Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

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Oct 3, 2012 9:01 PM
elohvielove

last reply
Oct 3, 2012 9:01 PM
elohvielove

0 replies
421 views

Travel up East Coast (Sydney - Cairns?)

Lone traveler here, will be arriving in Sydney on the 6th of November.
Have a couple of places in mind: Bondi, Blue Mountains (Katoomba), Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbor, Byron Bay.
Will be there for a couple of week, so might not have enough days to travel up Cairns? Brisbane may be my end point.

Anyone interested in meeting up over some coffee?
22YO female Singaporean here! :)

Oct 3, 2012 7:04 PM
llally86

last reply
Oct 4, 2012 12:40 AM
redwhitewine

2 replies
403 views

Second hand.electronics shops in Melbourne?

I'm looking for some second hand electronics shops in Melbour e. Anywhere selling laptops. Games consoles, portable dvd players, that sort of thing.

I've found a couple of second hand laptop shops on Elizabeth St (near Lonsdale, I think) but that's about it.

Any suggestions?

Oct 3, 2012 3:54 PM
Sergyhunt

last reply
Oct 14, 2012 11:19 AM
Sergyhunt

31 replies
1,479 views
location: Australia

Pages 1 2 3

Buying a van VS hostels

Hey,

I'm rather undecided on what to do; either buy a van, ie VW Transporter T4 or just stay in hostels.

I won't have a massive budget, but i'll be starting off with around $14,000. So I could buy a van, but it will hit the pennies a fair bit. I doubt I'd get a proper converted one. Just throw a matress in the back. I'd quite like the row of rear seats though (potential to carry more people and share petrol costs)

Alternatively, stay in hostels. I have a year visa & plan to stay for that, travel the country & do some work... But who knows what will happen. The only thing that really bothers me is that I might not meet people as well as I would do by staying in hostels. I do LOVE driving though & know I would prefer the freedom over busses etc, especially on the west coast (perth to exmouth etc).

The van would make it harder to travel the coast though as Australia is a blo... more »

Oct 3, 2012 9:54 AM
AlohaBill

last reply
Oct 16, 2012 2:25 AM
JonMW

10 replies
963 views
location: Australia

How much for a month in Australia.

Hi Folks, I was wondering if anybody could give me an idea on how much it would cost in US dollars for a budget traveler for a month in australia during February. I plan on going to to Sydney and surrounding beaches, Melbourne area, Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island, and the beaches of the Gold Coast. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Oct 3, 2012 9:26 AM
pc2852

last reply
Oct 5, 2012 10:25 PM
spotty_dalmatian

9 replies
645 views

Fruit picking in Australia.

Does anyone know if there are any fruit picking farms in or near Cairns, Perth and Adelaide.

Preferably not far inland.

Oct 3, 2012 7:53 AM
stego98

last reply
Oct 8, 2012 1:55 PM
chocolate_fish

11 replies
1,186 views
location: Australia

Driving Intiniary Perth to Darwin in June

Hi,

Hiring a camper in June and heading to Darwin for Perth. Only got 20 days which I know isn't long, but used to long road trips, and my partner and I both love driving. Just wanted any input on our intiniary.....any suggestions advice welcome.
1st June Fly into Perth
2nd June Perth
3rd June Perth – Sunset Beach, Geraldton ( via Pinnacles ) 439km, 5 hours
4th June Geraldton - Kalbarri ( canoe ) 150km, 1 hour 40m
5th June Kalbarri – Denham ( Monkey Mia ) 375km, 4 hour 50m
6th June Monkey Mia, Rest
7th June Denham – Carnavon 329km, 4 hour 20m
8th June Carnavon – Exmouth ( Ningaloo Reef ) 366km, 5 hours 20m
9th June Ningaloo Reef, Rest
10th June Exmouth – Karratha 554km, 7 hours
11th June Karratha – 80 Mile Beach 473km, 5 hours
12th June 80 Mile Beach – Broome 360km, 4 hours
13th June Broome, Rest
14th June Broome – Fitzroy Crossing 39... more »

Oct 3, 2012 5:50 AM
i_m_ahmo

last reply
Oct 6, 2012 11:41 PM
Tooki

8 replies
532 views
location: Australia

White collar internship in Australia with working holiday visa?

Hi there

I am an year 2 undergraduate studying International Business in Hong Kong.
I would like to take a gap year for a working holiday in Australia.

Picking berries and farming are enjoyable but I would also like to spend 3 months to half a year to do internship in Australian corporations (white collar).
I have heard that it is rather hard for non-local who hold working holiday visa to find an internship from corporation.

Is that true?

Thanks!

Oct 2, 2012 11:51 PM
abhatta78

last reply
Oct 25, 2012 3:06 AM
abhatta78

4 replies
556 views
location: New Zealand

Car rental in ChristChurch

Hi All
I am looking to rent a car for a trip around South Island in the month of Nov. Looking for the most recommended car rental companies in ChristChurch.
I have sent mails to apex and avis. I am looking for a small car. Need it for 10 days.
Thanks

Oct 2, 2012 8:01 PM
charlie_d26

last reply
Oct 7, 2012 1:57 AM
barrygregory

9 replies
1,019 views
location: New Zealand

Where to live in New Zealand??

Hi,

My partner and I are in our mid-20's, currently living in New Plymouth. I am from England and have been a here for a few months, my partner was brought up here. We want to move away but don't really know where. We have been up to Paihia/Kerikeri and Coromandel and love both those places, but we're also quite sociable people and think these places may be too small. We love being outdoors; fishing, surfing, snorkelling etc. South of here will be too cold for us. My partner is a diesel mechanic and may be interested in working on boats.

If anyone has any suggestions for us to consider we'd be very grateful.

Thanks!

Oct 2, 2012 6:53 PM
madeleineproud

last reply
Oct 13, 2012 12:38 AM
madeleineproud

7 replies
509 views

MOTORHOME INSURANCE: ADVICE PLEASE

MOTORHOME RENTAL INSURANCE OPTIONS

We are planning on renting a motorhome from Apollo and are in shock with the price of the insurance AUS 65 / day!!!
This to me seems an extortionate amount of money as we are hiring the vehicle for 28 days. The total that we would be requied to pay on insurance alone is AUS 1,820.

Does anyone have any suggests or other alternatives?

I am travelling with my two young toddlers so I am now a little more cautious and less of a risk taker. The other alternative is to not take the insurance and be liable for 7,500 in the form of a bond. Hmmmmmm... HELP!!! Any ideas anyone?

Oct 2, 2012 2:00 PM
patara1226

last reply
Oct 7, 2012 2:05 AM
barrygregory

5 replies
583 views
location: New Zealand

2 weeks in NZ -- North or South?

Unfortunately, we only have two weeks in November to see NZ. I hear it's all beautiful, but to avoid rushing, I'm choosing to see only one island. We'll travel by campervan. For all of you well travelled in NZ, would you recommend north or south as time best spent?

Oct 2, 2012 11:59 AM
Robglos7

last reply
Oct 3, 2012 10:37 PM
Groo

8 replies
523 views
location: Australia

Insect Life in NSW in February

I'm planning our first visit to Australia to look up some relatives in Sydney & Melbourne and travel around in NSW /Victoria . We quite like the idea of hiring a basic Campervan but I am convcerned that while we are eating alfresco the local insect life will be dining on us - I seem to regularly find myself the human of choice for the creatures here in the UK and I'm advised they are more voracious in Australia.

Any thoughts on how bad it is, how to manage the problem or whether it would be better to be indoors in a cabin / lodge YHA etc at this time of the year

Oct 2, 2012 10:33 AM
beckbeck10

last reply
Oct 2, 2012 10:33 AM
beckbeck10

0 replies
407 views

East Coast Australia - Sydney to Cairns

I will be landing in Sydney on 1 January 2013. I plan to stay in Sydney for 4 nights before beginning my trek north to Cairns. I have a few stops along the way which I look forward to. I am wondering about transportation options for making my way up the coast. I have looked into Rail Australia and a hop-on, hop-off bus called OZ Experience. Rail Australia (East Coast Discovery: http://passes.railaustralia.com.au/pass/east-coast-discovery-pass) is much cheaper than bus options, however I'm looking for people who have used the train systems on the east coast. What is your experience once you get to the train stations? Are hostels easily accessible? Walking distance? Should I plan on taxi cabs to and from the stations each time? I like the idea of the train because it allows for overnight travel. The bus seems ok, but is quite a bit more expensive, even with some of the add ons... more »

Oct 2, 2012 9:34 AM
wazabi

last reply
Nov 30, 2012 1:14 AM
KoalasRule

8 replies
684 views
location: Australia

Claiming Tax Back after working on a 457 Business Visa

Hi, I understand there are many posts on claiming your tax back after a WHV, but my question is can I claim back tax after working on a 457 Business Visa? Any information on this would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Oct 2, 2012 8:41 AM
adamelliott111

last reply
Oct 2, 2012 5:59 PM
habby

4 replies
836 views
location: Australia

Fruit picking in Australia

Hi guys,

Me and my girlfriend are planning on taking a gap year to Australia next year and want to do some travelling and fruit picking. Going at the right times, how easy is it to find a fruit picking job? Do farms normally provide somewhere for you to sleep? Any tips or hints?

If we can, we would love to be able to save enough money to buy a campervan, hopefully this would open up some awesome opportunities.

Thanks for your time, it's much appreciated.

Adam

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