TNT Downunder 682

May 21-27 2012 Issue 682 tntdownunder.com

! TE IN W E ULTIMA

TH THREE-DAY CK BA ULURU OUT RE ADVENTU

HIT THE SLOPES T The he Kiwi ski ski season kicks off

TAKE THE PLUNGE Embark on a Ganges adventure in India

HOUSE OF LOVE East 17 are back Remember them?

H T Y M N I G I R O

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TOM STURROCK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER State of Origin is one of the great institutions in Australian sport, pitting NSW and Queensland against each other in one of the world’s most deeply rooted grudge matches. Since its inception, Origin has grabbed the imagination and this week we recall the concept’s best. And, on the other side of the coin, if you don’t give a toss about it, then you can bugger off to New Zealand’s snowfields – see page 28 for all the info.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

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CHATROOM

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FILM

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COMPETITION

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TRAVEL

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NEWS

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SPORT

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OPINION

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LISTINGS NSW

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LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

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LISTINGS VICTORIA

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LISTINGS SA

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LISTINGS NT

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LISTINGS TASMANIA

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LISTINGS WA

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LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

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WORK

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TRIVIAL PURSUITS

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FEATURES PUSHING THE LIMITS

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Base jumping, volcano bungee, diving with crocs – we get properly extreme

SNOW MOTION

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Follow the white lines to New Zealand’s magnificent Canterbury snowfields

HOLY COW

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Take a head-trip to the banks of the Ganges during Varanasi’s Shiva festival

KINGS OF ORIGIN

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We kick off the State of Origin by looking at the series’ greatest ever players

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OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Tom Sturrock Deputy editor Alex Harmon Editorial assistant Leigh Livingstone Contributors Andy Westbrook | Caroline Eden | Laura Chubb

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DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Account manager Justin Steinlauf Sales executive Caroline Ward MARKETING & EVENTS Business development manager Tom Wheeler Marketing assistant Leroy Meurs DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland ACCOUNTS Financial controller Trish Bailey

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MAIN EVENT VIVID FESTIVAL SYDNEY

When Vivid Sydney takes over the city after dark, you will witness Sydney transformed into a spectacular canvas of light, music and ideas. This year, its fourth, is bigger than ever, with performances from local and international musicians at Vivid LIVE. Highlights include Florence + the Machine, The Temper Trap, Janelle Monae and Karen O. And don’t miss the famous free light show on the Sydney Opera House’s sails every night.

FREE

May 25-June 11. Many events are free.

Various venues across Sydney vividsydney.com

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STATE OF ORIGIN: GAME ONE

ST KILDA FILM FESTIVAL

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

Sports fans need to get themselves down to the pub for game one of the three-leg State of Origin rugby league series.

It’s held in Melbourne this year but it’s between QLD and NSW. Go figure. It’s one of the top sporting events and has fights aplenty.

Catch Australia’s top 100 short films in St Kilda’s Palais Theatre. There are free and ticketed events and don’t miss the late night Blaze Of Glory event if you love classic movies, music and music videos. Then dance the night away downstairs.

Don’t pretend you’re not going to watch it. The world’s most famous showdown of Euro-trash singing takes place in Baku (Azerbaijan) this year. Will it be the host country’s Sabina Babayeva or could Engelbert Humperdinck take it home for England? Watch and see!

May 23 Eithad Stadium, Melbourne nrl.com

May 22-27 St Kilda, Melbourne stkildafilmfestival.com.au

May 22-26 Screening on free-to-air SBS eurovision.tv

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TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests.

There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers. Registered by Australia Post.

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Adrenaline rushes Looking for some new thrills on holiday? Check out our collection of extreme activities and start planning your next adventure WORDS TOM STURROCK

It’s all very well going somewhere sunny and taking part in the standard activities – the windsurfing and the sailing and maybe even a spot of scuba diving. But there are a handful of locations where, among the many highlights, there is the opportunity get involved in something a little more unusual, adventures that will hopefully get the blood pumping.

Australian and New Zealand are both renowned destinations for this kind of activity, combining fun-filled afternoons with pristine locations. It’s a compelling pitch. What, for example, makes a better travel story than dropping like stone into Queenstown’s

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spectacular Shotover Canyon, before being slingshotted up and out to safety? It’s not something you’re likely to forget in a hurry. And if that doesn’t cause you to lose your stomach, strap into a giant plastic ball in Rotorua and go spinning down a hill – it’s called Zorbing and is all the rage.

Equally, across the Tasman, you can take in Hobart’s sparkling harbour during a high-octane jet flight or find yourself eyeballing a couple of toothy crocodiles in Darwin’s tourist insititution, The Cage of Death.

Further afield, there’s even more choice – if you’ve got a trip planned to southeast Asia, you’ll likely find

yourself in Laos, floating down the river in an old tractor tyre, provided the potent local whiskey hasn’t done you in first.

Or if you’re more into wildlife, you can head to India’s northern resort town of Manali, where you can be towed up the slopes by a charging yak.

If you’re not worried about the cold, why not jump in a kayak and go for a paddle through the Alaskan glaciers in search of the region’s whales?

Sightseeing while on holiday can be interesting but it’s usually the ‘doing’ that sticks in the mind long after. And we’re willing to bet you’ll never forget any of these extreme activities.

GET INTO THE SWING QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

HITCHING A RIDE VANG VIENG, LAOS

At Shotover Canyon in Queenstown, some enterprising locals have built a platform on the edge of a cliff 109m above the river and rigged up a system to facilitate the world’s highest cliff-jump. After you take the plunge, gravity will have you accelerating to the rocks below for 60 metres of freefall, during which you’ll reach speeds of 150kph. Just as you start to worry that you’ll be dashed to pieces on the rocks below, the safety mechanism kicks in, swinging you free and clear, back up and down again. Once you’ve dusted yourself off and recovered your composure, you’ll be able to make the most of Queenstown, which is a favourite among visitors, who are drawn in by the nearby mountains, notable for their strange pinkish-purples hues. It’s got a banging nightlife and you’ll bump into plenty of other travellers around the traps.

This tiny village in central Laos has become one of the world’s most unlikely backpacker party towns. Sure, they come for the cheap booze but they return in their droves for the tubing – that is, you get hold of a massive rubber tyre and use it to float down the Nam Song river. You can do this in other parts of southeast Asia but the view is particularly spectacular here, majestic karst limestone mountains lining the route. Once you’re done with your leisurely ride down the Nam Song, you can hit the town’s bars, which are even more action-packed. They’re mostly rickety bamboo shacks on the river’s banks, enticing tourists in with shots of free Lao Lao whiskey. Go easy on the grog, though. It’s served in buckets for a couple of dollars a pop and has an alcohol content of 45 per cent. Can get messy.

canyonswing.co.nz

visitlaos.org

THE NEED FOR SPEED HOBART, AUSTRALIA

KAYAKING AMONG GENTLE GIANTS ALASKA, UNITED STATES

Imagine going on the most extreme rollercoaster without any tracks guiding your way. Well, that’s what it feels like doing barrel rolls and loops up in the air above Hobart’s harbour. After your safety and mission debrief by the trusted and very experienced former German military jet pilot known as ‘Funky’, it’s time to suit up in the classic Top Gun-style military overalls and hit the runway. You can expect some extreme G-Force straight away and, after a nice joyride checking out the sites of Hobart, it’s time to get aerobatic. You’ll do wing-covers and aileron rolls, all viewable from upside-down in your glass cockpit. This is a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to see Tasmania’s amazing scenery in an adrenaline-fuelled flyover.

Make whale-watching a little more adventurous and go kayaking alongside them – it’s a great way to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Submerged land formations, temperate waters and strong tidal currents make Point Adolphus Alaska’s most active whale feeding area and one of the best spots to catch whales surfacing. Keep an eye out for other marine wildlife, such as sea lions and otters, paddling alongside you, too. You’ll pick your way in between the region’s glaciers – hopefully you don’t capsize because it’s bloody chilly – keeping your eyes peeled for orcas, humpback and killer whales. If you venture upland, you’ll also be able to explore the world’s largest temperate rainforest. Pack your thermals, though.

topgunaustralia.com

seakayakalaska.com

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GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE TOP END’S LOCALS DARWIN, AUSTRALIA It’s become a rite of passage for any travellers to Australia’s Top End – the chance to share the pools inhabited by Chopper, Denzel, Houdini & Bess, Crocosaurus Cove’s toothy inhabitants. Luckily, you’ll be behind the safety of a very sturdy perspex box, the only thing stopping the crocs from enjoying you as an mid-afternoon snack. And these crocs are big – Houdini, for example, weighs in at an imposing 600kg and stretches to five metres. He’s a massive unit. The cage gets lowered into each of four pools for about five minutes each, allowing you to get right up in the crocs’ faces, making it one of the must-do attractions in Darwin. And, of course, once you’re done with the pleasantries, you can get out, towel off and explore the city, which has come a long way in recent times, without losing any of its tropical ‘eccentricity’. Check out the Mindil Beach sunset markets, before heading to Hanuman, Darwin’s finest restauarant, which specialises in a bit of Thai and a bit of Indian.

Afterwards, head for a drink at the historic Victoria bar or take in a film at the glorious deckchair cinema, located on the southern end of the Esplanade. Thankfully, there are no crocs to be found there. crocosauruscove.com

TURNING UP THE HEAT PUCON, CHILE

GETTING A RUN ON MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

If the average bungee jump isn’t quite extreme enough for you, the volcano bungee jump near Pucon, Chile may be more your style. A helicopter will fly you over an active volcano (white-hot, bubbling and all), from which you’ll bungee jump 106m towards the caldera. Considering you’re dangling from the helicopter’s cord within just 200m of boiling molten lava, it’s little wonder this is considered one of the world’s most dangerous bungee jumps. Pucan has other delights apart from being quickly lowered into a volcano – you can go hiking, horse-back riding or rafting on the Trancurra river. There are also some exquisite national parks, lakes and spas. The weather is fairly stable too, so you can get there and explore most of the year.

Developed in the housing commissions of France, parkour, or free-running, requires participants to navigate an urban environment, vaulting, rolling, running, climbing, and jumping over and around various structures. The movements required draw on elements of ninjitsu and eventually became part of standard training for the French military. You can find parkour classes in most of Australia’s capital cities but the main facility is in Melbourne, where you can learn the basics at an indoor centre before taking to the streets and trying out your new tricks. There are courses that run pretty much every day so if you fancy yourself as a budding stunt man or need the skills to run away from an angry spouse, then strap on your shoes and get tumbling.

chile.travel/en

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parkour.asn.au

TAKEN FOR A RIDE MANALI, INDIA

DON’T GET STUCK BAT’S RIDGE, AUSTRALIA

India isn’t necesarily synonymous with skiing resorts but the small town of Manali – named after the Hindu law-maker Manu, who apparently showed up after a great flood – comes alive during winter. And this town, in the Kulu Valley, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, is the only place on earth where you can partake in a spot of yak skiing. The sport involves a skier waiting at the bottom of a slope and a yak at the top of the hill; yak and skier are connected by a rope going around a pulley at the top of the hill. To engage the yak, the skier must shake – and swiftly put down – a bucket of pony nuts. This attracts the yak, who charges downhill and pulls the skier upward by the rope.

Whizzing past a hungry yak coming in the opposite direction is probably not a good time to fall over.

If you fancy crawling around underground, exploring all the nooks and crannies, you can make a day of it by driving down Victoria’s Great Ocean Road to Portland, and then booking a day’s caving at Bat’s Ridge, which is a short trip from the coastal town. Your caving activities will vary depending on what you’re up for – you can spend an afternoon just strolling around the underground network of tunnels. Alternatively, if you fancy getting down and dirty, you may find yourself squirming through tight spaces and crawling around narrow passages. It’s probably not a good one for claustrophobes but it’s good exercise and makes an adventurous weekend if you’ve got a group of mates who are keen on active road trip down south. There’s also accommodation on-site if you plan to stick around.

kltowerjump.com

LIVING ON THE EDGE TORONTO, CANADA

A TRULY AB-ZORBING EXPERIENCE ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

The Canadians are very proud of their CN Tower – at more than 553m, it’s the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere and has become a national symbol.

It’s also home to the audacious EdgeWalk, which holds the Guinness World Record for the highest external walk around a building. Those who dare can tether themselves to the tower and walk hands-free for 150m along the ledge – which is just 1.5m wide. It might sound all nice and low-key but once you’re up there, hanging out over the edge, it’s an entirely alien feeling. Wisely, organisers close the attraction during bad weather and high winds. Hanging out over a city is probably not the place to want to be when a big storm blows through.

You’ve probably seen zorbing before – it’s when people climb inside a big, clear, plastic ball and go rolling helter skelter down a hill. It sounds horrible but is apparently incredible fun and it all started in Rotorua, where you spend a day bouncing along a straight track or going in a zigzag.

You can just try to hang on and enjoy the ride but the idea is to control the direction of your zorb, which makes for an excellent abdominal workout. Zorb in Rotorua has rolled thousands of people down its hills and makes the impressive claim that not a single zorber has spewed as a result. You’d think there’d have been a few. Bizarrely, former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff holds the record for the fastest 100m in a zorb, covering the stretch in 26.59 seconds.

edgewalkcntower.ca

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Samantha McClymont The bassist – and middle sister – in Australia’s favourite all-girl country trio chats to us about crossover appeal, recording in Nashville and sibling spats over lunch menus INTERVIEW TOM STURROCK

are so good. It’s an amazing vibe, for sure. It’s so inspiring. The session musicians are so quick – you just watch them pick up three or four songs in one day. They’re the best at what they do. So it was really our kind of place to record an album – they just have it all down.

And you’ll be touring again later this year. Do you get sick of the grind?

It’s what we do – we’re a live band. That’s how we reach the audience and showcase all our songs. We’re really looking forward to playing some new tracks because it’s been a while since our last album.

The McClymonts: (from left) Mollie, Brooke and Samantha

What can people expect from the new album, Two Worlds Collide?

It’s definitely still a McClymonts sound – that comes through in the sibling harmonies, which means it’s not just about one voice. It’s two-anda-half years since the last record so hopefully people can hear a bit of that maturity. And we’ve been out on the road doing four shows a week so we’re more comfortable with what we’re doing, but it’s a more vulnerable, honest album that’s probably a bit deeper too.

There are a few more pop licks on there. Was it a conscious decision to try to get that crossover appeal?

We never really sat down and decided which direction to take. We had a lot of time to write so there was no pressure and that meant that we ended up writing all kinds of songs and a bunch of different elements came out. So we weren’t thinking about writing a country album or a different kind of album.

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You worked with one of Taylor Swift’s producers – how has she changed the traditional country music audience?

I think it’s great. That younger audience needed someone to come along and give them a new way to connect to country music – that’s what people want. She’s on the pop charts so, as a country artist, I’m all for that, for crossing those boundaries. Hopefully it helps take labels off music and persuades people to open their minds a little bit.

What do you think about televised talent shows like X-Factor and Australia’s Got Talent?

I get why people want to do it – it’s so hard to get a record deal, partly because of downloading online, which means record companies don’t sign as many people and don’t want to take a chance. So for a singer to be seen and get a fan base instantly is amazing. If you can get lucky and still emerge as an artist at the same time, then why not?

Who did you listen to growing up?

We listened to a lot of Dolly Parton and I remember my mum telling us about Shania Twain and The Dixie Chicks. My old sister, Brooke, was a complete Eighties baby, so she loved Heart and ABBA. And now we listen to all kinds of music – it’s good to have a real mixture.

And, of course, Keith Urban, Australia’s biggest country star, is going great guns on The Voice, isn’t he?

I think Keith is doing and has done amazing things for country music in terms of attracting new audiences. I think people are starting to see why he’s the biggest thing in the US and has been for a few years.

What was it like to record in Nashville?

Nashville is now so big that all genres go there to record because the musicians and the studios

The McClymonts’ new album, Two Worlds Collide, is out now and they will be touring nationally from August themcclymonts.net.au

Photos: Getty Images

The old-style country song is about a guy who’s wife leaves him – and then his dog dies. Did you write any of those?

I guess there are genres within genres and there’s definitely that traditional side of country music. But we’re three young, independent

women and that’s where we write from. We grew up listening to that kind of country music and still like it but those aren’t the kinds of songs we write. We’re a bit younger, a bit more modern, I suppose.

You’re all sisters – does that alter the dynamic within the band?

We’re sisters and that’s probably what makes it work. We get over things a lot quicker and the fights we have aren’t really about music. We’re all pretty much on the same page in that sense – when we fight, it’s more often about what to have for lunch.

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Ali G misplaced his razor many years ago

THE DICTATOR FILM review by Alex Harmon STARRING: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley | MA | 83mins

BEL AMI FILM preview STARRING: Robert Pattinson, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman | M | 102mins

Robert Pattinson stars in this adaptation of the classic French novel Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant – a story full of sexual intrigue, scandal and manipulation. Trading his 21stcentury vampire digs for a 19th-century period piece comes naturally for Pattinson, and he manages to keep his trademark pale and brooding demeanor. The sleazy, corrupt Parisian high society will no doubt tantalise Francophiles and literary buffs alike.

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In typical Baron Cohen fashion, no minority is spared in this outlandish romp: vegans, Jews, lesbians, Asians, those with a disregard for hygiene and grooming.

Sometimes it’s hilarious, but in other parts feels as barren as the desert of Wadiya.

Admiral General Aladeen, a dictator from the fictional North African country, is an obvious nod to Muammar Gaddafi, although he describes himself as the last in a long line of fallen dictators: “Kim, Gaddafi, Saddam, Cheney”.

The film’s narrative twist comes when Aladeen has his identity stolen by his body-double and suddenly finds himself alone and beardless in New York, where he meets a vegan-feminist grocer, Zoey (Anna Faris). She invites her ‘prisoner of war’ to the liberal hotbed of Brooklyn, where romance blossoms amid endless riffs on Aladeen wanting to sleep with her because she looks like a little boy.

Don’t worry, he still ridicules your ‘typical American’ – one particular scene that mocks 9/11 pushes the envelope. The film’s downfall is that the running jokes about rape, women and Jews run thin. Although the film isn’t overly long, the recycled Baron Cohen jokes make it feel like déjà vu. It all becomes a bit stagey, like Borat in the General Admiral’s clothes, although Megan Fox’s cameo as a highclass escort who refuses payment for an all-night cuddle is a rare highlight.

In parts, the film tries in vain to moonlight as a political satire, but once you strip away the wall-to-wall offensiveness, there’s not much of a film left.

GOOD FOR: The glamour of Kim Jong-il and the ill-humour of Borat

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Sweet Seventeen The East London lads have reunited to prove that even the most troubled of Nineties’ boy bands have one more shot in the locker WORDS ALEX HARMON

Although they make no claim to being the greatest band of their time, when it comes to break-ups, East 17 are up there with the best of them. The inter-band punch-ups are reminscent of Oasis and, while they’re no Smashing Pumpkins, they’ve got the on-again, off-again patterns of Billy Corgan and his mates. And yet, the boy from Walthamstow in East London, at the height of their fame in the early Nineties, have bounced back from their acrimonious split and reunited, this time as a three-piece.

And it’s all thanks to Tony Mortimer.

“It was a spectacular fall,” says Mortimer, the band’s original songwriter. “If you are going to fall from grace, do it in style. Don’t whimper out.”

Mortimer is referring to the events of 1997, when the four-piece were on top of the world. East 17 were outselling Take That, having amassed 20 million album sales and 18 Top 20 singles. Then, all of a sudden, lead singer Brian Harvey told a radio interviewer, “it’s cool to take drugs” and claimed ecstasy “can make you a better person”. He was immediately booted out of the band and East 17 were finished. Flash forward to 2012 and, after several attempts, the band are officially back together. This time it’s just John Hendy and Terry Coldwell joining Mortimer and the trio are returning to Australia for the first time in almost 20 years.

“Oh God, 20 years ago, I don’t remember a lot of the nights, but I remember they were big, crazy nights. I have memories of being driven around Kings Cross and we ended up skinny-dipping in Bondi Beach,” Mortimer recalls. “We stayed in this townhouse in Kings Cross. That’s been knocked down now, I’m sure.”

There will be a sense of nostalgia for the audience when East 17 belt out well-known hits such as House of Love and It’s Alright and it seems the band’s founding member couldn’t be happier. To many, he’ll always be the smoothfaced boy singing in his bathrobe but, these days, he’s 41 and has two teenage daughters of his own.

“We want to go back and just relive our youth. When it didn’t hurt our backs so much, travelling all that way to Australia,” Mortimer says, insisting that, although he’s not

“

Try singing songs you’ve written as a teenager at 40

”

the same East End lad who wrote the songs about pulling girls, he’s still happy to sing them.

“I was trying to be a poet. I was a teenager when I wrote the song Deep,” he laughs. “When I perform it in Australia, well, let’s just say I’m pushing 40 – OK, I’ll be 42 in October.

I mean, try singing songs you’ve written as a teenager at the age of 40. It’s hilarious.”

At least time has engendered a sense of humour in Mortimer. For a band as famous for their pork-pie hats and matching army gear as for their Christmas No 1, Stay Another Day, the guys might possibly look back on their questionable fashion choices with some recrimination.

“It’s funny, because in our day we were kind of the cool band and it was cool to like us,” he says. “But even when you’re really cool, you look back now and you just think, ‘oh my God, how was I wearing that? And how was I thinking that I looked so cool?’ The joy of looking back on your youth.

Even if you look at the bands of today that are really cool, look at their haircuts – they are going to hurt in 20 years.

“YouTube – what a nightmare! Who invented that? I want to kill them!” he says. “It’s like, you make a mistake and there it is forever. When we tried to make the first comeback, it was bad timing and a bad time we have tried to scratch. But YouTube won’t let us forget and move on.”

He is, of course, referring to the ill-fated comeback in 2006, which ended in a punch-up between him and Harvey.

“I can’t believe I lost my rag with Brian, but it was a culmination of things,” he admits. “He wasn’t into doing the East 17 thing back then and I was trying to make it work and he wasn’t that bothered.”

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Life with Brian: Terry Coldwell (right), John Hendy (second-left), Brian Harvey (left) When East 17 stumbled into the limelight in 1991, they had no idea their so-called ‘street urchin’ brand of boy-band pop would create such a storm. A young Tony Mortimer had been on the verge of signing a solo deal with London Records until ex-Pet Shop Boys manager Tom Watkins suggested that what the world really needed was an antidote to Take That. Mortimer, however, shrugs off the rivalry.

“Take That was the closest thing to us but there was no real rivalry,” he says. “They were middle-class and we were lower middle-class.

We tried to behave but we kept messing up.”

The boy-band revival in full steam at the moment and Mortimer believes he has discovered a loophole that will allow East 17 to capitalise.

“If you look at New Kids On The Block, well they have the word ‘kids’ in the name and Backstreet Boys have the word ‘boys’,” he says. “So for them it’s very difficult to break out of the boy-band mould. But with us, well it’s literally just a postcode so we have room to mature gracefully. We should have called ourselves Boys II Men, but someone already took that.”

So, some 14 years after their demise, East 17 signed to FOD Records and released the single Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind (Crazy). Gone are the baggy jeans and wife-beater singlets – in the film clip they’re looking sharp in tailor-made suits. It seems their sound has followed; the track itself is softer, more of a rock ballad.

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“The new album is a change of direction,” Mortimer says. “I guess that happens when you’re 20 years older.

Terry wanted to do a more live sound. I think everyone is subconsciously inspired by American music and rock ‘n’ roll.

“Terry has written a couple of tracks that he has really rocked out on. He’s like that, though, isn’t he? He’s always been a real rocker.

“Things move a lot quicker in the industry these days. It gets a bit harder to keep up when you get older. I get a bit out of breath.”

So can the weary musicians with their bad backs and wheezy breathing still kick it on stage? Will audiences see the dance moves that made them so popular in the Nineties?

“These days we kind of just stand on stage and move about a bit,” Mortimer laughs. “It gets to a point when you’re too old to be doing a certain type of music and I think we’re old enough to be the dads of the people making club music.

It would feel a bit out of place.

“I know that no matter how much you kid yourself, kids that age do not think you’re cool. You know even if you do the greatest dance mix in the world, they’re just going to go: ‘Oh my God, that’s done by my parents – I ain’t buying it’.” ❚ East 17 will be playing Melbourne (June 8), Sydney (June 10), Brisbane (June 14) and Adelaide (June 15) east17official.com

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ARE YOU SPOTTED IN THE CIRCLE?

Email us at tom@ tntdownunder.com with ‘Spotted’ in the subject line, email must include a photo of yourself!

You’ve won yourself a $100 bar tab at at space hotel’s blue moon bar in Melbourne

SPACE HOTEL’S BLUE ROOM BAR - weekly backpacker night Melbourne Wednesday 16th May

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SPOTTED 682 indd 22

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HOW TO ENTER

Go to tntdownunder.com and click on the WIN page. See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

WIN THE ULTIMATE 3-DAY ADVENTURE TOUR FOR 2 TO EXPLORE ULURU If you’ve come all the way to Australia, you can’t leave without making the trek to the red centre, where Uluru looms large on the horizon. Well, we’re helping you get there with this cracking competition, which will sort you out with a comfy camping experience and a chance to meet the locals.

THE PRIZE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: ULTIMATE ULURU ADVENTURE: It’s an intensely spiritual place for the local indigenous population but here’s your chance to check it out with experienced guides who know the ins and outs. We’ve partnered with Adventure Tours to help you tick this one off your bucket-list. You and a friend will get: • 3-day touring with a local expert guide • 2 nights camping in our permanent tents • Full rim walk at Kings Canyon, hike at Kata Tjuta and Uluru sunrise and sunset – enjoy it with a sparkling wine in hand.

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• Aboriginal cultural experience • Accommodation transfers • Quality meals This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and to do it all in style and comfort. Watch out for the dingos, though.

They’re cheeky buggers.

Competiton closes midnight on June 17.

So head to tntdownunder.com to enter and WIN!

worth over

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Rail Explorer Pass

Red Centre Expedition Package

Enjoy unlimited travel in any direction on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland trains. Take in all major cities plus all the stops in between.

No Aussie adventure is complete without witnessing the magic of the Red Centre. That’s why we’ve put together this fantastic package, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the journey.

Includes: r OJHIU BCPBSE UIF *OEJBO 1BDJàD 4ZEOFZ UP "EFMBJEF JO 3FE %BZ /JHIUFS 4FBU r OJHIUT BU :)" "EFMBJEF TIBSF EPSNJUPSZ

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r EBZ 5IF 3PDL 5PVS FYQMPSJOH 6MVru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon Booking code: BP4SAS

Additional packages and passes available.

Visit greatsouthernrail.com.au/backpackers or book with your licensed travel agent.

Terms and conditions apply. Package fares based on low season prices and per person based on Red Day/Nighter Seat. Airfares not included in package price. For the Rail Explorer Pass a fuel surcharge is payable at time of booking a journey and is only available to bona fide overseas visitors to Australia. All Backpacker fares are based on Red Service Day/Nighter Seat Service and are available to members of recognised backpacker organisations for bookings made from 1 April 2012 for travel until 31 March 2013. All prices are subject to change without notice. For full terms and conditions visit greatsouthernrail.com.au Travel Agent License No.TTA164190. 01983CDGM - B

HOTSHOTS

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WINNER MONTHLY WINNER HANGING OUT Dimitry Strelets, 29, New Zealand

WE SAY: “This action shot was a clear favourite this month.

The backflip looks like it took a lot of effort and it was perfect timing on the photographer’s behalf. We also like the epic volcano that Dimitry appears to be springing from.”

MONTHLY RUNNER-UP DIVE ANOTHER DAY Justo Arenas, 33, Spain

RUNNER-UP

WE SAY: “There seems to be an action theme this month. What we like is the lick of white foam on the right of the wave and the danger of the shot. Justo assures us it was perfectly safe. We’re not quite so sure, though, about his choice of footwear.”

HOT TIPS: Tripods

THREE DAYS CAR HIRE Photos were judged by the TNT editorial team at their own discretion. Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description, to: alex@tntdownunder.com Monthly winner Dimitry wins three days car hire from Travellers Auto Barn (travellers-autobarn.com.au). While the monthly runner-up Justo wins a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling adventure and cruise with Awesome Oz. (awesomeoz.com)

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WIN

The most important function of a tripod is to hold the camera steady and avoid any unwanted movement that can make your images out of focus. Mainly, this is done when there is low lighting and the photographer is using a long exposure time.

Holding your camera will inevitably create some sort of camera shake. With travel photography especially, it can be a pain to drag a tripod around on a day out: they are heavy, big and you will need time to set them up. This is why tripods are mainly used for landscape or architecture, where you have time to set up an image. If you don’t want to lug a tripod around you can try finding a ledge to rest your camera on. Investing in a cable release could also be an option, as that will also cut the chances of camera shake.

BOOK NOW! RANGI PASS

$447

AU

www.kiwiexperience.com Terms and conditions: Discounted rate applies to standard brochured rate on the Rangi pass only. Bookings must be made between 16 May - 04 June 2012. Standard 12 month travel validity applies. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer excluding the Day Trip 5% discount. Kiwi Experience reserves the right to withdraw this offer at anytime and without notice.

Prices are in Australian dollars. Standard Kiwi Experience travel and booking terms and conditions apply. KX1006-05/12-TNTAUD

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TRAVELCHAT

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A TRAVELLER’S TALL TALE

Avoiding cabin fever, Coober Pedy

YOU ASKED FOR IT...

WE ANSWER YOUR TRAVEL QUESTIONS

it worth going to Coober Pedy?

Q IsPaula Cessy, France from the outback pretty much A Rising halfway between Adelaide and Alice Springs, there’s no denying that Coober really is in the middle of nowhere and, unless you’re heading north or south, you’re unlikely to see it.

But if you’re taking the Stuart Highway, it makes for a very surreal and interesting stop. While much of the town, which mines most of the world’s opals, is in fact above ground, about half of the buildings, including bars, hostels and even churches, are dug down into the red earth to avoid the desert heat. It’s a strange place, no doubt, and well worth having a look around, stopping by Crocodile Harry’s, which was made famous by Mad Max 3. It’s rightly renowned for being multinational and very wild. This is

a place where fortunes are still won and lost on a regular basis. Don’t leave town without a quick fossick yourself (as in digging for opals).

Just be careful of the mineshafts!

the best time to see the Q When’s High Country in Victoria? Yuri Kader, India the season, this dramatic alpine A Whatever landscape is packed full of snow fields, waterways and gold rush towns. In winter, the snow (mid-June onwards) brings skiers to the downhill runs, which are some of the best the state has to offer. In summer (from December) the same peaks, the southern tip of the Great Dividing Range, transform into a dream for bush walkers, horse-riders, 4WD enthusiasts and campers. The choice is yours!

CHECKING IN BOUNCE HOSTEL SYDNEY OVERVIEW An open roof terrace over the Sydney skyline, modern décor and a great communal area for sharing a beer. Free barbeque on Sundays and a free ‘cheese and goon night’ on Thursdays.

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Shared dorms are well airconditioned with private lockers large enough to fit your entire wardrobe. Very comfy, brand new and modern.

BILL PLEASE Dorms start from $35/ night for an eight-share with a shared bathroom.

ROOMS

28 Chalmers Street, Sydney bouncehotel.com.au

I saw Jervis Bay in a new light when I went drunken skinny dipping.

With a stomach full of Dutch courage, my two girlfriends and I plunged into the black, warm water.

Imagine my surprise when my friend began to resemble a glow stick. I looked down and even in the darkness I could see my feet at the bottom of the ocean, my toes were glowing green under the water. I lifted my hand and silver specks like diamonds dripped off my fingers.

My friend did over-exaggerated breaststroke movements, her body and the water around her lighting up a bright green.

What it actually reminded me of was that scene in Blue Lagoon where Brooke Shields goes swimming in the phosphorescence.

“You know what would make it even better?” I asked. “Naked.”

Within minutes the bikinis were off and we began to frolic and splash about, creating a bright wash of fluoro green around us.

I’m not sure if this happens all year or whether it comes from plankton or algae, but whatever the heck it was, it was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had while travelling.

Emma Salkild, Australia

TRAVEL VOUCHERS

WIN

Send us your scary, funny or embarrassing travel tale and, if published, you’ll win a $250 travel voucher redeemable on Oz Experience passes (ozexperience.com), ATA NT camping trips (adventuretours.com.au) and with Wayward Bus (waywardbus. com.au). Email your stories (700 words max), to alex@tntdownunder.com

Canterbury NEW ZEALAND

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Keep your powder dry For an exquisite skiing experience, pop across the Tasman.

But, consider yourself warned, watch out for the nutcrackers WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Afer being handed the details of my trip, I look down, puzzled. At the top of my itinerary, in shiny red letters, is the destination: Christchurch. I hesitate, but then ask: “Is there still anything there?” I’m met with a stony silence, but it’s a fair enough question. The city, the biggest on New Zealand’s South Island, endured a massive earthquake back in 2010. Miraculously, the Canterbury capital survived largely unscathed. That is, until another monster quake hit in February last year, much nearer the centre, reducing large parts of the city to rubble.

Since then, despite green shoots, opportunistic suburbs thriving and plans for a completely redeveloped CBD, a fair chunk of the centre – the elusive Red Zone – has remained out of bounds to mere civvies as, one by one, the remaining buildings are made safe or demolished. But I’m not heading to Canterbury for a natural disaster tour it turns out. Hell, no. I’m hitting the snow.

While many of the South Island’s big, commercial ski resorts are further west, looking down on Queenstown and Wanaka, Christchurch, it seems, has been keeping a secret.

means I’m swiftly back in the swing. Too much perhaps, as a crunching fall from a way-too-cocky attempt at a jump leaves me licking my wounds. The surroundings might be breathtaking, but not as much as my lack of skills.

After few more runs to get my confidence back, however, I decide it’s time to go clubbing. After stopping for the night, spending an evening propping up the bar with the locals at the Flock Hill Lodge in the heart of clubland, I head back off the main road and onto the gravel. Soon I’m winding my way back up the mountain roads towards Broken River.

I reach a half-full car park and pull up, wondering what’s next. That’s when I see the cable car. As Yazz once sang, the only way is up – does anyone remember that?

– so in I jump with my bags, skis and boots and press the green button, which sends me soaring up into the trees with a shudder. Once settled into my bunkroom at the lodge, I waste no time making my way up to the slopes.

Introducing the nutcracker In New Zealand, you see, there’s a thriving community of ski clubs offering access to snow fields on a no-frills, cheap and friendly basis. There are just 10 of these so-called club ski fields dotted around the country, and seven of them happen to be within an hour or two of the Garden City.

And the good news is that there is plenty of time to check them out, as the snow season goes well into October.

But more on them shortly, as my first stop is Porters, a 90km drive from the airport. Boasting a trio of t-bar lifts and terrain for every level, Porters is the perfect place to get your snow legs back.

Porters might be more commercial than the sociable club fields, but the neighbours’ friendliness seems to have worn off, as this is no faceless resort. And soon enough I’m booted up and hitting the slopes, carving some white lines. The clear air, spacious snow and lack of lift queues

The Kiwis boast some of best slopes

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

29

[Caption]

Rush home for sundowners “Hang on a sec,” I’m asked on my way through. “Have you ever used a rope pull before… or a nutcracker?”

“Err, no…”, I reply hesitantly, trepidation increasing as I accept an extra glove and tow-belt with metal “nutcracker” attached.

“Okay, I’ll send someone up with you.”

I’d been asked this several times over the previous couple of days, and I’d never really got to the bottom of what a nutcracker was. However, thanks to the wry smiles produced whenever I questioned it, I find myself nurturing a growing concern.

After all, how the hell am I going to get up the slopes without a chairlift, t-bar, even a button lift? And I don’t even want to think about what a nutcracker is.

But my concern turns into slightly baffled excitement when suddenly I’m presented with the rope pull. My nuts, it turns out, are going to survive to face another day.

All in it together Before me is a speeding rope.

The trick apparently being to grab the rope with your double-gloved hand and hold on tight until you’re being pulled up and the rope isn’t flying through your fingers. Then, with your other hand, you have to flick the metal “nutcracker” over the rope so that it grips and, hey presto, you’re being pulled up the mountain while clinging on for dear life.

It’s intimidating at first, to say the least, but the rope

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pull really demonstrates exactly what club skiing is all about – the complete opposite to what the perception of snow pursuits have become to many people. Cash and fancy outfits matter for nothing here. This is old-school skiing taken back to its rawest roots, when all that matters is having fun chucking yourself down a mountain with a bunch of like-minded fanatics. Once upon a time, this is what all resorts were like.

Anyway, several false starts later, I make it up, collapsing in a heap at the top as I struggle to untangle myself when the rope suddenly comes to an end. But I’m there, with all the valley below me.

I shimmy my way halfway down before pulling into the rest lodge to grab a glass of water (and, ahem, maybe put off my second assault on the rope pull for a few minutes). And then a strange thing happens. Well, it would have been strange if it didn’t seem to happen every time I took a break to chill out for a bit. Somebody starts talking to me.

Up in the clubs you see, many of the skiers are members, meaning they’re on the slopes throughout the season and have often been coming for most of their lives, while the non-members all stay in the same lodge for a week or so. The result is a thriving sense of community, where everyone is keen to share their thoughts on their first love – the mountains.

Pulling up sore I experience that community to its full later that night when, after devouring a huge spread at dinner, I find myself the sole Pom

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) Applies to genuine quotes from airlines and Australian registered businesses and websites for travel that originates/departs from Australia. Quote must be in writing and must be presented to us prior to booking. Fare must be available and able to be booked by the general public when you bring it to us. Fares available due to membership of a group or corporate entity or subscription to a closed group are excluded. Quote must be for same dates, flight routing, flight class, flight number and for the same number of people. We will beat your quoted price by $1.00 and give you a $20 voucher. If we fail to do this, we will give you a $1500 in store credit to use towards the flight which we did not price beat. For full terms and conditions see www.studentflights.com.au*Travel restrictions and conditions apply. Please ask us for further details. Prices and taxes are correct as at 9 May12 and are subject to change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until 31 May 12 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person and are subject to availability. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel. Airfare not included unless otherwise stated. Where airfare is included, additional taxes specific to your flight routing may apply and/or may not include checked luggage (which can incur additional charges). Vehicle insurance excess applies which will be imprinted on a credit card. The equivalent amount of cash can be left as an alternative. Car hire based on picking up and returning at specific pickup point only. Additional car hire conditions apply, please ask your Travel Consultant for more information. Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies, government charges and other applicable fees. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store. Advertised price includes any bonus nights. Minimum/maximum stay restrictions may apply. Student airfares are available to full-time students holding a valid ISE/ISIC card and/or be a youth under 26 with a valid IYTC card. Flight Centre Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Student Flights. Lic No. ACT 18800224. NSW 2TA002719. NT 008. QLD TAG262. SA TTA254. TAS TAS031. VIC 31089. WA 9TA 589.

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in a room full of Kiwis as England labour to a narrow and tortured rugby victory on the TV, much to the amusement of Alice Springs: my new buddies.

We head into the On my final day, I stop off at another red centre for an club, the brilliantly-named Mount epic adventure Cheeseman. Yet again I’m struck by the friendly community feel, with everyone stopping to chat to one ageing hiker – I sure as hell feel old after doing it – who’s making the slow ascent all the way up the piste on foot. I’m also, I admit, a little relieved to be back in the stress-free world of t-bars. No nutcrackers here.

I’ve only got time for a final few runs, however, before the dash back to the airport, where I find a corner to nurse my aching body.

I’d never even heard about the club fields before heading to Christchurch, but now I’m a convert. Thanks to uncrowded slopes, cheap prices and a really sociable feel, it’s hard to imagine a better set-up from a snow-obsessed If only Sam and Frodo had had skis backpacker point of view. I’ll see you there. ❚

THE BEST OF THE REST YOU CAN GO ALL OVER NEW ZEALAND IN SEARCH OF THE ULTIMATE SNOW EXPERIENCE CARDRONA This is a great mountain for the average punter but it’s especially good for those who want to try their hand at freestyle stuff, with four halfpipes and two terrain parks full of jumps and rails. With wide open spaces, there are also plenty of lines to be had on a powder day. Cardrona is placed closer to Wanaka than to Queenstown.

Charge it: NZ$95 (AU$74) day; NZ$69 (AU$54) half-day.

More info: cardrona.com TREBLE CONE This mountain, close to Wanaka in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, has excellent terrain, especially off-piste action.

Be prepared to have your lungs explode from the crisp yet almost non-existent air. Wanaka is your nearest town, which punches above its weight for fun, this town has a few sweet hostels and a good pub by the lake.

Charge it: NZ$95 (AU$74) day; NZ$71 (AU$55) half-day.

More info: treblecone.co.nz SNOW PARK This resort is one giant park: no real terrain here, just every jump, halfpipe and rail imaginable with terrain features for every level of rider. What makes this place great is the vibe they create. A huge sound system pumps the hills so alive with music you’d think the Von Trapps were on the wheels of steel. Snow Park is across the road from Cardrona so you’ve got a choice of Wanaka or Queenstown.

Charge it: NZ$88 (AU$69) day; NZ$41 (AU$32) night pass.

More info: snowparknz.com THE REMARKABLES This all-round resort offers plenty of space to roam both in-bounds and off-piste. It has some steep and deep snow as well as the groomed corduroy. Slink down the hill after

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last runs and find yourself in aprés mode, by a fire in one of QT’s top bars. Queenstown is directly below Remarks, so it’s just a five-minute drive away.

Charge it: NZ$91 (AU$71) day; NZ$62 (AU$48) half-day.

More info: nzski.com/remarkables CORONET PEAK Kamikaze Kiwis have been skiing Coronet Peak for more than 50 years. It has a wide range of runs, a lil’ somethin’ for everyone, from halfpipes and parks to easy-does-it runs with a conveyer belt, in case, like many, you find the lift dismount the hardest part. Enjoy some sun on the patio in your fluoro one-piece and work on your goggle tan.

Charge it: NZ$95 (AU$74) day; NZ$65 (AU$51) half-day.

More info: nzski.com/coronet MOUNT HUTT Famous for its deep, dry snow and for having one of the longest seasons in Australasia, Mt Hutt makes the most of its location. The fields look back over the lush green Canterbury Plains and out to the Pacific Ocean. There’s a huge range of terrain, with plenty of space for novices to eat snow. You can stay in Christchurch.

Charge it: NZ$95 (AU$74) day; NZ$65 (AU$51) half-day.

More info: nzski.com/mthutt MOUNT RUAPEHU Just south of Lake Taupo in Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu is home to the biggest ski area in New Zealand, with a vertical drop of 722m. It offers a wide array of runs whether you’re experienced or still using ‘pizza, french fries’. Whakapapa Village Ohakune and the National Park Village are all nearby and have a number of hostels.

Charge it: NZ$95 (AU$74) day; NZ$67 (AU$52) half-day.

More info: mtruapehu.com

Best Value Accommodation in Queenstown

Located on the most popular street in Queenstown - 49 Shotover Street. Dorm Rooms, Triple Ensuites, Quad Ensuites and Double Ensuites Rooms. Exclusive deals at the biggest party bar in town - the famous Altitude Bar. Guaranteed the cheapest travel deals in town at Base Travel. Call +64 3 441 0344 or email queenstown@stayatbase.com.

Best Value Accommodation in Wanaka

In the centre of beautiful Wanaka â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 73 Brownston Street. 3 Dorm Options (all snowboard friendly), Standard and Ensuite Private Rooms. Central heating throughout and a drying room. Only minutes walk from one of the most stunning lakes and mountain views in the world. After a day on the slopes join the party at Mint Bar. Call +64 3 443 4291 or email wanaka@stayatbase.com

basewrkfle 682 indd 1

18/05/12 11:41 AM

Varanasi INDIA

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Adrift in the City of Lights Travelling through India can be confronting, particularly in Varanasi, a sacred location on the banks of the Ganges WORDS CAROLINE EDEN

“Madam, I am warning you, it is not WHEN TO GO: Visit Varanasi drifters, beggars and tourists. Most of all, advisable to be out after 6pm tonight,” in the cool, dry season, between Varanasi is famous for the Ganges, which Kush, my pop-eyed guesthouse manager, November and March. is worshipped as a goddess and is where CURRENCY: $1 = INR54 pilgrims wash, swim, pray and bathe. Hindus says, wagging his chubby finger at me.

(Indian rupee) believe that if they are cremated out in the Then, with a Hindi head wobble, he adds: ACCOMMODATION: open, on the banks of the Ganges, at one “It’s Shiva festival. It’s a big festival!

Ganpati Guesthouse is fantastic of the two burning ghats (steps to the holy 100,000 people coming to Varanasi.” river), they will achieve liberation from the I misguidedly choose to ignore the number value, with helpful staff, good river cycle of rebirth. one rule of exotic travel: always listen to the views and rooms start at about I meet with Ragu, my guide, who promises locals. Later, at about 9pm, after a leisurely $11pn (ganpatiguesthouse.com). to let me in on some of Varanasi’s secrets. curry and a cuppa at a small cafe in the At Scindhia Guesthouse, the most We start with a walking tour, as strolling company of a handful of other backpackers, expensive rooms are overpriced, the pungent galis (alleys) is the best way a strange, collective unease begins to flow but are spotless and come with an to become familiarised with the different from table to table. awesome view and little balcony. temples, stone palaces, cafes, shops and Beyond the cafe, in the ancient, dungLocated by the main burning ghat, chaiwallas selling tea. Lines of men cross the strewn alleyways are long lines of men. A with rooms starting at about $8pn paths, carrying dead bodies to the burning ragged bunch, barefoot and red-eyed, they (scindhiaguesthouse.com). ghats on bamboo stretchers, chanting, “Ram walk conga-style, in the direction of the SEE: varanasicity.com nam satya hai” (The name of Rama is truth).

Ganges River. Some punch the air, others “This is the smaller burning ghat, called Harishchandra,” thwack handmade drums with sticks. Varanasi’s lanes are Ragu says, after we pop out into the afternoon sun. “Here, so narrow that they usually only accommodate two people you can see the dead body’s feet are painted pink – that abreast, but now there are five, six, even 10 across. The means it’s a woman.” marchers don’t appear aggressive, but the sheer number Firewood surrounds her and flames begin to lick at the in the thronging lines is intimidating. muslin shroud she’s partially wrapped in. Her feet and legs “Shivaratri is the mother of all festivals here,” the cafe’s quickly turn from a bright-pink flesh-colour to a sinister black sociable owner, Bablu, says. “It is celebrated all over India, charcoal. Another body, burnt to a cinder, lies a metre or so but as this is home to the Ganges River and Lord Shiva, away from us. The cremation ground is a terrible carpet of many come here to walk tonight, visiting different temples.” ash, discarded clothes, burnt wood, mangy dogs and rubbish.

The Old City stretches several kilometres along the Mortality, like the flecks of black ash that stick to my western bank of the Ganges, and we are all staying in digs sweaty shirt, is inescapable here but, far from being morbid, in different parts of the city. Questions erupt. The main one: the atmosphere feels natural – positive, even. The sound of how will we get through the crowd to our guesthouses? crackling, a bit like a barbecue, is faintly audible. About 30 A stroll along the river metres away I spot a group of pilgrims dropping into the Ganges like penguins. As I am digesting all this, Ragu points Most travellers to India have Varanasi on their itinerary. to the centre of the Ganges, where an animal appears to It’s fame for offering crash courses in Indian cookery and is be bobbing up and down. a photographer’s dream because of its high-octane mysticism “You see that?” Ragu asks. “That’s a dog. He is eating and heady mix of saffron-robed sadhus (ascetics), pilgrims,

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The Ganges is India’s biggest swimming pool

a body. Some people we don’t burn, like holy men, pregnant women, lepers and children.”

He rolls off these exceptions like a shopping list, so familiar is he with this peculiar place. Sensing my thoughts, Ragu looks at the ground: “Life is just a memory.”

In the court of Baba Naganath We stop to relax in a cool courtyard of the Nepali Pashupati temple, close to Lalita Ghat, created from wood and rich with erotic carvings. Ragu divulges some insider information on where to eat masala dosa (the VSR restaurant) and where to drink the tastiest yoghurt-based lassi (Blue Lassi, near Vishwanath temple).

“But you want to know the best secret of Varanasi,” Ragu says. “So have you heard of the Aghoris? They’re a littleknown Hindu sect, who hide out in the forests, but I know one that lives nearby.”

I ask what makes them different and, without missing a beat, he replies, “They eat corpses.”

“They practice black magic,” Ragu explains. “At midnight they go waist-deep into the Ganges and look for bodies and they eat certain parts of the flesh to give themselves strength. They also drink from the skulls. Come, I will take you to the one I know. His name is Baba Naganath.”

We walk behind the ghats until we reach the north end of the Old City. En route, we stop at an akhara (wrestling arena) as an energetic bout of Indian wrestling (kushti) is going on. Soon we arrive in front of a small Shiva temple.

Inside, a tiny, dreadlocked man is sitting next to a flaming mound of coal, into which he has stuck a cluster of tall forks.

The air is thick and soupy with smoke. Baba Naganath looks incredibly thin and he shoots me a hungry, fangy stare.

Wearing only thin cotton trousers and a black synthetic

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bum-bag, he sits on a thin, filthy mattress. Once I join him, he smiles freely and hands me some prasad (temple food), a squidgy, fudge-like substance he’s been mixing with his hands. I eat it, tentatively, dreading to think what else may have found its way into the concoction.

We chat and drink chai as Ragu translates. Baba is fasting in protest, as the government, he says, “is not taking proper care of Mother Ganga”. I long to hear more about his life, but the hot coals of the fire, combined with the sun outside, are unbearable, and soon Ragu and I slide back outside.

After this perplexing episode, I’m keen for a more typical

Warning: you will encounter crowds

Varanasi experience. So, on the way home, we take a boat ride on the Ganges, pulled along by a cheerful boatman, who sings devotional songs as he rows us past smiling pilgrims, washing in the holy river. I feel very much at one with Varanasi. Like much of India, it’s essentially a welcoming place. Hindus reverentially call it ‘the city of light’, but to outsiders it is perhaps more than that – it is spellbinding, another world entirely.

A long walk home The proprietor of the cafe tells us to stand back as he slams down the blue metal shutters with us inside.

“These young men are high on bhang (cannabis, Shiva’s drug of choice, is legally bought here from governmentapproved shops). I think it will be very hard for you to get home from here,” Bablu tells us, adding that they have likely “not seen Westerners before”.

“

After elbowing and pushing, we bowl through our front door

The Insider’s guide

”

There is no choice but to dive into the ruck. We quickly form our own ragtag gang and slip into the crowd. Our pace is painfully slow, with paths blocked and groups coming at us from all directions. I grimace in response as I’m pushed through the mucky lanes.

After half-an-hour of elbowing, pushing and trying desperately to avoid groping, we spy the guesthouse – glimmering on a raised bank like a mirage. Finally, sweating, cursing and in fits of laughter, we bowl through the front door and collapse. Kush looks at us in a fatherly fashion, then at his watch, and gives us a shrug that simply says: “I told you so.”

Born and raised in Varanasi, Raghvendra Agrahari, 24, works as an official tour guide in the city.

What’s your top tip for Varanasi?

A tourist once tipped me $450! Just kidding. My top tip would be to learn some simple rules that will stop you getting duped by salesmen. For example, don’t follow the young guys that hang around the main burning ghat (Manikarnika), who’ll suggest you go with them for a good view. If you do, they’ll get aggressive unless you give them a large amount of baksheesh (a bribe). Also, try ‘puri sabzi’ – fried puffed bread and vegetables – for breakfast.

NEXT WEEK Uganda: We go trekking through the Impenetrable Forest

Where’s best to chill out?

At Assi Ghat, head to the Lotus Lounge, which has Ganges views and tasty smoothies and decent coffee.

Alcohol is not that easy to find in Varanasi, but head to the Palace on Ganges at Assi Ghat where they have a roof-top restaurant and you might get a drink – some places will serve it to you wrapped in plain paper

Where’s good for an adventure?

One little-known adventure is that on the east bank of the Ganges, where there is the chance to ride horses.

Agree a fee with a boatman to take you across the river and after 10am you’ll find a few boys who let tourists ride their horses for a small fee. Expect to pay something like Rs70 ($1.50) for 20 minutes.

What do you like to do in Varanasi?

My friends and I like to go to IP Mall – which was the first large mall to open in the area – as it has McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza as well as IP Cinema, which shows Western and Bollywood films.

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NEWSWEIRD

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Blame it on the Bintang

BALI NUMBERS DOWN BUT WASTE HIGH INDONESIA

The head of Bali’s tourism board has accused tourists of being stingy and choking the Indonesian island paradise with traffic and waste.

Annoyed that, despite a rise in total tourist numbers to Bali, visitors are now staying for only an average of three or four days instead of the seven days which was the norm 10 years ago, and spend only AU$100 per day instead of AU$300, he blamed the tourists.

“Stingy tourists” are overcrowding Bali, he whinged. “When they come, we have serious problems of traffic and waste. The island becomes dirty.”

The number of Aussie travellers visiting rose by 19 per cent last year, according to data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

BUFFALO GOES BACK TO SCHOOL VIETNAM

A buffalo injured 10 people in a Vietnam city after rampaging for three hours through crowded streets, houses and a kindergarten.

The male buffalo plunged across a river in Hue as villagers encircled it, before breaking into a nearby house, terrifying three family members in a bedroom. Two people were seriously injured after they were butted by the animal during its 20km rampage through the city.

The buffalo was finally stopped after it smashed into a private kindergarten and teachers were able to close off gates to trap it. Soldiers had to shoot it eight times to prevent it causing more damage.

It was unclear what caused the animal

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Painting the town: No, it’s not a foam party gone wild – these protesters are sitting in a pool filled with paint as part of an Occupy Camp in Frankfurt, Germany. The several hundred anti-capitalist protestors used paint mixed with water to threaten police to embark on its rampage, but one theory is that it escaped after a botched attempt to euthanise it at a slaughterhouse.

PRINCE PHILIP RESISTS ARREST UNITED KINGDOM

Prince Philip has once again embarrassed the monarchy after meeting a council worker and saying that he’d be arrested if he “unzipped that” – ‘that’ being the lady’s eye-catching red dress.

While out meeting the public in South Bromley with the Queen as part of the Jubilee

Celebrations, Prince Phillip, with this aside, added to his already comical litany of slightly disturbing gaffes.

Philip has a habit of putting his foot in it, whether it be declaring that British women can’t cook or asking a Scottish driving instructor how they keep the ‘natives off the booze long enough to pass the test’.

In 2002, he asked an Aborigine during a visit to Australia whether they still throw spears at each other.

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Banksy’s art has become an endangered species

THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS 60,000

Dominoes a man has balanced in a row – it took him three days to build and just 12 seconds to knock down

Age of a train carriage that a retired transport manager from Cornwell put inside his house to use as a bedroom

BANKSY’S ART GETS RENOVATED AUSTRALIA

A Melbourne builder has inadvertently destroyed one of the last remaining pieces of street art by British graffiti artist Banksy, drilling a hole through it to insert a bathroom pipe.

Banksy’s ‘parachuting rat’ had adorned a Melbourne back-street for almost a decade before it was destroyed by builders and is the third work by Banksy in the city to be ruined within two years. Previously, one was painted over in 2010 in a council clean-up and one local gallery owner said the council needed to be more careful.

“There should have been something noted on the planning permit that Banksy work has to somehow be avoided,” the owner said.

POLICE DECLARE WAR ON TEXT-WALKING

Photos: Getty Images; Thinkstock

UNITED STATES

New Jersey police have begun fining people who are caught texting while walking after making a decision to clamp down on the hazardous activity.

The Fort Lee Police Department in New Jersey began issuing penalties of US$85 this month. So far, 117 people have been issued tickets and forced to pay the fine.

In just the last three months, three people have been killed and 23 people hurt because they had been hit by cars while texting and walking.

Police chief Thomas Ripoli said the tickets had nothing to do with collecting more money for the city: “Pedestrians aren’t watching where they’re walking.”

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Age of Tao PorchonLynch, the world’s oldest yoga instructor.

She has been teaching for 61 years

Height, in feet, of a wave Hawaiian surfer Garret McNamara surfed in Portugal, breaking the world record

Wonder if Hillary got the memo

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

DISNEY SAYS ‘I DO’ FOR GAY RIGHTS JAPAN

Just days after US President Barack Obama came out in favour of samesex marriage, another supporter has emerged in Japan: Mickey Mouse.

Despite having no legal status, same-sex couples are able to hold fairytale wedding ceremonies at hotels inside Tokyo’s Disney Resort, a Disney spokeswoman said.

A lesbian couple who plan to marry at the resort wrote on their blog: “Mickey first looked surprised to hear that we are a couple of girls. But we said we were there to thank him because same-sex weddings can be held at the Disney Resort, and he celebrated with us.”

Homosexuality in Japan is widely accepted but there is little public debate on gay marriage.

I see a lot of shows trying to rip us off. If you try and rip somebody off it always looks like a bad copy Simon Cowell reckons The Voice is just a cheap imitation of X-Factor

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SPORTNEWS

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Good day for it: Even the most tortured golfer would enjoy practising his swing on a morning like this, captured during the Madeira Islands Open in Portugal

Quitting: Caser Stoner

MOTOGP SHOCKED BY STONER RETIREMENT MOTORSPORT

Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner stunned the sport last week, announcing he will quit at the end of the season for “family reasons”.

The 26-year-old Australian, who has won 35 MotoGP races in his career and is favourite to win this year’s championship, seemed perfectly placed to dominate the sport in years ahead but has chosen to walk away instead.

“After a long period of thought and numerous discussions with my wife and family, I have decided to stop competing at the end of the season,” Stoner said.“After so many years taking part in this sport that I love, and with all the sacrifices that I have had to make, I no longer have the passion to continue and I think it is best to stop.”

CAPELLO KEEN ON TOP JOB AT CHELSEA FOOTBALL

Former England manager Fabio Capello is reportedly keen to take the top job at Chelsea, the Stamford Bridge club yet to appoint a permanent replacement for Andre Villas-Boas.

Since the Portuguese was sacked in March, Roberto Di Matteo has been in charge but Chelsea have been in no rush to secure his services long-term. The chances of signing Roman Abramovich’s first choice, Pep Guardiola, appear remote so Capello has moved to promote his claim.

Capello, who previously managed Juventus and AC Milan, resigned as England coach in February and has spent

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the last three months between Italy, Spain, Dubai, London, considering his options.

DEMONS CONFIRM INTEREST IN CLOKE AUSTRALIAN RULES

Collingwood star Travis Cloke is in Melbourne’s sights and would form a formidable combination with Mitch Clark, according to the Demons’ sports performance director Neil Craig.

Cloke, who comes out of contract at year’s end, will be the first major test case of the AFL’s new free agency rules.

“Travis Cloke would be in most clubs’ sights. He’s a key forward, proven in finals football,” Craig said. “To have two key forwards, let’s assume that it was Clark and Cloke in the forward line. That’s a pretty good combination.”

BIG WEEK FOR ...

The rugby league world is obsessed with Origin at the moment but there’s the not-so-small matter of the clash between the Storm and the Broncos. Both teams will be missing stars, but Broncos star fullback Josh Hoffman is a Kiwi so doesn’t play Origin. In this match between two weakened heavyweights, Hoffman could emerge as the key

er

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK The football reasons are quite simple. I decided on my three centre-backs and Rio wasn’t one of them England football manager Roy Hodgson on picking John Terry over Rio Ferdinand for the Euros, denying there is bad blood

Blues hard man Paul Gallen will be a key

PREVIEW Can the Blues break Queensland’s run?

STATE OF ORIGIN: GAME ONE WEDNESDAY 7.30PM, CH9 It’s the time of year again, when, in the shadows of Origin, Queenslanders and New South Welshman suspend the pretense of civility and can get back to disliking each other openly.

Unfortunately for the Blues, they’ve been on the receiving end these past six years, when they’ve had to watch in awed embarrassment while the Maroons have gone about building the greatest dynasty in Origin history. It’s not that NSW don’t have any decent players – it’s just that Queensland have had half a dozen of the

world’s absolute biggest stars – Darren Lockyer is no longer there but there’s still Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston. These guys are the cream of the crop.

Still, all winning runs come to an end sooner or later and NSW will be hoping that this is the year the Maroons’ bubble bursts. It’s hard to imagine Queensland being beaten for dash or for sheer creativity so the Blues’ best chance is to turn it into a good, old-fashioned slog in the hope of grinding their way home.

There’s no doubting the desire of the Blues and this approach gives their hard-headed forwards, including Paul Gallen, a shot.

THE CHAT | Liverpool’s hard year

He may have to wait his turn, as we are taking such a talented group of bowlers Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur agrees paceman Mitchell Johnson may have been leapfrogged by younger quicks

They can feed me all the chihuahuas they want – I want the big dogs because I’m going to stomp on them Boxer Anthony Mundine still wants a crack at Floyd Mayweather. Can’t deny that the man has a turn of phrase

TV HIGHLIGHTS CRICKET

Photos: Getty Images

England v West Indies Dalglish, Liverpool’s favourite son, Q Kenny was given his marching orders from Anfield last week. Was it the right call?

– although it still came as a bit of a surprise.

A Probably Some may have expected that, because of his staus at Liverpool, Dalglish might have been given another season to get the club back on track. But, in the end, they finished eighth, behind arch-rivals Everton, despite spending a shitload more money on players. It didn’t help that, along the way, Dalglish’s bull-headedly misguided handling of the Luis Suarez race row turned Liverpool from a proud, albeit underperforming club into an emblem of how football has lost its moral compass.

The second Test starts in Nottingham Friday 7.30pm, Fox Sports 3

RUGBY UNION Chiefs v Bulls A must-see top-of-the-table clash Friday 11pm, Fox Sports 3

AUSTRALIAN RULES Adelaide v Collingwood Kenny Dalglish

Two contenders going at it Saturday 7.30pm, Fox Footy

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OUR VIEW TNT puts the world to rights COMMENT: TOM STURROCK editor@tntdownunder.com

Melbourne’s Liam Jurrah faces six charges over a machete attack

Black and white standards leave AFL in a hard spot Return of player charged with violent assault is a delicate issue

» Agree or disagree? Should Jurrah be allowed to play on? editor@tntdownunder.com

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Fabio Capello ended his stint as England manager with his ambitions unfulfilled but his experience makes him the perfect candidate for Chelsea.

When it comes to the national team, the English press and football public are notoriously hot and cold. Each campaign follows a similar pattern – emphatic wins in the qualifying stage foster inflated expectations, which are then cruelly dashed on the big stage, precipitating a frenzy of hand-wringing and recrimination. For England, there is no middle ground.

“

A star’s fit of pique can cause a crisis

”

The England manager must deal with these wildly unrealistic ambitions and the fickleness of his employers and supporters – not to mention a powerful dressing room where one superstar’s pique can cause a crisis. Yet, for as long as Roman Abramovich is in charge at Stamford Bridge, these will be occupational hazards for any Chelsea manager as well.

Photos: Getty

On the weekend, the AFL’s Indigenous Round continued the code’s impressive commitment to celebrating the contribution made by the game’s aboriginal players. But the return of Melbourne’s Liam Jurrah, who currently faces serious assault charges, raises some uncomfortable questions.

Jurrah, known as the Warlpiri Wizard, comes from a remote community in central South Australia and, earlier this year, was allegedly involved in a machete attack in Alice Springs. He faces six charges arising from the brawl, the latest outbreak of violence in an ongoing tribal feud. If convicted, Jurrah could face 14 years in jail.

Yet the Demons remain supportive and the AFL took no issue with his selection.

In many respects, the AFL has been ahead of the curve on indigenous issues. Players suffered abuse for years but the AFL, since first confronting the issue of vilification, has sent the message, relentlessly, that there is no room for racism. However, in being wedded to that noble agenda, in its attachment to ‘cultural sensitivity’ credentials, the AFL may be pulling the wrong rein, exposing itself to a charge of double standards.

Two years ago, St Kilda sacked Andrew Lovett, another indigenous player, after he was charged with rape. So why is Jurrah free to play on? Would a white player charged with Jurrah’s crime be afforded the same ‘understanding’?

There is, in the AFL’s willingness to let Jurrah play, a dog-whistle note that, ‘sometimes Aboriginals have violent turf wars – we need to be understanding of that’.

By soft-peddling on Jurrah, the AFL risks endorsing the view that indigenous players should sometimes be held to a lower standard of behaviour; that, for indigenous players, crime may be mitigated by culture. It is a condescending, backward assumption, one which jars against the AFL’s admirable work.

CAPELLO HAS THE CV FOR CHELSEA

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Pick the greatest Who’s top dog when it comes to State of Origin? WORDS TOM STURROCK In the world of professional sport, Australia’s State of Origin series is a rare breed – its visceral appeal a mystery to outsiders. After all, how can two blokes who play for the same team week-in, week-out go toeto-toe when representing their states?

The enduring fascination undoubtedly owes much to the time-honoured enmity between Queensland and New South Wales, to the history of the best of the north being lured south by the big money on offer. The Maroons love nothing more than sticking it up the Blues.

This is the backdrop for a sporting event so steeped in mythology that, in the past, players have come to be defined as much by their performances for their states as for their clubs. So, as Origin 2011 kicks off this week, who are the men who have contributed most to this remarkable sporting tradition?

10 Steve Mortimer (NSW) The legendary Bulldogs halfback was captain for the first NSW series victory in 1985 after the fired-up Maroons had claimed the first five installments. Mortimer is regarded as one of NSW’s Origin trailblazers and the image of him, in his fifth and final Origin series, punching the ground in relief after victory, remains an enduring symbol of Origin’s importance.

9 Arthur Beetson (Qld) Before the first Origin series in 1980, some naysayers questioned the players’ commitment to the concept. That skepticism was blown away when Queensland captain Arthur Beetson belted the lights out of Parramatta teammate Mick Cronin, who was playing for New South Wales. Beetson and Cronin sat next to each other on the plane home but no one ever again questioned whether Origin was fair dinkum.

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8 Cameron Smith (Qld) Melbourne Storm’s star hooker has twice won the award as Queensland’s best player since forcing his way into the Queensland side in 2005. Smith strung together 19 consecutive Origin matches before succumbing to an elbow injury two years ago. Queensland’s current dominance may be built on their all-star backline, but Smith’s graft in the front row should never be overlooked.

7 Greg Inglis (Qld) Unfortunately, Inglis’s decision to represent the Maroons is destined to remain a sore point – he was, after all, born and raised in New South Wales. Despite being picked arguably out of position in the first matches of his Origin career, Inglis has been prolific, managing to cross for 12 tries in his 15 matches, equalling the record held by fellow Maroon Dale Shearer – who took 26 matches.

6 Darren Lockyer (Qld) Queensland’s great stalwart played his final Origin campaign last year and it will be interesting to see if his absence affects the Maroons at all. Regarded as his state’s greatest fullback, Lockyer, 34, did it all for Queensland. Even in the current side, where he was surrounded by champions, it was often the old battler pulling the strings, getting his all-conquering side out of the odd tight spot.

5 Mal Meninga (Qld) The legendary goal-kicking centre starred for Queensland over a 15-year career – the same bulldozing runs that marked Meninga as one of the all-time great league players were just as evident in Origin. And, incidentally, the Maroons are undefeated over a series since Meninga took over as coach in 2006, cementing his place in the Queensland pantheon.

Clockwise: Darren Lockyer is no longer there; Wally Lewis is the greatest; followed by Andrew Johns

4 Brad Fittler (NSW) Fittler is the Blues’ most capped player, having made 31 appearances – 14 as captain – and his contribution is reflected in the fact that the medal for NSW’s best player each year bears his name. As one of the most athletic fiveeighths in the game’s history, Fittler produced some of his finest performances in the cauldron of Origin.

3 Allan Langer (Qld) The Little General remains Queensland’s most capped player and became the oldest player in an Origin series when, in 2001, he returned from England to play in the deciding match at age 35. Many doubted his ability, but he starred, guiding the Maroons to victory. An automatic selection in Queensland’s Team of the Century.

2 Andrew Johns (NSW) Johns’ playmaking skills and freakish kicking formed the backbone of countless Blues victories between 1995 and 2005. Indeed, it was in 2005, the last series won by NSW, that Johns returned after several weeks on the sidelines with the Blues already 1-0 down. Unfussed, Johns produced two star turns to steer NSW to a series win. Probably the greatest player of the modern era and he shone at Origin level.

Photos: Getty Images

1 Wally Lewis (Qld) No other player is as synonymous with Origin as Wally Lewis, whose eight man of the match awards is double any other player’s. Lewis will always be remembered for his farewell match, the 1991 decider. In the dying minutes, with the Lang Park faithful roaring their lungs out, Lewis inspired the Maroons to a two-point win. The image of Lewis lifting the Origin trophy for the last time was made into a statue outside Suncorp Stadium.

JENNINGS RECALLED BLUE WITH HEAPS TO PROVE After being dominated by Queensland for the past six years, the entire NSW squad has an axe to grind. But perhaps Michael Jennings has extra motivation.

The 24-year-old Penrith centre, known for his turn of pace and bullocking style, was recently dropped to play for grade side Windsor Wolves because of poor form and an attitude problem. But that didn’t dissuade NSW coach Ricky Stuart from picking him.

“Maybe this is a bit of a kick along now for Michael Jennings to get back to the type of football we all know he can play,” Stuart said. “Let’s hope this can kickstart a chance for him to get back into playing first grade for Penrith and doing what’s needed to be done at his club.”

Jennings was a stand-out for the Blues in the opening game of last year’s Origin series before missing the last two games through injury.

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Bottom Bits Bus Tours around Tasmania 1800 777 103, bottombits.com.au

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Melbourne Australia Tours Victorian tours. 03 9016 9347 melbourneaustraliatours.com.au

Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au

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Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

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Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au

Adventure Tours Australia-wide tours 1800 068 886, adventuretours.com.au

Jump Tours Tours around Tasmania 0422 130 630, jumptours.com

Airliebeach.com Whitsundays packages 1800 677 119, airliebeach.com

Kakadu Dream Kakadu tours 1800 813 266, kakadudreams.com.au

Autopia Tours Tours around Victoria 03 9391 0261, autopiatours.com.au

Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Adelaide to KI tours 13 13 01, kiadventuretours.com.au

Under Down Under Tours Tours around Tasmania 1800 064 726, underdownunder.com.au

Awesome Adventures Oz Whitsundays packages 1800 293 7663, awesomeoz.com

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Adventures South Australia 1800 786 386, surfandsun.com.au

Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au

The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au Topdeck Tours covering all of Oz 1300 886 332, topdeck.travel

RENTAL FIRMS

TRANSPORT CO

Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com

Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au

Backpacker Campervan Rentals 1800 767 010, backpackercampervans.com.au

Jetstar Airline.

131 538, jetstar.com.au

Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au

Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast.

13 34 10, premierms.com.au

Explore More Rentals 1800 708 309, exploremore.com.au

Qantas Airline.

13 13 13, qantas.com.au

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo.

02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Regional Express Airline.

13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline.

03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

Virgin Australia Airline.

13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

S S O R C KINGS RKET A M R A C NT BUY, SELL & RE WE ARE HERE s "59).'

3%,,).'

2%.4).'. Good selection of Cars, Wagons, Vans & Campervans. 7$ 30%#)!,)343. Over 50 vehicles in stock with up to 50% BUY BACK. All with camping gear. s All vehicles for sale have a Government approved Roadworthy Certificate (Pink Slip) issued by ).$%0%.$%.4 -%#(!.)#3, not company employees like most car dealers. s &2%% information with tips for buying, selling and travelling.

Transfer & Registration forms for all States. s &2%% Advice on Registrations, Transfers, which States are cheapest/easiest to Transfer and Register. s &2%% 12 Months Australia Wide Warranty (guaranteee) with (2 2/!$3)$% !33)34!.#% available on most vehicles.* NOT a 5000km warranty which gets you about 25% of your way around Australia. *Conditions apply

INSURANCE CE FREECALL: LL 1800 808 188 We sell the only known ‘No Excess’ 3rd Party Property Insurance available to travellers from $230* For 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 months. Insurance available even if you buy a car from another place and without you having to tell lies to get it.

NOW IN OUR 20TH YEAR OF

PUTTING TRAVELLERS ON THE ROAD

#534/-%23 #!. 4 "% 72/.'

NOT COMING TO SYDNEY? THEN BUY AND SELL ONLINE @ www.carmarket.com.au OR CALL 02 9358 5000 46

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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, stayatbase.com Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222, bouncehotel.com.au Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333, cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks.

02 9261 1111, yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross.

02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com

Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach.

02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street.

Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi.

02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee.

04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee.

02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au

The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly. 1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD. 02 9288 7888, wakeup.com.au

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

CENTRAL COAST

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle.

02 4925 3544, yha.com.au

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal.

02 4384 1919, yha.com.au

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

BYRON BAY

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEY DO Manly Surf School Manly Beach.

02 9977 6977, manlysurfschool.com Maritime Museum Darling Harbour. anmm.gov.au My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com

Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. 1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au

Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe. 02 9692 8418, yha.com.au

Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw. gov.au

Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills.

02 9261 1111

Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly. 02 9977 3411 boardrider.com.au

Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneyskytour.com.au

Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au

SYDNEY MUSIC

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com

The Annandale annandalehotel.com The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Gaelic Hotel thegaelic.com The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195, yha.com.au

COFFS HARB

BLUE MTNS Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba.

02 4782 1416, yha.com.au

Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St. 02 6652 6462, yha.com.au

LOW COST, QUALITY CAMPERS AND CARS BREEZER HIRE

ECONOMY MY CAR

per day*

per day from*

$30 3 days*

$54

$90 Like us on facebook.com/backpackercampervans Follow us on twitter.com/BackpackerVans

BOOK

NOW

With our local 24/7 reservations centre on:1800 600 503 Or book online with real-time quotes and confirmations at:

backpackercampervans.com.au

*Van price based on Breezer Campervan, 3+ day rate, for travel 20/05/2012 – 26/05/012. Car price based on Economy Car, 1-6 day city rate for travel May 2012. Prices correct at time of print, rates change weekly so contact our Reservations team for the best daily rate. Minimum hire applies, offer subject to availability and liability reduction cover is additional. For full terms and conditions contact Backpacker Rentals.

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BRISBANE DO

Aussie Way Backpackers 34 Cricket St. 07 3369 0711, aussiewaybackpackers.com

Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah. 07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au

Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace.

07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com

Gallery of Modern Art 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au

Base Brisbane Embassy 214 Elizabeth St. 07 3166 8000, stayatbase.com

Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point.

07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au

Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com

Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point.

1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au XXXX Ale House Brewery tours.

Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton.

07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com.au

GOLD COAST

Coolangatta Sands Hostel Cnr Griffiths & McLean Sts, Coolangatta. 07 5536 7472, coolangattasandshostel.com.au

wetnwild.myfun.com.au

Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au

Zorb 07 5547 6300

Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise.

1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise.

1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise.

07 5571 1776, yha.com.au Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au

Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise.

1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au

The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm.

04 3377 7061

Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise.

1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au

Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au

Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646, tinbilly.com

Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga.

07 5536 76442, yha.com.au

Seaworld seaworld.com.au

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111 126, dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com

GC DO

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World

FARMHAND REQUIRED FOR COTTON follow us on

Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

@tnt_downunder 181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com.au Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

FRASER ISLAND

Q

Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au

BUNDABERG Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au

R B

Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166 Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours.

07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

RELAX

@tnt_downunder

Duties would include machinery operations of tractors, and associated equipment including GPS, day to day duties of irrigation and general farm maintenance.

Accommodation supplied.

CALL ON 0419 795623

WORKERS WANTED

PORT DOUGLAS This upmarket, pretty resort town might cost you more than Cairns, just to the south, but it is perfectly positioned right by the reef and is fringed by stunning white beaches. It’s also a great jump-off point for Cape Tribulation and Cape York.

WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED

AYR NORTH QUEENSLAND

AYR BACKPACKERS stay at Wilmington House Working Hostel of the Burdekin District

s /PEN AND AIRY 1UEENSLAND STYLE FOUR AND SIX BEDROOMS s )NTERNET #AFÏ s 0OOL ""1S AND TROPICAL GARDENS s 4ABLE TENNIS AND &2%% POOL TABLE s ,OCKERS s #LEAN COMFORTABLE QUIET AND FRIENDLY s 4RANSPORT PROVIDED TO WORK s &IVE MINUTE WALK TO MAIN STREET SHOPPING AND FAST FOOD STORE s &REE PICK UP FROM !YR BUS TERMINAL AND RAILWAY STATION s 6IDEO AND 46 ROOMS s &IVE FULL KITCHEN FACILITIES

WORKERS WANTED Call Mick & Daphne 07 4783 5837

WORKERS WANTED FOR FARM IN INNISFAIL. Free accommodation and food provided. Offers very good working and living conditions.

PHONE 0437 692 002

WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED

48

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U

QUEENSLAND’S BEST BACKPACKERS

Reception open 24/7 for your convenience Beer garden & cocktail lounge open 7 days Awesome, well-travelled local staff Pool & hot tub for lazy afternoons Free drop-off to Koala Sanctuary Global Gossip & wireless internet All rooms are air-conditioned Ensuite rooms available Surround sound TV lounge Huge self-catering kitchen Tour & Travel Sales Desk

QLD’S #1 HOSTEL

www.bunkbrisbane.com.au Untitled-1 1

1800 682 865 or +61 7 3257 3644

16/4/12 5:22:16 PM

GO DEEP

IF YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE LOOKING FOR SUMMER FUN THERE IS NO PLACE BETTER THAN THE BRISSIE SUN!

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LADY ELLIOT ISLAND If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for fantastic diving away from the crowds then this could be the place for you.

Forming the southern-most coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot, about 80km northeast of Bundaberg, is one of only a handful of islands where you can actually stay on the reef and literally dive from the beach. Teeming with life, the surrounding waters boast a resident population of 40 manta rays and are also one of the best places in the world to view green and loggerhead turtles. If visiting between November and March you may even catch a glimpse of the majestic creatures lumbering up the beach to lay their eggs.

7/2+%23 7!.4%$ &RUIT AND 6EGETABLE PICKING JOBS AVAILABLE

s 4RANSPORT TO FROM WORK s &2%% COURTESY BUS PICK UP s ,AUNDRY FACILITIES s )NTERNET FACILITIES s 0LEASANT AND FRIENDLY STAFF s "ISTRO AVAILABLE AT "ANJO S TAVERN NEXT DOOR

6!2)%49 /& 7/2+ !6!),!",% 9%!2 2/5.$

"REEZY 4ROPICAL VERANDAHS CLEAN FRIENDLY #LOSE TO SHOPS BANKS OLYMPIC POOL

&EDERAL "ACKPACKERS 7Zhi 6XXdbbdYVi^dc 7Zhi EVgin C^\]i

"OURBONG 3T "UNDABERG 1LD

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WWW FEDERALBACKPACKERS COM AU FEDERALBACKPACKERS HOTMAIL COM #OMPLIES WITH ALL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS QUANTITY DEPENDS ON SEASON

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TOWN OF 1770 1770 Backpackers 6 Captain Cook Dr. 1800 121 770, the1770backpackers.com

Bungalow Bay Backpackers Horseshoe Bay. 1800 285 577, bungalowbay. com.au

BOOK NOW

Magnums 7 Marine Pde, Arcadia Bay. 1800 663 666, magnetic-island.com/arc-rsrt.htm

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH

AIRLIE BEACH

Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road. 07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au

airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119 Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au Nomads Airlie Beach 354 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 666 237 nomadshostels.com

BOWEN

Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au

AUSTRALIAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. Jun 16. $55 Get in touch with your saucy side at this festival dedicated to the art of burlesque. If you’re game, you can even learn some tricks of the trade.

Fortitude Valley

australianburlesquefest.com

Bowen Backpackers Beach end of Herbert St. 07 4786 3433 bowenbackpackers.net

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Resort 79 Palmer St. 1800 211 522, adventurersresort.com

07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au Yongala Dive Yongala diving.

07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

MAGNETIC ISL Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 1800 24 22 73, stayatbase.com

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353, bohemiaresort.com. au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com

NJOY Travellers Resort Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging.

1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Pro Dive 07 4031 5255, prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au

CAPE TRIB Crocodylus Village Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com PK’s Jungle Village Cnr Avalon & Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333, pksjunglevillage.com.au

Adrenalin Dive Yongala diving.

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MELBOURNE STAY

MELBOURNE DO

All Nations Backpackers Hotel & Bar 2 Spencer St. 1800 222 238, allnations.com.au

Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square.

03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com

Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au

Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net

Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au

Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au

DON’T MISS

Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au

ST KILDA FILM FESTIVAL: OPENING

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane.

1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda.

1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au

Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. 13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au

Palais Theatre. May 22. $30.

Opening night is worth a look to kick off this five-day festival full of Aussie short films. It features a great selection of what’s to come.

St Kilda, Melbourne

stkildafilmfestival.com.au

Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com

Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au

Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au

The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com

Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com

Urban Central 334 City Rd, Southbank. 1800 631 288, urbancentral.com.au

WORD FROM THE STREET

National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au

MELB MUSIC Cherry Bar myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne Corner Hotel cornerhotel.com

East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au The Tote thetotehotel.com

GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea.

03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne.

03 5289 2508, yha.com.au Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell.

03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

GOLD RUSH

Volka Kettler, Germany WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN VICTORIA? So far just to Melbourne.

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? Nomads in Melbourne FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? The bars along Brunswick St., Fitzroy. They love Germans there.

BENDIGO If you’re a bit of an art junky or you like your historical buildings, then Bendigo will serve you well.

A pretty, regional city of Victoria about 130km north-west of the state capital, Bendigo’s growth was attributed to the Victorian gold rush in the mid-1800s. It now holds its own as a great day trip from Melbourne or a good weekend getaway to escape the big smoke. Things to do include hot air ballooning, gold mine tours, wine tours, horse riding and visits to galleries and museums in the area. Check out bendigotourism.com.au for more info.

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DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

@tnt_downunder

HOT GIG

MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca.

03 5480 6522, yha.com.au Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura.

03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au

ROYAL FUN BEST OF BRITISH: DIAMOND JUBILEE Melbourne Town Hall. June 16. $35 This Town Hall gig featuring the best British sounds will help get you in the festive spirit to celebrate Her Majâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reign.

Swanston St, Melbourne

MORNINGTON Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie.

03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au

thechoir.com.au

Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento.

03 5984 4323, yha.com.au Tortoise Head Lodge French Island.

03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura.

04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

GIPPSLAND Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614 Rawsom Caravan Park Depot Rd, Rawson.

03 5165 3439, rawsoncaravanpark.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes.

03 5952 3620, yha.com.au

SIMPLE PLAN Festival Hall. June 2. $59.35 + booking fee.

Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Simple Plan are known for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;doing it for the fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, so you can expect a great show when they tour our Aussie shores in June.

Dudley Street, Melbourne

The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com.au

GRAMPIANS Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds,

ticketmaster.com.au

Halls Gap. 03 5356 4543, yha.com.au Timâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288, timsplace.com.au

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SALISTINGS

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ADELAIDE STAY

COOBER PEDY

Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, adpi.com.au

Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.com.au

Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. 08 8414 3010, yha.com.au

Radeka Down Under 1 Oliver St. 1800 633 891, radekadownunder.com.au

Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au

Riba’s Underground 1811 William Creek Rd. 08 8672 5614, camp-underground.com.au

Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com

KANGAROO IS

HOT GIG RAP CITY HQ Adelaide. June 1. $81.60.

Rap City is a place where high profile hip-hop acts come together on one stage. Headlining is co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah.

1 North Terrace, Adelaide

My Place 257 Waymouth St. 1800 221 529, adelaidehostel.com.au

Memorial Drive.

08 8300 3800, cricketsa.com.au

Shakespeare Hostel 123 Waymouth St. 1800 556 889, shakeys.com.au

Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection. War

Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

08 8553 1344, yha.com.au

Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours. 153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside. 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au

oztix.com.au

Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg.

04 1281 1838, dolphinboat.com.au

BAROSSA VAL Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road Tanunda.

08 8563 0198, barossabackpackers.com.au

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton.08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au

FLEURIEU PENIN Port Elliot Beach House YHA 13 The Strand, Port Elliot. 08 8554 2785, yha.com.au

EYRE PENINSULA Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny.

08 8687 0411, coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims.

08 8626 5017, bairdbay.com Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving.

08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth.

1800 816 858, the-traveller.com.au Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving.

08 8363 1788, rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES

Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com

Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842, angorichinavillage.com.au

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004, wilpenapound.com.au

SWIM WITH SEA LIONS

BAIRD BAY

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photo: SATC

Whether it’s cuddling a koala, feeding a kangaroo or diving with sharks, meeting the locals is a big part of travelling around Australia. But perhaps the most overlooked and under-rated animal experience Down Under is swimming with seals. You’re unlikely to find a more friendly, sociable and fun creature in the sea. One of the best places to play around with them is sleepy fishing village Baird Bay, which is home to a large sea lion colony, plus plenty of dolphins. Named after an early settler who got speared by local Aboriginals, remote Baird Bay is also great for escaping the crowds. You’ll find it on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula, west of Adelaide.

55

NTLISTINGS DARWIN STAY

KATHERINE STAY

Banyan View Lodge Darwin 119 Mitchell St. 08 8981 8644, banyanviewlodge.com.au

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road.

1800 501 984, big4.com.au

LIVE ACTION

Elkes Backpackers 112 Mitchell St. 1800 808 365, elkesbackpackers.com.au

KATHERINE DO Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights.

08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.au Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au

Nitmiluk Tours Gorge cruises and kayak hire. 1300 146 743 nitmiluktours.com.au

V8 SUPERCARS

Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell St. 1300 723 437, momdarwin.com

Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex. June 15-17. From $20.

Event six of the V8 competition calendar shows no sign of slowing down. Live music from INXS, Sneaky Sound System and Jimmy Barnes.

Youth Shack 69 Mitchell St. 1300 793 302, youthshack.com.au

Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront.

08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive.

1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au Toddy’s Resort 41 Gap Rd. 1800 027 027, toddys.com.au

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

Darwin YHA 97 Mitchell St. 08 8981 5385, yha.com.au

DARWIN DO

@tnt_downunder

follow us on

Hidden Valley

ticketek.com.au

Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point.

08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au

Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf.

1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River.

08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

TENNANT CREEK Tourist Rest Leichardt St. 08 8962 2719, touristrest.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Alice Lodge 4 Mueller St. 08 8953 1975, alicelodge.com.au Alice Springs YHA Cnr Parsons St & Leichhardt Tce. 08 8952 8855, yha.com.au Annie’s Place 4 Traeger Ave. 1800 359 089, anniesplace.com.au

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive.

08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards.

9 Stuart Terrace.

08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au Outback Ballooning Hot air balloon rides.

1800 809 790, outbackballooning.com.au Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room.

Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum.

80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour Uluru tours.

78 Todd St. 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

WORD FROM THE STREET

Maria Schoening, Denmark WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE NT? Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru.

FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? Kings Canyon and Uluru, there we had to climb a heart-attack rock and we survived! I liked the nature and it is really different than the east coast.

FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? Bonfire, close to the rock and the sky full with stars.

56

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HOBART STAY

LAUNCESTON DO

BOOK NOW

Central City Backpackers 138 Collins St. 1800 811 507, centralbackpackers.com.au

Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au

Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery 2 Invermay Rd & 2 Wellington St. 03 6323 3777, qvmag.tas.gov.au

Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com

Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Rd. 03 6396 6100, tasmaniazoo.com.au

Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.com.au

DEVONPORT HILLTOP HOODS City Hall. Aug 11. $44.85 It’s been almost three years since the boys from the hood toured, they know how much you’ve missed them, so they’ll bring their best beats.

Macquarie St, Hobart

PORT ARTHUR Port Arthur Historic Ghost Tours 1800 659 101, portarthur.org.au

LAUNCESTON Arthouse Backpacker Hostel 20 Lindsay St. 1800 041 135, arthousehostel.com.au

oztix.com.au Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au

ADVENTURE

Photo: DiscoverTasmania.com

Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

Tasman Backpackers 114 Tasman St. 03 6423 2335, tasmanbackpackers.com.au

Mt Roland Budget Backpacker Rooms 1447 Claude Rd, Gowrie Park. 03 6491 1385

CRADLE DO Devils at Cradle Tassie devil sanctuary. 3950 Cradle Mountain Rd. 03 6492 1491. devilsatcradle.com Overland Track Six-day walk parks.tas.gov.au

FREYCINET Iluka Backpackers YHA Reserve Rd. 03 6257 0115, yha.com.au Freycinet National Park Brewery, Wineglass Bay camping. 03 6256 7000, wineglassbay.com

BICHENO Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au

CRADLE MTN Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain Rd. 1800 068 574, discoveryholidayparks.com.au

STRAHAN, Strahan YHA 43 Harvey St. 03 6471 7255, yha.com

STRAHAN DO Four Wheelers Henty Sand Dunes quadbike tours. 04 1950 8175, 4wheelers.com.au Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com

WORD FROM THE STREET

Dave Thorpe, England

FLINDERS ISLAND The island has been described as ‘mountains in the sea’ and it’s not hard to see why. Scattered in the Bass Strait off Tassie’s eastern tip, Flinders is as remarkable up close as it is from afar.

It’s great for fishing, diving and exploring the rocky headlands or beaches.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN OZ? We travelled to Perth, Melbourne, Tasmania, and all up the east coast FAVOURITE SPOT? Launceston and Hobart. It’s just different to the rest of Australia.

WHERE TO NEXT? Heading to New Zealand next... today!

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

57

WALISTINGS DON’T MISS

@tnt_downunder

follow us on One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au

HOT GIG

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge.

08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

S CLUB & BIG BROVAZ Metro City. May 25. $55 + booking fee.

If you didn’t stop and never gave up, S Club are about to bring it all back to you. The Nineties revival keeps on – Big Brovaz joins them onstage.

Roe St, Northbridge

PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge.

08 9227 6000, perthbrittania.com

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oztix.com.au Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe. 08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, witchshat.com

PERTH DO Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys.

08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth.

08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au

LADY GAGA Burswood Dome. July 8. From $83.10 + booking fee.

Gaga is coming back to town and you can bet these tickets will sell out fast. A second show has been added to The Born This Way Ball.

Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood

PERTH MUSIC Amplifier amplifiercapitol.com.au Astor liveattheastor.com.au Mojo’s Bar mojosbar.com.au The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au

ticketek.com.au

FREO STAY Backpackers Inn Freo 11 Pakenham St. 08 9431 7065, backpackersinnfreo.com.au Old Firestation Backpackers 18 Phillimore St. 08 9430 5454, fremantleprison.com.au

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Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com.au

FREO DO Fremantle Markets 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace.

08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks.

08 9372 9780, yha.com.au

MARGARET RIV Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce. 08 9757 9532, yha.com.au

ALBANY Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St. 08 9842 3388, yha.com.au Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruizeinn.com Metro Inn Albany 270 Albany Hwy. 1800 004 321, metrohotels.com.au

MONKEY MIA Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort 1800 653 611, monkeymia.com.au

NINGALOO REEF Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth.

08 9949 1200, yha.com.au

BROOME STAY Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road.

1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

BROOME DO Sun Pictures Carnarvon St. 08 9192 1077, broomemovies.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE PINNACLES

7 ,Ê -/Ê "-/ Ê Ê7 ÊÓääÇ -/ÊÓäänÊEÊÓää

Nambung National Park. Entry $11.

Just a couple of hours north of Perth, often making them the first stop on a west coast roadtrip, the Pinnacles are a surreal collection of hundreds of ancient limestone pillars rising out of the yellow sand. They’re at their most eerie at sunset, or better yet, sunrise, when you’re more likely to avoid the tour groups and have the place to yourself.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

59

NZLISTINGS BUS TOURS Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

Rent-A-Dent 0800 736 823, rentadent.co.nz Rental Car Village +64 9376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals +800 200 80 801, backpackercampervans.com Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.com.nz Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 447 363, exploremore.co.nz Econo Campers +64 9275 9919, econocampers.co.nz Escape Rentals 1800 456 272, escaperentals.co.nz Explore More 1800 800 327, dcrentals.com.nz Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.com.nz

60

AUCKLAND Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. +64 9275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Auckland International Backpackers (BBH) 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584, Base Auckland 229 Queen St. 0800 227 369, stayatbase.com Bamber House (BBH) 2 2 View Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com

follow us on The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. +64 9307 0181, nomadshostels.com

Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com

Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. +64 9300 9999, nomadshostels.com

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz

Oaklands Lodge (BBH) St. +64 5A Oaklands Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9638 6545, oaklands.co.nz

Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414

Queen Street Backpackers (VIP) 4 Fort St. +64 9373 3471, enquiries@qsb.co.nz Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. +64 9363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. +64 9309 2802, yha.co.nz YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. +64 9302 8200, yha.co.nz

WELLINGTON Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. +64 4801 5666 stayatbase.com

Central City Backpackers 26 Lorne St. +64 9358 5685, backpacker.net.nz

Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. +64 4473 8482 db@downtownbackpackers.co.nz

City Garden Lodge 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. +64 9302 0880

Lodge in the City (VIP) 152 Taranaki St. +64 4385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz

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YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

CHRISTCHURCH Chester Street Backpackers (BBH) 148 Chester St East. +64 3377 1897, chesterst.co.nz Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. +64 3366 9720, backpack.co.nz/foley Jailhouse Accommodation (BBH) 338 Lincoln Rd. 0800 524 546, stay@kiwibasecamp.com

@tnt_downunder

QUEENSTOWN Base Discovery Lodge St. +64 Queenstown 49 Shotover St. +64 3441 1185, stayatbase.com Bungi Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 15 Sydney St. 0800 728 286, bungibackpackers.co.nz Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. +64 3443 7341, cardrona.com Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. +64 3442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. +64 3442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. +64 3441 3922, nomadshostels.com

Kiwi House 373 Gloucester St. +64 3381 6645, kiwihouse.co.nz

Pinewood Lodge (VIP) 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 7463 9663, rgrieg@xtra.co.nz

The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. +64 3381 5504, oldcountryhousenz.com

Southern Laughter (BBH, VIP) 4 Isle St. 0800 728 448, southernlaughter.co.nz

Tranquil Lodge (BBH) 440 Manchester St. +64 3366 6500, tranquil-lodge.co.nz

YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street. +64 3442 7400, yha.co.nz

Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 70 Bealey Ave. +64 3377 7931, rucksacker.com

YHA Queenstown Lakefront 8890 Lake Esplanade. +64 3442 8413, yha.co.nz

VELLING TRA ON TO F

FIJILISTINGS

IJI?

NADI & WEST Aquarius Pacific Hotel +679 672 6000 Beach Escape Villas +679 672 4442, beachscape@ connect.com.fj Cathay Hotel +679 666 0566, fiji4less.com

mote ere.

Visit the re ds, Fiji.

- it s all th n la Is a w k , explore sa a Ya ay k , e iv el d Chill, snork

Horizon Backpackers +679 672 2832, horizonbeachfiji.com Nadi Bay Resort Hotel +679 672 3599, fijinadibayhotel.com

entures

dv Awesome A

rs

for backpacketravellers tive and alterna xperience the e

Nadi Down Town Backpackers Inn +679 670 0600, pacvalley@connect.com.fj Nadi Hotel +679 670 0000, ndht@connect.com.fj Nomads Skylodge Hotel +679 672 2200

o

who want t

Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel +679 666 1777, fiji4less.com

“real Fiji”

Smugglers Cove +679 672 6578, smugglers beachfiji.com Travellers Beach Resort +679 672 3322, beachvilla@connect.com.fj

ISLAND HOPPING PASSES Complete freedom to explore the Yasawa Islands, including Beachcomber.

Choose from a 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 21 day pass.

Passes from $217

YASAWA ISLANDS

EASY FLEXIBLE PACKAGES Explore the real Fiji. From 5 to 11 nights.

Includes vessel transfers, accommodation, meals and activities. Packages from $586

Mango Bay Resort +679 653 00690, mangobayresortfiji.com Pacific Safaris Club +679 345 0498, safariclub@connect.com.fj Rendezvous Dive Resort +679 628 4427, surfdivefiji.com Robinson Crusoe +679 629 1999, robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com Seashell Cove Resort +679 670 6100, seashellresort.com Tabukula Beach Bungalows +679 650 0097, fiji4less.com The Uprising Beach Resort +679 345 2200, uprisingbeachresort.com Tsulu Luxury Backpackers & Apartments +679 345 0065, tsulu.com Vakaviti Motel & Dorm +679 650 0526, bulavakaviti@connect.com.fj Vilisite Place +679 650 1030

SUVA Colonial Lodge +679 92 75248, sailevukaga@yahoo.co.nz

Awesome Adventures Fiji +679 675 0499, awesomefiji.com

Lami Lodge Backpackers +679 336 2240, volau@connect.com.fj

Coconut Bay Resort +679 666 6644 coconutbay_fiji2002@yahoo.com

Leleuvia Island Resort +679 331 9567, eleen@leleuvia.com

Korovou Eco Tour Resort +679 666 6644 korovoultk@connect.com.fj

Raintree Lodge +679 332 0562, raintreelodge.com

Kuata Resort +679 666 6644

Royal Hotel +679 344 0024 royal@connect.com.fj

ISLAND ESCAPES

Long Beach Backpackers Resort +679 666 6644

South Seas Private Hotel +679 331 2296, fiji4less.com

A bit like survivor but a lot more fun! Strand yourself on one island for 2, 4 or 6 nights. If you can stand nd the pain of coral lagoons and coconut palms then stay longer. Packages from $224

Manta Ray Island +679 672 6351 mantarayisland@connect.com.fj

Tailevu Hotel +679 343 0028

Nabua Lodge +679 666 9173 nabualodge@connect.com.fj Oarsmans Bay Lodge +679 672 2921, nacula@hotmail.com Octopus Resort +679 666 6337 reservations@octopusresort.com

GREAT PAIRS

Sunrise Lagoon Resort +679 666 6644

5 days 4 nights 2 islands

Wayalailai Island Resort +679 672 1377 wayalailai@connect.com.fj

Straight out of your tropical Island Fantasy.

Two island stays have always been extremely popular so we ve made it really easy for you with a matching of islands that we think make a great pair. Packages from $421 Daily departures for all packages and passes from Denarau Marina

info@awesomefiji.com

www.awesomefiji.com

Prices are ex Denarau, Fiji, in Australian dollars and valid for travel to 31 March 2013.

MAMANUCA ISL Beachcomber Island Resort +679 666 1500, beachcomberfiji.com Bounty Island Resort +679 666 6999, fiji-bounty.com Rau Kini’s Hostel +679 672 1959, rtkinihostel@connect.com.fj

AAF3373 - Issue 674

For info and bookings see your travel centre or contact us: phone1800 007 129 or SKYPE awesomefiji

White Sandy Beach Dive Resort +679 666 4066

The Funky Fish Beach Resort +679 628 2333, funkyfishresort.com The Resort Walu Beach +679 665 1777, walubeach.com

CORAL COAST Beachouse +679 653 0500, fijibeachouse.com

NORTH VITI LEVU Bethams Cottage +679 669 4132, bethams.com.fj Macdonalds Beach Cottages +679 669 4633 Morrison’s Beach Cottagess +679 669 4516, tipple@connect.com.fj Safari Lodge Fijis +679 669 3333 safarilodge.com.fj Volivoli Beach Resort +679 669 4511, volivoli.com

VANUA LEVU Bayside Backpacker Cottage +679 885 3154, tripntour@connect.com.fj Hidden Paradise Guest House +678 885 0106 Naveria Heights Lodge +679 851 0157, justnaveria@connect.com.fj Savusavu Hot Springs +679 885 0195, hotspringshotel@connect.com.fjj

TAVEUNI Albert’s Sunrise +679 333 7555 Matava Resort +679 330 5222, matava.com

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61

Hospitality Superstars | Mosman Want to work in one of the best environments in Sydney?

Restaurant Associates at Taronga Zoo are looking for Hospitality Superstars for ongoing casual work. If you have a warm friendly outgoing personality and a minimum 2 years experience in hospitality then we want to hear from you!

We are holding an open day on 12th June, 2012. Please call Namrita Sandhu on 02 9797 4980 or email NamritaSandhu@compass-group. com.au to register interest for the following positions: *HML HSS YV\UKLYZ :HUK^PJO HY[PZ[Z 2P[JOLU OHUKZ >HP[LYZ *OLMZ ^P[O I\SR WYVK\J[PVU L_WLYPLUJL 7HZ[Y` JOLMZ )HRLYZ You are required to have work rights in Australia & a valid NSW RSA

Looking for Work?

$10 all cours e QUOTE R s EF: TTG001

RSA - $130 RCG - $90 Food Safety - $150 First Aid - $125 Remember to quote TTG001 to receive $10 off these prices

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OZWORK

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@tnt_downunder

Studying to stay Love hitting the books? Not keen to face the real world yet?

Well, studying might be an option to keep the dream alive in Oz

Many people who visit Australia on a Working Holiday Visa normally find themselves so addicted to the place they want to hang around for more, maybe even for good. So if you’re one of these people, you’ll be happy to know there are several avenues you can take to stay in Australia, one of which is studying.

“A student visa allows you to stay in the city of your choice and comes with ‘multiple entry’ in and out of Australia for the duration of the visa,” Acacia Education Australia’s Melanie Duncan says.

As well as studying, the visa allows you to work 20 hours per week during semester and as often as you want during holidays so you can keep your wallet relatively full while your head is in the books.

Studying in Australia also happens to be one of the quickest routes towards securing permanent residency if

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you’re really looking long-term. Better yet, the government changed the laws last year so that foreign graduates who complete a bachelor’s degree Down Under can now stay and work in the country for up to two years after they finish, without any restriction on the type of job.

And you don’t have to put your head down for a fulltime, long term year degree either. “After investigating their study options, working holiday makers often choose to enrol in university `pathway’ programmes,” Duncan says.

Pathway programmes can be a good choice because they’re a more affordable option, shorter in length and will slowly ease you back into the world of study. There’s also opportunity to experiment with several different fields without committing to one course.

Check out immi.gov.au/students for important updates on student visas, including the changes to conditions.

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TOTALLYTRIVIAL

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MYTHBUSTERS A FISHY DEATH?

MYTH

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

OF THE

AUSSIE ANIMALS c) 27

d) 47

the Bush Kangaroo was Q 6.firstSkippy on TV in which decade?

many sharks are killed Q 2.byHow humans each year? a) One million b) 10 million c) 20 million d) 38 million

Q

a) 1950s b) 1960s c) 1970s d) 1980s Which is false? The Q 7.duck-billed platypus has...

3. How many kangaroos feature on one type of the $1 coin? a) One b) Two c) Three d) Five

a) Venom b) A beak c) A beaver tail d) Wings

Q 4. On average how many people are

killed by crocs in Australia each year? a) One b) Three c) Five d) 20

Q 5. An emu is... a) A Queenslander b) A reptile

Which animal is responsible for more Q 8.deaths in Oz than saltwater crocodiles, snakes and sharks? a) The dingo b) The box jellyfish c) The redback spider d) The horse

SUDOKU PUZZLE

ANSWERS: 1. b 2. d 3. d 4. a 5. d 6. b 7. d 8. b

7

AUSSIE-ISM

7

1 5

8

6

3

9

2

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c) An Australian giraffe d) A flightless bird

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“A ROOT”

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When someone asks if you “pulled a root”, they are not talking about gardening with grandma. It’s a slang term for sex. Next time you need a good pick-up line, “fancy a root?” is sure to get a response.

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

THIS WEEK IT’S...

AUSSIE BEERS 1. VIBRATOR ICE TIT 2. LUBE ONE TUG 3. TRASHY DETOX YORE 4. NOBLE PRUDE ANSWERS: 1. Victoria Bitter 2. Blue Tongue 3. Toohey’s Extra Dry 4. Pure Blonde

many years can a koala live for?

Q 1.a)How Seven b) 17

WEEK What happened to Aussie PM Harold Holt?

Harold Holt, Australia’s 17th prime minister, went for a swim on the morning of December 17 1967, off a beach south of Melbourne, and never came back. He was a renowned swimmer and knew the area like the back of his hand so some believe he committed suicide or faked his death. Others think he was kidnapped by a submarine, even a UFO. Perhaps the best theory, however, is that the man who expanded the Aussie role in the Vietnam War was actually a Chinese spy and did a runner. Sadly, the truth is probably far more boring. The sea was rough, Holt had a shoulder injury and most likely drowned.

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