BACKPACKER MAY - JUNE 2011
BACKPACKING GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA
WINTER WONDERLAND See page 28
GET HIGH ES IN THE VIN See page 32
AUSTRALIA R NEEDS YOU HELP See page 104
AWESOME DEALS! WICKED FESTIVALS FREE! LOADS OF WORK! ACCOMMODATION RENTALS TOURS
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JULY - AUGUST 2010
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Darwin to Alice Springs 1522km. 16.5hrs
Darwin
Cairns Broome
NORTHERN TERRITORY
QUEENSLAND
Alice Springs
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Townsville Airlie Beach
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Perth
Brisbane
NEW SOUTH WALES
Perth to Darwin 4185km. 49hrs
Adelaide Adelaide to Melbourne 738km. 8.5hrs
contents 8 10 15 28 30 31 34 37 38 42 44 50 51 57 62 70 72 78 80 84 86 88 90 92 93 96 4
Sydney MAP - Sydney City Hire Cars / Campers / Buses / Trains Winter Wonderland Canberra - ACT Hunter Valley - NSW Cowboy Country - NSW Byron Bay - NSW Gold Coast - Qld Brisbane - Qld MAP - Brisbane MAP - South East Queensland Sunshine Coast - Qld Airlie Beach / Whitsundays Townsville / Magnetic Island MAP - North Queensland Cairns Cape Tribulation - Jungle Surfing Darwin - NT Perth - WA Adelaide - SA Kangaroo Island - SA Melbourne - Vic Hobart - Tas Work Harvest Guide
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Brisbane to Townsville 1467km. 18hrs
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
Sydney
Sydney to Brisbane 975km. 14.5hrs
Canberra Sydney to Canberra 285km. 4.15hrs
VICTORIA
Melbourne
Melbourne to Canberra 644km. 10hrs
Hobart
TASMANIA
on the cover. WINTER WONDERLAND PAGE 28 Photo: Tourism New South Wales
B AC K P BACKPACKER
Published by North Australian Publishing Company Publisher. Warren Gardner Editorial. Marie Erker Advertising. Warren Gardner Art Design/Production. Marie Erker - Emkae Design Accounts. Rebecca Riley Published by. North Australian Publishing Co Pty Ltd. ACN 050418865 440 Flinders Street, Townsville, Queensland 4810 Postal Address: PO Box 1264, Townsville, Qld 4810 Bookings Phone: (07) 4772 3244 Fax: (07) 4772 3250 Email: info@aussiebackpacker.com.au Website: www.aussiebackpacker.com.au Printed by. Caxton Web Aussie Backpacker is published by North Australian Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd bi-monthly for the promotion of the backpacker industry. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from North Australian Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd. Sections 52 and 53 of the Trade Practices Act forbid ‘misleading or deceptive conduct’ in trade or commerce and ‘false representation’ in the supply of goods and services. Breaches carry heavy penalities. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any of the contents herein. Advertisers and their agents have the primary responsibilty of ensuring that all the advertising in Aussie Backpacker complies with the Act.
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WELCOME TO
AUSTRALIA Some might believe that Australia was created simply for the enjoyment of backpackers - after all, Australia is so diverse: snow, deserts, rugged country, surf, sand, crystal blue waters, rainforests, national parks, islands, the Great Barrier Reef and an abundance of native wildlife. What more could you want? A slice of everything, that is the beauty of Australia. While you’re in Oz, we encourage you to enjoy everything our country has to offer: cuddle a koala, take that white water rafting trip, go diving on the Great Barrier Reef, climb Ayer’s Rock, bushwalk in the high country of Victoria, attend the many weird and wonderful festivals and events across the country. Is it any wonder that most people who come to visit Australia feel like staying forever? We’ve got the best of both worlds here in Oz - large cities for those who like the busy lifestyle, and smaller regional cities around the country that are fast becoming popular tourist destinations for visitors from all over the world. Up one end of the country we have warm temperatures all year round, while at the other end you can snow ski on mountain tops throughout the winter months. And chances are that wherever you happen to be, you will run into someone from your own country... Australia has a huge multi-cultural population scattered the length and breadth of the countryside. You can learn a lot from our Aborigines . . . listen to them tell their stories of Dreamtime, and if you get a chance, visit some of the ancient rock paintings which tell stories of times long gone by. Swim at our beautiful beaches all year round they’re one of the things we’re most famous for! - and dive the Great Barrier Reef for an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
Surfing Lennox Head - Tourism New South Wales
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SYDNEY FOR FREE! SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE Catch a glimpse of one of the most famous vistas in Australia, the glittering harbour, from one of its most iconic structures, the Harbour Bridge. You will need to pay to climb the bridge, however you can walk over it for free, minus the vertigo! THE ROCKS The Rocks are one of the most historically important areas in Sydney, as it is the home of some of Australia’s oldest buildings. You can amble through the tiny winding roads, window-shopping as you go, before stopping to check out the street theatre that often springs up on the weekend. SYDNEY PARKS Sydney has a huge amount of green spaces and two of the best are Centennial Park, south of the city, and Bicentennial Park, located out west near Sydney Olympic Park. Centennial Park is a great place to cycle, rollerblade or just take a lakeside walk. Bicentennial Park has walkways, cycling path, picnic areas, a bird hide, a wetlands boardwalk and free barbeques. Both are a great place for a day out. NIELSEN PARK & SYDNEY BEACHES Nielsen Park in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs is a picturesque spot for a picnic with friends. It’s right on the water’s edge so you can swim and sunbake to your heart’s content. Another great (free) activity is a day out at one of Sydney’s many beaches. Most of the major beaches are surf beaches, but there are plenty of idyllic harbour beaches as well.
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EVENTS RITUALS OF SEDUCTION: BIRDS OF PARADISE Till 7 August. Australian Museum HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL 5 May - 11 June www.headon.com.au VIVID SYDNEY 27 May - 13 June www.vividsydney.com HUNTER VALLEY WINE & FOOD MONTH 3 - 27 June www.hvwineandfood.hvva.com.au
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Bra dfie ld H wy
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SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
k Hic
THE ROCKS
MILLERS POINT
MRS MACQUARIE’S CHAIR
CIRCULAR QUAY
Bridge St
King St
WOOLLOOMOOLOO
Fove aux St
Taking a City Circle train, the Monorail or walking is the best way of seeing city attractions, while buses and ferries represent the best way to visit points and attractions around the harbour. The Explorer Buses and Sydney Pass service represent an ideal and inexpensive way to see most of the main tourist points around the city MAY - JUNE 2011
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Bourke St
Crown St
owning St
Ave Central Station
Bourke St
Lee St
Edd y
GETTING AROUND SYDNEY Sydney is one of the easiest cities to get around with its network of trains, buses and ferries.
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DARLINGHURST
Home Backpackers YHA Central
Elizabeth St
Georg e St
le St Watt
HAYMARKET Wake Up! St mas Tho
Burton St
South D
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Ox for dS t
Darl ingh u Victoria Strst Rd
We nt
Monora
wo rt
Goulburn St
KINGS CROSS
Crown St
ULTIMO
Hyde Park
College St
Liverpool St
William St
hA ve
t ont S Pyrm s St Harn
Tumbalong Park
St
Pitt St Castlereagh St Elizabeth St
Market St
Bathurst
Broadway St
Macquarie St
George St
Martin Place
George St
Murray S t
York St
t ont S Pyrm
DARLING HARBOUR
Kent St Sussex St Western Dstr
PYRMONT
Royal Botanic Gardens
SYDNEY CITY
HARBOUR BRIDGE
Oxfo rd St
200m
and out to Bondi. Sydney Ferries, provide an inexpensive way of seeing the most beautiful harbour in the world. For excursions around the harbour, private operators offer a myriad of harbour cruises that promise more than a just a simple ferry ride. Use the CityRail services, or a combination of train, bus and ferry services to get you to your destination, then, for low cost travel for the day, on Buses, Ferries and Trains, buy a Day Tripper.
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
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Petersham Guest House Are dorms getting you down? Then come sleep with us! The place to stay in Sydney suburbs Double room - $240 p/week Twin Room - $240 p/week Single Room - $200 p/week Ensuite Room - $300 p/week 100 metres to Bus + Train 5kms from City Centre
PHONE CON
0414 450 273
23 Brighton Street, Petersham
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DRIVING IN OZ DRIVING ON THE LEFT Australians drive on the left side and drivers should use the left lane of any given highway unless overtaking. Three cities operate trams, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne of which the latter is by far the largest. In general Trams always have right of way. In Melbourne's centre "hook turns" are used on many intersections where drivers turning right sit in the left lane across the junction indicating right until the traffic lights change and then turn right. SPEED LIMITS In most States the maximum speed limit on freeways and major highways is 100kph and local urban limits range from 50 - 80 kph. In the Northern Territory there are highways that are free of any limits. All speed limits are clearly marked and all States operate sophisticated speed detection equipment including mobile and static speed cameras along with Red light cameras. Any fine incurred in Australia is the responsibility of the driver and should they be a foreign national the fine will be mailed to their home country address. DRIVING IN THE OUTBACK The most important thing to remember should you decide to go "off Road" (off a sealed road) in the Outback is to seek local advice on your intended route as well as ensuring someone locally knows of your travel plans. If your vehicle does break down in a remote area stay with it do not attempt to walk. Generally people who stay with their vehicles are located quickly and easily. Please note, that some rental suppliers do have conditions that limit the operation of their vehicles in the outback. Should you plan to go off road we suggest that you discuss your intended route with the rental company beforehand. It is a legal requirement that any gates opened to allow your vehicle to pass through are closed afterwards. Any travel across designated Aboriginal Land will require permission from the owners beforehand. As the permit process varies from state to state (and can take up to 6 weeks to obtain) it is best to contact the national parks' controlling body in each state prior to your journey.
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ROAD TRAINS A common sight in the Outback, particularly the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, are road trains. These are multi trailer trucks up to 50 metres (170 feet) long. Always allow plenty of room as you pass in the opposite direction of a road train as the displaced air causes severe buffering. When overtaking a road train allow 1.5 kilometres of clear road. OUTBACK ROAD CONDITIONS Australia has an extreme of climates especially in the north. Minor roads that are passable in the Dry season (March-November) can disappear beneath a torrent of water during the "Wet". Seek local advice should your travels take you off the main highways. Some things to look out for in country areas include potholes and rough surfaces, soft road edges and road surfaces changing without notice. DRIVING AT NIGHT When driving at night particularly in the Outback care should be taken to lookout for wildlife that may stray onto the road. Animals are attracted by car lights. Collisions with animals such as the Red Kangaroo can cause substantial damage to your vehicle. DRIVING LICENCE International visitors may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver's licence that covers the same vehicle class. Whilst driving ensure that you carry your licence with you and if it is not in English carry a translation. FUEL Petrol is sold in litres and comes in both unleaded and lead substitute forms. Prices will vary depending upon location and in the major cities you will see price fluctuations during any given week and national holidays.
DRIVER FATIGUE Owing to the size of Australia and distances travelled driver fatigue has been the cause of 20% of all traffic accidents. Rest every 2 hours giving yourself a 15 minute break even when close to your destination. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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MARCH - APRIL 2010
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Contribution: Elizabeth Laughton
Australia; Land of sun, surf, and creatures that can kill you. We’ve heard it all before… Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, Surfer’s Paradise… the east coast of Australia continues to be one of the most travelled destinations for backpackers. Craving something different, we bought a campervan, headed inland, and saw for the first time, the kind of Australia we’d been looking for. THE JOURNEY The route: Brisbane – Burren Junction – Cobar – Broken Hill - Adelaide We travelled 2047kms (that’s 28 hours driving time) in 4 days, stayed in 3 towns, drank 9 litres of coffee, took 421 photos and swam in a 40 degree natural spring. THE CAMPERVAN There are a few viable ways to travel Australia, but without a doubt the way that guarantees unrivalled freedom, exploration and unexpected sights is to travel by campervan. If you’re travelling for more than a few weeks, I would recommend pricing hire costs against the cost of buying a secondhand van and selling it on. We did the latter, and made a significant profit when we sold it, essentially just paying for petrol (and the usual insurance etc) – it’s easier than you think. There are a number of forms (transfer of ownership, registration) to be completed upon buying your vehicle, just be sure to do your research first and it’ll be smooth sailing. Buying a camper from fellow backpackers often means scoring all the necessary kit: tools, kitchen equipment, bedding, camping chairs… you name it. All we needed was our favourite playlists, a supply of twisties and we were off! FREEDOM Believing the theory that our journey was, in part, our destination, we embraced this style of travelling and it served us well, leading us to some incredible places. Small outback towns full of unique bars, local characters and streets that
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are seemingly unexplored by snap-happy tourists. The highways between each stop-off point are undoubtedly just as interesting: zooming along the Barrier Highway, I spotted a collection of ‘junk’ by the roadside. Insisting that we turn around to explore, I was surprised and fascinated to find what was called a ‘A Tribute to Old Ted’ – an assortment of random things by the road side which included televisions, a broken water dispenser and a giant Pikachu in a bath. As a photographer and a traveller, this was like striking gold; something so unique and memorable that I am certain I will never see again. BEFORE YOU GO Plan your route carefully, do your research, and have alternatives. Having planned to stay in a small town one night, we met some locals of a neighbouring town the night before who informed us that this town was notoriously unsafe. Thankfully we had a plan B, so we went with that. Often you will be in very remote desert land - just know your options. It’s also important to take note of where your next tank of fuel is coming from, there are some long stretches of highway so it’s always best to play it safe and keep refuelling at every chance. Be wary of driving at night. Arriving at a new destination in the dark and attempting to cook dinner etc is never much fun. The risk of adding to the road kill toll is also increased as kangaroos are attracted to headlights. DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT • A full Jerry Can • Cash (tolls and refuelling – both you and the car. A lot of smaller towns don’t have card facilities) • Water, lots of it. • Detailed roadmap (and a sat nav if possible you’d be surprised how much signal you get in the middle of no-where)ound.com.au.
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HIKING CHECKLIST Hiking is a fun way to get exercise and enjoy nature. For a day hike, pack your backpack with suitable equipment depending on the terrain and weather conditions. • Take plenty of food and water • Take a small first aid kit with bandaids, bandages, insect repellent, pain relief tablets, sunblock, lip balm, water purifying tablets and a first aid booklet etc. • Take a hat and sunglasses • Wear comfortable hiking boots or runners for a short hike and wear thick socks to cushion your feet as you walk • Take waterproof clothing or at the very least a disposable poncho in case of unexpected rain
SAFETY TIPS SAFE CAMPING TIPS • When planning to use a caravan ensure that you turn off any pilot lights before towing or when the towing vehicle’s engine is running • Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near the exit of a caravan • Develop a fire escape plan that considers all occupants of a caravan • At camp sites familiarise yourself with any fire routines or equipment installed • Ensure that all electrical and gas equipment fitted is tested and in good working order • Gas cyclinders on caravans should be external, secure and with valves facing away from the van • Check the connections after driving on country roads • Keep heaters away from the internal fittings in caravans • Have a portable radio to keep updated regarding weather conditions and fire restrictions that may be in force • Never cook or smoke in tents and consider buying a flame retardant tent • Locate camp fires downwind and a safe distance from any tents • Turn off any lanterns and extinguish camp fires before going to bed • Never leave cooking unattended and always secure any matches and lighters • On arrival at a campsite locate a safe refuge place in case of a bushfire • Extinguish campfires with a bucket of water - not sand or dirt • Always take a supply of drinking water • Keep the campsite clean • Save water by using moist baby wipes for quick clean ups and washing hands • Always carry a first aid kit
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FOR LONGER HIKES (More than a day) • LED Torch and spare batteries, pocket multi-tool, matches in waterproof container, compass, whistle, maps, extra clothing, toilet paper • Shelter and bedding - tent, sleeping bag and foam mat • Cooking - small stove or use campfire, cooking and eating utensils • Extra equipment which will come in handy includes a rubbish bag, notepad and pen, small towel, space blanket, binoculars, mobile phone
CROCODILE SAFETY • Obey crocodile warning signs • Never swim in water where crocodiles may live even if there is no warning sign present • When fishing, always stand a few metres back from the waters edge and never stand on logs or branches overhanging the water • Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the waters edge, around campsites or at boat ramps • Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks • Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles, even small ones • Never feed crocodiles • Camp at least 2 metres above the high water mark and at least 50 metres from the waters edge • Avoid places where native animals and domestic stock drink • Never leave food scraps, fish frames or bait at your campsite. Always check that previous campers have not left these behind. • Never prepare food, wash dishes or pursue any other activities near the water’s edge or adjacent sloping banks • Be more aware of crocodiles at night and during breeding season, September to April
Contribution: Pro Visual Publishing: Backpackers Guide to Local Safety. www.provisual.com.au MAY - JUNE 2011
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SYDNEY’S CRONULLA BEACH Cronulla Coast is Sydney’s longest beach, just a ferry ride from the Royal National Park or take a 50 minute train trip from Circular Quay. Around the Cronulla Coast and in the Sutherland Shire, there’s top surfing, fishing, glorious hiking, whalewatching or just lazing on unspoilt beaches. Cronulla itself has Sydney’s longest beach and a sparkling outdoor café scene. Just south of Cronulla, a ferry ride across Port Hacking River, is the peaceful village of Bundeena. SURFING SPOTS The beaches of Bate Bay/Cronulla provide the best quality of any other single stretch of coastline, headland to headland. From north to south there are more than 24 surf breaks and another 5km of possible beach breaks available to surfers of all abilities. WALKS The Esplanade walk starts at Cronulla Beach and loops south around the Cronulla Peninsula. This 6km walk is an ideal way to view the stunning coastline and impressive waterfront homes while you take memorable holiday snaps. THINGS TO DO • Catch a ferry to Bundeena, then walk the Coastal Track in the Royal National Park and explore its secluded beaches. • Dine out in the restaurants and alfresco cafés lining Cronulla’s foreshore. • Snorkel and scuba dive in Botany Bay, Port Hacking or in ocean sites off the Cronulla coast. • Take the one hour walk via Jibbon Beach to see the Aboriginal rock engravings made by the Dharawal people. • Don’t miss out on learning to surf at Cronulla Beach or visiting the Frangipani Gelato shop. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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R E T N I W JINDABYNE NSW
Jindabyne – the gateway to two of Australia’s best ski holiday resorts – Thredbo and Perisher.
Whilst Jindabyne is definitely a cheaper cost option to staying on snow, Jindabyne is not necessarily cheaper by snow holiday experiences. Located around Lake Jindabyne in the town Jindabyne, the lake forms the life blood of the snowy mountains region.
Most of the locals that service this region live here, often year round. With this comes the convenience and range of shops, restaurants and bars that a real town brings. But it is Jindabyne’s ability to provide the best of both worlds that makes it unique, offering the pick of snow conditions from two of Australia’s best mountain ranges.
PERISHER NSW Season Start: 11 June 2011 Season End: 3 October 2011 Gateway City: Canberra 190km; Jindabyne 33km Average Snowfall: 200cm Highest Elevation: 2054 metres Number of Lifts: 47 Difficulty: 22% Beginner; 60% Intermediate; 18% Advanced
Perisher is Australia’s biggest ski resort, providing guests with world class facilities and access to around 1,250 hectares of snowy terrain, across seven mountain tops. You can have fun on over 100 groomed runs and make use of 47 lifts. There’s Tube Town, with two terrain parks and Australia’s only super pipe, as well as Australia’s biggest snowboard school. Relax in a unique snow covered village with true ski-in ski-out accommodation.
THREDBO NSW Season Start: 11 June 2011 Season End: 3 October 2011 Gateway City: Canberra 190km; Jindabyne 33km Average Snowfall: 204cm Highest Elevation: 2037 metres Number of Lifts: 14 Difficulty: 16% Beginner; 67% Intermediate; 17% Advanced
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The resort sits at just over 1,300 metres and boasts Australia’s greatest vertical. Designed mainly for an intermediate skier, most of the mountain is reachable off the two lower chair lifts and the lower areas have plenty of snow-making equipment to help out even in a bad season. If you’re just starting out, head to Friday Flat – A PurposeBuilt Beginners Area with a gentle 12-degree slope, its very own low speed quad chair, a snow runner and no T-bars, learning to ski or board is easy here.
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R
MT BULLER Vic An easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is close enough for a day’s escape yet far enough away for a holiday. The Mt Buller Village is situated picturesquely at the heart of the mountain, offering ski in, ski out accommodation and a huge range of bars and restaurants. The extensive lift system gives you access to over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, with something to appeal to all levels of ability. Mt Buller has three terrain parks designed for all skill levels, a half pipe and an ultra cross course.
Season Start: 10 June 2011 Season End: 2 October 2011 Gateway City: Melbourne 248km Average Snowfall: 2.42m Highest Elevation: 1085 metres Number of Lifts: 22 Difficulty: 20% Beginner; 45% Intermediate; 35% Advanced
FALLS CREEK Vic Season Start: 11 June 2011 Season End: 2 October 2011 Gateway City: Albury 120km; Melbourne 380km Average Snowfall: 400cm Highest Elevation: 1780 metres Number of Lifts: 14 Difficulty: 17% Beginner; 60% Intermediate; 23% Advanced
Falls Creek is Victoria’s largest alpine resort and a major tourist destination in North East Victoria. The alpine resort is one of the most popular winter playgrounds in the country and offers a superb range of activities, attractions and events in every season throughout the year. At Black Diamond Rus, you can ride some of Australia’s steepest expert terrain at Mt McKay or the deepest powder stashes of Rocky Knobs and Dam site.
HOTHAM Vic Season Start: 11 June 2011 Season End: 2 October 2011 Gateway City: Melbourne 365km Average Snowfall: 300cm+ Highest Elevation: 1861 metres Number of Lifts: 10 Difficulty: 20% Beginner; 40% Intermediate; 40% Advanced
Hotham will offer you a winter holiday you will never forget. Hotham boasts the highest natural snowfalls than any other Victorian ski resort. You wake early to sunrise and a view of the mountains just outside your window. You’re out of bed in seconds and into your skis or board for the first tracks of the day. You duck back to your apartment for a quick bite whenever you feel like it. Close by are restaurants, bars and cafés with the sweet aroma of coffee on the breeze. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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GET A NATURAL HIGH Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is a new and unique way to experience the rainforest along the Illawarra escarpment. The Treetop walk enables visitors to experience a 1,500 metre walk through a beautiful warm temperate rainforest. Nestled amongst the rainforest of the Southern Highlands and south Coast of New South Wales, it’s less than two hours away from Sydney and Canberra, which makes it the ideal destination for a day trip or overnight escape. Unique to Illawarra Fly is the 500 metre walk in the treetop canopy, some 20-30 metres above the ground. The walk culminates in a spiral tower that rises to 45 metres above the forest floor, which opens to breathtaking views from the escarpment over Illawarra and on to the sea. With spectacular views of superbly united mountains, rainforest and ocean, Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is one of Australia’s most unique experiences. SUNRISE WALKS Sunrise Walks will take place on the second Saturday of every month, starting Saturday 8 May, and run for three hours from 6–9am, with times varying slightly depending on the time of year. Visitors will take the hosted Sunrise Walk with a guide followed by a delicious hot buffet breakfast at Cafe 106. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Sunrise Walks cost $50 per person, including breakfast, and a 10% discount is offered to groups of ten or more. WHERE Amongst the rainforest of the Southern Highlands of NSW on the Knights Hill escarpment, it is set on 40 acres of private land. Illawarra Fly is only ten minutes from Robertson, 25 minutes from Kiama and under two hours from Sydney or Canberra.
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OPEN Illawarra Fly Treetop walk is open everyday except Christmas Day from 9am to 5pm. The walk takes approximately 45-60 minutes. Ph 02 4885 1010. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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CANBERRA FOR FREE! PARLIAMENT HOUSE Parliament House is Australia’s most expensive building and when Parliament isn’t sitting you can take a guided tour to explore it. When Parliament is in session, you’re free to sit in the public gallery and watch proceedings (no heckling!) MOUNT AINSLIE LOOKOUT From this lookout you can get an idea as to the layout of the Parliamentary Triangle, which is the area falling between Capitol Hill, City Hill and Russell Hill, as well as the city. There is also a beautiful walking track starting at the top of Mount Ainslie and leading through Rememberance Nature Park to the Australian War Memorial. DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS The suburb of Yarralumla is home to diplomatic missions from all around the world. Many of the countries have built or renovated their buildings to represent the architectural influences of their home countries. This diversity is reinforced on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, which has a permanent International Flag Display. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA General admission to this treasure trove of all things Australian is free, and this museum is definitely worth a visit. The museum is dedicated to everything Australian and has a huge range of varied exhibits, including such oddities as the carcass of a Tasmanian Tiger (species that is now extinct). The museum is located on the Acton Peninsula.
EVENTS CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 11 - 22 May www.cicmf.org FIRESIDE FESTIVAL August www.firesidefestival.com.au
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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HUNTER HUNTER VALLEY GRAPE ESCAPE
$165 for 1 night
• 1 Night Dorm Accommodation at Hunter Valley YHA • Return transfers from Sydney to Hunter Valley YHA • Guided wine-tasting tour of the local vineyards • Delicious dinner Valid until 31 March 2012
www.yha.com.au Photo: James Pipino, Tourism New South Wales
ACCOMMODATION BACKPACKERS NEWCASTLE 42 & 44 Denison Street, Newcastle Phone: (02) 4969 3436 www.backpackersnewcastle.com.au
MOLLY MORGAN MOTOR INN New England Highway, East Maitland Phone: (02) 4933 5422 www.mollymorganmi.com.au
BIG 4 VALLEY VINEYARD TOURIST PARK 137 Mount View Road, Cessnock Phone: (02) 4990 2573 www.valleyvineyard.com.au
MORPETH LODGE MOTEL 28 Raworth Avenue, Raworth Phone: (02) 4933 3750 www.morpethlodgemotel.com
HUNTER VALLEY YHA 100 Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba Phone: (02) 4991 3278 www.yha.com.au
NEWCASTLE BEACH YHA 30 Pacific Street, Cnr King Street, Newcastle Phone: (02) 4925 3544 www.yha.com.au
MAITLAND GAOL
Maitland Gaol is a heritage site dating back to the 1840s. It has held some of Australia’s most hardened criminals at the time of its closure in 1998 was the longest continuously operating correctional facility in Australia. • Self Guided Audio Tour - $15 • Ex-Inmate/Ex-Warder Tour - $24 (approx 90mins) • Psychic Torchlight Guided Tour - $29 (approx. 150mins) 6-18 John Street, East Maitland. Phone: (02) 4936 6482
www.maitlandgaol.com.au Photo: Paul Foley Lightmoods courtesy Maitland Gaol
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www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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R VALLEY TASTE HUNTER VALLEY ADINA VINEYARD & OLIVE GROVE 492 Lovedale Road, Lovedale Phone: (02) 4930 7473 www.adinavineyard.com.au
MORPETH MOONSHINE DISTILLERY 173 Swan Street, Morpeth Phone: (02) 4933 2612 www.morpethwinecellar.com.au
BUNNA BUNOO 237 Fishers Hill Road, Vacy Phone: (02) 4938 8086 www.bunnabunooolives.com.au
SMELLY CHEESE SHOP Tempus 2, 2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin Phone: (02) 4998 6713 www.smellycheese.net.au
HUNTER VALLEY CHOCOLATE CO. 820 Lovedale Road, Lovedale (Factory & Shop) Phone: (02) 4930 7388 www.hvchocolate.com.au
TRANQUIL VALLEY VINEYARD 325 Pywells Road, Luskintyre Phone: (02) 4930 6100 www.tranquilvale.com.au
MACQUARIEDALE ORGANIC WINES 170 Sweetwater Road, Rothbury Phone: (02) 6574 7012 www.macquariedale.com.au
WYNDHAM ESTATE VINEYARD Dalwood Road, Dalwood Phone: (02) 4938 3444 www.wyndhamestate.com.au
GET HIGH IN THE VINES
$275 per person (Passport must be presented) Experience the ultimate thrill of freefall attached to one of our professional instructors. It’s a 200km/hr adventure from 14,000ft over the vineyards in the stunning Hunter Valley region. Take in views of renowned Australian wineries, the Hunter River and surrounding national parks!
www.skydivethehuntervalley.com Photo courtesy Skydive the Hunter Valley
VISITOR INFORMATION MAITLAND VISITOR INFO CENTRE Cnr New England Hwy & High St, Maitland Phone: (02) 4931 2800 www.maitlandhuntervalley.com.au
HUNTER VALLEY VISITOR INFO CENTRE 455 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin Phone: (02) 4990 0900 www.winecountry.com.au
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HUNTER VALLEY There’s more to the Hunter Valley than the wine for which the area is so famous for. The real beauty of the Hunter Valley is that, although it’s one of Australia’s most sophisticated weekend getaways, and only two hours drive from Sydney, it retains an authentic country charm. FINE FOOD AND WINE The Hunter Valley is home to some of Australia’s iconic wines. However, most visitors are surprised by the number of wine areas in the valley. From Pokolbin and Rothbury to Mount View and Wollombi, Broke and Lovedale, there are more than 120 wineries and manny offer complimentary tastings. SMELL AND TASTE with Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop and Tempus Two Cellar Door. Date: 11am every Saturday in June Contact: (02) 4993 3999 Location: Private Tasting Room - Tempus Two Cellar Door, Corner Broke and McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. HERITAGE TOWNS Notable among the valley’s historic towns are Wollombi, Maitland and Morpeth. Discover Wollombi’s convict-built guesthouses and bridges. For a glimpse into the area’s colonial past, tour the notorious Maitland Gaol. National Trust-classified Morpeth has a number of galleries, antique and specialty stores. Delight in the town’s heritage-listed main street stores. Visit the Wine Cellar & Moonshine Distillery and Morpeth’s famous bakery. HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS Located at the foot of the Brokenback Ranges at Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Gardens features 12 seperate theme gardens over 25 hecatares. www.hvg.com.au MUST SEE AND DO • Experience the fresh local produce - olives, handmade wash rind and white mould cheese, spicy grape sauce and pickled grapes. • Fly high in the Hunter - take a flight in a Tiger Moth or a helicopter, or enjoy the panoramic views from a hot-air balloon while you sip a glass of champagne. • Bargain hunt in the historic villages of Wollombi, Morpeth and Broke. • Don’t miss Maitland’s premier events. For dates, visit www.maitlandhuntervalley.com.au • Take a look at life on the inside of what was once Australia’s most notorious prison - Maitland Gaol. • Visit one of Australia’s largest regional markets with over 600 stalls in Maitland. 1st Sunday: Feb Dec and 3rd Sunday: Oct - Dec.
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COWBOY COUNTRY New England in NSW’s North West, also known as Big Sky Country, is a vast tableland of wide open spaces, dazzling horizons and rugged natural wonders, stretching along the Great Dividing Range near Newcastle up to the Queensland border. WHY VISIT? Some of Australia’s most historic country towns dot this region. These quintessentially Australian settlements, founded by gold miners, graziers and farmers and chosen by artists for their special light, are loved by visitors today for their old-world general stores and friendly country pubs. Elsewhere in the region, prepare for the unexpected: a giant telescope; memorials to Australia’s wartime history; fields of sunflowers adjoining cotton and wheat fields; captivating regional art galleries and a great outdoor zoo. FAMOUS FOR? Wine distrticts, gem fossicking, bushwalking and bootscooting. The rural towns of Tamworth, Tenterfield and Moree are all rich in history – and Tamworth hosts the Annual Country Music Festival which attracts thousands from around the world. Australia’s country music capital, Tamworth is best known for its annual country music festival in January but it also hosts many other music attractions and events. MUST DO • Tamworth Country Music Festival • Gunnedah Visitor Information • Split Rock Dam • Iron Bark Creek Fossicking Area • Waterways Wildlife Park • Go fossicking and birdwatching at Barraba • Quirindi’s sunflower fields (Dec - March) • See koalas in the wild around Gunnedah or at the town’s Waterways Wildlife Park. • Bushwalking, camping and boating on Lake Keepit near Manilla. DON’T MISS • The Big Golden Guitar, which celebrates Tamworth’s country music roots. • A hearty pub lunch at Nundle. • A jackeroo/jillaroo experience near Tamworth. • Walk A Country Mile Interpretative Centre, where you’ll learn about the history of country music in Australia. • Paintings by Norman Lindsay and a large silver collection at the Tamworth City Gallery. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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DRIVE THE NORTH COAST
The journey from Sydney along the Pacific Coast Touring Route is the best way to discover the seductive and glorious North Coast. WHY DRIVE IT The 1000km route between Sydney and Brisbane travels through pastures, rainforests and sleepy villages past an almost continuous line of beaches. TOP STOPS The larger towns and cities along the way are ideal bases for exploring and experiencing some of the local attractions, which include wineries, World Heritage rainforests, waterfalls, village markets and whale-watch cruises. NEWCASTLE At Stockton Beach, north of Newcastle, is the country’s largest coastal dune system, a popular spot for commercial filming as well as sandboarding, quad-biking and 4WD tours. • Take a beach stroll from the foot of Fort Scratchley to the lighthouse on Nobbys Head • Catch the harbour ferry to Stockton • Watch the surf action at Bar Beach PORT MACQUARIE The city has a five-star array of beaches, from Town Beach, at the very front of the city centre, to the 16km golden swathe of North Beach. • Ride a camel along Lighthouse Beach • Taste the wines at Cassegrain Winery
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• Experience the pioneers’ life and work, recreated at Timbertown. COFFS HARBOUR Dorrigo National Park is one of the loveliest of the east coast rainforests, and has easy strolls and more challenging bushwalks. • Take a drive through the Bellinger Valley, home to many alternative lifestylers. • Take in the action at Pet Porpoise Pool. BYRON/BALLINA In this region of outstanding beauty, it’s warm enough for winter swims. Behind the coast is a lush hunterland with subtropical rainforest and macadamia nut and coffee plantations. • Walk along the Cape Byron Walking Track and breakfast at one of the local beach cafes. • Shop for beach fashions in Byron Bay. • Check out the surf break at Lennox Head. TWEED COAST Dominated by the Tweed Valley, the crater of an extinct volcano, the region is home to three national parks with a World Heritage listing. • Discover the region from and Aboriginal perspective at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. • See the amazing vista from Razorback Lookout across the Tweed River Valley. • Explore Murwillumbah’s World Heritage Rainforest Centre.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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BYRON BAY FOR FREE! BYRON BAY LIGHTHOUSE Byron’s greatest attraction is the Byron Bay lighthouse. It is located only 300 metres south of Australia’s easternmost point, Cape Byron. The lighthouse, one of the most powerful on the New South Wales coast had a range of 42km out to sea at a time when lighthouses were vital for navigation. It was built of concrete blocks which meant there was no need to quarry for sandstone in the local area. CAPE BYRON HEADLAND RESERVE The delightful Cape Byron Headland Reserve and walking track heads both north and south from the lighthouse. The northerly walking track winds around cliffs to the most easterly point before dropping down to Little Wategos and Wategos Beach and the southerly track heads down the ridge towards Captain Cook’s Lookout. BYRON’S BEACHES In the shire there is a total of 37km of sandy beaches. Wategos, Main Beach, Broken Head and The Pass are patrolled beaches. For nudists there is a nude beach which has been designated by Byron Council. It is located 500 metres west of Belongil Creek and can be accessed by driving down Grays Lane at Tygarah.
MARKETS LISMORE LANTERN PARADE 25 June www.lanternparade.com BYRON BAY MARKETS 1st & 5th Sunday each month. 7am Butler St Reserve BYRON FARMERS MARKET Every Thursday. 8am - 11am Butler St Reserve BANGALOW MARKET 4th Sunday each month. 8am - 11am Bangalow Showgrounds BRUNSWICK HEAD MARKETS 1st Saturday each month. 8am - 11am Memorial Park
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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O C D L GO
it’s all right here, waiting for you... st has truly , the Gold Coa al du vi di in y rikingl om sparkling Vibrant and st g contract - fr tin ci ex of e ac pl r world of evolved into a tlife to anothe gh ni g in ls. en pp ir raising thril beaches to ha ntures and ha ve ad nd la er nt tranquil hi Learn to surf on some of the most beautiful, accessible waves in the world; waves that peel and roll along kilometres of perfect, white sand and beaches under sunny blue skies - it’s a travellers paradise, a subtropical haven where you can surf or bake the morning away then absorb the native wildlife and breathtaking views of the Scenic Rim in the afternoon only to be back in time for dinner, drinks and a bit of whatever, all on a traveller’s budget!
the Island is just a hop across Pristine South Stradbroke area boasts the s park e them y man the seaway or try one of t you of polite host that asks wha - the Gold Coast is the type ns. The optio rs offe that e plac a want out of your holiday, out of their way to make you warm, friendly locals will go sive s with them at one of the mas lder shou rub e, hom at feel . silver Pro or Gold Coast Indy Quik the like ts even ly year The green behind the gold . That’s the spectacular rain forest that cradles the glittering coa stline, packed full of real Australian wildlife and adventure. The subtrop ical rainforests reward thos e travellers keen to uncover mountai n climbs, tree-top walks, hiking trails, hideaway retreats, native animals and World Heritag e Listed rainforest scenery. Unwind for the day by hiking the vast netw ork of graded tracks that weave through forest giants and cool, cray fish-filled pools, or spend a night che cking out glow-worms and unique native animals with a guided tour of the World Heritage liste d Lamington and Springbrook National Park s.
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OAST
www.adventuregoldcoast.com
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GOLD COAST FOR FREE! SURFERS PARADISE BEACHFRONT MARKETS Explore up to 100 market stalls stretching over half a kilometre of beachfront promenade along Surfers Paradise beach, every Wednesday and Friday evening from 5.30pm - 10pm. The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets has a selection of locally made gift ideas ranging from accessories, crafts, artworks, beauty products, homewares, jewellery and music. The Beachfront Markets are located along The Esplanade between Hanlan Street and Elkhorn Avenue. GOLD COAST CITY ART GALLERY Home to an extensive collection of works including ceramics and host to some of Australia’s most prestigious art prizes. Tours are available Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and weekends and public holidays 11am to 5pm. Tours are free however bookings essential. www.qcac.com.au MOUNT TAMBORINE A world of tropical rainforests, cosy cottages, antique shops, authentic art and craft villages, walking tracks through nine National Parks and accommodation to suit all budgets. www.tamborinemtncc.org.au OCEAN WALKING Pristine beaches, foreshore walkways and headland views spanning 36km, with music, markets, cycleways, and special events. Southern Points Promenade is a walkway exploring the beauty of Kirra, Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay and Greenmount. Highlights of the City’s north include the Broadwater, Paradise Point and Labrador.
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EVENTS BLUES ON BROADBEACH 26 - 29 May. Broadbeach www.bluesonbroadbeach.com COOLY ROCKS ON 3 - 13 June. Coolangatta www.coolyrockson.com
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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SURFERS PARADISE Surfers Paradise is the jewel of Queensland’s Gold Coast and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia. Surfers Paradise is where you’ll find the perfect fusion of city and beach lifestyles set amidst a spectacular skyline and brilliant stretch of coast. Once you arrive, you’ll soon feel that you’ve literally arrived in paradise. Vibrant and eclectic, Surfers Paradise provides non-stop action. With an abundance of theme parks and family attractions all in easy access, you’re never short of finding things to do. The trouble instead may be finding enough time to do everything. And when nightfall comes, Surfers bursts into action with 24-hour excitement. Bars and nightclubs start pumping with live music and
dance beats, while non-stop events keep you entertained. And the next day when you’re tired from all of the action, grab your towel and hit the beach. Learn how to surf or watch the pros make it look so easy. If you’re around in March, you’ll be able to witness incredibly fit athletes competing in the Quicksilver Pro-Surfing Competition and the Surf Life Saving Championships. BIRDS EYE VIEW: To gain a truly unique perspective on this city centre, venture over to the world’s tallest residential apartment building, the Q1. Topping 80 levels and with a visitor observation lounge on the 78th floor, it is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Gold Coast and beyond.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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BRISBANE FOR FREE! SOUTH BANK PARKLANDS This is one of the most beautiful walking areas in all of Australia. Among the things to do and see are the formal gardens, the Nepalese Temple, and the amazing swimming lagoon (complete with its own lifeguards and sandy beach). The beautiful tropical vegetation provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxed barbeque or picnic. MT COOT-THA LOOKOUT This beautiful lookout is located in Toowong, on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. You can see the whole city of Brisbane laid out, and trace the winding route of the Brisbane River. QUEENSLAND MUSEUM Banish thoughts of dusty displays, the Queensland Museum is an interactive, dynamic place with something to amuse everyone. Touch, push, feel and listen to learn more about our world. Open 9.30am - 5pm daily. BRISBANE POWERHOUSE The former power station has become a distinct Brisbane landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for everything creative, including theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts, festivals and ideas. www.brisbanepowerhouse.org CITY LOOP BUS The FREE City Loop Bus circles Brisbane’s Central Business District and stops at several destinations including Central Station, Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, Riverside Centre, QUT and King George Square. For timetable information on this FREE Loop service go to www.translink.com.au
EVENTS BRISBANE PHOTOGRAPHICA & CAMERA FAIR 22 May. 102 McDonald Rd, Windsor $2 Entry. The flea market/fair is for anything to do with photography. TENERIFFE FESTIVAL 2 July. Teneriffe www.teneriffefestival.org JUMPERS AND JAZZ FESTIVAL 21 - 31 July. Warwick www.jumpersandjazz.com
Heading North?
Wildlife Sanctuary within the resort! Cuddle a Koala!
Maggie Madness $95 SAVE 31 $
Y FERRY DATION + RETURN SK HIRE 2 NIGHTS ACCOMMO VOUCHER + 1/2 DAY SNORKEL & MA + $20 BAR & DINNER INTERNET + ROCK WALLABY FOOD IN 30M + 2HRS WiFi or ble/twin bungalow *Upgrade $18pp to dou
MAGNETIC ISLAND
FREECALL 1800 285 577 www.bungalowbay.com.au
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BRISBANE CITY
Bru Fortitude Valley nsw ick Station St FORTITUDE Bru VALLEY nsw ick S Chi tM na all Gip Town ps Bru St Bunk nsw ick St
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South Bank Station
Vulture St
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Queensland University of Technology
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Goodwill Bridge
Lower River Tce
Gladstone Rd
Sta nle yS t
Leopold St
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Boundary St
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Main St
Brisbane Backpackers
WEST END
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SOUTH BANK
South Bank TAFE
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Botanic Gardens
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
SOUTH BRISBANE
Eagle St
Hale St
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South Brisbane Station
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KANGAROO POINT
Eagle St Pier
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Victoria Bridge
Art Gallery
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Roma St Station
Victoria Army Barracks
City Backpackers
Bowe Leichhard t St
ard r Edw Uppe
Banana Benders
Suncorp Stadium
Milto
am T ce Albert Park
St Countess
Cax ton St
Boundary St
Wick h
PETRIE TERRACE
Wick ham St
SPRING HILL
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stay with friends @ Brisbane’s boutique backpackers
Banana Benders
118 petrie terrace brisbane q 4000
07 3367 1157 bananabenders.com
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2010
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GETTING AROUND BRISBANE Brisbane's excellent transport infrastructure makes it relatively easy to get from point A to point Z and virtually anywhere in between with minimal interruptions or changes. Buses, trains, CityCat Ferries, hire cars, taxis and even water taxis are all available at regular intervals throughout the day and night and there's little chance of you being stuck in the middle of nowhere and no way to get home. Perhaps the one area where Brisbane's transport system lets the city down is getting to and from the airport at night — express trains run throughout the day, but after 7.30pm the domestic and international railway stations shut down, leaving it to public and private bus companies (and of course taxis and limousines) to pick up the slack. The Queensland Government's transport website. www.translink.com.au, provides a detailed trip planning guide with fare calculators, timetables and suggestions on the best way to get between any two points in Queensland, right down to how far you have to walk to the bus stop.
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BRIS CITY WALK The Brisbane City Walk is a self-guided tour of Brisbane’s heart via three major parklands that green the city. It is designed as a leisurely walk, with frequent stops to take in highlights of Brisbane’s heritage. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours on the walk. GETTING STARTED: You can start your walk at any point on the route. It’s a circuit, so you’ll finish where you start. This guide starts the walk at the Visitor Information Centre in the Queen Street Mall. If you do start from another point, take care of the directions in the text, which assume you complete the circuit travelling clockwise from the start point at the Visitor Information Centre. EQUIPMENT: No Special equipment is required to complete the walk. If the route is followed as mapped, most of the walk is down hill or reasonably flat, with only one steep street. However, the reverse direction includes a number of inclines and the walk would not be suitable for people with mobility problems. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen even in winter the Australian sun can burn! Make sure you drink plenty of water. TIP: ORIENTING YOURSELF IN THE BRISBANE CBD The streets in the heart of the city are all named after Kings and Queens and are arranged in a grid pattern. The Kings (William, George, Albert and Edward) run roughly north-south; the Queens (Alice, Margaret, Mary, Charlotte, Queen, Ann & Adelaide) run roughly east-west.
Download a Brisbane City Walk map at www.ourbrisbane.com/files/bcw_map.pdf
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A1
To Mackay, Whitsundays, Airlie Beach & TOWNSVILLE
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
ROCKHAMPTON A4
GLADSTONE 60
39
Agnes Water
17
Biloela
A5
Coral Coast
A3 A1
BUNDABERG
Theodore Fraser Island Torquay
Mundubbera Biggenden
Maryborough
Fraser Coast Rainbow Beach
A3
GYMPIE 39
Noosa Heads
A5
Kingaroy Miles
Nambour
Nanango
Chinchilla
Sunshine Coast Maroochydore
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Caloundra
A2
Dalby
49
A5
Moreton Island North Stradbroke Island
A1
A2
TOOWOOMBA
BRISBANE Gold Coast
IPSWICH
Nerang
Beaudesert
85
A39
13
Warwick
QUEENSLAND
TWEED HEADS
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Goondiwindi
Byron Bay
NEW SOUTH WALES
Lismore 44
Texas
BALLINA
Tenterfield 39
A1
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To SYDNEY
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Grafton
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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SUNSHINE COAST FOR FREE! THE BEACH The Sunshine Coast boasts an array of fine beaches. With over 70 kilometres of surf beaches, there are many unspoilt and secluded areas. GINGER FACTORY, YANDINA The Ginger Factory at Yandina is a theme park dedicated to the ginger plant, where you’ll be astounded to discover ginger’s versatility and uses in food, health preparations and beauty products. Charges are made for the train ride and some tours. THE BIG PINEAPPLE The Big Pineapple at Woombye is an icon of the Sunshine Coast. Visit the pineapple and macadamia plantations with up to 5 tours. Entry to the complex is free, but a charge is made for the tours, which are both entertaining and informative, with fun rides and interesting commentary. GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS The Glass House Mountains are a series of steepsided volcanic plugs which dominate the landscape of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Anytime of the year is a great time to bushwalk or picnic in the beautiful Glass House Mountains National Park. The mountains are located 31 kilometres from Brisbane and are approximately 30 minute drive north. SUPERBEE HONEY FACTORY The Superbee Honey Factory combines information and demonstrations about beekeeping and honey. Visit Three Bears Cottage, the House That Jack Built and the house of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Entrance is free except for some rides.
EVENTS EUMUNDI MARKETS All year round. Eumundi. www.eumundimarkets.com.au Wednesdays 8am-1:30pm Saturdays 6:30am - 2pm AUST. BODY ART CARNIVALE 13 - 15 May. Eumundi www.australianbodyart.com.au SUNSHINE COAST SHOW 17 - 19 June. Nambour www.sunshinecoastshow.asn.au NOOSA LONG WEEKEND FESTIVAL 17 - 26 June. Noosa www.noosalongweekend.com
Australian
BODY ART CARNIVALE 13 - 15 May 2011
Eumundi
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
real snake!
MASKED GALLERY WALK | PAVEMENT ART | WEARABLE ART VEHICLE ART | INDIGENOUS ART | PHOTOGRAPHY STREET PERFORMERS |WORKSHOPS
www.australianbodyart.com.au www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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SUNSHINE COAST ADVENTURE
The Coast begins at Caloundra, just one hour’s drive north of Brisbane and extends to Cooloola, the gateway to Fraser Island. It takes in tranquil hinterland including the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley; as well as more than 100 kilometres of beaches stretching through the coastal towns of Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach. Located centrally on the Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba is the ideal base to explore this natural paradise. Take advantage of this coastal destination and book in for a fishing tour, cruise on the canals, snorkel in the sea or joy ride on a jet ski. At a depth of 27 metres, scuba enthusiasts will be amazed at the ex-HMAS Brisbane and enjoy the possibility of actually diving into the engine and boiler rooms.
around in case a shark mistakes them for fish. But once you’re in the water your fears disappear. A Black tip reef shark glides past with grace, a baby Sandbar whaler skims in and out of schools of colourful Trevally and the Giant leopard ray floats through the water around you. This is the most incredible thing you have ever done! Put yourself in this story. UnderWater World will be offering a new experience in Shark Dives later this year.
NO OTHER ZOO LIKE AUSTRALIA ZOO If you’ve ever wanted to cuddle a koala, handfeed an Asian Elephant, walk alongside a Bengal Tiger, take a Tasmanian Devil for a stroll, wrap a snake around your shoulders or watch a massive Saltwater Crocodile launch a strike from the water’s edge, then Australia Zoo is your ultimate destination. READY FOR THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE? Imagine this - you wake up, it’s a normal day. Then... you remember that you are diving with the sharks at UnderWater World. Your blood starts pumping and you start breathing faster - and you’re not even there yet! You arrive at UnderWater World and meet Noel, your diving instructor for the day. Noel puts you at ease. He’s been diving for 12 years, he’s calm and knowledgeable. You learn about the creatures you will be diving with and get the hang of breathing under water quickly. You’re feeling pretty good about the whole adventure now until Noel reminds you not to flap your hands
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MARCH - APRIL 2011
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FRASER COAST
With so much to do around the Fraser Coast, it’s worth spending a few days relaxing, seeing the whales and exploring this beautiful region. In Hervey Bay, from July to November you can watch humpbacks frolic in the calm blue waters up close and personal. And there’s also the 40 kilometres of pristine beaches for you to explore too. The clear tranquil waters of the Great Sandy Strait provide a perfect backdrop to hire a houseboat or sail a yacht and uncover the host of amazing bird and marine life. Escape the hustle and bustle of life and experience the Fraser Coast - because nothing compares to nature. In the Fraser Coast, adrenalin pumping action is always just around the corner. Take in Fraser Island from a completely different angle as you jump into one of the most beautiful skydive locations in the world. Get some serious air while taking in a kite surfing lesson. Make your own waves on a jet ski, hit the rugged Aussie bush on a horse trail adventure or grab a rod and join the professionals for the thrill of world class game fishing. With so much to see and do, the Fraser Coast is truly Australia’s best nature based adventure play ground! WHY THE FRASER COAST? It is no secret that the Fraser Coast has been blessed with some of Australia’s leading natural attractions, including two World Heritage Listed areas, Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island, as well as the best Whale Watching experience in the world. What isn’t as well known is how much
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there is to do in the Fraser Coast, once the major icons have been dealt with! Jet Ski tours, camel safaris, helicopter rides, sailing, the options are endless. You can spend days experiencing the thrill of skydiving, 4WD driving or kite surfing, or enjoy a more laid back style in snorkeling, diving, horse riding or spend an afternoon fishing from the Urangan Pier. Topped off with outstanding backpacker style accommodation, pubs and clubs, why wouldn’t you extend your stay in the Fraser Coast? FRASER ISLAND Fraser Island is nature at its awe-inspiring best, gathering together a remarkable collection of environments. Drive along the highway of sand on the ocean beaches or explore the sandy tracks that lead through thick forest to secret lakes, hidden in subtropical rainforest, their glassy surfaces reflecting the vegetation and deep blue sky. There are many different aspects to Fraser Island, but the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it probably the most visited natural site on the island. It is a ‘perched’ lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand here is pure, white silica and is not only beautiful to look at but feels beautifully soft to walk on. The blues and greens of the lake are endlessly fascinating and it’s well worth getting up early to look across it in the soft light of dawn.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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AGNES WATER / 1770 Previously seen as merely a ‘stopover’, Agnes Water/1770 is a true destination - come for a few days and you won’t want to leave! Discovered on 24th May 1770 by Lt James Cook and crew aboard HMS Endeavour and now recognised as the birthplace of Queensland, there is more to do in these two gorgeous villages than almost any other destination! Located on the magical, sun drenched stretch of sub-tropical surf coastline north of Fraser Island and south of the Whitsundays, Agnes Water 1770 can be accessed by road, rail and air. With the most northerly surf beach on the east coast of Australia and home to the reknowned Longboard Classic each March, the Agnes Water Blues & Roots Festival each February, and the iconic Captain Cook 1770 Festival held annually in May, the Discovery Coast is waiting to delight you! There is easy and direct access to the southern
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Great Barrier Reef for incredible diving and snorkelling on a variety of pristine reefs. See turtles all year round (nesting NovemberFebruary), and migrating Humpback whales (June - November). The long, golden sand beaches are an ideal place to while away holiday moments, enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds this majestic location. Magnificent estuaries, coastal rainforests, National and Marine parks encircle 1770 Agnes Water providing endless places to explore. With a range of activities and accommodation there is something to suit everyone’s budget, timeframe and special interests such as snorkeling and Great Barrier Reef exploring in the protected Fitzroy Reef Lagoon or Lady Musgrave Island, surfing, scuba diving, Riding the LARC, a pink amphibious vehicle that experiences unspoilt beaches, estuaries, Bustard Head Bay and lighthouse, fishing, kayaking, relaxing, dining, walking, 4WDing and exploring. What are you waiting for?
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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WHITSUNDAYS With so much natural beauty on our doorstep you can snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, soak up the sun on Whitehaven Beach or sail around the Whitsunday Islands. The hardest part will be choosing how to fit it all in. Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef in the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays lie midway along Australia’s Queensland coast. THINGS TO DO • Sail around the Whitsundays 74 islands • Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef • Sink your feet into the white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet • Relax and go for a swim at the Airlie Beach Lagoon • Learn to scuba dive at some of the best reefs in the world • Go whale watching or crocodile spotting • Hike through National Forest on the Whitsundays Great Walk • Charter a yacht and skipper yourself, or take a cruise and let someone else do the sailing for you LONG ISLAND When you dream of an island holiday, this is what you’re dreaming of - hammocks swinging under palm trees, white sandy beaches, gentle waves lapping at the shore and 2,500 acres of tropical rainforest to explore. Barefoot Lodge, Long Island, offers budget accommodation on an unforgettable tropical island surrounded by stunning National Park and sparkling blue waters. KOALA ADVENTURE ISLAND The Adventure Island Experience is all about sharing a good time with like-minded people your own age. Designed for those aged 18 and over, Adventure Island is about kicking back, relaxing and having fun! You can explore this tropical paradise in the morning, relax by the pool at lunchtime, re-energise with one of the many activities in the afternoon and party into the night.
To BOWEN
Hayman Island
AIRLIE BEACH Shute Harbour
Daydream Island Hook Island South Molle Island
PROSERPINE
Border Island Long Island www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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AIRLIE BEACH
ADVERTORIAL
FOR FREE! WHITSUNDAYS GREAT WALK Whether you decide on a short, full-day, overnight or extended walk, The Whitsunday Great Walk and the new Ngaro Sea Trail offer a rare visitor experience that few have ever partcipated in. AIRLIE BEACH LAGOON The Lagoon has become the focal and topical point of the area. When you want to meet someone, you meet “at the Lagoon”. If you want to position your accommodation venues, it’s “a few hundred metres from the Lagoon”. If you want a great day of relaxation with no admission fee.... “spend a day at the Lagoon”. CEDAR CREEK FALLS Located 19 kilometres from Proserpine on Conway Beach Road is the picturesque Cedar Creek Falls. These falls are spectacular in the wet season and offer a yearround natural swimming pool at the base of the falls. They are set in a natural rock amphitheature. RANGES AND RAINFOREST Stretching from the Conway Range to the Whitsunday Passage, the Conway area offers a remarkable range of natural experiences. Explore lowland tropical rainforest, picturesque creeks and lofty peaks overlooking Airlie Beach. A refuge for wildlife, including 20 rainforest plant species found only in this region, walkers can escape to these wildlife havens where cool rainforest, fragrant eucalypts and dramatic views revive the senses.
EVENTS TWILIGHT YACHT RACING Every Wednesday. 3pm - 7pm Whitsunday Sailing Club BAREFOOT BOWLS Every Friday. 7.30pm - 10pm Airlie Beach Bowls Club AIRLIE BEACH MARKETS Every Saturday. 7am - 1pm Airlie Beach Foreshore AIRLIE BEACH RACE WEEK 12 - 18 August. www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au
As recommended by Lonely Planet & Le Petit Fute
FREE
CAMPER VAN SITES & DORMS up to
$100 DISCOUNT on Overnight Sailing Trips Conditions may apply
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available with any Overnight Sailing Adventure (Conditions Apply)
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TOWNSVILLE FOR FREE! HERITAGE TRAILS Townsville’s heritage walking trails are a must do for anybody who wants to experience the city’s diversity of historial architecture, lush tropical gardens and impressive array of natural attractions. CASTLE HILL Castle Hill is a red rock monolith in the heart of Townsville offering panoramic views, and a slice of military history. THE STRAND One of the man-made wonders in Townsville is The Strand on the beachfront. Being close to the centre of town The Strand offers a variety of activities for all.
EVENTS STRAND NIGHT MARKETS 1st Friday monthly (May-Dec) 5pm - 9.30pm COTTERS MARKETS Sundays. 8.30am - 1pm. Stokes Street, City
from
2
$
per hou r
OPEN 7 DAYS
4.30am to 11.00pm
62
334 Flinders Street, Townsville City Heart Ground Floor, Holiday Inn Hotel
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info@internetonflinders.com.au
OGDEN ST
FLINDERS ST
STANLEY ST
Up to 20mbps speed
STOKES ST
UNLIMITED DOWNLOADS
DENHAM ST
ADSL2+ BROADBAND
• 22” web camera LCD screens • Wireless Hotspot connection • Laptop Access connection • Plug in Digital Cameras • USB connection • Microphone headsets • Microsoft Office - Word Processing, Spreadsheet & Publisher • Printing, Scanning & DVD Burner facilities
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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BEST INTERNET ACCESS AS SEEN ON LONELY PLANET
THE
INTERNET DEN
UPLOAD PRINT COPY FAX SCAN BURN EMAIL SIDELOAD
Wi Fi $3=60mins
SAVE MONEY - SAVE TIME!
$6 fo
We are the CHEAPEST, FASTEST and SAFEST in Townsville and Magnetic Island • NEW MEGA FAST PHOTO UPLOADER • USB TO USB SIDELOADER
r 95miins
COPIES
S
& PRINT • Some of the BEST MADE, BEST VALUE from Digeridoos in North Queensland! • Most popular, most Central Backpacker meeting place for internet access $150 = 15mins • FREE Advertising on popular notice board for $2 = 35mins lifts, sell car/van, share accommodation $4 = 70mins • Print from USB $10 = 3hrs • Luggage Storage • Original Local Aboriginal Art for Sale Scans from $1.50
20 c
To the STRAND
Denham St
FERRY TERMINAL
Bridge
Public Telephone Cheap Calls
Backpacker Specials!
THE BREWERY
Overseas Fax from $2.00
OPEN 7 DAYS 7AM TIL LATE DURING FLINDERS ST. REDEVELOPMENT
HOLIDAY INN
265 Flinders St Central
ART INTERNET GALLERY DEN
07 4721 4500
BRDCT TRAVEL
INFO CENTRE
4 - 6 SHARE DORMS • SINGLES • DOUBLES FAMILY ROOMS (1 double + 2-3 single beds)
FREE • Information Centre • Tea & Coffee • Meal Voucher • Huge Kitchen • Crisp white sheets • Pool, sundeck & BBQ • Parking for campervans • Marsala Indian cuisine • Cheap weekly Rates
3rd Night FREE in Dorm Only BOOKINGS 1800 211 522 79 Palmer Street. Townsville adventurersresort@hotmail.com www.adventurersresort.com www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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FULL MOON PARTY ULTIMATE JET SKI EXPERIENCE! | 07 4778 5533 adrenalin jet ski | MAGNETIC ISLAND
D BASE backpackers | MAGNETIC ISLAN m se.co atba .stay www | 5777 07 4778
WILDLIFE... ! SNORKEL & DIVE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF adrenalin dive ISLAND pick ups from TOWNSVILLE & MAGNETIC au com. dive. nalin .adre www | 07 4724 0600
NATURE...
CE BEST INTERACTIVE WILDLIFE EXPERIEN billabong sanctuary | TOWNSVILLE .com.au 07 4778 8344| www.billabongsanctuary
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C! SLEEP WITH A KOALA & WAKE UP WITH A CRO ISLAND bungalow bay koala village | MAGNETIC u om.a bay.c alow .bung 1800 285 577 | www
DISCOVER MAGNETIC ISLAND! fantasea car and passenger ferry 07 4796 9300| www.fantasea.com.au
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! GREAT VALUE HOSTEL, SMALL & FRIENDLY
STUDY ENGLISH!
orchid guest house | TOWNSVILLE .com.au 07 4771 6683 | www.orchidguesthouse
| TOWNSVILLE townsville international english school .au q.com 07 4721 3971 | www.tiesn
RELAX... ! EXPLORE THE REEF WITHOUT GETTING WET reef hq | TOWNSVILLE 07 4750 0800 | www.reefhq.com.au
ISLAND FUN CAR!
EXPLORE...
ISLAND tropical topless car rentals | MAGNETIC .au s.com heel 07 4758 1111 | www.miw
DIVE YONGALA WRECK! QUICKEST TO MAGGIE! sunferries .au 07 4726 0888 | www.sunferries.com
yongala dive | AYR u 07 4783 1519 | www.yongaladive.com.a
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MAGNETIC ISLAND FOR FREE! UNSPOILT BEACHES 23 secluded bays and beaches make Magnetic Island a must do Queensland stopover. Uncrowded and unspoilt - featuring fringing reef that can be snorkelled from the beach. WALKING TRAILS After all the relaxing on the beaches of Magnetic Island, the offering of 15km of walking trails through the National Park will show the diverse environments. KOALAS IN THE WILD The Forts Walk on Magnetic Island is the best spot to see koala’s in the wild at dusk and dawn. THE MOLTKE DIVE SITE The Moltke is a wreck dive accessible from the shore at Geoffrey Bay. The old cargo Boat has been here for over 70 years. The structure is fairly broken up providing many corners and holes for marine life to hide in. Depth: 2 - 8 metres.
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EVENTS FULL MOON PARTY Monthly. Base, Magnetic Island Phone: 07 4778 5777 www.stayatbase.com Magnetic Island is the home of Australia’s premier full moon party. The party raves on all night on the white sandy beach with top international DJ’s pumping out the tunes.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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MAGNETIC ISLAND WALKS HAWKINGS POINT Distance: 1.2km return Time: 60 mins Grade: easy The track begins at the easterly end of Picnic Street in Picnic Bay and winds to the top of a large boulder, affording views over the Island to Nelly and Geoffrey Bay and back towards Townsville. PICNIC BAY TO WEST POINT Distance: 16km return Time: 5 hours Grade: easy This walking track is actually a dirt road, however it is still a great walk. It begins near the golf course and follows the bush track linking the bays on the western side of the Island. The track passes a tidal wetland (look for wading birds, mud skippers, mangrove snails and fiddler crabs at low tide), mangroves, paperbark swamps and savanna grasslands. Don’t forget the insect spray. NELLY BAY TO ARCADIA BAY Distance: 5km one way Time: 2.5 hours Grade: moderate The track begins at the end of Mandalay Avenue in Nelly Bay and passes through a rainforest pocket, climbing gradually to the saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe Bays. The track continues along a ridge through open
forest with views over Horseshoe Bay. The track then branches - one track leading to Horseshoe Bay Road (where you can continue onto other tracks) and the other to Arcadia. THE FORTS WALK Distance: 4km return Time: 1 hour return Grade: moderate The track begins in the Forts carpark, located at the turn-off to Radical Bay on the Horseshoe Bay Road. The track follows a ridge behind the bays and arrives at the ruins of the Forts complex operated during World War II. Lookouts afford excellent views to the Palm Island Group in the north and Bowling Green Bay National Park in the south. ARTHUR, FLORENCE AND RADICAL BAYS Distance: 1.4km - 6 km return Time: 30 mins - 2 hours return Grade: easy Starting from the Forts carpark, an easy track leads down to these undeveloped bays, which provide excellent swimming and snorkelling. HORSESHOE BAY TO BALDING AND RADICAL BAYS Distance: 3.4km return Time: 60 mins return Grade: moderate The track begins at the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay beach and climbs through a steep gully of closed forest to an open eucalypt ridge. One branch of the track leads down to the secluded Balding Bay (popular with ‘sun lovers’) and the other continues onto Radical Bay north facing so it’s cool in summer and warm in winter. Both bays offer excellent swimming opportunities. From Radical you can continue on along the ungraded road to end up at the Forts carpark. FOR THE FIT AND ADVENTUROUS Time: A few hours (depends on drink and rest stops) Grade: Moderate to.. errr ...moderate Take in a day of walking from Nelly Bay to Horseshoe Bay and discover the entire beauty of the Island. This is the best time of the year. Stop at the many views and see wildlife along the way, including rock wallabies, koalas and an abundance of birdlife. All tracks join at various points with distances well marked. Be prepared for some uphill climbs, the views are rewarding. Once at Horseshoe Bay, reward yourself with a cold refreshing drink while waiting for the bus for the return trip. SAFETY TIPS To help protect the environment, and to make your stay more enjoyable: Take your time, stop often for rest breaks. On hot days, you can suffer heat exhaustion. Avoid the heat of the midday sun. Stay on track and take care on uneven or loose surfaces. Take care around cliffs, steep slopes and rock faces along the tracks and at lookouts. Always carry plenty of drinking water. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Wear sturdy footwear, not thongs. Take care for the environment as most of the island is National Park.
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sleep with a ! A L A O K A CROC &MAGNETIC ISLAND
5 Maggie Madness $9 VE 31 SA
BUNGALOW 2 NIGHTS ENSUITE Y + RETURN FERR R VOUCHER + $20 BAR & DINNE & MASK HIRE L + 1/2 DAY SNORKE MINS INTERNET 30 or Fi Wi + 2 HOURS FOOD + ROCK WALLABY *Upgrade $18pp to do
uble/twin bungalow
$
Koala ExpreFRsEEsko$al1a ph3ot0o! with
BUNGALOW 2 NIGHTS ENSUITE Y Y + RETURN FERR E KOALA SANCTUAR + ENTRY TO ONSIT O FOLDER + SOUVENIR PHOT VOUCHER R + $20 BAR & DINNE MASK HIRE & L KE OR SN Y + 1/2 DA 30MINS INTERNET + 2 HOURS WiFi or OD FO + ROCK WALLABY win bungalow *Upgrade $18pp to do
uble/t
41 Horseshoe Bay Rd, MAGNETIC ISLAND P 07 4778 5577
FREECALL 1800 285 577
Magnetic Island bus drops you off at our front2010 door!69 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au www.bungalowbay.com.au
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OUTBACK QUEENSLAND Nothing beats Queensland’s Outback. Rich with the tales and trappings of yesteryear, awe-inspiring landscapes and fair dinkum friendly locals, it’s a ‘big country’ waiting to be explored. On or off the beaten track, all roads lead to unexpected adventures and unforgettable experiences. A vast, rugged and unspoilt destination, Queensland’s Outback is synonymous with a real Australian experience that embraces the nation’s cultural heritage and pioneering spirit. Whether it’s scaling a rocky outcrop, scouring wetlands for a glimpse of rare birdlife, tackling the sand dunes of an infamous desert or riding the current of a rushing stream, the choices are only limited by how long you stay. Whatever the experience, Queensland’s Outback will not disappoint you. So isn’t it time you discovered Queensland’s backyard? GETTING AROUND There are so many ways to get around the Outback - regardless of whether you want to take the wheel, or sit back and enjoy the ride. Most of Queensland’s Outback is accessible by sedan, and towns are usually no more than
two hours apart. For the off-road enthusiast, there are plenty of opportunities to go bush and explore secret attractions, taking forgotten roads meandering through spectacular Outback scenery. Coach services operate to all major Outback centres along the Overlander’s Way from Townsville to Mount Isa, and on the Matilda Highway from Charleville to Karumba. If the romance of train travel lures you, Queensland Rail offers a variety of journeys. And finally, for those short on time, regular flights operated by QantasLink, Qantas and MacAir Airlines service many regional centres. MOUNT ISA Here you will discover where ancient beasts once roamed and experience spectacular Outback sunsets. Described as the Oasis of the Outback - a gleaming mirage on the horizon for travellers from all directions - Mount Isa nestles among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the banks of the Leichhardt River. A must see while in Mount Isa is the Outback at Isa complex, incorporating the award winning Riversleigh Fossil Centre, Hard Times Mine and Visitor Information Centre. Lake Moondarra is an artificial lake on the Leichhardt River, 16 km downstream from the town of Mount Isa. The lake is used for various recreational activities such as canoeing, sailing, boating, skiing, swimming, and fishing. Other facilities include picnic areas with tables, toilets, shelters, BBQs & drinking water. No dogs or camping are allowed at the lake, however the pet friendly AAOK Moondarra Accommodation Village is the closest accommodation to Lake Moondarra.
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The Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic is hosted every year on the last full weekend in October. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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NORTH QUEENSLAND Cooktown
44
Palm Cove CAIRNS
Mareeba
Gordonvale
Chillagoe
Atherton 25
1
63
Innisfail
AT BARR I E R R GRE
Cape Tribulation Port Douglas
Tully
Dunk Island Mission Beach
Cardwell
Hinchinbrook Island
EE
Ingham
F
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TOWNSVILLE Ayr A6
A1
Bowen Charters Towers
Whitsunday Islands Airlie Beach Collinsville
Proserpine
MACKAY Glenden To BRISBANE
100km www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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CAIRNS FOR FREE! CAIRNS ESPLANADE LAGOON A dip in the man-made lagoon overlooking the ocean is free, and the pool is bigger and better than anything you can get at a fancy resort. GO CLIMBING Get some exercise and climb Walsh’s Pyramid at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. OK it’s a bit more than just exercise. You’ll need to be hike-fit and have three hours (for the fittest) to scale its 922m and return to base. It’s worth the effort for the spectacular views at the summit. Just make sure you don’t go when it’s wet or you’ll be slipping around big-time. ARTY FARTY Fancy a bit of culture? Tanks Arts Centre has ongoing free visual arts exhibitions and Kick Arts offers an ongoing range of free exhibitions at Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts. BEACHES Trinity Beach is a small beach with a swimming enclosure during stinger season, a number of food shops for snacks, and a beach rental outfit that will rent you anything from a beach umbrella to a windsurfer. Palm Cove - A little further out, with fewer snack shops. There is a dock to walk on, and a long, long beach. Ellis Beach - This must be one of the prettiest beaches in Australia. About 30 minutes North of town, with one small café, and miles of nearly deserted beach, it is by far our favorite. Remember to follow the rules in stinger season. Bus service is available from downtown Cairns.
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EVENTS CAIRNS BLUES FESTIVAL 7 May. www.cairnsbluesfestival.com.au ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL 28 May. Cairns www.caff.net.au CAIRNS NIGHT MARKETS 5pm - 11pm. The Esplanade. www.nightmarkets.com.au CAIRNS ESPLANADE MARKETS Saturdays 8am - 5pm. The Esplanade www.cairnsesplanade.com.au TANKS SUNDAY MARKETS 28 November. 9am - 2pm. Tanks Arts Centre www.tanksartscentre.com
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FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND Far North Queensland offers a wide variety of things to do for the visitor, including plenty of activities and places to visit. Whatever you want you will find it, whether it is to the National Parks and waterfalls within the Atherton Tableland, the rainforests of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree, or diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The picturesque Far North Queensland offers something for everyone. Mission Beach is a natural midway point between Townsville and Cairns. It is an unspoilt tropical paradise of World Heritage rainforest fronting 14 kilometres of golden, sandy beach. Mission Beach offers as much to the adrenaline junkie and extreme sports enthusiast as to the holiday-maker after some peace and quiet. Some activities you may or may not decide to partcipate in are: Skydiving, white water rafting, sea kayaking, jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, hiking and sailing.
is the most northern sugar town in the whole of Australia. Worth visiting is the spectacular Mossman Gorge which offers some great walking trails and some good swimming spots. North from Mossman is the Daintree, which was once a logging town although is now famous for its wonderful Daintree River Cruises. A vehicle ferry also crosses the Daintree for travellers continuing north to Cape Tribulation. This whole area is home to the Greater Daintree Rainforest and makes up a large majority of the rainforest in Queensland today, which is half of the 0.3% in the whole of Australia. This is nothing when you think that Australia was almost covered completely in rainforest about 50 million years ago.
Cairns is a popular place to stop on your journey through Far North Queensland and is the gateway north to the Cape York Peninsula and west to the Atherton Tablelands.
If you do want to head to Cooktown from Cairns but don’t have a 4WD, you will need to head along the inland Cooktown Developmental Road. You can join this road from Mareeba in the Atherton Tablelands or continue north along the Captain Cook Highway and turn off just before you reach Mossman. However, you should check road conditions after rain as this route is also often blocked.
A great day trip from Cairns is out to Kuranda set within the Atherton Tableland. You can get here on the Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and it is well worth visiting.
Along this route you will pass the Black Mountain National Park, Lakeland, Mt Carbine, Mt Molloy and Palmer River. The Black Mountain National Park is made up of granite boulder hills.
Heading north from Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway, you will pass some wonderful coastal towns before reaching Port Douglas. These include Clifton Beach, Ellis Beach, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach, Oak Beach, Palm Cove, Pebbly Beach, Pretty Beach, Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob.
From Lakeland, just east of Cooktown, you can head north again along the Peninsula Developmental Road which you can take to the top of the Cape York Peninsula.
The peninsula is also called the Tip, and marks the northern most point of Australia’s mainland. This road can get very rough, and so it is best to Just north of Port Douglas is Mossman, which take a 4WD. www.aussiebackpacker.com.au 76 MAY - JUNE 2011
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DAINTREE CAPE TRIBULATION The Daintree River ferry is the gateway to the solitary place on the planet where two World Heritage areas unite. The Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef - majestic and unsurpassed in biological significance. BEACHES A fully-fledged Daintree Rainforest experience just wouldn’t be the same without an indulgent immersion along any of the magnificent beaches that mark the meeting place between the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef’s Coral Sea. Expansive, pristine and for the most part exclusive to the visitor, the beaches of the Daintree capture the very essence of paradise. • Cape Kimberley is the beach closest to the Daintree River and offers a great beach walk to the mouth of the Daintree River. • Cow Bay Beach is the ideal place for those looking for a ‘deserted beach’ experience. • Thornton Beach is a great place to walk and experience ‘where the rainforest meets the reef’. • Noah Beach is accessed via the only National Park Camping Ground and extends from the impassible rocky headlands of Noah Range in the north to the mouth of Noah Creek, also prime crocodile habitat. • Coconut Beach can be seen from the main road, just before you arrive at Cape Tribulation. • Myall Beach is located on the southerly side of the Cape Tribulation headland. It is a popular swimming spot, when jellyfish are not considered to be a danger (between May and August). • Emmagen Beach is located about 5 kilometres north of Cape Tribulation. A Giant Strangler Fig about 800 metres south of Emmagen Creek marks the start of a rough track that leads through to the beach. Do not swim here as a crocodiles frequent the area. It is possible to walk back along the coast to Cape Tribulation Beach, if it is low tide.
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• South Cowie Beach, for travellers with 4WD capabilities, is a great palce to explore. DAINTREE DISCOVERY CENTRE Cnr Cape Tribulation Rd & Tulip Oak Rd, Cow Bay. Phone: (07) 4098 9171 A world class ecotourism facility nestled in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. Located 10kms north of the Daintree River Ferry, the multiaward winning Centre allows visitors to enjoy the rainforest at every level — from the forest floor to the upper-most reaches of the canopy. The Centre boasts a 23m high Canopy Tower, the spectacular Aerial Walkway, Rainforest Boardwalks, a large indoor interpretive display area, cafe and souvenir shop. CAPE TRIBULATION Cape Tribulation is in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, home to some of the oldest rainforest on the planet, and this Word Heritage listed rainforest is adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. The Daintree is the only destination in the world where two World Heritage areas meet. There are many things to do in the Cape Tribulation area. Plan to spend at least 3-4 days. Some of the tours and activities at Cape Tribulation include: • An ocean or reef adventure, such as snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or paddling the coastline in a sea kayak • Exploring the Daintree Rainforest by guided walks, jungle surfing, by 4WD, and on horseback • Cruising the rivers, looking for wildlife, spotting crocodiles, and birdwatching • Tasting exotic tropical fruit • Walking in Daintree National Park • Chilling out on the deserted beaches • Relaxing and enjoying the beautiful rainforest and the great climate!
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SEE THE JUNGLE FLYING There’s a new species in the world’s oldest rainforest… the JUNGLE SURFER. Set in the world-renowned Daintree Rainforest at Cape Tribulation, around 2½ hours north of Cairns, the multi award-winning Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours take you on a unique rainforest tour where your feet don’t touch the ground. FLY THROUGH THE TREES Seated comfortably in full body harnesses, Jungle Surfers fly through the trees on flying fox ziplines, stopping at five eco-friendly tree platforms to take in spectacular bird’s eye views over the treetops, down to cascading streams and out to the Great Barrier Reef. AMAZING PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES The longest span is over 75 metres and the platforms range from 2.5m to 19.5m in height, offering an ‘upclose and personal’ experience at all levels of the rainforest canopy, and incredible photo opportunities. LEARN WHILE YOU SURF The tour’s a mixture of exhilaration and education, and the abseiling and scientist guides share their wit and wisdom and an insight into the world’s oldest rainforest and life in Australia’s largest sustainable energy community throughout the tour. FLY HANDS-FREE & CARE-FREE The team also use a unique system to control your flight along the ziplines, making this the only flying fox in the world where you can fly hands-free and carefree, without any previous experience. You are safely attached to the structures at all times, so you can relax and enjoy the ride! ENVIRO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION The whole tour leaves a minimal environmental footprint, with platforms attached to trees by a unique friction system and not a single nail or bolt penetrating the tree trunks. DARE TO DANGLE UPSIDEDOWN Jungle Surfing will show you their vibrant emerald world, teach you a few of its secrets, make you laugh and maybe even make you scream a little! And the flight choice is yours – slow, fast or even upsidedown, if you dare! TOUR DEPARTURES & DURATION One of Queensland’s ‘must do’ experiences, Jungle Surfing lasts 2 hours, with around 1¼ hours spent up in the rainforest canopy. There are eight tours daily, with courtesy transfers from all accommodation within Cape Tribulation. Tours cost $90 per person and run in all weathers. Don’t miss out – get high in the Daintree!
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DARWIN FOR FREE! EAST POINT RESERVE The main attraction at this reserve is the artificial lake, Lake Alexandra. You can swim, windsurf or just splash around without the threat of jellyfish or crocodiles. The evenings here are just magical, with wallabies apprearing around sunset to graze. The park also has a great boardwalk which winds through mangrove and coastal monsoon forests. FANNIE BAY GAOL MUSEUM This is Darwin’s former jail and has been turned into a museum. Star exhibits include cells and gallows. MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY The highlights at this combined museum and art gallery include a remarkable collection of Aboriginal art and artefacts, such as carvings and bark paintings from Arnhem Land, Bathurst Island and Melville Island.
EVENTS
STATE SQUARE State Square is where you’ll find all the government buildings, conveniently located right near each other. Some of these buildings, like Parliament House, hold free guided tours each weekend. The Supreme Court, with its amazing mosaic foyer, is definately worth a visit.
BASS IN THE GRASS 21 May. Darwin Amphitheatre www.bassinthegrass.com.au
DARWIN CITY RAINFOREST The Darwin City rainforest in Doctors Gully is an unexpected bonus to anyone visiting the fish feeding or walking down from the Esplanade. The area has a colourful history, site of the first freshwater well in the new settlement, but today is a quiet boardwalk through dense rainforest.
MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKETS Till October. Mindil Beach Thursdays 5pm - 10pm Sundays 4pm - 9pm www.mindil.com.au
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ALICE SPRINGS BEANIE FESTIVAL 24 - 27 June. Araluen Precinct www.beaniefest.org
DECKCHAIR CINEMA Nightly April - November www.deckchaircinema.com
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ULURU WALKS The Uluru climb is the traditional route taken by ancestral Mala men upon their arrival to Uluru. Anangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance. Anangu have not closed the climb. They prefer that you - out of education and understanding - choose to respect their law and culture by not climbing. Remember that you are a guest on Anangu land. Anangu traditionally have a duty to safeguard visitors to their land. They feel great sadness when a person dies or is hurt. • Please visit the Cultural Centre to learn more about the significance of Uluru in Anangu law and culture before you decide whether to climb. • Explore the other walks available around the Park. • Follow safety information when you are visiting the Park. BASE OF ULURU Moderate. 9.8km. 3-4 hours This walk reveals the natural beauty and rich culture of Uluru. You will be following the footsteps of the ancestral beings that shaped the landscape, and by choosing to walk around Uluru instead of climbing, you will be respecting Tjukurpa and Anangu wishes. Starting at the cultural centre, proceed down the Liru Track. Continue clockwise around the base of Uluru, returning to the cultural centre via the Liru Track. If you choose instead to start the base walk at either the Mala or Kuniya car parks, please visit the cultural centre first for important safety advice, cultural knowledge and general information. LIRU WALK Easy. 4km. 1.5 hours This walk will take you between the cultural centre FREE GUIDED WALKS Free Ranger guided walks run daily from the Base of Uluru. Guided along a shaded track, the Rangers tell the story of the Mala (rufous hare wallaby) Tjukurpa, and describe the history and traditions associated with Uluru, including traditional and contemporary Anangu life and culture, rock art, and the management of the Park.
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and the base of Uluru. The track winds through stands of wanari (mulga) and after rain, often displays colourful flowers. This walk is wheelchair accessible. MALA WALK AND KANTJU GORGE NORTH-WEST SIDE OF ULURU Easy. 2km. 1 hour. This track begins at the Mala Walk car-park and ends at the inspiring Kantju Gorge. Purchase the ‘An Insight into Uluru’ booklet or follow the signs to learn about Anangu perceptions of Uluru. You will learn about Mala Tjukurpa and see where dramatic events took place during creation times. There are many fine examples of Anangu rock art along the way. From the waterhole you can continue on the Base Walk or stroll back to the car-park. This walk is wheelchair accessible. KUNIYA WALK AND MUTITJULU WATERHOLE SOUTHERN SIDE OF ULURU Easy. 1km. 45 minutes. From the Kuniya car park, visitors can walk the short track to this special waterhole, home of Wanampi, an ancestral watersnake. Following the signs or using the ‘An Insight into Uluru’ booklet, learn more about the Tjukurpa of Kuniya in this area. A rock shelter, used in the past by Aboriginal people still living today, contains rock art. This walk is wheelchair accessible. DUNE WALK - BUS SUNSET CAR PARK Easy. 1km. 30 minutes. Takes you along a sand dune with views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Look for animal tracks, compare sand dune vegetation with the woodland stretching towards Kata Tjuta.
The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours and is wheelchair accessible. WALK SCHEDULE Departs 8am from October - April Departs 10am from May - September
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NT ATTRACTIONS KAKADU NATIONAL PARK No visit to the Top End of the Northern Territory can ever be complete unless you experience the magnificent Kakadu National Park. It is supremely beautiful and immensely important for its Aboriginal history and unique ecology. The 19,000 square kilometre World Heritage listed park is 260km east of Darwin on the sealed Arnhem Highway. Most accessible in the
dry season from May to September, it is at its most spectacular in the Wet as evening storms deluge the land creating massive lakes teaming with birdlife. Though you may not be able to see the entire park’s most beautiful places, such as Jim Jim and Twin Falls, any time is the right time to go to Kakadu. What you do see you will never forget.
TERRITORY WILDLIFE PARK The Territory Wildlife Park is an excellent introduction to the wildlife of the Northern Territory. About 60 kilometres south of Darwin, the park covers 400 hectares (about 1000 acres) in natural bushland. There are 6 kilometres of walking trails through this multi-award winning park, and a free shuttle train link between major exhibits. Allow at least four hours to
enjoy the park where kangaroos roam free and there are hundreds of birds. Animals are kept in their natural habitats. Just 45 minutes drive from Darwin on the Cox Peninsula Road a few minutes off the Stuart Highway, the park is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm. Entry closes at 4pm, but two hours is simply not enough.
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK Litchfield National Park is a largely pristine wilderness with monsoon rainforest, large groves of cycads (plants resembling palms), the impressive Tabletop Range and a network of creeks and waterfalls. You can drive from Darwin into the western corner of the park in two hours if you choose the partly unsealed Cox Peninsula Road, or take a little longer on sealed
roads through Batchelor via the Stuart Highway and enter Litchfield from the east. Roads allow access to several waterfalls, though in most cases you have to take a hike before you can cool off in the pools below. The easiest access is to Wangi Falls, which has a pool, barbecue facilities, and an interpretive walk.
THE OLGAS Kata Tjuta is the Aboriginal name for The Olgas and means ‘many heads’. The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) is a spectacular group of 36 massive red rock outcrops separated by narrow valleys and covering 35 square kilometres about 50 kilometres from Ayers Rock. The highest is Mount Olga which rises 546 metres above the desert floor. Many visitors find The Olgas even
more inspiring than Ayers Rock. There are walks from an hour to five hours through the gorges and around the outcrops, though restrictions apply if it is forecast the temperature will exceed 36 degrees Centigrade. Here too you can learn what makes the formation so important to the Aboriginal people.
KINGS CANYON Kings Canyon is one of the most beautiful sights in the Territory. The canyon is about 230 kilometres south west of Alice Springs off the Stuart Highway. Watarrka National Park holds its secret tightly, revealing little to the traveller arriving at its gates. The surprise comes when this extraordinary chasm suddenly reveals itself, its sandstone walls plunging over three
hundred feet into the earth. This is paradise for the serious and very fit walker who can handle the steep rise to the rock domes at the top of the canyon to enjoy the breathtaking views below. It is a challenging four hour hike. The highlights are the weathered outcrops known as the Lost City and the Garden of Eden, a palm grove around a tranquil waterhole.
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PERTH
FOR FREE! KINGS PARK Located just a few minutes from the city, this natural bushland is at its most impressive in spring when the wildflowers bloom. A picnic reserve, a war memorial, a floral clock and many beautiful nature walks are just some of the attractions on offer PERTH’S BEACHES Perth has magnificent beaches. Some of the top picks include Cottesloe Civic Centre, which boasts beautiful gardens; Scarborough, which has markets on the weekend; and Swanbourne, which is famous for being a nudist beach. FREE TRANSIT ZONE This is a district in the centre of the city where all bus and train travel is free. Jumping on a bus or a train is a cheap and environmentally friendly way to see the city. For timetable information on this FREE service go to www.transperth.wa.gov.au
EVENTS WILD WEST COMEDY FESTIVAL 18 - 29 May. See website for venues. www.wildwestcomedy.com.au FREMANTLE HERITAGE FESTIVAL 27 May - 6 June PERTH UPMARKET 26 June. 10am - 4pm. Winthrop Hall, University WA, Crawley www.perthupmarket.com.au PERTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 14 - 24 July www.revelationfilmfest.org
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EXPERIENCE PERTH Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth enjoys 3000 hours of sunshine a year. No wonder it’s been voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. Locals here enjoy a relaxed outdoors lifestyle, as does the neighbouring port city of Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan River. The line-up of water-based fun includes boating, fishing and all dialogues of surfing. Fremantle’s majestic historic architecture takes you back in time, while its marine heritage draws you to the ocean and a short ferry ride to Rottnest Island. Endless beaches stretch from Experience Perth’s famous Cottesloe Beach up the coast towards Lancelin - Western Australia’s windsurfing and sandboarding mecca. For an awesome view of the Swan River, the city and the Darling escarpment, head to Kings Park and the Federation Walkway, where you can also wander among the treetops. Or drive south to Rockingham and Mandurah for dolphins, foreshore picnicking and excellent crabbing. The intricate inland waterways lacing this area are perfect for anyone who loves to mess about on the river.
B A C K PA C K E R S
P E R T H
IN WORK H PERT
FAST BREAK D
AN ET INTERN
• Breakfast • Internet • Help with work • DVD & TV Room • Linen & Dishes/Crockery • Nightclub passes • Book Exchange
PH: (08) 9227 1818 24 Hour 0417 927 529 133 Summers Street. Perth rainbowlodge_perth@hotmail.com • www. rainbowlodge.com.au
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• Friendly helpful staff • Great location • Backyard & BBQ Areas • Huge Car Park • Foxtel & Table Tennis • 2 Kitchens
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ADELAIDE FOR FREE! CITY LOOP & BEE-LINE BUSES Both these bus services are free of charge and run frequently through the city. The City Look bus traces a circular path through the city and goes in both directions every 15 to 20 minutes. The Bee-line route is a bit shorter, running along King William Street and North Terrace every 5 to 12 minutes. MOUNT LOFTY SUMMIT This is one of the most spectacular lookouts in Adelaide, and provides sweeping views of the plains below. Go at night for an even more incredible panorama. ST KILDA MANGROVE TRAIL St Kilda is located north of Adelaide and features and incredibly extensive mangrove ecosystem. There is a boardwalk trail that runs for 1.7km through this fragile environment. This is a must-see for those with an interest in ecology and nature. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Adelaide is sometimes referred to as the City of Churches, so a trip to this beautiful city wouldn’t be complete without seeing one of them! Holy Trinity Church, located on North Terrace, is also known as the Pioneer Church of South Australia and boasts a clock made by the clockmaker to King Edward IV. ADELAIDE BOTANIC GARDEN This is one of the most popular open areas in Adelaide city. It covers 16 hectares and encompasses the Bicentennial Conservatory as well as the Victorian Palm House. It’s a great place to spend a laid-back day, with beautifully maintained gardens, shady trees and serene lakes.
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EVENTS SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL 26 - 29 May www.spanishfilmfestival.com SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 3 - 13 June. Riverland www.riverlandcountrymusic.com ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL 10 - 25 June www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
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KANGAROO ISLAND Kangaroo Island is in the top 5 visited places in Australia. Kangaroo Island is located about 2 hours drive and a 45 minute boat ride from Adelaide, South Australia Kangaroo Island is approx. 155km long by 50km wide. With around 4,500 people and 18,000 koalas, it is easy to see why Kangaroo Island is such a popular place to see many of Australia’s cute and cuddly wildlife. With amazing sights, rock formations and native untouched bushland as well as some of the best beaches in Australia, Kangaroo Island is a must see for every traveller visiting Australia. AUTUMN: MARCH - MAY Pastures begin to green and waterways and catchments begin to flow. Autumn is a time of transition, with some rainfall gradually providing the wildlife with fresh growth to feed on. • Glossy Black cockatoos and Little Penguins begin nesting. • Black swans begin their courtship behaviour of wing-raising, neck-stretching and loud trumpeting.
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• Fungi start to appear on damp ground and rotting wood. FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK Marvel at Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, just two of the many amazing land formations within the 33,000-hectare Flinders Chase National Park. There’s also the 1909 Cape du Couedic lighthouse and wildlife aplenty, including kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and the endangered Cape Barren geese. Start with a visit to the fabulous Flinders Chase Visitor Centre. SURF AND SUN ADVENTURE Surf & Sun offer great 2 day Kangaroo Island tours for backpacker/adventure/budget travellers. Small groups with a maximum of 21 people, unique accommodation and unique activities including Learn to Surf, Kayaking, optional Quad bike tours, Birds of Prey Show at Vivonne Bay, Hiking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Body Boarding, Sand boarding and more make Surf & Sun Kangaroo Island Tours a stand out Kangaroo Island Tour that provides award winning experiences on Kangaroo Island.
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MELBOURNE FOR FREE! CITY CIRCLE TRAM The City Circle Tram is FREE. You’ll recognise it by its distinctive burgundy and cream colouring. It will take you past some of the most interesting attractions that Melbourne has to offer and bring you right back to where you started. For timetable information on this FREE service go to www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au FITZROY GARDENS One of the most interesting things in the Fitzroy Gardens is Captain Cook’s cottage. After he discovered Australia, the cottage in which his parents lived was brought to Australia (stone by stone) from Yorkshire and painstakingly reconstructed. The garden also has a wonderful Tudor village and landscaped parklands. FEDERATION SQUARE Take a walk around this interestingly designed structure and make up your own mind as to whether it’s a marvel or an eyesore (a point hotly disputed by many Melbournians). WILLIAMSTOWN Williamstown is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s city centre. A former maritime village, it now boasts a heritage walk that will take you past beautiful historic buildings and old-style pubs. YARRA RIVER Melbourne’s iconic river is yours for the exploring. Flinders Walk starts at Flinders Street Station and crosses the footbridge and is a great place to start a walk up and down the river banks. A Great place to stop is the Alexandra Gardens, which are located just behind Princes Bridge.
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EVENTS TOORAK VILLAGE FESTIVAL OF SCULPTURE 1 - 31 May www.tooraksculpture.com.au CONTINUUM 7 10 - 13 June www.continuum.org.au MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL 19 - 26 June www.miaf.net MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL 19 - 24 July www.melbournecabaret.com
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PHILLIP ISLAND An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne, with easy access by bridge, Phillip Island offers an array of wildlife and wonderous attractions. Visitors can see the world famous Little Penguins on their nightly pilgrimage or get up close and personal with koalas, Australian fur seals and an array of Australian wildlife. Scattered about the island are restaurants and cafes galore. Food and wine experiences encompass local produce including Island meats, local seafood, trout, bush tucker and sweet treats at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. The award winning Phillip Island Nature Park provides up close and personal wildlife and eco experiences at its attraction across the Island including the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and The Nobbies. Maru Koala and Animal Park provides two hour cruises to the largest colony of Australian fur seals. Scenic helicopter flights, high octane action at Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, trout fishing, Aussie Barbeques, Australian flora viewing or mind-boggling activities at A Maze N Things are all on offer. PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS As a not-for profit, award winning leader in eco-tourism, Phillip Island Nature Parks has the highest number of ‘Advanced Ecotourism’ products of any tourism operator in Victoria and the second highest in Australia.
ensured the protection of Phillip Island’s wildlife and their habitat including, Little Penguins, koalas, Short-tailed Shearwaters, Hooded Plovers and Australian Fur Seals. The Nature Park provides many kilometres of free boardwalks and tracks with interpretive signage for visitors to enjoy and learn about the Nature Park without negatively impacting on the environment. The Nature Park manages 4 main attractions: • Penguin Parade • Koala Conservation Centre • Churchill Island Heritage Farm • The Nobbies Centre FREE attractions managed by the Nature Park: • Rhyll Inlet & wetlands - walking tracks, boardwalks. A bird lover’s paradise. • Cape Woolamai - surf beach and walking tracks • Pyramid Rock - spectacular coastal walking tracks 3 PARK PASS The best way to explore Phillip Island Nature Parks is with a 3 Park Pass. The 3 Parks Pass offers discounted entry into: • Penguin Parade (General admission. May be upgraded to premium viewing options) • Koala Conservation Centre • Churchill Island Heritage Farm (Entry to The Nobbies Centre is FREE) Cost: Adult $36
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HOBART FOR FREE! BATTERY POINT Take a walk around the historic maritime village of Battery Point. There are tiny fishermen’s cottages, larger homes and quaint pubs. MOUNT WELLINGTON Drive to the top of Mount Wellington for great views of Hobart and the Derwent Valley. It can be windy and cold at the top even when it is warm and sunny in Hobart. SALAMANCA PLACE Visit Salamanca Place, where historic warehouses have been given a new life as art and craft galleries. Don`t miss the Salamanca Market, held each Saturday in Salamanca Place. On sale there are arts and crafts, together with food stalls and street theatre. QUEENS DOMAIN Take a relaxing walk through Queens Domain, a bushland reserve adjoining the city. The Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens sits near Pavilion Point, surrounded by a convict-built wall. CITY WALK Take a walk along Davey and Macquarie Streets in the city, where you will see many historic buildings, including the Town Hall, 40 Macquarie Street (Hobart’s oldest building), the Commissariat Store and the Bond Store. CONSTITUTION DOCK Walk along Constitution Dock, watching the activity of the port. This is the arrival point for the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
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EVENTS
LUMINA May - August http://lumina.discovertasmania.com CHOCOLATE WINTERFEST 10 July. Latrobe www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au
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WORK IN AUSTRALIA IMPORTANT INFO WHAT DO I NEED TO START WORK? • A valid Australian work visa • Bank account In most cases you need a bank account to receive your pay. • Tax File Number (TFN) This is most important. You need a TFN for your tax file number declaration. • TFN Declaration You must complete a TFN declaration for each employer for whom you work. Your employer calculates the tax rate you pay with information you provide on this form. If you do not give your TFN, you will pay the maximum rate of tax. Your employer will give you a TFN declaration to complete. • Occupational health, safety and welfare Employers have a duty to protect your health and safety in the work place. When you start a new job, your employer must give you instruction, training and supervision on health and safety matters. Depending on the job you have, your employer will supply you with safety clothing and equipment.
USEFUL CONTACTS NATIONAL HARVEST TELEPHONE INFORMATION SERVICE www.harvesttrail.gov.au Phone 1800 062 332 for information on harvest labour wages, working conditions or accommodation.You can download a Harvest Guide here: www.jobsearch.gov.au/HarvestTrail/ Documents/NationalHarvestGuide.pdf AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACE www.workplace.gov.au Contact Australian WorkPlace for all information on finding work, careers and training, and other labour market information. DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP www.immi.gov.au Contact DIAC for all information on visiting and working in Australia including Visas and associated details. AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE www.ato.gov.au Contact the Australian Taxation Office for all information on the Australian taxation system including Tax File Numbers and associated details. TRAVELLERS AT WORK www.taw.com.au Travellers at Work is an Australian based Job Search Club for Working Holiday Visa travellers.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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HARVEST GUIDE DARWIN Katherine Kununurra Mareeba Dimbulah Atherton/Ravenshoe
NT
Broome
Cairns Innisfail Tully
Giru
Townsville Ayr
Ti Tree
Bowen
Alice Springs
WA
Carnavon
Emerald
Rockhampton Gin Gin Bundaberg Childers Gayndah Mundubbera Murgon Caboolture Gatton/Laidley
St George
SA PERTH
Yeppoon
QLD
BRISBANE Dirranbandi Stanthorpe
NSW Berri Barmera Monash Renmark Paringa
Port Augusta
Mungindi Moree
Lismore
Narrabri / Wee Waa Warren
Coffs Harbour
Trangie Narromine / Dubbo
Loxton Hunter Valley Cadell Waikerie Hillston Orange Angaston / Lyndoch / Nooriootpa Wentworth Tanunda Forbes Griffith / Leeton Gol Gol Clare Mildura Young Euston Nangolic Hay Jugiong Robinvale McLaren Vale Tooleybuck Tamut Beverford Longhorne Creek Batlow Swan Hill Lake Boga Shepparton Cobram Coonawarra Tumbarumba Tatura Wangaratta Penola Myrtleford Yarra Valley Beechworth Stanley Koo Wee Rup
Margaret River Frankland Manjimup Mt Barker Albany Denmark
Boonah Byron Bay Ballina
Newcastle
SYDNEY
ADELAIDE
CANBERRA
VIC
MELBOURNE
Bairnsdale Maffra
Mornington Peninsula
Devonport Smithton Launceston / Scottsdale Ulverstone Deloraine
TAS
New Norfolk Huonville
Richmond
HOBART
TASMANIA HARVEST PERIOD January - May, November - December
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
Apples
Launceston, Ulverstone, Burnie, Devonport, Huonville, Richmond
January - April, June, November - December
Cherries
Burnie, Devonport, Huonville, New Norfolk, Richmond
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Launceston, Huonville, New Norfolk, Richmond
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Devonport, Huonville, Richmond
All year round
Tomatoes
Ulverstone
All year round
Vegetables
Launceston, Ulverstone, Burnie, Devonport, Richmond, Deloraine, Smithton
May - October
Grape Pruning
Launceston, Huonville, New Norfolk, Richmond
January - May, October - December
Berries
Devonport, Huonville
February - March
Hop Picking
Ulverstone, New Norfolk
October
Hop Stringing
Ulverstone, New Norfolk, Scottsdale
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QUEENSLAND
Harvest Labour Providers located in Stanthorpe, Mundubbera, Gyndah, Mareeba, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Kuranda
HARVEST PERIOD
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
January - May, November - December
Apples
Stanthorpe
January - May, August - December
Asparagus
Mundubbera
January, November - December
Cotton
Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, St George, Emerald
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Gayndah, Mundubbera, Stanthorpe, St George, Emerald, Cunnamulla
January - February, September - October, November - December
Mangoes
Bowen, Mundubbera, Stanthorpe, Mareeba, Bundaberg, Childers, Dimbulah, Ayr, Yeppoon, Gin Gin, Giru
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Bowen, Murgon, Stanthorpe
January, November - December
Onion
St George, Gatton, Boonah (the Scenic Rim), Laidley (Lockyer Valley)
All year round
Citrus
Gayndah, Mundubbera, Mareeba, Atherton, Emerald, Bundaberg, Gin Gin
All year round
Tomatoes
Bowen, Murgon, Stanthorpe, Bundaberg, Childers, Gatton, Ayr, Boonah (the Scenic Rim), Laidley (Lockyer Valley)
All year round
Vegetables
Bowen, Stanthorpe, St George, Atherton, Bundaberg, Childers, Gatton, Ayr, Boonah (the Scenic Rim), Laidley (Lockyer Valley), Gin Gin, Giru
May - Octtober
Grape Picking
Gayndah, Mundubbera, Stanthorpe, Emerald
January - June, December
Tropical Fruits
Mareeba, Atherton, Dimbulah, Sunshine Coast
February - March
Pears
Stanthorpe
January - May, October - December
Berries
Caboolture, Sunshine Coast
All year round
Wool
Stanthorpe, St George
March - November
Avocados
Mareeba, Atherton, Bundaberg, Childers, Dimbulah, Gin Gin
All year round
Bananas
Mareeba, Atherton, Innisfail, Tully
January - June, August - December
Melons
Bowen, St George, Emerald, Bundaberg, Gatton, Ayr, Chinchilla, Boonah (the Scenic Rim), Laidley (Lockyer Valley)
January - March, November - December
Lychee
Mareeba, Childers, Dimbulah, Yeppoon
March - November
Sugar Cane
Bowen, Bundaberg, Ayr, Innisfail, Tully, Mackay, Giru
February - November
Pineapple
Yeppon, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Harvest Labour Provider located in Darwin
HARVEST PERIOD
CROP
TOWNS
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Ti Tree
January - February, September - October, November - December
Mangoes
Darwin, Katherine
All year round
Citrus
Darwin, Katherine
All year round
Vegetables
Darwin
May - October
Grape Pruning
Ti Tree
January - June, December
Tropical Fruits
Darwin, Katherine
All year round
Bananas
Darwin
All year round
Cut Flowers
Darwin
January - June, August - December
Melons
Darwin, Katherine
REFERENCE
Last updated: October 2010. For a detailed map please see the nearest Information Centre. For more information on Harvest Work please contact National Harvest Information Service 1800 062 332
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Harvest Labour Providers located in Wentworth, Young, Moree, Narrabri, Griffith
HARVEST PERIOD
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
January - May, November - December
Apples
Batlow, Forbes, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Orange, Sydney Basin
January - May, August - December
Asparagus
Wentworth, Gol Gol
January - April, June, November - December
Cherries
Batlow, Hillston, Young, Forbes, Tumbarumba, Orange
January, November - December
Cotton
Warren, Wee Waa, Narromine, Narrabri, Moree, Hillston, Dubbo, Mungindi, Trangie, Bourke
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Griffith, Hillston, Leeton, Wentworth, Euston, Gol Gol, Tooleybuc, Young, Forbes, Bourke, Jugiong, Tumbarumba, Orange, Hunter Valley
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Batlow, Griffith, Hillston, Leeton, Tooleybuc, Young, Forbes, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Sydney Basin
January, November - December
Onion
Griffith, Hillston, Hay
All year round
Citrus
Narromine, Griffith, Hillston, Leeton, Wentworth, Gol Gol, Tooleybuc, Bourke, Sydney Basin
All year round
Tomatoes
Griffith, Forbes
All year round
Vegetables
Griffith, Hillston, Leeton, Wentworth, Gol Gol, Tooleybuc, Hay, Sydney Basin
May - October
Grape Pruning
Griffith, Wentworth, Euston, Gol Gol, Tooleybuc, Young, Jugiong, Tumbarumbah, Orange
February - March
Pears
Batlow
January - May, October - December
Berries
Batlow, Young, Tumbarumbah, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour
All year round
Wool
Wentworth, Dubbo, Forbes, Bourke, Orange, Hay
March - November
Avocados
Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Sydney Basin
January - June, August - December
Melons
Bourke, Hay
April - September
Nuts
Moree, Tumbarumbah, Ballina, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour
January - March, November - December
Lychee
Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore, Coffs Harbour
VICTORIA
Harvest Labour Providers located in Cobram, Shepparton, Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill
HARVEST PERIOD
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
January - May, November - December
Apples
Cobram, Shepparton, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley
January - May, August - December
Asparagus
Mildura, Robinvale, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Koo Wee Rup
January - April, June, November - December
Cherries
Cobram, Shepparton, Beechworth, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Mildura, Swan Hill, Robinvale, Nyah, Echuca, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Yarra Valley
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Cobram, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Nyah, Echuca
January, November - December
Onion
Bairnsdale
All year round
Citrus
Cobram, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Nyah
All year round
Tomatoes
Cobram, Shepparton, Echuca, Bairnsdale
All year round
Vegetables
Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Robinvale, Nyah, Bairnsdale
May - October
Grape Pruning
Mildura, Swan Hill, Robinvale, Nyah, Echuca, Myrtleford, Beechworth
February - March
Pears
Yarra Valley
January - May, October - December
Berries
Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley Mildura, Swan Hill
All year round
Cotton
February - March
Hop Picking
Myrtleford
April - September
Nuts
Myrtleford
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Harvest Labour Providers located in Berri, McLaren Vale
HARVEST PERIOD
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
January - May, November - December
Apples
Berri, Loxton, Renmark, Barmera, Penola, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra
January - April, June, November - December
Cherries
Renmark, Barmera, Penola, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Berri, Loxton, McLaren Vale, Waikerie, Cadell, Renmark, Paringa, Langhorne Creek, Tanunda, Barmera, Penola, Angaston, Clare, Lyndoch, Nuriootpa, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Cadell, Renmark, Paringa, Barmera
All year round
Citrus
Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Cadell, Renmark, Paringa, Barmera
All year round
Vegetables
Berri, Loxton, Penola, Coonawarra
May - October
Grape Pruning
Berri, Loxton, McLaren Vale, Waikerie, Cadell, Renmark, Paringa, Langhorne Creek, Tanunda, Barmera, Penola, Angaston, Clare, Lyndoch, Nuriootpa, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra
February - March
Pears
Berri, Loxton, Renmark, Barmera, Adelaide Hills
All year round
Wool
McLaren Vale
March - November
Avocados
Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Barmera
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Harvest Labour Provider located in Kununurra
HARVEST PERIOD January - May, November - December
CROP
TOWNS
REFERENCE
Apples
Manjimup, Perth Hills
January - April, June, November - December
Cherries
Mount Barker
January - June, October - December
Grape Picking
Carnavon, Manjimup, Margaret River, Albany, Denmark, Frankland, Mount Barker, Swan Valley
January - February, September - December
Mangoes
Carnavon, Kununurra
January - May, October - December
Stone Fruits
Manjimup, Perth Hills
All year round
Citrus
Kununurra
All year round
Tomatoes
Carnavon
All year round
Vegetables
Carnavon, Manjimup
May - October
Grape Pruning
Carnavon, Manjimup, Margaret River, Albany, Denmark, Frankland, Mount Barker, Swan Valley
February - March
Pears
Manjimup
January - May, October - December
Berries
Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker
All year round
Wool
Mount Barker
All year round
Bananas
Carnavon
January - June, August - December
Melons
Carnavon, Kununurra
April - July
Tree Planting
Kununurra
June - September
Corn
Kununurra
May - November
Pumpkin
Kununurra
May - August
Olives
Frankland
For more information NATIONAL HARVEST INFORMATION SERVICE 1800 062 332 Or check out the website for harvest labour providers or to download a copy of the National Harvest Guide www.harvesttrail.gov.au www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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WORKING IN THE OUTBACK Have you ever thought of working on a sheep or cattle station, farm or host farm? Visitoz offers this: fresh air, exercise, good country food and a different lifestyle. Working on a farm is the best way of saving money - you will be paid award wages (or better) and there is nothing to spend the money on, unless you are a smoker. All your food and accommodation is provided, so everything you are paid you can save until you blow it all on bungy jumping, white water rafting and diving in the tourist spots afterwards. Australia is so large that there is always masses of work everywhere in the bush, from the big
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cattle and sheep stations (yard work, fencing & maintenance) to preparing ground for some crops and harvesting others - machinery is used for this. Further south there is pony trekking, trail riding, work with polo ponies and race horses, sheep work and work on the horse or cattle stud farms. Anyone with a truck licence or the ability to drive well can learn to operate a tractor. To be really skillful takes a little longer! Visitoz will teach you the basics and you get the choice of jobs suitable for your skills and those you have just acquired. There is always hospitality work in the rural hotels, pubs and roadhouses. PHONE NOW 07 4168 6185
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LOCKYER VALLEY The Lockyer Valley is an area of rich farmlands that lies to the west of Brisbane and east of Toowoomba. The Lockyer Valley is rated among the top ten most fertile farming areas in the world. The intensively cultivated area grows the most diverse range of commercial fruit and vegetables of any area in Australia and is often referred to as “South East Queensland’s Salad Bowl”. There are many interesting things to see and do in the Lockyer Valley. From the beautiful Laidley Valley in the south with Mulgowie at its heart, to the historic and pretty township of Laidley. The main town in the Lockyer Valley, Gatton, has the longest history of the region, and many well maintained old buildings, 5 of which are hotels. Throughout the Lockyer Valley there are National Parks, Regional Parks, and Forests, to experience and explore, there are several places to fish including Lake Atkinson and Lake Dyer, and there are plenty of opportunities to relax, unwind and refresh, all within a couple of hours drive of Brisbane. The Lockyer Valley has become a popular and a convenient place to reside while commuting to the larger Centres of Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane. PLACES OF INTEREST • Lake Atkinson • Cunningham’s Crest Lookout on the Little Liverpool Range, where Alan Cunningham Crossed the range in 1829. The lookout commemorates Cunningham and the pioneers of the Lockyer area and offers excellent views of the Lockyer Valley and gives a great appreciation of the rich agricultural patchwork of farm fields. • Schultz’s Lookout in the Blenheim Hills over looks the Lockyer Valley and gives a great appreciation of the rich agricultural patchwork of farm fields. • Glen Rock Regional Park and nearby Main Range National Park • Historic Spring Bluff Railway Station • Gatton Historical Village and Museum • Laidley Historical Village and Museum • Narda Lagoon and Suspension Bridge in Laidley EVENTS • The Annual Laidley Rodeo is held in March. • The Annual Laidley Spring Festival is held in the area in September. • Mulgowie Hotel at Mulgowie is renowned for its Bull Ride in February, but also has great hospitality every day and ride practices most Wednesdays. • Take in the sights and sounds of the many Markets - held throughout the Lockyer Valley each month.
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Travellers... Looking for a job? Sales Consultants required!!! Loca ons around Sydney Base wage • 20% - 30% commission $$$ Selling cosme c and hair products No experience required • Immediate start Op onal accommoda on • Sta func ons occasionally
If you are energe c, enthusias c, outgoing and self driven, come and join our team. Email resume to atn@dbin.com.au For more details 1300 987 907 www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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FRUIT PICKING Typical summer scenario: “I’m all outta cash... Anyone know where the closest harvest is?” Fruit picking is the backpackers lifesaver, not just in Australia, but throughout Europe and the Americas. But to say it’s a job only taken up by backpackers and students would be like saying that Mount Everest is a small hill in the South of France. In Australia, the fruit/produce picking season, also known as harvest, peaks during summer. Between the months of December and May, the majority of fruit across Australia, such as grapes, stone fruit (plums, peaches, apricots) and mangoes come into season, but there are many exceptions to this rule. For instance, in different states and territories, the weather patterns and temperatures can change year in and year out, so the picking season can often differ. In Western Australia, for example, they get more days of sunshine on average than any other state. As a result, regions such as Manjimup, Pemberton, and Bunbury in Western Australia hold their apple harvest between March and May. Furthermore, it’s not just fresh fruit that is gathered annually, but also seafood - in particular crayfish, prawns, rock lobsters.
finish before the brunt of the summer sunshine hits later on in the afternoon, though this will of course vary from one orchard to the next. Therefore, being physically fit and having good stamina helps, and here are some other essentials: • Sunglasses - it gets quite bright • Gloves - protection from spikes, thorns, spiders and pesticides • Sunscreen - protection from Sol • Hat - makes you look cool • Hardy boots/shoes - protection from snakes, pesticides and bullants • Big drink container - it’s thirsty work Payment depends on a number of issues, such as how good the harvest is, and what the particular fruit or produce is. Some land owners prefer to pay pickers by the hour (anything above $10 an hour is good), such as vineyards and grape growers, because they want the fruit to remain in pristine condition. Bruising is not an option. And until robots are developed that can climb trees and pick fruit without bruising them (quite hard when your hands are made of titanium alloys...), there’ll always be work available for those who want it.
In general, becoming a fruit picker requires no experience and most farms and orchards are eager to get more hands working, but those who have entertained the idea of harvesting fruit are quick to talk about the hard labour.
Most places, however, pay per bucket, bin or box filled rather than by the hour. So - the harder you work, the bigger the rewards. Another bonus in becoming a fruit picker are all the interesting people you’ll meet on your travels. For the most part, meals and accommodation are also supplied.
Most fruit pickers start early in the morning and
Contribution: Sarah Templeton
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BOWEN Bowen is a coastal town located 1165 kms to the north of Brisbane and 206 kms south of Townsville. It has many lovely beaches,especially to the north of the town and a large jetty at Port Denison which is useful for the loading of coal, salt and fish for export. Bowen and the surrounding area is well known for its large production of tomatoes, vegetables and mangoes. PLACES TO VISIT • Beaches • the Big Bowen Mango • Bowen historical museum • Stone Island and Abbott Point WHEN SHOULD I GO THERE? November to January - Mangoes May to June - Melons September to November - Melons May to November - Sweet corn, tomatoes HOW DO I GET THERE? Bowen is accessible by road via the Bruce Highway, being 1165 kms north of Brisbane and 206 kms south of Townsville. It is well connected by rail or bus.
Beach end Street of Herbert 5 480 BOWEN Q
433 07 4786 3
es uilt premis purpose b • Fabulous Management n ew informatio • Under N liable work om work re & st e n & fr • Ho transport to • Courtesy eaches - FREE bus b l • Beautifu rm - Some Doubles Do • 4 Share -con f fan or air pubs • Choice o al location - beach, tr n ce m t 0 a 10 re in •G g pool with tre & swimmin s & Information Cen g n ki o • Tour Bo
ES! EEKLY RAATRRANGED. CHEAP W T R NSPO ORK & TRA W
m igpond.co ackers@b p ck a b t n e e e • bow packers.n owenback w • www.b
BBarnacles
backpackers
BUDGET & BACKPACKER ACCOMMODATION
• Honest work information • Clean and friendly • Courtesy bus to and from work • Some rooms airconditioned • Bar fridges, TV/DVD player in Twins and Doubles • Full kitchen facilities • Broadband internet • Short walking distance to P.O, shops, pubs & pool
DORMS, TWIN & DOUBLES Available
(07) 4786 4400 16-18 GORDEN STREET, BOWEN barnaclesbackpackers@westnet.com.au www.barnaclesbackpackers.com
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Cafe/Waiting Jobs in Australia The cafe culture in Australia is huge. Aussies love their coffee and many feel no shame in flaunting their snobbery when it comes to getting it exactly as they like it: latte, flat white, short black, long black, macchiato, cappuccino, mocha, ristretto, doppio... the menu goes on! If you’re looking for a job where you can earn good money, have fun and socialise with the locals, working as a barista (a coffee making professional), or as a waiter in a local café could be right up your alley. Most city cafes aspire to create their own cool personality and ambience, which means great customers, cool and interesting coworkers and plenty of opportunities to make good tips. But it’s not just in the big smoke, as a certified barista your skills and experience will be valued all around Australia, making it even easier to pick up jobs as you travel. No matter how remote a town may be, almost everywhere has a café, bar, pub, roadhouse or restaurant with people hungry for a decent coffee. If you have little or no coffee making experience, barista training courses will provide the skills and experience you need to improve your chances of getting a job. After an intensive course with a barista expert, you will be bumping and grinding your way around some of the coolest cafes in town. Most barista / cafe / wait staff jobs require you to work shifts ranging from three hours to seven or eight hours (or more). If you are a casual employee, you will work for an hourly rate. Unlike some countries, casual hospitality jobs in Australia pay a good base wage and sometimes include tips on top of this. If you are a casual you will be paid an hourly rate that will obviously vary between employers. Hourly hospitality base rates for adult casuals are usually $15-$20 per hour. You will normally get paid extra for working overtime/late nights and possibly ‘timeand-a-half’ or ‘double time’ on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. There is no compulsory tipping or built-in service charges in Australia, although tipping for good service is becoming more common in restaurants in the bigger cities. Satisfied customers will leave around 10% of the bill, or more. In bars, tipping is less common but customers will often leave small change. Tips are often pooled amongst staff. www.taw.com.au
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AYR & HOME HILL Ayr is located 85 kms south of Townsville and is recognised as one of the most productive sugar cane growing areas in Australia. Boasting over 300 sunny days per year, Ayr is situated on the northern approach to the Burdekin Bridge. The district offers the Burdekin River, creeks and miles of sandy beaches making the area a mecca for fishing, crabbing and water sports. PLACES TO VISIT • The Burdekin Bridge (known as Silver Link),is over one kilometre long and is well known for being one of the longest bridges in Australia. • Scuba dive at one of the world’s best wrecks - SS Yongala, Alva Beach Zaros Cutural Gallery. WHEN SHOULD I GO THERE? May to June - Melons, watermelons May to November - Capsicums, egg fruit,cherry tomatoes,chillies, zucchinis June to December - Sugar cane September to December - Melons November to December - Mangoes HOW DO I GET THERE? Ayr is accessible by road via the Bruce Highway. It is well connected by rail or bus using the Queensland network.
www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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HOME HILL BACKPACKERS
WORKERS NEEDED NOW!! Farm Work, Fruit Picking & Shed Work
Transport to and from work!
CLEAN & SPACIOUS Doubles, Dorms 4-6 people
Regular Work Available!
•Double & Shared Rooms •Air Conditioned Rooms Available •Fresh Linen Weekly •Quality accommodation •Kitchen & BBQ facilities • •Large dining/rec hall •Transport Available • •Close to town centre • •Free Courtesy pick-up • •Free Laundry facilities • Free weekly BBQ’s
20-22 Chippendale Street, AYR
PH: 07 4783 3232 www.lazylizardlodge.com.au
Full Laundry, Full Kitchen, BBQ Facilities Internet Cafe, Cable TV, Table Tennis, Pool Table Parks & Gardens abound One stop to shops, Hotel & Pool Fishing & Crabbing Wildlife tours
Contact Shelley or Nugget
Mobile: 0439 826 758
Ph: (07) 4782 1717 or (07) 4783 2477
WORKERS WANTED
Ayr Backpackers Wilmington House
WORKING HOSTEL of the BURDEKIN DISTRICT • Open and airy Queensland-style four and six bedrooms • Internet Cafe • Pool, BBQs and tropical gardens • Table tennis and FREE pool table • Lockers • Video and TV rooms • Five full kitchen facilities • Clean, comfortable, quiet and friendly • Transport provided to work • Five minute walk to main street shopping and fast food store • FREE pick-up from Ayr bus terminal and railway station
CALL MICK & DAPHNE
07 4783 5837 ayrbackpackers@bigpond.com
www.ayrbackpackers.com.au
WORKERS WANTED www.aussiebackpacker.com.au
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WORK & TRAVEL ‘Willing Workers On Organic Farms’ is a great way to work and travel Australia. Receive free accommodation and meals in return for around 4 hours work every day on the farm. There are around 1900 farms in Australia to choose from. When you join WWOOF you will receive your WWOOF Guide Book and Membership. Your WWOOF Guidebook contains listings of all host farms. Simply choose the farms you are interested in and call or email the host to check if vacancies are available. Working in exchange for food and accommodation is the basis of all WWOOFing. The amount of time spent working varies according to the degree of self-sufficiency expected, how busy the host is at the time of your visit and other factors - but it should average out at about a half day’s work for a full day’s keep. The work varies greatly between farms but could include weeding, planting trees, pruning, building fences, painting, mowing lawns, etc... The best part is you DO NOT need a work visa to become a WWOOFer! Travellers on a tourist or ETA visa are fine. HOW DO I JOIN? WWOOF Memberships can be purchased at Travellers Contact Point Sydney. Single membership costs AUD $60 / year.
Want to extend your Visa? Want to work in North Queensland? We currently have the following roles available: •Tree Climbers •Tree Cutters •Chipper Operators Must have industry experience. Needed for local crews. Great pay rates and conditions.
•Small Engine Mechanic Great pay and conditions.
To apply, contact Phoebe Kitto
0438 735 926
phoebe@hrdynamics.com.au
Labour, Trade & Construction jobs in Australia In addition to a fun working environment and great pay, Aussie tradies get to work outside in the sunshine, wear shorts and singlets, take ‘smokos’, handle dangerous power tools and knock off around 3pm to head to the beach. Not bad at all! Australia’s construction industry (which includes carpenters and joiners, electricians, plumbers, builders, painters and decorators, concreters and bricklayers) employs over 845,000 people - and even more are needed. With a labour shortage of skilled tradespeople, this is a highly accessible industry for working holiday makers. The flexible and often short-term nature of the work is ideal and many trades are listed on the Australian Government’s Occupations in Demand list, making skilled migration or employer-sponsored migration very possible. Work is available everywhere, in both metropolitan and regional areas. Around 40% of construction jobs are outside state capital cities, with the majority of work being in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Similar to fruit picking and harvest work, construction work enables travellers to get a 12-month visa extension after working 3-months or more in approved regional parts of Australia. And, its not just a job for the boys! Many girls can find themselves well paid jobs on worksites or as Road Traffic Controllers. To work on a construction site in Australia it is a requirement that you hold an OH&S General Induction Certificate or ‘White Card’ as it’s commonly known. www.taw.com.au
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