Australia

[nightcrawler13]

So I'm moving to Australia!

I decided give up the office job for the final year of PPE degree with the Open University, my last year is essay based so there is no need for me to remain here in a job I dislike

Currently working for Friends of the Earth as a direct fundraiser (not an agency ) and working two nights a week at a movie themed bar in the Northern Quarter to raise the money, also selling most of my possessions, so in theory this should go smooth ish!

I'm going to be flying in to Melbourne at the end of October and flying back from Melbourne in May/June of next year, in the middle of that I intend to find work and see the east coast

So who has been to Australia?! Where should I definitely see? Where should I definitely avoid? Anyone know of good or particularly bad places to work? All advice will be greatly appreciated

(Also, if you want to sign up to Friends of the Earth with me that would be amazing and keep me employed till I go, so feel free to message me in regards )

[5co77ie]

So who has been to Australia?! Where should I definitely see? Where should I definitely avoid? Anyone know of good or particularly bad places to work? All advice will be greatly appreciated

Edited August 7, 2013 by 5co77ie

[TheGayTent]

Avoid all of it, go to New Zealand instead!

[fraser_k]

Avoid all of it, go to New Zealand instead!

[TheGayTent]

As he's looking for work then that would be wrong thing to do, you would earn a fraction of what you earn in Australia, hence why there's so many Kiwis living in Australia.

[fraser_k]

Cost of living is far higher too though.

[themuel]

I prefer Australia to New Zealand.

[viberunner]

Had some Oz flatmates... this was a favourite rant of theirs:

It's tempting to visit Canberra, because it's the capital, because it's the largest inland city, because they have (had?) some of the most liberal drug laws. Do not be tempted to visit Canberra. Ever. The reason they liberalised weed and porn there is because getting high and rubbing your rhino are all there are to do there.

[Gre]

I spent 8 months in Australia 12 years ago (god I'm getting old), so much of what I remember will be horribly out of date, but from what I know of you from your posts, I feel you will spend a good amount of time in Byron Bay.

[harrisj]

I prefer Australia to NZ, just a better version of the UK in my opinion. Though I'd miss the football too much!

[nightcrawler13]

I've changed my plans slightly...

Now going to be flying into Thailand, giving myself four weeks to travel around and eventually fly out of Kuala Lumpur

Eight months working as something (hopefully a cowboy on a cattle farm) in Oz

Then flying into Cambodia, buying a motorcycle, and travelling up through Laos and into Vietnam, selling the bike, and coming back for Glastonbury

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I've changed my plans slightly...

Now going to be flying into Thailand, giving myself four weeks to travel around and eventually fly out of Kuala Lumpur

Eight months working as something (hopefully a cowboy on a cattle farm) in Oz

Then flying into Cambodia, buying a motorcycle, and travelling up through Laos and into Vietnam, selling the bike, and coming back for Glastonbury

[Ed209]

Ahh, Australia.

A land of beautiful beaches, forests, vast deserts, extraordinary wildlife, blatant misogyny and deeply entrenched racism.

[nightcrawler13]

You jammy bastard. I've been to the Far East a number of times. I may be trying to teach an old dog new tricks but on the understanding that I'm not, then I advise you to use the Trip Advisor Forums to research the countries you are going to. I can't bang on enough about how useful they are. That said, you'll have to learn to identify the constant waves of bullshit that people from inside and outside of those countries post with the desire to self serve. One tip is to identify the stalwarts of the forum and ask them questions directly if you are in any doubt about advice given from others. They'll soon come to your rescue. I hope you have a ball.

[grumpyhack]

Melbourne is delightful. From there take a drive or motorbike down the Great Ocean Road south as far as time permits. Ideally to the end and have an overnight. It's a breathtaking road that hugs the coast and with almost every bend new and ever more spectacular views open out.

Sydney is worth doing and then up to Cairns and Port Douglas and a bit of scuba diving on the great Barrier Reef.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

thanks for the advice dude, I'll check them out later tonight

I'm trying to work out which bag to buy, my old Quechua lasted a good 5 years but died recently, so time to upgrade...

been reading quite a few virtual nomad folk banging on about wheeled backpacks, so I'm thinking of getting either the Caribee Fast Track 85l or the Skymaster 80l. Both of them come with detachable daypacks which makes life a whole lot easier than having to wear my backpack on my stomach all the time!

Anyone have any views on them?

[philipsteak]

thanks for the advice dude, I'll check them out later tonight

I'm trying to work out which bag to buy, my old Quechua lasted a good 5 years but died recently, so time to upgrade...

been reading quite a few virtual nomad folk banging on about wheeled backpacks, so I'm thinking of getting either the Caribee Fast Track 85l or the Skymaster 80l. Both of them come with detachable daypacks which makes life a whole lot easier than having to wear my backpack on my stomach all the time!

Anyone have any views on them?

[fraser_k]

I've changed my plans slightly...

Now going to be flying into Thailand, giving myself four weeks to travel around and eventually fly out of Kuala Lumpur

Eight months working as something (hopefully a cowboy on a cattle farm) in Oz

Then flying into Cambodia, buying a motorcycle, and travelling up through Laos and into Vietnam, selling the bike, and coming back for Glastonbury

[fraser_k]

2nd year visa. Won't let me edit my last post on my iPad for some reason

[nightcrawler13]

Do you have horse riding experience? A lot of ranches look for that because everyone wants to do something like that since it falls under the rural work to gain there 2nd year experience.

[viberunner]

Ahh, Australia.

A land of blatant misogyny and deeply entrenched racism.

[Ed209]

So, it's like just about everywhere else on earth, then?

[philipsteak]

but (to paraphrase John Oliver) Australia are the developed nation that are most comfortable with it

[Ed209]

New Zealand is similar. As much as I love the place, it was the one thing for me that stopped me really loving it.

Everywhere has it's full on, unashamed racists, but it was the casual racism that got me. Bit like being in a 1970s sitcom.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Ed209

[nightcrawler13]

FLIGHTS BOOKED

I'll be flying to Bangkok on Monday 14th of October (Made sure to get the flight with a five hour stop over in Amsterdam so I can go on a quick trip to Hill Street Blues for a milkshake and canal side blunt , giving me four days to get to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party, and then another ten days until my flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne....

AHHHHH!!!!! ^__^

So does anyone have anywhere to recommend in Thailand, Malaysia or Australia?