TNT Down Under 690 by TNT MAGAZINE

July 16-22 2012 Issue 690 tntdownunder.com

IN W C A TION-

AN N PACKED FIJIAE ADVENTUR

BOOM TIME E Explore xplore WA’s W immaculate coast

SURFIN’ SAFARI Hit the waves on Fiji’s beaches

M A E R C S A S ’ IT theme parks t s le o o c ’s d worl guide to the r u o t u o k c e Ch

+ NEWS & SPORT WHAT’S ON FILM REVIEWS TRAVELLERS’ TIPS

TOM STURROCK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Most of TNT’s readers are rattling around on the east coast, whether they’re living and working in one of the cities or cruising up and down, in between trips into the outback. So it might seem like a bit of a trek to get across to Western Australia – that’s because it is – but if you have enough time for a bit of a road trip, it’s a spectacular destination. Check out our visit on p24. Good times.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

CHATROOM

FILM

TRAVEL

COMPETITION

NEWS

OPINION

SPORT

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS VICTORIA

LISTINGS TASMANIA

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS SA

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

WORK

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES SCREAM WORLD

From the scary to the truly bizarre, we test drive theme parks around the world

DOUGH BOYS

A new comedy show that makes fun of Italian and Greek ethnic stereotypes

WESTERN FRONT

Ride the waves – of the ocean and the mining boom – in upmarket WA

JUNGLE JUICE We learn to surf, save turtles and trek through mud in a thrillseeker’s Fiji

24 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY

EDITORIAL Editor Tom Sturrock Deputy editor Alex Harmon Editorial assistant Leigh Livingstone Contributors Robert Burton-Bradley Intern Caitlin Stanway

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See Aston perform at Classical In The Cane Fields

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

MAIN EVENT MACKAY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS MACKAY

It’s a pretty special year in Mackay. Not only is it the 150th anniversary of the town, it’s also the 25th anniversary of the regional arts festival. Held over a 16-day period, there are over 30 different events covering all art forms and catering to all audiences. Everything from classical music in the cane fields, to jazz music, burlesque and ballet. This year’s theme is ‘Earthy Delights’ so prepare to get your hands dirty with culture. FREE

Until July 22. Ticket prices vary between events. Mackay, QLD mackayecc.com.au

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MILDURA WRITERS’ FEST

MYSTERY TOURS: COCKATOO ISLAND

AFL: SYDNEY VS ST KILDA

This festival of the written word brings together some of Australia’s best writers in an intimate, winter program of workshops, lectures and discussion forums. Includes late-night talks around wood fires that showcase the local food and wine.

During Sydney’s Biennale, see a different side of Cockatoo Island on a mystery tour. Promising unique journeys around the former convict prison by a diverse group of art enthusiasts including celebrities, chefs and writer. Running every Saturday.

These two Aussie rules clubs have had some fantastic duals over recent times, so be there to see it all unfold live. This year, the Swans are right in the hunt so the crowd will be up for it. Tickets start at $9 so there’s no excuse not to see these rivals go at it.

July 19-22 Mildura, VIC artsmildura.com.au

Now until Sept 16 Cockatoo Island, NSW bos18.com

July 22 Sydney Cricket Ground, NSW ticketek.com.au

$60

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

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Magic kingdoms No mattter what you might say, we reckon you’re never too old to enjoy theme parks, especially some of the truly weirder ones WORDS TOM STURROCK

We know that if you’re travelling around a country, you’re probably too cool to do the really touristy stuff, right? It’s far more legit to hike for seven hours to a deserted beach somewhere, so you can take a Facebook picture and tell your mates about what a hardcore traveller you are. But, equally, theme parks are pretty awesome as well. Sure, some of them are a bit overpriced and can be overrun with brats on school holidays. But if you go there at the right time of year with a bunch of mates who like riding rollercoasters, you’re still going to have a sweet time. Yeah, whatever – you say you’re too cool for rollercoasters but that cynicism never survives the first eye-watering drop. You’ll be out of your little capsule

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and back to the end of the line again in the blink of an eye. Australia is pretty well-serviced when it comes to big, crazy fun – if you head north to the Gold Coast, you’ll be inundated with package deals to take you through movie studios, water parks and a bunch of other stuff. But, if you’re planning your next trip abroad, it might also be worth considering a trip to some other spots – we’ve put together a list of the amusement parks that we think would be worth swinging past, whether they sound interesting, fun or just plain weird. Let’s face it, if you haven’t been to Disney World, you should probably cross it off your list the next times you’re in the States. The sheer scale of it and the vaulting ambition of the

people who put it together is pretty damn striking. It was clearly conceived not merely as a theme park but as an outsize model of the American dream. If you want a theme park experience with a difference, though, you should really consider a trip through Asia, where these eccentric, sprawling set-ups are all the rage. Our favourite is definitely in South Korea – read ahead for all the juicy details – but a trip through one of China’s franchised amusement parks would also be a bit of an eye-opener. So when you book your next holiday, don’t just pooh-pooh the humble theme park. It might not be as trendy as camping in the Pyrenees or whatever hip stuff you have planned, but it’s no less fun.

DREAMWORLD GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

XETULUL RETALHULEU, GUATEMALA

The Gold Coast is renowned for its range of amusement parks – there’s Warner Brothers World and Seaworld, but as far as good old-fashioned thrills and spills go, it’s hard to go past Dreamworld. It’s been going for more than 30 years and the visitors can’t get enough of it. It’s packed with snazzy rides – there’s a family-oriented vibe to some of them but if you just want to go nuts with your mates then there’s still plenty to keep you in a state of permanent nausea. Try the Giant Drop, which, unsurprisingly, invovles hurtling downward at spew-inducing speeds, or the Buzzsaw and the Cyclone, which are both high-speed rollercoasters that promise to leave your stomach flipping around on the platform. It can be busy on school holidays but it’s great fun.

If you’re bouncing through Central America, a visit to the region’s biggest amusement park will of course be high on your agenda. And, in Guatemala, Xetulul Theme Park is the only show in town. It’s right next to a giant water park and the two attractions bring in more than one million visitors each year, making them the most popular tourist hot-spot in the country. The main attraction is the Avalancha, a rollercoaster which features eight inversions – there are, for the anoraks, only five other rollercoasters in the world with as many upside-down bits. The park features models of many landmarks from across the world, and is divided into seven plazas, showcasing architecture from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

dreamworld.com.au

visitguatemala.com

LOVE LAND JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA

HAPPY VALLEY PARK BEIJING, CHINA

There aren’t any amusement rides at this naughty theme park but there are more than 140 sculptures depicting people of various stages of sexual congress. That’s a posh way of saying they’re bonking. Yeah, that’s right – this park in South Korea is all about sexing and is full of giant willies, stone cooches and hands-on exhibitions, like the ‘masturbation cycle’. According to the park’s website, it is “a place where love oriented art and eroticism meet”. Nice to know. It started out as honeymoon destination for Korean couples – some of them were partners in arranged marriages and the park built a reputation for helping them get the ball rolling. Then, in 2004, an area the size of two football pitches was set aside for all the filthy statues.

So China is meant to be a Communist country, right? Where the people are deprived of all the wondrous excesses of western capitalist society. Well, no one told the owners of the Happy Valley franchise, which owns parks in Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as the monster park in Beijing, which is actually a conglomeration of six parks wrapped into one. You’ll enter through the Firth Forest, and then decide whether you go to Atlantis, the Ant Kingdom or the Aegean Sea. The weirdness doesn’t stop there – you’ve also got the option of Shangri-La or Lost Maya. Within, there are scenic and ecological exhbitions, as well as special events, such as the Maximal Exercise Festival, the Water-Splashing Festival and International Magic Day. Sounds awesome.

english.visitkorea.or.k

bj.happyvalley.cn

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DISNEY WORLD FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

BETO CARRERO WORLD SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

It’s the most visited amusement park in the world and is suitably enormous, encompassing four different theme parks, two water parks and 23 on-site hotels. It all opened in 1971, when Disney World first opened – back then, it only had the Magic Kingdom but has since expanded to the Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. The other massive attraction at Disney World is the Epcot Centre, which, in case you didn’t know, stands for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The idea was that this would be where innovations for futuristic city-living could be tested out. In the early planning stages, the government of Florida was preparing to give Disney the standard powers and autonomy of an incorporated city. Just imagine.

The largest theme park in Latin America comprises a zoo, a shitload of rides and an entertainment quarter. The Nation’s Avenue is the main thoroughfare, where cable cars hoisted 30 metres into the air give passengers a perfect view of the vast complex. Branching off from there, you’ll find a German Village, which, inexplicably, has a weird medieval theme – you can see jousting and and plays about King Arthur. Elsewhere, there’s the Old West and Pirate’s Island, before you get to Radical Adventure, which is home to the crazier rides, like the Portal of Darkness and FireWhip. Best of all, in Fantasyland, you’ll be able to see a collection of the world’s largest fruit and vegetables, grown without pesticides. That certainly sounds thrilling, doesn’t it?

disneyworld.disney.go.com

FUJI-Q HIGHLAND YAMANASHI, JAPAN

SUOI TIEN HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM

The Japanese are suckers for amusement parks and this one, situated at the base of Mt Fuji, is their biggest and best. It’s known for its variety of eye-wateringly fast rollercoasters, including the Eejanaika, which is billed as a “fourthdimension rollercoaster” because of the way its seats rotate 360 degrees. Passengers will invert 14 times in one trip. There’s also the Takabisha, which is the steepest rollercoaster in the world. It twists and turns over a kilometre of track before falling away into a drop of 43 metres. Outside of the ball-breaking rides, there’s the Haunted Hospital, also known as the Super Scary Labyrinth Of Fear, which is the world’s second-largest ‘haunted attraction’. If that’s too much, maybe take a spin on the park’s enormous ice-skating rink.

OK, some of these theme parks are a bit strange but this bad boy in Ho Chi Minh might be the weirdest of the lot. It is, after all, Buddhist-themed, yet its centrepiece is a gigantic man-made waterfall sculpted into the emperor’s face. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a fair dinkum Buddhist theme park without a dinosaur garden, a paintball centre and a zoo. You’ll also be able to explore the intricacies of Vietnamese mythology, tracing the story of the battle between the Mountain God and the River God. The water park, with some massive slides, is great in the Vietnamese heat but the zoo is the major attraction – you can feed crocodiles with wooden poles and there are a bunch of monkeys who definitely aren’t shy.

fuji-q.com

betocarrero.com.br

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Rhys Darby Flight of the Conchords star Rhys Darby tells us how to dodge the end of the world in VIP-style, how he started off in the army before his eventual progression into comedy INTERVIEW ALASDAIR MORTON

sargeants liked me. I stayed for another three years but got to a crossroads where I would have to do more courses, rise up the ranks and own a military house in the middle of nowhere. I looked at that and thought, ‘I might go to university’.

“I’m waiting for the opportunity to outdo Murray”

And comedy was a natural progression? I saw an ad in the paper for the Green Room, a new performance cafe that turned out to be a good student hangout with a beatnik vibe and performances every night. I got on really well with the owners; three girls, one of whom is now my wife [Rosie Carnahan]. Quickly, over two years, more people came down to the show until we became the South Island hub of comedy. Rosie and I lived in an apartment above the building, and became the couple who let the scene flourish. It was quite a romantic beginning. Hi Rhys, how’s things going with the new show, This Way To Spaceship? It’s amazing. It’s been going well, career-wise, but at the end of the day, the essence of what I am about is stand-up, so it’s good to get to the point where I have got the proof I can produce a great show and am not just famous for being on TV. The show is about how to escape the apocalypse. How did this come about? I felt that it was 2012, the Mayan calendar was running out. There were, and still are, a lot of natural disasters happening, there’s global warming. I thought: ‘What if things really are winding up?’ The show is semi-autobiographical. How did you relate this to your life? I was living in LA and filming a sitcom. Living the high life – I even had a pool! But I got to thinking that if the world ended, there were bound to be spaceships, somewhere, and, of course, ones for VIPs. But how would I get on there? The show starts with me on this ship looking back on my life and what I had done to get there. Of course there are some ridiculous stories – some truthful, others less so.

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Where do you draw inspiration from? I was inspired by Spike Milligan and his war memoir Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall, which features true stories as well as flights of fancy. The reader can decide what is true and what isn’t. It’s good to have that sort of artistic license to spin a yarn. One moment I’ll be talking about an actual story from my life, the next about having sex with a mermaid. How did you end up working in the UK? We didn’t have a comedy scene in New Zealand. It always seemed like something that was happening in the UK or the US. Is it true you were in the army? Yes, and I am the most unlikely candidate to have served in the military by choice. I was in the army cadets at school and it seemed like a natural progression. My idea was to become an officer, my mother would be proud and I would lead a battalion into battle and rescue some POWs from a war-torn village. And how did that turn out? The reality was a bit more like the training in Full Metal Jacket. My sense of humour got me in trouble but I was good for morale and the

Would you say Flight Of The Conchords launched your film career? You could say that. I took the lead in an indie film called Coming And Going, and was excited to see if I could be the lead in a rom-com. And then I did a New Zealand film called Love Birds, about a guy who, essentially, has a three-way love affair with a woman and a duck. I thought more people would see it, but they didn’t – it came out here the same week as the [2011 Christchurch] earthquake and so not much attention was paid to it, as you can imagine. Is comedy your first love? It is just more fun! I love making people laugh What about Murray? Do you miss him? Oh yeah. He has a naive optimism, there isn’t a bad bone in his body. And that represents the New Zealand mindset as a whole – an impressionable type of person that doesn’t mean harm to anyone and about whom people enjoy laughing at. I’m waiting for the opportunity to outdo Murray, but until that time comes he is ‘top of the pops’.” Rhys Darby’s autobiographical space novel, This Way to Spaceship is out now

FILMREVIEW

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Don’t try this at Summer Bay’s diner

NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN FILM review by Tom Sturrock STARRING: Ryan Kwanten, Bojana Novakovic, Laura Brent | M | 96mins

STEP UP 4: MIAMI HEAT FILM preview STARRING: Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman | PG | 106mins

An aspiring dancer arrives in Miami and falls for the leader of a dance crew who specialise in cutting-edge flash mobs. But their neighborhood is threatened by evil development plans. It sounds like Footloose meets T-Mobile ads. On general release August 2

Australian big-screen comedies can be a bit of a mixed bag – indeed, there have been some shockers over the years – but this more downbeat, less gag-heavy film about a feckless twenty-something playboy who decides he needs to have kids strikes a more mature, intriguing tone than most of its stablemates, without sacrificing too many of the laughs. Audiences will recognise Ryan Kwanten – he was in Home And Away and has since made a name for himself by appearing in True Blood – in the lead role of Jonah, a rakish young chap who learns he has testicular cancer and that he will soon become infertile. So, almost overnight, he becomes obsessed with the idea of having kids and begins contacting former squeezes in the hope of finding a willing womb. There’s a touch of High Fidelity about his restrospective run-through of old girlfriends and even an echo of Three Men And A Baby – much of the humour derives from Jonah’s inherent unsuitability for fatherhood. Still, it’s a likeable Australian cast and the script never descends into caricature, a shortcoming in many previous Australian comedies. The film never appears to be trying too hard to be funny, instead finding laughs from character-driven set-ups and pithy dialogue. It’s essentially an economic, well-worked coming-of-age film, with a few chuckles thrown in. GOOD FOR: Anyone bored to death of grimy, earnest Australian indie flicks

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Everyone’s fair game A new comedy show continues Australia’s proud, politically incorrect tradition of holding a mirror up to multiculturalism WORDS TOM STURROCK

In Australia, there is a long history of ethnic comedy, particularly among Greeks and Italians navigating their divided nationalities, delivering hilarious and all too familiar thumbnail sketches of multicultural Australia. To outsiders, listening to Australians casually referring to wogs, laughing about the way Italians talk or the way Greeks love to concrete their front yards, it may come across as a sign of coarseness, a sign that Australians remain insensitive to matters of race and ethnicity. To the comedians performing the material, though, the Australian experience, of fusing various immigrant cultures, is a winning formula, which, ultimately should not be censored because of political correctness. A new show, Comicus Erectus, combines the reflections of two Greeks, an Italian and a Turk and, according to Basile – a Greek comedian from the US, who’s got one name, like Cher – the idiosyncrasies are fair game. “You don’t really work up to the stereotype of the different ethnicities,” he says. “What we do touch on is what we all went through, it doesn’t matter what ethnic group you came from. For me, growing up in the States, my parents were right off the boat and I was raised in a Greek way in a wide open American society and I went through the same things that these guys went through over here. We’ve all had the same things – we’ve all had the same grandmothers, the same grandfathers – just spoken in a different language. We talk about the stuff that everyone dealt with.” Joe Avati, from an Italian family but born in Sydney, insists humour is the most effective way for people to make sense of their mixed identities. “No one’s got the guts to say this stuff except for us,” Avati says. “People have an affinity with the show because they see their lives on stage. They’ve thought to themselves, “I’m not entirely Greek or Italian but I’m not entirely Australian – who am I?’ “And then they come to this show and see it on stage – when you can make someone feel that, they just want to hug you.”

“

It’s an Aussie thing to do to take the piss out of ourselves

”

Avati is untroubled by suggestions that they may be treading on controversial ground, insisting that Australia, above-all, is equal-opportunity when it comes to giving each other a hard time. “It’s a really Australian thing to do, to take the piss out of ourselves,” he says. “I’ve been comparing the ways I learned about my culture – we had an Australian family move in next door and the kid came over for dinner. He was eight years old but that was the first time he got drunk, and that was just on the salad. All the bloody vinegar being so potent at our house. Just all the little things – my real name is Guiseppe and I can never find a mug with my name on it.” Similarly, Basile, who grew up in New York, found he stood out like a sore thumb and has shaped much of his material around the clash of cultures. “Being named Basile was not easy – my mother’s name was Rosemary, my father’s name was Herb, so they called me Basile, which destroyed my life completely. It’s not the most masculine name to go through high school with,” he says. “The tooth fairy – my parents didn’t understand it. I’ll never forget, my tooth fell out and went to my mum with it and she was like, ‘don’t worry – I take care of everything’. The next morning, I look underneath my pillow and I find my mother and father’s personal cheque for $10. They’re not getting the concept. This is what I had to go through.” Perhaps the fact that certain ethnicities are happy to be the butts of jokes indicates a level of comfort, of familiarity. Australians don’t pull any punches when it comes to Kiwis and Brits, because they know they don’t need to be too careful with them. Similarly, Greeks and Italians are

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Can ethnic comedy break down barriers? sufficiently part of the furniture – it wasn’t always that way – to be in on the joke. There are, inevitably, less comedy routines about Muslim or Somali immigrants, although Avati insists it’s only a matter of time. “In about 10 years there will be – you can start to see it already,” he says. “They’re coming here when the tolerance is much greater than when my dad came across and got called a wog and was discriminated against. There was a lot of racism – the immigrants today have it a lot easier but there’s still have enough fodder there. “There’s a comfort level now – and the show, it’s not just Greeks and Italians coming. These things aren’t as foreign now. It’s everywhere in Australia because we’re so multicultural. A lot of people have a problem talking about it publicly, everyone being politically correct. People aren’t allowed to talk about it – but we are, because we’ve got one eyebrow.” Avati (right) believes discomfort with jokes about ethnic differences is actually counter-productive, chilling relations between people of different backgrounds that might be thawed through humour. “It’s an obstacle,” he says. “You can’t call anyone a wog in England – it’s a black guy. And you can feel it sometimes in the show – people bring relatives from overseas and they’re a bit apprehensive about it but they see everyone laughing and everyone’s cool about it. “It shows that we’re not too hung up about it. It cuts down the barriers – it means we can be

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mates. It doesn’t matter where you come from.” In the meantime, Avati and Basile are happy to share stories from their earlier years, anecdotes that epitomise their sense of being different from other kids at school. “Every Monday with show and tell, the teacher would get the kid up there and the little Aussie kid would have gone waterskiing, hanging out at the beach all weekend,” Avati recalls. “And Guiseppe had to go to the garage to fill up bottles up tomato sauce, putting lids on bottles or had to go off and kill a pig to make the salami. What are you going to say when you’re seven years old? Every Monday was when I felt really different. You’d go to the big wog weddings and I’d always think, ‘I wonder if that kid is doing all that – do they have the same experiences?’” For Basile, growing up in New York was no less dislocating. “I knew I different was at lunch,” he says. “The other kids would have sandwiches and Basile, what have you got? I got a goat’s head – you can’t really trade up. My mother made sautéed brains and put it in some tupperware. I love them but don’t give this to me at school – these other kids think I’m a monster. “I told my mum about it, so what does she cook? A T-bone steak. My friends thought I was the wealthiest guy in the world.” ❚ Comicus Erectus is playing in Sydney until August 26. See joeavati.com/shows

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Email us at tom@ tntdownunder.com with ‘Spotted’ in the subject line, email must include a photo of yourself! Boom - You’ve won yourself a $100 bar tab at Scubar. Like us on facebook/ tntdownunder for more party pics from the night!

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Fed up of carrying around heavy guidebooks? Then TNT has the answer We’ve published our 2012 Independent Traveller’s Guide to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. It’s free, it’s online and it’s full of tips on where to go, what to do and how to find work. FIJI W ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA NE

It’s also got listings for all the best hostels, tour companies and job agencies for all three countries, complete with links that will take you straight to their websites.

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If you’re travelling on, there’s also sections on Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

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To check it out, just head to tntdownunder.com and click the link on the right hand side.

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WEEKLY WINNER HEAT RISES: Brittany Olson, 23, Canada BRITTANY SAYS: “I took this picture on a hot air balloon ride over Turkey’s Cappadocia.” WE SAY: “The sunrise against the two focal points – the balloon and the mountain – make for a stunning shot. In a region famous for its hot air balloon rides, it’s interesting – and calming – to just see the one balloon.“ 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.

Weekly winner Brittany wins a free night’s stay at the award-winning Sydney Central YHA (yha.com.au). The monthly winner gets three days’ car hire from Travellers Auto Barn. The runner-up wins a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling adventure and cruise with Awesome Adventures Oz (awesomeoz.com).

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HOT TIPS: Composition COLOUR SCHEMES Colour gives the photographer the space to add ‘wow’ factor into their images. It’s a powerful emotional tool and different hues each have their own distinctive feelings. Cooler colours tend to be introverted and invoke feelings of calm, whereas warmer shades denote power and energy. When composing your shot try to avoid clashing colours. You want the tones to look good together. Avoid overcrowding with too many bold colours, reserving the boldest for your main focus. Remember the composition should be as simple as possible. Understand how colour works and combine this with your technical knowledge for some truly awesome photographs.

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Become a swinger in Samoa

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

it worth booking a trip to Samoa? Q IsBeth Aquarius, Canada the Pope Catholic? We definitely A Isrecommend you take the trip over to Samoa while you’re here. It’s only about a five-hour flight from Sydney and at the moment is still relatively untouched by those pesky tourists. Although it might still lack the party atmosphere of Fiji or Thailand, it’s a stable country that is incredibly safe, plus it’s very cheap. Whether you want to simply lie back in your beach hut, listening to the lapping waves, soak up some culture or go caving through lava tubes, it’s a country that ticks all the boxes. It’s easy to get a taste for the traditional culture. Even if you’re not of a spiritual persuasion, take a trip to church on Sunday to watch just about every Samoan get dressed up in their finest. Better yet, catch a game of village rugby or try to get a local to open up about the week-long process involved in getting the traditional Pe’s

tattoo – it’s a spine-chilling tale you’re unlikely to forget. is there to do just outside of Q What Melbourne? Manuela Vive, Italy

A Well done, you want to get out of the big smoke – you’ve made the right decision. Melbourne is great but Victoria is spoilt with pretty destinations. South of the city you’ll find the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula. Historic properties, walking trails, adventure activities, trail rides, seal and dolphin tours as well as diving are available. If you like bits of land that stick out into the ocean, you’ll love Wilsons Promontory National Park. It’s the most southerly point of Australia’s mainland and its special features include outstanding coastal scenery backed by granite ranges, and an abundance of wildlife. Also, don’t forget the home of the penguin parade, Phillip Island. It’s one of Victoria’s must-sees.

CHECKING IN COOLANGATTA SANDS OVERVIEW Located in the heart of surfy town Cooly, you’ll find this hostel two minutes from the beach. Take advantage of the free surfboard hire and become a pro while you’re there. Or enjoy

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the big verandah with day beds where you can meet new mates. ROOMS Dorms are secure, clean and quiet. Air-con and comfy beds. Expect a good night sleep. BILL PLEASE Beds start from $29/ night for a 4-share with a shared bathroom. Cnr Griffith & McLean St Coolangatta QLD coolangattasandshostel.com.au

Since watching The Little Mermaid, I’ve fantasised about being Ariel and hanging out with Sebastian. And where better to follow in Ariel’s footsteps (if she had any) than the Great Barrier Reef. Not only is it one of the seven wonders, but also the largest coral reef system in the world. It consists of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600km. Basically it’s a big mother f***ing reef. I was just krilled (sorry) at the prospect of exploring it. Scuba diving is not the sort of activity where they just plop you into the sea to see whether you sink or swim (although bear in mind it is actually better to sink). So I did a three-day PADI course made me feel confident about swimming with the big fish. Tank hoisted over my back, buddy at my side, I waited tentatively for the instructor to go down, deflating my BCD it was time to take my first breath underwater. I gradually let my lungs fill with oxygen and a minute or two later the sucking felt second nature to me. Three days at sea and many glorious dives later it was time to head back to Cairns. I was officially now the Little Mermaid. Joanna Tilley, UK

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Albany and Esperance WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Welcome to boomtown Just a stone’s throw from Perth, WA’s southwest is home to lush, largely unknown beaches, wilderness and famous wineries WORDS ROBERT BURTON-BRADLEY

I’m 30 metres up a giant karri tree clinging to a few metal spokes for dear life and paralysed by vertigo. All the while my tour guide yells up at me to keep climbing. Not exactly what I’d had in mind when told we’d be “seeing” some of the world’s tallest trees. My guide laughs as I begin a shaky descent, telling me this is only one of three such trees used in times past to look out for bushfires and that this is probably one of the “easier” ones. The tree I was foolish enough to climb is known as the Bicentennial Tree and measures a dizzying 75 metres high. This is not the landscape one expects on their first visit to Western Australia; forests of towering giants as far as the eye can see, shot through with lush, well-watered farmlands and picturesque towns, surprising in a state famous for vast swathes of scrub and desert. You can climb all of these massive lookout trees that are now just tourist attractions, rather than fire sentries, in Warren National Park just near the town of Pemberton. Although, as I remark several times after my ordeal, I’m amazed such a rustic and makeshift edifice is kept open to the public in this age of public liability paranoia. So if you are like me and require something a little less nerve-racking, you can try the tree top canopy walk in the Valley of the Giants where another type of colossal tree called the Tingle grows. Situated in just one remote pocket of forest in the Walpole Nornalup National Park, an hour’s drive west from Albany, this is the more comfortable way to get to the canopy. The tree top walk involves a series of interconnected swaying suspension bridges that lightly ascend to 40 metres in the air, where you can literally reach out and touch the trees and see birds and animals move right before your eyes. There’s also a walk through the base of several giant trees hollowed out by fire and now resemble giant clawed feet. Going upmarket in Albany After I’ve had my fill of death-defying heights I take in the port town of Albany, a delightful, if slightly sleepy seaside

“

There are forests of towering giants as far as the eye can see

”

centre. The town centre is about four-and-a-half hours’ drive from Perth and a great place to stop, rest and take stock after travelling through the surrounding wilderness and farmland. With a population of just over 30,000, it provides a variety of accommodation and dining options from the very chic down to affordable and cosy. When you look at some of the more upmarket options, think mains reaching up to $40 for items as exotic as sous vide duck and beef oyster roulade, it’s easy to see that even in this part of the state the mining boom is having an impact. Just a little over four-and-a-half hours’ drive west from Albany is Esperance, an excellent base from which to explore the more remote western areas, which include six different national parks. The town itself has a charming waterfront esplanade where a lush strip of green grass meets the sparkling ocean. It’s a pleasant place to sit taking in the sun for an hour or so grazing on a classic Aussie burger as locals stroll past in very little hurry. The reason for Esperance’s existence, a major mineral and agricultural port, looms omnipresent in the background. While the town has a pleasant local flavour to it, it’s the surrounding countryside that you are really here for. The rugged coast is dotted with national parks, and surf beaches where you can wander for hours, get in and under the water, or just laze on the beach. Top picks include Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park and West Beach just outside Esperance, a favourite haunt for surfers. The best way to take it all in is to hire a car or camper and take the Great Ocean Drive from just outside Esperance along the coast to the west.

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It’s a long way to the top

[Caption]

To the west on the other side of Albany is the upmarket, boutique-filled and European-sounding town of Denmark. It’s a great place to sip coffee, peruse local bookstores, and scratch your head over house prices advertised in realtor windows. While there’s little that’s Danish about the town, there is a striking similarity to towns in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands or the Dandenongs in Victoria.

up to meet the Stirling Ranges, where it’s not uncommon to see a dusting of snow during winter, another contrast to Western Australia’s reputation as a hot, dry and arid land. Stirling National Park and the nearby Porongurup National Park are both great for bushwalking but it’s even better if you are a rock-climber.

The joys of Esperance

I’m sitting at a bar with a guy who can’t be more than 25 and is laughing as he tells me how much he makes working in a mine in the north-west of the state. He orders bottles of imported, over-priced beer, which he downs in almost one gulp, before moving on to a bottle of wine I’d buy when making a marriage proposal. Not to share with a random guy I just met in a bar. Yeah, times are tough, bud. I think I’ve just met the nouveau riche of Australia’s newest boomtown. It reminds me of Sydney a decade ago when the city

Earlier, in the trip, on a cool, crisp morning as the sun rises over Cape Le Grand, near Esperance, I am greeted by one of the most amazing experiences. A pair of female western grey kangaroos usher their joeys right down to the receding tide’s edge to fossick for washed up seaweed just metres from me. The gentle-eyed mothers are completely oblivious to the handful of people from Perth and overseas on the beach staring at the remarkable sight. I’m lucky enough to get close up and hand-feed one of these amazing creatures. But be warned, although they seem placid don’t try and touch the joeys, as I’m told by one mother’s deep guttural growl that has me jumping back a few paces. For a lot of people, a beach is a beach and one strip of coastline is as good as any and I certainly fit into this category, but even my jaded beachcombing eyes drown in the visual impact of the coast along southern Western Australia. Running in a swerve of blue, grey and green from just before Esperance, all the way past Albany to the D’Entrecasteaux National Park, is some of the most untouched and deserted coastline in Australia. Forget the dark, deep blue of the Pacific, this corner where the Southern and Indian oceans meet is pure turquoise and resembles the white sand beach paradises of south east Asia. But if you don’t want to just sit and wallow on the shore, there’s plenty to do, including swimming with dolphins, whale watching and some big surf beaches. Inland to the north of Albany, you’ll find the land rises

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The bright lights of Perth

Hit the surf

LIKE FINE WINERIES A TRIP TO SOUTHWEST SHOULD INCLUDE A VISIT TO MARGARET RIVER The other must-do stop in the south-west is the Margaret River wine and food region. Begun by a group of doctors in the 1960s, the area now boasts 60-plus world-famous wineries, cheese factories, amazing dining and the famous Margaret River Chocolate Company. Just make sure you don’t shovel too much of the free chocolate in the shop as it will draw unimpressed looks from the staff. Wineries are plentiful, come in all shapes and sizes and cater to every budget. Just grab a map in town and then take your pick – the smaller, boutique wineries are probably the most fun. The grape varieties are pretty evenly covered across the region, with some choice selections of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, merlot, chenin blanc and verdelho. There are a stack of different tours to choose from – let’s face it, you probably want someone else around to take care of the driving – and you’ll be able to find something that caters to what you like. You can do the ports and liqueurs at the Grove Distillery and, if you fancy splashing out, head to the Duckstein, famous for its dining area overlooking the dam. And, wherever you stop along the way, make sure you finish up at Canal Rocks to watch the sunset and, if you’re lucky, perhaps even spot a few stingrays.

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Explore Albany’s sweeping beachscapes

[Caption]

was still smug and booming after the 2000 Olympics and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I’ve only been in the city a few hours but I am fast realising this is where things are moving economically in this country. I feel somewhat happier when he tells me he has to leave to get to bed at 9pm – he has to get up at 4.30am to return to work. I imagine him travelling back to some remote, hot dust bowl where he digs ore out of the ground for some Capricorn: Rodeos multinational mining in Rockhampton conglomerate. There’s with a snorkelling a reason we’re not all trip squeezed in flocking to get a cut of this boom. Later, I wander through downtown Perth by night and I’m impressed by the diversity of the night life on offer; bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants – all packed and inviting. Despite the newness of everything, it’s surprisingly seductive and sophisticated for a city of just over 1.6 million people. This is my first trip to Perth and I’m beguiled by the speed and obvious wealth of the place, but mainly by how everyone seems to be having fun. By day, the city is even more inviting. The wide streets are clean, although a little empty and under-used compared to the crowds and traffic you get in Melbourne’s or Sydney’s CBD. Locals proudly tell you it’s the most isolated city in the world – this makes it seem exotic and lonely at the same time and perhaps a little insecure? For all its beauty, the city is not a huge place and to make any trip worthwhile you need to get out and about beyond the CBD. My first picks would be a day trip to Rottnest Island where you can walk, enjoy the beach, ride bikes and watch the friendly little quokka marsupials

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play around tourists, hoping for an easy meal. My second pick would be to head out to Cottesloe Beach before dinner in the very trendy suburb of Subiaco, where you’ll find some fabulous places to eat and drink. The City is defined and made by the meandering, sparkling blue water of the Swan River. Like Sydney, this is a city made for the waterfront and a stroll along the banks of this waterway on Riverside Drive and through Langley Park does not disappoint, the city’s growing collection of office towers a testament to its new found wealth. It’s a beautiful and dramatic location to end a first trip to this gleaming and isolated jewel on the Indian Ocean. ❚ Robert Burton-Bradley travelled with Nullarbor Traveller, which offers a diverse range of touring experiences through the south-west of Western Australia, the Nullarbor and the Eyre Peninsula. For more information about the The Secrets Of Esperance camping tour, check out thetraveller.net.au

Fancy a dip?

Nadi and Cloudreak FIJI

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Adventure islands With jungle trekking, saving turtles and surfing reef breaks, Fiji is far more than just a relaxing holiday destination WORDS ALEX HARMON

They say timing is everything, whether WHEN TO GO: The dry season, the front desk informs me that my surf you’re proposing to your other half, boiling from May to October, is the best instructor has arrived. I throw on some an egg or releasing a film starring Ryan time to go with temperatures clothes, gargle some toothpaste and rush Gosling. Take Fiji – my belief is that right now averaging 25°C everyday. But It’s to the front desk to meet him, apologising is the best time to go, it’s the period between also the busiest time of the year for my incompetent alarm. He tells me the calm and the storm. There’s a buzz in with Aussies and Kiwis trying to not to worry – I’m on ‘Fiji time’ now. For the air, an excitement brewing, but it hasn’t avoid the winter at home. someone who is perpetually late, this is exploded. There aren’t droves of foreigners CURRENCY: Fijian dollar (FJD). music to my ears. ‘Fiji time’, I later find out, littering the beaches, sunburnt westerners 1 NZD = 1.85 FJD is used as an explanation for anything from crashing their jetskis into each other, or ACCOMMODATION: A dorm entrees coming out after mains, to buses not drug-fuelled full-moon parties – at least bed at Nomads Skylodge in Nadi showing up. In other words: relax. not that I wasn’t invited to anyway. is $13pppn when booking with My surf instructor Inia waits for me Yet the adventurous side of Fiji is emerging hostelworld.com. at the shore with his boat loaded up with like a curious puppy and it’s blossoming. surfboards and pineapples. He grins with TOURS: Hop-on, hop-off tours What Fiji has going for it is that it’s an excitement about the surfing safari we’re with feejeeexperience.com. Surfing exciting place wrapped up in a peaceful about to embark on. What he lacks in teeth, tours with adrenalinfiji.com/ package. And when I say package, I’m not he makes up for with his ripped, brown activities/surfing referring to the all-inclusive honeymoon and body. We’re heading for a break called SEE: tourismfiji.com my-first-family-holiday packages that Fiji has Swimming Pools, which I hope mirrors its been known for in the past. The country is encouraging you name – playful and safe. As a novice surfer I tell Inia he’s to choose your own adventure. dreaming if he thinks he can get me to surf the famous Cloudbreak. Swimming lessons We speed past it and chuck a right to Swimming Pools, where all my expectations are surpassed. It’s named after the When we first arrive in Nadi, we’re greeted by traditional colour of the water and the clarity of the break. Turquoise Fijian dancers, ukulele players and adorned with leis. Sure, water and soft, inviting waves. I’m deliriously uncoordinated, the clichés are still there, it’s a country that depends on so I’ve never really been any good at surfing, even though tourism. “It used to be the sugarcane but now it’s you that I’ve made countless attempts. Thankfully after all these years is our number one priority,” our guide tells us, en route I have Inia, a wide board and, as we pull up, the waves to to the hotel. ourselves. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting. You can tell they care too. Instead of hassling you in the On these charming 2ft waves I’m shown where I’m going street to buy the local wares, the Fijian people go out of wrong, how to position myself and how to prolong the their way to make you feel at home, always smiling, always wave. My surfing skills were impotent before but it’s like greeting you with a friendly “Bula, Bula”. It’s hospitality I’ve been given surfing Viagra – I’m up all morning. they’re selling, not novelty keyrings. Even though it’s been two years since Fiji’s surfing After the first night, spent saving the Fijian turtles, restrictions were lifted, allowing anyone to surf the breaks which is another way of saying I was drinking Turtle beer without a permit, the crowds still aren’t there. Sure, there all night – a beer that donates five per cent of its profits to might not be much competition for these two-foot babies, saving turtles – I’m awoken by a phone call. It’s 7am and

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NEXT WEEK Viti Levu: We go diving on Fiji’s northern island

Surfing Viagra will leave you up all morning but we have the whole break to ourselves for over three hours. Even as we coast past Cloudbreak there are only a handful of surfers in the water. It’s incredible to think that a country with access to waves like these aren’t pumping surfers out like Russian ballerinas. Give it a few years, I reckon, and Swimming Pools will need its own lanes. Long boat mud slides I’m not sure how, the next day, I end up in a muddy river in the rain, rapidly going downstream, fully clothed. We had been on a jungle trek in the rain. In paradise, the last thing you expect is rain. After an eerie longboat ride through a dark jungle river, we trek through the Namosi Highlands to view the spectacular waterfalls. The clouds quickly turn nasty and our Fijian guides consider sending us back. We tell them we’ll push on through – it’s not everyday you’re in Fiji, and you never know, it could pass. It doesn’t. The grey clouds turn into an epic shower and with each step our feet sink deeper into the mud. At times, they become stuck and I have to use a stick to break free. I feel like a soldier on the Kokoda Trail, except I’m wearing thongs and a sarong. We eventually make it to the falls and soak our wounds, muscles and mud-stained clothes in the chilly pools. On the way back, it’s suggested by our guides that we take the express lane, that is, the rapidly flowing river. One of the guides jumps in and is sucked along like an Olympic luger. We’re pretty quick to follow him in. Anything to avoid the arduous walk back through the mud. At some moments it’s adrenaline-pumping fun, like tubing without the tube. At other times, it’s terrifying. Throw in a few thousand drunk travellers and some riverside bars and Fiji would be sitting on a goldmine. Something tells me the deeply religious Fijian people will never go down this

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path – at least I hope they don’t. Right now, it’s just the small group of us and it’s peaceful – apart from a few screams and the laughing guides. “Don’t worry, we don’t have crocodiles in Fiji, just cannibals,” one of them quips. I just try my best to keep my head above water and not think about sea snakes, tangled roots, cannibals or anything likely to drag me under. The current takes us back to our longboat without any injuries, just a few bruises from body pile-ups along the way. Once aboard, the rain rinses off our Namosi mud-stained clothes and we head back into town.

Sold down the river

Meeting the kava-ry That night we are introduced to Kava and its calming properties. The powder is made from the pounded root of the pepper plant and they call it Fiji’s national contraceptive – because it makes men too tired for action. We’re offered the drink at a traditional ceremony, our nominated “chief” of the group hands us the bowl of murky water and in homage to the day, I clap three times and down it. Maybe it’s the muddy taste but I feel closer to the land of Fiji than ever before. The numbing effects of the Kava are immediate, sending my body into a nirvana that is probably heightened by the several beers I’ve consumed – in the name of the turtles – and the stunning surrounds. We’re overlooking the breathtaking Coral Coast and the rain has subsided, produing a sunset I tell myself I’ll never forget. The

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blissfulness takes hold with every bowl, time is suspended and I could quite happily stay in this state forever. Now I understand “Fiji time” isn’t about sleeping through alarms, but a state of tranquillity where alarms don’t even exist. Timing might be a precise art but I hope this country remains in this relaxed time lapse for a while – I’d hate it to change too much. Tourism is a double-edged sword and although the country needs it to survive, I hope Fiji doesn’t sell out her soul for a keyring. Something tells me the kindhearted people won’t do that, although they might persuade you to get off the deckchair and into the mud, with their charming, encouraging nature. As we were told on the first night, “you people are sweeter to us than the sugarcane”. ❚

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He obviously prefers a thick crust

MAN ON A WIRE WANTS PARIS AND PIZZA UNITED STATES

A 61-year-old man who barricaded himself in a hotel room and threatened to shoot police had two rather unusual requests: pizza and Paris Hilton’s hand in marriage. A SWAT team was called to Belmont’s Hampton Inn when Fredrick Denny locked himself in the room with a gun. The officers shut down a floor of the hotel and tried for several hours to negotiate with Denny, who demanded pizza and to marry Paris Hilton. When negotiations failed he was pepper-sprayed and arrested. Denny faces several charges including being intoxicated and disorderly.

MAYOR SAYS WOMEN NEED WIDER BERTHS GERMANY

The German town of Triberg is now designating parking spots as ‘male’ and ‘female’ with women being assigned the easy to manoeuvre spots. Mayor Gallus Strobel unveiled the new car parking plan – each space in the town’s main carpark is now painted with a male or female symbol, determined by its difficulty rating. Female drivers have been assigned wider and well-lit spaces located closer to the exit while male drivers get the more difficult spaces. “Men are, as a rule, a little better at such challenges,” the mayor said. Strobel has denied the move is sexist towards women, adding: “Of course, there are also great women drivers! They are, of

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See how they run: Revellers run with Fuente Ymbro’s ranch fighting bulls at the entrance of the bullring on the fifth day of the San Fermin running-of-the-bulls. Football shirts seem to be a popular choice of clothing for the modern-day runner course, most welcome!” The mayor also argues that the parking challenge will be good for tourism in the city of Triberg.

K-JO ROCKS OUT TO MICKEY NORTH KOREA

Disney characters took the stage during an unusual concert for North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. The leader, who is in his late 20s, watched a performance by actors dressed as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Tigger while footage from Snow White, Dumbo, Beauty And The Beast and other Disney films played on a massive backdrop.

The inclusion of characters popular in the United States, North Korea’s wartime enemy, is a notable change in direction for public performances in North Korea. The concert also included musicians playing the famous soundtrack from the film Rocky and Frank Sinatra’s hit, My Way. Kim is allegedly dating a Korean pop star who was by his side at the concert. The pair were romantically linked ten years ago but Kim’s late father objected to the relationship. Like Romeo and Juliet.

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THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS Weight, in kilograms, people who quit smoking will gain in a year, according to a new study

Amount, in pounds, a man was charged after squirting sauce at his girlfriend, who refused to stop reading 50 Shades of Grey

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it

JOB PRESSURE TOO MUCH FOR WONKER UNITED KINGDOM

A chocolate taster was forced to step down from his ‘dream job’ after gaining too much weight. Angus Kennedy, 47, was warned his cholesterol level was becoming “dangerously high” after landing the job in 2010. His role required him to taste around a kilogram of chocolate and candy a day and then write about the products in the trade journal Kennedy’s Confection. “The only problem with eating chocolate from 9 to 5 is the predictable weight gain and high cholesterol,” he said. The high-calorie diet caused him to put on 12kg. “I’ll really miss being Willy Wonka,” he added.

GERMAN LEADER IS SHADOW OF HITLER

Photos: Getty Images

NETHERLANDS

A Dutch TV news show have been left red-faced after accidentally giving German Chancellor Angela Merkel a ‘Hitler’ moustache in a background graphic when she appeared on air. Nos television’s evening news had been covering a meeting between the German Chancellor and French President Francois Hollande and used a suitable photo of the pair. But because of the way the image merged with the studio background, a black line appeared on her top lip, making it look like she had a moustache. Perhaps fittingly, Merkel has, in the past, been compared to Hitler because of her tough policies and has also been described as the world’s most powerful woman.

Amount, in dollars, some toast from Prince Charles’s breakfast, the day he married Diana, is expected to fetch

750

Dollars Octomum Nadya Suleman is being sued for by a Florida strip club after backing out of a deal to strip

At least she wasn’t doing this

DOG HOTEL RENTS ROOMS BY THE HOUR

185

15,000

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

BRAZIL

Brazil, which is home to a 32-millionstrong dog population, will open a “love hotel” for pets. Fabiano Lourdes and his sister Daniela have invested over $1 million to create “Animalle Mundo Pet,” an eight-story building with an entire floor devoted to dog love-making. Dog owners will pay around $50 a day for a room which have heart-shaped mirrors on the ceiling, red cushions on the floor and dimmed lighting. The idea was inspired by the popular Brazillian love motels. “For many people, the dog is a child who must be well treated,” Lourdes said. “Our market studies showed that people work all day long and they do not know where to drop their pets for mating,” he added.

This is too tight, this is squeezing my head. I’m about to have a panic attack Tough guy Christian Bale describes the feeling of trying on the Batman suit for the first time

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OUTSIDE THE FLAGS COMMENT: TOM STURROCK editor@tntdownunder.com

The Irish aren’t the only drunks in town

The Irish love a drink but so do Aussies travelling abroad Before shunning the Irish, Aussies should take a look in the mirror

» Agree or disagree? Are Irish backpackers badly behaved? editor@tntdownunder.com

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In case you haven’t heard, Fifty Shades Of Grey is, like, the biggest thing ever, proving, once and for all, that people are uncritical, easily herded sheep. The main appeal of the book is that it’s naughty – that’s right, there’s lots of S&M in there, meaning the vanilla, barely literate masses can get their dose of tepidly taboo pop culture and still feel like they’ve got their fingers on the pulse. Everyone’s reading it, don’t you know? All the girls at work are talking about it – why haven’t you read it?

“

There’s nothing wrong with smut

”

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of smut – Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Tropic Of Cancer both rattled cages upon release for the same reasons. But these days, there’s more smut on offer than you can shake an appendage at. So if it’s smut you’re after, why do we still need this vacuous watercooler culture to prove it’s not just acceptable but achingly hip?

Photos: Getty Images

Welcome to the era of nationality profiling in the Australia backpacker industry – and, guess what, it’s a bad time time be Irish. Apparently, the Paddies, who have been flocking to Australia in greater numbers because of a lack of jobs back home, have really got the locals in a stink with their unruly behaviour. Last week, Thomas Dunne, who runs a hostel in Proserpine, declared Irish guests were no longer welcome. Apparently, they drink too much and cause trouble. “What can I say, we can’t tar everyone with the same brush, but yes we have had enough of the Irish backpackers who stay at our accommodation,” Dunne said. “It’s sad really because the other nationalities say the same about them at the other hostels.” And it’s not just up north that the Irish have been running amok. Along Sydney’s eastern beaches – Bondi, Bronte, Coogee – the Irish are also personae non gratae. Apparently, in Bondi Junction, which has always been an Irish hot-spot, they’re just too rowdy and the locals aren’t happy. “They are young, they are out late, they are drinking hard, many are taking drugs, they are away from home and they are often making noise well into the night at 24-hour bars. Trouble is always going to happen,” said Billy Cantwell, editor of the Sydney-based Irish Echo magazine. “There is certainly a backlash against the backpacker, including the Irish, from locals in that area.” So the poor, precious Australians have decided that the Irish are too boozy and too rough around the edges. It’s just intolerable, isn’t it? Well, now they know how the rest of the world feels about Australians. Maybe they should book themselves onto a Contiki tour through Europe and see whether the behaviour of their countrymen meets the standard of behaviour they are now insisting Irish visitors have so grievously violated.

SORRY, IT’S FIFTY SHADES OF LAME

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Sonny Bill Williams

UNCERTAINTY OVER WILLIAMS RETURN RUGBY LEAGUE

New Zealand rugby league chief executive Jim Doyle says Sonny Bill Williams cannot expect to walk straight back into the Kiwis’ World Cup plans when he makes his NRL return. Williams will quit the Chiefs at the end of their Super Rugby campaign before starting a lucrative 10-game stint in Japan. He will then sign a 12-month contract with a NRL club, widely expected to be Sydney Roosters. Doyle admits the prospect of the 26-year-old adding to the seven caps he won before his defection to the 15-man game is exciting, although he’s unsure if Williams will want to play. “Once he’s signed a contract with an NRL club, then we will get in contact with him and see what he wants to do,” Doyle said. “He’s still likely to be exceptionally good but, with it being Sonny Bill, he may have other plans, in boxing or rugby.”

MORE TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED IN LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

Britain will deploy an extra 3,500 troops at the London Olympics after a private security firm said it could not provide sufficient guards, the defence minister confirmed last week. Philip Hammond said the interior ministry requested the move after private contractor G4S could not fulfil its commitment to provide the necessary number of trained staff for the Games. “As the venue security exercise has got under way, concerns have arisen about the ability of G4S to deliver the required number of guards for all the venues within the timescales available,” he said. “G4S has now agreed that it would be prudent to deploy additional military support to provide greater reassurance.”

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Looking good: The Tour de France must be one of the great pieces of promotional material for any tourism industry. The riders, like Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, cycle through the scenic hills, showcasing locations perfect for a cheeky little glass of beaujolais

KEWELL NAMED BEST EVER SOCCEROO FOOTBALL

Harry Kewell has been named Australia’s greatest ever footballer at a gala ceremony in Sydney. Kewell was awarded the honour following a long-running process involving fans, players and pundits. The Greatest Ever Australian Footballer awards also named the nation’s greatest players by position and Kewell was joined by several teammates of the Socceroos’ ‘golden generation’ in the greatest ever Australian team. “I’m humbled by the award and very grateful, especially given that the public have had such a say in the final result and the number of great footballers this country has produced,” Kewell said.

BIG WEEK FOR ... Even though he might not be much of an athlete, Boris Johnson enters the biggest week of his time as London’s mayor. The Olympics, of course, are nearly upon us and that means all eyes will be on London leading up to the opening ceremony next Friday. Johnson, of all people, will be hoping everything goes smoothly – hopefully he doesn’t put his foot in his mouth between now and the start of the action.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK I’ve said it all through our home summer, there’s just something missing. I’m not sure what it is. Is it character, is it ambition? Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur reflects on Australia’s disastrous 4-0 ODI series loss defeat to England

Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss

PREVIEW Test cricket’s heavyweight clash kicks off English summers aren’t exactly reliable but hopefully the rain stays away long enough to allow this epic threematch Test series to run its course. It’s been a while since the last proper heavyweight title fight and it will be kicking off every day just as your supper’s coming out of the oven. It shapes as a good old-fashioned arm wrestle. Sure, England are at home and are the world’s top-ranked side but the Proteas are as tough as old boots and have only lost one series in the past five years. That, in case you’re wondering, was against Australia in 2009 – that one time Mitchell Johnson decided to show up and do some

damage. Yeah – that was a while ago, wasn’t it? But, anyway, this series promises to be everything Test cricket is meant to be – both sides have plnety of batsmen in cracking form, as well as bowlers capable of running through a side in one destructive spell. So make sure you tune in to track the progress of this series, as it could be one for the ages. Spare a thought for Aussie spectators – who the hell are they meant to support in this no-win affair?

If I can race even at 90 per cent of my full strength and health, I should be right Australian swimmer James Magnussen is pretty damn confident of taking out the 100m freestyle in London

I respect the decision of the owner of Chelsea but I will never accept it Former Chelsea manager Andre VillasBoas is still sore about being sacked by Roman Abramovich

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA THURSDAY 7PM, FOX SPORTS 1

THE CHAT | John Terry in court

TV HIGHLIGHTS RUGBY UNION

Photos: Getty Images

Qualifying finals Chelsea captain spent last week trying to Q The talk his way out of an accusation he racially vilified Anton Ferdinand. What’s his story? who plays for Queen’s Park Rangers, claims A Ferdinand, Terry called him a “fucking black cunt” during a match at Loftus Road last year. In his defence, Terry admits using the phrase, but denies it was abuse, claiming instead that he was only repeating what he believed Ferdinand had falsely accused him of saying. It’s quite a nuanced defence and it is strangely plausible. But, let’s face it, for everyone out there who can’t stand Terry, it’s quicker and easier to conclude that he’s guilty and add racism to the long list of reasons to dislike him.

It’s business time in Super 15 From Friday, times TBD, Fox Sports 1

AUSTRALIAN RULES Collingwood v Hawthorn The premierships favourites clash From Friday, times TBD, Fox Sports 1

RUGBY LEAGUE Rabbitohs v Dragons John Terry

A south-side Sydney derby Saturday 7.30pm, Fox Sports 2

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Winner takes all This English summer, Test cricket will be top of the agenda WORDS TOM STURROCK

Finally, the pleasantries having been dealt with, the West Indies and Australia brushed aside by an England side in buoyant form, and the main event of this year’s Test cricket calendar is at hand. On Thursday, England and South Africa, the top sides in the longer form of the game, will begin their three-match series at The Oval in London. And, by the time the third match, beginning at Lord’s in the middle of August, concludes, Test cricket will have an undisputed champ. Unless it’s a draw, in which case nothing much will be settled. It is curious that a series of such consequence should be straitjacketed into just three matches but that is the nature of international cricket these days – there is, apparently, enough room for five ODIs and three T20s once the boring old Tests are done and dusted. That gripe aside, it promises to be a fascinating series with no shortage of talking points.

The English attack In recent years, England’s great strength, particularly on home soil, has been the consistency and variety of its pace bowling attack. It will, as usual, be led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who, in English conditions, have been nigh on unplayable over the past 12 months. The English selectors then have the luxury of choosing between Tim Bresnan and Steve Finn for the third seamer’s spot – Bresnan’s batting and durability appeals but Finn shapes as the bowler more likely to produce a spell that turns a match. The only worry for England in the form of Graeme Swann, who, at one point, would have been the first or second man picked. The 33-year-old’s overall record is still impressive and he was one of the few English cricketers to emerge from a disastrous tour of the subcontinent with some decent numbers, but his last two series at home, against the West Indies and India, have been lean. And, certainly, the Proteas’ batsmen will not be in generous moods.

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KP continues Any sense that Kevin Pietersen might arrive in the middle years of his life as an international cricketer having mellowed, his days of rattling cages passed, was dispelled in May, when KP retired from limited-overs cricket, citing an inflexible schedule. The England board may have made a rod for their backs but it would not surprise if the situation brings out Pietersen’s combative best. Pietersen, of course, has a strained relationship with South Africa – the country of his birth – and it will be fascinating to see whether the Proteas get stuck into him, sensing vulnerability, or leave him alone, lest they set his competitive juice flowing. Pietersen’s form over the past year has been impressive – the dodgy tour to Pakistan the only exception – but his Test performances against South Africa have been nothing special over the journey. Pietersen, of course, is no longer the only gun in England’s arsenal, sandwiched instead between Alastair Cook, Jonathon Trott and Ian Bell, all capable of scoring heavily. But it’s hard to shake the sense that if Pietersen, once more with something to prove, is allowed to settle, he could yet be the English batsman who shapes the series.

Philander the wildcard If England’s seam attack is impressive, run an eye over the Saffa unit. It’s led, of course, by Dale Steyn, who, since 2007, has been the world’s best fast bowler. For many years, he had Makhaya Ntini riding shotgun but, these days, he’s supported by Morne Morkel, who troubled England last time these sides met, back at the end of 2009. But newcomer Vernon Philander has arrived in compelling style and could be the wildcard when comparing these two attacks. In his first seven Tests, Philander has taken a whopping 51 wickets, at the miserly average of 14. Consider that, in the

Clockwise: Graeme Smith; Vernon Philander; Kevin Pietersen

history of Test cricket, England’s Tom Richardson, who played at the end of the 19th century, holds the record for most wickets after seven Tests – he had 53 of them after as many Tests as Philander. Cricket, by its nature, throws up the odd flash in the plan, a player who looks incredible for a year or so, only for opponents to eventually figure them out and burst their bubble. That may yet happen to Philander but, so far, he looks every inch a world-class first-change bowler. This series will be the litmus test.

Photos: Getty Images

Smith to lead from the front The South African middle-order is just as stacked as England’s. Over the past couple of years, AB de Villiers deserves to be considered the world’s best batsman, considering his performances in all forms, while Jacques Kallis has enjoyed a late-career renaissance that has him scoring as heavily as ever. Throw in Hashim Amla, who admittedly experienced a slow start to the year in New Zealand, and there’s enough quality for South Africa to bat anyone out of a Test match. It’s likely that JP Duminy will be preferred to Jacques Rudolph at No 6 and Alviro Petersen retained as opener. He scored a century in his last Test but he stands out as the weak link, increasing the pressure on his opening partner, Proteas skipper Graeme Smith, a man whose career has been defined by his performances against England. Back in 2003, he belted back-to-back double-centuries against England at Edgbaston and Lord’s. He had played only a dozen Tests and, at 22, was the youngest ever South African captain but those performances demonstrated he was made of the right stuff. Then, in 2008, it was Smith’s century on the final day of the third Test that secured a series victory, the first by South Africa on English soil for 43 years. ❚

LAST TIME AROUND ENGLAND OFF THE HOOK In many ways, England’s ascent to top spot in the Test rankings began with their last series in South Africa, where they managed to eke out a draw in a four-match series they could easily have lost 3-1. In the first Test, at Supersport Park, the last-wicket pair, Paul Collingwood and Graham Onions hung on after England had lost five wickets for 13 runs. Then, in the third Test at Newlands, after another alarming collapse, it fell to Graeme Swann and Onions (above) to again stave off defeat. In between those results, England had hammered South Africa by an innings and 99 runs to take a series lead, which South Africa duly overturned in the fourth and final Test of a bizarre, topsy-turvy series. If this year’s series is half as eventful, it will be one to remember.

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

TOUR FIRMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com

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

Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com Backpacker Campervan Rentals 1800 767 010, backpackercampervans.com.au Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au Explore More Rentals 1800 708 309, exploremore.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 Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

@tnt_downunder Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au Qantas Airline. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au Regional Express Airline. 13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline. 03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

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

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

Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photo: Tourism Australia

PALM BEACH Fans of TV soap Home and Away need to make their way to Sydney’s most northern beach, Palm Beach, aka the real-life Summer Bay. Make sure you head towards the lighthouse end of the sand to get your photo by Alf Stewart’s name at the surf club. Get there early on a weekday and you might even catch some filming in action. Stone the flamin’ crows!

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NSWLISTINGS DON’T MISS

Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au

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

Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111 yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com

LADYHAWKE The Metro Theatre, Sydney. Jul 18. $43 In her first Australian tour since 2009, Paris is Burning songstress Ladyhawke will deliver her signature electro-pop tunes.

George St Sydney

SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718 stayatbase.com Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718 bighostel.com

ticketek.com.au Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222 bouncehotel.com.au Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au

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

Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

City Resort Hostel

Assaulted by bouncers, hotel staff or drunken patrons. Compensation for recreational activities gone wrong.

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sydney city solicitors Incorporating Shearman Lawyers

CONTACT (02) 8084 5707 or 0412 333 860 or ds@shearmanlawyers.com.au

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

SYDNEY DO Manly Surf School Manly Beach. 02 9977 6977, manlysurfschool.com Maritime Museum Darling Harbour. anmm.gov.au My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneyskytour.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au Sydney Wildlife World

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@tnt_downunder 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 Metro metrotheatre.com.au

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

CENTRAL COAST Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle. 02 4925 3544, yha.com.au Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. 02 4384 1919, yha.com.au Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

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

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

QLDLISTINGS 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 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 Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm. 04 3377 7061 Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646, tinbilly.com

Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au

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

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

GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise. 1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise. 1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga. 07 5536 76442, yha.com.au

IN STYLE

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PORT DOUGLAS This upmarket, pretty resort town might cost you more than Cairns, just to the south, but it is perfectly positioned right by the reef and is fringed by stunning white beaches. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a great jump-off point for Cape Tribulation and Cape York.

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

DON’T MISS

RAINBOW BEACH

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

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

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

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

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

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers.com. au Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise. 07 5571 1776, yha.com.au Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

GC DO

HERVEY BAY 4 WALLS FESTIVAL

Aussie Woolshed

The QLD Academy for Creative Industries, Aug 4. $25 This festival delivers new music from the best of Australia’s up and coming artists like The Paper Kites and The Medics (pictured).

181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677

Kelvin Grove, Brisbane 07 5532 9907 Seaworld seaworld.com.au Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au

Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au

Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

Get Wet Surf School

Zorb 07 5547 6300

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

moshtix.com.au

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

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

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

BUNDABERG Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166 Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours. 07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

TOWN OF 1770 1770 Backpackers 6 Captain Cook Dr. 1800 121 770, the1770backpackers.com 1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

AIRLIE BEACH airliebeach.com

PARADISE

MISSION BEACH Where the rainforest meets the reef. Mission is a special place with a real village feel to it. Once an Aboriginal mission and a hippie hangout, it’s now home to budget accommodation. Enjoy 14km of secluded beaches and pretty rainforest areas. It’s also developed a reputation for its love of adrenalin. Mission is one of the best places to do a skydive, admiring the reef before landing on the sand, while the area is also good for less crowded dive sites and day-tripping to the Tully rafting.

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QLDLISTINGS

259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119

BOOK NOW

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

CAIRNS STAY

Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au

BOWEN

THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane. Aug 11. $40 After announcing their plan to call it quits, this is your last chance to get all nostalgic and enjoy a decade worth of Beautiful Girls genius.

TOWNSVILLE

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

yongaladive.com.au

Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353, bohemiaresort.com. au

Skydive Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au

MAGNETIC ISL Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 1800 24 22 73, stayatbase.com Bungalow Bay Backpackers Horseshoe Bay. 1800 285 577, bungalowbay.

JJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com

com.au Hotel Arcadia 7 Marine Pde, Arcadia Bay. 07 4778 5177 magnetic-island.com/arc-rsrt.htm Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com

ticketek.com.au

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road. 07 4068

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

Pro Dive 07 4031 5255 prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au

NJoy Backpackers Hostel Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au

Costin Street, Fortitude Valley

swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com

Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au

Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au

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

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

Scottyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au

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CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon

CAPE TRIB Crocodylus Village Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com PKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jungle Village Cnr Avalon & Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333, pksjunglevillage.com.au

INNISFAIL Innisfail Budget Backpackers Workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 7833 Walkabout Motel & Backpackers 07 4061 2311

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

PHONE 0437 692 002

s "ISTRO AVAILABLE AT "ANJO S TAVERN NEXT DOOR

6!2)%49 /& 7/2+ !6!),!",% 9%!2 2/5.$ "REEZY 4ROPICAL VERANDAHS CLEAN FRIENDLY #LOSE TO SHOPS BANKS OLYMPIC POOL

&EDERAL "ACKPACKERS "OURBONG 3T "UNDABERG 1LD

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

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WORKERS WANTED

WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED WORKERS WANTED

AYR NORTH QUEENSLAND

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

s /PEN AND AIRY 1UEENSLAND STYLE FOUR AND SIX BEDROOMS s )NTERNET #AFĂ? 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

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MELBOURNE STAY

BOOK NOW

All Nations Backpackers Hotel & Bar 2 Spencer St. 1800 222 238, allnations.com.au Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net

RICK ROSS

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

Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au

Festival Hall. Sept 6. From $100 Hip hop mega MC Rick RO$$ has announced that he will be coming Down Under for a two-show run known as The Rozay Raw Tour.

Dudley St, Melbourne

ticketmaster.com.au

Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au

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

The Tote thetotehotel.com

Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au

Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com

Nomads Melbourne 198 Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com

MELBOURNE DO

Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au

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

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

Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

MELB MUSIC Cherry Bar myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne Corner Hotel cornerhotel.com East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com

The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au

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

Stay. Play. Melbourne.

$20

Accommodation from $20 a night (subject to availability)

Maximum 4 bed dormitories with linen and towel FREE all you can eat breakfast (cereal, toast and juice), weekly meal, rice and pasta, tea and coffee FREE in room oversized locker with personal power point 5 minute walk to city Large bar with big screen (all major sporting events shown) Drink specials at the bar Public transport on doorstep

UC103

Unique value tour packages

Book Now 1800

631 288 urbancentral.com.au

334 CITY ROAD SOUTHBANK MELBOURNE VIC 3006 AUSTRALIA

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VICLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au

3 Miranda St, Sorrento. 03 5984 4323, yha.com.au

Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au

Tortoise Head Lodge French Island. 03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

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

DON’T MISS THE SHINS Melbourne Festival Hall, Melbourne. Jul 23. $80.50 Back on form and cranking out their well overdue new album Port of Morrow, this Shins gig is sure to produce some indi-pop gold.

Dudley St, West Melbourne

MELBOURNE STAY

ticketmaster.com.au

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

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

Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane. 1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com

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

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

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

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

GIPPSLAND

Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614 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 The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com.au

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

GIPP SERVICE

National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au Skydive the Beach Melbourne 1300 798 843 skydivethebeachmelbourne.com

MELB MUSIC Cherry Bar myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne Corner Hotel cornerhotel.com East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au The Tote thetotehotel.com

GREAT OCEAN RD

GIPPSLAND South-eastern Victoria is a huge area of unspoilt terrain, referred to as Gippsland. It has some beautiful and rugged wilderness areas such as Errinundra, Alpine and Croajingalong National Parks serviced by good roads and interesting towns. Beautiful and off the beaten track, explore High Country’s gold towns and snow fields, the coast’s stunning Ninety Mile Beach, the Buchan Caves, unspoilt Mallocoota, and the pristine and peaceful Lakes Entrance National Park.

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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 BOY GIRL WALL Theatre Royal, Hobart. Aug 1. From $35 Sock puppets, chalk and projectors take the audience into the chaotically funny and touching lives of neighbours Thom and Alethia.

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

Campbell St, Battery Point

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

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

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

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theatreroyal.com.au

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

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

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

Photo: Tourism Tasmania

PORT TOWN

DEVONPORT Find this town on the north coast, in a major vegetable growing area, also the closest entry point to Melbourne. The Spirit of Tasmania ferries dock at the mouth of the Mersey River; shuttle buses operate from Devonport airport, 8km east of the city. It’s an excellent place to prepare for your travels, with a range of specialist backpacker services, particularly if you’re planning on visiting the famous Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park (pictured) 80km to the south. Buses leave daily. Devonport is also another great place for cycling.

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Megan Belcher, Canada WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN SO FAR? Mostly the mainland Australia and I’ve done Tasmania as well. I love Tasmania, we caravanned there for 5 days. WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Definitely my family but there is a cocktail at home that’s called the Bloody Caesar and I miss that every morning that I’m hungover. WEIRDEST EXPERIENCE? A caravan tour in Tasmania. Those caravans should be made as four wheel drives, but they’re not. So going down the uneven roads you fear that it’s gonna collapse.

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

KATHERINE STAY

DON’T MISS

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

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

KATHERINE DO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

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

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

DARWIN CUP Darwin Turf Club. Aug 6. From $30 The Territory dusts itself off, frocks up and gets its bet on for the pinnacle of the Darwin racing carnival – the 2012 Darwin Cup.

Fannie Bay, Darwin 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

darwinturfclub.org.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

Richard Seli, England. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO COME TO OZ? A couple of friends where going to Australia and I’m changing jobs, and I have a gap of 8 months between them. I’ll be here for three months and after that I’m going to travel in America. WHAT’S ON THE ITINERARY? First from Sydney up to Cairns to see all of the east coast. From there to Alice Springs to see a little bit of the desert. I’m going to travel with the Greyhound bus. I already travelled from Melbourne up to Sydney with a campervan.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

WALISTINGS

@tnt_downunder

One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. 1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

DON’T MISS

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

BAND OF SKULLS The Bakery Artrage Centre. July 23. From $52.50 Aussie fans are getting the chance to check out the trio’s new album Sweet Sour in this Splendour sideshow

James St, Northbridge

PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge. 08 9227 6000, perthbrittania.com

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

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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

DON’T MISS CHET FAKER The Bakery, Perth. Aug 3. From $20 Melbournian Chet Faker is hitting the Aussie roads to spread his sounds with a night full of home grown electronica.

James St, Northbridge

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

nowbaking.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

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

FREO DO

1800 653 611, monkeymia.com.au

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

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com

ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks. 08 9372 9780, yha.com.au Rottnest Express 1300 Go Rotto rottnestexpress.com.au

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

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

MONKEY MIA Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

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

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

FREO DO Fremantle Markets 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace. 08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks. 08 9372 9780, yha.com.au Rottnest Express 1300 Go Rotto rottnestexpress.com.au

ON LOCATION

7 ,Ê -/Ê "-/ Ê Ê7 ÊÓääÇ -/ÊÓäänÊEÊÓää

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

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SALISTINGS

ADELAIDE STAY

DON’T MISS

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

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

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

KANGAROO IS

Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au

PAM ANN – AROUND THE WORLD

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

Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide. Aug 1. From $55 The Queen of the Skies takes her audience on a turbulent trip full of laughs as she dishes the dirt from up high.

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

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection. War Memorial Drive. 08 8300 3800 cricketsa.com.au

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

King William Rd, Adelaide

Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours. 153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg. 04 1281 1838 dolphinboat.com.au

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

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

RIVERLAND

BAROSSA VAL

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

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

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

bass.net.au

COOBER PEDY

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

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

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

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

@tnt_downunder

Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray. 1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

FLEURIEU PENIN

Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth. 1800 816 858 the-traveller.com.au Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving. 08 8363 1788 rodneyfox.com.au

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

WET ‘N’ WILD

One of the world’s greatest rivers The Murray dominates this beautiful and diverse region. Water-based recreations such as houseboating, fishing, wakeboarding (pictured), bushwalking and gliding are the key themes. There are many nature opportunities based around birdlife, wetlands and conservation such as Riverland Biosphere Reserve and Gluepot reserve.

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Photo: SATC

THE MURRAY RIVER

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NZLISTINGS

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BUS TOURS Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

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

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

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

QUEENSTOWN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OUR TROY’S PEOPLE ARE OUR BIGGEST ASSET. Working with Troys you can expect that you will have regular work with some of Sydney’s most reputable hospitality venues, events and establishments. We currently have work available for experienced and Qualified Chefs and Kitchen professionals, in a wide variety of establishments throughout Sydney. YOU WILL HAVE; For Chefs, Trade Qualifications and a minimum 2yrs post - apprenticeship experience • A valid Driver’s License and your own transport is an advantage • Professional attitude • Good Communication • Willingness to travel • Your own uniform For Kitchen staff, Food preparation experience • Experience in clearing tables and wash up • A TAFE Workplace Hygiene (Food Handlers) Certificate, equivalent or a willingness to acquire a certificate • A valid Driver’s License and your own transport is an advantage • Good Communication • Willingness to travel • Your own uniform IN RETURN YOU WILL BE: • Become a member of a great team of hospitality professionals • Able to work flexible hours to suit your availability For the highest quality hospitality staffing solutions or for job opportunities call (02) 9290 2955 to speak to a Troys consultant AND if applying for work please email your resume to info@troys.com.au

TROYS. Hospitality Staff you can trust. 62

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We are looking for volunteers who are 18-60 years of age to take part in a study to investigate a new antibiotic for those infections that are currently resistant. This study will look at different doses of the medication and compare to placebo. The study will last for approximately 8-10 weeks. You will have a free medical screening to assess your suitability. You need to be a non smoker and generally of good health. Those successfully enrolled in the study receive $3290 for completion.

For more info call 1800 475 475

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

GSK_689.indd 1

6/07/12 9:47 AM

OZWORK

@tnt_downunder

First-class careers If you like working that white board and have the qualifications, then teaching is a good way to earn some money while in Oz

Teachers – where would we be without them, right? Probably just looking at a scrambled bunch of letters right now, that’s for sure. If you are one of those inspiring people, responsible for shaping the future generation, then congratulations, you now have the chance to influence the Australian youth. Oh, and make some good money while you do. “In Australia there is still a demand for teachers, especially casual teachers in the Sydney area,” says Louise White from Randstad Education’s Sydney office. “Teachers can expect to earn between $260-$320 a day, depending on their level of qualification,” Louise explains. Not bad considering teachers have some of the best office hours in the world, not to mention some of the tastiest and cheapest tuck-shop food in the country. But before you get stuck into the sausage rolls, there

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is some paperwork. Apart from holding a full teaching qualification, (Bachelor of Education, PGCE or equivalent) you will also need the right visas and police clearances. One other thing you need to bear in mind in this big, wide land, is that Australia doesn’t have a national curriculum, “therefore registration varies between states,” adds Louise. Yep, that’s right. You have to re-register every time you want to work in a different state or territory. That involves submitting your qualifications and police checks, as well as CV, visa/passport and birth certificate. Once you’re given the all-clear, Randstad are able to put you in a suitable position that will reflect your experience. And what about that golden ticket on many working travellers’ minds? “Generally sponsorship is offered to teachers who are filling hard to staff positions, specialised roles or remote areas,” says Louise. Carpe Diem!

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MYTHBUSTERS DID SHE OFFEND SPAIN?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

MELBOURNE

MYTH OF THE

is the name of the river Q 1.thatWhat runs through Melbourne? b) The Yarra d) The Gabba

a) November c) January

In what year was Melbourne named Q 2.‘Most liveable city in the world’? b) 2009 d) 2011

b) Tram network c) Nightclub d) River system

coined ‘Marvellous Melbourne’? Q 3.a)Who George Negus b) George Sala c) Greg Rush

d) Geoffrey Rush

Q 4. What year was gold was discovered in Victoria? a) 1849 b) 1850 c) 1851 d) 1852 Q 5. Which icon is sometimes referred to

as the world’s ugliest building? a) Flinders Station b) Federation Square c) National Gallery d) The MCG

SUDOKU PUZZLE 1

4 3

5 66

Q 9. Which of these celebrities was born in Melbourne ? a) Russell Crowe b) Chris Hemsworth c) Nicole Kidman d) Mel Gibson

b) Melbourne Camping Ground c) Melbourne Cricket Ground d) Minogue’s Creative Guidelines

8 9

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ANAGRAM-ARAMA

AUSSIE-ISM

does ‘MCG’ stand for? Q 8.a)What Mother’s Care Group

“TINNY”

Melbourne has the world’s largest _? Q 7.a) Train station

One kind of tinny means a beer can because, obviously, it’s made out of tin. The other is a small metal boat you can fish from. So think no more next time a new mate offers you a “tinny ride with a few tinnies”.

THIS WEEK IT’S... SURFING 1. BARFROSAD XUW 2. WET VOOX FASIS 3. STEITWU 4. REALS TAWTY ANSWERS: 1. Surfboard wax 2. Six foot waves 3. Wetsuit 4. Salty water

a) 2008 c) 2010

b) December d) February

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

a) The Haka c) The Yardhouse

The Melbourne Cup is run in which Q 6.month?

WEEK Is Dame Edna a racist? Well, sort of. Australia’s favourite cross dresser, Dame Edna (aka Barry Humphries), was at the centre of racist backlash following a satirical column in Vanity Fair magazine in 2003. She wrote in response to a reader asking whether they should learn Spanish: “Forget Spanish. There’s nothing in that language worth reading except Don Quixote, and a quick listen to the CD of Man Of La Mancha will take care of that... Who speaks it that you are really desperate to talk to? The help? Your leaf blower?” The magazine was forced to publish a full-page apology after complaints and even death threats were submitted. In the words of Edna herself: “Excuse I!” But we’re sure she meant no harm.

CRUISE WHITSUNDAYS Experience Queensland’s most innovative and spacious reef pontoon located at Knuckle Reef. Knuckle Reef Pontoon features Queensland’s largest and most spectacular underwater viewing chamber and is the only reef pontoon in Australia with a giant waterslide. Student and Backpacker Discounts available.

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26/06/12 3:01 PM