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SYDNEY
WINTER WARMER PUB GRUB With winter upon us, now’s a great time
to hibernate in some of the best pubs in Sydney. Get cosy by a fire with bangers and mash and Sunday roasts with lashings of gravy at these warm and friendly establishments.
The Bat And Ball
Winter is all about hearty meat dishes and rustic ales, and at The Bat and Ball in Redfern, they do a pretty good job of making sure your taste buds are fully satisfied. With an $18 roast every Sunday and great beers, The Bat And Ball is undoubtedly the place to go if you want a friendly and welcoming place to eat this winter. 495 Cleveland Street, Sydney www.parksidebar.com.au
The Lord Dudley
The Porterhouse
The Porterhouse is located in the heart of Surry Hills and a favourite with all of the locals. With a classic winter dish special every day, and a beef and lamb roast on Sundays good enough to make your mum jealous, this cosy Irish pub is just what you’re looking for. 233 Riley Street, Surry Hills www.porterhouse.com.au
By Sabrina Shales. Image courtesy of venue
With roaring open fires, 18 beers to choose from, delicious meals and Bruce the three-year-old bulldog, The Lord Dudley is a local icon. From pies with puff pastry to roast chicken and pork belly, you can warm up with these meals any day of the week, but make
sure you leave room for Sticky Date Pudding. 236 Jersey Road, Woollahra www.lorddudley.com.au
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T HO T H RIG W NO
Rock N Roll & Alternative Market
University of Sydney will be putting on a Rock N Roll & Alternative Market on Sunday 17th May. At just $5 entry, there’ll be live music from The Rocksteady Ratpack and The Detonators, and a classic car show. Manning Bar & House, Manning Road, University of Sydney rocknrollmarket.com.au
Sydney Film Festival
From 22nd May – 8th June, the lights, music and ideas of Vivid Sydney return to the city with unique creations and ground-breaking performances. Installations of the Vivid Light Walk will once again coat the city harbour in light and colour, and Lighting The Sails will decorate the Sydney Opera House for the full festival. We also welcome local and international musicians including Grace Jones, Flume, Steve Bug and Morrissey to our stages, and there will be serious discussions around the future of music, gaming and design with audience participation and panels of experts. Throughout Sydney www.vividsydney.com
By Sabrina Shales. Image courtesy of Tourism New South Wales.
Directors, screenwriters and movie buffs will descend upon Sydney from 3rd – 14th June, for Sydney Film Festival. With Strangerland, My Holmes and Fucking Perfect announced already, it’s sure to give you a cinematic experience to remember. Throughout Sydney www.sff.org
Vivid Sydney 2015
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MELBOURNE
get cosy in melbourne this winter
The Last Jar
Spend your winter evenings nestled beside an open fireplace, whilst sipping a glass of fine whiskey or clove-infused ‘hot toddy’. The Last Jar’s snug atmosphere, welcoming hospitality and impassioned food are sure to leave you feeling much warmer than when you arrived. 616 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne www.thelastjar.com.au
P.J.O Brien’s
Enjoy live music seven days a week in Melbourne’s most lively Irish pub. Test out the traditional pub favourites of Beef & Guinness Pie or Irish Stew, and don’t forget to pick up your pint of Bulmers with your Sunday Roast at just $20. Also hosting winter whiskey events in the sidebar, you can discover rare and rustic whiskeys from around the world. 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank www.pjobriens.com.au
The Local Taphouse
A warm welcome all year round, The Local Taphouse is a gem. With many craft beers on tap and many more by bottle, dark wood 10
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furnishings, comedy nights, live music and a great atmosphere, you wouldn’t want to miss all that’s on offer. You can also host your own roast if you bring at least seven of your friends, and choose from chicken, lamb, pork and beef with potatoes and vegetables. 184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda thelocal.com.au
The Drunken Poet
One of Melbourne’s true treasures, The Drunken Poet hosts live, original music Wednesday – Sunday, Trivia every Tuesday and an all women’s song writing showcase every Wednesday. This little hotspot is perfect for all you music lovers and beer drinkers to hide away from the cold. 65 Peel Street, Melbourne www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
Dan O’Connell Hotel
The Dan O’Connell Hotel is a top spot for this winter season. Warm up with a hot glass of Dan O’Connell’s mulled cider, and trial the new winter menu featuring Shepherd’s Pie, Roo Wellington and Chicken, Leek and Tarragon Pie. Priding themselves on high quality beers, live original music every Sunday, and entertainment throughout the winter season, The Dan O’Connell Hotel offers everything you need this winter. 225 Caning Street, Carlton www.thedan.com.au
By Sabrina Shales.
The following pubs in Melbourne will bring you the best in live and local music, mulled cider and heart-warming food that will see you through the winter.
48 Hours In Melbourne With a laidback vibe, cosmopolitan culture and creative expression, Melbourne might just be the coolest city in Australia. If you want to soak it all up in a short time, here’s our guide on how to spend 48 hours in Melbourne. Breakfast in South Melbourne
Melbournians know how to start the day right, and breakfast is taken very seriously around here. Not to be rushed, treat yourself to a breakfast in South Melbourne, where coffee, eggs and pastries take centre stage in cafes like Chez Dre on Coventry Street and Dead Man Espresso on Market Street. After breakfast, you can venture inside South Melbourne Market where stalls overshadow those on the high street and you can find fresh produce from dim sim to seafood.
St Kilda
Home to the Palais Theatre, Luna Park, marina and botanical gardens, St Kilda is Melbourne’s picturesque beach suburb, and one you could spend a whole day in. For quintessential seaside fun, you can’t go wrong with the rides and rollercoasters at Luna Park for a full afternoon of fun. In the evening, head to The Espy on The Esplanade for drinks, food and live music from local and international acts. Just check their website for upcoming events.
Breakfast in St Kilda
The quality cafes of the city continue into St Kilda, so grab your coffee from Dr Jekyll and your Eggs Benedict from Galleon Café and you
won’t go wrong. After breakfast, you can get a great example of the art scene with galleries and exhibition spaces. Contemporary art can be found within the walls of Jackman Gallery, Linden New Art and Bright Space.
South Melbourne Beach
Back in South Melbourne, spend your lunchtime on the beach. You can truly appreciate the laidback lifestyle of the city here, and there’s nothing better than people watching as they cycle, sail and play volleyball on the long stretch of sand. If you get peckish, there are plenty of beachside cafes so you don’t have to leave the sights of the beach.
Crown Casino And Entertainment Complex
When day turns to night, complete your 48 hours in Melbourne at Crown Casino. As well as trying your luck at blackjack and roulette, there’s an array of different bars pouring delectable drinks and showing live sports, restaurants serving French, Italian and Australian cuisine, and nightclubs welcoming you to party alongside world famous DJs. You can get to all of these destinations in Melbourne on board a bus with Melbourne City Sightseeing. With 24-hour, 48-hour and unlimited (valid for one year) passes all available, you can hop on and off at any stop to see all of the sights with a view along the way. Visit www.citysightseeing.melbourne to find out more about where you can go with your bus pass.
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T O H HT G RI OW N
Good Beer Week
Between 16th and 24th May, the whole city of Melbourne will be celebrating all things beer. Pairing it with food, trivia, music and even geography, beer goes well with just about anything, so whether you head to The Fitzroy Beer Garden for jazz, finger food and beer, or join Hawkers Beer for an all-day masterclass with brewers from around the world, chances are Good Beer Week has something for you to guzzle up! Throughout Melbourne goodbeerweek.com.au
Mercadante Woodfired Pizzeria
From pizza and calzones to pasta and risotto, Mercadante provides an Italian seasoning on Lygon Street. While you shouldn’t skip main course, the star in this restaurant is the Sfilatino, the famous chocolate pizza at $14. Rolled pastry filled with Nutella and baked in the same woodfired oven before being smothered in chocolate and dusted in cocoa powder, you can have it with ice cream and thank the chef once you’ve devoured the whole thing. 123 Lygon Street, Carlton www.mercadante.com.au
The Boatbuilders Yard
The Boatbuilders Yard is located on the edge of the Yarra River, and offers European-style dining. With amazing views and seating by a fireplace, it’s a great location if you’re searching for somewhere to eat and drink that is coated in heritage charm. The menu includes exciting breakfast, lunch and dinner options, which are reasonably priced, and you can also grab yourself cocktail pitchers when you meet up with friends. 23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf www.theboatbuildersyard.com 12
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By Sabrina Shales. Images courtesy of venues.
Melbournestyle
Showcasing local designers, Melbournestyle has everything from scarves and cushions to soaps and books in unique, quirky and trendy designs dedicated to the city. Featuring everything from the city bus to popular hangouts and iconic landmarks, if you want a memento from your time in Melbourne, this is the place to find it. 155 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne melbournestyle.com.au
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PERTH
snug as a bug in a pub If you’re a big fan of rustic wood beams, cosy log fires and fine beers and whiskeys, the pubs in Perth will be your sanctuary as the temperatures cool and your beach time is halved.
Rosie O’Grady’s
Share a platter for two or warm up with Rosie’s famous chicken special; with a menu that offers good old homemade food, sports on the big screens, and a draught pint for only $7.50 every Tuesday and Sunday, the friendly and laid back atmosphere of Rosie O’Grady’s will completely consume you. 205 James Street, Northbridge www.northbridge.rosieogradys.com.au
Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
Save yourself from the hard decision of what drink to have with your meal, as The Generous Squire does it for you with their $25 beer and food matching special. With outstanding service, an attentive welcome and brilliant food, this little gem is the perfect place to while away some hours, especially with their selection of craft beers. 397 Murray Street, Perth www.thegeneroussquire.com.au
The Moon and Sixpence
The Moon and Sixpence on the corner of William and Murray Streets is an iconic, traditional British pub. With timber beams and warm log fires, this venue is idyllic for the winter season. Broadcasting international and national sport every day of the week, and live bands Thursday – Saturday, The Moon and Sixpence is a taste of British authenticity right on your doorstep. 300 Murray Street, Perth www.moonandsixpence.com.au
The Cure Irish Bar
This hearty Irish bar is set in the heart of Northbridge, bringing you traditional Australian dishes, classic Irish pub grub and breakfast until 3pm for all you late risers! With $8 pints of Guinness and live music every day; this is a winter favourite for sure. 73 Francis Street, Northbridge www.thecuretavern.com.au
By Sabrina Shales.
Hosting the happiest happy hour in Perth every Monday – Friday 5-6pm, Durty Nelly’s represents the very best of Ireland’s culture and history in Australia. There’s quality food, unbeatable service and ice cold Guinness, and a $20 roast served until 9pm on Sundays, so even if you’re a bit behind, you’ll still get your fix of potatoes and gravy. 397 Murray Street, Perth www.durtynellys.com.au
The Generous Squire
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T O H HT G RI OW N
Taste Of Perth
With lessons from the city’s finest to new and exciting tasting menus from your favourite restaurants, Taste Of Perth returns to Langley Park on 15th – 17th May for a festival full of flavour. There are markets and bars to browse, and local restaurants involved including El Publico, Lalla Rookh and Mary’s. Langley Park, Plain and Hay Streets, East Perth www.tasteofperth.com.au
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T O H HT G RI OW N
DARWIN Four Birds
If fresh, yummy cakes and healthy lunches are your idea of heavenly consumption, Four Birds may become your regular hangout in Darwin. Salads are inventive and full of flavour, combining pomegranate with orange and pistachio, but the fruit tarts, dark chocolate muffins, and chocolate and banana slices are irresistible! Shop Two, Star Village, Darwin
Mindil Beach Sunset Market
From April – October, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market is overtaken with food, arts and crafts every Thursday and Sunday. As the sun sets and night falls, you’re welcome to bring a chair or rug and browse handmade jewellery, skincare, Aboriginal paintings, massage, Tarot readings and cuisine from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Spain. Mindil Beach, Darwin www.mindil.com.au
Moorish Café
From the Spanish Seafood Stew to Flourless Chocolate Cake, this café is Moorish by name and moreish by nature. Inspired by dishes from Spain, the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, the cocktails are also devilishly good including Moroccan Iced Tea and Strawberry Caipriosca – perfect for the tropical temperatures of Darwin. 37 Knuckey Street, Darwin www.moorishcafe.com.au
TAKE THE PLUNGE In the depths of Darwin lurks one of Australia’s most ferocious creatures - the saltwater crocodile. Take the plunge at Crocosaurus Cove into the Cage of Death and come face to face with these aggressive, prehistoric beasts. With almost 200 crocs, and some reaching over a whopping 5 meters long, the cage of death presents you with an experience that can’t be matched whilst visiting this Northern Territory city. This is Australia’s only experience that allows you to dive inside this beastly reptile’s enclosure, your transparent cylinder cage is lowered into the water by an overhead monorail, and you’re left in the water with this brilliant animal for 15 minutes. With regular feeds while in the water, you’re guaranteed plenty of activity and movement from the crocodile, and a view that so very few people can say they’ve experienced. Bring a friend or go it alone, but prepare to be wowed by the extreme size of the saltwater croc. Away from the star of Crocosaurus Cove, there are other attractions that shine a spotlight on the rest of the reptile family. The Reptile Enclosure offers a chance to meet the famous critters of the Northern Territory, including snakes, geckos and frogs, while the Aquarium is home to the whipray and the barramundi. The cutest residents of the Top End, you can meet red and yellow Face Turtles and the snapping turtles in the aptly named Turtle Sanctuary. Crocosaurus Cove has been firmly put on the map thanks to all of these attractions, none more so than the Cage Of Death, and is another great reason to visit the tropical city of Darwin. Check out
www.crocosauruscove.com for more information.
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Where to stay in Darwin Chillis
If you need a place to rest your head whilst you plan your Northern Territory adventures, fear not, as we’ve scoped out the best accommodation in Darwin. Melaleuca On Mitchell
Take full advantage of the fantastic facilities on offer at Melaleuca on Mitchell and the variety of suites available when you visit Darwin. From the twin, double and 4 share bunks (with and without en suites) and more, you can choose to relax in the hostel that is locally owned, as well as be looked after by the very friendly and accommodating staff. The hostel is perfectly located, being slap bang in the city centre making it very easy to reach all the best places to visit and explore. 52 Mitchell Street, Darwin www.momdarwin.com
Located in the heart of Darwin, Chillis is one of the biggest hostels in the city! Boasting an awesome spa deck, sun loungers to relax and soak up the sun as well as a BBQ area to enjoy the famous Aussie BBQs. After a breakfast in the mornings and not sure where to go? Chillis has you covered with its daily FREE breakfast for every night you stay at the hostel. 69 Mitchell St, Darwin chillis.com.au
Youth shack
Mitchell Street is the home to the exciting Youth Shack hostel in Darwin. Close to all the essentials a young traveller could as for, local pubs, restaurants and bars. After embarking on your adventure tour of the Northern Territory, Youth Shack is the best place to rest your head or if you want to jump right into the party then head to the bar as well as getting involved in the weekly events. With a mix of 8 share and 4 share dorms, a twin and double room, Youth Shack boasts a great variety of accommodation to suit anyone! The facilities include 24-hour check in, travel desk, Job Shack agency, bar and weekly events, and the all-important laundry facilities. 69 Mitchell Street, Darwin youthshack.com.au
Festivals In The Northern Territory
Bass In The Grass
Returning to the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 23rd May, Bass In The Grass hosts an array of Australian talent in the world of music, and its 13th edition is no different. The line-up this year includes Hilltop Hoods, Birds of Tokyo, Flight Facilities, Illy, Thundamentals, and will be hosted by Triple J’s Sarah Howells. Tickets are just $70pp and include free public transport, water and a souvenir cap. Darwin Amphitheatre, The Gardens, Darwin www.bassinthegrass.com.au
Camel Cup
The Camel Cup is a carnival that celebrates the local resident of the Northern Territory, with a variety of different races including rickshaw races and honeymoon handicap. Taking place every year on the second Saturday of July, the Camel Cup is a huge highlight of the outback.
Blatherskite Park, Alice Springs www.camelcup.com.au
Darwin Fridge Festival
For two weeks every October and November, fridges pop up out of nowhere around Darwin, fridges that have been recycled, either by being painted, turned into a different object, or hollowed out to create a frame. There’s live music, photography and art to celebrate the humble fridge. Around Darwin darwinfridgefestival.org.au
Darwin Festival
The brilliant Darwin Festival celebrates the fantastic creativity that is found in the city from 6th – 23rd August. If you have a keen interest and like to entertain your artistic side, then you will love the experiences of the Darwin Festival. Around Darwin www.darwinfestival.org.au
Image courtesy of Camel Cup
Red desert, gorgeous sunsets and relaxed vibes, the Northern Territory is a great location for a festival, so make sure you check out these celebrations of music, art and culture when you’re in the north!
JOBS
Fancy a career in events? If you don’t have the skills to be a tradesperson and find the idea of a 9 to 5 office job a little too restricting, you might find that working in events is right up your street. Sociable, active, fun and challenging, this type of work is for anyone that wants to be able to enjoy their time in Australia while making some much-needed money. Events work can be anything from handing out flyers and serving drinks, to planning, managing and coordinating events, so the experience and qualities that are deemed important can differ. Anyone seeking managerial roles will need at least some experience with working in a bar or events venue. Important things to consider will include service standards, knowledge in food and drink products, the ability to multitask, be extremely thorough and meet deadlines. Meanwhile, the promotional work of events is slightly less demanding of specific skills and experience, but calls on individuals to be confident, friendly, outgoing and charismatic, with roles including wait staff, street promoter, host and model. This sort of work is usually part time, in the evenings and even for just a few hours (hence why it’s so suited to the traveller’s lifestyle), but due to the amount of events going on in Australia’s cities, there’s always work to be found. As a result,
the best way to find promotional work is by joining an agency. You can find agencies in all of the major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, that you can sign up to or simply scour the job ads. Jobs you can find include anything from brand ambassadors to topless waiters and street staff that bring people into a club on a Saturday night. This sort of work is desirable for anyone that wants freedom when they work and have a good time while doing it. The skills and experience you earn can also lead to sales and marketing roles when you’re looking for full time work in the future. Due to the varied nature of events work, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’ve got your RSA and RCG so you’re fully prepared to work in any environment that serves alcohol or where gambling is present, so as not to limit your options. If you’re looking to work in the buzzing events industry in Australia, visit www.bbmlive.com/jobs for agency information and job openings.
THINK YOU KNOW YOUR MOJITOS FROM YOUR MARTINIS? Dynamic, fun, and useful, the BarMax Cocktail Course is a must for anyone looking to develop their cocktailmaking skills. Over the course of four hours, you will learn the tricks of the trade, including stirring, shaking, ingredients and recipes, from trained cocktail bartenders. Unbelievably useful if you want a career in hospitality in Australia, while the RSA may give you the certificate to work behind a bar, this course will give you the experience to impress a potential employer. Written by Ben Blair, who has six years’ management experience in nightclubs and cocktail bars in London and Sydney, the course can teach you about the tools and tricks of the trade and provide a great night out. A great, sociable activity, the cocktail course not only teaches you to make great cocktails, but encourages you to taste them so you know how they’re supposed to be! This means that everyone on the course is at least 18 years old, so it can become a group activity with plenty of involvement and laughs. BarMax also advise you to use public transport to attend the course, which means the
Sydney, Wollongong and Central Coast locations are especially convenient. Not just useful for professional purposes, you can impress your friends that were too foolish to attend, by showing off your new skills at home. To help with this, you can purchase the cocktail kit, complete with Boston shaker and glass, bar blade, two pro pourers, Molin jigger, Hawthorn strainer and a cocktail spoon, for $55, or $75 with a muddler. With so many benefits, the BarMax Cocktail Course is a great way to spend an evening. And you can now get 30% off of the Cocktail Course by mentioning BBMAUS when you book online at www.barmax.com.au. This means that you pay just $84 instead of $120 for a course that can benefit your career, social life and entertainment!
The discount code is valid for single cocktail courses only until 30th June 2015. Standard terms and conditions for all products apply. Visit www.barmax.com.au for more information.
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SHIPPING
MAKE THE MOVE DOWNUNDER WITH SEVEN SEAS WORLDWIDE
However, be prepared for the possibility that the pursuit of a dream home in Oz could be a bumpy ride. Here’s a few pointers from Seven Seas Worldwide about moving to Australia as well as a couple of shameless plugs for their brilliant relocation and storage services. As with the UK, if you can buy a property that, as they say, ‘needs a bit of work’ and knock the seller down on the asking price, you could find yourself with a desirable investment – particularly if you’re lucky enough to find the property in an up-and-coming area or one going through extensive regeneration. You’ll know which areas are undergoing regeneration – there will be a lot of bright colours, straight edges and hipsters in red jeans wearing non-prescription glasses. Actually maybe that’s just the UK. We digress. Of course there’s a chance you might not be so lucky. New houses are being built all the time but not enough new houses are being built to cope 22
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with the influx of new arrivals which is pushing the prices up. A house which may have been within your reach a few years ago, may now be as far off as the Disneyland Castle. A tip that’s no doubt obvious but worth mentioning is that you should stay close to (but not necessarily on) the coast when viewing property. Should you wish to move at a later date, you will never find a shortage of prospective buyers whatever the price. The best way to ensure a smooth transition is to talk to your chosen bank in Oz. There are four big ones – Commonwealth, National Australia, Westpac and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. It should be one of these from whom you obtain a mortgage, so speak to their advisers about house prices and house-buying in general in Australia, because if you can’t trust a bank, who can you trust? Wait. Scrap that. If you’re currently searching the housing market for a new place to call home, talk to Seven Seas Worldwide today for safe, secure and affordable relocation and storage. They’ve got a range of services for all kinds of moves, including the MoveCube®, a mini container that’s actually brought to your front door!
Words courtesy of Seven Seas Worldwide
The property market in Australia got through the economic crisis relatively unscathed with house prices in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra steadily rising in recent years. So as well as the weather, the health care, the education system and the quality of life, Australia also has a strong dollar. Lucky blighters.
EXPAT INTERVIEW
BOWER HEALTHCARE This month, we speak to Graham Bower of agency Bower Healthcare, who specialise in recruitment for work within the healthcare sector. Here we find out a little more about applying for work through Bower Healthcare and making the transition from the UK to Australia. With a great reputation of assisting those looking for work in healthcare, what are the key motivations that push the agency forward? As a family-run, boutique-style agency we cannot hope to compete with the spending power and profile of the big players in our market and so instead, we strive to offer a far more personal and friendly service to our nurses and client hospitals alike. We enjoy the advantages this provides and gain motivation from the amount of positive feedback, word of mouth referrals and repeat business that we receive. How early would you recommend someone contact your staff to get organised? The earlier the better! We are always willing to assist nurses work their way through the myriad of compliance requirements for work-readiness and can advise on important issues that are best addressed from home before travelling. For a nurse seeking work through Bower Healthcare, how long does the registration process take? Dependent on what compliance requirements are already covered, registering with Bower Healthcare can be a simple and speedy process. The application can be started before leaving home and generally by the time you arrive, you 24
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may only have to visit the office to pick up your ID badge and uniform. How does nursing in Australia compare to the UK? Also, what do you think it is about working as a nurse in Australia that is so appealing? It’s been a very long time since any of us at Bower Healthcare nursed in the UK, but from when we did, and comments from our nurses received since, there’s very little difference. The training here was originally based on the UK model and standards are similar (sometimes better, we are told). It helps that we all speak the same language too! Part of the appeal of working here is the variety and the change from the everyday routines back home. Several of our client hospitals boast sea views from the wards and the experience of being at work, over-looking the pristine blue ocean bathed in glorious sunlight is probably worth visiting for that alone! Finally, as a Brit yourself, what was the attraction that made your decision to come to Australia and specifically Sydney to live and work? Like many others, it was the draw of the Australian climate and the outside-orientated lifestyle that brought me over here initially. Sydney attracted me as I had nursing friends living and working here and to make it even better, I’m a rugby union fan and at the time the first ever rugby union world cup was being staged here. I found work, met my Australian wife, and the rest, as they say, is history! For more information log on to
www.bowerhealthcare.com.au
HEALTHCARE AUSTRALIA Healthcare Australia also offer a wide range of jobs in the healthcare centre. Here are just a handful of the opportunities available at www.healthcareaustralia.com.au. Regional, Rural And Remote Placements Available For Registered Nurses
Currently in-demand specialties include Accident and Emergency, Theatre, Critical care, Midwives and Mental Health. Travel is generally provided from the nearest capital city, sometimes further, and also includes accommodation for the duration of your placement. The majority of the placements are 8 – 12 weeks. Contact the Regional, Rural and Remote recruitment team on 1300 885 728
Full Time Permanent Roles Offering Sponsorship To Medical Surgical Nurses In Sydney
Sydney based acute-care hospital is on the lookout for nurses in these three areas of expertise. • Medical & Surgical • Critical Care • Theatre Sponsorship is available for the right candidates. They require a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience and you will need to be AHPRA registered or approved in principle. If this interests you contact the NSW recruitment team on 02 9024 3224
Permanent Nurse Roles Available In Melbourne Offering Sponsorship
Epworth Healthcare is Victoria’s largest not for profit Private Hospital group and is currently recruiting for Theatre, Critical Care and specialised Surgical Nurses, Orthopaedic, Neurosurgical, Coronary. A minimum of 3 years experience in required in your specialty. Contact the Victorian recruitment team on 03 9009 6444
Mental Health Nurses Adelaide
If you are a Mental Health Nurse looking for a new placement, then here is a great opportunity. If you have the ability and experience this could be just for you. The Adelaide office has regular shifts available for Mental Health Registered Nurses. Contact the South Australian recruitment team on 08 8338 1000 A minimum of 12 months nursing experience is needed for each position available through Healthcare Australia, unless specified.
TAX INFO
CLAIMING TAX IN AUSTRALIA Even if you’ve only been working in Australia for a short time, on a working holiday for example, then you can still claim your tax back. If you are on a 417, 457 or sponsorship visa, then you’re still eligible to receive the maximum legal tax refund. The average Australian tax refund is $2,600 so why miss out? But it can be tricky to know where to start. The Australian financial year runs from 1st July - 30th June and you should file an Australian Tax Return as soon as possible after the end of the tax year. Alternatively, you can complete one in advance and lodge it with the Australian Taxation Office. Taxback.co.uk is a great website that has been helping people to reclaim their tax since 1986 so they are a reliable service that offers great results. You can also fill out their online form or use their free tax calculator and keep up to speed with tax information by checking out its blog.
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So, what exactly can you claim for? Taxpayers can claim for any “expenses incurred in earning income”. This could include: • Protective clothing or footwear needed for the job • Training courses you enrol on • Trade union fees • Transportation to your workplace • Relevant books or publications • Stationary for work • Licences and registration fees • Tax agent fees • Bank charges for the deposit of wages • Specific work related expenses What your tax refund doesn’t include: • Rent • Food or drink • Leisure activities • Long-haul flight from your country of residence You should always double-check whether or not you are considered a tax resident in Australia as it varies according to your reason for being in the country. Usually, if you have been in the country for six or more months then you are classed as a tax resident and you are entitled to claim tax on any wages you may have earned.
Recruiters Wanted
EXPRESS TAX Level 6, 155 Castlereagh St Sydney, NSW, 2000 1800 739 739 +61 (0) 2 9267 3200 www.expresstaxback.com.au
VISA SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA Unit 10/162 Colin st, West Perth, WA 6005 Ph: 08 9328 2664 1800 828 008 visas@visasolutions.com.au www.visasolutions.com.au
BACKPACKER TAX REFUNDS First Floor, 1A Morts Road Mortdale NSW 2223 +61 (0) 2 8065 5668 info@backpackertaxrefunds.com.au www.backpackertaxrefunds.com.au AMY ACCOUNTANTS Suite 101, Level 1, 250 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 1300 179 934 +61 (0) 2 92627188 info@amyaccountants.com.au www.amyaccountants.com.au
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TRAVEL
Discover New Zealand With
THE BIG TIKI Travel the length and breadth of New Zealand with Contiki. You can see just what makes New Zealand the travel destination it is on board The Big Tiki, from Auckland on the North Island to Christchurch on the South Island. A mammoth of a trip, you’ll spend 19 days coaching from the north to the south, embracing the Kiwi culture, jaw-dropping landscape and adrenaline highs that make it so special. Each destination is blessed with landmarks, sights, activities and events unique to New Zealand. Say Kia Ora to the paradise of Paihia, the seal colony of Kaikoura and the action-packed activities of Queenstown. Take a cruise on Lake Taupo, view the volcanic backdrop of Tongariro National Park that was used in The Lord Of The Rings, and hike the glaciers of Franz Josef with crampons and an ice-pick.
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For a culture shock, enjoy an evening with a Maori Hangi dinner and dance performance, take a guided tour of Ohinemutu Village and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. If you really want to head home with no regrets, you can even double dare yourself to take on the formidable canyon swing, bunjy jumpy or skydive, for which New Zealand has become famous the world over. All of these activities, whether included or optional extras, are available to you on The Big Tiki. The great thing about The Big Tiki, and Contiki as a tour company, is that it’s not just about where you, it’s who you’re with. You’ll be spending 19 days with a bunch of people you’ve never met, but who will probably become lifelong friends you can share awesome memories with. You’ll also get the help of Contiki’s famous drivers, managers and guides, who will be just as excited as you (if not more!). You’ll also feel fully recuperated each morning after a night in comfortable and hospitable accommodation, from hotels to lodges with bars, games, unbeatable views and even spa rooms to help you unwind. The Big Tiki – which some may say is the trip of a lifetime – costs from $3596pp, as little as $187 per day.
The Big Tiki and many more New Zealand tours are available with Contiki Holidays from 3-25 days. Whether you’ve got a few days or a few weeks to travel, and you’re looking to experience New Zealand and make new friends along the way, Contiki is perfect for you. Give them a call on 1300-188-635, head to Contiki.com or visit your local travel agent.
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Take on the adrenaline capital of the world Fear-inducing at times, Queenstown is the epitome of what we associate with New Zealand. A stunning landscape of majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes and green forest, this region knows how to make use of its scenery. Located on the South Island on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, you can fly from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Queenstown in around three hours, making it a great holiday destination from Australia. Naturally beautiful all year round, Queenstown is dowsed in reds and oranges in autumn, while the white snow in winter brings skiers and snowboarders of the world to the slopes. The warmer months of spring and summer can be spent kayaking on the lake or relaxing on the beach, but whatever time of year you’re in Queenstown, the most adrenaline-pumping things to do are readily available.
The town itself is as lively as it is picturesque; due to its stunning location and migrant population, there’s a melting pot of cuisine from fresh seafood and curry to steak and pizza, with plenty of restaurants and bars for evening entertainment and socialising. Accommodation for visitors is also in abundance. With hostels, campsites, self-contained apartments and hotels, there’s something to suit all budgets and tastes. Most importantly, the town is central to all activities and highlights of Queenstown, so it’s a perfect base to go off in search of adventure. As the beating heart of New Zealand, Queenstown is a primary stop whether you’re travelling independently or on a group tour. With many opportunities to do activities that take your breath away, you can tick off a lot of that troublesome bucket list in Queenstown – you just have to take the jump.
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Images by Alex Proimos & Lawrence Murray
The activities that are most associated with New Zealand are found in Queenstown. From bunjy jumps, zip rides, skydives and canyon swings, to white water rafting, jet boating and river surfing, there are iconic activities and some you’ve never even heard of right here, so whether you’re a water baby or feel safer falling from a great height, there’s something for every thrill seeker. The rolling hills and mountain ranges provide cycling and 4WDriving tracks, as well as a world-class wine region with over 200 vineyards.
Tour, and you can be zorbing down a hill one day and kayaking through sea caves the next. If you’re specifically seeking adrenaline, then we’d have to suggest the 12-Day South Island Adrenalin Junkie Tour from NZD$2,199. From Christchurch to Wellington including two nights in Queenstown, you can add a scenic flight over Lake Tekapo, waterskiing in Wanaka, quad biking in Franz Josef, skydiving in Abel Tasman and bunjy jumping, jet boating and canyon swinging in Queenstown.
Snow Tours
From adventure in the north to skiing in the south, Haka Tours provides a variety of experiences in New Zealand. Making the most of the breath-taking scenery, welcoming locals, dramatic landscapes and amazing activities, you can build your tour with additional activities to suit you.
Whatever your ability on the ski slopes, you can test it on any one of Haka’s Snow Tours. From three to 12 days, the South Island takes centre stage with glorious, white mountains providing adventure and thrills in a winter wonderland. For a quick fix, spend two days skiing/boarding and three days exploring during the 5-Day Queenstown Snow Fix, or, for a marathon skiing holiday, you can take on the 12-Day South Island Snow Odyssey with eight different mountains, for advanced skiiers only. If you’re looking for something in the middle, you’ll find that the 7-Day South Island Snow Safari is perfect for you. Packing six mountains into seven days with a range of packages, you can choose the South Island Snow Safari with or without lessons. On the fifth day, you can choose optional activities away from the slopes, such as jet boating, skydiving and bunjy jumping. Including snow tours in Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Ohau, Wanaka and Queenstown, you’ll receive all transport, mountain transfers, lift passes, a tour manager, accommodation and breakfast from NZD$1,799pp, so you can enjoy a stress-free ski season in New Zealand. With all of the right ingredients for a perfect tour, all you have to do is create the right one for you. Check out all of the tours and book yours at hakatours.com.
Adventure Tours
Ranging from three to 24 days, you can see and do as much as possible on an Adventure Tour. Spend a week getting to know the North or South Island, with beaches, forests and marine life in the north and lakes, glaciers and mountains in the south. Or combine the two with the 16-day Amplified NZ Tour or 24-day Epic NZ
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Adventure Tours Australia
Uluru Safaris
Experience the luxury that the outback has to offer with Adventure Tours Australia’s safaris. In the comfort of permanent tents, you’ll wake up each morning ready to take on the outback and all that it holds… The Overnight Uluru Safari packs a lot into two days. For $395pp, you’ll visit the 36 domes of The Olgas (Kata Tjuta), hike the narrow trail through the Valley Of The Winds, watch the sunset behind Uluru with a cold drink, walk around the base of the rock at your own pace, get to know more about the region from an Aboriginal guide, and buy a memento or two at the Uluru Cultural Centre. Rich in natural, physics-defying structures, the wonders of Kata Tjuta National Park are all within reach. There’s no need to rough it during your Overnight Uluru Safari; with the twin share safari tent in ATA’s permanent camp, you’ll receive actual beds, linen, pillows, towels and even a fan for a guaranteed comfortable rest. For more time in the surrounds of Uluru, the 3-Day Uluru Safari costs $695pp and includes all of the overnight safari, but also takes you to Kings Canyon and even offers the opportunity to take a ride on a camel on your first day. From Alice Springs, you’ll get to view The Olgas and Uluru during sunset, enjoy dinner and a glass of 32
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wine around the campfire, take a walk around Uluru’s enormous base, meet an Aboriginal guide and browse the Uluru Cultural Centre. Leaving Kata Tjuta National Park, you’ll make your way to Watarrka National Park, home of Kings Canyon and your final night in the Outback. One of the greatest visions on earth, day three is all about exploring Kings Canyon before heading back to Alice Springs. The walk through the Lost City and Garden of Eden of Kings Canyon covers about 6km of ground, and offers plenty of opportunities for photography with towering walls, deep caverns and hidden treasures around every corner. These three days are made all that more amazing with a comfortable bed to spend the night in. In ATA’s exclusive and permanent campsites, there’ll be no sleeping on the ground, as you’re welcomed with actual beds and clean bedding included in the cost of this tour. These are just two of many Northern Territory tours available with Adventure Tours Australia. You can also choose: 2-Night Rock to Rock Safari from $665pp 4-Day Red Centre Safari from $895pp 5-Day Darwin to Alice Springs Explorer including Uluru from $895pp Whether Safari, Explorer or Unleashed, book your tour at www.adventuretours.com.au.
WIN a 5 Day Darwin to Alice Springs Explorer trip including Uluru
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N I W
5 Day Darwin to Alice Springs Explorer including Uluru with Adventure Tours Australia
Jump on board a Darwin to Alice Springs road trip that includes a visit to the heart of the Red Centre, Uluru. Along the way you’ll stop off at the famous Daly Waters pub after a visit to the breath-taking Katherine Gorge where you’ll have the chance to dust off your walking shoes and explore the outback area. You’ll experience an authentic Uluru Cultural Experience learning about the history of the local Aboriginal communities. Watch the sunset at night and rise in the morning while you camp under the stars. Visit Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and have the full Red Centre experience.
Highlights include: Daly Waters, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Katherine Gorge, Kings Canyon, Nitmiluk National Park, Uluru, Uluru Cultural Experience, Uluru Sunrise, Uluru Sunset.
How To Enter: Visit our competitions page at
bbmlive.com/win-a-5-day-adventure-tour-from-darwin-to-alice-springs or via our Facebook /BBMMagazine Terms & Conditions:
Darwin To Alice Springs Explorer Including Uluru competition closes the 31st May 2015 11:59 GMT. The prize is valid for one passenger only. Winner will be chosen at random by the 10th June 2015 and contacted via email. If we do not receive a response within 72 hours of the email being sent the prize will be re-drawn and a new winner selected so please enter with an email that you have access to 24/7 and please check your junk folder. The winner must hold a valid passport, be eligible for travel to Australia and hold a valid visa for the entire trip. Winner must be over the age of 18 and hold valid travel insurance for their entire trip. This prize can only be redeemed when four passengers are already booked on the desired trip departure. This prize cannot be used on existing bookings or in conjunction with any other discounts or special offers. It is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash or exchange. Not included in the prize are the airfare, arrival tax, departure tax, any additional meals, any additional accommodation and your spending money, trip kitty or any travel visas required. The trip is subject to availability and confirmation by Adventure Tours Australia and must be taken on or before 31 December 2015. No extension is available. Please refer to the booking conditions available here at http://www.adventuretours.com.au/about-us/conditionsof-travel-cancellation-policy/terms-and-conditions-of-travel-aud-20142015. Prize redemption and trip booking must be made directly with Adventure Tours Australia at reservations@adventuretours.com.au. By entering this competition you agree to receive promotional content including newsletters from What Media Pty Ltd, What Media Ltd and their affiliate partners by email. If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription options please follow the prompts on the email correspondence. Entry to the competition is conditional on acceptance of these terms.
Kakadu National Park with Territory Expeditions Jim Falls and Twin Falls are spectacular whatever time of year you visit. In the dry season (June – November), you can take the walk to the Jim Jim Falls Plunge Pool and Twin Falls Gorge to relax in the cooling waters when the falls are just a trickle. In the wet season (December – May), you can only see them on a scenic flight – but what a sight!
With an area of almost 20,000km, Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park. From wetlands to woodlands and dramatic sandstone cliffs to steep ridges, the landscape makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. A true wilderness, wildlife can thrive in certain areas, with crocodiles in East Alligator River, flatback turtles at the mouth of the South Alligator River, and brightly coloured birds in the thick vegetation. You can take advantage of this landscape as well with the many activities it offers, including walking, swimming, fishing and boat cruises to some of the most beautiful spots in the park. Not short of a waterfall or two, Kakadu boasts refreshing pools within its rough edges. The Jim
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There are fantastic walks in all areas of Kakadu. Views for miles, ancient rock art and towering rainforest make each walk memorable. If you’ve come prepared, you can do them alone, but you’ll learn a lot more from a tour guide. You’ll also have more access to the most special parts of the park if you go by 4WD. Thankfully, Territory Expeditions puts their trust into these motoring beasts with tours of up to five days exploring Kakadu from Darwin. This allows them to journey to unspoilt areas including the Gunlom Falls, Barramundi Gorge and Koolpin Gorge. They also gain access to Litchfield National Park. There are amany lessons to be learnt in Kakadu: don’t feed the crocs, don’t think you can beat the heat, and you can’t always rely on your mobile phone. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the history of Australia, where Aboriginal life has remained conserved for thousands of years with rock art, kept traditions and respected culture. Log on to www.territoryexpeditions.com.au to visit Kakadu National Park.
Mulga’s Adventures 3-Day Rock Trip Taking in some of the natural highlights of the Northern Territory, you can see what makes this region so special in just three days with Mulga’s Adventures. The 3-Day Rock Trip includes one of the most famous icons in the world, as well as lesser-known but just as stunning formations. The tour begins and ends in Alice Springs. On day one, Kings Canyon is your destination, situated in Wattarka National Park. 270m of towering sandstone over thick vegetation for over 600 plants and animals, many of which endemic to the region, make Kings Canyon a breath-taking sight. Formed over millions of years, it takes about three-four hours to walk to the top of the canyon, with six kilometres of rugged landscape, the Garden of Eden, and panoramic views at the top. You’ll spend the day exploring its many corners and crevasses, before heading onto a cattle station, which will play home for the night. End the day with a BBQ, campfire and sleeping under stars in a swag – this is the outback after all! On your second day, you’ll visit Kata Tjuta. Also known as The Olgas, Kata Tjuta consists of 36 rock formations shaped like domes, and are considered sacred by the Anangu people that own them. The sight of Kata Tjuta is marvellous, with the tallest dome, Mount Olga, stretching 546m
high. It’s then onto Uluru, the most famous rock in the world. Standing at 348m tall and a round-base of 10.6km, it is historically and culturally significant to the aboriginals, so much so that visitors are no longer permitted to climb it. You will, however, get to enjoy its changing colours during sunset with a glass of bubbles on the evening of day two, and sunrise with a cooked breakfast as you begin day three. Full of energy, you’ll then have the chance to embark on the mammoth walk around it. Before heading back to Alice Springs and finishing your trip, you’ll get to visit a camel farm and even ride on the back of this outback resident – a oncein-a-lifetime experience and completely free on the 3-Day Rock Trip with Mulga’s Adventures. This spectacular taster of the outback is just $370pp and includes an experienced guide, park entry and camping fees, pick-up and drop-off, bus travel, some meals, swags and a free camel ride. Head to www.mulgasadventures.com.au to start your journey of the outback.
space playing home to parrots, lorikeets and galahs with powered sites at just $30 per night including the use of the swimming pool. The tavern and restaurant are more than welcoming with food, drinks and entertainment.
Gemtree Caravan Park
Campsites In The Northern Territory Make sure you know where to pitch up whilst you’re discovering all the Northern Territory has to offer. Lazy Lizard Caravan Park
Located 220km south of Darwin in Pine Creek, Lazy Lizard Caravan Park is south of Kakadu, Australia’s largest national park. Drenched in rustic charm, the caravan park is a wide-open
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Some 140km north of Alice Springs is Gemtree Caravan Park. Powered and non-powered sites are available in the 250-acre setting of bushland, with surrounding vegetation creating more privacy. From $22 per night, you also get the use of the water tank, laundry, wireless Internet, grocery store and Billabong Bar.
Kings Creek Station
Probably the most famous campground in the Northern Territory, Kings Creek Station provides powered and unpowered sites from as little as $23pp per night. While the swimming pool is a highlight, its resident camels take centre stage, which you are able to ride at just $55pp during sunset and $75pp after breakfast! The closest campground to the great Kings Canyon, it’s also perfectly located for discovering the outback. Book your campervan at www.mightycampers.com.au.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA summer, so the cooler and calmer weather of winter is perfect for discovering this adventure playground. At highs of 24 degrees in July, it’s still pleasant; just make sure you pack warm clothing for the nights, as they can be cold.
Broome
Winter Escapes In Western Australia Due to its great size, the climate in south Western Australia can be very different from the north of the state. If you don’t want to lose the sun, then hit the road up north! Karijini
With scorching temperatures and huge rainfall, you wouldn’t even want to go to the Karijini in
The biggest town in the Kimberley region, Broome should be on everyone’s hit list. Not only is it blessed with spectacular beaches, breath taking moon rises, beautiful pearls, cultural events and rugged coastal cliffs, it has idyllic temperatures in winter.
Exmouth
There are some enormous reasons to visit Exmouth during winter. While much cooler than the summer, it still retains a high of 29 degrees, and has more than human visitors to its shores. From March to July, you can come face-to-face with the ocean’s largest fish – the gentle whale shark. And from June to November, humpback whales kick off whale watching season. Go in search of sunshine with Integrity Coach Lines’ Hop On Hop Off Pass from Perth to Broome with amazing stops along the way. Visit integritycoachlines.com.au to find your winter escape.
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Perth To Darwin And Everywhere In Between With Aussie Wanderer With tours and safaris from one to 19 days, you can see as much of Western Australia as you want to with Aussie Wanderer. Whether you’re after adventure in nature’s greatest rocky landscape or desire to see what lies beyond the white, sandy beaches, you can be sure to have the best time of your life.
Aussie Wanderer’s shorter tours take you to nearby attractions of WA’s capital of Perth, but you’ll still feel a million miles away from the city. The 1-Day Pinnacles Adventure packs a lot in, such as Caversham Wildlife Park where you can meet the resident koalas and wallabies, a BBQ lunch, sandboarding and a visit to the famous Pinnacles Desert for an example of Australia’s strange rock formations. For just $150pp, it’s a great day out. Taking you further afield, the 4-Day Perth To Monkey Mia Return trip includes the Pinnacles, as well as a stop in Kalbarri National Park, Shell Beach in Shark Bay and a chance to meet the wild dolphins of Monkey Mia, all from $595pp. With opportunities to go abseiling, hiking, sandboarding, sailing and kayaking, you’ll have made many memories by the time you return to Perth. You can even choose a return trip on the longer tours with Aussie Wanderer. If you want to travel as far as the paradise town of Broome in the northwest, but want to come back to Perth, you can opt for the 14-Day Perth to Broome tour from $1795pp. However, if you’re happy to finish in Broome, you can choose the 9-Day Perth to Broome One-Way trip from $1495pp. Both of these tours allow you to see The Pinnacles, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, the worldfamous Ningaloo Reef with its whale sharks, manta rays and coral, the pristine waters of Exmouth, the gorges and waterfalls of Karijini National Park, and the relaxing Outback town of Broome.
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Aussie Wanderer’s longest tour takes you from Perth to Darwin – an ideal trip if you’re planning on staying in the Northern Territory capital, but want to have an experience on your way up. Over 19 days, you’ll be able to experience the adventure of WA followed by the wild terrain of the north, including Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, the Bungle Bungles, Lake Argyle and Edith Falls, from $3290pp. There are more tours available from Aussie Wanderer, including a visit to Margaret River south of Perth, and an 8-Day Broome to Darwin Safari, which takes you along the Gibb River Road to explore the Kimberley Region. From beautiful gorges, to waterholes, the Bungle Bungle ranges and beautiful campsites, this is definitely a worthwhile adventure for this time of year. Whichever tour you choose, you won’t have to worry about a thing. All accommodation, meals, transport, entry fees and tour guides are included in the price you pay for your trip – so you can concentrate on having loads of fun! Choose your Aussie Wanderer tour at
www.aussiewanderer.com.au.
WIN
Aussie Wanderer are giving you the chance to win a 4-Day Tour to Monkey Mia worth $595, which is upgradeable to a bigger tour with a balance payment. On the 4-day adventure you’ll visit The Pinnacles Desert, travel the Indian Ocean Road, stay at the Big River Ranch Farm Stay, hike down the Z-Bend in the Murchison Gorge of Kalbarri National Park, and visit Shell Beach before reaching Monkey Mia, where you can feed wild dolphins in the shallows. The way back is just as adventure packed, including sandboarding down the Lancelin Sand Dunes. To enter email competitions@bbmlive.com with the subject “Aussie Wanderers”, your name, email address, DOB and mobile number.
Terms & Conditions: Valid for Travel between May
1st and December 31st 2015 (inclusive) Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not redeemable for Cash. In the event you choose to book a tour of lesser value in lieu of the one offered you will forfeit the difference in value and no refund paid.
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Southern Skydivers
With ocean views, the wind in your hair and the feeling of falling up to 15,000ft, a tandem skydive with Southern Skydivers is one of the greatest experiences in Western Australia. A tandem skydive is one of the most rewarding yet terrifying things a person can do, and the decision to fall thousands of feet to Earth is one not to be taken lightly. A once-in-a-lifetime activity, you need to get the location just right, and this is where the southwest coast of WA comes in. With the Indian Ocean on one side and the Margaret River region on the other, if you’re seeking spectacular views, you won’t be disappointed. After a 20-minute flight, you’ll jump out of Southern Skydivers’ plane over Geography Bay and the Busselton Jetty with Margaret River in the distance, before you land feet first (hopefully!) on the sandy beach to be welcomed by the people you brought with you. With 10,000ft, 14,000ft and 15,000ft to choose
from, you’ll no doubt feel the unique adrenaline rush of a tandem skydive with at least 30 seconds of freefall at 200km per hour. When you’re 5000ft from Earth, your instructor will deploy the parachute and you’ll fall much slower with five minutes to enjoy the scenery around you. The day doesn’t end once you’ve landed back on safe ground; a complimentary glass of wine or beer awaits you at the beachside Goose Café, where you can continue celebrating your skydive, and you can enjoy the beautiful Busselton Jetty with a stroll and an ice cream. The price of the 10,000ft tandem skydive starts at $339pp, while the 14,000ft tandem skydive is at a new discounted price of $399pp, and the 15,000ft tandem skydive is priced at $450pp. You can add handcam and freefall videos and photos at an extra cost if you want to look back at your amazing day in the sky. However, you can now save $30 off of your skydive package by using the unique code BBMPROMO when booking online. Available until 31st July 2015, the promo code can’t be used with any other offer.
Win A Skydive! We’ve got one 14,000ft Tandem Skydive Ticket to give away for free to one lucky BBM reader. All you have to do to enter is email us at competitions@bbmlive.com with your name, contact email address and subject heading ‘Southern Skydivers’ by 30th June 2015. The Tandem Skydive Ticket will be valid for 12 months once issued and can’t be used in conjunction with any other offer.
NSW
My Bush Bash While the coast of New South Wales may beckon most people to the state, you can also find pure Australian bushland with trickling rivers, forest walking tracks, farmland, caves and vineyards.
Boonoo Boonoo National Park is home to the Boonoo Boonoo River and waterfall, which plunges 200m into a gorge. If it’s treasure you’re after, the Rocky River in Uralla is perfect for panning and fossicking, with a rich history in providing locals their wealth. Not only rich in gold, inland NSW is blessed with vineyards and wineries making fine wines in the beautiful countryside. Tours are available in Robert Stein Winery, Huntington Estate and Farmer’s Daughters, and even breweries get in on the action with Mudgee Brewing Company offering a range of beer! History buffs are well served in NSW, beginning with Australia’s Standing Stones. A mark of the country’s Celtic heritage, the 40 stones also celebrate Australia’s Southern Cross and the Solstices. While they may not sound as intriguing as their UK counterpart, Stonehenge, they are a sight worth catching. From Celtic to Australia’s most infamous criminal, the McCrossin’s Mill Museum holds artefacts, paintings and prints about Captain Thunderbolt, a bushranger with more than 128 robberies to his name, before he was supposedly shot dead while on the run. The museum showcases the questions, suspicions and theories that surround his death, and a tour of this incredible story is one not to be missed.
Of course, NSW is also blessed with one of the most breath-taking mountain ranges in Australia. The Blue Mountains are incredibly majestic – when that blue haze hovers above the trees and the sun sets in the background… The Blue Mountains are home to the Three Sisters, three adjoining rock formations that jut out of the landscape, and the Jenolan Caves, limestone crystal formations with underground rivers and imposing stalactites. You can explore the Blue Mountains in a number of ways, either by taking an aerial cable car, railway or walkway through the rainforest. To get a taste of being a cowboy – or cowgirl – you can also learn the skills of whipping, lassoing, sheep shearing and more at a Jackaroo and Jillaroo School. Meet the horses and dogs of a traditional farm, learn about the Aboriginal heritage and enjoy a billy tea lunch. Visit all of these locations, attractions and activities with My Mates Tours. Paying a fixed price of $1090pp, all activities, accommodation, transport and meals are included, so you can experience the Australian bush without any worries! Visit www.mymatestours.com to book your tour.
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QUEENSLAND
TOUR THE GOLD COAST One of the most diverse regions in Australia, the Gold Coast is a metropolis beside ocean, rainforest and hinterland, and a tour is a great way to see more of the area. Here are the ones that will show you just what the Gold Coast is made of. Southern Cross 4WD Tours Explore into the depths of World Heritage rainforests in Tamborine, Springbrook, Natural Bridge and Lamington National Parks. Using a 4WD, you’ll be able to get deep into the rainforest, then explore on foot with guided tours blessed with waterfalls, wildlife, caves, towering treetops and even wine tasting. With a variety of tours available, you can choose full or half-day private tours, like the Rainforest and Waterfall Tour, which includes Purlong Brook Falls, Rainbow Falls and Twin Falls for $295pp with two passengers. sc4wd.com.au Whales In Paradise Situated right on the coast (hence the name), the Gold Coast receives many sightings of whales on a daily basis during the migration season. Departing from Surfers Paradise, Whales In Paradise have morning, midday and afternoon tours out to the ocean to see Humpback Whales between May and November, and if you don’t see any on your tour, you’ll receive a full refund or a second tour absolutely free. On board the Mahi Mahi vessel, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views whether you choose to stay on the bottom 44
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deck or upstairs on the water level viewing deck. At just $95pp, you can’t beat this kind of value. whalesinparadise.com.au Paradise Jet Boating With a fantastic view of the skyscrapers and beaches, Paradise Jet Boating is like a rollercoaster on water, with 360-degree spins, high speed and serious thrills through some of the Gold Coast’s waterways. One of the most exciting activities in the region, prepare to get wet on the Broadwater Adventure, which includes 55 minutes of sightseeing, drifting, wildlife spotting, plenty of spins and access to protected areas such as Moreton Bay Marine Park. If you book for 11am – 4pm, it costs $68pp, but opt for the 9am or 10 Earlybird Specials and pay just $59pp. www.paradisejetboating.com.au Gold Coast Island Adventures A day away from the mainland, Gold Coast Island Adventures takes you to South Stradbroke Island for a beautiful day at their exclusive island resort. Setting off on a catamaran and arriving to an Australian BBQ, you’ll get to experience the resort’s free activities including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and feeding wild wallabies! From just $119pp, with regular discounts available, you can get away from the buzz of the Gold Coast and experience island life in style! goldcoastadventures.com.au
staying safe on
Fraser Island As much as it is beautiful, Fraser Island can be dangerous if you don’t respect its wild nature. From battling with storms to driving along unkempt roads, here’s our guide to staying safe on Fraser Island, so you can still enjoy it. Driving
Due to the rough sandy beaches and tracks, only 4WD vehicles can be driven on Fraser Island, and even this can be dangerous. Even if you’re a regular driver of a normal car, 4WDriving is very different and difficult. To drive safely, you must drive slow, pack light and never drive on the foredunes where the sand is too soft. Speed limits of 80km per hour on the beach and 30km per hour on inland tracks have been put in place, but always remember that slower is safer.
Dingoes
As protected wild animals, it is illegal on Fraser Island to feed or deliberately attract the attention of the dingoes. If you have food, keep it contained and away from the sight and smell of the dingoes, and don’t leave any rubbish or scraps for the dingoes to find. You should always camp in fenced
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areas, stay within a group of people, and, if a dingo does try to interact with you, don’t run away, but stand straight, facing the dingo and back away calmly. They may look like domestic dogs, but they are wild!
Tide
Anyone 4WDriving on Fraser Island, spending time on the beach or going for a swim will need to keep an eye on the tide. Some areas are only passable at low tide or for one or two hours either side of low tide. A combination of high tides, sea swells and strong can cause havoc with driving conditions, and in many cases, it’s best to avoid driving altogether. There are also some areas of the Fraser coastline that aren’t safe for swimming at different times of the day or year, especially when marine stingers populate the waters in the summer months.
Weather
While Fraser may enjoy the warm temperatures of Queensland, the subtropical climate means that while it’s warm, it can get wet, particularly inland in the late summer. Storms can also be severe on occasion in spring and summer. It’s best to check the forecast before you go to pack appropriately, and don’t be surprised if you experience an array of conditions in one day.
explore Port Douglas With our attentions turning to tropical North Queensland this season, it’s a great time to see what there is to do in Port Douglas. A beach town on the edge of the Daintree Rainforest, there’s more than just sunbathing in this idyllic settlement.
Tour The Rainforest
Delve deep into the Daintree Rainforest on an all-day safari that sees you explore the diversity atop a boardwalk, cruise along the river spotting wild crocodiles, walking along the beach of Cape Tribulation and learning the culture and history of the region with an indigenous guide. To make your tour even more memorable, you can extend it overnight and include an activity like a morning horse ride on Myall Beach, kayaking in the ocean’s waters or exploring the rainforest on a night walk. For a unique view of the rainforest, why not surf the jungle in a harness and fly with the birds in the treetops? Like a true flying fox, you can zip along as fast as you wish. Visit www. capetribulationadventures.com.au to choose your tour.
United Backpackers Port Douglas
Making the most of its Port Douglas location, United Backpackers is a brand new accommodation option for anyone travelling up to Port Douglas. You’ll have to book your room early though, because this place will fill up quickly. With a swimming pool, outdoor cinema, BBQs and a bar, scheduled and spontaneous pool parties are definitely on the cards. There will also be DJ appearances, trivia nights, yoga sessions, and cheese and wine evenings right on 4 Mile Beach! Just a five-minute walk away from United, you may find yourself spending longer
here than expected. Book your room now at unitedportdouglas.com.au.
Carnivale
From 22nd – 31st May, Port Douglas comes alive with food, music, comedy, sports and activities for Carnivale. Celebrating everything from craft beer to local performers and fresh produce, the grassy parks and sandy banks of the beach play home to this superb event that focuses on everything that makes Port Douglas great. Tickets and more information for each event are available at www. carnivale.com.au.
Sail to the Great Barrier Reef
One of the nearest towns to the Great Barrier Reef, you can take full or half-day tours to snorkel this great underwater world. As the world’s largest coral reef, the statistics are pretty incredible; more than 6,000 species of flora and fauna call it home, it’s about the size of Japan and it’s made up of over 900 islands. With stinger season finishing in May, now is a great time to head into the waters and meet the much friendlier visitors to the reef, including whales, dolphins, turtles and colourful fish. Book your stay at
unitedportdouglas.com.au
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
More reasons to travel with Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours – one of Adelaide’s highest ranking tours on Trip Advisor – has dropped its price for its popular two-day trip to Kangaroo Island to just $399 for travel from 1st May to the end of August. Staying at the coolest backpacker accommodation on the island, Vivonne Bay Lodge, with full use of kayaks and bikes, the tour includes a visit to Seal Bay, sandboarding at Little Sahara and stops at Kangaroo Island icons, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. “Our Lodge is in bushland with one kilometre of beach frontage and 10km of signed walking trails. Nothing beats relaxing on our deck after a fun day of small group touring and being visited by friendly kangaroos and koalas that call Vivonne Bay home,” SeaLink Marketing Manager Julie-Anne Briscoe says. The $399 price tag, $37 off the regular price, includes return coach and ferry travel from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island, all meals – which receive rave reviews – and accommodation, two days of small coach touring and great local driver/ guides. Courtesy pick-ups are also included in Adelaide from selected hostels and hotels. For people who may have their own car and want to drive to Cape Jervis, they can leave their car there for two days and pick up the ferry, costing only $355pp. “This is about travelling the road less travelled. About seeing the highlights but then visiting the places that not every tourist gets the chance to see,” Julie-Anne says. “If you have a taste for adventure and don’t want to come home with copies of the same holiday snaps as everyone else, this tour is for you.” “Kangaroo Island is the perfect destination in autumn and winter when the hills become lush and green, the wildlife is more active than in the 48
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warmer months and cellar doors, restaurants and cafes provide incredible food and wine experiences.” The two-day adventure tour runs three days a week between May and October, increasing to four days a week in November and then daily from December to March. Owned by the SeaLink Travel Group, guests travelling with Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours are assured of quality and reliability. “You’ll also be travelling with people who are like minded; who love a bit of soft adventure and want to meet the people and see the sights that make this place truly special,” Julie-Anne says. “Our guides are the best around and our guests are blown away by their friendliness and knowledge. You feel like one big family when you travel on one of our tours” To find out more or have a copy of the Kangaroo Island Adventure Tour brochure sent to you call +61 8 8202 8678 or visit
www.kiadventuretours.com.au.
GLOBAL TRAVEL
Must-Visit Locations In Thailand A traveller’s destination for years and not slowing down any time soon, Thailand is bursting with colourful culture, delicious food and beautiful beaches. The heart of Southeast Asia, don’t miss these locations during your travels through Thailand.
Bangkok
It may take a few days to really fall in love with the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, but if you have the time, you can discover its many enriching qualities. It’s here in Bangkok, that capital city of Thailand, that you can see the life and soul of the local people, experience the busy streets on a Tuk Tuk ride, and try some of the finest Thai cuisine with street food and cooking classes. There are peaceful and cultural activities on offer, with the river meandering through the city and temples exceptionally conserved, but whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss the epic nightlife on offer.
Khao Sok National Park
Located in southern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park is a piece of paradise. Hidden and unspoilt, its landscape includes evergreen rainforest, limestone mountains, relaxing lakes and deep valleys for incredible activities such as meeting elephants, trekking through the jungle, sailing in a long-tail boat and sleeping on the lake in a floating bungalow! There’s also never a bad time to visit; even in monsoon season, the rainforest is authentic and the mist around the mountains is very picturesque. With an abundance of vegetation, wildlife thrives here, so be on the 50
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lookout for leopards, tigers, gibbons, deer, tapirs, hornbills and a variety of reptiles.
Koh Phangan
One of the most famous islands in the world, Koh Phangan has become a tropical haven for the young, enthusiastic traveller. Beach accommodation provides the ultimate in relaxation with the waters of the beach or the swimming pool. Discover what lies beneath the waters around the island with a snorkelling trip, or delve deep inside the island in search of jungle waterfalls. Above all, it’s the Full Moon Party that puts Koh Phangan firmly on the map. A night of pure fun, this monthly party sees thousands of travellers celebrate the beautiful full moon that lights up the island with dance music, neon paint, DJs, acrobats, fireworks and more.
around Thailand, stopping in Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park and Koh Phangan at a cost of just $770pp. Head to thaintro.com to see all of these amazing places in Thailand.
If you want to visit each of these amazing destinations, ThaIntro spends one week touring
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BBM Readers claim 10% off any Beats Travel tour using promo code: BBMBEATS
Get ready to party on a Beats Travel tour of Croatia… There’s never been a better time to visit Croatia. With the warm waters of the Adriatic, the incredible parties and festivals that bring worldclass DJs, the sublime summer weather and the setting for one of the most popular TV shows ever, it’s fast becoming the number one destination in Europe. Combining all of this into one package is the Island Beats tour. Running just once in 2015 from 14th – 22nd August, this eight-night trip will take you to the most amazing locations in Croatia, including Zrce Beach, Zadar, Krka National Park and more. You’ll also get to attend the popular Sonus Music Festival, so you can dance to the beat of Trexler, Sven Vath, Chris Liebing and many more. As soon as you’ve met your tour group with a few welcome drinks in Split, you’ll head off to Zadar for two days of cocktails, sunbathing, BBQs and bar crawls with unique locations and surprises along the way. You’ll then spend five days in Novalja, 52
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home to Zrce Beach and Sonus Music Festival. Packed full of partygoers during the festival, you’ll get to know your fellow travellers with BBQs, beach parties, boat parties, after parties, club nights, water sports and DJs pumping the music all day and night. If you need a break from the party, it’s the perfect excuse to discover Novalja for yourself with optional day trips on offer that will take you to refreshing waterfalls, hidden caves and idyllic villages. When Sonus is over for another year and everyone’s ready to go home, the Island Beats tour continues to Sibenik and Krka National Park, where you’ll be able to spend some time relaxing in water pools and falls before saying goodbye to your new-found friends with an epic leaving party. With two experienced tour guides that live and breathe everything Croatia, not only will you be given a ticket to Sonus, you’ll be taken to the best bars, served the best local food and offered cultural day trips and guided walks in each location. On the Island Beats tour, you can combine your love of music festivals and travel for just $850pp. Book your Island Beats tour at
beats-travel.com.
Embark On A Spain And Portugal Road Trip Drenched in sunshine and fun festivities, now’s the time to look to the southwestern tip of Europe for a summer to remember. But with so many options at your fingertips and a monumental amount of travel ideas out there, how should you spend your time exploring the glorious lands of Spain and Portugal to see all there is to see? How about a road trip? Not your ordinary road trip, the guys at Stoke Travel are offering you the chance to travel around Spain and Portugal for 20 days in their very own private coach. From Barcelona to Lisbon to Benicassim and more in between, this tour includes stop-and-take-it-all-in moments like surfing in San Sebastian, coming face-to-face with a bull, partying in the streets of Pamplona, kayaking the grottos of Lagos, dancing in the streets of Granada, discovering the music festival of Benicassim and lazing about on the many, many beaches. With a great mix of culture, cuisine and outrageous fun, you’ll get to see a live flamenco show, try pintxos, tapas and sangria, wander down cobbled streets and view famous Gaudi artworks by day, and then experience some of the best sunsets, nightclubs and bars at night. The cost of this epic road trip is just €1300 (AUD$1797), with six nights festival camping, 12 nights hostel accommodation, a tour guide in each
city, nights out in each city, and unlimited beer and sangria in San Sebastian and Benicassim. You can add optional extras to make your road trip all that more exciting, with kayaking at €25pp and bike tours at €22pp. The Spain and Portugal Road Trip lasts 20 days from 3rd – 23rd July. To book your seat on this road trip of a lifetime, visit stoketravel.com.
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European Festival Guide 2015 The European Summer Festival is nearly here! If you’re in need of some serious inspiration as to where you can get your fill or travel and music then here’s some of our top picks for the European summer in 2015. I Am Global
I Am Global Festival launches this year to join the likes of Sonar and Benicassim in Spain’s beautiful city of Barcelona. However, this new event has a few tricks up its sleeve to make it stand out from the rest. I Am Global will be Europe’s biggest waterpark festival, taking over Illa Fantasia. Across three stages, a range of acts from different genres will aim to entertain crowds in one extravagant five-day party that will also have over 20 water attractions and rides to provide some relief from the summer heat. For unique party experiences, the three stages consist of the Main Stage, a Pool Stage, and a converted bull ring auditorium to hold 3000 ravers. If that wasn’t all, the festival continues with a boat party and celebrations on Platja Gran Calella Beach. Acts already confirmed for this inaugural event are Rae Sremmurd, Fatman Scoop, Coyu, DJ EZ, David Rodigan, Charlie Sloth, Doorly, Russ Yallop and many more. Tickets are available now from just €50pp including Saturday and Sunday-only and weekend passes. 4th – 8th June 2015 www.iamglobalfestival.com
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Meadows In The Mountains
Imagine a festival that combines the spirit of Burning Man with the music of Glastonbury in one event. Well, there’s no need to imagine any longer. Meadows In The Mountains is exactly that. What else could you expect from a three-day music festival in the beautiful Rhodopes Mountains of Bulgaria? Meadows In The Mountains is the biggest three-day summer festival to catch the best unsigned and underground European acts. But you better get your tickets quickly as the 2015 event is set to be capped at 1,000 people – now that’s boutique. This will make it a very exclusive festival when it kicks off, providing a top line-up of great acts including Al Dobson Jr, Binh, Jane Fitz, Kele Le Roc, Mo Kolours and more. There’s no need to worry about the cost of accommodation as Meadows In The Mountains offers some affordable and great value options. Will you find the soundtrack to your 2015 summer when you’re celebrating with your friends nestled in the jaw-dropping settings in Bulgaria? With tickets from €210pp, we think so. 12th – 14th June 2015 www.meadowsinthemountains.com
SunSplash 2015 If you love to party to the biggest and best dance and club music anthems then the SunSplash festival will be just your thing this summer! For an entire week in June, the Aspat Beach along the Turkish Mediterranean coast is an absolutely stunning bay and will be hosting SunSplash 2015. With the sun beating down on you as you hit the sandy beaches and the hottest dance music tracks blasting through the bay, SunSplash promises to be a major event in Turkey. The festival is a very boutique set up that only caters to an intimate audience, with only 500 tickets available. But, don’t let the small numbers put you off, as the festival boasts heavyweight acts to perform that create a buzzing atmosphere. Gold Pass Full Week tickets are €182pp. For 2015 one of the most exciting acts confirmed is Shuya Okino, a big name DJ from Japan. 21st-28th June 2015 sunsplash-festival.com
Hideout Festival The Hideout Festival is returning to the European summer festival season and the line-up that is confirmed is bigger than ever. With a picturesque setting on Zrce Beach, Pag Island, those who are attending this summer are in for a hell of a treat! Even if you’re not so keen on the music (but how can you not be?), the stunning and exciting beach will provide you with all the entertainment that you will need. But, when you’re out in Croatia for some of the best electronic acts in the business you will absolutely love the line-up destined for the Hideout stages this summer. MK, Duke Dumont and Gorgon City are just a handful of the major acts included in the 2015 line-up so you know it’ll be big. Tickets cost from €77pp. 28th June – 2nd July 2015 www.hideoutfestival.com
Exit Festvial 2015 Held every year in the Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, and sits adjacent to the River Danube. Exit has seen more than 2.5 million people from over 60 countries visit over the years. This year’s line-up is set to be yet another epic rota of musical
talent including; Emeli Sandé, Faithless, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Motorhead, Clean Bandit, Tom Odell, Hannah Wants, Milky Chance and many, many more. The Festival takes place over 4 days with a bus service running from Budapest for just €17.99 per transfer. Tickets and accommodation start from €115. To add to the fun, if you fancy floating around this part of the world for an extra week, the organisers throw another event the following week called Sea Dance Festival in neighbouring Montenegro. So it’s well setting aside two weeks for your party time this year. 9th-12th July 2015 www.exitfest.org
Flow Festival Scandinavia isn’t just about the snow season as it’s gearing up for the festival season just like the rest of Europe and we can’t wait for Flow Festival to kick off later this year. Finland will shake off its quiet and sleepy reputation and turn up the heat as the epic threeday Flow Festival blasts only the biggest tracks when it comes around in August. Located in an abandoned station house in Helsinki, the festival breathes life into the surroundings as international acts attract the buzzing crowds. This year, Flow Festival has announced a star-studded line-up that includes a fantastic collection of veteran names in the game as well as more recent talent that are creating a name for themselves. On 14th – 16th August, the likes of Pet Shop Boys, 2015 Grammy winning Beck, Major Lazer and Florence & the Machine will be some of the big acts heading to Finland this summer! Tickets for the three days are €169pp. 14th-16th August 2015 flowfestival.com This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to European festivals this summer. From Poland to Portugal, there’s something for everyone, so why not get your music and travel fix sorted in one! To keep up with the latest announcements, and plan your epic summer in Europe, head to
www.bbmlive.com/festivals-in-europe.
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INTERVIEWS Is it important for you to work closely with the vocalist? Yeah, a lot of dance producers don’t get involved in the songwriting, but that’s something I’ve always been passionate about. When I was at school, I was keen on creating writing – that and music were the only things I was good at! I get involved as much as possible so that my songs have something running through them that makes all of them sound like a DJ Fresh song. Your melodies and song structures are a breath of fresh to the Drum and Bass scene; is this the type of dance music that drives you? I just like doing stuff that I haven’t done before and pushing myself, but one step at a time. At the moment, I’m experimenting with songs and trying new things.
dj fresh One of the most in-demand DJs and producers for summer parties, we speak to DJ Fresh about new collaborations, going teetotal and what he gets up to on the road. Your most recent song, ‘Believer’ alongside Adam F, is just in time for the (Northern Hemisphere) summer; will it be a pivotal part of your summer sets? Yeah, absolutely. I’m really excited about it; I’ve been messing around with gospel and soul influences this year and that’s something that ‘Gravity’ touched on, moving away from the synthy vibes of the last few years. So this is the first of a batch of new stuff. You’ve worked with Sian Evans, Rita Ora and Ella Eyre; are there any vocalists you’ve got your eye on now? I’d still like to do something with Jessie Ware and I’d love to work with Jess Glynne. I’ve been in the studio with Paloma Faith and Clare Maguire, and I’ve been working on a new single with High Contrast, so I’ve just been keeping an open mind and trying as much as I can. 56
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Looking forward to the (Northern Hemisphere) summer, what plans do you have? We’re going to be all over the place; we’ve got shows in Ibiza with Like Mike, Steve Aoki and Dimitri Vegas, then we’re going to be in Majorca, a bunch of festivals in the UK and Europe, and all of the typical holiday destinations! I don’t know what it is about my music, but people seem to love listening to it on holiday! Do you enjoy that? Yeah, I’ve actually just gone completely teetotal, so being in party places is completely different to what it used to be! But performing for people that are celebrating being away is perfect for me because I just like making very positive, upbeat music, so I like being a part of that. What do you like to get up to while on the road besides the shows? Since we stopped drinking, we just want to stay as busy as possible! One of the downsides of being on the road is that you have a lot of time to be sat around. If you go out and join in the partying, you can wake up with a hangover, miss half the day and you’ve got a flight in the evening. So we’re really trying to see what there is to do, and we have our photographer with us and she’s always keen to get as much footage of us doing stuff as possible. We were playing at Siam Water Park in Tenerife and we got them to section off a part so we could go surfing; when we were in China, we went to see the pandas and semi-climbed the Great Wall! It’s really cool for me to make the most out of travelling now, because I spent so many years partying and not seeing that much. It’s a whole new phase of touring for me.
went on. We’re excited to go back this year; just a bit more competent, older and better at our instruments. The album, ‘My Love Is Cool’, is released on 22nd June. How do you feel now that it’s finally coming out? Excited! Kind of nervous. It’s weird for other people to have your songs and criticise them and pick holes in them, it’s like sending your kids to school. But with the previous material you’ve brought out, does this make you more confident? Oh, we’ve made an album that we’re all really proud of and I’m confident that people will like it, they might be a bit shocked by it because there’s some quite different sides to us – it’s not just a straight down the middle rock record.
WOLF ALICE Releasing their debut album, returning to Glastonbury and playing at Splendour In The Grass this year, we had a chat with Wolf Alice’s Theo Ellis to find out how this exciting band are coping with superstardom. Hi Theo, where in the world are you at the moment? Right now, I’m in my mum’s house [Laughs] I think this is actually the first day off we’ve had in three months. There’s no one here and the house looks like a bomb’s hit it. I’m just hanging out in rubbish, basically! Before we get onto your upcoming album, you’ve been announced to play Glastonbury and Splendour In The Grass; how are you feeling about the upcoming summer? I think this summer’s going to be a little bit easier than it has been lately; we’ve been relentlessly on tour and we’re flying back to America next week, but it should be pretty busy. It’s not a bad way to spend the summer! How were your festival experiences last year? Wasn’t it your debut at Glastonbury? Yeah, that was petrifying. That’s one of the scariest moments we’ve ever had as a band. I remember Ellie kind of crying just before we
Not at all. You’ve got the slow, haunting opening track, ‘Turn To Dust’ and the riotous ‘You’re A Gem’ and ‘Bros’. What do you think it says about you as band? That we’re fucking weird. It’s a bit schizophrenic, but it just shows how many different sides there are to us and how we’re inspired by a lot of different types of music. It’s very much a first album; it’s a collection of songs rather than a narrative. You’ve completed your UK tour, you’re embarking on your US tour, do you have any favourite venues or gigs? Shepherd’s Bush was amazing – we had a confetti canon that went off for about a minute. That was cool but it cost loads of money. The Olympia in Dublin is one of my favourite venues in the world, and there’s a few across America, but I think I need to experience it a couple more times. You’re returning to Australia in July; what did you get up to last year? I went in the sea for, like, seven hours. And burnt myself. We got kicked out of an oyster restaurant… A lot of swimming, lying down – it was really nice! I can’t wait to go back. Is there anything you’d like to do this time around? I want to go cage diving with sharks. I really, really want to do it. I think it costs loads of money though, so if anyone in Australia wants to pay for me to go cage diving, it would be really appreciated!
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django django With their second album, ‘Born Under Saturn’, out 1st May, we had a chat with Django Django bassist, Jimmy Dixon, to find out how things have changed for the electronic-pop-rock group. After the success of Django Django’s debut album, how are you all feeling about the release of ‘Born Under Saturn’? I think we’re all pretty excited. We’ve spent a year and a half writing and recording it, and we’re itching to get it out and to start touring. It’s strange when you’ve spent so long with something and no one’s really heard it yet, you’re almost ready to move onto the next thing. For anyone that is yet to discover your sound, how would you describe it? It’s so difficult! We’ve got such an eclectic taste. I think this album compared to the last one feels a lot bigger, we threw a lot at it. To me it feels more confident and well rounded. Whenever I get a taxi in London, the driver asks me what I do and I tell him that I play in a band and he asks what kind of music it is, and I totally struggle. He asks if it’s like the Beatles and I end up just agreeing! From live shows in small art spaces to festivals and global tours; how has a live set changed since you formed? When we first started touring, we didn’t really know what we were doing. We’d recorded all these songs but didn’t really know how to play them. It was like we did it the wrong way round! Just before the album came out, we were doing gigs and learning how to play live. You’d have shows that totally bombed so you’d have to take 58
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it back to the studio and rework it. It’s been a slow progression. One big jump was when we got someone to mix the front of house – Paul Yates – who we stole from Metronomy – he’s been totally amazing. Are there any stand-out moments or locations for you from touring? There have been loads; we went over to Japan to play Fuji Rocks, which was surreal, and then we flew straight over to Australia to do a run of shows with no sleep, in these beautiful festivals in the sunshine. Touring America has been great; we played a venue that Prince used to film the video for ‘Purple Rain’ – that was pretty amazing! It always feels really nice coming back to London because everyone’s family are here and we finish in London at the end of a tour so we go out and get really drunk! What do you have confirmed for the (Northern Hemisphere) summer? We’ve got a bunch of festivals in the UK and Europe; Latitude, Pukkelpop, and we’re going to America in July, I think! Hopefully towards the end of the year we’ll be able to make it over to Australia. We all came over in New Year and had an amazing three weeks touring around Australia in the sun – hopefully we can wangle a festival in New Year and do another stint!
SLAVES With the release of their debut album this month, we had a chat with Isaac Holman from Slaves, to find out more about the duo’s raw and raucous sound.
The punk-garage combination is so refreshing, but it resonates the politically-challenging sound of the 1970s and ‘80s. Are you hoping to do that with Slaves? It’s more about personal politics, like, if you’re not happy then you should do something about it. It’s motivation music and doing something for yourself. A lot of people are calling us a punk band, but it’s not what we decided, it’s just the music that came out when Laurie and I got together. We hear a lot about overnight successes that have actually taken years; how did it happen for you both? We definitely didn’t pop up overnight; we’ve earned our place and worked really hard, slogged around, did the toilet circuit and played to no one. Our first ever practice, we both agreed that we wouldn’t be able to play a stage because it was so
stripped back and DIY, but we kept going and got every gig we could get. That’s the best way to do it – you can’t expect it to come to you, you’ve got to chase it. How does it feel now that ‘The Hunter’ is getting so much radio play? It’s crazy. We never expected it to go this far. We started for a bit of a laugh and it was fun, so it’s amazing that it’s getting commercial success because that’s something we really didn’t expect. Would you still be doing music if Slaves hadn’t happened? Yeah, I think it’s in my make-up. It’s really natural and I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. Even if I was in a band that wasn’t doing much, I would always be creating music. Is there anywhere that you’d most like to play? I feel like we’ve ticked off everything we wanted to do. We always said we wanted to do Jools Holland and we managed to do that last year, which was a dream come true. We love playing the massive stages, but the club nights and basements are still really good fun. We want to play as much as we can anywhere and everywhere.
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Interviews by Charlotte Mellor
‘Are You Satisfied’ is released on 29th May; is it a risk releasing such a bolshy and boisterous debut album? When we first started, we brought out ‘Sugar Coated Bitter Truth’, which was every song we had. From then until now we’ve been sharpening our tools and finding our sound, and I think we’ve really found it now. It feels like this is our statement and what we want people to hear.
Who’s coming to town? NGHTMRE
Flying in from LA, NGHTMRE will be touching down in Australia for a whirlwind tour. His debut Australian tour will take him through Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Sunshine Coast and Adelaide from Saturday 6th of June.
NGHTMRE hit the dance scene like a sweet dream releasing tracks at a frenetic pace since he arrived a year ago. The 24 year old’s remix of Showtek’s ‘We Like To Party’ with Slander has been championed by the likes of Diplo, Carnage and DJ Snake to name a few and garnered almost 5 million plays online.
After selling out New York’s famous Madison Square Garden and one of London’s most iconic venues Alexandra Palace, Above and Beyond have revealed that the 150th episode of their Group Therapy radio show will be broadcasted from ‘Allphones Arena’ in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday 26th September 2015.
After ringing in the New Year with a sold out show at Horden Pavilion, Jono, Tony and Paavo return NGHTMRE’s newest EP, a collab with Slander, down under to perform their biggest headliner has already received support from most of dance show to date, one you do not want to miss. music’s elite including Carnage, Flosstradamus, ‘Allphones Arena’ is the perfect place to celebrate Seven Lions, The Chainsmokers, Krewella, Datsik, their success, and Australian fans are encouraged Tritonal, Dirtyphonics, 12th Planet, Pegboard Nerds, to sign-up for first access tickets before it sells out. TWRK, and more. Tour Dates: Saturday, 6 June 2015 – Ambar Perth Sunday, 7 June 2015 – Biscuit Factory, Brisbane Friday, 12 June 2015 – Chinese Laundry, Sydney Saturday, 13 June 2015 – The Helm, Mooloolaba Sunday, 14 June 2015 – Zhivago, Adelaide
If you’re looking for an amazing thing to do in Sydney then avoid disappointment by logging onto www.aboveandbeyond.nu.
The Milk Carton Kids Indie-folk duo, The Milk Carton Kids, will return to Australia in June and July 2015, following the release of their new album, ‘Monterey’ on 15th May. Playing intimate theatres in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as headlining the very first Bello Music Weekender on Saturday 4th July, they will be creating happy musical moments for everyone. Tour Dates: Sunday 28th June 2015 – City Recital Hall, Sydney Tuesday 30th June 2015 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Friday 3rd July 2015 – Old Museum, Brisbane
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BBM MUSIC CHART Alabama Shakes Gimme all your love
SLAVES Are You Satisfied Does thrashy, snarling punk riffs and witty shouta-long boozy anthems sound like your cup of tea? Yes? Well then let us introduce you to Slaves. These two dapper chaps from Kent who have plied their trade around the grottiest of London pubs are pulverising the status quo of current mainstream music with their gritty, unapologetic brand of uniquely British punk. Having gained considerable attention from Radio 1 and NME with their sweaty, visceral DIY live shows, Slaves are about to release their debut full length album ‘Are You Satisfied’ which channels the socio-political wisdom of punk forefathers The
Their latest single ‘The Hunter’ is a brain-melter from beginning to end, with the scratchy guitar riff laying the foundation for singer/drummer Isaac Holman’s damning lyrics about modern aristocracy, until the chorus when the pounding drums smash in and leave you bowled over. Previous single ‘Feed The Mantaray’ could very well be a cheeky Madness song if it was mangled through a raging meatgrinder, and ‘Cheer Up London’ bullies you into questioning your own helpless existence by repeatedly hammering the words “Put another hole in your paycheque, you’re dead already!” in true anarchic fashion. Youthful, nasty and wildly uncompromising, we cannot wait for the release of ‘Are You Satisfied’ at the end of May.
Tyler The Cretor Smuckers
Tame Impala ‘Cause I’m a man
Wolf Alice Bros
Crystal Catles Frail
Denai Moore Feeling
East India Youth Turn Away
Young Fathers Shame
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By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall & Sabrina Shales
SINGLE REVIEW:
Clash and The Jam, whilst mixing elements of Mike Skinner (The Streets) with their streetwise yet unmercifully potent vocal delivery.
FUNNY NEWS
Cheating boyfriend caught heavy petting Anyone reading this who claims they haven’t thought about having sex with one of their partner’s best friends is a filthy liar. For most people, it’s nothing more than a harmless fantasy, or in BBM’s case, it goes no further than a few strategically placed webcams in the bathroom. Like we said, harmless. But the friend-banging fantasy came true for David Buchanan, of Fairford in Royal Wootten Bassett, who even got to film his act of infidelity. Alas, that’s where his tawdry tale turns from dream to nightmare, because the idiot accidentally sent the seedy footage to his long-term girlfriend. And that’s not the punchline. The “friend” in question, is actually of the four-legged variety. That’s right; he shagged their pet dog, filmed it, then accidentally sent it to his missus. According to prosecutor Keith Ballinger, the doggy diddler had been at home watching porn and “wondered what it would be like to have sex with the dog”. As you do. “She was at work on this day and received on her mobile phone a 29-second video 62
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clip from a tablet computer,” Mr Ballinger told the court. “That video showed him having sex with their 10-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. When arrested he said he knew he had done wrong and it was stupid.” Dirty David was made to register as a sex offender for seven years with a 12-week suspended sentence for two years, 50 days of rehabilitation, £85 costs and £80 victim surcharge. At least he didn’t go to jail. The judge must have thrown him a bone. Still, it sounds like there’s a career in the NRL waiting for him if he wants it.
Come as you are on karaoke When it comes to karaoke, we’ve all knocked out a power ballad, but only the Japanese would try “knocking one out” while singing a power ballad - and then showing it on TV. That’s right, move over The Voice and X-Factor, a new Japanese talent show is giving amateur singers a bash at the big time, so to speak, by getting them to sing karaoke while being tugged off by a woman in a sexy nurse outfit. No really. The contestants must remember all the words to the song they’re singing while being jacked off, and in order to win, must also hit all the correct notes. The aim is to sing flawlessly through to
ejaculation, which brings whole new meaning to the phrase “belting it out”. It might sound like fun right now but imagine if Susan Boyle had some bloke flicking her bean while singing “I Dreamed a Wet Dream”. No thanks love, no one wants to see that.
Logging off permanently If you’re anything like BBM, you’re currently shitting yourself at the prospect of being sued by the makers of Dallas Buyers Club. Damn you McConnaughey! Damn you to hell! Of course, there’s only one witness tying BBM to the alleged crime of illegally downloading the Hollywood flick: our trusty old laptop. And should we ever need to “dispose” of our old friend, we know a professional who’s an expert in this sort of Mafia-style hit. His name is Lucas Hinch, he lives in Colorado, and he’s just been collared by the feds after getting angry with his computer, taking it into a back alley, then shooting it eight times with a gun before chucking the body in a dumpster. As a result, Linch was slapped with a ticket by police for discharging a weapon within city limits. Colorado Springs police Lt. Jeff Strossner, who issued the citation, said Hinch told him he had been fighting his computer for months before he decided to exact his revenge. We can almost smell the fear coming from our laptop as we write this. It better pray we don’t get a letter from Voltage Pictures.
BBM doesn’t know much about this Minecraft game. We’re a bit too long in tooth for all that business. For starters, we use phrases like “long in the tooth”.
Locked into a loveless marriage Every heterosexual man will have used the phrase “the old ball and chain” at some time in his life. Josef Fritzl probably took it a little too literally, but otherwise it’s the kind of harmless casual sexism men like to indulge in to degrade womenfolk when they aren’t in earshot. Well a woman in Peru has turned the old adage on its head after shackling her poor, starving hubby up inside a wooden shack “for his own good” – for two years. Pablo Tamariz Coraquillo, 86, was allegedly treated like a prisoner in the small village of Huauyan. Officials acted on rumours and found him in a ‘weak and bewildered’ state. Villager Viviano Villareal Corral, 56, said: “We knew he was there but his wife told us it was for his own good. “She said he kept trying to run away.” With a wife like that, we can’t say we’re surprised.
Whatever happened to the simple old-fashioned games of BBM’s youth, like Skyrim or Call of Duty: Black Ops? Still there must be something to this Minecraft phenomenon because the South Australian government has asked students to use the game to come up with their next multimillion-dollar national park. The winning submission will be brought to life using a fund of around £6m which has been set aside. Not bad for a game with shit graphics.
Overspending on underwear When a man has his heart broken by a woman, he can react in strange ways. Some drink, some cry and, in BBM’s case, some do both while masturbating into a pair of her old knickers. Ironically, that was also the reason she left in the first place. But one bloke from Bristol came up with a new coping mechanism after he was dumped – by spending $2000 a year on underpants. “When I first started wearing new boxers every day, I loved it. I treated
myself to really nice Calvin Klein ones. It always felt great to slip into a crisp pair,” said Curt Almond, 26. “It got to the point where I didn’t feel comfortable unless I was wearing a new pair.’ “Eventually my money started to run out and I had to buy budget ones instead. Finally, when a bill came in, I looked at finances and realised that I was spending all my savings on underpants, so I managed to wean myself off the compulsion.” Talk about hitting the skids.
The phoney war rages on It’s a question that baffled the ancient Geeks and confounded the pharaohs of old Egypt: which is better, Android or Apple? Scholars and philosophers have grappled with this communication conundrum since the beginnings of civilisation, and it seems the debate still has the power to turn best friends into bitter rivals. If you don’t believe us, just look at the case of Elias Acevedo, 21, and his roommate Jiaro Mendez. Last month, the pair ended up stabbing each other during a drunken argument over which is the better smartphone. At some point Acevedo struck Mendez in the back of the head with a beer bottle and the argument was settled, with both men ending up in hospital. Amazingly, the police report doesn’t say which type of phone Acevedo was backing. And so the great debate rages on.
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By Richard Gadsby
A mine of useful information
SPORTS NEWS
Not very Swift to deny rumours
Even those of us with only a passing knowledge of celebrity scuttlebutt know that pop hotty Taylor Swift has a bit of trouble holding onto men. After watching the video to Blank Space, BBM can’t say we’re surprised. Blokes tend to frown on women who smash their BMW up with golf clubs (or in BBM’s case, smash up their Golf with a pool queue). On the plus side, she seems to be making a fair bit of cash from all that heartache so good on her. Most recently she’s been spotted out and about with Calvin Harris, but it looks like the “Born In the 80s” DJ has got a bit of competition on his hands in the suitor department – in the form of forgettable Championship journeyman Sean St Ledger. The Ipswich Town reject sparked straw-clutching rumours when he posted a selfie with the Shake it Off singer following his move to Orlando City in the MLS. The Solihull-born centre-half was grilled about the unlikely match on RTE’s Soccer Republic show, with the 30-year-old refusing to downplay the romance. “That would be an exclusive for RTE, wouldn’t it!” St Ledger said. “I’m sitting on the fence. She’s not been to a game, as of yet. I’m thinking that she might come to one of the New York ones. We’ll see.” You might be waiting a while there Sean.
Macho man Kenny Miller
Can you smell what Kenny Miller’s cooking? The slap-headed Scotch striker could be swapping his limited finishing skills in the area for lethal finishing moves in the ring after making a surprise appearance at a WWE event in Glasgow. But although a sport based on men throwing themselves theatrically to the floor sounds right up Kenny’s alley, it doesn’t look like he’s hanging up his boots just yet. The WWE tweeted a picture of the 35-year-old standing next to the referee as host Eden, aka 64
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Brandi Rhodes, worked her magic on the mic. But far from being about to compete in a match himself, WWE confirmed that Miller was only acting as a special guest Time Keeper on the night. Shame, because he’s a shit footballer. Plus he could shout “It’s Miller time!” before his finishing move.
Players take preparations into their own hands The old adage has it that players shouldn’t have sex before a big game, but in this digital age of internet wonders, where a woman slapping her bare breasts against a dwarf’s head is just a mouse click away, maybe the saying needs updating. Maybe, for example, it should be changed to: “Don’t wank yourself silly watching porn on the internet all night before a big game”. Ghanaian football administrator Kofi Manu certainly thinks that way, after blaming local side Kokoto’s defeat in the CAF Champions League on nocturnal online habits. “These players do not sleep. I tell you all the time, they don’t sleep. The fact that they are in bed does not mean they sleep,” he frothed. “They spend their nights making calls, browsing the web and watching porno! If you like, get a medical expert to assess them and you can get confirmation. These boys don’t have enough sleep!” Mayweather puts his money where his mouth is HUMBLE, down-to-earth, people’s pugilist Floyd “Money” Mayweather has once again lived up to his middle moniker by buying an expensive gum shield. OK, it might not seem that big a deal, in fact you might say it’s quite a sensible move seeing as he’s stepping into the ring to face Manny Jamiroquai this week. But rather than buying a top of the range model that does the job, he’s added a few needless accessories. Like gold flecks. And diamond dust. And fragments of real currency. Basically he’s pimped his gum shield. By the time he’d had his name engraved on it, the whole thing cost £17,000. The undefeated boxer justifies the lavish item, claiming the guard protects his teeth and helps him breathe better during brawls. Riiiiiiight.
SPORTS NEWS I want to say I’m sorry to my family and everyone involved at Clitheroe. I regret that I did it, not that I got caught,” he whined. “I’ve spoken and tried to sort things out with Bryony. Everyone in the world knows about it, I just want to get my apology out there. “I haven’t seen the girl since, I don’t have a clue who she is, don’t have a clue.”
Taking one for the team
Randy semi-pro footballer Jay Hart was sacked by Clitheroe FC last month after being filmed banging a mystery blonde in the dugout just after his side had lost 4-1. Coming off the bench? Coming on the bench more like. Arf! And just to add a bit of extra spice to proceedings, Hart has a long-term girlfriend called Bryony Hibbert and is now begging for her forgiveness. “I was drunk, I’d had more than a few drinks, and
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Horny Hart, 24, can be heard laughing on the mobile phone footage as he romps with the mystery blonde in his club T-shirt with his tracksuit bottoms around his legs. He came on as a 73rd minute substitute in the game against Mossley but was pulled off later on, if you get what we mean. His girlfriend Bryony, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who has two young children, slammed those who shared the clip. That’s right, because they’re the real bad guys in this situation. “Have a bit of decency for the people it’s affected,” she deflected. “Thank God my kids are too young to read. It’s disgusting. I bet their families are far from perfect.”
It’s Gunner be a great FA Cup final
Everyone’s a winner for this year’s FA Cup final after Aston Villa booked a date with Arsenal at Wembley at the end of month. Long-suffering Villa fans get a big day out in London for a shot at silverware, while Arsenal fans get a routine victory and another cup for their trophy cabinet. It’s a win-win for all involved! Except, you know, it’s Arsenal who win for real. So BBM would like to be the first to congratulate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on back-to-back FA Cup finals victories, and yet again finishing somewhere between 2nd and 4th without challenging for the title. Huzzahs! Evil Blatter hailed as a footballing messiah Forget the Messi v Ronaldo debate - when it comes to football, no one divides opinion like FIFA patriarch Sepp Blatter. Some argue that he’s a self-serving dictator who’s overseen the corruption of FIFA and stagnation of the game for his own personal gain, while others claim he’s just a massive dick. BBM will happily debate the merits of both arguments, but it seems the bumbling Swiss prat isn’t quite as universally despised as we’d thought. Quite the opposite, in fact, if you ask certain members of the CONCACAF committee, who in the space of a single meeting compared his Blatterness to Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela, Moses, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King. The last person to lay it on that thick was Michael Jackson’s make-up artist. Frankly we think he’s more of combination of Littlefinger from Game of Thrones with a dollop of King Joffrey thrown in for good measure. Someone get that man a pie.
The green, green grass of Stoke
EVER gone up to a DJ at a Eurodance party and asked if he could play some early Tom Jones? At best you’ll have a
And that, my friends, is a perfect analogy for Stoke’s current Euro woes, with grey-permed Potters boss Mark Hughes claiming the club’s chances of qualifying for Europe through the fair play competition have been undermined by the song “Delilah”, a traditional chant on the terraces at Britannia Stadium. Apparently a minor tweak to the lyrics, which sees the song’s protagonist turning up at Delilah’s house with his cock out, means Stoke are regularly marked down in the fair play guide book. “If nothing happens you get six (fair play) points. But if someone sings Delilah, you get four. Over the course of the year, if you’re consistently marked down, you’re going to be at the bottom end of the table,” said Hughes. “I don’t think there’s a problem with them singing it. It’s crazy from my point of view.” Because of course, that’s the only reason Stoke aren’t playing in Europe these days.
Hamilton on cruise control
At the risk of repeating ourselves, (see the FA Cup story above), let BBM be the first to congratulate Lewis Hamilton on claiming another Formula One championship. OK the season has barely started, in fact there’s another 13 grands prix after the Monaco leg at the end of this month, but come on, do you really think he’s going to be caught? Without Nicole Shitsinger to straddle his gear stick, Hamilton has no distractions in his quest for another title. Well, almost no distractions. Turns out when Hamilton isn’t speeding around in circles in his day job, he’s also doing it in his spare time, after tweeting a photo of himself flying around on a jet-powered surfboard. That’s right, it’s a surfboard with a jet engine built into it. We think the World Surf Organisation might frown on that sort of thing.
By Richard Gadsby
German insult hurled in your direction, at worst you’ll be jackbooted out of the party all together.
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CRYSTAL BALLS SCORPIO
You become possessed by the soul of racially insensitive 80s comedian Bernard Manning and spend the week telling jokes about how fat your mother-inlaw is and how these so-called alternative comedians just aren’t funny. His spirit finally leaves your body when he realises you live next door to an Indian family.
SAGITTARIUS
After getting drunk one night, you break into Taronga Zoo and fall into the Orang-utan enclosure. As one of the majestic beasts lumbers towards you, you fear you will be torn limb from limb, yet to your amazement the creature extends a hand and introduces itself as former flavour-ofthe-month pop star La Roux. Apparently she fell into the pit some time ago and was immediately mistaken for one of the great simians due to her inherent gingerness. You listen entranced by her amazing tale, and as the night draws on you become closer and closer until, before you know it, you’re making mad passionate love with the Bulletproof hit maker. You wake in the morning to the sound of angry zookeepers shouting at you and prodding you with a broom handle. Turns out it wasn’t La Roux at all, you were just really pissed and shagged a monkey.
AQUARIUS
While watching an NRL game on TV, you think it’s a bit in bad taste that the camera keeps focusing on a humorously obese Rabbitohs fan. Then you realise it’s Russell Crowe.
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ARIES
After 57 and 17 hours, you set a new world record for putting off washing your clothes. The secret to your success? A deep lack of self-worth and a poor sense of smell. It sits well with your 35-day world record for scraping the remnants out of an empty shampoo bottle to wash your hair.
CANCER
You officially become the bully of the zodiac after pissing into Aquarius’ water jug thing and then dunking Capricorn’s head in it. You then develop your trademark “bully” catchphrase of: “Get ready to change your birthday to sometime between February 19th and March 12th - because I’m going to tear you into Pisces!”
PISCES
During a trip to the doctors, your worst fears are confirmed – you are slowly turning into Nicholas Cage. Unfortunately the process is irreversible. It starts with a series of poor career choices, then your hair starts thinning rapidly, and in the final stages your accent becomes so unintelligible it’s like you’re permanently doing a bad Richard Nixon impression. By that stage, euthanasia is the kindest option.
GEMINI
Sometimes it feels as if you’re living in one of those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from when you were a kid. Turn to p32 if you agree, turn to page 237 if you disagree or turn to p141 if you decide to attack the goblin with an axe.
LEO
Oops. Something went wrong. The horoscope you are trying access seems to no longer exist. Please click on one of the links below to start over. Star sign not found 404.
CAPRICORN
You wake up in a strange room with no memory of who you are or how you got there. Within seconds an armed man enters the room and tries to shoot you. A struggle ensues and using martial arts moves you didn’t realise you even knew, you break his neck. Still confused and bewildered, you take the gun and set off on a mission to find out who you are and why a man would want you dead. Over the next few days, you are forced to kill or dispatch several more would-be assassins before finally being tipped off about a man in London who might know about your mysterious past. When you track him down, you press a gun against his head and demand answers. To your horror, he explains you were once part of a musical group known as S Club Juniors, a pop group so bad that people regularly tried to maim or kill the band members once they grew up. Things got so bad you were forced to learn martial arts to defend yourself. At your lowest ebb, you asked for this man’s services as a hypnotist to wipe your memory so you could start a new life. As his words sink in, you realise you have only one option – and decide to blow your own brains out.
LIBRA
You spend a good 20 minutes laughing through an episode of Wonderland before you realise the plot lines are supposed to be serious.
TAURUS
You are “shocked” out of a particularly aggressive bout of hiccups when you catch a glimpse of Courtney Cox’s plastic face in Cougar Town.
VIRGO
Boom. Take that you Nazi bastards! Sorry, I was just watching a film and got carried away.
ASK CRYSTAL Dear Crystal, Do you know Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac? I was stood next to him at a urinal last week and noticed he had what looked suspiciously like a tattoo of your face about an inch to the right of his cock. Care to shed any light? Yours, Jimmy Dear Jimmy, Bugger, he’s not back in the country is he? It’s a long story, but the man’s obsessed with me. We had a quick backstage shag after a gig in the 70s and he’s been looking for an encore ever since. Stevie Nicks has never forgiven me for that – although that’s mainly because she indirectly caught syphilis as a result. I know Mick got the tattoo after a competition with Mick Jagger to see who loved me the most. Idiots. That honour goes to former Liverpool goal machine Ian Rush.
Dear Crystal, I only recently found out that Tony Abbott once thought he had an illegitimate son from his younger days, but then found out years later it wasn’t his. Is it true you were the mother? Yours faithfully, Nessa Dear Nessa, Bloody hell is everyone obsessed with my love life this month? Nosey bugger. Well I can’t say I blame you, the things I’ve got up to would Samantha from Sex and the City blush. Well the answer to your question is yes, I was that mother. Tony banged me after one of his ironman events, although there was nothing iron about his performance in the sack if you know what I mean. His performance in the bedroom was about as convincing as his arguments against climate change – and just as limp. Anyway, he shot his load in me like a coal trawler dumping a load of silt onto
the Great Barrier Reef and that was that. Or so I thought. When I found out I was up the duff I didn’t want to get back in touch with that dud root so I didn’t mention it. When I heard he was doing all right for himself though, I decided to chase him up for a few bob. He kept to his word too, and took my lad in just as a proper father. But then I found it was actually Peter Beardsley’s son and that was the end of that. It broke Ian Rush’s heart when he found out. I don’t think he’s spoken to Peter since. As it happens, you can read all about Mick Fleetwood, Tony Abbott, The Ultimate Warrior, Jimmy Hill, the dad from Seventh Heaven, Bert Newton and all my other many lovers in my new autobiography: “Balls Out: The Uncensored Crystal Balls Story”, out now in all good book stores.
JOKES Three guys compare their levels of intoxication from a party the previous night. The first guy says, “Man, I was so drunk last night, I went home and blew chunks.” The second guy says, “I was so drunk last night, I woke up this morning on my front porch.” The third guy says, “I was so drunk last night, I took a prostitute home to my wife.” The first guy exclaims, “You guys don’t understand! Chunks is my dog!” Roger, Adelaide What did one lesbian vampire say to the other lesbian vampire? “See you next month!” Jane, Fitzroy What did the cannibal do after he dumped his girlfriend? Wiped his ass! Harry, Surry Hills
If a firefighters business can go up in smoke, and a plumbers business can go down the drain, can a hooker get layed off? Emma, Humpybong “Q: What is the difference between erotic and kinky? A: Erotic is using a feather.... kinky is using the whole chicken.” Natalie, Cairns Two old ladies are at the movies. “Psst,” says one old lady. “I think the guy next to me is beating off.” “What makes you say that?” “He’s using my hand.” Luke, Darwin “Q: When do you kick a midget in the balls? A: When he is standing next to your girlfriend saying her hair smells nice!” Mitch, Woy Woy
Why do women close their eyes during sex? They can’t stand to see a man have a good time. Miranda, Wooloomooloo A man is lying on the beach, sun bathing, wearing nothing but a cap over his dick. An ugly woman is passing and remarks “If you were a gentleman, you would lift your hat for a lady ...” He replies “If you were any sort of lady, the hat would lift itself!” Brad, Darlinghurst What has a slice of burnt toast and a pregnant girlfriend got in common? In both cases you wish you took it out a few seconds earlier. Peter, Cottesloe Vagina jokes are not funny. Period. Charlotte, Paddington
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ADULT FUN
Alternative yoga
No matter how hard you’ve tried, it’s impossible to escape the yoga trend of the last five or 10 years, but what about naked yoga? Or doggy yoga? We’re not too sure how we feel about attempting Downward Facing Dog in the buff, but the following classes aim to open your eyes to the alternative yoga classes in Australia.
Disco Yoga
Incorporating yoga with music, Disco Yoga is the most fun you’ve ever had with your arms and legs twisted. An empowering experience, there are regular events (around one every month) held primarily in Victoria. On 15th May, founder of Disco Yoga, Nickie Hanley, will join Yoga Goddess, Cristi Christensen and a live DJ, for an evening of yoga, dancing, moving and shaking at George Smith Memorial Hall in Sydney. Tickets are $60pp and strictly BYO mat. www.discoyoga.com.au
Twisting Peacock Yoga
While regular classes include Hot Power Yoga and Yin Yoga, Twisting Peacock Yoga is bravely embracing naked yoga with its first ever classes this May. Instructed by resident instructor, Rosie Rees, these classes are for women only, cost just $20, and will combine Yin, restorative and Kundalini yoga in order to become one with your body without the restraint of clothes. For the class, participants are asked to bring a sarong and a towel, and will be treated to apple juice and snacks after the class. Clearly popular, the class for 3rd May is already full, so make sure you book the class on the 31st to avoid missing out on this new and invigorating experience. Osborne Park Studio, Unti 7A, 44 Hutton Street, Osborne Park, WA twistingpeacockyoga.com.au 70
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Yoga By The Sea
In Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama, you can attend a yoga class with ocean views thanks to Yoga By The Sea. When the weather’s good, you can also head outside for yoga in Bronte Park or Bondi Icebergs. You can drop in and pay as little as $18 per class, or save money by opting for a five-class or 10-class pass. As this is just as much about the ocean as it is the yoga, if you spot a migrating whale during your class, you’ll receive your next one free! And you really can’t get that anywhere else but Australia. Bondi Icebergs, Tamarama Surfclub and Bronte Surfclub, NSW www.yogabythesea.com.au
CE Yoga
Just for men, CE Yoga holds naked yoga classes every Tuesday at 6.30pm. Involving stretch and moving meditation, it is available to any man at any level of yoga experience. In an attempt to remove the fear and anxiety that men suffer with when naked around strangers, this class will soon make you comfortable, with the fact that you have no clothes on slipping quickly from the mind. Douglas, the instructor, is a remedial massage therapist and Qi Gong Master that knows how to offer a fabulous and enriching experience. 9 Earl Place, Potts Point, NSW www.ceyoga.com.au
ADVERTISE HERE CALL 0497100731 72
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ESCORTS, DANCERS, MASSEURS CALL OR TEXT 0497 100 731 OR VISIT WWW.BBMLIVE.COM
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Venture to www.bbmlive.com for more amazing travel inspiration Solo Travel Tips for Australia
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Blue Lagoons and Snorkelling With Sharks Winter Adventure In New Zealand
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With new travel stories every day, make sure you don’t miss out on your next adventure!
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THINGS TO DO SKYDIVING
IFLY DOWNUNDER 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney Ph: 1300 366 364 www.iflydownunder.com.au SYDNEY SKYDIVERS 745 Picton Road, Wilton, New South Wales, Australia 2571 Ph: 1800 805 997 admin@sydneyskydivers.com.au www.sydneyskydivers.com.au SOUTHERN SKYDIVERS 2 hours South from Perth Busselton Ph: 1300 449 669 info@southernskydivers.com.au www.southernskydivers.com.au
SCUBA DIVING
NINGLAOO WHALE SHARK & DIVE CENTRE Located inside reception at the Exmouth Cape Holiday Park: 3 Truscott Street, Exmouth, WA Ph: 1800 224 060 www.ningaloowhalesharkndive. com.au THE SCUBA CENTRE Port Douglas-Cairns-Airlie Beach, 230 Sugarloaf Rd, Whitsunday Ph: 07 4946 1067 whitscub@gmail.com www.scubacentre.com.au
ADVENTURE TOURS CONTIKI Ph: 1300 188 635 www.CONTIKI.COM AUSSIE WANDERER Ph: 0894382070 info@aussiewanderer.com.au www.aussiewanderer.com.au KALBARRI ADVENTURE TOURS Ph: 09 9371677 kalcanoe@wn.com.au www.kalbarritours.com.au NINGALOO EXPERIENCE Ph: 08 99 425 877 manta@ningalooexperience.com www.ningalooexperience.com WILD EXPEDITIONS Shop 20, Johnny Chi Lane, Broome Ph: 1300 73 88 70 www.wildexpeditions.com.au
MARGARET RIVER VINTAGE WINE TOURS Ph: 0417 948 933 www.winetoursmargaretriver. com.au THE PEEL REGION TOURISM 75 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah Ph: 08 9550 3999 www.visitpeel.com.au DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE Lot 830 Koombana Drive, Bunbury Ph: 08 9791 3088 dolphindiscovery.com.au
WAYOUTBACK AUSTRALIAN SAFARI Ph: 1300 551 510 / 08 8952 4324 reservations@wayoutback.com.au www.wayoutback.com.au
WESTCOAST JET The Boardwalk, Mews Road Fishingboat Harbour Fremantle Ph: 0403 606 033 info@westcoastjet.com.au www.westcoastjet.com.au
DROP BEAR ADVENTURES Ph: 1800 061 156 www.dropbearadventures.com.au
KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS Vivonne Bay, Kingscote, SA Ph: 08 8202 8678 www.kiadventuretours.com.au SWAGABOUT TOURS Ph: 08 82661879 info@swagabouttours.com.au www.swagabouttours.com.au CAMEL TREK AUSTRALIA P.O Box 95, Hawker S.A 5434 cameltreksaustralia@gmail.com www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au BUMS ON SEATS TOURS Glenelg & Adelaide City South Australia Ph: 0438 808 253 sales@bumsonseats.com.au www.bumsonseats.com.au OUTBACK CAMP TOURS Ph: 04 2711 1071 outbackcamptours.com GOIN SOUTH Four days, two famous Aussie icons, one awesome tour Ph: 1800 009 858 MY MATES TOURS NSW, Package Bus Tours M: 0431 936 435 www.mymatestour.com BLUE MOUNTAINS ADVENTURE COMPANY Ph: 02 4782 1271 bmac@bmac.com.au www.bmac.com.au
SURF SCHOOLS GREAT OCEAN ROAD SURF TOURS 55B Surf Coast Highway, Torquay, Victoria, 3228 Ph: 03 5261 3730 info@gorsurftours.com.au www.gorsurftours.com.au
PENRITH WHITE WATER RAFTING Ph: 02 4730 4333 booking@penrithwhitewater. com.au www.penrithwhitewater.com.au
KANGAROO MARINE CHARTERS 9 Chapman Terrace, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, SA Ph: 0427 315 286 www.kimarineadventures.com ADVENTURE KAYAKING 7 Hastings Street, Glenelg South, SA Ph: 08 8295 8812 bookings@adventurekayak.com.au www.adventurekayak.com.au
FREE MOTION SPORTS 6 Davenport Road, Shoalhaven Heads, NSW 2535 Ph: +61 401934236 info@freemotionsports.com.au www.freemotionsports.com.au
PARADISE JET BOATING Jetty ‘C’ Mariners Cove Marina, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach Qld 4217 Ph: 1300 JET BOAT (1300 538 262) thrills@paradisejetboating.com.au www.paradisejetboating.com.au
OVERLAND TRACK PHOTO TOURS Ph: 04 13 487 644 info@overlandphototours.com.au overlandphototours.com.au
BOWLING
CROCOSAURUS COVE 58 Mitchell Street, Darwin Ph: 08 8981 7522 www.crocosauruscove.com
STRIKE BOWLING Nationwide Ph:1300 787453 www.strikebowling.com.au
TERRITORY EXPEDITIONS Ph: 1300 115 922 www.territoryexpeditions.com.au
PADDO BOWLS 2 Quarry Street Paddington NSW, 2021 Ph: 02 9363 1150
MULGA’S ADVENTURES Ph: 08 8952 1545 www.mulgasadventures.com.au
TRANSPORT
ADVENTURE TOURS AUSTRALIA Ph: 1300 654 604 adventuretours.com.au
KITE SURFING
KITE REPUBLIC 10-18 Jacka Blvd. St.Kilda Sea Baths Complex, St.Kilda, 3182, Melbourne, VIC Ph: 03 95370644 www.kiterepublic.com.au
MIGHTY CAMPERS Nationwide Ph: 1800 670 232 www.mightycampers.com.au 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
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ACCOMMODATION NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY
SYDNEY BACKPACKERS 7 Wilmot St Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 9267 7772 1800 88 77 66 (Free Call) info@sydneybackpackers.com www.sydneybackpackers.com CLOVELLY HOTEL 381 Clovelly Road Clovelly Ph: (02) 9665 1214 office@clovellyhotel.com.au www.clovellyhotel.com.au THE GLOBE BACKPACKERS 40 Darlingurst Road Kings Cross, Sydney NSW 2011 Free: 1800 806 384 Ph: (02) 9326 9675 info@globebackpackers.com www.globebackpackers.com CITY RESORT HOSTEL 103-105 Palmer St Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011 Ph: (02) 9357 3333 bookings@cityresort.com.au Skype: City Resort Hostel www.cityresort.com.au Show this ad for $5 off!
(Valid for new guests only. Min. 3 nights stay.)
WEST END BACKPACKERS 12 Pitt St Sydney NSW, 2000 Ph: 02 9211 4588 Free Phone: 1800 013 186 bookings@westendbackpackers.com www.nomadsworld.com/westend BOUNCE SYDNEY 28 Chalmers Street, Sydney 2010 Free call 1800890897 Ph (02) 9281 2222 book@bouncehotel.com.au www.bouncehotel.com.au LORD WOLSELEY HOTEL 265 Bulwara Rd Ultimo, Sydney 2007 Ph: (02) 9660 1731 info@lordwolseleyhotel.com.au www.lordwolseleyhotel.com.au PORTERHOUSE HOTEL 233 Riley St Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9211 4454 info@porterhouse.com.au www.Porterhouse.com.au BIG HOSTEL Single and double & Dorm rooms available Max 4 bed dorms. 212 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills Sydney NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 92816030 Free: 1800 212 244 reception@bighostel.com www.bighostel.com
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O’MALLEY’S HOTEL 228 William Street, Kings Cross Sydney, NSW 2011 Ph: 02 9357 2211 admin@omalleyshotel.com.au www.omalleyshotel.com.au SYDNEY CENTRAL HOSTEL 428 Pitt Street Sydney 2000 Ph: (02) 9211 7323 stay@sydneycentralhostel.com.au www.sydneycentralhostel.com.au THE ROYAL HOTEL 370 Abercrombie St, Darlington, NSW, 2008 Ph: (02) 9698 8557 info@royal.com.au www.royal.com.au KANGA HOUSE BACKPACKERS 141 Victoria Street, Kings Cross, Sydney Ph: (02) 9357 7897 www.KangaHouse.com.au
SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES
SYDNEY BEACHOUSE - YHA 4 Collaroy St, Collaroy, 2097 Ph: +61 2 9981 1177 mail@sydneybeachouse.com.au www.sydneybeachouse.com.au Guaranteed jobs/work all year. Cheap weekly rates by the beach with free Surfboard, Bodyboard & Bike hire
SYDNEYS SOUTHERN BEACHES
CRONULLA BEACH YHA Level 1, 40 -42 Kingsway Cronulla Sydney, 2230 Ph: 02 9527 7772 enquiries@cronullabeachyha.com www.cronullabeachyha.com www.yha.com.au
PORT STEPHENS
MELALEUCA SURFSIDE BACKPACKERS 2 Koala Place, One Mile Beach, NSW 2316 Ph: (02) 4981 9422 Mobile: 0427 200 950 melaleucabackpacker@bigpond.com www.melaleucabackpackers.com.au HUNTER VALLEY Hunter Valley YHA 100 Wine Country Drive Nulkaba, Hunter Valley, NSW Ph: 02 4991 3278 huntervalley@yhansw.org.au www.yha.com.au
KATOOMBA
KATOOMBA MOUNTAIN Backpackers Lodge 31 Lurline st Katoomba, NSW
Ph: 04782 3933 stay@katoombabackpackers.com.au www.katoombabackpackers.com.au BLUE MOUNTAINS BACKPACKERS HOSTEL 144 Bathhurst Road, Katoomba, NSW 2780 Ph: 02 4782 9630 www.bluemountainsbackpackerhostel.com.au
BYRON BAY
AQUARIUS BACKPACKERS 16 Lawson Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: (02) 6685-7663 Free: 1800 028 909 info@aquarius-backpackers.com.au www.aquarius-backpackers.com.au NOMADS BYRON BAY 1 Lawson Lane, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6680 7966 Free: 1800 766 673 bookings@nomadsbyronbay.com nomadshostels.com ARTS FACTORY LODGE 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 02 6685 7709 info@artsfactory.com.au www.artsfactory.com.au An essential part of your journey
LAKE TABOURIE LAKE TABOURIE TOURIST PARK Princes Hwy, Lake Tabourie, NSW 2539 Ph: (02) 4406-3101 www.laketabourietouristpark.com.au
QUEENSLAND BRISBANE
BASE BRISBANE UPTOWN 466 George St, Brisbane City, Qld 4000 Ph: (07) 3238 5888 Free: 1800 24 2273 uptown@stayatbase.com www.stayatbase.com Free Tinbilly Limited Edition T-shirt With presentation of this BBM Ad THE DECK 117 Harcourt St, New Farm Brisbane QLD 4005 Ph: 0433 777 061 the_deck@live.com.au Designed with the working Traveler in Mind. Minimum 2 week stay
BRISBANE CITY YHA 392 Upper Roma St, Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: (07) 3236 1004 brisbanecity@yha.com.au www.yha.com.au
GOLDCOAST
TREKKERS BACKPACKERS 22 White Street, Goldcoast, QLD, 4215 Ph: (07) 55915616 Free : 1800 100 004 info@trekkersbackpackers.com.au www.trekkersbackpackers.com.au AQUARIUS BACKPACKERS 44 Queen Street Gold Coast, Queensland Ph: 07 5527 1300 Free:1800 229 955 info@aquariusbackpackers.com.au www.aquariusbackpackers.com.au BACKPACKERS IN PARADISE 40 Peninsular Drive Central Surfers Paradise Queensland, 4217 Ph: (07) 5538 4344 Free: 1800 268 621 info@backpackersinparadise.com www.backpackersinparadise.com SURF N SUN Beachside Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD 4217 Ph: (07) 5592 2363 Free: 1800 678 194 info@surfnsun-goldcoast.com www.surfnsun-goldcoast.com SLEEPING INN SURFERS 26 Peninsular Drive Surfers Paradise QLD Ph: 07 5592 4455 info@sleepinginn.com.au www.sleepinginn.com.au COOLANGATTA SANDS HOSTEL Cnr Griffith & McLean Streets Coolangatta 4225 QLD Ph: 07 5536 7472 hostel@taphouse.com.au www.taphouse.com.au SURFERS PARADISE BACKPACKERS RSRT Backpackers Resort,2837 Gold Coast Highway, Queensland 4217 Ph: 07 5592 4677 Free: 1800 282 800 spbr@bigpond.net.au www.surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au
NOOSA
NOMADS NOOSA 44 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD 4567 Phone: 07 5447 3355 bookings@nomadsnoosa.com www.nomadsnoosa.com
HERVEY BAY
NOMADS HERVEY 408 The Esplanade, Torquay, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655 Phone: 07 4125 3601 bookings@nomadshervey.com www.nomadshervey.com
TOWN OF 1770
(Between Bunderberg & Rockhampton) COOL BANANAS 2 Spring Road, 1770, Queensland, 4677 Ph: (07) 4974 7660 Free: 1800 227 660 wheeler_danny@hotmail.com www.coolbananas.net.au 1770 SOUTHERN CROSS (Backpackers) 2694 Round Hill Rd Agnes Water QLD 4677 Ph: 0749747225 info@1770southerncross.com www.1770southerncross.com 1770 BEACHSIDE BACKPACKERS 12 Captain Cook Drive PO Box 212, Agnes Water QLD 4677 Ph: 07 4974 7200 enquiries@1770beachsidebackpacker.com.au www.1770beachsidebackpacker.com.au
PORT DOUGLAS
UNITED PORT DOUGLAS 37 Warner Street, Port Douglas, QLD Ph: 07 4099 5011 unitedportdouglas.com.au
CAIRNS CAIRNS SHARE HOUSE 17 Scott Street, Cairns, QLD 4870 Ph: (+617) 4041 1875 info@cairns-sharehouse.com www.cairns-sharehouse.com NOMADS ESPLANADE 93 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4870 Ph: 07 4031 7477 Free: 1800 175 716 bookings@nomadsesplanade.com www.nomadshostels.com DREAMTIME TRAVELLERS REST 4 Terminus Street (corner of Bunda st.& Terminus st.) Cairns 4870 Queensland Ph: (07) 4031 6753 info@dreamtimehostel.com www.dreamtimehostel.com
JJ’S BACKPACKERS 11-13 Charles Street Cairns QLD 4870 Ph - (07) 4051 7642 Free- 1800 666 336 jjsbackpackers@ledanet.com.au www.jjsbackpackers.com
MISSION BEACH ABSOLUTE BACKPACKERS 28 Wongaling Beach Road Mission Beach Queensland 4852 Ph: 07 4068 8317 Free: 1800 688 316 info@absolutebackpackers.com.au www.absolutebackpackers.com.au SCOTTY’S BEACH HOUSE 167 Reid Road, Mission Beach, QLD, 4852 Ph: 07 4068 8676 info@scottysbeachhouse.com.au www.scottysbeachhouse.com.au
WHITSUNDAYS BAREFOOT LODGE Whitsunday Passage, Whitsundays, QLD Ph: +61 7 4946 9400 Free: 1800 075 125 longisland@oceanhotels.com.au www.oceanhotels.com.au
AIRLIE BEACH AIRLIE BEACH YHA 394 Shute Harbour Road Airlie Beach QLD Phone: (07) 4946 6312 Free:1800 247 251 airliebeach@yha.com.au www.yha.com.au
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CAPE TRIBULATION PK’S JUNGLE VILLAGE Cape Tribulation Road (PMB 7) Cape Tribulation QLD 4873 Tel: 07 4098 0040 info@pksjunglevillage.com www.pksjunglevillage.com
COOLIBAH LODGE 194 Brisbane Street Northbridge Perth WA Ph: (08) 9328 9958 www.coolibahlodge. com.au
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
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
SCARBOROUGH
MONKEY MIA
WESTERN BEACH LODGE 6 Westborough Street Scarborough, Western Australia, 6019 Ph. (08) 9245 1624 westernbeach@iprimus. com.au www.westernbeach.com
COTTESLOE PERTH OCEAN BEACH BACKPACKERS
1 Eric St Cottesloe Beach Ph: 08 9384 5111 backpackers@obh. com.au www.obh.com.au 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 78
MONKEY MIA DOLPHIN RESORT Monkey Mia Road, Shark Bay 3537 Ph: +61 8 9948 1320 monkeymia@aspenresorts. com.au www.monkeymia.com.au
KUNUNURRA
KUNUNURRA BACKPACKERS ADVENTURE CENTRE 24 Nutwood Crescent, Kununurra WA 6743 Ph: (08) 9169 1998 or 1800 641 998 www. kununurrabackpackers. com.au info@ kununurrabackpackers. com.au
BROOME
BEACHES OF BROOME 4 Sanctuary Road, Cable Beach, Broome, WA, 6725 Ph : 1300 881 031 bookings@ beachesofbroome.com.au www.beachesofbroome. com.au
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VICTORIA MILDURA
REDCLIFFS HOTEL 25 Jacaranda St, Red Cliffs VIC 3496 (03) 5024 1704
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
JOHANNA BEACH COTTAGES 225 Blue Johanna Road Johanna Heights Victoria 3238 (03) 5237 4224 cottages@johannabeach. com www.johannabeach.com
HALLS GAP
BRAMBUK BACKPACKERS HOSTEL 330 Grampians Road, Halls Gap, VictoriaPh: 03 5356 4250 bramback@netconnect. com.au www.brambuk.com.au/ backpackers.htm Brambuk Backpackers offers travellers an affordable and comfortable range of accommodation, ideally situated within the stunning Grampians National Park.
MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL BACKPACKERS 450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Ph: 03 9662 4066 res@mibp.com.au www.mibp.com.au MELBOURNE DISCOVERY 167 Franklin Street, Melbourne VIC 300 Ph: 03 9329 7525. Freecall 1800 645 200 reservations@ hoteldiscovery.com.au www.hoteldiscovery. com.au UNITED BACKPACKERS 250 Flinders Street, Melbourne Ph: 03 9654 2616 unitedbackpackers.com.au
INDEPENDENT & BUDGET TRAVELER ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER Victoria Hall Accommodation 380 Russell Street, Melbourne 3000 Ph: 03 9662 3888 www.victoriahall.com.au
ST. KILDA
JACKSON APARTMENTS 80 Ikerman St ,St Kilda Beach Ph:0433 118 334 or 0412 525 510 www.jacksonapartments. com.au Jackson.apartments@ bigpond.com HABITAT HQ Freephone 1800 202 500 info@habitathq.com.au www.habitathq.com.au Award winning 4.5 star hostel with a homely & relaxed atmosphere Specials from $20! FREE pick up from Tullamarine (min 3 nt stay) * Conditions apply
HALLS GAP
GRAMPIANS YHA ECOHOSTEL Corner Grampians and Buckler Roads Halls Gap 3381 Ph: (+613) 5356 4544 grampians@yhavic.org.au www.yha.com.au Eco accredited. Solar powered. Herb garden, free range chooks and friendly local kangaroos
NORTHERN TERRITORY DARWIN
ASHTON LODGE & WISDOM BAR 48 Mitchell St, Darwin, NT, 0800 Ph: 08 8941 4866 ashtonlodge@gmail.com www.wisdombar.com.au
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 www.adelaidebackpackers. com.au MAJESTIC MINIMA HOTEL 146 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 Ph:(08) 8334 7766 minima@majestichotels. com.au www.majestichotels. com.au