TNT Downunder 681 by TNT MAGAZINE

May 14-20 2012 Issue 681 tntdownunder.com

! TE IN W E ULTIMA

TH THREE-DAY CK BA ULURU OUT RE U ADVENT

AHOY THERE The world’s best boat trips

BACK ON THE GRINGO TRAIL

BIG SMOKE THRILLS Action sport in Aussie cities

Party on Colombia’s Caribbean coast

N R U T E R D I VIV

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TOM STURROCK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER In case you haven’t noticed, Australia is surrounded on all sides by vast oceans, so it makes sense for us to be handy on boats. And this week, we’ve pulled together the most spectacular must-do boat trips around so you can plan your next adventure accordingly. We’ve also got action sports in Sydney – and other cities – as well as a ripping yarn from the beaches of Cartagena in Colombia. Good times.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

CHATROOM

CULTURE

COMPETITION

TRAVEL

NEWS

OPINION

SPORT

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS TASMANIA

LISTINGS VICTORIA

LISTINGS SA

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

WORK

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES ALL HANDS ON DECK

Pack your sea legs because we’re taking you on the world’s best boat trips

TEMPERS RISING

Melbourne band The Temper Trap talk about their new album and national tour

ACTION REPLAY

We go diving, wakeboarding and rafting as we search for adventure in Sydney

TASTE OF SALSA

Get your kicks in Cartagena, a gorgeous party-town on Colombia’s coast

34 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Tom Sturrock Deputy editor Alex Harmon Editorial assistant Leigh Livingstone Contributors Andy Westbrook | Jennifer Carr

@tnt_downunder

Bob Katter is the latest in a long line of eccentric Aussie politicians

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

MAIN EVENT SYDNEY WRITERS’ FESTIVAL SYDNEY

If you live by the written word, get involved in Sydney’s annual Writers’ Festival. Some of the world’s best writers, poets, critics and journalists are in town to present, workshop and delight you with their literary prowess. Highlights include a debate on gay marriage with author Jeanette Winterson, Chad Harbach’s exploration of sex and sport, and the controversial Bob Katter discussing his love of country with former PM Kevin Rudd. $5

SALES ENQUIRIES

02 8332 7511 tom@tntdownunder.com

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WHERE TO GET TNT

May 14-20. Some events are free. Various venues across Sydney swf.org.au

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

KATHERINE CUP

GREAT OCEAN ROAD MARATHON

PORT DOUGLAS CARNIVAL

Taking a leaf out of Melbourne’s book, the Northern Territory town of Katherine is putting the glitz, glamour and fashion into horse racing this weekend. After the cup, there’s a dance party that races long into the night. Place your bets, punters!

Strap on your running shoes for this two-day, five-race event along the stunning Great Ocean Road. There’s a Festival of Running, Walking and Wheeling for runners, walkers and wheelchair participants. Starts in Lorne and ends up in Apollo Bay.

This week-long feast of sensory delights includes long lunches, street parades, comedy nights, several food festivals, golf and tennis cups, and dance parties. All of this against the gorgeous backdrop of Port Douglas in far north Queensland.

May 19 Katherine NT visitkatherine.com.au

May 19-20 Great Ocean Road, Vic greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au

May 18-27 Port Douglas, QLD carnivale.com.au

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Walking on water Road trips are fun but some of the best sightseeing can only be done by boat. Check out our list of the most spectacular rides WORDS TOM STURROCK

An epic journey by boat is a staple of so much great fiction – whether it’s Conrad’s Heart Of Darkness or Steven Seagal’s finest work in Under Siege, there’s something about a watery voyage that seems to get the imagination firing on all cylinders. Unsurprisingly, for nations surrounded on all sides by the ocean, Australia and New Zealand are both home to some spectacular journeys. Skeptics might shrug their shoulders and roll their eyes at being stuck on a boat but it’s the variety on offer, especially in Australia, that really commends the boat trip. Of course, in the northern states, there’s a stack of diving, snorkelling and island-hopping to be done. Any visit to Australia would be incomplete

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without a stint bouncing around the Whitsundays, casting off from Airlie Beach, or a tour of the Great Barrier Reef in all its tropical glory. But the further south you go, the more bountiful the options become. Sydney’s harbour isn’t just there for postcards, you know – it’s a cracking way to get around Sydney, provided you’re not in a mad rush. So hail a water taxi, jump on board a ferry, or book yourself into a whale-watching tour that will take you out past the heads and along the coast. Even further south – about as far south as you can go, really – Tasmania has a burgeoning reputation as a tourism hotspot. Australians might be a little bit rude about Tassie, but if you’re impressed by untouched

wilderness and first-rate wine and cheese, Tasmania’s reputation as the mainland’s poor cousin is old-hat. And that’s just in Australia. Further afield, there are the inner-city straits of Hong Kong to explore, the remarkable Fijian archipelagos to navigate and the bejewelled expanses of Vietnam’s Halong Bay (main image) to potter through. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, then you can head deep into the jungles of the Amazon or splash out in the Galapagos Islands. So, if that doesn’t have you convinced about the appeal of the best boat trips, then read on. For your next trip, pack your sea legs, stow your luggage and settle in for the ride of a lifetime. At the end of the day, it sure beats taking the bus.

CHASE THE DRAGONS HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

SPOT TASMANIA’S WILDLIFE FRANKLIN RIVER, AUSTRALIA

A few days’ sailing on a traditional junk around Halong Bay makes a welcome respite from the motor-scooter madness of big-city Vietnam. Sprinkled with thousands of limestone karsts, this bay is genuinely breathtaking. Most tours also include kayaking around lagoons and, if you have time, make a stop at Cat Ba Island and visit the fascinating Hospital Cave, an impressive feat of engineering during the war. In old Sino-Vietnamese, Ha Long means “descending dragon” and the legend goes that when the Vietnamese had to fight against invaders, the gods sent dragons as protectors. These dragons began spitting out jewels and jade, which turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form a great wall against the invaders.

Rubber-rafting down Tasmania’s wild Franklin River is a challenging and, at times, treacherous undertaking but hopefully you still have the wherewithal to take in one of Australia’s most spectacular natural environments. The isolated wilderness of Tasmania’s World Heritage area protects ancient plants and endemic creatures. During your trip through the rugged wilderness of Tasmania’s west coast, you may encounter some peculiar little animals, including platypuses, wallabies, quolls, cormorants and white-breasted sea eagles. It can take more than a week to do the Franklin river properly and access varies because of the possibility of flooding. But if you’re there when it’s all happening, make sure you give it a go.

vietnamtourism.gov.vn/English

franklinrivertasmania.com

EXPLORE LEGENDARY FJORDS MILFORD SOUNDS, NEW ZEALAND

THE GREEN BANKS OF THE RAJ KERALA, INDIA

It’s New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination and Rudyard Kipling once referred to it as the “eighth wonder of the world”. The sheer scale of it explains why Milford Sound, named after Milford Haven in Wales, is the most visited fiord on New Zealand‘s South Island. You can take a cruise – they depart regularly from the main wharf at the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve. You can also do an overnight cruise on a boat that sails the full 22km length of the Sound and offers kayaking trips to shore. The Maori name, Piopiotahi, comes from the piopio – a small thrust-like bird. When Maui, a mythical Maori hero, died during his attempt to win immortality for all mankind, a piopio is said to have flown to these majestic fjords to mourn him.

How to describe the bliss of a couple of days sailing the palm-fringed lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals that meander through this southern Indian state, known as ‘God’s own country’? Calling it Paradise sells it short. Kerala is astonishingly green, and a medley of shades make an appearance as you glide past the coconut groves and backwater villages that flank this labyrinthine network of snaking, interconnected waterways. But it’s not just the peaceful beauty of the still waters and verdant fringes that set this scenery to ‘stun’. The houseboats themselves – once used to transport grain, and now converted into floating accommodation for tourists – add to the exotic mise-enscene, their wooden hulls covered over with thatched roofs.

milford-sound.co.nz

keralatourism.org

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GO BEYOND THE FAMOUS HARBOUR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA What would a trip to Sydney be without taking a turn on the city’s gleaming harbour? And, of course, there are plenty of ways to tick it off your list. If you’re trying to get from the north to the south or the west to the east, you can do a lot worse than catch a ferry – a trip from Circular Quay to Manly shows off the harbour beautifully. Or if you’re starting further west, maybe catch a water taxi so you can take in the leafy outcrops around Cockatoo Island, either side of Greenwich and Birchgrove. When it comes to arriving at dinner in style, this mode of transport is hard to beat. Of course, if you want to cruise out of Sydney Harbour and into the Pacific Ocean, then book yourself into a whale-watching cruise, which will either take you north to Manly or south to Coogee, depending on where the whales are most likely to be spotted. Tickets are about $80, depending on where you book, but it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of Humpback or Southern Right whales in their natural habitat, just a few kilometres offshore. Alternatively, you can find cruises that will take you to secluded beaches for a paddle, over to Shark Island for a scenic picnic, or north to the famous Taronga Zoo. captaincook.com.au

CAN’T OVERLOOK THE REEF CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA

The Galapagos Islands, just off the western shoulder of South America, are famed for their vast number of unique species. There are 15 main islands and three smaller ones, and although it’s not easy to get there – you’ll need to fly in from Quito or Guayaquil in Ecuador – it’s worth it. There are stacks of providers and trips touring the Galapagos by boat can be booked for anywhere from three days to three weeks. You’ll spend your time swimming with sea lions and floating nose-to-beak with penguins. As wildlife experiences go, the Galapagos is one you’ll never forget. You can also book a liveabord – that’s everything from from small yachts to large cruise ships, but the most common is a motor sailer, a mediumsized motor boat, which holds about 20 people.

If you’re heading all the way to Cairns to check out the Great Barrier Reef, you may as well make the most of it and book yourself onto a liveaboard diving tour. It will allow you to spend three days cruising around the reef, snorkelling at various spots, including a couple of outer reef locations further away from the main hotspots. It also means you’ll get to dive at night, which is a whole different kettle of tropical fish. Of course, if you don’t have the time or the cash for an extended tour of the Great Barrier Reef, you can still book day trips, which are great if you haven’t done much diving before and need an expert to put you through your paces. Either way, it’s an absolute must if you love the open water and have a trip planned to this part of Australia.

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LAGOONS AND WHITE SANDS BECKON THE WHITSUNDAYS, AUSTRALIA

FRESHWATER FEAST TONLE SAP BAY, CAMBODIA

You’ve undoutbedly heard plenty about the Whitsundays – it is, after all, one of Australia’s most popular and most stunning destinations. And really, the only way to do it justice is to jump on a sailing boat and leave dry land behind. You’ll likely start off at Airlie Beach, which is a cracking party hub with plenty of outdoor nightlife and a revolving door of sun-kissed backpackers exploring Australia’s east coast. It’s also the place to start your boat trip – there are a stack of options to choose from, depending on your budget and how much time you have up your sleeve. Every one of them, though, will stop off at the glorious Whitehaven Beach, which features in a million postcards from the region. It’s also worth booking onto a trip that includes diving at Knuckle Reef Lagoon.

Not only is Tonle Sap bay the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia but, remarkably, the direction of its flow changes twice a year, making it one of the richest inland fisheries in the world. If you visit, you can take the speedboat from Battambang to Siem Reap, a route overflowing with visual treats. The six-hour journey passes a wealth of life on the water – floating pig pens, entire villages built on rafts, the odd ochre-robed monk paddling his way home in a canoe. Sit up on the roof of the boat for the best views, but go below deck as you near Siem Reap. Unforgiving waves are thrown up around a flooded forest, and you could easily tumble overboard. The lake is filled with snakes so it’s probably not the place to jump out for a quick dip.

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TASMANIA AT ITS RUGGED BEST BRUNY ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

Fiji is small enough that you can generally design your own itinerary but the Yasawas, further north than the Mamanucas, are a pretty safe bet. There are about 20 islands in this chain, pockmarked with bright blue lagoons, volcanic landscapes and some of the Pacific’s best beaches. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and go swimming or snorkelling – Manta Ray Island is a highlight, but there’s also some cracking marine life around Tavewa, Nacula and Nanuya Lailai. Sawai-Lau is also great if you fancy a bit of cave exploration. You’ll be able to find plenty of cruise operators in Fijii, offering a range of options between about five and 12 days. But if you’re heading over there in peak season, then it’s not a bad idea to book in advance.

This wilderness cruise is probably Tasmania’s most popular tourist attraction and if you make it across Bass Strait then it’s not something you want to miss. Bruny Island, off Tasmania’s south-east coast, is primarily a day-trip destination – you can get picked up in Hobart or make your own way across from Kettering by ferry. Highlights of Bruny Island include its towering sea-cliffs and coastal wildlife, which include seals, dolphins, whales and albatrosses. The sunny beaches of Australia’s northern states might be the more obvious destinations but there’s an unspoilt natural beauty about Bruny Island that’s quite dramatic and it’s a big reason why Tasmania has begun to carve a niche for itself as a place that is increasingly worth a look.

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pennicottjourneys.com.au

Photos: Bruny Island Cruises

AN EXPLOSIVE EXPEDITION THE YASAWA ISLANDS, FIJI

awesomefiji.com

tonlesap.net

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE AMAZON RIVER, SOUTH AMERICA From its source in the Peruvian highlands to its mouth near Belém in Brazil, the Amazon River is a monster, more than 6,200km long and carryings one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. As a result, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to taking your Amazon cruise – you can jump on board in Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia or Peru, spending days bobbing downstream on the Amazon or exploring its many tributaries. The edges of the river are thick with jungle in some parts and crowded with settlements in others. Make sure you book a cruise that allows you to go on land and hang out with some of the local tribes. In the meantime, though, all you have to do is string up your hammock and enjoy the ride. amazoncruise.net

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INNER-CITY CRUISING STAR FERRY, HONG KONG Most of the best boat trips focus on the natural world and rare stretches of wilderness but the ferry ride from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island is remarkable for the views it offers of the city’s startling skyline. It’s also one of the best value-formoney trips in the world. You can view it all from the top deck, watching as Hong Kong roars into life. The historic trans-harbour commute first began in 1880 and by far the most iconic journey is Kowloon’s Tsimshatsui to Central on Hong Kong Island. The view can be best enjoyed in the evening, when the city’s towers are lit up like fairground rides. And if you have enough time between snapping pictures on the nine-minute journey, you can even enjoy some local fare in the ferry’s cafe. starferry.com.hk

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CHATROOM

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Tim Farriss Armed with a new lead singer and a swag of new tunes, INXS will be embarking on a tour of smaller venues next month. We chatted to their founding member and bassist INTERVIEW TOM STURROCK

their old favourites and the big hits? Everyone still wants to hear what they want to hear and that’s fine. We’re different musicians, though – I mean, 20 years ago, we found our sound and then moved on pretty quickly. It was a lucid decision and it stemmed very much from Michael, although we all wanted to try new things and expand our horizons.

Farriss (right) and lead singer Gribbin: “We met him in the pub”

So you guys have put the band back together. How’s that working out? It’s been fantastic – we moved into a place together and it’s just as funky as when we started out, writing new material, hanging out. It’s kind of a rebirth and it’s been really fun, coming up with some great new songs. All our shows so far have been big events but the new set of shows will be in relatively small venues in towns like the places where we grew up. And your new singer, Ciaran Gribbin? Yeah, Ciaran hasn’t played pub shows in Australia so that will be a new experience. What’s he like? He’s really fun to be around – he’s a pretty normal guy and he’s a great singer-songwriter. He and Andrew write together every day so it feels like we’ve come full circile in that regard. Hopefully we’ve found the guy who wants to be a part of it.

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Was there ever a sense that INXS wouldn’t be able to carry on? We all grew up together – two of the other guys are my brothers and Kirk’s been one of our best friends since he was 13 or 14. And we love playing music together so that’s what we do. We never saw a reason to stop. And you initially went the reality TV route to replace him. How was that? It was different and I think that what we did on that show was pretty influential and it changed the format of a lot of these other live talent shows that are on TV. They’ve now got a proper live band after it was karaoke before. We endured a lot to go through it and copped quite a bit of flak from critics but I’m proud of it. You guys have got a massive backcatalogue – do people just want to hear

What was it like in the late Eighties when you guys got really massive pretty quickly? We used to take video cameras with us whenever we were touring and playing live and we’re just in the process of digitising a lot of that old footage. And just sitting back, watching it all, reminded me that for years, day after day, life was all about touring. That was all we did. There was a lot of time spent on tour buses and in the US they have pretty serious tour buses. And we were playing in some of these massive places as well. Any tales of excess you’d like to share? There was one bit of footage from when we were playing an outdoor festival – I’m not sure where it was – and we were waiting to go on stage. Ziggy Marley was playing in the background and these days, I’d probably make more of an effort to listen to Ziggy Marley. But all we were interested in doing was finishing our game of table tennis. INXS will be playing a string of regional shows between Jun 6-Jul 15 inxs.com/tour.html

Photos: Getty Images

Where did you find him? Andrew met him at the pub. Ciaran got up and played and sang Mystify – Andrew walked up to him afterward and told him he wrote that song. Ciaran said ‘no way’ in his Irish accent – he was fresh off the boat then.

How hard has it been for you guys to carry on since Michael Hutchence died? It took us a long time to get over. But we feel we’re doing him justice by playing the songs he wrote. You know we’re one of the only bands in history to turn down a Rolling Stone magazine cover? They only shoot the singer. And INXS is a band. So Michael said no.

What are your favourites out of those older tracks? I would say that Welcome To Wherever You Are is probably the album that I’m most proud of. Kick was our biggest hit and allowed us to make that transition but I think some of our other songs are actually better-known than what you might hear on the radio. There were the big hits which get played, obviously, but I think there are a whole lot of other songs that have been forgotten about a little bit.

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Walking in on an orgy in the Gryffindor common room changed Harry forever

WOMAN IN BLACK FILM review by Alasdair Morton STARRING: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciaran Hinds | M | 95mins

SAFE FILM preview STARRING: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, Chris Sarandon | M | 94mins

Jason Statham stays resolutely within type in this action-thriller as he plays a former cage fighter who helps protect a young girl from Triads, the Russian mob and corrupt cops who want the secret code that only she knows. It will have loads of action, the odd gruff one-liner from Statham, and he’ll more than likely get his shirt off as he kicks somebody’s ass. Let’s hope he doesn’t blow the costume budget by ending up like the other cage fighter we know, Alex Reid.

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Daniel Radcliffe appears in his first post-Potter role and it’s a tall order: the lead in the adaptation of Susan Hill’s much-loved ghost story, a role that requires him to be almost the only one on screen for large amounts of the film. In director James Watkins’ hands, though, Potter makes the leap with aplomb. In turn-of-the-century London, Radcliffe’s Arthur Kipps is sent to the north of England to process the legal papers of a deceased woman. When he gets there he finds a local community terrified by the lady who’s said to haunt the property and its marshland surrounds, sightings of her having deadly repercussions. Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass) reworks Hill’s source material, giving Kipps a son and late wife, which shrouds the character in grief, the loss of loved ones forming a key component of the film’s story, too. Watkins, who proved adept at racheting up the tension and delivering the scares with his directing debut Eden Lake, shows that was no fluke. He revels in the atmosphere of the period setting, making Eel Marsh House a truly chilling presence, and delivers a number of stand-out scaresequences as Kipps roams the halls chasing down spectral shadows. The real revelation, though, is Radcliffe. Often criticised for his acting while on Potter duty, here he proves he can actually cut it, his Kipps a convincingly terrified, grief-stricken man. Put it all together and you have an outstanding haunted house frightener, one that proves there is life post-Hogwarts for Radcliffe. GOOD FOR: Watching rows of popcorn fly into the air, regularly

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A riotous homecoming The Temper Trap are back in Australia after enduring London’s terrible coffee and becoming embroiled in last year’s riots WORDS ALEX HARMON

You could be forgiven for thinking The Temper Trap are a British band. Their melancholic, Radiohead-like lyrics, their atmospheric debut album, Conditions; there’s even a touch of Bono in lead singer Dougy Madagi’s swooping croon. And, of course, the band has been calling London home for the past three years, after uprooting their lives in Melbourne, shooting through and not looking back. They found a home and made a name for themselves in Hackney, the ultimate spot for east London hipsters. “London is like a second home to us now,” drummer Toby Dundas explains. “Living in Hackney, there’s always stuff going on, we lived right near the park and the vibe is great in summer. Even if it was only 19 degrees, people would be out in the park and they’d be happy.” Joining Dundas is keyboardist Joseph Greer, who is more pragmatic in his praise: “For me, it’s more that there’s always bands touring through the city. It’s nice being able to see bands most nights of the week.” Greer is the newest addition to the band, making The Temper Trap officially a five-piece. He joins Mandagi (vocals, guitar), Lorenzo Sillitto (guitar), Jonny Aherne (bass) and Dundas on the skins. Greer’s no stranger, though, having toured with the band for years. Today, he sips on a beer – it’s midday and he’s suffering from some epic jetlag. “And I was thirsty,” he insists. “I’ve always kind of been a band member, but it was official for this album. I got my Temper Trap T-shirt!” The five-piece has carved out quite a career in London, earning a Brit nomination for International Breakthrough Artist and selling out two UK tours, including a trio of shows at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Their breakthrough single, Sweet Disposition, brought global status, appearing in the film (500) Days of Summer and countless TV spots, including Grey’s Anatomy and the AFL finals series promos. In fact, the song did better in the UK than in Australia, reaching No 6, compared to No 14 at home. Perhaps they appeal to the Aussie abroad. “We get a lot of ex-pats at shows,” Dundas says. “They always sing the loudest and make the most noise. There’s

“

There was a gang who hung outside our flat the whole summer

”

something about Aussies living in London – they stand out. There’s always one who wears a onesie with the Aussie flag.” The first single from the new, self-titled second album, Need Your Love, has an ambiguous message, the band members apparently undecided about whether it’s a proper love song or not. “I think it can be, but it’s subjective, we want people to be able to create their own meanings,” Dundas says, confident of a follow-up hit that will ensure they’re not known wholly and solely for Sweet Disposition. “We don’t think we’ll be remembered only for that song – the new album will change that. If it doesn’t, then we’ll be worried.” Although written in London, the album was recorded in LA and, judging by its more experimental scope, the warm air out west may have gone to their heads a little bit. “There’s a lot more synth and programming. Conditions [the first album] had a broad range of songs, but this is even broader,” Dundas says. “Joseph and I are really into our theme parks. Disneyland was pretty tame, but Six Flags Park had all the scary rollercoasters. We loved it.” Greer picks up the thread: “In LA, they have this medieval theme restaurant, called Medieval Times. We saw it in the movie, The Cable Guy. It’s awesome. It’s in a castle and the waiters call you ‘My Lord’ and you drink from goblets. “Being over there in LA was the right choice for this album – the weather was amazing and I’m sure that elevated our moods.” Clearly, the guys don’t take themselves too seriously, wearing their laidback, Aussie charm on their sleeves. But perhaps the most interesting – certainly the most topical –

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Back home: Toby Dundas (right) and Jospeh Greer (second right)

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the barista has an Aussie or Kiwi accent then it’ll be OK.” Happily for all concerned, the band are back in home to perform at the Opera House – and get some decent coffee – during next month’s Vivid Festival. “The Opera House is such an icon, to be able to play there is amazing. It’s something to tell the grandkids,” Greer says. It will be another ‘blow-me-away’ moment for the band, another experience that hammers home the joys of having made it as musicians. Dundas, for his part, can recount a couple such stand-outs; one in particular occurred in Mexico a few years back. “We were playing to 30,000 people who were all singing our songs when we thought they wouldn’t even know who we were,” he says. There was also the time they ran into Beyoncé at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and Dundas unashamedly admits he made a beeline for the diva. “Yeah, I said g’day to Beyoncé, she was hanging out at her table and I saw her get up to go and kind of purposely ran into her,” he says. For Greer, a more recent highlight came when the band was asked to guest-host an installment of Rage, the world’s longest-running music video show. “We grew up watching Rage so to be on there was awesome. They’re celebrating 25 years and they’re still cool.” Greer says. “We didn’t have anything like that in New Zealand, unfortunately”. Dundas, a true Melburnian, agrees the guest spot was a highlight, but for less lofty reasons: “We had a break while filming and made some coffee in their cafeteria. Even the cafeteria coffee was damn good. God, I’ve definitely been away too long.” ❚ The Temper Trap plays Darwin (May 26), Melbourne (May 29-30) and Sydney (May 31-June 1) thetempertrap.net

Photos: Getty Images

song on the album is London’s Burning. Written after the band was trapped at home during last year’s London riots, it samples news broadcasts and siren-like synths. “We finished rehearsing and realised it was all going on,” Dundas recalls. “We kind of were blasé about it at first until that day. We were told, ‘It’s kicking off now, you need to go home’. It was weird, seeing helicopters going over our flat and police everywhere. “The one positive thing I found was the community spirit. Everyone banded together to clean up. We met our neighbours for the first time. If you can take a positive from the riots, then that would be it.” For Greer, witnessing the tensions build, explode and then subside was a bizarre experience. “There was a gang who hung around outside our flat for the whole summer. It very surreal to see it on TV and actually realise you were right in the middle of it,” he says. “The whole aftermath was just eerie. We felt we had to make it significant.” New Zealand-born Greer is the only member of the band not from Melbourne. And unknown to most, he was a child actor on Shortland Street, New Zealand’s answer to Neighbours. So, another actor turned musician, huh? “You’ve done your research,” Greer grins. “It’s true – from age 12-15, I played a character called Maddy. But I decided music was my thing, and it’s much cooler. Luckily, I moved to Melbourne, started working at General Pants and met the band.” The boys have made the most of their move to London but they still miss the comforts of home, including the culinary delights of Australia. “We miss the food and the cafe culture,” Dundas says. “Being from Melbourne, we miss it a lot.” Greer, though, insists London was not without redemption: “We found some decent coffee eventually. If

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WIN THE ULTIMATE 3-DAY ADVENTURE TOUR FOR 2 TO EXPLORE ULURU If you’ve come all the way to Australia, you can’t leave without making the trek to the red centre, where Uluru looms large on the horizon. Well, we’re helping you get there with this cracking competition, which will sort you out with a comfy camping experience and a chance to meet the locals. THE PRIZE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: ULTIMATE ULURU ADVENTURE: It’s an intensely spiritual place for the local indigenous population but here’s your chance to check it out with experienced guides who know the ins and outs. We’ve partnered with Adventure Tours to help you tick this one off your bucket-list. You and a friend will get: • 3-day touring with a local expert guide • 2 nights camping in our permanent tents • Full rim walk at Kings Canyon, hike at Kata Tjuta and Uluru sunrise and sunset – enjoy it with a sparkling wine in hand.

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WEEKLY WINNER HANGING OUT: Dimitry Strelets, 29, from New Zealand DIMITRY SAYS: This shot was taken at Tongariro Crossing in National Park, New Zealand. About 7km into the 19.2km track, I decided to have a bit of rest and started posing in the air while jumping off a little rock. WE SAY: Dimitry looks effortlessly suspended in the air. Interesting to note the earthy reds of his T-shirt, which set off the hues in the mountain. THE MONTHLY WINNER GETS THREE DAYS CAR HIRE FROM TRAVELLERS AUTOBARN Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description to: alex@tntdownunder.com. Photos are judged by the TNT team at their own discretion.

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A TRAVELLER’S TALL TALE

The devilish species are hard to spot in the wild

YOU ASKED FOR IT... WE ANSWER YOUR TRAVEL QUESTIONS

can I see a Tassie Devil in Q Where the wild? Paul Realtor, Canada

going to Uluru, is it true it’s Q I’m offensive to climb? Sally Tera, USA

to a dwindling population, attributed A Due to a deadly face cancer, spreading

you’ve travelled large distances to see A So an oversized red rock, and when you get

throughout the species, devils are becoming harder to spot in the wild. The fact that they are quite shy and easily startled makes for a challenging hunt. Firstly, if you travel (carefully) at dusk then you may come across them in Mt William, Mt Field and Narawntapu National Parks in Tasmania. There is also an organised tour south of Marrawah where you can hide out at night and watch the devils feed on roadkill. The tour only operates five out of every 14 nights so the animals don’t come to rely on being fed. Otherwise, there are several zoos and wildlife parks to see devils in captivity and learn a bit about them too.

there you want to climb it. That’s fine, however, there are some issues you should be aware of. Uluru is sacred to its Aboriginal owners (the Anangu), who don’t want people climbing it. The climbing route is of huge cultural significance, being a pathway of their spiritual ancestors and undertaken by Aboriginal men only on certain ceremonial occasions. Also, some people have died on the climb (mostly heart attacks), and as these people are essentially guests, the Anangu feel responsible. The Aussie government will not close the route, regardless of local protests. Put simply, don’t do it if you want to respect the local Aboriginal people.

CHECKING IN SLEEPING INN SURFERS OVERVIEW After picking you up in a limo, you can enjoy the pool, TV area and free pool table, or relax in your shared apartment. Every night the staff put on some form of entertainment too.

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My dream has been realised – to swim with the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks, on Ningaloo Reef. I went to Exmouth, WA, after booking a tour for $400 which offered swimming with the whale sharks and unlimited snorkelling. For a backpacker, it’s a lot of money, but for a dream, it’s nothing. At 7am, a bus brought us from our accommodation to the port and we were taken out to our boat. We got our snorkelling equipment and wetsuits and went for a swim on the reef to test it all out, all while a private spotter aircraft flew overhead, trying to find us some whale sharks. After they were spotted we jumped into the water. It was unbelievable. There was nothing in the ocean as far as I could see except us and these huge fish. The water was so clear. I saw the first one. He was “small” – at only nine metres! We swam behind him, with just four metres between him and me. Soon after, we swam with another one, a baby of five metres. He was so cute. Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is the best experience of my life. I’ve done it and I will never forget it. Raphanel Faustin, France

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Adventure sports SYDNEY

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City life can be quite a ride Whether you’re diving, boarding or rafting, you can find plenty of action in Sydney without trekking beyond the city limits WORDS ANDY WESTBROOK AND ALEX HARMON

Desperately gulping for oxygen as the raging water does its best to drag me under, I cling onto the rope like my life depends on it, every now and then launching a futile attempt to climb back into the raft, only to be thrown back, each time edging nearer to exhaustion. While it sounds like I’m doing my best impression of a drunk backpacker on Bondi Rescue, I’m actually whitewater rafting in Penrith, a western Sydney suburb an hour or so from the beach. Givent eh setting, on the outskirts of the city, on the way to the Blue Mountains, I’ll admit I’d expected the experience on this man-made circuit of manufactured rapids to be far from extreme. Oh, how wrong I was. Having rafted for real on Queensland’s wet and wild Tully River, I’d presumed Penrith’s imitation of this adrenalinpumping sport would be pretty tame. And so, still being drawn to the experience by the reasonable prices and the fact it can be done as an easy daytrip from Sydney, I was more intrigued than entrenched with fear as I made my way out of the city. In hindsight, this was a pretty stupid opinion to have. After all, the site was built for the canoeing events of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and, if you’ve ever seen a world-class kayaker, you’ll know they’re capable of some impressively daring, verging on suicidal, feats. So, if it was good enough for them, it was sure as hell going to be good enough for me.

“

I thought Penrith’s imitation rapids would be tame. I was wrong

”

down. After falling a few seconds into my ride, as soon as I hit the first corner, I then take the swim of shame back past the queue to wait for my next go. Sadly, that pattern is then repeated a few more times until, with just one more go before my hour is up, something clicks and I get the knack, skidding over the water on my knees for almost a whole lap before finally being catapulted forwards when spectacularly misjudging a corner, right in front of the clubhouse. It’s a huge amount of fun, but with

An Olympic mission First, however, I have another stop in Penrith to make, as it seems this western suburb is actually a little enclave of adventure water sports. The locals, apparently, aren’t best pleased about living inland and are doing something about it. So I make my way to Cables Wake Park where, on two man-made lakes, you can jump on a wakeboard and get dragged around by a motorised ski lift-like circuit. Geared up with board, helmet and a few tips for beginners, it’s soon my turn to grab the handle and wait for the pull. Within a few seconds, the machine yanks into gear and I’m wrenched into the water. I’m boarding! And I’m

Don’t drop your paddle TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

[Caption]

Nothing tops the excitement of whitewater rafting

my muscles burning and no more time remaining, that’s my cue to make a move for the main event of the day.

Coming up for air Arriving at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, six of us are soon kitted up, given a quick tutorial and told to jump aboard our raft. Now, seeing as this is one quite small, winding circuit, rather than a lengthy, gradually descending river, they’ve ingeniously stuck a travelator in to link the end and start of the course, so that’s how we begin, sat aboard our giant inflatable, slowly chugging uphill. We quickly learn that this is the calm before the storm. As soon as we reach the top, our descent gets under way. This time, however, we move a little faster. With me sat precariously at the front, our guide edges us off the first ledge and we’re away. While reacting desperately to demands like, “Paddle!”, “Back paddle!” or the more alarming, “Hold on!”, we tear through the thundering water, surging left, right, up and down as our instructor guides us expertly through the maze of whirlpools, sitting calmly at the back while we’re thrown around the raft. Within a few minutes we’re back at the bottom, soaking wet, laughing and catching our breath as we ride the travelator back to the top for round two. And that’s how it continues for the next hour as we go round and round, our guide finding ever-more inventive ways to try and get us in the drink, until he decides on a change of tack. It’s time for some raft surfing. Our paddles dumped by the side, we find ourselves in the middle of the course, where the water runs fastest. Suddenly, after some deft moves from our guide and some screams of, “Left!” and “Right!” that have us jumping around the inflatable, we’re stood up in the raft, which is now balancing

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vertically on its side, as the rapids rush at us. We’re surfing! However, with the full power of the water now hitting our bodies straight on, it’s not long until we start disappearing from the raft. And soon enough it’s my turn. Losing my grip, I plunge into the water, controlling my panic as I’m swept under the boat until I pop up the other side, where I manage to grip the raft’s rope just before getting dragged away by the current. And so begins the exhausting effort of trying to climb back aboard the raft, only to each time have tonnes of rushing water effortlessly dump me back down. Every now and then I succeed in getting inside, as someone still onboard manages to haul me back in. But each time the result is the same – as we mount the lip of the surfing raft, we simply collapse over the other side again.

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CITY THRILLS YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FAR FOR AN ADVENTURE If you want to get your kicks without heading out into the sticks, Australia has a stack of options in a variety of locations. The action-packed parts of any trip are often the most memorable, so maybe consider the following activities for your next excellent adventure. Skydiving over the beach (Wollongong) If you’re heading south from Sydney, swing past the Gong and take part in one of the most spectacular skydives, which allows you to look down on pristine beaches from 14,000ft. And you’ll get $30 off your tandem skydive if you present the ad on the opposite page.

Luckily, help is at hand for whenever our strength fails us. Losing grip of the raft, a rope is flung in my direction from shore and I’m pulled to safety. There I’m given the chance to catch my breath before jumping in again upstream to begin the process all over again. And this is the beauty of rafting at Penrith. While it may not seem as dangerous or unpredictable as being out in the wild, the controlled environment means the guides can pull plenty of insane stunts which would probably be too risky elsewhere. One thing’s for sure, as we eventually stagger back onto dry land, comparing our collections of grazes, bruises and ripped T-shirts, we’re grinning from ear-to-ear. In the drink

I always expected my first dive to be in a tropical paradise, sans-wetsuit. Unfortunately, it’s in a Sydney pool on a chilly autumn morning. My German instructor, Michael, hates me – I fail my theory exam, offer him a bribe and can’t get into my wetsuit. Downtrodden, I retake the exam, pass, and convince him I will need a bigger wetsuit. Germans don’t like to be proved wrong. On day one of our two-day course, eight of us shiver in the pool as we learn everything from cleaning your mask (spit and wipe) to using someone else’s oxygen (a mixture of panic and using their alternative air source). When I say panic, I am aware that I am breaching the first rule of diving, and that is to stay calm. It takes me four hours of safety procedures and signals to feel confident enough to stay calm as I slip into the open water and explore my new world. That afternoon, now fluent in underwater-speak, we head to Gordon’s Bay near Clovelly. We get kitted like up astronauts on a mission and head down to the protected cove. We drop down, releasing air from our buoyancy vests and kneel on the ocean floor. I’m grinning from ear-to-ear. I can hear myself breathing heavily through my regulator, but apart from that, it’s silent. I weightlessly loll around, Abseiling at Kangaroo Point (Brisbane) watching blue gropers swim past me. After a few more From the top of Kangaroo Point, you can look out safety tests we set off to explore the over the Brisbane River into the Botanic Gardens underwater nature trail. Visibility opposite. So strap in for a two-hour abseiling is clear as the sun pierces through adventure in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. the bay. My dive buddy, a giant on Make sure you don’t look down. land, looks graceful as he performs somersaults in front of me. Keeping my Rock-climbing Cataract Gorge (Launceston) New Zealand: Head eyes on the group, I effortlessly glide The Cataract Gorge is located right in the across the Tasman through the undersea world. middle of the city where the South Esk for the immaculate We see eccentric-looking cuttlefish River cuts a spectacular gorge to join the Kiwi slopes and spiky urchins as we edge around the North Esk River, forming the Tamar River bay, reaching depths of 14 metres. After 40 in central Launceston. minutes we ascend, excited, and a little bit relieved we didn’t run out of air. Speaking of relieved, Caving and Kayaking on the Yarra (Melbourne) the second rule of diving is not pissing in your wetsuit. No If you follow the Yarra out of Melbourne and into one took a toilet break that day. Guess we weren’t thirsty? the north-east, you’ll get to Warrandyte, which is Walking back over sharp rocks, our feet are numb and a cracking spot for outdoors adventures. You’ll start our backs are aching from lugging the heavy equipment. Yet by braving the river’s rapids and finish off by navigating we’re all eager to do it again. We have two more dives the the area’s intricate cave network. next day before we are qualified open water divers. And yes, I pass. Proving Michael wrong, once again. Hot air balloon over Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast) It’s all very well to take in the brights lights of Surfers’ Paradise from ground level, but a balloon ride over the top TNT had a ball at Penrith Whitewater World, Prodice and Cables gives you a different perspective, as well as the chance to Wake Park penrithwhitewater.com.au prodive.com.au cableswakepark.com.au see the Gold Coast hinterland.

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Cartagena COLOMBIA

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Kickin’ it in Cartagena Head to this getaway on Colombia’s Caribbean coast for chaotic, never-ending street parties and exhilarating island-hopping WORDS JENNIFER CARR

WHEN TO GO: It’s a balmy I can’t take my eyes off the machete. But beneath Cartagena’s dazzling, 30°-plus all year round, but I’m not sure whether it’s the sight of the dizzying surface lies a darker past – one weapon that’s paralysing me, or the owner’s peak season is from December scarred by French and British invasions. disarmingly beaming face. The only thing until the end of January, when Drifting along the wall while drinking a for certain is that I’m rooted to the spot. accommodation costs soar to fresh coconut water, I find it hard to relate I watch as the woman working the knife coincide with the popular Hay the joggers, chess players and interlocked deftly slices a pawpaw into 12 perfect pieces, Festival hayfestival.com lovers to the violence that Cartagena once which are placed on a platter alongside ruby- CURRENCY: Colombian peso endured. But, in the romantic Andalucian red watermelon and mango, then swiftly architecture, grandiose Spanish cathedrals $1 = 1,780 COP sold to a salivating bystander. and the many naval monuments, the city’s ACCOMMODATION: It’s all for show, of course, the fruit-seller troubled history is splayed out before you, The Media Luna hostel is the drawing a crowd with her skills with the to be read between deceptively pretty lines. shining star on Getsemani’s hostel blade. But her smile is real and her sunny In stark contrast, the Cartagena of today scene, with a large rooftop pool, Colombian manner medicinal after months has never been so at ease with clashing barbecues, plus friendly staff who in the grey UK. Heading out of the Plaza can help you arrange trips and kite- cultures, and that’s what draws people in. de Bolivar, away from the countless snack Nowhere is this truer than in Getsemani, boarding lessons. Dorm beds from vendors, fruit carvers and Panama hata once run-down neighbourhood, five $12pn medialunahostel.com wearing shoe-shiners, I begin the first of minutes from the Old Town’s landmark clock SEE: cartagenainfo.net many wanderings around Cartagena, the tower. Once a down-at-heel barrio riddled tropical jewel in Colombia’s crown, and the most enchanting with drugs and gangs, Getsemani is now abuzz with upcity I’ve stumbled across on the gringo trail to date. and-coming urban cool. It’s still gritty, sure. But a flurry of independent bars, the freshest hole-in-the-wall pizzerias, Not all fun and games fairy-lit music dens and elegant, artistic coffee shops line the streets, enticing you with their laidback ambience and Colombia’s fifth-largest settlement – it’s surely the prettiest throat-tinglingly strong rum con coco (rum with coconut – launches a high-definition assault of colour on the cream). For just 7000 Colombian pesos (less than $3), this eye, from the fuchsia-hued bourgainvillea spilling from creamy concoction, drunk to a steel drum version overhanging hacienda-style balconies to the fluorescent of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, reminds me that greens, tangerines and lemons worn by the locals, and the candy-coloured facades of the houses. Monochrome doesn’t I could only possibly be on the Caribbean coast. belong here. Nor does silence. Melodies and music echo Dance like nobody’s watching through the streets. On my second day, I take in an earclanging combination of beatboxes, wind-up radios, barberWith new-found friends, I sit and soak up Getsemani as shop quartets, humming waitresses and, most memorably, a it warms up its notorious party muscle. Be warned, from makeshift disco around a car boot filled with speakers, a TV Thursday until Sunday afternoon, Colombians bring seats, and a few gallons of rum, where men congregate on plastic chessboards, deep-fat fryers, bottles of aguadiente – a local chairs to swig local liquor and appreciate the sound of the anise liquor that translates, ominously, as ‘fire water’ – sound two-step. All before midday. systems and some serious booty-shaking skills onto the street

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Islas del Rosario offers spectacular diving for three days of socialising – something to bear in mind when booking your guesthouse or hotel. That, and bring the best earplugs money can buy. Noise aside, it’s irresistibly fun. So we abandon all plans for dinner and indulge in a little people-watching. We stop off at one of the many night stalls framing the square. Here, freshly pulped fruit cocktails, meat skewers and my favourite, areppa con huevo, are served up piping hot. Made from fried maize and resembling a large hash brown, each patty holds a fried egg inside, which you then smother in piquant cilantro dressing and sour cream for only 1500 Colombian pesos (75c). One traveller in our group observes, “the Colombians have obviously realised the street’s more entertaining than anything they’d find on TV”. He’s right. That and the city’s constant temperature of 32 degrees means it’s better to live your life outside, enjoying the balmy Caribbean trade winds when they blow through. After ordering a second round of rums, we park ourselves in the middle of the throngs that congregate around the barrio’s 500-year-old Iglesia de Trinidad, a crumbling colonial church that serves as a massive hub of activity come sundown. Here, teenage boys sit on the stone steps to play backgammon, their shoulders bobbing to the city’s signature sound, champeta. Originally a form of ‘Creole therapy’ to help Colombians forget about the country’s economic woes, over three decades, champeta has evolved from a basic blend of local salsa, jibaro and reggae to encompass different variations of ragga and reggaeton. It’s the defining sound of Cartagena and the locals love it. The sultry pelvis-grinding and hipswaying becomes more raunchy as the bottles of rum are drained. All in the shadows a Catholic church.

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Off the coast The following day, deciding that Cartagena has got the better of me and my liver, I board one of the vessels heading to the nearby Islas del Rosario. Just 45 minutes away via a bumpy speed-boat ride, this dreamy, protected marine park of 27 coral-fringed islands offers the chance to scuba dive, hike, horse ride, snorkel, kiteboard or simply daydream the hours away on platinum sands. After touching down on Baru in Playa Blanca, I walk past sleepy cabanas, bamboo-thatched beach huts and a whole section devoted to hammocks, which you can rent for 7000

Take a mud-bath near the El Totumo volcano

Colombian pesos (less than $4) to enjoy a night under the stars. I’m psyched for an afternoon of nothingness, until I spy one of several kiteboarding instructors flying over the waves and decide to give it a try. Strapping my feet to the board, I’m unsure whether my upper body can handle the gusts here – between January and April, the winds get surprisingly fierce. This is why the region is a hotspot for the sport. That and the fact it’s affordable to learn (approximately $25 per lesson).

“

The skipper wants to head back – the next party is about to start

”

Grabbing the harness, I pull the bar with all my weight and watch the kite billow. The rope tighens and I start skimming over the waves with gathering pace. Fortunately, my instructor watches my back, for fear I may go flying off into the sunset. At one point my board takes off, and I really do take flight – if only for a few seconds. It feels incredible. By the end of my stint I’m exhausted, elated and energised. I’m also starving. Fortunately, Playa Blanca’s small selection of budgetfriendly fish shacks comes up trumps and I indulge in some grilled red snapper, fried green plantain and arroz de coco. I doze to the sounds of the ocean and the occasional albatross diving into the blue, until I’m woken by the beaming skipper from our boat, who tells me it’s “time to head back to the big shore, lady”. Looking at the paradise around us, something tells me there’s only one reason the skipper is so keen to get back – the Varanasi, India: next party is about to start.

NEXT WEEK

We discover sacred weed on the banks of the Ganges

The Insider’s guide Rainbow Nelson, co-founder of city guide This IS Cartagena, serves up some local knowledge. Where’s best to let your hair down? Try Bazurto Social Club, just off Parque Centenario. The bar celebrates the Afro-Caribbean sounds long forgotten by most of the Getsemaní crossover hangouts. Champeta, cumbia, terapia get more of a look-in and the drinks are cheaper than Café Havana. The owners Fadia de la Rosa and Jorge Escandon also organise tours of the raucous, open-air market, Bazurto, that gives its name to the bar. Pick up some fresh fish and then head back to Jorge’s place in Manzanillo del Mar to prepare a killer ceviche by the beach. ticartagena.com/bazurtosocialclub Where’s good to chill? There can be too many distractions to totally switch off in the Old Town, so escape to the islands. Playa Blanca, Baru, is the best public beach ‘in Cartagena’, even though it’s a 45-minute speedboat ride from the centre. When the boat drops you off, turn left and walk 10 minutes to gain a little space. Take a hammock and sling it up in one of the shady huts of Mama Ruth’s place where you can get a slap-up fish lunch for $10. If you want to push the boat out, Agua Baru offers a luxurious beach retreat you will find hard to leave. hotelagua.com.com Where’s good for a cheap meal? La Mulata is great. For $6 you get a fish soup starter followed by one of four local delicacies that change daily. Also, the Pordesh Indian Restaurant is a pop-up curry house that serves freshly prepared dopiazas, tarka dals and bhunas, and has mains for $6. ticartagena.com/pordeshindianrestaurant

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Not what you want in your pants

LIGHTNING STRIKES MAN IN SCROTUM SPAIN

A 53-year-old Spanish man was rushed to hospital after he was struck by lightning. That’s bad enough, but this guy got hit in the scrotum. According to Spain’s El Mondo newspaper, the unnamed man lost consciousness after being struck by lightning in his purse on last week, the bolt travelling down his leg and striking the ground. His son called paramedics who later treated him for burns to the scrotum and feet at the scene in Madrid’s suburb Tres Cantos. He was then taken to Madrid’s Hospital de la Paz where tests showed his heart and brain functions were not affected by the lightning strike. The man is said to be in a stable condition in hospital. The incredible story has unsurprisingly gone viral, with the original piece receiving over 1,000 tweets and 7,000 likes on Facebook.

MAN NEARLY STARVES AFTER LEAVING WIFE RUSSIA

A man found himself stranded in the middle of a forest in sub-zero conditions for over a month after storming out of the house following an argument with his wife. Yuri Ticuic, 69, complained about being served cold soup left in a fit, walking deep into the heart of a dense woodland, where he soon became lost. “I walked and walked but after a few hours I didn’t have any idea where I was and I couldn’t find my way back,” Ticuic said. “I thought I was going to die. The temperatures were sub-zero and I was getting really weak.” Having turned his nose up at his wife’s bowl of soup, the pensioner was forced to

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The fat cats take a hit: Activists with the 99 Percent Spring movement perform a boxing routine outside of the annual Bank of America Corporation shareholders’ meeting. Hard to see them going down for the count just yet survive for weeks on a diet of berries and forest leaves. He was eventually found frostbitten and close to death by farm workers who then raised the alarm. “No matter what happens, that’s the last time I criticise my wife’s cooking,” he said. “Anything is better than hay grain.”

FINALLY, A BRA WITH AIRCON JAPAN

An underwear company has launched a bra with built-in ice packs to keep women cool this northern summer. The bra also comes with a wine chime and a sprig of mint.

To launch the product, underwear firm Triumph Japan had models parading around showing off its Super Cool Bra, featuring what appears to be a pair of small fish tanks encompassing the breasts. These cups are filled with a gel that remains soft and supple even when frozen, giving the wearer “a cool sensation against her skin”, the company said in a statement. A traditional Japanese wind chime – and a mint leaf – dangle between the cups giving an impression of cooling “by way of its refreshing fragrance and sound”.

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SCIENTISTS COMBINE TO PREVENT SPILLS UNITED STATES

Where’s physics when you need it?

There’s nothing more annoying than cruising into work with a coffee and promptly spilling it all over yourself. Well, science has come to the rescue. A pair of ‘fluid physicists’ at the University of California at Santa Barbara have investigated the science of sloshing in a new study published in the journal Physical Review Letters E, and calculated the natural frequency at which coffee sloshes back and forth when held in mugs of a variety of sizes, from a dainty espresso cup to a cappuccino behemoth, and suggested people should walk slower. “There are ways to control coffee spilling,” co-author Rouslan Krechetnikov said, suggesting that spillage could be prevented by using ”a flexible container to act as a sloshing absorber in suppressing liquid oscillations, a series of annular ring baffles arranged around the inner wall of the container to achieve sloshing suppression, or a different shape cup.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK I do also have a soft spot for Harry – after all, I am his father. The palace keeps trying to pretend he is Charles’s – which is fine by me Admiral General Aladeen makes a shocking admission about Britain’s third-in-line to the throne

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OUTSIDE THE FLAGS Can Sydneysiders afford Prohibition prices?

Sydney bars may be vintage but prices are all too modern Only in 2012 would a gin cocktail cost you $18, writes Alex Harmon

» Are you irritated by the cost of drinking in Sydney? alex@tntdownunder.com

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Courtney Love has been many things, a singer, actress, a mother. Now she’s an artist? We must use these terms loosely. The thing about art is that it’s subjective, even Picasso had his haters. But as Miss Love showed at her first art show, there’s a fine line between artistic genius and grotesque. One of her pieces was a wedding dress stained with obscenities. Her drawings were no better, the infantile scrawlings, reminiscent of the scene in The Shining when Jack goes mad. One was of a blonde woman, crying tears of blood, which bore the slogan, “I’m a

“

Miss Love doesn’t get by on her looks

”

celebrity get me out of here. Don’t you know who I am?” A self-portrait, clearly. Her show had the self-aggrandizing name, And She’s Not Even Pretty, which sounds like her way of saying she’s so talented, she doesn’t get by on her looks. Sure Love, we all know you’re just a groupie who got incredibly lucky.

Photos: Getty Images

The news that police uncovered a secret, unauthorised bar in the heart of Sydney last week had morning TV show hosts in a flap. “This isn’t the Prohibition era,” they remarked, shaking their heads. But we’re not far off. Booze is readily available to anyone over 18 but the cost of drinking is extortionate. The tax on alcohol, and the exclusivity of Sydney bars, is bleeding patrons dry. News footage showed police officers walking down a narrow staircase into a basement ‘bar’, the decor was 1920s glamour, red mood-lighting and retro wallpaper. In other words, it was exactly like the legal bars Sydnesiders have embraced, the kind of underground bar, with its Prohibition theme, cultivated by Sydney mayor Clover Moore. She worked on creating a mini-Melbourne in Sydney’s CBD for years. While Moore should be commended for her initiative, for each switching on of the mood lighting in a basement bar, there’s a poor bastard getting into debt trying to pay for his drinks. Rather than welcoming students, tourists and your everyday Sydney drinker, these bars attract cashed-up suits. In these dimly lit bars, drinkers take pleasure in forking out $18 for a gin cocktail, which is 80 per cent rose petal-infused ice cube. The irony is that, when the bartender extorts your hard-earned cash – and expects a tip – the whole 1920s schtick goes out the window. When you put your hand in your pocket, you know you’re paying 2012 prices. Even in the ‘bohemian’ bars, where you’re seated on milk crates and drinking from jars, you’re still paying upwards of $10 for a beer. How many starving, bohemian artists could afford that kind of affectation? Maybe we should turn drinking in Sydney’s bars into an affordable outing, instead of bankrupting the common drinker. Because, throughout history, when drinking has become over-regulated and overly expensive, illegal operations have sprung up.

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Lionel Messi

BARCA BACK MESSI OVER ABUSE CHARGE FOOTBALL

Barcelona has staunchly defended Lionel Messi over claims he racially abused a black Real Madrid player several seasons ago. Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton, was quoted in a Dutch magazine as saying he was taunted by the Argentina forward and during several Spanish league encounters. Barcelona said in a statement that the accusations “are well wide of the mark” and that Messi “has always shown maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals.” Drenthe, who is black, claims Messi used the word “negro” in a negative way. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was banned for eight games for taunting Manchester United’s Patrice Evra the same way this season.

JOHNSON STILL IN THE MIX FOR ASHES TOUR CRICKET

Wayward paceman Mitchell Johnson is back in Australia’s ODI squad, he’s set to play in the Twenty20 World Cup and he’s on the radar of Test selectors. The forgotten 47-Test veteran’s career appeared to be at the crossroads as Johnson sat out the home summer with a toe injury while youngsters like James Pattinson surged ahead of him. “He’s very much in our sights for the ICC T20 World Cup (in September in Sri Lanka),” Australia’s chairman of selectors John Inverarity said, indicating Johnson was still part of his plans. “We’ll see how he goes in the nets and

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Don’t knock it: People are prone to make snide comments about synchronised

swimming – implying that it’s not a proper sport – but, as this photo of the Great Britain team for this year’s Olympics suggests, it’s much harder than it looks

in the initial three matches before the ODI series and we’ve got plenty of back-up.”

CARE RECALLED FOR SERIES AGAINST BOKS RUGBY UNION

England recalled scrum-half Danny Care for their tour of South Africa when coach Stuart Lancaster named a 42-man squad last week. The 25-year-old, who plays for premiership table-toppers Harlequins, was arrested four times in three months and the second of those arrests, for a drink-driving offence, led Lancaster to leave Care out of his Six Nations squad. ”There is a real excitement about this squad. We have a massive challenge ahead of us but it is one that everybody involved is looking forward to,” Lancaster said.

BIG WEEK FOR ... Australian MotoGP rider Casey Stoner has won the last two Grands Prix to move to the top of the championship standings but Jorge Lorenzo is still breathing down the back of his neck. Stoner is the reigning world champion and, with Valentino Rossi apparently a spent force, is well-placed to dominate the sport. The tour moves to France this weekend, where Stoner will be looking to establish a healthy lead over the chasing pack.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK It’s not about making a rule about somebody, 1, 2 or 3 getting hurt. You do not make rules on the run Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy slams the AFL’s crackdown on players sliding into contests

Chelsea celebrate after winning the FA Cup

PREVIEW A surprising Champions League decider BAYERN MUNICH V CHELSEA

SUNDAY 4.15AM, SBS 1 Not many would have tipped Chelsea to win through to this weekend’s Champions League final, where a win would cap a remarkable turnaround for the boys fom Stamford Bridge. At various stages this year, Chelsea have looked likely to be derailed by controversy. The young manager, Andre Villas-Boas, was sacked after falling out with the senior players and Chelsea looked for all money like a ship with a broken rudder. That is reflected in their Premier League position, Chelsea finishing outside the top four for

the first time since Roman Abramovich showed up with his deep pockets. Indeed, it is that lowly league finish that makes this match against Bayern Munich even more important. Not only is it Chelsea’s chance to finally taste European glory – the prize Abramovich covets above all others – but winning this year’s tournament is the only way they can qualify for next year’s and the the lucrative purse attached to it. Should Chelsea lose on the weekend and miss out on next year’s Champions League, the upheaval at Stamford Bridge could be dramatic. So, more than any year, it’s going to be a big one.

THE CHAT | Bad blood for AFL

The start of the season was catastrophic. There was the thrashing at Old Trafford. The whole world buried us Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny recalls the Gunner’s horrific start to the season, which they miraculously recovered from

We would dearly love to have that next tier of batsmen at a higher standard than they are John Inverarity, head selector for Australian cricket, bemoans Australia’s lack of batting depth

TV HIGHLIGHTS CRICKET

Photos: Getty Images

England v West Indies this nonsense about the AFL Q What’s discriminating, hypothetically, against the adopted sons of former players? if the AFL didn’t have enough spotfires to put out A As altready, they’ve managed to create a new one for themselves. Currently, there is a rule in place which allows clubs privileged access to the sons of former players – it’s called the father-son rule and, for example, allowed Geelong to draft Gary Ablett Jr. The AFL, though, doesn’t appear sure whether the rules would apply to a former player’s adopted child. Apparently, the AFL is concerned that clubs might arrange bogus adoptions just to secure access to young players. Bizarre.

The first Test starts at Lord’s Thursday 8pm, Fox Sports 1

AUSTRALIAN RULES Collingwood v Geelong A replay of last year’s grand final Friday 7.30pm, Fox Footy

RUGBY UNION Highlanders v Bulls Gary Ablett Jr

Jostling for top spots continues Saturday 3.30pm, Fox Sports 3

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Happy to be home England will be hard to beat in familiar conditions It was a miserable winter abroad for the English cricket team. They turned up in the Emirates expecting to face a typically dishevelled Pakistan but were instead bamboozled by spin and left humbled by a 3-0 whitewash. A tour to Sri Lanka followed – they eked out a 1-1 draw but it was an underwhelming performance from the world’s top Test side. This week, though, England begin their summer season in more familiar surroundings – at Lord’s – against a touring West Indies outfit and former fast bowler and Sky Sports pundit Bob Willis is suitably bullish about the hosts’ chances. “I’m very confident indeed against the West Indies. England had a difficult winter against spin over in the Emirates and in Sri Lanka,” Willis says. “But on their home patch, against guys who probably aren’t used to the ball swinging and seaming around, I expect it to be 3-0. Weather permitting, of course.” Ian Botham, one of Willis’s fellow pundits, has been quick to shrug off the results against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Although Willis does not expect those series to have any lingering effects this summer, he does acknowledge the questions regarding England’s inability to perform on the sub-continent and the implications for how highly this current outfit should be rated. “Later this year, England return to play India and that will be a real test for a few of those guys and of what that experience against Pakistan and Sri Lanka did to their confidence,” he says. “That’s the real yardstick for teams – to be able to go to India and win there. The Australians did it in 2004 but I think that until England or South Africa manage to do that, they probably can’t be considered in the class of that Australian side.” Those are questions for later this year, though. In the short-term, the English side remains settled, although Willis

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WORDS TOM STURROCK

would prefer to see the attack bolstered by a fifth bowler. “My preference is for five bowlers – which means you’d have Prior at six and Bresnan at seven, followed by Broad, Swann, Anderson and Finn,” he says. “But England won’t do that. Their tried and tested formula is to go in with four bowlers. Given that, I’d have thought that Bopara will get the nod ahead of Patel for the first Test. He’s been around the team for a long time and I think England need to find out about him – to either give him and opportunity and stick with him or discard him and find someone else.” Barring injury, the rest of England’s line-up picks itself but in recent months, the nagging doubts over the Andrew Strauss’s lack of runs have surely deepened. Since the start of 2010, Strauss has scored 1237 runs at a decidedly modest average of a tick over 30. Conventional wisdom suggests Strauss’s spot is not in any immediate danger, but Willis acknowledges the concern over the skipper’s lean trot. “Strauss made the mistake of retiring from ODI cricket after the last World Cup. He was batting well but said he wanted to concentrate on test cricket. And ever since, his form has been poor,” Willis says. “There are concerns but they won’t drop him – the hallmark of this England regime is consistency in selection and we’ve seen other players have lean spell but keep getting picked. And Strauss is a very well-respected captain but if he goes through the whole summer without making runs, then it does become harder for him to lead the team to India, where he has struggled in the past.” Before England head to India – but after they presumably dispatch the West Indies – there is the small matter of the four-match series against South Africa, a contest that will determine which side is entitled to be regarded as the

Photos: Getty Images

Clockwise: Andrew Strauss needs runs; James Anderson is the leader of the attack; Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the West Indies’ only hope

world’s best. The two sides have traditionally fought close battles. Dating back to the start of 1998, the ledger is square between the two nations: nine Test wins each, two series wins each, two series drawn. “The series against South Africa which is basically a world champion decider,” Willis says. “But I think England are in relatively good shape – the English batsmen prefer the ball coming onto the bat with a bit of pace so although South African have the likes of Dale Steyn, who’s the world’s leading bowling, I don’t think England will fear him. With Morkel and Philander, and now Tahir as the spinner, South Africa have a balanced attack but I think England will back themselves.” Willis, like most, expects an epic series, one likely to be determined by how the Proteas’ top order adapt to the notoriously fickle English conditions. “It will be a severe challenge,” Willis says. “And I think a lot will depend on whether the likes of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers make runs and can handle that English seam attack. Graeme Smith has always done well over here and Jacques Kallis is very reliable but I’m not sure, the rest of the top order might find it more difficult. But I’m expecting a very tight series, probably decided by one result either way.” So, with an English summer of cricket stretching out before him, Willis happily nominates the key men – those who hold their teams’ prospects in their palms. “James Anderson is the leader of the English attack and if he performs as well as he has recently, then England will be hard to beat,” he says. “From the other teams, I think it’s Chanderpaul for the West Indies and Jacques Kallis for South Africa. Those are the pivotal players, I think, the ones who can get their teams out of a hole like proper five-day Test match players.”

WHO’S TOP DOG? THE SAFFAS HAVE A CLAIM The ICC rankings tell us that England are the number one Test side – certainly, wins against Australia and India in recent times mean they are an excellent unit. But consider South Africa’s record over a slightly longer timeframe. In nearly six years, South Africa have lost just one series – that was, as it turns out, to Australia in 2009. It is a remarkably constistent return, built on the backs of a settled line-up, which includes the evergreen Jacques Kallis (above), speedster Dale Steyn and the likes of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, who have more recently emerged as world-class players. So while England should enjoy a confidence-boosting romp against the West Indies, the challenge posed by the South Africans will be far tougher. And, by the end of it, either way, we’ll know who’s number one.

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OZLISTINGS TRAVEL AGENTS Adventure Travel Bugs 07 3236 3266, adventuretravelbugs.com Backpackers World Travel 1800 676 67 63, backpackersworld.com Peter Pans Adventure Travel 1800 188 799, peterpans.com Travellers Contact Point 1800 647 640, travellers.com.au Tribal Adventure Travel 1800 984 484, tribaltravel.com.au YHA Travel 02 9261 111, yha.com.au

TOUR FIRMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

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

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

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

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

Groovy Grape Getaways Tours linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RENTAL FIRMS

TRANSPORT CO

Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com

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

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

Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au

Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au

Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au

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

Qantas Airline. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo. 02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Regional Express Airline. 13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline. 03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

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

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

S S O R C KINGS RKET A M R A C NT BUY, SELL & RE WE ARE HERE s "59).' 3%,,).' 2%.4).'. Good selection of Cars, Wagons, Vans & Campervans. 7$ 30%#)!,)343. Over 50 vehicles in stock with up to 50% BUY BACK. All with camping gear. s All vehicles for sale have a Government approved Roadworthy Certiﬁcate (Pink Slip) issued by ).$%0%.$%.4 -%#(!.)#3, not company employees like most car dealers. s &2%% information with tips for buying, selling and travelling. Transfer & Registration forms for all States. s &2%% Advice on Registrations, Transfers, which States are cheapest/easiest to Transfer and Register. s &2%% 12 Months Australia Wide Warranty (guaranteee) with (2 2/!$3)$% !33)34!.#% available on most vehicles.* NOT a 5000km warranty which gets you about 25% of your way around Australia. *Conditions apply

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

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PUTTING TRAVELLERS ON THE ROAD

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NOT COMING TO SYDNEY? THEN BUY AND SELL ONLINE @ www.carmarket.com.au OR CALL 02 9358 5000 48

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NSWLISTINGS SYDNEY STAY

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

Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, stayatbase.com Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222, bouncehotel.com.au

Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

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

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

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

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

Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com

Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111, yha.com.au

Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com

Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au

Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BIKE + BITE

THE TOWN BIKE PITSTOP This quirky addition to Redfern’s backstreets combines meals with wheels. The meals are wholesome Dutch delights and homemade donuts while the wheels belong to the bicycle repair shop out the back. TNT’s review coming soon! 156 Abercrombie St, Redfern.

Petersham Guest House ARE DORMS GETTING YOU DOWN? Then come sleep with us! The place to stay in the Sydney Suburbs. Double room - $240 p/week Twin room - $240 p/week Single room - $200 p/week Ensuite room - $300 p/week

Phone Con

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100 metres to bus and train. 5kms from city centre. 23 Brighton St, Petersham.

0414 450 273

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Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

CENTRAL COAST

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle. 02 4925 3544, yha.com.au

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEY MUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com The Annandale annandalehotel.com The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Gaelic Hotel thegaelic.com The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

BLUE MTNS Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba. 02 4782 1416, yha.com.au

Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. 02 4384 1919, yha.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

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

QLDLISTINGS

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BRISBANE STAY

BRISBANE DO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au XXXX Ale House Brewery tours. Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton. 07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com.au

GOLD COAST

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

wetnwild.myfun.com.au

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

Zorb 07 5547 6300

Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au

Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

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

Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise. 1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au

The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm. 04 3377 7061

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

Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au

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

Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga. 07 5536 76442, yha.com.au

Seaworld seaworld.com.au

SUNSHINE CST

Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

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

FRASER ISLAND

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

Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111 126, dingosresort.com

Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World

Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au

BUNDABERG

Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com

GC DO

FARMHAND REQUIRED FOR COTTON

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

Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com

Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. 1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au

Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise. 07 5571 1776, yha.com.au

181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677

Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 074 393, islander.com.au

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

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166 Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours. 07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed

SURF’S UP

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

CALL ON 0419 795623

WORKERS WANTED

SURFING THE GOLD COAST You can’t claim to have experienced Australia until you’ve had a go at the national obsession, surfing. And where else to try it but at Surfers Paradise. It’s a paradise.

WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED

AYR NORTH QUEENSLAND

AYR BACKPACKERS stay at Wilmington House

Y PLACE TO BE! THE ONL

Backpacker Resort

Working Hostel of the Burdekin District

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

WORKERS WANTED Call Mick & Daphne 07 4783 5837

WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED

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

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QLDLISTINGS

TOWN OF 1770

BOOK NOW

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

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

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH

AIRLIE BEACH

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

airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119

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

Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au

Nomads Airlie Beach 354 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 666 237 nomadshostels.com

BOWEN

CAIRNS STAY

RED DEER FESTIVAL

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

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

Mt Samson. Sep 1. $65 The Brisbane festival is back and headed by Aussie indie-electronicrock band Regurgitator and Melbourne folk songstress Clare Bowditch.

Foggs Road, Brisbane Bowen Backpackers Beach end of Herbert St. 07 4786 3433 bowenbackpackers.net

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

reddeerfest.com.au 07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au Yongala Dive Yongala diving. 07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

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

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

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

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Pro Dive 07 4031 5255, prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au

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

Adrenalin Dive Yongala diving.

SPOTLIGHT

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

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7/2+%23 7!.4%$ &RUIT AND 6EGETABLE PICKING JOBS AVAILABLE s 4RANSPORT TO FROM WORK s &2%% COURTESY BUS PICK UP s ,AUNDRY FACILITIES s )NTERNET FACILITIES s 0LEASANT AND FRIENDLY STAFF s "ISTRO AVAILABLE AT "ANJO S TAVERN NEXT DOOR

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TASLISTINGS HOBART STAY

LAUNCESTON DO

BOOK NOW

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

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 LANIE LANE Hotel New York. May 18. $23.50 Lanie Lane and her dynamite band are taking their ‘Bangity Bang’ tour on the road during May. Tickets will sell fast, so snap them up quick.

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

York St, Launceston

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

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

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

Photo: DiscoverTasmania.com

DISCOVER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WORD FROM THE STREET

Elrady LeFrancois, France KING ISLAND Escape the mainland crowds and explore some of Australia’s quietest, cheapest and most rewarding dive sites. The Tassie waters maybe chillier, but that just means there’s different stuff to see, like towering kelp forests (pictured), sea dragons and plenty of seals. Great diving spots litter Tassie’s east coast, Flinders Island and Rocky Cape in the north. But to really get off the beaten track then head to former sealer station King Island, bang in the middle of Bass Strait. Over 60 shipwrecks fill the surrounding waters. Get there by flying from Melbourne or a number of Tassie towns.

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WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN OZ? We travelled from Sydney to Cairns and have also done a trip to Melbourne and Tassie FAVOURITE SPOT? Tasmania was awesome. The landscape was beautiful, we saw Wineglass Bay which was amazing. Whitsundays, We did a cruise, it was amazing

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MELBOURNE STAY

MELBOURNE DO

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

Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square. 03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au

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

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

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

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

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

HOT TOUR

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

LANTERN GHOST TOURS

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane. 1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au

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

Locations vary. All year-round. $25. Melbourne has a surprisingly macabre history so take a tour of the spookiest spots of the southern city if you’re down there.

Departs Melbourne CBD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WORD FROM THE STREET

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

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

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Boris Krella, Germany WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN VICTORIA? I’ve been to Melbourne, and to the Great Ocean Road which was amazing. FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? It was when I went on a helicopter trip over the great apostles, which was incredible. FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? The bar scene in Fitzroy and Chinatown in Melbourne was awesome.

WILSONS PROMONTORY This granite peninsula, about three hours from Melbourne, forms the southern-most tip of mainland Australia and also happens to be Victoria’s largest area of coastal wilderness. Sealed off during World War II so that commandos could happily practice blowing each other up without disturbing the locals, ‘the Prom’ is a great national park, packed with scenic walks, beautiful beaches and loads of animals, especially wombats and mobs of roos. For sublime views of the entire rugged coastline, try and stagger to the top of Mt Oberon.

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DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

HOT GIG

MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca. 03 5480 6522, yha.com.au Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura. 03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura. 04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

SPORT FIX CARLTON VS ADELAIDE Etihad Stadium. May 20. From $39.95 A bit of interstate rivalry is always fun to see on a Sunday and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get any better than Carlton against the Crows.

Docklands, Melbourne

MORNINGTON Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie. 03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au

ticektmaster.com.au

Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento. 03 5984 4323, yha.com.au Tortoise Head Lodge French Island. 03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

GIPPSLAND Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614 Rawsom Caravan Park Depot Rd, Rawson. 03 5165 3439, rawsoncaravanpark.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes. 03 5952 3620, yha.com.au

TRAIN Palais Theatre. June 9. From $99.90 + booking fee. The Mister Misterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with the soul sister are playing the Palais in June. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss a single thing they do on this night.

St Kilda, Melbourne

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

GRAMPIANS Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds,

ticketmaster.com.au

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

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SALISTINGS

ADELAIDE STAY

COOBER PEDY

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

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

DRINK UP

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

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

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

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

Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au

KANGAROO IS

Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au

Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw. 08 8553 1344, yha.com.au

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

UNCORKED WITH YALUMBA

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

National Wine Centre. May 25. Free. Talk, eat, live, laugh – share Yalumba. One of Australia’s most famous winemakers invites guests for music, nibblies and good times.

Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com

Botanic Rd, Adelaide

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

Memorial Drive. 08 8300 3800, cricketsa.com.au

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

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

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

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

wineaustralia.com.au

Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg. 04 1281 1838, dolphinboat.com.au

BAROSSA VAL Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road Tanunda. 08 8563 0198, barossabackpackers.com.au

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri. 08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton.08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au

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

EYRE PENINSULA Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny. 08 8687 0411, coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims. 08 8626 5017, bairdbay.com Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving. 08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth. 1800 816 858, the-traveller.com.au Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving. 08 8363 1788, rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES

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

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

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

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

WEEKENDER

Perfect for a two or three-day trip from Adelaide, this isle is a complete gem. The country’s third-largest island is a wild, windswept world of giant sand dunes, turquoise bays and ancient forests, perfect for exploring by quad bike or kayak. But most of all, it’s all about the wildlife, which is both abundant and easily visible. Koalas, kangaroos, penguins, seals and echidnas wander around happily and without fear, making for some great wildlife photos. Don’t miss Seal Bay, where you can take a ranger-guided walk right through thousands of sea lions.

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Photo: SATC

KANGAROO ISLAND

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

KATHERINE STAY BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road. 1800 501 984, big4.com.au

LIVE ACTION

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

KATHERINE DO

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

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

DARWIN DO Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront. 08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards. 9 Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au

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

PBR AUSTRALIA PRO SERIES Robbie Robins Reserve. May 25-26. $40 The Professional Bull Riders bring their toughest show on dirt to the big North and it’s definitely worth a look for something different. Berrimah, Darwin

pbraustralia.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

Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf. 1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River. 08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

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

Outback Ballooning Hot air balloon rides. 1800 809 790, outbackballooning.com.au Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room. Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net

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

Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive. 1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au

School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum. 80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour Uluru tours. 78 Todd St. 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

WORD FROM THE STREET

Hannah Bullingham, England WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE NT? Darwin, Litchfield NP, Kakadu NP, Katherine, Daly Waters, Alice Springs FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? Kakadu National Park. It’s just simply stunning! You can swim (although watch out for the croc signs), sunbathe, hike, have a picnic, set up camp, all in some of the most amazing scenery in Australia. Watching sunset in an area of the park called Ubirr is an absolute must.

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FREE FUN

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PURE HILARITY

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Centennial Park. May 27. Free. A day out full of entertainment, displays and food from around the world, best of all it’s free!

Hannan St, Kalgoorlie

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

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

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

PERTH DO Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. 08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au

COMEDY FESTIVAL ROADSHOW The Hoochery. May 28. $54.50. The Melbourne Comedy Festival crew could not be contained. Catch Deanne Smith (pictured) and more as they hee-haw around the country. Kununurra

comedyfestival.com.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

CATCH CRABS

CHRISTMAS ISLAND Although nowadays infamous for becoming the home of Australia’s dubious Immigration Reception and Processing Centre, this tiny dot in the ocean has long boasted an eye-watering array of natural wonders. Thanks to some of the world’s longest drop-offs it has many class dive sites, where, at the right time, you can see whale sharks. But there is plenty to explore on land as well, with over 60 per cent of the island comprising national park. One sight not to be missed is each November/December, when the island’s 120 million red crabs charge for the beach for their breeding season, the event which gives the island its name. The problem? At a distance of about 2,600km north-west of Perth, in the Indian Ocean, getting there might be tricky. Unless you manage to get on immigration’s nerves that is.

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Monkey Mia Flash Backpackers like us on

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MONKEY MIA

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

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

FREO DO

NINGALOO REEF

Fremantle Markets 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au

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

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

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

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

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth. 08 9949 1200, yha.com.au

BROOME STAY Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road. 1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com

ALBANY Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St. 08 9842 3388, yha.com.au Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruizeinn.com

t accommodation. Stunning beachfront location. Quality budge able, world-leading activities and facilities. Unique, afford shpacker Voted top ten f la under $100 in Australia accommodation veller Magazine a r T n a li by Austra

Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

BROOME DO

Metro Inn Albany 270 Albany Hwy. 1800 004 321, metrohotels.com.au

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

monkeymia@aspenresorts.com.au t freecall 1800 653 611 t ph +61 8 9948 1320 t monkeymia.com.au

Aspen Parks Begin your re today... Darwin

u t n e v d A n e p s

Qld

Brisbane

Sa Perth

Nsw Sydney

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Vic Melbourne Hobart

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Visit our website for great accommodation specials and online bookings

Holiday Parks with a difference Australia Wide Western Australia Woodman Point Holiday Park Coogee Beach Holiday Park Perth Vineyards Holiday Park Exmouth Cape Holiday Park Blue Reef Backpackers Pilbara Holiday Park Cooke Point Holiday Park

1800 244 133 1800 817 016 1800 679 992 1800 621 101 1800 621 101 1800 451 855 1800 459 999

South Australia Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park 1800 833 444 Myall Grove Holiday Park 1800 356 103 Victoria Boathaven Holiday Park Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Golden River Holiday Park Yarraby Holiday Park Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village

1800 352 982 1800 336 225 1800 621 262 1800 222 052 1800 061 444

New South Wales A Shady River Holiday Park Maidenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inn Holiday Park Magic Murray Houseboats Murray River Holiday Park Wymah Valley Holiday Park Twofold Bay Beach Resort Wallamba River Holiday Park

1800 674 239 1800 356 801 1800 356 483 1800 357 215 1800 776 523 1800 631 006 1800 268 176

Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park

1800 466 528

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NZLISTINGS BUS TOURS

Rent-A-Dent 0800 736 823, rentadent.co.nz

Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com

Rental Car Village +64 9376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

AUCKLAND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Less clicking and more member savings on the new, faster yha.co.nz.

Backpacking just got easy as.

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YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHEN YOU

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Get paid to holiday! Make the most of your Aussie travel experience. Western Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Challenger Institute of Technology offers a selection of hospitality short courses that will get you qualified and working in no time at all!

No need to give up long days at the beach. Challenger short courses are run on weekends or weeknights for minimum disruption to your itinerary.

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These industry-relevant courses are run by highly qualified lecturers in a hands-on training environment.

Challenger Institute of Technology located in Western Australia is the preferred choice for more than 25,000 students studying a diverse range of careers, courses and subjects.

INTERESTED? Visit www.challenger.wa.edu.au or email stephne.ceicys@challenger.wa.edu.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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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

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 resume, 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 only

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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. Wages are 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. A great opportunity coming up is to try and land a job at an Aussie ski resort. The season runs from June to October, but resorts in the Victorian Alps and Snowy Mountains, such as Thredbo and Perisher Valley, will be hiring soon.

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MYTHBUSTERS AUSTRALIA’S ALCATRAZ?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

BEACHES

OF THE

WEEK

1. Where is the world’s longest natural beach? a) Bangladesh b) Australia c) Morocco d) Chile

gives black sand its colour? Q 2.a)What A chemical reaction

A group of jellyfish is called a... Q 7.a) Wobble

b) Shells c) Basalt/volcanic rock d) Oil slicks

b) Smack c) Glob d) Jellyfee

starred in the movie Beaches? Q 3.a)Who Whitney Houston b) Bette Midler d) Diana Ross

a) Koh Samui b) Phuket c) Koh Chang d) Koh Phi Phi

Q 4. Which American actor used to

perform with The Beach Boys? a) John Stamos b) Tom Cruise c) Jerry Seinfeld d) Zach Braff

Q 9. How many beaches in NSW

Q 5. Which European capital creates a popular artificial beach every summer? a) London b) Paris c) Prague d) Athens

SUDOKU PUZZLE 5 6 2

have shark nets? a) 18 b) 34 c) 51 d) 77

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8. Which Thailand island was movie The Q Beach mostly filmed on?

Is it true that nobody escaped from Tasmania’s Port Arthur? The most notorious prison in Oz enjoyed its infamy for good reason. However, there was a man who got past the guard dogs. Irish rogue Martin Cash braved the sharkinfested waters that surround the prison on three sides and swam to freedom, not once but twice. Not all attempts were so lucky though. George Hunt’s genius idea was to pretend to be a kangaroo, complete with fur, and hop his way to freedom. He gave himself up and received 150 lashes for his troubles when he realised the guards were trying to shoot him.

Referring to male swimming costumes, normally Speedos. It looks a bit like men are hiding a poor defenseless bird, erm, down there. Never to be worn in public unless you are an Iron Man.

THIS WEEK IT’S... THINGS YOU LOSE AT THE BEACH 1. SUNLESS GAS 2. RACK YES 3. OH, I’M ON BLEEP 4. ‘N’ CENSURES ANSWERS: 1. Sunglasses 2. Car keys 3. Mobile phone 4. Sunscreen

c) Barbara Streisand

6. She wore an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow what bikini? a) Checkered b) Houndstooth c) Striped d) Polka dot

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

MYTH

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