TNT Magazine: Australia by TNT MAGAZINE

Nov 28-Dec 4 2011 Issue 657 tntdownunder.com

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red sydney to ain centre tr package

meeting the neighbours Everybody needs a bit of Ramsay Street

the great escape Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best national parks

? e t i b a y c fan ets ul food mark rf e d n o w d n eird a rldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most w o w e th to e Your guid

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ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Sure, the daily grind of preparing food on the road doesn’t always produce the most mouth-watering of meals (anyone turning into a packet of two-minute noodles yet?), but at the same time, travelling does present plenty of opportunities to try some of the world’s tastiest (or scariest) mouthfuls. Check out p26 for where we think are some of the best places on Earth to travel with an empty belly.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

MUSIC & FILM

14-15

CELEB NEWS

20-21

NEWS & SPORT

30-31

TRAVEL

32-43

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS VIC

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS SA & TASMANIA

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

LISTINGS FIJI

WORK

62-65

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES

PARTY IN THE PARK

Dust off those walking shoes and tick off our top 10 Australian national parks

THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Our date with the infamous ‘Chopper’ Read as he talks about his new book

TO MARKET WE GO

Goats heads to scorpions: we search the world markets for the weirdest delicacies

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

We take a trip down Ramsay Street and memory lane on the Neighbours tour

PINGU POWER ‘Oohing’ and ‘aahing’ over Phillip Island’s super cute little penguins

36 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Staff writer Alex Harmon Intern Leigh Livingstone Contributors Aarti Betigeri | Joanna Tilley

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BYO popcorn...

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Sales manager Tom Wheeler Account manager Justin Steinlauf Sales executive Gareth Maguire MARKETING & EVENTS Associate publisher Denise Jinks Marketing assistants Lea Pahne | Fanny Boutet DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland

02 8332 7511 tom@tntdownunder.com

PHONE EMAIL

WHERE TO GET TNT

THE MAIN EVENT MOONLIGHT CINEMA [CAPITAL CITIES]

It’s one of the surest signs of the arrival of summer when the always great Moonlight Cinema turns up in town. Screening a mixture of new releases and classics at affordable prices almost every night until March, the outdoor cinema arrived in Adelaide last week, strolls into Perth and Sydney next week, and then Brisbane and Perth the week after. On the schedule this year will be straight from the studio blockbusters like Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, plus cult classics like Grease Sing-along and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. See moonlight.com.au for tickets and info. $16

December - March

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

HOMEBAKE [SYDNEY]

TELSTRA V8 500 [SYDNEY]

Popular TV franchise CSI is bringing its popular interactive exhibition to Queensland. Pick through a crime scene Gil Grissom style and solve the puzzle using the forensic evidence you find at the “scene”. You’ll even get your very own CSI photo ID card!

This year Homebake is themed The Classic Edition and it has a classic lineup to match. On the bill are the likes of Ladyhawke, Eskimo Joe and The Vines, plus the popular Triple J unearthed winner. New to 2011 is the addition of a comedy stage full of big names to give a festival feel.

As the tagline promises there will be “awesome in every moment” at this three-day supercar event. Besides all the racing action during the day, spectators can rock out at night to Aussie legends Hunters & Collectors and John Farnham. One day passes starts from $50.

Decmeber 2 - Feb 29 The Piazza, Surfers Paradise australia.csiexhibit.com

December 3 The Domain homebake.com.au

December 2-4 Olympic Park Precinct, Sydney v8supercars.com.au

CSI EXPERIENCE [SURFERS PARADISE] $23

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.

$95

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Wineglass Bay: Pitch a tent at the campsite at the far end of the beach to get away from the daytrippers

Get some parklife Australia boasts so much natural beauty that it’s hard to know where to start. So here’s our list of the top 10 national parks The world’s largest island and smallest continent covers an area of over seven million square kilometres, with nearly 37,000km of coastline, making it about the same size as the USA (without Alaska), or 25 times the size of the UK. And yet Australia, for all its wide open spaces, has a population of just 22 million or so, which is about the same as you’d find in Mexico City. What this long line of impressive stats means is that there’s a whole lot of the land Down Under to explore and that getting away from the crowds 8

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ain’t all that difficult. What the stats don’t show, however, is just how diverse and spectacular Australia really is. From the world’s biggest reef system off the east coast to the baking red interior and the dripping green tropics up north, this really is a country for escaping the cities and exploring. The only problem is where to start. In a land the size of Oz, you could easily spend a lifetime on the road and still not get to experience all that it’s got to offer. Which is where we come in. Pooling

the many, many years of Aussie travel that the TNT team has racked up, we’ve come up with our list of the country’s 10 best national parks. While the number of places boasting outstanding natural beauty number far more than 10 (apologies to the near misses, like WA’s Karijini, Victoria’s Wilsons Promontory and New South Wales’ Blue Mountains), we feel these are the cream of the crop, the ones you really should try your hardest to visit before travelling on. And besides, we love making lists.

FREYCINET (WINEGLASS BAY) IN A NUTSHELL Home to arguably Australia’s best beach. TELL ME MORE Freycinet has phenomenal pink granite boulders, enticing walking trails and amazing, Caribbean-esque beaches. Blessed with the warmest climate in Tasmania, the celebrated Wineglass Bay poses as a stunning backdrop for swimming (or a sneaky tipple, as the name suggests). Avid walkers can trek the 30km Freycinet circuit, while others can stroll smaller trails without getting too hot and bothered. A haven for adventure junkies and beach bums alike. WHERE Around two-anda-half hours from either Hobart or Launceston.

ULURU-KATA TJUTA IN A NUTSHELL Home of the ultimate rock star. TELL ME MORE The world-renowned sandstone monolith named Uluru stands 348m high. Up close it’s irresistibly charismatic and undeniably arresting; best seen at sunset when it goes through an impossible array of colours. Nearby Kata Tjuta, meaning “many heads”, is a group of 36 rock domes that date back 500 million years. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners – and will quickly fill your memory card. WHERE About 440km from Alice Springs.

KAKADU IN A NUTSHELL Humungous, cultural and familiar to film buffs. TELL ME MORE This vast park, the size of Israel, is World Heritage-listed for natural and cultural importance. There are more than 5,000 rock art sites with some thought to be up to 40,000 years old. It’s also famous for its wildlife-rich wetlands, never-ending escarpments and spectacular waterfalls, all shared by an extraordinary – and diverse – amount of flora and fauna, most famously salt water crocodiles. Various Crocodile Dundee scenes were filmed here. WHERE 171km from Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

GREAT SANDY NATIONAL PARK (FRASER ISLAND) IN A NUTSHELL The world’s largest sand island. TELL ME MORE Fraser Island’s World Heritage listing is a no brainer. Sub-tropical rainforests stubbornly thriving in seemingly infertile sand and the world’s largest sand island to boot. Fraser is also home to more than 40 freshwater dune lakes – over half the world’s known total. Cut off from mainland canines, the purest breed of dingoes is also found here. Plus it’s plain gorgeous – in TNT’s book, one of Australia’s top three attractions. WHERE Off the Queensland coast, from Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach or River Heads.

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NAMBUNG (THE PINNACLES)

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IN A NUTSHELL Glorious coastal scenery. TELL ME MORE Sculpted by the forces of nature for millions of years, this section of the Victorian coastline is a breathtaking mix of wild seas, arches, islands, blowholes and monolithic rock formations. Home to the famous Twelve Apostles and Australia’s very own “London Bridge” (in rock form), this savage part of the coast has caused some 700 shipwrecks, earning it the title of Shipwreck Coast. But the real star of the show is the Twelve Apostles – best at sunset. WHERE About 285km west of Melbourne.

DAINTREE (& CAPE TRIBULATION) IN A NUTSHELL Lush rainforest sweeps down to long, white beaches. TELL ME MORE The Daintree is magic. One of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, the forest is alive with towering trees, trickling streams and jungley creatures. Cape Tribulation, where the forest meets the reef, is a World Heritageprotected area and a real paradise: think white sand, coconut trees... There’s a catch, though. This area is croc-infested, which means you probably shouldn’t swim. Instead, take a cruise down the Daintree River to catch a glimpse of the man-eaters. WHERE About 160km north of Cairns.

Photos: Tourism Queensland, Tourism Victoria, Tourism WA, Tourism Tasmania, Tourism NSW, Tourism NT

IN A NUTSHELL Eerie yet alluring alien-like erections. TELL ME MORE Resembling some sort of trippy landscape from a sci-fi movie, the Pinnacles Desert encompasses fields of limestone pillars; some jagged and pointed, others huge, haunting tombstones. It’s less a park for hikes, more to get wilfully lost amongst a mysterious stone army. WHERE On the Swan Coastal Plain, 245km north of Perth.

PORT CAMPBELL (& THE 12 APOSTLES)

CRADLE MOUNTAINLAKE ST CLAIR

PURNULULU (THE BUNGLE BUNGLE) IN A NUTSHELL A labyrinth of wacky orange and black striped domes. TELL ME MORE Amazingly, the “Bungle Bungle” – as seen in Australia the film – wasn’t discovered by white Australia until 1983. The spectacular domes lie in Purnululu National Park (Kimberley, WA), and can be accessed by foot or viewed from the heights of a scenic flight. The Piccaninny Creek Walk winds its way through domes, cliffs, chasms and rock pools, and ends at the beautiful Black Rock Pool. You can camp overnight here, too. WHERE About 100km from Halls Creek.

IN A NUTSHELL Gothic peaks and forests teeming with wildlife. TELL ME MORE The 65km Overland Track cuts a spectacular route from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, the deepest lake in Australia. With its snow-topped peaks, gushing waterfalls and alpine heathlands, the popular trail can claim to rival any of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks in its splendour. The park is excellent for spotting the elusive duck-billed platypus, plus Tasmanian devils, wallabies and wombats. WHERE Central Tassie.

KOSCIUSZKO IN A NUTSHELL Home to Australia’s highest peaks TELL ME MORE Kosciuszko National Park is part of the bigger Snowy Mountains region and in the chilly months the park is home to some of Australia’s best ski fields. Over summer, walkers can meander the mountains or trek the 9km to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest point at 2,228 metres, and ogle the pretty alpine scenery. WHERE Five hours drive from Sydney.

NEXT WEEK Going down: The best places to go diving in Australia TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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THE IDES OF MARCH FILM review by Alison Grinter STARRING: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman | CERT: M | 101mins

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 FILM STARRING: Chloe Csengrey, Jessica Tyler Brown, Christopher Nicholas Smith | M | 84mins

It might be the third installment in the series, but this film has gone all Star Wars on us. It’s a prequel, set 18 years prior to the first film. It’s the year 1988 and we are introduced to a young Kristi and Katie who start interacting with an invisible boy called Toby. If the US release is anything to go by, this is going to pull in the crowds – their midnight release broke the record for the biggest opening of a horror film ever. Expect lots more painfully slow ‘found footage’ build-up, before a few things go crash. 14

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Anyone who thought Aaron Sorkin’s seven-season chronicle of an imaginary liberal presidency in The West Wing was too idealistic and rose-tinted a view of American politics will eat The Ides of March right up. The film, co-written and directed by George Clooney (the screenplay was adapted from Beau Willimon’s 2008 play Farragut North) and starring the hearthrob himself as a Democratic presidential nominee, is a deeply cynical look at the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the scenes of the self-proclaimed “greatest democracy in the world”. It’s too cynical, in fact, making you question, by the end of the film, if American politics has any redeeming features at all. Ryan Gosling (sick of him yet?) plays the idealistic young campaigner working for Clooney’s slick operator. He’s about to get his heart and ideals shattered when a crisis on the campaign trail forces him to take a crash course in dirty politics. The film is tightly plotted, beautifully acted and contains some truly heartstopping moments of drama, but maybe Sorkin should have been parachuted in to help out with the dialogue, which is tin-ear awful and clichéd (the loyalty speech delivered by Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s senior campaigner is particularly dreadful). All told, it’s an enjoyable film but the overall message that your political heroes will eventually let you down is too pat and simplistic. In a recent interview, Clooney was adamant he will never enter politics. If this is his view of the process, then perhaps he’s right to steer well clear. GOOD FOR: Anyone who thought The West Wing was too much of a liberal wet dream

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HARRY POTTER EXHIBITION

BOOK IT

NOW!

EXHIBITION

The story of the scarred one may be over, but fans can continue the magic by dropping into the Powerhouse Museum. For the next few months, exclusive artefacts from the films can be viewed in elaborate set recreations. The exhibition is extremely interactive so visitors can also get up close and personal with certain props. Nov 19 – Mar 18, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. $32 harrypotterexhibition.com

KATE BUSH 50 WORDS FOR SNOW

15TH JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

MUSIC

FILM

Kate Bush’s latest release isn’t just songs about snow, the overall feel of the album gives the impression of being somewhere remote, watching snow fall outside a window. Her mystic musician status is still evident in the dark lullaby-like vocals and though the album only has seven songs, each one reaches well past six minutes so you still get more Bush for your buck.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is hosting its 15th annual Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne. Soak up some culture over the week by catching some cinematic pieces of art. Films range from action to romance, but the stand out is “Ninja Kids”, which has the tagline: “He wears glasses and studies magic. He’s not Harry Potter – he’s Rantaro, the Ninja Kid.” Classic.

Fish People katebush.com

Nov 29 – Dec 6, $15 acmi.net.au/japaneseff-2011

FUTURE MUSIC You have to get in early if you want to be at the galactic festival that is out of this world. Future Music runs throughout March in various locations around Australia and tickets are already on sale. The lineup features stars of the future like Jessie J and Tinie Tempah but also a few gems from the past like Fatboy Slim and Paul Van Dyk. If you are strapped for cash but can’t wait to get your ticket, Future Music are offering a “buy now, pay in the future” plan, so there is no excuse not to visit the future... next year. March 2012, Various Locations, $155 futureentertainment.com.au

NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE

KATHY GRIFFIN OPERA HOUSE

BAR

COMEDY

One of Melbourne’s best live music venues, the Social has seen some big international acts grace its stage over the years. Plus plenty of home-grown talent too. The front bar is a locals beer-swilling hangout but the back deck has a friendly open vibe where you can get some fairly cheap and decent food too.

Due to overwhelming demand and a sell-out first show, Kathy has announced a second Sydney show for tomorrow. Famous for her acerbic wit and her unrelenting pisstakes of celebrities and politicians, Kathy is probably the crudest woman to step on stage at the Opera House. Be quick to get your hands on these tickets.

301 High St, Northcote, Melbourne northcotesocialclub.com

Sydney Opera House, Nov 29 sydneyoperahouse.com

6 VIP TICKETS TO SUMMAFIELDAYZE

WIN

TNT has teamed up with Summafieldayze to give you and five mates VIP tickets to kick off 2012 with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Calvin Harris! The festival is on January 2 at The Spit on the Gold Coast and other acts include Pendulum, Scissor Sisters and Moby. To enter, head to tntdownunder.com/competitions and tell us where Snoop Dogg was born. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Go to tntdownunder.com and click on the WIN page. See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

WIN A STUNNING SYDNEY TO RED CENTRE TRAIN PACKAGE In case you’ve been living in a goon bubble since arriving Down Under and hadn’t noticed, it’s fair to say that Australia is a bloody massive country. Unless you’re willing to spend a load of cash on flights (and miss half the fun in the process), it takes some serious time to get anywhere in the land of Oz. Which is why it should come as no surprise that Australia is home to a couple of the world’s great train journeys – the Indian Pacific and The Ghan. Not only is watching the world go by from the comfort of a train a brilliantly old-fashioned way to travel, but it also means you get to visit the must-see Red Centre, as well as a few brilliantly random spots like Coober Pedy. Therefore TNT T has got together with Great Southern Rail, plus a few buddies in Adelaide and Alice Springs, to offer this fantastic prize for two lucky readers.

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THE PRIZE, FOR YOU AND A FRIEND, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INDIAN PACIFIC: One night in a Red Day/ Nighter Seat from Sydney to Adelaide. NOMADS: Three nights in a four-bed dorm at Nomads Adelaide Travellers. BAROSSA VALLEY: One-day Barossa Valley tour. THE GHAN: One night in a Red Day/Nighter Seat from Adelaide to Alice Springs. NOMADS: Two nights in a four-bed dorm at Nomads Toddy’s Backpackers. THE ROCK TOUR: Three-day tour exploring Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon with The Rock Tour. Competition closes midnight AEST Sunday 15th January, 2012. Log on to tntdownunder.com for further details and to enter.

worth over

$2,500

Eric Bana as Chopper in the 2000 film 18

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The final cut Lovable rogue and feared standover man Mark 'Chopper' Read has written a new book which promises to set the record straight WORDS ALEX HARMON

Sitting under a no smoking sign in a city pub, chain-smoking, I spot the infamous Uncle Chop-Chop. He’s larger than life, but with the vulnerability of an old man. As we talk, he sips on a lemon squash which I have to pass him periodically because he finds it hard to move. Because of his cirrhosis of the liver, he can no longer drink alcohol and it’s obvious that he’s heavily medicated today. This is the man who claims to have been involved in the killing of 19 people and the attempted murder of nine. He’s been convicted of armed robberies, shootings, assault and the kidnapping of a judge. His latest book, Road To Nowhere, is his 16th published. So how is this one different? “This one doesn’t have a word of a lie in it, this one is the absolute truth," he says. The man who learnt to read and write in jail has now sold more than 500,000 books world-wide. He’s prolific and charismatic, yet completely out of step with reality. I ask him about one of his heroes, Shakespeare, and he shoots off some quotes from Julius Caeser. Then Hamlet, then King Lear. I have to pull him back to the present to talk about his new book, which is dotted with anecdotes about life in jail. “Oh yes, once I got some human shit and put it in a stew. It brought down the whole division, 39 people with gastroenteritis. It isn’t as deadly as dysentery but it’s a damn site worse than diarrhea. For two or three days you will shit your whole life away,” he says with a grin on his face. The debate that follows Chopper every time he opens his mouth is that we shouldn't be glorifying criminals. I ask him if he feels like a modern day Ned Kelly? “Ned Kelly, in my opinion, was a homosexual. For a start he had no girlfriend. The only women he ever kissed were his mum and sister. He spent all his time in the bush with other blokes." He's also famously bitter over the casting of the Chopper film – the 2000 movie that critics say made Eric Bana’s career. “I’m the one that picked him for that movie. I suggested Eric Bana to the producers, they’d never heard of him, they said 'Who? Eric Banana?' They wanted Russell Crowe.” Does he think Russell would have made a better Chopper? “He would have done a much better job. He might be a New Zealander, but he’s a dinky-di, straight up and down Aussie. Whereas Eric Bana is a typical German with a long streak of arrogance. And that’s why he’ll never

win an Academy Award.” When he's on, his conversation packs punch, but occasionally he trails off. Out of nowhere he pulls up his jeans and shows me his leg, “I fell off a running machine at

“

Ned Kelly was a homosexual

”

my hotel. I think I deserve something for pain and suffering.“ So, he still feels pain? “Bloody oath I do." It’s hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. The man who famously claimed an ability to withstand pain and willingly had his ears cut off is wincing over a bruise. At 57, even with his frail health, he doesn’t plan to stop working. He is pushing for a sequel to the Chopper film to be made. “It’s going to be called Chopper: From the Cradle to the Grave.” Will he be asking Eric Bana to play the title role again, I ask? “He’s so far up himself, he’d say no.” His deliciously blunt answers seem staged, but you have to remember this is "Chopper" – the character. Almost everything he says is designed to shock. Even when I ask him how he met his current wife, he answers with colour. “I hit a man in jail in the head with a garden spade and opened his skull up – it was right through the brain. This bloke asked me later, 'do you want to write to a girl in Telecom?' I said, alright, I’ll start writing to her and we started writing to each other. She came into visit me one day in jail with every intention of telling me that she couldn’t write to me anymore, that the whole thing was stupid. But of course, when she saw me, she fell in love.” He married her in 2003 and they have a son Roy. Chopper also has a son, Charlie, to his first wife of six years. And what advice does he give his sons about crime, I ask? “Don’t bloody well do it." Finally, some truth... Road to Nowhere by Mark ''Chopper'' Read is out now, published by Pan Macmillan. panmacmillan.com.au

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The half-blood prince of Bel Air

ALMOST NOT FAMOUS [UK]

Daniel Radcliffe was almost just another weedy kid with glasses because his parents initially turned down his role in the Harry Potter films. They feared that the films would disrupt his life and that at the age of 11, he was too young. I don’t know what happened next, I guess they saw the pound signs and changed their mind. They compromised with the producers and agreed to two films, if they were filmed in London and not the US like they had originally been planned. Eight films and a multi-millionaire son later they seem to have no regrets. They sound like demanding stageparents if you ask me.

JUSTIN’S MAGICAL VANISHING ACT

[CANADA]

Speaking of little twats catapulted into fame, Justin Bieber finally took the DNA test. The result? Positive. And by positive, I mean, the baby mama has disappeared and dropped the law suit. Yeah, how convenient is that? He finally takes the test to prove that he is not the biological father and before the results can be revealed, she says, “Okay, I’ll go away now and raise my Bieber-pouting son and never speak of this ever again.” What an obedient girl. I wonder how many Canadian dollars that took.

TO CHEAT OR NOT TO CHEAT

[UK]

I thought Ashley Cole was already a good enough actor. Remember the role he played, “Cheryl Cole’s husband”, what were those lines vows again? Never mind. Ash wants to be a 20

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Steady on there: Eva Longoria’s restaurant Beso is being sued after a woman claimed she slipped and suffered “major physical injuries”. This is another blow to the restaurant: the Las Vegas branch recently filed for bankruptcy. The injured woman is seeking $25,000 in damages due to the wet floor. Personally I think she was just a little over-excited. real actor now and has gone out and got himself some lessons. Ashley is rumoured to be starring in a football docu-drama called Played. He will appear as himself, alongside West Ham boss Sam Allardyce and England international Joe Cole. Danny Dyer has the lead role as a dodgy agent. They want the film to be as authentic as possible, which is why they just had to get Ashley on board. I mean who else can play a footballer who sleeps

around as well as the man himself? Really, Ash, don’t waste your time with lessons.

KATY’S TACO BELLY [USA]

Look, it’s just a love of burgers, okay? Katy Perry is pissed off that Hollywood is claiming that she’s doing a Jessica Simpson and hiding her pregnancy through fast-food binges. But Katy claims that she really does just like eating. She was on a US talk show when she said, “I like In-N-Out Burger and Taco Bell, and if you want to make that pregnant, that’s your problem.” To reiterate that she’s not ready she said, “I still love drinking alcohol, so no kids yet.” Hmm, that fierce denial sounds to me like Jessica Simpson’s impending kid will have a playmate next year.

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TWEETS OF THE WEEK @ChuckNorris “Camilla pulled out of this today’s reception with the President of Turkey. Says she’ll get enough of turkey at Christmas. Awkward” @SimonPegg “Movember raises awareness of male health issues and enables uptight straight men to reclaim what they feel Village People stole in the 70s”

“Stay two feet away from me”

@RoveMcManus “I’m pretty sure the whole “ladies first” thing was created by a guy just to check out ass”

MILA KUNIS: FRIENDS WITH VETERANS

@KatiePrice “Why can’t a woman ask her brother for help? Because he can’t be a brother and assist her too”

[USA]

Mila Kunis kept her promise to the military, also known as “anything Justin Timberlake can do, I can do better”, by attending the Marine Corps Ball last week. She was Sergeant Scott Moore’s date after accepting his YouTube invite to the ball. The sarg was not only in the company of the Black Swan herself, he was also the star of Good Morning America, where he gushed about his date saying it, “exceeded his expectations”, and that he got down and dirty with Mila – they “danced to “The Time of my Life”. He really believes that Mila is just a regular girl, saying she was “down-to-earth” and “very cool”. Mila refused to be interviewed about the event. Yeah, she’s that down to earth.

CHRIS WANTS TO LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE

Photos: Getty Imagest

[USA]

Chris Brown went off like a firecracker in a tent last week and deleted his Twitter account. Because someone tweeted to him about the memorable hour when he beat up Rihanna. Luckily we were able to salvage the tweets he wrote before he disappeared into thin air. “I don’t say shit to anybody and everyone feels its cool to attack me. GROWN ADULTS!!!! That shit happened three years ago!” My favourite tweet was the one where he insinuates that his music has the Virgin Mary effect, “MY MUSIC DOESN’T PROMOTE VIOLENCE nor will it ever! Only thing it will increase is the pregnancy rate!” Yes Chris, and your melodies turn water into wine.

@NicoleRichie “I can’t believe what has been found under my car!!!! Another police situation” @NeilPatrickHarris “For those of you who didn’t get my NY Times bestselling book for Christmas last year, get it this year. It’s cheap due to unpopularity” @IceCube “Thanks for the love, thanks for the hate. Sugar and sweet make Ice Cube the Great”

This ain’t my crib

I’M A CELEB GET ME OUT OF HERE SAYS PAX

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

[VIETNAM]

Angelina’s adopted son Pax had a huge wake-up call this week when he was taken to his birthplace in Vietnam and forced to hang out with his grandmother. Actually his grandmother, Nhan Dung, came to them in a 5-star Vietnamese resort because the native village would have been too much of a shock to the system to the poor boy. Better to ease him in. His firstworld problems, like where to plug in his Playstation, would have been lost on poor old Nhan. Earlier in the year, Angelina told The Financial Times: “They are all learning about each other’s cultures as well as being proud of their own,” she said, revealing, “they all have their flags over their beds.” I’m sure all Pax thinks about when he looks up and see’s the red and yellow in the morning is a McDonalds breakfast.

I quite often pee in my dressing room, in the trash can

Perhaps a colostomy bag should be on Lady Gaga’s rider

CHATROOM

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Architecture in Helsinki The eclectic pop group from Melbourne have four albums under their belt and have rocked festivals across the world. Singer Cameron Bird talks fans, fashion and FIFA... INTERVIEW ALEX HARMON

esoteric, kind of detached type of way. It’s about living in Australia and being super isolated. In the film clip for “Walking on Water” you swim with a dolphin. Was that fun? Oh yeah it was a lot of fun. I was in the water for about eight hours filming that so I had mild hypothermia afterwards. Was that really Flipper? That was THE Flipper from the Flipper show, the one with Jessica Alba.

We’re not hipsters, honestly... Excited about the Big Day Out next year? Incredibly excited, it’s our first Big Day Out tour. What does the BDO mean to you? For me, I grew up in the country in NSW and my first sort of experience with festivals was travelling with friends to go to the Big Day Out. It was a super-formative thing for me as a teenager. So I am really excited to be playing at one and knowing that there’ll be kids just like me there. So yeah, it means a lot to me. Playing any of the NYE festivals? Not a festival, but we’re playing a one-off show in Sydney down at Cargo Bar, Darling Harbour. How would you spend your ideal NYE? I’d be at home, cooking for friends. I’m not very rock and roll. Ever read anything that’s not true about yourselves on the internet? Most reviews (laughs). No, actually we have a policy of not reading reviews because usually they’re kind of depressing. A lot of the time people totally misunderstand your intentions. I think it got to a point where I’d read one too many reviews and I was just like, nah, I’m not going to read them anymore. 22

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What’s been your most memorable gig? Well it’s hard to say, we’ve played some pretty ridiculous and exotic places. I mean internationally, playing places like Russia, where we played earlier this year, was really surreal, it was such a massive culture shock. But I guess locally, Splendour this year was pretty awesome.

You and Kelly (vocals, percussion) met by chance. What’s the story there? Well we just met a party one time with mutual friends and she just asked me if she could be in the band, then started coming to rehearsals and sort of just stayed in the band. She would be very open about that too! What do you always travel with? Vitamins. Describe your fashion style? I’m looking around my luggage right now. I’d have to say... ‘sports casual’.

Your track “Escapee” features on a FIFA video game. Are you football fans? Yeah, I have a soft spot for soccer for sure. We were asked to put the song on there and it wasn’t really a hard decision to make. It’s been pretty cool, we get a lot of strange teenage boys writing to us from all corners of the world saying how much they love our music.

You’re not a hipster? No, I don’t know what that means really. I hope I’m not a hipster. I think it means someone who thinks about what they do and wear. Invented by people who don’t think about anything.

Who’s the best musician you’ve met? Oh, probably David Byrne from Talking Heads. He is the coolest.

Great, the first time I ask that question and you don’t drink... Yeah sorry, I did drink for a long time but I haven’t drunk for about four or five years now.

Ever been to Helsinki? Yes, we’ve been there a couple of times. They love us in a strange kind of way. Tell me about your track “Desert Island”? It’s just a song about living in Australia, it’s our weird sort of take on a song like the “Land Down Under” or something like that. In a much more

Dream drinking partner? I don’t drink.

Is sobriety a hard thing while touring? No, it’s actually easier because you don’t have to deal with hangovers. Architecture in Helsinki play Big Day Out, January and February 2012. Across Australia + NZ bigdayout.com

Food, glorious food THE WORLD

[Caption] 26

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Feast for the senses Sampling the local food is as big a part of travelling as seeing the sights, and these are 10 of the world’s best munching markets WORDS AARTI BETIGERI

There’s something deeply grounding about visiting food markets on grand foreign travels. It’s one thing to see a place through museums and monuments, and quite another to see it at pedestrian level. Markets are not just a perfect way to get food, but also to get an insight into how locals shop, haggle, relate and, naturally, how they eat. Food markets are on every corner of the world, but these are simply some of the best.

Monica, a Wednesday farmers’ market started almost 30 years ago and immediately proved a major success – so much so that 10 years later, the market also opened on Saturdays. Now, it takes over streets close to the beach, with dozens of vendors flogging food products including heirloom tomatoes, freshly caught seafood, nettles, potted herbs, bison meat, jams, and a wide range of fresh vegetables.

CHADNI CHOWK, NEW DELHI, INDIA

With the Japanese love for the freshest fish possible, it comes as no surprise that Tokyo hosts the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market. The market handles hundreds of varieties of seafood – from seaweed and caviar to tuna and potentially poisonous fugu. Tsujiki also has the reputation of being the most expensive fish market in the world, so visit to see some of the biggest and best-quality fish specimens you might ever come across. Afterwards, try out one of the many 24-hour sushi restaurants outside the market. The sushi doesn’t come cheap, but you can rest assured it’s the best that money can buy.

Chandni Chowk is the main road of Delhi’s old city, but locals often refer to the area surrounding it by that name. Enveloped by a maze of winding and narrow laneways, Chandni Chowk contains a number of small and not-so-small self-contained markets within its environs. Chief amongst them would have to be the Khari Baoli, or the spice market, a long street where dozens upon dozens of spice vendors ply their wares. Here you’ll find fresh turmeric root, puffed lotus seeds, Kashmiri saffron and Keralan cardamom, amongst more. Nearby is the Khoya Mandi, or milk market, where you can trawl 70-odd vendors to find the best in just two products: paneer (cottage cheese) or khoya (a solidified milk product). QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET, MELBOURNE It’s a Saturday morning ritual for inner-city urbanites and suburban fringe dwellers alike: the trek to Queen Victoria Market (or just Vic Market), string bags in hand, in search of organic vegetables, a free-range duck or simply a brunch of steaming hot churros. For Melburnians with a weekend dinner party in the works, the Vic Market is their go-to destination. With a vast range of produce and ready-made snacks, from Turkish boreks and fresh Chinese cabbage to German wurst and crocodile steaks, no place in Melbourne better exemplifies the city’s cultural melting-pot nature. SANTA MONICA FARMERS’ MARKET, LA, USA Los Angelenos might prefer to drive than walk two blocks, but they’re fiercely passionate about organic, free-range and local produce. In the popular beachside suburb of Santa

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET, TOKYO, JAPAN

KASHGAR SUNDAY MARKET, KASHGAR, CHINA A major pit-stop on the Silk Road, the Kashgar Sunday Market has been going strong for 2,000-odd years. The sprawling market – the only real place to shop in the remote western China region – contains a host of exotic wares, from fresh melons and boiled goats heads to bolts of silk and Uighur hats. Apart from what there is to buy, Kashgar’s weekly bazaar is also an opportunity for those living out in the desert to catch up on gossip, get a haircut or take in some amateur sport. Kashgar’s population is said to swell by 100,000 each Sunday, despite the difficulties for locals to get there. JEMAA EL-FNAA, MARRAKECH, MOROCCO The souk, or market, at Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa main town square is a daily affair. Make your way past the usual carpet sellers and inside you’ll find apothecaries doling out pharmaceuticals from giant glass jars, much like they might have hundreds of years ago. Outside in the square you’ll ›› TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

“

Kashgar contains a host of exotic wares, from boiled goats heads to bolts of silk

are routinely sprayed down. This is a thoroughly modern affair, with seafood, meat and vegetables available from display refrigerators. Look hard and you’ll also find live snakes, turtles and indigo-fleshed Silkie chickens available. MERCADO DE LA MERCED, MEXICO CITY

find a large open-air market set up with dozens of stalls selling different foods. There are also jugglers, acrobats and kids hawking henna tattoos.

Mexico City’s central market, Mercado de la Merced, is contained in several huge buildings. Apart from chillies of every shape, size and colour, you’ll find cactus leaves, cactus pears, Mexican spices, corn and more. Built on the site of a former monastery, La Merced was long the city’s major wholesale market. It is a favourite place for many to indulge in Mexican street food such as quesadillas, tostadas and tamales.

KRETA AYER WET MARKET, SINGAPORE

LA BOQUERIA, BARCELONA, SPAIN

Singapore’s sprawling Chinatown area is often known by its Malay name Kreta Ayer, which translates to ‘bullock cart water’. Duck past the temples and tourist trinket shops and find the wet market – so named as the floors and surrounds

Get amongst the world’s best jamon iberico at Barcelona’s home of jamon, La Boqueria market, off Las Ramblas. Just four slices cost upwards of $15, but with each mouthful packed with flavour and a texture as creamy as butter, those four slices can stretch out to three meals. The market also offers a wide variety of game, as well as fruits and vegetables, wine and deli items. But, really, it’s the jamon that keeps them coming back for more.

”

YELISEYEVSKY, MOSCOW, RUSSIA Even if you’re not in the market for caviar or blinis, Moscow’s Yeliseyevsky food emporium is worth a visit to check out its spectacular restored Art Nouveau interior, with its crystal chandeliers and gilt-painted cornices. You’ll find food from all over Russia, from traditional jam-filled gingerbread from the city of Tula and Georgian cheese pies to dumplings from Siberia. There’s also a wide variety of vodka. ❚

THE WORLD’S MOST UNUSUAL DINING

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Photos: Getty Images

Dinner In The Sky, based in Beirut and Brussels, takes diners sky-high – if not gastronomically then literally – using a crane to lift the table and diners 50m above ground. Alternatively, you could go underground at Ithaa Undersea, in the Maldives. The compact aquarium-style restaurant is 5m below sea level, and diners can watch fish swimming overhead. In Asia there’s a chain of restaurants that might just give you the shits. Modern Toilet originated in Taipei and now has branches as far as Hong Kong. Diners sit on toilet bowl-shaped stools and eat their noodles from vessels shaped like urinals. Dessert can be chocolate whip arranged artfully in a mini toilet bowl. For those who would rather not know what their food looks like there’s Dans Le Noir in Paris, a restaurant that is pitch dark. Owners say it is intended to help diners taste their food better. And in Japan, Shibuya restaurant Alcatraz ER is modelled on a mental prison. Waitresses dress as dominatrix-inspired nurses and handcuff diners, jab them with needles, then lock them in cells.

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WORLDNEWS

A Swiss court has banned naked hiking, saying the popular pastime is public indecency. Citizens of one conservative town are “tired of seeing people walking naked in their mountains”.

THE IMDB EMPIRE STRIKES BACK USA

The Internet Movie Database has launched a counterattack against the anonymous actress who sued the website for revealing her age. Last month, the Texan actress successfully sued the company for $1 million dollars, but now the IMDb are saying that she initially tried to get the service to post a false birthdate. The website says she is not only “selfish”, but committing fraud and they are threatening to ‘out’ the actress and reveal her true age.

SOMETHING CAMP IN THE WATER PERU

The mayor of a small town in Peru has claimed the town’s water is causing homosexuality. The mayor is concerned their tap water contains dangerously high levels of strontium – a metal which he claims reduces male hormones, increasing the risk of homosexuality among those who drink it. The theory is also based on the fact that the water comes from Tabolosos, a town long-rumoured to be full of homosexuals.

DANGEROUS CURVES BEHIND USA

A woman desperate for a curvaceous “Kardashian” figure has been hospitalised after being treated by a false doctor. Oneal Ron Morris, 30, who was born a man but identifies as a woman, allegedly posed as a doctor and filled the victim’s bottom with cement, mineral oil and flat-tyre sealant – she has since been arrested. The victim suffered abdominal pain and infected sores.

KITTEN COOKER FRIED IN COURT UK

A woman who microwaved a 10-week-old kitten to death has been found guilty of causing it unnecessary suffering. The woman initially denied the charge, claiming the kitten had been shut in the microwave oven by other cats. The court found that she had been angry at the kitten’s owner for reporting her boyfriend to police over a separate matter. 30

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ENGLAND’S JOHNSON LACKED ‘BOLLOCKS’ England’s Martin Johnson has been accused of lacking “bollocks” when failing to rein in misbehaving players during the Rugby World Cup. The divisions within the England camp were made public when three confidential reports were leaked to The Times. In a players union report, in which players could comment with anonymity, one said: “We just wanted Johno to have the bollocks to take action, especially after the Tindall night. He was too loyal and that was his downfall.”

BERLUSCONI CALLS UP RONALDO Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo could be called as a witness for the trial in which Italian ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s stands accused of having sex with an underage prostitute.

Love actually: Chelsea defender David Luiz gave a brilliantly-unusual response to BBC pundit Gary Neville’s assertion that Luiz defends like “a 10-year-old on a Playstation”. The Brazilian tweeted: “Gary Neville i love u! :p”.

Karima El Mahroug, aka ‘Ruby the Heart Stealer’, claims to have also slept with the Portuguese star. Ronaldo denies the assertion as ”totally false” and could be used to discredit her. Likewise, George Clooney could also be called to the stand.

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DROGS NEW BECKS? Didier Drogba could be heading stateside to replace David Beckham at MLS champions LA Galaxy. Reports suggest the Chelsea striker could be offered £5m a year.

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WINNER

WEEKLY WINNER

HOT TIPS: Wide angles

OPEN ALL NIGHT: Nick Yeh, 28, Taiwan

NICK SAYS: “I took this photo in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. During the day the city is so full and busy. During the night it is still bright but it quietens down. The empty offices signify this quietness.”

THE MONTHLY WINNER GETS THREE DAYS CAR HIRE FROM TRAVELLERS AUTOBARN Photos are judged by ROUGH GUIDES senior photo editor Mark Thomas each month. Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description, to: travel@tntdownunder.com Weekly winner Nick wins a free night’s stay at the award-winning Sydney Central YHA (yha.com.au). The monthly winner gets three days car hire from Travellers Auto Barn. The runner-up wins a Rough Guides book of their choice sent to an Oz or NZ address. roughguides.com

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SHOOTING WIDE You don’t have to have the best seat in the house to get a great shot during a sports performance or a city landscape. Sometimes it’s better to get a different perspective on a situation.

WIN

WHY IT WORKS Shooting wide can capture atmosphere in a way tight cropping cannot.

HOW TO FRAME In sports photography, for instance, the common perception is to zoom in to get as much action as possible into one tight frame. In some cases, this isn’t possible: perhaps you are too close to your subject of you don’t have the right equipment. When using your wide-angle lens, the trick is to be creative so that your subject doesn’t become a tiny dot in the frame. Finally, get the accessory photographers love to hate: a tripod.

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Leaving Sydney in search of Melbourne. It’s just down the road, right?

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ON THE ROAD WITH TRAVEL

TALK TOM SKIDMORE 23, ENGLAND

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

decide whether to live in Sydney Q Iorcan’t Melbourne first. How are they different? Ben Crisp, UK the age-old rivalry. There’s still plenty A Ah, of truth to be found in the old saying that Sydney is a great place to visit while Melbourne’s a better place to live. Sydney is a traveller’s delight; sited spectacularly on a big, wide harbour with a string of beaches on its ocean side, great landmarks in the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and excellent tourist infrastructure. However it’s expensive, choked with traffic and can be brash and unfriendly. A big city with a small town feel, Melbourne’s charms are less obvious on first sight. More cultural than Sydney, the locals love their artistic and sporting pursuits and like nothing better than talking about both in the city’s famous laneway bars. It’s a more affordable city and well planned, making it easy to get around. On the down side winter can be grim, the beaches are ordinary and it lacks Sydney’s immediate visual impact. So if you like beaches, the sun, the

outdoors and a big city feel then Sydney’s for you. For sophistication, pumping nightlife and a relaxed vibe I suggest Melbourne. Me? I like them both, but being Sydney born and bred I’ll always stick with what I know and love. it possible to get out and explore the Q Isoutback from Sydney? Jody Foy, USA O’Bourke” is Aussie for the middle A ”Back of nowhere and a fitting description for outback NSW. This region is a rewarding destination for travellers with the time and transport to do it justice. Broken Hill is the biggest town in the area and is building itself a reputation as an arts hub, with a sculpture park and galleries reflecting on the harsh lifestyle in a desert mining town. Check out the Bush Mail Run which drops in on outlying cattle stations, and don’t miss dry Lake Mungo, with its evidence of 40,000 years of Indigenous culture. Further north is the Sturt Desert National Park and the opal mining town of White Cliffs, where locals live in underground homes.

This clean hostel is ticking all of the right boxes. Free Wifi, parking + breakfast, a beer garden, pool tables and centrally located in Melbourne’s trendy St Kilda. They are so good they even OVERVIEW

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WHERE IS YOUR FAVE PLACE IN OZ? Fraser Island because I was with a great group of people. It was nice to go somewhere quiet and away from the city, although it didn’t stay quiet for long once we arrived. CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE? Hiking through the bush with my friends without a map. We were lost for a couple of days and ran out of water. Walking along clifftops in the middle of the night with only one torch whilst trying to find a campsite that didn’t exist. Sketchy, scary and stupid. MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE? Fraser Island. Dancing naked on top of a car with a policewoman from the UK. DONE ANYTHING UNUSUAL? Drinking my body-weight in goon every night. BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT OZ? No one wears the cork hats and I still haven’t come across anyone called Bruce or Sheila.

CHECKING IN HABITAT HQ

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN OZ? This is my third time travelling in Australia. So far I have covered the east and west coasts. This time I’m going around the whole country.

won a Golden Backpack award this year. ROOMS There’s 4, 6, 8 and 10 bed dorms and privates with ensuite and TVs. BILL PLEASE A bed in a 10-bed mixed dorm from $30/night. 333 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda, VIC habitathq.com.au

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA EXPERIENCE

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Each month our fave interview WINS a four-day Conservation Volunteers Australia experience. Email: travel@tntdownunder.com.

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SO YOU THINK YOU CAN HAKA

EVAN TWEEDIE saw the biggest, baddest blokes in NZ compete at the Haka Festival.... Every couple of years, the biggest, loudest and most fearsome-looking blokes in New Zealand get together to see who can do the best war dance. In February, six groups of huge, athletic Polynesians gathered for the finals of the Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival in Palmerston North. I’d seen the haka performed a few times before, but I was excited to see different groups from all over the country compete as though this would be the last performance they would ever give. All the six finalists had fought their way from a competitive battle of 32 groups and each performance was passionate, proud, provocative, fierce, energetic and evocative. We live in a world where cultural identity is getting lost in a generic, global culture, but I respect the way the Maori proudly hold onto their traditions and keep the torch of their ancestry burning bright. Prior to the festival, I did my homework, learning about the six disciplines required from each performance and what they mean.

Most people who travel to Aotearoa will become familiar with the words ‘Kapa Haka’. Kapa Haka is a group gathered to perform the songs and dances of the Maori people of New Zealand, using hand-to-hand combat practiced by the Maori in pre-colonial times. Kapa means rank or row, but the more recent expression has been used to mean the performance itself which, according to the older school of native speakers, is incorrect. I crept my way towards the front, where I huddled in with a large Whanau (family). I marked my territory with my last banana and a hoody I had tied around my waist. Each performance began with a Whakaeke (entrance), which is the group introduction, so it has to get the attention of the audience and judges, and ended with a Whakawatea (exit), which is just as loud as every group tries to leave a lasting impression. They chant Waiata a-ringa (action songs), using their hands and arms gracefully. Waiata Tawhito, which come in many forms, are chants performed to a traditional Maori tune with lots of spontaneous and individual expression by performers and poetic lyrics. One part of Kapa Haka which

Airlie:

awes me is the way the performers synchronise their posture and footwork while singing beautiful harmonies. The women have a special dance called the poi, which involves swinging balls the size of tennis balls to the tempo and beat of the song, while demonstrating the meaning of the lyrics. They are like some kind of sisterhood posse giving a feminist warning to all men that if they don’t behave or stay faithful, it’ll be their balls swinging around on a piece of flax... No need for further interpretation there, I mean two balls, swinging around, only performed by women... Hello, wake up and smell the kawhi (coffee). However, my personal favourite part of the performance and the one I most eagerly awaited is the haka. This masochistic war dance is performed by the fiercest-looking warriors, adorned with facial mokos and tribal tattoos on their thighs and chests. They stomped and thumped around the stage, pumped with adrenalin, performing one aggressive move after another, slapping their chests and thighs, their eyes bulging with psychotic stares. It’s a good anger suppressant and strangely no one gets hurt.

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Send us your scary, funny or embarrassing travel tale (preferably about Australia or New Zealand) and if published you’ll win a $300 travel voucher redeemable on Oz Experience passes (ozexperience.com), ATA NT camping trips (adventuretours.com.au) and with Wayward Bus (waywardbus.com. au). Email your stories (700 words max), to travel@tntdownunder.com

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Ramsay St pilgrimage MELBOURNE

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

“

There are no pretensions on this trip. It’s just brilliantly cheesy fun

”

“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?”, asked our guide. “Mrs Mangle,” chirped up the middle-aged punk, complete with skull tattoos. “She’s the only one I remember,” he added, resuming his death stare. Yeah right. ❚ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

DOCTOR’S ORDERS CHATTING TO ALAN FLETCHER, AKA DR KARL Hi Alan, you’ve been in Neighbours for over 15 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 job 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 young 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 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 that 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, 38

ALL SOAPED UP MEETING THE SHOW’S STARS Writhing on the floor to Diana Ross’s “I Will Survive” in front of an audience was not exactly what I had expected from my first Neighbours Night, writes Joanna Tilley. Was I really in a dream and would the sexy Dr Kennedy (aka Alan Fletcher), watching from the sidelines, soon be undressing me tenderly on the dancefloor? Alas no. I was foolishly taking part in a dance competition, trying to win a Whitsundays trip. After jumping off the stage, harassing a member of security and rolling erotically (well, erratically) on the floor, I ended up the winner of nothing but an incalculable amount of embarrassment. Thankfully there was more to the evening than my performance. We were blessed with the company of the hot doctor (a legend amongst us mortals), the equally hot Rachel Kinski and the not-so-hot Stingray. After a question-and–answer session, we got the chance to meet the stars and take that Facebook photo. As I generally try not to stand next to anyone too skinny and cute, I kept my distance from Rachel. But nothing could stop me getting up close and personal with Karl. He really is a dream boat. Charm, talent, good looks and raw sex appeal rolled up to form one man. And the night’s not over until the dishy doc sings. Sure enough I soon found myself watching Dr Kennedy’s band, Waiting Room. The excitement was palpable. The main man himself had a guitar rather than the usual stethoscope wrapped seductively around his neck. And he rocked the joint. Screams of, “I want your babies”, echoed around the bar. Girls shouted things too. The hour and a half show was over way too soon. But I thought I’d soon catch up with my Karl. If not in Melbourne, than more likely in my dreams. For info, visit neighboursnight.com.au

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. ❚

NEXT WEEK Hot rocks: Exploring Uluru and the rest of the Red Centre

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BPK

ÂŁ20 entry = $30* Pre-bookings only. $40 at the door

* Offer valid for tickets pre-purchased at the Neighbours Centre or friendly travel agent. Offer not valid on the night.

BPKing 643 indd 1

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17/8/11 6:31:29 PM

March of the penguins Just down the road from Melbourne lies one of the world’s biggest penguin colonies, and every night they like to put on a show... WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Where’s the party? 40

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The darkness is just about upon us when hushed whispers spread excitedly through the group – the telltale white bellies of the penguins have been spotted by the water’s edge. They waddle forwards and then backwards again nervously, unsure if any birds of prey still linger. And suddenly, as if reacting to a starter’s gun, they’re off, storming the open stretch of dangerous sand like a D-Day landing party, moving in groups of 10 or 20 for safety. Within a minute they’re right by our sides and it’s party time. The little penguins, which at under 50cm of charismatic cuteness are the world’s smallest, have made it. They’ve survived the daily commute one more time and now stand together, preening, chatting and seemingly oblivious to us gawping at them like idiots from just a metre or two away (although I’m guessing there’s one or two penguin posers secretly loving it).

PENGUIN PARADE: Tix cost from $21.65 or you can buy a Three Parks Pass (for the penguin parade, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and Koala Conservation Centre) for $36.85. penguins.org.au SURFING: Surf lessons with Out There cost $60. outthere.net.au FISHING: Fishing, rod hire and cooking at Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm costs about $30, dependent on size of fish caught. rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au SLEEPING: Beds at The Island Accommodation cost from $30 a night. theislandaccommodation.com.au

Every few minutes the group swells as another and then another platoon arrives, out of breath and jubilant, to join the nightly celebrations. Once fully preened and gossiped out, they then begin the waddle back to their respective homes.

FEATHERWEIGHT FRIENDS Strolling along the network of boardwalks I follow their excited chatter, joining them for the final leg as the night fills with the sounds of hot pingu loving and babies demanding regurgitated fish. I can’t deny the fact I’ve always been a sucker for a cute bird, but this is something else. With a population of around 70,000 little penguins (6,000 of which are in the penguin parade area), the Summerland Peninsula boasts one of the biggest penguin colonies on the planet. And ›› it shows.

Phillip Island VICTORIA

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SEALING THE DEAL People made nervous by Hitchcock films should probably avoid the area as the skies are filled with birds. Crested terns, hooded plovers, short-tailed shearwaters… they are just three of the winged creatures I’d never heard of before that apparently love the area. And just off the shore lie the jutting rocks which are the Nobbies themselves. These slabs of stone rising from the frothy waters are where 25,000 fur seals call home, giving birth to over 5,000 pups a year. The blubbery fur balls it seems absolutely love the Bass Strait area, due to abundant foods like mackeral, squid and red cod. Also it helps that they’ve been protected since 1975, since when their population has doubled.

OTHER MELBOURNE ESCAPES Wilsons Prom: Walking tracks, abundant wildlife and stunning beaches – it’s not hard to see why the “Prom” is such a popular national park. Ned Kelly: Relive the days of Australia’s favourite “crim” around Glenrowan. Visit the gloriously overthe-top Kellyland, or put a bucket on your head and recreate the famous final shoot-out. Worship the Twelve Apostles: One of Australia’s most famous sights, these rocks jut dramatically out of the ocean. A Great Ocean Road roadtrip is a must-do. Snowy River NP: If you want to get away from it all, head to one of Victoria’s most isolated parks. It also just happens to be the most spectacular. Head to the Dandenongs: Tired of the city? Well, the Dandenong Ranges are only 35km east of Melbourne and its national parks, ferns and exotic trees make for a great bushwalking escape. Bushwalk the Grampians NP: For a taste of the Victorian wilderness, head to the Grampians. There’s plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, horse riding and rockclimbing, plus Aboriginal rock art sites and wildlife. 42

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Now, 25,000 sounds like a serious amount of seals but, to be honest, stats like that normally spend around three seconds in my head. So how about this for a fun fact. The 25,000 seals all jostling for space on this tiny corner of this small Victorian island are actually a quarter of the entire Australian fur seal population. This is great. I mean, seals, what’s not to love? Well,

“

It’s scientifically proven you can never get bored looking at koalas

”

there’s one thing. Wherever you get lots of seals, you get big sharks. And wherever you get crazy big numbers of seals, you get crazy big sharks, which kind of explains why some of the biggest great whites ever caught have been caught off Phillip Island. Again, that’s kinda cool. But right now I’m finding it a very long way from cool. The reason? I’m pulling on my sexy seal-like wetsuit for a surf lesson... MAN VS WILD

Meeting my instructor Ash, I’m quick to raise my concerns. “Ah, don’t worry,” he quickly reassures me. “The sharks are too big to worry about us round here.” “Great”, I think, taking a final fond look at my arms and legs. Very reassuring. “But seriously,” continues Ash, “they’re definitely out there, but I’ve never seen one surfing here in all my years.” And so, wetsuits donned and a few right hooks to a shark nose mentally rehearsed, we take to the water. Within a surprisingly short time I’ve completely forgotten about looking for fins as I concentrate on keeping my footing on the longboard, wooping with joy every time I manage to briefly stay up and ride a wave. After a few hours I’m exhilarated, hooked and still alive, but I’m exhausted, so crawl out of the water, all limbs still attached. By now, however, I’ve built myself up a serious hunger and so go in search of food. Confident that my prowess on the board has scared off any potential maneaters, I’m feeling particularly virulent and so decide on a bit of hunter gathering. I stroll into the Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm intent on catching my lunch. Now, considering my one experience of fishing involved a traumatic childhood day aboard a boat off English fishing village Whitby in torrential rain, catching zero fish – thanks Dad), my confidence of actually succeeding in this was low. But, not to be defeated, I grab a rod, get shown how to put the bait on and cast it, before sitting back to bask in the sun. Half an hour later and nothing has happened. At least I don’t think it has. I mean, how hard does a fish pull? Maybe I missed it. But then suddenly, I really know it’s on. Some watersucking monster is trying to steal my rod! I get to work and within a minute or so he’s on the shore, my very own 450g trout. Okay, maybe not the giant I’d imagined, but the feeling of catching my first fish is strangely exciting. Better yet, I take it straight to the kitchen and within

Photos: Tourism Victoria, Andrew Westbrook

Black and white bundles of feathers and fluff are everywhere I look. Jumping in holes, squawking in bushes or simply waddling contentedly down the track, I see literally hundreds of them, while tourists “ooo” and “ahhh” like schoolgirls on every side. Eventually dragging myself away, there’s only one thought on my mind, “I want a penguin”. I’m on Phillip Island which, at less than a couple of hours drive from Melbourne, is one of the most popular getaways from the Victorian capital. The island’s unbearably cute black and white locals are clearly its main draw. However, there’s much, much more to this 26km long island, making it worthy of doing more than just the obligatory penguin parade. My first port of call on arrival is to head up to the island’s northern tip and have a gander at the enticinglynamed Nobbies. Walking around the jagged rocks as waves dramatically crash into the shore as though they’ve been eagerly dreaming of the moment for 1,000km (and they probably have), walls of spray are created while blow holes er, blow, whichever way I look.

half an hour it’s been baked with Kakadu plum, lime and chilli. It’s truly delicious, even if I do get disturbingly hyped about eating my own kill for the first time. ANIMAL FARM Belly satisfied, next stop on the agenda is the Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Covering 57 hectares, this historic working farm is surrounded by the inky depths of the Bass Strait and is a great place to bring out your inner child. I happily spend a couple of hours riding a horse-drawn carriage, getting licked by a lamb, milking a cow and watching a sheep get sheared. It’s then on to my final stop, the Koala Conservation Centre. It’s scientifically proven (sort of) that you can never get bored of looking at koalas, or that you can walk away from one without first taking an excessive number of identical photos, making this place as good as any to stop at. Set within protected bushland, the centre’s trees are home to 33 koalas, which happily sit around with their stoned-looking eyes as I stroll the boardwalks, which have been elevated to the treetops allowing for great upclose viewing. A thousand pictures later, I leave the koalas to their eucalypts and head Festival fever: We back to Melbourne, amazed that so chat to Falls act the much could be crammed onto one Scratch Perverts tiny island so close to the city. ❚

NEXT WEEK

Photos: Tourism Victoria, Andrew Westbrook

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OZLISTINGS TRAVEL AGENTS Adventure Travel Bugs 02 9212 4444, adventuretravelbugs.com Backpackers World Travel 1800 676 67 63, backpackersworld.com Peter Pans Adventure Travel 1800 188 799, peterpans.com Travellers Contact Point 1800 647 640, travellers.com.au Tribal Adventure Travel 1800 984 484, tribaltravel.com.au YHA Travel 02 9261 111, yha.com.au

TOUR FIRMS

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

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

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

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com

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

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

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

Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com

Wings Diving Whitsundays packages 1 300 859 853 whitsundaydive.com.au

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

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com

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

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

Surf & Sun Adventures South Australia tours 1800 786 386, surfandsun.com.au Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

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

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au

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

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

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NOT COMING TO SYDNEY? THEN BUY AND SELL ONLINE @ www.carmarket.com.au OR CALL 02 9358 5000 44

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SYDNEY STAY

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au

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

BOOK NOW!

Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com

Sydney Observatory The Rocks. sydneyobservatory.com.au

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

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

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

Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneyskytour.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 www.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 Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills. 02 9261 1111 Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Sydney Entertainment Centre. Tue, Feb 28. Price TBC. Tickets for this rocking Soundwave Festival sideshow, which go on sale this Thursday, at 9am, are expected to go fast.

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

35 Harbour St, Darling Harbour

Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee 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

ticketmaster.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 Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

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

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

The Furnished Property Group 02 8669 3678, furnishedproperty.com.au

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

Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com

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

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

SYDNEY MUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com

The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com

Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195, yha.com.au

Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

SOUTH COAST

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

Great Southern Backpackers 13 Chandos St, Eden. 02 6496 1515, greatsoutherninn.com.au

The Basement thebasement.com.au The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au

COFFS HARB

The Gaelic Hotel thegaelic.com The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

JERVIS BAY Don’t be in too big a rush to head north from Sydney as the New South Wales south coast also boasts some mighty fine beaches that enjoy far fewer crowds than much of the east coast. The area isn’t brilliantly served by public transport but, if you’ve got your own wheels, you’ll be able to reap the rewards within just a few hours. Perfect weekend getaway territory, the Jervis Bay area is centred around the town of Huskisson and offers some fantastic beaches, which the locals claim have the whitest sand in the world and some great camping spots as well as opportunities for diving plus whale and dolphin spotting.

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

BOOK NOW!

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

Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com

Gallery of Modern Art Stanley Pl, South Bank. 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au

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

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

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

Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com

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

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

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

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

Lone Pine Koala Santuary 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket. 07 3378 1366, koala.net

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

SUPAFEST RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane. Sat, Apr 14. From $139. Billed as Australia’s biggest urban music festival, next year’s impressive lineup already includes P Diddy, Ice Cube, Kelly Rowland & Lupe Fiasco.

600 Gregory Tce, Fortitude Valley

supafest.com.au

Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St 07 3236 1947, yha.com.au

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

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

Chill Backpackers 328 Upper Roma St. 1800 851 875, chillbackpackers.com

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

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

BRISBANE DO

BRISBANE MUSIC The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au The Tivoli thetivoli.net.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 Paradise. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 074 393, islander.com.au

The Zoo thezoo.com.au

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

X and Y Bar xandybar.com.au

GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers

Cheers International Backpackers 8 Pine Av, Surfers Paradise. 1800 636 539, cheersbackpackers.com.au

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

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QLDLISTINGS Surf â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sun Beachside Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 678 194, surfnsun-goldcoast.com Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise. 07 5571 1776, yha.com.au Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907, Seaworld seaworld.com.au Wet â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au Zorb Adrenalin rolling. 07 5547 6300

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com Dolphins Beach House 14-16 Duke Street, Noosa 1800 454 456, dolphinsbeachhouse.com Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au

RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111 126 dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Road. 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive. 07 4125 1844 yha.com.au Fraser Roving 412 The Esplanade. 1800 989 811, fraserroving.com.au Halse Lodge YHA 408 The Esplanade. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com.au Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

heart of the reef Airlie Beach

Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay Rd. 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

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

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

TOWN OF 1770

s .EW &ARM &ORTITUDE 6ALLEY s 7ORKING 4RAVELLERS !CCOMMODATION s "RAND .EW INNER SPRING BEDS s !LL BEDROOMS HAVE 46 AND &RIDGES s $BL ROOMS 3INGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE s & F STUDIO OWN KITCHEN AND BATHROOM n WEEK MINIMUM STAY s 0RICES FROM AS LOW AS A NIGHT AND THAT S YOUR OWN PRIVATE F F ROOM s 4RANSPORT GALORE WITH WALKING DISTANCE TO #"$ &ORTITUDE 6ALLEY

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QUEENSLAND THE WHITSUNDAY ISL ANDS

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

WHITEHAVEN BEACH CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE

Swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays, a stuff-yourself-stupid BBQ lunch with unlimited drinks plus us exhilarating sailing aboard Camira one of the world s fastest est sailing catamarans â&#x20AC;&#x2019; an awesome day out on the water!r! $139*pp SAVE $36

GRE AT BARRIER REEF ADVENT URES

The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonders rs of the natural world. Cruise aboard Seaflight to Queensland land s most innovative reef pontoon featuring a giant waterslide slide and underwater viewing chamber. Explore the underwater water wonderland with diving, snorkelling, semi-sub or glasss bottom boat rides. Includes morning / afternoon tea and an all you can eat buffet lunch. $139*pp SAVE $60

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT BAREFOOT L AZ Y DAZE

Start your holiday with a choice of either a Whitehavenn Beach Camira Sailing Adventure, or a Great Barrier Reef Adventures. Overnight at Long Island. When you dream of an Island experience this is what you dream of! Spend the day enjoying the facilities at Long Island Resort or find your own secluded bay and take in the great outdoors. Great snorkelling. Ferry/ bus us departures back to Airlie available at a variety of times. s. You may just be tempted to stay another night! From $199*pp (Dorm accommodation) plus heaps of other great packages 3-6 days available All day cruises and packages depart daily from Airlie Beach. For info and bookings see your travel centre or contact us: FREECALL1800 awesome

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info@awesomeoz.com

www.awesomeoz.com

Backpacker prices only available on presentation of a valid Student, Peterpans, YHA, ISIC, VIP or NOMADS card. Valid for travel until 31 March 2012. Conditions apply, see our website for details.

TNT625- AAO2765

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

ROCKHAMPTON Emus Beach Resort 88 of Patterson St, Emu Park. 07 4939 6111, emusbeachresort.com Myella Farmstay Baralaba. 07 4998 1290, myella.com

AIRLIE BEACH Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au Airlie Waterfront Backpackers 6 The Esplanade. 1800 089 000, airliewaterfront.com

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

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Resort 79 Palmer St. 1800 211 522, adventurersresort.com Adrenalin Dive Yongala diving. 07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au Yongala Dive Yongala diving. 07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

MAGNETIC ISL

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nomads Airlie Beach 354 Shute

Harbour Rd. 1800 666 237 nomadshostels.com

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

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

INNISFAIL Innisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 7833 Walkabout Motel & Backpackers 07 4061 2311

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353, bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au Dreamtime Travellers Rest 189 Bunda St. 1800 058 440, dreamtimehostel.com Gilligans Backpackers and Hotel Resort 57-89 Grafton St. 1800 556 995, gilligans.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com

NJOY Travellers Resort Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com Nomads Cairns 341 Lake St. 1800 737 736, nomadshostels.com Nomads Esplanade 93 The Esplanade. 1800 175 716, nomadshostels.com Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton St. 1800 000 541, northerngreenhouse.com.au

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

@tnt_downunder Skyrail Rainforest Cableway 07 4038 1555, skyrail.com.au

ATHERTON Kuranda Rainforest Park 88 Kuranda Heaights Rd, Kuranda. 07 4093 7316 kurandarainforestpark.com.au

PORT DOUGLAS Parrotfish Backpackers Resort 37 Warner St, Kuranda. 07 4099 5011, parrotfishlodge.com

GULF SAVANNAH Emu Creek Cattle Station 07 4094 8313

DAINTREE Koala Beach Resort Cape Kimberly Rd. 1800 466 444

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

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facebook/tntdownunder 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au

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

BOOK NOW!

Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com

CSS Corner Hotel, Melbourne. Thu, Jan 5. $55. The supercool Brazilian new rave rockers bring their latest album to Aussie shores for Falls Festival and a couple of side shows. 57 Swan St, Richmond

ticketek.com.au

MELBOURNE STAY All Nations Backpackers Hotel & Bar 2 Spencer St. 1800 222 238, allnations.com.au Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com Central Melbourne

Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St.

Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com Urban Central 334 City Rd, Southbank. 1800 631 288, urbancentral.com.au

RONAN KEATING Regent Theatre. Tues, Feb 7. $109. Tickets for the former Boyzone manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nine-date Aussie tour went on sale last week. Judge for yourself whether heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got the X-factor. 191 Collins St, Melbourne

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

ticketmaster.com.au 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

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VICLISTINGS

MORNINGTON

Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au

BOOK NOW!

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

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

MELB MUSIC

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

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

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

East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com

DANDENONG

Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au

MELBOURNE INT COMEDY FEST

Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com

Melbourne. Wed, Mar 28 – Sun, Apr 22. Tom Green, Jason Byrne, Ross Noble and Des Bishop are just some of the 2012 names just announced for Australia’s biggest comedy festival.

Palace Theatre palace.com.au

Various venues

The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au The Tote thetotehotel.com

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

comedyfestival.com.au

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

GREAT OCEAN RD

Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne. 03 5289 2508, yha.com.au

Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.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 Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park 35 Bell St, Torquay. 1300 736 533, torquaycaravanpark.com.au

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

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

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes. 03 5952 3620, yha.com.au The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com.au

GRAMPIANS Brambuck Backpackers 330 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4250, brambuck.com.au Fleece Inn YHA 139 Charleston Rd, Bendigo. 03 5443 3086, yha.com.au Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4543, yha.com.au Old Crown Hotel 238 Hargreaves St, Bendigo. 03 5441 6888 Tim’s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288, timsplace.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MELBOURNE’S LANEWAYS Melbourne’s nightlife is the undisputed king of Aussie cool, and a big reason for that is the city’s abundance of ‘secret’ venues down the many laneways. Hitting the town in the Victorian capital is just about the only time it’s okay to stray off the main streets of a big city and venture up random staircases and down dark alleyways, because more often than not you’ll come across a fantastic bar, a cosy restaurant or an intimate club perfect for mixing with the locals. The laneways of Melbourne’s CBD date back to the Victorian era when they were used as service lanes for horses and carts. They now provide homes to thousands of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and clubs, and their walls display colourful works of modern art. Most of the action is centred around Flinders Lane, with Degraves Lane being a huge hub of street cafés and bars, which buzz well into the night. There are tours of the laneways, but if there’s a group of you it’s much more exciting to go it alone; chat to the bar tenders and locals. You never know what you might discover.

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

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

DON’T MISS!

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

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

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

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

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

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

KATHERINE DO

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

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

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

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

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

HOTTEST 7’S IN THE WORLD Austar Rugby Park. Sat, Jan 21 – Sun, Jan 22, From $10. Rugby sevens teams from across Australia and Indonesia compete for a cash prize in this two-day tournament.

Abala Road, Marrara, Darwin

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

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

Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room. Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net

hottest7s.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point. 08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf.

1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au

Alice Lodge 4 Mueller St. 08 8953 1975, alicelodge.com.au

Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River. 08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au

Alice Springs YHA Cnr Parsons St & Leichhardt Tce. 08 8952 8855, yha.com.au

Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

Annie’s Place 4 Traeger Ave. 1800 359 089, anniesplace.com.au

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ADELAIDE RIVER’S JUMPING CROCS The Adelaide River, just outside Darwin, is not somewhere you’d want to go for a swim. It is quite literally teeming with the world’s largest reptiles – saltwater crocodiles. Several companies operate tour boats on the river, offering chunks of buffalo meat on the end of a stick to encourage the salties to jump from the water just a metre or so from the boat. It’s genuinely impressive stuff and reminds you just how little time you’d last if you were to take a tumble. Most boats charge about $35-40 for the experience, excluding transport.

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@tnt_downunder

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

PERTH DO TAYLOR SWIFT Burswood Dome. Fri, Mar 2. From $112. Check out the country superstar, who’s just become the first person ever to win a second artist of the year gong at the American Music Awards.

Great Eastern Highway, Burswood

PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge. 08 9227 6000, perthbrittania.com Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553,

ticketek.com.au

Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. 08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au

emperorscrown.com.au

Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au

Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au

Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe. 08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au One World Backpackers 162

PERTH MUSIC Amplifier amplifiercapitol.com.au

SOUNDWAVE Claremont Showgrounds. Mon, Mar 5. $164. Bush are the latest big act joining the Soundwave tour, which has a lineup likely to leave most metal fans weak at the knees.

Graylands Rd, Claremont, Perth Astor Theatre liveattheastor.com.au Mojo’s Bar mojosbar.com.au The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au

oztix.com.au

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BROOME Historically an old pearling town, Broome is brimming with Asian and Aboriginal culture, fantastic eateries, impressive sunsets and pristine beaches. It’s a stunning hippy-haven for some, and the gateway to a world of wondrous outback adventures in the Kimberley for others. Cable Beach (pictured), on which you can book camel rides for the sunset ride of your life and a fantastic photo opp, is known as one of the world’s most beautiful coastal stretches. Another picture pick is the Staircase to the Moon, a reflective effect from the full moon over the mud flats of Town Beach. Of course, there’s an open-air market to enjoy the view with food.

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Monkey Mia Flash Backpackers like us on

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MONKEY MIA

80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com.au

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

FREO DO

NINGALOO REEF

Fremantle Markets 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BROOME DO

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

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

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

Aspen Parks Begin your re today... Darwin

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park

1800 466 528

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TAS & SALISTINGS HOBART STAY Central City Backpackers 138 Collins St. 1800 811 507, centralbackpackers.com.au Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com.au Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com 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.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

Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au

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

Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au

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

LAUNCESTON DO Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery 2 Invermay Rd & 2 Wellington St. 03 6323 3777, qvmag.tas.gov.au Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Rd. 03 6396 6100, tasmaniazoo.com.au

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

BICHENO Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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

STRAHAN

ADELAIDE DO

Discovery Holiday Parks Cnr Andrew & Innes St. 1800 454 292, discoveryholidayparks.com.au

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

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

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

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

Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. 08 8414 3010, yha.com.au Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au

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Goodwood Rd, Wayville

Freycinet National Park Brewery, Wineglass Bay camping. 03 6256 7000, wineglassbay.com

ADELAIDE STAY

Adelaide Showground. Fri, Feb 3. $175. It might have lost headliner Kanye, but the Adelaide leg of this massive touring festival has instead pulled in Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

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

Adelaide Oval Home to the Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, adpi.com.au

Nestled in Tasmania’s north-east is the Bay of Fires, an idyllic sweep of icing sugar white sand dotted with flame-coloured boulders. It’s a great spot to set up camp.

BIG DAY OUT

Iluka Backpackers YHA Reserve Rd. 03 6257 0115, yha.com.au

Wild Rivers Jet Jet boating. 03 6471 7396, wildriversjet.com.au adelaide stay

BAY OF FIRES

BOOK NOW!

CRADLE MTN

Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au

Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com

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

ticketmaster.com.au

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton.08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray. 1800 665 166, nomadsworld.com Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

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

EYRE PENINSULA

BAROSSA VAL

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

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

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

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

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

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

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

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BUS TOURS Flexi-Pass Combines InterCity and Newmans. 0800 222 146, flexipass.co.nz

Econo Campers +64 9275 9919, econocampers.co.nz

BOOK NOW!

Escape Rentals 1800 456 272, escaperentals.co.nz Explore More 1800 800 327, dcrentals.com.nz

Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions 1800 143 515, flyingkiwi.com Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals +800 200 80 801, backpackercampervans.com

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED Queenstown. Sun, Feb 5. From NZ$89. The legendary rockers will be rolling out all their classic hits on this three-date Kiwi tour. Queenstown Events Centre

ticketek.co.nz

Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001

Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 447

122, bargainrentals.com.nz

363, exploremore.co.nz

Albert Park Backpackers (VIP) 27-31 Victoria St East. +64 9309 0336, bakpak@albertpark.co.nz

Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.com.nz

Auckland International Backpackers (BBH) 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584,

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

Base Auckland 229 Queen St. 0800 227 369, stayatbase.com

Rental Car Village +64 9376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz

Bamber House (BBH) 2 2 View Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com

Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

skywaylodge.co.nz

Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

AUCKLAND Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. +64 9275 4443,

Central City Backpackers 26 Lorne St. +64 9358 5685, backpacker.net.nz City Garden Lodge 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. +64 9302 0880 Kiwi International Queen St Hotel and Hostel 411 Queen St. 0800 100 411, kiwihotel.co.nz The Fat Camel (Nomads)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GET YOUR OWN WHEELS Whether it’s a campervan, car or even a bike, try to get your own transport for at least part of your Kiwi travels. There are few countries in the world that are so consistently stunning, safe and sparsely populated as New Zealand, so take advantage of the situation to get a bit of freedom and explore it for yourself, in your own time. You won’t regret it.

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NZLISTINGS 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 The Brown Kiwi (BBH) 7 Prosford St, Ponsonby. +64 9378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. +64 9309 2802, yha.co.nz YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. +64 9302 8200, yha.co.nz

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

Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. +64 4385 8829 cambridgehotel.co.nz

314 Barbadoes Street. +64 3365 4363 aroundtheworld.co.nz

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

At The Right Place 85 Bealey Street. +64 3366 1633 atrp.co.nz

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

Pentlands (BBH) 22 Pentland Ave, Mt Eden. +64 9638 7031

BOOK NOW!

Avon City Backpackers Worcester Street. +64 3389 6876, avoncitybackpackers.com

Maple Lodge (BBH) 52 Ellice St. +64 4385 3771

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

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

Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. +64 3366 9720, backpack.co.nz/foley

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

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

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

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

Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St. 0508 00 58 58 Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace. +64 4802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280 yha.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH Around the World Backpackers

Marine Backpackers 26 Nayland St. +64 3326 6609 themarine.co.nz Point Break Backpackers (BBH) 99 Seaview Road. +64 3388 2050 pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. +64 3381 5504 oldcountryhousenz.com

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

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@tnt_downunder butterfli.co.nz

Tranquil Lodge (BBH) 440 Manchester St. +64 3366 6500 tranquil-lodge.co.nz Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 70 Bealey Ave. +64 3377 7931 rucksacker.com Vagabond Backpackers (BBH) 232 Worcester St. +64 3379 9677 vagabondbackpackers @hotmail.com

QUEENSTOWN Alpine Lodge (BBH) 13 Gorge Rd. +64 3442 7220, alpinelodge@xtra.co.nz Aspen Lodge (BBH) 11 Gorge Rd. +64 3442 9671, aspenlodge.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. +64 3443 7341, cardrona.com Deco Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 52 Man St. +64 3442 7384, decobackpackers.co.nz Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. +64 3442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. +64 3442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. +64 3441 3922, nomadshostels.com Pinewood Lodge (VIP) 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 7463 9663, rgrieg@xtra.co.nz

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

Queenstown Lodge Sainsbury Rd, Fernhill. 0800 756 343, queenstownlodge.co.nz

Black Sheep Lodge (BBH/VIP) 13 Frankton Rd. +64 3442 7289, blacksheepbackpackers.co.nz

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

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

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

Butterfli Lodge (BBH) 62 Thompson St. +64 3442 6367,

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

WHEN YOU

JOIN YHA

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NADI & WEST Aquarius Pacific Hotel +679 672 6000 Beach Escape Villas +679 672 4442, beachscape@ connect.com.fj Cathay Hotel +679 666 0566, fiji4less.com Horizon Beach Resort +679 672 2832, horizonbeachfiji.com

Awesome Adventures Fiji +679 675 0499, awesomefiji.com Coconut Bay Resort +679 666 6644 coconutbay_fiji2002@yahoo.com

The Funky Fish Beach Resort +679 628 2333, funkyfishresort.com

Long Beach Backpackers Resort +679 666 6644

Nabua Lodge +679 666 9173 nabualodge@connect.com.fj

Nadi Hotel +679 670 0000, ndht@connect.com.fj

Oarsmans Bay Lodge +679 672 2921 nacula@hotmail.com

Travellers Beach Resort +679 672 3322, beachvilla@connect.com.fj

YASAWA ISLANDS

Tsulu Luxury Backpackers & Apartments +679 345 0065, tsulu.com

Kuata Resort +679 666 6644

Nadi Down Town Backpackers Inn +679 670 0600, pacvalley@connect.com.fj

Smugglers Cove Beach Resort +679 672 6578, smugglers beachfiji.com

Bounty Island Resort +679 666 6999, fiji-bounty.com Rau Kini’s Hostel +679 672 1959, rtkinihostel@connect.com.fj

Manta Ray Island +679 672 6351 mantarayisland@connect.com.fj

Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel +679 666 1777, fiji4less.com

The Uprising Beach Resort +679 345 2200, uprisingbeachresort.com

Korovou Eco Tour Resort +679 666 6644 korovoultk@connect.com.fj

Nadi Bay Resort Hotel +679 672 3599, fijinadibayhotel.com

Nomads Skylodge Hotel +679 672 2200

Beachcomber Island Resort +679 666 1500, beachcomberfiji.com

Octopus Resort +679 666 6337 reservations@octopusresort.com Sunrise Lagoon Resort +679 666 6644 Wayalailai Island Resort +679 672 1377 wayalailai@connect.com.fj White Sandy Beach Dive Resort +679 666 4066

MAMANUCA ISL

The Resort Walu Beach +679 665 1777, walubeach.com

CORAL COAST Beachouse +679 653 0500, fijibeachouse.com Mango Bay Resort +679 653 00690, mangobayresortfiji.com Pacific Safaris Club +679 345 0498, safariclub@connect.com.fj Rendezvous Dive Resort +679 628 4427, surfdivefiji.com Robinson Crusoe +679 629 1999, robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com Seashell Cove Resort +679 670 6100, seashellresort.com Tabukula Beach Bungalows +679 650 0097, fiji4less.com

+679 669 4633 Morrison’s Beach Cottagess +679 669 4516, tipple@connect.com.fj Safari Lodge Fijis +679 669 3333 safarilodge.com.fj

Vakaviti Motel & Dorm +679 650 0526, bulavakaviti@connect.com.fj

Volivoli Beach Resort +679 669 4511, volivoli.com

Vilisite Place +679 650 1030

VANUA LEVU

SUVA Colonial Lodge +679 92 75248, sailevukaga@yahoo.co.nz

Bayside Backpacker Cottage +679 885 3154, tripntour@connect.com.fj

Lami Lodge Backpackers +679 336 2240, volau@connect.com.fj

Hidden Paradise Guest House +678 885 0106

Leleuvia Island Resort +679 331 9567, eleen@leleuvia.com

Naveria Heights Lodge +679 851 0157, justnaveria@connect.com.fj

Raintree Lodge +679 332 0562, raintreelodge.com Royal Hotel +679 344 0024 royal@connect.com.fj South Seas Private Hotel +679 331 2296, fiji4less.com

TAVEUNI Albert’s Sunrise +679 333 7555

Tailevu Hotel +679 343 0028

NORTH VITI LEVU Bethams Cottage +679 669 4132, bethams.com.fj Macdonalds Beach Cottages

Savusavu Hot Springs +679 885 0195, hotspringshotel@connect.com.fjj

Matava Resort +679 330 5222, matava.com Reece’s Place +679 362 6319 Waisalima Beach Resort +679 738 9236, waisalima.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SURFING Fiji is rightly world-famous for having some of the best surf found on the planet. This used to be frustrating, the reason being that you could only actually get to it as a tourist by staying at a fancy resort. However last year that all changed and a new law means that budget surfers can now also get to spend some time in the blue room. Cloudbreak, a reef break a mile off the island of Tavarua, is the stuff of legend, but there’s plenty of others worthy of your time. The Coral Coast’s Frigate Passage, on Vitu Levu’s south-west corner, is a fun wave, while the Sigatoka Rivermouth, south of Nadi, is Fiji’s only beach break. Note the peak surfing months are from May to October, during the dry season, but there are great waves all year round.

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OZWORK

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Officially speaking The demand for office workers is on the rise, so if you’re low on cash, fear not, you can find office work wherever you land in Oz...

Sadly, whether it’s because of a few too many nights in Scubar or that sailing trip around the Whitsundays, it’s very easy to burn your way through your hard-earned savings at a horrifying pace. But have no fear, because picking up some office work, as long as you have even a little experience, is relatively painless and quite often as well paid as any temp job you’re likely to get. If anything, it seems the demand for travellers in the workplace is on the rise. Christine Wright, regional director of Hays Office Support, says: “Australian employers are recognising the benefits of taking on travellers. Salaries are remaining steady, or increasing slightly.” Wright adds that workers who have specialised in IT or financial services will do especially well. “It is not uncommon for these candidates to receive a job offer within 24 to 48 hours,” she says. But it’s worth making sure you’re prepared. “Put effort into your application,” Wright advises. “Provide a cover letter which sums up your experience, let us know what work you are looking for and give reasons for why you would be good for the position. “Put as much relevant detail into your resumé as possible.

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List all previous duties and computer packages used.” But even with a badass CV, make sure you don’t mess up the obvious things. Wright warns: “We expect candidates to be well presented, so make sure you have a suit, black shoes and keep hair, etc, tidy. “Make sure your voicemail is set up as it can be frustrating when potential candidates are unreachable.” “Be honest about potential other job opportunities, turn up every day to your job, and if you are unwell always inform your consultant,” adds Wright. Louise Hays from Command Recruitment Group believes that joining an agency such as theirs is the perfect way to snag that temporary office job. “You’ll be joining an organisation that’s experienced in temporary and contract recruitment and management. We ensure a consultative approach with our candidates and provide an opportunity to develop your career,” she says. If you want to travel as you work, then a recruitment company is the easiest way to find work, wherever you land. “We have offices in all the major cities and your details can be transferred and we can recommend you for work around Australia. It is important to be flexible when registering for temp work, although you may request where you prefer to travel to and work,” explains Louise.

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BREAKING NEWS

ON THE JOB GARETH MCCREDIE

CAREER Admin assistant AGE 22 FROM Ireland What did you do at home? I was working as a payroll clerk in Dublin. How did you get your job? I applied for a few jobs on Seek and MyCareer before I arrived. I started getting phone calls within a few days of arriving, went for four interviews and received two offers. The good points?

I like the Australian office culture, Friday night drinks etc! Also learning about policy and legislation which is of interest to me. I feel like the work/life balance is much better here than in Ireland. And the pay is much better here. Any bad points? Of course there is office politics, although I am quite good at avoiding it. Any tips? Confidence and a genuine drive to succeed is important. I love Australia and hope to get residency.

TNT DOWN UNDER IS LOOKING FOR A NEW ADVERTISING+EVENTS SALES REP TO JOIN ITS YOUNG AND VIBRANT TEAM IS THIS YOU? UÊ-> iÃÊiÝ«iÀ i ViÊ«ÀiviÀ>L ÞÊ Ê«ÕL Ã }®Ê UÊ7 À }Ê `>ÞÊ6 Ã>Ê ÀÊÀiÃ `i VÞÊ UÊ Ê«>ÃÃ Êv ÀÊÌÀ>Ûi Ê³Ê/ /tÊ UÊ >À`ÊÜ À }Ê> `ÊÃi vÊ Ì Û>Ìi`Ê UÊ ii Ê> `Êi Ì ÕÃ >ÃÌ VÊ UÊ `Ê}À>Ã«Ê vÊÌ iÊ } Ã Ê > }Õ>}i DAILY ACTIVITIES: UÊ > }Ê iÜÊLÕÃ iÃÃÊV i ÌÃÊ UÊ VV Õ ÌÊ > >}i i ÌÊ UÊ Ûi ÌÃÊÃ> iÃÊ> `Ê À}> Ã>Ì

SALES TEAM ASSEMBLE! BASIC SALARY + COMMS + SUPER

covering letter stating why Contact Tom with your CV and tdownunder.com @tn we should take you on! Tom

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tntjobs.com.au B Confidential T: 07 38321023 M: 0430 146886 www.confidentialclub.com.au BConfidential is Brisbane’s premier gentlemens club bar and restaurant located close to central station in brisbane, female owned and operated providing a fun and safe work environment .

JOB OF THE WEEK: Dancers Location: Spring Hill Brisbane QLD Salary: Contractor $1000-$3000 per week Dancers for day and night shifts,very ﬂexible rosters plenty of hours available and next day cash payments.We prefer to train our staff experience is not essential, good fun attitudes and a drive for success is required. Lisa Boorer | 0430146886 | admin@conﬁdentialclub.com.au

T: 02 8332 7501 www.tntdownunder.com

JOB OF THE WEEK: EDITORIAL RESEARCHERS Location: Sydney Salary: $30,000 - $35,000 (OTE $50K plus beneﬁts)

TNT Publishing is a well-respected and long established publishing house. We are growing our Sydney ofﬁce by recruiting editorial researchers to work on our existing titles.

Duties will include speaking to Companies to organise guides, supplements and features within the magazines. You need to be experienced on the telephone and be self-motivated to achieve targets. Ideally having knowledge of feature based articles would be advantageous.

TNT Publishing

Stuart Shirra | stuart@tntdownunder.com

TNT Publishing T: 02 8332 7501 www.tntdownunder.com TNT Publishing is a well-respected and long established London& Sydney publishing house. We are growing our Sydney ofﬁce by recruiting sales people to work on our existing titles which include the renowned TNT magazine The SA Times, South Africa Magazine and Australia & New Zealand Outlook.

JOB OF THE WEEK: Telesales Executive – B2B Location: Sydney Salary: $30,000 - $35,000 (OTE $50K plus beneﬁts) Hard working sales people that enjoy working in a dynamic sales environment, hungry to earn money and develop their career. You need to have a proven telephone sales record and be self-motivated to achieve targets. Ideally having knowledge of feature based articles would be advantageous. Sean Brett | seanb@tntdownunder.com

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400 Cleveland St, Surry Hills www.nirvanasydney.com

135 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay www.atmichells.com

GIRLS – GET PAID TO DATE We are Sydney’s leading high class escort agency and looking for attractive girls to come and work with us. Earn very high rates of pay for entertaining some of our fabulous executive clientele. We charge rates of between $500 to $1,000+ per hour so girls can make $5000+ per week for only seeing a handful of clients. Girls must be aged between 18-26yrs, attractive and in good shape – no previous experience required. Flexible hours and great if you study or as a part time job. Please call (02) 9252 7766 for more info or to arrange a confidential interview.

Cleopatra’s gentlemans club

Ladies required for 6 star establishment in Sydney. Come and earn BIG DOLLARS in Sydney’s Western Suburbs busiest gentlemans club. Accommodation provided You will earn: $105 for 30 mins. $140 for 45 mins. $170 for 1 standard hour $190 per 1 VIP room hour $210 per 1 Cleopatra room hour $220 per 1 Mark Anthony room hour Visit our website for more details www.cleopatrasgentlemansclub.com.au email: cleopatrasgentlemansclub.@hotmail.com or phone 02 9609 6668 or 02 9609 7774. Only drug-free to apply.

Attractive high class escorts required! Mysterious Sydney Escorts is a high class escort agency, featuring international selection of beautiful, sexy and exclusive escorts for all occasions. We are an upmarket escort agency catering for a distinguished clientele - discerning, stylish, and successful. Our agency require exceptionally attractive staff of all nationalities for escort work in Sydney. To apply for this position, you must be 18-35 years of age, social, outgoing, charming, beautiful with a positive attitude to life and enjoy having fun.

Contact details: www.mysteriousescorts.com.au Or call 0432 335 628

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

TOTALLYTRIVIAL

@tnt_downunder

MYTHBUSTERS WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

WORLD FOOD

MYTH OF THE

b) Walnut d) Pine nut

c) Fiji

Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, Q 7.requires which of the following

was margarine called when Q 2.it What was first marketed in England? a) Food grease b) Butter c) Flora d) Butterine

organs taken from a sheep? a) Heart and liver b) Stomach intestines c) Lungs d) All of the above

colour would coca cola be Q 3.if What colouring wasn’t added? a) Green c) Orange

What are you eating if you digest Q 8.a yabby?

b) Dark blue d) Clear

a) King prawn b) Crayfish c) Sweet potato d) Sea snail

Q 4. What is the best selling spice in the world? a) Mustard c) Pepper

b) Salt d) Saffron

Q 9. What type of food is Quark?

Q 5. What is the literal meaning of linguine? a) Line Pasta b) Long lines c) Little tongues d) Spaghetti

a) Tofu b) Mince c) Paste d) Cheese

SUDOKU PUZZLE 5

1 7

2 1

6 3 1

5 6

AUSSIE-ISM “PASH”

4 7

4 1

d) Australia

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

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

a) Peanut c) Brazil nut

did the pineapple originate? Q 6.a) Where Hawaii b) South America

An abbreviated term for a passionate kiss on a night out. Adding the word ‘dash’ makes it a term used when one leaves the scene after the ‘pash’ and does not take things further physically.

THIS WEEK IT’S... UNUSUAL WORLD DELICACIES 1. FLOGGER SS 2. WITTY BUG RETCH 3. BIG CURSE 4. I AGEING UP ANSWERS: 1. Frogs legs 2. Witchetty grub 3. Rice bugs 4. Guinea pig

nut is used in the manufacture Q 1.of Which dynamite?

WEEK Is goon so rough because it has fish in it? Although it may sometimes taste like fish, your trusty bag of $10 goon should thankfully be fish-free. However, some wines, particularly of the verdelho variety, do use fish during the production process, and not just for the cheap stuff. Wineries sometimes use isinglass (the inner membrane of sturgeon bladders – nice) to help filter out impurities and make white wine clearer. The process is also used for many beers, such as Guinness. Unlike elsewhere in the world, however, strict Aussie laws mean that producers have to say on the label if they’ve used it.

FLIPPIN’ AWESOME Whitsunday Islands n Australia WHITEHAVEN BEACH - ‘CAMIRA’ SAILING ADVENTURE

Swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays, a stuff-yourself-stupid BBQ lunch with unlimited refreshments plus exhilarating sailing aboard Camira one of the world s fastest sailing catamarans ‒ an awesome day out on the water!

$139* PP SAVE $36

The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonders of the natural world. Cruise aboard Seaflight to Queensland s most innovative reef pontoon featuring a giant waterslide and underwater viewing chamber. Explore the underwater wonderland with diving, snorkelling, semi-sub or glass bottom boat rides. Includes morning / afternoon tea and an all you can eat buffet lunch.

$139* PP SAVE $60

GREAT BARRIER REEF ADVENTURES

AWESOME COMBO ‘CAMIRA’ SAILING ADVENTURE +

GREAT BARRIER REEF ADVENTURES + A DAY AT LONG ISLAND

Combine both these amazing trips above with a day relaxing on Long Island. Return ferry transfers and Long Island guide map included. Lunch included on Camira and the Reef but at own cost on Long Island.

$27 9* PP SAVE $155

All day cruises and packages depart daily from Airlie Beach.

Yasawa Islands n Fiji ISLAND HOPPING PASSES

If you have the time and like to do your own thing, then this is the perfect way to explore the idyllic Yasawa Islands with a 7, 14 or 21 day unlimited Island Hopping Pass from $321pp. Or a Bula Combo Pass including both transfers and accommodation from $592pp (Dorm)

EASY FLEXIBLE PACKAGES

From 4 to 11 nights including vessel and coach transfers, island resort accommodation, meals where specified and activities. Explore the real Fiji from $410pp (Dorm). Full Monty upgrade available including some of the must do activities in the region.

ISLAND STAYPUTS

If you just want to hit one place or have limited time then go for a 3 day / 2 night Stayput including transfers, accommodation and meals at most resorts. There s a range of unique and diﬀerent island options available from $197pp (Dorm)

DIVE, DIVE, DIVE! Dive into the warm tropical waters of Fiji. Discover Scuba introductory dives available from $109pp OR jump in for a 5 day / 4 night PADI orSSI Open Water Course with the Dive, Dive, Dive package from $738pp (Dorm)

For info and bookings see your travel centre or contact us: FREECALL1800 awesome. *Backpacker prices only available on presentation of a valid Student, Peterpans, YHA, ISIC, VIP or NOMADS card. Valid for travel until 31 March 2012. Conditions apply, see our website for details.

www.awesomeoz.com

www.awesomefiji.com

www.awesomeoz.com www.awesomeﬁji.com ﬁji com

AA3080 TNT issue 649 FP indd 1

AA3080

SEE YOUR LOCAL YHA TRAVEL FOR MORE INFO ANDD B BOOKINGS OOKINGS

27/9/11 12:26:46 PM