BBM Live March 2017 Tabloid

AUSTRALIA

BBMLIVE.COM WORK & TRAVEL FREE #916 | Australia’s no.1 publication for Brits, Irish & Internationals

DAY S LIKE THIS FESTIVAL SPECIAL Page14

$100 Win A Bar Tab

In celebration of the Rugby Six Nations Finals the Palace Hotel in Sydney are giving BBM readers the chance to win two x $50 bar tabs to enjoy with their mates. Page 6.

Wide Open Space Festival Aboriginal Experiences in Oz St Patrick’s Day Events Comedy Festivals

Expat News Expat Deals & Advice Best Irish Pubs in Melbourne Irish Expat Interview Global Travel Deals

HOSPITALITY WORKERS IN DEMAND Are you a chef or hospitality worker looking to migrate to Australia long term? We grill hospitality recruitment agency, TSS Recruitment about the ins and outs involved for chefs applying to live and work in Australia as well as how much Australia needs their skills.

What kind of opportunities are there for chefs in Australia at the moment?

There are many opportunities for experienced chefs all over Australia due to the rapid expansion of our hospitality industry, predominantly in a la carte dining venues varying from casual to fine dining. Continued on page 19.

BEST AUSTRALIAN TOUR DEALS

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PROPER BOOZERS & EXPAT HANGOUTS CHURCHILLS SPORTS BAR

Chruchill’s have an exceptional menu where you can enjoy a schnitzel and beer for just $15.

Here, you can also check out all the latest sport live on their screens including live Champions League, Europa and Cup Football.

532 Anzac Parade, Kingsford churchillsbar.com.au

THE BAT & BALL HOTEL

Hang out of the month: Sydney THE ARGYLE

Situated in one of Sydney’s oldest buildings, The Argyle (pictured) in The Rocks area of town presents five bars over 2 floors.

With resident DJs and musicians regularly hypnotising you with their sound, The Argyle is one of the best places to get your party fix on almost any night of the week. Here, you can expect $5 happy hour drinks from 5-7pm every day, as well as delicious pizzas, and desserts to keep you satisfied. From sneaky hidden booths, to chilled out lounges, an outdoor area and dancefloor The Argyle has something to suit everyone. Don’t miss the Argyle’s Sunday Social every week from 9pm with DJs on the deck to help round off your weekend nicely.

18 Argyle St, The Rocks www.urbanpurveyor.com

THE PORTERHOUSE

Looking for a traditional pub with excellent pub gub and food deals throughout the week? Look no further than this traditional Irish boozer in the heart of Surry Hills serving up Guiness as well as pub staples such as Steak & chips at great prices.

233 Riley Street, Surry Hills www.porterhouse.com.au

KEG AND BREW

Bourbon, beer and bites – that’s what’s on offer at the Keg and Brew! Featuring the highest number of beers per square metre of floor space in Australia, there is a guaranteed flavour for every palette.

26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills www.kegandbrew.com.au

From 10kg buckets of chicken wings for just $10 to one of the best roast dinners in town, the Bat & Ball will keep you fed and watered all week with nightly meal deals at great prices in a fantastic setting with a great atmosphere.

What more could you ask for?

Corner of Cleveland & South Dowling Streets, Sydney www.parksidebar.com.au

bustle of Melbourne’s streets, and enjoy the skyline of the city with a coffee or cool beverage in hand! And what’s more this sharp team of creative minds decided to combine the Rooftop Bar with the Rooftop Cinema! Committed to showcasing art-house, classic and recent release films in a completely unique urban environment you can enjoy a classy afternoon, evening and night at the Rooftop Bar & Cinema!

252 Swanston St, Melbourne www.rooftopcinema.com.au

P.J. O’BRIENS

Melbourne

This Irish themed chain of pubs will certainly give you the feel of a traditional Irish pub. With live trad music, Guinness, Sunday roasts, pies and more, it’s the perfect place to cosy up on a Sunday for some TLC in the form of great ales and comfort food!

Southgate Restaurant & Shopping Precinct, Southbank www.pjobriens.com.au

TURF BAR

THE CRAFTY SQUIRE

The Turf Bar is one of the most well equipped sports bars in Victoria and shows live sport all year round. Don’t miss out on Wednesdays at The Turf bar for some great drinks deals.

131 Queen St, Melbourne Turfbar.com.au

ROOFTOP BAR AND CINEMA

Open daily, 11am through to 1am the Rooftop Bar is your chance to step high above the hustle and

The Crafty Squire is a premium craft beer venue with a wide (and delicious) selection of brews on tap.

127 Russell Street, Melbourne www.thecraftysquire.com.au

Perth HULA BULA BAR

A tropical paradise in the heart of the city! Drop into Hula Bula Bar

for a cheeky cocktail or plan to spend a cool evening with your travel buddy! Relax in the exotic surrounds and sip on a classic Tiki Cocktail that’s guaranteed to tickle your taste buds! With weekly themed evenings too, get swept away by the rum soaked rhythms of Reggae, Ska, Calypso, Mento, Limbo and Soca!

12 Victoria Ave, Perth www.hulabulabar.com

MUSTANG BAR

Situated in Perth’s nightlife centre, Northbridge, Mustang Bar is where you’ll find entertainment throughout the week. A real hub for visitors to Perth, Wednesday nights are a big pull for students and backpackers with their $5 entry fee giving you entry into their raffle, pool competition and also some great Aussie BBQ to fill you up.

46 Lake Street, Northbridge www.mustangbar.com.au

Brisbane PIG AND WHISTLE

The Pig and Whistle has a style and ambience all of its own and claiming a reputation as a ‘classic British pub’ get ready to fight for the best seats with some hardcore fans. The Pig N Whistle is where you’ll also find some great live sport action on their screens.

Riverside Centre123 Eagle St, Brisbane www.pignwhistle.com.au

www.bbmlive.com

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SPORTS

FA Cup offers food for thought

Arsene Wenger’s team of superstars, that didn’t stop Shaw digging into a bit of pastry and mince during the game as he watched from the bench.

Forget performanceenhancing drugs or steroids, if you really want the secret to taking your sporting skills to the next level, chomp down on a meat pie. Or maybe Nandos.

The shot of the fat bastard tucking into his meat treat went viral, but alas it seems to have cost him his job as apparently there was a betting company offering odds of 8-1 against him eating a pie during the match - which he knew about.

That seems to be the artery-clogging lesson we’ve learned from watching Lincoln City and Sutton United’s remarkable runs in this year’s FA Cup. United’s reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw had already wobbled his way into the headlines before the club’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, purely for the fact he was 20 stones of pure lard.

And although the parttimers failed to dish out some humble pie to

“A few of the lads said to me earlier on: ‘What is going on with the 8-1 about eating a pie?’ I said: ‘I don’t know, I’ve eaten nothing all day, so I might give it a go later on,’” he said. “Sun Bets had us at 8-1 to eat a pie. I thought I would give them a bit of banter and let’s do it. All the subs were on and we were 2-0 down.

“I went and got it at half time from the kitchen, I had

Asked if he knew anyone had backed the bet, he replied: “I think there were a few people. Obviously we are not allowed to bet.

I think a few of the mates and a few of the fans. It was just a bit of banter for them.

It is something to make the occasion as well and you can look back and say it was part of it and we got our ticket money back.”

He has subsequently resigned after being threatened with sanctions by the FA. Meanwhile, Lincoln hero Sean Raggett celebrated his history-making FA Cup winner against Burnley by “eating like a king” at Nando’s. Sounds like an oxymoron to us but who are we to argue. “As soon as the team bus got us back into Lincoln, we went straight to Nando’s.

I was so hungry,” he said while sucking grease off his fingers. “I had four chicken thighs, five wings, chips, garlic bread and a red pepper dip. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much food. I ate like a king.”

At that rate, he should be about the same size as Shaw by the time the quarterfinals come around.

Snookered by potty post-game answers

the questions posed by Sky Sports’ Tony Wrighton and answered with whatever words sprung to his mind first. “I have a pear. I have an apple,” he replied at one stage.

He may have been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the World Pool Masters but Japan’s Naoyuki Oi has been crowned the undisputed champions of bat-shit crazy post-match interviews following his displays in Gibraltar last month.

Sadly, Oi was knocked out of the tournament the next night. When Wrighton asked how he was feeling, the Japanese ace said:

After booking his place in the last eight, Oi ranted: “My name is Naoyuki Oi. Today I am very, very lucky. Congratulations me! Yay!” The unintelligible pocket rocket ignored

Stokes seals record deal Future Ashes legend Ben Stokes has reaffirmed his position as the world’s greatest ginger sportsman (since Paul Scholes retired) after bagging a whopping $2.8million IPL contract.

The Ed Sheeran of cricket hasn’t even played in the IPL before, but that didn’t stop the Rising Pune Supergiants from snapping him up as the most expensive player this year.

“It’s been a pretty incredible week and, considering you normally have your most exciting times when you’re playing, it’s been an amazing and interesting few days,” said Stokes while trying to stay out of the sun.

“I set my alarm for 3.30am, got up and waited about 40 minutes for my turn in the auction.”

“Excuse me. Can I speak English? You? Me? No English. No problem. Every time.

Happy!”

Oddly, he still speaks better English than most Premier League players.

Record throw out of this world You may not know the name but Tim Kopra has just smashed the world record for the longest pass in American football history - clocking up a groin-bustingly long throw of 500km. To put that into context, it’s the equivalent of throwing a ball from Sydney to Coffs Harbour.

Admittedly, Kopra cheated a bit. For starters he did it in zero gravity while orbiting the Earth in a space station - and the actual distance of his somewhat gentle throw was just how far it travelled from the perspective of someone watching from Earth. Also Kopra was, himself, technically travelling at 28,000 kilometres per hour at the time.

It’s thought to be the biggest throw since the Pakistan cricket team lost the Boxing Day Test to Australia last year.

SIX NATIONS 2017

It’s that time of year again when rugby fans from six different countries unite to support each of their teams as they battle it out for the Six Nations Championship.

The Six Nations Championship is without doubt the world’s greatest and most exciting rugby tournament. Each year teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales go head to head and provide a gripping rugby tournament for rugby fans the world over to enjoy.

Scotland and Ireland will get the 2017 Six Nations Championship underway with their Saturday afternoon match in Edinburgh on 4th February.

Later that same day England and France will meet for ‘Le Crunch’ at Twickenham. The following day Italy take on Wales in Rome.

But the Six Nations won’t be going off with a hitch as it has emerged that several stars are out with various injuries. Johnny

Sexton as well as Peter O’Mahony won’t be propping up Ireland in the Six Nations opener against Scotland due to Sexton suffering from a calf injury - picked up on Leinster duty - and Munster flanker O’Mahony is currently dealing with a dodgy hamstring. There’s also doubt whether Andrew Trimble will be involved too due to a tight groin.

Catch the Six Nations throughout February & March, here’s a little of what’s happening to get you in the mood. Check with your local sports bar or pub for screening times as times and dates will vary due to time zones. Dates are by GMT.

SIX NATIONS 2017 FIXTURES Round 4

10/3/17 - Wales vs Ireland 11/3/17 - Italy vs France 11/3/17 - England vs Scotland

Round 5

18/3/17 - Scotland vs Italy 18/3/17 - France vs Wales 18/3/17 - Ireland vs England

By Richard Gadsby

it all prepared and ready to go.”

www.bbmlive.com

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FUNNY UK NEWS

Nail Fail For Emergency Call

With This Ring, I Me Wed With the gay community making huge global strides in the quest for marriage equality, it’s great to see the narcissist community following suit, with the news that a woman in Rotherham is marrying herself.

Now we’re all for a bit of self-love here at BBM - it’s why we were banned from the library - but even we have our limits/ restraining orders.

As she approaches her 40th birthday, Lynne Gollogly wants to put an end to wondering whether ‘Mr Right’ will ever materialise.

So quicker than you can say ‘midlife crisis’, she’s decided to tie the knot. With herself.

Which technically means she’s tying herself in knots.

“You know, I’ve had a lot of potentials in the past, but I’m not just going to settle for anyone just so I fit

into today’s society,” said lonesome Lynne.

“I’ve been single for a while now and have no interest in being in a relationship. I did get engaged once, when I was younger, but it was silly and nothing came of it.

“I think with these things I’d never say never – but I’m not going to hang around for much longer.”

Just exactly what defines an “emergency” can vary wildly from person to person. For some people, simply swallowing a peanut can be an emergency, for others not getting enough sugar can be a big issue. And for Holly Willoughby, seeing a grown man naked in her backyard apparently constitutes an emergency too.

But some things clearly aren’t emergencies – like the woman who went to Poole Hospital in Dorset because she cracked a fingernail.

Hospital staff revealed the ‘emergency’ as part of a campaign to

Suddenly it’s very clear why this woman is single.

Richard Renaut, chief operating officer at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said: “Time spent treating minor ailments reduces the time we have to treat seriously unwell patients who come through our doors.”

It’s not known if man flu is still considered an emergency. e didn’t just drop his trousers and bend over.

And for the amazingly cheap price of £28 you can get just that, with an Airbnb deal for a room in the Scottish lowlands in a quaint village surrounded by streams.

The owners will even provide the book for you - although there is a catch. You will then have to sell that book and several others to anyone passing by.

The business analyst plans to have the ceremony in April with a full-blown white wedding, a traditional dress and a ring to go on her finger. She’s going to Rome on her own for the honeymoon - when her finger will again come in handy.

And if we needed confirmation that’s she’s a little bit sad, apparently she got the idea while watching an episode of Friends specifically the one where Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe all try on wedding dresses.

stop people wasting time. Another ‘patient’ attended the emergency department because ‘they couldn’t get a good night’s sleep at home’.

And other crap crises cases include people suffering from paper cuts, cold sores, sore throats and mild sunburn.

Guests who book the room in Wigtown are required to run the bookshop downstairs during their stay.

Book A Room With Room For Books All BBM wants when we go on holiday - other than easy access to the red light district - is the chance to relax in beautiful surroundings with a good book.

“I wouldn’t call it a working holiday.

It’s a particular kind of holiday [for people] who don’t feel that running a bookshop is work,” said Adrian Turner, director of the Wigtown book festival.

Sounds fair enough - but considering Fifty Shades Darker has just hit cinemas you might want a “no returns” policy for any well-thumbed, slightly damp books written by E.L. James.

Running bare on naked men If like BBM you’re a bloke who enjoys exposing his genitals, but unlike BBM you’re not on a police register, then get paid for the privilege in north London, where apparently there’s severe shortage of strippers.

It’s not so much Where’s Wally as Where’s Willy.

Even Butlers with Bums, based in the Barnet area, is struggling to fill its ranks. “We have a lot of demand for our buff butlers across the UK for hen dos, birthday parties and corporate events, but the shortage has taken a toll on specific areas,” says director of the firm and former butler, Dan Harley.

“We would definitely like to see more gym enthusiasts and fitness fads getting involved with butlering and life drawing.”

FEATURED PUB

THE DOG RANDWICK Great food, great vibes and heaps of choice on drinks!

With a superb weekly list of specials too, The Dog at Randwick is totally worth checking out any night of the week.

Want to get out during the week?

The Dog offer 2 for 1 meals on ‘Tight Penny Tuesdays and drinks vouchers can be won on ‘Witty Wednesdays’ as you battle it out at their Trivia night.

What’s more you can enjoy a burger for just $9.90 and craft beers for just $5.

If you’re a fan of the footy, the European Premiership League is also shown every Saturday as The Dog is open until 2am.

2 St Marks Road, Randwick www.doghotel.com.au

WIN $100 Worth Of Drinks Vouchers In celebration of the Rugby Six Nations Finals the Palace Hotel in Sydney are giving BBM readers the chance to win two x $50 bar tabs to enjoy with their mates.

To enter simply email us with your full name and date of birth to

competitions@bbmlive.com Competition closes on the 10th March.

Entrants must be over the age of 18. www.palacehotelsydney.com.au

MARDIGRAS: R U OK? SUICIDE prevention charity R U OK? will show its support for Australia’s LGBTQI community in a spectacular way at the 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, on March 4. One hundred choreographed dancers, staff and ambassadors will march behind R U OK?’s first ever Mardi Gras float.

A volunteer collective has generously nominated R U OK? as their charity of choice to support in this year’s parade. The group have worked tirelessly to coordinate both the float and dancers as a visual reminder to ask, “Are you ok?,” all year round. Committee spokesperson Chris Duncan said, “We wanted to support R U OK? because mental health and suicide prevention is near and dear to each of the committee members for a variety of reasons,

“It’s an important message for the LGBTQI community and we’re so proud to be a part of it this year.”

R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher believes Australians should be reaching out and supporting anyone who’s going through a tough time. “Checking in with friends and family who may be struggling has to be something we all commit to doing more of.

“Lives literally depend on it and Mardi Gras is a great night to remind everyone to keep asking the question,” he said.

R U OK? ambassadors; Black Comedy’s Steven Oliver and Nova 97.3FM’s brekky host Bianca Dye will spur on the dance troop as they shimmy and shake their way up what is Oxford Street’s busiest and most flamboyant night of the year. ruok.org.au

www.bbmlive.com

PICK OF THE FEST

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 29th March - 23rd April 2017 Various Melbourne venues www.comedyfestival.com.au

Daniel Sloss Australia Tour 2017

LATE NIGHT SYDNEY BLUEPRINT FEAT. ROBAG WRUHME (KOMPAKT) GERMANY Friday 10th MARCH 2017 The Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt Street, Sydney www.eventbrite.com.au

SOUNO PRESENTS LOST IN SOUND Friday 10th March 2017 Civic Underground, 388 Pitt Street, Sydney facebook.com/civicunderground

DAYS LIKE THIS

11th March 2017 Randwick Racecourse, Sydney www.dayslikethis.com.au

NICOLAS JAAR

PITCH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

Monday 13th March 2017 The Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, Sydney www.residentadvisor.net

10th - 13th March 2017 TBA - Regional Victoria pitchfestival.com.au

THE GUM BALL 2017 21st - 23rd April 2017 Hunter Valley, NSW thegumball.com.au

BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 2017 13th - 17th April 2017 Byron Bay, NSW www.bluesfest.com.au

PURE 2017

21st April - Aukland, NZ 22nd - 24th April 2017 Sydney, Melbourne, Perth facebook.com/purecarlcox

SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL 17

24th April - 21st May 2017 Various Sydney venues www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au

GENE FARRIS, JERK BOY, REFUSE + MORE After an outstanding debut at last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Daniel Sloss will return to Australia for a string of tour dates, including hopping over to New Zealand.

Sloss returns with his brand new show SO? To the Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth comedy festivals from the end of March. Hot off the heals of a 120 date UK and European tour in 2016 - last year saw Sloss become the first ever comedian to appear on Conan O’Brien’s late night talk show in the US seven times. He also made his solo New York debut at the prestigious Soho Playhouse and featured on the front cover of the New York Times.

Last year Sloss’performances at Edinburgh Fringe saw him sell a record 11,500 tickets. Starting out on the comedy scene at the tender age of 16, Sloss admits he’s a veteran when it comes to visiting Australia - especially

as he’s been heading over since he was just 19 years old. Sloss’ new show, SO? Centres around bad thoughts and with his ever dark sense of humour you’re sure to be entertained.

Saturday 18th March 2017 Chinese Laundry club, Sydney www.chineselaundryclub.com.au

Catch Daniel Sloss at the following dates at venues:

Sunday 19th March 2017 The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross www.theworldbar.com

14th - 19th March - Brisbane Comedy Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Visy Theatre www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO 50TH ANNIVERSARY

30th March - 21st April - Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Taxi Riverside, Federation Square www.comedyfestival.com.au 5th May - Perth Comedy Festival, Regal Theatre www.perthcomedyfestival.com 6th May - Sydney Comedy Festival, Enmore Theatre www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au

World Bar, Sydney

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48 Hours In Sydney

do Sydney activity. www.bridgeclimb.com 6pm Opera Bar After such a euphoric experience you may feel as though you’ve seen the best of what’s on offer. But we promise it’s not over yet!

Keep that buzzing feeling by heading to the Opera Bar. With splendid views over the Harbour and free live music each night it is the perfect place to watch the sunset and enjoy the tunes to a relaxing beverage! www.operabar.com.au

Book your Bridgeclimb in advance at www.bridgeclimb.com Planning to spend a couple of days in Sydney? We’ve put together a 48-hour itinerary with a real mix of action-packed and relaxing activities enabling you to see the best of what Sydney has to offer!

DAY ONE:

10:30 Free Walking Tour We’ve allowed you to have a bit of a lie in this morning. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast and meander into the city at your own pace!

The best way to get your bearings of your new surroundings is with a free walking tour with I’m Free. Your guide will be on George Street, between Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral, wearing a bright green “I’m Free” T-shirt! Make sure you arrive a few minutes before the tour is due to start as despite the fact it’s free they do have limits on numbers due to health and safety.

During the tour you’ll visit the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge

With Sydney Outback you can be in the land that time forgot within 45 minutes as they take you to Ku-RingGai Chase National Park and the stunning Northern Beaches. Hop on board their 23 seat Mitsubishi Rosa tour bus and you’ll be catapulted to destinations so beautiful you didn’t think they could exist. Upon reaching the exclusive Akuna Bay Marina in the

DAY 2

9am Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk

Make the most of day 2 and plan to arrive at Coogee Beach in good time. A lot of people do this walk in reverse, however with loads to enjoy at Bondi we think it’s a great option to start at Coogee. This walk would take you around 2 hours to complete if you 1:30 Lunchtime! walked at a steady and continuous pace! We You must be feeling peckish by now! Your do however, recommend you go equipped ‘Sydney Sights’ walking tour ends in Circular with your swimmers, towel, goggles, snacks Quay near the Opera House and Harbour and water, as there are so many perfect little Bridge. Grab some grub at one of the many beaches to stop at along the way. Take a street side eateries and prepare yourself for dip in the water at one of the many coves an epic afternoon! and you’ll see some of Australia’s colourful marine life right on Sydney’s doorstep.

2.30pm BridgeClimb Sydney 1:00pm Grub’s up!

1000% worth every penny! BridgeClimb Sydney will give you the most extraordinary It’s that time of day again and hopefully 360 degree panoramic views of the city as you’ve made it to Bondi! There are loads of you journey to its summit! It’s such a unique cool and quirky restaurants to choose from. experience that we can guarantee you’ll If you’re looking for something reasonably have your profile pic sorted for the next priced with great views across the worldcouple months! Climbs are available at famous Bondi Beach, North Bondi RSL has dawn, in the day, twilight and at night. Make some pretty good deals. sure you book in advance as this is a must www.northbondirsl.com.au and the Rocks. However, you’ll also go off the beaten track down some of Sydney’s laneways to see a quirkier side of town. www.imfree.com.au/sydney

EXPLORE THE SYDNEY OUTBACK

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney for the day and transport yourselves back in time to what Sydney looked like prior to European settlers arriving on its shores.

Spend your evening sampling Sydney’s nightlife, especially the many bars, we suggest having a drink at one of the bars along Darling Harbour, or heading into Kings Cross for some raucous fun.

heart of Ku-Ring-Gai you’ll climb aboard the Sydney Outback 52 Foot power catamaran.

With some ancient aboriginal rock art and other stunning parts of the National Park being inaccessible by road, taking to the waterways is your best chance to explore this lesser known Sydney park.

Where many tourists flock to the Blue Mountains, you’ll be able to get a deeper insight into Sydney’s aboriginal history with a trip to Ku-Ring-Gai as the Park holds the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the entire world!

This tour has a real emphasis on Aboriginal

culture, which really does make it stand out from other Sydney day tours out of the city. With Sydney Outback you’ll also get to enjoy panoramic views over Broken Bay, Lion Island, Palm Beach, Pittwater and the Central Coast. This tour also gives you the opportunity to experience an Aboriginal Welcome to Country ceremony and ochre painting on traditional lands. You’ll also find out more about the area’s swashbuckling past when it comes to shipwrecks, smugglers, pirates, escaped convicts and the Park’s important role in WWII. Sydney Outback provides tours with a difference. The educated, knowledgeable and friendly guides can help you discover more about what interests you the most in this region, and provide city hotel pick-ups, transfers and meals for your time in the Sydney Outback.

The Wilderness + Aboriginal Explorer + Cruise are $149 but you can claim 20% off by quoting bbmlive when booking directly online at

www.sydneyoutback.com.au

3:00pm Barefoot Lawn Bowls We thought we’d mix it up this afternoon and do something a bit different! Barefoot Lawn Bowls has become a bit of a thing in the past couple of years and is the perfect place to have a bit of friendly competition if you’re travelling with new or old friends. You can walk in and have a game or two for just $12. Alternatively if you’re in an organising mood and fancy getting a group together from your hostel, you can pre-book a 2 hour block for 20 people, at the cost of $8 per person! Bargain hey? www.bondibowls.com.au 7.00pm Sydney is a melting pot of cultures, so why not try out one of the many BYO restaurants in areas such as Darlinghurst where you can have your pick of Japanese, Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Balkan, Indian… the list goes on! After dinner you could treat yourself to a drink in one of Darlinghurst’s coolest bars such as Eu De Vie, Shady Pines, Darlo Bar or Pocket Bar to finish off your time in Sydney.

WHERE TO STAY

There’s something for every budget in Sydney. From finding an Air BnB to maybe looking on sites such as wotif.com for a last minute deal, you can get 4 and 5 star accommodation from around $80 per night, or check www.bbmlive.com/ accommodation to browse a selection of hostels.

GETTING AROUND SYDNEY Opal Card

Hop on and off the city’s integrated transport network of buses, trains, light rail lines, ferries and airport transfers using an Opal Card. Available for purchase online or from one of the many Opal retailers. More information can be found here. www.opal.com.au

www.bbmlive.com

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EXPAT INTERVIEW

Name: Michael James Gibson Where are you from: Midlands Ireland Current location: Hamersley Perth WA Occupation: Self-Employed In 2007, after gaining years of valuable experience in the police force in Ireland, Michael was successful in being recruited into the Western Australian Police Force. He further developed his career and prior to resignation, was ranked as Senior Constable for Perth CBD’s Detective Office.

Since departing from the forces, Michael has had great success in setting up his own businesses and is also married with two sons. We checked in with Michael to find out a bit about his journey and what he’s been up to most recently with his new restaurant A’Caverna.

What were your motivations for moving your career from Ireland to Australia?

I served for 10 years as a member of An Garda Siochana in Ireland, and very much enjoyed it. Ireland (Dublin in particular) was getting very busy and dangerous, so when the Western Australia Police Force (WAPOL) came to Ireland recruiting, I felt this was a lifetime opportunity. From what I researched, WA (Perth) was a beautiful place to live and work, and of course the great weather was a bonus!

Since leaving the Police Force you’ve married and had a family.

What is so good about bringing up a family in Australia?

The weather, the way of life, the peace of mind that our kids our safe. I was brought up in the midlands in Ireland, in the middle of a bog. It rained most of the time! My folks rang me some year’s back to tell me it was the 60th day of continuous rain, and that was summer time!! To be able to plan an outdoor event, without being rained off! The kids have a

Are there any parts of Australia that you have travelled and would recommend others check out?

I have only travelled to the east coast on business once or twice, so I have not seen too much over there, but by all accounts there are some pretty amazing places to see. I spent a year driving around WA, as a Renewable Energy Manager. The drive into Albany was spectacular, large trees lined both sides of the road, not to mention, the famous ‘Tree Walk’, a must see. 700kms of coastline, take your pick of the beaches, or even drive north and experience nothing for hours. Back home in Ireland every corner you turn there is something or someone, but to experience ‘nothing’ for miles, no animals, life, movement, no noise, just ‘nothingness’ now that’s something!

In moving your career forward you have clearly identified

opportunities for being selfemployed. Can you tell us a bit about your journey?

Like everything else in life, you experience good times and bad times. I have learnt that both are just as important, one can only understand and appreciate the good times, having gone through some bad times. Working for ones self is very hard, no clocking off after 7.5 hours, always on duty.

However, if you put the effort in it can be very rewarding. I started a Facilities Maintenance business after I left the police. Just two guys working from our kitchen, we grew the business over time, specialised our work and have been trading successfully for the past seven years, now employing 9 technicians.

And we’ve heard you’ve got a new business venture on the go, can you tell us a bit about your restaurant, A’Caverna?

At the start of the year my wife and I opened a restaurant, A’Caverna Restaurant (www.acaverna.com.au). We were tired of going to restaurants with

average food, excessive prices, and poor customer service. My wife is from Brazil, and there is a strong culture associated with food, taste and flavour. We decided to bring this experience to our family, friends and the people of Perth!

And we’ve got to ask, with those Irish roots, will you be doing anything to celebrate St Patrick’s Day this year?

Most likely working! Lol!!!

But yes, A’Caverna Restaurant has Irish roots and we will be flying the flag high. It’s important to my wife and I that we pass on our cultures and traditions to our kids, and of course St. Patrick’s Day is a big one for the Irish side of the family. On the day itself we will be have a big Irish lunch in the restaurant and in the evening we will be introducing Tapas to the Irish. The St Patrick’s Festival WA Parade is on the 12th March this year, A’Caverna will have a South American Food Stall on the day, again bringing our cultures a little bit closer together!

by Gemma Glover

great outdoor life and Australian’s in general really embrace out door living, we love it!

10

UPCOMING EVENTS

IRISH PUBS IN MELBOURNE

Enjoy the Sunday summer vibes with world famous line ups of internationally renowned DJs, as well as home grown musical talent. Need a break from throwing shapes? Wander the craft markets or grab a drink and a bite at one of the many food trucks and bars.

Until Sunday, 19th March 2017 piknicelectronik.com/melbourne

SUMMER SERIES AT REVOLVER UPSTAIRS

Revolver’s Summer Series returns with its biggest line up yet. Dance the night away to some of the biggest names in music, including techno giants DJ Tennis and Nico Stojan.

Until Sunday, 19th March 2017 revolverupstairs.com.au

JET SET FRIDAYS AT BLUE DIAMOND CLUB OXIDE & NEUTRINO AND SO SOLID CREW’S LISA MAFFIA & HARVEY AT BROWN ALLEY Calling all UK Garage heads! The scene’s biggest stars will be heading to the city as part of their upcoming nationwide tour. Relive your youth with the likes of Bound 4 Da Reload, Dem Girlz, 21 Seconds and They Don’t Know, from the pioneers of the genre themselves!

Friday, 3rd March 2017 brownalley.com

KONTAKT ONE NIGHT IN MELBOURNE WAREHOUSE PARTY

Don’t miss this world famous, underground dance party when they hit up Melbourne for a special night of techno and house in a secret, yet to be announced venue. With sets from Carlo Gambino (UK), Monika Ross (Sydney) and more, stay tuned for more exciting details.

Saturday, 4th March 2017 kontaktcollective.com

Experience dazzling views at this stunning, penthouse cigar and cocktail lounge, with a chic Manhattan theme. Kick off your weekend in style at their weekly laid back house night, featuring live saxophone and percussion, plus a happy hour between 4 and 9.

Every Friday with weekly alternating line ups bluediamondclub.com.au

COOL FOR THE SUMMER

A new one day event is coming to Melbourne this April. Cool For The Summer puts a modern spin on traditional music festivals bringing some of the hottest music acts together with the biggest digital influencers. The festival will take place on the Easter long weekend and will also includ live performers, Djs, activations, carnival rides, meet and greets and more.

The event is sponsored by Rimmel London, Proactiv and Wool4School. The one day festival will take place in Sydney at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on 15th April, and will come to Melbourne’s Sidyney Myer Music Bowl on the bank holiday Monday.

Saturday 15th April 2017 www.coolforsummerfest.com.au

P.J. O’BRIEN’S Enjoy the best in Irish hospitality at this longstanding Southbank favourite. With Guinness on tap, a fully stocked oyster bar and live Irish music, you’ll not want to miss the weekly backpacker night, Sundaze.

Shop G14-16, Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, Southbank pjobriens.com.au

THE QUIET MAN IRISH PUB For the finest, gourmet Irish fare, head to this award winning Flemington venue, hailed as a little piece of Ireland in Melbourne.

With regular trivia and live music nights, Irish dance classes, plus drinks and meal deals, you’re bound to have anything but a quiet one here.

271 Racecourse Rd, Flemington thequietman.com.au

THE LAST JAR Experience the best in Irish comfort food at this authentic and cosy pub, located in the heart of the city. With its toasty fire, bright farmhouse dining room and secret beer garden, The Last Jar provides the perfect escape from the CBD hustle and bustle.

616 Elizabeth St, Melbourne www.thelastjar.com.au

THE DAN O’CONNELL HOTEL Welcome to one of Carlton’s original and favourite pubs. With $16 parma and pot and $1 taco deals to all night happy hours and weekly comedy, trivia and live music nights, you’ll find that there’s literally something for everyone here.

225 Canning St, Carlton thedan.com.au

BRIDIE O’REILLY’S Bridie’s is one of the city’s liveliest Irish bars. Popular for its weekly dance parties, karaoke competitions, live music gigs, weekly meal and drink deals and sports screenings, head here for the perfect night to remember.

29 Sydney Road, Brunswick bridiesbrunswick.com.au

By Sandy Dhaliwal

PIKNIC ELECTRONIK AT SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL

www.bbmlive.com

11

DISCOVERY RECOMMENDS: BARTRONICA Unleash your inner gamer at this chic, CBD bar...

If you’re planning on a night out in the famous laneways, then you’re not going to want to miss the crème de la crème when it comes to the best that this fine city has to offer... But where to find such places, you might be wondering?

Especially as Melbourne’s most unique venues also tend to be their most inconspicuous too.

Yes, Australia’s culture capital sure does love its secret bars, and this one in particular would be fairly easy to pass by, should you not be too familiar with this labyrinth-like district.

As you head down the stairs of this cosy, basement bar, we wouldn’t be surprised if you were slightly taken aback moment you set foot inside. As the subtle, understated entrance makes way for a vibrant and colourful array of 80s arcade and pinball machines, original games consoles and a full on racing car simulator - undoubtedly, a true Aladdin’s cave for any video game enthusiast.

But even if don’t know your Mario from your Luigi, don’t despair as with its delectable cocktail menu and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to match, you’d be hard pressed not having an entertaining night revisiting memory lane and enjoying a game or two from your childhood

regardless. Try your hand again at the classic likes of Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Sonic, NBA Jam and Donkey Kong, or perhaps battle it out amongst friends with a tournament of Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat or Streetfighter.

And if all the competitiveness of the night works up a bit of a thirst, you can always take a break from the rivalry with a drink at Pixel Alley. The fully stocked and aptly named bar area has a wide variety of craft beers, ciders and house spirits to choose from, as well as a rather creative and inventive list of cocktails.

Sample the likes of The Delorean: a reinvented mojito with strawberry and ginger, served in a copper cup, or The Kong, containing whisky, banana liqueur, chocolate bitters and ice shaped like Tetris. A

big favourite amongst the regulars is the Pacman Bubble Tea: a bubble cup of vodka, ginger beer, lime and lychee, which additionally comes highly recommended by the bar staff. Though, if you think of yourself as a true gamer, you might want to give The Pipe Dream a go (gin, peach liqueur, guava, lime), which comes in an awesome Mario-inspired, pipeshaped mug.

But, if you’re looking for a beverage with more of a retro pop culture reference (because who isn’t, right?), then there’s always the Fatal Attraction or Risky Business! And for any ‘Duranees’ reading this (probably none), there’s even a Girls On Film, name checking that famous 1981 hit.

Bottoms up!

335 Flinders Lane, Melbourne www.bartronica.com

WHAT’S ON AT DISCOVERY TIGHT ASS TACOS

Tuesdays from 6pm get your free tacos until their gone. Happy hour from 5pm in the Disco Bar.

FREE WINE & CHEESE

Meet fellow backpackers for some free wine and cheese at 7, 8 and 9pm in the Disco Bar and get acquainted with your new friends and surroundings each Wednesday.

LATE LATIN NIGHTS

Dance the evening away to samba, Latin funk and salsa with $3 Prosecco all night from 5pm on Thursdays.

FEEL GOOD THURSDAYS

Get your exercise on Thursdays with a free sports class including Yoga, Zumba, martial arts, bootcamps, dance and more.

Sign up at reception.

SHOOTERS NIGHT

Love a game of pool, don’t miss Shooters Night in the Disco Bar with $5 shots on the hour at 8,9 and 10pm every Friday.

SEDUCTIVE SATURDAY

Party the night away every Saturday from 7pm and dress to impress. Includes drinking and party games in the Disco Bar.

By Sandy Djaliwal

But at just a five to ten minute walk from the iconic Flinders Street station, the retro themed Bartonica could be one of the easiest of the laneway bars to find, as well as one of its quirkiest.

12

THE SPACE IS WIDE OPEN JUST GO THERE

Australia’s most “out there” music, culture and arts festival is happening again in 2017!

If you love adventure, appreciate unique immersive environments, and could see yourself enjoying lush sounds in an oasis in the beating heart of Australia, then Wide Open Space Festival invites you to join the party.

This will be the 9th instalment of the Wide Open Space Festival, a multi-day festival held at Ross River Resort, nestled in the East MacDonnell Ranges under an hour’s drive from Alice Springs. The festival celebrates desert culture and the ancient landscape through its incredibly diverse creative program of music, art, workshops, performance. There is fun for all the family, and plenty of family to be a part of. Expect headliner artists from around Australia and some big name Internationals.

This year’s line up prove that there’s definitely something for everyone at Wide Open Space with Artistic Director, Scott Large stating, “We embrace all kinds of music at WOS! We’ve always celebrated sounds from across the spectrum from straight up live bands to experimental electronic to the downright theatrical. Alice Springs style has always been a bit of a mash-up, and that adds to the magnetism of this event and it’s part of what draws people from near and far to share these 3 special days.”

Since winning the award for best NT Live Music Event of the year in 2016, WOS is renewing it’s commitment to local live acts.

With roots as deep as they go to the centre, and melodies that take their audiences there too, Kardajala Kirri-Darra (The Sand Hill Women) join the festival from the Northern Territory communities of Marlinja and Elliott. Performing songs in Mudburra and English, singing the story of what it is to be an Indigenous woman, walking in two worlds, their music sits in the space between the old and the new, journeying through the heart songs of their beautiful desert Country.

Expect the fresh flavour of Indigenous Hip Hop with the Red Dirt Crew aka: D7’z and E Town Boyz and Hill Boyz, representing the local deadly mob from the Barkly region of the NT, these boys hail from three Aboriginal communities; spanning a radius of 700 kms. Bringing the massive vibe, with expertly crafted beats and many lyrics in

their own languages, these artists provide an important connection to the land and the history, every present.

Alice Springs’ Dave Crowe A.K.A Resin Moon is amongst the initial lineup and says the landscape of Central Australia is a huge influence on his style of sophisticated, lush, experimental electronica; “The sense of space, the surreal, and beautiful landscapes are a source of endless inspiration to my sound.” he says. Another local live act in the line-up that will challenge the limits of physical and musical boundaries is Edi Donald and the Transients, well known for their morsels of ethereal, genre-warpers.

Australia’s ultimate purveyor of change, evolution and exploration, Mojo Juju, is bringing her strong soul-filled racquet to the centre once again, to delight and bemuse the WOS tribe with wild, soul filled tunes.

Bringing more innovative live acts, WOS will host the electric two-piece, This Way North.

With a universally appealing groove and melody, and an eclectic appreciation of the subtleties of interaction, This Way North’s first ever show at WOS promises to be powerful and engaging.

WOSers will also experience the highenergy grooves of the 11 piece explosion that is the locally based Tamala Express.

Delivering high energy grooves the Tamala Express fuses the centuries old traditions of West Africa with contemporary styles, creating a vibrant blend of irresistible dance music that moves young and old alike with centuries old rhythms and high levels of audience engagment.

The first WOS2017 announcement shows excellent representation of bass music for every audiophile. Monkey-man and UK legend Chimpo is freshly confirmed to bring his unique fusion of grime, drum n bass, dubstep, trap, garage, dancehall and hip hop, to stoke the dance-floors with serious movement.

WOS will be witnessing the magic of Plutonic Lab, who’s latest LP “Deep Above The Noise” Won best Hip-Hop Album at the Vic Music Awards 2016. Stand by for craftily blended Hip-Hop beats and lyrics with strings and piano, creating an ambient bigness for groovers and swayer’s alike.

Bigging up the bass-driven sounds coming from England, WOS is stoked to announce that the incredibly talented and pioneering dj and producer J:Kenzo will be bringing his

signature minimalistic sound of dub, jungle and techno to resonate within the desert space.

Adding to the international low frequencies is techno traveller Knobs, whose organic and mystical atmospheres fittingly take inspiration from his environments. Knobs appreciates a variety of musical styles, and underpins this diversity with prominent drive and rhythmical bass.

Representing Australia in this scene is country Victorian producer Griff, whose shows offer a taste of ‘rhythmic enlightenment’ through their exploration of the wonder of electronic music.

Melbourne-based DJ DinoBitch is locked in for one of her distinctively playful, bassdriven sets primarily made up of warped tech house, house and techno, but expect a ghetto twist and a healthy smattering of filth to activate the booty chakra.

Kodiak Kid will be flying in with his fearless array of genres from hip-hop to mid-tempo and Drum & Bass blending in an effortless harmony with styles like experimental downtempo and soulful roots to craft his signature immersive journey and experience that is shared by both the artist and audience.

Boss bass lady Wonqi Rose also hails from Melbourne town. Massively influenced

by Hip Hop, urban style and that mad underground gangsta flavour, Wonqi takes this and fuses it with a dash of the deep and dark, yet holds it all together with the most beautiful and eclectic of sounds. Stepping

up with the mic to bring the conscious booty vibrations is Miss Moneytoast, whose recent shows have been hailed as party highlights.

Expect effortless stage presence with relaxed, comical vibes from Average Rap Band, direct from NZ via the streets of Melbourne to deliver their irresistible lyricalvocal harmonies and smooth beats.

The Cutlery DJs return with their iconic WOS Vinyl Pool Party. Constantly pushing new sounds and playing great parties around the Northern Territory, Cutlery deliver a drawer-full of Deep House, Techno, Afro and Disco music.

Bumble will be buzzing in to weave his sonically diverse, bass wobbling, Glitchy creations. The unifying theme of his music reflect nature, experience, perception and aspires to spark connection.

Finally, Jeremy Conlon of Cooperblack, will be outputting “desert Electro-Pop”, if that’s even a thing.

Despite its diverse lineup, the festival is still an intimate affair, run by an independent team of locals, who are committed to keeping it real through quality entertainment and bringing people together. With 1,600 people at the 2016 event, and plenty of magic brewing, 2017 is looking to be the freshest WOS yet.

Get your tickets at

www.wideopenspace.net.au

www.bbmlive.com 13

14

Kollektiv Turmstrasse

DAYS LIKE THIS FESTIVAL 2017

Julio Bashmore

Anticipation is certainly mounting as Days Like This Festival in Sydney is just around the corner and is hosting a world class line up of acts which is more reminiscent of an European festival than a local one. Featuring at Days Like This is German duo Kollektiv Turmstrasse who were last seen on these shores in 2012. Their profile has increased considerably since then and they are now certified scene mainstays. Ahead of their arrival we caught up with the duo for a quick chat…

Your biography states that “their sense of emotion – informed by their upbringing on Germany’s visually arresting Baltic Sea coast – lends their productions a human warmth”. Do you find your environment plays a big part in the music you create?

Can you tell us a favourite, or a special location where you’ve really made some magic?

For sure it’s the surrounding, friends, nature and everything that is important and formative for us. Years ago we had more time to experience it more intensely. Today it’s different and we are super happy when the magic is kicking in when we are in the studio. Unfortunately you can’t plan creative moments, but you can stimulate them by experienced moments. But usually more time is missing.

You stated that your music is originally made for yourselves and takes on the role of art instead of a science. Have

either of you got any hobbies on the side, art related or otherwise?

It’s still the same. The music we are producing is primarily for ourselves. We are really happy that over the years our fan base also increased and we have stayed true to ourselves and did the music we wanted to do. But the music production is only one of many interests we have. We are small nerds and everything that blinks, is able to program magically attracts us. Sometimes we are losing ourselves in projects which do not make any sense for us but satisfy our thirst for knowledge.

Friends for almost twenty years and partners for fifteen, how do you find writing as a duo compared to individually?

Do you come to each other with ideas or is it all done in the studio simultaneously?

Over the years we also learned a lot. As a duo you can’t do everything together. You have to divide the tasks and departments, otherwise you’ll get lost or never find any end.

Also, we are living in different cities and we are using modern communication to cooperate.

We have studio time together and we are also talking about new ideas in the hotel room over the weekends. But we can say that we are a well coordinated team.

Germans are known for not only their incredible music, but also their beer. What’s your favourite beer, food and entertainment?

Not all the Germans are loving beer. A good wine or gin and tonic is our choice when we are visiting our favourite restaurant for example. In general we are very open for good food. There is nothing we don’t want to try out. And as we mentioned above, everything that blinks and is able to program is also is good entertainment for us.

Top three locations you’ve travelled and why? Also…

Who gets the window seat?

Montreal in Canada is a very

interesting city. That was one of our first big journeys. Also, Amsterdam in the middle of Europe is one of the most beautiful cities and worth a trip for sure. Lisbon with its interesting architecture directly on the ocean is a great combination with its good food – a dream.

Window seat… do you know the game ‘Rock, Paper, Scissor’?

If you had all the resources in the galaxy to throw a party… where would it be, who would be DJing and which celebrities would be there?

If we could have all possibilities we wouldn’t throw a party and wouldn’t invite celebrities, there are a lot of other things that need all the resources and power of the galaxy…

When Kollektiv Turmstrasse go on holidays, what do they do? Would you rather sit by a pool in Ibiza, go camping in the bush or binge on some Game Of Thrones?

If we are on holidays in our region that would entail camping and hiking in the bush. Fishing is a must, and the mobile phone and laptop are staying at home. Or we travel to the south, maybe not Ibiza, but you connect it with the journey.

A pool would be super but not a must, and for us it should also have diving equipment.

Finally, you must have known this question was coming.

You’ve hinted towards new music and possibly an LP in the works, can you give us a few hints as for what we can expect?

Good questions, let’s have a look into the crystal ball with the notion that there might be positive signs and might be new tracks in 2017…

Don’t miss Kollektiv Turmstrasse at Days Like This Festival, 11th March, Randwick Racecourse, Sydney.

More info and tickets at dayslikethisfestival.com.au

Gold Panda

Detroit Swindle

Planning on being in Sydney in March, well then make sure you don’t miss out on Days Like This 2017.

This boutique, one-day festival is especially designed for discerning electronic music lovers.

DLT will take place this month at the Randwick Racecourse in Sydney and features four main stages hosting the best global house, techno, electronica and more.

This year’s line up is a stellar concoction of Detroit Swindle, Enzo Siragusa, Fatima Yamaha, Gold Panda, Julio Bashmore, Midland, Omar S, and Soul Clap.

Although the music is the main focus of the event, festival goers will also enjoy the incredible food on offer at the many stalls encompassed in a creative hub also featuring bars and market stalls.

The event precinct will offer a creative hub featuring bars, market stalls and premium food options hosted by Sydney’s most respected names in food and art. Immersed within the plush surroundings of Royal Randwick, be prepared for a day and night of musical, culinary and visual exploration.

Doors open at 12 midday with the festivities going on til 10pm, so make sure you don’t miss out on one of Sydney’s premier electronic music events.

Get your ticket at www.dayslikethisfestival.com.au

www.bbmlive.com 15

16

EXPAT SERVICES Second Year Working Holiday Visa Checklist If you think you’ll be applying for a Second Year Working Holiday Visa (WH) then you need to have your prep head on in the early stages of your first WH Visa. We’ve put together a top 5 checklist of all the things you need to consider:

1. How to qualify?

As a new student, packing’s not something you relish thinking about. After all, who has ever tackled the problem of boxing everything they own with anything other than total reluctance? But it needs to be done. And if you’re planning on moving for the forthcoming semester, then our advice is start planning now.

It’s always best to start as soon as you can so there’s no great rush to pack at the last minute. That was just one free tip.

Now take a look at some others: If you’re moving into new rented accommodation with student friends, then you’ll know there’s a lot of boring but ultimately important stuff you need to sort out such as setting up an internet provider and establishing a communication with your utility providers. Plus if you’re sharing your accommodation and you have a landline, remember to ask your phone company to provide an itemised bill so everyone pays their share.

It would be advisable to arrange a meeting with your landlord or letting agent on the day or week you move in. It’s a good idea to have someone who knows their way round the property to show you where everything is. However the main reason for this tip is so you can take photos of every room in the house; that way if there are any disputes about the condition of the property at the end of your tenure, you have photographic evidence to back you up.

We hate to break this news to you but your neighbours aren’t terribly happy that they live near you.

They know what students get up to, you see. Or at least they think they know. Anyway, if you’re keen to live in peace and harmony for the duration of your time at uni, it won’t hurt to pop along to your nearest neighbours and introduce yourself. Your studies will suffer if you’re constantly locking horns with your neighbours.

If you’re packing DVDs, CDs and books into your moving boxes, we have one word for you: Download. It’s nice to hold onto the original formats of your favourite films, music and literature but don’t overload your boxes with them. Embrace the 21st Century! Put your music on your phone, download desired books to a tablet and stream films online (legally, of course).

Remember the most important things to take are the items that

show how fascinating you are: Framed film posters with iconic designs, ukuleles, backpacking mementos and thick essays by intellectuals (you don’t have to read them). Alternatively, you can just leave all that baggage behind (except the ukulele which you should smash to bits), and concentrate on essentials.

One box should be labelled a ‘lifesaver box’ and filled with items you need straight away such as tea and coffee-making facilities, cutlery, toiletries and a corkscrew (optional).

Pack another box with admin because the first week is going to be rather dull and entail a fair bit of queuing before you get your half-smiling, half-blinking image printed onto an ID card. Make sure you have your passport, academic certificates, bank details, NHS medical card, job references, accommodation documents and anything else relevant to your move/degree.

Don’t weigh your boxes down with study books. In fact, don’t weigh your boxes down with anything you can purchase at the other end.

Upon arrival, give yourself plenty of time to bed in and do a little shopping, both for your new home and for your studies.

If you’re taking laptops and other digital equipment, you might need extension leads, adaptors and memory sticks. Oh and it doesn’t hurt (all puns intended) to take some first aid with you such as plasters and paracetamol.

Now you have your boxes packed and ready to go, all you need to think about is moving them.

That’s where we come in. If you’re moving to a university within the same country, Seven Seas Worldwide has a specific student removals service to help transport your belongings and baggage from A to B, door-to-door, no fuss.

Check out Seven Seas Worldwide’s website for more information about their student services. www.sevenseasworldwide.com/ moving/movecube/international/ If you’re moving within Australia, then call 1300 216 698 FREE and quote our BBM promotional code BBMAUS15W06 for a 5% discount.

Find out more about moving your belongings from A - B with minimum stress

www.sevenseasworldwide.com.au

2.Specified Work

It is the specified work section that means you have to be preparing whilst undertaking your first year.

Essentially you have to earn your right to a second year WH Visa by contributing to the economy by completing no less than 88 days or 3 months worth of specified work. Specified work falls into the industries detailed below: • Agriculture: harvesting, cultivation, processing • Forestry • Fishing and pearling • Mining • Some sectors of construction If you don’t pay much attention to

• Specified work must be in a valid postcode location. Details of valid regions/postcodes can be found here: www.border. gov.au/FormsAndDocuments/ Documents/1263.pd • You must complete the correct number of days. If you happen to work for 2 or more different employers you must count each day worked. In this case you cannot include weekends.

Therefore the actual time period worked looks more like 4 months when you count each individual day worked.

• You should be paid at least the minimum wage and complete the industry standard working hours.

See the Fair Work Ombudsman for more guidance on this https:// calculate.fairwork.gov.au • Your employer(s) must fill in the Employment Verification (1263) Form, and make sure it’s correct! Trying to get hold of this after you’ve left can be an absolute nightmare which can be found at www.border. gov.au/FormsAndDocuments/ Documents/1263.pd

3.How, where and when to apply?

Log into your ImmiAccount at www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa1/417- to apply and pay for your second WH Visa. Take note of the following: • Applying within Australia? You must remain in Australia until your Visa is granted. Ensure you complete your application well in advance of your first year WH Visa end date (2 months minimum

recommended).

• Applying outside of Australia?

You must wait for your Visa to be granted before re-entering. Don’t go booking flights prior to your visa being granted!

The Government advises that 75% applications take up to 21 days to be reviewed, however some have been known to take much longer than this.

4.What paperwork do you need to have?

As stated by the Australian government website, evidence for application can include, but is not limited to the following: • Your bank statement covering the entire period of your specified work.

• Completed Employment Verification (1263) Form found on www.border.gov.au • Payslips • Group certificates • Tax returns • Employer references on official letterhead

5. Other important things to consider

If you are remaining in Australia whilst applying for your second WH Visa please consider renewals for the following: • Travel Insurance • Medicare • Any other personal information or documentation that was based on your first year visa e.g. ABN Number and Tax File Number.

For all visa advice speak to a Registered Migration Agent.

TAX WISE Tel : 08 9248 8124 Fax : 08 9463 6208 mairead@taxwiseaustralia.com.au PO Box 1874, Malaga 6944 www.taxwiseaustralia.com.au www.taxwise-australia.com

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

GREEN MIGRATION

Registered Migration Agent – 1464351 Little City Studio 118 Prospect Road, PROSPECT SA 5082 +61 8 417 837 973 zoe@greenmigration.com.au www.greenmigration.com.au

OPTIMA MIGRATION

Registered Migration Agent - 0532045 Subiaco Business Centre/ Suite 5, 531 Hay St Subiaco WA 6008 + 61 8 93808397 |M: 0409130865 lidia@optimamigration.com.au www.optimamigration.com.au

IMMIGRATION HELP CORPORATE OFFICE (AUSTRALIA)

181 Marion Road Richmond, Adelaide, SA 5033, Australia Phone: +61 8 8123 6039 | Fax: +61 8 7200 7536 Mobile No: + 61 0433303774 Email:contact@myimmigrationhelp.com www.myimmigrationhelp.com

TAXBACK.CO.UK Claim back your uk tax refund info@taxback.co.uk www.taxback.co.uk BACKPACKER TAX REFUNDS First Floor, 1A Morts Road Mortdale NSW 2223 +61 (0) 2 8065 5668 info@backpackertaxrefunds.com.au www.backpackertaxrefunds.com.au

MOVE MIGRATION PTY LTD

Registered Migration Agent MARN: 1382250 104/3 Eden Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Email: Eugene.Liu@movemigration.com.au Web: movemigration.com.au

CONTACT marketing@ what-media.com to advertise your services.

Shipping article by Michael Spicer at Seven Seas Worldwide Visa article by Gemma Glover

Student Packing And Shipping Tips

As with your first WH Visa there are a few rules you must meet.

As directed by the Australian government website they are as follows: • You must be between 18 and 30 years old (there is talk of this changing to 35 years of age).

• You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months until renewal.

• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself when you arrive in Australia • You must have completed 3 months, or 88 days of specified work in regional Australia (explained in point 2).

anything else in this article then please do to this!

www.bbmlive.com 17

18

RECRUITMENT. EMPLOYMENT. STUDY. MIGRATION.

Tackling Those Tricky “Common” Interview Questions So you haven’t had an interview for a while, you’re back ‘in the market’ or simply need some guidance on what type of questions to expect in an interview.

Here are some of the tricky and most likely ‘typical’ questions to expect in an interview and the best approach to take when trying to answer them.

(Remember every interview is different so DO YOUR RESEARCH first)

Never speak negatively about your previous employer/manager, it will only make them wonder what you would have to say about them, if/when you move on again.

So tell me about yourself

The best approach is to outline a weakness but to expand on how you have/will improve it. For example, you might answer around a particular software package, however you have started to apply yourself to online courses or signed up to online testing to improve using this particular system.

This doesn’t mean tell me your whole life story, approach this strategically with how your experience matches the role you are interested in.

A good approach is to start with your current role, then prior experience and finish with your future (why you are interested and why you think you are right for the role)

Why are you interested in this role?

This means exactly that, outline all the reasons why/what you like about the role. Be very specific to the particular role in which you’re interested, avoid general statements, otherwise they might not believe you are interested. This can include the responsibilities or the opportunity to learn and grow new skills and detail the exact duties which interest you.

Remember this will vary in EVERY interview so don’t give a generic response.

Why are you looking to leave/left your current/previous role?

Be honest here, you need to explain exactly what it is about your role that is making you want to leave/ left.

However ALWAYS approach this with a positive stance, if your previous role isn’t challenging you and is ‘boring’, frame it in a positive way, such as you are looking to challenge yourself in a more senior role.

What are your weaknesses?

As well as asking about your strengths, a much trickier question is what are your weaknesses or tell me about a time you failed.

You HAVE to answer this question otherwise you could risk being perceived as having a lack of selfawareness (also no one is perfect).

You have answered the question and shown you are a quick learner!

Why do you think you are the right fit for this role?

Go for it….SELL YOURSELF! This is your chance.

Articulate your strengths, skills and previous experience, which will make you the perfect fit for the role. Always make sure you illustrate your experience with examples and always prepare for this question prior to each individual interview you attend.

Remember just be yourself, this is all about you after all and your new role needs to be a good fit for everyone and most importantly you!

Article by Gabby Norton, Consultant, Specialist Recruitment, Western Sydney at people2people.

Browse part-time, temporary and permanent jobs at

people2people.com.au

CARPENTERS. ELECTRICIANS. CHEFS RECRUITERS. NURSES. SPONSORED JOBS Our clients are seeking professionals from overseas to fill a range of jobs across Australia. If you’re serious about staying in Australia and are seeking permanent employment or looking at skilled visas options, we want to hear from you.

If you’re coming to the end of your first or second year working holiday visa, or if you’re already in employment and are looking for a new sponsor please get in touch with our team asap. Our clients are looking for top talent and willing to sponsor for the right candidates.

Call 02 8005 8162 or email your CV to jobs@bbmlive.com

www.bbmlive.com 19

WWW.BBMLIVE.COM/JOBS

Chef Jobs In Australia Are you a chef or hospitality worker looking to migrate to Australia long term? Here we speak to hospitality recruitment agency, TSS Recruitment about the ins and outs involved for chefs applying to live and work in Australia as well as how much Australia needs their skills.

What kind of opportunities are there for chefs in Australia at the moment?

There are many opportunities for experienced chefs all over Australia due to the rapid expansion of our hospitality industry, predominantly in a la carte dining venues varying from casual to fine dining.

What’s an advantage to being a chef in Australia over other destinations?

Not only is Australia a fantastic place to live, but the visa pathways enable chefs to go through a process that will lead to citizenship over time. Furthermore, the expanding industry is providing an opportunity for chefs from all over the world to share their knowledge and skills with one another, further honing their craft.

There has never been a better time to be a chef in Australia.

Which areas of Australia are really in need of chefs at the moment?

There is demand all across Australia from the major cities to regional areas.

What visas are open to chefs applying to live and work in Australia?

There is a variety of visa available depending on the applicant’s experience and qualifications. However, the most common visa stream is the Employer Sponsored Visa which provides stable, long-term employment within one business.

What’s the most straight forward way of applying for a skilled visa for Australia?

None are particularly straightforward.

Applying for an Australian visa can be a complicated process. While it may sound self-serving, by far the most straightforward

THE COST OF A VISA APPLICATION TO AUSTRALIA Starting the visa application process can be a costly business. For example, a skilled visa application to Australia will involve the following outlays: Skills application – whether through Vetassess or the Trades Recognition Authority, or any other Australian skills body can cost anything between AUD 600 and AUD 2,000, and sometimes there are two stages to the skills process, meaning further fees.

Visa Application Fees can cost anything between AUD 3600 and AUD 4650 per main applicant, and if your family unit is larger, a partner will be half this cost again

way off applying for an Australian visa of any type is to use a Registered Migration Agent.

Which other kitchen jobs are TSS currently recruiting for?

TSS have kitchen positions for candidates who have strong experience working in a la carte kitchen environments, typically from chef de partie positions up to head chef positions.

What kind of establishments can chefs applying through TSS Recruitment hope to work in?

Our clients are varied both in location and the style of the establishment, candidates can expect to work in venues which will be most suited to their skills and experience, whether they are a Michelin trained chef or a cook in a pub.

TSS MIGRATION / TSS RECRUITMENT LEVEL 3, 7 HOWARD ST, RICHMOND, VICTORIA / +6103 9421 1020 WWW.TSSMIGRATION.COM.AU / WWW.TSSRECRUITMENT.COM.AU

Do you hold interviews prior to candidates arriving in Australia?

Once a candidate has sent through their resume we make an initial assessment of their suitability, if they have the experience our clients would be looking for they will be screened via skype, there is much interaction with our team before the candidates are presented to potential employers.

What have your successful placements said is the best thing about emigrating to Australia?

Talking to many of our past candidates when they have settled into Australian employment a common thread is always having a supportive and welcoming employer and having a stable environment for themselves and their families to live.

Our candidates are all looking to be in the hospitality industry for the long haul, and like anyone else they value the job and lifestyle security migrating to Australia has brought them.

TSS Recruitment specialise in placing chefs and other hospitality staff in jobs around Australia. Find Chef & hospitality jobs at

www.tssrecruitment.com.au

and each child will be a quarter of the main applicant’s fee. Returning Residents and Working Holiday visas are considerably less than this.

Medical examinations can cost around £200 and £300 each applicant and depending on the age of the applicant.

English Language Testing: most of our clients are required to undertake an English language test for extra points. This may be mandatory depending on the type of skills assessment, or may be undertaken to gain extra points for your visa application.

IELTS is generally the most popular English language test and can cost between £130 and £160.

Mandatory character checks: UK Police checks are approximately £45 per person over the age of 18. Fees for police checks from other countries will vary.

If you decide to use our services to represent you, this will be an additional cost. We offer very flexible payment schedules, with our most popular being payment by instalments, to spread the cost over a longer period. For example, we would usually request a deposit of between 25% and 40% of the full fee with 4 to 6

monthly instalments. With the growing use of internet banking, payments can be made by setting up standing order payments online.

Official, Government, Skills, health, police and language testing are paid directly by

the applicant to the relevant organisation.

Need more information on applying for visas for Australia?

Visit www.overseas-emigration.co.uk

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Jobs for Registered Nurses in Sydney Australia. In Sydney in particular there are openings for various positions across the healthcare spectrum.

Priority occupations include Registered Nurses in the following specialist areas: • Aged Care • Child and Family Health • Community Health • Critical Care and Emergency • Disability and Rehabilitation • Medical Practice • Mental Health • Surgical • Paediatrics

Arrived in Australia and don’t ever want to leave? If you’re a registered nurse who is looking to move to Australia on a more permanent basis then you’ll want to be sure that you can secure some work.

Lucky for healthcare workers joining a healthcare recruitment agency such as Bower Healthcare is a great way to keep yourself afloat whilst you look for permanent nursing work.

If Sydney’s your first port of call then luckily for you there are currently lots of nursing opportunities available in Sydney and across Australia.

Registered nurses and other jobs across the healthcare profession are currently in high demand in Australia due to a national skills shortage.

The government, having created new jobs and built new hospitals to cope with the demand of a growing population, have been recruiting home-grown staff; however they are now looking elsewhere in the world to fill these positions to ensure that the required skills are met.

If you have qualified as a nurse in the UK or Ireland your skills should be transferable to a nursing job in

There are also a number of opportunities available for qualified midwives.

Moving to Sydney Although there are openings in many parts of Australia, including some remote and regional areas, most overseas nurses will end up in the busy major city hospitals, with Sydney being a particular hub for the ex-pat community.

Due to its size there are numerous opportunities available for qualified nurses – there are a multitude of recruitment websites where specific vacancies are advertised or you may find it beneficial to sign up with a nursing agency who specialise in recruiting healthcare staff from overseas. Agencies and employers may also be able to help with gaining your visa for entry into Australia – as qualified nurses are seen as a priority occupation it should be a fairly straightforward process.

Working Holidays For Nurses Fancy dipping your toes in first to see if nursing in Australia is for you? Why not try out Bower Healthcare’s working holiday packages for nurses?

Apply for nursing jobs now at

www.bowerhealthcare.com.au

Make The Most Of Your Working Holiday In Melbourne

If you’re a nurse on a working holiday in Australia then you’ll be wanting to combine your work schedule with some travelling. If you’re planning on nursing in Melbourne during your working holiday then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a loads to do and see beyond the neon lights of the city. If you’ve realised that nursing in Australia will actually give you the time for a life outside of work – especially through agency work, then make sure you spend your time off wisely be exploring the glorious sites of Victoria.

Location, location, location

Melbourne has an enviable location, just down the road from some of Victoria’s premier attractions. All within 2 hours drive of the CBD, the following attractions make for a splendid break from the hustle and bustle of town.

Victoria’s Top Attractions

The top of many a list are the stunning 12 Apostles. Technically speaking there are only 8 left (there were only ever 9 to be being with, weirdly) these stunning, and huge, limestone stacks located just off the Great Ocean Road are a sight to behold. Rising eerily up from the waves, they stand strong against the brutal Southern Ocean and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. Just under a 2-hour drive from Melbourne, the 12 Apostles form part of the Port Campbell National Park, which stretches for miles along this spectacular coastline, playing host to craggy cliffs and arches, as well as a variety of birdlife, including Fairy Penguins. The area is well and truly on the tourist map so make for an early start to beat the crowds.

Victorian Wildlife

If it’s wildlife you’re after, you can’t go far wrong with Philip Island, an easy drive or short ferry ride from the city. This rugged island is a dream destination for all ages, with sheltered beaches, fine eateries and a multitude of activities. Take

a wander along the beautiful headland at The Nobbies, and get an excellent view of Australia’s largest fur seal colony on the appropriately named, Seal Rocks. Far enough away to avoid the pong! The ultimate wildlife experience here though is the sight of hundreds of penguins returning from a day’s fishing at sundown to the dunes along the island. Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach is well set up with boardwalks, guides and interactive displays. This is by far the most popular attraction, and for good reason. Those guys are seriously cute.

Wine Tasting

You’re probably aware that Australia is famous for its wine, so nurses can certainly reward yourself away from the ward! Revel in Victoria’s premier wine producing region in the Yarra Valley. Enjoy a full day of cruising through beautiful rolling countryside, stopping off at the myriad wineries to learn about the wine making process and enjoy tastings as you go.

You can hire a car and easily do this trip yourself, but if you’re planning on taking full advantage of the many wines on offer, it might be more sensible to join one of the many guided tours to the region, leaving the driving to someone else so you can relax and enjoy the excellent wines to your heart’s content.

Australian Nursing Agency are welcoming nurses on Working Holiday Visas to join their books for flexible nursing work in Melbourne. Check our Nursing Jobs Board Get in touch today at recruitment@australiannursingagency.com or

visit www.australiannursingagency.com

www.bowerhealthcare.com.au info@bowerhealthcare.com.au Nursing Under-Grads (Assistants in Nursing) Bower Healthcare is selectively seeking experienced nursing students (year 2 +) for work as Assistants in Nursing in acute general and specialty areas in hospitals around Sydney’ north. As a preferred supplier to NSW Health Local Health Districts, we are recruiting in preparation for an expected upturn in requests.

Essential Requirements: Must have a current work visa, or work rights in Australia, 100% compliance with the NSW Health Department’s immunisation policy, Must be nursing undergraduates, 2nd year onwards (no Cert III applicants will be considered), NSW Working with Children Check (paid employee version) and National Police Check.

Need to live within easy travelling distance of the hospitals (to fulfil last minute booking requests)

Got a question?

Registered Nurse Dementia Specific Care Home (North Sydney)

Set in its own grounds in a leafy northern Sydney suburb, this brand new unit opens next month and Bower Healthcare has been provided the opportunity to assist with staffing shortfalls. The 57 bed residence provides care for residents with low to high range dementia, living in shared units serviced by a regular team of support staff.

The Registered Nurse oversees the support and care provided to residents, assisting with clinical needs where needed but mainly coaching and encouraging the staff to utilise their skills to the best of their abilities. T he Unit manager is on site during office hours between Monday to Friday.

Shifts range across mornings, PM’s and night duties. Because of the specialist nature of the work and the autonomy afforded to the RN in charge, only those that have regular availability and can attend an on-site induction can be considered.

Hospital Orderlies Salary: $24 to $40 Hourly Rate We are seeking a number of experienced staff to work as orderlies in various general (surgical, medical, aged care) and specialty (mental health, OT, ED, ICU, etc) areas in public hospitals in Sydney’s east and southwest. We can offer an immediate start with shifts booked 2-3 weeks in advance, as well as on an ad hoc basis.

Essential Requirements: Regular, on-going work for reliable performers Many shifts available, including weekends Advanced roster, in addition to day-to-day bookings Essential requirements: Must have current work rights in Australia Preference given to those with full-time equivalent availability 100% compliance with the NSW Health Department’s immunisation policy Must posses more than 6 months relevant experience from here or overseas (as an orderly, AIN or PCA) Recent, professional local references Current criminal record and working with children checks Please note that if you do not satisfy all of the above requirements but still apply, you will not receive a return response.

Do you qualify for our Australian Working Holiday Visa Package?

To qualify for a Bower Healthcare working holiday package you must either be eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa and meet the following employment requirements: • You must qualify for an Australian Working Holiday Visa or other relevant work visa for Australia.

• You must either be a registered nurse and possess a minimum 12 months postgraduate clinical experience • Or be an experienced healthcare worker, eligible for work as an Assistant in Nursing or Community Support Worker Registered Nurses must possess provisional approval for registration with AHPRA • Click here for full details on our candidate requirements and working for us Our Working Holiday Packages combine everything you need to get started in Australia including accommodation and your all-important Tax File Number as well as some great tours to get you in the mood for your working holiday in Australia.

www.bowerhealthcare.com.au

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Pit Stop Guides:

ALICE SPRINGS

Alice Springs, the one-and-only destination from which to explore the highlights of Australia’s interior desert region, The Red Centre.

Situated in the Northern Territory equidistant from both Adelaide and Darwin you’ll travel through hundreds of miles of outback to reach this desert town. It has become known as a gateway to the Red Centre and is a haven for travellers looking for a whole host of outback adventures. However, it must be said the town is a destination in its own right. With a complex mix of European and Aboriginal colonial history, a bustling arts scene and rich cultural heritage there is loads to see and do in Alice Springs. So, should you find yourself in this neck of the woods in between tours to Uluru, Darwin or Adelaide here’s what you can do to keep yourself busy.

THE ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE

Notable for its Central and Western Desert people’s artwork including the dot paintings synonymous with the Red Centre, Alice Springs is one of the best locations to view and purchase traditional Australian art work. The Araluen Arts Centre is a great example of many traditional art pieces and also features travelling exhibitions, craft displays and live performances. www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

TODD MALL MARKET

Todd Mall comes to life on Sunday Market Days, held throughout the year from February to December.

Colourful entertainment and street cafes make for a vibrant affair where stalls offer a selection of art, crafts and local produce. Monthly Night Markets also run from August to November and creates a pleasant atmosphere offering amazing multicultural street food, indigenous art, handmade clothing and souvenirs. www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au

OLIVE PINK BOTANIC GARDENS

Specialising in the flora and fauna

of Australia’s arid centre the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens were founded in 1956 and opened to the public in 1985. Now home to 600 Australian plants, over 80 species of birds, and plenty of native wildlife including the Black-Footed Rock Wallaby, these gardens are perfect for getting a real feel of the Red Centre’s capabilities to support all matter of life. www.opbg.com.au

THE ALICE SPRINGS TELEGRAPH STATION HISTORICAL RESERVE

Situated just 4km north of the town centre, take a walk to The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve and immerse yourself in some remarkable history. Established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, it also marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Most importantly it is responsible for creating the first real communications between Australia and the rest of the world. A must do for the historian in you!

Explorers Highway and the Larapinta Trail. These routes will enable you to experience some of the many outback highlights of the Red Centre and really understand why the NT is such a culturally important State of Australia: •

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www.alicespringstelegraphstation.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS REPTILE CENTRE

With over 50 different species of reptiles exhibited inside and outside in naturally landscaped surroundings you can get up close to some of Australia’s deadliest creatures!

Alongside lethal Taipans, Death Adders, huge Goannas and FrilledNeck Lizards you can also meet Terry, the Saltwater Crocodile, who is a rescued rogue croc from Darwin Harbour! www.reptilecentre.com.au

POINTS OF INTEREST FROM ALICE SPRINGS Whilst in the area there are of course some major “must see” outback destinations! When travelling to and from Alice Springs consider journeys such as the Red Centre Way, The

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Uluru-Kata Tjuta – Millions of years old and dominating the landscape of the Central Australian Desert, these red rocks are icons of Australia and its indigenous history.

Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park - Between the ancient beauty of Alice Springs and the marvel of Uluru discover the spellbinding scenery of the Australian outback at Kings Canyon.

West MacDonnell Ranges – An area of aboriginal significance that is home to most spectacular rock scenery of gorges and gaps including: Ochre Pits, Serpentine Gorge and Ellery Creek.

Simpson Desert – who’d have thought that brilliant wildflowers, rare pine trees and unique wildlife could thrive in the deep red sands and rolling dunes of the Simpson Desert? It’s a must see!

Devils Marbles - The Devils Marbles are huge granite boulders, ranging from 50cm to 6m in diameter and are quite literally scattered across a wide, shallow valley. They are of huge importance to the Aboriginal people and are worth a visit if driving past.

See all the highlights of Australia’s Red Centre with Mulgas Adventures departing from Alice Springs and Darwin.

www.mulgasadventures.com.au

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PREPARE TO GO NORTH As the searing heat of summer begins to dwindle now’s the time to start planning your migration to the northern parts of Australia. Starting from North West Australia we take a look at Aussie Wanderer’s 8 day Broome to Darwin safari.

If you’ve made your way up the wiley West Coast of Australia and reached the expansive beaches of Broome then it’s time to plan your next move. Seeing as you’re pitched up in the North West corner of Australia, Darwin is a great natural progression

as your next destination - but getting there doesn’t need to be straightforward. No! You can make the most out of this epic journey across State lines and see more of what this untamed part of Australia has to offer.

Setting off from Broome you will head east toward the Gibb River Road before arriving at Windjana Gorge in the Napier Ranges.

Here you’ll explore the gorge and Tunnel Creek before learning a bit more about the Aboriginal heritage and the area as well as spotting a few freshwater crocs!

After a day’s adventure it’s time to settle down under the stars for the night at the Silent Grove campsite.

Making your way to Mt Elizabeth it’s time to frolic in water holes, and explore more gorges including Bell, Galvans and Manning - depending on the water levels during the time of your visit.

Next up is El Questro where you’ll spend two nights at this outback oasis before exploring 1 million acres of the El Questro Wilderness Park followed by a dip in the Zebedee Springs and a visit to El Questro Gorge.

A dramatic change of landscape

comes in the form of the Purnululu National Park - home to the worldfamous Bungle Bungle Ranges.

Here, you’ll have some time to

explore the odd rock formations as well as Echidna Chasm.

As you near the edges of Western Australia you’ll reach the mammoth expanse that is Lake Argyle - Australia’s largest man-made lake. Here you’ll have a chance to visit the Dam Wall, and have lunch by the Ord River before crossing State lines into the Northern Territory ready for your next adventure…

Tours run from 3rd May - 27th September 2017.

aussiewanderer.com.au

ESCAPE TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Amongst the dense jungle you’ll find oasis’ teeming with both fish and reptiles, and the need to escape the humidity with a dip in these watering holes can certainly be met. During your time at Litchfield National Park you can visit Florence Falls, Buley Rockholes and Wangi Falls.

Setting off from the NT capital of Darwin you’ll experience the adventure of a lifetime as you explore the wilderness that lies beyond the borders of Australia’s most northerly city.

Your next watery encounter will be at the Mary River National Park where you’ll be able to spot some giant crocodiles… all whilst keeping a healthy distance and definitely don’t swim with them!

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - WHERE ADVENTURE BEGINS

KAKADU - THE JEWEL OF THE NT

Situated just 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is your first taste of the wilderness as you encounter giant termite mounds that tower over you as well as lush rainforest.

As you arrive at the World Heritage Listed destination you’ll have the chance to learn more about Kakadu’s rich Aboriginal culture that dates back more than 50,000 years. You’ll also have the chance to see some of the oldest Aboriginal

rock art on the planet. Your time at Kakadu National Park will also take you to Maguk - also known as Barramundi Gorge or the Gunlom Falls where you can safely cool off in the crystal clear swimming hole.

THE TOWERING HEIGHTS OF KATHERINE GORGE

Situated within the Nitmuluk National Park, an ancient gorge carved from the Katherine River over 23 million years you’ll be dwarfed by the massive 70 metre rock face that rises in front of you.

Whilst visiting Nitmiluk National Park you can take to the waterways and cruise down the river or even hire a canoe or boat for an up close perspective of this stunning national park.

To find out more about this tour and book visit www.adventuretours.com.au

Images courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

As the temperatures start to dip in the coming months there’s never been a better time to head to the Northern Territory for some off grid adventure.

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Experience Australia’s Best Aboriginal Tours Before the arrival of British colonies in 1788, indigenous peoples; the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders inhabited Australia. With a continuous history spanning more than 50,000 years this makes them one the world’s most ancient living cultures today.

Aboriginal Australia is a living legacy of custodianship of land, spiritual knowledge, culture and people. The connectivity of all things shared is demonstrated through rituals, art, dance, music, secret stories and journeys created in the Dreamtime – the time when ancestral spirits created the landforms and all life.

By gaining an insight into the Aboriginal history of Australia your surroundings will be brought to life and you will gain a much deeper appreciation of the landscapes you traverse.

With over 500 different clan groups or ‘nations’ once living across the continent, many distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages were developed, some of which still survive and are accessible today.

QUEENSLAND Ingan Tours

Experience the sacred values and timehonoured ancestral knowledge of the Jirrbal Rainforest Aboriginal people. Take a walking or kayaking tour through awe-inspiring rainforest in the World Heritage Listed Tropical North Queensland. Elder, Ernie Grant and his family offer walking tours through the pristine rainforest following along crystal clear waters to the beautiful Echo Creek Falls. Their kayak tour is also a great way to experience the Cassowary Coast region. Relax and breathe in the beauty of the Bulgan Creek in Tully and paddle your way down stream and see the environment through Indigenous eyes. Jirrbal guides offer interpretative information on the flora and fauna giving a unique understanding of how the rainforest sustains life. www.ingan.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Aboriginal Cultural Tours

NEW SOUTH WALES

Aboriginal Cultural Tours deliver authentic Aboriginal experiences led by knowledgeable Aboriginal guides, who care about their country and live on their land. Their tours take travellers on a journey through archaeological sites, spectacular coastal areas and ancient lands where giant ‘Megafauna’ once roamed! With Aboriginal Cultural Tours you will discover the Aboriginal communities of regions including Clare Valley, Burra, Mid North, Southern Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula. Walk together in the footsteps of Aboriginal ancestors. Immerse yourself in the past. Share in Dreaming stories that bring the landscape to life and connect with nature and the environment. www.aboriginalsa.com.au

Sand Dune Adventures

VICTORIA

With the utmost respect for the traditional custodians of the lands and in seeking to share just a fraction of this captivating history and culture with you, we have sought out a selection of honest aboriginal experiences. We hope these experiences will help to go a little way in explaining the true history of Aboriginal Australia and its people.

Located in Port Stephens and run by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC), Sand Dune Adventures is wholly operated by local Aboriginal people. They seek to give you a ‘hands on and interactive’ insight into the rich Aboriginal culture whilst providing you with an exhilarating quad biking experience among the unique coastal sand dunes of Stockton Bight.

During your experience you will ride from bush to beach with an expert Aboriginal guide, dig for fresh water, see one of the many Aboriginal Midden sites, and take in glorious views of the sweeping coastline. Back at the Murrock Cultural Centre you will gain further insight into the Aboriginal culture and heritage of the lands. With “exclusive” access to the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere this is possibly the most adrenaline-charged, authentic cultural experience around! www.sandduneadventures.co.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY Kakadu Cultural Tours

Owned and managed by the traditional owners of the clan estates it visits, this is an exceptional Aboriginal cultural and heritage experience into Arnhem Land and Northern Kakadu. Experiences include the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, Guluyambi Wet Season Cultural Cruise, Magela Creek System and Arnhemlander Cultural and Heritage Tour.

Aboriginal guides provide an insight into local mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals as well as bush survival skills. While on your NT Aboriginal experience enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep at the Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Lodge situated in the heart of Kakadu. www.kakaduculturaltours.com.au

Brambuk

Ownership of Brambuk is shared between five Aboriginal communities with historic links to the Gariwerd-Grampians ranges and the surrounding plains. Featuring its own hostel, cultural centre and Dreaming Theatre it is the perfect location to discover the wonders of the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung and aboriginal communities of southwestern Victoria. With many different ways of understanding the ancient landscapes of Australia this region in particular defines itself by six distinct weather periods termed as the Geriwerd seasonal cycle. Learn about the season of the honeybees, wildflowers, nesting birds, butterflies, eels and cockatoos, enabling you to connect deeply with the flora and fauna of this ancient landscape. www.brambuk.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Kooljamin at Cape Leveque

Kooljaman, the Bardi Aboriginal name for Cape Leveque, has been established for 20 years and is jointly owned by the two surrounding indigenous communities of Djarindjin and Ardyaloon. Located 220km North of Broome, Kooljamin offers a unique wilderness camp, which is surrounded by a diversity of natural wonders. The amazing wildlife, vast array of marine life and stunning coastline, makes this a truly inspiring experience. You can undertake a range of exceptional cultural experiences including; mangrove and mud crabbing tours, fishing, bush tucker, and whale watching all conducted by the local people who share a deep affinity with the region. This is the perfect getaway for any traveller with an adventurous spirit and a desire to get off the beaten track.

“Gorna arralala jardor Booroo”, ‘Look after our country’. www.kooljaman.com.au

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN OZ THIS MARCH It may be the wet season in the north, but down south there’s never been a better time to visit. Here are some great last minute getaways around Australia this March.

Namadgi National Park, ACT

In a section of the Australian Alps near Canberra you will find the pristine bush land and fascinating history of Namadgi National Park. Not only can you meet the emus, kangaroos, wallabies and cockatoos of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, but you can also discover ruminants left by pastoralists, gold hunters and the Aboriginal custodians. Be active and horse ride or mountain bike the tracks, fish the waterways, climb or abseil the heights of the granite outcrops and bushwalk along the Great Alpine Walk.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW

Just north of Sydney, spend some time of the city and explore the wilderness of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Experience breath-taking views of West Head lookout and cruise the tranquil waterways below. Learn of the ancient aboriginal culture at some of the many heritage sites and seek out ancient rock engravings some visible only by water.

Kangaroo Island, SA

Check out Kangaroo Island for an unforgettable experience! From spectacular scenery to astounding wildlife, world-class wineries to local produce you can enjoy the lot on this South Australian island! Not only is the island serenely tranquil, but it can also deliver action packed adventure!

Sand boarding, bike riding, kayaking, bushwalking and swimming - every spirited traveller should make it their mission to check out this stunning destination!

Launceston to Hobart, TAS

Ever considered exploring Tasmania?

Road tripping from Launceston to Hobart via Freycinet National Park will deliver a delightfully balanced trip!

Freycinet itself, has a stunning array of scenery, from pink granite peaks to secluded bays and sandy white beaches contrasting with the turquoise blues of the Tasman Sea. This is an adventurer’s paradise with opportunities to hike, kayak, swim and snorkel. Check out The Hazards Ranges, Wineglass Bay, the Moulting Lagoon Wetland Sanctuary and keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Tasmanian Devil! End your trip in the charming Hobart, which has plenty of history and a casual vibe allowing you to experience the Australian culture in a somewhat chilled city!

The Great Ocean Road, VIC

Spanning 400km from Torquay to Nelson on the South Australian border The Great Ocean Road is a must do of the Victorian State. It is classed as one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world and has plenty to do en route! Combined with the spectacular scenery, seek world-class surfing breaks, sheer limestone cliffs, isolated beaches, wonderful wildlife, local produce, aboriginal culture, eucalypt forests and secluded hinterlands. Possible to see from Melbourne in just 12 hours, but best explored over a few days.

Between Perth and Albany, WA

This dreamy region of Australia really does hit on all notes. Deep blue oceans, breath-taking scenery, rolling vineyards, ancient caves, white sandy beaches, curious animals and rare plant species await your discovery in the South West!

Enjoy relaxing with a glass of ‘Margaret River’ wine, stroll through tall timber forests and bathe in the beautiful Greens Pool. The unique scenery of the South West is certainly something you won’t forget so why not consider a trip today.

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara, is Munro’s largest work to date with more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of seven football fields. Pathways draw viewers into the installation which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars.

Field Of Light Staying for a few days in the NT? Darwin’s best hostel, Melaleuca on Mitchell recommends catching a Darwin to Uluru tour and witnessing the stunning Field Of Light at Uluru.

After a sell-out success in 2016, the awardwinning Field of Light, a global phenomenon by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, has been extended for another season, until 31st March 2018.

As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, the field of light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert.

The NT Is Open For Business With the wet season dwindling the Northern Territory is coming into its own. Temperatures cool off between April and September meaning now is a great time to start planning Northern Territory tours.

For those looking to get stuck into the dense NT bushland a trip to Litchfield and Kakadu National Park should satisfy your inner Bear Grylls.

NT tour company, Kakadu Wild have just the trip for those who think they can survive three days in the bush. Although, when we say “survive” we’re alluding to their luxury campsites with all the mod cons including proper beds, proper bathrooms and showers. Sound like your version of camping? Read on…

During their 3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield Adventure you’ll have the chance to learn aboriginal traditions from the Limilngan Wulna tribe, cruise the Mary River Wetlands and spot the crocodiles, and venture to Ubirr to enjoy the rock art on display.

This exciting trip can only get better by experiencing it through 4WD safari. Kakadu is the very best place to seek rich landscape, interesting culture, and unique history.

Departing from Darwin, you’ll first explore the cascading waterfalls,

swimming holes and towering termite mounds of Litchfield National Park visiting Florence Falls and the Buley Rockholes before travelling onward to Wangi Falls for a final swim and a stroll through monsoon forest. An action-packed day you’ll next visit the Mary River National Park where you’ll spot enormous saltwater crocs.

Next up is the World Heritage Listed, Kakadu National Park. Described

by UNESCO as a ‘living cultural landscape with exceptional natural and cultural values’. Indigenous people have lived here for more than 50,000 years, to which the ancient rock paintings of Ubirr can attest.

Your guide will explain the significance of these artworks during an interpretive cultural walk that finishes on a rocky escarpment overlooking the Nardab floodplain.

From here it’s on to Maguk where you’ll be able to partake in a little more swimming in the crystal clear waterholes.

As Kakadu actually covers about the same area as Slovenia, it’s a good call to take an optional scenic flight over the area to take in its vast beauty.

Although, if sky’s the limit for you then don’t fret as you’ll get to learn a little more about this incredible National Park at the Bowali visitors centre before making your way back to Darwin where the tour concludes.

Travellers Tip: This tour departs

from April - September and is priced at $995 per person.

www.kakaduwild.com.au

Tour bookings: We strongly recommend prebooking your Field of Light tours prior to arrival as spaces are limited and tours are selling out. The exhibition is located in a remote area away from the Resort and is not accessible unless booked onto one of the tours.

Field Of Light at Uluru runs from 1st April – 31st March 2018 with tickets costing $35 per person.

Find out more and book at www.ayersrockresort.com.au About Melaleuca on Mitchell This hostel is Darwin’s newest Backpacker accommodation situated right in the heart of the city. Big screen TV, 2 pools, licensed bar and great range of accommodation options to suit all budgets making it the perfect place to make your base whilst you explore the Northern Territory. www.momdarwin.com

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Top 5 Things To See Between Perth & Exmouth

If you’ve come to Australia’s west coast to explore then embark on a journey from Perth to Exmouth and you’ll come across some truly spectacular scenery along the way.

Australia’s West Coast has just as much to offer as the more frequented East Coast including reefs, rocks, and endless beaches.

Here we take a look at the top 5 things to see and places to visit along the way from Perth to Exmouth.

With Perth’s temperate climate all year long, heading north as autumn approaches means you

can keep your summer time buzz going all along the way.

1. Lancelin

Famous for its epic sand dunes, Lancelin is a great place to hop off whilst making your way up the West Coast. With stunning beaches, you’ll get your first taste of WA’s unspoilt coastline, and you can also get in on some action by sandboarding down the dunes.

2. Kalbarri

The scenery very much changes as you approach Kalbarri National Park. Gone are the sensible sands of Lancelin and in their place great rock faces loom in front of you.

Kalbarri is where you’ll find ancient

gorges and waterways where you can enjoy kayaking down the Z-bend or take a famous tourist snap at ‘Nature’s Window’ - a naturally formed rock that frames the landscape beyond.

3. Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is a must on your journey up the coast. A tropical resort awaits you with plenty of accommodation and activities on offer - but one you can’t miss is meeting the world famous Monkey Mia dolphins. These dolphins have been swimming into the shallows for years, so if you’re a fan of these playful marine mammals then join in the fun and get right up close to these wild dolphins.

4. Shark Bay

For a real taste of WA’s beach bum lifestyle, Shark Bay is the perfect hop off on your journey to Exmouth and is a great place to enjoy a spot of sea kayaking. If activities really are your thing then you can also get in on the action with windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Shark Bay is also where you’ll find rusty-red sand dunes juxtaposed with pristine white sands on the beaches.

5. Ningaloo Reef

As you reach the northern end of your journey up the WA Coast you’re now in the perfect territory to encounter the West’s answer to the Great Barrier Reef - the

Ningaloo Reef. Snorkelling and scuba diving are a must here as Coral Bay and Exmouth offer the perfect launchpad to explore the Reef. Visit from late March to early September and you’ll also have the chance to see the Whale shark’s as they migrate past the West Coast of Australia.

Traveller Tip:

Get 10% off hop on and hop off coach services from Perth to Exmouth with Integrity Coachlines promo code BBMLIVE5 when you book online. www.integritycoachlines.com.au

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Travelling Australia The Second Time Around...

If you’ve felt the pull of Australia drawing you in for a second year of travelling and have already travelled the well beaten path of the East Coast, then why not think about heading west for a change of scene?

NINGALOO REEF VS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Undeniably both the Ningaloo Reef and The Great Barrier Reef deliver epic underwater experiences! They are both listed as World Heritage Sites, both see populations of Humpback Whales heading to their warm waters to breed and both have stunning coral systems which home masses of marine life! However, with one located on the East and the other on the West Coast of Australia, the differences between the two are noticeable. The Great Barrier Reef, has a very developed tourism infrastructure and is bordered by the luscious green rainforest of the Daintree. At 2,300km long, it is the largest living structure on Earth and is visible from outer space! In contrast the Ningaloo Reef is bounded by the deep reds of the sandy desert and has a significantly limited infrastructure with regards to tourism. It is classified as a fringe reef meaning

that it is just a short distance off of the coastline, and although much smaller in size than the Great Barrier Reef, this does mean you can dive or snorkel straight off the beach! When it comes to bringing you something that the Great Barrier Reef doesn’t, the Ningaloo Reef can boast about hosting the annual migration of whale sharks to its shores, an abundance of manta ray and is far less damaged by bleaching than the Great Barrier Reef meaning you’ll see stunningly colourful corals whilst snorkelling or diving the Ningaloo Reef.

THE BUNGLE BUNGLES VS ULURU

You may all be familiar with Uluru - Australia’s most famous rock, but have you heard of the Bungle Bungles? Purnululu National Park, in the Kimberley Region of WA, is home to the funny-named, natural dome formations known as the Bungle Bungles. These large domes are made from sand and gravel deposited over millions of years and one of their most spectacular features is their unique orange a black tiger like stripes - most striking at dawn and dusk. Unlike Uluru you can get up close and personal with this phenomenal landmark and explore on foot, enabling you to understand how they have been geographically formed over the years. The Bungle Bungles, like Uluru, are deeply significant to the indigenous people and you will learn a lot about the history and

culture of the land whilst visiting.

If you can stretch your budget to afford a scenic flight over the area we promise it will go down as a highlight of your travels in Australia!

MARGARET RIVER VS THE HUNTER VALLEY

Wine lover? If so this one is for you! You may have heard of the Hunter Valley in NSW and Jacobs Creek in South Australia but did you know that Western Australia also exports some world class wines? From Shiraz to Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon, Margaret River - a few hours south of Perth - is a must on your Western Australia itinerary. Margaret River isn’t just famous for its wines, it’s also here where you’ll experience some excellent surfing on the waves of the Indian Ocean as well as stunning sandy beaches.

A popular spot for a weekend away from Perth, you’ll find an abundance of forests here as well as some picturesque camp sites so you can really get in touch with nature. Booking onto a wine tasting tour is a must whilst visiting as that way you can fully enjoy

sampling the many incredible wines on offer!

MONKEY MIA VS AIRLIE BEACH

When it comes to seaside destinations Airlie Beach on the East Coast and Monkey Mia on the West Coast may just be too distinctive to compare! Both in the heart of National Parks they are most definitely stunning for their own separate reasons.

However, with Airlie Beach being THE coastal resort of the East it often means it’s overrun with tourists. Hop over to the West and you’ll find the coastal paradise of Monkey Mia. It’s here that you’ll be able to meet the world famous Monkey Mia dolphins as they swim right into the shallows. Monkey Mia is around a 9 hour drive north of Perth, so you’ll definitely want to split the journey over a couple of days.

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK VS DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK

Daintree National Park on the East Coast is where the rainforest

meets the reef, and is where you can enjoy activities such as surfing through the rainforest canopy all just a stone’s throw from sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. However, a must visit National Park in Western Australia is definitely Karijini National Park. Known as the Jewel of Western Australia - Karijini is where you’ll find stunning clear waterholes teaming with life as well as stunning waterfalls that cascade down from craggy cliff faces. As Karijini is 1,475.1 km north of Perth, the best way to visit is on a group tour either going North from Perth or down from Darwin - but either way this unruly wilderness is a must see on your WA itinerary.

Have we convinced you to spend another year travelling Australia yet? With its enormous expanse you definitely need to make sure Australia’s largest state, Western Australia, is firmly on your itinerary. Due to the lack of tourism exploitation in the West, you really are given the chance to experience Australia in all its unspoilt glory.

By Gemma Glovewr. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

After all, the West Coast of Australia also harbours everything from reefs to rainforests, national parks galore and thousands of miles of unspoilt coastline. With your launch pad to adventure being the world’s most remote city, Perth, your adventures promise to be rural, and often wild and untamed. Here, we take a look at why you should spend your second year in Australia exploring the best of what the West has to offer…

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Autumn Getaway: Kangaroo Island As the summer prepares to slip away into autumn, there’s no better way to see it off than a trip down south to Kangaroo Island.

Although Kangaroo Island offers so much all year round, this South Australian island is the perfect autumnal getaway with balmy days and cool nights.

Average temperatures are 20C (68F) and 13C (55F) minimum.

The soft light and the warm days of autumn are among the best to experience the real essence of Kangaroo Island. The wind is low, the days are bright and clear and winter rain has not yet kicked in. For photographers, to walkers, March through to May is an ideal time to visit.

Wildlife on Kangaroo Island is aplenty during autumn.

The mighty Rosenberg’s Goanna takes in the last rays before winter. Kangaroo and Tammar wallaby joeys bulge in their mother’s pouches.

Seals rest on rocks and sea lions on beaches.

If you are also looking for a place with abundant birdlife,

Kangaroo Island is the ideal location. Australian Pelicans abound, Wedge-tailed Eagles soar and Black Swans and Freckled, Blue-billed and Musk ducks abound in the lagoons and sheltered bays.

Cape Barren Geese prepare to nest in Native iris tussocks or build stick saucer nests on the ground in open areas at Flinders Chase National Park.

The dramatic scenery of across Kangaroo Island’s 155 km length includes surf-battered shores on the south and west coasts, calm coves among towering cliffs on the north coast, serene marine bays and lagoons in the north east, and sweeps of white, empty beaches and rocky shores on every coast.

Spending autumn days checking out some of Kangaroo Island’s many walking trails leads to the perfect remedy of some A-grade Kangaroo Island wine to accompany some of the freshest seafood on the planet - top tip - try the local oysters and freshwater crayfish called ‘Marron’!

The plethora of great produce doesn’t stop there as Kangaroo Island is well-

known for its pure strain of Ligurian honey, free range eggs, olives and sheep’s milk, cheeses and yoghurts!

There’s also a Gin Distillery, Micro-Brewery and many Cellar Doors to boot!

It’s fair to say that the pristine and untouched quality of this island and its surrounding waters contribute to the exceptional quality of produce on offer on Kangaroo Island - so make sure you see as much as you can and don’t leave empty handed!

Traveller Tip: Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours’ 2 day tour is currently just $445 per person. Tour includes all entry fees to KI’s attractions, all meals, Rob’s Sheep Shearing and Sheepdogs, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Seal Bay, Little Sahara, Vivonne Bay, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch inside Flinders Chase National Park.

To find out more call 1300 795 447 (in Australia), or +61 8 8202 8678 or visit www.kiadventuretours.com.au

to book online.

EYRE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA If you’re lover all things to do with the sea then the Eyre Peninsula, located in the State of South Australia, is a ‘bucket list’ destination for you!

Coined as ‘Australia’s Seafood Frontier’ you can be guaranteed plenty of ‘fishy’ treats to tantalize your taste buds! And aside from the food there is an epic range of activities to have you frolicking in the seas and roughing it through the trees.

Imagine coming face to face with the ocean’s most formidable predator, the Great White Shark. Plunge into the ocean for an awe-inspiring and memorable experience getting up close and personal with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. And after raising your adrenaline with those toothy fish, take a dip with the playful and spirited Australian Sea Lions and Bottlenose Dolphins!

If you’re in the area between June and October make sure you keep your eyes peeled for another of the ocean’s greats, the Southern Right Whale. During this season you can see these beautiful mammals migrating with their young. You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their phenomenal aerial displays of jumping, breaching, tail thrusting and fin slapping.

And that’s not all! When your offshore

activities come to a close, seek solid ground for even more thrills! Seaside shacks and pretty boats scatter the landscape along Coffin Bay’s scenic Oyster Walk. South Australia’s best fishing spot can be found nearby at Locks Well Beach, don’t let the “Staircase to Heaven”, which consist of 280 steps put you off visiting! Meet the Koalas of Mikkira Station and marvel at the delights of Flinders Ranges where you can discover the ancient rugged rock formations of Alligator & Warren Gorges! Ever tried sand boarding?

Now’s your chance, the mountainous dunes are guaranteed to satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie!

Experience all this and more on our Eyre Peninsula Tours over 6 days.

TRAVEL DEALS:

Book a Southern Ocean Wildlife Adventure Tour now for 2017/2018 and receive 10% off with promo code BBMLIVE Book a Secrets of Esperance Tour now for 2017/2018 and receive 10% off with promo code BBMLIVE6 Book an Adelaide to Perth 10 Day Camping Adventure Tour now for 2017/2018 and receive 15% off! Use promo code BBMLIVE10 Book now at www.nullarbortraveller.net

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ADRENALINE ON FRASER ISLAND Launching from the starting point, the car rockets through the muddy tracks narrowly avoiding its competitors and screeches round the corner almost toppling over and down the sharp faced cliff edge. No, this isn’t commentary from Silverstone but a mild re-encounter of an exhilarating ride through Fraser Island in a 4×4.

Just a short 45-minute ferry trip from Hervey Bay, Fraser, the world’s largest sand island covering a total of 160,000 hectares, opens up a new world of adventure where everything you do is potentially life threatening, making the whole experience much more exciting.

men wanting to cut down the trees for timber. Luckily, the butchering was stopped so that visitors can see Fraser in all its glory.

A blanket of sub-tropical rainforest containing flying foxes, possums, snakes, turtles and wallabies covers the sandy island, making it one of the world’s natural wonders.

As much as its forests are a haven for wildlife, its seas are a breeding ground for tiger sharks. These nasty man-eating beasts have been sighted in waters only three metres deep so swimming in the sea isn’t advised, however with more than 100 freshwater lakes on the island there are more than enough alternatives to keep you happy and refreshed.

Whether you sign up for a selfdrive or guided tour, your days on Fraser Island will be stimulating and your nights will be spent creeping your way past dingoes as you try to find the camp toilet in the dark.

One of the most popular lakes just east of Kingfisher Bay is the stunning Lake McKenzie.

Surrounded by fine talcum-like white sand and lush greenery, this lake is also known as the ‘Window’ due to its spectacular opportunities for a swim and snorkel.

Fraser Island got its name from Eliza Fraser who was shipwrecked on the island with her husband.

The aboriginals know it as K’gari meaning paradise which accurately describes the island’s beauty.

As ever the aborigines were forced off the island by fearsome white

Directly east of Lake McKenzie is Lake Wabby, another great swimming spot well worth the oneand-a-half hour walk to get to. The best part about the walk is when you run down a giant sand dune to get to the lake. Believe me, this

dune is steep and many people have broken their legs in the process. It’s a risk you have to take because if you do make it down unhurt it’s a brilliant experience.

Aside from the lakes, the next biggest attraction is the Maheno Shipwreck. Built in 1905 as a luxury passenger steam ship, the 400foot vessel was one of the gems of the merchant marine. After 9 years of panache and service to the upper crust she was sent to do service in the First World War which basically battered the life out of the ol’ girl who was eventually swept to shore on Fraser by a cyclone when on her way to a scrapyard in Japan. Now the rusting heap of metal is almost as popular as the Titanic.

As interesting as all the sights and natural wonders of the island are, my favourite part of the trip has to be the experience of cruising down the famous 75 Mile Beach in a 4×4.

Fraser Island is an extreme spot which left me with an incurable adrenaline rush and wanting to return for more.

You can drive a 4×4, swim in Lake McKenzie, spot dingoes and camp on the beach on Fraser Island with Drop Bear Adventures. dropbearadventures.com.au

Day Trips From Port Douglas

GLIDE OVER PRISTINE RAINFOREST

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the World Heritage listed tropical rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Glide mere meters above the pristine rainforest canopy taking in a bird’s eye view of rugged mountains and gorges, majestic waterfalls and the tropical Cairns hinterland out to the Coral Sea. Descend to the forest floor where you can unlock the secrets of this ancient living museum via rainforest boardwalk tours, lookouts and interpretive signage. This is the ultimate rainforest experience. Skyrail is located 45 minutes’ drive from Port Douglas. A coach transfer service is available from the Port Douglas area.

DAY DIVES ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Port Douglas is one of the nearest mainland locations to the Great Barrier Reef, and as a result, there are many snorkel and dive companies based here that will take you for a full day or overnight on the reef. Packages and costs

can vary depending on what you want, but you’re looking at around $230pp for a full day on the reef, including lunch and equipment.

A JOURNEY INTO THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST

Being situated at the edge of Tropical North Queensland, Port Douglas is also the starting point for many inland tours to the Daintree Rainforest. From hiking to fourwheel-driving, jungle surfing and more - highlights of this area include the Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield Falls and Daintree River, where you can get off the road and take a cruise. The rainforest is where you can spot many of Australia’s tropical species, such as crocodiles, lizards, turtles, butterflies and birds, including the extraordinary Cassowary.

A CITY ESCAPE TO CAIRNS

Just one hour’s drive south of Port Douglas is Cairns. It’s basically Port Douglas on a bigger scale, with a tropical culture and palm tree-fringed beaches. If you miss the buzz of a city, take advantage of the many restaurants and bars on offer in Cairns or dance the night away at one of the clubs. Just make sure you arrange a transfer back to Port Douglas if you’re planning on having a couple of drinks.

For more information on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and things to do in Cairns visit www.skyrail.com.au

Fraser Island Feature By Alexandra Gouveia

Planning a self-drive trip to Tropical North Queensland? If so, Port Douglas makes for a nice place to use as your base whilst you explore what TNQ has to offer. A stay in Port Douglas promises gorgeous views of 4 Mile Beach as well as many nearby attractions to keep you busy during the day. Here’s our edit of the best day trips from Port Douglas.

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Top 10 Tips For Travelling South East Asia on a Shoestring

This month festival photographer and travel blogger Dave fills us in on his top 10 tips for travelling South East Asia on a shoestring.

Traveling South-East Asia truly changed my life in many ways, and I’m always recommending people to plan a trip out this beautiful region of the world.

So many people think that traveling is expensive, but that honestly can’t be further from the truth. South-East Asia is the perfect place for budget travel, and I’ve learned quite a bit during my time out there. So if you’re looking for some travel tips for Asia on a shoestring, I’m here to help!

1 ) TRAVEL SLOW

To begin, when I was backpacking through South-East Asia, I had all the time in the world. I arrived in Bangkok on a oneway ticket, and had no set return date.

If you’re in the same situation, then my absolute best tip I can give you is to travel slow. Stay in each destination a bare minimum of 4-5 nights. This is going to give you the opportunity to get to know each destination, figure out the best and affordable accommodation, and learn your favorite budget places to eat. You never know, you might enjoy a place so much you will find yourself getting a job at the local pub-crawl or hostel. However, if you’re on a ‘Travel Talk Tours’ Thailand Tour then you’ll be on a bit more a time schedule which is great if you’re travelling solo.

2 ) EAT LIKE THE LOCALS

South-East Asia is the street food capital region of the world. In almost every place you will visit, there will be night markets with delicious food stalls, and I can guarantee they will always be cheaper than any restaurant. This is especially crucial if you are in Thailand, which is my personal favorite for street food dining! I stayed in Chiang Mai for one month, and the food was absolutely incredible!

3 ) STAY AT HOSTELS

This should be an obvious one for anyone looking to save money in Asia. There are so many incredible and budget friendly options to choose from, and you can find beds for as low as $5 per night. I always like to do ample amount of research on Hostelworld before I book anything, and try to find a hostel with a lively backpacker atmosphere!

Traveling is all about the people you meet, so you want to be in an environment where it’s easy to meet like-minded travellers.

4 ) PRACTICE & MASTER BARGAINING

You’re definitely going to get ripped off once or twice. Don’t worry — it happens to all of us, but you will need to practice and master your bargaining skills. The locals in these countries will try and get as much money out of you as possible (especially in Vietnam), so know how much you should be paying for each item, and bargain them down!

5 ) BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS

pictures and the memories. Obviously, if there is something you really want, then definitely get it! Just be careful, it can be very easy to see all these fancy little tourist shops and want to buy stuff, only to realize you don’t have the space or need for any of it.

If you were to walk into a restaurant in Australia with your own water bottle, you might be told that that’s not allowed or get some awful looks. Well, in South-East Asia it is completely fine! I NEVER ordered drinks when I ate out, because the prices were always much higher than what you would find at the 7-11 across the street. It’s a tip that I think can save tons of money throughout your trip in Asia.

8 ) JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUPS

6 ) PRE-GAME WISELY

9 ) OVERNIGHT BUSSES & TRAINS / CHEAP FLIGHTS

South-East Asia is one of the best places to party, but just like anywhere in the world, drink prices will add up. That’s why I always recommend buying a bottle of a local spirit, and play some drinking games at the hostel before you go out. It’s a fantastic way to start your night, make some friends, and save some money (since you won’t have to spend a lot out at the bars).

7 ) DON’T BUY SOUVENIRS

As a long-term solo traveler, I never had the space nor budget for souvenirs. It’s my personal belief that the best souvenirs are

While this may not be an actual money saving tip, these groups are absolutely essential! You can ask all your important questions here (or feel free to email me), and learn about cool stuff going on in each destination. I was an active member in the south-east Asia backpacker groups during my time out there, and truly found them useful!

While some people may disagree with me on this point, I always found that the overnight busses and trains were a great way to save money. They can get you from Point A – Point B in a decently comfortable way, and they save you a night of accommodation. With that being said, South-East Asia has some incredible budget airlines that you can find some great deals on! If you can take a 2-hour plane ride instead of a 12 hour bus…then why not?

10 ) DOWNLOAD MY FREE

E-BOOK

If you’ve found these tips helpful, then you will absolutely love my Free E-Book “77 Amazing, Helpful, Money Saving Tips for Backpacking South-East Asia”. I wrote while I was staying on Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia — and tons of people have said they really love it! It’s short, easy to read, and you will learn a lot available via my website www.jonesaroundtheworld.com Article and images by Dave at Jones Around The World.

Asia Tours For 2017...

• • • •

India tours from $596 from 8 to 16 days including the Taj Mahal, Delhi and Jaipur.

Nepal tours from $922 over 9 days including Kathmandu, the Himalayas and Chitwan National Park.

Cambodia tours from $310 from 5 13 days including Angkor Wat, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Thailand tours from $623 from 7 days including Bangkok, Chiang Mai amd Wat Rong Khun.

Alternatively see what Asia combination tours are available to tick off more countries from your bucket list. www.traveltalktours.com.

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20 Days To Explore Indonesia

Indonesia presents an experience like no other.

A mesh of tropical islands await you nestled amongst the turquoise blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

you get what you want out of their itinerary. Some activities that are included on the tour are seeing a Kecak Fire Dance Show at Uluwatu which is based on the traditional Balinese ritual, it tells the famous epic Hindu story of the Ramayana.

Made up of over 17,000 islands strewn across 5000 km, Indonesia’s island’s each hold their own personality and attract different types of travellers all year round.

One of the most visited countries in South East Asia, there is so much to do and see that you’ll want to dip your toes in for at least 10 days to see what Indonesia has to offer.

Love a bit of nature? You can visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. More than just a tourist attraction, this is an important spot for research and conservation. If you have ever wanted to interact with a monkey, this is the place to do it!

Cast away to the South Pacific and you’ll find a string of active volcanoes, lush forests, pristine beaches and colourful coral reefs under the surface of the crystal clear waters. This varied terrain is what makes Indonesia such an exciting travel destination. But it’s not just the natural sights to behold, as Indonesia also hosts stunning ancient temples which will leave you awestruck.

A great way to experience Indonesia is via Free & Easy’s 20day Indonesia tour. This tour takes you to seven different locations including; Jakarta, Pangandaran, Yogyakarta, Ubud, Mount Rinjani, The Gili Islands and Kuta Beach, Bali.

Whether you want an active time or a chilled and spiritual journey, this tour company lets

Whilst visiting the Gili Islands you could take a sunset bike ride around one of the islands for a more relaxed pace of getting around, or venture out during the day in a glass bottom boat and go snorkelling to witness the stunning marine life that inhabit the waters around Indonesia.

Win a 10 Day tour of Indonesia with Free & Easy Traveler at bbmlive.com/competitions

Feeling really adventurous? Well, then Mount Rinjani is calling for you to climb to its summit and camp on this active volcano which also offers stunning views of Lombok.

Whichever way you choose to experience Indonesia this tour is flexible and varied meaning it’s great for solo travellers or groups of friends looking for an adventure with some pretty good guides to make sure you get to all the highlights.

Approx - $2,126 AUD www.freeandeasytraveler.com

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Slick muted tones are in when it comes to what to pack. Whether you’re headed off on a weekend away, or simply want to spoil yourself with some new accessories, here’s our edit of the best bits and pieces around this month.

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1. Protect your phone screen with the Cygnett RealCurve 3D curved 9H Tempered Glass Screen available from uk.cygnett.com for $32 2. Edifier bluetooth speaker MP233 in black available from http://www.edifier.com for $68 3. VerveOnes Music Editions wireless earbuds available from verve.life for $242 4. ALBUS & FLORA Multi-Active Clear Lip Balms are available from www.albusandflora.com for $16.

5. Happy Plugs wireless bluetooth headphones in Sapphire Black available from happyplugs.com for just $129 6. Ray Ban 4222 sunglasses - get them for less from www.discountedsunglasses.co.uk for just $106 7. Buckingham - iPad Air2/ 9.7” Pro case $95 available from www.gear4.com 8. OBEY Women’s Kleid Carry All weekend bag - $121 from www.obeyclothing.co.uk 9. GEAR4 Carnaby iPhone 7 case featuring D3O impact absorbing technology - $56 available from www.gear4.com

www.bbmlive.com 35

DON’T MISS OUT ON IBIZA 2017

YACHTING THE GREEK ISLANDS

What do a dread-headed bongo drumming hippie, a world famous DJ and a raving study abroader have in common? The love of the beat. And in Ibiza the beats are uninterrupted, everflowing, constantly playing out the rhythm of life on the island to the sunworshippers, the fistpumping clubbers, the wood-wittling traders and the Euro-family holidaymakers.

This is the island to go for a bit of everything incredible. Known for its famous club and DJ scene and as a paradise for the rich and the famous, Ibiza’s other, more chilled side is sometimes overlooked.

The picture-perfect coves that are best seen from the back of a scooter, the full moon beach parties with fire dancers and live music, the family resort towns with water activities and restaurants galore, the beachside campsites where life takes on a slower pace and the wallet doesn’t burn such a hole in the pocket.

If you’re planning on heading over for the European summer and don’t want to miss out on the epicness that is Ibiza, then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a way to experience it all at a fraction of the price.

Launched back in 2015, Stoke Travel’s Ibiza Beach Camp provides super affordable accommodation meaning you can have more money to spend on clubbing as well as staying a little longer if you wish.

In 2017, Stoke Travel will be adding an air of sophistication for all the Stoke softies out and have Glamping options now available. Enjoy all the creature comforts of a hotel like electricity and comfy beds but with way better things like 24-hour butler service, and unlimited icy poles; plus all the benefits of Stoke Travel’s Ibiza Beach Camp.

Of course, there are other campsites on the island, but Stoke is the only provider of camping equipment, food, yoga lessons and unlimited beer and sangria, so it makes a cheap flight with only carry on luggage and cheap accommodation a real possibility for those of you who want to travel fuss free.

What this means for the savvy traveler is that they can afford to stay longer, to absorb the real spirit of the island, to see all its beauties and to slow down a bit and actually relax.

Of course, if chilling is not your thing and you want to see Ibiza through a frenzied lens of substance-induced psychadelia, raging from one club to another to an afterparty to an after-after-party to a beach party to wake up with a face full of sand having had the time of your life that you remember only in blurry polaroid snaps of your epic adventure, that’s cool too. If you want to alternate this with some soul-rehab, you do you, boo. The beauty of it is that you move to your own tempo.

Time is the most valuable resource when traveling (oh and passports and cash and wetwipes) and Ibiza beats all other island as the place where you would actually want to stay a while. Beat the game and ingest Ibiza. Don’t you think it’s time?

Book at stoketravel.com

Littering the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands combine beauty, culture and fun resulting in the perfect summer holiday location.

From Ios, to Mykonos, each island holds its own personality and with Sail In Greece’s YOLO Yachting holiday you can experience the magic of five of the Greek Islands over the course of seven days on board their yacht.

Departing from Mykonos – the most famous party island – you’ll meet your fellow sailors and soak up the party atmosphere of this gay friendly island.

With your yacht docked overnight in Mykonos, you’ll visit the island’s most famous beach – Paradise Beach, and dance until dawn at clubbing institutions such as Cavo Paradiso and Paradise Club which oftens hosts world famous DJs. From Mykonos it’s onward to Paros. Upon reaching Paros’ shores, you’ll take in the Cycladic scenery via quad bike. Paros is also famous for its water sports, so you can certainly blast out the clubbing cobwebs with some activities during your time here.

Although if you’re ready to experience the Paros nightlife then kick back with a shisha and your new friends or club until the early hours.

Departing the shores of Paros your yacht will take you to Ios and its famous beach – Mylopotas.

Here, you’ll explore the hidden caves, swim in the clear, blue waters and soak up the Ios atmosphere.

Spending a couple of days in Ios you’ll have plenty of time to sample the Greek cuisine whilst taking in the gorgeous scenery before departing for your final stop of Santorini.

One of the most beautiful and well known Greek Islands, Santorini. Whilst on Santorini you’ll explore the old town, Thira which is full of boutiques, markets, tavernas and coffee shops. You’ll have your perfect opportunity for an instagram moment as you visit one of the most famous sunsets on earth at Oia. Spending the evening on board you can relax with your fellow sailors as you look back at the past week’s adventures through the Greek Islands.

Sail In Greece’s YOLO Yachting start from £339 and includes seven nights accommodation on board, daily buffet breakfast, BBQ at a secluded beach, boat parties, beach parties, professional skipper, 3G WIFI on board, free shots of Ouzo, free BYO on board. Come on your own or bring some friends.

Find out more and book at www.sail-ingreece.com

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SONUS Q&A: HOMEBOY these days, there is a festival for electronic music literally every week. While Berlin is the world’s Capital city for electronic music and the party never stops really.

Hitting up the Sonus line-up this year will be Homeboy.

Here, we catch up with the Berlin-based DJ - originally from Croatia - to find out a bit more about the festival, visiting Croatia, what to expect and what he’ll be playing at the fifth anniversary of Sonus this summer.

Hey Homeboy, how’s it hanging?

All cool by the pool. Hehe…erm no not really, I’m in Berlin and it’s freaking cold and raining.

You’re originally from Croatia - but now living in Germany, what’s the difference in clubbing culture across the two countries?

Hard to make comparisons here, but Croatia developed as a destination for festivals during the summer. So much is happening

You’ll be playing at Sonus this summer, tell us in a few words, what’s the best thing about Sonus?

That it turns Zrce Beach - which isn’t one of my favorite places to be - into something that is quite enjoyable I guess. The location is usually a very trashy party tourism thing where they play EDM and that kind of stuff, but during Sonus you can actually hear good music in those venues and suddenly it all looks a little bit different than usually.

Another thing is the team around the festival, those guys make me wanna go there every year.

and Techno. But there the flavour really changes every month, although I am very much into a bit more trippy house music at this moment, you may call it “Longhair House”.

This year will be the fifth anniversary of Sonus with some other great acts on the roster, who are you also looking forward to seeing?

I’ll be there just for one night, so I guess I will just go out spontaneously and decide on site.

Do you have any Sonus traditions?

Fish Soup with Kris, who is one of the Festival’s founders. We always go to the

same fish restaurant in Novalja which has the best fish soup ever!

Where’s your favourite venue to hang out at during the festival?

I always favoured Kalypso, it’s the coolest club at Zrce beach.

Thanks so much for your time and we look forward to seeing you at Sonus!

Catch Homeboy alongside Appolonia, Jamie Jones, Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin + more at Sonus 2017. 20th - 24th August, Pag, Croatia.

www.sonus-festival.com

For those who haven’t been to Pag before, what’s so special about the island?

For me it’s the landscape of Pag. It looks like a different planet as there isn’t much vegetation. Almost like in a Sci-Fi movie.

So, tell us more about what you’re currently playing and what we can hope to hear from you at Sonus?

Right now I have an ongoing residency at Salon Zur Wilden Renate in Berlin and I am very much involved in the club as I also work there during the week. So I am kind of gravitating there I guess, which is good for me right now. It helped me to grow as a DJ in a way I would have never experienced on tour. I am curious myself what will happen at Sonus, as it will be one of my first gigs outside Renate in almost a year.

You’ve got quite a lot of eclectic influences, who are you currently into?

I always listen to a lot of different music all the time, but when I DJ it is mostly House

SPOTTED: MALAMALA BEACH CLUB, FIJI

Tucked away on one of Fiji’s 333 tropical islands, surrounded by the clear blue waters of the South Pacific, is every beach lover’s dream - your own secluded Island Paradise. South Sea Cruises has applied their vast experience in introducing travellers to Fiji’s stunning islands to create Malamala Beach Club, their bespoke Island experience.

As you step off the private jetty, sink your toes into the warm sun-bleached sand and weave your way between the palms fringing Malamala Beach Club’s stylish surroundings.

Recline in one of the many private cabanas whilst treating yourself to the wide array of exquisite food and drinks on offer. Or better still, sink into the infinity pool and lose yourself in the panoramic views of Fiji’s waters, as the in-

house DJ creates the ultimate summer island vibe.

Complimentary non-motorised watersports and snorkelling means there are ample ways to get up close and personal with Fiji’s vibrant corals. Turtles, rays and colourful tropical fish all favour Fiji’s warm waters, so it’s no surprise that Fiji is known as having some of the best dive sites in the world.

Getting to this bespoke hideaway could not be easier, with 30-minute boat transfers from Denarau Marina taking you straight to the private jetty.

Denarau Marina itself, the main hop-off point to see the rest of Fiji, is an easy 25-minute taxi from the airport. Treat yourself to a day unwinding in postcard perfect surroundings, before starting the strenuous task of beach hopping around the stunning Mamanuca and Yasawa islands.

Set to launch in mid-2017, Malamala Beach Club is on our list of must-see locations if you want to be truly wowed.

Flights to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport run from Sydney and Melbourne all year round, taking between 4-6 hours. Flights from Perth run at 11-13 hours with a stopover in Sydney en route.

By Elen Gibbons

The sun glitters off the still turquoise sea, whilst beneath the waters, a dazzling display of fish dart around colourful corals. Fiji’s breath-taking beauty is something that has to be seen to be believed.

www.bbmlive.com 37

ACCOMMODATION New South Wales Sydney 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 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 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 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 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

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

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 bluemountainsbackpackerhostel. com.au

Byron Bay Byron Bay Accom Ph: 02 66 808 666 Email: bookings@byronbayaccom. net www.byronbayaccom.net 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 TOURIST PARK Princes Hwy, Lake Tabourie, NSW 2539 Ph: (02) 4406-3101 www.laketabourietouristpark.com.au

Maca’s Camping Ground Ph: 02 6684 5211 1156 Main Arm Rd, Upper Main Arm NSW 2482, Australia www.macascampingground.com/ macascampingground@gmail.com

Queensland

CEDAR CREEK LODGES THUNDERBIRD PARK Cnr of Cedar Creek Falls Rd & Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine, QLD 4272 info@cedarcreeklodges.com.au www.cedarcreeklodges.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 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

Port Douglas United Port Douglas

37 Warner Street, Port Douglas, QLD

Ph: 07 4099 5011 unitedportdouglas.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

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

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 Perth

western beach lodge 6 Westborough Street Scarborough, Western Australia, 6019 Ph. (08) 9245 1624 westernbeach@iprimus.com.au www.westernbeach.com BILLABONG RESORT 381 Beaufort Street, Perth WA Ph: 08 9328 7720 bookings@billabongresort.com.au www.billabongresort.com.au Britannia On William 253 William Street, Northbridge, WA Ph: 08 9227 6000 www.perthbritannia.com 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 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 kununurrabackpackers.com.au info@kununurrabackpackers.com.au broome Beaches of Broome 4 Sanctuary Road, Cable Beach, Broome, WA, 6725 Ph : 1300 881 031 bookings@beachesofbroome.com. au www.beachesofbroome.com.au

Victoria redcliffs hotel 25 Jacaranda St, Red Cliffs VIC 3496 (03) 5024 1704 Johanna Beach Cottages 225 Blue Johanna Road Johanna Heights Victoria 3238 (03) 5237 4224 cottages@johannabeach.com www.johannabeach.com 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.

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 Northern Territory Darwin Youth Shack 69 Mitchell Street, Darwin Ph: 1300 793 302 youthshack.com.au Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell Street, Darwin Ph: 09 8941 7800 momdarwin.com Chillis Backpackers 69 Mitchell Street, Darwin Ph: 1800 351 313 chillis.com.au

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 adelaidebackpackers.om.au

Melbourne

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

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 Heron Island Ph: 02 9538 0751 www.heronisland.com

Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen Street Gold Coast, Queensland Ph: 07 5527 1300 Free:1800 229 955 info@aquariusbackpackers.com.au www.aquariusbackpackers.com.au

Rambutan 113 – 119 Flinders Street, Townsville 4810 enquiries@rambutantownsville.com Ph: 07 4771 6915 www.rambutantownsville.com

Boranup Forest Retreat 422 Sebbes Road, Forest Grove Ph: +61 404 895 901 www.boranupforestretreat.com.au monkey mia

21 Queen Street, Busselton, WA Ph: 08 9754 1615 www.diveshed.com.au

Wild Expeditions

Territory Expeditions

Shop 20, Johnny Chi Lane, Broome Ph: 1300 73 88 70 www.wildexpeditions.com.au

Ph: 1300 115 922 www.territoryexpeditions.com.au

Townsville

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

OCEAN BEACH BACKPACKERS

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

Boranup

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

THINGS TO DO Skydiving iFly Downunder 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney Ph: 1300 366 364 www.iflydownunder.com.au

Adventure Tours

Sydney Skydivers

Ph: 1800 293 7663 www.awesomewhitsundays.com

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 Dive Shed Busselton

Awesome Whitsundays Australian Kayaking Adventures

PO Box 1055, Ashmore City, QLD Ph: 04 1294 0135 www.australiankayakingadventures. com.au

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Cnr Captain Cook Highway and Cairns Western Arterial Road Smithfield, QLD Ph: 07 4038 5555 www.skyrail.com.au Contiki Ph: 1300 188 635 www.contiki.com

aussie wanderer

Ph: 0894382070 info@aussiewanderer.com.au www.aussiewanderer.com.au

Crocosaurus Cove 58 Mitchell Street, Darwin Ph: 08 8981 7522 www.crocosauruscove.com

Margaret River Vintage Wine Tours Ph: 0417 948 933 www.winetoursmargaretriver.com.au

The Peel Region Tourism

Mulgas Adventures

Ph: 08 8952 1545 www.mulgasadventures.com.au

Kakadu Wild Expeditions

Ph: 1300 73 88 70 darwinsales@kimberleywild.com.au www.kakaduwild.com.au

Kakadu 4WD Safaris

75 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah Ph: 08 9550 3999 www.visitpeel.com.au

Ph: 1300 525 238 info@kadu4wdsafaris.com www.kakadu4wdsafaris.com

Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Vivonne Bay, Kingscote, SA

Ph: 1300 654 604 adventuretours.com.au

Ph: 08 8202 8678 www.kiadventuretours.com.au

GOIN SOUTH

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

PENRITH WHITE WATER RAFTING

Ph: 02 4730 4333 booking@penrithwhitewater.com.au www.penrithwhitewater.com.au

Drop Bear Adventures Ph: 1800 061 156 www.dropbearadventures.com.au

Adventure Tours australia Sydney Outback Tours Ph: 1300 307 634 www.sydneyoutback.com.au

Real Sydney Tours

Ph: 0402 049426 www.realsydneytours.com.au

The Travel Yoga Company Ph: 0411301820 www.theyogatravelcompany.com

Kimberley Wild Expeditions Ph: 1300 73 88 70 www.kimberleywild.com.au

The Official Home And Away Tour To Summer Bay

ADVENTURE KAYAKING

Ph: 02 9977 7890 www.yahoo7.com.au/homeandaway

Kite Surfing

7 Hastings Street, Glenelg South, SA Ph: 08 8295 8812 bookings@adventurekayak.com.au www.adventurekayak.com.au

KITE REPUBLIC

PARADISE JET BOATING

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

Jetty ‘C’ Mariners Cove Marina, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach Qld 4217 Ph: 1300 JET BOAT (1300 538 262) thrills@paradisejetboating.com.au www.paradisejetboating.com.au

Water Activities

TRANSPORT MIGHTY CAMPERS

GREAT OCEAN ROAD SURF TOURS

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

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

GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL Nationwide Ph: 1800 703 357 www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

Integrity Coach Lines PO BOX 1131, Midland, 6936 WA Ph: 08 927 47464 www.integritycoachlines.com.au

Go Camper 90 Parkin Street, Rockingham, WA Ph: 1300 667 363 www.gocamper.com.au

38

CRYSTAL BALLS Sagittarians are Holocaust-denying , 9/11 paedophiles. He subsequently bans these “bad” people from not just America, but the entire planet. When it’s pointed out that he doesn’t have the authority to do that, he claims that America’s safety is being put at risk - and the Dutch are somehow to blame.

Cancer

Pisces You finally get around to writing that book you’ve always had an idea for. Over the next month, you manage to get three chapters written, but before you go any further, you decide to get a second opinion from a friend - just to make sure it’s OK and you’re not wasting your time. The next day you are visited by a psychiatrist. Apparently the “manuscript” you handed to your friend was just several pages of A4 paper with faeces smeared over it. You have serious mental issues.

Sagittarius The latest scandal to hit the Trump administration comes when he claims all

Inspired by Ryan Gosling’s character in La La Land, you decide to become a cool jazz pianist. Unfortunately, your ambitions are somewhat hampered by the fact you can’t play the piano and, at your first gig, you are reduced to simply mashing the keys with your big sausage fingers. Naturally, your incoherent tone-deaf tinkling is hailed by pretentious jazz snobs as masterful and the mark of a genius. You end up becoming one of the greatest jazz legends of all time, alongside Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie and Hot Wee Wee Jefferson - the Cystitis Kid.

Leo I see only darkness and despair for you this month. One who is close to you yet far away shall perish, a personal illness will lay you low for 10 days, and - worse yet - your laptop inexplicably decides to swap your homepage from Google to Bing and you are force to use the shitty search engine for three weeks before working out how to change it back.

Virgo Stay away from my doughnuts.

Taurus You end up in hospital after an embarrassing incident with a courgette. You tell the doctors an elaborate story, but you and I both know how it really got up there.

Capricorn Your plan to run back and forth past a wooden fence with loose nails poking out of it goes well until you put on your oversized, knitted jumper. Then you hit a snag.

You buy a sports bra. If you’re a woman, this is perfectly normal. If you’re a man... you fat bastard.

Scorpio In a hilarious turn of events that would make a great premise for an American sitcom, you are bequeathed $5million from an eccentric, distant relative you didn’t know you had. The catch? In order to get the money, you must spend six months living with his adopted family of pet gorillas.

Naturally, hilarity ensues as you try to co-exist with the giant simians - right up to the point where one of them rips your face off and beats you to a bloody pulp - which, ironically, is also how your distant, and senile, relative died.

Aries You try to buy a new pair of shoes and are shocked to discover your feet have grown no less than five sizes and are sprouting

JOKES

Dear Crystal, I’ve been on a couple of dates with a man who has been nothing but caring, attentive and charming each time we’ve met - but on our last date he told me he was a climate change denier. I’m not a political person, but I’ve always suspected that climate change deniers have really small penises. A biologist friend of mine told me there was no evidence of this being true but I don’t trust scientists and “so-called” experts and firmly believe this lad has a really tiny tadger. Think about it, in cold weather, cocks shrink, so it’s only natural for a man with a micropenis to want a hotter planet. Am I wrong? This could be a deal-breaker.

Best, Cheryl

They’re going to start playing porn at the fuel pumps...

This is so you can watch someone else being fucked at the same time as you. Darren, Fremantle

Dear Cheryl, Your logic is infallible and - yes - despite what the scientific research says, I also think climate change deniers have really, really, really small cocks. That’s the whole reason they’ve concocted this bonkers conspiracy theory about there being no such thing as climate change - it’s just a huge distraction from their own genital shortcomings.

Dear Crystal, I’ve been unlucky in love for as long as I can remember. For some reason, I just can’t seem to hang on to a woman, which is frustrating because I’m an old romantic at heart and would just love to meet someone to curl up on the sofa with and watch romantic comedies. In fact it was after watching rom-com classic Pretty Woman that I got the idea that led to me meeting my current girlfriend - a prostitute called Saffron Badongers.

We seemed to hit it off right away in the brothel, and made love that very night. Unfortunately, it’s been a rocky road since then.

First I discovered I had crabs the very next morning. She also insists on meeting me only at our “special place” (her brothel) and that, for appearances sake, it’s best I still pay her every time we have sex. Things reached a head when I went to surprise her at work with a bunch of flowers. I knocked on her bedroom door and two naked Asian men came out and walked straight past me. When I walked in, she was wiping copious amounts of jism off her face.

I don’t want to sound like a paranoid Percy, but I think she might be cheating on me. What do you think?

Dear Johnny, Is it technically cheating if it’s her job to shag other men.

Similarly, is it technically cheating if you clearly don’t have a relationship with this woman and she’s just fleecing you out of as much money as possible? So many questions, so little fucks given.

Libra

Aquarius

ASK CRYSTAL

The other night I was invited out for a night with the ‘girls.’ I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, ‘I promise!’ Well, the hours passed and the Blue Wkds went down way too easily.

Around 3 a.m., a bit pissed, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times.

I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him. (Even when totally smashed... 3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos MIDNIGHT!) The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, I told him ‘MIDNIGHT’... he didn’t seem pissed off in the least.

Whew, I got away with that one! Then he said ‘We need a new cuckoo clock.’

When I asked him why, he said, ‘Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said ‘oh shit.’ Cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted. Anne, Richmond A bloke is visiting his mother in a mental hospital when in the same room he comes across a guy moving his arms around and making beeping noises.

“Excuse me”, he asks him. “What on earth are you doing?”

“I’m driving my car!, says the guy excitedly. “Beep beep!”

“You fucking nutbar, you’re not in a car, you’re in a mental hospital!”

A voice comes from the bed opposite. “Mate, shut the fuck up will you, he’s giving me twenty quid a day to wash the it.” Dale, Paddington First thing this morning, there was a tap on my door.

Funny sense of humour my plumber has. Charlene, Christchurch The other day I needed to pay a visit to the public toilet, so I found a public toilet that had two cubicles.

One of the doors was locked. So I went into the other one, closed the door, dropped my trousers and sat down.

A voice came from the cubicle next to me: ‘Hello mate, how are you doing?’

Although I thought that it was a bit strange, I didn’t want to be rude, so I replied ‘Not too bad thanks.’

thick, coarse hairs on top. This is disturbing enough, but when you start developing a craving for living in a hole in a hill, you decide to go to the doctor. He confirms your fears, that you have contracted halflingitis, a rare condition that slowly turns the patient into a hobbit, usually picked up when the victim is bitten by a feral Bilbo. After a course of antibiotics, the symptoms clear up – but for the rest of your life you pronounce the word potato as “poh-tay-toe”, really emphasising each syllable.

There’s another shock in the political world at the Dutch elections when, against all the predictions, former England left-back Stuart Pearce is elected as the country’s new Prime Minister. Even more surprising is the fact that the Netherlands weren’t due to have any elections next month. In his first press briefing, Pearce outlines a tough stance on immigration, radical reforms to the Dutch benefits system, and a switch to a more attack-minded 3-4-3 formation in Parliament.

Gemini In a twist of fate so similar to the plot of Face/Off it’s almost unbelievable, you are drugged by two of Malcolm Turnbull’s henchman and have your face surgically removed so he can wear it instead, and vice versa. Apparently he’s sick of his wife, kids and running the country, and just wants to live the rest of his days as some loser. Good luck running the country!

After a short pause, I heard the voice again ‘So, what are you up to?’

Again I answered, somewhat reluctantly, ‘Just having a quick shit... How about yourself?’

The next thing I heard him say was “sorry mate, I’ll have to call you back. I’ve got some cock in the cubicle next to me answering everything I say.’ Frank, Surry Hills I was walking in a cemetery this morning and seen a bloke hiding behind a gravestone. I said “morning.”

He replied, “No, just having a shit.” Terry, St Kilda We call our granddad “Spiderman”.

He hasn’t got any super powers - he just finds it difficult to get out of the bath. Tahni, Balmoral

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Best Burlesque In Australia Australia has some of the best burlesque and cabaret performances and clubs in the world.

With so many sexy shows and beautiful burlesque dancers to choose from, its hard to know which way to turn.

Whether you’re looking for more traditional acts or the darker side of burlesque, read on as we point you to the best burlesque and cabaret shows in Australia.

Burlesque Showboat Cruise All aboard for a fun-filled evening with fine refreshments and talented performers! This cruise-meetsburlesque twist takes place on the beautiful Lady Cutler. The entertaining live show takes place on the upper deck only, but the slightly naughty atmosphere and breathtaking night view of Melbourne surround the entire boat. You can dress up for fun themes like ‘Great

Gatsby Burlesque’ and ‘Prom Night’ to get into the spirit.

Book your tickets for this monthly show on their website and find out more about their burlesque events. www.burlesqueshowboat.com.au

production along with the fine French cuisine and you’ll be in for an evening of tantalising glamour.

41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst slide.com.au

The Crystal Bar

With various shows around Perth, you can enjoy the very best burlesque from this troupe of performers inspired by the traditional burlesque from the 1920s to the ’60s. This award-winning burlesque troupe has performed in Perth’s hotspots including The Brass Monkey, Charles Hotel, and The Bakery. To learn more about this incredible burlesque experience and see their performance dates visit their website. If you’re feeling really inspired, head on over to take the introductory burlesque courses they offer. sugarblueburlesque.com

Standing as one of the most renowned burlesque bars in the heart of Sydney, The Crystal Bar puts on its famous Crystal Boudoir Cabaret show on Saturday nights from 9pm to 2am. The venue has a Parisian feel with rouge-hewn sandstone walls and glitzy pink bar backdrop. The dancers are adorned with handmade, sequinned, tasselled costumes, and aim to delight you with their sexy moves.

1 Martin Place, Sydney www.facebook.com/CrystalBoudoir

Sugar Blue Burlesque Troupe

Slide Lounge This Oxford Street lounge was voted Sydney’s Number one Burlesque venue by Time Out Sydney and befits its description as ‘the living playground for beautiful people’.

The Slide’s sensational shows for the bodily and psychic pleasures will not disappoint. Their most famous Risqué Revue takes place every Thursday night and involves a lavish Parisian burlesque show and a three course French dinner. Indulge in this highly acclaimed multi-act

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