TNT Australia 732 by TNT MAGAZINE

7-20 October 2013 Issue 732 tntdownunder.com

WMIAN DS’

NO ND NEW ZEALA TH R O PACKAGE W 0 OVER $100

ROCK ON Becoming groupies of awesome Uluru

MAD FOR MACHU PICCHU Hiking the alternative Inca Trail to the Lost City

E H T T LE

N I G E B S E M A G

lia rns to Austra tu re ll a tb o fo , real y to Del Piero e k s e H m o fr view: A-League pre + MELBOURNE FESTIVAL WHAT’S ON

FILM REVIEWS STEVE MASON

SYDNEY<>CAIRNS PACKAGES SYDNEY<>CAIRNS PACKAGES

Oz Experience’s range of packages are the perfect way to discover the best of what Australia has to offer. Packages bundle coach travel, tours, experiences and accommodation, making it even easier to plan your trip!

Oz Experience’s range of packages are the perfect way to discover the best of what Australia has to Packages offer flexibili to plan yourtours, own experiences trip, take asand little or as long asmaking you likeitfrom offer. Packages bundletycoach travel, accommodation, evenstart easiertotofinish plan up to 6 months. Our packages offer unlimi t ed stops, mul t iple daily departures and awesome activi t ies with your trip! some of the best youth partners in Australia! Packages offer flexibility to plan your own trip, take as little or as long as you like from start to finish up to 6 months. Our packages offer unlimited stops, mult iple daily departures and awesome activit ies with some of the best youth partners in Australia!

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• Hop-on hop-off travel between Sydney & Cairns • Byron Bay: Half day Surf lesson • Rainbow Beach: 3 day, 2 night Fraser Island Tour • Townsville: 1 night Magnetic Island Stopover INCLUSIONS: • Hop-on hop-off travel between Sydney & Cairns Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Day Tour • • Byron Bay: Half day Surf lesson • Rainbow Beach: 3 day, 2 night Fraser Island Tour • Townsville: 1 night Magnetic Island Stopover • Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Day Tour

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OZ E XPE R IE N C E . C O M $859 Prices and inclusions are subject to change at anytime without notice. Untitled-2 1

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• Hop-on hop-off travel between Sydney & Cairns • Byron Bay: Half day Surf lesson • Rainbow Beach: 3 day, 2 night Fraser Island Tour • Airlie Beach: 2 day, 1 night Whitsunday Sailing Adventure INCLUSIONS: • • Townsville: 1 night Magnetic Island Stopover Hop-on hop-off travel between Sydney & Cairns • Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Day Tour Byron Bay: Half day Surf lesson • Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Day Tour Rainbow Beach: 3 day, 2 night Fraser Island Tour • Airlie Beach: 2 day, 1 night Whitsunday Sailing Adventure • Townsville: 1 night Magnetic Island Stopover • Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Day Tour • Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Day Tour

$1299

1300 300 $1299 028 19/03/13 11:58 AM

ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR andrew.westbrook@tntmagazine.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Once your travels are over (‘Nooooo! Don’t say that!’), there will be bits of your trip that simply never fade away: the stories you find yourself telling in the pub for years to come, and the Facebook albums you always revisit. Both result from the epic, you have to go type adventure, of which we’ve got two this week. Uluru (P42) and Machu Picchu (P48). It’s simple: go there, see them, live happily ever after. Fin.

THIS ISSUE OZ DIARY

FOOD + DRINK

GIGS

PUBS

SPOTTED

CHATROOM

FILM 22 NEWS 24 SPORT

A-LEAGUE PREVIEW

OPINION 30 TRAVEL

HOT SHOTS

WIN

LISTINGS AUSTRALIA 52 LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND 70 WORK 72 TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES WHAT A RIOT

Former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason talks up his first ever gig in Oz

FESTIVAL FEVER

We check out this week’s Melbourne Festival, plus more top arts events

BIG RED

We journey to the dusty, red, beating heart of central Australia – Uluru

TRAILBLAZERS 48 Ignoring the Inca Trail and taking the alternative route to Peru’s Machu Picchu

48 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Deputy Editor Hugh Radojev Contributors Alasdair Morton | Alex Harmon | Michael Gadd Interns Rory Platt | Tash Levy | Regina Neumeyer

@tnt_downunder

Room of Regret: maverick theatre at Melbourne Festival

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Account manager Justin Steinlauf Marketing and events executive Georgina Pengelly MARKETING & EVENTS Business development manager Tom Wheeler DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland ACCOUNTS Suzanne Welsh

MAIN EVENT MELBOURNE FESTIVAL CITY OF MELBOURNE

One of Australia’s premier festivals of the arts is returning to Melbourne for its 24th year and it’s bringing some very special help to celebrate. In keeping with its tradition as a singularly important destination festival within Australia’s cultural calendar, this year’s event will be bringing artists, musicians, directors and actors from across the globe to entertain and delight. One of the highlights is set to be the first ever Aussie visit of former Beta Band singer Steve Mason. See out chat with him on P14 and our extended look at what’s on, on P36. 11 – 27th October, Melbourne

melbournefestival.com.au

SALES ENQUIRIES PHONE 02 8332 7511 EMAIL tom@tntdownunder.com WHERE TO GET TNT

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

INTERNATIONAL CHINESE FILM FEST

CANBERRA LATIN DANCE FESTIVAL

INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW

If you’re a fan of international cinema then this is one event you’re not going to want to miss! The International Chinese FIlm Festival returns to Sydney for another year and it’s bringing some of the best movies ever made in China. Book tickets now.

Steamy parties, amazing live performances and engaging workshops mark Canberra’s second ever Latin Dance Festival. Whether you’re a salsa-dancing machine or a complete first timer there’s something here for everyone. Ole!

Celebrating the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy, ships from all around the world will converge on Sydney Harbour and its surrounds for a week in October. And, Prince Harry will be there – in uniform! Please, ladies, form an orderly queue.

12 – 19 October Sydney, New South Wales icff.cc/en/

13 – 20 October Coffs Harbour, NSW coffsharbourbuskers.com

3 – 11 October Sydney Harbour navy.gov.au/ifr/

TBA

FREE

Image: Melbourne Festival

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.

FREE

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HOT DEAL Brisbane or Cairns to Sydney from $1 per day. Some deals include a free fuel allowance!

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EATS + DRINKS

CRANE BAR & RESTAURANT

@tnt_downunder

[Caption]

Restaurant review by Regina Neumeyer

Want an escape from the busy hubbub of Kings Cross? Well, when you step into the beautiful Japanese-style garden of the Crane Bar and Restaurant in Potts Point, that is exactly what you will find. With cherry blossoms on the walls and colourful cozy-looking sofas, this bar and restaurant, which opened last December, really makes you feel like you’re immediately entering another country. You can either sit inside, on a terrace, or in the back, which surprises again with a huge tree pushing up to the sky, a beautiful, wall-length mirror and more delightfully multi-coloured pieces of furniture. THE GRUB As you might have already guessed, Crane offers a range of Japanese food including sushi, Japanese steak ($10) and even a so-called “Japanese chicken schnitzel” that I decided to have for myself. For lunch, you can choose from five different bento boxes, which sell for $12 each. My Japanese schnitzel came with a salad, rice, a tasty gyoza dumpling and pickles. It’s a great deal for lunch and you can really stuff yourself with some delicious food. I also tried some of the spicy prawn sushi ($17) – which certainly lived up to its name. BEHIND THE BAR The Geisha Martini ($16), a traditional Martini mixed with lychee, lemon, coconut and green tea syrup, is just one example of the fancy drinks on offer in Crane’s Japanese-inspired cocktail menu. VERDICT A great place to have some tasty lunch and relax in a wonderful setting. THE SCENE

32 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point

3 OF THE BEST SPOTS TO GRAB A FEED IN FREO

cranebarrestaurant.com

THE NEWPORT

BENNYS BAR & CAFÉ SWEETLIPS

This heritage listed pub in Fremantle is not only one of the most beautiful buildings in the town but it’s also got some A-grade pub grub. Plus, the Newport has its very own Tiki Bar (just like the one Hunter S Thompson had... presumably) and also has live music and top DJs playing there on the weekends. Good times.

Whether you’re setting in for a delicious continental breakfast or a midnight feast, spare a thought fo the staff at Benny’s. This place is open from 7.30am to the stroke of midnight, and you just know some poor person has had to pull a double there at one time or another. Fremantle’s traditional Italian flair meets contemporary Aussie cuisine.

thenewport.com

bennys.com.au

Beer battered fish and chips is often seen as seagull food – or something to eat when all other options are lost. Not when you dive into Freo’s finest fish at Sweetlips. Oh my, this place has boiled battered fish down to a fine art. Light, crispy batter, beautifully cooked fish and the chips – oh, the chips! Would that I could find the words... sweetlips.com.au

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BITE SIZE

MUCHO BEACH AND BURRITOS The sun is hot, the sand is scalding and a dip in the sea has worked you up a hunger? Well, just wander across the road from North Bondi to Beach Burrito and rip into some of the Eastern Suburbs’ best tasting and priced Mexican food. They have just about everything here, whether you’re a Tex-Mex fiend from way back or just like things covered in melted cheese. FYI you should definitely get into the ‘Death by Taquito’ – Mui bueno! beachburritocompany.com

$10 Meal Deals

Now From 11am- 9pm Everyda

$10 Meal Deals $10 Meal Deals Wagyu Minute Steak Now Fromfed 11am9pmsteak Everyday $10 grain yg rump 250g with Fries $10 chicken schnitzel Wagyu Steak250g $14 grain fed Minute yg porterhouse Chicken Schnitzel with Fries with Fries Chicken All served withSchnitzel your choice of must be purchased at the bar with a drink

with Fries

chips, or mash * Meals must be salad purchased at the bar with a drink. * Salad on the side an extra $3

11am-9pm

* Meals must be purchased at the bar with a drink. * Salad on the side an extra $3

OVERRULED Don’t allow a lust for red meat and tomato sauce to be your judge, jury and executioner (legal metaphors). Bondi Courthouse is a new(ish) bar and grill/burger joint right in the heart of Campbell Parade. Beautiful big burgers, perfectly cooked steaks and reasonably priced alcohol make this the perfect spot to start a night out in Bondi. facebook.com/bondi.courthouse

www.PalaceHotelSydney.com.au T:9212 2111 A:Corner George & Hay Streeet Sydney SOCIAL BUTTERFLY For anyone who has ever lived in Bondi – or seen an episode of Bondi Hipsters – you’ll know that those who dwell in this beachside suburb are a social lot. That’s probably why Bondi Social is so popular. It’s got a café atmosphere and great views of Bondi’s south end.

www.PalaceHotelSydney.com.au www.PalaceHotelSydney.com.auT:9212 21

A : C oAddress: r n e r Corner G e o r gGeorge e & &HHay a yStreet S t rSydney eeet Sydne Phone: (02) 9212 2111

bondisocial.com

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GIGLISTINGS

@tnt_downunder

Super Best Friends Door sales Goodgod Small Club, Sydney goodgodgoodgod.com Regurgitator $38.90 Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast oztix.com.au

FRIDAY 11 Sampology $15 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au

FAT WITH A ‘PH’ FAT AS BUTTER FESTIVAL Newcastle Foreshore, Oct 26. $128.75 + a booking fee Fat as Butter returns to Newcastle this year with a big lineup including Bliss n Esso, The Holidays and Boy & Bear [pictured]. It’ll be tasty!

Newcastle, NSW

fatasbutter.com.au

MONDAY 7 Darebin Music Festival Free Northcote Town Hall, Melbourne musicfeast.com.au Frankies World Famous House Band Free Frankies Pizza, Sydney eventfinder.com

Festival Hall, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Matt Corby TBA Uni Bar – Wollongong mattcorby.com Arj Barker Door sales only Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton pilbeamtheatre.com.au

THURSDAY 10

TUESDAY 8 Renegades TBA The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne thehifi.com.au

Jefferson $12 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au

Ultrafox Free Claypots, Melbourne ultrafox.com

Matt Corby TBA ANU Bar – Canberra mattcorby.com

Hungry Kids of Hungary $35 The Courier-mail Spiegeltent, Brisbane brisbanefestival.qtix.com.au

Bring Me The Horizon $77.20 The Barton, Adelaide ticketmaster.com.au

WEDNESDAY 9 Bring Me The Horizon $77.20

Kisschasy $20 Red Room – University of Queensland tickets.oztix.com.au

TOO DEEP

Regurgitator $39.80 The Hi Fi, Brisbane oztix.com.au British India $43.50 Portside Tavern, Port Pirie portsidetavern.com.au Owl Eyes $26.55 The Alahambra Lounge, Brisbane oztix.com.au

SATURDAY 12 King Colour $10 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au

COSMONAUTS COSMO JARVIS AND LIME CORDIALE East Coast Tour, Oct 12 – 27. Prices vary depending on venue. English singer-songwriter Cosmo Jarvis will be touring from Byron to Melbourne during October, and he’s bring Lime Cordiale with him.

Australia’s east coast

TUESDAY 15

FRIDAY 18

Matt Corby TBA Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane mattcorby.com

Dubmarine $15 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au

WEDNESDAY 16

Swish Modern Jive 5th Soiree $36 The Small Ballroom, Newcastle swishdance.com.au

Lorde $30 The Zoo, Brisbane oztix.com.au

Busby Marou $28.60 Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton oztix.com.au

Ricky Martin $99 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane ticketek.com.au

Andy Bull $18 Oxford Art Factory, Sydney moshtix.com.au Bon Scotts Door sales FBi Social, Sydney facebook.com/pages/FBisocial

SUNDAY 13 Katchafire $50.50 The Hi-Fi, Brisbane thehifi.com.au

cosmojarvis.com

Imagine Dragons $67.60 Enmore Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

SATURDAY 19

THURSDAY 17 Twin Lakes $10 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au Kim Wilde $64.95 Chelsea Heights Hotel, Melbourne metropolistouring.com

The Break $15 The Standard, Sydney wearethestandard.com.au Andy Bull $18 The Alahambra Lounge, Brisbane moshtix.com.au Wolf & Cub $20.80 Ed Castle Hotel, Adelaide moshtix.com.au

SUNDAY 20 Hot Chocolate $65 Wests New Lambton, Newcastle westsnewcastle.com.au

Bon Scotts TBA The Railway Friendly Bar (The Rails), Byron Bay byron-bay.net.au/therails Cosmo Jarvis $31.15 Beetle Bar, Brisbane tickets.oztix.com.au

MONDAY 14

DEEP IN THE PARK The Bandstand, Darlinghurst, Sydney. Oct 19. $20 The Strange Clouds warm-up party will be taking place at the Bandstand in Darlinghurst. Rodskeez heads a top lineup of DJs. 301 Victoria St

facebook.com/strangecloudsparty

Motown Mondays FREE The White Horse, Sydney thewhitehorse.com.au Comedy@Spleen Free Spleen Bar, Melbourne comedyatspleen.com

LAUNDRY DAY HALLOWEEN GARDEN PARTY Chinese Laundry, Sydney. October 26. Final release tix – $68.60 Infamous Sydney party spot Chinese Laundry is back throwing Garden Parties and this Halloween’s will be massive! Booka Shade is playing!

Sydney

chineselaundryclub.com.au

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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menu. share it eat it

rice a side of salad, accompanied by ing: low fol e th of e Bento boxes are oic e, as well as a ch ag ra ka en ick & ch i Chicken Teriyak ku ni ki Ya ef Be Pork Ginger itty 12 each Japanese Schn riyaki Te t ou Tr n Ocea - Jack’s Creek, 10 Japanese Steak ble score 4+ ar m s gu An k ac Bl 10 itty Japanese Schn ble, shi menu availa Full bar and su . 12pm Wed-Sun from

roll it ROll

SAShimi & vegetables Selected seafood r pe pa an with soy be i uR AB ocado & Seared trout, av sweet soy th wi mayonnaise Ch un CR FiRe mber, mayo Spicy tuna, cucu & onion o with spicy tobik SPideR crab, cucumber Fried soft-shell th spicy tobiko & mayonnaise wi n Aw SPiCY PR r& pieces, cucumbe Prawn tempura o bik to spicy mayonnaise with VeGeTABle vegetables Chef’s choice of dR AGOn n & avocado Grilled eel, praw y so t ee sw with GORGeOuS r allops, cucumbe Seared trout , sc e uc sweet sa & shallots with

Crane-menu-05.indd 2

Ja S p yd & an ne ev es y’ en e b s n BAR SYDNEY ts ar ew ve , d es nu ini t e ng

16 17 15 16 14 18 18

#love surprises

rpiece with our alcoholic maste y make your own you & take a dirt ll name it after wi we . r. rs ba de en ck bart the ba your cocktail for barsydney picture of you & cocktail #crane wn ro ou ey ak #m it: am il) ta gr ck sta co in the y #(the name of @cranebarsydne

Crane Bar Sydney, 32 Bayswater Road, Potts Point, Sydney www.cranesydney.com 01_732p3-23 CRANE_732.indd A&E upfront.indd 1 9

3/10/13 3/10/13 8:08 8:05PM PM

PUBLISTINGS New Brighton Hotel 71 The Corso, Manly newbrighton.com.au

TRUCKIN’ HELL

@tnt_downunder

GLOBE TROTTER

In Situ 34/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au Four Pines 29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly 4pines.com.au Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au The Imperial 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville theimperialhotel.com.au

LUCK TRUCK FRIDAYS Lucky Coq. Raucous tunes on a Friday The future is dead, the past is overrated and in the meantime, it’s truck party time. This is the Lucky Coq’s newest night.

Chapel St, Windsor

SYDNEY PUBS Trinity Bar 505 Crown St, Surry Hills trinitybar.com.au DOME Bar Level 1 589 Crown Street, Surry Hills domebar.com.au The Mountbatten Hotel 701 George Street, Sydney sydneycityhostels.com.au Scary Canary 469 Kent St, Sydney scarycanarybar.com.au Side Bar 509 Pitt St, Sydney wakeup.com.au/side-bar Scubar 4/11-23 Rawson Place, Sydney scubar.com.au Bar Century Lvl 4 640, George St Sydney barcentury.com.au 3 Wise Monkeys 555 George St, Sydney 3wisemonkeys.com.au

SAY WHAAT?

luckycoq.com.au Candy’s Apartment 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au World Bar 24 Bayswater Road, Potts Point theworldbar.com.au Ryan’s Paragon Hotel Cnr Loftus & Alfred St, Sydney hotelparagon.com.au

The Norfolk 305 Cleveland St, Redfern thenorfolk.co The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown thevanguard.com.au Coogee Palace 169 Dolphin St, Coogee beachpalacehotel.com.au Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach beachroadbondi.com.au The Bondi Hotel 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi hotelbondi.com.au Kinsela’s 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kniselas.com.au

The Beresford 345 Bourke St, Surry Hills merivale.com.au/theberesfordhotel Flinders Hotel 63 – 65 Flinders St, Surry Hills theflindershotel.com.au Oxford Art Factory 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst White Horse Hotel oxfordartfactory.com 381 Crown St, Surry Hills thewhitehorse.com.au White Revolver Cnr Curlewis + Campbell Parade Bondi Beach MELBOURNEPUBS whiterevolver.com The Gin Mill The Palace Hotel 173 High St, Prahran Cnr of George and Hay St, City theginmillprahran.com CBD palacehotelsydney.com.au The Nite Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy Hotel Steyne thenightcat.com.au 75 The Corso, Manly hotelsteyne.com.au Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, Melbourne shamiana.com.au

THE WALL WEDNESDAYS The World Bar. Wednesday nights 8pm-late A big mid-week night of ruthless, bass heavy bangers to help you get over the hump. $5 entry fee, but for this party it’s worth every cent!

24 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross Palace Theatre palace.com.au The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street Melbourne thehifi.com.au The Tote 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood thetotehotel.com Eden Bar and Nightclub 163 Russell Street, Melbourne edenbar.com.au Turf Bar 131 Queen St Melbourne turfbar.com.au Fluid Oz Bar 450 Elizabeth Street Melbourne yelp.com.au Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St Melbourne barhumbug.com.au

theworldbar.com

nightowl.com.au

ADELAIDE PUBS Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth St, Adelaide yourbars.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

Eurotrash Bar 18 Corrs Lane Melbourne eurotrashbar.com.au

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

The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street Melbourne

Voodoo Lounge 174 James St, Northbridge

IT’LL BE GRAND

Star Bar Hotel Melbourne 160 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne starbarhotel.com.au The Apartment Nightclub 401 Little Bourke Street Melbourne theapartment.com.au Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane Melbourne myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street Richmond cornerhotel.com

WHAAT CLUB, THURSDAYS WHaat Club. $5 vodka and beers until midnight Bored and looking for a big mid-week night, or just want a cool joint to sink a few reasonably priced drinks in? WHaat Club’s got you covered. 20 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cr

facebook.com/WHaatClub

The Penny Black 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick thepennyblack.com.au Esplanade Hotel 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au Northcote Social Club 301 High Street Northcote northcotesocialclub.com

CHALLENGER READY: HALLOWEEN Ambar Nightclub. Friday, Nov 1, 10pm-5am Ambar is going to be throwing the biggest Halloween party in all of WA and this year it’s GTA V themed! Sounds incredible.

104 Murray St, Perth

facebook.com/AmbarNiteclub

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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PUBLISTINGS voodoolounge.com.au The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St Northbridge, the-shed.com.au The East End Bar and Grill 189 High Street, Fremantle theeastendbar.com.au The Clink Nightclub 14-16 South Terrace, Fremantle theclink.com.au

BRISBANE PUBS Hotel LA 68 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane hotella.com.au GPO Hotel 740 Anne St, Fort Valley gpohotel.com.au Canvas Club 16b Logan St, Woolloongabba canvasclub.com.au The Fringe Bar Cnr Ann and Constance St fringebar.com.au Pig ‘N’ Whistle Riverside 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane pignwhistle.com.au Sky Room 2/234 Wickham St, Fort Valley skyroom.com.au Bravo Bar Brunswick Central, 455 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley hotelbravo.com.au The Met Nightclub 256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley themet.com.au The Exchange Hotel 131 Edward St, Brisbane theexchange.com.au Iceworks Cnr Given Tce & Dowse St, Paddington iceworks.com.au

GOLD COAST PUBS Blush Nightclub 21 Orchid Avenue Surfers Paradise blushnightclub.com.au Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa surfersbeergarden.com Coolangatta Sands Hotel 3 Griffith St, Coolangatta coolangattasandshotel.com.au Shooters Superclub Shop 46 The Mark Orchid Avenue Surfers Paradise shooterssuperclub.com

CAIRNS 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 Knopwood’s Retreat 39 Salamanca Pl Hobart (03)6223 5808 The Duke 192 Macquarie Street Hobart theduke.com.au

NEWCASTLE PUBS Kent Hotel 59-61 Beaumont St, Hamilton thekenthotel.com.au Kings Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingsstreethotel.com.au Mary Ellen Hotel 57 Railway St, Mereweather maryellenhotel.com.au Bar Petite 5 King St, Newcastle barpetite.com.au The Northern Star 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton northernstarhotel.com.au Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.com.au Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, Newcastle hoteldelany.com.au Sunyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au Premier Hotel 1 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow hotelpremier.com.au Isobar 1 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle thelanding.com Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, Newcastle yourcambridge.com Lass O’Gowrie Hotel 14 Railway St, Wickham lassogowriehotel.com.au

Salt House 6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns salthouse.com.au

Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au

Fabric Cnr Shields and Esplanade St cairnsevents.com pubs

Hamilton Hotel 71 Tudor St, Hamilton hamiltonhotel.com.au

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EXCUSES READY

Wickham Park Hotel 61 Maitland Rd, Islington thewicko.com.au Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill tab.com.au Oriental Hotel 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill wotif.com.au Royal Inn Hotel Waratah 61/69 Station St, Waratah truelocal.com.au

BYRON BAY PUBS Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St, Byron Bay cheekymonkeys.com.au The Northern 35-43 Jonson St, Byron Bay thenorthern.com.au The Owl & The Pussycat 85 Jonson St, Byron Bay opcbyron.com.au Beach Hotel Bay Ln, Byron Bay beachhotel.com.au Woody’s Surf Shack 90-96 Jonson St, Byron Bay woodysbyronbay.com Treehouse on Belongil 25 Childe St, Byron Bay treehouseonbelongil.com

CANBERRA PUBS Transit Bar 7 Akuna St, Canberra transitbar.com.au Cube Nightclub 33 Petrie Plaza, City cubenightclub.com.au ICBM 50 Northbourne Ave, Canberra icbmbar.com Mooseheads 105 London Circuit, Canberra mooseheads.com.au Academy Club 15 Bunda St, Canberra academyclub.com.au

TGIF AT ALIBI Alibi, Wollongong. $7 Cocktails 4-9pm Friday nights Thank God it’s Friday indeed and what better way than to celebrate the end of the working week than with $7 cocktails at Alibi?

76 Crown Street

wollongongnightlife.com.au

234 Corrimal Street Wollongong wollongongnightlife.com.au Questions Unit 5 123-125 Corrimal Street Wollongong wollongongnightlife.com.au Castros 5 Victoria Street Wollongong wollongongnightlife.com.au

DARWIN PUBS Squires Tavern 3 Edmunds St Darwin squirestavern.com.au The Deck Bar 22 Mitchell St, Darwin thedeckbar.com.au

toddtavern.com.au The Rock Bar 2/78 Todd St, Alice Springs

therockbar.com.au The Barra Bar 34 Stott Tce, Alice Springs

chifleyhotels.com.au Firkin n Hound 21 Hartely St, Alice Springs

(08) 8953 3033 The Juicy Rump

The Tap Bar 58 Mitchell St, Darwin thetap.com.au

Lasseters Hotel Casino, Alice

ALICE SPRINGS PUBS

Bojangles Saloon

Todd Tavern Todd Mall, Alice Springs

Springs

juicyrump.com.au

80 Todd St, Alice Springs

yourbars.com.au

LIBERTY BELL

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UNIVERSE AT THE LIBERTY SOCIAL The Liberty Social. Thursday nights With free entry before 10.30pm, $5 spiced rum all night and $4 ‘Liberty’ shots, can you think of a better place for a Thursday night? 279 Flinders Lane. Melbourne

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It's Miller time: (clockwise) Melbourne-bound; at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire with the Beta Band in 2004; depressed by Hackney youths in the 2011 London riots

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Beta off alone Taking inspiration from London's 2011 riots, former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason is Oz-bound with a new album WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

North-east London burned around him; cars overturned and windows shattered as angry youths in Adidas tracksuits – their faces obscured in parts by bandanas or hoods – took to the streets of Hackney and Tottenham looting and burning everything in their path. It was wrong though – this didn’t seem like a traditional protest or even an organic outpouring of civic anger and grief at the unlawful slaughtering of a young local man by police. It was just wanton, mindless destruction and, what was worse (for him at least), it was driven entirely by consumerism. “It was fucking weird, man,” says Steve Mason, looking back on the events of 2011. “That was the perfect day for the establishment – these kids were using a protest as an excuse to break into stores and steal trainers, tracksuits, all the pointless shit that they’ve been taught to think they need. I was in Hackney, with an old girlfriend of mine and this kid came up to me and offered me a new pair of glasses he’d just nicked out of some shop front. It was sad!” If Mason’s last solo album, 2010's Boys Outside, was a candid examination of his well documented struggle with depression, then his new album Monkey Minds in the Devil’s Time turns the magnifying glass outwards. It is a searing condemnation of western society’s obsession with consumerism and the negative ways in which politics and politicians impact on all of our lives, whether we’ve voted for them or not. It is also littered with imagery of the 2011 riots – the musical and lyrical ideas of the album seem to have been forged in the very fires that blackened north London.

talent of their own and they know that if they put a toe out of line they might find themselves being replaced.” Monkey Minds is a fascinating album on its own, but when you compare it to Mason’s previous work, it becomes even more so – his albums serve as a sort of public record of Mason’s remarkable transition from being a man too insecure to leave his room to one who can no longer ignore the injustices he sees going on behind his once firmly closed curtains.

Missed opportunities “When I was growing up the bands you listened to basically informed your politics and the way you saw the world. Bands like The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Morrissey and The Smiths weren’t afraid to tell things how they saw them. It was better that way.” The song "More Money, More Fire", from Monkey Minds, stands as the central pivot around which the other 19 songs on the album turn. Mason cedes the microphone to north London MC Mystro, who spits an incendiary raprant about police brutality and governmental mistreatment of the underclass over a quivering, synth-shocked musical ››

Honest, not outspoken Mason, the former songwriter/lead singer of cult British ‘folktronica’ group The Beta Band, has always been known for being highly vocal in his criticism of many aspects of modern politics. And yet Mason believes it isn’t so much a case of him being ‘outspoken’, as it is the fact he is simply one of the few people “in the public eye” who are willing to express an honest opinion. “Most of these ‘people’ are really just built up because they don’t have opinions of their own,” he tells me over the phone from his native home of Fife in the Scottish Lowlands. “They won’t rock the boat because they don’t have any real

Pensive Steve TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Mason can beat Stiller at a Blue Steel-off. Any day.

Photos: Kevin Morosky, Getty

arrangement. There also seems to be a real sense of opportunity lost, melancholic thinking that the London riots could and should have produced some real and effective change from the bottom up were it not for the cultural cul de sac of capitalist thinking. Juxtaposed with some of the earlier, folkier arrangements on the album, such as "A Lot of Love" and "Oh My Lord", it is something of an assault on the senses; full of anger and venom. The song’s shuffling beat then follows straight into the subsequent track "Fire!", which takes "More Fire’s" righteous fury and channels it into a surprisingly playful protest chant.

Kill the president The ‘kicking against the pricks…’ ethos doesn’t end there though. On the string-laden "Fight Them Back", Mason seems to casually commandeer a bloodless palace coup with “a fist, a boot, and a baseball bat,” all the while his call to arms lyrics buttressed by an outrageously smug sounding sample of Tony Blair. It is faintly reminiscent of the sort of thinking which saw Mason infamously tell 30,000 Americans at a 2001 concert in Texas to shoot a newly elected President Bush. It is something of an album in two acts then – the first dealing with well-worn Mason topics of loves lost, his place in the tapestry of life questioned, answered then questioned some more. The second act a crescendo of political proselytising – a call to arms for anyone who’s ever felt let down by his or her ‘elected’ officials. It is a sharp u-turn on a first listen, but for people already familiar with Mason’s work (both with Beta Band and on his own) Monkey Minds will surely stand tall in their estimation, perhaps even alongside 16

any of the Beta Band’s much vaunted first three EPs. “It’s [Monkey Minds] supposed to be a journey,” Mason tells me. “Where you start off as a kid and you think of all the appalling things you can do as well as all the incredible things too. I always had this feeling of responsibility: you and I have been given a gift – being born as a human being. It was like, ‘okay, but now what am I going to do with it?’” Despite being in the industry for the best part of two decades, Mason’s appearance at this year’s Melbourne Festival will be his first ever show in Australia. It will also be, for the time being anyway, his only one to date. When asked why he wouldn’t be in the country longer, he laughed. “It’s just a money thing, I’ll be coming with a full band and it’s incredibly expensive to ship all the equipment and the people around. It’s annoying really, I’ve always wanted to come to Australia and I won’t really be able to stay very long. I’ll have to come back.”

Under the radar We can only hope so as Mason, aside from being a fantastic musician, is also a thoroughly interesting person, a man of his convictions who is refreshingly honest to speak to. For the lucky few who will be there, Steve Mason and his band take to the Foxtel Festival Hub stage on the 15th of October. For the rest of us, we’ll just have to keep all of our fingers and toes crossed that Steve Mason comes back to Australia one day. Provided conservative PM Tony Abbott and the ‘establishment’ ever let him back in the country. ❚ Steve Mason's Melbourne Festival show is on October 15, at the Foxtel Festival Hub. Tickets cost $45. See P36 for more festival info. His new album, Monkey Minds in the Devil's Time, is out now, on Double Six/Domino Records. melbournefestival.com.au

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World’s End Press

Rhys Richards, keyboardist for Melbourne band World’s End Press, talks about the excitement of playing Freddie Mercury’s piano while recording their debut album INTERVIEW HUGH RADOJEV

I knew by name beforehand and we all loved his work with bands like The Rapture, Hercules & Love Affair and Cut Copy. They’re all bands we loved and so, when he said he was free and liked our demos and stuff, we were thrilled. He was great. Plus, he brought with him so many cool effects pedals and different pieces of kit that we’d never seen before. It really helped us to shape the sound.

We’ve already heard “To Send Our Love” and “Reformation Age” on the radio. Are they a fair representation of what the rest of your self-titled debut sounds like? I’d say, yes, probably. It’s quite an eclectic, diverse kind of album though, so it’s hard to say it sounds like any one or two songs. There are some in there which are a bit more electronic based, some have a bit of a techno kind of vibe going on, while others are a bit more stripped back. I guess you will just have to wait and see. The album clocks in at over an hour. Were the songs all really long when you first wrote them or did that happen during recording? A lot of the songs weren’t fully formed when we went into the studio; they kind of just came about during jam sessions and stuff. But, yeah, a lot of them, the original song ideas were even longer than they appear on the album versions. It was a very natural, organic writing process. How do you go about writing a song? Well, John (Parkinson, the lead singer) does your kind of traditional, singer-songwriter type thing. He’ll spend a lot of time with a guitar just writing melodies and coming up with lyrical ideas and stuff. Then, he’ll usually bring an 20

idea to me and I’ll flesh it out a bit with some electronics, some synthesizers and stuff. Once the two of us have a kind of skeleton, we then bring it into a rehearsal with Sashi (Dharann, bass) and Tom (Gould, drums) and we go from there. What was it like recording at amazing and historical studio Rockfield? Yeah, we couldn’t really believe it at first. So much great music has been made there in the past that it was all a bit overwhelming. It was always a dream of ours to just record and live at a really big studio – like that’s how, I guess, we measured success before you’ve even released an album. I remember we got there, to Rockfield (in Monmouth, Wales), and I just said to everyone, ‘No matter how this all works out, regardless of what happens, we will always remember the fact that we got to live and record an album at a place like this.’ It was amazing. Did you get to play the piano on which Freddie Mercury recorded “Bohemian Rhapsody”? [Laughs] Yeah, we all ended up playing it, a lot. I think it may have made it onto a few tracks. What was it like working with producer Tim Goldsworthy? It was great. He is one of the only producers that

I read he encouraged you to do things as live as possible and record on analogue tape. Was that extra pressure? Well, we recorded some of it on analogue tape but we also used a lot of computers and stuff as well. We definitely did try and record as much of it live as possible, tried to avoid doing too many overdubs and stuff. We’ve always felt that we’re a good live band and have maybe struggled to capture that sense of performance in our singles and EPs in the past. But, yeah, it wasn’t all done on analogue, so there wasn’t too much pressure if you mucked something up. What’s in the works to help celebrate the release of World’s End Press? We’ve got a run of shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide before we finish up playing at Meredith Festival in Victoria. That’s going to be awesome, the Meredith show, because that’s my favourite festival in Australia. What about going into next year? Any plans to head overseas? Yeah, I think so. After we finish up all the Aussie shows we’ll probably take a little bit of time off over Christmas and try and decide whether we want to really have a crack at Europe or America. They’re both big markets, but they’re quite different and it’s tough for a band to try and crack both of them at the same time. So yeah, we’ll have to make our minds up which one we’ll focus on at the end of the year. World’s End Press play the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria (Dec 13-15). They also play Sydney (Nov 14), Brisbane (Nov 23), Melbourne (Dec 6) and Adelaide (Dec 7). mmf.com.au

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FILMREVIEW

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Blood brothers: fast-paced actioncomedy that’s good fun but ugly

2 GUNS FILM review by Alasdair Morton STARRING: Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington | MA15+ | 108mins | Out Oct 10

DIANA FILM STARRING: Naomi Watts | M | 113mins

Oliver Hirschbiegel’s (Downfall) drama about the doomed romance and troubled private life of Princess Diana has bombed with critics and was especially savaged in the UK. It’s not a classic, and Naomi Watts looks and sounds little like The People’s Princess, but it is a likeable enough drama given half the chance. On general release October 10

This old school action-comedy about a DEA agent and a navy intelligence officer who are both trying to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel is brutal, fast-paced and a lot of fun. Yet despite all the loud, brash action, it is resolutely hollow, too. Denzel Washington’s DEA agent Bobby and Mark Wahlberg’s wise-cracking sidekick Stig are both out to get Edward James Olmos’ Mexican drug lord Papi Greco. Neither is aware of the other’s real identity, but they’re both landed on the run when a bank robbery sees them inadvertently steal a load of cash from the CIA. What follows is a frenetic narrative that crashes through fist fights, double crosses, raging bulls (you’ll see) and gun battles, and it is all carried off with a certain vintage action flick swagger. It’s completely fun, and will keep you guessing to the end, but there are issues amidst all the blood and explosions. First up, neither Bobby or Stig are particularly likeable – they’re both essentially good guys, but they’re unpleasant ones all the same. And with all the carnage it is hard to care what really happens, who wins, who gets the US$43m in cold crisp notes, and who winds up riddled with holes. The upshot of this is that all the wellstaged action is dour and carries no consequence. What does work well is the two leads’ chemistry, as they exchange gags with fluidity and panache, especially once they begin to realise the rabbit warren of a problem they have got themselves into. If you like dumb action movies that require you to switch your brain to its ‘off’ setting, this is your bag. GOOD FOR: Two hours of mindless escapism.

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WORLDVIEW

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Spunky: sperm makes women more clever, apparently (except with grammar, as above)

‘GIVING BJ’S MAKES WOMEN HAPPIER’ UNITED STATES

Sperm makes women happier and more intelligent, according to an American study. Scientists at the State University of New York have proved that semen contains a wide range of sleep-improving, mood-rising and affection-increasing chemicals as well as at least three anti-depressants. Women who had unprotected oral sex or intercourse also got higher scores on cognitive tests. The study of 293 females revealed that sexually active straight women who used condoms got depressed as often as women who had no sex at all. Sexually active condom-less women, on the other hand, showed far less symptoms of depression. How happy women are catching STDs or getting involuntarily pregnant from unprotected sex wasn’t shown in the study.

Hello down there: a four-day-old Chilean flamingo chick, born September 29, is fed by its father at the Himeji Central Park in Japan

SCI-FI GLASSES TO TRANSLATE MENUS

Photos: Getty Images

UNITED STATES

You need never order the sautéed dog by mistake again as a pair of glasses that will translate menus and signs have been unveiled at a gadget show in Japan. The glasses, which are still in the prototype stage but should be ready in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, translate Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean languages. Showcased by NTT Docomo at CEATEC Japan, the head-mounted display can also turn flat surfaces into touch screens and identify people through face recognition using smartphone databases. The device isn’t exactly slick at this stage, with the glasses looking like something Robocop’s geeky younger

brother might wear, but with seven more years to develop them, we reckon be donning a pair and impressing our mates with our ‘fluent Japanese’– at least when it comes to menus.

JAIL TIME FOR ‘REVENGE PORN’ UNITED STATES

Break-ups are hard enough, without having your private snaps posted on the internet. But bitter exes in California should think twice before tapping ‘share’, as the state has made ‘revenge porn’ a jailable offence. Californian Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill outlawing the posting of identifiable nude pictures of someone else online without permission and with the intent to cause emotional distress or humiliation. The penalty is up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine. Other states have opposed the rule over free speech rights.

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Beware of bikers: Police presence has been upped in Surfers Paradise as the Finks bikie gang grows

THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS 27,000

The amount of money in pounds a jobless couple received each year in benefits, plus a four-bedroom home.

The number of years a dedicated author spent as a swinger in order to publish a book about the sexy sub-culture.

NOTORIOUS BIKE GANGS JOIN FORCES

The number season The Simpsons is now in. Word has it, one of the main characters dies. Who will it be?

AUSTRALIA

Infamous Aussie bikie gang, the Finks, has said it will join forces with notorious US gang, the Mongols, o become a global outlaw force. Following two recent bikie brawls in the tourist hot spot Surfers Paradise, as well as a siege of Southport police station, the Queensland Police Service has brought nearly 100 more police over from Brisbane to patrol the Glitter Strip. The move to join the Mongols will mean the bikie gang will become the largest in the country, with some 400 members. “This is just a fear and intimidation tactic by the Finks,” said Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie, adding that it would not scare the government from pushing through with its ban on bikie gatherings.

AFFLECK WAS BATTY FOR SUPERHERO ROLE US

Ben Affleck, who has been cast as Batman in the forthcoming Superman vs Batman movie, built his own Bat cave to the tune of $50,000. Since Ben Affleck was announced as the new Batman, plenty of disgruntled fans have voiced their disapproval of Warner Bros’ casting. But filmmaker and friend of Affleck, Kevin Smith, has revealed that the actor built himself his own Bat cave in his house years before he was cast in the role. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly,

The amount of tax money in pounds demanded by HMRC from a man who actually owed nothing

Bat in the cave: Ben Affleck Smith said that Affleck showed him the bat cave, and then told a stunned Smith how much it cost him to create. “Worth every fucking penny,” said Smith. At least now we know Affleck’s performance will have been well rehearsed.

EUTHANISED OVER SEX CHANGE BOTCH BELGIUM

A 44-year-old man who was born a woman has been euthanised after a “botched” sex change. Belgian Nathan Verhelst, who was born Nancy, underwent hormone therapy, followed by a mastectomy and a penis construction in 2012 but “none of these operations worked as desired”. Nathan added: “I do not want to be a monster.” Wim Distelmans, who implemented the legal euthanasia, said: “Unbearable suffering for euthanasia can be both physical and psychological. This case clearly met the conditions demanded by the law.”

10,000

QUOTE OF THE WEEK I’ll take her old boyfriend, though. As the French say, ‘A bit on the side.’ He’s gorgeous... those Australians’ Sir Elton John is happy to console Liam Hemsworth after his break up with exfiancée Miley Cirus

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SPORTNEWS

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Stellar year: Cooper Cronk

KANGAROO CRONK WINS DALLY M NRL A last-minute field goal in the final round of the year clinched the points Cooper Cronk needed to win the supertight Dally M medal count ahead of the weekend’s NRL Grand Final. The Melbourne Storm halfback is expected to be named in a final Australian World Cup squad today (Monday, October 7) to top off a stellar individual year, even if his side fell short in the finals. Cameron Smith, hooker of the year, is expected to be named captain alongside fullback of the year Billy Slater in the Kangaroos line-up. See tntmagazine.com for a full breakdown of the World Cup squads.

MUM BURGESS UPSET FOR OUTCAST LUKE RUGBY LEAGUE No mum wants to see their boy left out of the game, but the situation is extreme for Julie Burgess, mother of Sam, Tom and George, all named in the England World Cup line-up, which left oldest brother Luke out of coach Steve McNamara’s 24-man fray. “As a mum you think you think you would be really excited that three of your sons have been selected,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I’m really delighted for Thomas and George. It’s their debut for full internationals and it’s so exciting and a great achievement and it’s amazing Sam’s coming back but it’s just so 26

Fast bowler Brett Lee marked 500 days until the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in Sydney Harbour with the trophy they will be playing for. It’ll be the 11th installment of the cup, with India keen to retain their title and Australia, the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, keen to take glory on home turf. disappointing Luke’s not in there. “That’s the heartbreak. It’s a huge disappointment for him to not be a part of that.”

OSIEK: LES BLEUS THE TEST HIS ‘ROOS NEED FOOTBALL Australia’s Socceroos join from all corners of the football globe to take on France at Parc de Princes in Paris on Friday as their preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil continues. Coach Holgier Osieck has again given young blood a chance in his squad but also welcomes the return of Tim Cahill and Luke Wilshere from the side which was given a 6-0 lesson by the Cup hosts last month. Keeper Mark Schwartzer is a notable omission from the squad set to also play Canada on October 17 in London. “It’s another big one,” Osieck said of the France match-up.

BIG WEEK FOR ... Young gun Nic Maddinson is odds on to open the batting with Aaron Finch for Australia in Thursday’s Twenty20 match in India. His possible first man up reward would come in return for the excellent form he’s showed of late for Australia A. Maddison, who is only 21 years old, was a key member of the Sydney Sixers side that went out and won the 2012 T20 Champions League

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK We’re not queer, I really don’t like him. It’s just we were forced together, tripped in the mud and we’re here Norm Proven, joking of course (except for the first bit), who’s immortalised with his mate Arthur Summons in the NRL Premiership trophy.

To the top: a big series win and Australia are back to the top of the world rankings.

PREVIEW DOWN AUSSIES COULD GO NO.1 IN INDIA AUSTRALIA V INDIA,

SUNDAY, OCT 13, 1.30PM FOX SPORTS 3

Photos:Getty

Captain Michael Clarke is undergoing much-needed recuperation and coach Darren Lehmann is having a break too but, honestly, this is an important tour. Basically seven one-day internationals between India and Australia, who are hugely bankable in the political powerhouse of cricket, and a Twenty20 match preceding it is a way for someone to fill their pockets. But a big series win from the

Aussies, who just won an ODI series in England, and they’re back to the top of the world rankings. Sure, The Ashes is the all-important series to win back, but even the doom and gloommongers Down Under could get a little spark from a win on the sub-continent. George Bailey will skipper the side as Callum Ferguson, who’s been in prodigious form in domestic limited overs competitions and is no stranger to international cricket, will steps into the upper middle order for Clarke.

I realise I need to earn back a lot of respect, and that is exactly what I plan to do both on and off the field Wallaby James O’Connor after getting a mutual release from his ARU contract after dramas on and off the field. The door has remained open for him to return in 2014.

I said, ‘No chance’ Sir Alex Ferguson reveals in an hour-long interview with US TV network PBS that he was not tempted even one little bit by an approach by Roman Abramovich in 2003 to manage Chelsea.

TV HIGHLIGHTS

THE CHAT | What’s happening, Harry?

CRICKET

Ewen McKenzie was supposed to be the Q So Wallabies’ saviour – Robbie Deans looks pretty good now though doesn’t he? It’s not a good look for former Reds mastermind and Wallabies A prop McKenzie, whose only international wins since taking over Australian duties have been against Rugby Championship minnows Argentina. As it stood, South Africa played New Zealand at the weekend with a slim chance of snatching the title from the routinely excelled All Blacks. Aussie rugby fans can cope with a hard-fought defeat to the All Blacks but to be down 20-3 after less than 20 minutes to the Proteas, and to have no answer after that, is a real worry. McKenzie conceded his men were “way off the mark”.

The Aussie ODI tour of India begins Sun, Oct 13 1.30pm, Fox Sports 3

India v Australia

FORMULA 1 Japan Grand Prix Live action from the Suzuka circuit Sun Oct 13, race from 4pm. One HD

FOOTBALL Tottenham v West Ham Saviour: Ewen McKenzie

The London rivals go head-to-head Mon Oct 7, 3.30am, Fox Sports 2 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Game on Forget the egg chasers, real football is back. Del Piero, Heskey and Kewell are leading the charge for A-League glory WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

The A-League kicks off its ninth season on Friday 11 October, a fact we're all pretty excited about here at TNT Towers. Sure, the quality of the players, crowds and football in general can’t hold a candle to say the English Premier League (think roughly League One standard), but it's still worth catching a game to satisfy those live football withdrawal symptoms. Besides, it certainly beats becoming a creature of the night trying to keep up with the big leagues up in Europe. Don't understand why the league is a mere nine years old? Well, a decade ago, Australian football was operating in the murky netherworld of the NSL (National Soccer League), where the style of play was positively archaic and most of the action tended to take place on the terraces, rather than the pitch. Small groups of diehard supporters, usually divided along national or religious lines, would routinely lob flares, bottles and fists at one another. Dedicated Aussie soccer fans are unlikely to have forgotten the drawn out eastern vs central European battles between clubs such as Sydney Croatia and the Marconi Stallions, for example. Or the might of one-time Victorian champions Heidelburg United, not to mention the wonderfully named Brunswick Juventus. Yeah, those were grim times. So, while the A-League might not be the best in the world, it is a massive step up from the NSL dark ages and has bought football into the mainstream in Australian sport. Thanks to the marquee system (whereby clubs can splash out on one top player), it has also resulted in a few truly world-class (albeit, slightly past their prime) players plying their trade on Aussie shores over the last decade – think Dwight Yorke, Juninho or Robbie Fowler. And three of the biggest names to have made it Down Under are the trio who still call Australia home 28

Can Del Piero inspire an improved Sydney FC this year?

– that's Italian maestro Alessandro del Piero (Sydney FC), English juggernaut Emile Heskey (Newcastle United) and silky Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers). And then of course there's Aussie hero Harry Kewell, who has risked the wrath of fans by crossing Melbourne, joining Heart after serving time with arch-rivals Victory.

Winners are grinners Who to choose? The obvious names are last year’s champs, the Central Coast Mariners, last year’s runner-ups, the Western Sydney Wanderers and (hear us out) Sydney FC. It’s harder to pick than a broken nose this one. Graeme Arnold’s Mariners were methodical without ever really being brilliant last season. They’ve lost a few key players from last year’s side, particularly towering goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who’s off to bigger and better things in Europe, but they’ve recruited well to plug the gaps. Western Sydney blew everyone away with how well they managed in their inaugural season. Nobody gave Tony Popovic’s hastily assembled group of fresh-faced kids, grizzled journeymen and footballing mercenaries from half the clubs in the world any chance at all of avoiding the wooden spoon. So the fact they went on to reach the Grand Final was a source of complete shock to everybody. Whether they’ll be able to repeat the feat this coming season remains to be seen. We think they’ll again make the top half, but probably won’t be able to get back into the finals. That leaves, ahem, the best team in the competition (on paper anyway) – Sydney FC. The Sky Blues had an absolute shocker last season, despite the heroics of their talismanic new captain and Italian idol Alessandro del Piero. For their

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Lolo Jones

Going for glory: (clockwise) Kewell training with Melbourne Heart; Heskey will be hoping for more Jets goals; Wanderers fans at last year's grand final

sakes, Frank Farina fortunately steadied what was a hopelessly sinking ship and managed to rescue the season with a relatively strong finish. The side had the worst defense in the league last year, something which Farina has seemingly addressed by bringing in Nikola Petkovic and Pedj Bojic to play alongside towering centre half Pascal Bosschaart. The return of Nicky Carle and the acquisitions of Richard Garcia and Corey Gameiro will all be able to give ADP (that's Del Piero kids, keep up) the kind of help he needs going forward. As such, we're tentatively calling a Mariners v Sydney FC final, with the Sky Blues celebrating most at the end of the season.

Photos: Getty Images

Wooden spooners Oh dear, nobody wants to be associated with this particular award. This too is a pretty hard thing to predict, although it is made easier by a number of factors. Let’s have a look at the top three contenders – Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Heart and the Newcastle Jets. The Phoenix were absolutely wretched last season. So bad in fact that their founding coach Ricki Herbert resigned. Interference from the ownership also had a desperate affect on the Phoenix’s game, with the owners publically calling for the side to adopt a more attacking, attractive, possession style game – a hard thing to do overnight for a club that had always preferred to play on the counter. Even with a new coach, and two-time A-League winner Ernie Merrick at the helm with a bunch of new signings, this year could be two in a row at the bottom for the Kiwis. The Melbourne Heart have recruited pretty well, or at least seemed to have done. It appears the red and white hoops

just can’t catch a lucky break. New marquee signing Orlando Engelaar broke his leg in a pre-season friendly and looks set to miss the majority of the season. While former Socceroos Patrick Kisnorbo and Harry Kewell will add some much needed experience to the Heart’s team, it is hard to see where the goals are coming from here. Although they have also added Malta’s all-time leading goalscorer Michael Mifsud, who will no doubt strike fear into opposition defenders... For the Jets to have a good season a lot will have to rest on the beefy shoulders of Emile Heskey. He started last season banging goals in for fun, but tailed off badly by season’s end. The Jets haven’t really brought in too many new faces and look to be relying on youth products, which can always be dangerous. They won’t come last, but they're unlikely to be in the finals mix either.

In the crowd Anyone who was lucky enough to be at the Grand Final in Sydney last year between Central Coast and Western Sydney (as we were) will remember the spectacle of the travelling Wanderers fans. What a racket they made. Sure, their team lost, but compared to the paltry support from the Mariners fans, they made the game what it was. Although their predilection for throwing flares onto the pitch probably needs to be curbed. The A-League is still a long way away from getting sell-out crowds, or even near sell-outs, every weekend at stadiums around the country, but clubs like Western Sydney and Adelaide are definitely helping thanks to their growing fan bases. Hopefully this year, at last, we’ll see more and more people coming to watch and cheer on their teams. ❚ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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SPORTVIEW TNT puts the world to rights COMMENT: MICHAEL GADD michael.gadd@tntmagazine.com

Rankin’s Irish compatriots congratulate him for dismissing Shane Watson, in 2010

England announces worldly 17 for return Ashes A few South Africans, fair enough, but the Irishman’s a stretch

Boyd Rankin has done the hard yards to get to the top of cricket. He’s played at all levels for his country since under-13s and got into his first World Cup squad via his national A team. One problem: that was for Ireland. The argument that England’s players aren’t from England is one trotted (intentional pun) desperately by Aussies clutching for excuses for Clarke’s boys not being that great. But Rankin’s a step too far. Team GB, the UK or England, the Isles pick and choose who they compete as against the world. In cricket, it’s the England and Wales Cricket Board. We’re used to South African accents at press conferences. England’s Kevin Pietersen didn’t rate his native country’s racial quota system so moved to the UK, played four years at Nottinghamshire, qualified and the rest is history. Fair enough. Jonathan Trott, of Cape Town in Warwickshire, sorry, South Africa, played under-15 and under-19 cricket for his country. His grandparents are from England. Hmm, 48 Tests later, fair enough. New additions to England’s Ashes squad include Zimbabwe under-19 Gary Ballance and New Zealand-born Ben Stokes. England’s faithful may raise Aussies Usman Khawaja (born in Pakistan, but Aussie since a little Uzzie) or Moises Henriques (born in Portugal but moved to Oz aged one), but they’ve been in Oz longer than Matt Prior’s been English (moved from Johannesburg at 11). The cricket jury is still out on Fawad Ahmed, the Pakistani asylum seeker who got fast-tracked to being an Aussie citizen because Clarke was short of a leggie, but Rankin for England is out of order. Ireland’s top wicket taker at the 2007 World Cup, his three-for against Pakistan led to Ireland’s big upset win. He was in green for the Twenty20 World Cup and was in the 15-man 2011 World Cup squad. Then he made the England Lions team... and the England ODI and T20 sides. Sorry Ireland, he’s ours now. But Ireland’s an emerging cricket nation. All his inclusion does is give Aussies an excuse to be lazy with sledges. Agree? Are England worse at this than anyone else? Email: hugh@tntdownunder.com

SUAREZ HAS LAST BITE OF CHERRY Everyone on his side said he was under no added pressure when he lined up against Manchester United the other week, but those who aren’t contracted to lie through their teeth know it’s Luis Suarez’s last chance at Liverpool. Were he not so talented, he would have been given the flick long ago, but Brendan Rodgers has stood by his man. Sure, the well-spoken Irish manager was as aghast as everyone else when his number 9 bit Branislav Ivanovic on the arm and copped a 10-match ban – his reactions were for the

“

Please don’t be a dickhead, Luis

”

bite and then the length of the ban. If former Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos’ famous “no dickhead” policy was in operation at Liverpool, the likes of Luis would be lost to football. There’d be a serious glut of what some call ‘characters‘ – and newspaper headlines would have to be stretched beyond reckoning. So welcome back Luis. Please don’t be a dickhead.

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TRAVEL HOTSHOTS | TRAVEL NEWS | TRAVEL STORIES |

Photos: Melbourne Festival, Thinkstock, Tourism Australia, AAP

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

STILL GOT IT Legendary US surfer Kelly Slater shows he’s still a force to be reckoned with at the Quiksilver Pro in France.

INSIDE

AUSSIE ART ATTACK

/36

The mammoth Melbourne Festival gets underway this week, so we check out what’s on there, plus at other tops arts events. 32

THE RED HEART /42

THE HIGH ROAD

It ain’t just a rock. We give TNT’s token Aussie an education and send her to Uluru, where she drinks beers and gets all spiritual.

Forget the Inca Trail. Hike to Machu Picchu along the higher, more beautiful and less touristy Salkantay Trail. It’s amazing.

/48

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HOTSHOTS

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WEEKLY WINNER SUNLIGHT IN THE EVENING: Giuseppe Bonetti, 24, Italy GIUSEPPE SAYS: “I took this picture when I was in Byron Bay. I had been there only a few days, but it was enough for me to fall in love at first sight.” WE SAY: “Byron Bay is definitely a lovely part of the world, Giuseppe. It’s simply a must visit spot for any travellers and backpackers making their way up Australia’s east coast. You’ve managed to capture the essence of the place in a single photograph. The beautiful, tungsten light of the setting sun in the background and the silhouette of the people enjoying the water in the foreground. Great work, mate!”

HOT TIPS: Change your angle Squat down, lie down, hold the camera above your head, put the camera on the ground, dangle off the edge of a cliff! You get the idea. Don’t fall into the trap of photographing everything from eye level. You need to move around, get some different angles, move the horizon up or down in your images. It is amazing what a huge impact even a few feet of difference in height can make to the creative look of your images. So get out there and look for the angles that others are missing. Tips by ocean photographer, Joel Coleman See saltmotion.com

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Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description to: hugh@tntdownunder.com. Photos are judged by the TNT team at their own discretion. Photos will also be placed on TNT’s Facebook page. For terms and conditions, see tntdownunder.com. Weekly winner Giuesppe wins a free night’s stay at the award-winning Sydney Central YHA (yha.com.au). The monthly winner gets three days’ campervan hire from Mighty Campers Australia (mightycampers.com.au)

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IT’S CRIMINAL Wildly successful HBO television show Breaking Bad has had a massively good impact on tourism in the region where the show is set. Albuquerque, New Mexico, has experienced an absolute explosion in tourist numbers, especially since the show’s all-time finale aired at the end of last month. The owner of the Rebel Donut Chain in the city says that sales of the ‘blue-sky’(some kind of allusion to the show) donut have been so good that they can’t bake the things fast enough. “It’s been insane,” said Carrie Mattling. “Our sales have quadupled.”

STUDY SLAVES Many of Melbourne’s 30,000 international students are supposedly being left with no choice but to miss out on eating meals due to the fact that they are made to pay full-fare bus, tram and train tickets by the government. According to a report by Fairfax Media, many students are being forced to miss meals, cram three or four to an apartment room or work in exploitative jobs just to make ends meet while studying. Now Melbourne City Council has decided to lobby the state government on behalf of its foreign student population.

YUAN WELL SPENT? A giant vase that has been installed in the heart of Beijing’s famous Tiananmen Square has come under heavy criticism from China’s usually silent internet users. The release of a report on how much the decorative installation cost taxpayers is behind the online grumblings of discontent. At 13 metres high and 11 metres wide, psychedeliclooking red vase cost 570,000 yuan (about $100,000) to install, which is up about 8000 yuan on similar pieces in recent years. “Who permitted spending taxpayers money this way?” queiried one Sino Webo (Chinese Twitter) user.

MISSING IN MORDOR Police say that a backpacker missing for three days in the Tongariro National Park has been found cold and tired but alive. A 28-year-old Chinese national was found just after 1pm on the outskirts of the national park. Local police sergeant Colin Wright said the search for the missing backpacker was nearly called off due to bad weather conditions. Sergeant Wright also said the backpacker had been taken to nearby Taumarunui Hospital for assessment. He added that the incident highlighted the need for backpackers to prepare themselves for going into the bush.

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One to watch: The Polyphonic Spree

Aussie arts attack The mammoth Melbourne Festival gets underway this week, kickstarting a season of arts events across Australia WORDS HUGH RADOJEV & ALEX HARMON

Ever heard the one about Melbourne being Australia’s most cultural city? Well, if you’re in the Victorian capital during the 17 event-packed days of Melbourne Festival, which get started this Friday (October 11), then you’ll probably start to understand how the arts-mad city earned its nickname. The Melbourne International Arts Festival, to give it its full name, is a combined celebration of music, art, dance, theatre, multimedia and free outdoor events. It’s been running since 1986 and in that time has become one of the premier Australian festivals of its kind. This year’s lineup combines artists, musicians, actors and performers from Australia as well as nearly every farflung corner of the globe. Some of the likely highlights of the festival will no doubt include 36

live performances from American symphonic rock outfit The Polyphonic Spree (Oct 20-22), live theatre from Belgian theatre company Ontroeren Goed, with their devastating exploration of teenaged psyche in Teenage Riot (15-18 Oct), and a groundbreaking world premiere from the Hofesh Shechter Company called Sun (11-16 Oct). There will also be a live performance from Australian Aborigional legend Gurrumul (Oct 12). And that’s just a taste of the 70-plus acts and performances that will take place over the long fortnight. As part of the festival a selection of cafés, restaurants and bars have also been selected in and around Melbourne on the basis that they best showcase the city’s eclectic and refined

palette. These include venues such as new French/Vietnamese restaurant Blondie, the Italian inspired Meatball and Wine Bar, as well as Taxi Dining Room, so make sure you check them out during the action. Even better is that many of the large-scale music and art events are free. Just check out melbournefestival. com.au for all the details. And don’t forget, once Melbourne’s performers have whetted your arty appetite, there’s no shortage of other cultural morsels to get your teeth into around Oz, so read on for our pick of the best on offer. MORE TOP ARTS EVENTS ›› Melbourne Festival. October 11-27. Prices vary melbournefestival.com.au

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MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

Strings at sunset: the Attacca Quartet Highly anticipated: Sun

WHAT: Australia’s premier comedy festival will be returning to the city by the Yarra River over March and April 2014. Melbourne has long forged a reputation for itself as the capital of comedy in Australia and this festival is the city’s chuckling flagship, attracting some of the biggest and best stand-ups from around Australia and the world every year. Some of last year’s biggest hits included American comedian Arj Barker (Flight Of The Conchords), Australia’s own Adam Hills, Scotland’s Danny Bhoy and Frank Woodley. While the acts for next year won’t be announced until February, if you like to laugh (and who doesn’t, right?) then you should definitely keep a few days between March and April in your diary open. WHERE/WHEN: Various venues in and around Melbourne HOW MUCH: Prices vary between comedians MORE INFO: comedyfestival.com.au

ST JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL WHAT: Perhaps the torch-bearing boutique festival of the year, the St Jerome Laneway Festival is the absolute favourite of the super hipster crowd. From its humble beginnings in Melbourne’s back streets it has grown into a huge event on the music calendar, including shows in Singapore and across the ditch in New Zealand. This year’s lineup is one of its biggest ever, and includes names like Mount Kimbie, Savages, Chvrches, Four Tet and Lorde. WHERE/WHEN: Singapore (Jan 25), Auckland (Jan 27), Brisbane (Jan 31), Melbourne (Feb 1), Sydney (Feb 2), Adelaide (Feb 7) and Fremantle (Feb 8) HOW MUCH: $140+bf MORE INFO: lanewayfestival.com.au

Photos: Melbourne Festival; Getty; Thinkstock

Ring leaders: theatre, song and dance riot Life and Times

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ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL

Expect plenty of street theatre at the Adelaide Fringe

WHAT: South Australia is known as the Festival State and nowhere is that more apparent than in the picturesque capital of Adelaide. With its wide, tree lined boulevards and abundance of beautiful parks, Adelaide is one of the more laidback, easy going cities in Australia. The Adelaide Fringe Festival, held annually in February and March, is one of the biggest and best known of Adelaide’s events. The festival usually features more than 4000 local and international actors, singers and comedians taking to stages and streets across the city. No surprise then that, after Edinburgh, it’s the world’s biggest fringe festival. The Fringe also usually runs concurrently with WOMAdelaide, a massive world music festival. WHERE/WHEN: 14 February – 16 March, around Adelaide HOW MUCH: Many of the events are free MORE INFO: adelaidefringe.com.au

The Presets are already lined up for Homebake

HOMEBAKE WHAT: Having broken with tradition last year and announced its first ever international act – Blondie – the 2013 Homebake festival has gone back to its roots. Aussie and Kiwi acts are all you’re going to see over this new, bigger and better Homebake, which is now spread over three days in December. Paul Kelly, The Presets and Birds of Tokyo are just some of the big names to play at this year’s installment. It’s also moved out of the Domain and onto the Opera House Forecourt. WHERE/WHEN: Sydney, Dec 6 – 8 2013 HOW MUCH: $118.35 + bf MORE INFO: homebake.com.au

Sydney Festival first night is always huge, and free

SYDNEY FESTIVAL WHAT: Mark the dates in your diary if you’re going to be around Sydney in January because that’s when the city really comes alive. To celebrate the start of another new year the Sydney Festival has become the artistic and cultural cornerstone of summer, bringing a diverse range of performers, musicians and circus acts to the Harbour City and (from this year) Parramatta as well. Amongst the events already confirmed for next year’s festival is Dido & Aeneas, an operatic piece telling a story of love lost in a time of war and a trio of public performative arts works by renowned Russian artist Roman Ondak at the Parramatta Town Hall. Don’t worry, there will also be stacks more events that are slightly more, er, low brow! WHERE/WHEN: Throughout January 2014 HOW MUCH: Variety of free and ticketed events MORE INFO: sydneyfestival.org.au

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FALLS FESTIVAL WHAT: Long considered a summer highlight, Falls is held over four days across the New Year in scenic Victorian seaside town Lorne, plus the beautiful Marion Bay in Tasmania, with its lineup swapping over halfway through. This year it’s expanded to a third venue, Byron Bay. Acts include Vampire Weekend, The Roots and Grizzly Bear. WHERE/WHEN: Lorne (VIC) and Marion Bay (TAS) from December 28 – 1 Jan, plus Byron Bay (NSW) between December 31 – Jan 3 HOW MUCH: Lorne and Byron Bay have sold out. Tickets remain for Marion Bay. A three day ticket with camping is $236 + bf MORE INFO: fallsfestival.com.au

GOOD FOOD AND WINE SHOW WHAT: It’s all in the title really – it’s a celebration of Australian produce and, oh yes, it’s delicious. Whether you’re a food fanatic, a wine connoisseur or just someone who enjoys a good day out, this is one worth catching. Some world famous chefs, wine makers, restauranteurs and TV cooking types will be gracing the stage and, for those keen to try their hand, holding masterclasses. If you’d rather focus on the simple pleasure of sampling other people’s hard work then you can do that too. WHERE/WHEN: Brisbane (Nov 8–10), Melbourne (May 30 – June 1), Sydney (June 27–29) and Perth (July 11–13) HOW MUCH: $25 general entry. Classes cost extra MORE INFO: goodfoodshow.com.au

Don’t call me Dogg: the Lion is coming

BIG DAY OUT WHAT: This is the big one, the big daddy, the Godfather of all Australian music festivals. Next year’s Big Day Out will be no exception. Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and Blur are all top of an enormous bill which also includes Snoop Dogg (aka Snoop Lion), Major Lazer and Flume. WHERE/WHEN: Sydney (Jan 18), Gold Coast (Jan 20), Adelaide (Jan 25), Melbourne (Jan 26) and Perth (Jan 28) HOW MUCH: $185 + bf MORE INFO: bigdayout.com

Wine time

FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL WHAT: Arguably the largest dance, electronic and music festival in Australia returns in 2014 with a mind-blowingly large lineup, including hip hop big boys 2 Chainz, Aussie indie-electro legends Cut Copy, crunchy French house maverick Gesaffelstein, American producer Porter Robinson and the powerhouse indie-electro stylings of Phoenix to name just a few. WHERE/WHEN: Touring nationally to Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide between March 1–10 HOW MUCH: Prices yet to be announced. Last year ticket prices ran at around $135 + a small booking fee MORE INFO: futuremusicfestival.com

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Surf’s up at Big Day Out

2/10/13 6:02 PM

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WIN A NOMADS’ NEW The problem with travelling is that the more places you visit, the more people you meet... and then you hear about more places you want to visit. Sure, that’s not exactly a depressing situation to find yourself in, but it can be an expensive one, especially if you’re heading to a country as action-packed as New Zealand. Luckily, we’re here to help. TNT has joined forces with our Kiwi buddies Nomads and Stray to get one of you to all of the country’s best bits. Aren’t we nice, eh? THE PRIZE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: A NATIONAL MAX PASS WITH STRAY TRAVEL: This monster trip, worth NZ$799, takes you round the whole of NZ, leaving no highlight unvisited. It’s a case of hop on, hop off, so you can do it in three to four weeks, it’s up to you. Stops include

Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Kaikoura and even Stewart Island. TWO NIGHTS IN A KING ROOM AT NOMADS AUCKLAND: Enjoy the free wifi, tea/coffee and rooftop spa and sauna. TWO NIGHTS IN A KING ROOM AT NOMADS CAPITAL WELLINGTON: Get your free light dinner, tea/coffee and two-for-one house drink. A $50 TAB AT BLEND BAR WELLINGTON: Get drunk on us. TWO NIGHTS IN A KING ROOM AT NOMADS QUEENSTOWN: Free sauna, light dinner, brekkie and nightly drink. Competition closes at midnight, on Saturday, 8 December 2013. Terms and conditions apply. Log on to tntdownunder.com for details and to enter.

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3/10/13 6:57 AM

Rock stars: (clockwise) Uluru at night; looking out at Kings Canyon; a thorny dragon; red earth; Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

Uluru NORTHERN TERRITORY

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Rocking out Think it’s not worth travelling all that way just to see a big rock? Think again. We take a trip to Australia’s beating heart WORDS ALEX HARMON

Photos: Alex Harmon, Tourism Australia, Tourism NT, Nick Rains, Masaru Kitano

Where is the ‘real Australia’? As an Australian it’s a hard one to define. Is it the bogan yelling at me with her unabashed and unfounded knowledge of aircraft refueling while I update my status on the bus? Is it the many different cultures which live together in harmony, for the most part, in the suburbs of Sydney? Or is it found in the red earth we walk upon in Central Australia’s beating heart. As the only Aussie on a three-day tour of Uluru (even the tour guide is British), I think about this a lot. I suppose I’ll just cop out and say it’s the sum of all these parts. Copping out, after all, is an Australian tradition. It’s the crack of dawn and I’m on a mini-bus in Alice Springs, on day one of my tour to the Red Centre’s rock stars. As the sun comes up over the dusty land, we all write our names and nationalities on the window in colourful marker pens. I draw a map of Australia, putting assumptions that I am German to rest. One girl reveals later, “We all thought you just liked Australia... You’re really from here?” Yes. I feel somewhat embarrassed that I have never visited the heart of my country.

Of Mice and men Myles, our tour guide, or “Mice” as he scrawls on the windscreen, for the foreigners who cannot pronounce his name, runs us through the ‘big three’ we’re visiting: Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru. He tells us that after this tour, Uluru might not necessarily be our favourite. It’s the Paul McCartney of the group – the most famous – but possibly not the best. After several hours of driving, we arrive at our first destination, Kings Canyon, and commence the three-hour walk up Heart Attack Hill. The hill totally lives up to its name and the 20 minute hike nearly kills us all. Each carrying three litres of water in our backpacks, we feel like camels, mine with an extra hump for the oversized camera I am also carrying. On the way we learn some bonus American history. Did you know the Grand Canyon isn’t actually a canyon, but a gorge? Well, Kings is definitely a canyon, and it’s impressive. The loose

red rocks under our feet, stinging sun and biting horse flies do not detract from the feeling of wonder at its rim. Myles does a quick Lion King impression, proudly holding

“

It’s very Disney meets Star Wars around here

”

a stuffed toy lion in the air from a protruding rock platform. It’s very Disney meets Star Wars around here. We see stripped back gum trees that look post-apocalyptic. Indeed, some, we’re told, have sacrificed ‘limbs’ to survive in what seems to be insufferable conditions. It’s at least 33C° and Myles keeps stopping to tell us about the porous sandstone rock. I make friends with the pale Irish girl and we huddle under the sparse ghost gum trees. Once we hike to the top, the view is spectacular. Red rock as far ››

“All this Simba...” TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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as the eye can see, deep caverns and remnants of waterfalls. We make our way to a cliff where we lie down on our stomachs and peer over the steep drop. It’s too late though, I can’t get “Hakuna Matata” out of my head.

Centre stage: (clockwise) Uluru works it with the colours; hiking the base walk; too easy?

Pity the Fool-uru On our way to base camp that evening we stop to collect firewood for the night’s bonfire. The guys in the group show off by kicking down trees and sawing away, while the weaker few collect grass. I find some branches that have the fire power of a newspaper, but Myles tells me I should probably leave them behind. Back on the bus we watch the sunset, witnessing the pink, blue and white hues, looking like a faded French flag at one point. As it gets darker I see a large rock in the distance which looks like a massive oil tanker at sea. It’s Uluru! I wonder why our chatty tour guide doesn’t point this out, maybe he’s just so used to it. Some people are sleeping, some look confused and reach for their cameras. I feel a bit ripped off that I have seen it prematurely, I wanted the three day tour to be a lead up to the big unveiling of ‘The Rock’. When we arrive at camp Myles asks if anyone saw Uluru. We exclaim a collective yes! “No you didn’t,” he grins. “That’s Mount Conner, commonly known as ‘Fool-uru”. Dammit, even the token Aussie was fooled. We are sleeping at Curtain Springs, a 416,400 hectares working cattle station owned by the Severin family. We take up a tiny portion of their land and build a fire as we crack open a few beers. We sleep under the stars in swags, our faces exposed to the chilly nighttime conditions of the desert in winter. The ‘billion star hotel’, as Myles calls it, lives up to its rating, although the shooting stars are somewhat marred by the old snoring guy on the tour. You can’t have it all.

Valley girls

Hit the red road, Jack 44

The next day we’re up early to visit Kata Tjuta, which is an indigenous word meaning ‘many heads’. The huge 36 boulders are actually larger than Uluru at 450 metres high and formed side by side. It’s kind of like a dreamtime Mt Rushmore. We do the Valley of the Winds walk, which is a refreshing change from yesterday’s ‘death valley’. The earth is redder and there is detail everywhere in the conglomerate rock. It’s another three hour walk and along the way we learn more about the era when indigenous people roamed the land. We take a break to sit in a natural amphitheatre, where young boys once displayed their courage and skill slaying kangaroos while their elders watched on. It would have been like a reallife 3D movie. It’s finally time to see the real Uluru in the flesh. Driving along Lasseter Highway that afternoon, we see the island mountain in the distance. It’s a great vantage spot to stop and take a picture, but that’s not what Myles has in mind. We must first visit the Cultural Centre and learn about the history and cultural significance of Uluru. Inside we look at indigenous art and watch video footage of the traditional owners of Uluru, the Anangu people, talking about what it means to them and why we should not climb the rock. One of the most interesting things at the centre is the

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Photos: Alex Harmon, Tourism Australia, Warren Clarke, Steve Strike, Anson Smart

‘Sorry Book’. This is a book of letters by people who have taken rocks from Uluru and, in their opinion, received bad luck because of it. One woman blames her husband’s cancer on the photos she took while they were on their honeymoon. Astonishingly, one woman takes credit for the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami because of the rock she took from Uluru three days earlier. Some people simply say sorry for climbing the rock and wished they had known better. It is truly powerful stuff to read.

Reaching third base After this we make our way to the base of the rock where we learn even more about why we shouldn’t climb. This time it’s the safety reasons and we’re told the number of deaths (36) attributed to Uluru. Apparently there are many more fatalities, but because they didn’t happen literally on the rock, but later in hospital, the government believes Uluru shouldn’t be held responsible. Uluru has been leased to the government by the Anangu for 99 years, which makes sense now. According to them, the number of climbers needs to be under 20 per cent of visitors for the climb to be closed. “Or if four more people die, whatever comes first,” says Myles. At this rate it will be closed in a year, as last month was the first time it was under 20 per cent. At dusk we head to Sunset Point to join the bus loads of tourists who are there to watch the many changing colours of the rock. It’s a packed scrum of different demographics, the AAT crew are right next to us with their white tablecloths and champagne, while we throw back Tooheys New and twominute noodles.

But we’re all here to see the same thing, all 500 of us. Or should I say, see the same thing through our camera lenses. We watch Uluru go from dusty orange to pink to bright orange, and then dark as the sun goes down completely. The pink clouds above are a sight to behold. The next day, after a camp fire, beer bowling and relentless snoring, we awake at 5am in pitch black darkness to make our way back to the sunset spot – this time to see the sun rise over Uluru. This morning we almost have the whole area to ourselves, as it turns out there’s a different sunrise spot on the other side. Take it this is an insider’s tip: swap sunrise spots for sunset and vice versa. Although there aren’t as many colours at sunrise (maybe they’re on the other side and you shouldn’t listen to my advice) the view is spectacular. So we’ve seen you at sunset Uluru, and we’ve seen you

“

The pink clouds above are a sight to behold

”

at sunrise, now we’re seeing you up close. If the former two experiences are like two magical dates, doing the base walk around Uluru is like getting to know the real rock. And let me tell you, she ain’t as pretty close up as she is from a distance. What a Monet. The two-hour, 10km walk around Uluru shows you just how big the rock is. Up close you can truly appreciate her scale, but ›› TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Don’t do it! Epic Wararrka National Park (Kings Canyon)

also her detail. No one tells you how weathered Uluru is, or how eroded – it almost looks like coral. No one tells you about the black water marks, which look like the stains in an old bathroom. But this is what makes it so great, the real Uluru. It’s not the same shape you imagine either. From a distance it looks like a big block of butter, but up here it is more like scoops of ice-cream. A rusty rocky road – perhaps that could be a new Messina flavour. A Dutch guy on the tour chooses to do the walk barefoot, to feel some sort of connection with the indigenous people. It doesn’t surprise me. Earlier he was the first to put his hand up for a witchetty grub. He’s here to get his money’s worth. He is determined to go the whole way around the rock, even though he is continually wincing in pain from the gravel, thorns and parts of the track with metal grates. “I want to do it like the Aborigines,” he says with gritted teeth. “Well you should do it naked then,” a Canadian guy retorts. I walk off before I can find out if he does. I’ve seen Uluru un-cut, that’s enough real Australia for one day. ❚ Details: The three-day Rock Tour costs $355 (including park fees). Tigerair flies Sydney to Alice Springs. Fares start at $89, one way. therocktour.com.au; tigerair.com

Fly to Alice Springs from SYD/MELB from

$89.95

one way with Tiger Air

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Rail Explorer Pass

Red Centre Expedition Package

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

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

495 $ 649 $

3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS

1397PP $ 1006PP $

ADULT MULTI SHARE ADULT MULTI SHARE

10 DAYS 9 NIGHTS

REDSERVICE

REDSERVICE Includes:

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

r EBZ #BSPTTB 7BMMFZ 5PVS r OJHIU BCPBSE 5IF (IBO "EFMBJEF UP "MJDF 4QSJOHT JO 3FE %BZ /JHIUFS 4FBU r OJHIUT BU :)" "MJDF 4QSJOHT TIBSF EPSNJUPSZ

Additional packages and passes available.

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

Find us at facebook.com/GreatSouthernRail

facebook.com/GreatSouthernRail

Visit greatsouthernrail.com.au/backpackers or book with your licensed travel agent. Terms and conditions apply. Package fares based on low season prices and per person based on Red Day/Nighter Seat. Airfares not included in package price. For the Rail Explorer Pass a fuel surcharge is payable at time of booking a journey and is only available to bona fide overseas visitors to Australia. All Backpacker fares are based on Red Service Day/Nighter Seat Service and are available to members of recognised backpacker organisations for bookings made from 1 April 2013 for travel until 31 March 2014. All prices are subject to change without notice. For full terms and conditions visit greatsouthernrail.com.au Travel Agent License No.TTA164190. GSR3066B 03_732p_32-51 03_724p_30-59 Travel.indd Travel.indd 47 33

13/6/13 3/10/13 1:03:53 8:53 AM PM

The high life: the lost city pierces the clouds at 2430m

Machu Picchu

A mule on the Salkantay Trail 48

Taking a breather surrounded by the peaks of the Andes

Photos: Andrew Westbrook, Thinkstock

PERU

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The high road Forget the Inca Trail. Hike to Machu Picchu along the higher, more beautiful and less touristy Salkantay Trail WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

WHERE TO STAY: Machu Picchu treks generally include The alarm sounds like a klaxon just after months of planning and years of dreaming, 4am and I rise, zombie-like from my slumber. all accommodation (normally it’s one of those travel moments I’m unlikely Within minutes we’re grouped outside, with camping) and food. If you opt for to forget. the train rather than a trek, there walking sticks in hands, yawns on faces Our five-day trek along the Salkantay and torches glaring from foreheads, like is a huge selection of hostels in Trail had begun in Cusco, the beautiful, a forlorn squad of sentinels scanning the Agua Calientes. A good option is wild-at-heart gateway city to Machu Picchu. Peruvian streets. The last of my group of Typically disorganised and unaware of the Supertramp (supertramphostel. 20 and 30-something Europeans and North permit system, I’d been unable to secure com), which has beds from $10. Americans stumbles out to join us and off myself a place on the official Inca Tail, the Likewise, Cusco is overflowing we hike, into the pre-dawn mist that swirls much-touted must-do of any extended South with hostels. One of the best is through the town of Agua Calientes. American adventure. Milhouse (milhousehostel.com), We’re soon beyond the buildings and I had, however, managed to join an with beds from $10pn. at the base of the Inca Steps. Above us lies expedition along the lesser-known alternative CURRENCY: $1 = 2.5PEN Machu Picchu – lost city, world wonder, Inca route, the Salkantay. As it turned out, (Peruvian Sols). ultimate bucket list tick-off. It’s above us, I’d be praising my disorganisation more and SEE: visitperu.com however, by 400 metres, a distance we must more with every passing day. now cross by climbing near-vertical centuries old steps in After the first of our pre-dawn meets, we start by driving the pitch dark. I’m suddenly not so sure why I opted for this to the town of Mollepata for breakfast and to meet the punishing alternative to the lie-in and bus. However, we team, who include our two horsemen, three chefs and two push on, joining the line of figures panting and heaving as local guides, Cesar and Simba. It’s then time to start walking. we rise in the dark, like ghostly silhouettes against the cloudWith condors flying overhead, we’ve barely begun when shrouded mountain. Simba calls us to a halt for what is to become a regular ritual Up we climb, leg burning step after step, leaving the – the distribution of coca leaves. An age-old tradition ›› town hundreds of metres below. The morning light begins to seep through, leaving perfect circles of clouds around the surrounding peaks as if they’re intergalactic rings in our Inca universe. The higher we ascend, the more distant a memory our 4am klaxon becomes. The gates of time It’s almost an hour later that we pass the final step and stagger out of the jungle, wild-eyed and drenched in sweat. We’re met by the bemused looks of the fresh-faced and clean clothed tourists just stepping off the first buses of the day, with whom we now join the queue, eagerly awaiting the 6am opening time. The clock eventually chimes and in we excitedly stagger, slightly delirious to finally be entering the lost city, this ancient testament to the incredible extent of just what the human race can achieve. After four days of tough trekking,

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throughout the indigenous Andean regions of Bolivia and Peru, the chewing of coca leaves isn’t about the narcotic buzz, which many assume. Indeed, while the leaves are what cocaine is derived from, locals would argue they’re as different as heroin and poppies. While some might experience a slight numbing of the mouth, the main result is to soften the side effects of altitude sickness, especially headaches and dodgy bellies. And indeed, altitude sickness is a very real concern, considering we’re already at just under 3000m and will be heading up to around 4650m within 24 hours. To put that in perspective, Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, measures in at a lowly 2238m.

Altitude with attitude And so, cheeks bulging with foul-smelling green leaves the American government (if not Coca Cola) would rather see burned in the fields, we head off towards the glacier peak of Mount Salkantay. We walk uphill until lunch, when we reach our first camp at Sayllapata, dump our bags and take a detour up to a glacial lake. The sudden off-piste climb is seriously hardgoing which, with the altitude, demands regular breaks. Two of the seemingly-seasoned German hikers in our group call it a day and turn back for camp, struggling to breathe. I’m more fortunate, having spent more time than the rest getting used to the Andean altitude, and so press on. But it still feels like I’ve aged 30 years, and I’m forced to stop every minute or so to catch my breath. The result, however, could not be more worth it. Clambering over the final crest, now comfortably above 4000m, we collapse amongst the grass and wild flowers to sit in silent awe. The ice of Salkantay looms more than 6200m high behind us, but in front sits a glacial lake of breathtaking beauty, its waters tantalisingly turquoise as the last slivers of the sun dip behind the range. Better yet, we’ve got it to ourselves having not seen another tourist since setting off. There’s no need for a 500-a-day limit on the little-known Salkantay. A surprisingly slap-up dinner and a fitful night’s sleep later and we’re back in our boots, shivering in the now familiar pre-dawn mist, as we set off in search of the trail’s highest pass. Upwards we zig zag, the group splintering as the unlucky dip of altitude sickness strikes some worse than others. The temperature gradually rises with the sun, but

Above the clouds 50

so does the difficulty in breathing as we all enter our own little worlds. Watching my feet, chewing my leaves, I push on, absent-mindedly humming my way through the theme tunes to Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, so epic and superlative are the landscapes surrounding us. At one point I approach another tour group, the first we’ve encountered. They’ve opted to do the trek on horseback and are currently stood still, taking a breather. But a cow suddenly darts onto the path, spooking one of their animals. The horse rears up, spilling its female rider, before stumbling over the edge of the switchback path.

Back in the saddle Gobsmacked, I stand transfixed for a moment, watching the horse roll down the mountain towards me. I dive out of its way, but luckily needn’t have worried. The horse rights itself immediately and calmly on hitting my section of the path – all in a day’s work, it seems. The girl is less fortunate. She’s hurt her hand, possibly broken it, and is faced with a stark choice in the middle of nowhere. As I move on past, I’m impressed to see she goes for the pain and glory option. A few hours later and we all reconvene at the top of the pass. Stood at 4650m, the winds are all-powerful. Either side of us the huge mountains of Salkantay and Humantay dominate our views, as Simba leads us in reenacting an ancient Inca ceremony, building small towers of stones and leaving offerings of our finest snacks and coca leaves for the gods. It’s no place to hang around, however, so onwards we move, taking the long knee-crunching way back down into the cloud forest, the insects and our next campsite. It’s barely eight by the time we’ve already devoured a massive dinner and crawled into our sleeping bags under the

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Finally looking down on Machu Picchu

Paul Sarfati

The Insider's guide Paul Sarfati is CHO (that’s chief happiness officer) of Bamba Experience, who run several guided treks to Machu Picchu, plus own top Cusco hostel Milhouse. What makes Machu Picchu so special? The amazing location of where it stands, plus the landscape and nature surrounding the archeological site is breathtaking. shade of the mountains. Now firmly into the rhythm, and with the hardest miles behind us, the next two days fly by. We journey through the valleys of the Santa Teresa River, gawping at the plentiful waterfalls and tropical fruit, before soaking our aching muscles in one of the glorious hot springs. It’s then the hot and dusty walk around a giant hydroelectric power station before joining the railway line, for the final, winding hike along the river to Agua Calientes and back to the world of mass tourism. And so, after the icey peaks and early mornings, the rolling horses and old man lungs, we finally step inside Machu Picchu. Wispy fog pours over the grassy terraces, while temples and iconic views fill every direction. The images, so familiar from 1000 postcards and documentaries, are almost hard to believe at times, as we look down at the dot of the bridge where we’d begun our climb earlier in the morning. Machu Picchu deserves its reputation, of that there’s no doubt. Built on top of a mountain around 1450 as a sort or royal retreat, it remains in excellent condition thanks to never having been found by plundering Spanish conquistadores – an unsurprising fact, given its absolutely insane location. Travel is often all about destinations, while it’s the journey, others will swear, that is the real joy. Well, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu hike enjoys a rare claim – both the journey and the destination are as spell-binding as you’re likely to experience. ❚ The five-day Salkantay Trek costs from $645 with Bamba Experience bambaexperience.com; Beds at Milhouse Cusco cost from $10pn milhousehostel.com

When is the best time of year to visit? You can visit year round, but best would be winter, between May and September. That’s when the sky is clear and you get very beautiful, sunny days. The rainy season starts in December and ends in March (so is probably the worst time to visit), but is still amazing. How early do you need to book the Inca Trail? As early as possible. There are only 500 permits available each day, but that includes porters and guides, so it’s more like 300 permits for tourists. At times you need to pre-book around five to six months in advance. Permits are not transferable or refundable so there is no way to get one once they’re sold out. What are the Inca Trail alternatives? The Salkantay offers a high altitude trek with the most amazing views of the mountains. It’s the most challenging hike but you get to walk very close to the glaciers. The Jungle Trek is the second alternative which offers the possibility of low altitude mountain biking, rafting, hot springs and zip-lining to reach Machu Picchu. The Lares Trek is another very nice high altitude trek on the other side of the mountains. This one is also great because you get to interact with the local communities and see their way of life. Any tips for avoiding altitude sickness? We recommend spending two days in Cusco before starting your trek. We also recommend drinking around three litres of water each day, plus coca tea.

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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

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

Mighty Cars and Campers (Formerly Backpacker Campervan Rentals) 1800 809 944 mightycampers.com.au

Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com

Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au

Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo. 02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Groovy Grape Getaways Tours linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au

YHA Travel 02 9261 111, yha.com.au

TOUR FIRMS

Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.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 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

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

Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

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SYDNEY STAY

CHECK IN

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

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

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

SYDNEYMUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com

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

Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au Eva’s Backpackers 6-8 Orwell Street Kings Cross 02 9358 2185, evasbackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333 cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111 yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. 1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

SURFSIDE BONDI BEACH BACKPACKERS 35a Hall St, Bondi Beach, Sydney. Dorms from $34.99 Right in the heart of Australia’s most iconic beach, this hostel is the perfect place to settle in and enjoy the Australian summer in style.

Sydney

surfsidebackpackers.com.au

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au 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

Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills. 02 9261 1111

Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au

Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au

Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

Bondi Shores Level 1. 283 Bondi Road, Bondi bondishores.com.au

Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD. 02 9288 7888, wakeup.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

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au 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

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 Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. 02 4384 1919, yha.com.au The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195 yha.com.au Skydive the Beach Byron Bay Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina 1800 302 005 skydivethebeachbyronbay.com

COFFS HARB Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St. 02 6652 6462, yha.com.au Harbour City Holiday Park 123 Pacific Highway coffsholidaypark.com.au Hoey Moey Backpackers 80 Ocean Pde hoeymoey.com.au Solitary Islands Marine Resort North St, Wooli NSW 1462 1800 003 031 solitaryislandsresort.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SYDNEY DO Manly Surf School Manly Beach. 02 9977 6977, manlysurfschool.com Maritime Museum Darling Harbour. anmm.gov.au

Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162,

My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

JINDABYNE This small town in south-east NSW is an adventure junkie’s delight. Jindabyne is situated four hours south of Sydney near the Snowy Mountains and overlooks Lake Jindabyne. It is most well known for its accessibility to ski resorts in Kosciuszko National Park including Thredbo and Perisher. Jindabyne is a hub of extreme sports with several board and equipment shops, rental stores and a skate park. In the summer months it is a great destination for fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding on the lake.

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

CHECK IN

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

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

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

Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com

Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au

Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au

CHILDERS ECO-LODGE

Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.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 & Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646 tinbilly.com

Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise. 1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au

BRISBANE DO

Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace. 07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com

Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au

515 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Beds from $17 A purpose built, eco-lodge for backpackers travelling up the Bruce Highway in Queensland. Grand opening coming soon!

Agnes Waters

childersecolodge.com.au

Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St yha.com.au Nomads Prince Consort Backpackers

XXXX Brewery Tours & Ale House Brewery tours. Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton. 07 3361 7597, xxxbrewerytours.com. au

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

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GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise. 1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.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,

THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

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Hervey Bay Fraser Island

BRISBANE

Terms and conditions: * To receive the discount international backpackers must hold a current passport with an international address. This fare type excludes domestic backpackers. # Receive up to 40% discount on economy seat adult rail fares. For more information or to book your Backpacker Rail Fares, visit queenslandrailtravel@qr.com.au or call 1800 872 467. Valid for travel until 31 March 2014. Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 09 Travel Agent Lic. No. QLD 327 4957 QR3789.23_DL_0912.

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

Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) Mackay

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4/10/13 5:50 AM

QLDLISTINGS 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

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

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111126, dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

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

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com.au Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads. 1800 666 237,

FRASER ISLAND

follow us on 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 Dingo’s Rainbow Beach 20 Spectrum St dingosresort.com Dropbear Adventures Williams Ave, Fraser Island. QLD +61 487 333 606 dropbearadventures.com Frasers On Rainbow Beach 195 Torquay Terrace, Torquay, flashpackersherveybay.com Kingfisher Bay Resort River Heads Road, Fraser Island kingfisherbay.com Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park 21 Denmans Camp Road, Scarness, Hervey Bay frasercoasttouristpark.com.au

Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island fraserislandco.com.au Fraser’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

BUNDABERG Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au 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 1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

Fraser Island Backpackers

AIRLIE BEACH

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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

TOWNSVILLE

MORETON BAY Each year, Australia’s entire whale population embarks on its annual pilgrimage to and from the Antarctic, and they don’t mind an audience. July to November is whale watching time, and you don’t have to go further north than Brisbane to catch these gentle giants breach, slap their tails and play around. Seeing whales up close and personal gives you a feeling of wellbeing and a sense of awe. Buses and trains run from Brisbane. Moreton Bay is only a 30-minute drive east of the CBD. Just follow the signs.

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,

@tnt_downunder yongaladive.com.au

MAGNETIC ISL Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 1800 24 22 73, stayatbase.com 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 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 Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353 bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJoy Backpackers Hostel Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton Street. 1800 229 228, northerngreenhouse.com.au

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Pro Dive 07 4031 5255 prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures

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Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

AdventureGoldCoast.com 04_732p 52-71 sections.indd 57

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QLDLISTINGS 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

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

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

MOOLOOLABA Mooloolaba Backpackers VIP 75 Brisbane Road mooloolababackpackers.com

MORETON ISLAND Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tangalooma.com

ATHERTON Kuranda Rainforest Park 88 Kuranda Heights Rd, Kuranda. 07 4093 7316,

NOOSA Dolphins Beach House 14 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach dolphinsbeachhouse.com.au

Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr NOOSA inland nomadsworld.com

Innisfail Budget Backpackers 125 Edith St jobsforbackpackers.com.au

Noosa Backpackers Resort 9-13 William St noosabackpackers.com

Farm work, Innisfail 0437 692 002

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 Port O’Call YHA 7 Craven Close portocall.com.au

INNISFAIL Codge Lodge 63 Rankin St codgelodge.com Crown Hostel 25 Ernest St (07) 4061 2266

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 St yha.com.au Childers Eco-Lodge Off the Princess Highway childersecolodge.com.au

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

SUNSHINE COAST

@tnt_downunder

Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Backpackers 79 Palmer St adventurersresort.com Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel 262 Walker St civicguesthousetownsville. com.au Foreign Exchange Accommodation - Beachside 19 Eyre St, North Ward foreignx.com.au

MACKAY Gecko’s Rest 34 Sydney St geckosrest.com.au

MAGNETIC IS Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd stayatbase.com Bungalow Bay Koala Village YHA 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd bungalowbay.com.au

P 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.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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VICLISTINGS

MELBOURNE STAY

CHECK IN

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

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

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

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

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

College Lawn Hotel 36 Greville St, Prahran collegelawnhotel.com.au

DISCOVERY MELBOURNE

167 Franklin St Melbourne. Beds from $25 Located right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD this hostel has just about everything you could possibly need in one place.

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

Melbourne CBD

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au Lords Lodge Backpackers 167 Franklin St lordslodge.com Melbourne International Backpackers 204 Punt Rd, Prahran mibp.com.au

$22 $ Back of Chapel 50 Green St, Windsor nomadshostels.com

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

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discoverymelbourne.com

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane. 1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au

Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212 homemansion.com.au

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

Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au

Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.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 elephantbackpacker.com.au Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au

King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.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 The Spencer City Central BP 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

Maximum 4 bed dormitories with linen and towel

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334 CITY ROAD SOUTHBANK MELBOURNE VIC 3006 AUSTRALIA 19/5/10 16:49:37

6/08/13 4/10/13 9:10 5:52 PM AM

VICLISTINGS ST KILDA Back of Chapel Backpackers 50 Green St backofchapel.com Base St Kilda 17 Carlisle St stayatbase.com Coffee Palace Backpackers 24 Grey St coffeepalacebackpackers.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Rd, thehabitathq.com.au Oslo Hotel 38 Grey St oslohotel.com.au The Ritz for Backpackers 109 Barkly St stkildabeachhouse.com.au St Kilda Beach House 169B Fitzroy St ritzbackpackers.com

MELBOURNE DO Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square. 03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au

Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. discoverymelbourne.com Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au

Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. 13 11 02

melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au Skydive the Beach Melbourne 1300 798 843 skydivethebeachmelbourne.com Tourism Victoria Backpacking ideas. backpackmelbourne.com Wildlife Tours Australia Specialising in Victorian tours +61 3 9314 2225 wildlifetours.com.au

GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne. 03 5289 2508, yha.com.au Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell. 03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

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 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

@tnt_downunder

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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 performance, 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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SALISTINGS

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

EYRE PENINSULA

CHECK IN

Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny.

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

08 8687 0411

coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience

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

Sea lion and dolphin swims. 08 8626 5017

bairdbay.com

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

Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving. 08 8682 3939,

BACKPACK OZ

sharkcagediving.com.au

144 Wakefield St, Adelaide. Beds from $26 A modern, clean and comfortable hostel with great ratings on Hostel World and located right in the heart of beautiful Adelaide.

Adelaide

Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth.

backpackoz.com.au

1800 816 858

the-traveller.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, barossa backpackers.com.au

COOBER PEDY Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.com.au Radeka Down Under 1 Oliver St. 1800 633 891, radekadownunder.com.au Riba’s Underground 1811 William Creek Rd. 08 8672 5614, camp-underground.com.au

KANGAROO IS Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw. 08 8553 1344 yha.com.au Vivonne Bay Lodge 66 Knofel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 seaink.com.au

RIVERLAND

Port Lincoln Tourist Park

Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri. 08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au

11 Hindmarsh St.

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

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions

08 8621 4444,

portlincolntouristpark.com.au

Great white shark cage diving. 08 8363 1788

Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray. 1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com

rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842,

angorichinavillage.com.au

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

Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004,

wilpenapound.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photo: SATC

PORT LINCOLN Named by British explorer Matthew Flinders after his home town, Port Lincoln almost pipped Adelaide to the title of South Australian capital, only losing out due to a lack of fresh water. It’s now an attractive and bustling harbour town worth a stop. However, to many, the area is known for one reason only – cage diving with great white sharks. Dangerous Reef, 30km from shore, is the best place in Oz to come face-to-face with the toothy giants. So much so that the area was used when filming the genuine shark scenes in the original Jaws. Found about 280km directly west from Adelaide (but about 650km when travelling by road), it’s also the place to try the surreally fun swimming with tuna. Indeed, it’s thanks to the area’s high grade tuna, most of which ships straight out to Japan’s sashimi markets, that the town boasts the most millionaires per capita in Australia.This one also covers theatre, music, visual arts and dance.

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WALISTINGS

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

The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St, Northbridge planetinn.com.au Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, shiralee.com.au Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St East Perth (08) 9325 6398 YMCA Jewell House 180 Goderich St ymcajewellhouse.com.au 1201 East Backpackers 195 Hay St 1201east.com.au

PERTH DO

The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com

Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au

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

Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au

Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. 08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au

The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, Witchs-hat.com

Monkey Mia (pronounced ‘my-ah’) is located on the Coral Coast, about 850km north of Perth. It’s become famous for the bottlenose dolphins that swim to shore and interact with people every day. As a result it’s become fairly touristy, but if you’re keen to see the finned ones up close, you’d struggle to find somewhere better. The dolphin interaction started in 1964 when a lady from one of the nearby fishing camps befriended the creatures and today there’s now a pod of around 300 that live in the bay. This amazing beach is part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, and with its relaxed vibe, year-round sunshine, clear blue water and extensive wildlife, it’s the perfect winter escape. If you’re not planning on staying, make sure you drop by early in the morning as generally all the dolphin feeds are done and dusted by lunchtime. out to the headland or hire water equipment such as jet skis.

Perth Beach YHA & Indigo Net Cafe 256 West Coast Hwy, Scarbrough indigonet.com.au

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

MONKEY MIA

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Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com 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 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

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

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WALISTINGS Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace. 08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

CHECK IN

MONKEY MIA

ROTTNEST ISL

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

Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks. 08 9372 9780, yha.com.au

MARGARET RIVER

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

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

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com

Surfpoint 12 Riedle Drive Prevally 08 9757 1777 surfpoint.com.au

Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth. 08 9949 1200, yha.com.au

ALBANY

Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd.

CORAL BAY Ningaloo Club Robinson St

ningalooclub.com

NINGALOO REEF

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

Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St 08 9842 3388, yha.com.au

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BROOME STAY PIRATES BACKPACKERS 11 Essex Street, Fremantle. Dorms from $24. A family owned and small, lively hostel in the heart of Freo. Outdoor fire pit and spa for chilly nights and plenty of activities year round.

Fremantle

piratesbackpackers.com.au

Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road. 1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

ESPERANCE Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd,

yha.com.au

EXMOUTH Pete’s Exmouth Backpackers YHA Cnr Truscott Cres & Murat Rd

yha.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BROOME The thought of Australia’s west coast conjures images not unlike that of the Wild West: barren, uninhabitable land strewn with tumbleweeds, open-cut mines, and spinefexed plains. But as the anthem states, “Our land abounds with nature’s gifts” and Broome is chock-full of them. Known as ‘the Pearl of the North’, Broome is the home of the South Sea pearl – pearling being Broome’s equivalent of the gold rush, Broome is also steeped in Aborigional history that gives the local indigenous population a decidedly different vibe from the tribes found elsewhere in Australia. From the white sands of Cable Beach, to the hidden waterfalls in the Kimberley, there are so many adventures to be had. The Cable Beach Backpackers offer dorms from $18 a night, per person and also offer free shuttles into town.

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LAUNCESTON DO

HOBART STAY

CHECK IN

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

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

HOBART HOSTEL 41 Barrack St, Hobart. Dorms from $23 Very clean and comfortable, a pleasing lounge with a plasma TV & DVD’s, air-conditioning, FREE internet/WIFI.

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au

Hobart

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

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.com.au

hobarthostel.com

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

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

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

HOBART Tasmania’s capital has the perfect mix of old world charm, new-school pretentions and captivating natural surroundings. Hobart is a buzzing microcosm of Australiana; with a burgeoning arts scene, a lively coffee and bar culture, and repurposed waterfront, Hobart has everything you’d expect from an Aussie city, and more. It’s also been named by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2013. Its controversial museum, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), no doubt helped cement the city’s place on that list, but Hobart’s natural beauty probably didn’t hurt either.

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NTLISTINGS

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

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

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights. 08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell St. 1300 723 437, momdarwin.com

88 Mitchell Street, Darwin. Beds from $25.50 This independently owned hostel in the heart of Darwin was recently voted the 7th best hotel in all of Australia. You won’t be left howling.

DARWIN DO

Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront. 08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

Darwin

dingomoonlodge.com

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

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

DINGO MOON LODGE

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

Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive. 08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au

KATHERINE DO

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.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 Toddy’s Resort 41 Gap Rd. 1800 027 027, toddys.com.au

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

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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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TANAMI TRACK The Northern Territory has more to offer travellers than just the Red Centre and Uluru. The Tanami Track is a hidden gem, buried in the heartland of Australia’s outback. Those brave enough to venture this far to the centre of the country will be treated to views that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The red desert is broken up with oasis-like wetlands along the Finke River and provides a welcome change from the arid beauty that normally abounds in this part of the world.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ULURU Alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is the most iconic landmark in Australia. Known for being the giant rock bang in the middle of Australia, Uluru has attracted many a tourist to this culturally significant landmark. Sacred to the Aboriginal people, tourists are not encouraged to climb the rock but this is a must-stop destination for any traveller wanting to get the full Australian package. Make sure you pack your Akubra hat and sunscreen though because it can get pretty hot in the “Red Centre” of Australia. You can explore the springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings, as well as the many native flora and fauna. It’s not a trip to Australia without visiting one of the landmarks that makes it famous.

Fly to Alice Springs from SYD/MELB from

$89.95

one way with Tiger Air TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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NZLISTINGS AUCKLAND Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. +64 9275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Auckland International The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. +64 9307 0181, nomadshostels.com Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. +64 9300 9999, nomadshostels.com Oaklands Lodge (BBH) St. +64 5A Oaklands Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9638 6545, oaklands.co.nz Queen Street Backpackers (VIP) 4 Fort St. +64 9373 3471, enquiries@qsb.co.nz Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. +64 9363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. yha.co.nz +64 9309 2802, YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. +64 9302 8200, yha.co.nz

WELLINGTON

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) 6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414 YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

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

Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. Base Wellington 21-23 TNT-OZ-halfpage.pdf 2 25/09/2013 1:17:06 p.m. +64 3366 9720, Cambridge Tce. +64 4801 5666 stayatbase.com backpack.co.nz/foley

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Jailhouse Accommodation (BBH) 338 Lincoln Rd. 0800 524 546, stay@kiwibasecamp.com

Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. +64 3442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz

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

Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. +64 3441 3922, nomadshostels.com

Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals +800 200 80 801, backpackercampervans.com

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

Peterpans Adventure Travel 27 Shotover St Queenstown. peterpans.com.au

Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.com.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

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

Base Discovery Lodge Queenstown 49 Shotover St. +64 3441 1185, stayatbase.com

YHA Queenstown Lakefront 88- 90 Lake Esplanade. +64 3442 8413 yha.co.nz bus tours

Bungi Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 15 Sydney St. 0800 728 286, bungibackpackers.co.nz

Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com

Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. +64 3443 7341, cardrona.com Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. +64 3442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.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

Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz

Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv

Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com

Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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NZLISTINGS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GOAT ISLAND Goat Island Marine Reserve was created almost 40 years ago as New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first marine sanctuary and now provides tourists a chance to interact with the local fauna. Due to its close proximity to Auckland, just 80km north, Goat Island is almost a must-do, no matter how much (or little) time you have to spend in New Zealand. While there, tourists can choose to take a ride on the glassbottomed boat ($25) or just flop about in the water with a snorkel. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind camping or want to stay on for an extra day, try Goat Island Camping ($18pp). If you do end up staying in the area, why not explore the local township of Leigh, which has its very own microbrewery.

With 45+ New Zealand hostels, you can skydive 134 metres in 8 seconds or plummet screaming on a bungy and still sleep soundly! YHA have got your accommodation sorted. Easy as.

r for yous n o i t a ture mod accom aland adven e New Z 191 ow: Book n ne 1800 242 o h Free p .nz yha.co book@ .nz .co or yha

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OZWORK

@tnt_downunder

Service with a smile From tending bars to cooking up pies, hospitality work is a great way to top up the travel funds without getting too serious

On the pull

Making the most of a working holiday visa can be a delicate operation. On the one hand, you want to get enough cash in your pocket to be able to afford to do what you want while you’re Down Under. But on the other hand, you don’t want to find you’ve suddenly resumed the wage slave’s life that you thought you’d left behind. The best travelling jobs are not necessarily those that pay top dollar, but the ones that let you have a laugh, gain a few experiences and meet a load of like-minded people. If that sounds more like you, then hospitality jobs are where you need to be heading. Whether it’s tending bars, clearing tables, cheffing or cleaning rooms, there’s plenty of jobs on offer, and if you do decide to get serious and move into management, there’s often good sponsorship opportunities. But bartenders, before you walk into a pub with your résumé, make sure you’ve got your Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate. That’s a qualification most people will need before they can work with alcohol. It only takes a day and you can even do it online now. But beware, it often

only applies to the state you get it in. Once you’ve got that slip of paper, you’re good to go. Hospitality is one of the jobs that you don’t need a bunch of qualifications beneath your belt, unless you’re an aspiring chef. Bar work is a fairly easy job to get into because it’s your personality that will seal the deal. However, trying to keep that personality up when you’re dealing with piss-heads is another story. If you’ve had no experience in a bar then it’s best to start at the quieter pubs where training will be provided on the job. There are one-day bar courses you can attend but the best way to learn is by diving in head-first. Who dares wins, after all. If you work in a clothing store, you’re expected to wear the clothes, and in bars, once you finish your shift, you’re expected to drink. And there’s nothing more satisfying than that first sip of alcohol after you’ve clocked off – it really feels like you’ve earned it. That’s right, you’ll get staffies! That’s when, after all the locals and the pissed morons have been kicked out then you

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Photos: Getty

Everyone loves the shots provider. Well, at first...

and your companions can sit down and sample one or two of the very beverages you’ve just spent so long dolling out. In plain English: free drinks. Most owners allow this, but it’s up to their discretion as to how generous they are with “free booze”. It’s a great way to make friends and share stories with the people you’ll probably wind up seeing a fair bit of time with – at night usually. Also, unlike in the United States or in the UK, the average wage for a bartender in this country is pretty bloody good, all things considered. Wages can be around $20 per hour for waiters, bartenders and kitchenhands, or $24 at weekends. Chefs can earn $24 during the week, or up to $29 an hour at weekends if they are fully qualified. Tips vary from bar to bar and can be as little as none if you’re in a little pub or up to $200 per shift if you’re in a top-notch cocktail bar. Overall, hospitality is a great sector to get into while travelling. It can be fun, it pays fairly well and, above all, the hours are flexible so you can take time off to travel. So get out there and get earning!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO HAVE ❶

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate

❷ Your Responsible Service of Gambling (RCG) certificate in pubs with gaming rooms ❸ Black clothes – bartenders almost always wear black ❸ A sense of humour ❸ A strong stomach – you might have to clean up vomit occasionally

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TOTALLYTRIVIAL

@tnt_downunder

WHO TO BLAME

AND THEIR ESSENTIAL FESTIVAL ACCESSORY EDITOR

ANDREW WESTBROOK (mankini)

DEPUTY EDITOR HUGH RADOJEV (hand sanitiser)

TASH LEVY (short shorts)

AUSSIE RULES FESTIVAL QUIZFOOTBALL On which day does the main Easter Q 1.celebration traditionally fall? a) Sunday b) Wednesday c) Monday d) Thursday

INTERN

RORY PLATT (jaffle iron)

What year was the first Adelaide Q 2.Fringe Festival? a) 1888 c) 1960

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TOM WHEELER (rape whistle)

ACCOUNT MANAGER

JUSTIN STEINLAUF (business cards)

GEORGINA PENGELLY (something pink)

a) Richard II b) Edward III c) Henry VIII d) James I

3. What does Oktoberfest celebrate? a) A royal birth b) End of the Napoleonic Wars c) Breakup of Prussia d) A marriage

celebration precedes Lent Q 8.in Which Brazil? a) Carnival b) Feast of St Francis Assisi c) All Souls d) None of the above

Running of the Bulls take place? a) Granada b) Pamplona c) Valencia d) Barcelona

Q 9. What distinctive sound is heard during Rosh Hashanah? a) Horse Hooves b) Ships Bells c) Blowing of a Ram’s Horn d) Nothing

Q 5. Who headlined the first Big Day Out back in 1992? a) The Clouds b) Bjork c) Violent Femmes d) The Cranberries

LISA FERRON DESIGNER (party whistle)

SUDOKU PUZZLE

WHAT WE DID THIS FORTNIGHT WELCOMED A NEW FULL-TIME INTERN INTO OUR MIDST FROM GERMANY – HEY REGINA! BID A TEARFUL FAREWELL TO JUSTIN SOLOMON STEINLAUF! THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK OVER THREE YEARS, MATE! GOT TO MEET CHINGY, OMARION AND HUDSON MOHAWK IN ONE NIGHT! AH MA GAAAAAA!

3 7

“BUNG”

3 4

AUSSIE-ISM

5 4 7

6 9

8 2

5 5

6. Which cheese is used for the annual Cheese Rolling in the UK? a) Double Gloucester b) Gouda c) Stilton d) Camembert

Guy Fawkes Day celebrates the Q 7.failed assassination of which monarch?

b) 1975 d) 1991

Q 4. In which Spanish city does the

MARKETING + EVENTS EXECUTIVE

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

INTERN

This old word has two meanings: 1. To put, chuck or throw something into a resting place i.e. “Just bung it over there mate” 2. If something is broken i.e. “The fridge has gone bung!”

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KAGE C A P TE A M I T UL

ALL THIS FOR

$245

IP V access

+ + all areas

EDVPENIC TURE

Airlie Beach 350 Shute Harbour Road P: 07 4946 6144

Brisbane City 452 George Street P: 07 3236 3266

Brisbane Valley 11-21 Gipps Street P: 07 3257 3644

Byron Bay 87 Jonson Street 02 6685 6100

Cairns 9-13 Shields Street P: 07 4041 6222

Mission Beach Wongaling Shopping Center P: 07 4068 8699

Noosa 13 Noosa Drive P: 07 5447 3845

Sydney City 790 George Street P: 02 9212 4444

Sydney Kings Cross 191 William Street P: 02 9380 2155

Rainbow Beach 12 Rainbow Beach Road P: 07 5486 3380

Melbourne Southbank 334 City Road P: 03 9693 3704

www.adventuretravelbugs.com

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Recommended by

LONELY PLANET WEBSITE 2011 1000 ULTIMATE

EXPERIENCES 2009 LE GUIDE DU PETIT FUTE

FREE APP

WINNER Best Small Travel Agent in Australia 2011

FREECALL 1800 677 119

“Everyone knows it can be cheaper and safer to book your trip in airlie beach”

NT DISCOU TOUR E CENTR

iPHONE & ANDROID

FREE DIVE

3 days & 2 nights Adventure Sailing Sydney to Hobart Famous Race Winner Backpacker Trip - 24 guests Hands-On Sailing Experience Best Price - Call Us Now

free accommodation

OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF HARDY REEF

HOOK ISLAND

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

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LONG ISLAND

SHUTE HARBOUR

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WHITSUNDAY ISLAND

AIRLIE BEACH

HAMILTON ISLAND

best way to see the great barrier reef

3 Day 2 Night Adventure Sailing Trips offers guests looking for a smaller group size the opportunity to experience the Whitsundays. This tour will visit Whitehaven Beach, along with two or three snorkeling experiences on the fringing coral reefs which extend right from the edge of the islands and we have the best prices!

ICEBERG - BLIZZARD - ON ICE 2days/1night & 2days/2nights • All vessels in Excellent Condition • Small groups of 10 to 12 • True Sailing on Real Sailing Boats • Best Location. Coral, Beaches, Bushwalking • Free Watersports, SeaScooters, Kayaking • Private Ensuite cabins available

Mention this code ‘BRSA’ for our very special discount price.

All our staff are international traveler and speak various languages

a local Whitsundays government accredited operator. Our license is 3001478 and we have been proudly caring for our visitors for almost 20 years. Head to our facebook page (airliebeach.com) for a chance to WIN A TRIP FOR 2 to Whitehaven Beach aboard the sensational Camira.

Kayak over the fringing coral reefs and explore tropical islands. For beginners to experienced we provide all snorkel gear including fruit and cheese platter.

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 Hog’s Breath Cafe

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