TNT Magazine: Australia by TNT MAGAZINE

April 2-8 2012 Issue 675 tntdownunder.com

! IER IBN W R EAT A R

A GR GALA REEF & YON IVE WRECK D E ADVENTUR

YES YOU CAIRNS Tales from the east coast party town

KEEPING BRISSIE What to do in and around the QLD capital

THAI ME UP Going tribal in the South-East Asian jungle

A T S G N A G L A ORIGIN ore eep it hardc k to w o h s lls u t Ice Cube te h ig e w y v a e ip-hop h Oz-bound h + UPCOMING GIGS NUDIST BEACHES NURSING JOBS COMEDIAN DAVID O’DOHERTY

P U T I BEACH D N A L I A IN TH At Student Flights we’re full of Thailand ideas. It’s the idea that sometimes you want the world to stop. The idea that sun and sand is good for the soul. The idea that travel should be revitalising. The idea that an Aussie dollar can still go a long way. The idea that different cultures have relevance in our own lives and that relaxation and adventure can go hand in hand. The idea that luxury could be resort life or just resorting to doing nothing as you let Thailand wash over you.

bangkok

phuket

day tours

Stay 3-star

Tuk Tuk Experience

you get 3 nights at the Sawasdee Bangkok Inn + breakfast daily. *

you get 4 nights at the Patong Premier Resort + breakfast daily.

you get a tuk tuk ride from Bangkok top spots Phra Sumeru Fortress + Amulet Market + Wat Po + Little India.

from

$45

from

$99 *

from

Stay 4-star you get 3 nights at the Grand China Princess + breakfast daily. * from

$109

Stay 5-star you get 3 nights at the Anantara Bangkok Sathorn + breakfast daily. * from

$149

Stay 4-star you get 4 nights at the Old Phuket Karon Beach + breakfast daily. from

$89 *

Temple & River of Kings you get a Temple & River of Kings from Bangkok top spots Chao Praya River + Wat Po + Grand Palace. from

Stay 5-star you get 4 nights at the Serenity Resort & Residences + breakfast daily. * from

$159

facebook.com/studentﬂightsAU

$44 *

Phi Phi Island you get a Phi Phi Island day tour from Phuket also lunch + transport. from

call 1300 316 770

$36 *

$109 *

studentﬂights.com.au twitter.com/studentﬂights

*Travel restrictions and conditions apply. Please ask us for further details. Prices and taxes are correct as at 1 Feb 12 and are subject to change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until 31 Mar 12 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person and are subject to availability. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel. Airfare not included unless otherwise stated. Where airfare is included, additional taxes speciﬁc to your ﬂight routing may apply and/or may not include checked luggage (which can incur additional charges). Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies, government charges and other applicable fees. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store. Advertised price includes any bonus nights. Minimum/maximum stay restrictions may apply. Student airfares are available to full-time students holding a valid ISE/ISIC card and/or be a youth under 26 with a valid IYTC card. Flight Centre Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Student Flights. Lic No. ACT 18800224. NSW 2TA002719. NT 008. QLD TAG262. SA TTA254. TAS TAS031. VIC 31089. WA 9TA 589. SFADV50379

ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER It’s another week, another magazine and we’ve got the big hitters coming thick and fast for you this issue. With the seasons shifting, we turn our attention to Queensland, seeing what’s worth doing in and around both Cairns (p34) and Brisbane (p6). And of course, we’ve also been a little bit wobbly-kneed about chatting to bona fide superstar Mr Ice Cube (p18). Happy Easter folks, enjoy the long weekend.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

MUSIC & FILM

CHATROOM

COMPETITION

CELEB GOSSIP

NEWS

SPORT

TRAVEL

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS VIC

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS TASMANIA

LISTINGS SA

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

WORK

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES BRISSIE RASCAL

We explain everything in, on, and around the Bris Vegas city limits

THE ICE IS RIGHT

The gangsta superstar, Ice Cube, on his upcoming Aussie tour

CAIRNS-FORMERS

We lose ourselves, and our minds, in the carnage capital of Cairns

THAI-RIFFIC Trekking in north Thailand’s jungle for the ultimate, off-beat experience

42 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Staff writer Alex Harmon Editorial assistant Leigh Livingstone Contributors Alison Grinter | Chris Stevens | Emily Colston | Dave Hall | Paul Hansford

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All the bells and whistles

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

02 8332 7511 tom@tntdownunder.com

PHONE EMAIL

THE MAIN EVENT RIP CURL PRO [BELLS BEACH]

This weekend Bells Beach plays host to the biggest and longest running surf contest in Australia. In its 51st year, the Bells Beach Easter Classic Pro showcases the best male and female surfers in the world. Set up camp on the sand and see if Taj Burrows can take down defending champion Joel Parkinson or if Sally Fitzgibbons (pictured) can keep her title without being wiped out by world number one Stephanie Gilmore. Even if these names mean nothing to you, the Pro is a spectacle on its own and the town of Lorne will be pumping. FREE

April 3 to 14, Further info at ripcurl.com.au

WHERE TO GET TNT

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

EAST COAST BLUESFEST [BYRON BAY] This weekend is the perfect time to get blue. The annual Bluesfest in Byron gets bigger and better every year. Catch Ziggy Marley, My Morning Jacket, The Pogues, John Butler Trio and more. Go for one day or completely chill out and go for the whole five. $139

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.

April 5-9 Tyagarah Tee Tree farm bluesfest.com.au

EASTER [EVERYWHERE]

ROYAL EASTER SHOW [SYDNEY]

Christmas in Oz is bizarre, celebrating the Queen’s birthday when it’s not even her birthday? Downright wack. But what the Aussies do get right is Easter. A four day weekend, chocolate hot cross buns, liquor-fueled boat cruises on Good Friday to avoid alcohol bans and chocolate bilby’s. We say amen to that.

Celebrate Easter in Oz at the event all Sydney-born kids grew up with. There’s rides, animals, games, carnival food, show bags, dog and horse shows, and even celebrity chefs these days to coax you into a sugar-stupor. Buy your coupons online to save on the carnie delights.

FREE

April 6-9 Nation wide

$25

April 5-18 Sydney Show Ground eastershow.com.au

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19/10/11 2:05:12 PM

Gettin’ Brissie with it With the southern cities getting colder, the time to head north has arrived – first stop Brisbane, where jobs and good times are waiting

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coming all day (well, at least until we’ve copied over the whole Wikipedia page...). However, there’s only one important fact you need to know about Brissie – it’s where the Bee Gees call home. More importantly, it’s where a couple of million Aussies live and also where a rising number of travellers take an extended break from the road. Indeed,

it may seem sleepy by metropolis standards, but with its feel-good climate, thriving arts scene, plentiful job opportunities and an embarrassment of short break riches on its doorstop, it doesn’t take long to realise why so many people choose to stay busy in Brissie. Here’s some of our favourite things to check out, within and around the city.

Photos: Tourism Queensland, TNT Images, XXXX

Confusingly, Brisbane is named after a former governor of New South Wales. More confusingly, people seem to call it “Bris Vegas” as a self-mocking reference to the city’s laidback lifestyle, although how one of Australia’s harshest penal colonies turned into such a relaxed place remains a bit of a mystery. Want more facts? We could keep ‘em

MT COOT-THA PARK

THE SUNSHINE COAST

Great for a stroll in the botanic gardens, Mt Coottha also has a lookout with stunning views to Moreton and Stradbroke Islands and mountain ranges to the north and south.

A beautiful area north of Brisbane with yet more wonderful beaches and spectacular hinterland is the Sunshine Coast. Although not as developed as the Gold Coast, Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra are still thriving holiday resorts. The Sunshine Coast offers a unique mix of tourism and adventure pursuits with a lifestyle that is so laidback you may have to give the locals a nudge just to check they’re still breathing. That’s when they’re not plunging into the waves: it’s also one of the last really good surfing locations on the Queensland coast as you head north. Finding a hostel shouldn’t be a problem, but be careful during peak periods – it can get very busy. Heading north from Brisbane, the Glasshouse Mountains’ dramatic peaks welcome you to the Sunshine Coast. Bizarre yet striking, these strangely-shaped rocks jut out from the lush forests. Maroochydore is one of the main resort towns, also comprising Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland. These towns each have great beaches, with Mooloolaba and Maroochydore offering the best nightlife and restaurants. A fashionable resort with some very expensive areas, Noosa attracts most visitors to the Sunshine Coast, yet still maintains plenty of charm. The easy breaking waves in crystal clear waters are perfect for learning to surf. Set around a spectacular cape, the Noosa National Park has some great walks and scenery.

SOUTH BANK After getting your fill of culture at all the museums and galleries, you can explore the area’s pubs, restaurants and cinemas just a footbridge away from the city. You can even jump in the man-made lagoon nearby to cool down.

KANGAROO POINT Take a leap of faith off Kangaroo Point on the south bank of the Brisbane River. As you make your way down the cliffs, make sure you pause to take in the great view of the city behind you. Instructed sessions cost from $39 with Riverlife (riverlife.com.au)

AUSTRALIA ZOO

Photos: Tourism Queensland, TNT Images, XXXX

North of the city, along Steve Irwin Highway in Beerwah, is the Crocodile Hunter’s very own Australia Zoo. Make sure you catch a show at the Crocoseum and be prepared for endless tributes to Steve Irwin and plenty of “crikeys!”. If you can get there yourself (the cheapest way is a train to Beerwah followed by a free bus), entrance is $59, or you can do day tours from Brisbane for $126. See australiazoo.com.au for info.

FORTITUDE VALLEY MARKETS Open every Satuday and Sunday in Brunswick Street Mall is the Valley Markets, hosting talented young clothing and jewellery designers as well as racks full of stylish second-hand wares. Live music will help you fossick through the secondhand book and CD stalls. Head back here later on to find the city’s most lively after-dark scene.

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TANGALOOMA’S WILD DOLPHINS About 60 clicks from the city, Moreton Island is a large sand island (the world’s third biggest in fact, after nearby Fraser and Straddie) and great for the wilderness lover. A bit like Fraser Island, except without the crowds. Sadly, due to a recent bushfire, much of the island is off-limits, but still open for business is the Tangalooma Island Resort, where you can hand feed wild dolphins each night and snorkel around the dramatic shipwrecks each day. See tangalooma.com for info.

XXXX BREWERY You’ve drunk the beer, now see with your own eyes just how XXXX is made. If you’re nice they might even let you try some of the amber nectar at the end. Tours start at $25, including four beers (xxxxalehouse.com.au).

LONE PINE KOALA SANCTUARY The oldest and one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Australia is just 11km south-west of the city and has stacks of native animals and of course koalas, which are only too willing to get cuddled for that all-important photo, for a price. You can get the bus there, but the best option is to tour the city on your way by taking a scenic cruise (04 1274 9426, mirimar.com).

SOUTH STRADDIE Just below ‘North Straddie’ is the virtually deserted South Stradbroke Island. The southern end has a great surfbreak and is accessible from Southport, on the Gold Coast.

QUEENSLAND CULTURAL CENTRE It has been suggested that Queensland is a little short on culture, but an afternoon here by the river at South Bank will set you straight. The recently redeveloped arts precinct includes the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Queensland Museum and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, much of which you can have a poke around in for free.

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A relaxing cruise on the Brisbane River and a great alternative way to get to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary The Koala and River Cruise is a memorable journey on the Brisbane River to the renowned Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and has been taking visitors for over 60 years. Cruise through Brisbane’s most historic landscapes, iconic attractions, historical home sites and interesting wildlife habitats as you listen to an entertaining and informative commentary. Enjoy 2.5 hours to explore Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s ﬁrst and largest koala sanctuary. See 130 koalas, hand feed kangaroos, experience an Australian sheep dog and sheep shearing show, spy on a shy platypus swimming, see the amazing birds of prey and you can even cuddle a koala. Call us on +61 412 749 426 or visit www.mirimar.com

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STORY BRIDGE Sure it might not quite rank up their with its more famous Sydney cousin, but Brisbane’s Story Bridge also provides a fantastic, and much cheaper, climbing adventure. You can scramble to the top of the metal, day or night, for as little as $89 (storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au).

NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND Just 30km south-east of Brissie, North Stradbroke Island is both populated and developed. Stacked with great beaches and bays, there’s plenty of opportunities for canoeing, diving, whale watching and some of the best surfing in the state. There are campsites as well as backpacker hostels on the island. Get there by heading to Cleveland, a bayside suburb accessible by train from Brisbane. Or stay overnight in a Manly hostel and cut the trip time down. All transport arrives in Dunwich, then a 20-minute bus ride takes you to Point Lookout, where you can stay within spitting distance of the beach. To test your boardriding skills, contact North Stradbroke Island Surf School (07 3409 8342,north stradbrokeislandsurfschool. com.au) 10

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THE GOLD COAST Queensland’s southern-most coastline, the Gold Coast, is like the Miami of Australia and can be found less than 100km south of Brissie. The region forms a 42km uninterrupted string of beaches from Coolangatta in the south to Southport in the north. You’ll also find Australia’s best theme parks and a stack of adrenalin activities. The most famous and busiest of the Gold Coast beaches is Surfers Paradise, where there’s always something going on, from volleyball to craft markets. Considered the centre of the Gold Coast, travellers flock to Surfers for the activities, shopping, restaurants and pumping nightlife. The area has a reputation for being Australia’s party capital and as the sun rises the party-goers can usually be seen making their way home after a wild night out. Currumbin is another gem, with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary being the main attraction.

CHEAP TRAINS Just in case you needed a little more encouragement to get out and about, the lovely folks at Queensland Rail Travel are currently offering some massive 40 per cent discounts to international backpackers. That means, for example, that you could get from Brisbane to Bundaberg for $44.88, to Rockhampton for $71.28, Airlie Beach (Proserpine) for $122.76 or Cairns for $137.94. The deal ends on May 31, after which the discount will be halved to 20 per cent. See queenslandrail.com.au for more info.

Then TNT has the answer

kno ws

ing feel e th

Only a sur fer

Fed up of carrying around heavy guidebooks? We’ve just 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. ZEALAND & FIJI AUSTRALIA NEW

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.

NT THE INDEPENDE

IDE TRAVELLERS' GU

ZEALAND & FIJI AUSTRALIA, NEW

2012

If you’re travelling on, there’s also sections on Papua New Guinea and Samoa. To check it out, just head to tntdownunder.com and click the link on the right hand side.

A Product UK £9.95 WHERE SOLD

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Email: info@northstradbrokeislandsurfschool.com.au www. northstradbrokeislandsurfschool.com.au

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THE RAID FILM REVIEW by Andrew Westbrook STARRING: Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy | CERT: MA15+ | 100mins | Out now

CARNAGE FILM REVIEW by Alasdair Morton STARRING: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C Reilly, Christoph Waltz | M | 79mins | Out Now

In Roman Polanski’s stagey four-hander, two New York couples are forced into each other’s orbits after their 11-year-old sons get into a fight. The exchanges, initially conveying tightlipped good intentions, descend into full-blown antipathy as middle-class neuroses and cultural faultlines are laid bare. It’s a compelling play – rich and note-perfect in character-study and long on black comedy – recast on-screen with pleasant, if slightly routine, skill. 14

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All you really need to know about The Raid is that it’s near impossible to imagine a better action film being released this year. Relentless, bone-crunching and exhaustingly visceral, this highly violent martial arts thriller does exactly what most of its far bigger budget Hollywood rivals fail to come close to achieving – keeping you literally on the edge of your seat, in a nervous sweaty mess, for every single minute that the movie is running. The intense direction, courtesy of Welshman Gareth Evans, starts from the very first frame, as we’re introduced to the story’s hero, rookie Swat team cop Rama (played by the brilliant Iko Uwais, a local martial arts champion plucked from obscurity by Evans). Soon enough, Rama joins his team of 20 to launch a high risk attack on a Jakarta tower block to take down the city’s most ruthless mobster. The operation starts well, but as the team rises through the building, their numbers, and their weapons, dwindle, until the hunting roles are reversed and those still conscious are fighting, hand to hand, for their survival. The martial arts, and The Raid is basically 90 per cent fights, is raw, chaotic and totally engrossing. The advanced screening I attended had been packed with teenagers, clearly by a publicist keen to give a foreign language film a wordof-mouth boost. And judging by the cheering throughout and the enraptured chattering afterwards, it was a wise move. Brilliant. The boy Evans will go far. GOOD FOR: The best fight scenes filmed in years – it’s got ‘cult classic’ written all over it

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THE SHINS PORT OF MORROW

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NOW!

ALBUM REVIEW

It’s been five years, but James Mercer has risen from the ashes of his burning Fiat (to paraphrase first track “The Rifle’s Spiral”) to put together a fourth album with The Shins. First single “The Simple Song” is a classic Shins song, catchy and uplifting, like the first drink of the night. But it isn’t all downhill from there. In fact the last track, “Port of Morrow”, is a highlight, the psychedelic mood and Pink Floyd-like song gets better with every listen. The track (and album) is named after a sign in Oregon that stuck in Mercer’s head, reminding him of death ,“the port of the tomorrow?” he asks. Every song seems to have a dark, sinister side in its own way with lyrics so good they sting. “You were always to be a dagger floating straight into their heart,” my personal favorite. It’s a rocky ride, but it’s definitely an enjoyable one. AH Out now theshins.com

FREMANTLE ARTS FESTIVAL FESTIVAL

Combining street theatre, busking, comedy, circus, cabaret and more, the festival in the west brings the Easter long weekend to life. Highlights include the Little Creatures buskers gala which turns the Town Hall into a street performance extravaganza. In a country of festivals, this is Australia’s longest running, now in its 106th year. April 7-9. Fremantle, WA fremantle.wa.gov.au

NICKI MINAJ The new queen of rap, or wigs, it’s a matter of taste really, will head Down Under in May on her first ever Aussie tour. She told the press: “So many of my Aussie Barbz were telling me to get my ass down there. They demanded it, so here I come.” This tour is on the back of her recent three Grammys for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album. She’s only doing two shows so make sure you get in fast. Playing Sydney (May 16) and Melbourne (May 18). Tickets TBA (check Fri) ticketek.com.au

KONG’S JUNGLE LOUNGE MCA: REOPENED BAR

ART

Find this tiki-themed bar in a basement near Bondi Junction Westfield. There’s kitsch everywhere, like cocktails in jars, burgers on dartboards and decks of cards on tables. The food goes handin-hand with drinking (literally) and it’s cheap, most meals are $10. Plus cocktail specials every night to help you as you get freaky with your tiki.

The Museum of Contemporary Art has had a multi-million dollar face-lift and has now reopened. Be inspired by three new galleries and a calender chock-full of arty events, including The Clock, a 24-hour video installation. Nestled in between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, the new improved gallery is an attraction in itself.

110 Spring Street, Bondi Junction

140 George Street, The Rocks

BUNGY PACKAGE!

WIN

TNT has teamed up with AJ Hackett to offer two lucky readers a Kawarau Bridge bungy package in New Zealand. And you and your mate won’t just get one, but seven death defying experiences including New Zealand’s highest bungy and the adrenalin pumping Nevis swing. Just head to: tntdownunder.com/competitions.html and answer our question for your chance to win! TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

CHATROOM

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David O’Doherty The Irish comedian and keyboard enthusiast has just kicked off his two Melbourne Comedy Festival shows. We decided to get in early, surprising him with a call at home INTERVIEW ALEX HARMON

not together, that would be a strange couple. I do have a love of Kevin McCloud. I’d love to write a song about him but I think he might be too obscure, you know, how do you write a song about a guy who hosts a niche architect show? But let’s put it this way, my TiVo record box was full and when I went through it I realised I had 49 hours of McCloud’s show. That is obsession... Yep, he might not be glamorous or a massive celebrity, but he is in my world.

Wearing his own clothes this time Hi David, how’s it going? Oh, hi. This is a surprise! Oh, I’m sorry, are you busy? No, but Noel Fielding’s TV show is about to start. I‘ll just record it. Hang on, okay, oh hang on, wait, let me just see if the red light is on. Okay, we’re good to go now, it’s recording. Wouldn’t want you to miss it. So what else are you up to? Well, I am putting a new show together at the moment. I’ve got a fair bit of work to do before I get out there, I’m doing a Comedy Central special in New York and then onto Australia after that for some solo shows. Do you prefer the solo shows? I really like the freedom with solo shows, you know? You can have a mess around and you come up with more stuff as you’re doing them. And then you just have to remember what the interesting things are from the show so you can put them into the next night’s shows. Tell me about Rory Sheridan’s Tales of the Antarctica. Well, I’m kind of obsessed with Antarctic exploration because Ernest Shackleton grew up 16

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about a mile from here in Dublin. I’ve always had an idea of like a crappy Antarctic explorer, because you hear all those heroic tales about exploration and I wanted to look at the more day-to-day, mundane stuff, like farting in tents. I am also obsessed with that era, I think it’s a funny era, and I think that exploration was kind of The X Factor of its day. I just thought it would be funny if there was sort of a crappy explorer with no experience that does it just to impress a girl but doesn’t have any amazing explorations. Will you be bringing the keyboard? Yeah, not in the Antarctic show, although we do have props in that show, I have an incredible explorer’s costume. And if I was too hot doing that show in Edinburgh then God knows how hot I am going to be in a full fur-lined suit in Melbourne. But in the stand-up show, I will have the keyboard. Just at the moment I’m on eBay because my current tiny keyboard is dying. I love the Shakira song from last year’s festival. Has your crush changed? Well I have a massive obsession, and it’s a completely different type of celebrity, but I am obsessed with Kevin McCloud, an English bloke who hosts Grand Designs. He has a strong presence to him. So him and Shakira. Although

If comedy didn’t work out... Well I used to work in a bike shop. I love bikes. I can’t bear to see bikes that don’t work. When any of my friends come over to my house with their bike, as we’re talking over a cup of tea I will get my tools out and optimise it, prime it up a bit. I like bikes a lot. I have written some books for children, I really like doing that as well. You could write kids books about bikes? That would be the ultimate dream. That’s not a bad idea, like a bicycle repair manual for tiny children. Like how to put a bike together, how to loosen breaks. But then I don’t think I could deal with that responsibility when it all went wrong. You wrote a song about your ‘beefs’ for 2011. Do you have any for 2012? I’ve been having a reasonably relaxed year, I don’t think I’m furious about anything yet. But I have been working on a song for Melbourne about life lessons and wisdom that I have learnt in the last year. Here’s some advice: never wear your girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend’s clothes. Even if she says “no no no, it actually belongs to my brother”. Don’t wear it because there is a strong chance that you will meet him and he will go, “what the fuck is he doing wearing my jumper?” So that is my advice for all you TNT readers.

Catch David O’Doherty Presents Rory Sheridan’s Tales of the Antarctica and David’s stand-up show David O’Doherty is Looking Up, during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Until Apr 22. comedyfestival.com.au

Keeping side More thanit awest Mentalist 18

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West side story Ice Cube has had as big an influence on hip-hop as just about any other rapper and, after 25 years, with a new album and bunch of films in the pipeline, he's showing no signs of slowing down WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

The music industry, more than most, loves aggrandising its stars, turning anyone with a few hits under their belt into a "legend". With some acts, however, it's impossible to describe them as anything else. Ice Cube is one such man. In a world where hip-hop has become the mainstream, it's easy to forget that it wasn't always so. Put simply, from writing NWA's most groundbreaking tracks, to starring in films like Boyz n the Hood, the list of people who've had a bigger impact on their genre, and the wider music world, is a very short one. It's now almost 25 years since NWA's seminal record Straight Outta Compton, with tracks like "Fuck tha Police" and "Express Yourself", hit the streets, redefining rap music in the process. It made overnight stars of Cube and other NWA members, like producer Dr Dre, but more importantly it was Cube and MC Ren's writing that pioneered the lyricism of gangster life that not only shifted the influence in US hip hop from the east coast to the west, but also paved the way for rap's future chart domination. So looking back, did Cube, born O'Shea Jackson, have any idea the album would go so big? "We didn’t think it was going to go no bigger than the hood," explains Cube, chatting on the phone from his LA home. "We didn’t think nobody cared about how we was growing up and how we was living. We thought it was just all on us and that this was going to be isolated from the world, dealing with the LAPD. Nobody cared, that’s how we felt. For one thing, being a west coast hip-hop artist at that time was a long shot, you know all the rap had come from New York, Philly, so we didn’t think we had a chance. "We knew we was going the long way, from being from the west coast and the language we was using, we were going to be underground forever and we was happy with that, satisfied with that. And I think that’s why it was, because we was coming from a pure way of thinking. It wasn’t like let’s do something shocking to shock everybody and get noticed. We had no concept of that, we didn’t even know how to do that." However, while being unaware of what they were creating, there's no taking away from that early success of NWA, who were still teenagers at the time. Straight Outta Compton went double platinum, the first album to achieve

the feat without any airplay or major tours as support, practically giving birth to west coast hip hop as a commercial entity in the process.

“

We thought we were going to be underground forever and we was happy with that

”

"Maybe I’m over-romanticising this," explains Cube, "but I think NWA made every artist feel like they could be themselves, like they didn’t have to conform to sell their work. Even shows like The Osbornes you know. That show wouldn’t be on TV, with the cussing and talking and shit through the whole show. NWA said all that isn’t as terrible as people say it is, it’s just language. Now you’ve got people calling each other bitch on TV all day. I’m not saying that that’s a good thing. But people are so uptight, people aren’t being real. NWA showed people how to be real, to be themselves." Despite that impact, however, Cube's involvement with NWA proved shortlived, and he quit the group over money issues way back in 1990. But that was not to be the end of Cube, not by a long shot. He's had nine solo records since, with another on the way this year. So what can we expect. An older, calmer Ice Cube? "Hardcore gangster rap, man. It’s street knowledge you know. I’ll be talking about political shit and I’ll be talking about street shit, so it will be a mixture of that. I think that’s what people have grown to expect, and if that’s what they want, that’s what they’re gonna get. Hopefully by the time I make it to Australia, you guys should have it, you should definitely be banging it, or at least some of the songs as I’ll definitely start releasing some of the songs on my website and my Facebook and stuff." TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

However, while Jackson found the limelight with his lyrics, it was his film work that secured his a-list status. At a time when it hadn't yet become the norm for rappers to make Hollywood appearances, Cube first tested his acting chops as Doughboy in 1991's iconic Boyz n the Hood, for which John Singleton became not only the first Oscar-nominated black director, but also the youngest person, at 23, to ever be up for the award. Since then, Cube's appeared in dozens of films, including the critically-acclaimed Gulf War tale Three Kings, right up to 21 Jump Street which is in cinemas now. He was also the main force behind the ghetto-based Friday comedy trilogy, writing and producing all three films, as well as starring in them alongside Chris Tucker. Indeed, ever since Friday After Next came out way back in 2002, rumours of a fourth installment, and Tucker's supposed lack of desire to be involved any more, have refused to go away. "Right now we’re still in talks with New Line to get a deal. Then I’m going to start writing a script, inviting everyone back. Everyone’s going to be written into the script. [Tucker's] a definite possibility, and he’s definitely going to be written into the script. I want him to do it." However, another project which Cube is producing, one likely to get fans swarming to the screens, is much further along in the development process – a biopic of the NWA days. "Yeah, we’re working on a revision of the script, so once we get the script perfect, then we can cast the movie, we can budget it out. That’s when the movie’s really in motion. You can’t really do nothing until the script is right." But with casting just around the corner, that begs the question, who will play the men themselves. Could one of 20

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Cube's sons, OMG, himself a rapper on the rise and a spitting image of his old man, be in line to play his dad? "Well, I hope so. It’s really on him. The best actor’s gonna win. If he goes in there and does his thing then he’s a shoein. But if he doesn’t, somebody else is gonna get it." The comments reflect Cube's clear desire for both OMG, and his other rapper son, Doughboy, to become successes in their own right, without trading on his name. "I wanted to make sure they were b-boys, not Ice Cube’s sons," he explains. "At first I really stepped back. They would go to the studio without me, come back and play it to me, raps and beats. They showed me they were in love with it, and that it wasn’t about the money or fame or anything, they just loved rapping and expressing themselves. You’ve got to love it to get in it. If you get in it for the money, you’re going to have a lot of heartache. Now I’m starting to get more instrumental. They still go and record without me, they write without me, they do their beats without me. All I do is maybe make sure it’s polished perfectly before the public hears it, that’s all." So, would it be fair to say music is still the Compton man's first love? "Acting in movies is creatively satisfying, but if I had a chance to pick, go to the set or go to the studio, I’d pick the studio 90 per cent of the time because I have the freedom to do what I want to do. Music is my love." ❚ Ice Cube is playing Supafest, which hits Brisbane (Apr 14), Sydney (Apr 15), Melbourne (Apr 21) and Perth (Apr 22). He's also playing shows in Darwin (Apr 17), Canberra (Apr 19) and Adelaide (Apr 20). You can also catch him in cinemas at the moment in the film 21 Jump Street. supafest.com.au

Photos: Getty Images, Ice Cube Images

Clockwise from top left: Cube with Chris Tucker in Friday; NWA's Straight Outta Compton album cover; performing live in Australia in 2007; with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg in Three Kings

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WIN AN AMAZING CAIRNS AND YONGALA DIVE ADVENTURE There are several things that you simply have to do while you’re in Australia. No complaining, ‘nuff said. See a kangaroo, for example, or meet Karl Kennedy. Best of all, however, is the Great Barrier Reef, which is why TNT has got together with some diving buddies to offer this fantastic prize... THIS PRIZE INCLUDES: PRO DIVE CAIRNS: A three-day, two-night liveaboard dive trip for one certified diver or snorkeller, valued at $650. You will get: • 11 dives (including two night dives) • All dive and snorkelling equipment – including dive computer, long leg wetsuits and dive torch • Accommodation transfers (Cairns City & Northern Beaches) • All meals & bed linen Double or twin share accom. • Guided orientation and night dive • Dive insurance

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Dial G for Grandma

JB IS TAKING CALLS ON THE REQUEST LINE

[CANADA]

BOBBY BROWN FOR WIDOW OF THE YEAR [USA]

The only thing more predictable than the upcoming sausage fest that is the Entourage spin-off film is the news that Bobby Brown has been arrested. According to TMZ, Brown had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher while he was cruising around LA. To make it worse, he was talking on his phone at the same time. It’s a wonder he wasn’t doing the full Monty, speeding and rolling a joint as he 24

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J-Fed: Not Kevin Federline, but James Franco on the set of film Spring Breakers. Franco plays a corn-row-sporting drug dealer who bails a bunch of college students out of jail who have committed robbery in order to fund their spring break trip. Nice to see James tarnishing his latte-sipping, Yale-studying, Acadamy Award-nominated image.

overtook an ambulance. Actually, it’s too early to speculate that he wasn’t.

ALICIA: WHY DO BIRDS SUDDENLY APPEAR?

[USA]

Is it just me or is Alicia Silverstone getting her parenting tips from Where the Wild Things Are? According to her blog she has discovered a new-age fad invented by birds. She chews up her son’s food (he’s appropriately named Bear Blu) and feeds it to him mouth to mouth.

Alicia explains the process in a video, “I just had a delicious breakfast of miso soup, collards and radish steamed and drizzled with flax oil, cast iron mochi with nori wrapped outside, and some grated daikon. Yum! I fed Bear the mochi and a tiny bit of veggies from the soup... from my mouth to his.” I’m gonna ignore the fact that your breakfast sounds like it belongs in the gardening aisle of B&Q, and listen to the medical experts, who have responded, saying her techniques are “dangerous”. In related news, Discovery reckon they’ve found an even tougher replacement for Bear Grylls.

Photos: Getty Images

Remember when you were a teenager and prank calls were innocent fun? Well, imagine you’re Justin Bieber and multiply the consequences by a billion. The result is, more or less, a legal case against you. Just in case you’re not one of the 19 million followers hot on the heels of Beebs, here’s a re-cap: earlier this month JB tweeted a random phone number with the caption “call me right now”. The phone number was missing a digit so thousands of future mathematicians figured out the missing number could only be between 0 and 9 and went on a calling frenzy. An old Texan couple received so many calls from screaming girls that they’ve decided to sue Justin and have sent his lawyers a list of demands. The demands go: concert tickets for their grandchildren, an apology, or an endorsement for their online business. So, clearly they are upstanding citizens whose time is precious. Wait, am I taking Justin’s side? I’ll file this acknowledgement under: fucked up Texan priorities. I blame Bush.

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TWEETS OF THE WEEK @ParisHilton “At the airport about to take off to Sydney! Haven’t been to Australia in a long time, so I’m very excited for this trip! Love it there!” @JoanRivers “Sabrina doesn’t get it! A bachelorette party in Vegas without strippers is like Snooki without STDs. It’s just not right” @JoshHopkins “In Albuquerque at hotel bar watching dancing with the stars. Wish I was getting a root canal and a colonoscopy instead”

Don’t ask about her serum-rich moisturiser

JONES’ BABY FOIE GRAS

@PagetBrewster “Dear Science, If working out and raw vegetables made me as happy as Mac ‘N Cheese, I would do those things all the time. Work on that”

[USA]

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any weirder. January Jones, the ice maiden from Mad Men, comes out with this parenting dazzler. She regularly eats her baby Xander’s placenta. Okay, okay, she isn’t sucking down on placenta like it’s a life-size oyster. She actually had it turned into pills, but still! Whenever she feels tired or run-down, she pops a placenta pill. What was her pregnancy reading material? What To Expect When You’re a Meerkat? She said: “We’re the only mammals who don’t ingest our own placentas. It’s not witch-crafty or anything! I suggest it to all moms!” Yes, but JJ, mammals also selectively kill their young. So when five seasons of Mad Men filming gets too much, is it going to be bye, bye baby?

DON’T FORGET TO CHIP IN FOR MILK, HARRY

[UK]

Prince Harry has finally moved out of his old man’s house to sow those royal oats. So, I have to say I’m a little disappointed to hear that he’s moved into a flat share with his brother. That’s right, Harry made the big move into Kensington Palace, into what he calls the “royal bedsit” because it used to be a staff apartment. It’s also got a communal kitchen and a South African social soccer team sleeping on the couch. Look there’s nothing wrong with slumming it and sponging off family, we’ve all been there, but Harry, come on. Wills and Kate are as much fun as a Saturday night spent inserting Monopoly pieces up your nose. Ditch them before you lose your cool. It’s already wearing as thin as Will’s hair line. Ah, the cheap shots just keep coming.

@NeilPatrickHarris “This week is our last show of the season. 24 episodes! Time flies when you’re suiting up, drinking, and shagging actors” @JacksonRathbone “Just said “what up, dog?” To an actual dog” @DaneCook “Stop. Look around. No one looking? Touch yourself somewhere inappropriate. No go high five someone. Shhh, only we know”

Fly away PETA

ANOTHER KK BREAK-UP [USA]

Khloe Kardashian has dumped PETA because she believes they had something to do with the (hilarious) flour-bombing of her sister Kim. When Kim got flour bombed (the 2012 passive-aggressive version of paintbombing fur lovers), Khloe was quick to blame a PETA volunteer and broke off the relationship. But it has played out like one of those bizarre break-ups where the other party actually feels relieved. PETA said: “We appreciate that Khloe will remain on the animals’ side by not wearing fur – that’s what counts. Khloe is just defending her sister, and we know she has a good heart, so we wish her well.” It sounds like a classic break-up tale of, thank fuck, now I don’t have to be the one that ends it. Khloe got naked for the “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign, but I reckon PETA, like anyone with integrity, would rather go Kardashian-free. What a twist. Maybe they were the ones with flour on their hands...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK We cemented it in a Sydney Travelodge. Travelodges in those days were posh places

Jason Donovan reveals the place he sealed the deal with Kylie. Any excuse to talk about Kylie...

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“This is your captain freaking”

THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS 4,500 ADOLF, RINSE, REPEAT

CAPTAIN FREAK OUT

[TURKEY]

An advert for men’s shampoo featuring Hitler has caused worldwide outrage. Jewish groups have slammed the advert that uses footage of Hitler delivering an enthusiastic speech. The ad urges people to buy Biomen’s “100 per cent male shampoo”. In the ad, Hitler says, “If you’re not wearing a woman’s dress, you should not use her shampoo either”. After public backlash, the Istanbul-based advertising agency pulled the commercial.

[USA]

A JetBlue Captain on a flight to Las Vegas had to be restrained after running through the cabin screaming abuse about Iraq, al Qaeda and bombs. The captain was locked out of the cockpit by his concerned co-pilot after erratic behaviour during the flight from JFK Airport. He then began shouting, “say your prayers”, before continuing his tirade in the aisle. Several passengers restrained him until the plane could make an emergency landing.

Amount, in dollars, a UK woman spent on chemotherapy for her pet lizard, forcing her to postpone her wedding

Population of Japanese town Izumi-Sano, which could become Sonytown if it’s allowed to sell naming rights to sponsors

30,000

100,000

Roman coins, dating back to the third century, unearthed in Bath, one of the largest hoards ever discovered

SWEET AS The original Kiwi Experience, since 1989 100% awesome Kiwi Driver Guides Stacks of inclusions and exclusive discounts Get immersed in nature, adventure and kiwi culture

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

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They want to believe

FLYING DUSTBIN, NOT HIDDEN ALIEN

[RUSSIA]

UFO-spotters may be disappointed after a hunk of metal that fell from the sky in Siberia turned out to have nothing to do with alien technology. The six-foot round metallic object, weighing about 200kg, which resembles a large dustbin, crashed in the outpost of Otradnesnky in Russia. Experts were called in to investigate the unidentified fragment, but have yet to determine where it came from. The object appears to be made from ultra-strong titanium, but early theories that it could be part of a satellite or debris from rocket launches in Kazakhstan have been refuted. “The object found is not related to space technology. A final conclusion can be made after a detailed study of the object by experts,” the Russian Space Agency insisted.

RAPUNZAL WANTS TO PIMP OUT HER ROOM

[BRAZIL]

A 12-year-old girl from Rio de Janeiro who has never cut her hair hopes to pocket $5,300 by selling her locks to the highest bidder. Natasha Moraes de Andrade’s hair stretches to her ankles, requiring her to spend half an hour each day brushing it and up to four hours a week washing it. Her hair is so long that her mother described her as “like a prisoner”, prompting the decision to chop it all off and cash in by selling it online. “I love my long hair and I’ll be sad when it’s gone. But it’s a pain looking after it,” 28

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Heatwave: Tourists bask in the sun in Trafalgar Square. England experienced one of the mildest March weeks in over 80 years and produced record-breaking Spring temperatures. In central London the temperature “soared” to 21°C.

she said. “I hope to sell it for $5,300 and refurbish my bedroom. I hope it can give me a new life.”

TROLL GETS RED CARD [WALES]

A Twitter troll has been jailed for posting racist tweets about footballer Fabrice Muamba after he collapsed from a heart attack during a match. Bolton player Muamba collapsed on the pitch during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. But Liam Stacey, a 21-year-old student from south Wales, took to Twitter to write: “LOL. Fuck Muamba. He’s dead!!!” The Swansea University undergraduate went on to post increasingly racist comments and abused other Twitter users who attacked him for his outbursts. Stacey branded Twitter users who criticised him “wogs” and told one to “go pick some cotton”.

He was arrested after Twitter users reported his tweets to police and has been sentenced to up to 56 days behind bars.

GIRL GANGS ROBBING MAN HOOD

[ZIMBABWE]

Girl gangs in Zimbabwe are reportedly preying on male travellers to harvest their sperm. Victims have been held at gunpoint and, in one case, threatened with a live snake, then administered a sexual stimulant and forced into repeated intercourse, before being dumped by the side of the road. The intended use of the sperm is unclear but it is believed it could be used in traditional rituals which bring good luck. “These cases occurred mostly when the victims were hitchhiking and boarded private vehicles,” police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said. “We encourage people to use public transport.”

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Don’t call it a comeback

HODDLE BACK FROM THE DEAD?

FORMULA ONE BOYS DON’T CRY According to Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan, Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel is a “cry baby”. The comment was made after the Malaysian Grand Prix, when the two drivers collided, prompting Vettel to call Karthikeyan “an idiot”. Vettel ended up finishing 11th after the crash. Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver, said it was a shameful response from a world champion. “It is really unprofessional,” the driver told the Hindustan Times. “For a driver who has achieved so much, to take out his frustrations on me just because he is having a difficult year is really sad. One does not expect a professional sportsman to be such a cry baby,” he said.

Curve ball on the perve: Female volleyball players won’t be forced to wear bikinis at the 2012 London Olympics. The new rules state players can wear shorts and sleeved t-shirts if they choose. The less revealing outfits are a move by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as they seek to respect other country’s religious beliefs. Since 1996, when beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport, players have generally only worn body suits in cold weather. By allowing shorts and t-shirts, officials hope they can broaden diversity in the sport which tends to be dominated by teams from Europe, the US and Brazil. A spokesperson from the FIVB said: “We don’t think we will see much change (in uniforms) on the World Tour.”

BEEN THERE, WON THAT, BOUGHT T-SHIRT Manchester United fans have already started selling t-shirts hailing the team’s victory, despite eight games remaining in the Premier League.. The website, United Tees, has created a t-shirt with the slogan”Champ20ns” in reference to what they believe will be the club’s 20th league title. It also features a message, a clear dig at title rivals Manchester City, which reads: “Money only gets you so far.” The t-shirt’s are selling despite the fact that it’s still six weeks away from the end of the season and one loss for United could see City replace them at the top. Many United fans are concerned the t-shirts could prove to be a jinx. United Tees, will not, however, be refunding disgruntled fans if United end up without the crown.

Photos: Getty Images

With the top job up for grabs, former England captain Alan Shearer says Harry Redknapp is the right man to coach England, despite Glenn Hoddle throwing his hat in the ring. Although Redknapp is a strong contender for the role ever since the resignation of Fabio Capello in February, former coach Glenn Hoddle has expressed interest in the job he lost in 1999. Hoddle held the position from 1996 to 1999 but resigned after making derogatory comments about disabled people. He now says his life would be “incomplete” if he wasn’t given another chance to lead the England team. It’s no secret that Shearer believes Redknapp is the best man for the job. “I think there is only one man for the job: Harry,” he said. “If he gets it, great. If he doesn’t, then those questions (about the manner of Hoddle’s resignation), we will ask after that.”

USA HAVE FOOTBALL HOPES SALVAGED The US football team missed their chance to go to the London Olympics, after drawing with El Salvador. In a shock result on home soil, the US men’s team, who had already lost to Canada, drew 3-3 to El Salvador in the qualifying match in Nashville. The finish meant they were knocked out of the draw and will not represent their country in the 2012 Games. “It’s a painful moment. The players are devastated,” said US coach Caleb Porter. US team captain Freddy Adu said: “This is probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my life so far as a pro athlete... This is going to be hard to get over.” The US had qualified for six of the previous seven Olympics, while this is only El Salvador’s second time competing in the Games, and the first since 1968. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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WINNER

WEEKLY WINNER

HOT TIPS: Colour

HOLE LOTTA LOVE: Kyle Cwynar, 24, from the USA KYLE SAYS: ”The fifth hole at the New South Wales Golf Club in La Perouse. I am working here on a six month visa and get to enjoy this view of my office everyday.” THE MONTHLY WINNER GETS THREE DAYS CAR HIRE FROM TRAVELLERS AUTOBARN Photos are judged by ROUGH GUIDES senior photo editor Mark Thomas each month. Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description, to: travel@tntdownunder.com Weekly winner Kyle 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 Rough Guides book of their choice sent to an Oz or NZ address. roughguides.com

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WIN

GETTING PUNCH When manipulating the colours of your images, you must keep in mind that it will change the whole feel of the shot. Whether you want to oversaturate the colours to make them stand out, or add a colour wash, keep in mind that often the photograph will look digitally enhanced. It is hard to get these effects without playing around in some way after the photograph has been taken. You can always indulge (I say ‘indulge’ as it will be more expensive) in some film – as opposed to digital – photography that will give you all sorts of effects in-camera. Trendy photo cults such as Lomo Photography aim to create burnt-in edges and distorted colours.

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TRAVELTIPS

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ON THE ROAD WITH TRAVEL

TALK NICOLE RIJMAARS 26, THE NETHERLANDS WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN SO FAR?

I drove up the west coast, from Esperance to Exmouth. Also Darwin down to Alice Springs and down the east coast from Cairns.

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

ANY PACKING REGRETS?

I’m a little bit small so I regret having a backpack without wheels! SCARIEST MOMENT IN OZ?

can I find the best nudist Q Where beaches in Australia? Yasmin Petershapen, Canada it’s just to get the most optimal A Whether “all over” tan, or whether it’s to save space in your backpack, nudist beaches are a thrilling and liberating experience for those who wish to partake. A quick Google search will bring up a number of organisations promoting clothes optional beaches around Australia. The most official of which is The Australian Naturist Federation. All but two of the states have had legal nudist beaches for many years. Lagging behind, Queensland and Tasmania are both moving towards allowing clothing free beaches and have a number of unofficial ones now. Here’s a few of the most popular ones, state by state. In Perth, head to Swanborne Beach, it’s easy to reach and it’s just down from the main beach. There’s no shade, however, so bring plenty of suncream and water. In Melbourne, you have Sunnyside North in Mt Eliza. It’s about 30km south of Melbourne, making this beach a little less accessible, but it’s a great spot for safe swimming. In Noosa Heads, Queensland, shed your clothes at Alexandria Beach. This is one of the unofficial ones and probably the most popular in Queensland. In Sydney, Lady’s Bay and Cobblers Beach have easy access and are the most popular. If you want to get up close and personal with Sydney’s gay nudist scene, then head to Obelisk in Mosmon, for views of 32

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the harbour (amongst other things). In the liberal town of Byron Bay you’ll have the freedom of birthday suits on Belongil Beach. It’s a really nice beach just north of the main stretch of sand. In Port Stephens you have Samurai Beach in Anna Bay for a spot of playful sword fighting. And Adelaide isn’t shy either. Head over to Maslin Beach which is actually Australia’s first legal naturist beach. Just walk south from the main beach for the clothing optional part of the sand. So go wild you naturalists, but, if nothing else, make sure you remember to ‘slip slop slap’! you suggest a day spot outside Q Can of Adelaide that isn’t too expensive? Alison Jones, USA with sweet surf spots and chilled A Rammed out beaches, the Fleurieu Peninsula (which was named by a French explorer, in case you were wondering), is one of the easiest places to escape to from Adelaide. It’s also the area you’ll have to pass if you’re heading to Kangaroo Island (but we suggest you spend more than a day on the island). Start your day by getting rather dizzy on the local McLaren Vale wines – it’s the only place we know where you can do a wine tour while riding a camel. After that, get sweaty climbing up Mt Magnificent and don’t forget to strain your eyes for whales passing on the horizon. You can even see a little penguin parade on Granite Island, just off Victor Harbor. Enjoy your day!

My skydive in Mission Beach. For me it was the most crazy. I thought I could never do it. DONE ANYTHING STUPID?

We drove up a sand bank by Denham (WA) to get a really cool photo of the van, but we got stuck. With no phone reception it took four hours to get picked up and then cost $180 to get us out. That was an expensive picture! FAVOURITE PLACE?

I love Coral Bay (WA). Not that there’s many things to do, but it’s a beautiful beach with such clear, peaceful water. WHERE TO NEXT?

I want to go to Broome. I heard it is amazing.

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DRIVEN MAD IN SYDNEY

BRITTANY WALLER had an interesting ride in a Sydney cab one rainy night... After finally finishing my uni course, I longed for something more exotic than the local pub to amplify my sense of achievement. Leaving the south coast of Oz behind, I jumped in my ’89 Nissan Pulsar and headed to a friend’s onebedroom unit in Bondi. She said there was nowhere to sleep but that she had lots of vodka and a fridge full of Red Bull. I got there as soon as I could. Four hours after I arrived, with vision more than blurry, we found ourselves at Kings Cross and stumbling into one of the popular nightclubs, Sugarmill. My friend had invited four other girls. They had hip flasks in their bags and smiles on their faces. I suspected a long, drunken night. Perfect. Hours and brain cells later I had succeeded. I had a bachelor of communications in one hand, a strawberry daiquiri in the other and I was balancing them both on the dance floor. Being an after grog hog, I regained a small amount of sensory awareness over a Big Mac. Then,

realising I had spent almost an entire paycheck on one night, we decided it was time to get going. It was raining and we were all wearing short dresses. Half of us, including myself, wanted to take the bus, heavily minimising the night’s cost, the other half preferred shelter and quick arrival via taxi. Ending up in the taxi group, the first we got into kicked us out, refusing to take us to Bondi. Now with rain-drenched hair and outfits, the second taxi we hailed already had his doors locked and upon hearing our destination, sped off. It was 2.30am and we were third time lucky. A small driver wearing thick prescription glasses finally stopped for us. We hopped in, relaxed and happy to sit down. After 10 metres of traffic our little taxi driver turned abruptly and fumbled: “You have to get out, now! I need to be at the airport at three.” By this time, we sat; blisters on our heels, mascara running down our cheeks, grinding our teeth. We had found a cab, we weren’t moving. We were going home.

“Wait a second. By law, once we’re in this taxi, you can’t refuse to take us to our destination. You have to take us,” we pleaded. As our little taxi driver yelled broken English at us we were already fastening our seatbelts. Rain pelted down on the roof of the cab, increasing the deranged acoustics within. “You’re taking us. It’s the law,” I repeated. Our predicament was now causing a line of traffic behind us. Drunken pedestrians meandered around us palming the windows. The horns of the impatient were drowned by our driver’s voice. He didn’t seem so little now. Clearly unhappy with the situation, he locked the doors and dramatically increased his speed. “Fine. You want to stay in. You come to the airport,” he said. Our stomachs dropped and I felt anxious, but realised our small statured driver was no match for us three. After all, we all go to the gym. Some of us even lift weights. Not ready to back down we argued all the way to Sydney airport. When there, we took his driver’s code and ran to a police officer who told us we were right, but silly to be so stubborn. Apparently, it happens a lot. We didn’t care; it was the principle of the matter. It ended up taking us three hours just to get home. When there, I realised, I didn’t even have a bed to sleep in.

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Cairns TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

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Photos: Tourism Queensland, TNT Images

From Cape Trib to Mission Beach, the tropical north is a land of thrills, spills and hangovers

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Carnage capital Far North Queensland may have its bucket list world wonder in the Great Barrier Reef, but there’s also a nightlife that will see you staying much longer than you’d expected WORDS CHRIS STEVENS

Each Australian city has its own attractions. Melbourne, for example, has its bustling sports and arts scene, while Darwin is the place for Aboriginal culture and Sydney has its supermodel looks. But for me, Cairns is by far my favourite. Why, you may ask? One simple, mindless reason... Cairns is the capital of carnage! Ultimately, this boils down to the fact the north Queensland hub represents the start or finish of the east coast trail for most travellers. This means that relentless goonrelated antics are not just the order of the day, but a way of life, as people are either flush with freshly-liberated bank accounts or trying to make the most of their last days Down Under. Either way, it’s a recipe for sweet, sweet carnage. GOON ARMY

Photos: Tourism Queensland, TNT Images

I’ll start with the partying side of things because, over the seven weeks I spent in Cairns, drinking was my main pastime and there’s no shortage of places to dance away the humid nights. The Woolshed (aka the Wooly) is probably one of the most infamous places to hit. Much like Byron Bay’s Cheeky Monkey’s, abundant drinks offers and table dancing are an inevitability. Gilligan’s also remains a solid option – even more so if you choose to lay your head down in the hostel it’s built within. What more could a hormone-filled backpacker want than a range of in-house discounts and a 2,000 person capacity club? If ever there was a place to make a bad decision, then Gilligan’s certainly ticks the boxes. There’s heaps of other drinking holes to enjoy too – booking yourself on the ‘Ultimate Party Bus’ will help you sample a great cross section of the Cairns nightlife on the cheap. However, Cairns can offset the balance of carnage and also has a few things up its sleeve to cure a hangover and keep you amused until the inevitable box of goon is opened midafternoon. Here’s my pick of the bunch. Crystal Cascades – one of the places which was most recommended to me by an ex-Cairns local. A short drive from the town centre, this river network is full of plunge pools and waterfalls accompanied by free BBQ stations – a perfect day out for on the cheap. Skydiving – for me, Cairns, or at least just down the road at Mission Beach, was my favourite place to skydive. A day trip means you can land on the sand and take in the view of the awesomely blue ocean that laps up onto it. Adrenalin and

relaxation combined. It’s worth extending your stay there to also do the whitewater rafting on the Tully, hit the reef and check out the cassowaries chilling in the jungle. The Lagoon – if you’re a little short on cash or simply fancy a lazy day, the lagoon pools on the Cairns Esplanade are the place to go. A magnet for hazy travellers topping up their tans, reading a book or simply spending a day doing nothing, it’s a great place to while away some time. Cape Tribulation – not really a Cairns-based activity but a great little trip from the city if you have a couple of days to spare. Head up to where the rainforest meets the reef, taking in the relaxing Mossman Gorge and some saltwater crocs along the way. And check out Port Douglas for a barra and chips. GOING DOWN There’s been one glaring omission from my Cairns banter so far – the Great Barrier Reef. Yup, Cairns is probably the most renowned access point to the GBR and the bulk of its tourist dollars are generated through it. If you’re up this end of Australia, no trip would be complete without exploring the vast expanse of coral reef that dominates the ocean in this World Heritage-listed site. And there’s a few different ways to get involved in finding Nemo too. For those on a tight budget, a day trip snorkelling is a great way to get a taster, or for those who fancy a bit more depth to their visit, a taster day of scuba diving isn’t going to break the bank either. There are numerous companies and boats who will happily take you there for around $120. For those who have planned ahead a bit more, are feeling a bit more flush or who want to pack out their CV with some more shiny bits of paper, you can go all out and do a PADI dive course. I went one better and did the liveaboard option – same qualification but with heaps more dives (including some night ones) whilst living on the dive boat. Plus, you generally get to visit more pristine sections of the reef. It’s far from slumming it – these boats are floating hotels, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made while travelling (for all your options, check out prodive.com.au). Whatever you do, Cairns is one of the ultimate spots to sweat out the southern winter. You’ll leave with new friends and great, if slightly hazy, memories. Indeed, I liked it so much I’m heading back there to finish my Oz trip soon. ❚ 35 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM 35

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Cape crusader Head just a few hours north of Cairns and you’ll hit the edge of civilisation, where the reef meets the rainforest at Cape Tribulation WORDS EMILY COLSTON

Alright. As much as I envisage myself as an intrepid traveller – heading off the trodden path in search of an authentic Aussie experience – I’m actually just a big city girl at heart. It’s not like I drag my hair dryer and 5kg makeup bag around the world with me, but I do think I can be a bit of a princess. Running water, electricity, hot meals – that’s all I ask. And that’s one of the reasons I love Cape Tribulation. It has this mystique of being a remote, untouched Nirvana (and in many ways it still is) while still offering the necessities. While your mates back home reckon you must have embarked on a journey into virtually unexplored wilderness (“oh my, how brave...”), you’re actually spending your days exploring endless, near-deserted beaches, their sparkling sands crowned on one side with palm-fringed rainforest and glistening ocean on the other. Enough people know about Cape Trib by now to disqualify it from that “next big thing” competition, but not so many that it’s become too commercial or touristy. There may be a sealed road in, but from here to Cape York, it’s still dirt all the way.

The sky is filled with stars which, like millions of pin-pricks through a blanket of darkness, are enough to guide you home. You can still wander though virgin rainforest, feeling a thousand miles from civilisation. The journey up the Cape was long but by no means arduous, with jaw-dropping scenery – azure skies touching aquamarine ocean on one side, and lush tropical greenery on the other. If you do fancy indulging in something a little more energetic than lazing on the beach, there are plenty of activities on offer – horse riding on the beach, croc-cruising, kayaking in the clear waters and boozing are all popular diversions, plus more excellent bushwalks than you can shake a stick at. I think I had caught jungle fever. Against my better instincts I fancied a turn at being Jungle Jane – I signed up for a canopy tour. Vines festooned the maze of trunks like the silly string aftermath of some monster party and soon I was swinging, superhero-style 60 metres above the forest floor, and despite it being brown trousers time, the view was pretty special.

GETTING WRECKED CONSIDERED BY MANY AS AUSTRALIA’S BEST WRECK DIVE, THE SS YONGALA IS A GBR MUST There are some things you just have to do in life. Breakdance to the Bee Gees at a family wedding. Learn that whiskey is your friend. Discover the knack of “going commando” and avoiding chafing. And dive the SS Yongala, writes Dave Hall. One of the first things I did when I came travelling was to learn to scuba dive. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s easy peasy. In a few days you’ll have the respect of friends, admiration of ladies, and access to equipment cooler than James Bond’s tool shed. Since I passed my Open Water course, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring some of Australia’s best locations, but one site had always eluded me – the Yongala. Rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, it’s like going to the best aquarium and being invited in for a dip. The SS Yongala was a passenger and freight ship built in England in 1903. After making the trip to Australia, happily plodding down the east coast in 1911, she was caught in a severe cyclone off the coast of Townsville and sank without a trace. She sat beneath the waves undisturbed until it was finally identified in 1958. Its location also means the wreck has become an established 38

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artificial reef, and home to a wondrously rich amount of marine life. The sea bed here is only 30m deep, and the hot Queensland sun not only makes it a comfortable dive, but provides the warmth essential to making the Yongala such a magnet for marine life. This was my first-ever wreck dive, and to be honest, it’s a slightly surreal experience. As we descended, the dark hull of the Yongala began to take form in the water. Finding a human construction in such an alien environment has an hypnotic effect, and as soon as I spied the shadow of the stern (that’s salty sailor talk for the arse – arr!), I was hooked. As we reached 23m, the Yongala dissolved into the endless blue. If it wasn’t for the thick wetsuit, I would have been very visibly excited. Calling the Yongala a magnet was an understatement. All kinds of fish cling to the hull, swarming, feeding, cleaning, playing, fighting, sleeping and doing whatever the hell else fish do. They were bloody everywhere. It was literally an explosion of life. The Yongala was easily the best dive I have ever done. Heading back to the mainland in the afternoon sun, I wrote the Yongala down on my “have done” list under my Bee Gees breakdancing.

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PADDLE POWER FOR A WHITWATER, WHITE KNUCKLE ADVENTURE, IT’S HARD TO TOP THE TULLY Remember those internet pictures of small kittens emerging from a washing machine looking confused, soaked to the skin and all dishevelled? Funny, right? Wrong, writes Paul Hansford. After whitewater rafting the famous Tully River in Queensland, I know exactly how those little buggers feel. Fall out of your boat while going through a rapid, and it’s a cacophony of noise, angry water and a “which way is up?” feeling. Now of course, the idea of whitewater rafting is to stay inside the raft as you negotiate the foaming waterways of the Tully. But when the rapids have names like Alarm Clock, Corkscrew and Killer Falls there’s not much chance of staying dry for the entire day. Resign yourself to falling in at some point... it’s gonna happen. The Tully’s reputation as the best river in Australia to raft is well-deserved. It descends 17 metres for every 100 metres in length and has some of the most aggressive rapids in the country. And no matter how high or low the water is running, you’re pretty much guaranteed a whiteknuckle ride. When the water is down, the ride is more technical,

with rafters having to negotiate the twists and turns created by the rocks being exposed in the water. When the water is up, it’s just “hold onto your hats” time – or at least the side of the boat – as there’s not much time to think. But there are some peaceful, if no less adrenalininducing, times on the trip. Just before lunch, you’re given a nut-scrunchingly cold shower under Ponytail Falls, and some of the scenery – including ancient lava flows and giant karri trees – is breathtaking. If you dare to take your eyes off the water, that is. One heartening aspect of the trip is that every instructor is built like Arnold Schwarzenegger after a workout – their arms and shoulders pop out of their life jackets – and they look as though they could lift the entire boat and rafters out of a rapid if it got too tricky. Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands. Oh yeah, I made one of those rapid Kakadu: In search of names up. giant waterfalls, crocs

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Jungle volunteer THAILAND

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Photos: TUI Travel, Thinkstock, TNT Images

A bumpy jaunt: the obligatory elephant ride

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The Thai life Forget bumming around on golden beaches. Head inland, off the beaten track, and give back to the community while you’re there WORDS ALISON GRINTER

Photos: TUI Travel, Thinkstock, TNT Images

WHEN TO GO: March to May can be uncomfortably hot. It rains As soon as I clap eyes on Sangkhlaburi, I problems that entails. But we get brought back least and is less hot from November to reality with a stint of ‘volun-tourism’. know it’s the Shangri-La I’ve been waiting for. to February. From my hotel balcony I can see the sleepy Our first port of call is Dream House, home CURRENCY: $1= 32.29 Baht frontier town set low in a valley beside a calm, to 35 children who are either orphans or have ACCOMMODATION: limpid lake dotted with longboats. Two gold nowhere else to go because their parents can no Bangkok: Navalai River Resort, temples jut out of the lush foliage on the mistlonger afford to look after them. The kids, aged shrouded hills above. A towering, ramshackle between three and 13, are excited to see our 45/1-2 Phra Athit Road (navalai. bridge traverses the lake. It’s impossibly scenic, group arrive. With only a husband and wife team com). Doubles from $91 per night like an old Hollywood movie’s depiction of the to look after them, they crave adult attention. (high season); $65 per night (low). exotic Far East. Hot, smelly Bangkok seems like Sangkhlaburi: P Guest House, One boy, Jonathan, particularly pulls at my a distant memory to me now. heartstrings – he has large, sad eyes and seems Tumbom Nonglu. (p-guesthouse. From the capital we had travelled northsmaller than the other children. But he lights up com). Accommodation and east and stopped overnight in Kanchanaburi, adventure packages from $25pp/pn. when we play catch with him. famed for its bridge over the River Kwai. The SEE: Lonely Planet’s new Thailand fast-running Kwai had been beautiful, and the guidebook and tourismthailand.org TOY STORY town laidback, but the tourist-infested bridge The grounds of the orphanage are spartan was enough to make us want to flee into the but there are plenty of games and toys around jungle – which is exactly what we did. Peaceful Sangklahburi, and the children seem happy and well cared for. In between 150km north of Kanchanaburi and a few miles from the Burmese playing games with them, the volunteers share their stories. border, fits the bill perfectly. “I do a lot of volunteer work,” Amy Roskilly, 24, from London, says. “It’s the best way to see a country. You can go on holiday TOTALLY TRIBAL and see the tourist spots, but as a volunteer you can get behind After a restful sleep, it’s time to get amongst it. We are now in the scenes and get to know the people and culture. There’s the Karen – pronounced ‘Callian’ – country where the people make tourist brochure, then there’s the truth.” “I know it’s a cliché,” Madeleine Armstrong, 30, also from up the largest of the major hill tribes of northern Thailand. London, says, “But it’s good to be able to travel and to be able In this part of the world, it’s almost obligatory to have an to give something back.” elephant ride, and our hosts don’t let us down. But this being the With the help of volunteers, the orphanage has installed tropics, it has rained overnight and our truck journey via slippery electricity, running water and a house that sleeps up to five in a roads is a white-knuckle ride. It’s still drizzling when we climb on to our beasts and go tramping through the jungle before wading room, creating a family atmosphere. But there’s still more to be done: while we’re there, a group of young volunteers busily digs into a swollen tributary. My Indian elephant, Papoo, behaves a drainage ditch. We spend the afternoon with the kids, but it’s impeccably and thankfully doesn’t start trumpeting wildly like time to move on. I can’t help feeling sad about their plight, and some of the others when a group of Buddhist monks roars past quiz the volunteer co-ordinators, Mark and AJ. in a motorboat. They assure me all the youngsters are happy despite their A bit damp now, we congregate in the bamboo huts nearby seeming lack of adult attention, but, equally importantly, they and chow down on delicious hot kow pad kai (fried rice) served are safe: the border areas between Burma and Thailand are in banana leaves. When experiencing a country as beautiful as notorious for people trafficking. Children can easily be snatched Thailand from the viewpoint of a pampered tourist, it’s easy to and sold into prostitution or slave labour. forget it’s a developing country with all the economic and social TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

CATCHING THE TUBE

The Insider’s guide Dan Moore, director of Real Gap Thailand, on why you should visit Bangkok Some people give Bangkok a wide berth – what are they missing out on? Lots! Bangkok has so much to offer. It’s the cultural and social heart of Thailand, from its amazing temples and The Grand Palace to the Chao Praer River and the vibrant night scene. People make false assumptions about its nightlife; the sex trade occupies only a few isolated areas/ streets. Bangkok people are party animals so there are bars and discos to suit all tastes. Where should travellers go if they want to avoid tourist hang outs like the Khao San Road? The business district of Sukhumvit has great nightlife and shopping, as does Siam. For a great Thai night out, head to the night market at Huay Kwai (MRT station) or RCA which is lined with bars and discos. Where do you take friends when they visit you?? The river. Canal and river tours are great and offer an amazing perspective of the city. Then I take my friends for street food which you can get for less than $2 followed by a wine bar or restaurant such as Long Table (longtablebangkok.com). I also take them market shopping followed by a mall. Where are the best places to interact with the local people and have an authentic experience? Siam, Sukhumvit, Ratchada and Pratunam – these are all central districts which will have tourists but the majority are Bangkok people – Thais and expats. What’s your favourite place to go out? I am a big fan of Sukhumvit area, it has it all. Sky bars at hotels, tapas, French wine bars, ice bars, discos, Australian bars, Mexican, Thai and Indian restaurants, pubs... it’s a really vibrant street. 46

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It’s shocking to hear this, and it’s clear the role of the volunteers is vital. Soon, we’re off on another adventure. AJ, Mark and a village elder – the only one in our group smart enough to wear wellies – attempt to take us on a trek to another one of their projects. It’s the site of a new water-pipe to the nearby village, and the trench will be dug by volunteers. But we don’t get very far. There has been so much rain that thigh-high pools of water block the path. Some of the more intrepid types plough on but give up in shame when they are quickly overtaken by a small boy; an elderly, cigarette-smoking woman; and a man on crutches. We know we’re properly in the jungle now because the insects are scarily big and the sounds of crickets, frogs and cicadas create one cacophonous chorus. That night, we dine at local restaurant Toys, where my tastebuds are tantalised by the spiciest food I’ve tried so far. It certainly set us up for a night of drinking and playing pool at a local bar. We spend probably too much time trying out the local whiskeys and rum, which aren’t as rough as we thought they might be but, even so, we’re feeling pretty messy as we stumble back to the Guesthouse in the early hours. The next morning, slightly sore-headed, we climb a steep hill to another orphanage, Nuns School, run by a Buddhist nun. It’s not as cosy as Dream House, and the children seem more needy for attention and don’t have many toys. One little girl grabs my hand, clearly excited by the prospect of having some attention from a grown up. Others take our cameras and start snapping pictures of us and each other. All around is a hive of activity as volunteers busily plant vegetables so the kids will have fresh food to eat. Others are painting murals to make the place look more cheery. CATCHING THE TUBE We wave goodbye to the children as we set off for our next adventure. It was supposed to involve whitewater rafting on the Song Kalia River, but the rain has made the rapids too powerful, so we go tubing instead. While floating down a river on the inner tube of a tractor wheel may sound lame, it’s brilliant fun – the sort of simple pleasure you experienced as a kid. Plus, with the strong current threatening to spirit us to Burma, it’s actually more of an adrenalin ride than I expected. Three of our party get carried so far downstream, they end up having to trek through the jungle with their tubes. Dressed in nothing but their swimsuits they scandalise a group of Buddhist monks in a village on their return. Back on dry land, there’s an undeniable ‘ah-this-is-the-life’ moment, as I sip a Leo beer in a bamboo hut beside the river. If you get sick of drinking beer, there’s always the local whiskey, Hong Tong – but it should come with a warning: too much Hong Tong can make you ting tong (that’s Thai for ‘crazy’) as we’d found out the night before. Next, it’s time to explore Sangkhlaburi properly. The original town was flooded when the reservoir was built in 1984, and remains underwater, a bit like the original town of Jindabyne in Australia. It is a fascinating blend of ethnicities with Burmese, Karen, Mon, Thai and Lao people all living here. It’s also home to the longest wooden bridge in the world which leads to the Mon Village of Wang Kha. The Mon people, who fled the oppressive regime in their homeland of Burma, now call Wang Kha home. Here you can get up close to the two gleaming temples known collectively as Wat Wang Wiwekaram.

AMAZING BEACHES DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT SEEING THEM... BEST FOR SCENERY Ko Phi Phi: With pristine white sand, soaring cliffs and turquoise waters, Ko Phi Phi’s reputation for otherworldly, paradisical beauty precedes it.

SOME LIKE IT HOT Though Sangkhlaburi barely rates a mention in my guidebooks, there are signs it won’t stay undiscovered for long: the Haiku guesthouse behind our hotel serves flat whites and smoothies to a soundtrack of groovy lounge music – the Western influence is already creeping in. A couple of the group sit, sipping our drinks on the terrace as some lazy dogs lie on the grass beside us. I had been anxious about rabies, which is meant to be endemic in this area. But while there certainly are packs of dogs roaming around, they are among the most placid, happy looking animals I’ve ever seen. That night we dine at the River Resort, where the menu is a delight of mangled English with dishes like ‘fish balls casually stabbed’. Not feeling adventurous, I pass, and instead plump for E-San soup from the region near the Thai/ Cambodian border. Easily the Samoa: The new hottest thing I’ve ever eaten, Fiji? The Pacific’s it nearly blows my head off. cheap paradise Still, it’s a fitting last supper in the jungle. ❚

NEXT WEEK

BEST FOR ALL ROUND FUN Koh Samui: Nightlife, beaches, shopping, budget bungalows, luxury hotels, Buddhist temples: this large island resort has something to suit all tastes BEST FOR THE BOHO FACTOR Koh Pha-Ngan: Famous for the Full Moon Parties which attract thousands of hedonists each month. BEST FOR DIVING Koh Tao: This tiny, scrubby island offers some of Thailand’s best diving. Free from massive resorts, it’s also a great place to escape the main tourist drag BEST FOR ROCK CLIMBING Krabi: Forget sand and sea – with 700 climbs to choose from, Krabi’s dramatic limestone cliffs will entice climbers of all levels BEST FOR PING PONG BALLS Phuket: Of course there’s more to Phuket than Thailand’s Sin City, Patong, but it’s a big reason why people visit.

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

TOUR FIRMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

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

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

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WIN A $20,000 ROADTRIP

TRANSPORT CO

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com

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

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

Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au

Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

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

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

WORD FROM THE STREET

TIME TO HIT THE ROAD There’s no denying it, we love getting out on the road with our own wheels. That’s why we’ve joined forces with our buddies at Hippie Campers, who are giving away a roadtrip worth a massive $20,000. The prize includes a six-berth motorhome for 28 days, flights, accommodation at holiday parks and a stack of free trips to keep you entertained along the way. You just need to like the hippiecampers Facebook page to enter.

Petersham Guest House ARE DORMS GETTING YOU DOWN?

Carla Ferreres, Spain

Then come sleep with us! The place to stay in the Sydney Suburbs. Double room - $240 p/week Twin room - $240 p/week Single room - $200 p/week Ensuite room - $300 p/week

Phone Con

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

0414 450 273

HOLA CARLA. SEEN MUCH OF OZ? “I’ve mainly been in NSW so far. I’ve been to Sydney, Katoomba (Blue Mountains) and Seal Rocks.” WHERE DO YOU LIKE BEST? “North Head in Manly. There is a walking trail along the coast – the views of the cliffs are magic. You can take great shots of Sydney city from there as well. It is such a fascinating place.” HOW ABOUT AFTER DARK? “Oxford Street in Sydney. The party never stops there and the music and clubs are hilarious. If you are keen on endless parties this is the best place you can go.”

LOW COST, QUALITY CAMPERS AND CARS BREEZER HIRE

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

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*Van price based on Breezer Campervan, 3+ day rate, for travel 23/4/2012 – 29/04/2012. Car price based on Economy Car, 1-6 day city rate for travel April 2012. Prices correct at time of print, rates change weekly so contact our Reservations team for the best daily rate. Minimum hire applies, offer subject to availability and liability reduction cover is additional. For full terms and conditions contact Backpacker Rentals.

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

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

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

NSWLISTINGS SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, stayatbase.com Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222, bouncehotel.com.au Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333, cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111, yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com

Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

CENTRAL COAST

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

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

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

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

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

BYRON BAY

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEY MUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com

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

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

BLUE MTNS

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

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

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

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

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

Sydney’s most unique experience

Experience Sydney as a local and discover the side of the city you came to see.

$49

per person per hour

Book online www.mysydneydetour.com or call Richard on 0404 256 256 50

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DARWIN STAY

KATHERINE STAY

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

DON’T MISS!

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

KATHERINE DO

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

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

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

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

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

WIDE OPEN SPACE FESTIVAL Ross River Resort. Fri, 4 May – Sun, 6 May. $70 (inc camping). Set deep in desert country, this three-day music, arts and desert culture gathering will be an event you’re unlikely to forget.

85km east of Alice Springs 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

wideopenspace.net.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

HIDDEN TREAT

EDITH FALLS Nestled amongst sandstone escarpments and eucalypt woodland, these often missed waterfalls, also known as Leliyn Falls, are part of the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. Sometimes inaccessible during the wet season (October to April), the impressive falls drop to a forest-encircled lower pool, which makes a great spot for a cooling swim. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the local protected animals, such as the black wallaroo. There is a campsite nearby. The falls are a 20km drive from the Stuart Highway. The more adventurous can try the three-day hike from Katherine Gorge.

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BRISBANE STAY

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

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

DON’T MISS!

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

Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace. 07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com Base Brisbane Embassy 214 Elizabeth St. 07 3166 8000, stayatbase.com Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au

MARINERS VS BRISBANE ROAR

Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com

Bluetongue Stadium. Sun, 8 Apr. From $15. Pop over the state border or head to the pub to see the decider of the match-up most likely to provide this year’s overall A-League champion.

Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St, 07 3236 1947, yha.com.au Chill Backpackers 328 Upper Roma St. 1800 851 875, chillbackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au

Old Pacific Hwy, Gosford The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm. 04 3377 7061 Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646, tinbilly.com

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ticketek.com.au

BRISBANE DO Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah. 07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au Lone Pine Koala Santuary 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket. 07 3378 1366, koala.net

@tnt_downunder Coolangatta Sands Hostel Cnr Griffiths & McLean Sts, Coolangatta. 07 5536 7472, coolangattasandshostel.com.au Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au

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

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

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

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

GOLD COAST

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

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 Cheers International Backpackers 8 Pine Av, Surfers Paradise. 1800 636 539, cheersbackpackers.com.au Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga. 07 5536 76442, yha.com.au

Surf ‘n’ Sun Beachside Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 678 194, surfnsun-goldcoast.com 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 Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au

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Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907 Seaworld seaworld.com.au Wet â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au Zorb 07 5547 6300

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111 126, dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

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

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

Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive. 07 4125 1844, yha.com.au

TOWN OF 1770

Fraser Roving 412 The Esplanade. 1800 989 811, fraserroving.com.au

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

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

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

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

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

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

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

AIRLIE BEACH airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119

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

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

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

Airlie Waterfront Backpackers 6 The Esplanade. 1800 089 000, airliewaterfront.com 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

7/2+%23 7!.4%$

Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au

Yongala Dive Yongala diving. 07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

MAGNETIC ISL

Magnums 7 Marine Pde, Arcadia Bay. 1800 663 666, magnetic-island.com/arc-rsrt.htm Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road. 07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au Scottyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353, bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au Dreamtime Travellers Rest 189 Bunda St. 1800 058 440, dreamtimehostel.com

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

Gilligans Backpackers and Hotel Resort 57-89 Grafton St. 1800 556 995, gilligans.com.au

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

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

CAIRNS ESCAPE

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

KURANDA For those who like to bushwalk or get in touch with nature, then Kuranda, about 25km northwest of Cairns, is the place for you. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, the village is accessible by car, bus, by the scenic railway or over the canopy of the rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. You can get your dose of Australian wildlife here too with koalas and kangaroos on show at some of the many nature-based attractions.

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

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

Y PLACE TO BE! THE ONL

Backpacker Resort

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

Phone: 07 4061 2284 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

TOWN OF 1770

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

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

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

airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119 Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au Airlie Waterfront Backpackers 6 The Esplanade. 1800 089 000, airliewaterfront.com

Airlie Beach

Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com

QUEENSLAND

Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com

T HE WHI TSUNDAY IS L ANDS

are one of the world s most spectacular aquatic playgrounds ndss & encompass 74 tropical islands rising from pristine turquoise oise oi ssee waters, hosting lots of incredible marine and wild life.

Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au

W H I T E H AVE N B E AC H C AMIR A S AILING ADVEN T URE

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

Swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays, a stuff-yourself-stupid BBQ lunch with unlimited drinks plus luss exhilarating sailing aboard Camira one of the world s fastest est s st sailing catamarans ‒ an awesome day out on the water!r!! $145*pp SAVE $30

BOWEN

GRE AT BARR IE R R E E F ADVE N T UR ES ES

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

The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonderss of the natural world. Cruise aboard Seaflight to Queensland andd s an most innovative reef pontoon featuring a giant waterslide lide i and underwater viewing chamber. Explore the underwater water wa te ter wonderland with diving, snorkelling, semi-sub or glasss bottom boat rides. Includes morning / afternoon tea and nd an all you can eat buffet lunch. $145*pp SAVE $65

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

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT B AR E F O OT L A Z Y DA Z E

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

Start your holiday with a choice of either a Whitehaven veen Beach Camira Sailing Adventure, or a Great Barrier Reef Adventures. Overnight at Long Island. When you ou dream of an Island experience this is what you dream of! Spend the day enjoying the facilities at Long Island Resort or find your own secluded bay and nd take in the great outdoors. Great snorkelling. Ferry/ bus buu departures back to Airlie available at a variety of times. es. es You may just be tempted to stay another night! From $215*pp (Dorm accommodation)

Yongala Dive Yongala diving. 07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

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

plus heaps of other great packages 3-6 days

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

All day cruises and packages depart daily from Airlie Beach. For info and bookings see your travel centre or contact us: FREECALL1800 awesome

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

* 54

Backpacker prices only available on presentation of a valid Student, Peterpans, YHA, ISIC, VIP or NOMADS card. Valid for travel until 31 March 2013. Conditions apply, see our website for details.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

TNT675-677 AAO3374

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

info@awesomeoz.com www.awesomeoz.com

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

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

AIRLIE BEACH

heart of the reef

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

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

Dreamtime Travellers Rest 189 Bunda St. 1800 058 440, dreamtimehostel.com Gilligans Backpackers and Hotel Resort 57-89 Grafton St. 1800 556 995, gilligans.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJOY Travellers Resort Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com Nomads Cairns 341 Lake St. 1800 737 736, nomadshostels.com Nomads Esplanade 93 The Esplanade. 1800 175 716, nomadshostels.com Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton St. 1800 000 541, northerngreenhouse.com.au

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Cairns Dive Centre 1800 642 591, cairnsdive.com.au Pro Dive 07 4031 5255, prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skyrail Rainforest Cableway 07 4038 1555, skyrail.com.au

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

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MELBOURNE STAY

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

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

BOOK NOW!

The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com Urban Central 334 City Rd, Southbank. 1800 631 288, urbancentral.com.au

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

MELBOURNE DO

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

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

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

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

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

THE TEMPER TRAP Forum Theatre. Tue, 29 May & Wed, 30 May. $67.45. Back for a homecoming tour and a new self-titled album, the Aussie indie kids will be hoping to build on the critical success of their 2009 debut.

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

Flinders St, Melbourne 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

ticketmaster.com.au Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com

Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. 13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au

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

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

GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne. 03 5289 2508, yha.com.au

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DON’T MISS!

BOOK NOW!

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

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca. 03 5480 6522, yha.com.au

DES BISHOP The Hi-Fi. Until Sun, 22 Apr. $25. Catch the brilliant Irish-American comic doing his Des Bishop Likes to Bang show, which has a three-week run at the comedy festival.

125 Swanston St, Melbourne

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

ticketmaster.com.au

MORNINGTON

PAUL FOOT

Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura. 03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au

Melbourne Town Hall. Until Sun, 22 Apr. $25. Also in town for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the incredibly odd Englishman Mr Foot. He’s very funny, he is.

Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura. 04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

GIPPSLAND

90 Swanston St, Melbourne

PHILLIP ISLAND

Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie. 03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au

Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614

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

Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy, Sorrento. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au

Rawsom Caravan Park Depot Rd, Rawson. 03 5165 3439, rawsoncaravanpark.com.au

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

ticketmaster.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

SURF CENTRAL

MELBOURNE O AUSTRALIA TOURS WINTER SPECIALS: $85 Grampians one day tour. $85 Great Ocean Road one day tour (lunch and drink included) $90 Phillip island tour (dinner and drink included)

MULTI DAY TOURS:

2 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR: $175 - dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast included 2 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD PHILLIP ISLAND TOUR: $225 - dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast included 2 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD GRAMPIANS TOUR $185 - dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast included 2 AND 3 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD GRAMPIANS AND TRAVEL TO ADELAIDE TOUR: dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast included.

Like us on facebook to WIN a one day Grampians tour... ...for two people worth over $170 during the month of April. Tour runs every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday Business +61 3 90169347 mobile +61 403257950 E:info@melbourneaustraliatours.com.au Skype: melbourneaustraliatours

www.melbourneaustraliatours.com.au 56

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

TORQUAY Pronounced Tor-key (for the North Americans out there), you may not have heard of this place, despite its positioning by one of the planet’s most scenic drives. Marking the start of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is also a legendary surf spot, thanks in part to its close proximity to the world famous Bells Beach (think Keanu and Patrick pretending to be there in the final scene of Point Break). It is also where several of the world’s leading surf brands, like Rip Curl and Quiksilver, call home, making it a great place to pick up a bargain. Make sure you do the Surf Coast Walk while you’re there too. It’s pretty spectacular. It’s about a 90-minute drive south-west of Melbourne.

WALISTINGS

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@tnt_downunder

DON’T MISS!

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, witchshat.com

REEF Metropolis. Fri, 1 Jun. $59. Put your hands up to welcome the British West Country rockers, led by Gary Stringer, back to Aussie shores for the first time in 12 years.

58 South Tce, Fremantle

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

moshtix.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

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

WORD FROM THE STREET

WESTERN FORCE VS CHIEFS nib Stadium. Fri, 6 Apr. $32. Perth’s Super 15 local boys are seriously struggling this year, so will be hoping to turn it around against NZ’s high-flying Waikato Chiefs.

310 Pier St, Perth

ticketmaster.com.au

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

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

MUST SEE

Sara Chare, UK HEY SARA. SEEN MUCH OF WA? “It feels like everywhere! We came across the Nullarbor, went to Esperance, the Timber Towns, to Margaret River and then up the coast to Perth, Monkey Mia, Exmouth and finally Broome.” FAVE PLACE? “The Cape Ranges National Park in Exmouth was fantastic. A great place to kick back, read a book and do some fishing and snorkelling.” HOW ABOUT FOR A DRINK? “Matso’s in Broome because of their alcoholic ginger beer.” ANYWHERE YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN? “Marble Bar because it’s so isolated and the pub’s meant to be worth the trip.”

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

BROOME Broome is a hot but chilled-out travellers’ mecca located at the southern-most tip of the Kimberley region in the far north of WA. The must-do list in Broome includes the amazing 22km Cable Beach with its brilliant white sand and sparkling turquoise waters. Jump on a camel’s back and ride into the sunset to see the Staircase to the Moon – for three days after the full moon from March to October, reflections stretch out across shiny mudflats, creating the illusion of a long silver staircase.

Monkey Mia Flash Backpackers like us on

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MONKEY MIA

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

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

FREO DO

NINGALOO REEF

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

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

Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth. 08 9949 1200, yha.com.au

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

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

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

t accommodation. Stunning beachfront location. Quality budge able, world-leading activities and facilities. Unique, afford shpacker Voted top ten f la nder $100 in Australia u n o ti a d o accomm eller Magazine v a r T by Australian

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

Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruizeinn.com

BROOME DO

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

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

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

Aspen Parks Begin your re today... Darwin

u t n e v d A n e Asp

Qld

Brisbane

Sa Perth

Nsw Sydney

Adelaide

Vic Melbourne Hobart

1355

Visit our website for great accommodation specials and online bookings

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park

1800 466 528

aspenparks.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

SA& &TASLISTINGS

ADELAIDE STAY

COOBER PEDY

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

BOOK NOW!

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

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

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

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

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

KANGAROO IS

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

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

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

CREAMFIELDS

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

Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Fri, 27 Apr. $100. Catch the all-conquering David Guetta, with friends like Above & Beyond and Dirty South, when touring festival Creamfields hits South Australia.

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

Port Rd, Hindmarsh

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

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

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

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

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

ticketek.com.au

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

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

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

HOBART STAY

TZU Republic Bar. Fri, 25 May. $22.90. Back with new single “Beginning of the End”, the Melbourne-bred hip-hoppers are taking their show on the road to eight Aussie cities.

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au

299 Elizabeth St, Hobart

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

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge

Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving. 08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth. 1800 816 858, the-traveller.com.au Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving. 08 8363 1788, rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES

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

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

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

Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims. 08 8626 5017, bairdbay.com

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

DEVONPORT

Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com

EYRE PENINSULA Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny. 08 8687 0411, coodliepark.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au

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

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

BOOK NOW!

Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.com.au

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

launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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

Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au

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

@tnt_downunder

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

CRADLE MTN Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain Rd. 1800 068 574, discoveryholidayparks.com.au Mt Roland Budget Backpacker Rooms 1447 Claude Rd, Gowrie Park. 03 6491 1385

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

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

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

STRAHAN DO Four Wheelers Henty Sand Dunes quadbike tours. 04 1950 8175, 4wheelers.com.au Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com Wild Rivers Jet Jet boating. 03 6471 7396, wildriversjet.com.au

Experience

SOUTH AUSTRALIA If you’ve climbed the bridge, circled the rock and snorkelled the reef... it’s time to do the stuff that other people are only just beginning to discover… diving with Great White Sharks, swimming with sea lions and dolphins, getting up close and personal with wildlife on Kangaroo Island or camping under the stars in the amazing Flinders Ranges.

SOU AUST TH RALIA

Adela

ide

If you want to get away from the crowds for an authentic Australian experience it’s time to come to South Australia.

9261 TNT Sharks 195x270 indd 1

15/02/12 11:11 AM

NZLISTINGS BUS TOURS

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

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

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

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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OZWORK

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Nursing a career If you have a penchant for looking after people and happen to have nursing qualifications, then you’re in the right place... Australia is crying out for nurses. If you’re willing, drag yourself out of the bars and into an agency, as you’ll soon learn that this profession can help you stay longer in Oz. If you’re a nurse and you don’t want to leave Australia, that dream could soon become a reality because the healthcare sector needs you. “Australia is always in need of more qualified nurses of all specialities. With some states moving towards the one nurse to four patients ratio of ward nursing for the public hospital sector, this will increase the amount of nurses required. The private hospital and day surgery sector in Australia is rapidly expanding, creating a lot more nursing opportunities,” explains nursing services manager Kelly Lamont from Healthcare Australia. So the jobs are there and sadly people are always going to get sick and injure themselves. Unlike our jobs in print media, there is a future! “Add to that an aging society – the aged care nursing workforce is always in great demand,” says Kelly. Right, so you’ve got the qualifications in your home country, what do you have to do to find work here? “Australia introduced a national registration board in 2010, so now nurses and midwives are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

(AHPRA),” explains Kelly. Their requirements vary from state to state so it’s best to give a recruitment consultant a call and get them to explain the differences. They’ll also put you in good stead for what sort of work you’ll be suited to. You’re here on a working holiday and they understand that the holiday element shouldn’t be neglected. “Nurses who would like to have the choice to maintain their work/life balance are especially suited to doing agency work for Healthcare Australia.” Their agency has a range of jobs for nurses of all levels of experience. Everything from, “Medical, surgical, rehab, A&E, mental health, midwifery, theatres and aged care”. So, it’s up to you where you want to work and in what field. But what about the money I hear you ask? Kelly says, “Rates of pay vary in Australia depending upon each state’s awards. All agencies within Healthcare Australia strive towards having very competitive rates of pay for our staff.” Sounds good, but what if you never want to leave. Is there a chance for sponsorship? Yes, says Kelly, “we have a specialised team who can assist with sponsorship opportunities for nurses through our brand Nurse Jobs Australia.” For more info see healthcareaustralia.com.au

INTERVIEW WITH A NURSE Sarah Imanovic, 26, England

Tasmania. I might head north next.

Why did you pick Oz? Life at home wasn’t all that positive and optimistic and I had heard there was a shortage of nurses in Australia so I thought I’d fit in well. The lifestyle, weather and people were also a massive drawcard.

How did you land your job? I had a few friends who had already come over here and got work through an agency so I figured that was the best option. It was relatively easy and I can move around if I want to which is a nice thing. It’s helpful to have a helping hand when you get to a new country.

Where have you seen? I’ve seen the bottom half of Australia really. Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

What’s your new job like? It’s good but hard at times. I work with children who are

unfortunately sick and it’s tough to see them in pain but that comes with the job. What’s the pay like? It’s quite good actually. I work a lot of weekends and try and do public holidays as well so I can save as many pennies as possible. Any good stories? There’s a few for sure. The best stories always come out when someone really ill, whether it be man, woman or child, gets better and is able to be discharged. It’s

so rewarding seeing that happen. We’re quite a close group of workmates too, so we try and make it fun. What’s the best thing? Getting to know different sorts of people and especially working with children is the highlight. They can make a bad day turn good really quickly. And what’s not so great? Working shift work is never all that glamorous and of course seeing sick kids isn’t that nice.

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TOTALLYTRIVIAL

@tnt_downunder

MYTHBUSTERS SCHOOL OF ROCK?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

MYTH

AUSSIE MUSIC

OF THE

Q 5. What is the Aussie national anthem?

Which “trio” are a regular at the Q 1.Byron Bay Bluesfest?

a) “Land Down Under” b) “Waltzing Matilda” c) “Advance Australia Fair” d) “God Save the Queen”

a) The Jezabels b) John Butler Trio c) Jack Johnson Trio d) Cut Copy

Which band’s lead singer is now Q 3.a politician? a) AC/DC c) Cold Chisel

c) AMAs

d) OMAs

of the following isn’t Aussie? Q 7.a) Who Crowded House b) Gotye c) Sia

d) Drapht

is NOT an Aussie festival? Q 8.a)Which Stereosonic b) Field Day

b) Midnight Oil d) INXS

c) Parklife

Q 4. Which Aussie musician recently toured with her B-sides and rarities on an “Anti-Tour”? a) Nicole Kidman b) Missy Higgins c) Kylie Minogue d) Danni Minogue

d) Stagedive

Q 9. Who’s career was launched by Australian Idol in 2003? a) Jessica Mauboy b) Shannon Noll c) Matt Corby d) Bernard Fanning

SUDOKU PUZZLE

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

AUSSIE-ISM

“CHUCK A U-E”

8 7

3 7 66

Aussie music awards are called... Q 6.a)The ARIAs b) Oscars

4 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

If anyone says this to you, you’re probably having problems with direction. A U-turn is a 180 degree turn back the way you came from. So if someone says this, you’re bloody going the wrong way mate!

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

THIS WEEK IT’S... EASTER DELIGHTS 1. DEBUG MERCY GRACE 2. CRUSH TO SNOB 3. ANY BEER NUTS 4. HAS TO DIE EARLY ANSWERS: 1. Cadbury creme egg 2. Hot cross bun 3. Easter bunny 4. Easter holiday

2. In which town is Australia’s largest country music festival held? a) Darwin b) Bourke c) Tamworth d) Parkes

WEEK How did Uluru come about? Uluru is the world’s largest monolith that sits in the middle of Australia. What makes Uluru so spectacular, though is, apart from The Olgas, there’s nothing else like it. Which begs the question – how was it formed? The most widely held theory is that it is the remnants of a vast sedimentary bed which was laid down some 600million years ago. The bed was then tilted so Uluru now sticks out at an 85º angle, and like an iceberg, much more rock is believed to be underground. The traditional Aboriginal owners believe the Rock was formed by their ancestral beings in the ‘Dreamtime’. Sounds better than geology, we say.

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