AUSSIE
GUIDE & MAP WORK, STUDY, TRAVEL FREE MAPS
THE
AUSTRALIA
EVOLUTION GREAT BARRIER REEF CAIRNS
The pride of Far North Queensland HARVEST WORK WHITEHAVEN, QLD CITIZENS OF GBR downundercruiseanddive.com.au
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15 @wordaustralia
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Kakadu
Kimberley
Kings Canyon Uluru
Exmouth
Coober Pe
Esperance
JOURNEY TIMES IN HOURS
JOURNEY TIMES IN HOURS
ROUTE
AIR
BUS
ROUTE
AIR
BUS
Sydney – Adelaide
1.40
24.00
Darwin – Alice Springs
1.50
19.00
Sydney – Canberra
0.35
3.15
Darwin – Kakadu
–
4.30
Sydney – Melbourne inland
1.10
14.30
Alice Springs – Ayers Rock
0.45
6.00
Canberra – Melbourne
0.55
9.30
Cairns – Brisbane
2.05
25.00
Melbourne – Adelaide
1.05
9.30
Brisbane – Sydney
1.15
17.00
Melbourne – Broken Hill
1.50
19.00
Brisbane – Melbourne
1.55
25.00
Adelaide – Alice Springs
2.00
20.00
Melbourne – Hobart
1.15
–
Adelaide – Perth
3.00
35.00
Melbourne – Devonport
1.05
10.00 by sea
Adelaide – Brisbane
2.15
33.30
*Overnight stay in Sydney
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Cape Tr i b u l a t i o n
Mission Beach Whitsundays
Airlie Beach
1770
Fraser Island
n
Noosa
Hervey Bay Rainbow Beach Gold Coast
Byron Bay Coffs Harbour Port Macquarie
edy Blue Mountains
Kangaroo Island
Great Ocean Rd
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AUSSIE
GUIDE & MAP Work & Study
10 12 16 Travel Maps Australia Pty Ltd have been producing tourist maps and guides of Sydney since 1993. This Guide is distributed FREE in over 500 hotels, best value accommodations, transport hubs and international colleges in Sydney. Other titles include: THE WORD Sydney Map THE WORD Desktop Maps
Welcome to Australia 5 Visa Updates 6 Visa & Job Assistance 7 Harvest Work 8 Voluntourism 11 Travel Bucket List 10 Adventure – Skydiving 12 Queensland 14 Whitsunday Islands 15 Cairns – The Adventure Capital of Australia 16 Cape Tribulation 18 Citizens of GBR 20 Northern Territory 22
23 Edition: Spring/Summer 2017 Published by Travel Maps Australia PO Box 7023, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100 Tel: 02 8338 0842 contact@thewordaustralia.com.au Publisher/Editor: Mike Barrow Managing Editor: Chris Harrison Design/Production: KYSO.com.au Administration: Narelle van Leeuwen Customer Service: Martin Sisolak Advertising Enquiries sales@thewordaustralia.com.au Tel: 02 8338 0842
This guide is printed by PMP Limited. PMP Limited are committed to continuous environmental improvement by using environmental management systems, introducing environmental initiatives and benchmarking to globally recognised standards and monitoring. Paper fibre is from PEFC certified forests and controlled sources.
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Views expressed in this guide are not necessarily those of the publisher. Images: Supplied by Tourism Australia, Down Under Cruise & Dive.
WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA
Welcome to Australia! Our vast country, which is also a continent, and often considered to be the world’s largest island. Australia’s vast size gives rise to a wide variety of landscapes, from lush ancient tropical rainforests in North Queensland, to mountain ranges along the New South Wales and Victorian border and to the dry, desert country in the centre, known as ‘the Outback’. Most of us (25 million Aussies) live along the coast. Sydney is the largest city (4.8m), but Melbourne (4.4m) is catching up fast, Brisbane
(2.3m), and Adelaide (1.3m) are also large. Whereas Darwin is a capital city (of the Northern Territory) but has only 140 000 people, and the national capital (Canberra) has only 350 000. Australia is a wealthy country, ranking second in the world (after Switzerland). Australia also has a history of extensive immigration. In 2011, 25% of Aussies were born overseas and 43% had at least one overseasborn parent. It’s a very beautiful and diverse country and a friendly country with its own unique sense of good humour. It’s also sport-crazy, full of golden sandy beaches, blue skies and clean air. In short, a great place to live, work, study and travel. As a traveller with money and/or time constraints, try to travel as much as you can. Do as much on your bucket list (page 10) as possible. Visit lots of golden beaches and mix with lots of friendly locals. Above all, have fun and enjoy this great country. After all that’s why you came here, right? @wordaustralia 5
VISA UPDATES
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) is reviewing Working Holiday Visas with a view to increasing the age limit (from 30 to 35). However the department’s position is bound by reciprocal agreements from other countries.
Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on Working Holiday Visas as the reciprocal agreements are negotiated regularly. More information at www.aurecmigration.com.au www.border.gov.au www.thebyte.com.au
JOB HUNTING
Most jobs for working holiday makers or international students are short-term (i.e 6-months or less), are low-skills level positions and are suitable for people with minimal experience or low English language levels. Popular jobs for backpackers and students include: call centre, childcare, farm work 6 THE WORD Australia Aussie Guide & Map
or fruit picking (see p7), health, hospitality, office work, retail, sales and the trades or warehousing. More information at www.downundr.com www.gostudy.com.au www.goworkabout.com www.thejobshop.com.au www.workstay.com.au
FREE VISA & JOB ASSISTANCE!
Do you need help staying in Australia, or advice on how to find a job? Go Study Australia is the nation’s leading education agency offering free advice and support on studying in Australia, gaining a student visa and how to get a job.
Go Study Australia offers academic course selection, visa processing, help finding jobs, migration services, and social activities. Our services also can connect you to over 1500 courses across Australia. Let Go Study Australia take the stress and risk out of your study experience. Get your visa processed for free. Guaranteed lowest prices on all courses. Offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Call 02 9283 0480 www.gostudy.com.au
FREE ADVICE & SUPPORT VISA • STUDIES • WORK • FUN
VISA EXTENSION STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA JOB SUPPORT & SEMINARS PARTIES & EXCURSIONS
+++....
We speak languages
students already trusted us
www.gostudy.com.au SYDNEY • MELBOURNE • BRISBANE • PERTH Suite , Level , Pitt Street – Sydney NSW australia@gostudy.com.au + ((() 88 @wordaustralia 7
HARVEST WORK
Every year, approximately 40,000 Working Holiday Makers/Backpackers work in Australian agriculture. Many of whom are completing their 88 days of specified work that is required for eligibility for a Second year visa. Australian farmers rely on backpackers to help get the pruning done, beef cattle mustered, crops harvested and dairy cows milked. There is a guide summarising a short checklist with the key things that backpackers need to keep in mind when going to work on an Australian farm – SEARCH “Farm Work – A guide for Working Holiday Makers”. Be careful where you get information about jobs There are websites and scams galore so be careful. Don’t pay money upfront unless you have spoken to other independent backpackers that have used that source. The Harvest Trail website www.harvesttrail.gov.au is funded by the Australian 8 THE WORD Australia Aussie Guide & Map
Government and is careful what jobs they list. Most times they can put you directly in touch with the farmer listing the job and it costs nothing to use. Ring them on 1800 062 332 and take advantage of their expertise. Get a car There is little public transport away from the cities. If you have your own independent transport you are totally in control, and it can be your accommodation too. Sharing a van is the best way, and can be quite cheap. Try the backpacker vehicle rental market. Piecework can be your friend Piecework is paid by the amount of fruit you pick. Don’t be scared off by it, a better than
average worker can earn more than the hourly rate once they get up to speed. Stick it out for a full week and see how much you improve before you decide whether to leave. Remember, if you socialise while working it will slow you down, leave that to the hostel in the evenings.
Don’t put up with poor treatment The farmer is the boss, but if they treat you poorly, don’t put up with it, move on... and tell others. You still have to be paid for the work done. Report it, report it, report it Keep records of your work and if you get ripped off, report it. Don’t just grizzle and vent on social media, formally report it to an authority that can do something about it. If you don’t, the rip-offs will continue. … AND HAVE FUN!
LOOKING FOR HARVEST WORK?
Funded by the Australian Government at no cost to workers or employers
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YOUR BUCKET LIST New South Wales Ferry across Sydney Harbour Sydney Opera House Bondi Beach Manly Blue Mountains Byron Bay
Tasmania Hobart Cradle Mountain Wineglass Bay Freycinet National Park
Victoria Northern Territory Darwin Kakadu National Park Litchfield National Park Uluru Katherine Gorge
Melbourne Great Ocean Road Grampians Phillip Island
Queensland Fraser Island Whitsundays Islands Great Barrier Reef Cairns Daintree Rainforest
South Australia Adelaide Kangaroo Island Swim with Great White Sharks Barossa Valley
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Western Australia Perth Pinnacles Monkey Mia Broome Kimberley Ningaloo Reef
VOLUNTOURISM
Join WWOOF as a volunteer and become a wonderful WWOOFer! 1600 WWOOF Hosts around Australia invite WWOOFers to stay and help. WWOOFing is a fantastic way to travel Australia spending time with interesting people while learning a variety of new skills.
WWOOF Hosts live sustainable lifestyles; most are in rural areas, with a growing number of urban Hosts. Many Hosts are Permaculture enthusiasts, about 20% use Bio-dynamic growing methods and approximately 10% are Certified Organic properties. WWOOFers help Hosts with their current tasks. Joining in as family, often there are no set hours, but an average of four to six hours daily of farming/ gardening type volunteer work is a fair exchange for all of your meals and accommodation. More information at www.wwoof.com.au
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ADVENTURE SKYDIVING
Ever thought about jumping out of a perfectly good light airplane? Well, its available right on your doorstep so now is the time to try. Skydiving is one of those adrenaline activities on many people’s to-do list. With excellent training and operator safety levels, Australia is the perfect place to finally take that leap. For many tandem skydiving is the way to go. A tandem skydive only requires 15–20 minutes of practical training. A qualified instructor is strapped to your back and all you have to worry about
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is enjoying the ride! Find the most suitable package including price, convenience and availability. You’ll also need to think about the kind of view you want to absorb while floating to the ground. The best advice is to go as high as you can. You’ll get a full minute of free-fall from 14,000 feet and experience speeds of around 200 km/ph. You’ll also get complimentary transfers with Sydney Skydivers. More information Sydney Skydivers www.1300skydive.com.au 1300 759 348
QUEENSLAND
Queensland offers some magical places to visit that are both distinctive and captivating. Discover and experience its endless wonders from tropical rainforests, pristine beaches, World Heritage sites, outback and of course its adrenalin adventures.
Queensland has nearly 300 days of sunshine a year and so with the ideal all-year-round climate, it’s no wonder that its one of the hot backpacking destinations around the world. Blue skies and warm weather have given Queensland the slogan ‘Beautiful one day – perfect the next.’ Your travel options include nature-based and/or adventurebased activities, cruise & sail or rail and driving holidays. 14 THE WORD Australia Aussie Guide & Map
Queensland’s capital – Brisbane, has grown over the past 15 years and is now regarded as one of Australia’s most liveable cities. The Gold Coast is such a great place to visit for its outdoor lifestyle and party nights. The world famous ‘Great Barrier Reef’ can be accessed from many resorts along the north coast of Queensland, including Cairns, adventure capital of the north. Finally, all along the Queensland coast are some of the world’s most beautiful islands. From South Stradbroke Island in the south, through Magnetic Island off Townsville to Fitzroy Island in the far north. You may not stay on any island, but you can visit many by ferry, launch or sailing boat.
WHITSUNDAYS ISLANDS
Ocean Rafting Whitsundays offers two exciting day tour adventures, the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights, with each tour offering an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided National Parks walks.
Ocean Rafting offers the ultimate access to iconic Hill Inlet, and snorkel sites at Hook and Border Islands ensure a memorable underwater experience. More information oceanrafting.com.au 07 4946 6848
2016 Gold Major Tour & Transport Operators
Whitsunday Tourism and Business Awards
WINNER
Business of the Year
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CAIRNS – THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA
SO MUCH TO SEE Reef, Rainforest, Lagoon, Markets, Kuranda, Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, Skydive, Bungy, Scuba Dive and PARTY!!
DAY TRIPS TO THE REEF Experience the best day out on the Reef with Evolution day boat, offering the ultimate luxury at an affordable price. downundercruiseanddive.com.au SKYDIVE Get high and experience the ultimate rush. Jump out of a plane from up to 17 000ft. Parachute kindly supplied. tandemcairns.com.au SCUBA DIVING The Great Barrier Reef can only really be appreciated underwater whilst Scuba diving. Turtles, rays, Nemo and sharks! cairnsdive.com.au PARTY, PARTY PARTY!! Cairns has great nightlife and party scenes. Try the Woolshed or Gilligans and get down and club the night away.
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arrier tB R a
ef e
Gr e
www.cairnsdive.com.au
D I V E CENTRE AUSTRALIA
• Learn to Dive • Glass Bottom Boat Day & Night Tours • Introductory Diving • Snorkelling • Island Hire - coral viewing
kayaks, snorkel & dive gear, stand up paddle boards & camera hire
Fitzroy Island Dive Centre Ph:
07 4041 0440
www.cairnsdive.com.au CAIRNS DIVE CENTRE
SPECIALISING IN • • • • • •
Day Trips to the Outer Reef Day Trips to Fitzroy Island 2 & 3 Day Liveaboard Trips Snorkelling & Diving Introductory Diving Learn to Dive Courses Cairns Dive Centre 121 Abbott Street, Cairns Qld 4870
Ph:
07 4051 0294
www.cairnsdive.com.au
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CAPE TRIBULATION
Ocean Safari offers an exciting ride to snorkel the pristine untouched Great Barrier Reef off the Daintree Coast at Cape Tribulation. After a fast 25 minute ride, guests are ready to snorkel two fabulous locations on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Rates 5 stars and ranked No 1 of 20 activities in Cape Trip on TripAdvisor. Be their 1000th review. Ocean Safari is also home to the Turtle Rock CafĂŠ and Safari Lodge (just 400 metres from the beach). Safari Lodge offers Safari Huts and camp sites, as well as a swimming pool, camp kitchen, laundry and clean amenities in the tropical Cape Tribulation rainforest. It is the perfect base for exploring this famous region. More information oceansafari.com.au 07 4098 0006
GREAT BARRIER REEF CAIRNS
EVOLUTION The Multi-award winning Reef Vessel
1300-CAIRNS The Best Value Tour in Australia @wordaustralia 19
downundercruiseanddive.com.au
CITIZENS OF GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef Today • From the rainforests and mangroves, to the farmlands and the rivers that run through them, all of our landscapes are connected to the Great Barrier Reef. • The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef will take your breath away. But the threats to its future are real and immediate. • The leading threat to the Great Barrier Reef is climate change – a global challenge that impacts the reef through rising sea temperatures,
ocean acidification, and extreme weather events. • The mass coral bleaching witnessed on the Great Barrier Reef is a consequence of our warming planet. Even a small increase in sea temperature over consecutive weeks can trigger a bleaching event. • Frequent or prolonged bleaching events result in stressed corals that, if unable to recover or adjust, will eventually die. • The effects of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef make it even more vulnerable to localised threats such as poor water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish, and severe weather events like cyclones. Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef • We, the citizens of the reef, are determined to protect this unique natural wonder, but we need your support. • Wherever you live in the world, get involved and
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make a difference: Become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef. • As a visitor to the reef/region you have already taken the first step . Together we will raise awareness and drive change to secure the future of this breathtaking ecosystem for generations to come.
to a lifestyle where the decisions you make at home serve to secure the future of the reef and our planet. All from the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef platform. • We can’t wait for someone else to sort it out. Become a citizen today at citizensgbr.org
Become a Citizen Today • Help build the movement by engaging your community and friends; support local conservation efforts; learn about the Great Barrier Reef and its threats; and aspire
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NORTHERN TERRITORY
Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield Darwin is ‘the capital of the NT’ and one of the fastest growing and most cosmopolitan cities in Australia. It is steeped in rich history, from its Aboriginal roots to its modern WW2 heritage. Visit the Wave Lagoon, with two swimming pools locals and tourists alike can enjoy the endless summer.
Mindil Beach Markets are open every Thursday and Sunday and are well worth a visit for food and cool stuff to buy. Watch the sun setting from the beach. mindil.com.au 22 THE WORD Australia Aussie Guide & Map
Kakadu National Park is the main attraction of the region. Discover the remarkable landscape, wildlife and rich culture. Amazing rock-art sites show the importance of the link between the indigenous custodians and the surrounding country. Explore spectacular wetlands full of birds and crocs. Swim in clear pools. Kakadu is best visited with an organized tour over a few days. Guides are very knowledgeable about the fauna and flora.
Litchfield National Park is only 1.5 hours south of Darwin, Litchfield is a smaller version of Kakadu and a popular day tour from Darwin.
ULURU AND THE RED CENTRE
If you haven’t seen Uluru at sunrise, then you are in for a beautiful surprise. The colour changes are amazing from purple to red. It’s a unique experience and attracts thousands of visitors every year. The team from the Rock Tour will look after you, feed
you and drive you to the best viewing places. You will head straight to Uluru from your accommodation and learn about the Dreamtime at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The Uluru Base Walk then gives you the opportunity to take in the spiritual nature of the gorges, waterholes and cave paintings and you will sleep overnight in swags under a million stars. The three day, two night tour then heads to the amazing Kings Canyon. Go with the professionals, go with the Rock Tour. FREECALL 1800 246 345
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