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Issue #01 October/ November Edition 2015
Editor- Pia Davids Co-Editor- Rebecca Holden Graphic Design- Jayden Designs
Big THANKS to our amazing contributors Writers: Alyce Sophia Procter Bo Daly Luke Taylor Louey Adams Pia Davids Bec Holden Michelle Bates Photographers: Katie Dyas Pia Davids Tourism Australia Andrew Smith Hugh Stewart Cameron Ernst Karen Gallagher Virgin Australia Lincoln Fowler Maxime Coquard Adrian Brown Brisbane marketing Ellenor Argyropoulos Emma Holden Noa City-Eliyahu Instagram.com/triptipstv Want to advertise? Get in touch with Michelle Bates- 0424 001 265 or michelle@detourmag.com.au © Copywrite 2015 for Detour Mag. Published bi-monthly. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt is made to ensure complete accuracy and legality of information presented, Detour Mag does not accept warranty or responsibility for such.
What is detour? Detour is a collective community of travellers within Australia, who want to share ideas, information, and experiences. It’s about living life on the road, with the wind in your hair and the sand between your toes. Its about adventure, freedom, excitement, good times, making new friends, and creating memories. It written for, and by your fellow nomads, gypsies, free spirits, and just the average Joe who loves to travel. Your local guides are in fact… written by locals, and the travel articles, too, are written by travellers. Detour is simply creating the platform for you all to connect and inspire. Our amazing team of writers, bloggers, and photographers have pulled together this first edition from their own travel experiences and you can see the passion spilled onto these pages. We all have one thing in common: we f*$king love Australia and realise it has so much to offer, no matter what your jam. Keep an open mind when flicking through the pages. You might come across a bare bum, a spelling mistake, or an F-bomb, and that’s okay, because that is, in fact, part of life. All the information in these pages is the honest truth—none of the mentions of our ‘top things to do’ are paid advertisements, and they will stay that way. As a travel community, we want to point you in the right direction and inform you on what you don’t want to miss out on. In saying that, no matter what your budget, or your length of stay in Australia, the memories you create here will last a lifetime. SO get your party tit out, chug that schooner of beer, and be ready to experience Australia at its finest. Travel. Dream. Inspire.
Do you want to be featured in Detour Mag? If you’re an aspiring writer, have a killer blog or have some awesome pics to share please get in touch – editor@detourmag.com.au
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Issue #01 October/ November Edition 2015
Contents Features 06 - 08 - 09 - 12 - 15 - 18 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 28 - 30 - 32 - 34 - 36 - 40 - 44 - 48 - 52 - 57 -
Spring’s Hottest Events Whale Season Drive in or drop by - Port Stephens Map of Australia Living the dream in OZ Blue Bus 5 Simple Tricks to Save You Hours Stranded on Road Health and Fitness on the Road Aussie Music Bogans Top 10 Camping Spots Miss Travel I’m not Homeless it’s a Lifestyle Sydney Guide Byron Guide Brisbane Guide Airlie Beach Guide Cairns Guide Current Deals
Front cover Katie Purling follow her on Instagram @mycolourfulworld_
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Spring’s Hottest Events
OCTOBER Date: 01 October – 11 October Name of Event: Tropical Mardi Gras (TMG) Location: Cairns Just missed Mardi Gras? Here’re ten days of play! TMG is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual plus (LGBT+) festival to celebrate the diverse and beautiful people and places of the Cairns region. Lots of dancing, parties, dive expeditions, fashion shows, and rainforest excursions. What more could you ask for? Be part of the rainbow family!
Date: 31 October – 7 November Name of Event: Melbourne Cup (Carnival) Location: Melbourne and around OZ
Date: 22 October – 8 November Name of Event: Sculpture by the Sea Location: Bondi to Tamarama (NSW), around OZ
Haven’t heard about the Melbourne Cup? If you’re a hospo, you’ll have a busy day ahead of you on the 3rd of November! (Good time to hand in your resume.)
Going to the beach to get a tan on? With SBTS— basically a museum outside—you can be sophisticated at the same time.
The carnival is one of Australia’s most significant sporting and social events and is topped off by “the race that stops a nation”. Make sure to put a bet on one of the horses with the best name!
Local artists display their quirky, sometimes big, sometimes little, but always crazy and inspiring artwork. Right on the beach. Worth taking your camera along.
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Date: Late September – October Name of Event: Oktoberfest Location: Loewenbraeu Keller, The Rocks, Sydney (NSW), and around OZ We understand you haven’t come all around the world to end up back at Oktoberfest. However, we do know some of you are loyal and/or heartbroken, and can’t be missing out this year. For all non-Germans: This is your chance to be part of a wicked and significant European event with lots of beer, promiscuous waitresses, and pretzels. Good place to look for work, too.
NOVEMBER Date: 21 November – 22 November Name of Event: Movember - Tough Mudder Location: Brownlow Hill Farm (NSW) and around OZ Grow your mo! If you’re fresh meat to Australia, and a guy: you might save on not having to buy razors this November. “Movember” is a global charity for men’s health that challenges men to grow moustaches. Tough Mudder is only for the toughest, and despite being run under the slogan “Never leave a mustache behind”, this race will be a shit fight. To apply, and for more events and other charity races close to you, check them out online.
Date: 19 November Name of Event: Mullum Music Festival Location: Byron Bay The Mullum Music Festival is a four day event that takes over the halls, clubs, and streets of Mullumbimby. On top of over 80 national and international acts, the festival features a roving theatre, street circus, impromptu performances, workshops, the Rhythms Magazine BBQ, a psychedelic Magic Bus transporting punters up and down the main street, and a come-one-come-all New Orleans style street parade.
Date: 6 November Name of Event: Chet Faker - Built on Live Tour Location: Opera House, Sydney
Date: Late November Name of Event: Foreshore Summer Music Festival Location: Canberra
This is your chance to actually keep people interested with YOUR story about the opera house, so save your visit just yet and combine it with an awesome concert by this true Aussie! Chet Faker has had some hot hits out within the last year and listening to those wicked songs live? You better not miss out on that one. He’ll also be playing in Brisbane and Melbs. Check out the dates.
Been to Canberra yet? Heard it’s pretty average? Wondering why Sydney is not the capital? Or Melbourne? We can’t answer these questions, but we can give you a reason to have your obligatory (compulsory?) visit to Australia’s capital. Acclaimed as the region’s biggest-of-itskind, the Foreshore Summer Music Festival is a huge two-day festival that lets the Parliamentary Triangle live up big!
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If you’re having a whale of a time in Australia (had to) want to see these beautiful mammals, you have until the end of November to jump on a tour and go whale spotting.
It’s... Whale Season! Whales are visible from the coast, although your best bet to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures is to drop a few sea sickness tablets and jump on a boat. You are also likely to see other marine life such as dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and sharks, depending on your location.
State
Check out some of the top locations to go whale watching and their sighting months in the table:
Sep
Oct
Nov
Gold Coast
QLD
Each year, over 160,000 whales leave the cold waters of Antarctica to make the 10,000km trip to the tropical waters of Queensland. As Queensland has a warm climate—much warmer than where they travel from—it’s the perfect place to give birth. A number of different whale species make this journey to the East Coast. The mighty humpback whale and southern right whale are very common; there have also been sightings of blue whales, mike whales, and orcas.
Location
n/a
Hervey Bay
n/a
n/a
Brisbane
n/a
n/a
Sunshine Coast
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Cairns
NSW
Dec
n/a
Sydney
n/a
Port Stephens
n/a
Jervis Bay
n/a
Coffs Harbour
n/a
Nelsons Bay
n/a
Port Macquarie
n/a
Byron Bay
n/a
Merimbula
n/a
Eden
n/a
Tweed Heads
n/a
n/a
Hot tip If you’re too broke to go on a tour, check out Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club at the south end of the Gold Coast. There have been regular whale sightings from the deck, it has beautiful views, and it’s located on a world famous surf break.
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drop in or drive by? Port Stephens
N
elson Bay is a little town about two and a half hours from Sydney. It’s worth doing the detour, as you can see some beautiful beaches, enjoy some great food, and soak in that beautiful smell found in those little hidden-away seaside towns. Whether you’re after a short getaway, a long-term stay, or just a quick day visit—Port Stephens offers it all. What to do? Surf’s up! Port Stephens offers an array of awesome surf beaches for all levels. Check out Box
Beach and Zenith Beach in Shoal bay, or Birubi and One Mile in Anna Bay for the best waves. Be careful though: these areas are known to be quite sharky. 4x4 The best beach driving adventure is, without question, right on Stockton Beach. The 32k long beach has two entries: one just out of Newcastle (Stockton) and the other one in Anna Bay. The servo close by sells a three day pass for the national park (beach) for $10, and there you can also let down or refill your tires with air. What the locals advise: have you seen Mad Max? Well,
that’s another reason to stop by at the famous Tin City, a series of shacks in the middle of nowhere right on Stockton Beach. If you’re not the adventurous type at all, or not confident about driving on sand—not a problem. Have a coffee at Crest, check out the camel tours, or try the sand-dune safaris! sanddunesafaris.com.au. Partying You’ve left Sydney and come here to party? You’ll be better off spending your time in Newcastle if you’re looking for a big night out. What Port Stephens has to
offer is very restricted to the RSL (Wests) in Nelson Bay, and the Country Club (CC) in Shoal Bay—which is always good fun for a Sunday Sesh! Food TripAdvisor’s no 1 restaurant is ‘The Little Beach Boathouse’. Located at Little Beach, it’s open six days a week for lunch and dinner. The scenery is stunning, the sunsets beautiful, the food delicious, and the staff extremely welcoming. You can often spot dolphins while dining. However, if you’re too broke, L’il Buddha around the corner offers lunch specials for $10, and so does Mod Thai (locations inNelson Bay and Shoal Bay). If you’re into fish & chips, head down to the Marina for local seafood. Though you CAN always catch your own…
Fishing Beginner? The Marina is always a good starting point and offers sheltered waters for fish. However, as usual things like the tides, wind, and the willingness of fish to actually be caught all play into how successful one’s fishing trip will be. Although we’ve labelled the Nelson Bay marina a spot for beginners, winter season also means kingfish season. Most likely catch: drummer, bream, and trevallies. There’re also lights at night and public toilets close by (ladies!). Don’t forget to pay for parking. Advanced? Get your beach rod out and try your luck at one of those rocks in Boat Harbour or Fingal Bay Beach.
Full on pro? The best fishing trip will always be on a boat. So maybe see if you can hook up with one of the locals at the Gaming Fishing Club in Schoal Bay. The Port Stephen’s heads are said to have excellent fishing conditions. Or—if you’re happy to stay within the bay—you can also rent a small boat for a few hours at the Marina, no boat license required! Starting at $75 for two hours, fits six people— you can all have a great time! www.nelsonbayboathire. com.au/ Diving There are plenty of diving schools around the area that offer day-trips if you already have your license, or courses to get one. A variety of fishing shops,
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If you’re not the adventurous type at all, or not confident about driving on sand—not a problem. Have a coffee at Crest, check out the camel tours, or try the sand-dune safaris!
such as BCF, Tackle World, or the odd souvenir shop mostly sell snorkelling equipment, too. Best diving spots are Fly Point and the Little Beach Marina for bream, flatheads, rays, dolphins, turtles, and seahorses. Make sure you check WillyWeather for the weather forecast though, as some weather conditions can either make or break a great dive. letsgoadventures.com.au
Whale Watching Just when you think you’ve seen it all, here’s another reason to go whale watching. Port Stephens has one of the most successful whale watching seasons in Australia and organisations such as Tamboi Cruises offer a 98% success rate of you seeing a whale. Not convinced? Check out Detour’s experience whale watching.
Shopping Souvenirs? Yes! Clothes? Defo not here... Food? Salamander Bay (a five minute drive out of Nelson Bay) can offer Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and many other shops you’d expect in a civilized suburb. Need Wi-Fi? If, for some reason Wi-Fi is not provided at your accommodations, you can check out the Salamander Bay Shopping centre, where you just have to agree to the terms and conditions, grab a coffee, and go ahead to upload your latest photos! Where to Stay? Hostels Samurai YHA Backpackers Resort is only a ten minute drive from Nelson Bay. Bunk room for about $33 a night. samuraiportstephens.com.au
Melaleuca Backpackers offers cabins in the woods and discounts for Wicked Campers. Camping from $20. melaleucabackpackers.com.au Birubi Beach Camping is a couple of meters walk away from the stunning Stockton Beach. Unpowered site $30$45, depending on season. Check AirBnb for accommodations from local hosts.
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Living the dream in OZ? Your options to stay uncovered… Whether you’re in Australia on a working Visa, or just want to keep your adventure alive for a bit longer, we have a few tricks up our sleeves to help you pro long your stay. For whatever reason: the love of the people, the flies, or the overpriced beer, we get it… you can’t leave just yet!
On Holidays or Just Visiting Your tourist visa is only valid for three months, so once this is up your best bet would be to apply for a Work & Holiday Visa (WHV). It’s easy to apply online and allows you stay, work, and travel for a year. Check out www.immi.gov.au. You’re On a Current WHV and Want to Stay for Longer If your current 12-month WHV is
coming to an end, current visa requirements state that you can gain another 12 months by… Embracing the Simple Life! 3 months in rural Australia is all you need to get another 12 months on your visa. Working on a farm, fruit picking, a gig in the mines, bar work in the middle of nowhere; whatever your interest, there are numerous options. Spending time in the Out-
back can be extremely rewarding, and it will surely introduce Australia to you on a whole new level. Plus, it gives you the best chance to get a second WHV. “How do you find farm work?!” I hear you ask. Gumtree is always a good starting point to look for jobs. However, some sources lack credibility. Probably the best way is to either seek out your local agency,
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or have a talk to people in the hostel and travel buddies. Surely there’s someone who knows someone who knows a farmer! Already On Your Second Year Visa? Trooper! Now We Can Talk Dirty! This time you might find the decision is even harder to make than it was a year ago—you’ve become even more accustomed to the Aussie lifestyle and you’re loving it! Get Sponsored! Surely You’re Good at Something? If you perform better at work than Chuck Norris with a hangover, lets look into your options to stay on a sponsorship visa. If you have a current job, mention to your boss that your visa is about to run out. Keep in mind that this process can take a bit of time, so don’t leave it until the last minute. Make sure your boss knows how much you love Australian culture: that you can chug a VB like a champ and that Goon of Fortune is your middle name. BUT, do also think about whether you can imagine yourself in the same position for two years…
If not, it’s not too late! If you still have time left, it might be worth applying for jobs that specifically offer sponsorships. These can be hard to find; talk to friends that have landed a sponsorship for some tips. Check out specific backpacker job boards or try typing ‘sponsorship’ into a job search engine such as Seek.com. Want To Broaden Your Mind? Study. There are some world-class universities here in Australia, and although no one has gotten degrees in travelling, international partying, or road trip studies, they do offer a range of great courses. Semester fees can be extremely high—around $13,000-a-semester high. But options to afterwards apply for a migration-skilled, postgraduate, or residency visa are promising. Put A Ring On It! If you currently live with a partner or can consider getting married to an Australian you might be eligible for a partner visa. Keep in mind you will need to prove you are in love, have been for a period of time and of course have some money to back up your application.
Too Much Effort? Well, there’s always the option of staying here illegally. Cash jobs do exist in Australia, so you may be able to fly under the radar for a period of time. However, staying illegally in Australia is a crime and can have some serious consequences, like being deported and not being allowed back in the country, even on a tourist visa. One thing we’d probably not recommend. Australia certainly is a beautiful place, but living here permanently might be a very different experience to the lifestyle you’re living now. Remember decisions are never set in stone, but ensure you are organised. Don’t forget: you can always come back on a Tourist visa, for 3 months at a time to keep your Australian adventure alive! . For more information about visas, and your rights whilst in Australia, visit www.immi.gov.au. Or have a browse over our website, at www.detourmag.com.au
How to hunt an aussie The best idea is probably to target and then hunt professionally: ANZAC Day, Australia Day, and essentially all RSL’s are HOTSPOTS for Australian clusterings. And it’s your lucky day! Given all these special occasions involve booze, everything else should roll from there… Don’t think so? Now that you have an idea of how you can seduce your chosen Aussie, the only question remains: are they marriage material?
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Blue bus journey
What it’s really like to live in a bus you ask?
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A
lyce, Paul, and their dog Banjo are currently travelling around Australia in a 35ft blue bus. They tell us about the harsh yet amazing reality of living in a Big. Ass. Bus. So I want to be completely real and honest about what life in a motorhome/bus/tiny home is like, completely uncensored, no bullshit. Exploring all the positives and the negatives.
I’ve been told so many times that I live the DREAM, which of course is true. It’s ‘OUR’ dream, but I’d really like to give people a reality check about this. Like any lifestyle choice that you can make, it’s got its ups and downs. Just like having a mortgage, or a full time job, etc. It all comes with a package of consequences. “Hey Stranger, Can I Look at Your Bus?” So strangers, complete strangers, some of whom we haven’t even gotten to the point of knowing their names yet, ask “Can I have a look inside?” ALL THE TIME. Like every single day. Just imagine random people saying all the time: “Do you mind if I have a look at your house?” “Do you have a shower?” “Like, where do you sleep?”
Hey Stranger, Can I look at your bus?
It’s such a bizarre experience, especially when you’ve JUST met. I dunno about you, but when I’m in some suburb full of mansions, I’ve always thought, “Wonder what they fill that house with?” But I feel it’s just way too unrealistic to ask if I could have a tour, although it’s a different process with a bus, of course. We have worked so hard to have this bus and are really proud, so luckily, I’m open. But it’s still weird. Like, this is where I LIVE… “Sure, come have a look stranger!”
Everything Has Its Spot—EVERYTHING!!! I know minimal living is a real ‘thing’ at the moment. Same as the tiny house movement. Which makes sense, as we really do consume so much STUFF. To be 100% clear and honest though, it’s no surprise that we have chosen the biggest possible motorhome we can get. Heck, if I could afford it, I would tow a trailer on the back for more ‘stuff’. I love my things and we have a long line of hoarders in my family. Just ask my Uncle Rob. I’m sure his favourite, most-used quote is “You’ll need that one day...” I don’t have the freedom of storage. And once again, I am taught to ‘let go’ because I have to; not because I want to be a hipster, saving the world by consuming products, then feeling guilty about owning too much, then putting it all in a landfill, thinking I’m a health conscious champion. I literally, due to my limited storage, have to be so mindful about what I have. I have blue blood. I love beauty and I love quality. So anything shit is GONE (to the op-shop). My process of elimination: »» Is it spectacular? »» Is it useful? »» Is it quality? »» Is it beautiful? Say we have a party. It’s massive, and fun, and people are dancing on the couch, jumping on the bed, and it’s
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YOU MUST LOVE CLEANING TO OWN A HOME LIKE THAT
all happening. Then, next morning we need to head off to, I dunno, a tropical beach (that sounds ideal). And as we head off, I see that an unopened wine bottle has been left on the bench. A few things could potentially happen: »» It falls off the bench and flies into the back of my head. I die. »» Breaks on our light-coloured couch and stains it. »» We crack open that bad boy, get drunk, and don’t get to the next destination. »» Nothing, everything is fine, and we drink the red wine AFTER we arrive at our new destination. EVERYTHING MUST BE IN ITS SPOT, and I mean everything. If you’re OCD, live on the road.
Cleaning Yawn. When you are not naturally clean like myself, this bus living is really freaking challenging. You get one thing out and, hey hey, the bus now looks like a mess!
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There is a positive side to cleaning the bus. YUP, I said POSITIVE! Before living in the bus, Paul and I lived in a HUGE five bedroom house with a very large backyard (which I loved and miss incredibly). HOWEVER, the amount of time Paul and I spent maintaining that house was just epic. When I look at massive mansions, I now think “YOU MUST LOVE CLEANING TO OWN A HOME LIKE THAT.” Ha! (Suckers.)
Elements You are so exposed to the environment and the weather
Now my cleaning duties are a lot easier. Let me break it down for you: »» To mop and sweep the house = 2 hours easy. »» To mop and sweep the bus = 10 minutes, if that. See what I’m saying? The less you own, the less you have to clean and that suits me really well… :)
Living Expenses »» Power — Free sunlight. »» Water — We use very little water, and fill up our tanks at random spots. (Yes, I MISS a long shower.) »» Garden — None. YAY! (Not a green thumb.) »» Gas — We get those gas in a can things, and they are only about $2 each, so we spend maybe $7 a week in gas.
Yup, we basically have no living costs. We have a loan, rego, insurance, and fuel. Living on the road is so much cheaper than living in a house. SO MUCH CHEAPER. I honestly never thought I’d be a Greenie or Hippy or Going Off the Grid or whatever label surrounds the lifestyle I live. I never thought I would be supporting or promoting a sustainable life, it just worked out of me. It just makes sense.
Work Work is inconstant. There have been so many times that our bank account has gone to $0, then before you know it, we have thousands. It’s an even flow on the road, with a constant feeling of trust that we will get work
in the next town. With Paul being a plumber and me having had so many different jobs, we always manage. Sometimes Paul’s income supports us, sometimes mine does. Whatever… it always works out!
Intuition Being on the road means constantly following your heart. We don’t plan ANYTHING, and we just go wherever feels good. We have the most amazing opportunity to just trust ourselves and see what happens. It is the most freeing feeling EVER! I LOVE IT! This is the reason why I travel.
Follow their amazing journey and experiences at http://bluebusjourney.com but most importantly, if you see these guys on the road give them some love, share a cup of sugar with them, and peace out!
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5 Simple Tricks to Save You Hours Stranded on the Road It might not be love at first sight when you buy a secondhand car—but don’t panic! If you follow these few basic guidelines, you can ensure that you will form a fond relationship between you and that big hunk of metal. When buying a car off Gumtree, a friend, or a FOAF, always make sure you get all papers. Rego, ideally mechanical statements, and replacements for any parts that were bought, too. And for the future, make sure you keep all those too—it’ll be much easier to sell since it will boost your credibility as a seller. Now that you’ve got your first own car here in OZ: let’s get this road-trip started! Here are a few simple tricks to keep in mind. 1.Don’t forget to check your oil. We know you’ve probably heard it before, but cars do need their juice. Given your car is in good shape, you won’t use up much oil at all, but oil leaks do happen and are sometimes hard to detect—don’t rely on thinking you were given a car in excellent condition. Cars don’t really “blow up” like you see in action movies, but they do so internally, and either way it means your car is dead. To avoid this happening in the middle of nowhere: check your oil. On long road-trips do it about once a week. Here’s a helpful guide to take you through all the steps of how to actually check your oil.
2.You think you’re thirsty? Think about your car. Having run for eight hours straight, it’s always a good idea to make sure those water levels are topped up. If it does get too hot? Turn off the air-con and just let it blow out the excess hot air. Always make sure your car has cooled off before you fiddle around with anything, though. You’re no use to your car anymore if you’re being electrocuted or burnt by hot water. Hot tip: to speed up the process you can buy release-pressure caps in any SUPERCHEAP (about $15).
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3.Roadtrip is going good. No leaks, no overheating, enough supplies. How about petrol? Most of the times you’ll find you do have enough. BUT... it’s never a bad idea to keep up to two jerry cans on top or in the back of your van. (Cheap buy in any SUPERCHEAP/Bunnings/BCF.) Sometimes petrol prices are sky high—other times you’ve just accidently driven past the last servo for the next 800k. (It happens…) SO fuel up wherever you get the chance. 4. Always take it easy while driving. While listening to your favourite playlist, personal body parts out of the window, don’t forget to concentrate. Driving long distances is more tiring than you might think and besides roos, there’re also camels, bob-tails, dingos, and drop-bears to watch out for! But: DO NOT swerve. Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, some animals are just suicidal and you have to accept that one of you is not going to make it out alive at times. Swerving might be meant nicely, but it has cost people their lives.
5. Lastly, we all love our cars in some interesting way—but it also loves us back, too. Don’t be a hangry driver. Make sure your van is always stocked up with at least 20L of water per person (easy and cheap to get from your trusted brand of supermarket). You never know what might happen, and having a backup never ruined a good day on the road. Same with food in cans—just to have something to eat, too. P.S. Don’t get bogged. Most vans don’t get far on sand… but there are great tutorials online on how to drive on sand and what you need to do. For more information on how to not end up like a corpse, check out World Nomads article. https:// www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/australia/ driving-across-australia
When you’re on the road it is easy to let your healthy, active lifestyle become lost in the whirlwind of eating, drinking, partying, and lazing about that travel brings.
Who is this guy? Hey I am Louey- Growing up in a health conscious family, a real passion for the ocean and that constant burning feeling of wanting to discover the unknown, at age 26 I have visited 30 countries. My vast experiences mixed with the power of hindsight have seen me develop some useful tips to stay in a state of optimal health whilst on the road.
Local Boy
Louey’s top tips!
Health and
fitness on the road Here are some simple health tips to stay in charge of your health on the road.
and it becomes easy to see how the health conscious traveller can find these simple tasks more difficult.
Anybody who is health conscious can agree that there is a lot of time invested in the organisation and planning of your daily activities, in order to enable the right choices to be made in terms of diet and exercise. Things like preparation of healthy balanced meals and dedicating time to exercise can be hard, even when routine is something that exists and the comfort and ease of cooking at home is an option. Remove these two factors and replace them with a backpack and no real destination,
Budget If there is one thing that most backpackers live by, it’s a budget! Having a set amount to spend on food per day is a really good idea. This will help limit needless purchases and regulate your meals. However, this budget can be easily compromised by the clever marketing that is in place all over the world. The simple placement of delicious items right next to the register, marked as ‘2 for 1’ or ‘special’, is a common budget and body killer. Whilst these foods
are small in monetary value, they are generally calorie rich with little to no nutritional value. The culmination of what is perceived as a harmless purchase and a tasty treat, can and will add to your waist, whilst also depleting your funds. Obviously ‘once off’ or ‘occasional’ purchasing of these items is totally fine. It’s the repeat purchase of these items that soon can see $20 or more spent, sometimes a daily budget gone. This sort of money will go much further in fresh produce markets. For the money spent on the above snacks you could get an entire meal or couple of meals full of fresh produce.
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So set a budget, stick to it, and think twice before falling victim to these cleverly placed marketing techniques. Eat Well As simple as this tip seems, it can be the most overlooked facet of being on the road. Whilst you want to experience the culture and eat out at cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, you want to be conscious of what it is you are actually eating. After all, “you can’t out exercise a bad diet”. So whilst on the road there are a few areas to consider that are all associated with eating well. These are as follows: Cooking Lessons If you are going to be in the same place for an extended period of time, partaking in some cooking lessons is a great idea. Not only is this a fantastic cultural experience and normally a real laugh (mainly for the local who watches you completely butcher a traditional dish), but you are also empowering yourself by learning what local produce is healthy and how to cook it. Cook for Yourself Nearly all backpackers’ hostels I have stayed in have had amenities for cooking. Now that you have educated yourself on local produce through your cooking lesson, you can go to the local markets and purchase the ingredients needed with the money set aside for your daily budget. This will see you enjoy large amounts of fresh food for the same money (most of the time less money) as eating out. Eating Out: Whilst cooking for yourself is a great way to stay on top of your diet, every person who has ever travelled will agree that sometimes it’s nice to sit down, relax, and have a meal prepared for you. Whilst eating out, be mindful and aware of possible healthy alternatives. A great example of this is simply asking for your food to be baked, steamed, poached, or grilled instead of fried or battered. Having a basic understanding of meal composition and portion size is ex-
tremely helpful, so if this is something you are unsure of, educate yourself in this area. This will further empower you to make healthy decisions. Alcohol It would be completely hypocritical of me to say not to drink whilst travelling, so I won’t. What I will say is: limit your consumption. Alcohol is full of calories that can and will blow your waistline and budget. It can stimulate your appetite, making you eat more than needed. But let’s be honest, sometimes it can be a lot of fun (until the next day), so the ball is in your court on this one. Try a vodka and soda water, or gin and tonic for a healthier way to get drunk. Goonbags = full of sugar. Just remember, “Binge drinking is very bad, mm’kay?” Exercise Exercise provides many positive physiological and psychological benefits to health, so why not exercise? Not only will exercise decrease the effort required to partake in all the awesome physical activities travel provides, it will also create a more positive state of mind to further enjoy these tasks. Most people blame the lack of exercise whilst travelling on factors like: lack of facilities, lack of time, and lack of money. Exercise is FREE and can be done almost anywhere in minimal time. A simple 15-30 minute body weight exercise routine undergone every day or second day will most definitely increase the experience of any traveller. Look for walking trails, free park gym equipment, and what the local council has to offer. You will find most areas will have some sort of free group exercise activities in their parks. Try a surf lesson or a guided hike; they can be fun and adventurous, all whilst keeping fit. Hydrate This is something a lot of people fall short on. Keep up your water levels, because water is extremely important and has numerous functions that see us stay alive and healthy. Some of the smallest and largest health
complaints can be attributed to a lack of water. So how much water do you need to drink? Here is a simple rule of thumb to help you remember how much water to drink: “For every 10kgs you weigh, drink a cup of water a day.” So for me, being a 90kg male, I need about 9 cups of water or about 2.2 Litres. This does not include water you drink during exercise. Also, things like caffeine and alcohol are very dehydrating. In fact, it is said that one cup of coffee can dehydrate you by four cups of water. So in order to counteract these effects, drink plenty of water after consuming these products. Implement this rule and you should stay hydrated all day. Last But Not Least, HAVE FUN! Some people I have met travelling have blown my mind with how worried, stressed, and anxious they were. Now I understand some people do suffer from anxiety, but travel is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Don’t be afraid to let your hair down and enjoy a night out at the local hot spot. Don’t be afraid to try something new, or something you have always wanted to. Don’t let your own fear or lack of self-belief get in the way of something that is achievable! You’re on holidays, so get with it! You have one life, LIVE IT! Cheers, Louey. Be Fit Bodies
If your single and looking to mingle, ‘sexercise’ is a fantastic way to get that bodyweight program done for the day.
Issue #01 October/ November Edition 2015 detourmag.com.au | 27
Aussie Bands We Are
‘in
Safia
Sticky Fingers
Asta
they say We are a shitty band from Melbourne who enjoy mock meat and booooze. We play heaps of shows and tour lots because it’s fun. If you want us to play anywhere/time we will (do our best to). Love you.
We Say Safia is an electric/ indie band dominating the Australian stages. They have an upbeat feel, and a summer vibe, perfect to kick back to in the Aussie heat. Check them out. They do not disappoint.
they say Some bands meet from lame shit like gumtree advertisements, while others are formed with a touch of the divine. One summer’s night some years ago, on a drunken street in Newtown, Dylan Frost was wrapping up a fruitless night’s busking. Paddy walked past, when a by-standing bouncer commanded he, “Give the bloke some coin, brew!?”
they say I am a singer-songwriter from Tasmania. I like to dance and sing and embrace this world.
The Smith Street Band
they say SAFIA’s trajectory has been steadily on the up since winning the Triple J Unearthed competition to play Groovin’ The Moo back in 2012. With over 2 million Spotify streams of their tracks, plus 4 million Soundcloud plays, the Canberra-based outfit show no sign of slowing down.
Australia boasts some of the most fantastic acts on the Earth, so do yourself a favour and check them out. These are our favourite Aussie bands pumping through our stereos!
We Say The Smith Street Band have taken off in Australia in recent years and are definitely a band to sink your teeth into. They have a rock/folk/punk vibe about them. They are fun, exciting, gritty, and original. Their stage shows are the best in the biz, and if you don’t love Smith Street, you don’t have a soul.
Instead, Paddy and Dyz struck up a chat, bonding over mutual hobbies like music and weed (the basis of every substantial friendship). Soon, associate degenerates Hollywood, Crabz, and Beaker banded together, and STIFI was erected. We Say Sticky Fingers are a radical, psychedelic reggae band. They are chilled, laid back, and too cool for school without even lifting a finger. Their infectious tunes will make your road trip complete.
We say Give yourself some credit, girl! Asta is gracing us with her presence all over Aussie, and dominating. She can mix R&B pop with soul like a champ, and has an incredible voice. Mix that with her 80s style jams, you won’t be able to get her tracks out of your head. Japanese Wallpaper They Say ⓙⓐⓟⓐⓝⓔⓢⓔ ⓦⓐⓛⓛⓟⓐⓟⓔⓡ \\(◕‿◕)// ~ \\(◕‿◕)// We Say This indie/rock prodigy is an electronic producer, who, at just 17 years of age, is mixing tracks to send a tingle at your spine. Put the volume up, wind down the window, and give into your senses when playing these amazing tunes.
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Bogan What the heck is a Bogan? The Bogan is a rare species of the Australian population that you may stumble across if your travels. The Bogan is harmless, although make sure you proceed with caution. What do they look like? Usually wearing a ‘wife beater’ (blue singlet covered in stains/ concrete/ or kebab juice), flannelette shirts (flanno), and mullet style hair. You will find them driving a banged up old ute, with a VB (Beer) in one hand and a Winnie Red (cigarette) in the other. They have the potential for missing teeth, tribal tatts and speed sunnies. If they use a lot of slang
and swear words you are looking in the right direction. Where do they habitat? The Bogan doesn’t care about the latest trends, the hipster bars or brunch. They are a creature of habit. You will find them hanging out at their local bar till late, content to have a yarn with their good old
mates, Bazza and Shazza. If on the off chance they venture out, its likely ACDC is in town, every Bogan’s favourite band.
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0 1 s t p o p o s T g
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so us., A n i te mp avouri a c e to a’s f tim ustrali u the t c yo rfe fA e pe a list o o show ! h t s t ed t oas iled ng i Spri e comp uarante East C ssie s, g hav we mpsite the Au of ca best
10 OF THE TOP CAMP SPOTS AS VOTED BY THE LOCALS BEST SPOT FOR HIKERS: Bonnie Vale Campground, Sydney, NSW. Who would think you could pitch a tent in the middle of Sydney and no one be any the wiser? If you’re hoping to meet the locals, you’ll be out of luck here—most don’t even know about this gem. Located in South Sydney, Bonnie Vale is nestled deep in the heart of the Heritage listed Royal National Park. The area boasts over 100km of walking trails, including a 26km coast track with cliff-top views to die for. Local Tip: Be sure to find the freshwater rock pools!
BEST SPOT FOR A DETOX: Gloucester Islands National Park Been partying on Airlie Beach and need a break from bar dancing? Located about an hour north of Airlie, Gloucester Island is a secret spot the locals like to keep quiet. Pure paradise, with white sandy beaches and crystal blue water galore, this scenic retreat is designed for the true self-sufficient traveller. Local Tip: Keep an eye out for the endangered Proserpine rock-wallabies.
BEST SPOT TO FIND AUSSIE CRITTERS: Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation, QLD. Located two hours north of Cairns, Noah Beach is jungle meets beach at its best. You’ll find everyone in town here, and you’re not going to find them anywhere else in the world. Famously housing animals from the musky rat-kangaroo to the southern cassowary, Noah Beach is primitive perfection. Local Tip: Come prepared. There is fresh water, but that’s basically where the facilities end.
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BEST SPOT FOR PARTY ANIMALS: Lion’s Den, Rossville, QLD. The mecca of fun, this is a true Aussie pub experience with a campsite conveniently attached. If you want to write on the walls (literally), and dance the night away to tunes such as ‘Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy’ till three in the morning, look no further. Local Tip: They’re not joking when they say ‘Leave your guns and knives outside’. BEST SPOT FOR WAVES: Crescent Head Holiday Park, NSW If you can get to this place when the waves are pumping, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life. Killer beachfront location and a seriously cruisy atmosphere, if you’re chasing waves in NSW, this spot should be on the top of your list. Local Tip: Be respectful of the local surfers here, or you might find yourself with more than a fin cut.
BEST SPOT FOR ‘ROCKSPLORING’ Dunn Swamp, Wollemi National Park, Rylstone If you enjoy bushwalking, cycling, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and scaling towering pagoda rock faces, you NEED to get to Dunn Swamp. Located four hours outside of Sydney, Dunn Swamp is popular with the most adventurous explorers. Local Tip: Free firewood, but BYO-Tinder (and no, we’re not referring to the dating website), as this place is best in winter and facilities are limited. BEST SPOT FOR THE SCENERY: Lizard Island National Park Located 250km north of Cairns, this place is pure paradise, without a heavy price tag attached. Sitting on the outskirts of the iconic Barrier Reef, Lizard Island National Park is one of the best places in Australia to swim and snorkel in peace.
BEST SPOT AS VOTED BY THE AUSSIES: Jervis Bay, NSW Whale lovers unite! This spot is famous for watching the whales pass through town during the migration season. An undeniably spectacular place, Jervis Bay is frequently referred to as one of Australia’s best camping spots. With miles of white sandy beaches, lush national parklands, and an abundance of colourful Australian wildlife, the beauty of Jervis Bay is popular with travellers and locals alike. Local Tip: If you’re hunting for the perfect whale pic, the season will finish in November, so get in quick!
Local Tip: The locals’ Marlin’s Bar is arguably the best place on earth.
BEST SPOT FOR SOMETHING THAT’S JUST PLAIN AWESOME: Lamington National Park, Binna Burra, QLD. If you’re looking for heaven on earth, look no further than the World Heritage listed Lamington National Park. While neighbouring tourist hub Byron Bay is busy taking all the credit for Australia’s most inflated accommodation prices, most people have no idea that this goldmine is right next-door. Home to nature at its best—you can expect to stay amongst waterfalls and ancient rock formations, glow-worm caves, and incredible panoramas. You’ll never want to leave.
BEST SPOT FOR THE GLAMPERS: The Basin, Ku-ring-gai National Park, NSW. For the princesses who can’t be paid to camp, ‘Glamping’ at The Basin might be right up your alley. As one of the more popular spots in NSW, you might want to call ahead and make sure they’ve got a spot for you. Accessible by ferry from Palm Beach, The Basin is popular for its beautiful scenery, easy coastal walks, and the abundance of Aussie critters strolling, slithering, and creeping their way around like they own the place.
Local Tip: Keep your eye out for the wandering hippie with a bag full of goodies.
Local Tip: Avoid going during the weekend if you want some serenity. This place is very popular.
, king l a , hw bus mming y o j i u en ing, sw owering o y f I sh gt o ng, fi scalin NEED t i l c cy g, and u s, yo p. in e c k a a am ck f kay a ro unn Sw d o pag et to D g
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Miss Travel
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re you an attractive woman with a burning desire to see the world? Or perhaps a guy with money to burn on international airfares, luxury hotels, shoes, bags, and all manner of other things girls like? Aspiring globetrotters, look no further—find your match at misstravel.com, where you’ll find hordes of wealthy suitors from around the globe lining up to pay for a beautiful girl on their arm. The controversial dating website launched in 2012 and instantly attracted a tidal wave of criticism. Many claimed that the site was effectively prostitution dressed up as a good opportunity. Although the fray has settled considerably since then, questions continue to fly. To this day, many people would agree with successful Sydney solicitor Michael Jones’ description of the contentious website as a site full of “artificial freeloaders lining up for an all expenses paid trip in exchange for sex.” Despite these common perceptions, Detour magazine has found quite another story amongst users of the website. Angelina Aucelio speaks fondly of what was her first experience with the online dating site. Whilst the world was bashing the website, Angelina decided to sign up and formulate her own opinions, and speaks of her experience below.
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I was not looking for a sugar daddy, casual sex, or any kind of dubious arrangement. I merely wanted to meet with a fellow travel enthusiast for lunch or coffee I was not looking for a sugar daddy, casual sex, or any kind of dubious arrangement. I merely wanted to meet with a fellow travel enthusiast for lunch or coffee. Considering that my main photo was not the slightest bit suggestive or ‘promiscuous’, I was shocked that I actually received dozens of messages from ‘generous’ members and about ten ‘trip proposals’ within the first few days of being on the site. Men from around the globe asked me to travel with them to luxurious places such as Hong Kong, St. Kitts, Hawaii, and Rome—just to name a few. I did have contact with two members in particular. Of the two that I responded to was a man in his early thirties from Australia, who reports on his profile that his annual income is over $1 million dollars. He said that he was coming to my area on business, and would be interested in meeting me. I agreed— we’d be in a crowded public place, what’s the worst that can happen? I made it very clear in all of my contact that this was a brunch-and-only-brunch kind of meeting. Before meeting ‘MrTravel’ on Saturday at 11 am at a trendy brunch hot-spot, I met up with my close blogger-buddy Bonnie (Frugal Travel Lawyer), who happened to be nearby. I told her what I was doing and how I was super nervous (so nervous that I almost bailed). She thankfully rested nerves and told me to pretend I was Diane Sawyer conducting an investigative interview. She was right. It was just brunch… and a blog post. When I arrived, MrTravel was there waiting outside and we were im-
mediately escorted (bad word?) to our table. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how much we had in common. Our conversation and laughter felt totally normal, and there was never an awkward silence. It was a fantastic experience. I initially expected brunch to last about 45 minutes, and I couldn’t believe that a whole two and a half hours flew by! Of course I had to ask him the obvious: why exactly did he join MissTravel? He told me that he also primarily joined out of curiosity because the site was receiving so much media attention during its immediate debut. He was open-minded about the idea of meeting locals during his travels. He also said that being in a new global city every week for work is very lonely. He described himself as a self-proclaimed foodie who enjoys trying a different restaurant at every meal but does not like to dine alone. Travelling to him is learning, and there’s no better way to experience culture than to sit down and talk to the people who live in it. After brunch was over, we shook hands and parted ways. Now, who says there’s no such thing as free lunch? Similarly, Sarah from Queensland describes her experience with Miss Travel as “the best dating website by far”, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to fellow travellers. Signing up to the website in February of this year, Sarah was curious about meeting new people on the website that would assist with her love of travel. Not long after creating a profile, Sarah struck up a conversation with ‘Paul’ from Perth.
“He seemed kind, genuine, fun, and had a huge love of travel.” After a brief meeting in WA, armed with nervous excitement, Sarah followed her gut instinct and jetted off with Paul for a 10-day, five-star villa experience in Seminyak, Bali. “It was like nothing I had ever experienced before, massages, amazing food, and relaxation round the clock.” Following their first successful trip, the wanderlust-ful pair next met in Europe for a tour of Paris, Barcelona, and Morocco. Sarah describes what was in it for Paul. “He made it clear that while he was paying for the trip, not to think about the money side of things. He enjoyed my company (I’m a bit of fun most times) and so the ‘value’ if you like to call it that, was the quality of my company. I also do a pretty mean massage (especially feet!), so of course he got to enjoy that!” Overall, Paul spent over $20,000 across the two trips, and the two travellers remain friends today. Although they headed in separate directions, Sarah wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Her advice to fellow travellers is easy. “Meet for the first time on mutual ground so if you feel uncomfortable, you always have the choice to walk away. Be willing to have fun, receive, and let down your barriers—a simple ‘wink’ and I got to have all these amazing experiences.”
Issue #01 October/ November Edition 2015 34 | detourmag.com.au
I’m Not Homeless
It’s a
Lifestyle. “My whole travels in Australia did not include one penny for accommodation.”
W Name: William Bilodeau Age: 21 Country of Origin: Canada Duration of travel: Approximately two years
ill went old school backpacking and decided not to pay for accommodation, choosing instead to rough it, living in bushes, his van, camping, and bunking with randoms… if he got lucky. In Australia we would call this homelessness, but for Will this became his way of life and he found that it was the best experience he ever had. He stumbled across a small community in the bush—just outside of Melbourne’s city centre—where he could live for free.
Speciality: Living it big “If you had the choice of living in a tent in the bush for a week and by doing this saving money to go
on a tour or better: going skydiving, would you do it? “My main motivation to go live within the bush was to save money on accommodation to do other activities. Australia isn’t cheap and sometimes you got to sacrifice luxury in order to do what you want.” How would you describe the bush you stayed in? The Oz bush is a retreat from society where you get to enjoy the eye opening beauty of unique nature. A place I felt safer in than out. A place not many dare to go, making it yours to discover. It’s also free of charge.
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Can you remember the day you decided to move away from the city life? The first day I moved from city life was when I left Canada and into Southeast Asia, where I learned that I did not need much to be comfortable (Sleeping on wood, the floor or a hammock for months at a time). I knew Oz weather would allow me sleeping in a car or in the bush because snow was out of the question. Burny then became my first car and actual home for 10 months. I worked four months in Perth and camped at one of the rare waterfalls Perth’s region offered. This allowed me to clean my dishes and shower. What was the motivation behind moving to “the bushes”? Not only the idea of saving money appealed to meit was the idea of living somewhere new, somewhere uncommon and actually genuine. What I mean is that Australian cities have been more and more Americanized, making it feel home away from home. Living in
the bush makes the Oz experience more authentic. It makes you wonder how the aboriginals lived off the land. It makes you appreciate the little things like: the scarce refreshing breeze you get in the shade, the first wild possums chilling in the tree above your tent, and most of all, the private peace and serenity one gets out of a night in the bush. What kind of people would live with you? The kind of people that would live with me, if any at all, were diversified types of personalities which makes the experience so much more interesting. It varies to what society defines as: homeless people, vagabonds, hippies, thrill seekers, and open- minded travellers. This even includes the typical tourist that was convinced otherwise and decided to make the jump between tourism and travelling. The typical person that would live in a bush is an open minded individual. The type that doesn’t have to be a nature fanatic but does appreciate the great outdoors! The typical persona isn’t scared to bend the rules, being opportunistic and having faith in his/ her gut feeling. What was the best and worst experience in the bushes? I was privileged enough to not have any major issues when living in the bush. Small challenges like: the harsh fall weather drenching our usual comfort, certain unexpected digestion issues that lead into fun-
ny bathroom stories, curious wildlife or mutant insect life happening to come upon the camp, and little incidents like mice cutting through tents to steal food and leave little shits behind. Other than that, life’s good. Oh, and the mozzies and midges were sometimes horrible but that can always be arranged. The best was the feeling I got out of living so simple. I took this lifestyle a little further by going fishing. Free accommodation and free food that was freshly caught and cooked to my desire increased the feeling of accomplishment. This, I have to admit, wasn’t all me. The people I met, the things I’ve learned, and the stories we shared during this type of lifestyle is the best experience I had in Australia. Any advice you can give people interested in this type of lifestyle? My advice is to simply embrace the unknown. Be open-minded and try things you think incredible or impossible, brilliant or dumb, in or out of your comfort zone. Just give it a chance and who knows? It might just become a part of who you are or who you’ll become. I am a privileged being that grew up on a throne. I left that throne to prove to myself that I am a king. Since I approached this type of thinking I may not be sitting on what society would call a throne anymore, but I am sitting on my favourite and most comfortable chair that I build with my own two hands.
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Sydney Guide
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Why Sydney?
Day Trips
You know all those amazing pictures you see of a sunny city built on a harbour, next to one of the most epic beaches in the world, with the scenic skyline of the opera house and the majestic Harbour Bridge? Well, they don’t compete with the actual reality of how amazing Sydney really is!
Bondi * shoes optional
There isn’t a trip Down Under that shouldn’t include one of the most famous cities on Earth and Sydney holds up its side of the deal, combining historic landmarks, beautiful beaches (as well as people), and vibrant nightlife to give you everything you need. The weather ranges from good to great, and although winter nights can get a little chilly, a visit in the middle of winter will still give you enough sun for that dirty backpackers’ tan. It’s diverse, exciting, amazingly relaxed for a city of around five million people, and there’s something for everyone, whatever your budget.
Arguably the world’s most famous beach is a only stone’s throw from the city centre, and no trip would be complete without a visit to Bondi Beach. Here you can relax in the sun, and admire the beachgoers—bikinis, budgie smugglers, and bad sunburns! You can even try your hand at surfing if you’re feeling adventurous, with many learn to surf schools operating in the area. The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee is definitely worth the 6km it spans across, and great for all fitness levels, especially if you’re trying to turn that beer belly into a 6-pack! Once you get to Coogee it’s worth sticking around. It’s like a much more chilled version of Bondi. Check out the Coogee Bay Hotel beer garden on a sunny day or one of the delicious cafes.
Manly
Things to Do While the city definitely isn’t cheap, Sydney’s backpacker scene is huge and wherever you are, you’ll find something to do that won’t cost you the world.
Circular Quay plays host to the most iconic landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can do tours of the Opera House and climb the Bridge, but that might come at the expense of a few nights out—put the goon bag down, it’s totally worth it. If you’re in search of something free, check out the walking tours. ‘The Rocks’ and a trip to Darling Harbour are great for a day out. They all offer a slice of Sydney, vast with drinking holes, cafes, and grassy green knolls to rest those legs. Don’t forget to head to The Botanic Gardens, which are absolutely luscious and the perfect way to relax off a hangover (once you block out the cockatoos). Nature lovers should head to Centennial Park at sunset, where you will see an epic site of thousands of flying foxes filling the skyline. Those in search of culture should try some of the galleries and museums, but if you prefer sport, Sydney is home to two Australian Rules Football teams and nine of the top sixteen rugby league teams. Tickets are reasonably priced, too.
It would be rude to leave Sydney without a cruise on the ferry across the Harbour, and Manly is the perfect excuse. It is much less touristy than Bondi and the beach, markets, pubs, and fish and chips are good for a day out. A walk down to Shelly Beach gives you a great view of the sunset; a romantic tip for anyone with ‘travel companions’…
Blue Mountains Day or weekend trips to the Blue Mountains (50km outside Sydney) give backpackers the chance to see New South Wales’ natural beauty, with stunning mountain ranges and waterfalls. The adrenaline junkies among us can try their hand at canyoning, abseiling, and rock climbing, too.
Feeling Adventurous? In addition to the Blue Mountains and surfing at any one of the East Coast’s beaches, Sydney has a number of scuba diving and snorkeling sites. If you’ve got the stones for it, how about diving with sharks at Magic Point? There are skydiving opportunities for friends with a fear of heights, and jet boats around the Harbour if you can’t quite afford to climb the bridge itself
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Nightlife The wild and crazy nightlife of Sydney is calling your name, home to the very infamous Kings Cross and a super radical backpacker scene. It’s so lively that you’ll never struggle to find somewhere to go, or someone to go with. A lot of hostels arrange nights out to certain pubs and clubs for discounted rates, but there are travelers’ havens everywhere for a quality night out.
Scubar Without a doubt one of the most popular places to go, with free entry and various drink offers, rammed full of backpackers looking to party. Try the Monday night Crab Racing for something a bit different. Yes, you read that right. Crab racing. Scuttle, scuttle.
Side Bar This is another bar for the masses, with cheap drinks and themed party nights, including the ever-popular bikini contest. If you want to mix with backpackers and students alike, then give this place a whirl.
Cheap and Hungry? It’s worth keeping an eye out for cheap breakfast and coffee deals, which seem to be at every good café, but Coffee Alchemy in Marrickville is an award-winning coffee shop with arguably the best in the city to wake you up after a heavy one. Stop at Stop Valve in Darlinghurst to share some fried chicken that would make the colonel jealous, and Tipple Bar next to Central Station has evening food deals that often come with a free beer. Chinatown plays its part if you’re after a quick meal to fill you up before you hit the town, too.
Scruffy Murphy’s What list would be complete without an Irish pub? Popular with backpackers for it’s $8.95 lunches during the day, but the nights are long and the drinks are cheap. They also show live sports for those wanting to catch up on the latest action.
Home Nightclub If it’s clubbing you want, then Home gives you everything you need, offering three floors, multiple dance floors, bigname DJs, and attractive locals. It’s worth getting your name on the guest list to try and avoid a hefty cover fee, though. Just give them a call, tell them you’re Tom Cruise, and Bob’s your uncle!
Anywhere Else? Kings Cross and Newtown are full of pubs and bars worth exploring, with a lot of them providing the staple of backpackers’ diets: $10 dinners and Happy Hour. The Beach Hotel in Bondi is a great mix of hipsters and backpackers too, providing a huge pub with live music and a good chance to hang with the locals.
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Byron BAY Guide
No shorts, no shoes, no problem!
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T
his seaside village in NSW’s North East may just be the best town you will stumble across in your travels. With its salty air, hippie vibe, and its location at the forefront of some of Australia’s best surf beaches, Byron Bay is renowned for its chilled atmosphere. It caters to all types of backpackers, those looking to relax, those looking to party, and those looking for adventure. It also holds a couple of Australia’s most iconic festivals including Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass, and the Falls Festival that takes place during New Year’s Eve. Its home to top dive spots and has wildlife galore, so keep your eyes peeled for some furry Aussie friends. It’s a great hub to venture around the popular surrounding towns, including Nimbin—famous for its hippie culture and weed, Mount Warning—the first place on Australia’s
mainland that sees the sunrise, and the Lennox Head/ Suffolk park area which is arguably one of the best kept local secrets for waves. The backpacker scene here is pumping and this is a place you do not want to bypass. It has a chic vibe, although very much catering to the backpacker with limited funds, with a lot of bars and hostels promoting cheap, fun nights out. There’s always something going on, even if it is just people-watching the colourful locals that grace this beautiful town. Leave your judgment on the road, as this town is about peace, happiness, and positive vibes. It’s an urban refuge for many people, with a lot of up and coming artists, designers, and musicians. Make sure you check out the local markets to get your hands on some of this goodness.
When to Go Byron, having a subtropical climate, boasts glorious weather all yearround. During the winter months it is a bit cooler and the water may be a bit too cold for swimming, but that won’t stop you soaking up the sun in minimal clothing. The heaviest rainfall is surprisingly from January through March, but don’t let this put you off. Summer is extremely popular, hot, and buzzing with activity.
Our Top Picks Food
Adventure
Dip Café
Soul Surf School
Check out Dip Café for a delicious brekky. It is a local secret, reasonably priced, and the food is amazeballs. It’s warm and sunny and a local family-run business. If going out for brekky is a bit out of your price bracket, grab a coffee: it’s the best in town.
Run by avid surfers who know the beaches and surf breaks like the backs of their hands, Soul Surf School’s guides are the best in the business. The offer group and solo lessons, all equipment included, and free pickup from your hostel.
Shop 1/21-25 Fletcher St, Bogarts 3 Byron Bay
14 Bay St, Byron Bay 1800 089 699
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Nightlife Go Sea Kayak If you’re chasing marine life, you HAVE to check out Go Sea Kayak. You will get a great intro to Byron from their local guides, a bit of water fun fitness, and the chance to mingle with dolphins, turtles, and whales—if you’re lucky. Best thing about this tour: if you don’t see one of the mentioned animals, you can go again for free until you do!
56 Lawson St, Byron Bay 0416 222 344
As a backpacker, you will be frothing on the bar scene here in Byron.
For the best view
Beach Hotel Big awesome pub offering amazing views over the main beach. The relaxed atmosphere, the salty air, and the mix of locals and tourists make this pub a must—expect to pay top dollar for drinks, though.
Bay Street, Byron Bay 02 6685 6402
Byron Bay and Lennox Head Hang Gliding Get amazing coastal views of Byron by going tandem hang gliding. You will feel free as a bird, soaring over the coastline, the national park, and the ever-famous lighthouse. Pete is a former Australian hang gliding team member and will keep you safe whilst flying. Tip: keep an eye out for marine wildlife, including sharks, while soaring
For the best parties and cheap eats
Cheeky Monkey’s This place has a great $5 meal menu from 7:00 till 9:30 pm, then once dinner is served, the tables are cleaned and this becomes the D Floor! Really popular place with backpackers for a heap of reasons, including the chance to win some awesome prizes—such as tours—if you compete in their bar games.
0427 257 699 115 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 02 6685 5886
Best Hostel
For the best music scene
Aquarius Hostel
Although the Northern Hotel boasts some of the best music acts in the country, try The Rails for more of a local feel. With live music every night of the week, it’s a cool little pub on the train line with all types of musicians lining up to play here.
This place is without a doubt the best hostel in the city centre of Byron. Its clean, friendly, and has common areas to meet fellow guests. They have an in-house bar that offers very cheap drinks, and theme nights every night of the week. From jelly wrestling, to karaoke, to ping pong comps, cheap eats and pool hangs, Aquarius has it all. Book ahead if you can, especially in the summer months.
16 Lawson St, Byron Bay 1800 028 909
Northern Hotel and The Rails
The Northern 35-43 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 02 6685 6454 The Rails Byron Bay Railway Station, Jonson St, Byron Bay 02 6685 7662
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Brisbane Guide
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So, Planning to Stop in Brisbane? Despite being Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane is one of those places that tends to fly under the radar, perhaps because it lies between the Gold Coast’s world famous reputation for sun, sand, and surf and the Sunshine Coast’s relaxed beach feel. But those who’ve spent just a few days here will boast about the city’s rising bar scene, gigs, great activities, and relaxed vibe. Brisbane is a place that may catch you by surprise. You might plan to stay a night or two to break up your east coast beach crawl, but find yourself staying a week. For
the fitness freaks, there’s rock climbing at Kangaroo Pont, night kayaking in the Brisbane River (don’t be deterred by the colour of the water), and the CityCycle to bike ride around the city. For the foodies and serial ‘Instagrammers’, there’s Eat Street—a must do nightmarket of 60 shipping containers reconfigured as mini restaurants just north of the City. For the drinkers, you won’t have to go far to find a great watering hole. And for those suffering beach withdrawals, there’s South Bank— home of Brisbane’s very own free man-made beach by the river.
When to Go The great thing about Brisbane is that it’s warm all year-round, especially from December to February when the sticky summer makes it swelter. In winter, Brisbane is still a warmer option than some of its beach town neighbours and offers year-round sunshine, making it lovely to visit at any time.
Where to Eat Brisbane dining options have developed exponentially over the last few years and now offer a huge range from cheap eats to fine dining experiences. The City offers a selection of late night restaurants, side street vendors, and riverside dining. For a cheap taste of the many flavours of Brisbane, go no further than Eat Street. This night-market offers great food, drink, and entertainment and will only cost you a gold coin donation to enter. Southbank is fast emerging at the latest dining hotspot for its eclectic and delicious range of restaurants running along the grey street strip. Offering everything from Turkish and Vietnamese to American and Italian, there’s something to please every taste and budget. West End is the alternative capital of Brisbane hosting a number of vegan, vegetarian, and organic cafes and restaurants. Fortitude Valley also has a large selection of restaurants with the price and quality ranging from $10 for a pub meal to $50 for a meal in a classier establishment.
Nightlife Like most big cities, Brisbane’s nightlife starts late. But that said, there’s lots of great bars to get the night started before taking it up a notch and hitting the Valley to party. For those seeking something quirky, check out West End for its chilled and eccentric haunts. The City is the place to go for bars that belt out old classics, and The Valley (Fortitude Valley) is the place to end up if you’re planning a big one.
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Our Top Picks for a Good Night Out If you’re after a bargain, several places offer great happy hour promotions with cheap drinks. Despite its ritzy appearance, Friday’s Riverside on Eagle Street Pier in the city offers $6 cosmos between 6-7pm and again from 10-11pm every Friday. Down Under Bar & Grill, or the ‘Dunda’ as those who’ve been affectionately know it, is the main backpacker bar in Brisbane and offers amazing drink promotions, especially on Thursdays. Located just across the road from Central Station, it’s easy to find, and is an ever popular joint for cranking the tunes and drawing a crowd. The Exchange is another rad place to let your hair down and have a dance. Their rooftop bar offers the perfect spot to get loose and dance to the dj’s latest mix of old-school tunes. In the Valley, Birdees is a backpacker favourite equally as popular with students for their epic mix of rooftop beer garden, private booths, live entertainment, and a 12 metre long pool! The Alfred and Constance (A&C) is another great bar run out of a renovated Queenslander house in the Valley. Complete with an upstairs tiki party bar, downstairs rave space, and multiple nooks and crannies it’s no surprise the A&C is a local favourite.
For Those Seeking Adventure Brisbane offers a great range of outdoor activities for those seeking adventure or cheap thrills. Popular favourites are the rock climbing and abseiling at Kangaroo Point, and the night kayaking along the Brisbane River. If it’s an epic view you’re after, climbing Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge is an adventure like no other. Whether you decide to climb to the top or abseil down the side, the Story Bridge Adventure Club offers great tours of this spectacular landmark and is a great way to view the city from atop. Mt Coot-tha has a range of great walks and hikes and is easily accessible by bus. The view from the top is well worth the trek just for the spectacular views of the city.
Nearby Gap Creek Road offers great mountain biking for those who fancy some off-roading, but you’ll need to hire a bike. You can’t come to Brisbane without experiencing the river. So a cruisy ride on the CityCat is a great for seeing the city from a different perspective, and a lovely way to get from A to B. For something a little more relaxed, New Farm’s Merthyr Bowls club overlooks the river and is a great place for a game of barefoot bowls. Costing only $5 per person, this is a cheap and laidback way to spend a Sunday—and a classic Aussie pastime definitely worth experiencing. Just a stone’s throw away, the New Farm Park is (arguably) Brisbane’s most popular spot for a picnic. Attracting all types of visitors, this is the perfect place to have a BBQ, bring a few snacks, and a six-pack of beers to wind down after a busy week. The City’s nearby Botanic Garden is also worth a visit and won’t cost a cent.
All About Culture Southbank is the spot to be for those seeking museums, galleries, theatre, and entertainment. Southbank’s cultural precept is home to the Queensland Art Gallery, The Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). The first two galleries, known together as QAGOMA, offer a range of free exhibitions of interesting art and installations. For those wanting a see a play or go to the theatre, check out QPAC’s website for current performances. Every Friday night at 6pm the Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm runs a free stand-up comedy show called Knock-off. With a host of great talent, this is a fun and cheap way to start your Friday night off with a laugh.
Shopping Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is a popular place for shopping. Boasting all the big brands, this inner city hub is a great start for those wanting to check out the shops. While Fortitude Valley’s James Street is a little pricier, the range of great boutiques is well worth a visit, even just for window-shopping. Both Paddington and Bulimba are great suburban neighbourhoods to find something different, with Paddington offering a range of great thrift shops for those seeking vintage, pre-loved clothing. The Boundary street markets in West End are a great place for boutique clothing by startup designers, so there’s usually a bargain to be had here.
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Airlie Beach Guide
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Y
ou know the heart-shaped picture you constantly see promoting Australia? Airlie Beach is the portal to this amazing place (called Heart Reef), the Whitsundays (made up of 74 islands), and the Great Barrier Reef (coral and marine life buffet). If you want to party all night in the warm tropical weather, if you want a thongs-only policy, and if you want likeminded travellers, you want Airlie Beach. It’s everything you don’t expect, and way more than you could hope for. It’s basically a long-ass street—Shute Harbour Road—spilling into an epic marina to access the reef. It’s everything you could hope for: beer gardens, nightclubs, cafes, a lagoon, and a heap of options for adventure activities and hostels. It’s
the home of cane toad racing, great Aussie bands, and tropical tours. During stinger season you do need to wear a stinger suit, although they do have a beach where you can swim that has stinger nets. The lagoon is a hit for hot summer days, and lazing around until that hangover fades. A heap of locals are around—although they are mainly boaties and coming in from neighbouring mining towns,so the place is a bit hit and miss if you want to hang with the locals. That said, every night is a party here and you will for sure meet people from all over the world. Party with them. Adventure with them. Sleep with them. And continue to make epic memories.
When to Go The subtropical climate of Airlie Beach makes it pretty much awesome all year-round, although remember that Australia does get cold in the winter and super hot in QLD during the summer.
Best Pick for Adventure
Best Party Scene Mama Africa
Ocean Rafting If you have a spare $139, this is not only our top pick for Airlie, but the entire East Coast! This day trip ticks EVERY box. Snorkel the GBR, see the Whitsundays, have lunch on Whitehaven Beach, wander through the national park, and enjoy the adrenaline of riding on an ocean raft. Not only that, the guides know their sh*t and you get a discounted meal at the end of the day. You will not regret this one. Make sure you book ahead in peak season; it is guaranteed to book out.
07 4946 6848
Mama’s may not look like much from the outside (just your standard giraffe), but you are in for a rude shock when you walk through the doors. Mama’s is an instant party and one of the only nightclubs open until the early hours of the morning. It’s exotic and fun, and one not to miss while in town.
1st Floor, 263 Shute Harbour Rd 07 4948 0599
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Best Hostel/Pub Magnums This place pretty much invented the word party, and you will find yourself here all night. It has a freakin’ huge beer garden, although the rooms are surprisingly quiet. They have drink specials, cheap meals, and new friends are guaranteed. If you want a hostel that’s clean, friendly, and offers serious value for money this is it.
366 Shute Harbour Road (under the Clock Tower) +61 7 4964 1199
Cheap Eats Wisdom Health Lab If you want something cheap, tasty, and healthy, this is the place. It will nourish your body after a big night on the drink, with a selection of smoothies, sandwiches, and salads. Our tip? Grab something to take away and get some Vitamin D, as it’s right alongside the lagoon.
Montipora Building, Shute Harbour Road 07 4946 5199
Want a Free Adventure? Check out the Airlie Creek Track. It’s easy on the feet (roughly 850 metres), winding up the hill behind Airlie Beach along a gravel path. You will see rare plants like the Whitsunday Bottle Tree, and animals like the endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby— they are only found in this region. The track winds you through tranquil forest with natural rock pools and views of the beautiful blue Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. See map.
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Cairns Guide
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So What’s Up with Cairns? In the musty heat of QLD’s North East, you will find the vibrant, exciting, and at times crazy town known as Cairns. A backpackers’ haven, it is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and some of the best dive and snorkel sites in the world. It’s cheap and deliciously dirty, much like the backpackers that linger around these areas. The nightlife is one that starts around midday and will go long into the night. Cheap drinks, minimal rules, and a range of adventurous and adrenalin filled activates makes Cairns a must. It’s the type of place where a picture just won’t do it justice, the people you meet are a dime a dozen, and the experiences you will have will last a lifetime. It’s a
good ol’ fashioned Aussie town with a big backpacker influence. Combine these with the Great Barrier Reef and you will soon find out that it will rock your socks off. Both of them. Odd and smelly. This tends to be the beginning or ending of an epic East Coast road trip, and there is no better way to start your adventure than in this infectiously fun town. The activities may be the reason you want to be here, although Cairns also offers a bunch of free things to do, including a swim in the majestic lagoon, a stroll around the night markets, and free yoga in the park. Good luck trying to leave any time soon.
When to Go You can venture out to the Great Barrier Reef any time of year, and Cairns is pumping all year around. The best time to go snorkelling/diving is from August–January with the high season running from June– December. The winter is mild, although it can get a bit nippy, and the summer is hot. Sometimes stinking ‘get your hanky out and wipe your balls’ HOT.
Our Top Picks for Watering Holes
Nightlife Cairns nightlife will make you pee in your pants just a little, being one of the top three destinations in Australia to party for backpackers. This is not a 5-inch heel town; it’s a pluggers and shorts vibe. The dress code is very minimal. So minimal in fact, you might even spot the odd wet T-shirt comp.
Our advice though, is to pay the $35 and go on the Ultimate Pub Crawl. This is a great way to suss out the town and all the bars. It includes food and booze, five bars, and VIP treatment, plus you’ll meet a bunch of backpackers and locals. Tripadvisor states that you’re ‘guaranteed to pick up’. Make sure you book in advance; this pub-crawl is THAT good, it will book out. They run every Wednesday and Saturday. with the price and quality ranging from $10 for a pub meal to $50 for a meal in a classier establishment.
07 4041 0332 http://www.ultimatepartycairns.com/contact-us/
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Gilligan’s (The G Spot) Stay & Party Want jelly wrestling? Bogan bingo? Pole-dancing and wet T-shirt competitions? Want world-renowned DJs or just somewhere to chill and watch the footy while you take a swim, sip on a beer, or enjoy a slice of pizza? Then you want Gilligan’s. Ticks all the boxes. Cheap food. Cheap drinks. Cheap accommodation. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am.
57-87 Grafton St 1800 556 995
White Water Rafting Barron and Tully River. Tully River white water rafting is regarded as the best rafting in Australia and NZ, located within the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland. Take a note from Nike and JUST DO IT. Anyone from beginners to advanced can take part and it is extremely safe—they run through all safety features on board. It’s for the fun and adventurous, and those looking to have one of the best experiences of their lifetime. And a hot tip for the ladies: the guides are sexxxxxy, so if you’re looking for an extra-guided tour, I’m sure the boys will be more than willing. Check out the Raging Thunder guide profiles…
07 4030 7990 www.cairnsrafting.com.au
Our Top Picks for Adventure Great Barrier Reef Although these trips may look expensive, keep in mind you get what you pay for. If you’ve just spent your life savings on getting to Australia, it is worth whipping out that bit extra for a reef tour. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2000km of the QLD East Coast and you are guaranteed to see untouched coral and marine life. There are many different operators in this area, and one of the best and most competitive places for tours. It is also a great spot to learn to dive, although if that doesn’t interest you, just grab a snorkel and away you go. Even if your swimming skills are limited, flotation devices are provided on most boats. Give zero f+*ks if you are feeling self-conscious about using a flotation device. It’s your trip and your experience. I’d use one out of pure laziness. There are a huge amount of trips available, from half-day adventures to overnights, and it very dependent on budget. Check out Trip Advisor for the best comparison.
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travelg255069-c2565/Cairns:Australia:Great.Barrier. Reef.html
Bungee Jumping This is more than just a bungee jump, it’s a bungee park and a complete experience! AJ Hackett generally operates rain, hail, or shine, so if your day tour gets cancelled this is a great day out. Best part about it, there is a licensed bar so you can calm those nerves no matter what time of day. This is the highest jump in Australia, so you can unleash your inner daredevil! They have a range of options for the jump, including riding a push bike off the ramp or by dangling upside down. Check it out on Sunday arvos from 1-6pm, as they have live music and a funky vibe. Make sure you book ahead for a Sunday sesh as it can get super busy. They also have a courtesy bus, so ask them for a ride! Check out AJ Hackett…
1800 622 888 http://www.ajhackett.com/cairns/
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Danger, Danger! Apart from the obvious backpacker that hasn’t showered for a week with a serious crab infestation, there is the real danger of Australia’s marine life.
Stingers From roughly October–May, stingers are present in the ocean and beaches of Cairns. Only swim in areas where there are nets, and are patrolled. If going out on a boat, they will provide you with a stinger suit. Wear it. Hear me? WEAR IT! These stingers can be deadly and are extremely painful, causing paralysis, so don’t take the risk of ruining your holiday.
Crocs You will notice signs saying, ‘Beware of Crocs’, around different areas of Cairns. These aren’t there so you can whip out your selfie stick and post a photo on Instagram. Crocs inhabit numerous areas of mangroves, beaches, and open water. Be aware of them. They are quick little buggers that wouldn’t mind eating the crumbs out of your beard, along with your head.
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