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ST PATRICK’S DAY
It’s that time of the year again where we decorate ourselves in green, indulge on potatoes and black pudding, and order a round of Guinness just because it’s St Patrick’s Day. Take a note of the places to be this year and be part of all the fun on Tuesday 17th March.
Sydney
PJ O’Brien’s
The craic never stops at PJ O’Brien’s, but it’s cranked up a notch for St Patrick’s Day. Open from 8am, the day kicks off with a full Irish breakfast of pork sausage, black pudding, bacon, hash brown, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, scrambled and toast, with either a pint of Guinness or glass of house wine for $25pp. There’s also live entertainment featuring Kelly’s Heroes, live music and Irish dancers, and a full lunch menu to take advantage of. Breakfast and lunch bookings are essential to celebrate St Paddy’s Day in style! 57 King Street, Sydney www.pjobriens.com.au 6
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St Patrick’s Day Parade
See the magic of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Sydney on Sunday 15th March, as the participants encourage you to celebrate life. This annual event along the streets of the CBD is colourful, vibrant and showcases the culture and heritage of the Irish and Irish Australian. Before the parade itself, there will be entertainment, music and dancing on George Street from 10.30-11.50am, and postparade, Irish bands and musicians will provide live music on the main stage in Hyde Park until 6.30pm. www.stpatricksday.org.au
O’Malley’s Hotel
It doesn’t even need to be St Patrick’s Day to celebrate the culture of the Irish at O’Malley’s. Every Wednesday, this popular pub puts on a party packed with food and drinks specials and live music. From the bar, enjoy $4 house vodka, $7 Magners, $5 Guinness schooners, $6 Guinness pints, $5 WKD and $10 Leprechaun shakers from 8pm – midnight. Watch the best local soul, rock and traditional Irish musicians on stage with your drink in hand and some proper craic! 228 William Street, Kings Cross www.omalleyshotel.com.au
Image courtesy of Sydney Opera House, opposite images courtesy of venues.
ST PATRICK’S DAY 2015
Brisbane
Pig ‘N’ Whistle
This St Patrick’s Day, Pig N Whistle celebrates the Irish across four days of food, entertainment and prizes. From 13th – 17th March, dig into a special menu, listen to the traditional pipe band, watch the Irish dancers and take advantage of great giveaways. With St Patrick’s Day celebrated across all four venues, you’ll be able to have a whale of a time in Brisbane – guaranteed! Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street Station Road, Indooroopilly Queen Street Mall Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley www.pignwhistle.com.au
Brisbane Irish Festival
From 6th – 17th March, the Brisbane Irish Festival will take over the city with music, food, dancing and lots of celebration as St Patrick’s Day rears its head. The parade will take place on 14th March with 80-something floats and an estimated 30,000 onlookers. The Irish Club will be showcasing traditional music on the 12th, welcoming the Queensland Irish Choir on the 15th and laying on a St Patrick’s Eve Dinner on the 16th. With many more events and goings on to be announced, Brisbane has your St Patrick’s Day sorted. www.brisbaneirishfestival.com.au
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Perth
The Cure Irish Bar
In the heart of Northbridge, The Cure Irish Bar is the perfect place to begin and end Irish Race Day in Perth. On Saturday 14th March, gorge on a full Irish breakfast with a pint of Magners before making your way to the races, and upon your return, enjoy some complimentary finger food with live music from The Healy’s. You can get all of this for $45pp including race day ticket. The following day, The Cure Irish Bar opens at 11am for a full day of food, craic and music to warm up for Paddy’s Day. 73 Francis Street, Northbridge, Perth www.thecuretavern.com.au
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Durty Nelly’s
What’s St Patrick’s Day without full-scale celebrations at an Irish pub? The fun starts from the very beginning of March at Durty Nelly’s, Perth’s oldest Irish pub, with Guinness pints for only $8.50 for the whole month. Make sure to place a booking for the 17th to start the morning with a $25 buffet breakfast, and spend the rest of the day with live entertainment up until midnight. This authentic Irish party in Perth is definitely not to be missed! 397 Murray Street, Perth www.durtynellys.com.au
Carnegie’s
This year, Carnegie’s is throwing a St Patrick’s Day party that promises to deliver with live music and dance performances all day on 17th March. With entertainment from The Healy’s in the morning, special guest star Sean Roche taking to the stage at 11am and even the chance to meet the bar’s leprechaun from 4-7pm, there’s a whole day of fun to be had. With all of this in store, you’re bound to get hungry, so enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast and a pint of Guinness for only $25 or beef and Guinness pie with a pint of Guinness for only $20. Carnegie’s Bar, 365 Murray Street, Perth www.carnegies.net
Melbourne
The Last Jar
Celebrate St Paddy’s Day in one of Melbourne’s most highly rated Irish pubs. As well as traditional meals like potato and ham hock stuffed pig’s tail, Guinness Welsh rarebit, and whiskey cured salmon, the evening will also welcome The Drunken Poachers from 6-8.30pm and The Ramshackle Army from 9-11.30pm, for a rambunctious, eventful end to a great day. There’ll also be plenty of Guinness, Kilkenny and Magners to enjoy with friends. 616 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne www.thelastjar.com.au
The Quiet Man
Not content with keeping their St Patrick’s Day celebrations within the walls of the pub, The Quiet Man takes it outside for a street party. Live Irish acoustic musicians and Irish dancers provide all-day entertainment with Zeon taking to the main stage at 6pm. There are also plenty of food and drinks stalls to fill your boots and your belly. Inside, there’s even more live music in the front bar, Irish sessions in the restaurant, and breakfast served from 9am. Make sure you book your seat to avoid cooking your own meagre attempt at
sausages and black pudding! 271 Racecourse Road, Flemington, Melbourne www.thequietman.com.au
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T HO T H G I R W NO
SYDNEY
Escape Rooms
Gone are the days of sitting around in your pants, eating leftover pizza whilst trying desperately to unlock the next level in Tony Hawks Pro Skater, as we welcome the world of Escape Rooms in Sydney. Designed to test your lateral-thinking, ingenuity, team-bonding skills and logic, the rooms are real-life gaming experiences, and even for non-gamers, they quickly become highly addictive as you race against the clock to escape and save the universe! It is a great team exercise, extremely fun, frustrating and somewhat overwhelming. So get out there, go save the universe and fry your brains at the same time! Find more Escape Rooms at www.enigmaroom.com.au
WIN 1 HOUR FREE MASSAGE AT BONDI ICEBERGS The Body Spot at Bondi Icebergs are offering a brilliant prize for one of our lucky readers to win a free 1-hour massage! If you’re lucky enough to win this fantastic competition, then you can claim your prize on Monday and Thursday mornings between 8am and 10am Located in Bondi Beach, the stunning views of the baths and beach will provide you with calming vibes before you even lay on the massage table and undergo your prize massage. To enter this one off competition all you need to do is simply sign up to our newsletter and if you already have done so then send your name and phone number to
competitions@bbmlive.com.
Remember to include ‘Free Body Spot Massage Competition’ in your email subject matter. Ground floor 1 Notts Ave, Bondi www.thebodyspotatbondiicebergs.com 10
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The Chip Shop
The Chip Shop can proudly say it is the first truly authentic UK and Irish Fish and Chip shop in Sydney. All the key ingredients are imported from the UK and Ireland, from the oil it’s fried in to the best North Atlantic Cod and Haddock. Here you’ll also find Irish and English curry sauces, mushy peas, chip shop vinegar and soft drinks. But for the truly hardy Brits among you, you can even enjoy the Scottish favourite of battered Mars Bar and Haggis, as well as truly succulent battered sausage. 78 Bronte Road, Sydney www.thechipshop.com.au.
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T O H HT G RI OW N
MELBOURNE Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Kicking off on 25th March, you can enjoy world class comedy acts taking centre stage across Melbourne until 19th April 2015. From Ruby Wax, to Jason Byrne, Russell Kane, Noel Fielding and Paul Foot, there’s enough comedy on the line-up to keep you laughing until Christmas in July. Get your tickets at www.comedyfestival.com.au
Anyone for a German?
You don’t need to go to Germany to try classic German food such as sauerkraut, apple strudel and goulash, because Melbourne has it right here for you at German Club Tivoli. Situated in Windsor and serving everything you could possibly want for a continental culinary experience, German Club Tivoli is the place to go all year round. Top tip - dig into a sauerbraten - a marinated beef pot roast with red cabbage and potato dumpling and wash it all down with a German beer from Hamburg or Munich. There’s so much to try, you can come time and time again! 291 Dandenong Road, Windsor www.germanclubtivoli.com.au
Moonlight Cinema
This March enjoy some classic films such as The Imitation Game, The Breakfast Club and Clueless alongside newer releases such as Horrible Bosses 2, and Fifty Shades of Grey. Get your outdoor movie fix in the stunning surroundings of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, and make a night of it by feasting on some of their famous salt and pepper squid, or a pulled pork brisket burger if you’re feeling hungry! Grab your movie tickets at www.moonlight.com.au
Cereal Anytime
Goldilocks
There’s still time to enjoy the last days of summer, and nowhere better in Melbourne than at Goldilocks. With ever-changing cocktail specials, the bar staff will amaze you with their inventive and experimental concoctions, trying new recipes to find the drinks that’s… just right. Whether you want a classic cocktail or something to surprise your tastebuds, Goldilocks is a hotspot in the CBD for late drinks with friends and a view. L4 264 Swanston Street, Melbourne www.goldilocksbar.com.au 12
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Latching onto the cereal café trend, Cereal Anytime serves up bowls of cereal at $4 a pop, and they even do takeaways so you can grab a Pop Tart on the way to the office. The add-ons create all different concoctions so you can have cornflakes with milk and Maltesers one day, and organic natural muesli with blueberries and honey the next. Serving from 7am – 8.30pm every day, cereal is no longer limited to breakfast. Swan Street Chamber of Commerce, Richmond www.facebook.com/ CerealAnytime
T O H HT G RI OW N
Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival Fashionistas, designers and trend setters rejoice – the biggest fashion event in the southern hemisphere is returning. Between 14th and 22nd March, the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival will showcase the best new and longstanding talent, with trends, ideas and influences from the whole world, and the public are invited to join in on the action. Central Pier, Docklands www.vamff.com.au
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
With its world-famous hospitality scene, Melbourne is the perfect city to hold a food and wine festival. Inspired by nearby Asia and European settlers, there’s a melting pot of different cuisine to enjoy, and the two-week festival puts this in the spotlight. From 27th February until 15th March, get a lesson in cooking from some of the world’s best chefs, enjoy unique drinking and dining experiences, and celebrate all things food and drink at this enormous event across Melbourne. Around Melbourne www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Discovery Melbourne If you’ve just touched down in Melbourne or are looking to swing by, be sure to check out Disovery Melbourne’s cheap weekly rates! 17 Franklin Street, Melbourne www. discoverymelbourne. com
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Meat F ish Wine
From farm to table, Meat Fish Wine is totally focused on local produce and fresh ingredients to create a seasonal menu. With oysters from NSW, SA and Tasmania, grain and grass fed Wagyu beef, and heirloom potatoes from Lake Eildon, there are more reasons than one to book a table for lunch or dinner. Make sure you leave room for dessert – the dark chocolate fondant with burnt white chocolate and vanilla bean ice cream is more than a little bit tempting. 31 Artemis Lane, Melbourne meatfishwine.com
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T O H HT G RI OW N
PERTH Millpoint Caffe Bookshop
What better to get in touch with your nerdy side than good books and good coffee? Millpoint Caffe Bookshop is the right place to do just that. This independent bookstore has a vast collection of readings from various genres, where you can also mingle with fellow book lovers seven days a week. Pick up your favourite book, order a cup of coffee, and allow your mind to wander smoothly! 254 Mill Point Road, South Perth www.millpointbookcaffe.com.au
Mills Records
It goes without saying that Fremantle’s Mills Records is a paradise for all music lovers. The 70-year-old record shop is where you can indulge yourself in a collection of new and second-hand albums and merchandise of your favourite artists from disco, funk, soul and house for a bargain price. When you feel like expanding your collection, the store also houses precious rarities that will make your collection more valuable! 22 Adelaide Street, Fremantle www.mills.com.au
Turnstyle Collectables
Looking for some quirky or antique items to decorate your home? Turnstyle Collectables houses antique European furniture and unique Australian decorations of all kinds that will add colours and character to your residence. From old-fashioned radios Etro Bar & Bistro has all you need to and clocks to exotic have a good time – great food and ceramics, you will find drinks in an exceptional location. yourself unable to resist the Start with the bistro where their tasty appeal of the quirky pieces crispy skin barramundi or sticky and the temptation to bring braised pork belly is waiting to be them home. devoured, then make your way to 173 William Street, the rooftop bar and enjoy the mouthNorthbridge watering wine and cocktails with a www. selection of tapas to finish off. turnstylecollectablescom. 49 King Street, Perth au www.etro.net.au
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By Mentari Sandiastri, images courtesy of venues.
Etro Bar & Bistro
Wellness Retreats At Infinity Healing Heal your mind, body and spirit with a range of treatments at Infinity Healing. Men and women, either individually or as a couple, can find physical, spiritual and emotional renewal through meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, deep healing, self love, massage and an Ayurvedic lunch. Recognised for easing away daily stresses, a massage is the perfect place to begin your renewal process. With a firm but even pressure and long, slow strokes that glide over the body, a relaxing Swedish massage can release muscle tension and lead you on your way to stress-free days. Something you may not be familiar with, Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese method from medicine, philosophy and martial arts to balance qi, otherwise known as life energy. By aligning the body, breath and mind through meditation, flowing movements, deep breathing and a calm mind, participants are able to release internal and external tensions. An Ayurvedic lunch is intended to nourish, energise and improve health through clean foods.
This means that meals are cooked, free from additives and made fresh to help you on your way to renewal. At $250 from 9am-5pm, the wellness retreat not only helps you during your time at Infinity Healing, it goes further to give you the skills you need to continue leading a happy and healthy life. Book your retreat and be on your way to fulfilment. 2 Panama Street, Canning Vale www.infinityhealing.com.au
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JOBS
10 TIPS FOR GETTING A JOB IN AUSTRALIA 1. CV Layout
You should want to break away from the conventional layout for your CV and look to boost the effectiveness of it getting you to the next stage of the application process. Remember that your CV and Cover Letter are there to advertise you. A recruiter is going to flick through a number of applications, how will you make yours stand out?
2. Make Connections
Stay connected to those you meet in whatever job you’re in. You never know who’s going to end up where, and how this connection may be able to help 7. Know Your CV you in the future. An interviewer may ask you to expand upon aspects of your CV such as your employment 3. New Surroundings history and specific roles you had taken on. Open up to greater opportunities, as jobs aren’t Remembering what you have included is only on your doorstep so you should be open to important so take note of even the smallest detail venturing out from your home town, city or even and be prepared to discuss it further. country. If you’re able to present a CV with an international employment history it will impress 8. Be Engaging prospective employers. Also, it can be a great Take the opportunity to put forward your own representation of your character and work ethic. questions if there is anything that you are unsure about or would like to hear more on for example, 4. Volunteering/Internships Remember that you have to start from somewhere. roles of the job you are applying for. Sometimes it is more natural to hold a conversation rather than Not everyone starts from the top and it takes a lot a simple Q&A. An interviewer won’t want to be the of work to get there. Taking up an internship or only voice in the room. Build a rapport with them. volunteering position can have its benefits as you can work your way through a number of levels and 9. Utilise Your Experience pick up several useful skills along the way. Having skills in a completely different industry doesn’t mean that they can’t be applied across 5. Present Yourself Well all boards. Don’t overlook your experiences, as Appearance isn’t everything, however looking you can even use your retail skills in an office the part can increase your chances for creating a environment. We all started somewhere and perfect first impression. Stepping into an interview having a diverse employment history can display room and looking smart can reflect on your character. An interviewer can cast judgement based your versatility. on your appearance before even listening to what 10. It’s A Numbers Game you have to offer the company. The more you put in the more you get in return and this goes with your attitude to applying for 6. Do Your Research jobs. Putting yourself out there means there’s a Know your stuff! It’s as simple as that. If you’re at greater chance of being picked out. Applying to the interview stage then you should have prepared a large number of job adverts will increase your yourself for any possible questions that you may chances of receiving positive responses. It’s face. Understanding what the company is all about obvious, but some may be fooled that once they and having an in depth knowledge of its products/ have come across their dream job that they land services will impress the person conducting the it. Don’t be afraid of those rejection letters! interview.
If you’re looking for work in Australia contact ozstartup.com.au today 18
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GET A JOB IN CONSTRUCTION If you’re thinking about extending your time in Australia, then Construction is a good way to help secure your visa. We speak to Steve Shepherd at Randstad, about how they can help get you a job in the construction industry. What is the condition of the Australian Construction industry in terms of job opportunities for all roles from on-site to administrative positions? Is there a large demand for workers? Through the second half of last year we saw an increase in design and architecture roles and we expect job demand to flow in to the trades and services sector in the coming months. Master Builders Association is reporting hiring intentions amongst its members to be at a seven year high and it is likely that the recent cut in interests rates will further support the domestic building market. If someone was just starting to consider pursuing Construction work in Australia what advice would you give them? Think carefully, do your research, and identify where the jobs are for your skills. If you’re in civil construction it is likely that the work is in remote areas rather than cities so are you prepared for the life style that goes with it? Next get your visa and qualifications recognised and then consider taking the risk and moving here without a job as it is unlikely with the amount of available talent in the sector already in Australia that a company will wait for you to organise a move when they are looking for people now, unless your skills are very rare and sought after. Is there any specific criteria that construction workers need to meet to secure work? For example, are there specific qualifications/ certificates an individual needs to work in the Australian Construction Industry? They will need the appropriate safety tickets which can be organised here but I recommend they make sure they get all of their qualifications recognised by Australia before they travel as this will impact their employability and limit their ability to work here. Info can be found at www.australia.gov.au/topics/education-and-
training/qualifications-and-skills-recognition For inbound Construction job applicants, are Ranstad able to secure a job before they arrive in Australia? Would they be able to finalise the placement while they are still in the UK? In the current climate unless they have very rare skills and experience this is unlikely as post the mining boom in Australia there are a lot of construction workers who have come back in to the job market so it is not that hard to find local talent who are available to start right away. What methods do Randstad use for promoting the available Construction position to the right candidates? We promote all our jobs in construction on the Randstad website www.randstad.com.au/jobseekers in addition we use Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. What’s the best way for people to keep up to date with the latest job vacancies? The best way to keep notified about jobs in their sector is to go on to the website and register to receive job alerts www.randstad.com.au/ jobseekers/job-alert by doing this they will be notified via email every time a new job is posted that matches their profile. What are the most common enquiries by new arrivals in Australia or people looking for Construction work through Randstad? Will the client sponsor my visa, how does the Superannuation system work, do I need to get medical insurance, do I need to join a union and questions around transportation as new arrivals generally don’t have a good geographic knowledge of the city or the region. To make your next career move visit
www.randstad.com.au
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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! Email jobs@bbmlive.com.
Carpenter You can earn over 30% more than the national average salary of $56,000 as a carpenter by having skills in Formwork.
Construction Induction Card
You need a construction induction card to work in construction in Australia. It’s easy to obtain just ask us how!
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.
Nurses Wanted Nationwide
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 20
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Roles are currently available across the country for all levels of nurses who have 12 + months experience. Salary $59,000. Enquire immediately for temp and perm options.
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?
Teacher If English is your first language and you want to earn over $60,000 per year, Australia needs you to teach the next generation of high school students!
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!
MORE JOBS AT WWW.BBMLIVE.COM
Barmax If you’re looking to further your career in hospitality then BarMax can help you. BarMax run courses in Cocktail making as well as RSA’s and RCG’s. Here we find out a bit more about how BarMax can help you.
As we’re now well into 2015, what does the team at BarMax have new planned in terms of courses?
What opportunities are available to those after completing a number of courses with BarMax?
What does a person gain from completing the various courses with BarMax, such as the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG)?
Is there a period where they need or are advised to renew their certificates for NSW?
RSA, RCG, bar skills, cocktail with more to follow…..Plan to be able to offer Certificate 2 up to a diploma in hospitality. We also will continue to do what we do best and that is get our students work ready.
At BarMax we care about our training and our goal is to make sure that you enter the industry with confidence, a good understanding of the background in the Hospitality Industry of Australia. We get you work ready and have great Industry recognition.
How does holding these certificates improve your chances of becoming a professional mixologist?
Without the RSA as a minimum you will never gain employment as a bar person. Experience in the industry is crucial to becoming a professional Mixologist, however first and foremost you need to learn the basics the right way as this will set you up for a great career.
These courses not only give you confidence but also grounding and understanding of what is required in the industry as your ultimate goal might be to work in a 5 star hotel which will require you to further develop your learning in Certificate 2, 3 or 4 and Diploma in hospitality.
Yes, since 22nd August 2011 the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing introduced the Photo Competency Card to replace all paper certificates as far back as 1997. Currently the industry is going through a transition period where all students who completed their certificate prior to 31st December 2009 must renew by 30th June 2015. And yes you have to sit the whole course again unfortunately!
Any further advice for people who are considering signing up to one of your courses?
If you love hospitality this is where you start, well recognised in the Industry, courses are designed for people to be confident to walk behind any bar and go! It’s what employers are looking for. Book your course at www.barmax.com.au
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EXPAT INTERVIEW
HEALTHCARE AUSTRALIA If you’re thinking about staying in Australia a little longer then healthcare is definitely an industry to think about joining. We speak to Grant Howley, a Mental Health Nurse who fills us in on how he came about Healthcare Australia and traded cold and grey Manchester for the sunny shores of Australia...
How did you hear about Healthcare Australia (HCA)?
I first heard about HCA on Google. I was searching for agencies which specialise in nurses on working holiday visas and they came up.
How did you know what to do to prepare to nurse in Australia? I didn’t! Initially I only had a passive interest in coming here. There was a lot of paperwork and the whole thing seemed daunting. I spoke to an HCA representative in London and she broke it down for me and gave me advice on how to get things started.
Was it easy to sign up for agency work and get started?
When I arrived in Australia I did not have AHPRA registration, HCA organised for me to begin working as an AIN until my registration was approved. I had an informal interview with a recruitment specialist at the HCA office and went through the mandatory training, police check and working with children check. This all took about a week to complete and then I could begin working. No dramas! When my AHPRA registration was approved I began working as a Registered Nurse immediately.
How does nursing in Australia compare to the UK?
How long did the nursing registration process take for you?
I have found there are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences. I have worked in various hospitals across Sydney and found that they are quite similar to the ways in which UK hospitals are organised. My background since qualifying is in inpatient mental health, and I found it to be a relatively easy transition working in hospitals in the city. For me, some of the major differences include working with the NSW mental health act, it is a little different to the UK MHA. Also, drugs have different brand names here, which can be a little daunting to start with.
How early would you recommend someone contact HCA to get organised?
I am currently working on a 2 month contract in Bourke, a rural placement in West NSW. While I have been here I have had the chance to learn about, and experience Aboriginal culture first hand, and also learn about specific mental health care needs of individuals who live and work in rural parts of Australia. I have made some great friends here and found Bourke to be a very community-orientated and welcoming place. I have been working as a community psychiatric nurse here and this has been a great learning experience in honing clinical skills required to look after patients in the community suffering with both chronic and acute symptoms of mental illness,
It took approximately 7 months for my registration to come through. I applied in May, moved to Australia in September and my rego was approved in November. There were a few obstacles and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency required further evidence of training in various areas as I am a mental health nurse, but it was worth the patience in the end when my registration was finalised.
I would probably recommend contacting HCA as soon as you decide you want to move to Australia. I got great, impartial advice about my visa, AHPRA registration and everything and it was friendly and free of charge. Even when I arrived in Australia I felt under no pressure to join HCA, however what they offer as an employer really suited my needs at the time and I feel that working for HCA has opened up some great professional opportunities in Australia.
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which has been beneficial to me given that my background is in inpatient mental health services.
Would you recommend other nurses to take the plunge and nurse in Oz? Yes, this was hands down the best decision of my life. Australia has given me a great opportunity to develop professionally, and I have met some great people on the way.
Could you compare the differences and similarities in lifestyles that you have noticed during your time working as a nurse in Australia?
Before I came to Australia, I was told that there is a better work/life balance here. I didn’t really understand what that meant until I came here. The cost of living in Australia is higher than in the UK (well, Manchester anyway), but we also get a better wage. In addition to that, even if you are flat broke before pay day there is always something to do which will cost you nothing for example a beach day.
How have you found settling into life in Australia? Has meeting people and making new friends been to your expectations? It has exceeded my expectations. I found it really easy to make friends here. There are a lot of travellers in Australia and it has also been easy making new friends through HCA. I came to Australia alone and was worried that it would be hard to meet people but I now have a great circle of friends. I also found the same when I started my rural contract in Bourke, I have made some really good friends here and will definitely be back to visit.
Do you have any further advice for nurses in the UK looking to take the step into nursing in Australia?
Before I came here I was really nervous. I gave up a great job in management and I was progressing quickly in my career. I was worried that I wouldn’t find work, or that I would find it difficult to adapt to working in a different country. Since arriving in September 2014, I have found that there are lots of opportunities in Nursing in Australia for anybody who is committed to their work, and is serious about what they do. Working with HCA has been brilliant as it has allowed me to work in different hospitals, and they arranged my rural contract which has been the highest point in my career to date. If you’re looking to find out more information on how you can follow in Grant’s footsteps and many others visit healthcareaustralia.com.au
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MIGRATION
DON’T LEAVE YOUR BEST FRIEND BEHIND The whole migration process to Australia can see you moving everything from your family, homely possessions and even your beloved pets. Whether you’re moving Down Under permanently or for a fixed period of time, the helpful team at AirPets Ltd can help you be reunited with your pets once you’ve landed. The whole process can be quite stressful so we put our questions to Sarah Whittington at AirPets to put your minds at ease. Would you say that your customers are at ease when leaving their pets in the care of Air Pets? How do you reassure your customers?
Yes! We have months and months of correspondence with some of our customers before the actual date of the flight and we have gone over the process, answered their questions, some of them even come to meet us with their pets ahead of time, they can take away the travel box for the pet to get used to at home and have a look around our premises. It is always going to be a worrying time for the owner, we try to make it as stress free as possible for the owner and of course, the pet. 24
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Do you offer pre and post shipping examinations of the pets to determine their mental and physical condition for flying? Yes, all airlines require a health check ahead of the pet’s flight and some countries require a DEFRA export health certificate. We have on-site vets here every day.
How far does your shipping service range? What are the specs for the smallest to largest animals that you can ship to Australia? We only send cats and dogs into Australia, small and large!
Does Australia have its own restrictions that mean particular pets cannot travel to the country? Yes, we as a company can only send cats and dogs from the UK. The owner would need to check any pet restrictions with Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Can families/individuals insure their pets against any injuries and accidents that may occur during the flight to Australia?
Pets travel in International Air Transport Association approved travel boxes, these are safe and they are allowed some comfortable bedding to travel in there with them. They cannot wear collars/coats/leads that may cause injury.
If the move to Australia isn’t necessarily long-term, would you advise the owners of animals to leave pets back in the UK? Possibly, it’s a long process to prepare the pet for travel from the UK as they need a rabies vaccination and blood test 180 days (6 months) before the pet can travel to Australia, along with many other treatments nearer the date of travel.
Do you offer services to take care of pets in the UK for people who are leaving the country for a more short-term period?
Yes we are a boarding and quarantine facility and we can look after pets for as long as needed. We have some staying with us for months at a time!
What are the conditions like for the animals on board a flight?
What advice and tips could you offer people considering flying their pets to Australia?
Are the pets sedated during the flight to Australia?
Visit www.airpets.com to find out more information.
Animals travel in a special section of the hold. It’s perfectly safe, heated and pressurised.
No. We can recommend safe herbal substitutes that we find very effective.
Plan ahead, you will require 7+ months to meet the Australian requirements.
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TAX INFO
UK And Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
The UK has an agreement in place with 120 countries across the world concerning the number of Brits who are receiving a wage through their jobs. The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is in place so that workers are not forced to be taxed on their earnings from their home country and the land in which they work. To put it simply, it protects the individual from being taxed twice. Australia is one of the countries that are in agreement with the UK, and for the many British expats in the country, this is an added incentive to live and work Down Under. Double Taxation treaties are also designed to: • Provide certainty of treatment for cross-border investment and trade • Prevent excessive taxation of UK business interest abroad and other forms of discriminations • Protect the government’s taxing rights • Protect against tax evasion The UK has the biggest network of treaties that spans across the world with double taxation 26
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agreements in place with countries that include Argentina, Japan, Bahrain, China and of course Australia. The agreements with each country hold different terms.
Guide for Brits The general rule is, to be considered a UK resident, you will need to have been abroad for less than 183 days in a tax year, or have spent an average of 91 days per year in Britain over a 4-year period. This is for tax purposes only. To take advantage of the double taxation avoidance agreements, you must apply to the foreign office in Britain. The benefits of doing this are greater than avoiding double taxation on your income. After registering with the foreign office it will ensure that your pension is paid in gross and that you receive relief from British tax on interest, dividends and royalties. In the event that you are about to relocate overseas it is necessary to notify the taxman by filling out the P85 form from the Inland Revenue. Upon your permanent return to the UK you will need to announce this to your bank.
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
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Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth 457 Sponsorships available for the right candidates
CONTACT US info@ozvisainfo.com
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TRAVEL
5 NEW ACTIVITIES ON THE GOLD COAST
The entertainment capital of Queensland, there are even more reasons to shout about the Gold Coast this month with new adventure tours, luxury experiences and adrenaline activities.
variety of areas, including Pro Zone with double size Olympic trampolines and a zorb soccer arena for endless fun bouncing into your mates kicking a football around. With four 11-metre-long trampolines, you can hone your jumps in no time. www.airfactory.com.au
Cruise Gold Coast
Kayak The Gold Coast
Ocean Jet
There’s a new jet boating company taking advantage of the water sport playground that is the Gold Coast, as Ocean Jet take to the waves. Passing iconic landmarks such as Sea World, Palazzo Versace, Wavebreak Island and the Spit Riders, your captain will inform you with facts about the sights as you’re launched at high speed with an 880 horse power engine, including 360 degree spins and quick stops. This 45-minute ride commences and ends at Marina Mirage. www.oceanjetboating.com
Air Factory
The Gold Coast is the proud new owner of Australia’s largest trampoline venue, Air Factory. A 4,700sqm space with 140 trampolines has opened in Burleigh, catering for the amateur and professional athlete to show their skill in the air. The indoor trampoline park boasts a 28
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Jump into a kayak and head off on a new trail with Kayak The Gold Coast, including activities along the way. Beginning at Burleigh Head National Park, look out for migrating whales during spring and make your way to Tallebudgera where you’ll get the chance to learn how to throw a boomerang. Back in your kayak, the next stop is David Fleay Wildlife Park, which your kayak adventure includes entry into. Departing every morning at 7am, the tour includes pick-up from your accommodation, entry into the wildlife park, water, sunscreen and morning tea, as well as a tour of all of the beauty spots that the trail offers. www.kayakthegoldcoast.com.au
Jupiters
If you’re fortunate enough to be staying at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, you’ll be able to take advantage of the new pool and poolside experiences. While the pool has seen a redesign to make guests feel that little bit more special, there are also bungalows and cabanas for ultimate indulgence. For private use only at $250, book one of the two bungalows and enjoy an outdoor spa, panoramic views and spacious decking for treatments or a BBQ made by your own personal chef. Opt for one of the nine deluxe cabanas at $75 and relax in chaise lounges with complimentary refreshments, perfect for an intimate day for two. www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au
By Charlotte Mellor
Relax on board the 39ft powered catamaran of Cruise Gold Coast, aptly named Life’s Good. Able to carry up to 25 passengers, cruises include on the Broadwater, off shore and whale watching from three – six hours, with tailored options available. Fully catered and BYO, there’s a dining area, TV, kitchen and freezer, but don’t spend too long below deck or you might miss the marine life passing by! www.cruisegc.com
BEFORE YOU REACH FRASER ISLAND
Fraser Island may be the adventure island of Australia, but there are plenty of activities to be done before you make your way over to the dingoinhabiting, sandy land of four-wheeldriving. If you’re arriving on Fraser from Rainbow Beach, you can head straight into the beautiful blue ocean with surfing at Double Island Point or scuba diving from Wolf Rock to meet a variety of marine life including the endangered grey nurse shark, manta rays and dolphins. If you want to feed our friends of the ocean, you can do so at Tin Can Bay, one of the few locations in Australia where you can feed them in the wild. You can purchase fish from the boat ramp at Norman Point and get to know the Indo Pacific humpback dolphins that inhabit the waters when they come up for feeding. To spot another humpbacked marine animal, Hervey Bay is your best bet for Humpback Whales. Not only is it the main gateway to Fraser
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Island, Hervey Bay is a holiday hotspot in its own right thanks to these migrating giants passing through between July and November every year. Boat tours can take you out to see them as close as possible, but you can spot them from viewing points on land as well. At both Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, you can try your hand at more adrenaline activities like skydiving, hang gliding and paragliding, or zip along the ocean’s surface on a jet ski from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island. If you want to see Fraser from a whole new perspective before you make your way over, take a scenic flight from Hervey Bay and soar over 75 Mile Beach, the ancient rainforest and pure rainwater lakes in a helicopter. Whatever you choose to do before stepping on Fraser Island, there’s no doubt it will incorporate the spirit and environment of the island!
Coastal Discovery
The route from Sydney to the Gold Coast is one many travellers should embark on for its enriching experiences with Australia’s animals and activities in amazing locations. Travelling up the New South Wales coast, stop in Port Stephens, Diamond Head and Byron Bay for a true Aussie adventure.
PORT STEPHENS
Port Stephens is an area of natural beauty, with 19 miles of sandy beaches awaiting your footprints, including the coastal resort of Nelson Bay, Port Stephens’ largest town. A mix of tourism and charm, the recreational opportunities are aplenty, including diving, snorkelling and spotting marine life off of Fly Point and Broughton Island. Why not take to the waters of Port Stephens on a cruise of Nelson Bay, jump into the water and swim with the playful dolphins that come up to meet you? In such an ideal location, this is the perfect place to introduce yourself to the wonders of aquatic Australia.
DIAMOND HEAD
Further north lies Diamond Head, a camping area and coastal spot within Crowdy Bay National Park. In this serene location, don’t be surprised if you find a family of kangaroos playing on the beach and even swimming beside you on a surfing or paddle-boarding lesson. The stretch of beach is dotted with rock pools and hidden lagoons with 32
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Discovery tour, during which you can snorkel, kayak, surf and swim in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, meet dolphins, kangaroos and emus, and slide down sand dunes up to 50m high. With all of this and more included in a one-off price of $990 for three days of unbeatable fun, this is your chance to tick off plenty of your bucket list.
luxuriously warm water for a secluded escape, and Indian Beach is just a short circular walk with views of the coast, mountains and forest.
BYRON BAY
One of the most famous holiday destinations in Australia, Byron Bay is a tourist attraction in its finest form. To cater for the abundance of travellers, there’s a wide range of accommodation and eateries to sleep and refuel. Superbly laidback, the hipster lifestyle may not be as it once was, but the art and culture of Byron still thrives, with evidence in the galleries and on the streets you wander. Located on the edge of the ocean, water-based activities include surfing, snorkelling, kayaking and whale watching. Three km north of the town sits Cape Byron Lighthouse, resting on the most eastern point of the mainland and still in use today.
Find out more about My Mates Tours and book your tour at www.mymatestours.com
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By Charlotte Mellor. Images courtesy of My Mates Tours
Want to experience these three incredible locations on a trip along the east coast of NSW? My Mates Tours visit Port Stephens, Diamond Head and Byron Bay on their My Coastal
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s w a g a b out tou r s
Take to the outback and coast of Australia with Swagabout Tours. With trips to some of the most beautiful areas in South Australia, these unique adventures are spent sleeping in a traditional Aussie swag under the stars, or in hotels, villas and safari tents, depending on what you’re after! Travel to Lake Eyre, Australia’s great salt lake and the country’s lowest natural point at 49 feet below sea level. All tours to Lake Eyre include a one-and-a-half hour scenic flight so you can see the landscape from a completely different point of view. You can include other areas of South Australia on a Lake Eyre tour, including the beautiful Flinders Ranges and the underground town of Coober Pedy.
For a more coastal adventure, book yourself on an Eyre Peninsula tour and visit the wooden jetty at Port Germein, the shores of Arno, Boston and Coffin Bays, and the seal colonies of Point Labatt and Baird Bay. Featuring ranges, cliff tops, beaches and estuaries, a tour of the Eyre Peninsula really is the best of both worlds. How about a whale watching tour to see one of the great ocean inhabitants? Between May and October, Swagabout Tours travel to the Head of the Great Australian Bight for five days, including a morning watching the Southern Right Whales frolic in the clear blue waters. In 2014, there were 227 adults and calves spotted in this area in late July, so you don’t want to miss an opportunity to see them yourself in 2015. As well as whale watching, this tour includes a visit to Port Augusta, Nullarbor, Ceduna and Elliston, for relaxing on bays and beaches, viewing seals, surfing, tasting oysters and learning about the Australian steel industry. Outside of South Australia, Swagabout Tours head north to visit the outback town of Alice Springs, come face-to-face with the big, red
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In some of the best locations in Australia, Swagabout Tours provide truly memorable experiences. With a minimum of two passengers needed to take off, these tours are so original, you may feel like you’re on your own private tour of Down Under. Enquire about Swagabout Tours today, and start your adventure of South Australia and the outback. Book your adventure at www.swagabouttours.com.au
Images courtesy of Swagabout Tours
rock that is Uluru, and walk Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory. A quintessential inland adventure, you will get to view a salt lake, call in on the underground town of Coober Pedy, and walk through the tunnel of time at the Wadlata Outback Centre. Spending overnight at Uluru, you will have time to explore the surroundings of this great natural structure, view it during sunrise and sunset, and learn about the local people. The next day, you can walk into Kings Canyon, stay overnight at the resort or Kings Creek Station, and complete the Canyon Rim Walk with the rest of your group. Ranging from five to 10 days, you can take in the great Australian outback up close.
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FUN, SUN AND ADVENTURE WITH KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS
Kangaroo Island like most of South Australia has a Mediterranean climate with summers (December to February) being warm with cool evenings. During autumn (March to May), the pastures begin to green up, waterways and catchments begin to flow and it is a time for transition, a stunning time of the year with warm days and calm seas.
Great weather for a bit of fun, sun and adventure and this is all for the offering on a Kangaroo Island Adventure Tour. When on tour your guide will help spot for you some of the island’s incredible and famous wildlife – including Australian sea-lions, NZ Fur Seals, tammar wallabies, kangaroos, koalas and echidnas. You’ll also visit the most amazing natural formations such as Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and see incredible coastal scenery. Around the Coast of Kangaroo Island are also some of Australia’s best beaches. You’re in for a treat! One such beach is Vivonne Bay Beach, on the south coast and right near where you’ll be spending your overnight at Vivonne Bay Lodge. This stunning beach was named ‘Best Beach in Australia’ by a Scientist who studied over 10,000 beaches around Australia. Another famous beach on the island’s serene north coast is Stokes Bay, a secluded beach protected from the pounding surf by a giant pool surrounded by rocks and accessed only through a ‘mystery’ path through a cliff face. A must see beach visit on Kangaroo Island!
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Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours 2 Day Kangaroo Island Wilderness Explorer Tour has it all, with a touch of adventure for the more spirited traveller who enjoys experiencing places and attractions that are off the beaten track. Travel in small groups for a fun and informal, yet informative two days of touring on Kangaroo Island. The 2 Day tour visits attractions such as Rob’s Sheep Shearing, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Seal Bay, sand boarding at Little Sahara, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Hanson Bay Wildlife Park.
Let Kangaroo Island Adventures show you the time of your life on Kangaroo Island! For further information and bookings call +61 8 82028678 or visit www.kiadventuretours.com.au To view the tour video visit www.youtube.com/user/KIAdventureTour Catch us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KIAdventureTours
Vivonne Bay Lodge is on a 206 hectare private bush property at Vivonne Bay which has 1km of beachfront access. Here you will also be able to choose from a range of activities such as kayaking, cycling and swimming. All meals are included whilst on tour (1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner) and accommodation is dormitory with bed linen included and share bathroom facilities. Private room upgrades are available.
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Must Do Activities Along The West Coast Of Australia There is an abundance of activities on offer thanks to the wild but inviting open road up the west coast of Australia. If you’re going to do anything while travelling along the Indian Ocean, you can’t go wrong with these exceptional pastimes.
Snorkelling
Much of the west coast is adorned with colourful coral reefs, shallow lagoons and separate islands that are perfect for snorkelling. Jurien Bay Marine Park is in the path of migrating whales, visiting dolphins and breeding sea lions, so don’t be surprised if you bump into at least one of these marine mammals. Further north, the Ningaloo Reef can rival the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
Sandboarding...
The sand dunes along the west coast of Australia are sublime. From the white sand dunes of Lancelin to the golden powder of Kalbarri, this is an alternative to surfing that guarantees all the fun without getting wet. Stretching as much as two kilometres, try your hand at picking up speed and sliding your way down these smooth slips of sand.
Abseiling in Karijini
Feed Bottlenose Dolphins
One of the few places wild dolphins come up to shore, Monkey Mia provides visitors with the unique experience of getting up close with the beautiful bottlenose and feeding them in the clear blue waters of the shore.
The gorges, cliffs and canyons of Western Australia provide exhilarating abseiling opportunities. The rocky caverns of Karijini allow you to abseil to the depths of the land and see millions-of-years-old formations up close. If you think you can shimmy your way down a 20-metre wall of red rock, WA is your haven, and now Integrity Coach Lines are offering 10% when you book their Karijini Tour using promo code
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Ride A Camel..
Picture it: the sun setting over the turquoise waters and golden sands, while you sit on the back of a camel treading its way along Cable Beach – an iconic tour that’s a truly spectacular way to experience Broome.
Win One Perth To Broome Hop-On Hop-Off Pass
We’re giving you the chance to travel up the Western Australian coast, and visit the most beautiful locations as you do so, for free, with Integrity Coach Lines. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this incredible travel prize is email us at competitions@bbmlive.com with your full name and age with the subject title “Integrity Hop-On Hop-Off Pass”. You have until 31st March to enter. Good luck! Visit www.bbmlive.com/competitions for full terms and conditions.
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SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS ON THE NINGALOO REEF
Delve beneath the crystal azure waters off the coast of Western Australia and get to know this lesser known world wonder. Most people put the Great Barrier Reef at the top of their Australia travel bucket list when putting their itinerary together, however the Ningaloo Reef stretches for 260 km and is one of the world’s largest fringing reefs, as well as being the only large coral reef positioned close to the shore, with its closest point within just 100 metres of shore. The Ningaloo Reef is renowned for its annual visitors, the gargantuan Whale Sharks that visit every April – June, but there is more than just these giants to be found within these waters, another giant lurks, just waiting for you to marvel at its sheer size, beauty and majesty as it glides through the ocean, and that is, of course the Manta Ray. Reaching a disc width of up to 670 cm (yes you read that right, that’s a whopping 6.70m) the Manta Ray is a gentle giant, which isn’t dangerous to humans, as they have no sting or venomous spine. Due to their placid nature you can take in both the beauty of snorkelling the stunning Ningaloo Reef as well as observing these fish in their natural habitat, as they filter vast quantities of plankton through their vacuous mouths. Ningaloo Experience’s “Outer Reef Experience – Snorkel with Manta Rays” tour allows you to get a close up, all whilst respecting these beautiful
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creatures as they waft through to Indian Ocean. Their small 12 person tours ensure that the creatures do not become overwhelmed and give each passenger a good view with no crowds to fight for premium position. Of course other creatures can be found on the Ningaloo Reef including Loggerhead and Green turtles, Dugongs, over 500 varieties of fish and 300 species of coral making it the perfect location for snorkelling. To book your tour discovering the beauty of the Ningaloo Reef visit www.ningalooexperience.com.
Kalbarri Adventure Tours
that have formed a gorge system over millions of years. The first stop on your tour you will come face to face with Nature’s Window – a natural rock arch that frames the river perfectly, and is the main photo opp in the park – this is also where you’ll stop for homemade cake and juice, before hiking down Fourways where two reaches of the river and two side gullies meet. Here you’ll take to the water in your canoe and explore the stunning view of the gorges from the water as you paddle along the meandering river.
Situated 485 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia, Kalbarri National Park is a must do whilst on your travels through Australia. The national park offers stunning gorges, impressive rock formations, over 800 varieties of wild flowers, and is also home to more than 200 species of wildlife including the Beaked Echidna, the Western Grey Kangaroo, the Thorny Devil and the Australian Pelican. Discovering the Murchison River and its gorges are a must whilst travelling to this stunning region of Western Australia, and one of the best ways to see the gorge is via canoe. With Kalbarri Adventure Tours you can discover the beauty of the gorge from the water as you paddle through the incredible sandstone cliffs
Canoeing through Kalbarri on the Murchison, you will find yourself atop Western Australia’s second longest river, and get the chance to take on the famous Z-bend, presenting the unrivalled natural beauty of red and white striped Tumblagooda sandstone – making it the perfect trip for those of you interested in geology. You’ll then have the chance to walk through some of the most awe-inspiring scenery as you observe the ancient landscape. Kalbarri Adventure Tours provide both full day and half day tours, which both allow you to take in the spectacular Nature’s Window as well as the striking red rock and overall majesty of Kalbarri National Park. Book your Kalbarri Adventure at www.kalbarritours.com.au
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Discover Tasmania With its mountains, forests, national parks, lakes and coastline, Tasmania is a strong contender to be Australia’s number one state for adventurers. Its compact size compared to Queensland or WA means that it packs a punch across a smaller area, and you’d struggle to not find an activity to your liking.
to paddle just minutes from Hobart, so hire a kayak and see where it takes you, or book yourself on a tour and let someone guide you.
Rock Climbing
Horse Riding
From small and short climbs to multi-day wilderness adventures, the mountains and cliffs of Tasmania provide a climber’s utopia. You have the famous Totem Pole at 200ft, the coastal cliffs of Freycinet Peninsular, and Mount Wellington overlooking Hobart to choose from. And, if you want an exciting way of going back down, incorporate two activities in one by abseiling to the bottom.
Kayaking
You can sit your kayak on the ocean waters and spot the marine life of the coast, or take on the white water thrills of the streaming rivers, because when it comes to kayaking, Tasmania is king. There are over 300 islands and even opportunities 42
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Hang Gliding
Let the wind pick you up and carry you from some of Tasmania’s breath taking peaks, or, if you’re a little more cautious, feel the freedom of flying with the additional safety of cable hang gliding. With views for miles as you soar 400m over the forest, you’ll be able to see Tasmania in a whole new way and experience the thrill that only the most daring have been able to.
You might not be going at high speeds, but horse riding can be a seriously memorable way of travelling around Tasmania. From the pristine beaches with the wind in your hair, to high up in the alpine lakes and mountains, relax on horseback and take in the sheer beauty that surrounds you.
Off Roading
Make some noise in a 4WD or on a quad bike and traverse the Tasmanian bush. You can ride quad bikes on the beaches of Flinders Island, cross the dirt tracks of Springfield by motorbike, or explore the rugged north-west coast in a 4WD. Whatever vehicle you choose, the area you can cover is phenomenal.
Overland Photo Tours In Tasmania The most photogenic state of Australia demands your attention… Over six days, explore Tasmania to your heart’s content with Overland Track Photography Tours. Not only does The Overland Track test your hiking ability over 65km of the World Heritage Area, it encourages you to take beautiful photographs with a professional photographer as your guide. Whether you’re a novice, enthusiast or expert, travel across Tasmania and capture its most striking features on film. From the striking Cradle Mountain in the north to the 200m-deep Lake St Clair in the south, you’ll be passing waterfalls, through rainforest, low into the valleys and high into the mountains. You may feel the burn of the walk on the first day, but you’re rewarded with the views from the Waterfall Valley campsite including sunset over Barn Bluff. On the way to Lake Windermere on day two, you may get the chance to observe the local residents including the echidna or wedge-tailed eagle, which will also test your ability at wildlife photography. You’ll cover the furthest distance on day three as you traipse towards the Pelion Ranges and Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest mountain. In this truly wild location, you can test your landscape photography skills while appreciating the formation and geography of where you stand. Awaking in Pelion Camp on day four, behold Mt Oakleigh in
the morning sunrise and begin your journey south to Lake St Clair across the highlands of Tasmania, passing Mt Ossa with possibility of climbing its great height. On your last full day, you are taken deep into ancient woodland to photograph the D’Alton and Ferguson Falls in all their glory, as well as even more mountains. By the sixth day, you will have the capabilities to create a stunning photograph of your surroundings, from action shots to close-ups and landscapes. Join an Overland Track Photography Tour at $1999pp and discover one of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
Tour dates:
22nd-28th October 2015 22nd-28th January 2016 22nd-28th March 2016 22nd-28th April 2016 www.overlandphototours.com.au
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Australia & New Zealand bucketlist As the adventure playgrounds of the world, Australia and New Zealand have every activity you could want to experience. These are our favourites to tick off of that ol’ bucket list.
Tandem Skydive
If jumping off a ledge wasn’t daring enough, try doing it out of a plane and falling up to 15,000metres, with the waters of Lake Taupo or the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Looking out upon the mountains of New Zealand or the rainforest of Northern Queensland, a tandem skydive is the biggest rush you’ll ever experience.
Learn To Surf In Surfers Paradise
The number one sport in Australia, take to the blue waters of the ocean and try your hand at conquering the waves of the country’s famous surf spot – Surfers Paradise.
Swim with Dolphins
Meet the ocean’s friendliest residents with a dolphin encounter in the picturesque Bay Of Islands in Northern New Zealand. Spotting these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat can’t be beaten – until you get the chance to swim alongside them.
Scuba Dive The Great Barrier Reef
The underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef off the North Queensland coast is best discovered during a scuba dive. Put your head underwater and view the beautiful coral and graceful wildlife of this incredible habitat. 44
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4WD on the beach
With a 75 Mile Beach, thick rainforest and hidden pools, driving a 4WD on Fraser Island is quite something. The only way to get around the island, it’s freeing, exciting and allows you to travel the length and breadth of the largest sand island in the world.
Climb Fox Glacier
Test your strength and endurance with a climb up Fox Glacier with just crampons, an ice pick and a guide. Not only are you presented with spectacular views of New Zealand’s highest peaks, you can also learn about the formation of the glacier.
Zorbing
Bunjy Jump
Much like rolling down a hill strapped inside a ball of bubble wrap, zorbing is a short but exhilarating activity in New Zealand’s Rotorua. To be done solo or as a duo, you can’t help but want to do it again and again.
Adrenaline that you’ve never felt before can only be experienced with a bunjy jump and Queenstown in New Zealand is by far the best location to fall 100metres towards earth. With The Ledge and The Nevis, you can really make your bunjy your own.
Whale Watching
Kaikoura in New Zealand sees Sperm Whales year-round, with Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Minke Whales also visiting regularly during their seasonal migration. In Australia, Hervey Bay is the best place to spot whales, particularly Humpbacks between March and November.
All of these activities and much, much more are available on Contiki Holidays Australian and New Zealand trips from 3-25 days. If you’ve only got a few weeks to travel or if you’re looking to experience Australia and make new friends along the way, definitely consider organised group travel as an option. It’s great to share your experiences with like-minded people, and even better if they’re with you for the ride. Give Contiki a call on 1300-266845, head to Contiki.com or visit your local travel agent.
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GLOBAL TRAVEL
PADANG BAI Contrary to the assumption formed by many travellers exploring Bali, Padang Bai has more to offer than just a ferry port. There is certainly heavy tourism traffic passing through this tiny town on a daily basis, boarding the boats that will ship them off to Lombok, the Gilis and other nearby islands; but Padang Bai’s attractive, laidback charm, convenient location and host of amenities makes it a haven in its own right. Instead of simply passing through to pastures new, give yourself a few days to stopover and allow yourself to be surprised by its charm. A small, curving bay town with a wonderful sea view, Padang Bai retains a quiet, small-town ambience with chickens scampering, ladies hanging out laundry and school children chattering away, eyeing the tourists with curiosity. Another reason to stick around in Padang Bai is that it was built around the concept of travellers making their way from A to B and consequently has everything you might need. Cheap, tasty warungs; hole-in-the-wall bars; cafes with Wifi; ATMs – Padang Bai just makes life a whole lot easier.
Things To Do
There are several things to do when taking a little time-out in Padang Bai. Firstly, many visitors have been surprised to discover that two small coves, hidden from view on either side of the main bay and port, contain exquisite beaches of white sand and crashing waves, sheltered by imposing cliffs. Take a walk up and over the hill from the police station to discover Bias Tual, also known as Pantai Kecil (Little Beach) and you’ll be rewarded 46
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with a perfectly formed, paradise beach. A few rustic shelters serving snacks and coconuts will stop you from going hungry. The other side of the bay hides a small cove known as Blue Lagoon. This is a great spot for renting snorkels, but the sun disappears from the sand earlier than usual due to the looming cliffs that carefully guard this picturesque, little bay. There are several dive shops in the bay that can organise diving and some impressive dive sites, not only around Padang Bai, but also just a short boat trip away. Padang Bai is also an ideal location from which to rent a car and driver or scooters and do a bit of exploring. Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali, is a drive away, located on the slopes of mighty Mount Agung. Impressive, ornately carved temple gates top steep staircases, leading the way into the holiest and largest temple complex in Bali. The mystical scent of burning incense and murmurs of people bowed in prayer lend Pura Besakih its peaceful, spiritual ambience and the
views stretching out over rolling hills will take your breath away. Make sure you cover your shoulders and pack a sarong to gain access. Another unique cultural visit that can easily be arranged from Padang Bai is Tenganan, the traditional Bali Aga village. This quaint and authentic village showcases the lives of the original Balinese people and presents a pictureperfect example of the culture and religion. Donations are welcomed here and a local guide will show you around the village and answer all your questions.
Where To Sleep
It’s all about the home-stays in Padang Bai. Take a stroll around and you’ll see plenty of signs advertising cheap rooms, usually in family compounds. We liked Pondok Wisata Tirta Yoga Inn and its clean, simple rooms based
around a compound filled with tropical flowers. Accommodation tends towards the basic backpacker digs – don’t expect hot water, but, to be honest, you probably won’t miss it.
Where To Eat And Drink
The port location of Padang Bai indicates that if you’re into seafood, you’re in for a treat. Expect to find an abundance of mahi-mahi, tuna, barracuda and snapper and although at 40,000Rp, prices are a little steeper than the average budget meal, but the dishes are still great value for money. For the cheapest eats, head to Jalan Segara to the east of the port. Warung Sinar has the rustic design of a typical warung but with a little more polish and serves up Indonesian and Western bargains. Aloa Café is bright and beachy with all of the international fare you’d expect from a tourist haunt as well as thick, thirst-quenching shakes. For something a little more local, check out Rumah Makan Pendawa off of the main square where you can assemble your own nasi campur mix plate for rock bottom prices. In terms of some late night drinking, there are three narrow reggae bars called Babylon Reggae, Kinky Reggae and Sunshine that alternate live music nights. The bar staff energetically join in the celebrations and the crowd is fun, lively and friendly. Despite its reputation as just a place to pass through on the way to bigger, shinier, betterknown destinations, why not stay a while and give Padang Bai a chance? After all, life’s about the journey, not just the destination.
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Images and words by Alex Saint
The Balinese people that choose to forsake the modern world and continue to keep their traditions alive weave intricate and beautiful cloth called ikat and produce carvings depicting sacred stories such as the tale of Rama and Sita. Take in the traditional, local architecture and look out for the sacred village banyan tree and giant, seesaw swing. If you visit at certain times of the year, you may even witness a traditional cacti fight where backs are bloodied by opponents wielding the spiked leaves of the pandan. These fights have a deep, spiritual significance and are considered a form of blood sacrifice, essential to the rituals of this isolated community.
ubud food festival Bali
If the striking landscape, impeccable culture and beautiful sunsets aren’t enough to bring you to Southeast Asia, the food certainly is. From the street food cooked before your very eyes to restaurant cuisine handmade by famous chefs, the fresh produce, unique ingredients and traditional recipes are out of this world. by the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, this new foodie sibling will not disappoint in colour, flavour and aroma. The Ubud Food Festival will be complimented by its surroundings. As you sample new and exciting fare, the rice paddies and steep ravines of the foothills of the Gianyar region make the perfect backdrop. As Bali’s culture spot, Ubud is a hotbed for restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries and streets of shops selling creations by the local craftsmen. It’s also the perfect location to relax with a famous Balinese massage in a luxury spa, or visit the cheeky residents of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. In this conserved environment, you can watch an estimated 605 long-tailed macaques in their natural habitat. The Ubud Food Festival is just another reason to come to this enriching part of the world. So grab your knife and fork and taste real Indonesia in the picturesque setting of Ubud. www.ubudfoodfestival.com 48
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Photos by Matt Oldfield
Whether celebrating these culinary delights or introducing yourself to them for the very first time, the Ubud Food Festival will make your tastebuds dance. Making its inaugural leap into the food calendar on 5th – 7th June 2015, it will celebrate the delicious and diverse flavours of Indonesian cuisine, with help from local and international chefs. Sift your way through yellow rice, red chillies and bamboo shoots during cooking demos, panel sessions, night markets, food tours, tastings and workshops, to discover how to create and present dishes to perfection. Brought to you
thailand in 7 days
If you really want to see why Thailand is such a popular travel destination, get your first taste with ThaIntro. A weeklong experience with people you can relate to, this is a perfect introduction to everything that Thailand has to offer.
Paying attention to its beaches, culture, national parks, wildlife, local people, food and nightlife, Thailand with ThaIntro begins in the crazy city of Bangkok with a boat cruise and Tuk Tuk ride, before you get to experience the city at night with an array of entertainment you won’t find anywhere else in the world! Learn about the traditions of Thai cuisine in a cooking class, and then enjoy the fruits of your labour.
An overnight train allows you to see the sights and scenery pass by without being stuck on a train all day, before you enter a world of tropical islands and beachside bungalows as you arrive at Koh Phangan. Home of the famous Full Moon Party, enjoy the afternoon by exploring the island or simply sit back and relax in seriously exotic surroundings. The true beauty of the island is in its nature, so take a long-tail boat out to some of the amazing beaches, snorkel in crystal clear water, trek through ancient jungle and swim beneath the pounding beat of a waterfall. The final day may be your most memorable, and will set you up for the rest of your travels through Thailand and Southeast Asia. One of the country’s most popular residents, get up close and personal with elephants in the jungle, then enjoy being pampered with a traditional Thai massage to prepare you for an evening of dinner, farewells and the beach party finale. With new friends and memories made, you won’t find a better first week to be had in Thailand. All you have to decide is where it will take you next… Book your adventure at thaintro.com
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spotted: jaguars in belize
Many travellers follow the trail of the world’s most elusive big cats and, as home to the world’s first jaguar sanctuary, Belize is a must visit destination for those looking to spot these felines in the wild. From Arizona to Argentina, jaguars can be found across the Americas however Belize is home to one of the world’s healthiest populations. The renowned big cats are the largest in the Western hemisphere and are found living within lowland forests and coastal areas. Despite decreasing numbers across Central America, the antipoaching laws in Belize and existence of nature reserves such as the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary mean that the country’s jaguar population remains healthy. The country is the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and thanks to the big cats protected status, Belize provides the perfect setting for spotting the notoriously stealthy cat in the wild. Perched on the Caribbean coast, Belize is the youngest 50
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nation in Central America and home to lush green rainforests, the extensive Maya Mountain range, sublime coastlines and ancient ruins of the Maya kingdom. The extensive networks of national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries across the country make Belize a dream destination for environmental enthusiasts looking to see some of the world’s most coveted creatures in their natural habitat. Located in south-central Belize, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is often the first stop on many intrepid wildlife adventurer’s journeys to Central America; the protected region is home to mature forests, fauna and extensive watersheds as well as an incredible array of mammals, reptiles and birds that have made the Eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains their home. Founded in 1990, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuary was the first to set up a protection program for jaguars and is regarded by many to be the leading site for their preservation in the world. The verdant jungle setting provides a safe habitat for the jaguars to establish themselves and reproduce, greatly aiding the stability of the big cat population in the wild. The Gallon Jug area, part of Central America’s jaguar corridor provides another phenomenal spot to sight jaguars in the wild. Marc di Brita of Chan Chich Lodge, Belize’s premier jungle retreat is located on a 130,000 acre private reserve in Gallon Jug, shares a few top tips for spotting jaguars in the wild:
Where is the best place in Belize to spot jaguars?
Belize provides the perfect location for those on the lookout
What time of year is best to spot big cats in Belize? The rainy season is at its height through June and July sees the most activity amongst the big cat population and visiting through these months definitely heightens your chances of spotting a jaguar in the wild, however sightings are often reported as late as December if you’re in the right location. For those looking for a little sunshine with their wildlife expedition, the veteran guides at Chan Chich resort recommend October to December as the best time of year to visit. The animals tend to be less nervous during the
rainy season which runs from mid-June to November, as the beating of the rain helps to disguise their sound as they prowl through the jungle. Visiting during the tail end of this period has proved successful for many guests at Chan Chich and allows for a little warmth alongside jungle based adventures. It’s always best to remember that as jaguars are nocturnal creatures, your best chance of spotting one will be late in the evening so be prepared to stay up late.
What other animals can be spotted in the region?
Belize’s jaguar corridor is home to an abundance of species, providing wildlife enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to spot an array of creatures. The nature reserve in which Chan Chich is located is also home to many other members of the big cat family: jaguarundis - a small wild cat native to the region; margays - a small, solitary nocturnal feline; oselots - more commonly known as the dwarf leopard; and cougars. In addition to the big cats there are over 44 species of bats to be spotted, as well as Yucatan Black Howler and American Spider monkeys, tapirs, grey foxes and coyotes. Beyond the mammal population, the
forests of Belize are home to a vast variety of birds ranging from toucans to hawk eagles, black-throated shrike tanagers, tody motmots, and slatytailed trogons, perfect for any keen bird aficionado. Keen orthinologists can spot over 570 bird species in nature reserves across Belize, as well as a vast variety of reptiles both in and out of the water, the everpresent howler monkeys as well as their larger feline friends. Belize is the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers and those looking to relax in an exotic and enchanting environment. British tour operator, Belize Revealed, specialises in creating tailor-made travel packages to the region, ranging from single-destination escapes to multicentre adventures. The team is able to use their extensive knowledge of the region to create bespoke itineraries, ensuring that you’re able to make the most of your holiday. From arranging travel and transfers to hotels and excursions, Belize Revealed can help you create a truly individual experience. Contact the team to start planning your next escape on www.belizerevealed.co.uk
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By Jeremy Snelling of Belize Revealed, images courtesy of Chan Chich Lodge.
for big cats, with over 44% of the land protected as either a nature reserve or national park; there are plenty of opportunities to embrace the beauty of the region and it’s local inhabitants. Eco resorts provide some of the best opportunities to catch sight of the country’s exotic animals in the wild. Across Belize, lodges tend to employ local guides who have grown up in the region and know the trusted trails like the back of their hands. This extensive firsthand knowledge of the region ensures that visitors have the best possible chance of spotting big cats in the wild.
Travel Essentials From looking your best, to feeling your best, and pumping tunes on the beach... here’s our latest must have travel accessories.
Lava Brightsounds Speaker
This portable speaker is a perfect outdoor accessory. Boasting an array of impressive features, this handy and unique speaker is a perfect blend of design, functionality, music and light. Delivering a surprisingly punchy audio experience from a full range ultra-wide 5W speaker, the Lava BrightSounds offers up to 9 hours of room filling music thanks to an in-built lithium battery. An ambient night-light that is sure to brighten up any play list produces a calming glow that can be dynamically dimmed from a vivid hue to a relaxed bedside shine for reading. It also has an IPX4 water rating also ensures the Brightsounds is water resistant and safe from dirt, dust and a splash or two. $80 available from Amazon.co.uk
therapearl hot & cold pack
If you’re prone to aches and pains then the TheraPearl cold pack is the perfect travel companion for you. This pack is easily frozen or heated up in the microwave to provide you with relief for any swollen joints or achey muscles – especially if you’ve been lugging a suitcase around with you. The pack combines innovative, effective, hi-tech non messy pain relief and is small and compact, meaning you can throw it in your luggage without worrying about it taking up your weight allowance, or space. $15 available from www.boots.com 52
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Braun Style & Go Straighteners and Hair dryer
The Braun Style & Go Straighteners and Hair dryer are the perfect duo travel companion for your locks. The straighteners are tiny and compact in size and have a quick heating time, so after a quick blast with the Braun travel hairdryer, you’re able to straighten out unruly locks as well as add loose curls with this versatile little tool. So no dodgy waves and kinks for the evening due to not being able to get your hair dry after a late afternoon session down the beach. Braun Style & Go Straighteners - $40, Style & Go Dryer $27 available from www.amazon.co.uk
Rollasole pumps
Get ready for every girl about town’s favourite pair of pumps…
We’ve all experienced the pure agony of high heels after a long day at work, or the need to take your sky-scrapers off when you’re rushing somewhere, so that’s where the handy Rollasole pumps come in.
The revolutionary roll-up design means you can whack them in your handbag and have them to hand whenever you’re in need of a flat soled friend. Available in an array of chic styles they’re the perfect travel and city dweller companion. $19.95 – $24.95 available from www. rollasole.com.au
WIN A TRIP TO CROATIA Beats Travel certainly know how to show you a good time. Combining travel and festivals, you can indulge both your inner explorer as well as your love for the coolest parties and incredible music.
To Enter To enter like Beats Travel on Facebook and join their mailing list. For full Terms & Conditions log on to
www.bbmlive.com/competitions/
Beats Travel are giving you the chance to win a trip to Croatia on their Island Tour for you and a friend. The tour covers 8-nights of showing you some of the best party spots on the Dalmatian Coast as well as attending some of the coolest festivals on the famous Zrce Beach – also known as the second Ibiza! Beats Travel will be teaming up with some world class Balkan DJs up and down the coastline to ensure the party never stops. From partying on the beach in the day, and way into the night, Island Beats is the ultimate tour to make the most of the European summer. Island Beats Itinerary
14th – 22nd August 2015 • All day/night parties • Krka National Park • Festival entry
• 8 nights accommodation
• Beats Travel opening and closing party • Flotillas and BBQ included!
• Not one, but two trained Beats Travel guides full of local knowledge For more information on Beats Travel visit
beats-travel.com www.bbmlive.com
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INTERVIEWS
“I found myself in a stranger’s garden waving a sex toy over a fence.”
ROSS NOBLE One of our favourite comedians, we speak to Ross Noble about mental moments and the return of Freewheeling, as he prepares to leave his motorbike back in Old Blighty and tour Australia for a whole six weeks. Hi Ross, where are you speaking to us from? I am currently in a hotel room in the UK on tour. I have my hair in a trouser press because there is no hairdryer in the room. Ahh, the pains of having long hair… Speaking of touring, you’re the king of improvisational comedy, so how do you prepare for a tour? Do you have a plan and subjects you know you’ll talk about or do you 100% wing it? 54
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I don’t sit down and write a show because I find it easier to think in pictures rather than words. I go on stage and play around with ideas, where the stuff in my mind collides with the stuff that comes from the crowd that fires me off to new areas I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. As a result, there must be many unplanned things that occur; what’s been the maddest over the years?
How is Tangentleman going so far? Any particular moments of hilarity? Really good so far. One night, someone left some fabric softener on the stage so I got the audience to ring the hotline number on the packet. The company were confused by the hundreds of phone calls they received. You took your stand up style and applied it to a TV show, Freewheeling; was this unbelievably risky or did you have faith in your Twitter followers to take you on a mad and random journey around the UK? It’s always risky when someone gives you their money to make a show – especially when the show has no format – but the more detailed the whole thing becomes the more I have to play with. We’re chuffed that you’ve done a second series! With the cameo appearances in the first series, can you divulge anyone you meet up with along the way? My favourite is Alan Carr; we did a ceremony in his honour without him there, then green screened him in including a conversation with the head of the council. Your followers must have increased since the first series; did this make an impact on the suggestions you were given and how you chose what to do? The tweets stayed the same but we got more of them. 90 per cent of the tweets were offers of cups of tea at people’s houses and offers to buy me a pint. The show could have been me drinking while strung out on caffeine. We can imagine some of your followers took it too far. Can you remember any of the suggestions that were too bonkers or rude to use? Haha, no, the more bonkers and rude the better! In the first series, I found myself in a stranger’s garden waving a sex toy over a fence. Would you like to take Freewheeling further afield, say, Australia? What sorts of things would you like to get up to if you brought the show to Oz? I would love to but Oz is a big place. In the UK, we can be anywhere in 10 hours; if I was in Tasmania
and something came in from Port Hedland, that’s a long episode. You’re spending two months Down Under anyway, with several dates in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney; what are you planning on doing with your time away from the stage? I will be swapping the motorcycle for a bicycle. I go out in the daytime and enjoy the sunshine. The Adelaide Hills are amazing, as is Perth. I might also try and do a bit of trials motorcycling if I can find a bike. You’ve toured here so many times before; do you have any favourite places to visit? Melbourne is still probably my favourite city on the planet, but I love the whole of Oz from the big cities to the tiny towns. With so many places becoming a carbon copy of the last place, it is great to visit places like Kalgoolie, which are like nowhere else on earth. What will you miss about good ol’ England during your time away? Being able to turn on the TV after midnight and not feeling the need to buy a steam mop, but bizarrely, not that much, yet when I am here I crave red rooster and the cheesecake shop.
Catch Ross Noble this month nationwide! 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
By Charlotte Mellor
Probably my favourite was at a music festival where I was complaining about all the vegan food. I led what was supposed to be a conga to one of the stalls to get 3000 people to ask for a sausage roll. It ended up becoming a stampede/borderline riot.
To buy tickets visit www.alist.com.au www.bbmlive.com
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jason byrne A regular within the pages of BBM, Irish comedian, Jason Byrne, is coming back to Australia to celebrate 20 years of stand-up and his 10th visit to Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Here, he lets us in on what to expect and why he just can’t stop coming Down Under.
Where are you talking to me from? I’m at home in Ireland. I was just about to play football with my son! We just moved into a new house and I’m setting up the goals wrong…
get up and play games with me, there’s props throughout, and there’s a finale celebration – but if I told you what it was it would ruin everything! Of course, the crowd will probably just be going “Yeah, just do something fuckin’ funny.”
What have you been up to since we last spoke to you? It’s been a mad year with a lot of TV work. I have a show in Ireland on TV3 called Jason Byrne’s Snaptastic Show, a photograph-based show where celebrity guests bring in photographs of them as a kid. And then the audience bring in photographs and we take the piss out of them, people send them in over the Internet, we play games, there’s stand-up, and everything. And then there’s a show for Sky, which is like It’s A Knockout in a forest with people dressed up as animals blindfolded… The actual games are pointless – it’s just people banging into trees and getting lost.
But, as well as a 20-year career, you’re also celebrating 10 years at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Yeah, it’s weird, I can’t believe it. But they’ve been very good to me out there, I mean, it was Melbourne where I started doing stunts and that’s what’s helped me in my TV3 show, and I’m currently on my Irish tour, and I basically fly to Australia and bring all the tried and tested stuff and add in a bit of Australia stuff. I just hope I can still go to Australia every year – I need a Melbourne injection. Last time I was there, I was starting to train for a marathon, but I won’t have to do anything like that. I’ll still be running, but I won’t be training anymore, which is fuckin’ mad! I’ll be staying down by the coast, so I can do my nice old man jog.
Sounds like our kind of show! What about the stand-up? Well, I’ve been doing stand-up for 20 years now, and I haven’t missed a single year of Edinburgh [Fringe Festival], which is really odd. I thought I’d just call the show 20 Years A Clown, like a celebration. I’ve come up with some cracking stuff, and I’m trying to make it a celebration, but I don’t wanna do that thing where you just do a “best of” because I’d think I was cheating! So, it’s all original, there’s a 50 Shades Of Grey routine, the audience
If you could return to Oz for pleasure, what would be your ultimate Aussie getaway? I haven’t been back to Byron Bay for ages and we loved it when we went there. I’d love to just go there and chill out or get up into the Great Barrier Reef. I will do that one year; I’ll get on a plane and be purely there as a tourist. I like to see shit, y’know? I don’t like to just lie on a beach; I’ll go and see Ayres Rock, do a bit of scuba diving. I’ve never done scuba diving before, and I know with my luck, both of my lungs will definitely blow up like balloons.
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By Charlotte Mellor
Hi Jason! How are you? Not too bad!
HERVE House music stalwart, Hervé is back with new release ‘Jackin’ With Your Mum’ alongside Here’s what Hervé A.K.A Joshua Harvey had to say about the new release. Hi Josh, how you doing? Very well thank you, busy trying to juggle one hundred things in my head! Whereabouts in the world are you right now? In my studio in East London.
What were your inspirations when you were recording it? Woods and Nature, Satie, Harold Budd, Boards of Canada, Brian Eno, Cocteua Twins, Clams Casino and early Aphex Twin… I lived in a very cool caravan in some woods in Essex for four weeks writing in the previous summer and took those songs back to London to finish – there are loads of recordings of streams, birds and trees embedded in those tracks! I really wanted to make an album that creates a mood from beginning to end, to express myself in ways other than just club music. What was it like to collaborate with Armand Van Helden last year? And how did the collaboration come about? It was brilliant, he’s such a great guy. He became aware of my work and we met up the next time he came to the UK, we’ve kept in touch ever since then (2009 I think!?). Would you ever collaborate with him again? Is there anything in the pipeline? Lol! I’d make an album with him if he’d let me! A couple of things didn’t 100% go our way on the last one so I’m working on something in the hope we
can get something going for a follow up. What are you working on at the moment? Can we expect more collaboration? Herve albums and a mix cd/album, some Count of Monte Cristal singles and producing this band Closer. Definitely more collabs will be coming! Also finishing up on a pop project I’ve been writing and producing on. Gonna be giving some club weapons away on my Soundcloud over the next few months too and I’m releasing my track ‘Doughnuts’ at the end of March. So, your new release, ‘Jackin’ With Your Mum’, what’s the story behind the track, and what does ‘ Jackin’ With Your Mum’ actually mean? It’s about dancing with cool mums who still like to dance. Dance music is getting old! There’s a lot of mums Jackin’ at clubs. Will you be performing anytime soon? Starting again late spring – been on studio lock down for a while! Being from London, where would you say is one of the best clubs at the moment? I like XOYO; I find it friendly, not too big, and a diverse line-up. I live just down the road from it so it’s easy just to pop down there for me. Where are you most excited to play in the next year? I’m looking forward to going back to Ibiza, haven’t been in a few years.
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By Ashleigh Osborne
Your last album, ‘The Art of Disappearing’, had quite a dark feel to it. What did you want to put across with the release? That album is a very big part of my sound, what I’m into. I realised I had never really put that across before. I really like doing dance music but I want to intersperse that work with albums like ‘The Art of Disappearing’. I’m currently 80% of the way through the follow up, and I have a couple of great guests already.
said yourself that you’re not a political person, it’s just stuff that you can’t ignore. Yeah, it’s very much a case of, I like to write of the moment in the moment, and those things are what are going on in the UK and around the world to different degrees. I’m not a politician, I’m not outwardly political or some kind of prophet or spokesman, I just feel it’s very important to talk of the moment.
Obaro Ejimiwe is Ghostpoet, the London lyricist behind Mercury Prize-nominated ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’ and new third album, ‘Shedding Skin’. Speaking to us before its release, we caught up with the multitalented musician to find out more about its themes, direction and collaborators. Hi Obaro, how are you? I’m alright, not too bad. Congratulations on ‘Shedding Skin’; it’s a remarkably unique record with some thoughtprovoking themes; how do you decide on the topics you write about? It’s life experiences, same as always really. I just like to be observant, keep my head up and look at the world around me. With the last record, I looked more inwards, and I didn’t really mentally leave the house, but with this one I’m in a much better mood and saw more of the world, so when it was time to make the record, it all poured out of me. You touch on a lot of socio-political issues, such as unemployment, homelessness and unfulfilling, low-paid jobs, and while you’ve 58
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Are you happy with it? Yeah, yeah. I think it’s the best record I’ve done so far, because it’s closer to the direction I wanted to get to. I’ve been flirting with guitars, drums and live instruments over the last two records, but this one’s more concentrated, and the time was right for me to work with musicians over the course of the record and have that set-up. I’ve been listening to it for a while and I’m not bored of it yet – that’s usually a good sign for me. As well as musicians, you have Lucy Rose, Etta Bond, and Maximo Park’s Paul Smith on the record; how did you choose who to collaborate with? When I wrote the songs, each vocalist were the voices that I had in mind. Once they were written, I just made enquiries, and luckily they all wanted to do it! The way I work, I never have one particular person in mind, I just write the songs and then approach them, and I’ve been very lucky that people have wanted to work with me. I got lucky with this record and got some amazing artists on board, they bring their own magic. If you could collaborate with anyone, whom would you choose? I think I would like to work with… Jack White, probably. Jack White and Beth Gibbons, that’s probably my dream collaboration. Maybe those two on a track together would be amazing – not in terms of my input but those two would be great!
By Charlotte Mellor
Ghostpoet
Do you feel a sense of relief as someone that went from working in a call centre to making music? Having a job and being able to pay your bills and support your family is an accomplishment in itself, and as much as it’s something that I enjoy, I know that it pays the bills. If I can’t sell a gig or a record, what do I do? I’m just happy that I’m able to follow a passion and be creative; it’s not something that when I was growing up, it was my dream, I just knew I loved music, but I never knew it would become a career. I’m just happy that I’m still able to do that with a third record and people still want to hear what I’m saying.
MUSIC NEWS
BBM’S Top 10 Chart PAT LOK FEAT. DESIREE DAWSON ALL IN MY HEAD YOUNG SUMMER SEVERING TIES
The LP opens with a woman speaking in Japanese before the track ‘Off Peak Dreams’, which sets up the tone for the eclecticism of the album as a whole. Injected with musicality, instruments are present throughout, and offer a soothing support to his dulcet London-tinged vocals. Second track, ‘X Marks The Spot’ is a much moodier, atmospheric offering than opening track, which flows to a more resolved sound in ‘Be Right Back, Moving House’. The album is very contemplative as you can hear Ejimiwe quite literally observing his state of living, observing and taking everything in. Around the fourth track - title track - ‘Shedding Skin’ things turn dark as the bass plugs away in a looming fashion and Ejimiwe’s voice is echoed by a female vocalist on the lyrics “You think you know me, you never know me” expressing a discourse and malovelent feeling, backed up by the stripped-back instrumental accompaniment. Things pick up with next track ‘Yes, I Helped You’, but the darkness still remains. As the album develops through its various tracks, there is a clear feeling of melancholy and a real depiction of mental state, especially with the track ‘That Ring Down The Drain Kind Of Feeling’ which plods along at an even pace as the chorus wails “I’m back where I started, I’m back where I started again, left broken hearted, but maybe my heart’s on the mend again.” The end of the album ends with ‘Nothing In The Way’ which sports long defiant chord progressions giving a sense that Ejimiwe has reached a sense of calm through the turmoil, and the album finishes in the same polite female Japanese voice to which it opened to. Ghostpoet ‘Shedding Skin’ is out 6th March 2015.
THAT’S NICE FT JOSH MORIARTY (KELJET REMIX) HOLIDAY SOFI DE LA TORRE WHAT PEOPLE DO KENDRICK LAMAR THE BLACKER THE BERRY NYUON YOUR CITY CHELSEA LANKES DOWN FOR WHATEVER HUNDRED WATERS INNOCENT
By Fanny Frangipane
Ghostpoet, A.K.A Obaro Ejimiwe, is back with his brand new album ‘Shedding Skin’ inspired by his scrutiny of everyday living, punctuated with emotional undertones.
FANTASMA WANT YOUR LOVE
YEARS AND YEARS KING www.bbmlive.com
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B E N H O WA R D I S C O M I N G TO O Z A singer-songwriter of the highest calibre, Ben Howard is the man with the easy-listening voice strumming on a guitar, perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon. While he shies away from the harshness of the spotlight, he doesn’t deny us a live show, so we can enjoy an Australian tour prior to his appearance at Bluesfest on 2nd April. On the I Forgot Where We Were Tour, Howard will not only play to a sold-out crowd at the Sydney Opera House, but also take to the stage at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena, Fremantle’s Arts Centre, and the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. Whether you discovered the sound of Ben Howard with his debut EP, ‘Games In The Dark’, back in 2008, or fell in love with his first album, the Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello-nominated ‘Every Kingdom’, in 2011, he has offered us consistently first-rate material. Accolades including British Breakthrough Act and British Solo Male Artist at the 2013 BRIT Awards quickly cemented him as the leading male singer of his generation. With ‘I Forgot Where We Were’ released in October 2014, Howard returned with more melancholic musings, delicious vocals and chill-out tunes.
Catch this incredible vocalist and musician live in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle during his Australian tour. Thursday 26th March – Arts Centre, Fremantle Saturday 28th March – Hordern Pavilion Sydney Sunday 29th March – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tuesday 31st March – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Thursday 2nd April – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Visit secret-sounds.com.au to get your ticket!
D O W N LOA D N O W
Set for release on 13th March is ‘The Rhythm’, the new track by MNEK. Following up from the success of ‘Ready For Your Love’ with Gorgon City, MNEK goes from strength to strength on ‘The Rhythm’ with the continual and winding seductive house beat that’s peppered with ethereal vocal samples perfect for MNEK’s soulfully energetic voice. 60
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Disciples - They Don’t Know (Alexis Raphael Remix)
Alexis Raphael has officially remixed the track ‘They Don’t Know’. Raphael maintains the intensity and depth of the original tune and transforms it into a hypnotic journey through the spectrum of electronica and house, manipulating the track’s chorus around the mesmeric groove, resulting in a dark and entrancing yet diverse dance floor remix. .
Hervé & Trevor Loveys Jackin’ With Your Mum
We’re loving this offering from London based producer Herve. Starting off stripped back in a minimal house fashion, alongside clever clips, blips and synths, it’s clear from the outset that this track has been intelligently produced, and we’d expect nothing less from Herve. The beat soon drops and the deep vocals start to flow over the top with the catchy hook “Jackin’ with your mum.”
By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall
MNEK The Rhythm
Comedians Touring Down Under With the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on its way, there are literally tons of amazing comedians heading to Australia. Here’s just a handfull of the talent on offer this March and April.
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.
Ruby Wax
Bringing her Sane New World to Australia, Ruby Wax is the American comedienne famous for her motor mouth. In this new show, she takes us through a tour of the human brain. 25th & 26th March – QPAC, Brisbane 27th March – 5th April – Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne 7th April – Canberra Theatre, Canberra 8th April – Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide 9th April – Arts Centre, Gold Coast 11th April – Seymour Centre, Sydney
Noel Fielding
The star of Mighty Boosh and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Noel Fielding will grace the stages of six Australian cities this April. The eccentric comedian will be sprinkling his magic mix of stand-up comedy, live animation. 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
Katherine Ryan
London-based Canadian comedienne, Katherine Ryan, may catch your attention with her long blonde hair and model good looks, but she’ll keep it thanks to her sharp tongue and sassy wit, and you’ve probably caught her on a few late night panel shows. Looking at pop culture, today’s feminism and her own life, Glam Role Model will be the first of many shows Down Under for this hellafunny gal. 26th March – 19th April – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne
Nina Conti
Turning ventriloquism on its head and making it a high-quality comedy sketch that you laugh instead of cringe at, Nina Conti has taken on almost every UK TV show and innocent but obliging members of the audience to create a show full of cheeky dialogue, hilarious characters and very clever voice work. Will you dare to sit in the audience of In Your Face? 26th March – 19th April – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne
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FUNNY NEWS Celebrity Instagram Shame
@voguegermany – Judging by their catty comments, this sight of Kendall Jenner’s face didn’t please two fellow catwalk models.
The Old And The Reckless The elderly, eh? When they aren’t freezing to death in wintertime or breaking a hip, they’re menacing other road users through the medium of erratic driving. Take the 92-year-old Wisconsin man last week – real name probably Percy – who caused mayhem in a car park while trying to get his week’s supply of Werther’s Original home. CCTV footage of the man released by the police shows him gingerly reversing out of his parking bay, before appearing to panic (most likely caused by the cold hand of death on his shoulder). Like an angry teenager at the controls of Grand Theft Auto, the man ploughed into several cars before tearing around the car park like one of Alf Stewart’s flaming hoon-filled nightmares. Police said a pensioner had not caused such a pile up since Roger Moore filmed the Paris car chase scene in A View to a Kill. Moore – Roger Moore – was famously strapped into his Zimmer frame throughout the shooting of that film, except for the love scene with Grace Jones, in which a robot Roger was used.
Bitten Off More Than She Could Chew @amberrose – When two hoes are fighting over one dipshit... you’ve got most bizarre love triangle.
Gents, pay special attention. Relationship experts always hark on about not going to bed angry after an unresolved argument and it seems they were right. How do we know? An Oklahoma woman was arrested last month for trying to bite off her boyfriend’s meatand-two-veg once he had fallen into a sozzled sleep on the sofa after a drunken row. It seems her main boner of contention was her boyfriend’s complaint about “how needy she had become”. Just how needy would soon become apparent, when the boyfriend woke up to find his beloved “biting his dick off”. When he tried to fight her off, the girlfriend, known only as Ellis, allegedly hit him over the head with a laptop computer before returning to her midnight snack.
@ladygaga – Gaga was obviously halfway through the washing up when she was called to the Oscars.
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Ellis is currently in jail, charged with assault and maiming. Meanwhile, the boyfriend is nursing injuries to his head, face, neck, fingers and knee. Oh, and multiple stitches to his damaged dongle. Ouch.
Bringing Back The Bacon Lazy Sunday mornings down at your local pretentious café may be ruined forever, after the British Medical Journal decided to say lots of nasty things about bacon. Yes, bacon, that king of foods. Thought by the Chinese (probably) to enhance a man’s virility, and famously credited by Esther Rantzen for keeping her teeth razor sharp, the science boffins have declared bacon, ham and sausages to be as harmful as eating, erm, bacon, ham and sausages. OK, so we always knew a bacon butty wasn’t as nutritious as a broccoli smoothie, but according to lispy TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley: “The very high salt content and the act of processing itself is associated with an increase in heart disease, bowel cancer and stroke”. Other foods the study says we should avoid are fruit juices (because of the high sugar content) and white carbohydrates, such as white bread (our body turns it all to sugar). So that’s a lager and kebab for breakfast then.
Indonesia Coins New Phrase For Abbott Slapstick budgie smuggler-wearing Prime Minister Tony Abbott is having quite a year, even by his incompetent standards. His award of a knighthood to Prince Philip on Australia Day should have seen the leather-faced PM laughed out of office; yet in a world teetering from one disaster to another, it would seem his own party is taking one for Team Earth by keeping him on as a kind of comedy sideshow. His most recent gaffe came during his attempts to save the two Aussie citizens on death row in Bali for drug smuggling.
Indonesia’s response was to raise a collective middle finger and waggle it in Abbott’s general direction. A social media campaign with the hashtag #CoinForAustralia has been established by Indonesian Twitter users which encourages the Asian country’s people to ironically donate money to Australia. “Go to hell with your aid Bogan Oz”, wrote one angry Twitter user. Now we can expect Indonesia to not only execute the prisoners but to have them dressed in red Speedos and Abbott facemasks while doing so.
Abbott’s idea of negotiating was to remind Indonesia of Australia’s generosity in donating $1billion in aid after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that killed more than 200,000. “We will be making our displeasure known, we will be letting Indonesia know in absolutely unambiguous terms that we will feel grievously let down,” Abbott told reporters, probably as he tried on a new pair of Speedos. “Let’s not forget that a few years ago when Indonesia was struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami, Australia sent a billion dollars worth of assistance,” he nudge-nudgewink-winked.
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Jim Gets Punny For Nothing Small businesses love using puns in their names: Only Food & Sauces. Jason Doner-van. Florist Gump. Jean-Claude Van Man, the Lick Her Store – the list is endless. But problems arise when a business is punningly named after a celebrity who suffers a massive fall from grace. BBM learned the hard way when Golf Harris’s Harpoon Club – our crazy golf and sport fishing-themed summer camp for 5 to 10 year olds, went into receivership. At least we still have Schnell! Gibson’s Grave Hearts to fall back on – our Poland-based budget fast funeral service. But spare a thought for the owners of East Landon concreters Jim’ll Mix It, whose drivers have been subjected to constant abuse since the Jimmy Savile scandal erupted. Managing director Jimmy Taylor says his trucks will now display the name “MixIt” in order to prevent his drivers’ from being abused in future. “People used to sit at traffic lights and say “You bastard, tell your governor to change the name,” he said. “We had to do it to get rid of that.”
The Death Of Italy’s Best Wrapper As anyone who’s tasted Ferrero Rocher will know, ambassador receptions are noted for their host’s exquisite taste that captivates and spoils his guests. Sadly, for lovers of high society and overly-priced-and-excessively-wrapped chocolates, the only thing he’ll be spoiling now is the coffin liner in which his body is now decomposing. That’s right, folks, Michele Ferrero, the inventor of Ferrero Rocher, died on Valentine’s Day, meaning that his chocolate balls will have a sour tinge for the foreseeable future. Ferrero, who was also responsible for creating Tic Tacs and Kinder Eggs, developed Ferrero Rocher in 1982. By 1985 they were taking on After Eight Mints and Terry’s Chocolate Orange as the thinking man’s chocolate of choice. Italian President Sergio Mattarella took time out from riding his scooter and whistling at girls to praise Ferrero as one of the leaders of Italian industry. “[He was] always ahead of his time thanks to innovative products and his tenacious work and reserved character,” said Mattarella while gesturing flamboyantly and eating a cornetto.
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SPORTS NEWS
Black And Blues Will Never Do Was it God or Gandalf who created man in his own image? BBM forgets which. It was someone with a big grey beard anyway – and it definitely wasn’t Rolf Harris. And if you take this “we’re all just reflections of our lord” approach to, say, the football world, i.e. Chelsea, then the events on a Paris subway recently are hardly surprising. With the monosyllabic John Terry as your captain and role-model, is it any wonder that at least some of Blues fans would look to emulate the “banter” he directed at Anton Ferdinand in 2011? So, like turds in a toilet at a party for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome, a carriage full of Chelsea supporters not only churned out archaic World War II chants for French ears last month, they then pushed a black Parisian off the carriage as he attempted to make his way home from work. As a coup de grace, it was followed up with chants of “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it”. Racism case closed. Or so we thought. Thankfully 17-year old season ticket holder Mitchell McCoy has given us the real inside story, and apparently it’s all just a big misunderstanding: “We got on the train and at the station where the man was trying to get on we stopped for a couple of minutes. “He tried to get on and a few people were pushing
him off because there wasn’t much space on the carriage. You couldn’t move. “People were saying it was because he was black. It’s not true at all. I personally think it’s because he was a PSG fan. Obviously they didn’t want him anywhere with us. That guy in the video tried to force himself on, so they pushed him off.” And as for the song? “That song was about John Terry,” explained McCoy. “The only words I know is ‘he’s a racist, he’s a racist’ and I don’t know the rest.” And there we were thinking they were just a bunch of racists on a train. Boy, do we feel foolish.
Bendtner Lords It Over Mere Mortals
The best striker in the world* Nicklas Bendtner has shown rare humility by saying he doesn’t understand why his nickname is “Lord Bendtner”.
The former Arsenal benchwarmer, now with German side Wolfsburg, said on the matter: “The problem with this [nickname] is that I do not know where it comes from and understand if it is funny,” Bendtner told German newspaper Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, demonstrating the amazing grasp of humour his new homeland is known for. “Am I being ridiculed? Is it serious?” Yes, Nicklas, you’re being ridiculed.
Proving that you don’t need to play to become a legend of the game, the Danish international continued: “I am not sure what my image is. It’s different for different people, I believe. My mother always told me that I am person who polarizes [opinion],’ he said. “There is this saying in Denmark: ‘You are someone who divides the sea’.” So as well as being the world’s best striker, he’s now comparing himself to Moses. Still, at least it gives us an excuse to set his bushes on fire. *self-proclaimed
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Floyd-Manny Fight Packs A Punch Get ready for some big-dick posturing, nose-to-nose eye-balling, and Eye of The Tiger stuck on repeat. The fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao (#fannyfight) has finally been agreed and will take place in Las Vegas on 2nd May. Apparently it was a deal five years in the making, and the way Mayweather was carrying on during the fight’s announcement, you’d be forgiven for assuming he’d just struck a Middle East peace deal. “What the world has been waiting for has arrived,” Mayweather wrote online, inadvertently getting BBM’s hopes up for a Katy Perry sex tape. “Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don’t miss it!” The two fighters are set to earn $250 million from their little stoush. If we all have a whip round, we could probably offer the same amount to Katy Perry.
By Farah-nd Away Our Best Runner Mo “Money” Farah’s had quite a few weeks. First he became embroiled in a Twitter spat with fellow British athlete Andy Vernon, then he broke the twomile indoor world record. According to Farah, the argument started when Vernon implied the Somali-born runner was a “Plastic Brit” – an attribute that has done Katie Price no harm at all.
What ensued, however, was an online argument of mid-quality putdowns of no more than 140 characters.
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Vernon, who finished as runner-up in last year’s European Championships 10,000m event behind Farah, tweeted after a recent event: “Another stellar field against Mo Farah on home turf this weekend at Birmingham. #joke”. To which Farah zinged: “Shame you didn’t make the line up....again #ComeBackWhenYouWinSomethingDecent”. Ouch, that’s right. Mo went there.
Cheating A Charity Begins At Home BBM knows exactly how Lance Armstrong feels. We once soiled our trunks in our own pool, too. But whereas BBM’s indiscretion was literal, Armstrong only self-polluted his pool in a metaphorical sense by undoing all the good work of his Livestrong charity once it was confirmed he was a cheating arsehole. Ever since admitting he was roided-up on smackpipes for most of the ‘90s and 2000s, the one-ball lycra lover has been trying to sneak his way back into the sport that banned him in 2012. Armstrong has set up a fundraising team for the Livestrong Challenge ride in Austin, Texas in October in order to raise money for his old charity. “When I started the Livestrong Foundation 18 years ago, I never dreamed it would realise the growth and success it has achieved,” Armstrong said while holding a syringe in his mouth. “I look forward to supporting that effort.” That’s the nail in the coffin (or needle in the arm) for that charity then.
Six Nations Star Mauled As cliché-ridden Australian rugby commentators insist on constantly telling us, it’s good if players have a “bit of mongrel” in them. Thankfully, this isn’t the latest piece of casual racism for which the natives over here are famous – instead it’s a more acceptable, euphemistic way of saying “he’s a cheat, but he’s Australian so it’s OK”. Italy’s Six Nations star Martin Castrogiovanni has taken the phrase a little too literally recently though - his nose has been mauled by a friend’s dog. Castrogiovanni needed 16 stitches after the bite, and had to have several days off training before the Scotland clash at the end of last month. It is not known what breed of dog took a chunk off the prop’s schnoz, but police are understood to be interviewing Luis Suarez just in case.
The Formula For Success The magic of Formula One. There really is nothing quite as exciting as watching fast cars going round and round in circles for hours - just ask any burberry-clad British teenager with a driver’s licence. And the F1 season kicks off again this month as Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel and the rest all battle to be the one at the top of the podium in Melbourne on 15th March, while trying to avoid the booby prize of being horrifically maimed, crippled or left brain dead after a serious car accident. Like we said, magical stuff.
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All eyes will be on home boy Ricciardo after his dream debut season last year. “Last year, coming into it, there was less expectation after our pre-season,” he blathered. “This year it’s a bit more exciting.” Not exactly thrilling quotes, Danny boy. Call us back when you’ve started banging a Pussycat Doll, only then will you have earned the right to be as boring as hell. Right Lewis?
Murray’s Motivational Mumblings Anybody who witnessed Britain’s Scotland’s Andy Murray crumble like a six-month-old haggis in the Australian Open final back in January may have been wondering what caused the sudden slump. Well, thanks to unscrupulous Dutch journalist, Wilfred Genee, the reason is now apparent. Throughout the match, the Scotch loser was shown reading a crumpled piece of paper which most assumed contained a strategic master plan on how to defeat Novak “the phantom injury” Djokovic. However, Genee - who managed to get his tulipscented hands on the note and tweet a photo of it - revealed its content to be no more inspired than the philosophical quotes favoured by Joey Barton a few years back. “Be good to yourself,” reads point one. Whilst point two reads, “Try your best.” We’re guessing the third point was: “If you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.”
CRYSTAL BALLS You are forced to choose sides as gang-related violence erupts on the streets of Australia’s major cities. Forget the Jets and the Sharks, in the wake of the Chinese New Year celebrations it’s the Goats versus the Sheep as revellers battle over which animal should take prominence for the next 12 months. As a Capricorn, there was only ever one option for you, and you spend the month burning sheep effigies, looting wool shops and taunting Derby County fans online. Your participation in the conflict comes to an end when a suicide sheep bomber takes out half of Goat HQ and leaves you in a coma. Talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
LEO
You make the record books this week when a “perfect storm” of beans on toast, tiramisu and a particularly gassy six-pack of lager create the most explosive bowel movement on a toilet ever recorded. It’s so forceful that the ripples from the bowl cause a small tsunami off the coast of Fraser Island.
TAURUS
Your driver’s licence expires this month so you go to your local Roads and Maritime Services office to apply for a new one. It’s only after answering a third question about the teachings of the Koran that you realise you’re in the wrong building and are in the process of signing up as a recruit for the Islamic State. Too embarrassed to admit your mistake, you decide to go along with it and end up flying to Syria a couple of days
later. You spend the rest of the month beheading infidels in Aleppo with a bloke from Newtown who just wanted to pay a parking fine.
SCORPIO
Tony Abbot makes another “captain’s call” policy to make science graduates work as personal chauffeurs for climate change sceptics for a year as part of their degree. It proves to be one cock-up too many for the budgie-smuggling, bird-brained PM who is promptly ousted as Liberal leader. Things take a twist however when, due to an administrative error, the Liberal Party votes you as its next leader – pipping Malcolm Turnbull by eight votes. You immediately begin work on your own captain’s call policy – the introduction of “more hotties” to cabinet positions, regardless of their interest or background in politics. Amazingly, your appointment of Lara Bingle as minister for swimwear proves a massive hit with voters. Long may you reign.
CANCER
After getting more than 50 likes on Facebook for a post about your lunch, you are deemed more famous than most of the D-list celebrities on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. You are henceforth parachuted into the jungle to help Merv Hughes, that fat woman and Marcia Brady in the task of working out just who the hell Tyson Mayr is.
LIBRA
After two months of dancing around in clubs like an idiot with your mates, you come clean and admit that you think Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson is a load of crap.
LEO
You’re the one that I want. Ooo. Ooo. Ooo. Honey.
AQUARIUS
Another Mardi Gras, another opportunity lost for you to come out of the closet. Instead you spend 8th March crying on your girlfriend’s toilet while masturbating over an issue of Men’s Health magazine.
PISCES
You decide to switch star signs after learning that Cancerians get a loyalty card that gives them 5 per cent off at JB Hi-Fi and a free cinema ticket every Wednesday. The only downside is that Cancerians are notoriously right wing, so you have to pretend to be a neoNazi and deny the Holocaust.
GEMINI
You take a highly-paid job that requires you to construct half-a-dozen mannequins every day. Now you can tell everyone you’re making six figures.
SAGITTARIUS
March is a time for reflection. It’s a time to take a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror. Not because you need to change who you are and the direction you’re headed in, but because you’ve had a bit of chicken sandwich on your chin for over a week. Go take a shower you smelly tramp.
VIRGO
You’ve never even played the game before, but you get a call up from the England and Wales Cricket Board this month to play for England at the World Cup because that’s how crap the side is. Your average at the end of the tournament is 14.6 which, sadly, makes you one of the team’s best players.
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By Richard Gadsby
CAPRICORN
ASK CRYSTAL Dear Crystal, There’s a girl at work who I’ve been a little bit obsessed with for years even though we’ve barely spoken. She doesn’t know I have her number, but I’ve tried ringing her for a date a few times. I’m quite shy though and always end up not saying anything, just breathing down the phone. I know she likes cocky bad boys too, so I don’t stand a chance. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago everyone at work went out for a big curry at Spice I Am and we sat next to each other. We ended up at her place having drunken sex and she passed out. For hours I watched her as she slept, but at about 6am I felt a familiar rumble in my stomach: I really needed a dump, so I snuck off to mine to relieve myself. When
I saw her at work the next day, she assumed I was a “love em and leave em” bad boy and was even more desperate for me. She took me into the storage cupboard, gave me a lingering kiss and her number and told me I could have more of the same if I called her that night. I couldn’t wait. As soon as I got home I dialled her number – but then hung up as I realised she’d recognise my number as the heavy breather’s. After not calling her, she was even more determined to have me, and we ended up banging in the back of her Holden. The problem is, I love this girl, but I’m afraid if I start acting interested in her she’ll go off me. What should I do? Yours, Tommy Dear Tommy, Are you nuts? Why on earth
would you tell her how you feel? She’ll see you for the wet fish you are and drop you like a sack of crap. If you want my advice, start blanking her at work. Do that and you’ll be having a threeway with her and her sister by the end of the week. Dear Crystal, Do you know how to put together a Billy bookcase from Ikea? I haven’t got a bloody clue. Yours, Robbie Dear Robbie, No one knows how to put together Ikea furniture properly. Stephen Hawking managed to unify the theories of general relativity and quantum gravity, but even he struggles with the instruction manual for an Ikea sofa bed.
JOKES “What’s the difference between God and Bono? God doesn’t wander around Dublin thinking he’s Bono.” Ciaran, Surry Hills Billy stops Paddy in Dublin and asks for the quickest way to Cork. Paddy says, “Are you on foot or in the car?”
Billy says, “In the car.” Paddy says, “That’s the quickest way.” Ian, Northbridge The drunk rang Dublin airport and inquired: ‘How long does it take to fly to New York from Dublin?’ ‘Just a second,’ said the receptionist. Thank you,’ said the drunk and replaced the phone. Mickey, Adelaide An Irishman walks into a pub and orders dozens of martinis, removing the olives, placing them in a jar, and drinking the martinis. When the jar is filled with olives and all the martinis drank, he starts to leave. The bartender stops him and asks, “Excuse me but, what was that all about?” The Irishman replies, “My wife
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sent me out for a jar of olives.” Michael, Margaret River “What are you doing?” “Hunting Flies” “Killed any?” 3 males, 2 Females,” he replied. Intrigued, she asked. “How can you tell them apart?” He responded, “3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone.” Jimmy, Brisbane What has eight arms and an IQ of 60? Four girlfriends drinking on St Patricks Day! Laura, Surry Hills Why do leprechauns giggle when they play soccer? Cause the grass tickles their balls” Sean, Townsville
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ADULT FUN
let the games begin
Step inside and see if lady luck is looking at you. We take a look at some of Australia’s most fabulous casinos...
Jupiters Hotel & Casino
Seeing a few renovations in its time, Jupiters stands proud along the Gold Coast with five restaurants, four bars, 592 guest rooms and one entire floor filled with 70 table games and over 1300 machines. With so much space, it makes room for entertainment night after night including comedy gigs, music performances, dancing, movie marathons, trivia nights, live sports screenings and food and drink promotions everywhere you turn. Seriously, you could come here every day of the week and still find something new. 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au
Crown Resorts
The daddy of them all, Crown Resorts has a complex in London, Melbourne and Perth, and will be opening their third in Australia in Sydney in 2019 (mentioned above). Crown Perth, opened in 1985, features two hotels, a day spa, salon, fitness centre, over 10 restaurants and a range of bars and nightclubs to appeal to all. A new hotel, Crown Towers Perth, is expected to be open in 2016 and a recent approval means that the casino will soon hold 2500 machines and 320 tables. This is still less than its Melbourne younger sister, which is licensed to operate 500 table games. Great Eastern Highway, Burswood, Perth 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Melbourne www.crownresorts.com.au 74
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Wrest Point Hotel Casino
Believe it or not, the first licensed casino in Australia wasn’t even on the mainland. Opening its doors in 1973, Wrest Point Hotel Casino aimed to improve tourism to Hobart, Tasmania, when seven months of the year were considered “off-season.” The boutique casino features table games like Blackjack, Roulette and Texas Hold’em Poker, while Riverview and Boardwalk gaming areas hold the machines. Four bars and five restaurants offer refreshment with stunning views of the waterfront, and an overnight stay includes use of the gym, sauna, spa, pool, tennis court and mini golf course. 410 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, Tasmania www.wrestpoint.com.au
The Star
An entertainment centre sitting on the banks of Sydney Harbour, The Star boasts nine bars, two hotels, 12 eateries, a spa and swimming pool and a casino floor. The Event Centre hosts some of the biggest names in the world and their live tours, and from comedy nights to DJ sets, dance classes and festival pre-parties, there’s always something going on. 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont www.star.com.au
THINGS TO DO SKYDIVING
IFLY DOWNUNDER 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney Ph: 1300 366 364 www.iflydownunder.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 SOUTHERN SKYDIVERS 2 hours South from Perth Busselton Ph: 1300 449 669 info@southernskydivers.com.au www.southernskydivers.com.au
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.
ADVENTURE TOURS KALBARRI ADVENTURE TOURS Ph: 09 9371677 kalcanoe@wn.com.au www.kalbarritours.com.au NINGALOO EXPERIENCE Ph: 08 99 425 877 manta@ningalooexperience.com www.ningalooexperience.com
SWAGABOUT TOURS Ph: 08 82661879 info@swagabouttours.com.au www.swagabouttours.com.au CAMEL TREK AUSTRALIA P.O Box 95, Hawker S.A 5434 cameltreksaustralia@gmail.com www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au BUMS ON SEATS TOURS Glenelg & Adelaide City South Australia Ph: 0438 808 253 sales@bumsonseats.com.au www.bumsonseats.com.au GOIN SOUTH Four days, two famous Aussie icons, one awesome tour Ph: 1800 009 858 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
Ph: 1300 JET BOAT (1300 538 262) thrills@paradisejetboating.com.au www.paradisejetboating.com.au
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
BOWLING
STRIKE BOWLING Nationwide Ph:1300 787453 www.strikebowling.com.au
WESTCOAST JET The Boardwalk, Mews Road Fishingboat Harbour Fremantle Ph: 0403 606 033 info@westcoastjet.com.au www.westcoastjet.com.au
PADDO BOWLS 2 Quarry Street Paddington NSW, 2021 Ph: 02 9363 1150
TRANSPORT
MIGHTY CAMPERS Nationwide Ph: 1800 670 232 www.mightycampers.com.au
TONGARRA Abel Point Marina Kiosk Airlie Beach, QLD Ph: 07 4946 5755 julie@tongarra.com.au tongarra.com
GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL Nationwide Ph: 1800 703 357 www.greatsouthernrail.com.au
OVERLAND TRACK PHOTO TOURS Ph: 04 13 487 644 info@overlandphototours.com.au overlandphototours.com.au
GETABOUT OZ 191 William Street in the Cross, Sydney Ph: 1300 613 833 www.getaboutoz.com
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
INTEGRITY COACH LINES PO BOX 1131, Midland, 6936 WA Ph: 08 927 47464 www.integritycoachlines.com.au
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 KANGAROO MARINE CHARTERS 9 Chapman Terrace, Kingscote, 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
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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
EXCLUSIVE BACKPACKERS 158 Adelaide Tce, Perth 6000 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
MONKEY MIA
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
PERTH BILLABONG RESORT 381 Beaufort Street, Perth WA Ph: 08 9328 7720 bookings@billabongresort. com.au www.billabongresort. com.au
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COOLIBAH LODGE 194 Brisbane Street Northbridge Perth WA Ph: (08) 9328 9958 www.coolibahlodge. com.au
BEACHES OF BROOME 4 Sanctuary Road, Cable Beach, Broome, WA, 6725 Ph : 1300 881 031 bookings@ beachesofbroome.com.au www.beachesofbroome. com.au
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VICTORIA MILDURA
REDCLIFFS HOTEL 25 Jacaranda St, Red Cliffs VIC 3496 (03) 5024 1704
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
JOHANNA BEACH COTTAGES 225 Blue Johanna Road Johanna Heights Victoria 3238 (03) 5237 4224 cottages@johannabeach. com www.johannabeach.com
HALLS GAP
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