Thorn Tree travel forum

Welcome to the Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica branch

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found in the Branch FAQ thread

Information about Immigration and Working in Australia/NZ can be found in our All You Need to Know about Immigration, Working, Holidays and Visas thread.

Make sure to explore the FAQ and have a browse around the branch before you ask your question. Chances are someone may already have asked it.

All You Need to Know about Immigration, Working Holidays, Visas etc

extensions to visas for seasonal work, studying in Australia, extending your stay, Australian citizenship, where to find fruit picking/harvesting jobs (a link from the Working Holiday Makers page) can be found

at this website Tip - use the menus along the top. It's all quite straight forward and user friendly.

link for NZ WHV

NB This is NOT the best place to ask questions : it is rarely visited by people who can provide answers. If, after reading the links provided in this thread, you still have questions, you are best off making a fresh outside post. *If you've got questions about other visas please specify the passport you'll be travelling on and whic... more »

Traveling with a campervan in Western Australia

Hello everybody!

We're planning to travel three weeks in Western Australia (starting and ending in Perth) and have rented a campervan. We'll be there the first three weeks of January, in peak season. Even though I guess we can just camp anywhere, we still would like to camp on campsites every once in a while, to have showers, toilets, etc.

Do we have to book campsites in advance? Or can we just pop up and usually find space available for a campervan? Or is it already too late anyways and campsites are fully booked in January?

Does anybody know a good webpage with campsite addresses?

And any suggestions for a three week itineary?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Andy

Edited by: andy1979

About travel agent in Australia

I want to ask any one here, do you know any good travel agent in Australia? If you know,please tell me, ok? All ideas are welcome. Thanks so much.

Google Street VIew ...

... sent their camera car down our street this morning.

Pretty dodgy too - looked something like a 1996 Camry Station Wagon - with a bit of work needed on the body. I guess the Googlish contractors must do it on the cheap. The camera device was interesting - sort of like one of those loudspeakers you see on a pole - about a metre or so higher than the car roof.

I was standing at the front gate as they went slowly by - maybe I'll be digitally immortalised!

GOR and one night accomodation

Hi there,
I'm off to Melbourne in a couple of weeks. I was planning to rent a car to drive myself to the Great Ocean Road, stop to see the sights, spend a night then head back to Melbourne. I'm trying to do this just after Xmas day. I've been searching for accommodation on Appolo Bay but it's heavily booked - the only things available don't seem to take one night only reservations. Any suggestions? I figured I should drive up to Appolo Bay or Port Campbell, spend the night then see the 12 Apostles and drive back at a slow pace the next day. Are there smaller towns in between them? Is it safe to assume there would be motels or things like that off the highway or would I be out of luck with no place to sleep? We normally stay in backpackers, but hotels, motels, anything but expensive "cottages" would do. Korne seems to be at a similar situation and I would rather drive further in the f... more »

To the people of Australia...

Just got back from 5 weeks in Australia. What and incredible experience. Just wanted to give a thank you to all the Aussies. You are the most open, inviting and genuine people we have met.

Cheers

Travel mates to share campervan

Hired a campervan with a friend who is sick and heading home. Looking for people to tour with that want to help with costs. There is a Rainbow Gathering on the west coast and a Convergence Festival near Christchurch. Anyone interested?

What are your thoughts on Federal by election?

Went to vote today in federal seat of Higgins and the Liberals had taken up 99% of available fence space surroundig entry to polling booth, with their photos of their candidate. I suggested that although it was democratic to do so it did look greedy, hardly caring and sharing. Wondered if this overkill was a measure of their insecurity or confidence. Anyone else got a tale to tell today? Should go up and ask those handing out literature what their feedback was. Higgins is Peter Costello's old seat so it is always a shoe in. JoyV