BBM February 2015 Issue 813

EDITOR

Hannah Shakir hannah.shakir@what-media.com SUB EDITOR

Charlotte Mellor SPORTS & NEWS EDITOR

Richard Gadsby CONTRIBUTORS

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FESTIVALS

Future Music Festival 2015

Future Music Festival returns on 28th February, and will make its usual visits to Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. One of the most popular festivals in Australia, if you haven’t seen the lineup yet, where have you been the last three months? Featuring singers, rappers, DJs, bands and musicians, there’s plenty of acts to see, as well as epic light shows, delicious food stalls and plenty of bars to keep you entertained.

themselves as festival giants, with one of the most amazing shows you will ever witness. Iconic tunes like ‘Smack My Bitch Up’, ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’, are sure to get the party started if it’s not already. As well as the classics, they will also be presenting their brand new 2015 album ‘The Day Is My Enemy’ to the crowd before them.

Line-Up

Dates

There are three big names to take notice of at Future this year, with completely different styles of music to please everyone. First up is one of the world’s most famous and celebrated rappers of the 21st Century. Canadian icon, Drake, will be heading to Australia for the very first time.

With top releases like ‘Over’, ‘Headlines’, ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ and ‘Take Care’, this hip-hop king has regularly topped the charts, so he’ll have plenty of material to play to all Future ticket-holders.

For lovers of dance, Avicii will also be making an epic appearance to play his chart-topping hits, ‘Hey Brother’ and ‘Wake Me Up’. One of the most in-demand DJs on the planet, this great man will be able to tick Future off of his list, and fans will get the first chance to hear new cuts from his exciting second album, ‘Stories’, which follows from his successful debut, ‘True’.

Finally, three men that need no introduction. The Prodigy will be returning to Future to reassert 6

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Also to look forward to are Afrojack, Knife Party, Martin Garrix, Nero, Example, Sigma, 2 Chainz, Gorgon City, Kiesza, Robin Schulz and many more.

Future will be hitting up five cities in Australia including: Saturday 28th February – Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Sunday 1st March – Arena Joondalup, Perth Saturday 7th March – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Sunday 8th March – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Monday 9th March – Adelaide Showground, Adelaide

Tickets

There’s still time to grab a ticket to a show near you, with general admission costing $149 + bf per person. You can upgrade your ticket to gain access to the Sunset Club for $65+ bf, or buy the ultimate festival experience with a first class ticket at $345 + bf.

www.futuremusicfestival.com.au

Don’t miss these acts at future...

There’s tons of amazing acts on the Future Music Festival 2015 line-up, but make sure you don’t miss these ones!

Martin Garrix

This young Dutch DJ shot into the limelight with a charttopping stomp of a single, ‘Animals’. Receiving global acclaim for its addictive sound, Garrix will return to Future following a standout year working with Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike, Sander van Doorn and Afrojack in 2014. All of this and he’s only just turned 18.

Kiesza

Making her name in 2014 with one of the hottest music videos of the year, Kiesza is a Canadian-born, London-based singer-songwriter with a striking image to match her powerful vocal chords. Scoring a UK number one with ‘Hideaway’, Kiesza is like a female Duke Dumont or Route 94, with a house sound that all audiences can appreciate. Her debut visit Down Under, she’s bound to get the entire crowd dancing.

Tchami

His remixes have set him apart from everyone else, and Tchami has been catching the attention of industry experts and audiences alike.

Joining Skrillex on his US tour back in October 2014, the Parisian DJ and producer has worked on Janet Jackson and Aluna George, but his release of ‘Promesses’ cemented his original sound all his own. Returning to Australia following his debut tour, you can catch the future heavyweight live.

Hilltop Hoods

Leading the way for Australian talent at Future, Hilltop Hoods are a hip-hop trio from Adelaide. Going since 1994, Suffa, MC Pressure and DJ Debris released their seventh studio album, ‘Walking Under Stars’ last year, which contained their most successful single to date, ‘Cosby Sweater’. Adored nationwide for their carefree performances, we strongly advise you learn the lyrics to their most popular tracks – you’ll be wanting to sing along with the rest of the crowd.

Throttle

Throttle is Melbourne’s very own EDM producer. Turning heads since late 2013 with his mash-up of 30-something tracks in ‘What’s That Sound’, he can count M4SONIC and Hardwell as supporters, and has toured alongside fellow Future artist, Avicii. Wickedly talented on the decks, if you’ve not yet heard of Throttle, you’ll be raving about him soon enough.

Gorgon City

Dance duos have come into their own in recent times, and Gorgon City are a fine example of two guys who are breaking boundaries with hot releases like ‘Real’ featuring Yasmin and ‘Ready For Your Love’ with MNEK. With their debut album, ‘Sirens’, cementing their position on the dance music scene, we reckon Gorgon City are going to go the distance.

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Campfire Festival

A festival of music first and foremost, Campfire Festival offers more than ever in 2015.

Set in the beauty of the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Hope Estate Winery welcomes you to relax with friends for three days, as an array of country and folk music entertainers perform from Friday 13th – Sunday 15th March.

This year, Campfire Festival presents Australian band John Butler Trio, NSW sister trio The McClymonts, songbird duo We Two Thieves and The Bob Corbett Band led by – you guessed it – Bob Corbett. Country singer-songwriter, Lee Kernaghan is also added to the line-up, alongside fellow artists Kelly Chambers, Beccy Cole and Greg Champion. Melbourne’s Ash Grunwald will bring some blues to the festival with a strong reputation in live performance.

Music aside, there’s plenty of festival activities at Campfire, including the famous Campfire Zone itself. The lakeside area will hold artisan markets, exhibitions and cooking demonstrations through the day, and music and dancing will take place come nightfall with an indigenous theme. If you’re particularly passionate about music, Camper’s Bar will hold songwriter’s sessions, guitar clinics, Q&A with artists and jamming sessions for three 8

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hours after the main amphitheatre closes for the day. And of course, there’ll be plenty of food and drink available from the winery and craft brewery on site.

Camping is available on-site for convenient access to the stages for 5,000 people, and new for 2015 is the luxury camping option in the fivestar Lakeside Flashcamp. There are a variety of ticket options, with day passes at $89pp, threeday pass at $199pp, and the VIP three-day pass for $499pp.

With the surroundings of Hope Estate as the beautiful backdrop and authentic entertainment for a full weekend, Campfire Festival is the event to close the summer season, so get your ticket now at campfirefestival.com.au.

CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL 2015’S FINEST..

Heralded as an Australian blues stalwart, Ash Grunwald is an icon of his generation, combining blues and dancefloor beats with rock, hip hop and dubstep. With seven studio albums under his hat, his new album is due for release soon, and is expected to follow in the same vein and style as ‘Hot Mama Vibes’ and ‘Trouble’s Door’.

Chelsea Basham

The best new country talent to come from Western Australia, Chelsea Basham only released her debut album in 2012, but ‘I Make My Own Sunshine’ has garnered her recognition from fans nationwide. A pretty young thing with an upbeat outlook (just look at her album title), she’s an artist worth her salt and is a bright spark on stage.

Christie Lamb

The most recent debutante of country music, Christie Lamb released her very first album, ‘All She Wrote’ last year, which shot her straight into the stratosphere. Strictly a professional, she studied music at the University of Western Sydney and travelled to Nashville to write her songs and hone her craft.

Shannon Noll

More than 10 years after finishing as runner-up in the first series of Australian Idol, Shannon Noll has separated himself from the song contest with five top 10 albums and even more top 10 singles. From his first album, ‘That’s What I’m Talking About’, to the unforgettable 2014 track, ‘We Only Live Once’, Noll has returned to the mainstream music scene with a bang.

By Charlotte Mellor

Ash Grunwald

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SYDNEY

MARDIGRAS 2015 It’s that time of year again when Sydney comes out for one heck of a party.

Mardi Gras is here and queer in all its gloriousness thanks to the LGBTQI! Here’s some of the hottest events that will be taking place around town!

Happy Mardi Gras! Photographic Exhibition

What better way to start this famous festival, than looking at the history of it? Using photos to document the last two decades of the Mardi Gras Festival, this photographic exhibition is a great way to find out the struggle this event has had to overcome, but also seeing all the happy things it’s brought to people. The included photos document the protest, parties, fair and general fun that comes with this festival. Held at the Surry Hills Library from 3rd February – 23rd March.

Queer Thinking

Pool Party

If you’re wanting to take a break from all the festival vibes but continue partying and celebrating, the pool party is right up your street.

Held at the ivy on 2nd March, you’re invited to sit in private cabanas and listen to live music through underwater speakers. It’s a welcome and fun break from all the main events.

The 37th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Parade

There’s never been a more perfect way to round off this amazing festival. This year, the parade takes place on Saturday 7th March through Oxford and Flinders Streets, and will involve celebrity hosts, live music and screens, bars and food, so you can get involved or sit back and relax as all the festivities roll on. Either way, make sure you celebrate this spectacular festival finish in style.

By Ashleigh Osbourne. Image by Ann-Marie Calilhanna

Running on Saturday 21st February in the Seymour Centre, Queer Thinking will discuss,

think and look at everything that matters to the community, including the ideas, literature, film, academia and culture of LGBTQI.

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T O H HT G RI OW N

Whisky Jerx

Combining spirits and cocktails with rock and roll music, Whisky Jerx pop up bar will be taking residence across two floors of the Oxford Circus, with the lower level dedicated to partying and the top floor serving cocktails in a selection of their top five. The official opening is on 18th February.

31 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst whiskyjerx.com

The Porterhouse Irish Pub

Serving both top notch food and drinks in a welcoming setting along with traditional beers such as Guinness, Kilkenny, and Magners at just $7.00, this Irish pub offers you the heart of Ireland Down Under. With more promotional offers such as mouth-watering steak for $12, it’s a sure hit.

233 Riley Street, Surry Hills porterhouse.com.au

Churchill’s Sports Bar

Luxe Boutique

Luxe Boutique offers you mid summer season must haves, with hundreds of new arrivals including that perfect summer dress and the hot washed out denim shorts. Shopping at Luxe Boutique is definitely in the right direction to a fashionable season. With dresses, skirts, tops, shorts and accessorizes it offers everything you need.

The Strand Arcade, Pitt Street, Sydney www.luxefashionboutique.com.au

Nothing can beat a beer and live sport, with a friendly atmosphere offering a wide range of drinks and nibbles whilst showing your favourite sport. You’ll find anything from UFC to WWE, English Premier League to the Super bowl this February. Undoubtibly there is no better place to watch sport than Churchill’s Sports bar.

532 Anzac Pde, Kingsford www.churchillsbar.com.au

The Bat and Ball Hotel

There is nothing better than food and beverages in unique and indie setting. The Bat and Ball Hotel provides you with the chance to relax with a beer, watch live coverage of popular sporting events around the world and with offers such as Big Daddy’s BBQ Platter for only $15 on a Thursday, The Bat and Ball Hotel is the place to be.

495 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, Sydney www.parksidebar.com.au 12

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T O H HT G RI OW N

MELBOURNE Backpacker Night At Turf Bar

Every Wednesday, Turf Bar holds the best backpacker night in town, the famous Hit The Turf It’s Bedlam and there’s a chance to win $750 worth of Peterpans Adventure Travel prizes.

Every Wednesday from 7pm enjoy $6 pints of Carlton, $6 Smirnoff Vodka and $6 house wine, $5 pizzas and $10 burgers. Turf Bar serves amazing food and drinks at special discounted prices, plus a party DJ ‘til late for entertainment.

131 Queen Street, Melbourne www.turfbar.com.au

Discovery Melbourne

Bar Nacional

Melbourne offers an authentic flavour of Spain at the Bar Nacional where you can share a mouth-watering food menu including delicious tapas and raciones. Importing the best of Spanish wines complimented by the Australia selection the bar invites you to enjoy an exploration of fantastic drinks.

727 Collins Street, Docklands www.barnacional.com.au

The Sweat Shop Bar

This hidden den is self-described as “mischievous little brother”. Its décor is simple which is fitting as you wouldn’t (or couldn’t) take anything to take the attention from the bar. The attention to detail is focused hugely on the drinks and the time & skill involved in putting them together. The bar staff know their stuff and create the drinks with great enthusiasm but without the pretentiousness.

113 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne www.sweatshopbar.com.au

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By Isaac Tesfamariam, images courtesy of venues.

You’re embarking on a trip of a lifetime and when you visit Melbourne, Discovery Melbourne is a fantastic place to stay when you touch down in town. Discovery Melbourne boast great weekly rates, as well as a bumper events program that will get you involved in parties each day and night. So if you want to have fun and meet people then this is a great place to start your trip!

167 Franklin Street, Melbourne www.discoverymelbourne.com

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Sat 21st & Sun 22nd February ADVENTURE TRAVEL EXPO MELBOURNE For anyone familiar with Adventure Travel Expos, you will know that it’s an unmissable chance to grab great deals, win thousands of dollars worth of travel prizes and get inspired.

The Adventure Travel Expo will be held in Melbourne on 21st and 22nd February 2015 in the Royal Exhibition Building of the Carlton Gardens. Here are a few great companies that will be exhibiting at the show.

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1. Swagman Tours

Discover and explore Africa with tours in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and South Africa.

Highlights include wildlife safaris, desert treks, the Victoria Falls and mountain climbs, with opportunities to spot elephants, lions and gorillas.

2. On The Go Tours

You can explore much of the world’s most adventurous destinations, in group tours or tailormade holidays, visiting places like the rainforest of Costa Rica, the bustling lights of Tokyo, and the incredible pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and incorporating local festivals.

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3. Haka Tours

Specialising in New Zealand adventure and snow tours, take an epic road trip across both or either island and enjoy activities like a gondola ride in Queenstown, skydiving over Lake Taupo and skiing in Wanaka.

4. Real Gap

Choose from a variety of gap years, career breaks and adventure travel, whether you want to live with lion cubs in South Africa, earn some dollar Down Under or build an education centre in Thailand.

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5. SeaLink

Visit Kangaroo Island in South Australia and watch the sea lions on Seal Bay, hold up Remarkable Rocks and taste the local produce.

6. Sunshine Coast

From the golden beaches to the leafy green hinterland, you can hike, swim, surf, shop, snorkel or just relax in the idyllic but lively Sunshine Coast.

7. Dropbear Adventures

You may have heard about it, but now you can go 4WDriving down 75 Mile Beach, soak in the waters of Lake McKenzie and spot wild dingoes from afar wth a boutique tour company on Fraser Island.

8. Contiki

Providing group travel for 18-35 year olds, you can go all over the world with Contiki and try sailing in Croatia, cruising in a junk boat in Thailand, and drinking champagne next to Uluru in Australia.

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STA Travel is the world’s largest student, youth and budget travel organisation. STA Travel specialises in cheap flights, round the world tickets, travel insurance, hotels and hostels, tours and treks. For more information please visit: www.statravel.com.

“STA Travel’s Lay-By option means Australian travellers can be clever about saving for their holiday – avoiding last-minute splurges on flights or credit card debacles by locking in bargain prices. Although Aussies are often perceived as laid-back travellers, in my experience, Australian travellers are in fact very financially responsible when it comes to planning travel.”

STA Travel has announced that the company is now offering local travellers the cheapest Lay-By in the Australian travel industry. The Lay-By program allows customers to lock in holidays at bargain booking prices and pay it off over time – without using credit cards or risky interest-free structures.

“The Lay-By program is supported by research carried out by STA Travel which found Australian travellers are the most fiscally responsible in the world, and least likely to fund their holidays through debt. In Australia only 55% of STA Travel trips are booked on credit card, compared with 97% in the US and 95% booked on credit in the UK,” commented David Green.

Travellers can Lay-By flights with a $99 deposit, which is the cheapest travel Lay-By available in Australia, then pay the remainder ten weeks before their trip. This means they can avoid inflated last-minute flight prices, costly interest rates and other more expensive Lay-By options, while still locking in the holiday of their dreams.

David Green, Managing Director STA Travel Australia, said Lay-By has already proven very popular with fiscally-minded Australians.

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Aussie travellers worried about finances after the expensive festive season will welcome news that Lay-By is available all year round, and includes options for a $149 deposit for flights and hotels, as well as a $249 deposit for flight and adventure.

For more information on STA Travel’s Lay-By ask in store, visit www.statravel.com or call 134 782.

Courtesy of STA Travel

STA Travel Delivers Cheapest Lay-By to Australian Travellers

Manila - Philippines Machu Picchu - Peru

Rio - Brazil

San Francisco - USA

Kyoto- Japan

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T O H HT G RI OW N

PERTH

Annalakshmi on the Swan

Overlooking the Swan River at Barrack Street Jetty, the Indian donation restaurant is a favourite for anyone looking for good, cheap food thanks to its ‘eat as you like, pay as you feel’ mantra. Popular choices include curry and kheer (dessert made of rice, milk, and sugar). Eat whatever is on the buffet table and don’t feel too shy about taking big portions!

Jetty 4 Barrack Square, Perth www.annalakshmi.com.au

Infinity Healing

Improve your wellbeing with alternative and conventional methods at Infinity Healing. Helping other women to overcome trauma and release their inner power, Claire Roche is your counsellor and energy healer encompassing physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental effects. Whether you’ve come out of a rough break up, suffering stress at work or just don’t feel yourself, invest your time in a women’s healing retreat and enjoy meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, self love, an Ayurvedic lunch and massage, or choose individual healing sessions to get to the root of the problem on a one-on-one basis, to leave you feeling empowered to take on the world.

2 Panama Street, Canning Vale www.infinityhealing.com.au

The Shed

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Bocelli’s Espresso

The cafe is highly regarded for its quality Italian coffee and mouthwatering cake selection. Named after the tenor (who always drops in when he’s in Perth), Bocelli’s has won multiple awards including Perth’s Best Coffee three times in a row. Order a cup of creamy cappuccino or espresso and enjoy the view of the city centre while you take a sip. For a sweeter Italian experience, don’t forget to have a slice of authentic creamy tiramisu to accompany your coffee.

Forrest Chase, Forrest Place, Perth

By Mentari Sandiastri. Images courtesy of venues.

Having won various awards and countless praises for its atmosphere, there’s no prize for guessing why The Shed is immensely popular among Perth’s party people. The Shed takes pride in its music and hosts live bands and DJs every week.

You’ll also find a cracking sports bar where you can catch up on all the latest football, golf and rugby.

69 – 71 Aberdeen St, Northbridge www.the-shed.com.au

FANCY ESCAPING THE CITY? South West Beer Festival

Share your love for great beers at Busselton’s famous beer festival. South West Craft Beer Festival will return on Valentine’s Day this year to celebrate Western Australia’s finest craft beer, wine and food for lovers of hops. With only a $30 entry fee, you can enjoy varieties of ales and stouts from the best local brewers, accompanied by live music and entertainment all day 11am-7pm.

Old Broadwater Farm, 56 New River Ramble, Busselton swbeerfest.com.au

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JOBS

Getting a job in Australia doesn’t have to be difficult.

Just use these tips to secure your next role!

1. Be Flexible

6. Don’t Just Do Business

2. Don’t Brush Over Experience Or Qualifications

7. Try A Recruitment Company

Even if you have experience in one role, don’t restrict yourself from other opportunities. If you’ve been a bartender or event planner, you may find that other jobs arise in the hospitality industry that you are more than capable for.

The experience and qualifications you do have are ultimately priceless, whether in sales, construction or electrics, and proof of them is just as important, so make sure you have formal qualifications and references.

3. First Impressions Count

Read any good books lately? This is the kind of question you may be hit with during an interview to find out more about your character and personality, so be prepared and have something to talk about other than business.

Recruitment companies are rife in Australia. If you’ve got a particular vocation or set of skills, they’ve probably got the job and company for you.

And let’s face it; a little expert help can’t hurt.

8. Regional Work

Do you know that someone makes up their mind about you in the first 30 seconds of meeting?

Making a good first impression counts in any instance of meeting someone new, so look at every opportunity as a chance to network and you won’t go wrong.

If you’re on a Working Holiday Visa and want to extend your stay, you will need to complete 88 days of regional work, which can be anything from fruit picking to construction. Even if you’re unsure about your future in Oz, consider regional work so you will have it ticked off when the time comes to decide.

4. There Is No Job Season

9. BE Consistent

5. State Your Origins

10. Avoid Empty Words

While Australia may be busier in the spring and summer months, there are jobs all year round to apply for, and winter means there is less competition than usual. The casual work market is buoyant between September and March, but don’t let your job search depend on the time of year.

If you’re from the UK, Ireland, or any Englishspeaking country, you instantly increase your chances of finding a job with no language barrier, similar culture and alternative skills to offer.

It may be boring repeating the same story to everyone you meet whilst travelling, but if your story doesn’t match up when it matters, there could be trust lost before it’s even built. Make sure there’s nothing that could slip you up, and avoid even little white lies.

You might be hard-working, punctual and dedicated, but it turns out, so is everyone else! Be concise on actual skills for the job and make sure you have examples for each.

If you’re looking for work in Australia contact ozstartup.com.au today 22

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TIPS FOR GETTING NURSING JOBS IN OZ There are some jobs in Australia that are always looking for qualified individuals to fill the spaces available, and nursing is one of them. A highly important occupation in all states, only those that are deemed to have substantial qualifications will get to take care of the population and have a career in nursing in Australia.

For starters, nurses in Australia have to be registered, which is a lengthy process even if you’re a born-and-raised citizen. To be considered for approval, international applicants need to undergo assessment with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which also approves registration. The board will decide whether your educational qualifications, as an international applicant, are substantially equivalent to approved Australian qualifications, which will help them decide whether you’re qualified to care for patients safely.

As an international applicant, you must meet eight criteria based on your qualifications to be eligible for registration, and provide supporting documentation as evidence.

1. The qualification makes you eligible to register as a nurse in the country you gained said qualification.

2. The education institution where you did your studies was externally accredited while you were there.

3. The program of study you chose was externally accredited to award you with a qualification in nursing.

4. The qualification is equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor degree.

5. The qualification was awarded following at least 800 hours of experience in a practice setting.

6. The qualification was awarded following study into various aspects of nursing.

7. The qualification was awarded to you following successful completion of all parts of your study and graduation from your education institution.

8. The education institution has confirmed that you have a qualification in nursing, with assessment in medication management including drug calculation, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

You will need to provide relevant support for your qualifications, and all other requested documents (evidence of identity, criminal history, English language skills), in an AGOS-40 application for general registration for internationally qualified nurses and midwives. The national fee for general registration is $150.

If you are approved and become registered as a nurse, you can start finding job openings in Australia. You can contact hospitals directly for employment opportunities, search online, or join a nursing agency in Australia that can supply you with casual work or long-term placements.

For more jobs, log on to www.bbmlive.com/ jobs www.bbmlive.com

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NOW HIRING...

If you’re looking for a new job or career, or if you’ve just arrived in Australia we may be able to help you!

Builder

Do you have experience as a builder? How does $74,000 per year sound? This is the national average builder’s salary in Australia, with big opportunities in all thriving cities.

Nurses Wanted Nationwide

Roles are currently available for all levels of nurses with 12 + months experience across the country. Salary $59,000. Enquire immediately for temp and perm options.

Carpenter

If you’re looking for a job as a carpenter, why not try the Northern Territory? There are more positions available there than anywhere else in the country.

Events Management Got the patience, control and organisational skills of events management while keeping your eye on a budget? You could be looking at a cool $60,000 per year.

WANTED Carpenters Labourers Electricians Welders Arborists Are you a skilled worker looking for employment in Australia?

We want to hear from you.

Email us at

jobs@bbmlive.com or call us

02 8005 8162 24

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Melbourne’s Music Industry Needs You! Start your career in music in Melbourne. From account managers to A&R, you don’t have to sing to earn money from the music capital of Australia.

Cooks And Chefs Required Nationwide Sponsorhips and Permanent Residency available for the right candidate with the right experience.

Can you cook up a storm? How about for $60,000+? This is the salary you’re looking at as a cook or chef.

Get Your 457 Visa Sponsorship Do you know the jobs that will get you 457 Visa sponsorship? Contact jobs@bbmlive.com now to see if you could start a new life in Oz!

email jobs@bbmlive.com Electrician

Got Your RSA And RCG?

You have an overwhelming chance of getting an electrician job wherever you apply in Australia, with openings in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Do you have your Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Conduct of Gambling certificates? There are loads of bar and casino jobs available right now nationwide.

Landscaper Or Arborist?

You could earn an average $46,000 per year as a landscaper in Australia, compared to $53,000 per year as an arborist.

Engineering In Australia The engineering industry offers plenty of different roles. An electrical engineer earns an average of $76,000 per year, while a civil engineer receives $72,000, and a network engineer gets $74,000.

Welder Take your welding gun to Perth and make $61,000 per year, the highest in the country.

Teacher If English is your first language, Australia needs you to teach the next generation of high school students!

Tour Guide Want to make some money and fulfill your desire to travel? Become a tour guide in Australia’s fantastic tourist locations and earn up to $53,000 per year.

Marketing Manager Melbourne and Sydney are currently on the lookout for marketing managers with a national average salary of $77,000 per year. Do you have the credentials?

Recruiter Become a recruiter in Australia and earn up to $90,000 each year. Just email jobs@bbmlive. com to start your search.

Full Time & Temp Jobs There are more full time job openings in Australia, so there’s no excuse for you to be out of work or be dissatisfied with your current role. Take advantage of this opportunity by emailing jobs@ bbmlive.com with your preferred job. www.bbmlive.com

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Don’t Miss Out On Your UK Tax Refund

Just because you’re in Australia, doesn’t mean you don’t have to submit your UK tax refund, here’s the easiest way to get back the money you’re owed and put it towards your travel adventures.

There’s nothing better in life than receiving a great refund on your income tax and sticking one to the Taxman. However, do make sure that you have sorted your online application completed by the deadline so you don’t incur any fines.

Are you currently living or working in Australia after recently leaving the UK during the financial year? If so then you will want to sort out your taxes by filing your return as soon as possible.

You don’t want to miss out on money that you are owed, just because you have left the country.

To make life easier, and so you don’t get into a spot of bother with filing your tax return online, you should consider going with a trusted and respected tax agent. With Taxback.co.uk, you will receive a completely FREE assessment on exactly how much money you are owed. They specialise in helping those receive their returns at a swift rate, between 3 -4 weeks. If you are from 26

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the UK but are no longer in the country, the agents can help you too.

Taxback also offer services for Self Employed clients, Self-Assessment clients, Seafarers and Non-resident Landlords, SEIS and EIS refunds.

They can organise and submit your Tax Returns for a very low cost. The agents will oversee the whole tax refund process from the start to end that offers you a hassle free service. When your tax return is completed and a claim can be made, Taxback will take a 15% commission. But, if they can’t get you any money back you will not be charged a penny!

If you have not made a claim for your tax return dating back four years then you are able to file a tax return for those too. Getting these sorted could see you receiving a tax rebate that could be a great help for paying off any of those looming bills or even better, booking an amazing adventure travel holiday to Australia.

The deadline to file your tax return is on the 31st January and if you do not get yours put through by then, you will be fined £100 and also for each year you have not failed to put through a tax return.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in contact with Taxback by visiting their website www.taxback.co.uk.

Recruiters Wanted

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BACKPACKER TAX REFUNDS First Floor, 1A Morts Road Mortdale NSW 2223 +61 (0) 2 8065 5668 info@backpackertaxrefunds.com.au www.backpackertaxrefunds.com.au AMY ACCOUNTANTS Suite 101, Level 1, 250 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 1300 179 934 +61 (0) 2 92627188 info@amyaccountants.com.au www.amyaccountants.com.au

Immediate start

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth 457 Sponsorships available for the right candidates

CONTACT US info@ozvisainfo.com

By Mentari Sandiastri, images courtesy of venues

EXPRESS TAX Level 6, 155 Castlereagh St Sydney, NSW, 2000 1800 739 739 +61 (0) 2 9267 3200 www.expresstaxback.com.au

Experienced Recruiters wanted for various industries including IT, Finance, Media, Blue Collar, Health Care, Sales & Marketing

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VISA INFO

Moving From The UK To Australia or New Zealand Australia is a massively popular destination for gap year travellers or for those looking to start a new chapter of their life, a new adventure or a new job. Fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and a culture that Brits will find familiar make it no surprise that it remains ranked highly as the place to move to for citizens of the UK. Data from a number of sources has affirmed Australia as the number one destination for British expats to relocate to. A recent study from the Centre of Future Studies surveyed over 1,800 British expatriates and results showed that around 87 per cent of respondents now live Down Under, to retain the top spot for the second consecutive year.

The desire for improved quality of life and a safer environment for children was the number one reason given for relocation, with 82 per cent citing this as a key factor in the decision to move. Not only that, 75 per cent think the overall health of their families improved noticeably since settling in, and more than 66 per cent claimed they noticed increases in their wealth.

New Zealand also finds a place among British expats as a favoured destination, however, fails to attract as many as its larger neighbour, despite jaw-dropping scenery that has attracted a multitude of Hollywood movies to use the stunning landscapes as backdrops in their movies.

A few considerations Despite having many similarities, the cultures of Australia and New Zealand have several pitfalls for the unsuspecting Brit to jam their foot right in.

Looking to rent a property and surprised at how cheap the rents are? You might like to know prices 28

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in Australia are advertised per week, which has caught out many a Brit before.

Healthcare might not be free. Australia has a public healthcare system called Medicare, which provides care to domestic residents and also has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. However, New Zealand’s healthcare system isn’t always free even for residents. Despite this, treatment for accidents is free and other treatment is heavily subsidised by the government and usually low cost.

School systems are different; the school year starts either late January or early February, while the curriculums will likely be quite different to those in the UK.

Sponsorship or Visa Moving to Australia or New Zealand is not as simple as stepping off the plane, settling in, and greeting your neighbour by saying “g’day mate”.

There are a variety of visas that may suit your circumstances best.

One of the easiest processes is to get an employer sponsored visa. For this you require a job offer from an approved employer in Australia and they need to prove your skills can’t be sourced from the local workforce. This visa would allow you to live and work in Australia for up to four years.

Gaining permanent residency allows you to stay in the country indefinitely. The visa is initially for five years and allows you to leave and return to the country freely, after five years are up you can stay in Australia as long as you want. However, if you’d like to leave and return you will need to apply for a resident return visa. Application schemes are usually offered under Australia’s skilled migrant programme which regulate successful applicants on a points-based system, depending on the country’s economic needs and skills shortages.

New Zealand has a similar point’s based system for skilled migrants looking to permanently

If you’re still confused, it might be wise to contact visa specialists such as Thames Migration, with offices in both Australia and the United Kingdom who offer free online eligibility assessments and also provide services that will help give you the best chance of succeeding with your visa application. Thames Migration also holds great seminars throughout the year, offering a plethora of advice on lifestyle, employment and emigrating Down Under!

Navigating pounds for dollars Moving abroad with your savings always carries a certain number of complications. The variability and volatility of currency markets is world renowned, however, there are ways you can use the price fluctuation to your advantage to make the most of your cash.

If you’re unfamiliar with foreign exchange markets it could be advisable to seek out a currency

specialist to make use of their expert knowledge and helpful range of products. Using a high street bank to make your money transfer will normally involve a spot contract - a one-off transfer based on the current market rate. However, going with specialists like Currencies Direct often saves you up to five per cent of your transaction (that’s up to £5,000 of every £100,000 you transfer) - as they offer more competitive rates than banks, and charge no transfer fees.

Options available to you include forward contracts - where you lock the exchange rate for purchase at a later date; limit orders - that essentially allow you to send foreign currency at a guaranteed rate of your choice; and Rate Watch - where currency experts monitor the market for you and inform you when the rate becomes available.

For example, earlier in September 2014, the value of the New Zealand dollar dropped dramatically to the point where one British pound was worth around 2.09 kiwi dollars. However, come late November the rate had reversed and one pound bought less than two dollars. Using services such as a forward contract could have allowed you to take advantage of the peak in the rate from September in November.

Courtesy of Thames Migration and Currencies Direct. Visit www.thamesmigration.com

relocate. To apply you must be under the age of 56 years, meet a number of health, character, and English language requirements, while reaching the threshold of 100 points in the assessment to register an Expression of Interest.

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EXPATS IN OZ

Seven Things To Do in Sydney For New Expats Every expat that moves to Sydney feels like a tourist for the first year. It’s hard not to when there are so many touristy things to do in Sydney like climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, tour the Opera House, or taking the ferry to Watsons Bay.

Expat groups and meet ups are also a good place to get recommendations or advice from other expats that have lived in Australia for a while.

Alright, now that you’ve made some friends it’s time to get out and have some fun.

It’s during the second year that it really starts to sink in that they live in Sydney. Really live in Sydney as in working, paying rent, buying groceries, living in Sydney. Even then the shiny, newness of the city doesn’t fade but instead takes on another dimension of discovery. This list of things to do in Sydney is not one you will find in an Australian travel guide, but is instead one for expats that are interested in exploring more of the city, beyond Circular Quay.

2. Go Snorkelling

1. Make new friends by joining an expat group on Meetup.com or Facebook

For new expats this is a great way to make friends and friends are an essential ingredient for having fun whilst living abroad. There are several expat groups in Sydney listed on Meetup.com. One of the largest is the Expat Connection group that meets about once a month. Then there are smaller expat groups that are country specific.

Don’t worry about being shy or not attending because you don’t want to go on your own. That’s the whole point and, to be honest, it’s not a good enough excuse because everyone there is in the same boat. Besides, small talk is easy at expat events. In fact, the “so, what do you do?” question is usually not even asked because it has been replaced with “where are you from?”, “when did you move?” or “where in Sydney are you living?”.

From there, the conversation is usually all about Sydney and how you’re settling in.

When most think about snorkelling in Australia, they are thinking specifically of the Great Barrier Reef. Yes, the Great Barrier Reef is an amazing place to go snorkelling and should be on every expat’s list of places to visit but don’t make the mistake of overlooking Sydney.

There are several places to go snorkelling in Sydney. One of the most popular is Gordon’s Bay just south of Bondi Beach, right along the South Coast Walk Trail. Another excellent place for snorkelling is Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve at Shelley Beach. Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve is well known for the diverse wildlife,including endangered species such as the famous Blue Groper. If you’re a fan of seahorses then you need to go to Chowder Bay and Parsley Bay where you’ll find seahorses that have colonised the swimming nets of each of these well known swimming spots. The seahorses are very small and also endangered do be extra careful when snorkelling around them.

Underwater Sydney is an excellent resource for identifying the the local marinelife. There is one draw back to snorkelling in Sydney and that’s finding rental equipment. There aren’t many places in Sydney that rent snorkel gear. Instead of renting, invest in your own snorkel mask and fins.

Don’t worry, it will not go unused in Australia.

3. Go hiking around Sydney

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know the city better and there’s always a surprise along the way, from exciting wildlife to amazing views of both the city and Harbour along the trails.

Bushwalking is a very popular past time with Sydney-siders - and everyone has there favourite walk!

Chinamans Beach in Mosman are a few of the smaller secluded beaches worth seeking out.

The single most popular walk in Sydney is the Southern Coastal Walk. It’s an easy, well paved walk from Bondi to Maroubra Beach, but most don’t make it that far and usually stop at Coogee Beach. The Spit Bridge to Manly is probably the most popular bushwalk with Sydney-siders. It’s very easy to catch the bus to Spit Bridge from the CBD, then start the walk to Manly, or take the ferry to Manly and head to Spit Junction. It really doesn’t matter which direction you choose to go in, just be ready for some of the best views of the city.

If you’re finding swimming in the open ocean intimidating then head to one of Sydney’s famous rock pools, or for calmer waters, one of Sydney’s inner harbour baths.

There are many more walks along the Harbour and coastline. Far too many to include all of them here but head to WildWalks.com for a list of walks all over New South Wales.

4. Barbecue at a public park

Australians have taken the weekend picnic and stepped it up a notch by having free barbecues in public parks. On a nice summer’s day, the best free barbecue spots fill up early. If you want to avoid the crowds, get a group of friends together for a weekday evening barbecue.

7. Go for a swim at a rock pool or one of the harbour baths

The two most well known and photogenic pools in Sydney are Bronte and Bondi baths. Both are open ocean pools and can be rough on high surf days.

For a dip in calmer waters go to one of the inner harbour baths such as Murray Rose Pool in Rose Bay, MacCallum Pool in Cremorne or Shark Beach in Vaucluse (don’t worry about sharks as there is a netted swimming area).

Author Bio: Lauren Kicknosway moved to Sydney in 2008, and has since done her best to try and convince everyone she knows to move to Australia. In fact, she runs the website Sydney Moving Guide, a guide that helps people make the move to Australia, for this very reason.

The top public parks in Sydney with barbecues are Bronte Beach, Centennial Park, Blackwattle Bay Park, and Shelly Beach. For a complete list of parks with barbecues go to the City of Sydney website.

5. Go to a weekend markets

There is always a weekend market happening somewhere in Sydney. One of the most popular and established is the Paddington Market held every Saturday starting at 10am. Foodies looking for fresh produce, local wine or hard to find, speciality cheeses should head to Pyrmont Market on the first Saturday of the month, or Eveleigh Farmers’ Market which happens every Saturday at Carriageworks.

By Lauren Kicknosway

6. Discover a secret beach

Every expat moving to Sydney has heard of Bondi and Manly Beach, but there are well over 100 beaches in Sydney. The best are usually the smaller, secluded beaches kept secret by the locals. Collins Flat Beach in Manly, Milk Beach in Vaucluse, Lady Mary Martin at Point Piper and

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INSIDE KNOWLEDGE

Victoria Uncovered

Paul Beames, of Wildlife Tours Australia divulges some inside information on the incredible, diverse terrain and travel opportunities Victoria has to offer on land and water, showing that this state has it all!

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What is it about Victoria that makes tours special?

As the smallest state on mainland Australia, Victoria is home to an amazing diversity in a relatively compact area. You’ve probably heard the term, ‘four seasons in one day’ in relation to Melbourne weather and sometimes that is absolutely true, however, it’s this variety of weather patterns which gives rise to the diversity of environment right on Melbourne’s door step.

We only need to look at regions immediately around Melbourne which allow for easy access to day touring and highlight how fortunate we are in terms of being spoilt for choice – Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, The Grampians, and world class wine regions in Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. In addition to these regions, Victoria is also home to some other stunning areas such as the High Country, the Dandenongs/Great Dividing Range which are also home to some stunning pockets of cool temperate rainforest. In total, Victoria is home to 36 National Parks covering 2.5 million hectares of land. When we are speaking in

How do you make your tours different to others that are available?

As a smaller, (but growing), family owned business our focus from day one has been about delivering the friendliest, most enjoyable, entertaining, informative and interactive tours in Australia. Like any good tourism operator, we value customer satisfaction above all else in terms of how our business is operated on a daily basis.

In a competitive market, point of difference is crucial to ‘being seen’ and so aside from the basic foundational core values of our business, we also constantly review our products to identify areas of improvement and change. As an example we are now ready to launch a Great Ocean Road Reverse tour, which visits all of the highlights of

terms of tours, Victoria really is the place to be!

When did you decide you wanted to run your own tours? What were you doing before Wildlife Tours?

After working for multiple companies around the world in various capacities, I saw an opportunity to deliver tours around our own country, in particular, our wonderful state of Victoria. I had a look around at what other organisations were doing this, and thought there was a real opportunity to raise the bar. There seemed to be very few organisations delivering an: informative, interactive, educational and entertaining experience. So in 2009 I embarked upon a quest to perfect the ultimate touring experience through wildlife tours Australia.

Do you still take tours out now?

From time to time, I still get out there on the road.

It still gives me a real buzz, and brings me back to my core purpose - which is making people happy, and showing them some of my beautiful country.

Now I get to do that on a much larger scale instead of one bus at a time.

the region but starts at the end and gives our customers the pleasure of discovering the region without the hoards of other tourists.

Do you have a favourite destination to take people to?

The Great Ocean Road is one of my old time favourites.

If someone was interested in extending the stay for a week or two to take in the atmosphere of the country where would you recommend?

One week or two is not going to get you very far in a country the size of Australia. It would probably be best to focus on one or two states within Australia – if you had a couple of weeks in Victoria, I would suggest 1. The Great Ocean Road, 2. The Grampians, 3. Phillip Island. 4 Yarra Valley, 5. Mornington Peninsula, 6. Wilsons Promontory.

Visit www.wildlifetours.com.au for more info.

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Everyday’s a different day on fraser island

The start of 2015 has brought with it an anniversary: four years of living and working on the beautiful Fraser Island just off the East Coast of Queensland. WOW! Four years on a remote island – it hardly seems real it’s gone that fast. Mark and I often get asked whether we live on Fraser Island, but not many people ask us why – until a guest asked me recently on tour.

It’s easy for anyone who has visited the island or seen pictures of it to see why someone would want to live here, but let’s face it; the reality of living in the middle of nowhere is just a novelty for most. My fiancé is an Aussie fella so for him it’s easy, but for me it’s a little harder. When I really think about it my answer is always for the love of adventure!

I love it here because everyday is different. I wake up every morning excited to find out what the day is going to bring, smiling knowing whatever it brings I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else experiencing it.

There’s far more to Fraser Island life than just 4WD and seeing Lake McKenzie, which is arguably what most people come to the island for.

It’s a constant adventure and a battle as probably everyone’s everyday lives are, but I think what I love the most is the survival instincts it sparks in my very independent nature.

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The island changes so much; with each tide the beach is different, with each season the flora transforms, and with each year comes new challenges for me. We’re all here on an adventure, but I think we choose just how adventurous ours will be.

I was never quite content with the magazines’ celebrity and real life headlining dramas like ‘My mum is having my husbands quadruplets’. I sought more adventure, and living on the world’s largest sand island just off Australia’s beautiful coast of Queensland provides me with more than enough adventure that I get to share with my beautiful Aussie man.

From driving through metre-high foam after a lengthy storm to crawling over miles of exposed brittle coffee rock to a smooth highway of sand, the beach conditions on the island change so often. You have to plan everything around the moon and tides. Albeit I’m only popping to the shops for bread and milk, but it still feels very primordial when you then have to pump up the water, boil the kettle on the gas burner and start the fire all before you can think about having a cup of tea and a slice of toast.

The island is also home to over half of the world’s perch dune lakes with Lake McKenzie being its most famous. I’ve swum in 10 of the island’s most accessible crystal clear fresh water lakes, and with no nasties to watch out for, it’s heaven for people

I know that the island is home to many birds, lizards and dingoes and I’ve seen most at some point or another, but nothing prepared me for the abundance of wildlife I saw on my walk through the inland bush tracks and just how lucky I felt that day. It was amazing to just wander over sand dunes, through eucalyptus trees and into sub tropical rainforest.

I’ve come across some crazy things, from a tree snake regurgitating a brown snake to a pack of dingoes taking out a wallaby – and that’s just the wildlife. I’ve also seen some poor guy’s Porsche Cayenne be rolled around by the ocean like it was in a washing machine.

like me who don’t find the ocean that inviting. With over 60 lakes on the island, I’ve still got plenty more to see (I might need a machete to get to the other 50 mind you).

Anyone you speak to about Fraser Island will always tell you it’s only accessible by 4WD and that you need a 4WD to go there. Fraser Island is actually home to a very famous nature walk that people travel from all over the world to do. You have to be a pretty hardcore walker, so I think that’s got a lot to do with why it gets missed off the list of things to do on the island.

If there is one thing that I know from living on Fraser Island all this time, it’s that regardless of your own scale for desirable adventure, the island has all sorts to offer and I certainly won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. Leaving nothing but footprints and taking nothing but pictures, I will continue my adventures on an island I have grown to love and never get bored of.

Article courtesy of Hana White of Dropbear Adventure Tours. www.dropbearadventures.com.au

However, I have met many hikers on the island, usually when it’s sweltering and I just cant fathom how they could be walking in such a heat, so I always stop and ask if they want a lift or need water. I once met a Canadian lad who inspired me after thinking he was mad for walking his way around the island. It was only recently that I had the chance to take off on foot to explore the island and I totally saw why he made me promise him I would find time away from my laptop to walk the island one day.

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Fraser Island with Intrepid Travel If you want to see the wondrous Fraser Island this year, you can do so with Intrepid Travel.

Introducing new trips for 2015, tour the national park, soak beneath the waters of freshwater pools and view the most famous shipwreck in Australia up close. Available to book now, these new trips kick off on 1st April 2015, and aim to show you the very best of the island.

The 3 Day Fraser Island Eco Tour is a short break packed full of highlights, beginning with a tour of Cooloola National Park, 4WD on Teewah and Rainbow Beaches, and cooling off in the crystal clear Lake Wabby, all on day one. On day two, you will trek through Rainbow Gorge, over Hammerstone Sandblows, and to the Maheno Shipwreck.

Explore the surroundings of Eli Creek, before a picnic lunch and a dip in one of the island’s finest swimming holes, Champagne Pools. Your final day is spent meandering through the rainforest along the Pile Valley Rainforest Walk and Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk. There’s just some time left for a swim in yet another lake, before ending the tour with a drive along 75 Mile Beach.

For a slightly longer trip, the 6-Day Fraser Island and Reef Adventure encompasses even more of Fraser Island, as well as Lady Musgrove Island. On this tour, not only will you be able to 4WD down 75 Mile Beach, trek through Cooloola National Park and soak your skin in hidden lakes, you’ll also get to taste sweet sugarcane, crack macadamias like a pro and relax on the sands of Childers before setting sail for Lady Musgrove Island. You are welcome to learn more about the island on a guided tour, ride over the reef in a glass-bottomed boat, or get closer with a snorkelling or scuba diving trip. Before the tour finishes, visit Australia Zoo to see kangaroos, crocodiles, koalas and snakes.

There are many opportunities to see wildlife in its natural habitat on both tours, with kangaroos at Noosa North Shore and sea life in the surrounding ocean. Accommodation is provided in motels, hostels and resorts, and meals where stated.

With bigger and better tours than ever, you can now receive the ultimate Fraser Island experience with a trusted global travel company. Head over to www.intrepidtravel.com to start your island adventure.

3 Day Fraser Island Eco Tour from $389pp 6 Day Fraser Island and Reef Adventure from $789pp Visit www.intrepidtravel.com to book your trip.

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TRAVEL

EXPLORE WITH MY MATES Tours

Wondering what lurks in the depths of New South Wales’ Blue Mountains?

Immerse yourself in adventure with My Mates Tours and you might just find out...

The Blue Mountains are a must do on your New South Wales bucket list. Situated just a couple of hours from Sydney, a trip here will see you take in adventure, mystery, beauty, nature and a slice of Aboriginal culture.

In the Blue Mountains you can take a boardwalk stroll through the lush rainforest while learning about Aboriginal Dreamtime stories or marvel at the famous Three Sisters. Soak up the legend of Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo as legend has it that the Three Sisters were frozen in stone during an ancient battle over love.

Add some exercise to your day trip by taking a walk down The Giant Stairway and along the Federal Pass trail leading to Katoomba Falls, but one thing you mustn’t skip is a tour of the Jenolan Caves.

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Recognised as one of Australia’s most aweinspiring experiences, the Jenolan Caves are spellbinding.

Like something out of a fantasy novel, the Jenolan Caves are some of the oldest in the world, and you can marvel at their beauty during a My Mates tour, who will give you a comprehensive guide to this incredible area.

Before you pay a visit to the majestic Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, you will explore the Jenolan Caves, specifically, the Orient Cave. One of ten show caves, this is an excellent example of the limestone crystal formations and underground rivers. During a one-and-a-half hour tour with a professional guide, you can appreciate the history, development and conservation of the Orient, while viewing its rich decoration from the chambers and stalactites.

Since 2008, the Orient has benefitted from environmentally friendly lighting technology to see the cave in all its dramatic glory without damaging the cave’s environment. This effort means that you and thousands of other visitors per year can get the best experience possible of this striking cave.

From the dark caves underground to the breathtaking open space of the Blue Mountains, you will be taken to see one of Australia’s most famous rock formations – the Three Sisters. Echo Point is the designated viewing platform to appreciate the imposing nature of the rocks, as well as the distant view of Sydney. You’ll also get to hear the many Aboriginal stories about the Three Sisters.

If the sight of the Three Sisters and surrounding Blue Mountains from Echo Point doesn’t satisfy your inner traveller urges, Scenic World offers even more experiences of this fantastic area. Take the skyway and view the mountains below from mid-air, stroll through ancient rainforest on the walkway, sit in the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere or ride the scenic railway and travel along the steepest incline passenger railway in the world.

The ‘My Ultimate Aussie Adventure’ incorporates all of the aforementioned as well as touching down at Port Stephens, surfing at Diamond Head, and kayaking at Byron Bay, before reaching the Gold Coast.

Book your tour with My Mates at www.mymatestours.com.

You can visit the Jenolan Caves and Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains on the ‘My Bush Bash’ and ‘My Ultimate Aussie Adventure’ tours. ‘My Bush Bash’ will take you from the Gold Coast, through to the Boonoo Boonoo Falls and the Standing Stones, before stopping off inland for some Australian horsemanship training, and then on to Mudgee for some well earned wine tasting, then it’s on to Katoomba to immerse yourself in the adventure of the Blue Mountains.

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Healthy Holidays In Queensland We all usually go a bit overboard on the gluttonous consumption on holiday, not to mention lazing around on the beach recovering from the night before, then return home feeling gelatinous, guilty and worn out, and desperately in need of a recovery holiday.

If this all sounds more than familiar, then rest assure, we’ve found several ways to skip stage one, and instead spend your week off with one of these healthy holidays in Queensland.

Do you have the sort of job where even on holiday, it seems you can’t escape the email notifications and incessant phone calls? Cape Tribulation is perfect for a digital detox because it has absolutely no phone reception. You will be able to relax, secluded from technology in the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, which contains some of the planet’s oldest rainforest. It’s also adjacent to the waters near the Great Barrier Reef, giving you the opportunity for snorkelling and kayaking, or walking along the coast’s deserted beaches. Go to www.capetribulation. com.au for information about accommodation and activities. With such a range, you can tailor your experience to be as relaxing or as stimulating as you choose.

Healing Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Finally, you can enjoy that long-awaited twelvehour sleep in one of Gwinganna’s airy villa suites, set in the lush green valleys of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Detox away all of your stress with the retreat’s many treatments and fitness regimes.

Then ‘detox your mind’ of any unpleasant work thoughts with therapy, food education sessions, ‘afternoon dreamtime’ and calming walks in the mountain air. Refocus and refresh your mind and body with the extensive range of activities, presentations and seminars, including access to the centre’s unique blood analysis service that allows you to make the best choice of treatments during your stay.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat packages start at $980 for a two-night weekend package including 40

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spa, movement and relaxation, with organic meals and morning Qi Gong included. See www. gwinganna.com/news for the latest news and updates from Gwinganna.

Nightfall Wilderness Camp

There are few camping experiences more relaxing than Nightfall Wilderness Camp, set beside the crystal rapids of Lamington National Park rainforest. The ‘glamping’ retreat offers you the opportunity to have a massage anywhere you choose, in front of waterfalls, rivers or at the heart of the rainforest. The camp is only open to a maximum six travellers at a time, giving you a more peaceful and private holiday experience.

For $455 per night, you’ll receive a seasonal organic breakfast and an unforgettable night under a canopy of stars. Find more information at www.nightfall.com.au.

Eden Health Retreat

Hidden in the Currumbin Valley, which is known for its healing qualities. This retreat is the true meaning of the Garden of Eden. Set within the most beautiful parts of the Gold Coast Hinterland, this resort gives you the option to be at one with nature with its spectacular walks through the tropical rainforest. Alongside this, the Eden Health Retreat gives you the chance to unwind spiritually, mentally and physically through its extensive list of therapies. With packages running between five12 days. Visit edenhealthretreat.com.au for more information.

By Ruth McDonald and Ashleigh Osbourne

Cape Tribulation

Food And Drink In WA Western Australia isn’t just full of natural beauties, here you’ll find some of the best wine, seafood and beer in the country... so why not take a gastro tour and tease your tastebuds.

Seafood

The entire coast of Western Australia is ideal for fishing. From Fremantle all the way up to Broome, there are multiple destinations to catch your evening’s dinner, but if you’re not one for fishing, there are many eateries that take advantage of the huge numbers of scallops, prawns, lobster, barramundi and other seafood that lay just off our shores. Wharf Restaurant is recognised as the best seafood restaurant in Broome, while Fremantle’s fishing boat harbour is home to the famous Cicerellos fish and chips.

Beer

Handcrafted and made with love, WA is passionate about beer and its microbreweries have stood the test of time as a result. Matso’s in Broome is award-winning, using the finest ingredients and traditional brewing techniques to

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produce pale ale, mango beer, ginger beer and Smokey Bishop dark lager, as well as lime and wild ginger cider and mango and lime cider. A popular Fremantle landmark is the Little Creatures Brewery, which enables you to make an afternoon of it with pale ale and pizza under the sunshine in the backyard.

Wine

For anyone more partial to a glass of grape, the southwest is Australia’s largest area of wine regions with Margaret River, Pemberton, Manjimup and Blackwood Valley. As a result, restaurants and bars are stocked full the entire state over, so you can find a decent bit of slosh wherever you’re visiting.

Book your trip at www.integritycoachlines.com.au

Remarkable rocks If you’re heading to South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, then there’s one place you have to visit. The Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch are the stars of the stunning Flinders Chase National Park, located on the intrepid island off the coast of South Australia.

These huge rock formations look almost otherworldly, with their huge, gravity defying mass appearing like an alien form on the horizon.

These unusual shape of the rocks is down to the handy work of nature subjecting them to over approximately 500 million years of sea and wind erosion, eating away at their surface to create corrosive arches and holes, and the sheer brilliant orange colour is down to golden lichen that has made its home here. The Remarkable Rocks is also a fantastic vantage point for a Kodak moment with the beautiful Casuarina Islets.

For a chance to visit Admirals Arch and the Remarkable Rocks visit www.kiadventuretours.com.au

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Discover South Australia with Bums On Seats Tours

With 24 years of experience, Bums On Seats Tours offers a fantastic way to discover what Adelaide and its surrounding territories have to offer.

Differing from your usual package holiday, they’ll certainly be able to show you some secret spots off the beaten track. Bums On Seats Tours provide a unique and fun way to see the best of South Australia. Their mantra is “fun, freedom and flexibility” so there’s no need to feel limited with this tour company. With their variety of day tours you can explore the vineyards, spot the wildlife and fall in love with the city over and over again.

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South Australia has a wealth of exciting attractions to explore. From the vast rolling landscape, to the bounty of wineries, the Barossa Valley, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island, there’s so much to see and do that it’s well worth scheduling some time for a trip down south during your stint in Australia.

It’s no secret that South Australia is the biggest producer of Australian wine, and is famed worldwide for its Pinot Grigios and Reislings, so it’s essential that you visit the beautiful Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Eden Valley whilst in South Australia. If you’re looking for a no-fuss day trip from Adelaide, then the Adelaide Hills is where you’ll find some impressive cool-climate wines alongside quaint picture perfect villages and towns.

Adelaide is a great starting point for any South Australia adventure, whether you’re after food and wine, adventure and wildlife, or shopping, but there’s also plenty to take in of this southern Australian city. Adelaide has so much to see, from the historic sailing vessels of Port Adelaide to the beauty of St Peter’s Cathedral and the precincts of North Terrace, Torrens River and the University.

With plenty of pubs and cafés, you can enjoy a casual lunch, and take a stroll along the port front where you may even spot river dolphins.

Adelaide is steeped in history dating back to the first European settlers and is also home to many museums including the South Australian Aviation

Museum, the South Australian Maritime Museum, and the National Railway Museum.

Off of the mainland is the idyllic Kangaroo Island, with plenty of unique adventures to be had.

Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and penguins roam free, and there’s a colony of Australian sea lions at the aptly named Seal Bay, which you can’t

afford to miss. As well as wine, South Australia is renowned for fresh, local food, and you can stock up everywhere from the markets of Adelaide to the farms of Kangaroo Island, with honey, chicken and eggs on the menu.

Choose your South Australia adventure at www.bumsonseats.com.au.

By Charlotte Mellor

While recognised as one of the most relaxed cities in Australia, there are plenty of activities to be found from Adelaide and beyond. The lively seaside resort of Glenelg is situated just 10km from Adelaide and is also the site of South Australia’s original mainland settlement in 1836, and offers some great water activities. Further ocean experiences can be had with sea lions at Baird Bay in the Eyre Peninsular, or cage diving with the Great White sharks in Port Lincoln. Go water skiing, canoeing and sailing on the winding Murray River, or follow the river on a bike along East Front Road. The landscape of the Clare Valley is also perfect for a cycling trip, with the 25km Riesling Trail passing through vineyards, green hills and pretty stone buildings, while the ruggedness of the Flinders Ranges is ideal for hiking and 4WD or soaring overhead with a scenic flight.

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Camel Treks Australia

Camel Treks Australia

With its diverse and inspiring landscape, pleasant climate and extraordinary wildlife, there are hundreds of incredible adventures to be had in Australia. This month we take a look at a very unique way to take in the beauty of South Australia via camel. Yes you heard us correctly. Get totally in touch with nature as you discover the outback from a different perspective, as they proudly tread the land at a relaxing pace.

You can trek through the Flinders Ranges of South Australia on the back of a camel with Camel Treks Australia, with a variety of rides and tours to suit all. Stretching from one to five days, these treks can cover long distances and incorporate hobbies such as photography, from March to October. The photography trek is taken with professional photographer, Pete Dobre, who will teach you how to capture the beauty of the Ranges. He will also give you tips on lighting, composition and more, and answer any questions you have, so you will soon become an expert in photographing landscape images and close-ups of resting camels – just remember to bring your camera!

Located four hours from Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges is older than the Himalayas, so you’ll be touring one of the most ancient landscapes in the world. Obviously, the longer the tour you opt for, the more of the area you’ll see, but even on the five-hour day tour, you’ll be able to witness the dramatic panoramas, serene gorges, rock formations and wildlife unique to Australia 46

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on a truly unbeaten track. Look out for emus, kangaroos, wallabies and eagles in their natural habitat, and relish the surroundings of the Old Ghan railway.

A special one-off tour of the year is the trek to the Marree Camel Races; five days across 270km, you’ll be able to get behind-the-scenes access with interaction with the camel racing teams and all of the excitement of the races in the Outback.

From 3rd – 7th July, there are only four places available of the tour, so now’s the time to express your interest.

The people that will guide you on every trek are Paul and Karen Ellis, a couple with over 25 years of experience with camels. Renowned in the tourism industry for their dedication and success, they are passionate about offering individuals like you an exceptional time in the bush.

All tours depart from Wonoka Station and overnight tours include accommodation in swags, tents or a homestead. Any meals included are cooked over a campfire in a cast iron pot for rustic living that really puts you in touch with the rugged outdoors. Per person, tours cost from $210 for a full day and $468 overnight, through to three-day treks at $1,268 and five days at $2,068. With tours booking up months in advance, now’s the time to secure your spot to explore the Flinders Ranges on the back of a camel.

Find the tour for you and get booking now at www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au.

Did You Know...

While they may roam the Outback freely, camels aren’t native to Australia. The very first arrived from the Canary Islands back in 1840, which was followed by between 10,000 and 12,000 in the following 70 years. The majority of the camels were one-humped dromedaries and came from India and Palestine, but Australians also started to breed their own camels for transport and work, as they were perfect for the desert landscape.

Despite the uses of the camel, once motorised transportation was introduced, their days were

numbered, and working camels were released into the wild to live freely in the desert. The latest recording of feral camels was estimated at around 300,000 in 2013, but these numbers are disputed and too difficult to be precise.

By Charlotte Mellor

The first camel studs were in South Australia in 1866, and they were surprisingly of a much higher quality than those imported. They were ideal for work, as they can go without water for long periods of time, walk over soft sand with their huge feet, work from the age of three all the way up to 40, and have a high tolerance for heavy loads. As a result, the Australian Outback was opened up to more people than ever, enabling camel drivers or cameleers to travel. In fact, The Ghan railway is named after the tracks of the Afghan camel drivers.

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GLOBAL TRAVEL

Explore Vietnam Amanda Kerr lives in Brisbane, and chose to travel with Contiki for her first trip to Asia. Here, she takes us though her Vietnam Experience and what to expect on the 12-day journey through South East Asia.

Our Contiki trip through Vietnam was such an eye opener, and so different to any other tour I had previously been on. My boyfriend and I went on the Vietnam Experience tour from 4 –15 November 2014. I think there were about 24 of us in total when the Vietnam Highlights group joined us on day three back in Saigon. Everyone clicked really well, and the homestay in the Mekong Delta really helped us bond quickly and brought our group together. Definitely worth the extra money to add those two days to your Vietnam trip!

Our tour was a special one, as two girls from The Bachelor Australia were on our tour, along with writers, bloggers, and two big bosses from Contiki to manage them along the way. It was a unique experience having this on our tour (both good and

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bad points!), but made for some very memorable moments! The Contiki boss, Katrina, was super lovely and amazing – so glad she came along for the ride! Our tour manager, James, was really helpful and definitely knew his stuff, powering on even when he felt sick, and was kind enough to give those of us travelling on afterwards many tips on where to go and what to see in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand as well!

Crossing the road in Saigon is an experience you will never forget; you will never again see so many scooters in your life! The markets throughout Vietnam were awesome for picking up a bargain (Hoi An probably had the best shopping), just keep in mind that Asian sizes are much smaller than Western sizes! Our accommodation was of good quality at each of our destinations (though a little more basic at our Mekong Delta homestay). We were treated to so much delicious food over the 12 days that we were spoilt for choice; so many yummy soups, spring rolls, savoury pancakes and fresh seafood!

Nha Trang was one of our favourite spots; we

Halong Bay was stunning, although the water was a little cooler this time of year (but not so cold you couldn’t swim or kayak). Was amazing to see monkeys close up in the wild on the islands and the scenery was stunning – the pirate party on the junk boat was pretty incredible too!

I’d recommend staying an extra night in Hanoi once your tour ends, as you’re bound to make new friends who you’d like to spend more time with! Our group was a mix of (mostly) Aussies, Canadians, South Africans, Brits, a Kiwi and an American. The average age of the group was midto-late 20s, which was perfect (no 18-year-olds getting crazy silly, or old nanas holding us back), and was of a slower pace and a bit more luxurious than European Contiki tours. easily could have stayed there longer! Gorgeous beaches, the mud baths were great, the snorkelling trip was amazing and dinner at The Sailing Club was one of the best meals of my life!

The passionfruit mojito was the best drink I’ve ever tasted and the mushroom gnocchi was to die for!

Hoi An is World Heritage listed and I already can’t wait to go back and visit it again one day.

I had so much fun riding bikes around the old town, exploring the markets and lounging by the pool and visiting the hotel’s spa. We all got suits or dresses made there at Yali, but I’d strongly recommend having pictures of what you want with you on your phone before visiting, so you can be really clear and specific with them on what you want, to save time and confusion.

I’d definitely recommend an Asian Contiki tour – your money goes so much further in South East Asia and for people like us who had never been to Asia before, it was a great introduction to the culture, and gave us the confidence and knowledge to then travel on in the region by ourselves. I had a blast, and so did my boyfriend (who was initially quite reluctant to do a Contiki tour, but was definitely surprised!). Save your dollars and give it a go – you’ll have an amazing time guaranteed!

Have your own Asian adventure with the Contiki Vietnam Experience. Just visit www.contiki.com or ring 1300 188 635.

By Amanda Kerr

By the time we reached Hue we were getting pretty tired, but the Perfume River showed us an amazing sunset and the nightlife there is pretty fun! When we reached Hanoi we were all exhausted and couldn’t wait to sleep! It was probably our least favourite destination in Vietnam; the weather was cooler here and overcast, and the city felt like many others in Asia.

We also didn’t do as much together as a group here.

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Kanchanaburi: Gateway To Central Thailand

Discover the real heart of Thailand. This month Alex Saint takes us on a tour of Kanchanaburi.

Once a sleepy, rural town flanking the banks of the vast and meandering River Kwai, Kanchanaburi has blossomed into a popular tourist destination in recent years. Its notoriety has risen amongst travellers as the ideal base for exploring one of the most picturesque, rural regions as the gateway to Central Thailand.

The town is situated just a short, two-hour bus journey from the bright lights of Bangkok, set in an area infused with outstanding natural beauty. This region is characterised by an abundance of national parkland and waterfalls, whilst the town itself is steeped in history and scattered with an assortment of wallet-friendly guesthouses and places to eat and drink.

Orientation

Kanchanaburi is perched on 50

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the northern banks of the river, where the Kwai Noi and the Kwai Yai converge. There is a peaceful, rural vibe to the area – the mighty river wends its way through vegetation and past riverside shacks where local women hang out their laundry and children play.

The town is a little spread out so unless you are a keen walker, the best way to get around is to hire a bicycle, scooter or simply flag down one of the motorbike taxis or songthaews (converted pick up trucks) that roam the main street looking for customers. If you’re hoping to investigate sights in the surrounding areas but don’t fancy joining an organised tour and consider yourself pretty flexible, catch a ride from the local bus station – they generally run on time.

The Sights Of Kanchanaburi

The iconic sight many associate with Kanchanaburi is visible from the town itself. The formidable, iron bridge that spans the river, found fame in the highly acclaimed, fictional account of the real life events that occurred here in World War II, The Bridge On The River Kwai. The bridge forms part of the dark history of the hellish Death Railway where countless POWs and Asian construction workers were forced to construct a Japanese military supply link between Bangkok and Burma, thousands losing their lives in the process. There are several war cemeteries paying tribute to those that died as well as museums providing a fascinating history of the events.

The most interesting of these memorial experiences is

oasis with real coffee, a smattering of tasty, international fare, book exchange and free Wi-Fi. This main road is also the best bet for bars, with the majority aimed at the expat crowd, featuring the standard pool table and flat-screen TV. Rasta Bar is a little more exotic with regular, live reggae performances and floating discos that are popular amongst Thai people – listen out for the thumping speakers drifting down the river most nights.

Where To Sleep

For the traveller more inclined to explore the offerings of good, old Mother Nature than the historical memorabilia of World War II, Kanchanaburi is the gateway to paradise. The scenic valleys of Central Thailand are a short drive away with treasures in the form of caves, lakes and waterfalls scattered liberally throughout the mountainous terrain, thick with vegetation.

One of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the region is Erawan National Park.

Bring a swimsuit and plenty of sunscreen to embark on the easy trek to the seventh tier of the exquisite, turquoisecoloured, Erawan Falls. The first tier consists of a series of shallow pools lined with picnic

benches – an ideal lunch stop as long as you keep your eyes peeled for thieving monkeys.

However, the highlight of the falls is without a doubt the astoundingly beautiful third tier waterfall, a cascading curtain plunging into a deep freshwater pool, ideal for swimming. Watch out for the fish that can’t help but nibble your feet when you’re stationary – they are harmless but can give you a shock.

Another nearby tourist attraction is the often talked-about and quite controversial Tiger Temple.

Monks and volunteers bring up tiger cubs by hand in this forest sanctuary as well as an assortment of wild creatures such as buffalo, deer and wild boar – many roaming free around visitors.

Where To Eat And Drink

The cheapest eats in town can be picked up at the day and night market – a selection of street vendors and stalls that set up shop around the bus station. Maenam Kwai Road also offers a selection of decent restaurants such as Mangosteen, a backpacker

There’s an abundance of comfortable guesthouses in Kanchanaburi, catering to the gently flourishing backpacker scene. Maenam Kwai Road is your best bet to seek out a bed for the night and if booking ahead, Xanadu is the winner of a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence due to its bargain prices, perfectly sculpted grounds and refreshing swimming pool.

Thai Garden Inn is also a popular choice, set about 10 minutes off the main high street in a colourful garden setting with a selection of charming huts to choose from. For something a little bit different, there are several rafthouse operations where you can sleep on a boat and float your way down the river.

A peaceful, rural town with a convenient array of backpacker amenities, Kanchanaburi provides a welcome respite from the bustle of Bangkok.

In terms of accessibility to a variety of natural and historical sights and activities whilst sticking to a backpacker budget, Kanchanaburi certainly ticks all the boxes.

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Images and words by Alex Saint

arguably Hellfire Pass. This section of the railway holds a reputation as one of the most brutal sections to be completed, with labourers forced to work 18 hours a day to cut a path through the rock by hand.

Now, the pass is surrounded by jungle, provides guided tours, and hosts an informative museum.

discover thailand Thailand has long been a travel destination for heavenly beaches, extraordinary landscapes and a culture shock for the senses, but there are still a lot of things to know if it’s your first time.

Here are some popular questions that do arise, answered by the guys at ThaIntro.

Do many people travel solo?

Yes. Lots of people who go to Thailand are travelling solo, as do many that come with ThaIntro, but by going with us you’ll be going as part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet people and make friends!

When’s the best time of year to go to Thailand?

The great thing about Thailand is it’s usually quite hot all year round, with no particularly bad time to go. There are generally 2 broad seasons: November - March is usually slightly cooler and sunny (so not too humid). It’s generally cooler in the north.

April - October is usually hotter and generally more humid. There is a slightly higher chance of rain from August to October.

Due to the climate being very tropical, the weather can be unpredictable and if it does rain it’s usually short bursts of rain and doesn’t last long. It can also be a relief from the humidity. You should find that whatever month you do visit Thailand, you will still get periods of sunny weather so it will not affect your trip.

Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand?

Most nationalities including the United Kingdom, most European nations, Australia, New Zealand,

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Canada, USA, Scandinavia and Brazil will usually receive a 30-day visa exemption on arrival in Thailand. All you need is a passport with at least six months validity.

How much money will I need?

It depends on how long you’re going travelling for and how much you spend along the way. It’s a good idea to have at least $1000 / £700 for every month that you’re going to be away.

Should I use a backpack or suitcase and how much should I bring?

We recommend bringing a 45-70 litre backpack and packing light! It’s almost always hot in Thailand and minimal clothing is required. And dragging a 30kg suitcase around is not cool.

Will I get by without knowing the language?

Yes. The majority of locals in tourist areas such as Bangkok and the popular islands speak English.

We recommend learning a few key words such as ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ and ‘are you definitely a woman?’ to help you get by. We can teach you these and more.

Book your adventure at www.thaintro.com

Travel Essentials Whilst you’re travelling it’s important you have everything you need. Here are our trusty essentials for the month...

XQISIT B06 Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Available in two colours including champagne gold and gun-metal grey, the pocket-sized speaker uses Bluetooth 3.0 wireless technology enabling it to easily connect to smartphones, laptops, tablets and other portable handheld devices within 7-10 metres. The latest generation of speakers offers the highest quality of sound and volume, plus it not only plays music, but can be used as a hands-free speakerphone too. $55 available from www.xqisit.com

Skin Salvation Ointment This intensive moisturising ointment comes in a tiny 60 ml tub, which fits perfectly into hand luggage… or indeed your pocket making it the perfect pal for anyone who suffers from eczema, dry itchy skin, psoriasis, or any other dry skin conditions. You can use the salve sparingly to treat any little skin emergencies, and with it being 100% it’s great for anyone with sensitive skin. $14.50 available from www.purepotions.co.uk

GALVANIZE S1 & S2 Headphones

British manufacturer Bloc & Roc present their GALVANIZE range of headphones.

The collection combine high grade materials with precision engineering, and are designed, engineered and assembled in the UK, with all core materials also sourced in Britain. Each Bloc & Roc speaker chamber is machined from a single billet of British-sourced, 6082 aerospace-grade aluminium. This is one of the strongest and lightest aluminium alloys, specifically selected as the perfect choice for everyday headphones. The British aluminium supplier and machining company used by Bloc & Roc has specialised in producing metal parts for the aviation industry for the past decade, allowing the S1 and S2 speaker chambers to be precision engineered using the highest quality, 5 axis CNC machines.

Offering incredible sound, the S1 & S2 GALVANIZE headphones allow you to enjoy your music in the best possible way, wherever you are.

From $180 available from www. blocandroc.com

Remescar stretch mark cream If you want to get body beautiful before you hit the beach, then grab for a bottle of Remescar. This silicone based cream helps the prevention and treatment of stretch marks, and is pretty good on any other scars you may have on your arms, stomach, hips or thighs. Just apply to clean, dry skin twice a day for two to three months and you’ll have beautiful, flawless skin in no time at all. $45 available from www.boots.com

Carl Cox The legend returns...

One of the most recognisable UK DJs, Carl Cox is a big influencer over dance and techno music, especially in the last two decades. With summer residencies on the party island of the world, Ibiza, and sets at legendary festivals such as Burning Man, he is often touring to far-off destinations and playing all over the world. Luckily for us, he has a house in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsular, so he does come to Australia pretty often, gracing us with his club bangers and mixes.

One such visit will see him play the Greenwood Hotel in Sydney on 7th March, for another brilliant T1000 event.

Unfortunately, we have to prepare for him to leave our shores soon after, as he closes the summer season once more. He explains, “I built a house seven years ago, and every year I go back in October and jump on a plane end of March to start playing back in Europe via America. It’s different for me than it is for most European DJs, because I can do a gig and then go home, so I understand the desire to live in Melbourne.”

As well as the main man, Cox will also be supported by local DJs, including DigDeep DJs. As a global act, he has witnessed dance music scenes all over the world, but with the distance of Australia from everywhere else, he explains to us that it’s difficult to pick out home-grown talent from Australia that has caught his eye.

“Most of the Australian talent has yet to cross over, and this is a good thing and a bad thing in some ways because you don’t have any scope to be anything apart from what you’re expected to play. And the thing is, you’re on the other side of the world.

So what do you do to be noticed? It’s very difficult.”

There are many ways that local talent can be heard by Cox, however. If the music legend has any trouble finding new music for his global radio show or podcasts, he can look to his website – or you can just pass it to him during a set.

“Even the punters in the crowd get their USB sticks or CDs to me. I do have a website where they’re able to upload new music to me, and I’ll get this on a weekly basis. I get to shoot through so many of these new records, and then I’m able to pick and choose the tracks that I think will go down well on the dancefloor.”

So now you know how to get your music heard by Carl Cox, don’t miss him at the Greenwood Hotel on 7th March for the party to end the summer season.

INTERVIEWS

win tickets to DigDeep & T1000 presents: Carl Cox

The man is a musical ambassador, and since he turned professional in his teen years, Carl Cox has grown in the industry and become a veteran of acid house and techno. It’s pretty hard to think where the DJ hasn’t been musically and his passion for his craft has never died, only growing as he clocked in the years.

Presented by DigDeep and T1000, Carl Cox will be performing for the first time in the open air of the Greenwood Hotel courtyard as Australia closes in on the end of summer. See him on 7th March for an unforgettable party including local DJs such as DigDeep DJs, for breaking tunes and a celebratory spirit.

While first and second release tickets for the event have sold out, tickets can still be bought for $75pp. If you don’t have any spare cash but are desperate to see the man in action, you’re in luck, as BBM are giving away a Double Pass ticket to this sure-to-be-sell-out event. Closing date is 3rd March so get signing up to our newsletter to enter or email

competitions@bbmlive.com

with your full name and date of birth.

Good luck! t1000.com.au/carl-cox-at-thegreenwood-hotel-sydney

ARGY + MAMA Argy + Mama are the techno garage duo brought together thanks to his production and her vocal abilities. Successful in their own right, they have created a blend of modern house and early UK rave vibes, which can be heard on their new album, ‘Dominonation’. Here, they divulge what makes them tick and where they plan to take Argy + Mama.

We’ve heard the new album, ‘Dominonation’; what’s the response been like so far?

Argy: I think not many people were expecting such a turn in my sound. But they are all very much excited about the chemistry we portrayed through this project with Mama. A lot of people said we reminded them of some of their favourite bands without sounding like we were copying them at all.

I’m not mad at that – that’s good.

There seems to be so many different genres and influences coming through; what did you both want to put across with ‘Dominonation’?

Argy: Obviously a lot of ‘90s imagery, sonic influences and general aesthetics, but not in the way it’s been done before with all these house music revival projects. Our angle is more rave and almost strictly British, apart from Mama’s US R&B influences, which are mine too. I personally took 56

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a lot of inspiration from pop bands such as Soul II Soul, Massive Attack and some Hacienda-time acts.

You’ve both had successful careers in your solo projects; when and why did you decide to start working together?

Mama: Argy reached out to me a few times on Facebook in 2011 or so asking for vocals for his solo album. It took a few years before we actually got in the studio together though. Initially I sent him about 50 of my acapellas that I never got round to using and he created the music around the vocals that he liked which is how ‘Recluse’ and ‘Staring At The Wall’ were made. From that moment in 2013, we decided that we would make a good team and started working on tracks from scratch. We both work fast, we both have drive and we both get a kick out of making impersonations of people for a laugh. It was a creative match made in Berlin so to speak. Wait till you see Argy’s impression of Liam Gallagher – genius!

So you’ll be touring ‘Dominonation’ with a live band; how will the music transpose to this?

Mama: We’ve been experimenting with the live show since October 2014, testing out the tracks in different settings. We’ve now got ourselves a festival set with an acoustic drummer, Argy on machines and me on vocals, and a show with live vocals performing our dancier tracks and unreleased house and techno exclusives for the big floors. Basically, if we were invited to perform at a bar mitzvah, we’d have an appropriate set. We’re on it.

kink

Looking back, what was a highlight for you in 2014?

I released an album, which was a bit more challenging and special compared to my other records. It sounds more experimental because of the way I produced it; I wanted to be a bit more limited in the studio, so I used very few analogue gadgets or synthesisers. I decided to produce everything with limited choices, and this is the result; it’s not an easy-listening project, not for everybody, but it’s for those who are looking for something different and original.

You also played Horizon last year; how would you describe it for anyone who’s thinking of going to Horizon 2015?

First of all, the location is extremely beautiful; I go there with my girlfriend for vacation in the winter and it’s just great. The festival attracts really interesting types of people. You have a lot of foreigners, and normally you don’t see that many in this part of Bulgaria, but then you have the locals; it’s a healthy mixture. That’s what I like: the nature,

the location, and the people. And the selection of artists and DJs is really good.

You have such a signature sound; do you remember the point in your life when you became enamoured with electronic music?

I’ve always been into danceable music; when I was a kid I was into disco, and later on I liked hip hop, but I remember in 1992 there was this radio station and they played ‘Das Boot’ by U96, and the DJ called it techno and I really loved it, so that was the moment. Quickly afterwards I discovered the commercial version of techno and then Detroit techno, jungle coming from the UK. I see now many people arguing about commercial music versus underground music, and while I definitely don’t like commercial dance music, I think it’s a good start for the kids to then discover us – the higher quality!

As an electronic artist, it’s fascinating how you manage to transpose this to live performances; what is it that makes you want to perform in this way, and not simply drop tracks?

I like improvisation, and I think it’s important for the artist to have fun on stage, especially when you have a busy schedule and you play two or three times a day, you’re tired and often you just want to sleep, and then it doesn’t make sense to play. You should go on stage and be excited and have fun because this is what we do; it’s not just a job, it’s a form of entertainment.

Catch KINK at Horizon Festival 7th-13th March 2015. Get an exclusive discount when booking your ticket by using the code ‘BBMLIVE20’.

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By Charlotte Mellor

Strahil Velchev is KiNK, the Bulgarian house DJ who has experienced a rapid rise to the forefront of club music. Just as excited as the crowds he plays to, KiNK will be at Horizon Festival in the snowy hills of Bansko in March, so we thought it would be a great time to find out more about him.

we two thieves We catch up with We Two Thieves’ Emily Lubitz ahead of Campfire Festival in March, to chat about song writing, musical heroes, and the inception of We Two Thieves.

You’re playing at Campfire festival, have you played there before?

Never.

Is there anyone in particular you’re looking forward to seeing?

Kasey Chambers!

There’s such a calming quality to your music, where do you get your inspiration from?

Stories, fiction and non-fiction, love, sadness, our instruments, hot Fremantle days and our children.

So your debut album came out in October, how’s the reaction been to that?

It’s always hard to tell, being the artist. Great, I think.

We love the track ‘Peach Tree’ have you got a particular favourite?

It’s so hard to choose! It’s like choosing a favourite child!

Do you have a particular favourite to perform?

We love singing Peach Tree’. Also, ‘Set Me Free’ always has a lot of energy and ‘Glory Down On Me’ always feels like praying.

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How did yourself, Danielle and Dave meet, and how long have you been making music together?

I met Danielle at The Nannup Music Festival in Western Australia six years ago… We were staying in the next door guest house to each other and we ended up singing and playing on the porch, drinking whiskey together ‘til the wee hours one night. We’ve loved singing together (and drinking whiskey) ever since. Dave joined us last year after we had written some of the songs already. We brought him in as a supporting instrumentalist but he quickly established himself as a key member of the group. Not only can he play guitar like nobody’s business, he has a beautiful voice and can do a very soulful whistle solo.

Who are your musical heroes/influence and why?

Johnny Cash, Gillian Welch, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton. Because they were/are all such amazing songwriters with such unique voices.

What else have you got lined up for 2015?

We have an exciting run of shows in March, which includes Port Fairy Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival and a string of shows supporting the John Butler Trio, as well as Campfire Festival, of course! Then we both return to our main projects. I will be finishing recording a new album with Tinpan Orange and Danielle has a whole lot of international touring with Mama Kin. It’s going to be a big year.

By Hannah Shakir

Hi Emily, how’s your 2015 been so far?

2015 has been good so far. It’s been a quiet interlude between two busy sides of summer. We are keen to get back on the road in March, though.

MUSIC NEWS

BBM’S Top 10 Chart Indiana Heart On Fire Lyndon Kidd This, My Friend All We Are Stone

With several self-penned albums and support slots for Die Antwoord and Peaches under her belt, Mama was already established as a live solo act before collaborating on ‘Dominonation’, whilst the prolific Argy has secured his role as one of the most prominent artists in the latest house revival with his album ‘Fundamentals’ along with releasing music on esteemed dance labels such as Cadenza, Cocoon, Versatile and Permanent Vacation.

Exploring lyrical themes of love, human obsession and the soul with her expressive and confident delivery, Mama’s multi-faceted 90’s R’N’B chants flow with the nostalgic machine-made driven house produced by Argy. This is typified on lead single ‘Who Am I?’ – a potent example of the duo’s creative partnership, channelling classic soul singers through Mama’s honey-coated harmony yet will no doubt be an impressive hit with a varied range of audiences from fans of MJ Cole to Ibiza’s underground dance scene. ‘Dirty Stop Out’, ‘Niche’ and ‘Recluse’ illustrate the duo’s more complex and elaborate song-writing abilities, seamlessly merging contemporary underground genres with radio friendly hooks, yet fusing tinges of gothic grit and lo-fi production values into the mix.

Championed by Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke (his remix of ‘Deep Found Vibe’ is set to be released on a remixes EP in February along with a Hot Since 82 rework amongst others) and touring with a live band in tow, Argy and Mama will look to take a new approach to the modern rave with their emotionally charged new album.

Jib Kidder Appetites Bileo You Can Win Young Ejecta Welcome To Love Twerps I Don’t Mind Pond Sitting Up On Our Crane Chastity Belt Time To Go Home

By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall

Having recently released their new album ‘Dominonation’ via BPitch Control, Argy + Mama have struck an intriguing combination between Argy’s lo-fi techno sensibilities and Mama’s soulful, urban Grace Jones-esque vocals which culminate in a sultry blend of modern house and early UK rave vibes.

Max Vangeli You & Me

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EP REVIEW

Louisahhh!!! + Maelstrom - Friction Due for release on 23rd February 2015 is Louisahh!!! & Maelstrom’s latest collaborative EP ‘Friction’, released on Bromance Records (the label of the prestigious French techno artist Brodinski) following on from their previous EP ‘Traces’ which established Louisahhh!!! as an integral member of the Bromance Records syndicate

as the only female member on the label. Having already been invited to support and collaborate with Banks on tour through France last year, the Paris based LA vocalist is regarded as a unique artist who’s voice offers an elemental juxtaposition of light and dark which compliments the gritty and hard production that she and Maelstrom create on ‘Friction’. The EP offers a collection of minimal tech tracks peppered with creative vocal bursts, blips and clicks.

Single Reviews

Gone Snakehips featuring Syd For all of you who remember the chilled RnB insurgence of the early noughties, you’ll be thoroughly appeased with ‘Gone’ by Snakehips featuring Syd. With Snakehips trademark bubbling chillwave brand of music, which showcases his signature layered production and Syd’s seductive, yet effortless vocals rolling over the top – echoed by some Montel Jordan style crowd “Hey’s”, there’s something beautifully reminiscent of this track.

Put Aaliyah, 702 and Olivia all in a sound soup and you’re instantly in noughties RnB heaven, proving that Snakehips has gone and done it again with another eargasmic offering.

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two bodies Robag Wruhme Remixes Flight Facilities After the success of their long awaited debut album ‘Down To Earth’, Flight Facilities have now announced their US Tour.

With the ever elusive duo going from strength to strength, it comes as no surprise that remixes were sure to follow.

Techno legend, Robag Wruhme has remixed Flight Facilities’ ‘Two Bodies’ which featured the sultry vocals of Emma Louise.

The Wruhme remix offers a stripped back minimal tech version of the track, and will sit comfortably on the mixing desks of tech parties for that late-night/early morning lost in the moment slot.

Diva Love For Zero Having toured the lengths of the UK off the back of their previous single ‘Step Into The Light’ (BBC Radio 2 are huge admirers) and playing at various festivals across the country, whilst recording a new album in the process, they’re set to release their new single ‘Diva’ on 1st March 2015.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of White Lies, Warpaint and London Grammar amongst others, the Cenzo Townshend (The Maccabees, White Lies) produced ‘Diva’ is layered with glorious synths and an energetic bass-lines and powers in with a contagiously catchy chorus which builds upon Love For Zero’s trademark fleshy guitardriven vibe and driving dance production values.

FUNNY NEWS

Comedians Touring Down Under From Ross Noble to Paul Foot and Noel Fielding, there’s some exceptional British talent coming to Australia for live tours in 2015. To laugh your way through the year, here’s all the info you need to see the funniest men of our generation.

Ross Noble

This funny Geordie will be leaving the UK for almost two months while he tours the length and breadth of Australia. With an enormous 31 dates Down Under, Ross Noble will bring Tangentleman to Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and regional NSW. Performing since the tender age of 15 at his local comedy club, Noble has become one of the most original and exciting performers of his time, receiving huge critical acclaim both in Australia and back home in the UK. With a new show every year since 1999, he has made us laugh out loud during Chickenmaster in 2000-2001, Noodlemeister in 2004-2005, and 2007’s Nobleism.

As well as touring live, he has appeared on many of the best shows on TV from QI and Have I Got News For You, through to his very own show, Freewheeling, which saw him travel around the UK taking part in hilarious activities using Twitter and his loyal followers as his guide.

With a previous 14 sold-out tours under his belt, and a regular hit at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, his return to the stage and his exuberant presence and imagination promise to outdo all expectations.

10th – 12th March – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 17th – 22nd March – Regal Theatre, Perth 24th – 27th March – QPAC, Brisbane 14th – 16th April – The Palais Theatre, Melbourne 22nd & 23rd April – Canberra Theatre, Canberra 24th – 26th April – Enmore Theatre, Sydney For all dates visit www.rossnoble.co.uk/tour.

Noel Fielding

The star of Mighty Boosh and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Noel Fielding will be gracing the stages of six Australian cities this April.

The eccentric comedian will be sprinkling his magic mix of stand-up comedy, live animation, music and characters during An Evening With Noel Fielding. Anything but average, Fielding has been famed for his stage antics and psychedelic, visual approach to comedy, and will be making waves in the latter half of April this year.

15th April – Hamer Hall, Melbourne 17th April – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 20th April – Canberra Theatre, Canberra 22nd April – State Theatre, Sydney 24th April – Riverside Theatre, Perth 27th April – QPAC Convert Hall, Brisbane

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Eddie Izzard

Actor, writer, comedian and marathon runner, Eddie Izzard is touring Australia from January through to February with six brilliant performances from his Force Majeure world tour. The Force Majeure world tour began in March 2013 spanning 25 countries over five continents. Izzard has been working extremely hard recently and travelling across Europe, Africa, Russia, the UK, Canada, America, India, Nepal, and the Far East, and now the great comedian is going to bring the laughs to Australia.

2nd February – Convention Centre, Brisbane 4th February – Riverside Theatre, Perth 7th February – Llewellyn Hall, Canberra 9th February – Hamer Hall, Melbourne

Stephen K Amos

Joining the list of top international comedians at the 2015 Sydney Comedy Festival, Stephen K Amos will be introducing his Australian fans to his world. The UK comedian, famous for ‘feelgood comedy’, seems to not get enough of the country as Amos is returning to Australia this April.

Stephen K Amos incorporates his natural charm and personal stories in his act, which results in a collection of extremely humorous and unique

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material. A hell of a performance can be expected and you’ll kick yourself if you miss out on this great opportunity to experience Stephen K Amos live.

23rd April - The Enmore Theatre, Sydney 24th April - The Concourse, Sydney

Paul Foot

Coming Down Under for the Adelaide Fringe and Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth Comedy Festivals, Paul Foot is the slightly bonkers British comedian who can count Noel Fielding and Russell Brand as friends. With a not-so-stylish hairdo (he’d disagree, we’re sure) and incredible comic timing, he is without a doubt the most random comedian you have seen on stage in recent times. What he will come out with is anyone’s guess, but you can see him time and time again when he tours Australia throughout March and April.

5th – 14th March – Palace Nova, Adelaide 17th – 22nd March – The Powerhouse, Brisbane 26th March – 19th April – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne 23rd – 25th April – The Factory Theatre, Sydney 1st May – The Octagon Theatre, Perth

Something To Chew Over For Online Dating Listen ladies, don’t bother wasting your time with these online dating sites – they kick all the best blokes off.

When we signed up to eHarmony, they were quick enough to take our money, but when we listed “anal” under “hobbies and interests” they were even quicker in booting us off the site.

So we feel a little bit of sympathy for former police officer Gilberto Valle after match.com decided to pull down his profile. And why? Simply because he likes to kill and eat women. Come on ladies, everyone has their faults. If you’re going to be that picky, you’ll never find Mr Right.

Valle, better known to the media as “the cannibal cop”, was convicted in March 2013 of plotting to kidnap, kill and eat women but was then acquitted in July and released from jail. According to several reports, he created a profile on match.com under the handle AmicableOne14, saying his favourite hobby was cooking. A clean record and good in the kitchen? What’s not to love!

“We received a number of complaints about this profile, alerting us to its existence, and have removed it from our site,” a spokesperson told New York Magazine.

for a “non-judgmental” woman who is “a little kinky”, to which he added a smiley face. The profile listed the ideal date as someone who should “appreciate the simple things and can make the best out of a situation that is less than ideal”. “You’re non-judgmental. You can generally see the good in people and you are kind and generous,” it said. “You appreciate and laugh at bad jokes.”

We’d hate to think what happens if you went on a date and didn’t laugh at his jokes.

In his purported profile, Valle said he was looking

Thieves Have Heads In The Cloud Storing your photos on an iCloud account can be a risky business. If you don’t believe us, just ask Jennifer Lawrence.

But although Katniss continues to curse “the fappening” (and millions of hormonal teen boys rejoice in it), Apple’s photo storing service can also serve the forces of law and order – especially when it comes to catching incredibly thick criminals.

That’s what happened in Houston last month when two thieves stole a man’s iPad and some money, then took grinning selfies on the iPad while fanning the stolen money out.

Unfortunately for them, the iPad was connected to the Wi-Fi at a nearby Starbucks and the photos immediately synced to the owner’s account.

He then shared the images with the media and the photos ended up online, which helped the authorities identify and catch the supremely stupid suspects.

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Celebrity Instagram Shame

We’ll Have Nun Of That You’ve got to admire a fun-loving nun.

Unfortunately for one of the sisters at an allfemale closed order in Macerata, Italy, it turns out she’d had a little too much after giving birth to a baby boy – despite claiming she had no idea she was preggers.

The sister-mother was rushed to hospital after complaining of severe stomach pains. She was “cured” later when a sprog dropped out.

@mileycyrus – Better songs would be made from those lips than the ones on her face.

It is thought the South American nun, who arrived at the convent in June, was already pregnant when she arrived at the women-only closed convent.

Either that or, just like in Jurassic Park, “nature found a way” to carry on the nun species. And judging by the look of some of them, we wouldn’t be surprised if a few of them had turned into men over the years.

Online Competition Is A Bum Deal @chrissyteigen – Clearly John Legend’s wife can’t get enough of the white stuff all over her face.

@chrisbrownofficial – Trying to set a trend, but just looking like a wanabee member of Kris Kross.

Good news, readers! You can finally kiss your anal itchiness goodbye thanks to the good people at Analcare, who are running a competition to win a year’s supply of their haemorrhoid cream.

There’s just one tiny snag. To enter, you have to share the link to the competition on social media. Or to put it another way, you have to tell all your friends you have really itchy piles. So, a year of anal relief or a lifetime of piss taking?

Tough call. The upside to that is, we guess there won’t be too many entries, so you’ll have a cheeky chance of winning.

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The Most Erotic Words In The World A saucy study into the most common words used in erotic novels has found that “cock”, “pussy” and, worryingly, “mom” make up the top three.

Funnily enough, a research team we hired found exactly the same thing about BBM. What a load of crap – they were all a bunch of cocks and pussies anyway.

After trawling through 300,000 erotic stories (we presume he didn’t read them all himself), psychologist Mark Allen Thornton found that the other most used words were master, mouth, mother, wife, asshole and mistress.

He analysed work from about 65,000 authors who uploaded their stories to fiction site Literotica, and pointed out that around 65 per cent of the work was written by men.

Thornton also found that writers between the ages of 33 and 55 are most likely to pen a story about BDSM, and identified a trend that the older women get, the kinkier they become.

Men Won’t Take It Returning To Lying Down The Daily Grind A court in Germany has struck a blow for Usually when people say “I’m going make mince-meat out of you” it’s just a turn of phrase. Well, we’d like to introduce those people to Thomas Stevens, the one-armed butcher.

The 16-year-old trainee had been working for just six weeks when he caught his right hand in a mincing machine. The hand was trapped in the machine at P&K Meats in Surrey for more than 30 minutes before paramedics were forced to amputate it to free him.

Now the butchered butcher is back at work – at the same shop. Give that man a hand.

Thomas’ boss, Paul Jeffery, has agreed to keep the youngster on, saying he felt responsible for the accident. He’s also been ordered to pay £15,000 in fines and court costs after admitting health and safety offences. Apparently he was caught redhanded.

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men everywhere after ruling that “yes, a man has an indelible human right to pee while standing up”.

Admittedly, we didn’t even realise it was up for debate, but in the murky world of tenant-landlord disputes, nothing is sacred. Apparently the row kicked off when a landlord in Dusseldorf withheld $1100 of a rental bond from a tenant claiming the marble floor of the washroom was permanently stained by splashed urine.

“Despite the increasing domestication of men in this area, urinating while standing up is indeed still common practice,” said judge Stefan Hank.

“Someone who still practises this previously dominant custom is regularly confronted with significant disputes, particularly with female cohabitants. However normal, he must not reckon with damage to the marble floor of a bathroom or guest toilet.”

Or to put it in plain English: “It’s bad enough getting shouted at for leaving the seat up, never mind this bollocks.”

SPORTS NEWS

Leeds Bite Off More Than They Can Chew It’s with good reason that “colourful” Leeds United owner/non-owner Massimo Cellino got the nickname the “Manager Eater” at the previous clubs he’s controlled – and it’s not because he’s a bit fat.

The “colourful” character has barely been at the club for 10 months yet and has already sacked three managers. And that’s just the beginning.

During his 22 years in charge of Italian outfit Cagliari, he disposed of no fewer than 36 managers during 22 years – which is not only ridiculous, but also makes him sound like a Mafia hit man.

But the Italian nutcase decided to turn the tables last month, so instead of “eating managers”, he donned his chef hat and cooked for players and staff at the club’s base.

And the reason for this magnanimous gesture? Is Cellino turning over a new leaf? Well no, actually he’s stepped down as chairman after the Football

Cordoba Get Shirty With Players

Spanish club Cordoba have told their players not to swap shirts with Messi, Ronaldo, Bale etc at the end of matches or they’ll be hit with a €50 fine. It’s not that the club hates big La Liga stars – they just can’t afford to give away shirts.

Striker Florin Andone said he swapped with Luis Suarez earlier in the season when Cordoba met Barcelona, and the Romanian knew a charge was headed his way once he had shaken hands with the Uruguayan.

League obtained documents from an Italian court, which had found him guilty of tax evasion.

“No surprises it was pasta but it wasn’t bad,” said manager Neil Redfearn. “His new role might be club chef. It was well cooked and we all gave our opinions of it to him and everyone said they liked it.”

It’s got to be better than the mash and Yorkshire puddings they usually eat in that neck of the woods, although we suspect the players would have preferred it if he’d served up his daughter on a plate instead.

For the record, 24-year-old Eleonora Cellino’s hobbies include watching Leeds games and posting saucy photos of herself at Elland Road on Twitter.

Banned For Being A Winner

We’ve all seen films about kiddy sport teams, in which a group of lovable young misfits come together to play ice hockey/baseball/football.

There’s always a fat kid, one from the wrong side of tracks, a nerdy one and a wise-cracking little one.

They usually get hammered in the first game by a team of ruthless professionals who play in black, and the two teams inevitably meet again at the end of the film in the final. It’s a plot cliché as old as time.

Andone said: “I said to Suarez: ‘Can I have your shirt?’ He said to me: ‘Of course you can but I want yours in return’.

Well, that classic tale got a real-life twist last month when a hapless high school girls basketball team was battered 161-2 by a side with a ruthless coach.

“It made me proud to think he wanted my shirt. I knew I would have to pay €50 to replace it but on this occasion I didn’t mind.”

But instead of responding in the traditional manner of a training montage showing them improving with each game, they instead decided to complain.

Well it’s better to take a chunk out of your wages than have a chunk taken out of you – which is presumably what bite-loving Suarez would have done if he’d refused.

As a result, opposition coach Michael Anderson of Arroyo Valley High, was banned for two games for urging his team to keep their foot on the gas.

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Burley Inks New Deal Former Chelsea star turned crap pundit Craig Burley has been forced to get a dodgy “tattoo” of Fernando Torres on his arm after losing a public bet on live TV.

“I think I’ve made a humongous mistake,” a fearful Burley admitted as he sat down in the tattooist’s chair before soiling himself.

Burley, who now works as a pundit for ESPN, said he would get the tattoo if the Spaniard scored in Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash with rivals Real Madrid.

Lo and behold, Torres duly delivered a brace, with the first coming just 50 seconds into the match.

That’s some expert predictive punditry right there Craig.

In fairness to the Scotsman, he kept his promise, although the tattoo is blatantly a temporary one as Torres looks more like Bart Simpson on steroids.

Jovetic “Kops” Unusual Bill

Timeless Excuse To Fleece Fans

Instead, Jovetic got a bill for his meal and was surprised to find out it was free – with just one stipulation. The waiter had written on it “Never score against Liverpool plz”. We thought you were supposed to give tips to waiters, not the other way round – buddum-tsh!

The baseball franchise is offering fans a $1000 “timeless ticket”, cast in bronze no less, to 1000 of its fans. It wouldn’t be a bad deal if it was some kind of season ticket – but it actually just means you can go to any future game of your choosing.

That’s one game. And unless the Brewers end up in a deciding game of the World Series, it’s hardly going to be worth the outlay.

Manchester City star Stevan Jovetic got a surprise after he’d finished his meal in a London restaurant last month – and no, this isn’t one of those urban myths where he feels ill, goes to the doctor and finds out the chef spunked in his curry.

The waiter, named on the bill as ‘Basri’, is believed to be a Liverpool fan desperate for the City striker not to repeat his feat from earlier in the season.

When City hosted Liverpool in their second game of the Premier League season, the Montenegro striker netted twice to help the champions to a 3-1 win.

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If you thought shelling out a small fortune on tickets to see the A-League All Stars being humbled by a half-arsed European club in a preseason friendly was bad enough, spare a thought for Milwaukee Brewers fans.

“This unique opportunity allows the owner to redeem their Timeless Ticket for an actual ticket to any single future Brewers game at Miller Park, whether it’s in 2015 or 2050, or whether it’s Opening Day or the 7th game of the World Series,” the Brewers trumpeted.

England Fans Sent Packing

The Cricket World Cup is almost upon us, which means only one thing – if you’re an English expat get out of the country now unless you want to hear endless Aussie bleating about how great they are as they inevitably win the tournament in their own backyard.

It’s not that England have been especially bad in the preceding tri-series tournament, it’s just that Australia on their home turf in this format are nigh unbeatable. And God knows they love to remind everyone about it.

Australia play England on 14th February, so why not surprise the missus by booking a surprise romantic Valentine’s Day trip to Bali for a couple of weeks? Watching England lose in their pool or blowjobs by the pool? We know which one we’d prefer.

“Flash! Ah-ah! Saviour of the universe!” Classic Queen from one of the campest sci-fi films ever made, Flash Gordon - the tale of the Aryan race American football star who befriends Brian Blessed and Timothy Dalton before saving the galaxy.

Well now we have a real-life equivalent to Flash Vince Wilfork of the New England Patriots.

OK he didn’t save the world from Ming the Merciless, and he’s certainly not a Hitler Youth poster boy, but he has played in the Super Bowl and he also pulled a woman from a burning car – all in the space of a couple of weeks.

Wilfork was on his way back from a big night

out just after the Patriots had booked their place in the Super Bowl when he came across a car wreck in Foxborough, near the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts that had witnessed his side’s 45-7 win over the Indianopolis Colts.

Wilfork immediately reached into the vehicle to pull 38-year-old Mary Ellen Brooks from the wreckage of her 4x4. “It wasn’t a big deal... it’s just seeing somebody that needs help. I helped them,” he shrugged before jumping into a burning building to save a litter of puppies.

Jokes of the month...

A prisoner on Death Row in Utah has been allowed to choose his firing squad. He has chosen Emile Heskey.

The Bolton football team go to a theatre in town to relax. Suddenly Emile gets up and walks onto the stage.

Neil Lennon shouts, “Heskey! What are you doing up there?” Heskey replies, “Doing what you said boss. Holding up the play.”

These Emile Heskey jokes are crossing the line, unlike his shots.

By Richard Gadsby

Wilfork Dashes To Crash In A Flash

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CRYSTAL BALLS SCORPIO

After watching Sherlock on SBS you’re inspired to become a private investigator and document your cases on an online blog under the pseudonym Dr Watsoff. Despite a resounding success in your first investigation, “The Case of the Missing Remote Control” fails to capture the Internet’s imagination. Follow-up cases “The Odd Socks Mystery” and “Where the Hell are My Glasses” are similarly poorly received. You’re almost set to give up your fledgling career when your next case “What Does My Girlfriend Get Up To When I’m Not in the House” – mystery you solve using a series of strategically places hidden webcams in the bedroom and bathroom becomes a massive success, drawing thousands of new viewers every day. Astounding Holmes, you’ve done it again.

ARIES

After years wondering, you finally find out the answer to a mystery that’s bothered you for years – just where did Cotton-Eye Joe come from?

More importantly, where did he go? Turns out the answer to both questions is the village of Buxton in Derbyshire. He works at the place where they make the mineral water.

LEO

You are hunted, caught and devoured by a Chupacabras.

Considering you live in Sydney and the mythical Mexican monster doesn’t exist, that’s a pretty unfortunate way to go.

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TAURUS

You always dismissed horoscopes as a load of old crap, yet if that’s the case, how could I possibly know that’s what you think? Work that one out Einstein.

CANCER

You are placed into an induced coma after a particularly poor episode of Neighbours. Madge back from the dead? Oh dear.

You’re just coming round again when someone sticks Home and Away on the hospital TV and it kills you stone dead.

LIBRA

You start a street gang called “the Gentlemen Jims”. You walk around your patch in North Bondi wearing black ties, bowler hats and pressed trousers, offering to help old women cross the street. Unfortunately an unexpected clash with turf rivals “the Suitors” over who gets to open a door for a passing woman leaves five dead and four in intensive care.

CAPRICORN

A freak plane accident wipes out your entire fantasy football team. As a result, a minute’s silence is held before every Premier League game in memory of Dave’s Team XI.

AQUARIUS

You yet again win the “Gayest Star Sign” award at the Zodiac Oscars. You’re never quite sure whether to be offended and accuse the award organisers of homophobia, or take the high road and tell everyone it’s an honour. You decide to think it over by having a few beers in the Tool Shed on Oxford Street.

PISCES

You’ve always maintained that if you ever came into money, it wouldn’t change you as a person. Sure enough, this month you win $100,000 on the lottery and carry on being the same smug arsehole you’ve always been.

GEMINI

Love is in the air and overpriced stuff teddies are in the shop windows. Yes it’s Valentine’s Day and this year you decide to make it a traditional one – by spending the night in bed crying and wondering why no one loves you. Maybe next year will be different, but with a face like that we highly doubt it.

SAGITTARIUS

Talking about cartoon characters you find sexy is always a fun topic of conversation with your mates down the pub. Who hasn’t dreamt of being a Flintstone filling in a Wilma and Betty sandwich? And when it comes to Penelope Pitstop, we’d definitely take the Wacky Racer up the dirt road. The discussion comes to a dead halt, however, when you reveal that you once made a prostitute dress as Sponge-bob Squarepants before she orally pleasured you.

Oddball.

VIRGO

Sorry Virgo, I’m using my Crystal Ball in Starbucks and the Wi-Fi connection to the future keeps dropping out. Not only that but I’ve forgot to bring my charger and I’ve only got 10 minutes of battery power left. Consequently I’m not sure what’s going to happen to you this month. You meet a tall dark stranger or something. That’ll do.

ASK CRYSTAL Dear Crystal, There’s a girl at work I like but I’ve never worked up the courage to ask her out. I’m very shy and can’t even look her in the eye when we’re speaking, I just go red and look at my feet. I was behind her in a lift once and started smelling her hair but that’s as intimate as we’ve been - unless you count all the underwear I’ve stolen off her washing line. I spend most of my nights hiding in a bush behind her apartment trying to get a glimpse of her undressing before she goes to bed. I briefly saw her in a bra once, but my phone wasn’t strong enough to get a decent photo. It just came out as a pink blob. So my question is, can you recommend a decent camera so I can take secret photos of my co-worker

through her bedroom window at night?

Yours Faithfully, Jack Dear Jack, Well I’m no camera expert, but I remember I used a Canon EOS 1200D DSLR when I was trying to blackmail Richard Madeley after our torrid affair. I got all kinds of shots with him bending over while I had my strap-on on.

In the end, I couldn’t sell him out. Every time I went round to his house to confront him, he’d just say “welcome back!” in his inimitable style and 10 minutes later we’d be back in his bedroom at it again.

Dear Crystal, Why is Aussie TV so bad?

Yours, Claire

Dear Claire, Come on, that’s a bit harsh.

OK so there are more reality cooking programs than you shake a wooden spoon at, and home renovation programs featuring DIY morons are all the rage, but just think of… actually no, you’re right, it’s shit.

Dear Crystal, Who would win in a fight – Alan Sugar and Duncan Bannatyne from Dragons Den? Sincerely, Jeremy Dear Jeremy, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Bobby “Sugar Slugger” Dimarco, Tyson “Sugarloaf” Frizell. All the best boxers have “sugar” as a nickname. If Duncan Bannatyne was here now he’d say: “And for that reason – I’m out.”

JOKES My wife was so wasted at a cocktail party and accused me of sleeping with her best friend, but she’s got it all wrong. It was her sister, I wouldn’t go anywhere near her best friend.

Duncan, Mount Buggery Watching the reruns of “The Cosby Show” has left many viewers on high alert about falling asleep while it’s on.

Darnel, Surfers Paradise Everyone in my family boasts a big penis and so do I. All the way from my daddy’s daddy, to my daddy’ and down to me. It’s in my jeans!

Nick, Darlinghurst Sometime I take baths because I find it hard drinking wine in the shower Gemma, Darwin

I don’t have a dirty mind. It’s just a sense of humour littered with adult content.

Ryan, Paddington

end of it I had helped her put her clothes on and get back with her ex” Chris, Yorkey’s Knob

When I see adverts with women smiling while doing the vacuuming, I’m don’t think, “Mmm, that must be a good vacuum”. Nope, all I want to know is where I can get the meds that those women must be on” Karen, Adelaide

What’s the difference between a Catholic priest and acne? Acne doesn’t come on a boy’s face until he’s 13.

Helen, Woolloomooloo

Mikey told his wife he wanted a guitar to play while sitting in the Jacuzzi. “The next day she bought him an electric guitar.”

Lana, Cockburn I hooked up with this babe at the club and went back to her place to get down to business then she played some music. It was a Drake album and by the

What’s the difference between an onion and a hooker? I don’t cry when I’m cutting up the hooker.

Liam, Melbourne What’s the worst thing about getting your keys locked in your car outside an abortion clinic?

Having to go in to ask for a coat hanger.

Pete, Sydney

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ADULT FUN

private dining

Planning a special meal out, but don’t want to listen to the table next to you discussing business or ex-boyfriends? Here’s some of the best restaurants across Australia for a private dining experience to remember…

Rockpool, Sydney

The Old Brewery, Perth

Brooks Of Melbourne, Melbourne

Alchemy Restaurant, Brisbane

You can book the whole venue for up to 120 guests if you’re throwing a huge party, but you can also go intimate at Brooks Of Melbourne with private dining for 10 or secluded for 40. The private option looks like something out of The Godfather with a walnut table, leather chairs and dimly lit surroundings, while the larger room is brighter with white walls and three long tables.

Dinners will set you back around $120pp with three courses plus canapés, with fine foods including oysters, Flinders Island lamb, gnocchi and hazelnut ice cream with praline and chocolate ganache.

Basement 115-117, Collins Street, Melbourne brooksofmelbourne.com

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Sitting on the banks of the Swan River, The Old Brewery is perfect for a private dinner with friends with its many available rooms and areas. The east-end of the restaurant can be hired out for a 100+ cocktail party or dinner for up to 60, while the Wine Rack Room is sectioned off by a wine rack for more privacy during a celebration with up to 50 guests. The most intimate option is The Red Room; surrounded by a thick red curtain and containing a circular table and red leather chairs, it sits eight guests for dinner. Each option comes with a cost for hire plus food and drink.

173 Mounts Bay Road, Perth www.theoldbrewery.com.au

With a background setting of the Brisbane River and Bridge, The Alchemy restaurant and bar gives you dinner seeped in elegance. Offering different private dining options such as hiring the venue for a 300+ Cocktail party, or the option of you booking intimate rooms for groups ranging between 10-40 people. Each function room offers you a different setting within this sophisticated unique restaurant or on the beautiful terrace over looking the river, the bright lights of Brisbane Bridge and the kangaroo point. The Alchemy has proved to be a perfect restaurant to have an intimate party with a sophisticated menu.

175 Eagle Street Brisbane www.alchemyrestaurant.com.au

By Ashleigh Osbourne, image courtesy Alchemy Restaurant

There are not one but two private dining options at Rockpool in Sydney. The Private Dining Room is located on the mezzanine level for supreme intimacy for up to 14 guests, so you’re completely separate from the restaurant, but still get to enjoy its atmosphere. If you still want to be a part of the main dining room, the Semi Private Dining Area is simply sectioned off beside the grand windows, and can sit up to 16 guests. Wherever you choose, you’ll receive modern Australian fare from the best suppliers in an iconic Sydney restaurant.

11 Bridge Street, Sydney www.rockpool.com/rockpoolsydney

THINGS TO DO SKYDIVING

ADVENTURE TOURS

IFLY DOWNUNDER 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney Ph: 1300 366 364 www.iflydownunder.com.au

CAMEL TREK AUSTRALIA P.O Box 95, Hawker S.A 5434 cameltreksaustralia@gmail.com www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au

SYDNEY SKYDIVERS 745 Picton Road, Wilton, New South Wales, Australia 2571 Ph: 1800 805 997 admin@sydneyskydivers.com.au www.sydneyskydivers.com.au

BUMS ON SEATS TOURS Glenelg & Adelaide City South Australia Ph: 0438 808 253 sales@bumsonseats.com.au www.bumsonseats.com.au

SOUTHERN SKYDIVERS 2 hours South from Perth Busselton Ph: 1300 449 669 info@southernskydivers.com.au www.southernskydivers.com.au

GOIN SOUTH Four days, two famous Aussie icons, one awesome tour Ph: 1800 009 858

SCUBA DIVING

NINGLAOO WHALE SHARK & DIVE CENTRE Located inside reception at the Exmouth Cape Holiday Park: 3 Truscott Street, Exmouth, WA Ph: 1800 224 060 www.ningaloowhalesharkndive. com.au THE SCUBA CENTRE Port Douglas-Cairns-Airlie Beach, 230 Sugarloaf Rd, Whitsunday Ph: 07 4946 1067 whitscub@gmail.com www.scubacentre.com.au

GHOST TOURS LANTERN GHOST TOURS Melbourne & Goldcoast Ph: 1300 390 119 www.lanternghosttours.com enquiry@lanternghosttours.com Experience the multi award winning Lantern Ghost Tours, offering small group tours of Australia’s most haunted locations.

MY MATES TOURS NSW, Package Bus Tours M: 0431 936 435 www.mymatestourcom BLUE MOUNTAINS ADVENTURE COMPANY Ph: 02 4782 1271 bmac@bmac.com.au www.bmac.com.au WAYOUTBACK AUSTRALIAN SAFARI Ph: 1300 551 510 / 08 8952 4324 reservations@wayoutback.com.au www.wayoutback.com.au BUNYIP TOURS 570 Flinders Street Melbourne Victoria, 3000 Ph: 1300 286 947 info@bunyiptours.com www.bunyiptours.com PENRITH WHITE WATER RAFTING Ph: 02 4730 4333 booking@penrithwhitewater. com.au www.penrithwhitewater.com.au

KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS Vivonne Bay, Kingscote, SA Ph: 08 8202 8678 www.kiadventuretours.com.au DROP BEAR ADVENTURES Ph: 1800 061 156 www.dropbearadventures.com.au FREE MOTION SPORTS 6 Davenport Road, Shoalhaven Heads, NSW 2535 Ph: +61 401934236 info@freemotionsports.com.au www.freemotionsports.com.au WESTCOAST JET The Boardwalk, Mews Road Fishingboat Harbour Fremantle Ph: 0403 606 033 info@westcoastjet.com.au www.westcoastjet.com.au

Kangaroo Island, SA Ph: 0427 315 286 www.kimarineadventures.com ADVENTURE KAYAKING 7 Hastings Street, Glenelg South, SA Ph: 08 8295 8812 bookings@adventurekayak.com.au www.adventurekayak.com.au PARADISE JET BOATING Jetty ‘C’ Mariners Cove Marina, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach Qld 4217 Ph: 1300 JET BOAT (1300 538 262) thrills@paradisejetboating.com.au www.paradisejetboating.com.au

BOWLING

STRIKE BOWLING Nationwide Ph:1300 787453 www.strikebowling.com.au PADDO BOWLS 2 Quarry Street Paddington NSW, 2021 Ph: 02 9363 1150

TONGARRA Abel Point Marina Kiosk Airlie Beach, QLD Ph: 07 4946 5755 julie@tongarra.com.au tongarra.com

TRANSPORT

MIGHTY CAMPERS Nationwide Ph: 1800 670 232 www.mightycampers.com.au

KITE SURFING

KITE REPUBLIC 10-18 Jacka Blvd. St.Kilda Sea Baths Complex, St.Kilda, 3182, Melbourne, VIC Ph: 03 95370644 www.kiterepublic.com.au

GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL Nationwide Ph: 1800 703 357 www.greatsouthernrail.com.au GETABOUT OZ 191 William Street in the Cross, Sydney Ph: 1300 613 833 www.getaboutoz.com

SURF SCHOOLS GREAT OCEAN ROAD SURF TOURS 55B Surf Coast Highway, Torquay, Victoria, 3228 Ph: 03 5261 3730 info@gorsurftours.com.au www.gorsurftours.com.au

INTEGRITY COACH LINES PO BOX 1131, Midland, 6936 WA Ph: 08 927 47464 www.integritycoachlines.com.au

KANGAROO MARINE CHARTERS 9 Chapman Terrace, Kingscote,

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ACCOMMODATION NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY

SYDNEY BACKPACKERS 7 Wilmot St Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 9267 7772 1800 88 77 66 (Free Call) info@sydneybackpackers.com www.sydneybackpackers.com CLOVELLY HOTEL 381 Clovelly Road Clovelly Ph: (02) 9665 1214 office@clovellyhotel.com.au www.clovellyhotel.com.au THE GLOBE BACKPACKERS 40 Darlingurst Road Kings Cross, Sydney NSW 2011 Free: 1800 806 384 Ph: (02) 9326 9675 info@globebackpackers.com www.globebackpackers.com CITY RESORT HOSTEL 103-105 Palmer St Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011 Ph: (02) 9357 3333 bookings@cityresort.com.au Skype: City Resort Hostel www.cityresort.com.au Show this ad for $5 off!

(Valid for new guests only. Min. 3 nights stay.)

WEST END BACKPACKERS 12 Pitt St Sydney NSW, 2000 Ph: 02 9211 4588 Free Phone: 1800 013 186 bookings@westendbackpackers.com www.nomadsworld.com/westend BOUNCE SYDNEY 28 Chalmers Street, Sydney 2010 Free call 1800890897 Ph (02) 9281 2222 book@bouncehotel.com.au www.bouncehotel.com.au LORD WOLSELEY HOTEL 265 Bulwara Rd Ultimo, Sydney 2007 Ph: (02) 9660 1731 info@lordwolseleyhotel.com.au www.lordwolseleyhotel.com.au PORTERHOUSE HOTEL 233 Riley St Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9211 4454 info@porterhouse.com.au www.Porterhouse.com.au BIG HOSTEL Single and double & Dorm rooms available Max 4 bed dorms.

212 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills Sydney NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 92816030 Free: 1800 212 244 reception@bighostel.com www.bighostel.com

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O’MALLEY’S HOTEL 228 William Street, Kings Cross Sydney, NSW 2011 Ph: 02 9357 2211 admin@omalleyshotel.com.au www.omalleyshotel.com.au SYDNEY CENTRAL HOSTEL 428 Pitt Street Sydney 2000 Ph: (02) 9211 7323 stay@sydneycentralhostel.com.au www.sydneycentralhostel.com.au THE ROYAL HOTEL 370 Abercrombie St, Darlington, NSW, 2008 Ph: (02) 9698 8557 info@royal.com.au www.royal.com.au KANGA HOUSE BACKPACKERS 141 Victoria Street, Kings Cross, Sydney Ph: (02) 9357 7897 www.KangaHouse.com.au

SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES

SYDNEY BEACHOUSE - YHA 4 Collaroy St, Collaroy, 2097 Ph: +61 2 9981 1177 mail@sydneybeachouse.com.au www.sydneybeachouse.com.au Guaranteed jobs/work all year.

Cheap weekly rates by the beach with free Surfboard, Bodyboard & Bike hire

SYDNEYS SOUTHERN BEACHES

CRONULLA BEACH YHA Level 1, 40 -42 Kingsway Cronulla Sydney, 2230 Ph: 02 9527 7772 enquiries@cronullabeachyha.com www.cronullabeachyha.com www.yha.com.au

PORT STEPHENS

MELALEUCA SURFSIDE BACKPACKERS 2 Koala Place, One Mile Beach, NSW 2316 Ph: (02) 4981 9422 Mobile: 0427 200 950 melaleucabackpacker@bigpond.com www.melaleucabackpackers.com.au HUNTER VALLEY Hunter Valley YHA 100 Wine Country Drive Nulkaba, Hunter Valley, NSW Ph: 02 4991 3278 huntervalley@yhansw.org.au www.yha.com.au

KATOOMBA

KATOOMBA MOUNTAIN Backpackers Lodge 31 Lurline st Katoomba, NSW

Ph: 04782 3933 stay@katoombabackpackers.com.au www.katoombabackpackers.com.au BLUE MOUNTAINS BACKPACKERS HOSTEL 144 Bathhurst Road, Katoomba, NSW 2780 Ph: 02 4782 9630 www.bluemountainsbackpackerhostel.com.au

BYRON BAY

AQUARIUS BACKPACKERS 16 Lawson Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: (02) 6685-7663 Free: 1800 028 909 info@aquarius-backpackers.com.au www.aquarius-backpackers.com.au NOMADS BYRON BAY 1 Lawson Lane, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6680 7966 Free: 1800 766 673 bookings@nomadsbyronbay.com nomadshostels.com ARTS FACTORY LODGE 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 02 6685 7709 info@artsfactory.com.au www.artsfactory.com.au An essential part of your journey

LAKE TABOURIE LAKE TABOURIE TOURIST PARK Princes Hwy, Lake Tabourie, NSW 2539 Ph: (02) 4406-3101 www.laketabourietouristpark.com.au

QUEENSLAND BRISBANE

BASE BRISBANE UPTOWN 466 George St, Brisbane City, Qld 4000 Ph: (07) 3238 5888 Free: 1800 24 2273 uptown@stayatbase.com www.stayatbase.com Free Tinbilly Limited Edition T-shirt With presentation of this BBM Ad THE DECK 117 Harcourt St, New Farm Brisbane QLD 4005 Ph: 0433 777 061 the_deck@live.com.au Designed with the working Traveler in Mind.

Minimum 2 week stay

BRISBANE CITY YHA 392 Upper Roma St, Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: (07) 3236 1004 brisbanecity@yha.com.au www.yha.com.au

GOLDCOAST

TREKKERS BACKPACKERS 22 White Street, Goldcoast, QLD, 4215 Ph: (07) 55915616 Free : 1800 100 004 info@trekkersbackpackers.com.au www.trekkersbackpackers.com.au AQUARIUS BACKPACKERS 44 Queen Street Gold Coast, Queensland Ph: 07 5527 1300 Free:1800 229 955 info@aquariusbackpackers.com.au www.aquariusbackpackers.com.au BACKPACKERS IN PARADISE 40 Peninsular Drive Central Surfers Paradise Queensland, 4217 Ph: (07) 5538 4344 Free: 1800 268 621 info@backpackersinparadise.com www.backpackersinparadise.com SURF N SUN Beachside Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD 4217 Ph: (07) 5592 2363 Free: 1800 678 194 info@surfnsun-goldcoast.com www.surfnsun-goldcoast.com SLEEPING INN SURFERS 26 Peninsular Drive Surfers Paradise QLD Ph: 07 5592 4455 info@sleepinginn.com.au www.sleepinginn.com.au COOLANGATTA SANDS HOSTEL Cnr Griffith & McLean Streets Coolangatta 4225 QLD Ph: 07 5536 7472 hostel@taphouse.com.au www.taphouse.com.au SURFERS PARADISE BACKPACKERS RSRT Backpackers Resort,2837 Gold Coast Highway, Queensland 4217 Ph: 07 5592 4677 Free: 1800 282 800 spbr@bigpond.net.au www.surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au

NOOSA

NOMADS NOOSA 44 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD 4567 Phone: 07 5447 3355 bookings@nomadsnoosa.com www.nomadsnoosa.com

HERVEY BAY

NOMADS HERVEY 408 The Esplanade, Torquay, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655 Phone: 07 4125 3601 bookings@nomadshervey.com www.nomadshervey.com

TOWN OF 1770

(Between Bunderberg & Rockhampton) COOL BANANAS 2 Spring Road, 1770, Queensland, 4677 Ph: (07) 4974 7660 Free: 1800 227 660 wheeler_danny@hotmail.com www.coolbananas.net.au 1770 SOUTHERN CROSS (Backpackers) 2694 Round Hill Rd Agnes Water QLD 4677 Ph: 0749747225 info@1770southerncross.com www.1770southerncross.com 1770 BEACHSIDE BACKPACKERS 12 Captain Cook Drive PO Box 212, Agnes Water QLD 4677 Ph: 07 4974 7200 enquiries@1770beachsidebackpacker.com.au www.1770beachsidebackpacker.com.au

CAIRNS CAIRNS SHARE HOUSE 17 Scott Street, Cairns, QLD 4870 Ph: (+617) 4041 1875 info@cairns-sharehouse.com www.cairns-sharehouse.com NOMADS ESPLANADE 93 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4870 Ph: 07 4031 7477 Free: 1800 175 716 bookings@nomadsesplanade.com www.nomadshostels.com DREAMTIME TRAVELLERS REST 4 Terminus Street (corner of Bunda st.& Terminus st.)

Cairns 4870 Queensland Ph: (07) 4031 6753 info@dreamtimehostel.com www.dreamtimehostel.com JJ’S BACKPACKERS 11-13 Charles Street Cairns QLD 4870 Ph - (07) 4051 7642 Free- 1800 666 336 jjsbackpackers@ledanet.com.au www.jjsbackpackers.com

MISSION BEACH ABSOLUTE BACKPACKERS 28 Wongaling Beach Road Mission Beach Queensland 4852 Ph: 07 4068 8317 Free: 1800 688 316 info@absolutebackpackers.com.au www.absolutebackpackers.com.au SCOTTY’S BEACH HOUSE 167 Reid Road, Mission Beach, QLD, 4852 Ph: 07 4068 8676 info@scottysbeachhouse.com.au www.scottysbeachhouse.com.au

WHITSUNDAYS BAREFOOT LODGE Whitsunday Passage, Whitsundays, QLD Ph: +61 7 4946 9400 Free: 1800 075 125 longisland@oceanhotels.com.au www.oceanhotels.com.au

AIRLIE BEACH AIRLIE BEACH YHA 394 Shute Harbour Road Airlie Beach QLD Phone: (07) 4946 6312 Free:1800 247 251 airliebeach@yha.com.au www.yha.com.au

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CAPE TRIBULATION

PK’S JUNGLE VILLAGE Cape Tribulation Road (PMB 7) Cape Tribulation QLD 4873 Tel: 07 4098 0040 info@pksjunglevillage.com www.pksjunglevillage.com

RAINBOW BEACH

PIPPIES BEACH HOUSE Cnr of Spectrum Street & Cypress Avenue, Rainbow Beach FREEPHONE: 1800425356 info@pippiesbeachhouse. com.au www.pippiesbeachhouse. com.au 30mins FREE Internet on presentation of this ad PLUS FREE Breakfast & Eco Whale-Watching for all!

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SCARBOROUGH

WESTERN BEACH LODGE 6 Westborough Street Scarborough, Western Australia, 6019 Ph. (08) 9245 1624 westernbeach@iprimus. com.au www.westernbeach.com

COTTESLOE

OCEAN BEACH BACKPACKERS 1 Eric St Cottesloe Beach Ph: 08 9384 5111 backpackers@obh.com.au www.obh.com.au

PERTH BILLABONG RESORT 381 Beaufort Street, Perth WA Ph: 08 9328 7720 bookings@billabongresort. com.au www.billabongresort. com.au

COOLIBAH LODGE 194 Brisbane Street Northbridge Perth WA Ph: (08) 9328 9958 www.coolibahlodge. com.au

REDCLIFFS HOTEL 25 Jacaranda St, Red Cliffs VIC 3496 (03) 5024 1704

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Ph: (08) 9221 9991 exclusivebackpackers@ hotmail.com www.exclusivebackpackers. com BEATTY LODGE 235 Vincent Street West Perth WA 6005 Ph: (08) 9227 1521 www.beattylodge.com.au info@beattylodge.com.au

JOHANNA BEACH COTTAGES 225 Blue Johanna Road Johanna Heights Victoria 3238 (03) 5237 4224 cottages@johannabeach. com www.johannabeach.com

MONKEY MIA

HALLS GAP

MONKEY MIA DOLPHIN RESORT Monkey Mia Road, Shark Bay 3537 Ph: +61 8 9948 1320 monkeymia@aspenresorts. com.au www.monkeymia.com.au

KUNUNURRA

KUNUNURRA BACKPACKERS ADVENTURE CENTRE 24 Nutwood Crescent, Kununurra WA 6743 Ph: (08) 9169 1998 or 1800 641 998 www. kununurrabackpackers. com.au info@ kununurrabackpackers. com.au

BROOME

BEACHES OF BROOME 4 Sanctuary Road, Cable Beach, Broome, WA, 6725 Ph : 1300 881 031 bookings@ beachesofbroome.com.au www.beachesofbroome. com.au

EXCLUSIVE BACKPACKERS 158 Adelaide Tce, Perth 6000 78

VICTORIA MILDURA

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BRAMBUK BACKPACKERS HOSTEL 330 Grampians Road, Halls Gap, VictoriaPh: 03 5356 4250 bramback@netconnect. com.au www.brambuk.com.au/ backpackers.htm Brambuk Backpackers offers travellers an affordable and comfortable range of accommodation, ideally situated within the stunning Grampians National Park.

MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL BACKPACKERS 450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Ph: 03 9662 4066 res@mibp.com.au www.mibp.com.au MELBOURNE DISCOVERY 167 Franklin Street, Melbourne VIC 300 Ph: 03 9329 7525. Freecall 1800 645 200 reservations@ hoteldiscovery.com.au www.hoteldiscovery. com.au UNITED BACKPACKERS 250 Flinders Street, Melbourne Ph: 03 9654 2616 unitedbackpackers.com.au

INDEPENDENT & BUDGET TRAVELER ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER Victoria Hall Accommodation 380 Russell Street, Melbourne 3000 Ph: 03 9662 3888 www.victoriahall.com.au

ST. KILDA

JACKSON APARTMENTS 80 Ikerman St ,St Kilda Beach Ph:0433 118 334 or 0412 525 510 www.jacksonapartments. com.au Jackson.apartments@ bigpond.com HABITAT HQ Freephone 1800 202 500 info@habitathq.com.au www.habitathq.com.au Award winning 4.5 star hostel with a homely & relaxed atmosphere Specials from $20! FREE pick up from Tullamarine (min 3 nt stay) * Conditions apply

HALLS GAP

GRAMPIANS YHA ECOHOSTEL Corner Grampians and Buckler Roads Halls Gap 3381 Ph: (+613) 5356 4544 grampians@yhavic.org.au www.yha.com.au Eco accredited. Solar powered. Herb garden, free range chooks and friendly local kangaroos

NORTHERN TERRITORY DARWIN

ASHTON LODGE & WISDOM BAR 48 Mitchell St, Darwin, NT, 0800 Ph: 08 8941 4866 ashtonlodge@gmail.com www.wisdombar.com.au

MELALEUCA ON MITCHELL 52 Mitchell St, Darwin, NT, 0800 Ph: 08 8941 7900 Freecall: 1300 723 437 www.momdarwin.com info@MOMDarwin.com

ALICE SPRINGS

ANNIE’S PLACE 4 Traeger Avenue, Alice Springs , NT, 0871 Ph: 1800 359 089 www.anniesplace.com.au HAVEN BACKPACKER RESORT 3 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs Ph: 1800 79 4663 / 08 8952 4663 www.alicehaven.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE TRAVELLERS INN BACKPACKERS 220 Hutt St Adelaide 5000 Free call 1800633747 Ph: +61 08 82240753 bookings@ adelaidebackpackers. com.au www.adelaidebackpackers. com.au MAJESTIC MINIMA HOTEL 146 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 Ph:(08) 8334 7766 minima@majestichotels. com.au www.majestichotels. com.au