TNT Magazine 712

1-13 January 2013 Issue 712 tntdownunder.com

IPN W GRIP ING

A E SHARK CAG H T DIVE IN SOU AUSTR ALIA

TO THE LIGHTHOUSE An insider’s guide to Byron Bay

MIND THE BOLLOCKS Talking punk with The Sex Pistols

S T O H S + F R U SUN, S

Australia in rs a b h c a e p 10 b reveal the to e w – t a h brim r best wide u o y t u o t s u B + NEWS & SPORT WHAT’S ON FILM REVIEWS TRAVELLERS’ TIPS

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Bonza SYDNEY < > CAIRNS

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Includes: al e + Loc 'ULYeU *uLded 7UDYel Packag + $105 6WD\ Dnd 6uUI DW 6SRW ; $1398 1LPELn 'D\ 7RuU 7U\ RuU IDnWDsWLc (DsW &RDsW 3Dsses ZKLcK Lnclude %\URn %D\ .D\DN ZLWK 'RlSKLn 7RuU WUDYel DcWLYLWLes sRPe DccRPPRdDWLRn PeDls nLJKWs dRUP DccRPPRdDWLRn Ln 1RRsD :e¡Ye JRW Dll \RuU WUDYel needs sRUWed dD\ nLJKW )UDseU IslDnd :' 7DJ $lRnJ WRuU )DUP 6WD\ DW 2uWEDcN &DWWle 6WDWLRn %Uuce &REEeU 6\dne\ dD\ nLJKW :KLWsundD\ 6DLlLnJ $dYenWuUe *UeDW %DUULeU 5eeI 6DLl 6nRUNel 'LYe 7RuU Includes: Â&#x2021; +RS Rn KRS RII cRDcK WUDYel EeWZeen 6\dne\ ! &DLUns Â&#x2021; 6uUI Dnd 6WD\ DW 6SRW ; ZLWK PRsW PeDls Lncluded Â&#x2021; 1LPELn 'D\ 7RuU Â&#x2021; )DUP 6WD\ DW .URRPELW

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VISIT OZEXPERIENCE.COM OR CALL 1300 300 028 T&Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Prices are subject to change without notice. Local payments are to be paid to the tour operator directly. For full terms and conditions visit www.ozexperience.com.

ALEX HARMON EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Summer is well and truly here, and since the good folks at the council don’t actually allow us to drink on the beach, the next best thing to do is pull up a pew at one of the many beach bars found in Oz. Need help? We list the best brews with a view (pg40). We also get to know Byron Bay (pg46); the stunning Bay of Islands (pg56); and look back at the biggest news stories of 2012. Kick back and enjoy!

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

4

FOOD AND DRINK

6

GIGS

8

CHATROOM

18

FILM

20

LIFESTYLE

22

NEWS

26

SPORT

30

TRAVEL

32

HOT SHOTS

34

TRAVEL TIPS

36

WEEKENDER

52

WIN

54

LISTINGS AUSTRALIA

60

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

76

WORK

78

RECRUIT INTERVIEW

80

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

81

46

12

FEATURES PISTOL WHIP

12

We talk to the Steve Jones, guitarist of punk rock legends The Sex Pistols

BOOZE CRUISE

40

It’s summer time and we take a look at some of Oz’s best beach bars

BEING BYRON

46

A local’s guide to all things Byron Bay: beaches, bars and beautiful people

ISLE BAY We cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands in NZ on a yacht, life’s hard

56

40

56 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OZDIARY

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EDITORIAL Editor Alex Harmon Staff writer Hugh Radojev Contributors Marie Barbieri, Chris Stevens, Jahn Vannisserlory Interns James Beasenvalle, Caitlin Stanway

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Account manager Justin Steinlauf Sales Executive Mike Ramsden MARKETING & EVENTS Business development manager Tom Wheeler DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland ACCOUNTS Financial controller Trish Bailey Accountant Hannah Waters

TNT MULTIMEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER TNT Multimedia Limited PRINTED BY Rural Press NEWS AAP PICTURES Getty Images | Thinkstock | AAP | TNT Images | Tourism Australia | Tourism Victoria | Tourism New South Wales | Tourism NT | Tourism Queensland | Tourism Tasmania | South Australia Tourism | Tourism Western Australia | Tourism New Zealand | Tourism Fiji | Justin Steinlauf COVER Thinkstock TNT Magazine , 126 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW 2008 tntdownunder.com General enquiries Phone 02 8332 7500 Fax 02 9690 1314 Email enquiries@tntdownunder.com SALES ENQUIRIES

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MAIN EVENT SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2013 SYDNEY

The city of Sydney comes alive in January with this ever popular annual festival hosting talented musicians, dancers, actors, artists and thinkers from Australia and around the world.

The festival vibe is spread throughout the city, with unique heritage listed buildings, parks and churches around town converted into site specific venues including Hyde Park, the Becks Festival tent at the old Convict Barracks and, of course, the stunning main stage of the Opera House. Also, don’t forget to check out the giant yellow rubber duck at Darling Harbour.

Jan 5 – 27. Various, Sydney NSW

sydneyfestival.org.au

ST GEORGE OPENAIR CINEMA

LUMI AIR CIRQUE EXTRAORDINAIRE

WELCOME SUMMER PARTY

Located on the Fleet Steps, right near Mrs Macquarie’s Point this is one of the most beautiful spots to catch a movie anywhere on earth. A great season program includes new releases and classic. Opening night film is the Keira Knightly film, Anna Karenina.

This is Cirque du Soleil for the masses.

A beautiful kaleidoscope of lights, colours and music accompany the breathtaking acrobatics of some of the world’s great performers.

The breathtaking performances given by the cast matched by the effects.

This is one for the true revellers. Those who believe the best way to avoid a New Years Eve hangover is to carry on drinking new year’s day.

Master’s at Work headline the music but this is more about the party vibe and being with mates.

10 Jan – Feb 16 Mrs Macquarie Point, Sydney stgeorgeopenair.com.au

Dec 26 – Jan 6 Brisbane, Qld lumiair.com.au

Jan 1 Docklands, Melbourne welcomesummer.com

SEE tntdownunder.com/magazine-location.html for pick-up points

$35

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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THE BUCKET LIST

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[Caption]

PUB review by Hugh Radojev

Sitting proudly in the centre of Bondi Beach in front of the Pavilion is the Bucket List. Despite the slightly morbid place name (something to do before you die, right?) the Bucket List makes for a pretty good night out after a day at the beach. Caught somewhere between being a trendy, open plan beach bar and a reasonably priced cantina style eatery, the Bucket List definitely handles the trendy beach bar aspect of things better. The alcohol selection is more than adequate (any muppet can shoot tonic into a glass of ice and Gordons) and the staff seem very pleasant and, not surprisingly, very easy on the eye. So too, in fact, are the majority of the clientèle – this is Bondi after all – so expect plenty of short skirts and muscle T’s on warm evenings in the outdoor al fresco area.

THE GRUB The food is good, without being spectacular. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, and yet it all seems to look better than it tastes. Presentation is important though, I guess. The lamb rib starter (while a bit heavy for an entree) is tasty at $18, while the crispy skin barramundi is almost worth the $28.

BEHIND THE BAR Good selection of beers and spirits. The $15 red and white wine sangria jugs are hard to pass by.

BILL PLEASE Sangria Jugs $15; although beer from $9 stings the wallet a tad.

VERDICT Good place to start a night out in Bondi, nice relaxed atmosphere. A little bit soulless perhaps, but still a bucket of fun... Get it?

THE SCENE

Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Pavillion.

3 OF THE BEST WHISKY BARS 6

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thebucketlistbondi.com

BAXTER INN

SHIRT BAR

PALMER AND CO

The Baxter Inn does not blow its own trumpet. No signage, no neons, just a black door and a security guard in a little back alley. The whisky selection is breathtaking though, and towers above the main bar. Order a whisky cocktail and marvel as your moustached bartender scales a giant ladder to get the ingredients. Awesome!

What a ridiculous idea it seems to be, an inner-city whisky bar that sells business shirts during the day. Oddly enough though, it seems to work. It’s the one place where, if you get lipstick on your collar, you needn’t worry. 15 and 18 year old scotches are the go, neat, with a splash of water. Worth the shirt off your back.

“Legitimate importers of bracing tonics” is how this bar models itself, which is worth the admission price alone. I do love an old timey turn of phrase! The bar has a very cool Mad Men kind of speakeasy vibe, even though it’s modelled on the 1920’s.

Dim lighting, and dapper bartenders galore. Drink whisky and be merry.

thebaxterinn.com

shirtbar.com.au

merivale.com/palmerandco

SYDNEYEATS

BITE SIZE SPIRIT OF JAZZ An ode to the good old fashioned American diner, a place of great fascination to the rest of the world.

At The Jazz City Diner the only thing better than french fries are french fries smothered in chilli and cheese and the most normal thing in the world is to serve a Belgian waffle with deep fried chicken and maple syrup. This is a place where a “salad” comes in the form of Mac and Cheese. Wash your food down with an imported Brooklyn Lager or a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

This is food for the soul, and while it might not be particularly good for you, it’s 100% delicious! jazzcitydiner.com.au

VACANT MINDS This new Los Angeles-style club that has opened in Kings Cross’ Kellett street is aiming to be a little different than a lot of its direct competitors. For one, No Vacancy is smaller than a lot of Kings Cross places, more like something you’d come across in Darlinghurst or Surry Hills. It’s also marketing itself towards an older age group, mid 20s and beyond, as opposed to the 18 year old dub-step crowd. Thank goodness.

12 Kellet St, Kings X.

AND THEN...

This new Bondi Junction club is slightly removed from the baggy pant, preteen Eastern crowd. Bondi Junction is not exactly the first destination for a night of clubbing, but AND is a fairly good option. More exciting than waiting for a bus at the depot anyway. clubbondijunction.com.au

MENYA NOODLE BAR FOOD review by Hugh Radojev

Ramen is a Japanese cuisine that draws its origins back to the 17th century. It’s basically noodles and meat in a broth, and while it sounds simple, like many simple things, it’s easy to get wrong and hard to perfect. It used to be that if you wanted a good ramen in Australia, you had to jump on a plane and fly for eight hours to Tokyo. Now all you have to do is go to Haymarket in Sydney. Menya make all their broths in the traditional way (which is the most important bit) and hand make their own noodles with love and tenderness (which is the even more important bit). Beautiful home style Japanese food made authentically? Yes please.

THE GRUB Along with the dizzying array of ramens, Menya also offer a good selection of rice based dishes (dons) of which the pork katsu-don is the pick. But you’re in a noodle bar, so do as the Romans would, and dive into the ramens. The Tonkotsu ramen broth is richly flavoured, the noodles are perfectly textured, soft in the mouth and yet still firm enough to be thoroughly chewed, and it comes with a few big pieces of succulent pork and half a soft boiled egg. If pigs not your thing, you can also eat your noodles in a broth made from chicken. Or, if you’re unconscionably dull you can have vegetable stock as well. You can also tailor the richness of the broth, whether you want it spicy or not, as well as the amount of noodles. So many choices.

BEHIND THE BAR Water, coke or iced green tea. You want a beer? Bring it yourself!

BILL PLEASE A plate of delicious Gyoza (a sort of crispy Japanese dumpling) and a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen will set you back less than $20, that’s a bargain!

VERDICT Go there immediately and gorge upon noodles and broth! If Tokyo’s “Ramen Battles” have made it this far south, the war has already been won.

THE SCENE

8 Quay St, Haymarket

menya.com.au

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GIGLISTINGS

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WEDNESDAY 2 Free movies in the park Free Sydney Olympic Park inthemix.com.au The Hives From $84 The Tivoli, QLD ticketek.com.au Cosmo Jarvis $35 The Annandale Hotel, Sydney oztix.com.au

DON’T MISS!

SBTRKT (live) $54.50 Billboard The Venue, VIC ticketek.com.au

SOUTHBOUND FESTIVAL Busselton, WA. Jan 4-5. From $169 Two Door Cinema Club and Ajax headline a massive lineup of international and homegrown acts in WA’s best festival.

Stewart Bovel Park, Busselton

MONDAY 31 Genesis NYE $94 Metro, Sydney ticketek.com.au

southboundfest.com

summadayze.com

TUESDAY 1

Cockatoo Island Camping NYE 2012 From $360 Sydney Harbour moshtix.com.au Harbour Party NYE From $119 Luna Park, Sydney harbourparty.com Pacha New Year’s Eve From $99 Ivy, Sydney pachasydney.com.au Peats Ridge Festival From $156 Glenworth Valley, New South Wales peatsridgefestival.com.au Pyramid Rock Festival $314 (3 days) Phillip Island, Victoria pyramidrockfestival.com

Bombay Bicycle Club From $59.90 Regal Ballroom, Melbourne livenation.com.au Field Day From $102 The Domain, Sydney fielddaynyd.com.au High Flyers Little Secret NYD Party 2013 From $49 Red Bull HQ, digdeeppromotions.com Mariah Carey From $89 Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre ticketek.com.au Ministry of Sound Classics New Years Day From $44 The Ivy, Sydney inthemix.com.au Space Ibiza Australia NYD From $49 The Ivy, Sydney inthemix.com.au

Summadayze From $126 Adelaide

Bombay Bicycle Club From $59.90 Factory Theatre, Sydney livenation.com.au The Cribs $48.10 Oxford Art Factory, Sydney moshtix.com.au

THURSDAY 3 Beach House $63 Enmore Theatre, Syd enmoretheatre.com.au Best Coast $46 Metro, Sydney metro.com.au Bombay Bicycle Club From $59.90 The Tivoli, Brisbane livenation.com.au De La Soul $64 The Espy Hotel, Melbourne oztix.com.au Mariah Carey From $89 All Phones Arena, Sydney ticketek.com.au Two Door Cinema Club $70 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney ticketek.com.au

DON’T MISS! DJANGO DJANGO The Metro, Sydney. Jan 11. From $54.20 The UK Indie darlings bring their infectious electronic pop/rock tunes to Sydney’s Metro Theatre in the city. Get in quick!

North Sydney

harbourparty.com

SUNDAY 6 Kim Churchill $13.30 Beav’s Bar, Geelong oztix.com.au

Bored Nothing $13.30 FBi Social - Kings Cross Hotel oztix.com.au Mia Dyson $39 Black Bear Lodge, Melbourne oztix.com.au

MONDAY 7 Two Door Cinema Club $70 The Tivoli, Brisbane ticketek.com.au

TUESDAY 8 Mat Mchugh (The Beautiful Girls) $34 Brass Monkey, Cronulla oztix.com.au

WEDNESDAY 9 Dallas Frasca $15 Goodgod Small Club, Sydney oztix.com.au

THURSDAY 10

FRIDAY 11 Beach House $63 The Tivoli, Brisbane ticketek.com.au VENGABOYS $51 The Entrance Leagues Club oztix.com.au

SATURDAY 12 Peter Murphy $61 The Factory Theatre, Sydney oztix.com.au

SUNDAY 13 Action Bronson $51 Manning Bar, Sydney

FRIDAY 4 M.I.A From $86 Enmore Theatre, Sydney ticketek.com.au

BOOK NOW!

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings From $54 Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House ticketek.com.au Southbound Festival From $119 Sir Stewart Bovell Park, WA moshtix.com.au

BOOK NOW! HOT CHIP Palace Theatre, Melbourne. Jan 9. $65 Supported by World’s End Press the kings of kooky, left of centre synthpop, Hot Chip, return to Australian shores again.

Melbourne

8

palace.com.au

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The Cribs $48.10 The Zoo, Brisbane moshtix.com.au

SATURDAY 5 DMZ, Gaslamp Killer, Rustie, Theo Parrish and more $49 The Metro, Sydney ticketek.com.au

BIG DAY OUT FESTIVAL Nationwide. Jan 18-28. $165 Over ten days in January Australia’s biggest and best known festival rolls around the country. The Red Hot Chili Peppers top the bill in 2013.

Australia

bigdayout.com.au

A MAD BURLESQUE OF CIRCUS, DANCE AND SENSORY OVERLOAD

EVERY SATURDAY

PUBLISTINGS

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SYDNEY PUBS Scruffy Murphy’s 43-49 Goulburn St, Sydney scruffymurphys.com.au

HAPPY HOUR!

Cock ‘n’ Bull Hotel 1/89 Ebley St, Bondi Junction cocknbull.com.au

Leederville Hotel 742 Newcastle St, Leederville East Perth leedervillehotel.com.au

Scary Canary 469 Kent St, Sydney scarycanarybar.com.au Side Bar 509 Pitt St, Sydney wakeup.com.au/side-bar

Bar Century Lvl 4 640, George St Sydney barcentury.com.au 3 Wise Monkeys 555 George St, Sydney 3wisemonkeys.com.au Candy’s Apartment 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au World Bar 24 Bayswater Road, Potts Point theworldbar.com.au Greenwood Hotel 36 Blue St, North Sydney greenwoodhotel.com The Beresford 345 Bourke St, Surry Hills merivale.com.au/theberesfordhotel Oxford Art Factory 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst oxfordartfactory.com White Revolver Cnr Curlewis + Campbell Parade Bondi Beach whiterevolver.com Pontoon Cockle Bay Wharf 201, Darling Harbour pontoonbar.com Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly hotelsteyne.com.au New Brighton Hotel 71 The Corso, Manly newbrighton.com.au

BRISBANE PUBS MOOSEHEADS BAR Canberra. Open Monday-Saturday Expect loads of dancing and drinking in this bar/nightclub and don’t miss Thursday’s famous ‘Hour of Power’ when drinks cost only $3.

105 London Circuit, Canberra

mooseheads.com.au

Hotel LA 68 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane hotella.com.au GPO Hotel 740 Anne St, Fort Valley gpohotel.com.au

Palace Theatre palace.com.au

Canvas Club 16b Logan St, Woolloongabba canvasclub.com.au

The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street Melbourne thehifi.com.au

The Fringe Bar Cnr Ann and Constance St fringebar.com.au

The Bondi Hotel 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi hotelbondi.com.au

The Tote 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood thetotehotel.com

Port Office Hotel 40 Edwards St, Brisbane portofficehotel.com.au

Kinsela’s 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kniselas.com.au

Eden Bar and Nightclub 163 Russell Street, Melbourne edenbar.com.au

Flinders Hotel 63 – 65 Flinders St, Surry Hills theflindershotel.com.au

Turf Bar 131 Queen St Melbourne turfbar.com.au

White Horse Hotel 381 Crown St, Surry Hills thewhitehorse.com.au

Fluid Oz Bar 450 Elizabeth Street Melbourne yelp.com.au

Coogee Palace 169 Dolphin St, Coogee beachpalacehotel.com.au Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach beachroadbondi.com.au

MELBOURNEPUBS Co Nightclub 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank coatcrown.com.au Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, Melbourne shamiana.com.au Star Bar Hotel Melbourne 160 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne starbarhotel.com.au

In Situ 34/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au

The Apartment Nightclub 401 Little Bourke Street Melbourne theapartment.com.au

Four Pines 29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly 4pines.com.au

Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane Melbourne myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne

Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au

Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street Richmond cornerhotel.com

The Imperial East Brunswick Club 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville 280 Lygon St theimperialhotel.com.au Brunswick East eastbrunswickclub.com The Norfolk 305 Cleveland St, Redfern Esplanade Hotel thenorfolk.co 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown Northcote Social Club thevanguard.com.au 301 High Street Northcote northcotesocialclub.com

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The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St Northbridge, the-shed.com.au Mint Nightclub Cnr Lake and James St, Northbridge mintnightclub.com

Tea Garden’s 2-4 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction teagardenshotel.com.au

Scubar 4/11-23 Rawson Place, Sydney scubar.com.au

Voodoo Lounge 174 James St, Northbridge voodoolounge.com.au

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Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St Melbourne barhumbug.com.au Eurotrash Bar 18 Corrs Lane Melbourne eurotrashbar.com.au The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street Melbourne nightowl.com.au

ADELAIDE PUBS

Sky Room 2/234 Wickham St, Fort Valley skyroom.com.au Bravo Bar Brunswick Central, 455 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley hotelbravo.com.au

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SURFERS PUBS Blush Nightclub 21 Orchid Avenue Surfers Paradise blushnightclub.com.au Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa surfersbeergarden.com Shooters Superclub Shop 46 The Mark Orchid Avenue Surfers Paradise shooterssuperclub.com

CAIRNS PUBS P.J. O’brien’s 87 Lake St, Cairns pjobriens.com.au Fabric Cnr Shields and Esplanade St cairnsevents.com pubs Rattle N Hum 65-67 Esplanade rattlenhumbar.com Gilligan’s Backpacker Hostel 57-89 Grafton St gilligansbackpackerhostel.com.au

HOBART PUBS Syrup Nightclub 39 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point syrupclub.com.au Republic Bar 299 Elizabeth St, Hobart republicbar.com.au Isobar 11 Franklin Wharf Hobart isobar.com.au

The Met Nightclub 256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley themet.com.au Knopwood’s Retreat 39 Salamanca Pl The Exchange Hotel Hobart 131 Edward St, Brisbane (03)6223 5808 theexchange.com.au Iceworks Cnr Given Tce & Dowse St, Paddington iceworks.com.au

The Duke 192 Macquarie Street Hobart theduke.com.au

HAPPY HOUR

Red Square Bar and Lounge 111 Hindley St, Adelaide rsq.com.au Electric Circus 17 Crippen Place, Adelaide electriccircus.com.au Crown and Sceptre Hotel 308 King William Street, Adelaide sceptre.com.au The Promethean 116 Grote St, Adelaide theprom.com Club 58 58 Hindley St, Adelaide club58.com.au

PERTH PUBS The Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street, Subiaco subiacohotel.com.au

THE PASSAGE Darlinghurst, Sydney. Open everyday.

Surprisingly this modest space has a cocktail lounge, restaurant, two bars and dancefloor. Go Wednesday for the $4 sliders and $5 ciders.

231A Victoria St. Darlinghurst

thepassage.com.au

Music at Palace Hotel Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Live Music Venue - Located underground the Palace Hotel, this live music and performance venue with a capacity for around 200 people already has attracted a strong lineup of the best Indie Rock and Punk bands from Australia and overseas.

Many international and local bands have chosen the Square for their shows. See our website for full 2013 lineup.

Bar at the Palace Hotel The refurbished Palace Bar serves a wide range of craft beers on tap and in the bottle, while an all-day bar menu is available.

$10 meal deals! Wagyu minute steak or chicken schnitzel 11am - 5pm daily. * Meals must be purchased at the bar with a drink.

Sport at the Palace Hotel Never miss a game again â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Watch live international Football and Rugby games, English Premier League, Scottish Premier League and AFL right here at the Palace.

www.PalaceHotelSydney.com.au Address: Corner George & Hay Street Sydney Phone: (02) 9212 2111

PalaceHotel_712.indd 1

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Punk's not dead It's been 35 years since the Sex Pistols grabbed Britain and shook it by the scruff of the neck. Guitarist Steve Jones remembers WORDS JAHN VANNISSELROY

Photos: Getty Images

Steve Jones. Sex Pistol allows himself a little chuckle down the phone from Los Angeles. The memory of Pretty Vacant – with its stress on the fourth syllable ’cunt’ – being played at the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony was a cheeky reminder of the indelible influence his band left on British culture. The Sex Pistols, once considered the scourge of UK society, may now be a celebrated part of the nation’s music history, but in 2012 they still dropped the C-bomb in the presence of the Queen.

“It was a big deal,“ Jones says, proud of his involvement.

“Danny Boyle was the one who really pressed for the use of that. That’s never going to happen again, not on that scale.“ Elizabeth II has long been a part of the Pistols’ history. Their 1977 single God Save The Queen quickly became an anthem for the disaffected youth of the day, horrifying the rest of society to the point where the song was banned by the BBC; when it reached number one in the charts, the top spot was left blank. Soon after its release, and two days ahead of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee flotilla, a Sex Pistols concert aboard a boat (appropriately named the Queen Elizabeth) on the Thames was forcibly stopped by police.

It’s fitting, then, that in 2012, the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Sex Pistols are still shaking things up.

And to celebrate 35 years since the release of their only album, Never Mind The Bollocks …Here’s The Sex Pistols, the band has remastered the record, reissuing it with a box set that includes demos from the infamous Spunk bootleg album and their controversial Belsen Was A Gas single.

“I think it’s a lot better,“ Jones says of the improved Never Mind The Bollocks. “Whenever we’ve remastered in the past, it’s always been off a CD, as we lost the original master tapes.

Miraculously, they were found in a studio vault we didn’t know existed. Things are a bit brighter this time and you hear the other bits and bobs you don’t usually hear on the record. I’m well happy with it.“ During the past three-and-a-half decades, the album – Jones’s brutish blast of power chords and ripping solos and singer John Lydon’s sneering, taunting vocals, all propelled

by Paul Cook’s thundering drums – has inspired musicians

“

We could play with the best of them

”

from Slash and Kurt Cobain to Green Day and The Prodigy.

Despite its age, it still sounds relevant today: a call to arms to question authority and a refusal to be ignored or downtrodden by society. Jones puts that down to four lads, who had crawled out of the poorer streets of west London, communicating their frustration at being part of a class overlooked by the rest of Britain.

In 2012, in an increasingly media-driven, image- conscious world, NTB’s honesty and authenticity means listeners are still affected by its no-bullshit vibrations.

“It was one of those things that was done with no agenda to sell records,“ Jones remembers.

“We weren’t looking for the single and all that; it was just a bunch of songs we had written and taken on the road a little bit beforehand.“ It may have been all about the music for the guitarist, but when he appeared on the Today show in 1976, things changed forever. Jones, when goaded by host BIll Grundy, called him “dirty bastard“, a “dirty fucker“ and a “fucking rotter“. Britain went mental. The Pistols had truly arrived.

“Before that, we were building momentum in the music world, but as soon as we did the Grundy show, it wasn’t about music – it became who’s going to swear here, who’s going to throw up now. It became a bit of a joke, but you couldn’t buy that publicity. It was a masterstroke, really.“ The Pistols’ notoriety followed them everywhere, heightening when they replaced bassist Glen Matlock with the selfdestructive Sid Vicious.

As well as adulation, the band endured vindictive abuse that graduated into physical attacks from monarchists, but

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

13

Public enemies: Lydon, Vicious, Jones and Cook

Jones says all that overshadowed the fact the band were far more than just noise merchants.

“The biggest misconception is that we couldn’t play.

We were a tight band and we could play with the best of them – The Who, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones,“ he says.

“People think we just went in there and made a racket.

The truth is, when you get other bands trying to emulate the Pistols, they never do it right. It’s about the four guys who did the record, you can’t imitate it. Whenever we go on the road and do reunions, we’re tight. We’re a tight rock group.“ Talking of reunions, will there be one to support the remastered album? Jones doesn’t rule it out, although there has been tension between him and Matlock in recent years, Jones accusing his bandmate of being a “wanker“ and a “middle-class mummy’s boy“ who takes too much credit for the songwriting on Never Mind The Bollocks.

“I’m sure when someone needs a new motor or something, we’ll get out on the road,“ he laughs. “I call John on his birthday. Matlock, I don’t speak to. Cookie, I talk to

Still on target: Jones today 14

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

every few months; he’s my oldest friend, known him since I was 10. We do our thing.“ Jones and co rose to prominence challenging a society living under a monarchy and he still has no desire to be part of it. Like many other members of rock royalty, he now calls LA home.

True to his punk roots, though, he’s never put down the guitar, jamming with everyone from the Chili Peppers to Johnny Depp over the years. He also fronts a radio show on LA’s KROQ, will soon appear on TV show Californication and regularly turns out for Hollywood United, the city’s celebrity football team. It’s not a bad life for a lad from Hammersmith who never felt wanted, but refused to give in.

Still, it wouldn’t have been possible without Never Mind The Bollocks …

“I like the fact we only did one record and we were only around for three years. The fact that we had such an impact is an achievement in itself,“ he says.

“I was young, 21 years old, didn’t really have clue what was going on. It was a time when no one had jobs and the country was a mess, pretty much like it is now. It’s like its gone full circle.“ He hopes the reissue of his masterpiece will inspire a new Steve Jones to rise above their lot and make their voice heard, to challenge the government and lead an uprising that questions and pressures those in power.

“There needs to be a new band. There ain’t been a movement for a few years,“ he says.

“I’m tired of people just using us 35 years later as the ones who got up and said something about what was happening.

“There’s always certain bands and records that will appeal to people growing up and the Pistols are one of those bands that you’ve got to check out. That spirit, that ’punk’ ethos – hopefully, that’s the way people are thinking.“ ❚

Never Mind The Bollocks … Here's The Sex Pistols super deluxe box set is out now. Follow Steve Jones @JonesysJukebox

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Deep Sea Arcade The lead singer from the Sydney indie band talks to us about playing Peats Ridge Festival, getting ostracised by beer-drinking babes in Belgium, and his unrelenting love of rivers INTERVIEW JAMES BESANVALLE

“I want to just do a video clip with bums in it because bums are awesome”

Hi Nick, how has your day been?

Yeah, it’s been good. I’ve just been writing music. I wrote this song while we were in England and it was just a bass line, drums and vocals and I couldn’t figure out all the chords and I just figured them out then. It’s like one of those ‘Eureka’ moments.

Where has been your favourite place in the world to play?

To be honest, the most amazing place was Belgium. Obviously, there are cooler places like Berlin, Hamburg and London, but Belgium was the place where we had the most fun.

We played this gig at Madame Moustache and afterwards we just stayed up and danced with the hottest girls and they were absolutely smokin’. We were drinking vodka sodas after drinking beer on tour for weeks on end and all of these babes were drinking massive beers and they thought we were weird for not drinking beer with them. One of the best nights ever.

Any travel horror stories?

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There was one airline that lost our entire luggage. They were total dicks. We went from Switzerland to London for our most important gig on the tour and the airline lost it all.

How’d you get it back?

It was British Airways. We called them up and they returned the luggage, but only one hour before the show so I didn’t have my samples and you can’t just replicate that stuff on a keyboard.

So yeah, I was freaking out that the show was going to suck, but luckily it all worked out.

You’ve been compared to The Beatles. If you were performing for them, what do you think they’d think?

Oh God, the Beatles! God, I don’t know, I think they’d probably think that music had certainly changed since their time! I hope that they’d think what we’re doing is at least three per cent good. I’d hope that John Lennon and Paul McCartney would stick around for at least 30 seconds of our set – that’d be a lifelong achievement.

Tell us a bit about the album which came out this year, Outlands.

It took a while to record with most of the radio songs being written close to the album being released. The ones that people like and they play on the radio tend to be the ones that I write in five minutes. There’s something about the bite-sized spontaneity that goes down well with people and it can get stuck in your head. The other songs took a couple of years because we would revisit them.

Are you excited about the Peats Ridge Festival?

Yeah, it should be good! I always like it because it’s always by that river. It’s always boiling hot there so you just get in that river and go up to your neck and it’s awesome.

Are there any other upcoming gigs you’re excited for?

Yeah, the Metro! And also touring in New Zealand. The Metro’s on the 30th and the tour in New Zealand is in December. Both islands. I think

it’s just a couple of shows.

Photos: Cardinal Spin Images

The film clip for Steam is a bit cheeky – tell us about the making of the film clip.

Well, I got a call from our record label and there was no time to get a director or anything for the film clip so I had to just make it myself. First of all, I was just like, “I want to see bums” and I want to just do a video clip with bums in it because bums are awesome – especially babes’ bums – so I wondered how to make that happen. And then I thought about there being lots of hand claps in the song, so I thought, “I like slapping bums” and I wanted it to be an unconventional recording technique. And my friend just bought a huge mansion so he said if we wanted to record in that, we could.

Did you have any travel tips for Aussies looking to go overseas?

You can get these silk full-body sleeping bags that stop bed bugs! Go to Berlin and there’s like this awesome river just outside the city – that’s an amazing place for a swim. London Fields isn’t really happening that much in the winter but in the summer all the hipster dudes and girls hang out on the lawn. And east London is really good for bands so definitely check that out.

Catch Deep Sea Arcade playing at the Peats Ridge Festival (peatsridge. com.au) 29 December – 1 January.

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19

FILMREVIEW

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THE IMPOSSIBLE FILM review by James Besanvalle STARRING: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland | PG | 114 min

LIFE OF PI FILM preview Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain | PG | 126mins

Oscar winning director Ang Lee is hoping to steal some of The Hobbit’s glory with his 3D adaptation of Yann Martel’s 2001 best-selling novel about a young boy marooned in the Pacific with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck.

It’s sure to pack a visual punch but it will be Lee’s heart-swelling storytelling that’s most likely to linger here after you’ve taken off the glasses.

Released December 26 20

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It’s hard to imagine the trauma tsunami victims face after a tumultuous ordeal but The Impossible makes it all possible through its incredibly raw personal account.

The film follows the unbelievable real life story of the Belon family who were vacationing in Thailand during the Christmas period in 2004 and were subsequently caught up in one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time.

Maria Belon (Naomi Watts) and Lucas Belon (Tom Holland) become separated from their family during the initial impact of the tsunami. Maria is severely injured and the first stage of the narrative follows their struggle for help and their journey to be reunited with Henry Belon (Ewan McGregor) and their two other sons.

As you might expect, the story highlights the devastating effects of the flood, so there are countless scenes featuring horrific injuries.

If blood and bones protruding from legs aren’t your thing, this probably isn’t a movie for you. As Maria says, “Just close your eyes and think of something nice.”

At the beginning of the story, there are hints of humour and the premise is set up perfectly. The soundtrack is beautifully executed and accompanies the cinematography spectacularly.

The movie highlights the fragility of life and this true account of one family’s desperate struggle adds new depth to a ferocious natural phenomenon.

The story of the Belon family delivers a deeply personal account of heartache and triumphant hope.

GOOD FOR: People with a strong stomach for graphic imagery

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LIFESTYLENEWS

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The year in review We take a look back at the good, the bad, and the downright strange things that happened in 2012 WORDS HUGH RADOJEV This is a short list of some of the biggest news stories in 2012. There have been tragedies, celebrity deaths, a crazy Austrian and sanity prevailing in America’s presidential elections. Of course if you’re reading this the biggest event of 2012 – the supposed impending Mayan Apocalypse – proved to be more of a nonevent, which is a good thing, I guess.

Costa Concordia sinks, Italy 32 people died when a luxury cruise liner sunk off the coast of Italy on the 14th of January. The ship’s captain, Francesco Schettino, was later accused of criminal negligence for his part in the disaster but has subsequently claimed that he was unfairly blamed for what was simply a “horrible accident”.

Whitney Houston dies, USA Despite a growing penchant for Colombian marching powder, the death of the wonderfully talented Whitney Houston still came as quite a shock to the music world.

Her unconscious body was found submerged in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hills Hilton on February 11th. The Los Angeles County coroner would later declare her death a result of an “accidental drowning” bought on by chronic cocaine use and a heart defect.

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Brazillian student dies, Aus 21 year-old International Student Roberto Curti dies after being chased through the streets of Sydney in the early hours of the 18th of March

by NSW Police. Curti was held on the ground and handcuffed while a number of officers repeatedly tazered him and he subsequently died. Curti, who had taken some LSD earlier in the night was captured on CCTV camera earlier in the evening, where he was shirtless and stole a packet of biscuits from a convenience store. The coroner would subsequently find that the police behaved in an ‘un-governed pack mentality’ and recommended that changes needed to be made in the way new officers are trained in the use of tazers.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, UK Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 60th year as monarch of the British Empire and its ever diminishing commonwealth. Despite leaden grey skies (we are talking the summer in England) hundreds of thousands of people lined the banks of the Thames in London to celebrate the procession of boats that made the procession a long with the Royal Barge on June 2nd. More surprising was just how many people tuned in to watch the “event” live on television from all over the world. All the major news

60 years sitting on the throne

networks sent over large teams of reporters, including America’s CNN whose coverage was lead by the irrepressibly annoying Piers Morgan, who did his best to make the whole thing about himself. Twat.

Batman killing spree, USA 12 people were killed on July 22nd when a man in Colorado opened fire on a group of people waiting for an advanced screening of the Dark Knight Rises. The gunman, who was subsequently identified as James Eagen Holmes, strode into the Denver movie theatre wearing a Kevlar ballistic helmet, vest, gas mask and various other pieces of body armour, tossing canisters of tear gas into the crowd before opening fire with a legally purchased automatic rifle, shotgun, pistol and some 6,000 rounds of ammunition. Along with the 12 people killed, a further 58 were wounded in the attack. Holmes also rigged his apartment with explosive booby traps before setting out on his homicidal shooting spree. It’s a good thing that everyone in America is still constitutionally allowed to bear arms though... That’s not a stupid, archaic law at all.

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One giant leap for Felix Baumgartner

24

I’ll be Barack

Curiosity lands on Mars, USA

Riots in Sydney, AUS

Hurricane Sandy blows, USA

NASA’s unmanned rover Curiosity successfully landed on the surface of Mars on August 6th. The project is set to spend a number of years taking photographs, soil samples and generally exploring the mystical red planet, relaying the results back to the eggheads at NASA. NASA’s Richard Cook said at the press conference: “I’ve been lucky enough to have done this four times and it never gets old.”

Sydney’s CBD erupted into violent scenes on September 15th as much of Sydney’s Muslim population protested against an anti-Islamic film. Running clashes between protesters and police lasted much of the day and resulted in arrests. Images of a child holding up a placard that read “Behead all those who insult the Prophet” made headlines around the world. Not as bad as 2005’s Cronulla riots, but still not good for Australian PR.

The east coast of America and portions of the Caribbean were rocked for days when one of the worst hurricanes since the infamous Katrina, smashed into New York, New Jersey and Washington in late October. The US clean up bill in the wake of Sandy is still being counted but is believed to be over $60b, which is pretty costly considering the whole country barely has two quarters to rub together.

Assange takes asylum, UK

Sydiving from space, USA

In order to escape an extradition charge back to Sweden in the wake of allegations of rape, the Australian born Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London on August 16th. Assange has claimed his innocence in relation to the rape allegations, saying they are a fabrication of the US Government who want to imprison him over sensitive military documents published on Wikileaks.

As of December, Assange is still in the embassy and is reportedly in very poor health.

On October 14th, Austrian daredevil, explorer and general mad man Felix Baumgartner made history when he successfully skydived from the edge of space. The images of Baumgartner, in his space suit standing at the edge of the balloon which had taken him the 39 kilometres into the atmosphere went around the world. As well as now holding the record for the highest parachute jump, he also set new records in highest manned balloon flight and for fastest free fall velocity. I don’t care how brave he is though, the guy is clearly off his tree.

It boggles the mind.

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Four more years, USA Thanks heavens for that! After a torturously drawn-out campaign, the incumbent President Barack Obama won his second term, defeating Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

The world collectively blew a sigh of relief having avoided dealing with a president who made George W. Bush look and sound like a Rhodes Scholar.

2dayFM puts foot in it, AUS Two Sydney DJs got in a fair bit of trouble after a prank on the hospital where a pregnant Kate Middleton was staying at resulted in the targeted nurse allegedly killing herself. The UK tabloids are still having a field day hating on their Aussie cousins.

Photos: Getty

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Tribute: a note left near the scene

GUNMAN ON RAMPAGE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL USA

Seven mass shootings rocked the US in 2012 – the latest in a primary school leaving 27 dead, including 20 children.

On December 14, after killing his mother, Adam Lanza, 20, went on a rampage in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, before turning a gun on himself.

It came after 12 people were killed and 58 injured in a shooting in July in Aurora, Colorado, at a cinema screening of The Dark Knight Rises. In August, six people were shot dead at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.

After delivering an emotional speech about the latest shooting, President Barack Obama called for action on gun laws..

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London 2012: our last three ‘top 12 stories from 2012’ fall under ‘London.’

The capital kicked off the year in style, with millions tuning in and lining up for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

But 2012’s top events were the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Surging beyond expectations, they were deemed the best Games yet, with Danny Boyle’s Olympics Opening Ceremony branded “inspiring”. Team GB went on to rule the waves (see P29) in the medal charts, while Australia took to calling NZ’s tally its own under an ‘Aus Zealand’ banner.

The momentum continued for the Paralympics as we watched top-class athletes battle to deliver gold time and again. What memories! And what a year!

GILLARD ‘A BADASS MOTHERFUCKER’ AUSTRALIA

It was an outburst that went viral – and won Julia Gillard support from around the globe.

In a 15-minute speech in October, the Aussie prime minister tore apart leader of the opposition Tony Abbott, who she repeatedly labelled a misogynist.

In a defining moment for feminism in the country, Gillard told Abbott if he wanted to know what misogyny looked like, he should pick up a mirror. The tirade came during a debate over whether the speaker of the house should resign for sending text messages that were offensive to women. Gillard added she was “offended on behalf of the women of Australia”.

The Spectator said Abbott had

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been “carved to pieces”. US political commentary site Jezebel described Gillard as “one badass motherfucker”.

ROYAL PRANK CALL ENDS IN SUICIDE AUSTRALIA

It was labelled the “world’s best royal prank call”. However, three days after the hoax aimed at the hospital treating Kate Middleton, the nurse who transferred the call committed suicide.

2Day FM presenters Melanie Greig and Michael Christian pretended to be the Queen and Prince Charles when they called London’s King Edward VII Hospital. They duped Jacintha Saldanha into putting them

through to the nurse treating the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge on December 4.

Three days later, married mother-of-two Saldanha was found hanged. After a media “witch hunt”, the presenters were said to be receiving psychological counselling. They made a TV appearance, stating they were “heartbroken” after her death.

Southern Cross Austereo has launched an investigation after promising to donate more than £326,000 to Saldanha’s family, who are demanding answers from the hospital. Her body was repatriated to India where she was buried.

The tragedy will hopefully make radio stations like 2Day FM look at their codes and practices a bit closer.

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THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS Amount, in US dollars, spent on the American presidential election campaign, making it the costliest in history

5.8

Number, in millions, of meals served throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games from 40 locations in the capital

Inquiry: police stand near the bodies of miners shot dead during a strike

SOUTH AFRICA

Thirty-four miners were killed and 78 were injured when police opened fire during a strike over pay in August.

The South African Police Service used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to control former employees of the mine who formed a blockade to prevent half the workforce from getting to work.

Post-mortem examinations revealed most of the victims were shot in the back – contradicting police claims they only opened fire after being shot at.

Lawyers for the victims’ families claim the miners, in Marikana, near Johannesburg, were shot because of officers’ apartheid-era mindset.

An inquiry, set to last four months, will now continue until June 2013.

RACIST BUS RANT: 2.39 MINUTES OF ABUSE

Photos: AAP; Thinkstock; Getty

AUSTRALIA

Since it was posted in November, the YouTube clip of a racist bus rant in Melbourne has been viewed more than 4.2 million times.

For 2.39 minutes, the world watched as five Australians hurled abuse at a French girl for singing in her native language as they travelled through the suburbs.

“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” chanted a woman passenger, before another shouted: “Speak English or die”, then threatened

People, in millions, estimated to have lined the royal pageant route along the Thames to watch the Jubilee flotilla

1.2

34 MINERS ‘SHOT IN BACK’ AT MINE STRIKE

The landmark number New Zealand’s population was predicted to reach on Nov 1, before increasing by one, 15 minutes later

One of the racists to cut off the victim’s breasts. The clip was filmed by passenger Mike Nayna, who said he uploaded the video to try to “shame” those involved.

After outrage from around the globe, two people were arrested over the incident. No charges have been brought and police say the investigation is ongoing.

14

4,444,444

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

If he wants to know what misogyny looks GANGNAM STYLE TOPS like in modern YOUTUBE 2012 CHART Australia, he WORLD WIDE WEB doesn’t need No, it wasn’t an epic historical feat which made it to the top of the mosta motion in watched YouTube videos in 2012. It the House was Psy’s Gangnam Style. ... he needs With 983 million views worldwide, it beats last year’s winner Rebecca Black’s a mirror Friday by 700 million.

Also on the top-10 list was Kony2012 with 95 million views at number three.

The film was made to raise awareness of alleged war criminal Joseph Kony.

How hateful!

Julia Gillard gives Tony Abbott a serve in the houses of parliament

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OURVIEW

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COMMENT: HUGH RADOJEV Email: hugh@tntdownunder.com

The Mayan apocalypse: yet another let down for 2012

War, famine and global warming... Well played humanity Another year, another unfolding series of unfortunate events

» Did you have a terrible 2012? Is 2013 going to be any better? hugh@tntdownunder.com

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Being the silly season I, like many, have spent the last 10 days or so eating and drinking too much. Unfortunately that means my phone, which is usually my friend and ally, has become my late night worst enemy.

I know I’m not the only person to ever wake up the morning after a big night with a side-splitting headache and a crushing sense of bankrupted dignity. I’m not the only serial, repeat drunk text offender.

But mine are never short and sweet.

They’re always long rambles, with sloppy

I’m a serial, repeat “drunk text offender ” spelling and grammatical errors. In other words, they read like they were written by a chimp at a typewriter in the process turning a ‘sure thing’ into a ‘no go’.

I want to invent an app that locks your phone after midnight on a Friday and Saturday and only lets you call the nearest hospital or the executor of your estate.

I reckon I’d make a fortune from it.

Photos: Getty Images

If you’ve read the review we did of 2012 earlier in this edition then you already know that apart from Red Bull sponsoring a man’s suicide attempt from the edge of space it has been another piss-poor year for humanity. Syria, Israel, Palestine and Egypt all maintaining their efforts to kick world peace and human rights in the balls, Americans going around hunting animals and other Americans with the assault rifles they own ‘as a constitutional right,’ and I keep getting drunk and texting ex-girlfriends in the wee hours of the morning.

Plus, there was all that fuss about the Mayan apocalypse. Obviously since you’re reading this, that all proved to be a bit of a non-event, which is hardly surprising seeing as the Mayans never saw the Spanish coming. It seems no one recognised the fact that it gets a little bit difficult to keep chiseling a calendar into a solid piece of stone when you’re dealing with your very own apocalypse – those Spanish conquistadors didn’t mess about.

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha tragically took her own life, allegedly because two bozos from 2DayFM – a radio station with a track record of broadcasting utter drivel – pranked the hospital. I’ve listened to the “skit” and, frankly, I’ve heard better impersonations on The Wiggles. Obviously, Mrs Saldanha had much worse and bigger problems than this infantile prank and it’s unfortunate for everyone that this was the straw which broke the camel’s back, so to speak.

And don’t get me started on the Newtown massacre, it was so appalling and unconscionably evil that words fail me. America needs to sort itself out. The only good thing John Howard ever did for this country was to bring in his tough gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre and put a halt to the madness.

So, before the cheap bubbly haze lifts and we all sober up let’s raise a glass to 2013, and hope it’s better than 2012. Surely it couldn’t possibly be any worse...

DRUNK TEXTS ARE NEVER GOOD

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Wayne Rooney couldn’t watch

AMAZING SPAIN AND POMS PAY PENALTY FOOTBALL

England crashed out of the Euro 2012 on penalties – again – after a goalless quarter-final against Italy in Kiev.

Roy Hodgson worked wonders in no time with the side, but the Three Lions were left heartbroken again. Ashley Young hit the bar and Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon saved from Ashley Cole, leaving Italy to win the shootout 4-2.

England captain Steven Gerrard said: “We leave with our heads held high – but it doesn’t help with the heartbreak.”

As consolation, awesome Spain made the Italians cry when they flogged them 4-0 in the final. Spain became the first team to take three major titles in a row, having won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

FOOTY CODES: A TALE OF TWO WRONG CITIES AFL & RUGBY LEAGUE

It was all arse over tit in Australasia’s two major footy codes after both the league and AFL titles went to teams from the wrong state.

The Sydney Swans downed Melbourne’s Hawthorn by 10 points in a see-sawing upset thriller. They finished 14.7 (91) to 11.15 (81) in front of 99,683 fans.

The Melbourne Storm beat CanterburyBankstown Bulldogs 14-4 in the final, and they got to keep this one as they weren’t cheating on the salary cap. Halfback Cooper Cronk was the Clive Churchill Medalist for man of the match.

Was it redemption after they had two premierships stripped from them? “It’s not,” skipper and 2012 world player of the year Cameron Smith said.

Essendon Bomber Jobe Watson was the Brownlow medalist.

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Winners are grinners: Sydney Swans Jarrad McVeigh and Jude Bolton celebrate the AFL Grand Final win

LANCE NOT FORGIVEN OR FORGOTTEN CYCLING

We learned some things are too good to be true when the UCI backed the US Anti Doping Agency and said Lance Armstrong had been involved in the “most sophisticated doping programme that sport has ever seen”.

“Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling and deserves to be forgotten,” they said in their damning, and long, report.

His reaction? He removed “7-time Tour de France winner” from his Twitter account when he was stripped of the titles and posted a pic of himself lounging in a room with his seven yellow jerseys on the wall.

“I’ve been better, but I’ve also been worse,” he was quoted saying at an event for his Livestrong charity, from which he’s now stood down.

A RARE MARE AND THE SUPERB STALLION HORSE RACING

Two of the greatest horses ever stole the show on the racetrack this year.

Aussie mare Black Caviar reached 22 wins from the same starts with her first overseas run in the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Then came big boy Frankel, who was retired after 13 wins from 13 starts after winning his last start at Royal Ascot on a heavy track in October’s Champion Stakes.

Trainer Sir Henry Cecil, who’s said the horse has helped his battle against stomach cancer, said: “He’s the best I’ve ever had, the best I’ve ever seen.”

Jockey Tom Queally said it best after riding the winner in front of 35,000 fans.

“I always think the best time to leave a party is when you least want to,” he said.

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QUOTES OF THE YEAR Miracles do happen in Manchester. Only this time it’s on this side of the road Bingo! Clockwise: Wiggins after Le Tour; Andy kisses the US Open cup; Sally Pearson sees it’s gold

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini after his side won the Premier League over rivals United on goal difference

It’s what I came here to do. I’m now a legend.

I’m the greatest athlete to live Jamaica’s Usain Bolt after he became the first man to win back-to-back 100m and 200m titles at the Olympics

[Caption]

SLIM PICKINGS DOWN UNDER IF IT’S NOT WET OLYMPICS

TENNIS

Without water, Kiwis and Aussies had bugger all to celebrate at London 2012.

Hurdler Sally Pearson and cyclist Anna Meares were the only on-land golds for Oz. One in the pool, three in sailing and one in canoeing made a dismal total of seven gold with 16 silvers.

NZ shot-putter Valerie Adams got gold when her Belarusian defeater was disqualified. Three rowing, one sailing and one canoeing gave them a tally of five.

Emotional roller coaster wouldn’t do Andy Murray’s year justice. Through tears he said “I’m getting closer” after losing the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer. And how right he was.

He broke his Grand Slam duck in the US Open against world number one Novak Djokovic. It was his fifth Slam final.

Then he backed it up and won Olympic gold, rolling Federer 6-2 6-1 6-4 where he’d been beaten four weeks prior.

TEAM GB TRIUMPH TRUMPS SOLO STARS

WIGGO A GUN RIDER AND A CRACK-UP

Team GB took five days to get gold number one, but then it was a rush of 29 golds from 65 medals.

Highlights included Chris Hoy taking over as GB’s greatest Olympian, Katherine Grainger taking gold after silver every Games since 2000 and six golds on Aug 4 alone, including Jessica Ennis, and long jumper Greg Rutherford celebrating his win as Mo Farah triumphed in the 10,000m.

All in all good for the UK, not so much for everyone else.

Not only did we find out how freakishly Bradley Wiggins can ride, he also has personality to burn – and not because of his BBC award.

On the Tour de France winners podium he joked to thousands he was about to “draw the raffle numbers”. The Team Sky leader held onto the yellow jersey from stage seven. Then he went and won gold in the Olympic road race a week later. Plus he looks like a modern day reincarnation of a Beatle. Freak!

OLYMPICS

Photos: Getty

MAGIC MURRAY GOES CRY BABY TO CHAMP

CYCLING

I think everybody pees

in the pool. It’s kind of a normal thing to do. Chlorine kills it so it’s not bad Another reason rivals will be happy the greatest ever Olympian Michael Phelps has now retired from swimming

ALL BLACKS BREAK HOODOO THEN RULE RUGBY

With the 2011 World Cup theirs – finally – it was time to dominate for the Kiwis, who went on a 20-match unbeaten run until beaten by England.

They won a 10th Bledisloe Cup in a row over Australia, who celebrated a draw with them like a win. Dan Carter was IRB Player of the Year while coach Steve Hansen won coach of the year.

The dominance of the All Blacks over the rest of the Rugby Union nations is getting be beyond a joke. What with daylight between them and the Australians, English and the South Africans in terms of squad depth and just general goodness.

It’s actually scary to think of how good this team could go on to be.

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TRAVEL HOTSHOTS | TRAVEL NEWS | TRAVEL DEALS | TRAVEL STORIES | IMAGE OF THE WEEK

FOOTY FEVER

Photos: Thinkstock, Getty

Former Miss Universe Laura Dundovic practices her skills during the FFA Summer Football launch at Maroubra Beach

INSIDE

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TEQUILA SUNRISE /40

LORD BYRON /46

ISLAND LIFE /56

It’s the perfect time of year for drinks by the ocean. But before you wet your whistle, read our guide to the best beach bars in Oz.

Sun, surf and sand. Think you’ve got Byron Bay pegged? We did too until we got to know it from a local’s perspective.

On the tip of the north island, we rock the boat on a three day tour of New Zealand’s stunning playground – the Bay of Islands.

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WINNER MONTHLY WINNER

RUNNER-UP

RED ROCK, ORANGE LIGHT Kerrie Popham, 21, United Kingdom WE SAY: “Uluru is one of the most photographed and famous spots in Australia (and the world for that matter) and so when we see a great one there’s nothing we can do but gush! Great use of the natural lighting and the beautiful colours of sand, rock and sun. Great work Kerrie!”

MONTHLY RUNNER-UP OLDEST BRIDGE Marcus Bauer, 27, Germany WE SAY: “A very worthy runner up for this month, we are inundated with great photos and it’s often so hard to choose. Throughout our recent Tasmania month we came to see just how beautiful Tasmania is, and just when you think you’ve seen them all, another stunning place crops up.

Great work Marcus!”

HOT TIPS: Motion Depicting movement in still photography is, unsurprisingly perhaps, a difficult skill to master. Yet, as this photo shows, it is possible and – more to the point – it adds another dimension to your photography. A well-staged shot of motion draws the viewer into the photo, as their eyes follow the perceived movement. A simulation of movement can be achieved by clever uses of perspective.

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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: hugh@tntdownunder.com Monthly winner Kerrie wins three days campervan hire from Mighty Campers Australia (mightycampers.com.au)

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GOAL FOR CRUISES If you’re one of those people that gets antsy whenever you can’t find out the football scores, you’ll be relieved to hear the English Premier League has now sold the rights to screen live games on cruise ships and planes. The deal with IMG Worldwise means the Sport 24 channel will now show matches on specially equipped Lufthansa and Gulf Air planes and Norwegian Cruise Liners. More airlines are expected to soon follow suit. EPL chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “We look forward to working with them as they distribute the Barclays Premier League in a way that allows our fans to enjoy the competition while travelling overseas.”

Photos: Thinkstock

SHOOT ‘EM UP

36

Ever wanted to shoot Simon Cowell? Well now you can, in Machine Guns Vegas, the world’s first luxury gun lounge, which opened earlier this year. You can pump a target that looks like the X Factor mogul with AK47s, M60s and other high-powered weaponry. Cowell will be part of a line-up that includes Osama bin Laden, Colonel Gaddafi and a bunch of zombies because, as a Machine Guns Vegas spokesperson said: “Simon Cowell has committed heinous crimes against humanity and single-handedly demolished real musical talent.” Harsh.

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SNAKES ON A PLANE In a frankly terrifying case of life imitating art, a man was bitten by a cobra on board a flight in Egypt, just like in the Samuel L Jackson movie Snakes On A Plane. On the plane headed from Cairo to Kuwait, the victim was bitten by a cobra.

But rather than being an unfortunate victim struck down by an outbreak of muthafuckin’ snakes on a muthafuckin’ plane, he was partly responsible – he had smuggled the snake on board himself. The flight was forced to perform an emergency landing where the man was taken away for treatment and the snake captured..

POLITE POLICE No, not friendly coppers, these ‘polite police’, as they’ve been dubbed, are a new arm of the law in France who have been deployed for the purpose of stamping out bad manners.

France’s state-owned railway operator is to send almost 3000 inspectors on to the nation’s trains and has given them the power to fine offenders. Apparently the number of complaints about rude passengers has rocketed by 25 per cent this year, including customers spitting on ticket inspectors, putting their feet on seats and pulling emergency alarms without reason. .

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DETAILS Save 15% on two of Australia’s most iconic trips departing in February! Jump on board Topdeck’s 3 day Melbourne to Sydney Great Alpine way adventure OR our choose famous 3 day Adelaide to Melbourne Great Ocean Road experience and save!

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DESTINATION Magnetic Island & Townsville, Nth QLD DATES Offer valid to the 31 March 2013 PRICE Normally $349 per person or $574 per couple. TNT Readers exclusive offer for $304 per person or $499 per couple.

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Martinis in bikinis Dust the sand off your feet, pull up a deck chair and order a Sex on the Beach as we serve you the best beach bars in Australia WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

Hot summer afternoons, the tang of sea salt and an ice cold beer go hand in hand. Sitting in the sun with a few mates and knocking back a few brews looking out over the ocean is surely one of summer’s great pleasures.

While Australia is certainly not the only sun blessed country on Earth that has made a fine art out of the beach bar – think America’s West Coast, Phuket or Bali – few places can match Australia when it comes to beach culture. Whole suburbs and towns

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draw a big part of their identity from their beachside bars, which often act as the social heart of their communities.

In many cases, these bars are wholly central to the area’s economy, attracting visitors from far and wide.

It’s often a symbiotic relationship between bar and beach; people come for the bar and stay because of the beach, or vice-versa. From the length and breadth of the country, the relationship between the sea and the bar is an important one. We think this

relationship is awesome, what else is summer for, if not surfing, drinking and sitting in the sun? Not to mention how good an excuse it is to drink even more over the New Year period... As if we need an excuse.

Never adverse to a few beers at any time of the year; rain, hail or shine, the prospect of a coast to coast tour of sun, surf and cold beers was too much to pass up. So we felt we had to share a few of our favourite beachside bars with you. After all, it’s the silly season.

COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL WESTERN AUSTRALIA A favourite for people visiting this beautiful part of Western Australian coastline for over 100 years, the Cottesloe Beach Hotel is one example of a beach bar being central to its community. The beautiful old federation building with its lovely art deco interior has a huge amount going for it, located just 15 minutes from Perth and 10 minutes from Fremantle, the main bar and balcony look out over some of the prettiest views of any watering hole anywhere. On perfect days you can actually watch the sun set behind Rottnest Island while enjoying an ice cold beer, some delicious nibbles and a little live music.

The huge amount of art and photography that have been made of Cottesloe Beach and the surrounding countryside (some of which can be found adorning the walls of the hotel itself) highlight the importance of the area to the community. The natural beauty of the beach is truly something to behold. The locals are all fiercely proud of this little slice of paradise and are only too kind to help you out with directions or fill in any historical gaps you might have over a few of Fremantle’s finest Little Creatures’ beers. cottesloebeachhotel.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Indiana – right on the beach, the world class views from this suave beach bar is the perfect accompaniment to a chilled wine and seafood plate. indiana.com.au

NORTH BONDI ITALIAN NEW SOUTH WALES

Photos: Tourism Australia, Republica, TNT Images

Don’t let the fact that this is part of an RSL Club fool you; North Bondi Italian is as hip a spot as any in the burgeoning neo-hipster surf scene that’s springing up around Ben Buckler. Plus it has one of the best views of the sand and surf anywhere along the beach (except for maybe Icebergs) and also gets the last of the sun on those hot summer afternoons.

The interior of the pub itself has just about everything one could need for the perfect beach bar experience. The beer menu is fairly long and inexpensive while the selection of wines will keep the missus vaguely happy, so long as she’s not overly discerning about the levels of oak in her Chardonnay. There’s also a really nice little bistro that serves, as you’d perhaps imagine from the name, really good Italian food. Think pizza, pasta and other carb-heavy delights.

The most important thing about North Bondi Italian, though, is the North Bondi bit. People travel thousands of miles everyday just to catch a glimpse of this iconic, world famous beach spot and this is simply one of the best places to grab your own piece of the Australian dream. idrb.com.au/northbondi

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… The Bucket List – it’s the only bar right on Bondi Beach promenade, therefore this seaside bar is ideal for wandering off the beach and straight into a Mojito. thebucketlistbondi.com

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BEACH HOTEL BYRON BAY NEW SOUTH WALES BY CAITLIN STANWAY

BASE ISLAND BAR MAGNETIC ISLAND QUEENSLAND

If you found yourself with only half an hour to experience Byron Bay life – one drink at the Beach Hotel would give you a taste of everything the seaside town has to offer.

The huge beer garden and open-air bistro sits at the top of the town’s main street overlooking Main Beach with panoramic views of Australia’s favourite hipster retreat. Naturally attracting a strong tourist crowd, the easy access to Byron Bay’s infamous breaks mean there is a constant stream of local surfers kicking back with a beer and rehashing the days waves.

No frills casual pub fare keeps revellers well fed with the bistro filling up early evening. Live music takes the hotel from day time garden party to a bustling drinking pen, with the dinning families gradually replaced by an eclectic mix of backpackers, surfers and hip locals.

This is quite literally a beach bar in every sense of the word.

Feel the sand between your toes and the tropical summer sun on your face... while lining up shots of Jäger bombs of course.

On the ferry across from the mainland, you can see the Island Bar as you come in, nestled amongst the beautiful trees of Magnetic Island’s lush coastline.

A place to stay if you’ve had a few too many certainly isn’t a problem either as the Island Bar is connected to Base Hostel on the island. This hostel prides itself on being one of the only hostels in Australia that is right on the beach and is full of like-minded travellers looking for a good time.

Summer’s the time to be in Magnetic Island and if you’re there at the right time on the lunar calendar, you can check out Base’s legendary Full Moon party. It’s just like the wild ones in Thailand, only with much better music.

beachhotel.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Fishheads Byron Bay – right on the beach, this restaurant and bar is perfect for an indulgent sunset seafood feast. restaurantbyronbay.com.au

stayatbase.com

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… No tables? Pull up a patch of sun-blessed sand, or relax out by the pool. It’s better anyway.

MAGNUMS AIRLIE BEACH QUEENSLAND BY CAITLIN STANWAY The gateway to the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach is a throbbing hub of backpackers, seasoned travellers and Aussies in transit as they jump on yachts for a diving trip or make their way to the slightly more civilised islands off the coast.

Airlie Beach is Australia’s answer to Ibiza – all snorkelling, sunbaking and subdued by day and gyrating, drinking and somewhat mental by night. If there was a life source of all the debauchery, it would without a doubt be Magnums Hotel.

Sitting central on the bay’s foreshore, the spectacular outlook is only half of Magnums appeal. Home to six bars, the huge establishment is the ideal place for sun-stroked snorkellers to re-hydrate and refuel.

With a backpackers attached to it, Magnums plays host to both the party and the hangover, with the beer garden filling up early as tanned young things file in for that much needed burger and hair of the dog. magnums.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Fish D’Vine: Fish Café and Rum Bar – try this modern fish shop-cum-cocktail bar simply for the unique flavour circus that is the rum and seafood combo. fishdvine.com.au

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REPUBLICA ST KILDA VICTORIA Republica’s hanging seats have an utterly uninterrupted view of the curve of St Kilda’s beautiful bay, as well as the thin strip of bleached white sand, the hand imported palms and old, wooden piers that make up Melbourne’s most iconic beach. If a few big boats come into Port Phillip you might also be able to catch a wave or two.

Territorial loyalties aside, this is a very pleasant place to sip a tall glass of something refreshing and watch the sun sink low beyond the horizon. And, unlike so many other beach bars which have a distinctly surfer vibe to them, the ridiculously cool people wandering the promenade give this bar an edgy feel that is entirely unique to Melbourne. republica.net.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… The Esplanade Hotel – dubbed ‘The Espy,’ this quirky pub is home to live music, pumping bars, a thriving beer garden and a dress code so loose clothing is practically optional... espy.com.au

BridgeClimb The top of your list Down Under.

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To Book: (02) 8274 7777 bridgeclimb.com

BACCHUS BAR ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA Named for the ancient Greek God of wine, food and general debauchery, you could be mistaken for thinking that this little wine bar on beautiful Henley Beach could be a bit of a handful, if not the place itself, then certainly its patrons.

Maybe some place you should avoid on really hot days, or when the moon is full. But, in truth this is just about the most relaxed place in the whole world, and it serves some of the best Coffin Bay oysters you’ll ever have the good fortune to try.

Being that you’re in Adelaide, the fine wine capital of Australia, you don’t have to look far down Bacchus’ wine list to find a top drop and South Australia’s big beer export Coopers also have their entire range on tap. A delicious menu offsets the aforementioned oysters, with share plates and mains all reasonably priced and delicious!

The views of the St. Vincent Gulf add a simply jaw dropping background to this bounty of all things good and on boiling summer days in Adelaide the sea breeze is more than a welcome accompaniment. bacchusbar.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Marina Sunset Bar – up the road in Glenelg, it’s the perfect place for a dreamy sunset tipple. marinapier.com.au

TURTLES BAR (BEACHFRONT HOTEL) DARWIN NORTHERN TERRITORY BY CAITLIN STANWAY Heading up Darwin’s pub scene, Turtles Bar is renown as having the best ocean views in the area. Part of the Beachfront Hotel precinct, Turtles Bar’s cool interior and covered terrace provide the ideal hideaway for Darwin’s predictably hot and wet weather.

It doesn’t take long drinking at this Top End bar to realise the Rapid Creek haunt has more to it than meets the eye.

On the outside Turtles Bar is a slow paced, sun soaked beer garden where locals come to slow down over ice cold beer and hearty Aussie meals. But don’t let the bar’s amphibious namesake fool you, retreat inside the turtle’s shell on a Friday or Saturday night and a turtle-paced nightcap is far from what you’ll get. Rather, expect to find yourself in the middle of a heaving nightclub full of the town’s party people out for a good night. facebook.com/beachfronthotel

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… If you’re here during the dry season, make sure you take a seat at the Deckchair Cinema and enjoy your BYO drinks and picnic while catching a flick under the stars. deckchaircinema.com.au

MANLY WHARF HOTEL NEW SOUTH WALES While not strictly on Manly Beach, the Wharf is less than five minutes away from the Northern Beaches’ most iconic strip of sand.

Both locals and people ferrying back into the city will pop into the Manly Wharf Hotel for a few cleansing ales before going home. It is one of the social hubs of Manly, a great place to meet new people and old friends alike.

This is also a beautiful spot right on the harbour, a great place to sit and nurse a beer and watch the boats going to and fro and the ferries coming into dock. Despite seeming like a bustling hub of humanity, you will still be more than able to put your feet up and relax here.

Manly is also the gateway to the rest of the Northern Beaches, one of the more insular parts of Sydney and yet amongst some of the most rewarding to explore. manlywharfhotel.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Manly Wine – this oh so chic wine bar has become a favourite haunt for those chasing the perfect vino and view combo. manlywine.com.au

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APOLLO BAY HOTEL VICTORIA BY CAITLIN STANWAY There is a reason the Great Ocean Road has such a grandiose title, and with little gems spotted along the iconic bitumen, the stunning drive easily turns into the Great Ocean Pub Crawl.

Based at the foot of the Otways, Apollo Bay acts as a popular base camp for Great Ocean Road explorers with the Apollo Bay Hotel naturally taking on the role of head quarters. Right in the heart of town, the hotel holds prime position overlooking the bay and is the epitome of an Aussie beachside pub.

The al fresco dining area and relaxed indoor bistro serve up authentic pub grub with some Asian alternatives mingling in with the Parmigiana and fishermen’s baskets. With classically simple beer garden decor, the foreshore watering hole needs nothing more than some sunshine and a salty sea breeze to transport you to never-never land. apollobayhotel.com.au

CAN’T GET A TABLE? TRY HERE… Chill @ the Bay – this small wine and tapas hideout gives a much needed break from pub meals.

Byron Bay NEW SOUTH WALES

Photos: Chris Stevens , Destination NSW

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Life of Byron One traveller turned Byron Bay local explains how the small town with the big reputation lured him in. This is his guide to living by the seaside WORDS CHRIS STEVENS

Part of the writers’ guidelines for this fine publication bans words such as “mecca” and “paradise”. Now, I’ll be honest with you, I could pretty much utilize every single clichéd travel phrase in the opening paragraph of this article about life in Byron Bay. But editors will be editors, so I am forced to find a new vocabulary to describe a place I view as a travellers m***a and a p******e for surfers... but I digress.

Another thing I’ll be honest about is that when I drove into Byron for the first time, I didn’t rate it too highly. The weather was crap, I was tired, and the promise of peeling blue surf crashing onto picture perfect white beaches was non-existent... no swell, no sun, no fun.

However, luckily the missus made me stick it out for a few days and I’m glad she did because, four months on, there I was, still living and working in the Bay, a place that I can happily write became my home away from home.

So, what got me hooked into the ‘Byron Bubble’ and why does every backpacker rant and rave about this small little hippy seaside town? Well, that’s what this piece is all about...

impress on a date. Make sure you try a ‘Jam Jar’, a sticky concoction of vodka, Malibu and fruit juice... yum yum!

The Beachy – more of a locals hangout so a nice break from vomiting backpackers. Great for live music, especially the Sunday Sessions overlooking Main Beach.

Buddha Bar – attached to the legendary Arts Factory, the Buddha offers great music, open mic nights and a daily happy hour where you can get two schooners of homebrewed, 100 per cent natural Byron Bay beer.

The Rails – this place deserves a mention for the fact it’s the only place in Byron you can get a full pint! It’s also a great live music venue.

NIGHTLIFE By far one of the biggest draws for any backpacker is the promise of intoxicated nights of unadulterated debauchery.

Well, Byron has that by the bucket load! There’s a good number of options for a night out, with drinks offers to match. Cheeky Monkeys – one of the east coast’s most infamous clubs. If you want to get drunk, dance on tables and eat on the cheap, this is the place to be. Byron local Cockatoo Paul summed it up perfectly when he said: “It’s responsible for more backpacker sex than anywhere else in Oz”. Enough said!

Aquarius Bar – this recently refurbed bar offers some of the best happy prices in town and its in-house drink – “Jungle Juice” – is a bargain. It also offers a more social atmosphere where you can hear people over the music, while nightly games offer a great way to meet people and get free stuff.

Cocomangas – slightly more upmarket and boasting an impressive cocktail list, this place is ideal if your trying to

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THINGS TO DO So when you’re not drinking or chilling in your hostel you need to keep yourself entertained. Byron has no lack of trips and activities, with the beach and the ocean being the epicentre. Why not explore on a sea kayak? How about diving 18m down with the grey nurse sharks at Julian Rocks Marine Reserve? Maybe explore the rivers on a stand-up paddle board? Or perhaps marvel in the beauty of the annual whale migration?

If adrenalin is more your thing, you can always plummet from 14,000ft on a skydive over the rolling hills and sprawling beaches. For something different, take to the countryside on a mountain bike tour. There really is something for everyone.

THE PEOPLE Byron is home to some of the nicest people I’ve ever met – both locals and backpackers. Whether they’re long-timers or passing through, everyone in Byron seems to add to the vibe and atmosphere of the place. It seems to sync up your mood and frame of mind. People like the ever lovely Rita – at Cheekys – or the charismatic Cockatoo Paul – the resident Bush Man and entertainer at the Arts Factory – or the whole host of crazy buskers who help the warm and inviting ambience snowball year round. They are the kind of people that welcome you in with unquestioned hospitality, support and occasionally a warm, home cooked meal.

You’ll find yourself sucked in, feeling the urge to walk around bare footed and chat to everyone you bump into. It’s easy to meet a whole variety of people here.

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I know Texan hippies, Welsh party animals, Scottish beauties, Canadian poker fiends, Irish red heads and Australian surfers – my new network of friends is a patchwork of cultures and nationalities – many of which I’d never have met without being in Byron.

BEACHES AND SURF If there’s a single reason I decided to stay in Byron, it’s the surf. I’m a born and bred Devonshire boy and surfing is my number one priority... in fact, it’s probably the main reason I headed to Oz in the first place.

For the more experienced there’s “The Wreck”, a fast hollow sandbank next to a shipwreck which can hold a big swell and offers some tasty tube rides.

For the longboarders (like myself) and beginners there’s “The Pass”, a long smooth right-hander that can offer epic rides on the right day... although if it’s firing the crowds will be out there in force.

If you’re a complete novice, it’s best to get yourself a lesson and let the professionals show you the ropes.

Slightly up the road lies Belongil, a great place to escape the crowds (with a nudist beach if that’s your thing!)

Around the corner from The Pass lies Watego and then Tallows and Broken Head, all great places to check out if the swell isn’t lighting up the bay or you want something less crowded. Just beware of the rips at Tallows. There are miles of beaches all around Byron, just pick your scene – join the masses on Main Beach or claim long secluded stretches for yourself at Tallows.

EAT, SLEEP, DRINK Street Sushi for fantastic hand rolled sushi. Very fresh and great value (2/9 Bay Lane, Byron Bay, tel. 0413979054). Bento boxes, tempura veg, grilled tuna, rice, salad from $10.

Dip fun, funky busy cafe, great for cooked breakfast/lunch and the paper... morning emails thanks to wifi.... (1/21-25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, tel. (02) 6685 5141) At a glance Cheeky Monkey’s Bar offers cheap drinks, wet t shirt contests, cheap food and club pub. What more could a backpacker want? cheekymonkeys.com.au The front beer garden at Railway Friendly Bar (aka The Rails), conducive to boozy afternoons, has live music every night. The pub grub is excellent, so too the St Arnou beer on tap, (86 Jonson St, tel. (02) 6685 7662).

Only 45 seconds from the beach. Backpackers Inn on the Beach has a pool, volleyball court, free bikes and bodyboard hire, and fun, friendly staff, The bar is great, some of the cheapest prices in town. backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au A great spot away from the crowds, right near the pass coffee shop overlooking the car park .With great food and amazing view Clarkes Beach Holiday Park is well worth checking out. clarkesbeach.com.au

ART AND CULTURE As an arty guy, the alternative culture embedded in Byron nurtures your talents and encourages it. There are a few local art shops, and a mixture of galleries – so it’s easy to mingle with like-minded people and draw up inspiration.

The town itself and the lansdscape that surrounds it, with sheer cliffs cushioned by tropical rainforest on one side and the raw power of the ocean on the other, is by far the biggest inspiration.

Music is massive in Byron too. Everything from buskers to epic events such as Bluesfest, Byron plays house to them all.

The size of the art community and the appreciation of it by the many passing through means it’s easy to fund your drinking and partying through your talents. Take my missus for example – after investing in some canvas and paints she put in the hours creating a variety of images and simply sold them on the beach, overlooking the very sunset that inspired her. Beautiful art in a beautiful place.

THE VIBE Everyone always goes on about the character and vibe of a town. So many places I’ve been to promised a laidback feeling where your worries fade away. Whole tourism campaigns are based around it.

Yet many places fail to reach the hype that surrounds them. Byron on the other hand has no such problem. The hippy culture is still deep within the veins of this town, and the locals, shops and food are testament to that – let alone the experience of visiting the nearby town of Nimbin!

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Byron’s lighthouse signifies the most easterly point in Oz

DON’T MISS:

BYRON BAY BLUESFEST

Chris Isaak

Ben Harper

Santana

There are shed loads of art shops, bead shacks, buskers, organic and vegetarian food shops... it caters for almost every aspect of alternative, non-mainstream culture.

Summer evenings here are full of the sounds of bongos and didgeridoos, while Thai fishing pants with bare feet is the dress code. It’s a town where everyone knows everyone.

It’s big enough to be interesting, small enough to feel like you belong.

Even after a few months I could walk down the street and bump into numerous people I now class as friends. It truly became a home away from home. And for that reason, until my visa expired, 2481 became my postcode, Lawson Street my road, backpackers my extended family and the beach my front garden.

I’m hopefully heading back soon, so come get sucked into the Byron bubble with me. I’ll see you at the bar... ❚

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Perhaps our favourite Australian music festival, and the nearest you’ll get to Glastonbury Down Under, the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Music Festival, or Bluesfest, is the biggest event on the Byron Bay calender. And it’s happening in March.

If you’re planning to be in town for the five-day event, which is held just outside Byron at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm over Easter (March 28-Arpil 1), and haven’t yet sorted out a ticket or accommodation, then get on the case quick.

Now in its 24th year, the lineup includes Robert Plant (the legendary singer of Led Zeppelin), Counting Crows, Status Quo, Ben Harper, Iggy and the Stooges, Chris Isaak, Wilco, Dropkick Murphys, Santana, Blind Boys of Alabama and Newton Faulkner just to name a fraction of those playing.

One-day passes cost from $139, three-day passes from $395 and five-day passes from $545. There are options for camping, caravans, teepees and even tent motels! See bluesfest.com.au.

DA DA

TRAVELWEEKENDER

Coast with the most This is the NSW Central Coast in 48 hours WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

DAY 1:Located just 90 kilometers north of Sydney, the Central Coast is a beautiful, twisting stretch of sun bleached coastline, pristine beaches and lively townships. For whatever reason though, the area continues to be rather glossed over by backpackers and is seen as more of a weekend getaway destination for the city-slicker Sydney set. We're aiming to change that though, so hop aboard and make sure you bring yourself a pair of swimmers and a towel, because it's going to get a little damp.

9:00: Having dropped your gear at The Entrance Hostel (entrancebackpackers.com) it's time to get a little food on your belly, it's going to be a big day. Two Birds Cafe is an old fashioned Aussie egg and bacon joint located in Toowoon Bay near the beautiful Bouddi National Park which is one of the region's best spots to go hiking or just generally chill.

11:00: Prepare yourself, for a car should now be outside waiting to pick you up and transport you to Somersby Airfield for a spot of sky diving with a twist. Australia Skydive Group (australiaskydivegroup.com) operate one of the only helicopter skydives in the country. They have the usual tandem skydive features, minus the sweaty interior of a tiny Cessna airplane propelled by what sounds like a washing machine motor. The sleek, jet black helicopters hover effortlessly up to 14,000ft giving you a great view across the Hawkesbury River towards the Blue Mountains and the distant cityscape of Sydney. Enjoy the view while

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you can because the moment you hit the dive ceiling your instructor will hurl himself (and you as well) out into the clear blue for an exhilarating 60 second free fall. Reassuringly the website claims to have a 100 per cent dive success rate. I like those odds.

15:00: After a fortifying late lunch (and maybe a drink or two) it's time to crack on. The Australian Reptile Park (reptilepark.com.au) is your next destination. This place is a study in dichotomy; featuring some of the cutest and cuddliest animals Australia has to offer as well as some of the hairiest, eight-legged, venomous and frightening too.

All in the space of half an hour you can hold a baby koala in the palm of your hand and then let a man who claims to be a doctor try and "Bust your Phobia" by putting a live cane toad or giant spider on the back of your neck. Bizarre, but entertaining. If you're really brave you can assist in the feeding of Elvis, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity anywhere in the state.

19:00: First night out, hit the Entrance Hotel (theentrancehotel.com.au) for a handful of schooies and a spot of pub grub. If you can face the trip and the loud music, head on to Iguana Waterfront Bar (iguanabar.com) in Gosford to dance the night away.

DAY 2: 9:00: Woken up with a blinding hangover and the sour taste of last night's Carlton Draught in your mouth? Not to worry, today's going to be a water activity kind of day.

The bracing waters of the Pacific Ocean will clear your head

Conquer those fears at the Reptile Park

Discover sunken treasure in the HMAS Adelaide

right up, and if it doesn't there's always the chance you can just lie in the sun pretending to be the official photographer.

Terry McDermott Surf Coaching (surfcoaching.com. au), despite the complete absence of a single Terry on staff, run great surfing lessons at Soldiers Beach for everyone from beginners to those looking to take their immediate skills onto the next level. Try and get a hold of instructor Sandra English â&#x20AC;&#x201C; she's won a few surfing championships in her time.

12:00: In 2011, much to chagrin of the locals, the once proud naval vessel HMAS Adelaide was sunk off the Central Coast to provide a reef and encourage snorkeling and scuba diving tourists. Pro Dive (prodivecentralcoast.com) run guided dive tours of the wreck and the fish and coral which inhabit the ship. A very pretty and nice change of pace.

16:00: With the hangover gone, pack a little picnic and let Ocean Planet (oceanplanet.com) give you a guided kayak tour or just hire your own and cruise along the meanders of the beautiful Glenworth Valley.

19:30: Towel off, put on your best pair of boardies and your 'going out flanno' and head into Terrigal. At the Florida Beach Bar (floridabeachbar.com.au) you can get a quality meal and start the night off right with a few draught beers.

21:00: Your 48 hours is coming to an end, so see it off in style. Sirens (sirensnightclub.com) is probably the most happening nightspot on the Central Coast. With thumping dance music, dim lighting, short skirts and $5 rum and cokes this is definitely the place to end up at.

A warm welcome awaits you at our safe and clean budget accommodation in The Entrance.

With only 4 rooms, we are a bright and cheerful boutique backpackers.

Our friendly staff at The Entrance Backpackers will make you feel instantly at home.

Free Breakfast, fully equipped kitchen, bed linen included, lockers, tea/coffee and internet access.

MENTION THIS ADD AND GET

10 % OFF YOUR FIRST NIGHTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ACCOMMODATION.

e: info@theentrancebackpackers.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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WIN A SHARK CAGE DIVE FROM ADVENTURE BAY CHARTERS Bay Charters for two people. looking for your next adrenalin fix, here it is! WIN A FREE SHARK CAGE DIVE and SEA LION SWIM! Come face to face with the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest predator as they swim around you hunting for dinner! Before you pack your bags first you must tell us how you would get to Port Lincoln in South Australia, tell us when you would want to come, why you have chosen this time to come and why you have chosen this way to get here.

The winners will have the chance to come face to face with the most feared creature in the sea, the great white shark, and then have the chance to do somersaults and play games with the gorgeous sea lions.

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Bay of Islands NEW ZEALAND

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A rocky weekend A cruise around the maritime playground of NZ’s Bay of Islands brings on fishy moments, starry memories and salty tastes WORDS MARIE BARBIERI

“

We’re promised a beer if we shoot an Australian called Matilda

”

aim with precision, their beers forming an orderly queue.

Anchoring in a secluded outer Bay of Islands cove, we throw our lines to catch snapper for dinner. And the hunger is on. Crewmember, Nathan, demonstrates how to fillet mullet; bait for our snapper. It’s a bloody mess, filled with flashing memories from high school biology classes.

With surgical precision, Nathan then removes the still-living heart from a caught snapper (hunger rapidly fading). It continues to beat on his hand, hopping around like a scene from a cartoon. Only this is real!

“Now this is iron-rich food guys,” he explains with utter seriousness. Captivated carnivores laugh while queasy vegetarians take a seat. “This nutritious dish is treasured by the indigenous people, so look upon it as a superfood.” Nathan then offers it around the group, calling: “Anyone?” But no sooner than I let out a Hyacinth

Catching up on dinner Photo: Tourism New Zealand, Marie Barbieri

It all seems quite sane at first, zooming away from Paihia wharf in our boat’s launch, sandwiched hip-to-hip with a bunch of shy backpacking strangers. One girl seems oblivious to the world, her eyes penetrating her Fifty Shades of Grey paperback, a guy stabs manically at his iPhone, another clearly the victim of a late night, and doesn’t seem to feel the spray hitting his still-numb face.

And then Jonny, our skipper, comes right out with it: “So, who’s up for a weekend of eating raw fish?” The “Yeaahhhhh!” comes from the token tall Swede, the “Coooool!” from the young German lad, and the “You are not serious I hope?” is eloquently delivered by the older British lady, who looks positively terrified. It’s funny, I’ve never referred to myself as an ‘older British lady’ before.

Helplessly gazing at the luxury cruise ship anchored near the rust-coloured vessel we are headed for, I wonder if I might have booked the wrong type of houseboat experience. I contemplate the three-course celebrity chef-inspired banquets that the gleaming white liner will serve up to its freshly showered and mani/pedi-groomed passengers. I then think of Captain Bligh and his loyal crew who were set adrift in the HMS Bounty’s launch by Fletcher Christian in 1789, and wonder if mutiny is still illegal.

As we near the wild and wacky YHA-run floating hostel, I focus on the positives: I don’t have a humdinger of a hangover; I left my phone at home; and I’ve got a sexy new novel on my list. Plus, I might just survive the next 22 hours as I climb aboard The Rock.

Within minutes, Jonny’s laid-back crew make us feel at home, sipping on beers and mugs of tea as we all exchange names and itineraries. I even get a biscuit!

C’mon, who needs celebrity chefs?

Food for thought It’s target practice time, and we’re promised a free beer if we successfully shoot an Australian called Matilda, who is on board with us today. Matilda is the plastic duck that’s now being tied to the boat’s rear. The Europeans take this with a pinch of salt, but the Kiwis take it seriously. They

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Reaching the summit

[Caption]

Bucket-like nervous shriek, a teenager steps forward with an outstretched hand.

In it went. But it wasn’t like the dreaded challenges in those reality TV shows, where it goes down almost without touching the sides. No, this kid munched, savouring every last capillary, like rolling a fine red wine around the tongue. In (stunned) support, we clapped and cheered.

Our slowly resuscitating olfactory systems tell us that the Scotch steaks and beef sausages have hit the barbeque.

At dinner, only one catch-of-the-day is shared between us (very small and large fish are returned to the water for conservation). But there is plenty for all as we feast on our meats with kumara (the local sweet potato favoured by the Maoris), fresh breads, pasta, rice and beetroot salad around the long table, in the kitchen-cum-diner-cumlounge-cum-bar-cum-pool room.

As night blankets our twinkling boat, satiated stomachs prop against the bar. Others brush round the pool table, as jokes fly between opponents. “You’re shooting with two left feet man!” and “Your balls are zigzagging mate!” and “It’s the boat swaying!” seem to be on constant replay.

The laughter increases and nothing matters. The music is playing, accents are singing, and the drinks are flowing.

But refreshingly, nobody is drunk. Through the exchanges of foreign words and chinking glasses, we all share the common language of escapism.

Starry, starry night With the sun now in a deep sleep, the crew prepare passengers for night-kayaking. “You are in for a real surprise guys!” promises Nathan. So against human nature, we seesaw into our kayaks, torch-less, and paddle into the depths of blackness. That’s until our eyes adjust.

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Lying back, the stars hang from the sky as if on stalks.

“Look down!” someone shouts. Staring into the water, an iridescent blue glitters vividly. This phenomenon erupts into an underwater firework show as our paddles splash the surface. The luminescence of this marine plankton, belonging to the dinoflagellate family, is known as phosphorescence. To night-kayak, using this spectacular plankton as navigational tools, is absolutely magical.

Back on board, Ben, another warm crewmember, summons us to the flickering log fire. We all huddle under itchy blankets, at the end of the candle-lit galley bar. Out comes the guitar, and as Hans from Norway mobilises the piano keys, Ben sings for us, taking on any Beatles or Coldplay requested. It is however unanimously agreed that Britney Spears’ Baby one more time, just doesn’t sit well!

As the firelight fades, we head up to our cosy cabins.

They’re basic, but appropriately decked out in maritime timber, all with water views. Jonny and his wife Sarah have been running this unique institution for the past five years. Their environmentally friendly, converted vehicleferry sleeps up to 36 spirited passengers. The guest book and photo albums reveal that it has heard the snores of backpackers, families with kids and grey nomads. And I too love it here, as I paint my toenails using the moonlight to line up the brushstrokes.

Splashes from belly-flopping British awake me long before the breakfast bell. With the sun still dozing, I slide open my door and place my newly-decorated toes onto the damp balcony that’s coated in a sparkly veil of saltencrusted dew.

“How’s the water?” I shout to a breathless swimmer.

Puffing like last night’s dying snapper, he blabbers, “It… would…cut…the…balls off you!” So that answered my

question then. I don’t have the balls (both metaphorically and anatomically) to join him, so instead, do yoga on the sundeck. An American couple join me. Life’s perfect.

We may be in the winterless north of New Zealand, but the chilly morning wind soon ushers us towards a Kiwi breakfast of porridge, fruit and shiver-curing coffee.

Island time After sunrise, we cruise the pristine Bay of Islands. Blue penguins wade by as flocks of storm petrels shadow them.

“Stingrays in the coves attract hammerheads and orca whales!” says Jonny. They remain elusive, but the Soren Larsen tallship doesn’t. All arms frantically wave as we cross, quite literally, like passing ships.

Arriving at Waewaetorea Island, we kayak into Stingray Cove and step onto its toe-warming sand. Some don snorkelling gear, and Ben leads the rest of us on a human ant-trail up to an ancient Maori Pa (fortified settlement).

Conquering the grassy summit, a cathartic canvas unpeels; on one side, the sheltered honey-hued beach; on the other, the churning Pacific.

“Okay guys,” begins Ben, “We’re on the furthest island from the mainland, and just opposite,” he points, “is Motukiekie, a private island.” But the 144 islands in the bay have not always been as peaceful as today.

“Back in 1841, on nearby Motuarohia Island (where Captain Cook dropped anchor in 1769), a scandalous event happened. The 17 year-old son of a Maori chief murdered

the family he was working for, and burned their house down. He was the first to be hanged in New Zealand.”

Looping back down to the beach, some play rugby, while others splay like lizards absorbing the mid-day warmth. The snorkelers return, looking pretty hyped up about seeing an octopus in the kelp fields.

An ominous-looking kina, in all its sea-urchin weaponry, sits in the hand of a stupefied snorkeler. “Our lunch!” he offers. Back on The Rock, Nathan invites us to sample the kina’s raw blubbery gizzards. “Drop the grimaces guys,” he says, highly amused. “Kina are endemic to New Zealand and are traditional Maori food.

You’d pay a fortune to find this delicacy on a menu.”

Cutting the kina open, he points to its intestines, sex glands and mouth, and then extracts a razor-sharp tooth from it. Then he picks up a spoon! You guessed it. Just like the snapper’s heart, a brave volunteer scoops out the eggs, encased in brown slipperiness, hanging like bird excrement. The group stare, starkly silent. After he performs several involuntary shoulder spasms, not dissimilar to Peter Garrett’s classic dance moves, I dare to ask: “So what’s it like?” No response yet. “Slimy? Salty?

Sour?” to which he finally replies with a gurgled: “YES!” The group catapults into laughter. ❚ Damage and details: Marie travelled with Rock the Boat who run twoday cruises of the Bay of Islands from $180NZ. Prices include meals and accommodation. See: rocktheboat.co.nz

anks as wide “We’d like to give th hospitality. as the sea for your eekend we What a wonderful w cks!” had – ‘The Rock’ ro

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OZLISTINGS TRAVEL AGENTS Adventure Travel Bugs 07 3236 3266, adventuretravelbugs.com Backpackers World Travel 1800 997 325 backpackersworld.com Peter Pans Adventure Travel 1800 669 424, peterpans.com.au Travellers Contact Point 1800 647 640, travellers.com.au Tribal Adventure Travel 1800 984 484, tribaltravel.com.au YHA Travel 02 9261 111, yha.com.au

TOUR FIRMS

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

Maxi Ragamuffin Whitsundays sailing 1800 454 777 maxiaction.com.au

Bunyip Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 286 947, bunyiptours.com

Mojosurf Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 113 044, mojosurf.com

Cool Dingos Fraser Island Tours 1800 072 555, cooldingotour.com

Nullarbor Traveller Tours from Adelaide and Perth 1800 816 858, the-traveller.com.au

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com

Groovy Grape Getaways Tours linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.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 The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

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

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com Mighty Cars and Campers (Formerly Backpacker Campervan Rentals) 1800 809 944 mightycampers.com.au Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.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

@tnt_downunder

TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia.

13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Jetstar Airline.

131 538, jetstar.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast.

13 34 10, premierms.com.au Qantas Airline.

13 13 13, qantas.com.au Regional Express Airline.

13 17 13, rex.com.au

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

Tiger Airways Airline.

03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com

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

Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au

Wilderness 4WD Adventures Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.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

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

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

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

Topdeck Tours covering all of Oz 1300 886 332, topdeck.travel

Virgin Australia Airline.

13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

SS O R C S KING KET R A M CAR ENT BUY, SELL & R

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 LL 1800 808 188 FREECALL: 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 60

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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718 stayatbase.com

Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal.

02 4384 1919, yha.com.au

CHECK IN

The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com

Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9281 6030 bighostel.com

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 Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross.

1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills.

02 9261 1111 Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach.

02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi Shores Level 1. 283 Bondi Road, Bondi bondishores.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

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

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

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au

Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place.

CBD. 02 9218 9000

Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222 bouncehotel.com.au

City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333 cityresort.com.au

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

BOUNCE SYDNEY 28 Chalmers St, Sydney. Dorms from $35 An open roof terrace over the Sydney skyline, modern décor and a great communal area for sharing a beer. Very comfy and friendly.

Sydney CBD

bouncehotel.com.au

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 Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe.

02 9692 8418, yha.com.au Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly.

02 9977 3411 boardrider.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 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 Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au

Skydive the Beach Byron Bay Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina 1800 302 005 skydivethebeachbyronbay.com

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 ackpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

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

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

MUST DO!

Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneyskytour.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEYMUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

CURRARONG BEACH A hidden gem of a beach, nearby to a sleepy inlet, one-road town.

Currarong is close to the better known Jervis Bay but it’s worlds away from its coastal brother. The vibe is relaxed with beach houses built close to the sand, offering sounds of the ocean to lull you to sleep at night. If you’re lucky, whales, dolphins and seals can be spotted from the tops of the cliffs.

CHECK IN

The Annandale annandalehotel.com The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

BLUE MTNS Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba.

02 4782 1416, yha.com.au

CENTRAL COAST Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle.

02 4925 3544, yha.com.au

JACKAROO KINGS CROSS 107-109 Darlinghurst Rd, Sydney. Dorms from $33 Sydney’s newest hostel, and one of the city’s top rated. This is located right in the bustling, night-time hotspot of Kings Cross, minutes away from some of the best clubs in Sydney.

Sydney

jackaroohostel.com.au

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61

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

FREE UNLIMITED INTERNET

Awards!!

rated 9/10 on

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Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace.

07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com

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

go to: goldenbackpacks.tntdownunder.com

Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm.

04 3377 7061 Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646. tinbilly.com Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St yha.com.au Nomads Prince Consort Backpackers 230 Wickham St princeconsort.com.au Somewhere to Stay Cnr Brighton Rd & Franklin St somewheretostay.com.au The Palace Backpackers Cnr Anne & Edward St backpackbrisbane.com

FEATURES

FREECALL: 1800 000 541

Air-conditioning 24 hour reception Kitchen & laundry Keycard access Secure parking Free BBQ

HEAPS OF ACTIVITIES! Day trip to Crystal Cascades, Wakeboarding, Sailing, Movie nights and much more!

117 Grafton Street Cairns, QLD Australia 4870 northern@friendlygroup.com.au www.northerngreenhouse.com.au www.greenhousebackpacker.com.au

FREE DAILY BREAKFAST

SCAN TO

BOOK

Tin Billy Travellers 462 George St tinbilly.com

BRISBANE DO Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah.

07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au Gallery of Modern Art 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing.

Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point.

07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au 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,

62

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xxxxalehouse.com.au

GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise.

1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise.

1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga.

07 5536 76442, yha.com.au Coolangatta Sands Hostel Cnr Griffiths & McLean Sts, Coolangatta.

07 5536 7472, coolangattasandshostel.com.au Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers.

1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au 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 Nomads Islander Resort 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, nomadsworld.com Surf & Sun Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd surfnsun-goldcoast.com

GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907 Seaworld seaworld.com.au Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warner Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au Zorb 07 5547 6300

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

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HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com

CHECK IN

COOL BANANAS 2 Springs Rd, Agnes Water. Dorms from $26

Cool Bananas is a friendly hostel in the middle of the Town of 1770. Greg the owner knows everyone by name!

Town of 1770

coolbananas.net.au

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

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St.

Frasers On Rainbow Beach 195 Torquay Terrace, Torquay, flashpackersherveybay.com

Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

Kingfisher Bay Resort River Heads Road, Fraser Island kingfisherbay.com

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

Koalas Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade, Hervey Bay koalaadventures.com

1800 111126, dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au Barefoot Lodge Long Island barefootlodge.com.au Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive, Urangan, Hervey Bay yha.com.au Cool Dingoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rainbow Beach

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

Flashpackers Hervey Bay 18 Spectrum Ave, Rainbow Beach frasersonrainbow.com

Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com.au

FRASER ISLAND

BUNDABERG

20 Spectrum St dingosresort.com

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

07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

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

Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park 21 Denmans Camp Road, Scarness, Hervey Bay frasercoasttouristpark.com.au

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

Fraser Island Backpackers Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island fraserislandco.com.au Fraserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Rainbow 18 Spectrum Av, Rainbow Beach frasersonrainbow.com The Friendly Hostel 182 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay friendlyhostel.com.au Woolshed Backpackers 181 Torquay Road

woolshedbackpackers.com.au

AIRLIE BEACH 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

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 "OURBONG 3T "UNDABERG 1LD

0HONE WWW FEDERALBACKPACKERS COM AU FEDERALBACKPACKERS HOTMAIL COM #OMPLIES WITH ALL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS QUANTITY DEPENDS ON SEASON

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. . .

E R E H Y L L A IN F QLDLISTINGS E ’R YOU

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

DA9 K F LG <AN= OAL@ 9MKLJ9 L9C= L@= HDMF?=$ D=9J LS NA SIO ES VE PROF GREAT BARRIER REEF DI

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

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

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

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

Our 5 Day PADI Open water course is the most popular way to do it.

Bungalow Bay Backpackers Horseshow Bay. 1800 285 577, bungalowbay.com.au Hotel Arcadia 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. 07 4778 5177, magnetic-island.com/arc-rsrt.htm Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road.

07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au Beach Shack 86 Porters Promenade missionbeachshack.com

We also specialise in Liveaboard dive trips and all levels of dive education.

Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay

jackaroohostel.com Mission Beach Retreat 49 Porters Promenade missionbeachretreat.com.au

CAIRNS STAY

www.prodivecairns.com SHOP: Cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, Cairns FREECALL: 1800 353 213 PHONE: +617 4031 5255 RES: info@prodivecairns.com

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,

64

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calypsobackpackers.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJoy Backpackers HostelHarbour 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 POBOX 105N 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

INNISFAIL IInnisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 78337 Walkabout Motel & Backpackers 07 4061 2311

ATHERTON Kuranda Rainforest Park 88 Kuranda Heaights Rd, Kuranda.

07 4093 7316, kurandarainforestpark.com.au

PORT DOUGLAS Parrotfish Backpackers Resort 37 Warner St, Kuranda.

07 4099 5011, parrotfishlodge.com

GULF SAVANNAH Emu Creek Cattle Station 07 4094 8313

DAINTREE Koala Beach Resort Cape Kimberly Rd. 1800 466 444

MOOLOOLABA Mooloolaba Backpackers VIP 75 Brisbane Road mooloolababackpackers.com

MORETON ISLAND Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

AdventureGoldCoast.com

facebook.com/AdventureGoldCoast twitter.com/AdventureGoldCoast

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INNISFAIL

tangalooma.com

NOOSA Dolphins Beach House 14 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach dolphinsbeachhouse.com.au Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr nomadsworld.com Noosa Backpackers Resort 9-13 William St noosabackpackers.com

NOOSA INLAND Ride On Mary Budget Bush Retreat imbilkayakandbike.com

PORT DOUGLAS Dougies Backpackers Resort 111 Davidson St

dougies.com.au Global Port Douglas 38 Macrossan St globalbackpackerscairns.com.au/port-douglas Parrot Fish Lodge 37 Warner St parrotfishlodge.com

Codge Lodge 63 Rankin St codgelodge.com

MUST DO!

Crown Hostel 25 Ernest St (07) 4061 2266 Innisfail Budget Backpackers 125 Edith St jobsforbackpackers.com.au

AGNES WATER 1770 Beachside Backpacker 12 Captain Cook Drive independentbackpackers.com 1770 Southern Cross Backpackers 2694 Round Hill Rd

1770southerncross.com

ROCKHAMPTON Emu Park Resort 92 Patterson St, Emu Park emusbeachresort.com Rockhampton Backpackers YHA 60 Macfarlane Street, Rockhampton yha.com.au

STRADBROKE IS

Port O’Call YHA 7 Craven Close

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre 1 Eastcoast Rd mantalodge.com.au

portocall.com.au

Y PLACE TO BE! THE ONL

Backpacker Resort

Innisfail North Queensland 50 fruit pickers wanted NOW! Guys & girls s #ABLE TELEVISION GAMES ROOM SPORTING OVAL s !LL 4RANSPORT PROVIDED 30%#)!,)3).' ). !33)34).' 7)4( 3%#/.$ 9%!2 6)3! 7/2+

Phone: 07 4061 2284

WORKERS WANTED

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

PHONE 0437 692 002 66

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NOOSA Noosa is located on Australia’s east coast and is home to several beautiful beaches, a stunning coast line, national park and pristine river as well as many events spread out over the calendar year. The list is endless when visiting Noosa, they range from visiting The World famous Eumundi Markets, shopping and dining on Hasting Street, soaking up the sun on Noosa beach or even going for a surf on some of Australia’s best surfing breaks, watching the sunset at Noosa River or spending the day cruising down the river.

And it doesn’t stop there, the town offers visitors the chance to be pampered at a day spa, take a walk through the national park out to the headland or hire water equipment such as jet ski’s. It really is one of Australia best playgrounds.

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

03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au

CHECK IN

Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda.

1800 242 273, stayatbase.com

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

Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond.

03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au 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 Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com Back of Chapel 50 Green St, Windsor nomadshostels.com College Lawn Hotel 36 Greville St, Prahran collegelawnhotel.com.au Claremont Guesthouse 189 Toorak Rd, South Yarra hotelclaremont.com City Centre Budget Hotel 22-30 Little Collins St citycentrebudgethotel.com Elephant Backpackers 250 Flinders St

National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au

IRISH MURPHY’S

Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au

30 Aberdeen St, Geelong. Dorms from $35 This pub has recently rennovated and opened a number of dormitory style rooms upstairs giving travellers the best of both worlds. A bar down stairs and a place to lay one’s head.

Geelong

irishmurphysgeelong.com.au

Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au

The Ritz for Backpackers 109 Barkly St stkildabeachhouse.com.au

Lords Lodge Backpackers 167 Franklin St

St Kilda Beach House 169B Fitzroy St ritzbackpackers.com

lordslodge.com Melbourne International Backpackers 204 Punt Rd, Prahran mibp.com.au Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St yha.com.au Melbourne Oasis YHA 76 Chapman St yha.com.au St Arnaud 99 Park St, South Yarra, starnaudguesthouse.com.au

Skydive the Beach Melbourne 1300 798 843 skydivethebeachmelbourne.com Tourism Victoria Backpacking ideas. backpackmelbourne.com

MELBOURNE DO

Wildlife Tours Australia Specialising in Victorian tours +61 3 9314 2225 wildlifetours.com.au

Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square.

The Spencer Everything you want in a hostel!

Friendly and affordable

The Spencer City Central Backpackers 475 Spencer St spencerbackpackers.com.au The Nunnery 116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy

nunnery.com.au Urban Central 334 City Road, Southbank urbancentral.com.au Victoria Hotel Backpackers Victoria Hotel, 380 Victoria St vichotelbrunswick.com.au

ST KILDA Back of Chapel Backpackers 50 Green St backofchapel.com Base St Kilda 17 Carlisle St stayatbase.com

elephantbackpacker.com.au

Coffee Palace Backpackers 24 Grey St coffeepalacebackpackers.com.au

Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au

Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Rd, thehabitathq.com.au

King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.com.au

Oslo Hotel 38 Grey St oslohotel.com.au

Free Pick ups Free Parking Cable TV VIP Discounts Great bar Laundry Tour info Job search

Rooftop garden Modern,fully equipped kitchen Short walk from Southern Cross station Female dorms, mixed dorms, twins, doubles, ensuites

Free call: 1800 638 108

475 Spencer Street, Melbourne email: hotelspencer@hotkey.com.au www.spencerbackpackers.com.au Find us on Facebook ‘The Spencer Backpackers’ We are a VIP hostel!

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GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea.

03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au

FREE UNLIMITED INTERNET

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Awards

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

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Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

go to: goldenbackpacks.tntdownunder.com

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 Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento.

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

03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

MURRAY RIVER

FEATURES

FREECALL: 1800 249 207

Central location 24 hour reception Kitchen & laundry Keycard access Luggage Storage Lockers

HEAPS OF ACTIVITIES!

Level 6, 228 Flinders Lne Melbourne, VIC 3000

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 Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura.

04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

GIPPSLAND Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614 Cambrai Hostel Maffra 117 Johnson St, Maffra.

1800 101 113 maffra.net.au/hostel

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes.

03 5952 3620, yha.com.au The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road.

03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com.au

GRAMPIANS Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4543, yha.com.au Tim’s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288, timsplace.com.au

MILDURA Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Avenue

milduracitybackpackers.com.au

STRATHMERTON Riviera Backpackers YHA 669 Esplanade

yha.com.au

MUST DO!

greenhouse@friendlygroup.com.au www.greenhousebackpacker.com.au www.northerngreenhouse.com.au

FREE DAILY BREAKFAST

Walking tour, Pub crawl, Bingo night, Pasta night, Sunday pancakes and much more!

SCAN TO

BOOK

68

FITZROY This edgy little suburb in Melbourne boasts a higher density of pubs than anywhere else in the state. If that’s not reason enough to stay, the street art, bookshops, café culture and alternative music venues will keep you amused by day and long into the night. Brunswick Street is where you’ll find most of the action and it’s best to follow your nose and discover the suburb in your own time.

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Stay. Play. Melbourne.

$28

Beds from $28 per night Monday to Thursday *Subject to availability

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Free breakfast Free pasta, rice, tea & coffee Free Weekly meal Free linen & towel Maximum spacious 4 bed dormitories Oversized locker with personal power point Public transport on doorstep 5 minute walk to city Short tram ride to St Kilda Less than 5 minute walk to supermarkets and shops Local discounts 24 hour security Large communal kitchen and laundry facilities Large bar with big screen (all major sporting events shown) Drink specials at the bar Unique value tour packages

Book Now 1800

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334 CITY ROAD SOUTHBANK MELBOURNE VIC 3006 AUSTRALIA 14/12/12 9:43 AM

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ADELAIDE STAY

1 Oliver St. 1800 633 891, radekadownunder.com.au

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

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

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

KANGAROO IS

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

CHECK IN

Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au

CBD HOSTEL AND BACKPACKERS 23 Hindley Street, Adelaide. Beds from $26 CBD Hostel & Backpackers is build for comfort. Relax from an Adelaide day-trip or make it a place to plan your next adventure.

Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Adelaide City

cbdhostelbackpackers.com.au

Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com My Place 257 Waymouth St. 1800 221 529, adelaidehostel.com.au Shakespeare Hostel 123 Waymouth St. 1800 556 889, shakeys.com.au

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection.

War Memorial Drive.

08 8300 3800 cricketsa.com.au

Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours.

153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.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

COOBER PEDY Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.com.au Radeka Down Under

@tnt_downunder 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

Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

08 8553 1344 yha.com.au

Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims.

08 8626 5017 bairdbay.com

Vivonne Bay Lodge 66 Knofel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 seaink.com.au

Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving.

08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

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

08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

FLEURIEU PENIN Port Elliot Beach House YHA

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 Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842, angorichinavillage.com.au Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004, wilpenapound.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photo: SATC

MUSGRAVE RANGES

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The Musgrave Ranges are one of Australia’s longest mountain ranges, stretching from the tip of South Australia into the Northern Territory and Western Australia. With a length of 210 kilometres, and mountains as high as almost 1,500 metres, the Musgrave Ranges will be the long trail you’ve been waiting to explore. Inhabited by the Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, the mountain ranges are known to be rich in minerals as well as amazingly breathtaking panoramic views.

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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 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 One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au 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 The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, witchshat.com Backpack City and Surf 41-43 Money St backpacker.com.au Beatty Lodge 235 Vincent St beattylodge.com.au Cheviot Lodge 30 Bulwer St cheviotlodge.com Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au Easy Perth Backpackers 4 Francis Street, Northbridge easyperthbackpackers.com.au

Hotel Bambu Backpackers 75 - 77 Aberdeen St, Northbridge bambu.net.au Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St

mountwayapartments.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottesloe woceanbeachbackpackers.com Perth Beach YHA & Indigo Net Cafe 256 West Coast Hwy, Scarbrough indigonet.com.au Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St, Northbridge planetinn.com.au Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St,

shiralee.com.au

Grand Central Hotel Backpackers 379 Wellington St (08) 9421 1123

Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St East Perth (08) 9325 6398

Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com

Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St ymcajewellhouse.com.au

YMCA Jewell House 180 Goderich St Witchs-hat.com 1201 East Backpackers 195 Hay St 1201east.com.au

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

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

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

FREO DO Fremantle Markets Henderson Street Fremantle 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

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KAYAKING ON THE SWAN Affordable, good fun and a little bit different Leonie 0412 101 949 waterwanderers.com.au

Rottnest Express 1 Emma Place North Fremantle 1300 Go Rotto rottnestexpress.com.au

MARGARET RIVER Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce. 08 9757 9532, yha.com.au Surfpoint 12 Riedle Drive Prevally 08 9757 1777surfpoint.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

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

CORAL BAY Ningaloo Club Robinson St ningalooclub.com

ESPERANCE Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd, yha.com.au

NINGALOO REEF Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au

rs is a n, a Backpacke 12:01 Eastse hostel offering calend n e n o lic ti l a a d n o io m tradit xed accom cation friendly, reulandings at the best lo st! fa k o a rr cosy su h. PLUS FREE bre rth in Pert y Street, East Pe 195 Ha 1201

800 00 Freeca.ll12101east.com.au www

u east.com.a info@1201

EXMOUTH Pete’s Exmouth Backpackers YHA Cnr Truscott Cres & Murat Rd yha.com.au

n and dge is a clea Coolibah Lo ensed hostel catering lic rt. comfortable ng and young at hea ge for the you smopolitan Northbrid el st co Located in rs and nightlife, our hoht ba ig n its e l th al ty with p. ough to par is close en get a good nite’s slee ill st d an thbridge or N away t, ee tr eS 194 Brisban 0000 1800 28co ll a c e m.au Fre e. g d lo ah www.coolib 28 9958 T: (08) 93

Explore over 12,000 kms of Western Australia’s coastline in just one day

Australia’s largest aquarium and underwater tunnel Giant sharks, stingrays and turtles Beautiful living coral reefs Interactive fun Licensed café and exclusive giftshop

Hillarys Boat Harbour | Open Daily 10am -5pm (08) 9447 7500 | www.aqwa.com.au

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WINNER BEST HOSTEL IN WA 2007 FINALIST 2008,2009,2010 & 2011 1

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

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LAUNCESTON DO

CHECK IN

Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.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

DEVONPORT

Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

THE PICKLED FROG 281 Liverpool St, Hobart. Dorms from $24 A five minute stroll to the waterfront or Hobart’s CBD, the Pickled Frog is the beating heart of Hobart and a multi-award winner.

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

Hobart

thepickledfrog.com.au

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

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

y l l a r u t Na TASMANIA

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

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

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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

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

T O U R PA C K A G E S Small Groups (max 11) Fully Guided Tour Packages Personalised Service Well Designed Itineraries Premium Tours Moderate Price Range

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%off quote TNT

www.funtassietours.com info@funtassietours.com Tel. 03 63392114 M.0414446343

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CASCADE BREWERY Its been called a must-do Hobart experience, the ‘brewery tour’ and the ‘heritage tour’ will help educate you about its finest beers, you will visit the Cascade Museum along with the brewing process and a learn about a little something the brewers call ‘The Feel’. You will also be shown the beautiful Woodstock Gardens. It’s a cheap thrill with the cost for an adult being $22, seniors and students $17. There is quiet a lot of stair climbing but you will be glad to hear that you can relax with a cold beer tasting at the end of the two hour tour.

This is Australia’s oldest brewery, which is located in South Hobart, established in 1832 next to the clean-running Hobart Rivulet, and still pumps out superb beer and soft drinks today.

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

KATHERINE STAY

CHECK IN

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road.

1800 501 984, big4.com.au

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

KATHERINE DO

Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au

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

DARWIN DO 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

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive.

08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights.

08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.au

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

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

Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards.

9 Stuart Terrace.

08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au

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

ALICE LODGE 4 Mueller Street, Alice Springs. Dorms from $20 This small and secure hostel is Alice Springs is most relaxed and unique with home style comforts in the heart of the Red Centre.

Alice Springs

alicelodge.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

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

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

Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive.

1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au

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

MUST DO!

KUNUNURRA Near the border of the Northern Territory is one of the last settlements of WA on the map. Kununurra was established in the 1960s and is a fairly modern town, renowned as an adventure destination. Much of Baz Luhrmann’s film, Australia, was filmed in and around the town. It’s also a popular spot for backpackers heading to Darwin with fruit picking work available around May.

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NZLISTINGS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BUNGY JUMPING We’re pretty certain that no country can match New Zealand’s dedication to scaring its visitors senseless, which is why no trip to Kiwiland is complete without some form of scream-inducing adrenalin activity. There’s no shortage of weird and wacky thrills available throughout the country, but there’s no doubting that the purest, and arguably scariest, experience is good old fashioned bungy jumping. You can do a bungy jump in just about every NZ town nowadays, but the original fear factory is Queenstown. AJ Hackett runs various jumps in the area, including the world’s first commercial bungy, the Kawarau, plus the ledge jump, towering 400m above Queenstown, and of course, the daddy of them all, the 134m Nevis jump (pictured). While in town, make sure you also check out Shotover Canyon Swing. It may not match the height of the Nevis, but the unique jumping styles and, er, sadistic tendencies of the jump masters make it a match for any adrenalin activity in New Zealand.

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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

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 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

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) 22 View Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com Central City Backpackers 26 Lorne St. +64 9358 5685, backpacker.net.nz City Garden Lodge 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. +64 9302 0880 The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. +64 9307 0181, nomadshostels.com

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

bungibackpackers.co.nz

6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. +64 3443 7341, cardrona.com

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

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

YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

Queen Street Backpackers (VIP) 4 Fort St. +64 9373 3471, enquiries@qsb.co.nz

Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. +64 3442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH

Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. +64 9363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz

Chester Street Backpackers (BBH) 148 Chester St East. +64 3377 1897, chesterst.co.nz

YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. +64 9309 2802, yha.co.nz

Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. +64 3366 9720, backpack.co.nz/foley

YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. +64 9302 8200, yha.co.nz

Jailhouse Accommodation (BBH) 338 Lincoln Rd. 0800 524 546, stay@kiwibasecamp.com The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. +64 3381 5504, oldcountryhousenz.com

WELLINGTON Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. +64 4801 5666 stayatbase.com Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. +64 4473 8482 db@downtownbackpackers.co.nz Lodge in the City (VIP) 152 Taranaki St. +64 4385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com Rosemere Backpackers (BBH)

Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. +64 3442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. +64 3441 3922, nomadshostels.com Peterpans Adventure Travel 27 Shotover St Queenstown. peterpans.com.au

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

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

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

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

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,

YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street. +64 3442 7400, yha.co.nz YHA Queenstown Lakefront 8890 Lake Esplanade. +64 3442 8413, yha.co.nz

r your o f n o i tures modat accom aland adven e New Z With sweet hostels near the sea, from whales in the ocean off Kaikoura to golden sands in the Bay of Islands, YHA have got your accommodation sorted. Easy as.

191 ow: Book n ne 1800 242 o h p Free .nz yha.co book@ .nz .co or yha

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OZCAREERS

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Dive into tourism If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t tie you down or feel like ‘work’ then you’re probably looking for a job in the tourism industry

It’s a fair assumption that you’re in Australia because you love to travel. So what if you could combine that passion (and the fine weather and lifestyle) with a job? The fact of the matter is there are all types of jobs available in tourism.

You just have to think outside the square. From sales people to tour guides, mechanics to receptionists, tourism is the perfect way to travel while you earn some dough.

One such area is working on a boat. Not just any old boat but a dive boat. Steve Brady from Pro Dive Cairns says jobs are regularly available to work as a cook on a liveaboard boat which spend several days at a time out on the Great Barrier Reef. “The job is perfect for someone who is comfortable in a kitchen cooking things like pasta, soups and salads for around about 40 people,” Steve says.

He said the applicant will be taken out on the boat to have a trial with the chef who will help determine whether they cut the ermm… mustard. Cooks on liveaboard boats

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TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

can expect to earn about $140 a day, with opportunities to dive while out on the water, not to mention spending their shift floating around the waters of the Great Barrier Reef or another beautiful Aussie spot.

If diving is a passion there is always the opportunity to become a dive master which can lead to an instructor’s certificate, a good way to get sponsored. And if you are a dive instructor already or have marine skipper qualifications then there are also opportunities for you too.

But if you’d rather keep your feet dry then there’s plenty of jobs on land. If you’re hostel hopping, some hostels will employ their guests to “work for a bed”. This means that you work but you get to stay at the hostel for free and get some spare cash on the side. Every hostel has a different policy on this so best to ask around.

So hop to it! More travel awaits you.

To find jobs in Australia, head to tntdownunder.com/jobs

registered nurses required in Australia Randstad Care is seeking qualiďŹ ed registered nurses for various positions in metropolitan and rural and remote areas across Australia.

Full-time business sponsorship is available for international qualiďŹ ed nurses whom hold current Australian or New Zealand Nursing Registration.

Work with Randstad Care and enjoy the beneďŹ ts of: t OBUJPOBM PQQPSUVOJUJFT t nFYJCMF BTTJHONFOUT t GVMM UJNF QPTJUJPOT t POHPJOH TVQQPSU GSPN PVS dedicated consultants Contact Randstad Care today.

Australia: +61 7 4031 8755 E: nurses@randstad.com.au www.randstad.com.au

Looking for work?

Tired of eating one minute noodles on a goon hangover?

Look no further, TNT has jobs just for backpackers - ranging from fruit picking to bar work!

FRUIT PICKING SALES HOSPITALITY LAW NURSING ADULT SERVICES SKILLED LABOUR

Legal Temping Legal Secretaries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all areas of law Paralegals / litigation support Legal Receptionists With a reputation for quality assignments & provision of quality temp staff, we are regularly briefed on a wide variety of legal roles with law ďŹ rms & in-house departments.

Enjoy working with our approachable temp consultant Samantha to secure both short and long term assignments, to suit your lifestyle.

18+ months relevant legal experience essential 60+ wpm typing speed and strong computer skills Receive your pay the same week you work Enjoy the variety and ďŹ&#x201A;exibility of temping.

Contact us today to join our leading temp team!

tntdownunder.com/jobs

Samantha Cox lawstaff.com.au 02 9235 3399 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

79

OZINTERVIEW

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@tnt_downunder

Talking jobs If you’re in Oz because you love the ocean, the weather and have a passion for travel, why not combine these and get a job in diving? these hidden costs on top. A good idea would be to call the Dive Center beforehand and ask about the course.

Can you get employed as an Dive Professional easily?

Like in every job, if you are hard working and you love what you are doing then you will find a job easily. If you’re there at the right time and show a good attitude you will find jobs all over the world.

Memorable moments at your new job?

Memorable people and moments almost every day. Because you are interacting with so many different cultures and different parts of the ocean you meet friends for life – in and out of the ocean.

And are there any bad points?

I have to teach people from TNT! But seriously, often the job is hard work and physically enduring. But introducing new divers to the submerged world and seeing them breathe underwater for the first time is very rewarding.

Michael Haselbacher, from Germany: divemaster with Pro Dive How did you get your job as a dive instructor?

I started working on dive boats up in Cairns and realised that diving for a living is an experience that you shouldn’t miss out on. So I applied for a job in an area where diving never gets boring and after a few days getting to know the Pro Dive way of teaching I wanted to stay here in Sydney.

And what does the job involve?

Working in the diving industry offers a great range of job varieties, but you would generally work either in a dive center and/or on a dive boat and either job is very customer orientated. I work for Pro Dive Coogee and my job there involves work in retail, bookings, teaching and of course, giving the customer the best time possible.

What costs are involved in becoming qualified?

Your first course will be the “Open Water Scuba Diver” which is the learn to dive course in which you learn the basics of breathing beneath the ocean. Depending on the company you will get “all inclusive prices” where you don’t have to pay for certification, transport, gear or pool hire, but there are other companies that charge a very low price and put all

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How’s the pay?

Depends on where you work. In general the more qualified you are as a diver and the more experience you have, the better you will get paid. In the end, our hobby is our job and our office is the ocean. You won’t make millions, but we love what we are doing.

What courses did you take to become qualified?

You have to do all the courses from Open Water to Divemaster to be able to work as a diver and then further to Open Water Scuba Instructor if you want to teach people.

Is there potential for sponsorship?

Yes, but it’s not very easy. If you can show that you have skills that are essential for the company (language skills, ability to fix or drive boats), it will be easier.

Is there potential for travel in the job?

The job is basically your way of seeing the world. Divers are people who want to explore, and so most of us travel the world, work in different places, and when the “wanderlust” takes you, you can always find work in other exciting locations and exotic places and meet new awesome people.

To find out more about becoming a divemaster or to simply get qualified as a diver, head to prodive.com.au

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

G

We are looking for volunteers who are 18-60 years of age to take part in a study to investigate a new antibiotic for those infections that are currently resistant.

This study will look at different doses of the medication and compare to placebo.

The study will last for approximately 8-10 weeks.

You will have a free medical screening to assess your suitability.

You need to be a non smoker and generally of good health.

Those successfully enrolled in the study receive $3290 for completion.

For more info call 1800 475 475

volunteers.4.trials@gsk.com The study is being run at the GSK Medicines Research Unit located at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. This study is recruiting in Sydney Only

GSK_689.indd 1

6/07/12 9:47 AM

TOTALLYTRIVIAL

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@tnt_downunder

WHO TO BLAME

AND THEIR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION EDITOR

ALEX HARMON (Drink less)

STAFF WRITER HUGH RADOJEV (Drink more)

JAMES BESANVALLE (Read more)

AUSSIE NEW YEAR RULES QUIZ FOOTBALL Which ancient civilization first began Q Q 1.making New Year’s resolutions? a) Rome c) Babylon

DESIGN & PRODUCTION LISA FERRON

(Sail the Whitsundays)

percentage of new gym members Q 2.joinWhat between Jan-March each year? a) 33 c) 65

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TOM WHEELER

(Love more Americans)

Q

ACCOUNT MANAGER

JUSTIN STEINLAUF (Get my Aus green card)

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

TRISH BAILEY (Throw away the scales)

WHAT WE DID THIS WEEK

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3. What’s the most common resolution? a) Quit smoking b) Save money c) Lose weight d) Donate to charity

SUDOKU PUZZLE 8

WENT TO A THREE DAY CELEBRATION OF A DIFFERENT KIND AT PEATS RIDGE OVER NEW YEARS. FELT THE LOVE

1

1

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7 5

6 2

activity should you avoid? a) Wearing red b) Using scissors c) Cleaning the house d) Drinking alcohol

AUSSIE-ISM “A BREW”

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1 8

In fireworks, what determines the Q 8.shape of the explosion?

Q 9. During Chinese New Year what

Q 5. What is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes? a) Sugar b) Nicotine c) Arsenic d) Tryptophan

2

a) Piccolo b) Magnum c) Melchizedek d) Imperial

a) Weather b) Amount of gunpowder c) Star pellets d) Timing of the explosion

about New Year’s resolutions? a) ABBA b) Bee Gees c) Earth, Wind, FIre d) Village People

GOT OUR BOLLYWOOD ON AND HEADED OVER TO INDIA FOR A THREE DAY TRADITIONAL WEDDING IN DELHI. JAI HO!

GAVE UP SMOKING, DRINKING, LATE NIGHTS. WHO ARE WE KIDDING? NEVER HAPPENED

What is the biggest size of Q 7.Champagne bottle?

b) 55 d) 15

Q 4. Which disco band wrote a song

SALES EXECUTIVE MIKE RAMSDEN (Bring world peace)

b)Egyptian d) Greek

6. In what month does Chinese New Year usually take place? a) February b) October c) April d) December

ANSWERS: 1. c 2. a 3. a 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. c 9. b

INTERN

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For the English it’s a cup of tea but for Aussies it’s a beer. “Chuck us a beer, will ya?!” Possibly derived from the Yank word “Brewski” , as opposed to the Kiwi word for brother... “Brew”, like the whale.

LET’S GET WET PARTY!

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s All our staff are international traveler and speak various languages

This month in celebration of our new Reef, Island, Sail trip head to our facebook page (airliebeach.com) for your chance to

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WIN A TRIP FOR 2

FREE internet with all bookings - FREE bag storage - FREE upgrades to private double cabins on some boats For more recommendations and discount prices of overnight sailing adventures www.sailingwhitsundays.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd, Top end of main street in Airlie, next door to Hogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breath Cafe