General: Australia > Reviews > Doing Australia

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Advantages:	The experience, The scenery, Meet new friends, It goes on .  .  .
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Last summer myself and a friend ventured into Queensland Australia for 4 weeks. During our short stay, all I can say from the whole experience is that it’s breath taking, exciting and tremendous fun.

What’s so good about Australia? Well read the op, if I’ve bored you already then I urge you to read. Pleeeeeaaaaaseeee :)

From my own experience and 4 other friends (2 of them Australian), my (our) mission is to tell you everything that needs to be known about doing Australia.

Firstly forget about your shorts and shades, the first thing I think you’ll need when heading for Australia is a sense of scale. The home to Heath Ledger, Kylie (mmmm) and, er, Paul Hogan is big. Real big. I’m talking 7,682,300 sq km, that nearly 60 times bigger than England my fellow ciaoers. And given the high cost of internal flights for the backpacker following the Lonely Planet ant trail around Oz, that means one hell of a bus journey.

The good news is that Australia is totally geared towards backpackers. It’s ideal for travel virgins planning on popping their backpacking cherry. The weather’s good, the locals speak English (all sorts) and the country’s Sun kissed beach views are fantastic!

Better still, the good old strong pound means you make a killing on the exchange rate and what’s more, the bars and clubs are always pumping like draught Foster’s during happy hour.

The East Coast trail namely Melbourne-Sydney-Byron Bay-Brisbane-Cairns (for the reef), extending out to the Red Centre for Ayers Rock – and not much else – is the well-trodden backpacker route. Quite recently though, with the East Coast becoming increasingly tourist-saturated, I’ve been told the savvy travellers have been heading west. As such, Perth is rapidly becoming the coolest city in Australia, while Broome is the main stop-off point for the Kimberley Ranges and the Bungle Bungles national park, Australia’s last sanctuary from the Japanese coach parties.

To get around, it is best to start with the all-round travel centres like the Travellers Contract Point (www.travellers.com.au) or Backpackerstravel.net.au) for advice on travel passes and booking tours.

Group bus tours like Oz Experience (www.ozexperience.com) and Wayward Bus (www.waywardbus.com.au) are a cheap way of crossing the country. But remember, a trip from Cairns to Sydney is 46 hours by bus. Take some good books, and try not to sit next to the Levellers fan who hasn’t washed since Bundaberg.

Cash-wise, foods good value and accommodation is also reasonably priced, if you stick to hostels and campsites. It’s possibly to get by on £20 a day – even with a decent nosh and a few beers.

You’ll have no problems changing cash at almost any bank or exchange agent but be aware that travellers cheques generally get a better rate than cash. Credit cards are widely accepted (and pretty much compulsory if you’re going to rent a car), and cash points all over the country accept credit and Cirrus cards.

Away from the cities the real Australia is all about “going bush” and with more than 500 national parks incorporating rainforests, desserts and mountain ranges, you’re never far from a chance to get back to nation. But beware the wildlife. Poisonous Australian spiders, snakes and crocs in the Northern Territories could seriously screw up your holidays. You also don’t want a sting from a box jellyfish – these are common, even on tourist beaches such as Sydney’s Bondi and Coogee.

Overall I think Australia is just about the sunniest, most relaxed place you could head for and as such, the thriving backpacker community is a great place to forge new, ahem friendships. And if that hasn’t given you thirst for a cold Victoria Bitter, then, before you go, have a read of Sean And David’s Long Drive (Lonely Planet travel). Alternatively you can check out www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/austlaus.htm, www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au and www.tntmag.com.au where there are general listings and www.about-australia.com for state-by-state guide.

COUPLE OF THINGS TO KNOW

-The Weather-

Aussie seasons as I found out are the opposite of Europe so make it a Christmas/New Year break for the best of the sunshine. Also the further north you head, the hotter it gets. Darwin aka the Top End, is in the monsoon belt and has just two seasons; hot and wet, and hot and dry. It is best to avoid South Australia and Tasmania from May to September. The rain will only remind you of home.

-Visas-

These are essential. Get visas at The Australian High Commission (Australia House, Strand, London WC2B 4LA, tel 020 7379 4334, www.australia.org.uk). Three-month tourist visas are free if you turn up in person from 9am-noon, Mon – Fri. To save queuing, some travel agents will process them on your behalf.

-Car hire-

Cars can be hired at major airports or in major city centres with Hertz, Thrifty and Avis etc. Average daily costs are around A$70 for a small manual. You’ll need an international licence and have to be over 21 (over 25 for a 4WD).

-Phones-

The east coast is nine hours ahead of GMT, the west seven. To call Oz from the UK, dial 44 + 61 + city code (2 for Sydney, 3 for Melbourne, 7 for Cairns, 8 for the red Centre/Top End and 6 for Perth.

THINGS TO DO

-Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge-

I have never done this before but I can imagine it being a high adrenaline thrill without having to hurl yourself out of a plane. It costs around A$117 weekday, A$142 weekend. Night climbs are a little expensive but the views are said to be amazing!
www.bridgeclimb.com

-Go wine-tasting and ballooning in the Hunter Valley-

Located just two hours from Sydney by self-drive or organised coach tour (try Red Carpet tours on 61 2 9967 3238), the Hunter’s 4,000 hectares under vine are synonymous with fine wines. It’s very popular as a weekend retreat so take an excursion during the week for a better deal on accommodation. If you want information about wineries, tours and accommodation contact the Wine Country Tourism Office. Tel 61 2 4990 4477; www.winecountry.com.au. For the dawn balloon trip, try Balloon Aloft. Tel 612 4938 1955; www.ballonaloft.com. Flights cost A$200 weekdays, A$225 weekends.

-Take a walk around Ayers rock at sunset/dawn-

Most people think its cool to climb the rock but before you come over all macho, it’s worth checking out the Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rocks) Visitor’s Centre where they will explain why the rock is sacred and not for traipsing over. Sahara Outback Tours organises camping safaris departing Alice Springs daily at 6am and taking in Uluru, The Olgas the king’s Canyon with accommodation in upscale base camps. Prices range from A$240 for two-day trips to A$545 for five days, all food and entrance fees included. Tel 61 8 8953 0881; www.saharatours.com.au.
There is also more general information provided by Northern Territory Tourist Commission. Tel 61 8 8952 5800; www.nttc.com.au.

-Skydive over Mission Beach, Queensland-

I think a tandem skydive is the ultimate adrenaline high and must be done. Basic jumps cost A$228 for 8,000 feet. As the height increases so does the price. There are always souvenir pictures and video’s for you to take back for the family and friends.

-Go diving at the Great Barrier Reef/sail through the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland-

For the reef, Passion Of Paradise (tel 71 74041 1600) offers the basic ref day trip for A$60 including use of diving gear. Sunlover Cruises offers the same deal but in a glass-bottomed boat and with a posh nosh lunch for A$130. From Airlie Beach, the departure point for trips through the Whitsunday Islands, I managed to pick up sailing trips from the booking agent. A day trip costed me around A$65 while a weekend if sailing, snorkelling and visiting deserted beaches (inclusive of meals) would cost about A$300.

PLACES TO EAT

Melbourne is definitely said to be Australia’s food capital and standards everywhere are good and there’s loads of veggie options available, especially around Bryon Bay. Many restaurants are bring-your-own so head to the bottle shop first. More info from www.citysearch.com.au

-Sydney-
Head for King Street in Newtown for cheap Thai, Leichhardt for Italian and cafes along the beach at Bondi and along Oxford Street in Paddington for lattes and people-watching. The best deal in town is to be found at Govinda’s Movie room (112 Darlinghurst road) where A$13.90 buys you an all-you-can-eat Indian buffer and a ticket to the upstairs arthouse cinema.

-Melbourne-
The best place in town is the funky/bar/eatery, The Hairy canary at 212 Little Collins Street (ask for head chef Mathew McConnell if he’s err still there). Also there is the Melbourne Supper club (161 Spring Street) for late-night wine and posh snacks and Pelligrini’s Expresso Bar at 66 Bourke Street – it’s a Melbourne institution with great coffee an tiramasu.

-Darwin-
Check out the Mindil Beach night markets every Thursday from sunset. Browse Aboriginal arts and crafts or chow down on cheap Thai, Loa and Philippino Cebu cuisine while watching the sun set over the Timor Sea behind the stalls.

-Adelaide-
The area around Rundle Street in the city and O’Connel Street in North Adelaide is the hub of South Australia’s café society (try a Sunday fry-up at Ruby’s Café on Rundle Street) serves up bush-tucker like emu, crocodile and kangaroo, while the Austral Hotel on rundle Street has great beers, Thai and Malaysian bar snacks and local bands each weekend.

BARS & CLUBS

Bears come in schooners (not pints) in most states, pots in Melbourne. You’ve got to
try a Bundy (rum) and Coke and one of the cool European-influenced Aussie brews
such as Hahn Premium or Cascade. Australia’s clubbing taste was as eclectic as its
landscape. Check out free street-press in each city for details and listen to radio stations for the local low-down.

-Sydney-
The Darlo Bar in The Cross and The Paddington Inn on Oxford Street are the places to meet up pre-club, while for the lads the Bondi Hotel on Campbell Parade is the place to go sharking. Home in Darling Harbour (tel 61 2 926600) regularly attracts London’s toppest DJs while The Bourbon and Beefsteak on Darlinghurst Road is the only place open at 5am when you need breakfast and a Bloody Mary.

-Melbourne-
Melbourne prides itself as the last baston of the band scene, especially around the St Kilda area. Rue Bebelons (267 Little Lonsdale St) is a top spot for shots and designer beers before heading to the Double Zero on Sniders Lane for your big weekend toons. Local newspaper ‘The Age’ has a listings pull-out on Fridays/

-Brisbane-
Head for Fortitude Valley where The Shamrock Hotel on Brunswick Street is a typically rowdy Irish boozer and the Roxy (also on Brunswick) has club nights and bands. Free listings mags, Rave and Time Off, have details. Queensland is notorious for the local police Nazi mentality so beware. Anyone caught in possession of some, ahem, vitamins can expect rough treatment at the hands of the local filth.

-Perth-
Head to Northbridge for bars, eats and clubs. The Aberdeen Hotel, Northbridge Hotel and Rosie O’Grady’s are the backpacker faves while Heaven on William Street is the place for top weekend tunes. Its always best getting the local listings mag, X-Press.

TALK THE TALK

My Australian buddies have come up with some great translations, so here it goes:

Ankle-biter = brat. Arvo = afternoon. Banana Bender = somebody from Queensland. Bottelo = off licence. Dag = nerd. Dill = idiot. Dummy, spit the = loose your temper. Esky = cooler. Floater = a meat pie in gravy. Garbo = bin man. Grog = boose. Heaps, to someone = give someone a hard time. Pokies = fruit machines. Pommy = Someone from the UK. Ripper = good. Sanger = Sandwich. Shithouse = rubbish. Sooky = moody. Stubby = a short bottle of beer. Tucker = food. Vegemite = Australia’s national food. Youse – plural of you.

Special thanks to:

Stacey Lilbrooke – my travel companion
Gareth Stevens – who bravely ventured Australia for a whole 12 months
Ted Smith - from Queensland Australia,
Josh Credford – from Victoria Australia

For making this Op possible :)

Thanks for reading!

Dan (2003)