TNT Australia 735

Nov 18-Dec 1 2013 Issue 735 tntdownunder.com

WIN

IGHTS TIGER AIR FL 00 $ WORTH 5

THAI ME UP Paradise and parties

WINE TIME Daytrippin’ to the Barossa Valley

!

Y T U A E B O RO land ’s Kangaroo Is a li a tr s u A th Sou wild side on Finding your

+ ASHES LATEST DIVING WITH SHARKS MAGNETIC ISLAND GETAWAY BUNGY BIRTHDAY

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Campervans $1 a DAY from

Darwin • • Cairns

Broome •

• Townsville • Airlie Beach • Mackay Coast Brisbane •••Sunshine Gold Coast • Ballina

• Alice Springs • Ayers Rock

Perth •

• Adelaide

• Williamtown • Sydney • Canberra

Mebourne • • Launceston • Hobart

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12/11/13 11:18 PM

ANDREW WESTBROOK ACTING EDITOR andrew.westbrook@tntmagazine.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Yes, it’s finally here. The Ashes! It looks like it’s gonna be a tight one, so get settled in for a summer of sizzling cricket. We’ve got the latest preview on p28. We’ve also got an almost obscene amount of travel in this issue.

We head to Kangaroo Island (p38), Port Lincoln (p44), Barossa Valley (p46), Townsville and Magnetic Island (p50), Thailand (p56) and more. Phew. Happy travels!

THIS ISSUE OZ DIARY

4

FOOD + DRINK

6

GIGS

8

PUBS

10

SPOTTED

18

CHATROOM

20

FILM 22 NEWS 24 SPORT

26

ASHES LATEST

28

TRAVEL

32

38

LISTINGS AUSTRALIA 60 LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND 78 WORK 80 TRIVIAL PURSUITS

82

FEATURES MEET THE NEIGHBOURS

14

14

Head to Pin Oak Court, aka Ramsey Street. You know you want to

JUMP TO IT

20

Chatting with AJ Hackett, the creator of commercial bungy jumping

REALLY WILD SHOW

38

We find the wild on Kangaroo Island, then go cage diving with great whites

FEEL THE FORCE

50

Getting drawn to Magnetic Island and the incredible Yongala wreck dive

MY THAI Full guide to which island to visit, what to eat and what to say

56

50

56 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OZDIARY EDITORIAL Acting editor Andrew Westbrook Deputy editor Hugh Radojev Contributors Alasdair Morton | Joanna Tilley Ian Neubauer | Damian Hall | Carol Driver Interns Rory Platt | Tash Levy | Regina Neumeyer

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Try and look a little less smug, Jimmy

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Account manager Toby Llewellyn Marketing and events executive Georgina Pengelly MARKETING & EVENTS Business development manager Tom Wheeler DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland ACCOUNTS Emma Overton

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

MAIN EVENT THE ASHES 1ST TEST THE GABBA, BRISBANE

The battle for The Ashes between England and Australia returns Down Under already this summer. Some of the biggest names in international cricket will be fighting it out for national honour and a replica of a small urn filled with the ashes of a couple of stump bails (that’s a bit of cricket lingo for you). Can Alastair Cook’s English retain the famous little trophy for a fourth straight series or will Michael Clarke’s men wrest the balance of power back to the colonies? If you’re unable to make it to the Gabba Oval in Brisbane during the match then just flick your TV over to Channel Nine and watch for free. Or head to the pub of course.

Thursday, 21 – Monday 25, November, 10am – 6pm

cricket.com.au

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

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

HARBOURLIFE

Is there a better (or, for some, a more nostalgic) feeling than watching a really good film out under the stars? We think not. With that in mind, Adelaide’s Moonlight Cinema is returning for another run of new and classic film screenings.

David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Armin van Buuren are just some of the biggest names on 2013’s massive Stereosonic lineup.

It’s so big in fact that organisers have turned it into a two-day event for the first time, as it visits Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide. Best bring your dancing shoes.

Sat 23 November, 2-10pm Mrs Macquarie’s Point, NSW fuzzy.com.au

From Nov 28 Adelaide, South Australia moonlight.com.au

Nov 30 – Dec 8 Five cities, Australia. stereosonic.com.au

TBA

TBA

Image: Getty

4

STEREOSONIC

In celebration of the festival’s tenth birthday, Sydney Harbour will be set alight by some of the world’s best known and loved dance acts. Headlining Harbourlife 2013 will be techno/house legends Art Department and Detroit icon Carl Craig. You’d be hardpushed to find a festival with a better setting. $120

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.

MOONLIGHT CINEMA – ADELAIDE

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EATS + DRINKS

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THE SPICE CELLAR

@tnt_downunder

[Caption]

Restaurant review by Rory Platt

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Martin Place, in a basement setting with perfect acoustics and just the kind of ambience you want after a tough day at the office. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret arts venue.

THE GRUB The finest tapas dishes and not a single bad choice to be made on this menu. The chorizo bruchetta ($10) with Persian fetta, romesco sauce and onion relish is sweet, savoury and spicy all together. The absolute highlight, and this writer’s recommendation, is the oven baked mushroom, pecan and brown rice mini barrels ($10). A mixed bag of flavours that shouldn’t work, but trust me – it does. If you like your salads as literal as possible, you can’t go past the painted salad ($9), consisting of rocket, roast capsicum, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, corn and blueberries served on an artist’s palette with a paintbrush to distribute the smoked chipotle and maple syrup dressing. An absolute masterpiece.

BEHIND THE BAR You’ll find a barman with a Master of Fine Arts in Mixology, some of the best cocktails in the city and the perfect drink to suit your meal. Don’t be a wuss and spend your night drinking bottled beer. Man-up, tell the genius behind the bar your flavour and enjoy a fruity cocktail ($18).

VERDICT It’s like a massage for your taste buds and some of the most unexpected culinary delights around. Everything is sensational and some of the best stuff on the menu is also, rather delightfully, the most reasonably priced.

THE SCENE

58 Elizabeth St, Sydney

thespicecellar.com.au

3 OF THE BEST CHEAP EATS IN SYDNEY 6

BEACH ROAD

THE DOCK

THE NORFOLK

There’s nothing finer than a food special every day of the week, except maybe a pub that makes each day an enviable choice. From dollar dumplings to 50c wings, you’ll quickly find your favourite day at the Beach Road. If their specials don’t tickle your food fancy, there’s a menu chock full of cheap grub that surely will.

A cheap eat destination should have a suitable vibe and The Dock is just that kinda place. You might think you’ve wandered into someone’s front room with the ambient light and comfy, well-worn chairs. If your tummy is still grumbling after the free popcorn, you can grab some steamed dumplings and edamame.

The Norfolk has pub food that’s just primo for noshing on while sipping a tasty ale.

It’s not the staple snacks you’d expect in your average pub either. How about a pulled pork slider or deep-fried pickles with ranch dip? There’s even a great selection of tacos, four for $20, from the surf to the turf and also the vege (the turf itself).

beachroadbondi.com.au

182 Redfern St, Redfern

thenorfolk.co

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BITE SIZE

HOW DOES AN OWL HOWL? Before you say anything, yes it’s true – owls don’t really howl. But when you’re curling up with a cup of tea or moonlighting with the arty types over a colourful cocktail, you won’t really mind. The Howling Owl is not just a nocturnal joint, so wrap your hands around one of their gourmet sandwiches, filled with the finest ingredients: artichokes, salmon, prosciutto – they’re sure to make even the toughest food snob howl at the moon. thehowlingowl.com.au

$10 Meal Deals

Now From 11am- 9pm Everyda

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

with Fries

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

11am-9pm

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

TAKE YOUR FANCY A finer selection of burgers you cannot find in Adelaide.

Consider this a scoop, for while the crowds still swarm towards the hip joints in town, Fancy Burger is a gem just waiting to serve you up a locally sourced and handcrafted burger delight. With a gourmet experience like this, you might wonder if there’s a mistake on your bill. fancyburger.com.au

www.PalaceHotelSydney.com.au T:9212 2111 A:Corner George & Hay Streeet Sydney BURRITOS FOR ALL Mexican food is on the rise in Oz, but Lucky Lupitas are already ahead of the curve and offering other Latin American cuisines to boot. It’s a popular joint, so time your arrival well and you’ll leave with a tummy full of tortilla delights. The guacamole is off the chain!

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

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

luckylupitas.com

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GIGLISTINGS

@tnt_downunder

follow us on Foghorn Stringband $25 Northcote Social Club, Melbourne northcotesocialclub.com

THIS IS THE LIFE

FRIDAY 22 Busby Marou $20 Republic Bar, Melbourne moshtix.com.au Jimmy Barnes $59.95 TRAK Lounge Bar, Melbourne trakloungebar.com

HARBOURLIFE AFTER PARTY Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 22-23 Nov. TBA A massive lineup of international and Aussie acts, plus some of Sydney’s beautiful people, make this an event not to be missed.

Chinese Laundry

moshtix.com.au Gossling $15 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne cornerhotel.com

MONDAY 18 Charley Pride $99 The Arts Centre, Gold Coast theartscentregc.com.au

Catherine Britt $23.80 The Vanguard, Sydney thevanguard.com.au

Motown Mondays FREE The White Horse, Sydney thewhitehorse.com.au

THURSDAY 21 Boy & Bear From $44.90 HQ Adelaide, Adelaide oztix.com.au

TUESDAY 19 Between the Buried and Me $58 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne cornerhotel.com

The Delltones $42 Gunnedah Services Bowling Club delltones.com

Jill Scott $89 Palais Theatre, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

Harrison Craig From $69 The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie harrisoncraigofficial.com

The Seekers From $89 WIN Stadium, Wollongong ticketek.com.au

Jill Scott $89 The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane ticketek.com.au

WEDNESDAY 20

Raul Midón $43 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne cornerhotel.com

Leonard Cohen TBA Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne ticketek.com.au

British India $34.70 The Zoo, Brisbane oztix.com.au Barmy Army Party Free The Pig ‘n’ Whistle, Brisbane pignwhistle.com.au

SATURDAY 23 Jill Scott $89 Enmore Theatre, Sydney ticketek.com.au Go van Go Free The Tempo, Brisbane facebook.com/govango The Seekers TBA Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart ticketmaster.com.au Harrison Craig From $69 Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst harrisoncraigofficial.com The Delltones $45 The Armidale Ex Services Club, Armidale NSW armidaleservices.com.au

SUNDAY 24 The Deep End $54 Cherry Bar, Melbourne cherrybar.com.au

SIBLING RIVALRY DAUGHTER Sydney and Melbourne. February 2014. $67.50 The hauntingly beautiful melodies and vocals of Daughter made them one of 2013’s breakout acts. They’re touring Oz in early 2014.

Several cities

ohdaughter.com

ticketlink.com.au

WEDNESDAY 27 Jessica Mauboy From $79 Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay ticketek.com.au Kadavar and Blues Pills $30 Northcote Soial Club, Melbourne northcotesocialclub.com

THURSDAY 28 Alison Wonderland $15 Corner Hotel, Melbourne corner.ticketscout.com.au Pigeon FREE Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast pigeonofficial.com

FRIDAY 29 Stonefield $23.50 Inferno Nightclub, Traralgon oztix.com.au

City & Colour $69.95 Civic Theatre, Newcastle ticketek.com.au

SATURDAY 30 The Bamboos $40.50 The Hi-Fi, Brisbane tickets.thehifi.com.au Busby Marou $20 Fowlers Live, Adelaide moshtix.com.au Don Walker $35 Caravan Music Club, Melbourne trybooking.com

SUNDAY 1 The Ancients $12 Northcote Social Club, Melbourne northcotesocialclub.com

Christie Lamb Free St George Motor Boat Club, Southern Sydney christielamb.com

TRES CHIC!

BALL’S OUT

Stonefield $18.40 The Northern, Byron Bay oztix.com.au

MONDAY 25 Motown Mondays FREE The White Horse, Sydney thewhitehorse.com.au

SUBSONIC FESTIVAL Riverwood Downs Resort. Dec 6-8 2013. $165 + bf This luxuious new camping festival (complimentary hot showers) is being headlined by Nile Rodgers and Chic! Sounds pretty good to us.

Barrington Tops, NSW

8

subsonicmusicfestival.com.au

The Seekers $92.14 Princess Theatre, Launceston tickets.com

TUESDAY 26 Leonard Cohen TBA Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns

IAN BALL – UNFOLD YOURSELF TOUR National tour. 18 Nov – 1 Dec. Prices TBA Along with the release of his new album Unfold Yourself, British rocker Ian Ball has announced 10 Australian tour dates.

Several cities

oztix.com.au

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PUBLISTINGS

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Side Bar 509 Pitt St, CBD wakeup.com.au/side-bar

DJ AT ABC

PIGGIN’ OUT

The Beresford 345 Bourke St, Surry Hills merivale.com.au/ theberesfordhotel The Bondi Hotel 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi hotelbondi.com.au The Mountbatten Hotel 701 George Street, CBD sydneycityhostels.com.au The Palace Hotel Cnr of George and Hay St, CBD palacehotelsydney.com.au

DJ NIGHTS AT ASIAN BEER CAFE Asian Beer Cafe. Thursday-Saturday, 7pm – late The Asian Beer Cafe in Melbourne has started up some brand new DJ nights – Thursday’s is 90s night, Fri is house and Sat is hip-hop.

Level 3, Melbourne Central

SYDNEY Bar Century Lvl 4 640, George St, CBD barcentury.com.au Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach beachroadbondi.com.au Candy’s Apartment 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au Coogee Palace Hotel 169 Dolphin St, Coogee beachpalacehotel.com.au

asianbeercafe.com.au In Situ 34/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au Kinsela’s 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kniselas.com.au Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au New Brighton Hotel 71 The Corso, Manly newbrighton.com.au

The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown thevanguard.com.au Three Wise Monkeys 555 George St, CBD 3wisemonkeys.com.au Trinity Bar 505 Crown St, Surry Hills trinitybar.com.au White Horse Hotel 381 Crown St, Surry Hills thewhitehorse.com.au White Revolver Cnr Curlewis & Campbell Parade Bondi Beach whiterevolver.com World Bar 24 Bayswater Road, Potts Point theworldbar.com.au

MELBOURNE

Dome Bar Level 1, 589 Crown Street, Surry Hills domebar.com.au

Oxford Art Factory 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst oxfordartfactory.com

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

Ryan’s Paragon Hotel Cnr Loftus & Alfred St, CBD hotelparagon.com.au

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

Scary Canary 469 Kent St, CBD scarycanarybar.com.au

Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane, CBD myspace.com/ cherrybarmelbourne

Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly hotelsteyne.com.au

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

Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street, Richmond cornerhotel.com

Asian Beer Cafe 211 La Trobe St, CBD asianbeercafe.com.au Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St, CBD barhumbug.com.au

HOME OF THE ASHES Pig ‘n’ Whistle. Nov 21-25, 10.30am-6pm.

The Pig ‘n’ Whistle is the official Brisbane home of the Barmy Army and will be playing the whole series live. Good food and cheap beers.

123 Eagle St, Brisbane

The Gin Mill 173 High St, Prahran theginmillprahran.com

Crown and Sceptre Hotel 308 King William Street, CBD sceptre.com.au

The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street, CBD thehifi.com.au

Electric Circus 17 Crippen Place, CBD electriccircus.com.au

The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street, CBD nightowl.com.au

Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth St, CBD yourbars.com.au

The Nite Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy thenightcat.com.au

The Promethean 116 Grote St, CBD theprom.com

The Penny Black 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick thepennyblack.com.au The Tote 67-71 Johnston Street, Coll. thetotehotel.com Turf Bar 131 Queen St, CBD turfbar.com.au

ADELAIDE Club 58 58 Hindley St, CBD club58.com.au

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

MO MONEY

pignwhistle.com.au

PERTH The Clink Nightclub 14-16 South Terrace, Fremantle theclink.com.au The East End Bar and Grill 189 High Street, Fremantle theeastendbar.com.au The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St, Northbr. the-shed.com.au The Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street, Subiaco subiacohotel.com.au

BREW ON YOU

Esplanade Hotel 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au Eurotrash Bar 18 Corrs Lane, CBD eurotrashbar.com.au Fluid Oz Bar 450 Elizabeth Street, CBD yelp.com.au Northcote Social Club 301 High Street, Northcote northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au

MOVEMBER DINNER Turf Bar, Melbourne. Thursday 28 Nov, 4pm-late.

A three course special dinner put on in support of Movember.

The event will cost $50 a head, with $20 going to charity.

131 Queen St, Melbourne

10

turfbar.com.au

Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, CBD shamiana.com.au Star Bar Hotel Melbourne 160 Clarendon Street starbarhotel.com.au

BREWHOUSE HAPPY HOUR King Street Brewhouse. Mon-Fri, 4pm-7pm.

A brand new happy hour – pints of beer, house wine and spirits and bubbles all for $5. Get involved and have a laugh.

King Street Wharf

kingstbrewhouse.com.au

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The Palace 2013/2014

Sundays Rooftop From midday DJs Live Music

! f wt

$4.99 drinks facebook.com/beachpalacehotel 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee, NSW BEACH PALACE HOTEL PrOmOTEs THE rEsPOnsiBLE sErviCE Of ALCOHOL

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

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

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

HOBART Isobar 11 Franklin Wharf CBD isobar.com.au Knopwood’s Retreat 39 Salamanca Pl CBD (03)6223 5808 Republic Bar 299 Elizabeth St, CBD republicbar.com.au Syrup Nightclub 39 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point syrupclub.com.au The Duke 192 Macquarie Street CBD theduke.com.au

NEWCASTLE Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au Bar Petite 5 King St, CBD barpetite.com.au Beaumont Exchange Hotel Cnr Beaumont and Denison Street, Hamilton theexchangehotel.com.com.au Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, CBD yourcambridge.com Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill tab.com.au Hamilton Hotel 71 Tudor St, Hamilton hamiltonhotel.com.au Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.com.au Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, CBD hoteldelany.com.au Isobar 1 Honeysuckle Drive CBD thelanding.com Kent Hotel 59-61 Beaumont St, Hamilton thekenthotel.com.au

Royal Inn Hotel Waratah 61/69 Station St, Waratah truelocal.com.au

Wickham Park Hotel 61 Maitland Rd, Islington thewicko.com.au

BYRON BAY Beach Hotel Bay Lane beachhotel.com.au Buddha Bar 1 Skinners Shoot Road byronbaybrewery.com.au Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St cheekymonkeys.com.au

$4 SCHOONERS AND $5 OYSTERS The Palace Hotel. Fridays, 4-7pm. $4 schooners of James Squire beers as well as delicious oysters for just $5 on Friday evenings. $5 oysters? Sounds good to us!

George St, Sydney

palacehotelsydney.com.au

Ivory 77-79 Crown Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

The Northern 35-43 Jonson St thenorthern.com.au

OneFiveOne 150 Keira Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

The Owl & The Pussycat 85 Jonson St opcbyron.com.au

Questions Unit 5 123-125 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Treehouse on Belongil 25 Childe St treehouseonbelongil.com Woody’s Surf Shack 90-96 Jonson St woodysbyronbay.com

CANBERRA

DARWIN Ducks Nuts 76 Mitchell St, CBD ducksnuts.com.au Squires Tavern 3 Edmunds St, CBD squirestavern.com.au

Academy Club 15 Bunda St, CBD academyclub.com.au

Shenannigans 69 Mitchell St, CBD shenannigans.com.au

Cube Nightclub 33 Petrie Plaza, CBD cubenightclub.com.au

The Deck Bar 22 Mitchell St, CBD thedeckbar.com.au

ICBM 50 Northbourne Ave, CBD icbmbar.com

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

Mooseheads 105 London Circuit, CBD mooseheads.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Bojangles Saloon 80 Todd St yourbars.com.au Firkin n Hound 21 Hartely St (08) 8953 3033 Monte’s Corner of Todd St & Stott Tce montes.net.au The Barra Bar 34 Stott Tce chifleyhotels.com.au The Juicy Rump Lasseters Hotel Casino juicyrump.com.au The Rock Bar 2/78 Todd St therockbar.com.au Todd Tavern Todd Mall toddtavern.com.au

GO FOR PIZZA!

Transit Bar 7 Akuna St, CBD transitbar.com.au

WOLLONGONG

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel 14 Railway St, Wickham lassogowriehotel.com.au

Castros 5 Victoria Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

Mary Ellen Hotel 57 Railway St, Mereweather maryellenhotel.com.au

Glasshouse & Su Casa 90 Crown Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

Rattle N Hum 65-67 Esplanade rattlenhumbar.com

Oriental Hotel 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill wotif.com.au

Grand Hotel 124 Keira Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

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

Premier Hotel 1 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow hotelpremier.com.au

Harp Hotel 234 Corrimal Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

Gilligan’s Backpacker Hostel 57-89 Grafton St gilligansbackpacker hostel.com.au

THAT’S CHEAP

The Northern Star 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton northernstarhotel.com.au

Alibi 76 Crown Street, CBD wollongongnightlife.com.au

CAIRNS

@tnt_downunder

Sunyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au

Kings Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingsstreethotel.com.au

Fabric Cnr Shields and Esplanade St cairnsevents.com pubs

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The Woolshed 24 Shields Street, CBD thewoolshed.com.au

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START SATURDAYS

Tongue and Groove. Saturdays, 8-10pm.

Visit one of Canberra’s hottest nightlife venues and enjoy a wood-fired pizza for $12 together with some tasty house spirits for only $8.

CRN Genge & Bunda St, Canberra

tandg.com.au

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EVERY SUNDAY FROM 4PM

EVERY SUNDAY FROM 4PM

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Just another day on legend duty for the doc

Photos: TNT Images, Andrew Westbrook, Getty, Bunyip Tours

"What? I'm dead?!"

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Memory lane Sure, you pretend you don’t want to do it, but if ‘a friend’ needs their Neighbours fix, then Melbourne is the place for you WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

In a country packed with some of the greatest natural wonders in the world, it seems strange that a tiny street in a Melbourne suburb attracts so many travellers. Strange that is unless, like me, you were brought up on a strict diet of Neighbours after school. And so it is that I board a tour bus by Flinders Street Station to be taken on a trip down memory lane, to a place where people become good friends.

Going old school Grinning in anticipation, we approach the streets of fictional suburb Erinsborough, while Harold “Jelly Belly” Bishop does his best to pull the heart-strings as we catch up on the classic episode of his return. Soon we are wandering around the playground of Erinsborough High, treading in the footsteps of all the greats... Kylie, Jason, Natalie...

We’re reliably informed the name of the school was devised from an anagram of the word neighbours, with an extra “R” and “O” thrown in for good measure – the creators obviously not quite grasping the definition of anagram.

In real life, the school is used to teach English to new immigrants, who must start reconsidering their choice of country when bus loads of over-excited travellers take pictures of their school every day. On midweek trips we’d get to meet one of the stars of the show, but me and Karl go back years, so instead I’ve gone for the weekend trip, which has a special feature that diehard fans will definitely appreciate. Pulling into what looks like a disused hospital site, we’re wondering where the guide is taking us when we turn a corner and collectively gasp. Yes, gasp. It would have been embarrassing if it hadn’t been everyone.

It was as though we’d just jumped inside our televisions.

It was as surreal as one of Bouncer’s dreams. We were surrounded by the bizarrely small and flimsy sets from the show, including Carpenters Mechanics, the coffee shop and my personal favourite, Kerry Mangel’s grave (it was an emotional moment).

brilliantly cheesy fun. Soon we’re heading for the hallowed turf itself – Pin Oak Court, otherwise known as the one and only Ramsay Street.

“But it’s so small,” mutters one girl to her boyfriend as everyone clambers off the bus. I crane in to listen, thinking this conversation could get interesting, before realising she’s talking about the street. And she’s right, it’s tiny. I’m not quite sure what magical devices the film crews use or, to be honest, why they even bother, but somehow Ramsay Street seems about a quarter of the size as it is on the show. But as the age old saying goes, size doesn’t matter, and certainly not here.

Next begins the process of wandering around the quiet residential street, posing in front of random houses with the Ramsay Street sign (Karl Kennedy’s being an obvious favourite), while every now and again the real residents scuttle in and out.

“And who can remember who lived at this house?”, asks our guide. “Mrs Mangle,” chirps up the middle-aged punk, complete with skull tattoos. “She’s the only one I remember,” he adds, resuming his death stare. Yeah right.

Size doesn't matter Long gone are the playing it cool comments like, “I’m just here for my friend really,” that I had heard from just about every person on the tour. Everyone is desperate to get their picture by the Lassiter’s sign, Charlie’s Bar or Stingray’s mural (since when did Stingray die anyway? And he had a kid? Crazy!) There are no pretensions on this trip, it’s just

Obligatory photo with the road sign? Tick TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Glory days: the dream team

The start of a beautiful, er, obsession...

Fletch with our Andy way back in 2007

DOCTOR'S ORDERS:

CHATTING TO ALAN FLETCHER, AKA DR KARL Hi Alan, you’ve been in Neighbours for 18 years now.

Is it strange playing one character for so long?

It is like having a separate life. You go into the Neighbours environment, you have such strong relationships with the people you work with that you talk about every aspect of your life with them. They’re confidantes, they’re not just workmates. We do socialise a lot together. It’s not uncommon for a whole pack of us to be in one place.

You’re a regular at backpacker nights? Do you enjoy them?

They’re actually enormous fun. A lot of people say, “God, you must hate doing this?” The true reality is, when you’re doing a show like Neighbours, there’s no audience watching you do it. You make this television programme and then it goes off into the ether, there’s no one there laughing, crying, clapping or whatever, and when you go and do a Neighbours Night you get such an appreciative audience who love the show so much and love the characters. That helps you realise you’ve actually got this fantastic job, the best in the world.

Do your family get amused by all the backpackers swooning over you?

Yeah, they’re totally accustomed to the fact that that’s a part of the job. My boy finds it rather cool that dad’s playing music. Everyone’s got a very healthy perspective on it.

Are you amazed by what an institution Dr Karl has become?

You pinch yourself, you really do. You sit back and say “boy I got lucky here”. As a performer you’re very fortunate to have recognition as widespread as I’ve managed to get. I pinch myself everyday. You go home with a big smile on your face because you think there’s very few performers who get handed an opportunity like I get here.

You must get recognised a lot?

The great thing is that when people recognise me in the 16

street it’s never an invasive thing. They just go, “oh look, it’s Karl, g’day mate”.

Why do you think Neighbours is as massive as it is?

I always think Neighbours is successful because it mixes drama and comedy very well. Also, there’s very few unsympathetic characters. A lot of serial dramas are set up so there are a bunch of villains and a bunch of good guys and they’re kind of pitted against each other. Whereas in Neighbours, we’ve got Paul Robinson of course, who can be a bit malevolent, but in general it works as a very realistic community. I think it’s that sort of light touch that people find appealing.

Where do you love travelling in Oz? I love getting around Australia. I think the centre is just marvellous. Uluru and Kings Canyon and all that area.

Darwin, I love it up there. The whole Darwin, Kakadu area, down into Katherine. That’s real Australia. The West Australian coastline, down Albany way and Margaret River, is just fabulous. We do spend a lot of time as a family up in the Cairns area. We love to get up to Port Douglas. There’s a lot of beautiful places to see.

You grew up in Perth didn’t you?

I spent 20 years of my life there. I love Perth. I grew up surfing on the beaches and living in the sun. It’s a hedonist’s paradise Perth. It’s beautiful, but there weren’t enough opportunities for actors there.

So, did you like Melbourne straight away?

I just loved it. It’s a really sociable city. It’s just a terrific place to live, it’s so cultural, it’s close to beautiful holiday spots and the Great Ocean Road and all that. It’s always been the perfect place to live, plus I fell in love and married here so it’s all good. ❚

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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2/02/12 5:08 14/11/13 5:00 AMPM 5/4/13 9:40:25 AM 1/5/13 10:28:51 PM

WIN

ARE YOU SPOTTED IN THE CIRCLE?

If that’s you in the circle, send an email with a photo of yourself and the title ‘Spotted’ to tom@tntdownunder.com.

Boom! You’ve just won yourself Tigerair flights worth $500.

Like us on facebook/ tntdownunder for more party pics from the night

TNT TRAVEL SHOW November 10 2013

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CHATROOM

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AJ Hackett

The pioneer of commercial bungy jumping this month celebrates the 25th birthday of the world’s first ever site to open for business – Queenstown’s Kawarau Bridge INTERVIEW ANDREW WESTBROOK

Hi AJ. Happy anniversary!

I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since we first started jumps at the Kawarau Bridge. I’m just so proud of what we’ve both achieved in that time.

You’d be hard pushed these days to find anyone in the world who hasn’t heard of bungy jumping.

It’s a worldwide phenomenon.

Were you the first guinea pig?

No, Chris was. We just drew straws. But the first jump was only 19m high into deep water so we figured that if it went wrong we’d just go for a swim. We weren’t nervous, it was more about hoping it would work.

In 1987, you made headlines around the world by jumping off the Eiffel Tower.

How did that come about?

I was in France, as I was in the New Zealand speed skiing team, and I remember driving past the Eiffel Tower and just thinking, “that’s beautiful, I’ve got to jump off the thing”. So I went back to Paris a number of times, measured it up with fishing line and then started practicing off a bridge near where I was staying in the Alps.

Then I had to organise how to raid the tower – we couldn’t get permission obviously because it was illegal. We managed to jump off without any problems except for the Gendarmes.

How did they react?

They were completely confused! All they saw was a person hanging on a rubber band underneath the tower. They couldn’t even figure out that there must be people up on the tower still. They were just lost.

Why did you turn it into a business?

Well, basically the more I jumped in places, 20

Photo: Nick Holmes

Did you know the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club, who were the first to try out the methods of Vanuatu’s divers?

I didn’t, but a friend of mine [Chris Sigglekow] was inspired by them and he was like, “we’ve got to sort this out”. I used to do a lot of rock climbing and I was a builder so I knew about ropes and stuff. We experimented and figured out the formula.

AJ Hackett, right, with fellow Kawarau founder, Henry van Asch the more other people wanted to jump and it was costing a lot of money.

Why Queenstown?

Queenstown was, and still is, New Zealand’s premier tourism destination for people looking for a good charge, and we knew there were a couple of good bridges there. Plus I used to ski in Wanaka all the time so knew lots of people there. The Department of Conservation (DOC) owned the bridges – they started us off on a 30day trial period, then we got 60 days, six months, five years and so on.

Was the DOC a tough sell?

Yeah, it was. They’d already said, “don’t talk to us about the Kawarau Bridge, we’re not going to let you use that”. But then we stopped at the bridge and it was in a really terrible state of repair, it was going to fall into the river, so we brought that up, what if we raised a bit of money to help you fix it up. Their ears pricked up and within a few days they let us use it.

Still got your eye on records?

There’s a couple of things I’d like to do but I’m not ready for them yet. A couple of high jumps.

How high are you talking?

Ah, like 1.5 to 2km. We’ve got the technology

now. Like in our site in Macau, the 233m jump there, it’s tapered cords. The problem is you need a really, really big helicopter to do it from.

Your highest so far?

My highest is 280m, but that was from 500m up.

What’s your most memorable jump?

The one that really stands out is one that didn’t actually come off, which was the Statue of Liberty in New York. I tried to jump off that but we got caught. That would have been amazing.

The idea was to climb the outside of the tower and jump from the torch, then try to get out of the country before they realised.

What’s the attraction of extreme sports?

I suppose I just love the environment that you do that sort of thing in. I love the land, I love the ocean and the bush, I’ve been brought up in it and I’m kind of lost without it in a way.

I like to push the limits a little bit, you know.

As long as you’re just having pure fun and it’s not affecting anybody else then it’s alright.

I think it’s good for human beings to go beyond their comfort zone, I think that’s really what the essence of bungy is – people have to first of all trust the people operating the system, then it’s all about getting past that thing of what if it all goes wrong.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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FILMREVIEW

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FRUITVALE STATION FILM review by Rory Platt STARRING: Michael B Jordan, Melonie Diaz | 85mins | M | Out now

ESCAPE PLAN FILM STARRING: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger | CTC | 115mins

It’s like the last 20 years didn’t happen as Sly and Arnie team up to bash some skulls and flex muscles in this prison escape actioner. Stallone is wrongly convicted and sent to prison, where he and his cellmate (Arnie) hatch a plan to make a bid for freedom, aided by 50 Cent’s tech expert.

Out Nov 28

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A fantastically well-made movie already being tipped for big things come awards season, Fruitvale Station tells the truly tragic story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old African-American man shot by a transit police officer in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 2009.

The Forest Whitaker-produced film starts with an actual eyewitness recording of the incident in which Oscar and several of his friends were held by police following a fight on the train, right before he was shot in the back while being placed in handcuffs.

From this raw and shocking introduction we are taken back to before the incident and through a partially speculative depiction of what Oscar’s last day looked like. The impression we get as an audience is that of a young man who was, as many people do, taking the New Year as an opportunity to turn his life around. Knowing that Oscar won’t make it past the incident on Fruitvale Station imposes a sincere hope that everything will turn out alright for him, even though we already know it won’t. The buildup is tense and the climax itself is extremely heated, inspiring nothing short of both fury and utter helplessness. I almost found myself yelling at the screen out of sheer futility for Oscar.

Ultimately, Fruitvale Station is a beautifully told story that tangles with an emotionally distressing subject. If any film this year will make your blood boil while breaking your heart, it is this one.

GOOD FOR: Anyone with a sense of social justice or a heart not encased in ice.

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WORLDVIEW

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Ah, man. That’s got to hurt

THAT MUST TAKE SOME COBBLES

RUSSIA

In a fairly bizarre and highly painful show of protest, a Russian artist has nailed his scrotum to the cobbled streets of Moscow’s Red Square.

Pyotr Pavlensky, the artist behind this bizarre protest, told the world’s media he was trying to call attention to the fact that Russia has descended into a ‘police state’.

“The performance can be seen as a metaphor for the apathy, political indifference and fatalism of contemporary Russian society,” Pavlensky said in a statement he released.

Pavlensky spent more than an hour naked, nailed to the street before he was taken to hospital for treatment. He was arrested after being treated.

NOT SO CUTE AND CUDDLY AFTER ALL

Photos: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA

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A new archaeological discovery in Australia has shown that the ancestors of the modern platypus was terrifying.

Scientists discovered a single, but highly distinctive, tooth in Queensland that they say belonged to a now extinct type of platypus that they have compared to Godzilla in terms of its ferocity.

“We’d never seen anything this big so it really knocked our socks off to think that platypus could get this big,” said Professor Mike Archer who described the animal as about twice the size of its modern relative.

Professor Archer says that the find may well call into question the long term viability of the platypus as a species – given

You’re never too old: a 100-year-old American man, Vernon Maynard, had wanted to go skydiving his entire life. So, finally, when his 100th birthday rolled around he got some friends to tee it up for him. “I am just tickled to death,”

how varied the animal’s evolutionary tree has become with this finding.

“Platypus Godzilla. You can imagine the humorous scenes where somebody looks at the modern platypus and says, ‘That’s not a platypus’, and and then picks up this monster and says, ‘That’s a platypus’.”

Yeah, that’s hilarious, prof. Stick to your day job, champ.

ARE THEY CELEBRITIES, REALLY? AUSTRALIA

The UK’s favourite show that most people in Australia has never heard of is back for another season. That’s right folks, it’s I’m a Celebrity... time again.

Brisbane airport was even busier as

usual on November 14 as the contestants jetted into Australia to take part on the show. According to the Daily Mirror, David Emmanuel (whoever that is) was the first to arrive.

Amongst Emmanuel’s fellow contestants, there’s also an Olympian, an EastEnder and Joey Essex [pictured], from TOWIE. Joey is apparently one to keep an eye on to be crowned ‘King of the Jungle’.

Paddy Power’s got him at 15/8 odds.

Lucky him.

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THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS 16

Years a 31-year-old woman from Monaco – who now has heart problems – has been drinking soda every day

Height, in metres, of rubbish a landlord found inside a house in London he bought at an auction for £450k

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Utter devastation

FILIPINO RESIDENTS URGED TO FLEE

PHILLIPINES

The mayor of typhoon-ravaged Tacloban City in the Philippines has urged residents of the city to flee the area as conditions worsen.

Mayor Alfred S Romualdez issued his appeal amidst reports of bodies rotting in the streets and a breakdown of law and order among the starving survivers.

“We are witnessing the complete devastation of a city,” said Lynette Lim, a resident of the shattered city. “In Tacloban everything is flattened. Bodies litter the street, many, many of which are children.”

The governments of Britain, the USA and Australia have all already began sending aid to the country.

TAKE THE BATMAN INTO CUSTODY

SINGAPORE

A minor social media star, famous because of his unusual name, has been jailed for 33 months.

Singaporean Batman bin Suparman, 23, received the sentence after being arrested and charged on theft and drug charges.

Suparman first made headlines when his ID card made it onto the internet in 2008.

Since then, a Facebook page in his honour has attracted 11,000 fans, while there have been over 15,000 tweets featuring his name.

According to a BBC language expert,

Amount, in millions of pounds, scooped on the EuroMillions by an 18-year-old British man.

Lend us a fiver?

Number of tarantulas Juan Pablo Orellana, in Chile, exports around the world in a year – some as big as a hand

I’m the Batman the name ‘Suparman’ is common in Java, Indonesia, where his family is from. Batman however is not.

His first name remains more of a mystery, with some language experts suggesting it’s the result of parents with a sense of humour.

LOCK BEFORE YOU BLOW A LOAD USA

Male chastity devices – yes, for whatever reason they’re a thing – are now apparently in such high demand that they’re designer made.

A company called CB–X, the selfproclaimed ‘world leaders in male chastity’ say their new line of male chastity belts aren’t just for wayward hubbies. We’ll let this blurb from their website explain.

“Male chastity devices restrict a man from touching his genitals for sexual pleasure. The male chastity device gives the Keyholder control over the sexual fulfillment of both partners by denying the wearer the touch he has had all of his life.”

1.5

30,000

QUOTE OF THE WEEK If only Marx had remained a foreign correspondent, the world might be a different place Clive Palmer promising to be a proper politician, even while taking another pop at Rupert Murdoch. He’s certainly no JFK look-a-like...

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SPORTNEWS

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Meet Jake Doran, future star

TAKING THE POMS BACK TO SCHOOL

CRICKET

A 16-year-old member of the Australian under-19 side has been picked in the Chairman’s XI side to take on England before the Ashes.

Jake Doran, from the suburb of Fairfield in Western Sydney, will be given a chance to play for an Australian Chairman’s XI against England in one of the final warm-up games before the second Test in Adelaide. England have complained about the quality of the opposition that they have faced so far in the warm-up games and certainly won’t want a 16-year-old without any first class experience to get on top of them.

The two-day game is to be played in Alice Springs and will also offer a number of fringe players, as well as two players from the Northern Territory, a chance to play on the big stage. One-time Test player Michael Beer will captain the side.

KANGAROOS TO CLAMP DOWN RUGBY LEAGUE

After star fullback Billy Slater spent a night in prison following a ‘scuffle’ outside a Manchester nightclub, the Australian camp has vowed to crack down on late night drinking sessions.

Australian team members must now inform team management of their whereabouts and set a time for their return to the hotel. Curfews and alcohol bans have not been put in place but a furious Australian coach Tim Sheens left his team with little doubt that they need to turn their attention to winning the World Cup when he addressed the squad this week.

“I’ve spoken to the senior playing group and I think they understand where we’re at 26

Adam Scott of Australia plays an approach shot on the 12th hole during round one of the 2013 Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne Golf Course. Scott hopes that good performances at the end of 2013 will propel him forward into 2014.

with a sudden-death series. I think we’ll see pretty much a self-imposed issue,” Sheens said. Australia take on the USA in the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Finals.

GO FORTH AND PLAY, APOSTOLOS FOOTBALL

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged fringe striker Apostolos Vellios to go out on loan and play some games or risk damaging his Everton career.

The Greek striker did enjoy a run of games, albeit mainly as a substitute, under David Moyes, but he hasn’t played a single minute under the former Swansea manager. “Tolos has got the potential to be a terrific number nine... But he needs to be playing 90 minutes,” said Martinez.

BIG WEEK FOR ...

In the 2012/13 season, Germany seemed to rise to the top in terms of the rest of European football. At the heart of this sudden renaissance were two clubs – Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich – who appeared in the Champions League final at the expense of clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Milan.

When these two powerhouses of German (and European) club football go head-to-head it should be a game worth watching. Jurgen Klopp [pictured] as Dortmund coach has a job ahead of him though.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK “He is a simple human being and a good man.

He met the oldest living Test cricketer in India and touched his feet Former Cricket Club of India selector Milind Rege on Sachin Tendulkar

‘He’s big, he’s blue...’ Belgian Romelu Lukaku has won over his new fans

PREVIEW THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY EVERTON VS LIVERPOOL

NOV 23, 11.45PM, FOX SPORTS 1 The game, known as the ‘friendly derby’ (despite having produced the most red cards of any fixture in recent Premier League history), is set to be played for the 221st time.

Both Liverpool and Everton have started this still relatively new Premier League season strongly. As TNT goes to press, Liverpool sit in second place, just two points behind Arsenal in the table, while Everton,

under new boss Roberto Martinez, lie in sixth place, just three points behind.

What will be even more pleasing for Toffee fans around the world is the way in which Everton have taken to the new method of playing which Martinez has implimented in the relatively short time he’s been at the club’s helm. Some of the football Everton have played, particularly against Aston Villa and Newcastle was some of the best seen at Goodison Park in living memory. Deadline day loan signing Romelu Lukaku has also proven to be a tremendous hit. Should be a cracker of a game.

THE CHAT | How old is too old to debut?

Photos:Getty

will 31-year-old debutant, George Bailey Q How fare making his debut in an Ashes Test? Is he ready to play Test match cricket or not?

Who is really to say. While a lot can be learnt about a cricketer A by looking at their averages (and, to be fair, Bailey’s are bang average) there’s something very different about being out in the middle playing for your country. Representing your nation is the pinnacle for any professional sports person and George Bailey has been in and around the Australian set up for a long time. Also, his form in the recent ODI series against India has shown that he can perform on the big stage and in front of big crowds.

I do think [people forget my age], not just because I’ve been around a long time, but people hear I’ve got two kids. It’s not often you hear about a 21-year-old with two kids.

Arsenal and England midfielder Aaron Ramsey reminds us he’s still very young.

Mind you, having two kids is a bit less stressful when earning 100 grand a week

TV HIGHLIGHTS CRICKET Australia vs England First day of the first Ashes Test Thur, Nov 21, 10.30am. Channel 9

FOOTBALL Cardiff City v Man Utd Round 12 of the EPL continues Mon, Nov 25, 3am. Fox Sports 3

RUGBY LEAGUE The WC Grand Final George Bailey

The final of the Rugby League World Cup from Cardiff Stadium Sat, Nov 30, 1am. Channel 7 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Testing times The Ashes finally get underway in Brisbane this week, but who will be fit enough to play?

WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

For Australia, injury doubts linger over mercurial allrounder Shane Watson and captain Michael Clarke, while in the English camp, seemingly serious injuries to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and powerhouse batsman Kevin Pietersen may well yet see both players miss at least the first match at The Gabba, if not further games in the series.

Australia is also likely to go into the first Ashes Test with a debutant for the second time in as many series. Tasmanian and Australian One Day International captain George Bailey is all but guaranteed to become Australia’s 435th Test player after being named in the provisional 12-man squad.

Meanwhile the English preparations for the first Test have been thrown into disarray with inclement weather conditions washing out a three-day game in Tasmania. This leaves a number of both fringe and established players with little to no time in the middle going into the all-important first Test of the series.

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thought the number six berth in the Australian order had been up for grabs between Bailey and fellow Tasmanian Alex Doolan. While Doolan’s first class average is more impressive than Bailey’s (Doolan averages a shade over 40 as opposed to Bailey’s average of 35) it seems the ODI captain’s red-hot form in the recent India series has earned him the nod ahead of his counterpart.

KP source Kevin Pietersen might need cortisone injections in his knee if he stands any chance of playing in this series at all, let alone the first Test in Brisbane but, if he’s worried about anything, he certainly isn’t showing it.

KP tweeted recently that, “I AM FINE #relax”, despite having gone for scans and injections for his troublesome knee that very day.

While the England camp remain quietly confident that Pietersen will take his place for the first Test, bigger doubts hang over Matt Prior, who suffered a mild calf tear during a warm-up game in Hobart. Jonny Bairstow will likely come into the team as wicketkeeper if Prior is forced out.

Devil’s advocate

Davey’s locker

Australia’s middle order has been a problem for selectors in the last two or three years, with eight or nine different batsman being tried in the number three, four and six positions. Australian selector John Inverarity seems to think he’s found a long-term answer to this problem in Tasmanian batsman George Bailey.

“His performance in ODI cricket has been outstanding,” the chairman of the selectors told reporters at last week’s team selection announcement. “Since he started 18 months ago he’s been our best-performed one-day player in terms of average, aggregate runs, strike-rate.”

In the days preceding the announcement it had been

Explosive batsman and part-time pantomime villain David Warner will likely open the batting at the top of the Australian order alongside Chris Rogers. An odder couple you aren’t likely to find anywhere in cricket.

While both their personalities and techniques stand poles apart, they could, in theory anyway, prove to be a useful combination. Rogers is a traditional top order batsman: methodical, cautious and compact; whereas Warner is all brash and bravado, preferring to throw the bat at something out wide than push it into a gap. If the two gel it could be a great partnership.

There is no doubt that, on his day, Dave Warner is one

Photos: Getty

The buildup to the first Ashes test – starting this Thursday, November 21 – has been dominated more by the question of who won’t be taking their places in the two nation’s first 11s, than who will be.

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High hopes: Australia believe ODI star George Bailey could be the answer

Cook and Carberry: England’s new opening pair? of world cricket’s most exciting and dangerous batsman and he certainly has the shots in his locker. It is his inconsistency and propensity for getting himself out cheaply (and quickly) in Test matches, however, that might give some Aussie fans sleepless nights.

Miked man Who is Michael Carberry? Well, if the 33-year-old’s performance against Australia A in Hobart was anything to go by, he’s likely to be Alistair Cook’s opening partner when the first ball of the series is bowled.

Carberry scored 153 not out in the rain-affected warmup match at the Blundstone Arena, catapulting the county cricket veteran into contention for a second Test cap and a first since 2010. Carberry’s story is all the more remarkable given that he recovered from near fatal blood clots on his lungs to resume his cricket career. His impressive performances so far in the series have drawn praise from England’s batting coach, Graham Gooch.

“Michael took his chance in the first game and we wanted to see a little more of him. He’s done his chances no harm and Joe Root batted in the middle order when he started, so those options are open.” ❚

ORDER OF PLAY: ASHES FIXTURES 1ST TEST: The Gabba, Brisbane, Nov 21-25 2ND TEST: Adelaide Oval, Dec 5-9 3RD TEST: The Waca, Perth, Dec 13-17 4TH TEST: The MCG, Melbourne, Dec 26-30 5TH TEST: The SCG, Sydney, Jan 3-7 ODIs: Jan 12 (Melbourne), Jan 17 (Brisbane), Jan 19 (Sydney), Jan 24 (Perth), Jan 26 (Adelaide) T20s: Jan 29 (Hobart), Jan 31 (Melbourne), Feb 2 (Sydney) TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Photos: SATC, Thinkstock, AJ Hackett

ON YER BIKE! Actor Samuel Johnson (The Secret Life Of Us) unicycles off AJ Hackett’s Cairns bungy platform as part of his bid to raise $1 million for breast cancer research.

INSIDE

THE WILD ONES

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With enough wildlife to make it seem like an open zoo, it’s no surprise Kangaroo Island is known as the Galapagos of Australia.

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IT’S WINE TIME /46

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We take our whore of a palate to the Barossa Valley and wonder if siring a child would be worth it for a free crate of wine.

Hollywood good-looking beaches, elephant rides through the jungle, top food and crazy parties. Yes, Thailand definitely has it all.

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HOT TIPS: Using shutter speeds WIN If you are starting to use the manual mode of your camera and trying to get some action shots, start with the ‘TV’ setting.

This stands for ‘Time Value’ and refers to the shutter speed, or the amount of time the shutter is open, allowing light to reach the sensor. Fast shutter speeds will stop action, such as waves at the beach or a bird flying. Slow shutter speeds will show movement, which can make things look blurry, but once mastered can help bring life to moving images like waterfalls or night scenes with moving lights.

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Chicago police have released photos of a woman believed to have dumped her pet alligator at the US city’s O’Hare International Airport.

CCTV footage shows the woman carrying the hapless reptile under her arm while travelling on the train to the airport at around 3am in the morning. The sickly three-year-old alligator, wittily nicknamed “Allie” by police, was spotted under a Terminal 3 escalator by an alarmed traveller at 10am the next morning. Allie, about 2ft long, is now being nursed back to health by volunteers at the Chicago Herpetalogical Society. Suffering from poor diet and the cold, Allie just “needs time to recover,” said police.

DEATH ROW DRUGS A British woman is about to find out if she is to be given the death penalty, after admitting to the trafficking of 1.4kg of crystal methamphetamine into Indonesia. Andrea Waldeck, a 43-year-old former police worker from Gloucestershire, was arrested in her Surabaya hotel room in April, and will be back in court for her sentencing hearing on November 25. She maintains that she was forced to travel with the drugs from China. A second British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, 57, is currently fighting her death sentence for smuggling 4.8kg of cocaine.

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Really wild show: (clockwise) The Remarkables; a sea lion at Seal Bay; charging down Little Sahara; more Remarkables; fringed lizard

Kangaroo Island

Photos: SATC, Don Fuchs, Thinkstock

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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The wild isle With enough wildlife to make it like an open zoo, it’s no surprise that Kangaroo Island is known as the Galapagos of Australia WORDS IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

Rain and wind blowing at a maddening 140km/hr had turned the Gulf St Vincent, on South Australia’s coast, into a mess of white-tipped breakers and lashing sea spray. When the Sealink vehicle ferry at Cape Jervis tries to depart, its hull is bashed against the jetty and the service is indefinitely put on hold. And so is my mission to visit Kangaroo Island – a lonely, isolated place regarded as the Galapagos of Australia for its incredibly rich and unique wildlife.

But I couldn’t wait long. Three months later I find myself back on the Sealink ferry, clutching a paper bag, as waves the size of semi-trailers sweep under the bow. Fortunately the wind blows at a relatively calm 25km/hr and it’s a short ride to the disembarkation point at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island’s near-comatose port. With rows of beach shacks overlooking a bone-white beach where little penguins come out to play at night in the bluest waters this side of Tahiti, Penneshaw is all some holidaymakers see of KI – as locals tend to call it.

But like most of the 140,000 people who visit Australia’s third largest island every year, my three-day itinerary is chocka-block with wildlife sanctuaries, marine parks, beaches, restaurants, wineries, galleries and more. Topping the list is Flinders Chase National Park – an open zoo half the size of Singapore which is 150km to the west of Penneshaw.

Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser reported surviving seaman William Mitchell saying, “I never saw anything like the sea before, which could not be equalled by Cape Horn or on any other coast to which I have been.”

“

Nothing diminishes the pleasure of seeing a seal pup chase after its mum In 1907, more than a century after Baudin logged the cape’s treacherous underwater reefs, the South Australian Marine Board commissioned the building of a 25m-high sandstone lighthouse to prevent further loss of life. Rising monolith-like over a stark, barren headland, the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse is testament to the endurance of KI’s early settlers. Despite the altruistic nature of their work,

” ››

Flinders Chase offers protection to endemic KI fauna like timid short-beaked echidnas, boisterous glossy black cockatoos and deadly black tiger snakes, plus iconic Aussie critters such as the koala and platypus. There are vast swaths of native bushland in which to find peace and solitude, as well as campsites, walking tracks and rivers to explore. But the park’s main attraction is Cape du Couedic, a windswept peninsula on the very southern tip of the island.

Named by French navigator Nicolas Baudin in 1803, the cape’s jagged cliffs and hammering surf claimed the worst of KI’s 80-odd shipwrecks. Among them was the Loch Soy, a Scottish schooner that saw 31 of its 34 passengers and crew lost at sea when it was dashed against the rocks in 1899.

Photos: SATC, Cameron Bloom

On the rocks

Escaping the crowds isn’t a problem on KI TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Photos: SATC, Brett Sheriden, Adam Taylor

The Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse, at sunset

the keepers who manned it led stoic, joyless existences until the lighthouse was automated in 1957. Fresh food and fuel were delivered only four times a year, shipped in from the mainland and winched up the cliffs with a flying fox.

A few kilometres east of the fox’s battered remains is a bizarre geological rock formation called the Remarkables.

This dome-like cluster of boulders was created 500 million years ago when molten lava rose to the surface. Over time, seawater entered the many cracks and crevices, leaving salt rings that crystallised and expanded. The remaining shapes resemble the cracked skulls and broken bones of an ancient giant, making the Remarkables KI’s most photographed spot.

Another rock of note is Admiral’s Arch – a seaside amphitheatre on the western point of the cape home to a colony of globally endangered New Zealand fur seals. Prized for their luxuriant pelts and fat used to make fuel, lubricants and oil, they were hunted to the point of near extinction in the early 19th century. And while fur seal populations at KI have returned with a vengeance, attempts to rejuvenate Australian sea lions are yet to bare fruit.

The lion’s share The rarest of all seal species, only 15,000 Australian sea lions remain in the wild today. The largest and most accessible known colony lies an hour’s drive east of Cape du Couedic at the Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve, where up to 1,000 of these seemingly lethargic creatures spend their days sleeping on a windy beach. “When people first started coming here to see the sea lions in the 1950s, they were all la-di-da about it, getting too close and disturbing them. Many people got 40

bitten,” says ranger Clarence Kennedy. “What they didn’t understand is that sea lions spend up to three days at a time hunting for fish and avoiding sharks in the sea. So when they come in and lie on the beach, they’re exhausted and want to sleep. How would you like someone walking into your bedroom and throwing sand at you?” Access to the

“

Fresh food was only delivered four times a year, winched up the cliffs

”

beach today is restricted and visitors must join guided tours that give the sea lions a generous buffer zone. Yet the rules don’t diminish the pleasure of seeing a seal pup chase after its mum, or two 300kg males exchanging barks and bites in a turf war. “It’s not about interaction,” Kennedy says. “It’s about watching. And these guys know how to put on a show.”

I spend the night at Kingscote, KI’s largest town, home to half of the island’s 4,200 inhabitants. Set on a tree-lined headland that divides the Bay of Shoals and Nepean Bay on the island’s north coast, Kingscote changes from a sleepy little village in the morning, to a bustling retail hub at noon, then back to its somnolent self before nightfall. A shop assistant tells me about a Chinese tourist who once asked a policeman (there are three on the island) if a state of emergency had

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OUT H COME ERE ADVE S LOO NTUR E K I N G Experi FOR Y en South ce nature an OU. Austra d wild li li fe a. Dive Port L incoln with G like never b . efore i r Swim Eyre P n with se eat White S eninsu h a a l rks at a li o ns a n . Have unique d dolp ap w hin stars s ildlife of Kan ersonal enc ounter s on the urroun garoo d I with th s ed by Get on e the an land. Camp the jou c u ient Fli nde r t rney to h n e d e rs R w w w. discov so u t h a a n g es er the . u s t ra l u n s een Au ia.com stralia .

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been declared after wandering out of his hotel on a Saturday afternoon and seeing the stores had all shut.

Kingscote boasts sensational little restaurants serving up surprisingly sophisticated dishes made of morning-caught seafood and KI’s famous organic produce. With the wind blowing a gale, I decide to spend the day investigating, starting at Kangaroo Island Spirits on Playford Highway.

“

The shapes resemble the cracked skull and bones of an ancient giant

”

“Spirits have been distilled on KI for more than 200 years,” says owner John Lark. “The sealers were without doubt making their own whisky. In 1860, when word got out that a 500-tonne schooner carrying a lot of whisky had been shipwrecked at Snug Cove, half of Kingscote rowed out to collect the bottles. They spent two days partying on the cliffs.”

Lark uses local botanicals like native juniper, wild fennel and lemon myrtle to make anisette, limoncello and wild gin. The

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same philosophy – keep it local, keep it fresh – is applied down the road at the Island Bee Hive. Nothing is added to honey bottled here, though different varietals are cultivated by changing what the bees eat.

“We produce flavours like stingy bark, which is smoky, and cap gum, which has hints of caramel, by placing the beehives next to those plants,” says sales assistant Christine Robinson. “We also make a wide range of beeswax products – candles, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and a natural antibiotic called ‘propolis’ the bees collect from the leaves. Nothing is wasted.”

Food, glorious food KI honey is also used to sweeten tubs of sheep’s milk yoghurt at Island Pure dairy on Gum Nut Creek Road – one of only three commercial sheep dairy farms in Australia.

“There are thousands of sheep dairy farms in Europe,” says owner Justin Harman. “But most attempts to bring milking sheep breeds over here failed; the sheep producing 40 per cent less milk. We had the same problem at first, but after 20 years of finding which breeds work better, we are now getting comparable results.”

In addition to sheep yogurt and spicy lamb chorizo, Harman makes a selection of sheep cheese: Kefalotiri, a smooth, creamy cheese from Greece; Manchego, a semi-mature cheese with a mellow but rounded flavor; and Haloumi, a Cyprian cheese eaten hot: pan-fried or barbecued with a squeeze of lemon.

The relentless wind vanishes into thin air on my last day and the thermometer hits 36°C. I spend it charging through the fringing reefs of the north coast aboard a high-speed inflatable boat. Our guide, Andrew Neighbour of Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, points out pelicans, sea eagles, albatross and osprey fishing in gin-clear waters as we approach Emu Bay for KI’s pièce de résistance: the chance to swim with bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins are elusive today, though we do cross paths with ghost-like manta rays and a few harmless bronze whaler sharks. But Neighbour continues the search, taking us to another bay where towering 200m-high cliffs – the tallest on the Australian continent – bare down on a beach crawling with seals.

There are no dolphins there either but the boat’s radar identifies a large school of wild Australian salmon directly beneath us.

I throw in a fishing line and within seconds hook a feisty 4kg salmon that pulls off a series of impressive manoeuvres in an attempt to dislodge the hook. It manages to get away, though I successfully bring in another a few minutes later.

The rush is superb yet pails in comparison to what I experience half an hour later when a pair of dolphins swim over to say hello. Taking care not to make a splash, I slip into the water and swim around with these incredibly agile creatures. I always thought dolphins were small, but these are nearly 3m long. “The reason we get such good interaction with them is because the minimal boat traffic and interference here,” Neighbour says.

“We don’t upset their daily routines, so for now, they are accepting of us.” ❚

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Ultimate biters Off South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, meanwhile, is one of the scariest wildlife encounters you’ll experience. Anywhere WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Shaaaaark!

The day of the cage finally arrives and I’m up at dawn. We spend a few hours heading around the coast to the Neptune Islands before, with a giant splash, the metal cage is dropped off the back of the boat, along with a couple of tuna carcasses. And then the waiting game begins.

It’s barely half an hour before the first, “Shaaaark!” yell goes out and we all scamper to the side. It’s a big one. Four, maybe five metres long. Seeing such a massive predator circling the boat, its fin carving through the water, is intimidating to say the least.

With that sighting goes out the call for cage volunteers.

I hang back. I’d been tipped off that the later you go, the more likely you are to see more sharks, so I let the tension mount. That’s the real reason. Honest. The hours pass. Sharks come and go, worried faces get into cages and grinning, slightly demented, ones get out. Finally, it’s my turn.

44

I’m the first of my group of four to take the plunge and find myself at the front of a cage with a worrying large gap (apparently, if a shark does get its nose inside, it can’t open its mouth...). For the next 45 adrenalin-pumping

“

It’s for good reason Spielberg chose these waters to film Jaws

”

minutes, I’m glued to the spot, starstruck. I’ve no idea how many giant sharks I see, perhaps three (they kinda look the same), but I see them a lot. And oh so close. But the strange thing is that’s it’s in no way scary, just truly magnificent.

Watching these giant killers feeding in their natural habitat, while looking you in the eye, is quite simply something I’ll never forget. Needless to say, I was the last out of the cage, demented grin firmly in place. ❚

You can’t handle the tooth

Photo: SATC, Calypso Star Charters

I’m staring bright-eyed at a school of frenzied fish devouring a lump of tuna, when SMACK, the cage I’m in is rocked to the side. Looking over my shoulder in shock, I’m overwhelmed with a love for metal bars I never thought possible. The reason? It’s the only thing separating me from the giant, violently-thrashing great white shark just inches from my face.

I’m in the chilly Southern Ocean waters off the Neptune Islands, by Port Lincoln, a place famous for two things above all else – some of the world’s tastiest tuna and some of that tunas’ biggest fans, great white sharks.

It’s for good reason that Steven Spielberg chose these South Australian waters off the Eyre Peninsula to film the real sharks in Jaws. They just so happen to be a favourite holiday destination for the world’s biggest predatory fish.

Nestled between the Great Australian Bight to the west, the Spencer Gulf to the east and the Gawler Ranges to the north, the Eyre is a vast area that boasts some of Australia’s cutest, scariest and most downright surreal animal experiences. But it’s definitely the scary that I’m here for this time.

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Wine time: (clockwise) Admiring Seppeltsfield’s barrels; working the basket press at Radford Wines; stomping the Barossa grapes; looking out over the lake at Maggie’s Farm Shop

Barossa Valley SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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Barossa for beginners We take our whore of a palate to the Barossa Valley, and wonder if siring a child would be worth it for a free crate of wine WORDS DAMIAN HALL

I hate wine tasting. It’s not that I don’t like wine – I do, it’s brilliant (all the usual bonuses of alcohol, plus, unlike some Aussie beers, it actually tastes good). It’s the tasting bit I find troublesome. It’s not the occasional rah-de-rah vino snobs who can irk with their: “Hmmm... I’m getting cinnamon... mahogany... eggs...” They’re fine, really. If they keep spitting the magic water out you’ll soon be having heaps more fun than them anyhoo. The thing I don’t like about a day waltzing between wineries is that I just can’t taste the difference.

Sure, I can tell a red wine from a white wine, and a sweet from a dry, but that’s about it. My dumbass palate doesn’t know the difference between sauvignon blanc and a mouldy sausage. To me, it all tastes good. My palate is a wine slag.

It’ll accept any offer, however cheap and unsophisticated (well, apart from lambrusco, obviously). Which, now I come to think of it, isn’t actually a massive problem. But it means I’ll generally buy the cheapest plonk. Which looks bad at dinner parties (so I’m told).

As I boarded the bus at some ungodly hour in Adelaide, I promised myself I’d make a genuine studious effort to appreciate the subtleties of the much-vaunted grape juice of the Barossa Valley – Australia’s most famous wine region.

I was going to teach my palate to end its whoring ways.

”Bugger off,” I said by way of a jovial reply. But the birds didn’t do jovial. They went nuts: suddenly bombing maniacally about the cage, slamming into the metal and squawking at

“

I promise myself I’m going to teach my palate to end its whoring ways

”

ear-splitting volume, as if I’d just told them cockatoos are the vilest creatures on earth. Or maybe they were jealous of my mohawk? Vile creatures.

Next stop was the Whispering Wall; the wall of a dam rumoured to have rare acoustic qualities. Half the group walked the 140m to the other side of the wall and waited.

Sure enough, a moment later we could hear Matt, our guide, whispering as if right next to us. “Watch this”, he hushed. ››

Photos: Thinkstock, SATC, Sven Kovac, Dragan Radocaj

Bugger off A quick bit of history. The valley was settled by Lutheran Germans, on the run from religious persecution, in the 1840s.

As Germany in general became notably unpopular around the time of World War I, the language diminished and many place names were changed. The Mediterranean-like climate means it’s a Valhalla for grape growing and there are now more than 50 wineries. That’s a lot of plonk.

But before we got there, we stopped off for a welcome tea break and a quizzical ogle at the world’s Largest Rocking Horse. There was also a large cage, home to half a dozen cockatoos. “Hello” said one of them, catching me completely off guard and causing me to spill some of my tea in surprise.

“Yes, I can definitely smell, er, alcohol...”

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We saw the other group silently clap above their heads and we counted... one... two... three... four... five... and, finally, heard: “CLAP.” We were all quite astonished. Not only does it carry sound but it had slowed it right down. How clever.

Back on the bus Matt admitted they had done a fake clap, to make it seem like a longer pause. Oh, how the other group laughed at our gullible astonishment. The cads.

“

Looking out over the Seppeltsfield Winery

It’s not long before the wine is greasing the social wheels

”

Matt was very useful at schooling us in a few vino vitals.

Firstly, your tastebuds are most effective in the mornings; you should drink white before red (it just works better that way); you should only hold the stalk of the glass with white wine (it’s best served chilled and you’ll heat it up). Plus, there’s the universal four S’s: sight, smell, swirl, savour. I listened like an attentive student. This time I was going to learn stuff. Be gone wanton harlot of a palate!

Top tipples To make sure we didn’t start lagging behind our schedule, before our first winery stop Matt said the last person back on the bus had to tell a joke. This could be fun, I thought. There are Germans on board. Then we pulled up outside the everso-famous Jacob’s Creek. We were treated to eight top tipples,

including a wonderfully silky port. With Matt’s careful tuition I was able to recognise some subtle differences. Riesling was more refreshing. The cabernet sauvignon noticeably drier.

The shiraz felt fuller and a bit peppery. The port? Hmmmm, yeah... Just gorgeous... I was so self-satisfied with myself I splashed out on a bottle of riesling. We all posed for pictures by the famous Jacob’s Creek sign (not the real one, a fake put aside for us photo-happy tourists) before heading on to the next winery, Bethany. With the wine having greased the social wheels, the group began to bond, the Germans told some jokes (we laughed politely) and Matt told us about a couple who had been on his trip a few years back. Legend has it that two strangers had got on so well, that when they met up again in Cairns a few months later, one told the other he was going to be a father. They reckon they passed on the crucial fluids on the back of the bus, outside the Bethany winery.

When little Bethany was born they wrote to tell the winery and the winemakers responded by sending them a crate every year on their child’s birthday.

A free crate! Every year! A child seemed a small price to pay. I quickly scanned the group to see if there might be any like-minded individuals. But, alas, it seemed not (not yet, at least). Bethany had plenty more great plonk and I left with a bottle of equally silky port under my arm.

The slag returns Just when you’ve got the hang of the reds and whites...

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It’s around here that my memory begins to get a bit fuzzy, but we probably called in at Richmond Grove Winery next. Which was equally excellent, full of tasty tipples. All of which were sampled. There’s one problem with wine tasting: the alcohol.

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Avoid places that make you open your own bottles

Best of the rest Here’s five other Aussie wine regions with tasty tipples well worth taking a tour of to try.

The girls were getting cuter and my palate was getting increasingly blunted – easier and easier to please. It just kept saying “yum yum, more of that please”, and, “hey there, if you’re not going to finish that...?”. After a brief hiatus, the slag had returned.

We had a very tasty barbecue lunch, with a bit more wine (hic), on the lawn outside a winery. My notes are increasingly muddled from this point. But we seemed to have called in at Vinecrest Winery. Which must have been very nice, because I’ve written “yum, ace yum in yum, the yum hole yum” in big letters, as well as “hmm, minty”, and “yikes, but she’s Swiss”. And something about a wine dog being asleep on the grass.It seemed my newly found penchant for wine connoisseurship had been something of a false dawn.

Though, showing outrageous disregard for my budget, my bottle count was now four.

It was a wonderful day, all in. Barossa is a beautiful place, with friendly people and fun tour guides. Highly recommended. Regrettably, I was last back on the bus at the last stop and was put in the extremely perilous position of having to tell a joke... pissed. Gulp.

Here goes. What’s brown and sticky? [Pause for dramatic effect.] A stick. Boom boom. It seemed I was as good at telling jokes as I was at wine tasting. I think the (Swiss) girl at the back smiled. I’ll go and sit by her. ❚ Groovy Grape Getaways do Barossa Valley day tours from Adelaide, which include four wine tasting sessions and a BBQ lunch, for $90 groovygrape.com.au; Adelaide Central YHA has beds from $27.50/night yha.com.au

Margaret River, Western Australia Ideal humidity and climate during growing seasons and rich soil means the 138 wineries in this region, just south of Perth, produce consistently high quality reds and whites. Cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blancs are the principle varieties produced, but shiraz and verdelho are also popular.

Hunter Valley, New South Wales The Hunter region, just north of Sydney, holds the dubious honour of being both the warmest and wettest of Aussie wine producing regions. Despite (or perhaps even because of this) the region produces some of the country’s best desert wines, as well as quality merlots.

Clare Valley, South Australia Cool nights and a relatively high altitude mean Clare Valley fruit ripens slower and more evenly than in other places. This allows for wineries in the Clare to produce beautifully dry rieslings.

North-west Tasmania The Island State’s southerly latitude and much lower temperatures mean wineries, particularly in the state’s north-west, can produce delicate pinot noirs as well as traditionally produced sparkling wines.

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Marginal, maritime climates and hilly terrain makes this region perfect for producing blends such as pinot gris and, in limited numbers, pinot noirs. Its white wines in particular are popular; typically unoaked with lots of citrus and tropical fruit notes.

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TRAVELWEEKENDER

Town the isle This is Townsville and Magnetic Island in 72 hours WORDS HUGH RADOJEV

DAY 1: As far as regional centres go, Townsville's got a huge amount going for it. For the culturally-minded there are great museums, a vibrant arts and craft scene and a beautifully-landscaped waterfront. If quirky and vibrant nights out are your bag then Townsville also has you covered with its large student population and, um, interestingly themed pub nights. Also ladies, 70 per cent of the Australian army are based in and around the town so, you know, if you're into a man in uniform... Contrast that with the wonderfully laidback and gorgeous Magnetic Island, which is only a short ferry ride away, and you've got yourself the perfect place to spend a lazy weekend in the sun. Speaking of sun, this region averages 320 days of sunshine a year.

8:00 Lob into Townsville and dump your stuff at your first base for the weekend – Adventurers Resort (adventurersresort.com) – one of the town's best-located accommodation options. Hungry? Pop over to a Cafe Bambini (cafebambini.com.au) – you'll find them on Stokes Street, Gregory Street and Fairfield Waters – for a breakfast and coffee. It's going to be an action-packed day.

09:00 Feeling refreshed and refuelled, head over to the Museum of Tropical Queensland (mtq.qm.qld.gov.au) which, it's safe to say, isn't your average museum experience.

This is tropical north Queensland, remember? The vast majority of displays here are 100 per cent interactive. For example between 11am and 2.30pm you can load and fire a 1700s-style cannon. Yep, that should prove explosive.

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10:00 Feeling good and learned? Now it's time to get a little, um, moist. Reef HQ (reefhq.com.au) is one of Townsville's most popular tourist attractions. This aquarium is basically a living coral reef system on dry land (incredible, we know). Over 130 different varieties of coral and over 120 different species of fish are pressed behind various pieces of glass just for the amusement of your eyes. You can even feed turtles at the on-site turtle hospital. Très cute.

12:00 Scratching the tummies of poorly turtles is all well and good, but it's not likely to get your blood pumping.

Fancy a skydive to spice things up a bit? Skydive Townsville (skydivetownsville.com) is, well, you know. They'll happily help throw you out of a plane and land right on the Strand, which is Townsville's waterfront. You'll also get a good line of sight of Maggie Island when you're up there.

14:00 From high in the sky, to deep below the seas.

Yongala Dive (yongaladive.com.au) give you the chance to dive what is widely-considered Australia's best wreck dive.

21:00 Diving done, you're bound to be starving, so head to Eat at A Touch of Salt (saltrestaurants.com.au) for Townsville's best seafood. Then grab a beer at renovated 1880s Post Office The Brewery (townsvillebrewery.com. au). If you're feeling lucky and don't want the night to end, hit Jupiters Casino (jupiterstownsville.com.au). Be warned, however, you need to get up early tomorrow.

DAY 2: 8:45 It's time to head to Magnetic Island. Sealink Queensland (sealinkqld.com.au) run plenty of ferries to

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Looking over Townsville's Strand to Castle Hill

Hitting the Flinders Highway with the Harley Club

Photos: Tourism Queensland, Chris McLennan, Amber Toms, Simon Grimmett, Susan Wright

and from the island with the first being at 5.30am (might give that one a miss). It's a quick ride, so get the 8.45am one and you'll be on the island for just after 9am.

9:30 If you've planned ahead (or got lucky), then you'll have arrived on one of the two weekends a month that you can catch The Horseshoe Bay Markets. Sample some local food and artistic fare as well as clothing, jewellry and other bric-abrac. There's also dancers, fire breathing, jugglers and more live entertainment.

12:00 You've spent a bit of time at the markets, now you might as well check into your hostel for the next few days.

Base Magnetic Island (stayatbase.com) has everything you could possibly need for your accommodation needs for the next few days. It's right on the beach, plus has a pool, sundeck and is the nearest hostel to the ferry terminal. It's also got water sports galore, and is home to Australia's own take on Thailand's legendary Full Moon Parties.

13:00 Magnetic Island has some of the most beautiful swimming and snorkelling spots to be found in tropical north Queensland. There are two snorkel trails that run around the island and, for a measly $5 fee you can hire some gear and take the trails at your own leisure.

15:00 It's time for more water sports activities back at Horseshoe Bay. Hire a jetski or boat through Magnetic Island Hire Boats if you want to motor your way around the ocean. Or, if you're in a more serene mood, rent a kayak from Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks (seakyak.com.au) and

Making friends at Reef HQ, in Townsville

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Full Moon time at Base

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Photos: Tourism Queensland, Peter Lik, Base, Townsville Enterprise

Soaking up the sun between snorkels

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paddle your way to nirvana in the beautiful, warm waters.

Make sure you pack a hat and some sunscreen, it's going to be warm.

19:00 As evening falls on your first night on the island, it's time to strap on your glad rags (boardies are fine) and head out. Hotel Arcadia (hotelarcadia.com.au) is a top spot to grab a beer and, if you're around midweek, see some toad racing. Or, head back to the Island Bar at the hostel and have a few with the backpackers on the beach. There's DJs, bands and acoustic artists playing on the weekends, while Saturdays are 'Ladies Night', meaning that whether you're female, or simply dressed like one, you'll be treated like a queen.

DAY 3: 9:00 Up and at 'em. It's time to go exploring.

You can hire a car or scooter from Topless Car Rentals (miwheels.com.au) or, let someone else handle the driving with Tropicana Guided Adventure Company (tropicanatours.com.au) while you sit back and take it all in.

12:00 Strap on a backpack and check out the Forts Walk, with its WWII relics and, if you can, try to spot a koala or two (Maggie is home to one of the largest concentrations of wild koalas in Australia).

15:00 Chances are you're going to be all hot and sweaty after trekking through the tropical rainforests.The locals love a cheeky skinny dip down at Balding Bay. Just saying...

20:00 If there's one thing Base Magnetic Island is famous for, it's their legendary Full Moon Parties. If you've been travelling in South-East Asia, you'll be familiar with the concept â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all night drinking and dancing on the beach, what's not to like? The next party is scheduled for November 22 and features DJ Alison Wonderland (stayatbase.com).

Cruising around Maggie's Geoffrey Bay, Moke-style TNTDOWUNDER.COM

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NEW YEARS EVE PLUMP DJS (UK) PEKING DUK MOTEZ ASTON SHUFFLE DJS FEATURECAST (UK) TOM PIPER ACADDAMY Tickets FULLMOONDOWNUNDER.COM

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magnetic island / tropical north queensland

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Photos: Tourism Queensland, Bob Halstead

Baitfish circle the wreck

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Mangrove Jacks under the Yongala's eerie stern

WHAT A WRECK! DIVING THE YONGALA BY DAVE HALL 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 by many 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 cyclone off Townsville and sank without a trace. She sat beneath the waves undisturbed until finally being identified in 1958. As it lies within the Great Barrier Reef, the Yongala is classed as part of the reef marine park, and this protected status means diving trips are limited (which means you won't be doing an underwater conga with 20 other ships).

Its location also means the wreck has become an established artificial reef, and home to a rich amount of marine life.

It's a good three-hour trip from Townsville, but when the sun is pouring down and the water is flat and friendly, the journey alone is almost worth it. The Yongala is 109m in length, resting on its side pointing roughly north. The seabed 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 is my first-ever wreck dive, and it’s a surreal experience.

As we descend, the hull of the Yongala begins to take form.

Finding a human construction in such an alien environment has a hypnotic effect and, as soon as I spy the shadow of the stern (that’s salty sailor talk for the arse), I'm hooked.

Calling the Yongala a magnet was an understatement.

All kinds of fish cling to the hull, swarming, circling, feeding, cleaning, playing, fighting, sleeping and doing whatever the hell else fish do. They're bloody everywhere, it's an explosion of life. We gently make our way alongside the hull, soaking up every aspect of this amazing sight. The hull is now covered in a dusting of coral, and the ship’s dark insides are home to all manner of shy creatures. I peer into the hold as two vanilla sea snakes coolly swim out. A dark saucer shape moves and becomes a two-metre hawksbill turtle. As tempting as it is to explore the Yongala’s insides, its protected status means it’s illegal to penetrate the ship.

Reaching the bow and turning back, the nameplate “Yongala” looks like it's been cleaned, and adds a human touch to this totally alien environment. The slow return trip still swarms with life. Another hawksbill turtle here. A two-metre Maori wrasse there. A silver dappled Queensland grouper, about the size of a VW Beetle. A massive pufferfish that surely proves God spent at least one of his six working days on drugs. Unfortunately, I miss the four-metre bull shark casually cruise straight past another group. Before I know it, 35 minutes has gone and it's time to return to our own world, content with by far my best dive to date.

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Explore Magnetic Island 20 minutes, a cool drink and a ferry ticket. That’s all it takes to find yourself in one of Townsville North Queensland’s favourite playgrounds, Magnetic Island. Located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, just 8km off the coast of Townsville, Magnetic Island is a perfect escape. With 23 beaches and bays, Magnetic Island has the natural beauty and serenity of an untouched paradise, all the luxuries of today’s modern cities and a thriving community.

Getting there has never been easier with SeaLink Queensland’s ‘Get More’ Deals.

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Plan your stay at www.townsvilleholidays.info

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Thailand

Clockwise from above: a longboat off Ko Poda island; riding elephants, Thai green curry, diving an underwater cave, Full Moon party 56

Photos: Getty, Thinkstock

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

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All Thai-ed up Hollywood good-looking beaches, elephant rides through the jungle, top food and crazy parties. Yes, Thailand has it all WORDS CAROL DRIVER

A long, green snake slithers through the shallow stream of water in front of my group. “It’s harmless,” yells Damrong, but we hesitate, waiting for it to pass, before carrying on through the thick jungle – our guide’s name doesn’t fill us with confidence.

It’s 11am, 34˚C and we’ve already been hiking for two hours in the jungle north of Thailand’s Chiang Rai. You could take the T-shirt off my back and wring it.

We’re climbing 2,000 feet over 10km on the first of a three-day trek, which, in black and white, doesn’t sound too gruelling. But add the searing temperature, humidity at 90 per cent and the fact I’m carrying a heavy backpack, and it’s a different ball game.

There are 11 others doing it with me, so there’s good camaraderie, although some have opted to pay local guides to carry their bags – for example the girl who’s packed enough for two weeks, hairdryer included. We left Bangkok a week ago, making our way to Chiang Mai via Kanchanaburi, to see the bridge over the River Kwai, and Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand.

It’s then an 11-hour journey on a bumpy night train, where I wake to find a cockroach inches from my face.

That night, we’re treated to a feast fit for kings – spicy curries, succulent chicken, slippery noodles, sticky rice.

There’s enough to feed us twice over. We make an early

“

The views are stunning – the dusty red earth contrasts against a bright blue sky

”

start the next day – thanks to the natural alarm system of cockerels squawking at 3am.

Village people Days two and three of the trek are easier, but we’re now walking through coffee fields with no shade, so the scorching sun beats down relentlessly. Six hours and a ››

Taming the beast As a city, Chiang Mai is beautiful and the polar opposite of Bangkok – it’s calm and cool, and time seems to pass slower here. We visit a sanctuary to ride on domesticated elephants – a slightly terrifying experience as my beast wants to take the steepest routes up and down everything.

Then we start our trek, covering a total of 26km in three days, across jungle and fields. After spotting two more snakes, I’m thankful when we sight the Baan Huay San Lisaw village, home to the Lisu tribe and our beds for the night.

The 28,000 Lisu people are one of six tribes in Thailand. They make their homes out of bamboo and grass, and their main source of income is through producing rice, corn, livestock and opium – but this has suposedly been restricted by the government in recent years.

Most of the village is basic, but the views are stunning – floors of dusty red earth contrast against a bright blue sky.

Clear, warm waters make Thailand ideal for snorkelling and diving TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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few sunburns later we reach the Akha tribe village, where we’re treated to a traditional dance before, worn out, we make our way to our beds. It’s all downhill on our final day and there are cries of joy when we spot our minibus waiting on a tiny road at the bottom of the last hill.

We gratefully clamber inside, with the blast of air-con like an oxygen mask snapped over my face. We head for the disco carriage on our 13-hour overnight train journey to Surat Thani from Bangkok. The bright lights mix well with cheesy versions of 80s classics, as we buy beers and whiskey from a man selling bottles from a bucket.

Training days

So many choices...

Island by island Whether you want to see in the New Year, or make underwater friends, these are the islands not to miss.

After a few hours’ dancing in the narrow space, we sleep it off before our early arrival and drive to Khao Sok National Park, which boasts some of the best remaining rainforest in Thailand.

A 50-minute longtail boat ride across the Chiaw Lan Lake takes us to our floating rafthouses. Surrounded by water and small islands, it’s an idyllic setting; the view of the mountains reflecting on the lake is stunning. Here you can swim or take a kayak to explore the other nearby islands. But there isn’t a beach.

In search of the perfect golden sands, we head to Krabi for a yacht tour. Our vessel cruises the nearby islands, such as Phi Phi and Bamboo, stopping at points in the Andaman Sea so that we can dive in and swim with the colourful

BEST FOR DIVING: THE SIMILAN ISLANDS Practically every list of the world’s top diving spots rates this archipelago of nine islands near the top, and that’s for good reason. A national marine park with calm, clear waters (up to 30m visibility), it’s ideal for underwater exploration. The west coast is famous for its huge granite boulders that drop 50m down, creating tunnels to investigate. Elephant Head, East of Eden and Christmas Point are three of the top sites.

BEST FOR EXPLORING: PHUKET Spend the day strolling around Phuket Old Town to see shrines, temples, quirky cafés, museums and even a mini ex-red light district. Built during the tin boom in the last century, you will also see Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket’s tin barons.

BEST FOR FULL MOON PARTIES: KOH PHA NGAN Haad Rin, the southern beach of Koh Pha Ngan, is notorious for having the wildest, most debauched Full Moon Parties in Thailand. A night out here includes: tripping out on magic mushroom shakes, drinking buckets of Sang Som rum with Thailand’s lethal Red Bull, painting faces with fluorescent squiggles, jumping through burning skipping ropes and watching fire poi… followed by a rave on the beach.

BEST FOR WILDLIFE: KOH TARUTAO Once upon a time, Thailand sent its crooks to Tarutao – but it’s now a retreat full of dense forest that’s teeming with wildlife: on the land and in the waters. You can see turtles, whales, monitor lizards, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer and countless species of birds.

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fish. Phi Phi is supposed to have some of the best beaches in the world, but where we moor is crowded and dirty.

Our next stop, Bamboo Island, is the perfect contrast.

We find a secluded spot on a pristine stretch after wading through waist-high water, lifting our bags above our heads. iPods on and books out, we soak up the rays before being kicked off a few hours later to take the yacht back to land. I’m still in need of more than a few hours’ chill-out time, so we head for four days to the beautiful Koh Sukorn in the Andaman Sea. There are very few tourists on the remote island, which is scattered with charming fishing villages.

We’re given a hair-raising tour of the island by motorcycle side-cage. We stop to watch the locals at work, buy snacks from a roadside shop and take photos of the stunning scenery from the viewpoint. Back at the resort, where we’re staying in beach bungalows, it’s time to relax.

There’s a quiet stretch of beach, where you can laze in hammocks, as well as a cocktail bar nearby.

With only one computer with very slow internet connection and no newspapers on the island, we have no choice but to switch off before making the long journey on board an overnight train back to Bangkok – and back to reality. ❚ The 22-day Best of Thailand and Malaysia Tour, with Intrepid Travel, costs from $2,430 intrepidtravel.com.

Sawatdee ka, Josie Poole

The Insider's guide Travel blogger Josie Poole has just spent seven months in South-East Asia. Here are her top Thai tips.

Songkran Festival (April 13-15) We spent the water festival in Koh Tao, where the atmosphere is second to none. The event is generally a week-long waterfight in places such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but it only lasts a day in Koh Tao, meaning it’s crazy intense! We drove our scooter around the island visiting all the little villages, where the kids wait all day to chuck water at passers-by.

Sadao Bike Show (usually early-mid June) We met some expats in Koh Lanta who invited us to this bike show on the Thai/Malaysian border. Sadao is a bit of an eyesore, but the show is much more fun than we expected. We even got to see one of Thailand’s most famous rock bands, Carabao. We stuck out like a sore thumb, but everyone was really friendly, including the leader of the Thai Hells Angels!

Eat street food I’m not talking about the roasted scorpions they sell on the Koh Sahn Road, I mean proper street food. My absolute favourite was Pad Kra Prao – that’s fried pork with garlic, chilli and a fried egg on top.

Another glorious Thai sunset: time to start looking for a bucket

Learn the lingo A few words of Thai will go a long way with locals.

Sawatdee ka, if you are a woman, and sawatdee khap, if you are a man, is a polite way of saying hello and goodbye – ka and khap are added to most sentences as a form of respect. We also found knowing the word for ‘toilet’ (hong naam) came in very useful.

Read Josie’s travel blog at penvy.co.uk TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Under Down Under Tours Tours around Tasmania 1800 064 726, underdownunder.com.au Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au Wilderness 4WD Adventures

Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au

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

@tnt_downunder Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia.

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

131 538,

jetstar.com.au

Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast.

13 34 10, premierms.com.au

Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangrentacar.com.au

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

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Regional Express Airline.

13 17 13, rex.com.au

Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo.

02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au

Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline.

03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au Virgin Australia Airline.

13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

With great fares every day! . . . why not travel PREMIER class!

Climate control air-conditioning • Experienced Coach Captains • Panoramic glare free windows • Comfy reclining seats Onboard video entertainment • Washroom • State of the art safety features • Seat belts

10% off

waiting for! u o y e r a t a Wh

if you have a genuine backpacker’s card

• Flexible travel on a budget to suit you • One, three and six month PaSSeS available • Daily ServiceS from Melbourne to cairns

MElbOuRnE • SydnEy • byROn bay • GOld COaSt bRISbanE • aIRlIE bEaCh • MISSIOn bEaCh • CaIRnS

www.premierms.com.au or phone 13 13 34 34 10 10 www.premierms.com.au or ph 60

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

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

CHECK IN

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

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

SYDNEYMUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com

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

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

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au Eva’s Backpackers 6-8 Orwell Street Kings Cross 02 9358 2185, evasbackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333 cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place.

CBD. 02 9218 9000 Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street.

The Rocks. 02 9261 1111 yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross.

02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross.

1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

SURFSIDE BONDI BEACH BACKPACKERS 35a Hall St, Bondi Beach, Sydney. Dorms from $34.99.

Right in the heart of Australia’s most iconic beach, this hostel is the perfect place to settle in and enjoy the Australian summer in style.

Sydney

surfsidebackpackers.com.au

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee.

02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee.

02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee.

02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe.

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

02 9977 3411 boardrider.com.au The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly.

1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au

Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills.

02 9261 1111

Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly.

02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au

Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach.

02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au

Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney.

02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

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

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

Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street.

Tamarama.

02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi.

02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneytowereye.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

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

BLUE MTNS Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba.

02 4782 1416, yha.com.au

CENTRAL COAST Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle.

02 4925 3544, yha.com.au Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal.

02 4384 1919, yha.com.au The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane.

1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195 yha.com.au Skydive the Beach Byron Bay Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina 1800 302 005 skydivethebeachbyronbay.com

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi.

02 9387 2162,

My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee.

04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

ANDREW ‘BOY’ CHARLTON POOL Admission: $6, Mrs Maquaries Rd, The Domain.

Quite possibly Sydney’s best public swimming pool. Dive into the saltwater, smack bang in the middle of the harbour. There are several Sydney identities you’ll find here, including the bronzed boys who are here to pose, the yummy mummies and then the serious lap-swimmers who don’t want you to get in their way. Whether it’s perving or Sydney architecture admiring, there is plenty of eye-candy to be found in and out of this pool. And it’s heated in winter for the serious swimmer. abcpool.org

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QLDLISTINGS

follow us on Tin Billy Travellers 462 George St tinbilly.com

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

DON’T MISS!

BRISBANE DO

Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace.

07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com

Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah.

07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au

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

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

Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au

REEF LODGE HOSTEL 4 Wickham St, Townsville. Beds from $22 Two minutes from the centre of Townsville and only 500 metres away from the ferry terminal to Magnetic Island – this is a great base camp.

Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, katarzyna.com.au The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm.

04 3377 7061 Base Uptown Cnr George & Herschel Sts. 1800 24 2273 stayatbase.com

Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing.

Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point.

07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au

Townsville City

reeflodge.com.au

Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St yha.com.au The Elephant Arms 230 Wickham St

elephantarms.com.au Somewhere to Stay Cnr Brighton Rd & Franklin St somewheretostay.com.au The Palace Backpackers Cnr Anne & Edward St backpackbrisbane.com

Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point.

1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au XXXX Brewery Tours & Ale House Brewery tours.

Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton.

07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com. au

GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise.

1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au

@tnt_downunder Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise. 1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga.

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

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

1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise.

1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. 1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers.

1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers. com.au Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise.

07 5571 1776, yha.com.au

Photo: Tourism Queensland

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

62

MORETON ISLAND

If you’re looking for a sandy island without the rowdiness of Fraser, look no further than Moreton Island. You’ve still got the 4WD sand driving and the wilderness, but you don’t have the droves of backpackers gone wild. The main attraction here is the wild dolphin feeding that usually takes place at sunset. Other activities include quad-biking, wreck-diving and of course, sandboarding. There aren’t any paved roads on this island so the only way to get around is with a 4WD unless you decide to walk, in which case there are many walking trails you can choose from. The island is situated north of Stradbroke and is best accessed via a ferry service from the port of Brisbane, it takes about 75 minutes.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

51

Photo: Tourism Queensland

$

GULF OF SAVANNAH Known as the ‘Tropical Outback’, the Gulf of Savannah stretches from the Great Dividing Range of the east to the NT border in the west. As well as the super dry Burketown Salt Plains, it’s also a good area for keen anglers, thanks to its many rivers, wetlands and gorges.

THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Townsville

WHITSU NDAYS 3 DAYS IN ONE... Whitehaven Beach, top snorkel destinations & island bushwalks.

P: 07 4946 6848 www.oceanrafting.com.au

CA P E TR IBUL ATIO N

Prosperine

Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) Mackay Yeppoon Rockhampton

Gladstone Bundaberg Maryborough

Hervey Bay Fraser Island

BRISBANE

Ask about our 2 trip special deal with our sister company OCEAN SAFARI - www.oceansafari.com.au

Great Barrier Reef - Half Day Snorkel Tour

Terms and conditions: * To receive the discount international backpackers must hold a current passport with an international address. This fare type excludes domestic backpackers. # Receive up to 40% discount on economy seat adult rail fares. For more information or to book your Backpacker Rail Fares, visit queenslandrailtravel@qr.com.au or call 1800 872 467. Valid for travel until 31 March 2014.

Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 09 Travel Agent Lic. No. QLD 327 4957 QR3789.23_DL_0912.

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QLDLISTINGS Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport.

1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

20 Spectrum St. 1800 111126, dingosresort.com

like us on

Long Island barefootlodge.com.au

Nomads Islander Resort 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, nomadsworld.com

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

Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive, Urangan, Hervey Bay yha.com.au

Surf & Sun Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd surfnsun-goldcoast.com

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Cool Dingo’s Rainbow Beach 20 Spectrum St dingosresort.com

GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907 Seaworld

seaworld.com.au

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warner Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au Zorb 07 5547 6300

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

FRASER ISLAND

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort

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

Dropbear Adventures Williams Ave, Fraser Island. QLD +61 487 333 606 dropbearadventures.com.au Frasers On Rainbow Beach 195 Torquay Terrace, Torquay, flashpackersherveybay.com Kingfisher Bay Resort River Heads Road, Fraser Island kingfisherbay.com Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park 21 Denmans Camp Road, Scarness, Hervey Bay frasercoasttouristpark.com.au Fraser Island Backpackers Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island fraserislandco.com.au Fraser’s on Rainbow 18 Spectrum Av, Rainbow Beach frasersonrainbow.com The Friendly Hostel 182 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

friendlyhostel.com.au Woolshed Backpackers 181 Torquay Road woolshedbackpackers.com.au

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

07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

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

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

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

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

Photo: Tourism Queensland

Adrenalin Dive.

07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au

64

Yongala Dive Yongala diving.

07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

LONE PINE KOALA SANCTARY Admission: $33 ($28 with backpacker card), 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket.

The oldest and one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Australia is just 11km south-west of Brisbane’s CBD and has more than 130 koalas and other native animals. Take a bus or river cruise to get there from the city. And yes, you can get a photo of you cuddling a koala! koala.net

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

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Bungalow Bay Backpackers Horseshow Bay. 1800 285 577, bungalowbay.com.au Hotel Arcadia 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. 07 4778 5177, hotelaracadia.com.au Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road.

07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au Beach Shack 86 Porters Promenade missionbeachshack.com Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay jackaroohostel.com Mission Beach Retreat 49 Porters Promenade missionbeachretreat.com.au

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bhacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353 bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJoy Backpackers Hostel Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton Street.

1800 229 228, northerngreenhouse.com.au

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging.

1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Pro Dive 07 4031 5255 prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting.

07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns POBOX 105N Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au

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

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

PORT DOUGLAS Parrotfish Backpackers Resort 37 Warner St, Kuranda.

07 4099 5011, parrotfishlodge.com

GULF SAVANNAH Emu Creek Cattle Station 07 4094 8313

DAINTREE

Koala Beach Resort Cape Kimberly Rd. 1800 466 444

MORETON ISLAND

follow us on

Noosa Everglades thediscoverygroup.com.au Drop Bear Adventures Fraser Island from Noosa dropbearadventures.com.au

Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tangalooma.com

Kanu Kapers Australia Noosa Everglades kanukapersaustralia.com

NOOSA STAY

Noosa Learn to Surf Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads learntosurf.com.au

Flashpackers Noosa 102 Pacific Avenue, Sunshine Beach flashpackersnoosa.com Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr Noosa Inland nomadsworld.com Noosa Backpackers 9-13 William St, Noosaville noosabackpackers.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au Dolphins Beach House Noosa 14 – 16 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach dolphinsbeachhouse.com

NOOSA DO Australia Zoo 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast australiazoo.com The Discovery Group

PORT DOUGLAS Dougies Backpackers Resort 111 Davidson St dougies.com.au

Innisfail Budget Backpackers 125 Edith St facebook.com/Innisfail-BudgetBackpackers-Hostel Farm work, Innisfail 0437 692 002

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

Emu Park Resort 92 Patterson St, Emu Park emusbeachresort.com

Parrot Fish Lodge 37 Warner St parrotfishlodge.com

Rockhampton Backpackers YHA 60 Macfarlane St yha.com.au

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

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

ROCKHAMPTON

Global Port Douglas 38 Macrossan St globalbackpackerscairns.com. au/port-douglas

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

@tnt_downunder

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

SUNSHINE COAST Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com

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

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Q

I

F

C

Photo: Getty Images

P

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BIRDSVILLE The remote Queensland town of Birdsville’s annual claim to fame is the Birdsville Races, generally held in September. Folk flock from miles around to join in the fun. Indeed, the 100 or so locals are normally joined by many thousands more for the dusty two-day horse racing event. If you like long drives, rum and meeting Australians (TNT doesn’t recommend all at once), it’s a very wild festival that very few travellers get to experience. You’ll find it about 1,600km west of Brisbane, just on the edge of the Simpson Desert. No problem.

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QLD’S BEST BACKPACKERS

IS NOW OFFERING

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QUEENSLAND’S BEST BACKPACKERS

ACCOMMODATION IN 2009 & 2010!! bunkbrisbane.com.au 11-21 Gipps Street, Fortitude Valley Postal: PO Box 261, Fortitude Valley Qld 4006 P.1800 682 865 or +61 7 3257 3644

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VICLISTINGS

like us on

MELBOURNE STAY

CHECK IN

All Nations Nomads 2 Spencer St. 03 9620 1022, nomadsworld.com.au

Lords Lodge Backpackers 167 Franklin St lordslodge.com

DISCOVERY MELBOURNE

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

Melbourne CBD

discoverymelbourne.com

66 Victoria Parade.

03 9663 4212 homemansion.com.au

Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 03 9329 7525 discovery melbourne.com

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda.

1800 008 718, homethostels.com.au

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

Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St yha.com.au Melbourne Oasis YHA 76 Chapman St yha.com.au

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

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

Melbourne International Backpackers 204 Punt Rd, Prahran mibp.com.au

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

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

Home at the Mansion

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au

The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, spencerbackpackers.com.au

Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond.

03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net

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

Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda.

1800 242 273, stayatbase.com

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane.

1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au

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Claremont Guesthouse 189 Toorak Rd, South Yarra hotelclaremont.com City Centre Budget Hotel 22-30 Little Collins St citycentrebudgethotel.com

Elephant Backpackers 250 Flinders St elephantbackpacker.com.au Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au

King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.com.au

St Arnaud 99 Park St, South Yarra, starnaudguesthouse.com

The Spencer City Central BP 475 Spencer St spencerbackpackers.com.au

The Nunnery 116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy nunnery.com.au Urban Central 334 City Road, Southbank urbancentral.com.au

Victoria Hotel Backpackers Victoria Hotel, 380 Victoria St vichotelbrunswick.com.au

Maximum 4 bed dormitories with linen and towel

$2

FREE all you can eat breakfast (cereal, toast and j weekly meal, rice and pasta, tea and coffee FREE in room oversized locker with personal power point 5 minute walk to city

Stay

Large bar with big screen (all major sporting events shown) Drink specials at the bar

$2

Maximum 4 bed dor

Public transport on doorstep

FREE all you can ea weekly meal, rice and

Unique value tour packages

UC103

FREE in room oversi power point

Maximum 4 bed 5 minute walk to city

FREE breakfast (

with big sc Large barweekly meal, rice (all major sporting ev FREE in room ov

power point

Drink specials at the

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value tour pa 631 288 Unique urbancentra

Large bar with b (all major sportin

Public transport

Unique value tou

WILSONS PROMONTORY This granite peninsula, about three hours from Melbourne, forms the southern-most tip of mainland Australia and also happens to be Victoria’s largest area of coastal wilderness.

Sealed off during World War II so that commandos could happily practice blowing each other up without disturbing the locals, the ‘Prom’ is a great national park packed with scenic ocean walks, beautiful beaches and loads of animals, especially wombats and mobs of roos. For sublime views of the entire rugged coastline, try and stagger to the top of Mt Oberon.

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631 288 urbancentral.com.au

VIC 3006 AUSTRALIA

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

MELBOURNE DO Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square.

03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au

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

Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton.

13 11 02

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

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GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea.

03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne.

03 5289 2508, yha.com.au Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell.

03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

MORNINGTON Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie.

03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au Sorrento YHA

3 Miranda St, Sorrento.

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

03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca.

03 5480 6522, yha.com.au Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura.

03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura.

04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

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

1800 101 113 maffra.net.au/hostel

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PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes.

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

03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com. au

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

MILDURA Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Avenue milduracitybackpackers.com.au

STRATHMERTON Riviera Backpackers YHA 669 Esplanade yha.com.au

Photo: TNT Images

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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ADELAIDE STAY

EYRE PENINSULA

CHECK IN

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

Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny.

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

08 8687 0411

coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience

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

Sea lion and dolphin swims.

08 8626 5017

bairdbay.com

Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au

Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving.

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

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection.

War Memorial Drive.

08 8300 3800 adelaideoval.com.au

sharkcagediving.com.au

144 Wakefield St, Adelaide. Beds from $26 This is a stylish, modern sleek new budget accommodation option for slightly well-to-do backpackers in Adelaide. Many of the rooms each have their own specific artistic theme from local Adelaide artists.

Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg.

1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

08 8682 3939,

MINIMA HOTEL

Adelaide

Nullarbor Traveller Tours across to Perth.

fastotels.com

1800 816 858

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

153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg.

04 1281 1838 dolphinboat.com.au

BAROSSA VAL Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road, Tanunda.

08 8563 0198, barossa backpackers.com.au

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

KANGAROO IS Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

08 8553 1344 yha.com.au Vivonne Bay Lodge 66 Knofel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 sealink.com.au

RIVERLAND

Port Lincoln Tourist Park

Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au

11 Hindmarsh St.

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

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions

08 8621 4444,

portlincolntouristpark.com.au

Great white shark cage diving.

08 8363 1788

Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com

rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842,

angorichinavillage.com.au

FLEURIEU PEN Port Elliot Beach House YHA 13 The Strand, Port Elliot.

08 8554 2785 yha.com.au

Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004,

wilpenapound.com.au

Photo: SATC

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE LIMESTONE COAST The locals joke that this section of South Australia was 26 million years in the making. In fact, the Limestone Coast was formed over millions of years by tonnes of marine life falling to the sea floor. The Limestone Coast is book-ended by rivers – the Murray River and the Glenelg River – and is the only area in the state to be on the World Heritage List. The mysterious Blue Lake in Mount Gambier forms part of the Volcanic Discovery Trail and is the water aquifier system that sustains the region’s outstanding food and wine production.

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WALISTINGS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

08 9227 6000, perthbritannia.com Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge.

1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe.

08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, undergroundbackpackers.com.au Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St East Perth (08) 9325 6398 YMCA Jewell House 180 Goderich St ymcajewellhouse.com.au Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

PERTH DO

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

Beatty Lodge 235 Vincent St beattylodge.com.au Cheviot Lodge 30 Bulwer St cheviotlodge.com Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au Easy Perth Backpackers 4 Francis Street, Northbridge

easyperthbackpackers.com.au Grand Central Hotel Backpackers 379 Wellington St (08) 9421 1123 Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com

Photo: Tourism WA

The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St, Northbridge shiralee.com.au

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

Backpack City and Surf 41-43 Money St backpacker.com.au

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Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au

Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys.

08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au

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

While Perth may be the most isolated capital city in the world, when your drive four and a half hours south you’ll wonder just how out the way Albany must be. Truly a year round destination for Western Australia, every season has something unique to offer travellers, and in this laidback location you’ll want to experience each one. Snorkel and kayak the bays in summer or get up close to migrating humpbacks and southern right whales in winter. For the more energetic, surfing is a year-round possibility, while for those content with staying dry, the ocean is equally enjoyable from any of the area’s coastal walks.

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

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

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge.

08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

ALBANY

@tnt_downunder

Hotel Bambu Backpackers 75 - 77 Aberdeen St, Northbridge bambu.net.au Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St mountwayapartments.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottesloe woceanbeachbackpackers.com

Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au

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

FREO STAY Backpackers Inn Freo 11 Pakenham St. 08 9431 7065, backpackersinnfreo.com.au Old Firestation Backpackers 18 Phillimore St. 08 9430 5454, oldfirestation.com.au Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com

FREO DO Fremantle Markets Henderson Street Fremantle 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au

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

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WALISTINGS Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace.

08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

CHECK IN

ROTTNEST ISL

follow us on 08 9842 9599, cruize-inn.com

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

Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks.

08 9372 9780, yha.com.au

MARGARET RIVER

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

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

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com

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

Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth.

08 9949 1200, yha.com.au

ALBANY

Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd.

CORAL BAY Ningaloo Club Robinson St

ningalooclub.com

NINGALOO REEF

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

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

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BROOME STAY THE WITCH’S HAT 148 Palmerston St. Beds from $36 This is one of Perth’s most popular international backpacker destinations. Relaxed, clean and modern facilities.

Perth

witchs-hat.com

Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road.

1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

ESPERANCE Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd,

yha.com.au

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

yha.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NINGALOO MARINE PARK The whale sharks may have moved out for the year but the turtles are taking over the lease on the shores of this marine park, where they’ll nest for the next three months.

Three out of the worlds seven species of turtles nest on the beaches of the Ninglaoo Marine Park: the loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtle, which are all protected. The process for the turtles is lengthy and has to be just right. If a turtle gets disturbed while building the nest or finding the perfect spot, they stop what they’re doing and go back to the ocean without laying their eggs, so organised tours are advisable.

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LAUNCESTON DO

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

CHECK IN

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

Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au

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

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

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

Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.tas.gov.au

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

Hobart

thepickledfrog.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STRAHAN DO Wild Rivers Jet Jet Boat Cruises.

0364717396 wildriversjet.com.au Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WINEGLASS BAY Often voted on the top 10 beaches in the world, this is one stretch of sand that lives it up to the hype. But don’t assume it will be an easy walk in the park to get there. It is quite a strenuous journey and a climb of 800 steps each way. Nonetheless, there are beautiful views on the way. Start early to avoid the crowds. Better yet, camp at the site at the end of the beach.

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

KATHERINE STAY

CHECK IN

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road.

1800 501 984, big4.com.au

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

KATHERINE DO

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

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights.

08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

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

GECKO LODGE 46 Mitchell Street, Darwin. Dorms from $23 This small and secure hostel is Darwin’s most relaxed and unique with home style comforts in the heart of the Red Centre’s party centre.

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

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

08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

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

Darwin

geckolodge.com.au

Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point.

08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au

Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf.

1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River.

08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

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

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, anniesplacebackpackers.com

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Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive.

1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au Toddy’s Resort 41 Gap Rd. 1800 027 027, toddys.com.au

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive.

08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards.

9 Stuart Terrace.

08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.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 School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum.

80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour Uluru tours.

78 Todd St. 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ULURU Alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Uluru (or Ayers Rock) must be the most iconic landmark in Australia. Known for being the giant rock bang in the middle of Australia, it’s sacred to the Aboriginal people, meaning tourists are encouraged not to climb it.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MACDONNELL RANGES If you’re in the Alice Springs-Uluru area, a trip to these ranges should be on your to-do list. Stretching over 400km, the ranges form a rugged red barrier across the vast central Australian plain, consisting of mainly long, steep-sided ridges that rise 100m to 600m above the valley floors. You’ll also see deep gorges carved by ancient rivers that head south into the Simpson Desert. Just make sure you stock up on fuel and water.

Fly to Alice Springs from SYD/MELB from

$89.95

one way with Tiger Air TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

WELLINGTON

Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. +64 4473 8482 db@downtownbackpackers.co.nz Lodge in the City (VIP) 152 Taranaki St. +64 4385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414 YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peterpans Adventure Travel 27 Shotover St Queenstown. peterpans.com.au Pinewood Lodge (VIP) 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 7463 9663, rgrieg@xtra.co.nz

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

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

QUEENSTOWN

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

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

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

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

Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com

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

Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com

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

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

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@tnt_downunder

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.co.nz Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 447 363, dcrentals.co.nz Econo Campers +64 9275 9919, econocampers.co.nz Escape Rentals 1800 456 272 escaperentals.co.nz Mighty Campers +64 9 255 3985 mightycampers.co.nz Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.com.nz Rent-A-Dent 0800 736 823, rentadent.co.nz Rental Car Village +64 9376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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NZLISTINGS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

DUNEDIN New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest city Dunedin is located in the South Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s south-east. It has strong connections to Scotland, thanks to early settlers turning up in the area after finding the Australian climate two humid for their liking. The cooler coastal weather reminded them of home and even today the town is full of shops and reminders of the Scots culture. A gold rush in the 1850s provided a jump in population and Dunedin has been thriving ever since. These days the city is a big student town and has an abundance of fresh seafood and local wildlife, with sea lions, fur seal and penguins all being easily spotted along the Otago coastline.

With 45+ New Zealand hostels, you can tackle spectacular trails or pedal round town on a vintage bike and still hang up your helmet at a hostel. YHA have got your accommodation sorted. Easy as.

r for yous n o i t a ture mod accom aland adven e New Z ess acc irect to Book d r savings: e memb 2 191 4 1800 2 ha.co.nz y @ k o bo .co.nz or yha

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OZWORK

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Look to the future Classrooms all across the country, from kindergarten up to year 12, are in need of committed and qualified teachers

Most days are rewarding when working as a teacher There’s a saying that goes “the children are our future”, and that is as true of Australia as it is of any place in the world. Education is a vital part of a child’s development and there are no shortage of positions available for committed professional teachers in Australia’s understaffed sector.

As with all professions there are a variety of different positions that are open to people with the right skill sets.

Within Australia’s system, the demand for teachers is highest for those qualified to work with the youngest pupils.

“There is always a demand for teachers in schools and early childhood centres, especially in Sydney,” says Randstad Education executive Louise White. “Early childhood centres and vacation care services operate all year round which provides further opportunities.”

White is quick to point out that working in the education sector, regardless of which state it is in, does have extensive tertiary education requirements.“To work in schools you need to hold a Bachelor of Education/PGCE.” While getting the qualifications to work in the education 80

sector are understandably difficult, the rewards merit the hard work. “Casual school teachers are paid very well, earning upwards of $270 a day,” says White.

“Sponsorship is also a possibility, however it is up to the individual schools and centres. Generally teachers are sponsored in either hard to fill positions, specialised roles or rural ares,” White continues, alluding to a problem and solution that many travellers face while working in Oz – the desire to be granted a longer stay in the country.

While bachelor degrees are only available through studying at a university, Randstad Education does provide a number of courses which people looking to apply for teaching jobs in Australia can learn more about the industry.

“We hold a group induction session for all new candidates looking to work through us. This provides information on payroll, expectations and also what to expect when working through us,” says White.

“We also have a PD division, which specialises in the early childhood sector.”

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INTERVIEW WITH A TEACHER

LIFESTYLECAREERS OZWORK HOW TO... MAKE

WORK PALS

So you’ve started your new job, but everyone’s in a clique and it’s hard to make friends. Here’s how to break into the group…

• Make sure you make a cup of tea at the same time PAUL CULLEN

FROM THE UK

as one of them and start a conversation – if you become friendly with one, the rest will follow.

• Ask where the best places are to hang out at lunch near to the office – one may get the hint and invite you to join them.

• Speak up in meetings. If you come across as too timid people won’t bother with you.

• Don’t try too hard: be yourself. Remember, people are generally nice (apart from the office bitch), so they’ll want to get to know you.

Why Australia?

To experience the culture – being a teacher supported this. I also wanted a bit of a career break.

How did you get your job?

Through the agency Randstad Education. They helped me out in the UK as well.

What is it you actually do?

Casual teaching in a variety of primary schools and special needs teaching.

• But be nice: don’t be labelled the office grump as soon as you start.

tntdownunder.com/jobs

How does teaching in Australia compare to the UK? There’s more freedom as a teacher here and there seems to be a better work/life balance.

How long do you plan to stay for?

I’m currently on my second Working Holiday visa and I have worked for nearly 12 months so far.

Where’s next?

I started in Sydney and stayed there. Where next, who knows? New Zealand or China?

Best teaching experience?

There have been many good teaching experiences.

Most days are rewarding but maybe one of the best has been witnessing the diversity of cultures between government and private schools.

Any days not so great?

As a causal teacher you must be prepared to be challenged. Days that aren’t that great include being placed on a block with a very challenging class.

How does the pay compare?

I’m very happy with my rate of pay – my UK experience has been recognised.

Got any advice to give?

To be flexible, have resources and be willing to travel.

You have to think on the spot some days and share experiences from home. Treat every day and each class like it was your’s full time.

Would you recommend your job?

Definitely. The hours are great and you don’t take work home with you!

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TOTALLYTRIVIAL

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WHO TO BLAME

AND THEIR FAVE THING ABOUT SUMMER

ACTING EDITOR

ANDREW WESTBROOK (beer gardens)

DEPUTY ED

HUGH RADOJEV (going to the cricket)

REGINA NEUMEYER (music festivals)

AUSSIE PARKS THEME RULES FOOTBALL QUIZ a) The Irish b) Kermit the Frog c) The comic/film d) The Wizard of Oz

INTERN

RORY PLATT (topless sunbathing)

event starts in June at Q 2.theWhat Gold Coast’s Sea World? a) Winter Solstice c) Whale watching

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TOM WHEELER (scuba diving)

Q

ACCOUNT MANAGER

TOBY LLEWELLYN (Zooper Doopers)

LISA FERRON (Pimms cup)

WHAT WE DID THIS FORTNIGHT FLEW BACK INTO SYDNEY FROM THE UK AT 6AM AND WAS BACK IN THE OFFICE AT 9AM. MANNED UP AND WENT OUT SIX NIGHTS IN A ROW FOR OUR BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR – OUR EVENT SEASON. WHERE’S THE BUCKET? CONTINUED TO ADMIRE SOUTH AUSTRALIA – BOTH UP CLOSE AND AT A DISTANCE.

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3. ‘FlowRider’ is a what at Wet ‘n’ Wild? a) A wave riding pool b) A hip-hop class c) Whitewater rafting d) A wakeboarding ride

closed in 1979 because of what? a) A fire on the Ghost Train, killing seven b) A staged protest about noise c) Cracks in the Teacup Ride d) A rollercoaster collapse, killing 10

opened in which year? a) 1583 b) 1647 c) 1797 d) 1853

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The Australian Big Brother house Q 8.is located at which theme park?

Q 9. Sydney’s Luna Park was briefly

Q 5. That park (the above answer)

3

a) Australia b) Europe c) North America d) Asia

a) Luna Park b) Movie World c) Dreamworld d) Sea World

is located in which country? a) New Zealand b) England c) Sweden d) Denmark

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

6. What is the record number of people to go naked on a ride in Essex? a) 54 b) 91 c) 102 d) 150

Which continent has the most Q 7.amount of theme park rides?

b) Christmas d) Turtle tours

Q 4. The oldest operating theme park

MARKETING + EVENTS EXECUTIVE

GEORGINA PENGELLY (coconut oil)

Q

The ‘Green Lantern’ ride at Q 1.Movie World is based on what?

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

INTERN

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A girlfriend who often gets in the way of her partner’s plans to catch up with the boys. Mate says: “Wanna come to the pub?” Guy says: “Can’t mate, I’m seeing the handbrake tonight.”

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Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

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12/11/13 11:21 PM

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

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Head to our facebook page (airliebeach.com) for a chance to WIN A TRIP FOR 2 to Whitehaven Beach aboard the sensational Camira.

Kayak over the fringing coral reefs and explore tropical islands.

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