TNT Magazine: Australia by TNT MAGAZINE

Jan 9-15 2011 Issue 663 tntdownunder.com

I,5N00! W A $4

EAST COAST ROADTRIP PACKAGE

STAIRWAY TO HAVEN Sailing the Whitsundays

SEOUL SEARCHER Visiting Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s troubled border

P U T I G N I P CAM a nt in Australi te a h c it p to places ver the best o c is d d n a outdoors Hit the great

ARTISTS INCLUDE Staff Benda Bilili Democratic Republic of Congo Tinariwen Mali Gurrumul Australia Sharon Shannon Big Band Ireland Grace Barbé Seychelles/Australia First Aid Kit Sweden Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain UK Chic USA Chapelier Fou France Blue King Brown Australia Eddi Reader Scotland Johnny Clegg South Africa Dobet Gnahoré Ivory Coast Bonobo UK Penguin Cafe UK Groundation Jamaica/USA Japan

Master Drummers of Burundi Burundi Diego Guerrero y El Solar de Artistas Spain DJ Krush The Barons of Tang Australia Shane Howard Australia Lo’Jo France Shivkumar Sharma India

Le Trio Joubran

Palestine

Mo’ Horizons

Germany

The Pigram Brothers

Australia

Nano Stern & The Sindicato

Chile

Kimmo Pohjonen Finland Mahala Raï Banda Romania La Voce Della Luna Italy/Australia Melbourne Ska Orchestra Pascals Japan Narasirato Solomon Islands The Bombay Royale Australia The Bearded Gypsy Band Australia Jinja Safari Australia anda Union China Jay Hoad Band Fiji/USA/Australia ...

Australia

PLUS: KidZone, Taste the World, a Global Village, visual arts, street theatre and so much more!

G ro u p g B o o ki nn t s d i s coSuOF 6+

GROUP RIDAY CLOSEBFRUARY 24 FE012 2

Fri 9 - Mon 12 March 2012 Botanic Park Adelaide BOOK AT WOMADELAIDE.COM.AU

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KANYE WEST with SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM LIC. & ALL AGES

FRIDAY 27th JANUARY

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supported by Hot 30

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TUESDAY 31st JANUARY

SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL

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MON 23 JAN, THE ENMORE MEL

TUE 31 JAN, THE PALAIS

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

SAT 28 JAN OXFORD ART FACTORY

THE BRONX

SYD WED 25 JAN, SYDNEY ENT. CENTRE TICKETS: WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM.AU, 136 100 & WWW.BIGDAYOUT.COM

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MEL WED 1 FEB, SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL

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LICENSED & ALL AGES

TUE 31 JAN NORTHCOTE S.C.

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SYD TICKETS: TICKETEK.COM.AU, 132 849, BIGDAYOUT.COM

MEL TICKETS: TICKETMASTER.COM.AU, 136 100, BIGDAYOUT.COM

BRI TUE 24 JAN, EATONS HILL HOTEL TICKETS: WWW.TICKETEK.COM.AU, 132 849, WWW.BIGDAYOUT.COM SYD FRI 27 JAN, THE HORDERN TICKETS: WWW.TICKETEK.COM.AU, 132 849, WWW.BIGDAYOUT.COM MEL TUE 31 JAN , FESTIVAL HALL

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MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

FRI 27 JAN : THE ENMORE LIC. & ALL AGES

TICKETS: TICKETEK.COM.AU, 132 849, ENMORE THEATRE BOX OFFICE 02 9550 3666 & BIGDAYOUT.COM

TUE 24 JAN, THE ENMORE LICENSED & ALL AGES

TICKETS: TICKETEK.COM.AU, 132 849, ENMORE BOX OFFICE 02 9550 3666 & BIGDAYOUT.COM

WED 1 FEB, THE PALACE TICKETS: TICKETMASTER.COM.AU, 136 100, PALACE.COM.AU, BIGDAYOUT.COM

THU 2 FEB : THE PA CE

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RÖYKSOPP

ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER How long ago does Christmas feel already, eh? Yep, we’re now well into January and the sun is truly shining, so for those of you currently doing the east coast pilgrimage (or even still dreaming about it), we’ve got a story or two on the glorious Whitsundays, one place you really don’t want to miss. That’s on p34. Oh, and this week we’ve also been getting very excited about camping (p8). Happy travels!

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

MUSIC & FILM

COMPETITION

CELEB NEWS

NEWS

SPORT

TRAVEL

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS VIC

LISTINGS TASMANIA

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS SA

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

LISTINGS FIJI

WORK

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES CARRY ON CAMPING

We take to the great outdoors and reveal our fave Aussie camping spots

JUST BUGGING YOU

Comedian Adam Buxton is awesome. He’s coming to Oz, so we had to call him

SUNDAY SERVICE

From drinking in Airlie to sailing away, we lap up the Whitsundays

KOREA BREAK Taking a trip to the DMZ – the world’s most heavily-armed border

34 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Staff writer Alex Harmon Intern Leigh Livingstone Contributors Gillian McVeigh | Rosalind Scutt | Maria Roeckmann

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

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THE MAIN EVENT BRISBANE ROAR VS SYDNEY FC [BRISBANE]

If you’re missing some real football action, don’t neglect Australia’s cheap and cheerful domestic A-League. The team to watch at the moment is Brisbane. They lie one from the top of the table as it stands, but the reigning champs only recently ended a record-breaking 36-match unbeaten streak and are dead certs to be in the running come silverware time. This week they host Sydney FC, who are struggling mid-table but are always one of the best supported sides. They boast former Blackburn man Brett Emerton among their ranks. Kickoff, at Suncorp Stadium, is at 6.45pm. Tix start at just $12, see ticketek.com.au Saturday, January 14 $12

ELVIS FESTIVAL [PARKES]

ILLAWARRA FOLK FESTIVAL [BULLI]

Elvis may have left the building but then he went to Parkes. For five full days the NSW town is taken over by the King. Impersonators, tribute acts and fans alike hip swivel their hearts out. There are 150 events including concerts and competitions. Tickets start from $20.

The Lancelin Classic is a hardcore windsurfing competition that athletes from all around the world come to participate in. Situated north of Perth, this stunning beach is the perfect place for spectators to enjoy the sunshine and excitement.

During this festival the Bulli Showground, by Wollongong, becomes a musical epicentre of culture from around the world. Featured Folk, Celtic, Bluegrass and Gypsy acts will perform over the four days of entertainment. Day passes start from $50.

January 11-15 Parkes, NSW parkeselvisfestival.com.au

January 12-15 Lancelin, WA lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

January 12-15 Bulli Showground, NSW Illawarrafolkfestival.com.au

$20

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.

LANCELIN OCEAN CLASSIC [LANCELIN] FREE

$50

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19/10/11 1/12/11 9:08:41 2:05:12 AM PM

Camp classics Cheap, cheerful and adventurous, camping in Australia’s great outdoors is a superb way to experience the country. Here’s some of the best places to erect your canvas Down Under... On a continent the size of the USA (without Alaska anyway), Oz has the population of Manhattan Island and is one of the least tarmac-ed countries in the world. Plus, it’s really bloody beautiful. So, to really make the most of it, you need to get off the beaten track, escape the cities and stay out bush every now and then. And besides, you’ll probably find that some of your best nights Down Under are those

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spent telling stories and sculling beers around the campfire before bedding down beneath the Milky Way. Yes, even better than The Woolshed... And that’s even before you consider that in many national parks, the experience will most likely set you back less than a measly $10, if anything at all. One Aussie tradition well worth adopting is sleeping in a swag, which basically means ditching the tent and sleeping outside in a sort of super-

sleeping bag, made of thick canvas to protect you from the elements and with a built-in mattress to soften the sun-baked ground. Drifting off with the sight of a million stars to ease you into your dreams is certainly hard to beat. Just try not to think about the creatures... Anyway, to help you get out there and enjoy it all, here’s a quick peek, in no particular order, at some of our favourite Australian camping experiences.

DUNDUBARA CAMPSITE Where is it? Fraser Island, Queensland. What’s the fuss about? World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. A pleasure island for 4WDers, the local wildlife here would have Darwin quivering like a dingo at an underage beauty pageant. It also has some amazing camp spots. Canvas erecting is either done in established sites, like Dundubara, or anywhere beach camping is signposted. Dundubara is relatively basic camping, but right on the beach on the east coast. The most popular way to appreciate Fraser is by 4WD, though you can stay longer (most trips last three days max) and for cheaper by walking round the central part. Take care when setting up camp as travellers have been injured by sleeping too close to the 4WD track. The details: Fraser Island lies at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Brisbane. Head to epa.qld.gov. au for more info about this and other camping spots in Queensland.

WINEGLASS BAY Where is it? Freycinet National Park, Tasmania. What’s the fuss about? This is possibly our favourite camping spot in the whole world. Hiking up the peak of Mt Amos, you can take in spectacular views of Coles Bay and Wineglass Bay. Walk down and along a beach that looks like it’s been stolen from the Caribbean and nip into the trees at the end for a wonderful little spot, where wallabies will come and gently pester you while dolphins splash about in the water. The sites are basic, with toilets but no showers, but it’s a small price to pay. The details: Freycinet National Park is roughly half-way down the east coast, 195km from Hobart (about three hours’ drive). Visit parks.tas.gov.au for more info on camping in Tasmania.

Wake up next to our fave Aussie beach – Wineglass Bay

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Photos: Thinkstock, Tourism WA, SATC, TQ, Tourism Victoria, Tourism NT, Tourism Tasmania

Swag-tastic

GAGUDJU LODGE COOINDA Where is it? Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. What’s the fuss about? World Heritage-listed Kakadu needs no introduction. Yellow Water is nestled in the heart of the park, and is a great place to explore further afield. Gagudju Lodge Cooinda provides a sanctuary where you can camp out in one of 80 powered campsites, or 300 unpowered sites. And if sweating through your third night under canvas doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, there are 48 air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool. The details: The lodge is three hours south-east of Darwin via the Stuart Highway. More info on Gagudju Lodge Cooinda at gagudjulodgecooinda.com.au or by calling 1800 500 401.

COCKATOO ISLAND Where is it? Sydney Harbour, New South Wales. What’s the fuss about? Did you know you can actually camp inside Sydney Harbour (and we’re not talking James Bond style boat-tents here)? Cockatoo Island is a whole eight minutes by ferry from Circular Quay. There you can pitch your tent under the stars and enjoy the best thing Sydney has to offer – a view of the harbour (albeit for $45, info at harbourtrust.gov. au). If you’re after something a little more hardcore, go bush in the rugged terrain of Marramarra National Park (environment. nsw.gov.au). It’s on the junction of Hawkesbury River and Berowra Creek, on the northern outskirts of Sydney. If you’ve got a campervan and are sick of getting stuck in rush-hour traffic, have a think about pitching up at the city’s legendary but uncrowded northern beaches, such as Narrabeen (sydneylakeside.com.au). The details: Head to environment.nsw.gov.au for the info.

Who needs showers when you’ve got Kakadu’s ancient waterholes

THE PINES CAMPGROUND

Photos: Thinkstock, Tourism WA, SATC, TQ, Tourism Victoria, Tourism NT, Tourism Tasmania

Where is it? Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Victoria. What’s the fuss about? Like Uluru, Mount Arapiles rises out of a plain resolutely, if not quite as spectacularly. And Mount Arapiles is one of the finest rock climbing destinations in the world. People take time out from Chamonix to come hang out at the Pines and do some sport climbing. With good toilets nearby, plenty of parking (the campground is tents only though, with a soft bed of pine needles) and world class rock climbing, the place has an amazing vibe over the summer. Some people move into the campground for months at a time just to climb for the season. Guitars, bandanas, woodfires and cool bottles of wine are de rigueur here. Camping fees apply, just pay the ranger when you get there. The details: Mount Arapiles is 320km north-west of Melbourne via the Western Highway and Natimuk. Check out parkweb.vic. gov.au for more info.

Hanging out in Mt Arapiles TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Soaring above the Flinders

SHARK BAY CAMPGROUNDS

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that Flipper? You want a tuna sandwich? And a Coke?

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Where is it? Shark Bay, Western Australia. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fuss about? Shark Bay is yet another World Heritage area. Renowned for Monkey Mia, it is one of the most undisturbed coastlines in the world. Where else can you hand feed dolphins, or nip up to the Ningaloo Reef and dive with whale sharks? There are four designated camping areas in the Shire of Shark Bay, all with 2WD access. Located 18-36km from Denham, the campsites all offer beach-style camping, fishing, and of course, snorkelling. Permission must be obtained from the Shire, or you can incur a huge fine. The details: Shark Bay is located 900km north of Perth and 155km off the North West Coastal Highway. For info, see sharkbayvisit.com or call 08 9948 1590.

WILPENA POUND CAMPGROUND Where is it? Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia. What’s the fuss about? The Flinders Ranges National Park has some of Australia’s most rugged scenery, taking in moonscapes and lush oases with equal ease. It is literally riddled with brutal offroad tracks that can turn into lentil soup after the most trivial rain, and therefore, is a magnet for offroaders. Wilpena Campground isn’t exactly roughing it though. It has full facilities with powered sites (for those of you doing the campervan thing), toilets and showers, even a bar. The details: Wilpena Pound Resort is about 450km north of Adelaide via the Sturt Highway. Bookings are not necessary for basic camping. For powered sites or any enquiries, visit wilpenapound.com.au/campground or drop them a line on 08 8648 0048.

SEAL ROCKS Where is it? Myall Lakes National Park, New South Wales. What’s the fuss about? A great spot for wildlife enthusiasts. You can catch migrating whales gliding up or down the coast, as well as frolicking dolphins, while a school of grey nurse sharks (don’t panic – they’re friendly) lives nearby. So bring your snorkels. The beach at the tiny Seal Rocks “township” is a proper treat, with crystal clear waters lapping the golden sands between two rocky headlands. There are a series of campsites, some near the beach and others dotted about the park, often near warm, tranquil shallow lakes – ideal for a bit of fishing, kayaking or simply watching the sun sink, coldie in hand. Most sites have toilets and drinking water and some allow fires (but check for fire bans). The details: The small town of Bulahdelah, 40km north of Port Stephens, is the park’s gateway and a good spot for last minute Best of the west: supplies. For info, visit What not to miss greatlakes.org.au or call on the west coast 02 6554 8799.

NEXT WEEK

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THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO FILM review by Andrew Westbrook STARRING: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Stellan Skargård | CERT: MA | 158mins | Out Jan 12

HUGO FILM STARRING: Asa Butterfield, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law | CTC | 126mins | Out Jan 12

Widely cited as being one of the films of the last year, a strong Oscar contender and arguably the the most memorable 3D movie made to date, Martin Scorsese’s latest outing is set in 1930s Paris, and follows an orphan who lives within the walls of a railway station. Full of enchanting touches and performances, Hugo has sorrow, joy and magical design aplenty, especially when the story veers towards the early days of cinema, a subject clearly close to Scorsese’s heart. 14

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Cards on the table. I’m an unashamed fanboy of Stieg Larson’s Millenium series of books, and thoroughly enjoyed the Swedish/Danish film adaptations, meaning that I was both annoyed and nervous when I first heard that Hollywood was also giving them a go so soon. However, despite half-expecting to hate it, I found myself leaving the cinema once again enthralled by the story and eager to see the next installment. With director David Fincher (Social Network) at the helm, this new adaptation always promised to be slicker and more visually stylish than the originals, which were essentially TV movies, and it delivers from the very first second, with a Bondesque intro sequence. Other than that, Fincher, along with Craig as the discredited investigative journalist Blomkvist and Mara as the abused young hacker Lisbeth Salander stick incredibly close to what has come before, producing a taut detective thriller about trying to find a ruthless rapist and killer of women amongst a rich industrialist family on a remote Swedish island. However, that is the film’s biggest problem. While the leads are both impressive, incuding Craig, who I’d originally considered a bad casting decision, and the story is as engrossing and tough to watch as ever, it does at times simply feel like little more than a better looking version of a film that only came out two years ago. GOOD FOR: Seeing the Hollywood big guns actually succeed in retelling an already good film

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Already nominated for five Golden Globe awards (and the five big ones at that), George Clooney’s latest vehicle is a tragi-comedy from the mind of Sideways creator Alex Payne. It follows an indifferent family man forced to reevaluate his life following the sudden death of his wife in an accident, with a lush Hawaii as the scenic backdrop. Out Jan 12

ST GEORGE’S OPENAIR CINEMA

CSI EXPERIENCE

FILM FESTIVAL

The ever-expanding popular TV franchise CSI has now brought its interactive exhibition to the Gold Coast. For $22.50, you get to pick through a crime scene, Gil Grissom style, and solve the puzzle using the forensic evidence you find at the ‘scene’. You even get your very own CSI photo ID card!

An iconic Sydney experience, this is the chance to catch new films on a giant screen mounted on an inflatable device floating in the harbour, with the Opera House as a backdrop. Tix sold out well in advance, but there’s always a few available on the night, from 6.30pm. Jan 11-Feb 18, Mrs Macquaries Point. $35. stgeorgeopenair.com.au

EXHIBITION

Until Feb 29, The Piazza, Surfers Paradise. csisurfersparadise.com

BIG DAY OUT After months of build-up, this giant Aussie festival is now just around the corner, with the lineup this year being as impressive as ever, including the likes of Kanye West (not playing all cities), Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, My Chemical Romance and many more. The one-day extravaganza visits Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland, starting on Australia Day, with most of the top acts playing sideshows in some of the cities as they go. January 20 – February 5. From $175.80 bigdayout.com

THE ABERCROMBIE HOTEL

HARRY POTTER EXHIBITION

PUB

EXHIBITION

This uni joint has recently undergone a Scottish makeover. It now has tartan seating, munchie feeds for the stoners and mind-altering artwork. Try the deep-fried Gaytime and wash it down with some Rave Juice, served in a bag with a glow stick. Giddyup!

The story of the scarred one may be over, but fans can continue the magic by dropping into the Powerhouse Museum. Exclusive artefacts from the films can be viewed in elaborate set recreations, hands-on prop displays.

Cnr of Abercrombie St & Broadway, Sydney

Until Mar 18. Darling Harbour. $32. harrypotterexhibition.com

WOMADELAIDE TIX

WIN

Celebrating its twentieth year, Adelaide’s four-day world music spectacular is one of the bigger reasons why South Australia is nicknamed ‘the festival state’. And with it kicking off in early March, we thought we’d hook up with the organisers to offer one of you a four-day pass, for not just you but also three of your mates. Sweet! Visit tntdownunder.com/competitions.html TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Adam Buxton One half of genius comedy duo Adam and Joe, Buxton is bringing his hugely successful solo show Down Under for a series of dates as part of Sydney Festival INTERVIEW ANDREW WESTBROOK

picked up on it, so Bowie was all over Ricky and Ricky was all over Bowie as well. We didn’t get a look in. We were in the same corridor for about five minutes but all we did was stand by and watch Bowie and Gervais have a mutual gush fest. And then he was in Extras? Yes, absolutely! They became pals. It’s pretty galling I have to say to watch it... “Nooo, don’t go off with Ricky Gervais, I’m the man you should be loving.” Ah man, it was hard. One day, maybe. I’ve met his son, who’s films I love.

It’s a BUG’s life

So, tell us about your show BUG. Well, we basically show music videos and I pop around in between. It’s like going round to someone’s house and you’re supposed to be having dinner and while dinner’s cooking, your host opens up his laptop and says, “ahh, you’ve got to look at this”. So it’s a mixture of jaw-dropping, oh my God stuff and, wow that’s amazing and inspiring stuff, and then a bit of my stuff as well. We show a selection of the latest leftfield, low budget, weird music videos. You’ve long been a YouTube fan, posting your own stuff. What’s the appeal? It’s amazingly exciting just to do what you want and have it seen by people without anyone else interfering or any TV commissioning process. Sometimes it’s nice to work with other people and have a budget and get paid and to have people to say, “that’s not very good, do it again”. But other times it’s really very nice to not have that to worry about and to think of a stupid idea one morning and have it up online that evening with potentially millions of people watching it. Do you get obsessive about comments? Ha, well, in the past it was sort of ruining my life! I got into a couple of spats online with people saying unkind stuff about my work, 18

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which is par for the course. However, the first time you read a really vicious comment, it really knocks you for six. But after a while you just toughen up. The main thing for me was starting to incorporate the comments into my show, so that’s been quite a nice cathartic experience. What makes a good comment? I’m generally looking for the ones where people have written little essays. As soon as people start writing loads you think, “ah, here we go”. I just love the idea that people have to share their theses on YouTube. Not only are they setting themselves up as genius critics, but they’re genius critics to a whole audience of people who generally don’t give much of a shit about what they have to say. You’re a massive David Bowie fan. Have you got to meet him yet? I think the closest we ever got to him, and it was very tantalising, was when Jonathan Ross took me and Joe to see Bowie playing at the BBC. We were really excited, thinking Jonathan would introduce us to him afterwards and stuff, but when we went along, this must have been around 2000 or 2001, Jonathan had also brought along a new friend of his called Ricky Gervais. The Office had just come out and Bowie had

There’s still hope... I think it would be very weird if I did meet him. I’d go to pieces. I would literally cry like one of those girls at Beatles concerts. I just love him. I noticed you got a ‘thanks’ in the credits for Shaun of the Dead and Paul. How come? I’ve no idea why I was thanked for Shaun of the Dead, I had nothing to do with it. I was in Hot Fuzz. I mean, we’re friends. Oh wait, I think I looked at the script. And we did a read through for Paul. But I didn’t know they’d done that, that’s nice of them. With your comedy partner Joe Cornish having just written the Tintin film, do you take the piss out of him for hanging out with Spielberg nowadays? Oh, I wouldn’t dare. But yeah, it’s amazing, riding around London on my bike and having buses pull up next to me with giant Tintin posters on and with Joe’s name almost as big as Spielberg’s. It’s incredible. I’m delighted for him. We used to fantasise about being in the film world when we were at school and I very much hope I make some sort of film one day myself. But yeah man, it’s what he’s always wanted to do so it’s amazing that it’s happening for him.

Adam Buxton presents BUG: The Evolution of Music Video is on at the Everest Theatre in the Seymour Centre (Jan 26-29). Tix cost $30. sydneyfestival.org.au/bug

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HOW TO ENTER

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

auss

ie summer

p i r t d a ro

WIN A TWO-WEEK EAST COAST HIGHLIGHTS ROADTRIP If you’re after a real Australian adventure, then there’s one option that trumps all others – hitting the open road with your own wheels. With its endless stretches of the hard stuff and countless deserted beaches just waiting to be discovered, the land Down Under is a country best explored with the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Therefore, TNT T has teamed up with JUCY Rentals, plus some of our bestest east coast buddies, to help a couple of you, yes you, our dear beloved readers, do just that for free. Not only will your campervan be sorted, plus freebie trips to the top three destinations on the east coast, but we’ll even refill your backpack with some sweet new clothes. Not too shabby eh?

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THIS PRIZE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: JUCY CAMPERVAN: Two-week rental of a Grande Campa. NEW THREADS: A $1,000 wardrobe from Rush Surf. GREAT BARRIER REEF: A cruise and reef experience, for two people, with Cairns Premier Reef Tours. WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS: A two-day/two-night sailing trip, for two people, with Tongarra Sailing Adventures. FRASER ISLAND: A three-day/two-night guided self-drive tour, for two people, with Nomads Fraser Island Tours. Competition closes midnight AEST Tuesday 31st January, 2012. Log on to tntdownunder.com for further details and to enter.

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$598 - 3 MONTHS UNLIMITED Travel on all The Ghan, Indian Paciﬁc, The Overland, XPT and XPLORER services in any direction as often as you like over a three month period.

AUS REEF AND OUTBACK $672 - 3 MONTHS UNLIMITED This pass can be used on The Ghan, Indian Paciﬁc, The Overland, The Sunlander, Tilt Train, Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander and The Inlander in any direction as often as you like over a three month period.

AUS REEF AND BEACH $550 - 3 MONTHS UNLIMITED Travel on The Sunlander, Tilt Train, Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander and The Inlander, XPT and XPLORER in any direction as often as you like over a three month period.

D X SD VV HV RP F LD DO WU XV LOD UD VLW YL Q LR DW UP )R U P RUH LQIR RU \ RX U ORFD O W UD YH O D JH QW Pass product is only available for bona ﬁde overseas visitors to Australia. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

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Rihanna never liked the bashful look

RIHANNA’S RESOLUTION

[USA]

PATHETIC PUNK’D [USA]

Miley Cyrus and Kelly Osbourne have played a practical joke on Khloe Kardashian for the new Punk’d season. The girls are having dinner at Casa Cyrus when a delivery driver uses the bathroom and gets his junk stuck in his trouser zipper. Ashton Kutcher got three of the most annoying celebrities together for a prank and the best thing he could come up with was trapped testicles? Oh my, how positively embarrassing! Why not get their fame-hungry parents in there too – putting Billy Ray, Ozzie and that plastic wannabe Barbie Jenna in a room to discuss who can sell their child’s soul faster would make much better television. 22

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He’ll be back: Yes, despite getting away with banging the maid (and who knows who else) and somehow getting away with even bringing the lovechild on family holidays for years, it now seems that his deeply religious wife Pam Shriver might be about to take Arnie back. Both the pair have been photographed wearing their wedding rings again.

VALANCE CRACKS A RIB

[THE MALDIVES]

Holly Valance, who couldn’t crack the music industry to save her life, managed to crack a rib while playing volleyball after boozing in the Maldives. Valance is most famous as ‘Flick’ from Neighbours, for dating rich guys and having a very short lived singing career. Her biggest video clip had her gyrating about looking naked while saying “Kiss Kiss” a few times. I forget what the song was called.

The damaged one took to Twitter to explain her injury. “Don’t play ‘Cardinal Puff’ then beach volleyball. Votarol is once again my best friend.” ‘Cardinal Puff’ is a round-thetable drinking game that gets more complicated the more you drink. Of course. A cracked rib must be bloody painful, but it’s impossible to feel too sorry for the poor girl, after all, this happened while on holidays with her rich tycoon boyfriend in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Couldn’t she just pass out like a normal person? Me. Bitter? No.

Photos: Getty Images

Rihanna has reportedly told friends that her New Year’s resolution is to find a man. If her songs are anything to go by the pop singer wants to find a “Rude Boy” that loves to lie, who maybe likes a little “S&M” and won’t “Break It Off”. That kind of charmer may be a little tough to deliver when she paints herself as an “Unfaithful”, “Good Girl Gone Bad” that can’t remember her own name (na, na “What’s My Name?”). Her dress sense might help. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of the crayon-red haired one fully dressed. See-through dresses and bondage outfits seem to be the clothing of choice. “Disturbia” indeed! Still, a man that can make her feel like the “Only Girl (In The World)” has got to be better than her beat ‘em and leave ‘em ex, Chris Brown.

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TWEETS OF THE WEEK @JessicaSimpson “New goal: look like @JessicaAlba after baby. Job well done lady!” @AlanCarr “Just made myself hot chocolate, slipped on my pajamas and popped a hot water bottle in my bed - please refrain from touching yourselves” @SamanthaRonson “Thank you moms for bringing your crying babies to the DMV with you. All of us are so pleased”

D-Rod admiring his team’s rebound skills

TOPLESS TEAM TRYOUTS

@rickygervais “If the Rapture doesn’t happen today don’t leap to the rational conclusion that its all made up illogical bullshit. Just pick another date”

[USA]

Dennis Rodman is allegedly creating a topless women’s basketball team to play a charity match against an established topless team. You remember this guy, the cross dressing nutbag ex-basketball player from the nineties that was briefly married to Carmen Electra? Well, he is holding tryouts amongst exotic dancers in New York because he says “I don’t know too many men that don’t like a good-looking woman running up and down the basketball court.” Which leaves me wondering, has he ever actually watched a women’s basketball game? If you believe it, this is all for charity, but I don’t see the appeal of donating cash to watch strippers bounce and sweat for hours on a court... oh wait.

ELTON WANTS JUSTIN [USA]

Elton John wants Justin Timberlake to star in a movie that is going to be made about his life. The biopic is still in the works, but top of the Rocket Man’s wishlist to play him is The Trousersnake. Elton’s hopes are too high. Firstly, he envisions the movie to be like Moulin Rouge and even tried to get Baz Lurhmann to direct it. Secondly, Timberlake has been acting lately, and most people are a fan, but this a bit of a stretch even for him. Someone like William Shatner or that cranky Muppet that insults people all the time might be more accurate. Or how about Bono? They both like to wear quirky glasses and think pretty highly of themselves.

@MrsSOsbourne “Ozzy’s dog, Rocky, is recovering from a knee operation. Ozzy is very jealous because Rocky is on painkillers every 4 hours” @SethMacfarlane “Your favourite team has a big game today. Come watch it on a faraway TV with the sound off -Sports Bars” @CharlieSheen “Born small... now huge... winning (unemployed winner)”

Over and out

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

QUITS FOR PERRY AND BRAND [USA]

It comes as no surprise, hell, most of us probably had money on it, but Katy Perry and Russell Brand are divorcing. After only 14 months of marriage, Brand filed for divorce in Los Angeles just before the New Year, citing “irreconcilable differences”. Just once I would like to see a less vague reason listed on celebrity divorce papers. How about “she kissed a girl and liked it” or “he never brushed his hair or bathed”? The official statement Brand released was even less believable. Something about “we’ll always remain friends,” blah blah. We all know how this one goes, they’ll be papped smooching other people and suddenly there will be tell-all exposes about how horrible the marriage was. Yawn.

Please stop discussing my ovaries!

LeAnne Rimes doesn’t like people chatting about her internal organs... or whether she’s trying for a baby

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THIS WEEK

IN NUMBERS 32,000 Romney will be hoping for a bigger margin next time

OBAMA’S REPLACEMENT?

[USA]

Mitt Romney has claimed first blood in the long, long road to decide which Republican will face Barack Obama in November’s Presidential Election. The Ex-Massachusetts governor secured the Iowa primary, beating right-winger Rick Santorum by just eight votes. The party will make its final choice in August.

MORETON ISLAND FIRE [AUSTRALIA]

Firefighters fear a bushfire currently raging on Queensland’s Moreton Island, just north of Brisbane, could go on burning for weeks. The blaze began last Wednesday when a campsite gas bottle exploded. Up to 80 per cent of the world’s third largest sand island (after Fraser and Stradbroke) could be burnt to the ground as a result.

Amount in pounds fetched by a royal Russian brooch initially bought for £20 by a Hampshire woman

Yachting magazines which caused a ceiling to collapse, trapping a 77-year-old Essex man for 11 hours

3,220

7,000

Kilometres of a round trip made by a London cabbie – to Madrid and back – to pick up a customer’s pet labrador

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When roadtrips go wrong

OUT OF THE BUSH [AUSTRALIA]

A 56-year-old woman has been rescued after walking 20km over two nights after her car broke down in the blistering heat of the remote Victorian outback. The traveller, from South Australia, broke down while driving through the Mallee Sunset Park. Unable to fix her Ford Transit Van, and with no mobile phone coverage, she set out on foot, walking at night and resting during the 40°C heat of the day, until she finally got phone reception and called for help. Sgt Jason Bruhn said she was incredibly self sufficient.“She took four litres of water, an umbrella, a sleeping bag and was on her way,” he said. Once taken to hospital she reportedly told staff: “So, I’ve survived, now just let me go fix my car.”

SPLIT FROM CROATIA TOURISM

[CROATIA]

A Croatian tourism official has been fired for telling a local newspaper that she did not want “drunken” Aussie and Kiwi tourists travelling to Dubrovnik. “It would be better if they did not come. Dubrovnik does not need drunken Aussie and Kiwi tourists walking naked down the central street,” Pave Zupan Ruskovic was quoted as saying to Dubrobacki List. She was promptly relieved of her duties by the city mayor who stated he would not be renewing her contract due to a lack of “tourism diplomacy”. It is believed her comments come from a number of recent reports that Antipodeans are getting into trouble, especially while cliff diving in Croatia. Last year alone, five Aussie tourists suffered life threatening injuries as a result of falling or diving from the city’s World Heritage-listed city’s cliffs. 28

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Dear oh dear: A lot of reasons have been given for the struggling Australasian tourism industry of late – the strong dollar and the economic crisis in Europe for example. But one Kiwi spokeswoman has come up with the supreme leader of excuses for why Queenstown hotel bookings are down – apparently South Koreans are nervous to travel as they are unsure what the pesky North will do following the death of their ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong Il at the end of last year.

SAFE IN THE SKIES [EARTH]

Last year was the safest on record to fly, with just one deadly accident for every 1.5 million flights, according to a new Ascend report. The news comes despite the growing number of air passengers, with 2.8 billion travellers on 38 million flights throughout 2011. In total there were just 25 lethal accidents throughout the year, killing 497 people. By comparison, 828 people died in 28 accidents in 2010.

ONE DAY IN PARIS [FRANCE]

The Louvre in Paris has been named the world’s most-visited museum for the third year running. A record 8.8 million people, 66 per cent of whom were from abroad, walked through the doors of the Paris institution, which houses masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. London’s British Museum was deemed the second most popular, with 5.8 million visitors, followed by New York’s Metropolitan Museum, with 5.2 million visitors.

RECORD SNAKE [AUSTRALIA]

Everyone puts on a bit of holiday weight around the festive season – some more than others. Australia’s biggest snake last week tipped the scales at 137kg at her annual weigh in. It took six reptile keepers, at the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, half an hour to bag the 6.5m potential man-eater ‘Atomic Betty’. Tim Faulkner, the park’s operations manager, said it was no mean feat getting Betty out of her enclosure. “The scary thing is that she has the ability to crush us,” Faulkner said at the park in Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast. You’ve got about a second to grab (her head) because as we go down they’ve got extremely good vision and she is going to strike.” Betty, who was imported from the US in 2001, usually swallows a goat in about an hour, but it takes up to a week to digest. She is expected to grow another metre in the next seven years. The reticulated python is usually found in south-east Asia. The constrictor is nonvenomous but is a man-eater and strong enough to swallow a human whole.

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Va va... oh

ARSENAL MADE TO WAIT FOR HENRY Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal on a two-month loan deal has run into trouble, due to the New York Red Bulls delaying in submitting the paperwork. Arsene Wenger had hoped the club’s record goal scorer would already be back in north London, however the delay has meant Henry, 34, could not be registered in time and will now be in doubt for Monday’s FA Cup match against Leeds. The date when Henry returns to America has proved the issue, with New York wanting the Frenchman back for a February 20 training camp, while Arsenal want him to stay for the February 26 derby against Tottenham.

CHELSEA EYE UP NEW DROGBA Andre Villas-Boas has been taking a keen interest in Napoli’s £35m-rated striker Edinson Cavani, potentially lining up the 24-year-old Uruguayan as a long-term replacement for the expected departure of Didier Drogba. Representatives of Cavani, who will face Chelsea in the Champions League next month, have been sounding out Premier League clubs for a potential summer move. Drogba, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with numerous clubs in Russia and the Far East, although Aston Villa are also thought to be interested in the 33-year-old. Chelsea have also initiated talks with £16m Marseille full back Cesar Azpilicueta

Mum’s the word: It’s fair to say that Luis Suarez probably hasn’t been enjoying life of late, what with receiving an eight-match ban for racist behaviour towards Man United defender Patrice Evra. Now, to top it off, his mum Sandra has spoken out in defence of him. She said: “He’s no racist. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

and are believed to be keen on Sao Paulo’s midfielder Lucas Moura, 19.

BUT FRANK LAMPARD INSISTS HE’S AS GOOD AS NEW Frank Lampard, however, has given an interview stressing that he wants to stay at Chelsea and warning his club that they shouldn’t be too hasty to sell off all the senior players. Lampard himself, as well as Drogba, Alex, Florent Malouda and captain John Terry have regularly been linked with moves away from London, since VillasBoas became manager and placed a new emphasis on transforming the aging side. Lampard, who has started just two of the last seven matches, said: “We need our big players. The spine of the team is what made us what we are. It’s important.”

BALOTELLI BANNED The landlord of volatile Italian star Mario Balotelli has banned the Man City striker from returning to his £3m mansion until he pays up for all the damage he has caused. Balotelli, 21, had only been living in the house for a month after causing serious damage to his previous flat, and earning a police caution at the same time, by setting off £1,500 worth of fireworks inside. Balotelli is disputing the bill and so is unable to return home.

PODOLSKI SNUB German striker Lukas Podolski is thought to have ruled out a move to Arsenal or Liverpool in January. Sources claim the prolific Polish-born Cologne star believes it would damage his chances of playing at Euro 2012.

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WINNER

WEEKLY WINNER

HOT TIPS: Texture

THE AMAZING RACE: Gareth Patterson 31, from UK

HOW IT WORKS

GARETH SAYS: “Dog beats man: Early morning joggers on Four Mile Beach, in Queensland’s Port Douglas.”

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 Gareth wins a free night’s stay at the award-winning Sydney Central YHA (yha.com.au). The monthly winner gets three days car hire from Travellers Auto Barn. The runner-up wins a Rough Guides book of their choice sent to an Oz or NZ address. roughguides.com

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WIN

Texture introduces the illusion of a tactile quality. Everything has a texture – even if it is the absence of it. A smooth surface is just as tactile as a rough piece of wood. The trick is using that texture in a photo to its full potential to add depth to your composition. Textures are usually best lit from the side. For gentle textures like feathers or fur a soft, diffused light is good while hard textures like stone look better in a hard light. Colour can sometimes interfere with our impression of texture, which is why black and white can be so alluring when texture is a major influence in a photo. Photographing texture alone gives rise to great abstracts and surprising images of everyday scenes and objects.

BOOK NOW!

$419 ZEPHYR

www.kiwiexperience.com Terms and conditions: Discount valid for bookings on the Zephyr pass only. Discounted rates apply to standard brochured rates on speciďŹ ed passes only. Bookings must be made between 8 Dec 2011-11 Jan 2012. Standard 12 month travel validity applies. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer excluding the Day Trip 5% discount. Kiwi Experience reserves the right to withdraw this offer at anytime and without notice. Prices are in Australian dollars. Standard Kiwi Experience travel and booking terms and conditions apply. KX968-12/11-TNTAUD

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TALK LOKTING CHAN 22, HONG KONG

Catching some of Margaret River’s legendary waves

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

just experienced our first Q We’ve Christmas not covered in snow, but worked through the festive season and are now looking to escape the city for some relaxation. Can you recommend a cheap getaway? Simon Blanche, UK Queensland coast is dotted with loads A The of islands that provide the perfect getaway from the stresses and rigours of working life. While many are populated with expensive and charmless resorts, in turn populated by wealthy and charmless people, a number of chilled-out and cheap retreats can still be found. One that fits the bill is Magnetic Island, just off the coast from Townsville. A greener contrast from that dusty city you won’t find – ‘Maggie’ is a lush, laidback tropical paradise that has managed so far to keep developers at bay. Half the island is a national park, home to koalas and wallabies and some fantastic bird life, while a few sheltered coves provide the perfect setting for a late night dip (beware of stingers!) There’s plenty to do if you look for it (like the nearby, amazing Yongala

wreck dive). Alternatively, it’s the perfect place to kick back and do nothing. While it has not much else besides beaches and bush, that’s enough to keep you occupied until both mind and body is fully recuperated. a surfer heading over to WA. Q I’m Where is the best place to chill and catch some waves? Quinn Peters, USA to Yallingup. It’s located at the A Head northern part of the Margaret River region in Western Australia and is home to some of the best beaches for surfing. Beaches Three Bears, Yallingup, Smith’s and Injidup are all worldrenowned for serving up some of the best breaks in Australia. Not only that but Yallingup Beach has safe swimming lagoons to chill out in. You can even watch your mates crash and burn in the surf from the caravan park BBQ area which overlooks the ocean. It’s not hard to discover why the Yallingup name in the local Aboriginal language means ‘Place of Love’, because you’ll be in love with it when you leave. Magic.

CHECKING IN AQUARIUS BACKPACKERS Just a two minute walk from the famous main beach at Byron Bay. Providing a free meal every night, rooftop terrace and pool, it’s a great hostel to relax or meet people and every night OVERVIEW

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there is something happening at the Aquarius bar. ROOMS Most dorms are two-storey and all have en suite. Female dorms available too. BILL PLEASE A bed in a mixed dorm from $28/night. 16 Lawson St, Byron Bay, NSW aquarius-backpackers.com.au

WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY? I just got an internship in Sydney so I’m not normally used to waking up before 9am during weekdays. After working I am going to Market City with my flatmates to get fresh ingredients for dinner. WHAT MADE YOU COME TO OZ? After finishing my degree, I decided to take a gap year and Oz was my first choice. Lovely weather, nice beaches and definitely a good place to unwind. MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE? The first time I saw koalas at the Wildlife Park, wondering how they can sleep their whole life in the trees. WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST? Traditional home cooked food and family. CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE? Drinking countless bottles of wine at home as if there was water inside. ANY TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS? Don’t think too much and just do it. You will be surprised, getting around Oz is not as difficult as you think.

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XXXXXX TOP FIVE TRAVELLERSTALE

BOGAN-HAVEN

Working in a WA mining town, the USborn KELLI MUTCHLER found herself a long way from home. And style... You’ll notice the ants first, unable to walk without disturbing a swarm. You’ll notice the mullets second, for the same reason. Western Australian mining towns, which offer a backpacker some of the highest wages in the country, also boast the largest deposits of iron ore, six-legged insects, and horrible haircuts. It’s the kind of place where every head swivels when you enter a bar, because, without a beard, Southern Cross tattoo or neon work suit, you stand out like a cow on the highway. Most of the miners work on a fly-in, fly-out schedule from Perth. With too many changing faces, I quickly learned to address everyone by adding the typical Aussie “azza” to the end of names. If that failed, they’d always respond to a hearty “Mate!” I, in turn, became “The New Backpacker” or “Darlin’”. They used the first name when sober, and the second name when they’d had too many JDs. Most of my shifts were spent behind a bar: first in Paraburdoo (pop. 2,000), then in Newman (so big it had a

Subway). Because alternative nightlife options were mostly non-existent, I, the person pouring the pint, should have held a position of power. But, if I grabbed a local anything other than their “usual” drink, their respect was gone. One particularly cantankerous customer, Angus, refused to pick up his Fosters if I faced the can in the wrong direction. He could pout and push it away, but he couldn’t use his fingers to turn it around. “Do you want me to spill it all over myself?” he’d moan. After that comment, I sure did. But I kept my mouth shut most of the time, especially at the end of a rowdy Friday night, because the mining crewmen paid with a pile of bills and coins, tapping their pile to indicate where I should take the change from, a fight could break out over a missing $10. Within minutes, best friends would be swinging punches like sworn enemies. Within a week of starting my job in Paraburdoo, I quit wearing makeup. Why lather on foundation, when no one else made an effort in the dry, dirty heat? Most of the men (and a few brave women) sauntered into the bar

for a post-shift pint, still in their work boots and a layer of orange silt. For a while I thought they were simply very tanned from the 40°C-plus sun. The only accessories visible were inked on: most of the men ran a list of children’s names on one shoulder, and an Australia flag or native animal on the other. Ex-girlfriend’s names were guiltily covered up by long sleeves. Rarely did I understand what anyone said; nodding and smiling was the only response to requests that contained more slang than a modern dictionary. Not only do Western Aussies abbreviate most words – even the shortest ones – but they don’t breath between them, either. “Bundyncola, mate,” someone would ask, “andtoperrightup!” If I had the gumption to question this, I was shot with an amused glare. “Bloodyyanks, don’tyespeakEnglish?” You’ll soon hear that bottles, coolers, pitchers and pints have turned into stubbies, eskies, jugs and tall ones – and real men drink Emu Bitter and Toohey’s Old. “Noneathatcheapissforme, mate!” Big, friendly, and loud, the people in Western Australia are a breed of their own. And serving them gives definition to the term “diamond in the rough”. But if you’re looking for work out West, take this as a warning: bring bug spray, and a pair of scissors.

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Get freakin’ in Airlie x x x ! awesome in Airlie Beach Whitsundays - www.awesomeoz.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

The Whitsundays QUEENSLAND

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Sunday session Sailing around Queensland’s Whitsundays is one of the most sought-after east coast experiences, but does it live up to the hype? WORDS GILLIAN MCVEIGH

It felt like we were under there forever. I wanted to burst out laughing, looking at my boyfriend hooked up with all the scuba gear. But I dared not – if the breathing apparatus slipped out of my mouth, it would be panic stations. We were about to do our first ever dive and were lingering under the water as we waited for one of our group to get to grips with her equipment and join us in the deep blue sea. As we waited, I got thinking... Is my mask filling up with water? Would a shark find me tasty? Agghh, am I still breathing? As unnatural as it all seems at first, when you glide through the crystal clear waters, like the Little Mermaid’s long lost twin, you soon feel right at home in the underwater world. Well, maybe it’s not quite as simple as that, but as you swim deeper and watch all the brightlycoloured little fishies float by, it’s not difficult to get lost in the awe of it all. It is amazing to look around and see hundreds of little eyes look back at you as they swim by. At one stage I even forgot I was swimming with other humans at all, stopping to watch the shimmering of blue and yellow scales flicker passed every inch of my vision. We also saw little turtles and hundreds of varieties of fish in every size, shape and colour. SAIL AWAY I was cruising through the Whitsunday Islands, by the Great Barrier Reef. In other words, not giving diving a go was simply not an option. And sure enough, once I’d got a taster of the life aquatic I was soon donning my snorkle to head back in again. And again. And again. I’d fallen in underwater love. Sailing the Whitsundays hovers pretty close to the top of most backpackers’ “must-do” lists. People come for different reasons: some to dive by the Great Barrier Reef, some for Whitehaven Beach and others for the pure luxury of exploring Australia’s great paradise without having to cook, clean or even lift a finger, apart from putting on suntan lotion that is. The trip can be as action-packed or chilled out

as you want it to be. There were 25 of us on board, all experiencing our first taste of the Whitsunday Islands and most of us embarking on our first ever sailing trip. Everyone was impressed as we spread out across the boat’s spacious deck to enjoy first row seats of watching the sun slide down into the horizon, making the sky an orange and red masterpiece. SILICON VALLEY At the risk of sounding like a glutton, one of my favourite bits was the food. After travelling the coast for a few weeks, it was great to get quality food, and plenty of it. Being a vegetarian (or vege-terrible as Captain Johnno dubbed me), I didn’t know what to expect. However, I couldn’t have been more satisfied. Stopping off at one of the world’s top three beaches had to be the highlight of the trip for many. Indeed, having a picture of yourself in a human pyramid on Whitehaven Beach is practically a mandatory addition to any self-respecting backpacker’s Facebook page.

“

Whitehaven is justifiably one of the best beaches on the planet

”

From the lookout point, Whitehaven Beach looked nice – beautiful in fact – but it wasn’t until we were down there that we could see just why it is justifiably one of the best beaches on the planet. The sand is made of grains so fine that you can clean your jewellery with it and no matter how hot the temperature is, TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

the sand remains cool thanks to the unexplained amounts of silicon it contains. Each night after dinner the crew produced a slideshow of all the pics from throughout the day, which made for a hilarious and often embarrassing night’s viewing. The shots from the dive sites were particularly entertaining and we all got some great snaps underwater kitted out in our scuba gear. BACK TO THE BAR

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Photos: Tourism Queensland

It was then back to Airlie Beach where the fun most definitely did not stop. After a much-anticipated long shower (we’d had to limit them to just two minutes a time on the boat), we met up again with the group and crew to enjoy free jugs of beer in the bar and spend the night recounting tales of our sailing adventures. There is a reason why sailing the Whitsunday Islands is high on most travellers’ agenda. If you go, expect to spend some of the most memorable days of your travelling here. You’re guaranteed to leave with plenty of very happy memories and lots of very cool photographs. ❚

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF GET TANKED UP WITH SOME REEF FACTS The Great Barrier Reef stretches from Rockhampton to Papua New Guinea and is easily accessible from many coastal Queensland towns. Here are some bewildering facts about the reef and its inhabitants with which you can stun (or is that bore to death?) members of the opposite sex in bars... • The Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing on Earth that can be seen from the Moon. • It is protected by World Heritage status, meeting all four natural-importance criteria. Namely: it’s a living record of Earth’s evolution; has ongoing biological processes; natural phenomena and beauty; and is home to threatened species. • It is greater in area than the entire UK. • At its widest, the reef is 80km wide; at its furthest out it is 300km from the mainland coast, and at its tallest it’s more than 500m thick. Its oldest parts have been growing for 18 million years. • Although the Great Barrier Reef is counted as one reef, it is actually composed of nearly 3,000 separate reefs, clumped close together. • Scientists believe coral may hold the cure for AIDS and cancer. • Coral reefs cover less than one per cent of the planet’s surface but support more than 25 per cent of all marine life. The Great Barrier Reef alone is home to 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of molluscs, 500 species of seaweed, 215 species of birds, 16 species of

sea snakes (eek!), six species of sea turtles, plus several migrating whales. • Coral is formed by primitive species of polyp; small, lentil-sized, tube-like animals vaguely related to jellyfish and sea anenomes. They suck onto a hard surface and wave their tiny ring of stinging tentacles in the water. These capture their prey – plankton – and pull it down into their stomach. • The nutrients it digests pass along to the whole colony. A colony, or lump of coral, can house tens of thousands of individuals. • The best time to see coral is at night, because this is when they reach out from their skeletons to feed. • Hard corals excrete lime to form a protective surface around their body. When they die, this white skeleton remains and new generations of polyp build upon it, forming reefs. • The colour from coral actually comes from tiny algae that co-habits with the polyps in the colony. Differentcoloured algae work with different coral species, so corals appear in different colours. • Some coral stings can be felt by human skin, so it’s best not to touch coral. This suits the coral too, as it is very delicate and can be crushed and killed by clumsy limbs. • Global warming is perhaps the biggest threat to the world’s reefs. As the water temperature rises, corals self-destruct. Some scientists predict that most of the world’s coral could be dead in 40 years.

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Need some Airlie nights? Before being whisked off on a trip around the Whitsundays, spend some time getting well-oiled in party town Airlie Beach WORDS ROSALIND SCUTT

On the doorstep of the magnificent Whitsunday Islands lies the legendary Airlie Beach. Air-lie. The name struck me as unearthly, provoking notions of a fabled paradise. What would I find there? Immaculate beaches and infinite secluded lagoons? Lapping waters of azure blue and billowing shores of platinum sand? Waves breaking rhythmically around Brooke Shields’ naked thighs like in The Blue Lagoon? Arriving in downtown Airlie Beach, I was relieved to see a good selection of pubs and cafés. I ordered a beer. I’d be on land for just one night and so was determined to experience Airlie Beach before rushing off to explore the Whitsundays. ”Which way to the beach?” I asked the barman at the pub with the blackboard advertising a weekly Wednesday night wet t-shirt competition. “Over there,” said the Irishman, pointing to what looked like brown mudflats. I surveyed the apparent beach from over the top of my glass. I’d seek it out later. For the moment I wanted to soak up the ambience. LAGOON LAZIN’ It was 1pm and about 32°C. The sky was an uninterrupted expanse of perfect blue and I was surrounded by a relaxedlooking group in sarongs and boardshorts. Groups of travellers sauntered past with beach bags and guitars and I counted three combies parked along the kerb of the main street. Finishing up, I followed the direction of the Irishman’s casual wave. I walked the coast for a good half hour but found no beach. 38

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“

Air-lie. The name provokes notions of a fabled paradise

”

As if the gods had noted my disappointment, I walked straight into a lagoon. It wasn’t the kind of lagoon I’d expect to see Brooke spear-hunting supper in (this was man-made for a start). Nevertheless, it was a lagoon and I whipped off my bits and lay roasting in the tropical Queensland sun. At the hostel that evening I sat poolside with a group of Americans drinking XXXX and discussing their recent seafaring expedition. They had been here a week and could confirm the following: sailing the Whitsundays was one of their best-ever life experiences; there is no beach at Airlie Beach and (most importantly to them) Bud is a better beer than XXXX [not much to boast about – Ed]. Keen for some beer action, I grabbed a Brit and suggested we head back down to the main drag, where we soon hit a heaving Irish pub. The rest of the evening was a surreal montage of Swedish girls wearing bikinis and witch’s hats – just another Airlie night apparently. ❚

heart of the reef Airlie Beach QUEENSLAND THE WHITSUNDAY ISL ANDS

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WHITEHAVEN BEACH CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE

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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

Game on: Preview of the Australian Open tennis

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NEXT WEEK

A nation divided KOREA

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Korea advice An ideal stop-off between Australia and Europe, Korea is home to the Demilitarised Zone – the world’s most heavily-armed border, which also happens to have a strict dress code... WORDS MARIA ROECKMANN

“Remember: no laughing, no pointing and only your cameras in your hands. Don’t even tie a jumper around your waist or they might think that you are hiding a bomb.” The tour guide’s words make me feel like I am out on a military exercise and not on holiday. But the safety precautions come as no surprise as my travel destination is the most heavilyarmed border on Earth: the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. Or, to be more specific, I am about to enter the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the village of Panmunjom. This is the notorious place where enemy soldiers of a divided Korea stand face to face, separated only by a narrow demarcation line. So here I am, in the heart of the DMZ, a 250km land strip secured with countless land mines and tank traps that has separated North and South Korea for almost 60 years. At present, the JSA is the only connection between the two countries. To get there, I have my passport checked twice, undergo several safety briefings and even have to sign a declaration that my safety cannot be guaranteed “in the event of a hostile enemy act”. NORTHERN EXPOSURE I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy, yet hundreds of visitors come here everyday which kind of helps me keep my nervousness at bay. And I really am curious to see this place that is more like a historical re-enactment of the Cold War. I even went out of my way and put on my smartest outfit instead of the comfy clothes I normally wear. No sleeveless tops, mini skirts, shorts, thongs and torn jeans: The JSA has a dress code as strict as the Vatican. That’s because, as our tour guide puts it: “North Korean soldiers might take photos of you and use them for propaganda purposes.” So, our fashion trends might be mistaken for worn out clothes according to that logic. I don’t know if that is all true, but as you can probably tell by now, the relationship between North and South is not exactly one based on mutual trust. Anyway, now that the checklist is ticked, we are allowed to proceed to the

JSA. The atmosphere is tense and everybody seems to be on high alert. Korean soldiers on duty stand there motionless, facing north, their hands clenched in fists, dark sunglasses concealing their eyes. The northern side seems completely deserted. But the fact that we can’t see the soldiers doesn’t mean that they’re not keeping a close eye on us.

“

Yes, even the world’s most heavily-armed border has a gift shop

”

North Korea, one of the most secretive closed off countries on Earth, is only a few metres away behind a concrete slab. And yet, it is impossible to reach as you’d risk your life and those around you if you intended to cross. But there is one place within the JSA where you can set foot on North Korean soil safely. There are three blue huts built right across the border and one of them is the conference room of the United Nations Command and North Korea. It has doors on the Northern and Southern side for the official parties to enter. This is where negotiations take place from time to time. Nothing fancy here in this significant building, just a few long wooden tables equipped with microphones. South Korean soldiers block the doors to the North while we’re in, just in case… After visiting the conference room, we’re allowed to take a few photos and then swiftly move back to the bus. As it’s our lucky day today, we get a glimpse of some North Korean soldiers patrolling the border just before we leave. As we drive off, I wonder how all these families feel after being separated for decades by this division. I remember a TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Looking north

place we went to earlier in the day, called the Freedom Bridge. Hundreds of people have tied ribbons with their wishes for reunification on the barbed wire fences. In light of all that I’ve seen, I run into the one and only souvenir shop of the JSA (yes, apparently even the most heavily-armed border on Earth can’t do without one). Here you can take home a piece of the most closed off country: maybe a whiskey or stamps with the portrait of Kim Jong-il. SEOUL SEARCHING

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Photos: Phot PPh hot ho hot otos: os: os s: Gett Getty G Ge Get ettttty Im eett IImages/TNT mages age ag ges ge ges es/T /TNT TNT NT IIma Im Images/Reuters mage ma ges gges/ ees/ s/R s/ Reeu euutters ers er

I’m finally leaving the DMZ behind me, the most surreal place I’ve ever visited… But only 40km south of the border, in the city of Seoul, life is just normal. With over 10 million people, it is one of the largest cities in the world and a cool place to stop over on your way from Australia to Europe. I’m staying in Hongdae, a student district with heaps of bars and restaurants. Even at night it’s still bustling with activity, the streets are crowded with students going out for a drink or late dinner. Shops and stalls as far as the eye can see promote their spicy street foods, glittery jewellery and ginseng facial masks. Hongdae’s not only a cool place at night time but also on a Saturday (except for winter) when there is an arts and crafts market close to Hongik University where students sell their uniquely designed T-shirts, bags and paintings. But I also like the more traditional places of Seoul, such as Insadong. Walking through the streets of this charming

shopping district, I have to keep in mind my already overweight luggage as it’s hard to resist all these hand-crafted tea pots and decorative fans. Insadong is part of Jongno-gu district, the oldest part of Seoul with many traditional wooden houses, palaces (including UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chandeokgung) and beautiful Jogyesa temple, overlayed by hundreds of multi-coloured lanterns. A bit further south, in Junggu district, is another one of the highlights of my tour: Namsangol Hanok Village that displays houses (some of

NEXT WEEK Papua New Guinea: Finding Australia’s northern neighbour

Photos: Getty Images, Maria Roeckmann

them authentic buildings, others rebuilt) of times long past. I like it because you can see how the commoners lived in Korea some centuries ago. You can even try out some traditional Korean games such as arrow throwing, or watch a traditional Korean marriage ceremony. And then there is Samcheong-Dong, a charming neighbourhood by the base of the mountain, with many beautiful wooden houses and an interesting mix of traditional Korean restaurants and French and Italian cafés. It’s a great place to have a “green tea latte” or some yummy Korean food. With its cosy neighbourhoods, historic temples and modern shopping streets, Seoul is a great place to visit. It’s easy to fit in a day tour to the infamous border about 40km up north, the DMZ. Just don’t forget some smart clothes. ❚

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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

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

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

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

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Adventures South Australia 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com

TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au

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

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

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Regional Express Airline. 13 17 13, rex.com.au

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

Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com

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

Tiger Airways Airline. 03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

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SYDNEY STAY

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

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

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

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com

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

Sydney Observatory The Rocks. sydneyobservatory.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

Hyde Park Barracks. Thur, Jan 12. $42. The darkly brilliant Scottish Americana rockers are in town for a Sydney Festival performance at the awesomely transformed Barracks Museum.

Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 www.yha.com.au Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111, yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. 1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au 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

College St, Sydney

sydneyfestival.org.au

Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe. 02 9692 8418, yha.com.au

Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly. 02 9977 3411 boardrider.com.au The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly. 1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD. 02 9288 7888, wakeup.com.au

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

The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

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

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

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

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Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEY MUSIC

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

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

The Annandale annandalehotel.com The Basement thebasement.com.au

COFFS HARB

The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Gaelic Hotel thegaelic.com

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Situated about a 90-minute drive (or an easy train journey) west from Sydney, the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains are a favourite escape for Sydneysiders. Once you’ve experienced the spectacular blue-hazed beauty, dramatic cliffs and deep canyons of the region, you’ll come away refreshed and invigorated. Katoomba, a swift walk from the Three Sisters (pictured) is the main town, with a couple of lively, if slightly scuzzy, pubs to keep you entertained, as well as a giant cinema. One-street Leura, with its cute, boutique shops if also worth a look, while there are also plenty of stunning walks near Wentworth Falls and Blackheath.

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BRISBANE STAY

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

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

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

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

The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au

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

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

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

Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St 07 3236 1947, yha.com.au Chill Backpackers 328 Upper Roma St. 1800 851 875, chillbackpackers.com

BRISBANE DO

BRISBANE MUSIC The Tivoli thetivoli.net.au The Zoo thezoo.com.au X and Y Bar xandybar.com.au

GOLD COAST

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

Seaworld seaworld.com.au

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

Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au

Zorb Adrenalin rolling. 07 5547 6300

Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. 1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gallery of Modern Art Stanley Pl, South Bank. 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au

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

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

Dolphins Beach House 14-16 Duke Street, Noosa 1800 454 456, dolphinsbeachhouse.com

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

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QLDLISTINGS Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

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

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

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

TOWNSVILLE

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

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com

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

Walkabout Motel & Backpackers 07 4061 2311

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

MAGNETIC ISL

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

ROCKHAMPTON

BOWEN

Emus Beach Resort 88 of Patterson St, Emu Park. 07 4939 6111, emusbeachresort.com

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MISSION BEACH

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

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

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

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

NJOY Travellers Resort Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au

WORD FROM THE STREET

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

Alexis Grioli, UK

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HI ALEXIS. WHEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE YOU BEEN IN QLD SO FAR? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pretty much everywhere as we travelled from the furthest point north the roads would allow us all the way to Sydney in a campervan.â&#x20AC;? GOT A FAVOURITE QLD DAY SPOT? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though I have a real fondness for Brisbaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CBD due to its complete lack of pretentious attitude, I would have to say travelling all the secluded beaches just north of Cairns. We found some beautiful beaches and the best of all was that it was just us. What more can you ask for?â&#x20AC;&#x153; AND FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would have to Brisbaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fortitude Valley gay area. It is so trashy and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t progressed in the last decade. This fact just makes it so endearing and filled with uncomplicated fun!â&#x20AC;? AND ANYWHERE THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STILL ON YOUR WISHLIST? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really wish we had explored more of Brisbaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alternative music scene. Live entertainment from unsigned/up-and-coming artists/bands are meant to be flowing through Brisbaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scene making it Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mecca for people who love music.â&#x20AC;?

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SUMMER FUN THERE IS NO PLACE BETTER THAN THE BRISSIE SUN!

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TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

QLDLISTINGS WORD FROM THE STREET

follow us on 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

Alix Klaus, Switzerland

Cairns Dive Centre 1800 642 591, cairnsdive.com.au

HI ALIX. WHERE’VE YOU BEEN IN QLD SO FAR? “I drove all the way up the coast to Cairns and back again in two months.” GOT A FAVOURITE QLD DAY SPOT? “Fraser Island. The weather was perfect, my group was very good and the scenery was amazing.“ AND FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? “Surfers Paradise. It’s amazing to go out there. It’s good because it’s not a massive town but it’s a big town for partying. Plus I was with a lot of Irish people!” ANY ANYWHERE THAT’S STILL ON YOUR WISHLIST? “The Whitsundays. It was my first time diving so I think I’d enjoy it more if I went back now that I have more scuba experience.”

Pro Dive 07 4031 5255, prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au Skydive Cairns 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skyrail Rainforest Cableway 07 4038 1555, skyrail.com.au

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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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SURFING THE GOLD COAST You can’t claim to have experienced Australia until you’ve had a go at the national obsession, surfing. And where else to try it but at Surfers Paradise. Well actually, if you’re half-decent on a board, Surfers is one of the worse places on the Gold Coast to look for waves – instead try South Straddie, Snapper Rocks or Burleigh Heads. However, if it’s your first go and you’re looking for a lesson, then Surfers is, well, paradise.

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

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS!

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

BUSH The Palace. Thurs, Mar 1. $59.60. The legendary British rockers are back for this Soundwave sideshow to play some tunes from their first new album in over a decade.

20 Bourke St, Melbourne

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

ticketek.com.au Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au

RENEGADES VS HEAT

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

Docklands, Melbourne

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

Etihad Stadium. Thurs, Jan 12. From $20. Catch Shahid Afridiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Melbourne side go for a home win against bottom placed Brisbane in the Big Bash Twenty20 tournament.

ticketmaster.com.au

MELBOURNE DO

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

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

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

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

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

Homely, Friendly, Clean & Comfortable 53 Jackson Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 Australia Tel: (03) 9534 1877 jacksonsmanor@optusnet.com.au www.jacksonsmanor.com.au

FREE SECURE OFF-STREET CAR PARKING s $OUBLES TWINS DORMS s &ULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN s !LL ROOMS CENTRALLY HEATED s #ABLE 46 $6$ 6IDEO s &REE FRESH LINEN s ,AUNDRY

s HOUR STAFF SECURITY s %MPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE s ""1 AND SUNNY COURTYARD s !IRCONDITIONED LOUNGE AND DINING ROOMS

GREAT ATMOSPHERE, GREAT RATES BEST RATES IN MELBOURNE IN A VERY CLEAN HOSTEL TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

VICLISTINGS

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MELB MUSIC Cherry Bar myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne

BOOK NOW!

Corner Hotel cornerhotel.com East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au

FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL Flemington Racecourse. Sun, Mar 11. $150.85. An epic festival, this year boasting Tinie Tempah, Swedish House Mafia, New Order, Fatboy Slim, Paul van Dyk, The Wombats and many more.

Melbourne

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

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

GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au

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

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

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

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

RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL Aquatic Reserve. Fri, Feb 17 – Sun, Feb 19. From $25. The biggest music festival in the Murray River region, this event, in its stunning setting, features great Aussie acts, both classic and upcoming.

Heygarth St, Echuca

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

riverboatsmusic.com.au

Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park 35 Bell St, Torquay. 1300 736 533, torquaycaravanpark.com.au

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND If any one place could get away with calling itself the spiritual home of Aussie sport, it would have to be the MCG. Located in Yarra Park and dating back to 1853 (making it 70 years older than the original Wembley), ‘The G’ is the sort of stadium that inspires almost religious fervour. It witnessed the first Test Match between England and Australia, the birth of Aussie rules, the 1956 Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games. It’s also home to the National Sports Museum. You can check out cricket, including the Big Bash, right now, or Aussie rules when the season kicks off in March. You can take a tour all-year round for $20. mcg.org.au

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Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy, Sorrento. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento. 03 5984 4323, yha.com.au Tortoise Head Lodge French Island. 03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

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

GIPPSLAND Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614

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

PHILLIP ISLAND

VICLISTINGS WORD FROM THE STREET

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

Manuela Siller, Italy CIAO MANUELA. WHEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE YOU BEEN IN VIC SO FAR? â&#x20AC;&#x153;First I did the Great Ocean Road, then I went back to Melbourne and did some national parks, like the Grampians, Little Desert and Pink Lakes, plus down to Wilsons Promontory and the Snowy Mountains.â&#x20AC;? GOT A FAVOURITE PLACE? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wilsons Promontory with the wombats. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most beautiful national park Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen, especially during sunset on Whiskey Beach.â&#x20AC;?

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launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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

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

BOOK NOW!

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

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

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

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

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

DEVONPORT

HOBART DO

ROSS NOBLE Theatre Royal. Wed, Feb 15. $44.90 Catch the English funnyman on the Tassie leg of his Aussie tour ahead of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

29 Campbell St, Hobart

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

PORT ARTHUR

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

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

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.com.au

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

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

LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge

Overland Track Six-day walk parks.tas.gov.au

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

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

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

CRADLE DO Devils at Cradle Tassie devil sanctuary. 3950 Cradle Mountain Rd. 03 6492 1491. devilsatcradle.com

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

BICHENO

STRAHAN,

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

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

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

STRAHAN DO

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

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BAY OF FIRES Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point, north-eastern Tasmania. Despite being named as one of the world’s best beaches by Lonely Planet a couple of years ago, this undeveloped, idyllic corner of Tassie is still, just about, hanging onto its off the beaten track status. Kick back and enjoy the turquoise waters, white sands and fiery red granite rocks that give the area its name. Narrowly missing out on being included in our best camp spots in Australia feature, you can also stay at a basic site, right by the beach, for free.

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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 ROGER WATERS Burswood Dome. Sat, Jan 28. From $102.70. Starting the Aussie leg of his world tour in WA, the Pink Floyd bassist brings his masterpiece The Wall (which he wrote and produced) to Oz.

Great Eastern Highway

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

JASON BYRNE Astor Theatre. Fri, Mar 23. From $40. The inspired Irish comic joins the funny invasion heading Down Under for Melbourne, bringing his new show – People’s Puppeteer.

659 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley Astor Theatre liveattheastor.com.au Mojo’s Bar mojosbar.com.au The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au

bocsticketing.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

THE PINNACLES Nambung National Park. Entry $11. Just a couple of hours north of Perth, often making them the first stop on a west coast roadtrip, the Pinnacles are a surreal collection of hundreds of ancient limestone pillars rising out of the yellow sand. They’re at their most eerie at sunset, or better yet, sunrise, when you’re more likely to avoid the tour groups and have the place to yourself.

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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 nder $100 in Australia u n o ti a d o accomm eller Magazine v a r T by Australian

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

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

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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 1800 356 103 Myall Grove Holiday Park 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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SALISTINGS

ADELAIDE STAY

COOBER PEDY

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

BOOK NOW!

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

Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. 08 8414 3010, yha.com.au Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au

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

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

KANGAROO IS

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

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

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

ADELAIDE FRINGE Over 300 venues. Fri, Feb 24 – Sun, Mar 18. From free. Only Edinburgh can boast a bigger arts festival than this one so time your visit to catch a show or simply soak up the atmosphere in town.

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

Adelaide

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

adelaidefringe.com.au

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

Donald Bradman collection. War Memorial Drive. 08 8300 3800, cricketsa.com.au

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

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

BAROSSA VAL

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

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

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the

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

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

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

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

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

FLINDERS RANGES

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

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

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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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!

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

KATHERINE DO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Giles St. 1800 626 722

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

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

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

ANNUAL FOOTBALL ART SALE Tiwi Islands. Sun, April 1. A rare chance to explore the islands without a permit and get a taste for their rich Aboriginal culture and obsession for Aussie rules football.

North of Darwin

tiwiart.com

Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point. 08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

WORD FROM THE STREET

Nicole Rijmaars, the Netherlands HIYA NICOLE. WHERE’VE YOU BEEN IN THE NT SO FAR? “Darwin and Kakadu, then I got the Ghan train down to Alice and went round the Red Centre.” GOT A FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? “I love Kakadu. It was just the perfect tour. It was just so beautiful, plus going swimming in all the nice fresh waterfalls was amazing. You feel like you’re in nature without any tourists. It’s very wild. I also loved the jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River just outside Darwin.” AND FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? “Monsoons in Darwin. Also a nice spot around the campfire in the middle of nowhere near Uluru under the starry sky was very cool.” HAD ANY SCARY MOMENTS? “On a camping trip somebody found the biggest, hairiest spider ever, right by the toilet, just after I’d been!”

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NZLISTINGS

BUS TOURS

AUCKLAND

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

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

DON’T MISS!

Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions 1800 143 515, flyingkiwi.com

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

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

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

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

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

WAITANGI DAY

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

Everywhere. Mon, Feb 6. There’s parties and Maori culture galore on New Zealand’s national day. Waitangi itself, in the Bay of Islands, is one of the top places to be.

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz

North Island

waitangi.net.nz

Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals +800 200 80 801, backpackercampervans.com

Escape Rentals 1800 456 272, escaperentals.co.nz

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

Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.com.nz

Explore More 1800 800 327, dcrentals.com.nz

Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv

Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 447 363, exploremore.co.nz

Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.com.nz

Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au

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

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

Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

Bamber House (BBH) 2 2 View Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com Central City Backpackers 26 Lorne St. +64 9358 5685, backpacker.net.nz City Garden Lodge 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. +64 9302 0880

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

Kiwi International Queen St Hotel and Hostel 411 Queen St. 0800 100 411, kiwihotel.co.nz

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

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

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BUNGY JUMPING We’re pretty certain that no country can match New Zealand’s dedication to scaring its visitors senseless, which is why no trip to Kiwiland is complete without some form of scream-inducing adrenalin activity. There’s no shortage of weird and wacky thrills available throughout the country, but there’s no doubting that the purest, and arguably scariest, experience is good old fashioned bungy jumping. You can do a bungy jump in just about every NZ town nowadays, but the original fear factory is Queenstown. AJ Hackett runs various jumps in the area, including the world’s first commercial bungy, the Kawarau (pictured), plus the ledge jump, towering 400m above Queenstown, and of course, the daddy of them all, the 134m Nevis jump. While in town, make sure you also check out Shotover Canyon Swing. It may not match the height of the Nevis, but the unique jumping styles and, er, sadistic tendencies of the jump masters make it a match for any adrenalin activity in New Zealand.

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

DON’T MISS!

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

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

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

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

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

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414 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

CHRISTCHURCH Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. +64 3365 4363, aroundtheworld.co.nz At The Right Place 85 Bealey St. +64 3366 1633, atrp.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN NEW ZEALAND VS ZIMBABWE Napier. Thur, Jan 26 – Mon, Jan 30. From NZ$10. Catch the one Test Match between the Black Caps and the touring minnows. There’s also ODIs and T20 matches around the country. McLean Park

blackcaps.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

Alpine Lodge (BBH) 13 Gorge Rd. +64 3442 7220, alpinelodge@xtra.co.nz

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

Aspen Lodge (BBH) 11 Gorge 11 Gorge Rd. +64 3442 9671, aspenlodge.co.nz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marine Backpackers 26 Nayland St. +64 3326 6609, themarine.co.nz

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

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

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

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WHEN YOU

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yha.co.nz

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FIJILISTINGS 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 Nadi Bay Resort Hotel +679 672 3599, fijinadibayhotel.com Nadi Down Town Backpackers Inn +679 670 0600, pacvalley@connect.com.fj Nadi Hotel +679 670 0000, ndht@connect.com.fj Nomads Skylodge Hotel +679 672 2200 Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel +679 666 1777, fiji4less.com Smugglers Cove Beach Resort +679 672 6578, smugglers beachfiji.com Travellers Beach Resort +679 672 3322, beachvilla@connect.com.fj

YASAWA ISLANDS Awesome Adventures Fiji +679 675 0499awesomefiji.com Coconut Bay Resort +679 666 6644 coconutbay_fiji2002@yahoo.com Korovou Eco Tour Resort +679 666 6644 korovoultk@connect.com.fj Kuata Resort +679 666 6644 Long Beach Backpackers Resort +679 666 6644 Manta Ray Island +679 672 6351 mantarayisland@connect.com.fj

MAMANUCA ISL Beachcomber Island Resort +679 666 1500, beachcomberfiji.com

Macdonalds Beach Cottages +679 669 4633

Rau Kini’s Hostel +679 672 1959, rtkinihostel@connect.com.fj

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

Morrison’s Beach Cottagess +679 669 4516, tipple@connect.com.fj

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

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

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

Vilisite Place +679 650 1030

Bounty Island Resort +679 666 6999, fiji-bounty.com

CORAL COAST

VANUA LEVU

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

Hidden Paradise Guest House +678 885 0106

Pacific Safaris Club +679 345 0498, safariclub@connect.com.fj

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

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

Rendezvous Dive Resort +679 628 4427, surfdivefiji.com

Raintree Lodge +679 332 0562, raintreelodge.com

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

Robinson Crusoe +679 629 1999, robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com

Royal Hotel +679 344 0024 royal@connect.com.fj

Mango Bay Resort +679 653 00690, mangobayresortfiji.com

White Sandy Beach Dive Resort +679 666 4066

Volivoli Beach Resort +679 669 4511, volivoli.com

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

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

Wayalailai Island Resort +679 672 1377 wayalailai@connect.com.fj

SUVA

Safari Lodge Fijis +679 669 3333 safarilodge.com.fj

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

Beachouse +679 653 0500, fijibeachouse.com

Sunrise Lagoon Resort +679 666 6644

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

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

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

Octopus Resort +679 666 6337 reservations@octopusresort.com

Tabukula Beach Bungalows +679 650 0097, fiji4less.com

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Seashell Cove Resort +679 670 6100, seashellresort.com

South Seas Private Hotel +679 331 2296, fiji4less.com Tailevu Hotel +679 343 0028

TAVEUNI Albert’s Sunrise +679 333 7555 Matava Resort +679 330 5222, matava.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE YASAWAS Fiji’s main budget backpacker properties are situated in the Yasawa Islands, north-west of Nadi. Some 24 properties operate over 20 rugged islands, with crystal blue lagoons and great beaches. The islands are serviced daily by the Yasawa Flyer, a large and fast catamaran. However, make sure you ring ahead to book before jumping on the boat.

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early childhood workers, nursery nurses, primary TFDPOEBSZ UFBDIFST Our Australasian early childhood centres and schools are seeking early childhood workers (untrained), nursery nurses and teachers for day-to-day work, long-term assignments and permanent positions. Work with Randstad Education and enjoy the beneďŹ ts of: t /BUJPOXJEF PQQPSUVOJUJFT t 'MFYJCMF BTTJHONFOUT t 'SFF SFHJTUSBUJPO XFFLMZ QBZ t 0OHPJOH TVQQPSU GSPN PVS EFEJDBUFE UFBN PG FYQFSJFODFE DPOTVMUBOUT Contact Randstad Education today. Australia: 1300 360 014 www.randstad.com.au/education /FX ;FBMBOE 0800 800 204 www.randstad.co.nz/education

BRAND AMBASSADORS/SALES CONSULTANTS REQUIRED Velocity Marketing Solutions is a leader in sales and marketing within Regional Queensland, and right now we want you! Located in Cairns & the Sunshine Coast Our national entertainment client has released some fantastic deals for customers this summer. We are seeking self-motivated individuals who are both professional and have a passion for sales to join our progressive and innovative company. This opportunity offers a new and exciting challenge. To be successful, you will need: Great customer service skills, however no sales experience is necessary. A bubbly and friendly attitude towards work, life, the team and customers. Be hard working, self motivated and be able to work well within a team. The successful applicant will be provided with comprehensive sales and product training and the chance to work in a vibrant and dynamic company offering support and the opportunity to develop and grow. If your interested in a more management-style opening we have something available for you too! All applicants will start at entry level however we will set you up with specific training and goals to get you progressing possibly within weeks! Here you get paid your worth! If you want more money itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all in your hands! So there is no limit to what you can earn! OTE $700+ per week Commissions + incentives Please forward a current copy of your resume & cover letter to Amy at recruitment@velocity-marketing.net or text â&#x20AC;&#x153;workâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;your nameâ&#x20AC;? to 0414 426 675 and we will get in contact with you as soon as possible.

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Sale of the century If you’re a lively, friendly and personable lad or lass, then a job in sales might just be for you. Like travelling for work? Then read on How do you like the sound of meeting people, earning good money and having a good time? Like it? Well, then maybe you should consider a job in sales. Jo Burston from Job Capital says employers are seeking people with great personalities who are determined to succeed and, while experience is favoured, it’s not essential. “Having sales experience is always favoured in this market but really it’s all about the right personality. Experience is only half of what employers look for in a potential employee. Mostly they look for someone with an outgoing, personable, and positive personality,” Jo says. Okay so you’ve checked all of those boxes, what hours can you expect to work? It’s all about the ‘f’ word. “Keep in mind that you will need to be flexible with your time. In some roles the hours might not be the same every week,” says Jo. But overtime may not always mean slogging away in an office picking up the phone over and over. “Within the right company, there are opportunities to travel around Australia,” Jo says.

Stuart Rawling is a sales team leader for a sales and marketing company in Oz and was lucky enough to score a trip with work. He rates travelling as one of the best things about his job. “I was selected for an all-expenses paid roadtrip to Adelaide after just two weeks with the company,” he says. And meeting people is a plus too, says the Briton: “I’ve got heaps of new friends from not only Australia, but from all over the world. I get to travel and earn money at the same time (so far I’ve seen Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney through work). The work is usually in a very social and casual environment, and there are plenty of chances to get a good feel of Australian culture.” This is all sounding too good to be true, surely it all can’t be good? “The rates of pay are normally around the $20 – $25 per hour mark, most companies offer a commission on top of that hourly rate as well,” Jo says. Stuart says his pay is “fantastic and loves the uncapped earning potential.” Okay, well that’s definitely better than a poke in the eye.

INTERVIEW WITH A SALESMAN ROB VERDON JOB Event sales exec FROM UK

Why Australia? I’d visited Oz before and always wanted to come back to live in Sydney. I bought a round-the-world ticket and ended up here. How did you get your job? I saw an ad, applied and was successful. Having worked for three months

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I was offered a sponsored 457 visa to remain in Australia which was always a goal. Two years down the track I am now a permanent resident (although I still support England!). What do you do now? I am senior sales manager for our Asian Summits Division. I run a team of 10 executives who sell sponsorship packages to our business summits. I also travel to summits to look after our clients, which has allowed me to experience a variety of countries and cultures.

Good points of the job? Travel, great colleagues to work with and the opportunity to make great money. Any bad points? With sales, there is always rejection. But you learn to deal with it and not take it personally. A thick skin and good sense of humour help. Any memorable moments? Our product is sold on emotion, and the sales floor has an amazing buzz to it, especially when someone is closing a big US dollar deal. Your first

deal with the company is a very special moment, with praise from the entire office. One time we had former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh speak at one of our summits. He called me a poser after I quietly reminded him that England won the Ashes! Would you recommend your job to others? If you want a career opportunity when each day on the job is different, exciting and in a young dynamic atmosphere, than I would certainly recommend the event sales industry.

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

Looking for your next job? NEW JOBS ONLINE EVERY DAY

JOBS

Female masseuse required - earn from $110-160 / hour. Full training provided Flexible shifts Free Transport from Railway station Free accommodation

Contact 02 9567 9494

www.studiorelaxclub.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

TOTALLYTRIVIAL

@tnt_downunder

MYTHBUSTERS REAL STICKY ICKY?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK d) About 66

a) Bellingshausen b) Casey c) McMurdo d) Great Wall

ocean is Easter Island in? Q 2.a)Which Indian b) Atlantic c) Pacific

Which islands are nicknamed Q 7.‘Desolation’ because of remoteness?

d) Southern

a) Canary Islands b) Galapagos Islands c) Kerguelen Islands d) Dodecanese Islands

3. What nickname is the Aussie desert known by? a) The Great Wild b) The Outback c) Sandy Oz d) The Walkabout

How many residents does Canadian Q 8.village Alert?

Q 4. Which country is furthest point from the centre of the earth? a) Australia b) Nepal c) Japan d) Ecuador

a) Five b) 50 c) 500 d) 5,000

Q 9. Which is the world’s largest desert?

Q 5. Which country has the highest city in the world? a) China b) Peru c) Bolivia d) India

a) Antarctica b) Sahara c) Gobi d) Arabian

SUDOKU PUZZLE 2

6 4

2 6

1 4

7 8 5

5 4

2 8

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

AUSSIE-ISM “DAG”

8 1

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

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

c) About 55

Which is the largest research Q 6.centre in Antarctica?

OF THE

WEEK Is weed legal in Nimbin? Visitors could easily be forgiven for thinking the small hippy village of Nimbin, just inland from Byron Bay, enjoys a drugs free-for-all. Cannabis is sold and smoked fairly openly on the street, while a number of cafés and bars are more like downtown Amsterdam than rural New South Wales. However, technically the law is no different to the rest of the state. The area’s unusual tolerance dates back to 1973 when it was basically taken over by counterculture dropouts who turned up for the Aquarius Festival and never left. Just beware of the smackheads who hit the streets every lunchtime.

This term is used to describe someone who doesn’t dress very smartly, or behaves like a bit of a goofball. In its literal meaning, a dag is a lump of excrement-matted wool on a sheep’s rear end. Nice.

THIS WEEK IT’S... CAMPING FILMS 1. MOCK CRAP 2. CRAMP ANGRY ICON 3. IN HOT WILTED 4. CHART OBJECT WITH PERIL ANSWERS: 1. Camp Rock 2. Carry On Camping 3. Into The Wild 4. The Blair Witch Project

percentage of Oz is desert? Q 1.a)What About 33 b) About 44

MYTH

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

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

T THE INDEPENDEN

UIDE TRAVELLERS' G JI

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

2012

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

ZEALAND & FI AUSTRALIA, NEW

A Product UK £9.95 WHERE SOLD

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---- Own Arrangements

NOTE: These options are NOT included in the pass price

T&Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Prices are subject to change without notice. Local payments are to be paid to the tour operator directly. For full terms and conditions visit www.ozexperience.com.

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