd Australia and New Zealand Outlook, The Royal, Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, UK. NR2 4SF TNT Publishing, 10 Greycoat Place, London, UK, SW1P 1SB Tntmagazine.com ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)1603 3432267 Fax: +44 (0)1603 283602 Email: ian.armitage@tntmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Call: +44 (0)1603 343267 Email: subscriptions@anzoutlook.com

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Rescue teams continue their hunt for survivors, although hopes are fading.

It is New Zealand’s second major shake since a 7.1 quake shook the South Island city last September. Get more info at civildefence.govt.nz or canterburyearthquake.org.nz. British nationals concerned for British family and friends in New Zealand should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for consular advice: fco.gov.uk. You can keep up with all the latest news on the website or our sister publication TNT Magazine, www.tntmagazine.com. Ian Armitage Editor AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

CONTENTS

PAGE

26 PAGE

58 PAGE

PAGE

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CONTEN 06 News 10 Migration Update 14 Whats on

Our guide to the unmissable events, holidays and celebrations in Australia and New Zealand this month

16 Freedom on the

Big Lap

The ‘Big Lap’, a circumnavigation of Australia, has long been a rite of passage for backpackers

46 Tasmania: A world apart

A small island that packs a punch

50 Moving Down Under:

Things to do first

Important things you should do as soon as you arrive in Australia

52 Cover: Alice Spring

Learn more about the Town called Alice

56 Taking Medicare

of Yourself

All you need to know about health cover Down Under

22 Traveller's guide to... 58 Working Down Under: A look at the job 26 Extreme New Zealand market Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s finest beaches

New Zealand is a country that thrives on adventure

32 Expat profile

Swapping the UK for Sydney

36 Melbourne Grand Prix:

Driving us insane

Australia’s Melbourne Grand Prix will now be the F1 season curtain opener

42 Ask the expert

Judith Gardner, Personal Tax Senior of Taxback.com, answers your questions

Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has this month warned of a looming shortage of skilled workers

62 Importing a car

Want to take your car with you to Australia? Chris Farnell tells you how

64 Christchurch

earthquake

Quake rocks the nation

66 Waitomo caves

A closer look at a remarkable tourist attraction, complete with its own glowworms

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

NEWS CYCLONE YASI Yasi clean up begins Queenslanders are beginning to clean up the destruction left by Cyclone Yasi, which ripped through the state’s coastal communities. Soldiers, police and emergency workers have been brought into the region to help with the clean up. The category five storm lifted boats from harbours, flattened dozens of homes

and ripped roofs off many more, leaving debris strewn across a huge area. Police confirmed the death of a 23-yearold man who was suffocated by fumes from a generator as he sheltered from the storm.

Queensland

asi Y es v i v sur Cyclone Yasi was not as bad as first feared.

It has battered the north nd, eastern state of Queensla and tearing off roofs s, bringing down powerline the but it appears as though ng alo ies nit mu smaller com of nt bru the coast bore the the storm. Worst hit were the towns and of Tully, Mission Beach of ds dre hun Cardwell, with houses destroyed.

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Townsville were relatively The cities of Cairns and lashed by heavy rains; unscathed but are being . surges have been issued warnings of further storm rst wo d to expect the Residents had been warne y, storm in the state’s histor na Bligh said there had An er mi Pre nd Queensla . or serious injuries so far been no reports of deaths ss stre rning, but I do “I’m very relieved this mo she said. “It’s a long way s,” these are very early report dodged any bullets.” to go before I say we’ve is not yet known. The scale of the damage cut in some areas. Power and phone lines are idents endured a Tens of thousands of res terrifying night.

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Qld sets up reconstruction authority The Queensland parliament has passed legislation to set up the authority to oversee the state’s recovery from the floods and cyclone Yasi. The opposition had reservations about the bill, but said it would pass it because Queenslanders need to see the recovery in full swing quickly. Premier Anna Bligh introduced the bill to establish the Queensland Reconstruction

Authority. MajorGeneral Mick Slater will chair the body, tasked with repairing threequarters of the state that has been hit by natural disasters. Ms Bligh will be the minister for reconstruction. The authority will prioritise and expedite the rebuilding of community infrastructure and services and coordinate the repairs and distribution of financial assistance.

I S A Y E N OTHER NEWS O L CYC

Buswell poor driv admits to ing record

Accident-pro ne West Australian spotlight afte frontbencher r a spokeswom an wrongly re Troy Buswel had copped vealed the M a A$75 spee l says he may P di ng fine just wee have accum transport min ks after beco ulated eight ister. m ing demerit poi However, M nts in three r Buswell cl ar ified his driv years but th the speeding ing record, sa at should offence had ying actually occu not disqualif the fine wasn’ rr ed in Novembe y him as the t paid until Ja r but nuary. state’s transp Yet, it has em ort minister. erged the M em ber for Vasse eight demerit The not-so-c has gathered points during lean driving the past thre record has th between 10km e years for tr rown Mr /h and 19km avelling /h over the sp Buswell back He has been eed limit. into the fined a furthe r five times fo between 0km r travelling /h and 9km/h over the spee d limit. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

NEWS Vietnam tour boat sinks in Ha Long Bay:

Australian among dead An anchored boat packed with sleeping tourists which sank early on Feb 17 in Vietnam’s scenic Ha Long Bay, killed 12 people from nine countries in the deadliest tour boat accident since the country opened to foreign tourism 25 years ago. The official Vietnam News Agency published the victims’ names and ages, most of them aged 20 to 25. They include a Briton, two Americans, one Japanese, one French,

two Swedes, two Russians, one Swiss and one person of Vietnamese origin living in Australia, according to the government. Another nine foreigners and six locals were rescued by other tour boats in the bay’s emerald waters. Bai Chay Hospital hospital deputy director, Giang Quoc Duy, said survivors “were in a panic.” “They were given first aid treatment and have already returned to their hotels,” he said.

Homes under threat

from bushfire

Fears are mounting several large bushfires in Sydney’s southwest may spread to nearby homes and the Holsworthy Army Barracks. The fires, which authorities suspect were deliberately lit, are raging in the area of Wills Road at Long Point , near Macquarie Fields, and are threatening about a dozen homes, in the city’s southwest. A Rural Fire Service (RF S) spokesman said it was inv estigating if

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the fires have crossed the Georges River and spread into the Holsworthy Army reserve, where military personnel were on exerci se. “We’ve got crews going over to Holsworthy to check the Army boys are okay and to see if the fire has spread,” the (RFS) spokesman said. He said early indications were that the fire was deliberately lit, and police officers were at the scene. About a dozen homes we re under threat. Extra fire crews have bee n drafted in to help contain the fire.

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

NEWSINBRIEF

Gold Coast police are investigating an Melbourne should axe the Australian ive expens too it’s e assault complaint against former world Grand Prix becaus ent surfing champion Sunny Garcia. Police have and locals are fed up, federal parliam confirmed a complaint has been made against has been told. Labor MP Michael Danby, the Hawaiian, but no charges have been laid. whose Melbourne Ports electorate hosts polled had he said , Garcia and reigning Pipeline Master Jeremy the Grand Prix circuit One la Flores were involved in a fight with a surfer at a 600 local residents about the Formu pro surfing contest at Burleigh Heads. race with a majority 10-1 opting to ditch the event. For more info see page 36. Activists are gearing to “expose” New Zealand’s ile crocod treatment of its indigenous people during the A boy who was attacked by a Rugby World Cup. One of the country’s best on a remote Northern Territory island known radical activists, Titewhai Harawira, says is not expected to be found alive. The his with g playin the seven-week tournament, starting in September, 14-year-old boy was , Island is a “grand opportunity” to show the world’s brothers in a creek at Milingimbi media “what is really going on in this country”. about 400km east of Darwin, when the crocodile bit him on Feb 20.

Ricky Nixon denies sex claims The teenage girl at the centre of the St Kilda nude photo scandal has been questioned by police over theft and drugs matters amid claims she had sex with AFL player manager Ricky Nixon. Nixon’s future as a manager is in serious doubt as he fights off the claims, although he admits he had “inappropriate dealings” with the 17-year-old. The girl claims they had a sexual relationship for three to four weeks and has photographs of him in her hotel room in his underpants as well as a video which she gave to television stations. In the videos shown on the Nine and Ten

networks, the girl is on a bed clearing it of empty food packets before hopping off and then a half naked man resembling Nixon climbs on. Another video shows her retrieving Nixon’s wallet from a pair of trousers lying on the floor, while some white powder lies on a table nearby. Nixon, 47, denies the accusations and has insinuated the girl downloaded pictures of him in his underpants from his mobile phone and fabricated the video. The high-profile manager claims that in two meetings with the girl in her room at a city hotel there was no sex, no alcohol and no drugs.

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

migration update WA Premier outlines

vision for 2011

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says 2011 will be the state’s “coming of age” in which both its economy and capital city is transformed and strength displayed to the world. In his first address to parliament for the year, Mr Barnett outlined the government’s legislative agenda as well the important issues facing the state. He said the government would continue to fight moves by the federal government to introduce its Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) which threatens both the state’s and the nation’s economy. “The threat to the resources industry through an illconceived, complex tax on mining is reckless, ignorant and breathtakingly poor public policy,” Mr Barnett told parliament. “The Liberal-National government will not surrender power of royalties to the commonwealth. “The government will continue to urge the commonwealth not to endanger the industry, the state and the nation by imposing the mining tax and putting at risk the viability of existing projects and the economic benefits they generate.” Mr Barnett said recent figures showed WA’s economy was a dominant force with its 2010 merchandise exports accounting for 44 percent of all Australian merchandise exports and more than 70 percent to China. 10

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Oz PM Calls for Immigrants Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned of a looming shortage of skilled workers. She also said that expanding the labour force, with the help of foreigners, topped her priority list. “After three decades when unemployment was our major problem, we now face shortages,” said Gillard, who emigrated from Wales in 1966. “In the short term, the mining boom is placing huge strains on our labour market…the resources sector will face a potential shortfall of 36,000 tradespersons by 2015.” Australia has been hit hard by floods, cyclones and bushfires in recent months, but is also known for its plentiful sunshine, beaches, and outdoor lifestyle. The country is riding an uninterrupted economic growth streak. It is an appealing option with Brits.

Keep track of the latest news and developments on moving Down Under

NEWS IN BRIEF New interim NZ visas took effect on Feb 6, allowing migrants waiting for their visas to continue working. Previously there had been issues with people having their immigration status lapse while waiting for a visa. About a third of the international students who go to New Zealand to study stay on afterward and around one fifth become permanent residents. NZ Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said that many international students stay on, providing “longer-term benefits by contributing their skills to our workforce and economy”. The application process for entertainers, performing artists and entertainment industry personnel seeking to obtain a NZ work visa under the Specific Purpose or Event Immigration Instructions has changed. The form has two sections. The applicant must complete the first section and the employer/ production company/promoter seeking to engage the applicant must complete the supplementary form section. For more info visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

Tony Abbott defends Coalition's migration policy Coalition leader Tony Abbott has been forced to restate the Coalition’s commitment to a multicultural Australia after reports a senior frontbencher urged the party to use Muslim migration as political wedge issue. Abbott said reports that his immigration spokesman Scott Morrison urged the shadow ministry at a meeting in December to exploit community concerns over Muslims were an “absolute travesty”. PM Julia Gillard demanded Abbott sack Morrison if the reports were accurate, and to clarify whether he was committed to a non-discriminatory immigration programme. “I think that is a travesty of Scott’s position, an absolute travesty of Scott’s position and I just want to stress that as far as the Coalition is concerned we have always had, and we will always have, a non-discriminatory immigration policy,” Mr Abbott said.

New Zealand's population hits 4.39 million In the year to December, New Zealand’s estimated population grew by 1.1 percent to 4,393,500, figures released by Statistics New Zealand show. The population rise was due to a natural increase - more births than deaths - of 35,800 and net migration of 10,500, Statistics New Zealand said. The increase was less than the average annual increase of 1.3 percent over the past decade.

Meanwhile, the country’s population continues to grow older, with the median age increasing by more than two years in the last decade. As of December, the median age was 36.7 years old, an increase of 2.2 years compared a decade ago.

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

migration update Kiwis still flocking to Oz for jobs An Australian job expo in Auckland where more than 6000 people lined up to find out about work across the Tasman shows National’s economic management has failed, Labour leader Phil Goff says. Australian firms wanting New Zealand workers were overwhelmed by the response at the Oz Job Expo in Auckland, with many receiving more applications than available jobs, TV3 reported. “It’s hardly surprising Kiwis are seeking a better deal in Australia given that wage earners here finished last year worse off than they started, with wage increases averaging just 1.7 percent, less than half the level of the inflation rate of 4 percent,” Mr Goff said. Losing workers would have a negative impact on the

economy, he said citing the building industry that had tanked despite the need for more homes. “When we recover from this recession we are going to find a huge shortage of skilled labour, of materials, an industry that is not geared up to respond. That will be a disaster for New Zealand.”

OZ rate spike doesn't deter home buying It seems it will take more than a hefty jump in mortgage rates to stop people buying a home in Australia. December saw the largest number of home loans granted in a month since the end of 2009, coming just weeks after the average variable mortgage rate rose 40 basis points in November. Loan broker Mortgage Choice said this was an encouraging result given the November rate rise by the major banks, which far exceeded the increase by the Reserve Bank, was much talked about 12

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and led to federal parliament’s inquiry into banking competition. Mortgage Choice spokesperson Kristy Sheppard said she was cautiously confident there will be an overall improvement on 2010. “With housing price growth remaining subdued, cash rate rises now looking to be pushed back a little and wages increasing at a healthy pace, the current buyers’ market holds much more potential,” she said.

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Australian International Airshow

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Melbourne Food and th Wine Festival

Melbourne, Victoria Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a huge celebration and is a showcase for all that is great and good about the local food and wine industry. The Festival programme boasts 300 food and wine events across Victoria and you will see food and wine from every corner of the world , getting the opportunity to encounter a variety of new and interesting experiences. www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Ellerslie International th Flower Show

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Christchurch, New Zealand Held in Christchurchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hagley Park, the Ellerslie International Flower Show is the largest floral exhibition in the southern hemisphere. More than 57,000 green-fingered visitors take stock of the latest flora, garden designs and products. www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

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Our guide to the unmissable events, holidays and celebrations in Australia and New Zealand this month Bermagui Seaside Fair Dickinson Oval and Endeavour Point, Bermagui, New South Wales Bermagui Seaside Fair is a free fun-filled day for everyone! This multi-award winning tourism event is held on the second Saturday in March each year. The Fair attracts around 10,000 people.

12 th

march

www.bermaguiseasidefair.com

Wagga Wagga Food And Wine Festival Civic Centre Gardens, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales This event is Wagga Wagga’s premier food and wine event showcasing local food and wine. The Festival is held in the beautiful Wollundry Lagoon Precinct bounded by the Civic Theatre, Civic Centre and Wollundry Lagoon. Entertainment is provided by a range of local entertainers.

march

www.waggafoodandwinefestival.com.au

MELBOURNE CUP

The Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne In Melbourne, there’s no missing the Australian Grand Prix, which takes over Albert Park for four days in March. You’ll hear the distinctive pitch of elite Formula One racing cars across the city. At the purpose-built track, watch the world’s fastest drivers vibrate past you at speeds of up to 300km an hour.

27 th march

www.grandprix.com.au

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

adventure

Freedom on the The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Big Lapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a circumnavigation of Australia, has long been a rite of passage for backpackers. By Ian Armitage

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any people have the dream of one day travelling around Australia. I just did a 80 percent very quick poll of our ofﬁce and means of those surveyed (this is by no who hadn’t , ose) scientiﬁc but serves a purp it was their been Down Under already, said drop off dream to “take a year or so out, a,” as my trali Aus nd the grid and travel arou deputy put it. wise to If you share this dream, you’d be cancel all make sure you clear your diary and appointments for a long time. until they Quite simply, people don’t realise long how start planning how far this is and that people it will take. The main problem is

Australia don’t really comprehend how big . It is; it is actually larger than Europe travel To e. hug is may be an island but it tre is cen the around Australia and through just to do approximately 18,000 kilometres example. the main highways, to give you an

YOarUqueNEstioEDn. ?To DO NG LO W HO doll ionThis is the mill

k travel around Australia, a very quic ths, mon ve trip would be about four or ﬁ but if you really want to enjoy it, more is something closer to 12 months or recommended. a Remember, this is a ‘Big Lap’, not a t medium one - and it certainly isn’ small one!

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

adventure ICH ROUTE? WH As well as the length of time

you’ll need, another big decision is which way to go. Consider this… if you go anti-clockwise, the route is 900 kilometres shorter (believe me?). I’d recommend starting in Sydney, travelling via the coast where possible, south to Melbourne, west to Adelaide, across the Nullarbor desert to Albany, then Perth, travelling north around the coast to Broome, east to Wyndham, then further north to Darwin, south to Alice Springs, east to Mount Isa and Townsville, before going north to Cairns, south down the coast to Brisbane and back to Sydney. (phew…

deep breath!). Remember, you can start anywhere; it doesn’t have to be Sydney! The big idea here is freedom. To go where you want, when you want, and how you want, to see Australia in all it’s beauty, to be able to find small hideaway beaches and to travel

the outback. www.noboundaries.com.au is a site designed specifically to help people who are planning to travel around Australia and we recommend paying them a visit. You are going to need transport. Toyota’s are considered the workhorses of the outback and most remote garages will stock parts.

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BATTLING THE ELEMENTS

If you are crazy enough, you could ditch the car and take a bike. A few mo nths back, Australia and New Zealand Outlo ok had the pleasure of speaking to British explor er Mike Laird, who did just that and cycled solo across Australia (well observed… it is across, not around, but you get the point). Mike battled brown snakes , giant spiders, saddle sore, gruelling terrain, sco rching heat, and floods to become the first Briton to retrace the steps of 19th century explorers Bu rke and Wills across Australia, solo and unassi sted. He cycled over 2,000 miles from coast to coast. It took 33 days. “I saw more of Australia than most other people ever do,” the adv enturer said. Mike could have been for given for going back

ENTIALS ESS Whether or not you are crazy (or

to his day job and never getting on a bike again. But he isn’t like the rest of us and is instead offering package deals to tourists who wish to follow in his footsteps. The first Trans Oz Bike Ride, which will take place in May, wil l cover 3,200km (2,097 miles) in 17 stages, with competitors starting in Me lbourne and riding north through Vic toria, New South Wales and Queensland to finish in Cairns. The good news is that Mi ke is still looking for people. “My experience was tru ly an experience of a lifetime and I’m del ighted to be able to open this up to other peo ple with an appetite for adventure,” Laird said.

perhaps stupid) enough to follow in Mike’s footsteps is up to you. My preference would be to go by car – it’s a bit safer. But regardless of what you decide, the best place to start by planning your itinerary. Put a map in front of you and mark or write down where you are interested in going. Then work out the approximate kilometres and how far you want to travel per day and how long you think you want to stay at each place. Then you will have an idea of how long it will take. From this point, you can adjust your holiday. To work out an approximate cost of the fuel you will use multiply the amount of kilometres to be travelled by how much fuel your vehicle uses per kilometre. Then multiply by the approximate cost of the fuel, if you are driving in remote areas allow a bit extra. Accommodation can vary considerably too (if you aren’t going in a caravan), so it is important to plan ahead in this respect. A few options are staying in motels, hotels, and cabins where possible, powered or unpowered campsites, which can vary in price. National Parks only ask for a minimal fee per night or there are free camping sites scattered over Australia, usually with no or

minimal amenities. Free in our view, is always best!

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

adventure WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT? le go to Australia

Most peop but don’t ever see much of it. Even the locals are guity of having seen far more of Europe than they have of the Outback. Beyond the common comment “it’s just too far,” many people think they don’t have the opportunity to get up and leave for any real length of time. But, it is becoming more feasible: you can rent out the house and there are plenty of jobs to top up your funds as you go. Even employers are willing to let you have a year off these days. If they don’t, though, you can always master your own destiny and say, “What the hell – let’s go see all of Australia.”

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OVERVIEW

Australia has a holiday exp erience for everyone, from a relaxing holiday to the extreme sport experi ence. Stunning beaches, the awesome Ou tback, breathtaking rainforests, outstanding self-drive tours, top end adventures and so much more. We couldn ’t recommend a big lap more highly, as it is a chance to take in everything. If you don’t have the tim e needed to travel around Australia, driving around the eastern or western hal f of Australia is a great option (allow at lea st two months for this). Travelling Australia is an amazing experience and has to be seen to be believed.

TRAVELLER'S GUIDE

Wineglass BAY A Guide To

By Chris Farnell

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ustralia has many, many great things going for it. This country features some of the most amazing wildernesses, ancient cultures and fascinating, sometimes deadly wildlife in the known world. Of course, a lot of people go there for the beaches. If you are one of those people, you could do a lot worse than starting off at Wineglass Bay, in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania. In fact, it is consistently named one of the best ten beaches on the entire planet. The beautiful white sands beach borders onto shocking blue water, and surrounded by the natural beauty of the completely untouched granite mountains. Every direction you look, you might as well be framing a postcard picture.

AThereHome From Home are plenty of places to stay, many with great views of the surrounding countryside and coastline so you can enjoy all the wonder of nature without having to worry about going out anywhere. Most of these are bed and breakfasts or self catering accommodation, such as the Sheoaks bed and breakfast built on the coast of the Great Oyster Bay that appears to be floating on the water. Sheoaks features a wood heater, tea and coffee making facilities, comfortable chairs, old fashioned games, books and magazines as well as a TV, range of DVDs and free WiFi access if you feel a little too far away from the rat race. The Iluka Holiday Centre on Coles Bay offers a wide variety of accommodation options including bedroom units, cosy cabins, on-site vans, powered and tent sites, YHA backpackers hostel, all overlooking the scenic Muirs Beach. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

TRAVELLER'S GUIDE Great Views On Foot, By Cruise, Or By Quad Bike? However, once you are ready to venture out into the wilderness, there’s a huge choice of ways to explore Wineglass Bay and the surrounding national park. Freycitet Sea Cruises offers a wonderful cruise of the bay aboard its 48-seat eco-adventure catamaran, Schouten Passage. Setting off from Coles Bay, the four-hour voyage takes you to Wineglass Bay offering you an intimate view of the stunning wildlife and scenery of the Freycinet Peninsula coast, allowing you to skip the two and a half hour hike it would take otherwise. If you want a more up close and personal view of the park, but still

The beautiful white sands beach borders onto shocking blue water don’t quite fancy the sound of all that walking there are still other alternatives. All4adventure offer you a chance to take your own quad bike through the lesserbeaten tracks along bush tracks, climbing hills and through eucalypt forests down to the beach. All4adventure’s tours include training from professional guides who will show you how to use your vehicle safely, and in such a way as to minimise your impact on the environment you are travelling through, leaving it as untouched as you found it. For a more leisurely journey however the walk certainly has its charms. The 24

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walk up to Wineglass Bay takes you along a relatively steep, but short climb to the saddle between Mounts Atmos and Mayson. From there you can follow a sidetrack to a lookout with breathtaking views of the bay. You should take care on your way back though, as the loose gravel surface of the track can be slippery. The whole walk should take you roughly two hours. For a less epic hike, there are shorter walks, such as scenic lookout of the Friendly Beaches, a mere five minutes return journey just off the Isaacs Point Road. Before long you’ll reach a vantage point where you can see uninterrupted

What's In A Name? Now, some of our more literal minded

views of the Friendly Beaches and their impressive dune system. Another excellent, and novel, way to see the beautiful blue waters of Wineglass Bay is from the underside. Coles Bay Hire will offer dinghies, Canadian canoes to go out and explore the waters yourself, as well as snorkelling gear to peek below the surface. So that you make the most of it, it’s also worth asking them for hints and tips on the best places to go dipping as well. If you’re staying in the self catered accommodation, Coles Bay Hire will also offer you fishing gear so you can go out and catch your own supper.

readers will be saying “I’m impressed by these scenic walks, quad bike tracks and cruises with their mountains, white sands and azure waters, but I specifically remember reading that this place was called Wineglass bay.” These readers would probably be disappointed to find that the name comes from the wineglass like shape of the bay, but don’t worry, as by happy coincidence the beach is in the heartland of great wine-growing country and you can explore it with the help of The Long Lunch Tour Co. Departing from Hobart at half nine in the morning, taking you to tastings at the Meadowbank Estate, the Pooley, Darlington and Springvale Vineyards, among others. Mid afternoon you’ll arrive at the Cape Tourville Lighthouse, with a view of the aptly named Wineglass Bay where you’ll enjoy... well actually at the lighthouse you’ll enjoy a cup of bush tea, but trust us, you’ll have tasted plenty of wine by then anyway. Freycinet Sea Cruises:

www.freycinetseacruises.com All4adventure:

www.all4adventure.com.au/tours Tasmanian Park and Wildlife Service Track Guide:

www.parks.tas.gov.au Coles Bay Hire:

www.wineglassbay.com The Long Lunch Tour Co:

www.longlunchtourco.com.au AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

EXTREME NEW ZEALAND

ew Zealand is a country which thrives on adventure. Rugged mountain landscapes become off-piste playgrounds, skyreﬂecting lakes turn into jet-boat racetracks while ice-blue glaciers open up for exhilarating exploration. The Kiwis have made it possible to jump, drive, slide, roll, ﬂy or hike through pretty much any part of the country’s terrain – making it a wonderland for adrenaline seekers. 26

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o m o it a w g in v a c s s y b a black re above ground befo Leave your nerves small a cylindrical hole to in m 37 ng ili se ab ith n touch the edge w enough that you ca your feet. to the ﬁve-

ing beginning This is the breathtak at Ruakuri Cave Black Abyss tour d un ro rg de un ur ho beneath the which was hidden rld wo et cr se a g in explor s ago. zip-wire, sea 30 million year of up to 12, you’ll p ou gr a d an es id With two gu y through ice-cold and wade your wa e ez ue sq y , be tu p, lea pping along the wa ling adventure, sto ril th is th g rin du water orms. us sight of glow-w t powerful to take in the glorio two fairly small bu ng bi m cli is le na ﬁ o The grand e surface of Waitom ake your way to th m u yo as lls fa ter wa le journey. of this unforgettab ng Co Forest and the end Black Water Rafti th The Legendary wi p 4p £9 m fro Book

visit waitomo.com AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

EXTREME NEW ZEALAND Nevis arc swing Queenstown Flying through the air with the greatest of ease has never been so terrifying and thrilling at the same time. The Nevis Arc is the world’s highest swing and will give you such a buzz, you won’t be able to sleep. Decide whether to travel 40, 80 or the exhilarating 120m as you power through the air, suspended 153m above the rugged Doolan’s Creek in Nevis Canyon. Go with a friend or go solo – but this mind-blowing ride takes guts, as you have to pull the release yourself. Not for the faint-hearted. Prices from £63pp (bungy.co.nz).

glacier hike franz josef Here you can have two types of adventure. A heli-hike will take in scenery you couldn’t possibly witness any other way. You’ll land high up on the glacier for a two-hour tour among the ice caves, pinnacles and seracs. For the hardcore, opt for the full-day hike. Equipped with crampons, you’ll feel like a true adventurer as you trek deep into the heart of the iceblue glacier. In five hours, you will slide through ice caves, shuffle down near vertical ice walls – and enjoy lunch while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Heli-hike from £180, full-day climb from £74.

Visit www.franzjosefglacier.com 28

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skydive lake wanaka It’s not just the spectacular scenery that motivates people to jump from a plane at 15,000ft.

of But with a flight that takes in views try’s coun Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring – the is highest snow-capped mountains – this it. do to NZ in e plac arguably the best You’ll be distracted by the stunning lakes as glaciers, river valleys and glistening you fly over Lake Wanaka. ce You won’t need any previous experien e. guid ified qual a as you’ll be attached to nds Then it’s time to jump, falling for 60 seco m/h. through the air – at about a heady 200k will e chut para the it, Before you know back ly eful peac ing open and you’ll be glid down to earth. From £180.

Visit www.skydivewanaka.com

rafting river valley, taihape Get ready to face powe rful rapids, broken water and large drops as you snake along this exciting adventure. Th

ere are 10 major Grade 4-5 (the most extreme) foamy rapids on this scenic 12km run nestled in the heart of the countryside. However, it’s a team act ivity – you’ll be relying on your group to paddle hard and to hold on even harder when instructed. If you do want to get eve n wetter, you can jump into the ice-co ld water from a designated cliff edge bef ore tackling the biggest rapid of all. This is a heart-in-yourmouth adrenaline activity. Prices from £75.

Visit www.rivervalley.co.nz AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

EXTREME NEW ZEALAND ledge bungy Queenstown So you’ve done a bungy jump before and now you’re looking for the next level? How about jumping from a ‘runway’ backwards and flipping 400m into the darkness by trying the Ledge Bungy at night? At 400m above Queenstown, you’ll have the stars for company as you ride the gondola to the Skyline Complex to the platform which is cantilevered out from the cliff face. Choose from a body harness or ankle tie for the bungy of your choice. Then, take a deep breath, glance at the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range, and confront your darkest fears. From £65.

visit www.ajhackett.com

Need to know WHEN TO GO Anytime. Winter is June to August. GETTING THERE Fly to Auckland via Singapore/Bangkok with

CURRENCY New Zealand dollars. 1 GBP = 2 NZD.

LANGUAGE English.

Qantas from £875 return. qantas.com.au/uk.

GOING OUT A beer costs about $4.

GETTING AROUND Hop on to the Kiwi Experience bus, where you

ACCOMMODATION Shared accommodation is

can also book your adventure activities. Take the Funky Chicken route to explore both the North and South islands for a minimum of 20 days for prices from £550. See kiwiexperience.com.

included in the price of tours with the Kiwi Experience. This includes homestays, hostels and hotels.

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jetboating westport Powered by twin V8 engines and boasting more than 820 horse power, hold on to your hat while this dynamic jetboat zips across the Buller River. You’ll be taken closer than ever before to rock walls and craggy overhangs at terrifying speeds. The experienced guide is fun and informative. Listen to him, but don’t be caught off-guard for the 360-degree ‘Hamilton’ spins that will leave you unsure of where you began and where you’re heading. Prices from £36.

visit www.adventuretours.co.nz

n w o t s n e e u q e r u t r e v d a ultimate air ight JAG Air aeperrospebactivtice son fl the world

Gain a new as you loop-the-loop, twist, turn and le feel g-forces unlike ever before whi /h. km 300 n tha zooming along at more

s Strapped inside this specialist aerobatic g alon the aircraft, the Pitts Special, you’ll soar Kinston ridges of The Remarkables towards and over Lake Wakatipu. , you’ll Although it’s not for the faint-hearted ne be in very safe hands for this high octa an exis rols cont the at as 20-minute journey, ce. rien expe s’ fighter pilot with nine year sky and See the world spin like crazy as the ground merge into one. opt If you’re not feeling brave, you can the in take will h for the scenic flight, whic your ge breathtaking view – and, if you chan

pilot to tip mind while you’re up there, ask the up. the plane upside down to liven things e on Rac Air Bull Red If you’ve seen the ride of the – for in TV, you know what you’re likely to not your life, and an experience you’re forget. From £132pp.

visit www.jagair.co.nz AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

Expat PROFILE

A new life in

Expat in brief r NAME: David Taylo Age: 35 ant Occupation: Account UK Moved from: London, Moved to: Sydney

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avid Taylor moved to Melbourne from the UK in 2003. He had often dreamed about moving to Australia and starting a new life closer to his brother, who had immigrated a few years before. When he left, David didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a job, but plenty of savings. Besides, as an

accountant with a good reputation, his skills were in demand. He set up several meetings with potential employers before he arrived in Oz and hit the ground running. “I did what I could from the UK but I found that employers had very little time for you until you actually arrived in Australia. “Almost everyone I contacted prior to leaving said ‘Send me a CV and contact us on arrival’, which I did.” After several interviews, he got a job with a major corporation, who he says sponsored a temporary residence visa. But the job was the least of his worries. David says he had a tough time finding a place to live. “Accommodation was a massive challenge,” he says. Almost everything was too expensive or in the wrong location and he ended up spending a lot of time in hotels. “My advice would be to prepare better than I did. There are some good value options available but you have to do your homework.” David ended up finding a place very close to a train station, meaning he could get to the CBD pretty easily. “It was a bonus as I

didn’t need to buy a car straight away,” he says. “When I found my house -- because it took so long -- I really went for it and even bartered the price down. I submitted my application on the spot.” It was approved 24 hours later, after his salary and employment status were checked. After the rent and bond were paid – which he had to pay by bankers draft/cheque - he moved in. “That needed a bank account,” he explains. “I was really glad to move in.”

When I found my house – because it took so long – I really went for it and even bartered the price down An important thing to note, he adds, is that in Australia they usually price rentals on a weekly basis, rather than the percalendar-month basis we’re used to in the UK. You can rent on a monthly basis, but it is almost certainly worth finding out how rental payments are calculated, and ensure

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

Expat PROFILE you have enough for the first payment and the Bond, which can be more than the typical four-weeks rent in advance. He says one of the best things he did was opening a bank account when he arrived in Australia instead of before he left the UK. “I thought about opening an account when I was in the UK but decided, in the end, to do it when I arrived. It was a great idea, as in the UK you had to provide a mountain of documents to prove your name, address, date of birth and existence.

I just dived in. Sure I made some mistakes, but I went for it. I decided I wanted to do it and did “In Australia, I walked into the bank branch and walked out 15 minutes later with my bank account sorted. All I needed was my passport, and I used the hotel address to have my cards delivered and collected my cards from the branch within a week. It was easy really.” David’s advice to other Brits wanting to move to Australia is to go for it. “I just dived in. Sure I made some mistakes, but I went for it. I decided I wanted to do it and did. There is no point in what ifs or anything like that. I’ve had days where I doubted it, but since I arrived I haven’t really looked back.” He now has Australian citizenship and has married an Australia woman he met while staying in hotels when he first arrived. 34

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FOR THE

CAT’S WHISKERS

REMOVALS TO AUSTRALIA

NEW

ZEALAND

The purr-fect move across the world www.emigratingoverseas.com DON’T PUT A FOOT WRONG Whole house contents to cars or just single items, no one is more careful than Doree Bonner International. We’ve been moving our customers possessions around the world for over 90 years providing the highest standards of service at sensible prices. For a free moving survey and estimate, telephone our freephone number and get your move off to the ‘Purr-fect’ start.

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Brisbane Bound We provide a helpful friendly service for people migrating, validating visas or holidaying in beautiful Brisbane or southeast Queensland. As a migrant family, we are pleased to provide services, which we know will make a big difference to how you spend your first few weeks here.These services include: Ó House meet and greet Ó Fully furnished accommodation Ó Guidance to help you make informed choices We take great care to provide quality services, which are affordable and all inclusive.

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GRAND PRIX

Driving us i

The 2011 Australian Grand Prix

F1 is a multi-billion dollar global business, with a rich history and a huge fan base. By Ian Armitage

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insane

entlemen, start your multi-million dollar engines. The dawn of the 2011 F1 season is upon us and the excitement is starting to build. No spectacle in sport compares with a Sunday F1 race and in a little over two weeks I’ll be able to kick back and enjoy the first race of the season. The 2011 campaign is due to start in Bahrain on March 13 and I couldn’t be more excited. However, with Bernie Ecclestone expected to cancel the race in Bahrain as protests continue on the streets of the capital, Manama, it could be that I’ll have to wait a bit longer. If the Bahrain Grand Prix is called off, the Australian Grand Prix, to be held in Melbourne on March 27, would become the curtain-raiser to the championship. So what do we have to look forward to?

WHAT TO EXPECT Melbourne will deliver four days of action on and off the track, featuring superstars F1 Drivers, red hot racing action, speed, F1 glamour and entertainment - you’d be mad not to be excited. From 24-27 March, the Australian Grand Prix is one of the largest attended events in Australia, attracting an estimated attendance of 305,000 in 2010. The race will be watched in more than 180 countries and the 2011 event is expected to be bigger, better and faster than last year. Grandstand sales are currently 35 percent higher than 2010 (accurate to Feb 2, 2011) with general admission not far behind, say those behind the race. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

GRAND PRIX “Last week saw the highest corporate hospitality sales in over two years. All of these things point to a great turnout in March and we have an incredible event planned,” said Andrew Westacott, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

2010: MISTAKES, BRILLIANCE, CRASHES Last time out, an incident-packed race was won by Jenson Button, after Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull slid out of the race with brake failure. It was Button’s second win in a row Down Under. An early swap to dry-

Tickets Pre-Purchased Prices Adult^

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Four Day Pass Thursday only

A$185 A$39

A$98 A$18

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Friday only Saturday Only Sunday Only

A$55 A$85 A$99

A$27 A$58 A$68

A$110 A$170 A$198

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Weekend Gate Prices Saturday Only Sunday Only

A$95 A$110

Free general admission for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. ^ Transaction fees may apply. Conditions apply. Call 1800 100 030 for details. ** 2 Adults, 2 children (under age of 16) www. 38

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weather slick tyres proved crucial in that race, a race dominated by changing weather, crashes and breathtaking racing. One of the more controversial incidents involved Brit Lewis Hamilton who was challenging Fernando Alonso for fourth in the closing stages but finished up sixth after a collision with the Red Bull of Mark Webber. The teams will arrive knowing the temporary track at Albert Park presents particular challenges. In previous years a little-used and therefore changeable surface, and close barriers, have combined with the often-temperamental local climate to make the Australian Grand Prix eventful: in 2002 only eight cars finished.

SCRAP THE GRAND PRIX? With moveable rear wings, a new tyre supplier, the return of KERS, a 107

One to watch Mark Webber The 2010 season was very nearly Mark Webberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. After so many years plugging away in lesser cars, Webber had a dominant Red Bull and came close to clinching the title, only to see Formula One racingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate goal vanish before his eyes and go to his team mate Sebastian Vettel. A reinvigorated Webber is ready to make his dreams come true in 2011 and will be looking to win on home soil.

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

GRAND PRIX percent qualifying rule and more, there are plenty of regulation changes that will have a major impact on the 2011 race. But, believe it or not, not everybody is stoked about this hugely popular event and federal parliament has been told recently that Melbourne should axe the Australian Grand Prix because it’s too expensive and locals are fed up. Labor MP Michael Danby said he had polled 600 local residents about the Formula One race with a majority

10-1 opting to ditch the event. He also said the traditional F-18 flyover at the Grand Prix would be scrapped this year and explained that his constituents were sick of blocked road access during the Formula One race and the loud noises from cars, crowds and flyovers. “The Grand Prix may have been a good deal in 1996 when it cost the government only A$1.7 million but with falling crowd numbers and taxpayers footing a A$15 million a year bill the state government should know to cut its losses and walk away,” he told the House of Representatives. “Rising costs, dwindling crowds, fed up local residents, an ambivalent Melbourne mayor, no more F-18 flyovers ... to me everything points to Melbourne saying, `Thanks for the memories’ but gracefully declining to renew the Grand Prix contract, especially since it costs the taxpayers of Victoria A$50 million,” he added.

Circuit facts Race Date: 27 Mar 2010

Circuit Name: Albert Park Number of Laps: 58 Circuit Length: 5.303 km Race Distance: 307.574 km Lap Record: 1:24.125 - M Schumacher (2004) 40

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Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has also voiced concerns, claiming the costs of running the Grand Prix were too high, and called for a replacement for the event.

WEBBER'S YEAR? Whether the locals are happy with the event or not is clearly open to debate, but us F1 fans couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be more excited. Who will win this year? Well, all eyes will be on native son and New South Wales product Mark Webber. That said, Vettel is on top of the F1 mountain as the youngest champion in history and will be a formidable foe. So too will Brits Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

Anticipation is already building around the close rivalry between manufacturers and drivers and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be fun to see how the Australian Grand Prix pans out. Can Vettel emulate his winning World Championship form and take pole Down Under, will Webber win his home race or will Jenson Button make it three in a row at Albert Park? The 2011 race promises to be one of the most competitive on record. For more info visit

www.grandprix.com.au The Bahrain GP was cancelled on Feb 21 due to unrest in the country. The Melbourne race at Albert Park will now kick off a 19 race schedule and means the event will showcase the new drivers, new outfits, new rules and new tyres. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

ASK THE EXPERT: Tax special Expert advice on all things visas, migration and more

I have a bank accoun t in the UK. Will tax still be deduct ed from interes t if I am non-re sident in the UK? Yasmin, Sunderland

pay on interest UK tax you’ll usually ly on the nt, de esi n-r tax deducted If you’re no society account is the ing ild bu or nk ba a received from erest. before you get the int rmally live outside the rily resident’ (you no ina ord t ‘no o als e u’r If yo form R105 to your tax deducted by giving ut tho wi st ere int ur to get yo orms/r105.pdf. UK), you may be able p://www.hmrc.gov.uk/f htt at nd fou be n ca ty. This form er this facility. bank or building socie building societies off d an s nk anently ba all t no t t the UK either perm It should be noted tha u will need to have lef yo nt ide res ans at y sp ril t ina tha a period To be treated as not ord ployment abroad for em of ses rpo pu the ed riod, or for would also ne to or for an indefinite pe after your departure UK the to its vis n year. Retur least one complete tax rsonal e to qualify for the pe be limited. erest and you continu int UK ur on yo m on ati fro d ther inform If tax has been deducte ing form R43. For fur us d un ref a im cla to t be able allowance, you migh taxback.com. und please visit www. ref claiming a UK tax

A Q

Who is due a tax refund when leavin g the UK? Darren, Cardiff

Anyone who pays tax at source on their earnings (i.e. employees and subcontractors in the the UK construction industry) and leaves entitled be may r yea part way through a tax ived rece e to a refund as they may not hav ce. wan the full benefit of their personal allo d If your employer in the UK operate er eith ly rent (cur e an emergency tax cod you were 647L M1, 647L W1 or BR), or if er 20% a subcontractor paying tax at eith er chance or 30% then there is an even high tax. UK of nd that you are due a refu

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Whether or not a refund is due will tances. depend on your personal circums ntial pote the For a free estimation of refund you could be due visit www.taxback.com.

What happen s if I decide to let my UK home whilst I am living or workin g abroad ? Sean, Dagenham

obligations to comply with all your UK tax in the future. for tax If you break your UK residence less than are ts profi purposes and your rental ly rent (cur the annual personal allowance tax £6,475) then you may have no UK the for lify qua you liability – provided UK the of en citiz personal allowance as a or EEA. main You should note that one of the ts. mortgage rental profi expenses claimed by landlords is for a rest Furthermore, if you leave the UK inte low ent interest and with the curr that it is no ts profi g period of at least six months, so rates many landlords are realisin you will de’ abo of e plac al ‘usu r you er n long where before they would have bee applied . be subject to a special tax scheme cost rest inte this er struggling to cov a UK e to non-resident landlords. hav and t If you do make a profi at the will Under the rules of the scheme, tax you income tax liability as a result ucted at the tax basic rate (currently 20%) is ded be required to file a return and pay to e mad ts men pay al rent the If you do source from under the Self Assessment regime. s Thi nt. tena or nt age not be you by your letting not have a UK tax liability you may then d to este tax is paid over to HMRC and you requ required to file a return unless UK tax l fina r you inst aga it cred a m clai do so by HMRC. ident liability on the rental income. Further information on the non-res ww. ://w If your tenant is paying rent of less http at d foun landlord scheme can be have to m than £100 per week they do not s.ht /cnr/nr_landlord to do so by hmrc.gov.uk operate the scheme unless asked e to consider is that the period issu Another ent to HMRC. of letting may affect your entitlem ion It is possible to apply for exempt gains tax ital cap for f private residence relie owing rge to cha from the scheme if any of the foll a – this relief applies to prevent of a ly: osal app capital gains tax arising on the disp e dat to up are irs affa tax your UK uld be okay, taxpayer’s main home. You sho in ons gati obli any had er you have nev the property however, if you move back into tion on relation to UK tax, or rma info within three years. Further UK to le liab be to ect exp not do ww.hmrc. you this relief can be found at http://w tax income me.htm gov.uk/cgt/property/sell-own-ho undertake When making a claim you must

Generally nonresidents still have to pay UK tax on UK source income – such y. as profits from a UK rental propert age to This means that, even if you man purposes break your UK residence for tax will you ) (which may not be the case your on continue to be liable to UK tax

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

ASK THE EXPERT

Will I have to pay tax in the countr y to which I go to live or work? Sabrina, Bristol

The short answer to this question is yes – but it is not a straightforward issue by any means. self Earnings from an employment or the in employment are generally taxed ied out carr is k wor the ch country in whi seconded kers wor for (with some exceptions a foreign by od to the country for a short peri for stay employer). So, even if you do not for tax long enough to become resident tax bill. a e hav to ly purposes, you are like ly short tive rela However, if you stay for a if any time then you should check to see mple, of not refund is due as a result, for exa any tax having received the full benefit of reliefs or credits. ntries It should be noted that most cou e who tax the worldwide income of thos e to claim relief for this double s means It is usually possibl Thi es. pos pur are resident for tax ional network of taxation by relying on the internat another that if you go to live or work in re there is no Double Taxation Treaties. Even whe le to liab be to e tinu con may you country should be due. treaty in place relief of some form ss unle left e hav you ntry cou pay tax in the be considered However, each situation needs to your tax or until you manage to ‘break’ on a case by case basis. residence there.

T R E P X e E H T T U O AB

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Judith These questions were answered by .com. back Gardner, Personal Tax Senior, Tax solutions Taxback.com provides complete tax ing from tax for individual and businesses, rang corporate VAT to rn, refund and tax rebate, tax retu lFree) 0808 solutions.. Contact details: Phone (Tol . 2380 611 or email uk@taxback.com

AREA FOCUS

Tasmania A world apa r t For such a small island, Tasmania packs a punch. By Ian Armitage

06 4 2

w w w . ao n z nz oz ou ut ltol o ok k. c. co omm

arlier in the magazine, Chris Farnell treated you to a guide to Wineglass Bay, undoubtedly one of the finest beaches on earth. It is of course one of many attractions on Tasmania, an often forgotten chunk of land down the bottom of Australia. Tassie as it is affectionately known is becoming more and more popular with us Brits – mind you, the whole world seems to be discovering this dazzling, unique and beautiful island. Tasmania really has it all: vast, uninhabited wilderness, stunning beaches, an abundance of wildlife, gourmet food and wine in the Tamar Valley, and a thriving arts scene. What will you discover?

Hobart Hobart, Australia’s smallest and most historic capital city, is Tasmania’s harbour capital, located at the foot of Mount Wellington. You should head down to Salamanca Place where you will find 19th-century waterfront warehouses dating back to the 1830s. The former whaling community is now home to beautiful cafes, restaurants, galleries and art studios. It is the ideal place to wander or enjoy alfresco dining.

Launceston Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston is a gateway to the cool-climate wineries of the Tamar Valley. This small compact city is easy to explore. You can walk the streets, discover hidden gems, and take in the majesty of several century-old parks. We also recommend visiting revitalised areas such as Launceston Seaport. Launceston is an ideal base for visiting the vineyards of the Tamar Valley. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

AREA FOCUS Tamar Valley From Launceston it’s only a short drive to the Tamar Valley. If you’re a wine-lover, follow the road signs indicating the Tamar Valley Wine Route, which takes in many familyowned vineyards as well as the larger enterprises.

Cradle Mountain A must see! The sheer magnificence of Cradle Mountain inspired Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer to work tirelessly for a decade to have the area declared a national park “for the people for all time”. His dream was realised in 1922, and today a quarter of all visitors to Tasmania travel here.

Bay of Fires Tasmania’s Bay of Fires was named the world’s “hottest” travel destination for 2009 by international guide book Lonely Planet, which described the Bay as “a castaway bay” with a 29 kilometres ribbon of sea and surf spooling out from the old whaling town of St Helens, on Tasmania’s north-east coast. “White beaches of hourglass-fine sand, Bombay Sapphire sea, an azure sky - and nobody,” the guide says. “This is the secret edge of Tasmania, laid out like a pirate’s treasure map of perfect beach after sheltered cove, all fringed with forest. “It’s not long since the Bay of Fires came to international attention, and the crowds are bound to flock. Now is the time to visit.”

Wildlife The Tasmanian World Heritage Area has a greater range of natural and cultural values than any other region on earth. With 40 percent of the island protected as national parks and reserves, you don’t have to travel far to be walking through ancient rainforest. Tasmania is the ideal destination to get up close with native Australian animals. See wombats, wallabies, pademelons, endemic birds and more. It’s also the one place on earth you’ll find a Tasmanian devil in the wild.

Outdoor adventure World-class fly-fishing, golf courses and hiking are all on offer in Tasmania. You can cruise the coasts and waterways in luxury or, if you prefer, by raft or kayak. The island’s size means you can stand atop a mountain in the morning but be on a beach by afternoon.

Weather The climate is pretty similar to England’s,

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which is basically cold and rainy. Summer is from December to February, and the average maximum temperature 21 degrees Celsius (about 70 Fahrenheit). Winter weather averages 12 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit), which is between June and August.

Food and drink Tasmania is all about the natural beauty, coupled with the fine food and wine. There are hundreds of wineries to visit and most of them have fine dining rooms. Restaurants typically serve local produce and wine.

Getting there The easiest way to reach Tasmania is by plane. You can fly direct from Heathrow to Hobart, with prices varying from as low as ÂŁ850 to ÂŁ1500 (www.qantas.com.au), depending on the time of year you travel. There are frequent and cheap flights to and from Tasmania from the mainland. Budget airlines such as VirginBlue often have cheap fares from Melbourne, which makes Tasmania a very affordable destination. Another way to get to Tasmania is to take the Spirit of Tasmania, which departs from Sydney and Melbourne and arrives in Devonport. You can take your car, or go as a passenger (www. spiritoftasmania.com.au). AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

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moving down under Thin gs to do firs t Important things you should do as soon as you arrive in Australia. By Ian Armitage

o you’ve moved to Oz, question is what do you do first? It’s a good question. We’ve trawled our contacts list, spoken with numerous expats and got together a list of the things you should do as soon as you arrive in Australia.

Nuerytmhibengrand anything le Fi x Ta a r fo ANoppw,ly ev te u’ll ha if you’re like me yo and having to

th it all forms that come wi relating to tax, the burying your head an try ignoring it d d ul co u Yo it. th deal wi ive an income in Ostrich. But, to rece in the sand, like an (TFN). Do this first! a Tax File Number Australia, you need alian Taxation telephone the Austr n ca u yo e on t ge To form sent to you. a TFN application ve ha d an ) TO (A Office e Internet at y for a TFN over th pl ap n ca u yo , ely Alternativ . www.immi.gov.au

Open a bank account In Australia, most income including salary or wages are paid directly into a bank account. Opening a bank account is easy as long as you know what to expect. You can open an account by going to a local branch or it may be possible to apply for your account online or over the telephone. When you open a bank account for the first time, or with a new bank, you must provide the bank with some information.

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Banks don’t open bank accounts without certain information, which proves you’re who you say you are. This means you’ll need to provide simple details like your name and birthday and produce some ID, like your driver’s licence, birth certificate, passport or Medicare card. You’ll also need to provide your tax file number so that you can be identified for tax purposes.

the things you need to know and do before starting your new life down under Register with Medicare

The Australian Government provides help with basic medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare. You may be eligible to join Medicare and gain immediate access to health care services and programmes. These include free public hospital care; help with the cost of out-ofhospital care, and subsidised medicines. To enrol in Medicare, you should go into a Medicare office with your passport or travel documents. There are many different private health insurance options you may wish to consider also, as Medicare does not provide for all services (for instance, Medicare does not cover dental care).

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Where to go for help The Department

of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) funds a range of services to help people who have recently arrived in Australia to settle and become participating members of Australian society.

Beginning a Life in Australia booklets provide useful national, state/territory and local settlement information for migrants, their sponsors and service providers. The Beginning a Life in Australia booklet is published online at www.immi.gov.au/living-inaustralia/settle-in-australia/beginning-life.

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AREA FOCUS

Alice

A town called

I love the Jam, but their greatness doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come close to matching that of the Town called Alice. By Ian Armitage

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he Outback is vast, remote and arid. It’s a tough place. Newspaper headlines and radio and television bulletins regularly report of massive searches in bushland or in remote Outback regions for one or more people who have been lost or stranded. Most of the time, these searches end in success. Sometimes they don’t. Recommending a trip to the Outback might seem a bit strange, you’d think, given what you’ve just read. But don’t fret. This isn’t the real, outer Outback: and Alice Springs is a thriving town, and a big draw for many tourists. Yes, she has a name like a pornstar, but Alice is beautiful and rises out of an endless expanse of red dirt and rugged ranges from all sides. The remote town is the second largest in the Northern Territory and owes its existence to accomplished inland explorer John McDouall Stuart and a bid to revolutionise the communication network. In 1861, he trekked

right through the centre of Australia from north to south, navigating and mapping the country for white settlement. Alice Springs began its modern history as Stuart, a telegraph station on the Adelaide to Darwin line, and the end of the Ghan railway. It has now developed into a modern low-rise metropolis.

OUTBACK LOOK Alice is famous for her remote location and many local buildings are dressed with corrugated iron and other rustic touches to add to that outback look. The population is around 27,000, less than you’d expect to find in most Premier League football stadiums on a Saturday. But, although they are few, the locals have big personalities and, as you may have expected, have a touch of Mick “Crocodile” Dundee about them. But this isn’t Bushwacker central; it’s the main town to Uluru (Ayers Rock), so tourists can outnumber locals six or seven to one.

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AREA FOCUS LOTS TO SEE AND DO Alice is a national hub for Aboriginal art, with a glut of galleries and arts-related events: The cafés and shopping centres often make you forget how isolated it is. To remind you that it is essentially an outpost, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air are well worth a visit. You get a real sense of the important role air travel has played in Alice’s past. If you are a fan of the Bourne films – we all are - nearby is Pine Gap. Haven’t heard of it? Well, it is a highly secretive satellite-tracking station has been listening in to the world since 1965: think of it as an Australian Area 51. A significant pocket of Alice’s population works for the CIA at this US installation. Don’t get too close; we wouldn’t get you into trouble. You might find it amusing that all its employees refer to themselves as ‘gardeners’. Other attractions include the Todd Mall, the Overlander Telegraph station, the dry Todd River, the Kookaburra Memorial, Alice Spring Desert Park, Alice Walker Arts Centre and Araluen Centre. If you are looking for adventure, the MacDonnell Ranges are on Alice’s doorstep. Stretching east and west from the centre of town, this massive series of mountains offers up an alluring melange of landforms and features, which include gorges, creeks and waterholes. Alice is of course in the never-never and you can’t come all the way out here without going to Uluru – you’d be mental not to visit it. Yes, it is over 400 kilometres away from Alice, but you have to go. The sacred aboriginal site deserves its reputation as one of the true wonders of the world. 54

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In summary Alice Springs is a must. A quirky place, no doubt about it: Eccentric, yet laidback.

ABORIGINAL HISTORY Before white settlement, Alice Springs was inhabited by the Arrernte Aboriginal people. Mparntwe is the Arrernte word for Alice Springs and was created by the actions of several ancestral figures including the caterpillar beings Ayepe-arenye, Ntyarlke and Utnerrengatye - the MacDonnell Ranges being but one of their creations. Creation stories also describe traditional links with areas as far afield as Urlatherrke in the West MacDonnell Ranges and Port Augusta in South Australia. Arrernte people continue to live in Mparntwe.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Surrounded by desert plain as far as the eye can see and flanked by the MacDonnell Ranges to the east and the west, Australia’s most famous Outback town is right smack bang in the middle of, well, pretty much nowhere. Distances in Central Australia are huge; you have to drive for hours to get to the next town and most visitors to Alice use it as an access point for Uluru even though the big rock is more than 400km further down the road.

CLIMATE Central Australia is a continental desert environment and has an arid climate with hot summers and cool winters.

During winter (May to September) the nights can quite cold (below freezing) and the days are crisp, cool and bright. Over winter clouds are a rare sight. Warm clothing is essential at this time of the year. Summer is wetter, but rain is still rare. Often summer rainfall is preceded by humidity and accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms. In summer maximum daily temperatures can top over 40 degrees for a number of days. Hats and sunscreen are essential outdoors in summer. Most locals avoid going outside when it’s really hot and tend to congregate at the shopping centres, the pool and the library when they aren’t at work.

GETTING THERE Car Alice Springs is a long way from everywhere. From Mount Isa, in Queensland, it’s 1180km; from Darwin to Alice Springs is 1490km (15 hours); and from Alice Springs to Yulara is 441km (4½ hours). These are outback roads. It’s wise to have your vehicle well prepared, particularly as you won’t get a mobile phone signal outside Alice or Yulara.

tRAIN The Ghan train runs from Adelaide to Alice Springs and now Darwin. Okay, it is an odd name for a train, but in Australian history, it is a living legend. It’ll take two nights.

AIR

Qantas (www.qantas.com.au) flies between Alice and Adelaide, Darwim, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Yulara. For more information visit

www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

OUTLOOK

Moving overseas

Medicare Taking

By Chris Farnell

of Yourself

f you’re looking to move to Australia one of the first things you’ll need to consider is how you will cover possible health costs. After all, you don’t want to be left out of pocket if you fall victim to illness, injury or a hilarious yet painful surfing accident. An option seriously worth considering is the Australian Government’s Medicare scheme.

Am I Going to be Eligible for Medicare? Medicare is an option available to residents of Australia who are citizens of either Australia or New Zealand, or hold a permanent visa. You might also be eligible if you are a visitor or temporary resident in Australia who has come from a country which Australia has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with. Countries that have reciprocal agreements with Australia include Great Britain, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Malta, New Zealand and Sweden. However in this case there are restrictions that apply, so make sure you do your research to find out what you are entitled to. 56

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What Sort of Thing Does Medicare Cover? Medicare can provide help with basic medical expenses. It will give you access to free care at public hospitals. Outside of the hospital you will be fully reimbursed for the cost of seeing General Practitioner. For many GPs it is common to bill Medicare directly, in which case you will not be charged at all. However, it’s worth noting that Medicare will only cover 85 percent of the fee for seeing a specialist. For most prescription medicines you will only have to pay part of the cost, with the rest of the cost covered through a system called the Pharmaceutical Benefits System. Medicare will take care of a lot of the potential costs of sickness or injury in Australia, but it isn’t completely comprehensive- no insurance policy is. Among the things Medicare won’t cover you for are things such as dental care, most eye care, or use of the ambulance services. It’s definitely worth taking on private healthcare cover on the side to cover these areas.

Should you take on extra health insurance it is vital that you read through your policy to see exactly what it does and does not cover. It’s impossible to predict what part of your cover you’re going to need (hopefully none of it!) but if something isn’t covered you don’t want to find out about it when you most need it- particularly if it’s right after a hilarious but painful surfing accident. Find your nearest Medicare office here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ public/claims/offices.jsp

Okay, You've Talked Me into It. How Do I Get Medicare? Firstly, you’re going to need to find out where your nearest Medicare office is. You can find this out on the Medicare website. Once you’ve found out where it is, you should head over there between seven and ten days after you enter the country. When you go, you should bring a passport or travel documents for each person being enrolled. You will need to supply Medicare with your contact details, visa information, and bank details. It is possible to register your whole family on one Medicare card, or to register each family member on an individual card. If you register as a family, one person will have to be named the contact person, and it is they who will be sent general information about Medicare. Another thing to bear in mind if registering as a family is that you will also have to register for the Medicare Safety Net. This is a system put in place to help when high medical costs are inflicted, which individuals are automatically signed up for, but as a family you will need to be registered. You can find out more about this from the Medicare office and website, or by phoning them. When all this is complete you will get a green coloured plastic card that will give you your Medicare number, and which you can show to any doctor. Being registered with Medicare will give you peace of mind as you settle into your new life in Australia, enjoying all this fine country has to offer. Maybe you could even take up surfing?

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working down under

A look at the job market

By Ian Armitage

ustralia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has this month warned of a looming shortage

of skilled workers. She said that expanding the labour force, with the help of foreigners, topped her priority list. “After three decades when unemployment was our major problem, we now face shortages,” said Gillard, who emigrated from Wales in 1966. “In the short term, the mining boom is placing huge strains on our labour market… the resources sector will face a potential shortfall of 36,000 tradespersons by 2015.” Australia has been hit hard by floods, cyclones and bushfires in recent months, 58

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but is also known for its plentiful sunshine, beaches, and outdoor lifestyle. The country is riding an uninterrupted economic growth streak; it is an appealing option with Brits and we can understand why you are considering the move.

NEW LIFE DOWN UNDER Around 200,000 Brits leave these shores every year to start a new life overseas and many of them opt for Australia. It is popular because of the cost of living, the climate and quality of life. But big job opportunities are the main lure at the moment. While skills shortages exist across the board for professionals, there are particular hotspots of demand. Every quarter, Hays produces the Hays Quarterly Forecast, which

details the state of the current recruitment market across Australia. The economy of Australia continues to go from strength to strength and has boomed over the last decade. The Australian economy was one of the first to leave the worldwide recession and continues to attract overseas skilled workers to fill new positions, which are becoming available on a regular basis. For many years, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mineral resources have hit the headlines and it continues to represent employment opportunities. Some of the most in-demand professions however are those in the healthcare industry such as GPs, dentists, midwifes, social workers, surgeons and psychiatrists. These professions are listed on the Critical Occupation List, produced by Australian Immigration.

WORK VISAS Over one million Britons were lured down under with the ÂŁ10 assisted-passage scheme and skilled tradespeople and professionals are once again being targeted. Of course, you need a visa to be eligible to work in Australia and there are several visa options for potential migrants, who are selected based on things like skills, health, financial resources, age, and English language ability. In November, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, announced a new points test for skilled migration visa applications proposed to take effect in July 2011. In announcing the changes, Bowen spoke about the importance of looking at immigration policy as a means for enhancing economic growth.

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working down under “A well calibrated migration programme contributes to all three Ps: productivity, participation and population. If our policy settings are right, Australia’s migrants don’t simply add to the labour force – they increase workplace participation rates and boost productivity. “The move complements the series of reforms the Australian Government announced in February 2010.” Simply put, older more experienced skilled professionals and tradespeople from English-speaking backgrounds, who are not eligible under the existing system, will become eligible under the new one. As an example a 35-year-old engineer, nurse or IT professional with eight years experience, from an Englishspeaking background, could very well satisfy the points test once it passes into law. Bowen said the new test would deliver the best and brightest skilled migrants by emphasising “high-level

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qualifications, better English language levels and extensive skilled work experience”. “The new points test will ensure that migrants are attracted with a strong skills base and the ability to contribute to the economy in the long-term and not just to plug short-term gaps,” he said.

WHAT TO EXPECT Just like any other country, the average working week in Australia is around 37 hours, Monday to Friday.

The vast majority of migrants go for one of the major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra or Adelaide to search for jobs applicable for their skills. These areas are, of course, known to provide the highest cost of living in Australia; it is a question of needs must – you need the job, so must live in a more expensive city. In terms of a salary, it is advisable to seek salary advice from reliable sources before you arrive in the

country as many people arrive with unrealistic expectations. Wages aren’t always strictly comparable to the UK. All in all, Australian working life isn’t too different from the UK, with the exception that it is more relaxed. Senior executives work under similar pressure and work equally long hours to the UK. However, higher emphasis is placed on having a good work/life balance. And, although the Aussie culture can seem very close to the UK culture in many respects, you should also be prepared for a bit of a settling-in period.

CONCLUSION Australian Immigration has played a major part in the development of not only Australia as a whole but in particular the Australian economy. And this will likely to be seen in providing more job opportunities in 2011. For further details, visit the official government website, which can be found at www.immi.gov.au.

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Moving overseas

Australia Getting Your Car Into

By Chris Farnell

ustralia is a big place, so if you’re taking a trip or moving there you’ll want to know how to get around. Sure, you could rent a car or even buy a new one, but you have your own car, and you love that car. So how do you get that car into Australia? You might smugly point out that you have a Saleen Aquada Water Car, so you’ll just drive it there. Well, firstly, I’m really not convinced those things are ocean ready. Secondly, even if somehow you do get your amphibious vehicle to shore, there are going to be a variety of legal requirements you’ll have to meet, so you might want to read this article anyway. 62

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Bringing Your Vehicle to The Country With A Carnet One of the easiest ways to get your car into the country is with a CPD Carnet. A carnet basically amounts to a passport for your car, motorbike or campervan. It contains information about your vehicle including make, model, colour, engine capacity, seating capacity, registration number, owner and value. You’ll need to get hold of it before your vehicle arrives in Australia, and should be able to get one of these at home. In the UK, organisations like the RAC can help you out. To obtain the carnet you’ll need to give the issuing organisation a deposit that amounts to the market value of the vehicle (or 26% for a

motorcycle). This will be returned to you when you return the carnet to its issuing organisation. Once you have your carnet it is valid for 12 months. While it’s in the country you can’t lend, sell, mortgage, hire, exchange or give away the vehicle, and when the 12 months is up the vehicle must be out of the country. You will also be unable to leave your car alone in the country.

Alternatives to a carnet If don’t want to go to the trouble and expense of getting a carnet, or for some reason are unable to, there are other ways to legitimately bring your car into the country. There are provisions under sections 162 and 162A of the Customs Act that can allow you to bring your vehicle into the country without a carnet. These are more restrictive however, and will only really be appropriate if your vehicle meets Australian Design Rules or is more than fifteen years old when it is brought into Australia. If you bring a vehicle into Australia without a carnet you will have to provide security to the Australian Customs Service on arrival. Then, the vehicle will be held until Customs and Department of Transport and Regional Services requirements are fulfilled. You will also have to pay a fee for a Vehicle Import Approval which you will have to get hold of before you bring your vehicle into the country. This can be acquired from the Administrator of Vehicle Standards. Applications can take up to 21 work days to process, so if you’re planning on taking this approach you should apply well in advance.

Home But Not Yet Dry Once your vehicle is in the country, Customs and the Australian Quarantine Inspections Service will both need to inspect it. You will also have to make sure that you can afford the various taxes and duties appropriate to vehicle imports. This will include Goods and Services Tax, although there are some exceptions for the vehicles of disabled persons. Otherwise, the GST will equal 10 percent of the value of the taxable importation, or VoTI. The value of the taxable importation is the customs value of the vehicle, plus any duty payable on the vehicle and the amount paid to transport the vehicle along with the amount the vehicle was insured for during transport. As well as GST, there’s a good chance your car will be subject to Luxury Car Tax if it is a vehicle designed to carry a load of less than two tonnes and fewer than nine passengers, if it is about a certain value. The LCT amounts to 33 percent of the VoTI. Once you’re cleared the inspection, and the taxes are paid, you’re free to start your Australian road trip!

useful links RAC Website: www.rac.co.uk/plan-a-trip/carnet-de-passage

Australian Automobile Association: www.aaa.asn.au

Australian Government: www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_ vehicles/index.aspx

Australian Customs: www.customs.gov.au

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disaster Second major quake for

Christchurch The New Zealand city of Christchurch has been hit by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake - the second major shake since a 7.1 quake shook the South Island city last September. By Ian Armitage

powerful earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand during lunchtime on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, killing 65 people and destroying hundreds of homes and office buildings. Hundreds have been injured in the earthquake and rescuers are still trying to free victims trapped under rubble. “We may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day,” Prime minister John Key warned, confirming the 65 deaths after the 6.3-magnitude quake. The quake occurred just a few hours ago (at the time of writing) and the death toll is expected to rise. According to an expert, the quake’s destructive power was amplified by its “shallow” epicentre beneath the city: It 64

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was “by far the largest earthquake to have occurred in the Christchurch region in historic time” Gary Gibson, Principal Research Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne, said. The damage is far worse than after the 7.1-magnitude quake in September, which left two people seriously injured but no fatalities. TV pictures showed scores of collapsed buildings in the South Island city, which resembles a warzone. Unsurprisingly, early estimates are that this quake will hit the economy hard. Costs are beginning to mount and insurance companies are expected to give out millions of dollars in pay-outs. Insurance Council of New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Ryan told BusinessDaily

that it was difficult to guess the final bill at this point, as many of the buildings that collapsed in the earthquake had already been damaged in the original earthquake just five months ago. “There’s no question there will be increased costs, but this one is more difficult to ascertain as many of the buildings destroyed were already partially destroyed,” he said. “The second earthquake was more confined to the CBD, whereas the original earthquake spread out to the suburbs.” The last earthquake caused NZ$1.5 billion in damages. Despite the monetary cost, the human cost will be far higher, and more bodies are expected to be pulled from the rubble.

ADespite Survival story the quake occurring just a few hours ago, reports are emerging of a Christchurch woman who survived Christchurch earthquake. Pip Ramby was on the seventh floor of the Canterbury TV building in Madras Street when the massive earthquake struck at 12.51pm. “We were in a meeting in one of the corner rooms when the quake started and it wasn’t long before it was phenomenally disorientating,” she told Radio New Zealand. “There were about 10 of us in the room and no way of really getting out the door and after that it was ... hard to tell what had happened. “When it stopped and one of our number were able to look up, the building was near the ground. We were near the ground. “We called out to people who were on the street watching and they came to help us out of the wreckage.” Brave rescuers first saved a baby and her mother, before rescuing the others. Those who had been in the meeting suffered only minor injuries, but two others in the building were injured, one of them critically.

Baby boom? Christchurch Hospital is expecting an increase in women going into premature labour as a result of the earthquake. There was a dramatic rise in babies born after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake last September. A nurse told NZPA that she had gone into work to help out on her day off because “last time everyone went into labour and it’s happening again”. Get more info at civildefence.govt.nz or canterburyearthquake.org.nz

The Ministry of Civil Defence are asking that in order to minimise loading on the telecommunications network, people use text messaging to check if family and friends are safe. New Zealanders in the UK who are worried about family and friends should continue to monitor the above websites, media reports and try to make direct contact. Once a national helpline has been established that number will be provided via the websites above. British nationals concerned for British family and friends in New Zealand should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for consular advice: fco.gov.uk

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AREA FOCUS

Discover By Ian Armitage

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aitomo made a brief appearance in our Extreme New Zealand feature back on page 26. If you read it, and we hope you did, you’ll have discovered that this natural beauty is a bit of an adventurer’s playground. Well, we’ve fallen in love with it - so much so that we thought you deserved to know more. Now, damp, dark tunnels aren’t everybody’s idea of a good time (especially if you are a Chilean miner), but Waitomo is something else. These limestone caves with accompanying geological formations and glowing bugs are deservedly one of the premier attractions of New Zealand’s North Island: it truly is an inspiring natural wonder and a must-see destination.

About Waitomo The Waitomo region is home to unforgettable sightseeing attractions and you can discover magical glowworms by boat in the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves or you can combine your experience with Ruakuri Cave; see glowworms up close and descend a spectacular spiral entrance. Your Waitomo experience can vary massively depending on what you decide to do. It can be claustrophobe-friendly or it can be as adrenaline-pumping, gutwrenching, soaking-wet and pitch-black as you like. The name Waitomo comes from wai (water) and tomo (hole); dotted throughout the countryside are numerous shafts dropping abruptly into underground cave systems and streams. There are more than 300 mapped caves in the Waitomo area. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND

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AREA FOCUS The three main caves – the Glow-worm Cave, Ruakuri and Aranui – have been bewitching visitors for over 100 years. The entire Waitomo region used to lay far beneath the sea. Today, both above and below ground, it stands as a revealing testament to a landmark period in New Zealand’s and the world’s natural history. It’s virtually impossible to take it all in over just one day. You should take two or even a few days and discover Waitomo at your own pace.

History Ruakuri Cave was discovered by Maori 400 to 500 years ago when a hunter travelling in a war party with Kawhia chief Tane Tinorau was attacked by a pack of dogs living in the cave entrance. The dogs have long since left (we read they were eaten!) but the name Ruakuri -- which translates as Den of Dogs -- stuck. Shortly after, Tinorau moved his people into the area and the cave became a sacred site, used for burials and for storing important taonga. In the 68

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CONTACT WAITOMO CAVES 39 Waitomo Caves Road Waitomo Caves Private Bag 501 Otorohanga Telephone: +64 7 878 8227 NZ Freephone: 0800 456 922 E-mail: www.waitomo.com/ contact-us.aspx

Waitomo is located: 15 minutes from Otorohanga 15 minutes from Te Kuiti 1 hour 5 minutes from Hamilton 2 hours 50 minutes from Auckland 2 hours 20 minutes from Rotorua 2 hours 20 minutes from Taupo 2 hours 30 minutes from New Plymouth 20th century the land had passed into the hands of the Holden family, who own it to this day. The Glowworm Cave has a slightly less impressive past. Long known to local Maori, they had no desire to explore it. Then, in 1887 English surveyor Fred Mace headed into the cave system. Mace prepared an account of the expedition, a map was made, photographs given to the government, and before long tours started. The government nationalised the land in the early 1900s – but in 1989 the government gave it back to the hapu, who now owns and leases back the land.

Getting here Waitomo is within easy reach of the North Island and New Zealand’s main centres. Hamilton, the heart of New Zealand’s dairy farming industry, is the nearest major city, just an hour drive away. New Zealand’s largest city Auckland is little further away (about 200km or two and a half hours drive). Taupo, Rotorua and Mount Ruapehu are also a short distance away (around two hours drive). If you are interested in visiting Waitomo, go to www.waitomo.com.

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Auckland Inside “middle-earth”

Flashpacking So you wanna be a flashpacker?

Working Down Under The real skills shortages

PLUS Expat stories Migration news Expert advice Aussie beer review Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

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