Feb 6-12 2012 Issue 667 tntdownunder.com
! SIE IN W -DAY TAS
AN 8 ADVENTURE WORTH OVER $3,000
LAND OF THE RISING SUN Stopping off in trend-setting Tokyo
HOOKED ON HOBART Your guide to the Tassie capital
WAVE RIDER Surf tips from a former world champ
D N U O F E S I D PARA tate lia’s island s a tr s u A , ia n asma l beauty of T ra tu a n g n ri the stagge Discovering
For trade enquires
1300 983 432 Untitled 3 1
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ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com
EDITOR’S LETTER Unfortunately, we simply don’t get the chance to always dedicate as much space as we’d like to one of our favourite places in Oz. Well, this week we make amends. Starting with a triple feature special, we’re kick-starting a whole month of stories dedicated to Australia’s own emerald isle – Tasmania. It’s stunning, it’s laidback and it’s just a little bit different to the rest of the country. See pages 8, 34 and 38 for more.
THIS WEEK OZ DIARY
4
MUSIC & FILM
16
CELEB GOSSIP
20
COMPETITION
22
NEWS
26
SPORT
29
TRAVEL
30
LISTINGS NSW
47
LISTINGS QUEENSLAND
48
LISTINGS VIC
53
LISTINGS NT
55
LISTINGS WA
56
LISTINGS TASMANIA
58
LISTINGS SA
59
LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND
60
LISTINGS FIJI
62
WORK
63
TRIVIAL PURSUITS
66
8
24
FEATURES MAP OF TASSIE
8
We tell you why the smallest Aussie state might also be the prettiest
POINT BREAK
24
We find out what one-time world surfing champ Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo is up to
DEVIL’S DELIGHT
34
Checking out Hobart’s sensual side, from its food to its sexy new museum
GUNG-HO TOKYO
40
From sumo lads to fashion fads, Japan’s capital is bigger and brighter than ever
34
40 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Staff writer Alex Harmon Intern Leigh Livingstone Contributor Xav Judd
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Drop into Manly...
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
TNT MULTIMEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst Australia general manager Vicky Harris PUBLISHER TNT Multimedia Limited PRINTED BY Rural Press NEWS AAP PICTURES Getty Images | Thinkstock | AAP | TNT Images | Tourism Australia | Tourism Victoria | Tourism New South Wales | Tourism NT | Tourism Queensland | Tourism Tasmania | South Australia Tourism | Tourism Western Australia | Tourism New Zealand | Tourism Fiji TNT Magazine , 126 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW 2008 tntdownunder.com General enquiries Phone 02 8332 7500 Fax 02 9690 1314 Email enquiries@tntdownunder.com SALES ENQUIRIES
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THE MAIN EVENT AUSTRALIAN OPEN OF SURFING [MANLY, SYDNEY]
The world’s top boarders are converging on Manly for the inaugural Australian Open of Surfing this weekend. Both skaters and surfers will be taking to the northern beach for nine days of exciting competition from 11-19 February. There are men and women, pro and junior events and a world class skate bowl. To keep the expected 100,000-strong crowd pumping there will also be two live concerts over the Friday and Saturday nights, featuring Sneaky Sound System, Stonefield and The Living End. Best of all, it is completely free. We do love that word. australianopenofsurfing.com FREE
COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL [WHITTLESEA]
MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL [CANBERRA]
This music festival, 35km north of Melbourne, is a boot scooting shindig with world class musicians like The Black Sorrows and Adam Brand for a fraction of the cost of the giant Tamworth Festival. A two-day pass starts at $70. Pay $90 and you can camp.
The National Multicultural Festival celebrates cultural diversity with Greek, Latin, Chinese and indigenous heritage reflected, to name but a few. Here is that word again, it’s totally free and completely accessible, right in the heart of the city centre.
Going to Fair Day is a gentle way to ease yourself into the month-long Mardi Gras festival, which starts with this event on Sunday. Enjoy a day in the park with good drinks, good food and good company as around 70,000 people celebrate the start of the rainbow season.
February 10-12 Whittlesea Showgrounds whittlesea.vic.gov.au
February 10-12 Canberra City Centre, ACT multiculturalfestival.com.au
February 12 Victoria Park, Camperdown mardigras.org.au/fairday
$70
TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests. There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers. Registered by Australia Post.
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FREE
FAIR DAY [SYDNEY] FREE
6
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19/10/11 2:05:12 PM
Photos: Tourism Tasmania/TNT Images, Damian Hall
Soaring above South West National Park
Razzama-Tassie Tasmania might be Australia’s smallest state, but it’s also arguably the most beautiful. Here’s a stack of reasons why... Many people come to Australia to lie on a beach and cook their pasty skin to a cinder. But let’s face it, the beach is rubbish. It’s where dirt meets water. If you want to get something different from your trip Down Under (as well as a breathtaking beach or two), then head south. Tasmania is one seriously beautiful little island. The Apple Isle is a taste of ye olde England with a fascinating past. As well as being covered in very familiar architecture, it is the birthplace of 1930s Hollywood heart-throb Errol Flynn (who played Robin Hood, multiple swashbucklers and was rumoured to 8
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have a massive schlong). Tasmania also has a rich Aboriginal history – before the settlers wiped them out – and you’ll find Devonport has a number of enigmatic reminders of the area’s original inhabitants. The island still retains a strong, independent culture compared to the mainland. And a “map of Tassie” has even become Aussie-wide slang for a lady’s front bottom. The world’s first Green Party was born in Tasmania, so it’s no surprise the small state has a well-developed sense of what is important. Of course, this doesn’t stop the government continuing to chop down many of the ancient forests,
and logging remains a touchy subject for many locals. But for now, the land is still dominated by a huge swathe of unbroken greenery. This is the Tasmanian World Heritage area, made up of four national parks: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, Walls of Jerusalem, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers and South-West. This vast wilderness is about as far away as you can get from human activity. So get down there, explore, and most of all, make sure that camera is fully charged, because you’ll be snapping away like a demented paparazzi stalker. Not convinced? Well maybe these 36 reasons will help...
IT’S DIFFERENT The landscapes, the people, the cities, the climate... They are all markedly different to the rest of Australia. You haven’t truly experienced Oz until you’ve been to Tassie as well.
PARKLIFE
Photos: Tourism Tasmania/TNT Images, Damian Hall
The western half is dominated by a huge swathe of unbroken greenery – the Tasmanian World Heritage area, made up of Cradle MountainLake St Clair, Walls of Jerusalem, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers and South-West. Parts of it have never been explored. Around a third of Tassie is national park.
INTO THE WILD Not carefully manicured “wilderness areas” with concrete paths through the middle. Proper life-changingly spectacular, genuinely untouched and remote wilderness.
GREEN ACTIVISM It’s hardly surprising then that the world’s first Green Party was born here. As well as the active Wilderness Society.
ESCAPE THE CROWDS
Dolphin-spotting in Wineglass Bay
Get the sand between your toes on the South Coast Track
Many travellers are too busy getting pissed on the Gold Coast to make it down here. Wahey! More room for the rest of us.
RIGHT ON TRACK Sure there’s no bungy jumping – the mainland can keep all that. Tassie is more unique. Though our feet still grumble about it, the 80km Overland Track is an exhausting yet exalting walk through stirring gothic landscapes. It rivals anything New Zealand can offer.
WALKING THE WALK And there are plenty more less famous – and less crowded – trails, too. Tassie is a hikers Valhalla. Look into the South Coast Track. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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NORTH VS SOUTH It has a north-south divide. Try saying that your favourite beer is Cascade – the Hobart-brewed beer – whilst on a Boags brewery tour, in Launceston. Great tour. Let’s just say we seemed to get less beer than the others. These divides make Tassie the most interesting state in Oz. See p38 for more details.
Exploring the west coast forests
WILDLIFE GHOSTS Visit Port Arthur for the best, and often quite moving, insight into the hellish existence of convict life – the worst of the worst were sent here. Ideally do an evening ghost tour.
Many of the introduced mainland pests haven’t made it down to Tasmania, so native fauna flourishes. Pademelons (the Tassie wallaby), wombats, duck-billed platypusses and fiesty Tassie devils run rampant.
BEER Mmmm, beer. Partly because the water is so pure down here, Cascade and Boag’s are some of the best beers you’ll taste in Australia. There’s also plenty of very tasty, locally-produced boutique beverages to get your lips around.
PENGUINS The now serene and beautiful Port Arthur. It’s a little bit nicer than it used to be...
THE GREAT DIVIDE
These perky, tuxedo-clad little fellas can be found around much of Tassie’s coastline. In the town of Penguin (no really), they clamber out of the sea at twilight for a night of partying and passing out in their burrows. Other top spots include Bicheno and Bruny Island.
Tassie is an odd place – in a fascinating way. The isle is split into greenies versus people who want to cut down magnificent ancient hardwood trees (the tallest in the world), mash them up and ship them to Japan to be turned into paper. See them before they’re cut down.
TASSIE DEVILS With the table manners of Ridley Scott’s alien (they like to eat carcasses from the inside out), these ferocious furballs manage to be both endearing and repulsive. 10
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Guess where?
BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY IN TASMANIA
Tasmania W H E R E Y O U C A N own the beach.
THERE ARE PL ACES IN
Sydney
. . . A N D I T ’ S J U S T A S H O R T S T R O L L A W A Y.
Melbourne TASMANIA
Just a short flight from Melbourne or Sydney and you could be visiting Tasmania, the southern island state of Australia, where wide expanses of World Heritage Area wilderness will ignite your adventurous passions. Come and raft the legendary Franklin River, breathe in the beauty of the Tarkine, climb the majestic Cradle Mountain or travel overland to kayak beneath some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs on the Tasman Peninsula. Visit www.discovertasmania.com.au or www.backpacktassie.com for local backpacking info.
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WINEGLASS BAY A seductive curve of dreamy white sand, with bush on one side and the turquoise sea lapping the other, where dolphins can be seen. Camp at the end of the beach and find yourself surrounded by curious pademelons.
MT WELLINGTON Snow-capped in winter, this lofty peak towers over Hobart. From the summit, on a clear day, the views are breathtaking.
Er, did we mention we like Wineglass Bay?
MONKEYS PROFOUND BEAUTY We could name so many spots – incredible forests, islands, rivers, beaches – but Wineglass Bay (pictured on the cover) is possibly our favourite spot in the whole of Australia.
CITIES
The Overland Track
THE LOCALS
Hobart is plain lovely. It’s old fashioned and cosy, with great pubs (and we’re not talking those ugly generic sports bars – proper pubs). Hobart is easily Australia’s second most picturesque city. We met two ex-Sydneysiders who had come on holiday and never returned. Check out p34 for more info.
To them the mainland is “North Island” – they live on the “mainland”. People are so friendly and unassuming – we were offered a spare beenie and somewhere to stay. They are easily the friendliest Aussies we reckon.
THE WORLD’S CLEANEST AIR The Roaring Forties weather system passes over the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans, and no grubby polluting land masses, before hitting Tassie shores.
KEEP IT WHEEL We’ve also done some fantastic cycling along the east coast, stopping off every hour or so for a quick dip in the sea. Bombing down Mt Wellington, Hobart, is another pump-action fave. 12
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RIVERS RUN THROUGH IT The Arthur River cruise through the wonderful Tarkine region (in the northwest), complete with brandy-tea and Banjo Paterson poem recitals, is well worth your time. Tassie is awash with wild, roaring rivers.
Launceston isn’t half bad either and Cataract Gorge is well worth a visit. Also, we love monkeys. Monkeys are skill. In City Park, you can go and hang out with them, for free.
DIVING It’s a little known fact that there are scores of places to dive in Tassie. Indeed, it’s home to some of the best temperate water diving in the world. You can navigate submerged caves, giant kelp forests and shipwrecks dating back to the 17th century, all while getting acquainted with dolphins, seahorses, sea dragons and countless other cuddly creatures. Top spots include Bicheno, Rock Cape, King, Maria and Flinders Islands and EagleHawk Neck. You can even dive close to Hobart.
WATERFALLS Loads of ‘em. Stepped ones, tall thin ones, low, wide ones, freefalling ones, trickly ones… The highest is Montezuma’s Falls near Strahan.
JUST PLAIN RAFT One of Australia’s greatest adventures is rafting the Franklin River. It takes from five to 10 days and goes through one of the most rugged and inaccessible places on the planet.
Taking a shower at Russell Falls
MYSTERY As well as the dark colonial history there’s the great is-it-isn’t-it tiger debate. The dog-like Tasmanian tiger was hunted to “extinction” by the 30s, but numerous sighting claims make it the equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster. A few years back a German tourist took a convincing photo that was never officially verified or discredited. Check out last year’s Willem Defoe film, The Hunter, which is all about looking for the illusive thylacine in Tassie’s south-west.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN The curious double-headed, gothic Cradle Mountain towers above tranquil Dove Lake in the midst of highland heath. Make sure your memory card has lots of space.
TASMANIA. WILD PLACES. WILD LIFE. WILD FUN.
UNDER DOWN UNDER is one of Tasmania’s pioneers of o affordable adventure travel in Tasmania. Established in 1996, just like a good wine, we get better every year. Plus, we’re consistently the intrepid travellers’ first choice when it comes to local knowledge, great guides and taking our guests to the most memorable places. Book a Super Six or Super Seven Day Tour during the TNT Tassie month of February and you will get a free Mt Wellington Descent. To receive this special offer, you must quote promotion code “TNT” at the time of booking. *Only for TSS6 and TSS7 booked up to the 5th of March for travel between 1/2/12 to 30/6/12. *Free Mt Wellington Descent is not transferrable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
1800 064 726 www.underdownunder.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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THE NUT Tassie’s answer to Uluru. This solid mass of basalt (volcanic rock) is a sort of lava plug, by Stanley. Walk to the top for sunrise.
SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS In the central and south-west areas they seem to be everywhere you look. Very pretty with the sun setting, when they turn a fetching shade of baby-pink.
SAND STORM While there, venture out to the ever-moving, desert-like expanse of the Henty Sand Dunes – ideal for flinging yourself down on a board or zooming over on a quad bike.
ADAM AND EVE IT Not sure you want to do “the Sydney thing” on New Year’s Eve? Well, Tassie is a great alternative as Hobart comes alive after Christmas as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race crews cross the finish line. Head to the stunning Marion Bay to catch the likes of the Arctic Monkeys playing the Falls Festival before heading back to town for the Taste Festival.
THE WILD WEST COAST Paddling past the soaring Cape Hauy
Make the escape to the Eagles Eyrie on a Top of the World Tour Experience all the fun of the Railtrack Rider as you pedal into the heart of the forest to explore long-abandoned bush heritage, before embarking on a fully escorted coach tour to the Eagles Eyrie, an alpine wonderland with an eagles eye view over the Tasmanian wilderness. Plenty of time for indulgence with individual gourmet lunchboxes and fine Tasmanian wines for your enjoyment.
Departs 11am Book now! Maydena Adventure Hub, 38 Kallista Road, Maydena ph 1300 720 507 See web site for tour dates adventureforests.com.au
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It may be wet, wind-swept and rugged, but it’s wonderfully, lusciously green too. Proper edge of the world stuff. Make sure you call in at the cosy fishing village of Strahan, too.
SALAMANCA MARKETS Hobart’s famous waterfront hippy bazaar is full of buskers, stripey leggings, Indian saris, 1930s bric-a-brac, comics, curry, crystals, candles and stuff made from spoons...
ISLANDS There are many more islands off Tassie worth exploring. Gorgeous Bruny Island, near Hobart, and Maria Island (entirely national park) come highly recommended.
APPLES, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE It’s not nicknamed the Apple Isle for nothing. With its English climate, Tasmania was once the world’s major apple producer – we’ve never tasted better. Tassie is also dairy country, meaning they make great cheese as well as the good stuff. Little factories – many with tastings – and shops dot the isle. Seafood is exceptional – and cheap – too. ❚
NEXT WEEK Mardi Gras: What’s on at Sydney’s most fabulous festival
Festival Hall
Wednesday Mar 21
136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au, box office 03 9329 9699
Thebarton Theatre
Thursday Mar 22 08 8225 8888 or venuetix.com.au The Tivoli
Sunday Mar 25 132 849 or ticketek.com.au Hordern Pavilion
Special Guests
Monday Mar 26 132 849 or ticketek.com.au
bombay bicycle club
WITH SPECIAL GUEST FULLY RESERVED SEATING
MELBOURNE FORUM THEATRE
PERTH ASTOR THEATRE
FRIDAY MARCH 23
MONDAY MARCH 26
ADELAIDE NORWOOD CONCERT HALL
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CONCERT HALL
136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au
SATURDAY MARCH 24
131 246 or bass.net.au
08 9484 1133 or bocsticketing.com.au
THURSDAY MARCH 29
02 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com
BRISBANE THE TIVOLI
New album The Old Magic out now
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4
132 849 or ticketek.com.au
with special guest
perth astor theatre sunday mar 18 all ages show • 9484 1133 or bocsticketing.com.au
melbourne the corner hotel tuesday mar 20 over 18s • 03 9427 9198 or cornerhotel.com
sydney metro theatre thursday mar 29
Out now!
all ages show • 132 849 or ticketek.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
ON SALE NOW! Presented by Michael Coppel I elbow.co.uk I nicklowe.com I bombaybicycleclubmusic.com I coppel.com.au
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THE MUPPETS FILM REVIEW by Andrew Westbrook STARRING: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Jack Black | CERT: G | 110mins | Out now
SHAME FILM PREVIEW STARRING: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan | R18+ | 101mins | Out Feb 9
Fassbender and artist turned writer-director Steve McQueen turned heads with their first collaboration, 2008’s Hunger, and are sure to turn even more with this provocative and uncompromising character study of New York sex addict Brandon Sullivan. Carey Mulligan (who is currently in Australia filming The Great Gatsby) co-stars as Brandon’s sister in a role set to leave her ‘English Rose’ persona even further behind. 16
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Walking into a Sunday morning screening of The Muppets, surrounded by eager kids, I was anticipating a painful couple of hours. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong, later skipping out, beaming, after watching what was essentially the cast of How I Met Your Mother and the US Office singing a bunch of The Flight of the Conchords songs. Penned by Segel himself, together with Nicholas Stoller (Get Him to the Greek), this reboot of the decades-old franchise is overflowing with enough boundless enthusiasm and chirpy humour to bring out the inner child in even the most stonehearted viewer. The story follows Segel’s character Gary, and his muppet brother Walter, a life-long Kermit fan. The pair, along with Segel’s sweetness-personified girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), head to Muppet Studios, only to uncover a dastardly plot by an oil baron (Chris Cooper) to have the site demolished. Cue a search to hunt down the now washed-up, cabaret-performing muppets and get the gang back together in time to put on a one-off fundraising show. It’s clearly put together by a top-notch team who know comedy inside out. As well as the pitch-perfect writers, its directed by James Bobin (The Flight of the Conchords, Da Ali G Show), while the now Oscar-nominated songs are courtesy of Conchords own Bret Mckenzie, who proves a surprisingly snug fit. GOOD FOR: An anarchic, totally joyous, throwback romp guaranteed to make you smile all day
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SYDNEY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
DON’T
MISS!
THEATRE
To go or not to go? We say go! Pack your picnic, grab your friends and head to Sydney’s spectacular harbour foreshore for a night of theatrical magic. The festival ends this Sunday with a performance of the incestuous mother-and-son drama, Hamlet. Until Feb 12, Glebe Foreshore. From $23 sydneyshakespearefestival.com.au
THE LAST LAUGH
WARRIOR DASH
COMEDY
CHALLENGE
The Last Laugh welcomes back the true-blue Aussie larrikin trio of Mick Molloy, Greg “Fleety” Fleet and Adam “Rozie” Rozenbachs for a night of local-grown laughs at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne. This is the perfect warm-up for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which comes to town in March.
This competitive event for the thrillseeker is on in the UK, US and, for those in Oz, in Peat’s Ridge, NSW. It’s described as a mud-crawling, fireleaping, extreme 5k run from hell. Competitors, or “warriors”, conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and then celebrate with music and beer, all the while wearing warrior helmets.
Feb 17-18, Melbourne, VIC. $25 thecomedyclub.com.au
Feb 11, Glenworth Valley, NSW. $65 warriordash.com
SEAL He’s newly single and ready to mingle Down Under. Sorry. The Grammy Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Seal, and his band, will soon hit our shores on a stadium tour. Performing songs from his justreleased album Soul 2, as well as all of his greatest romantic hits, you are sure to be kissed by a rose at the end of the night. Catch the soul train as he passes through Canberra (Feb 9), Perth (Feb 12), Melbourne (February 15), Adelaide (Feb 16) and Sydney (Feb 18). Tickets from $119.90 ticketek.com.au
THE GRAND GLENELG
BOUNCING BACK FROM DISASTER
PUB
EXHIBITION
Unlike most east coast beaches, Adelaide’s have the added beauty of the sun setting into the water. And the Grand is one of the best spots for a Sunday afternoon session as it’s right on the esplanade of Adelaide’s city beach, Glenelg. It can get crowded on summer evenings, so get in early.
The museum that was criticised for being dated and damaged has been renovated and is now open with a rather fitting exhibition: “Bouncing Back from Disaster”, which is a tribute to the spirit of Queenslanders affected by 2011’s “summer of disasters”.
Moseley Square, Glenelg, SA
Until May 20. Queensland Museum. Free
SOUND OF MUSIC SING-A-LONG TIX
WIN
If you like your musicals, then we’re guessing you’re a tad fond of The Sound of Music, and if that’s your bag, then you’ll definitely love this competition. A sing-a-long version of The Sound of Music film is coming to Sydney for three nights only and we’ve got two double passes to give away. For your chance to win, simply make your way to tntdownunder.com/competitions.html TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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NORTHSIDE
The Chronicle DELIVERING COMMUNITY NEWS ACROSS CANBERRA AND QUEANBEYAN
A
"
Official
ve I lo
tour and night night E E FR king a when boo at Ocean Bunyip Gre . . Visit www r… u to d a o R rs.com bunyiptou
A B
Neighbours Tour A. Official Neighbours tour WITH STAR MEETING. $50 Departs Mon-Fri.
Neighbours Tour B. Official Neighbours Ultimate tour with “EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO EXTERNAL SETS”. $68 Departs Sat & Sun. Official and World famous Neighbours night! Meet and take plenty of photos with the Stars and Rock out to Dr Karl* or Paul Robinson* with the band Waiting room. $40 Monday nights from 7pm @ the Elephant & Wheelbarrow, St Kilda. *On selected night.
Bookings essential! Book online, at reception, travel agent or call:
03 9629 5866 *Unscheduled filming in Ramsay St will result in no public access with limited photo opportunities.
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Keep sloths at a distance
REVENGE OF THE SLOTH
[USA]
Weeping Mary: It should have been a sombre event, but when Christina Aguilera sang at Etta James’ funeral, tears turned to laughter. You see, a mysterious brown liquid ran down her leg as she performed “At Last”. Some said it was urine, others blood, but it turned out the substance was runny fake tan brought on by sweat. Oh Xtina, you hot mess.
OPENING THE BIZARRE NANNY FILES
[USA]
Speaking of nut-jobs, Fran Drescher of The Nanny has come out of nowhere to tell the world she and her gay exhusband were abducted by aliens. We’ll get back to her being a modernday Liza Minnelli and marrying a gay dude later. For now, she says that back in high school she was abducted and probed by aliens. She even has the scar to prove it. “You know, it’s funny because my ex and I both saw aliens before we knew each other; doing the same thing, driving on the road with our dads,’’ she said whined. “A few years later, we met, and we realised that we had the same experience. I think that somehow we were programmed to meet. We both have this scar. It’s the exact same scar on the exact same spot.’’ Her ex, who has clearly seen the light, 20
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in every way possible, thinks she’s ridiculous and that she got the scar from burning her hand on hot water. Or trying to furiously rip open Mr Sheffield’s fly. But back to her being a gay-man’s closet, it became the inspiration for her new TV show, Happily Divorced which airs this year. Ahhh, alien abductions – the age-old publicity stunt.
NOT LEGALLY A BOY [USA]
I thought that Reese Witherspoon was a little out of touch.
But like us, she thinks Justin Bieber is a little twat, so she’s gone up a notch in my view. MTV asked her what she thought of Justin Bieber’s plans to remake her classic film, Fear. She responded: “Would he be playing me, or is he playing Mark Wahlberg?” Snap. She then thought about the masses of JB fans who would be dangerously burning her effigy from their bedrooms and backtracked. “Girls get crazy about him… I didn’t know much about him until I saw the documentary… it made me think what a sweetheart!” Nice save, chin.
Photos: Getty Images
Kristen Bell said it was the moment she had been waiting for her whole life. Oscar nomination? No. Wedding proposal? Think again. She met a sloth. It was the Veronica Mars star’s 31st birthday and her boyfriend surprised her with none other than a sloth. Telling the story on The Ellen Show, she revealed not only her love of the animal, but the fact that she is a complete and utter nutcase. “Knowing that a sloth is here… I start to have a full-fledged panic attack. I don’t know how to compete with all of this emotion, I’m crying so hard,” she said. When he tells her that the sloth will be sticking around all day, she has a further meltdown. “He’s coming to the party?” More crying. She named him ‘Melon’ and is now barred from Birmingham Zoo.
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TWEETS OF THE WEEK @LadyGaga “My parent’s restaurant opens in NY. Joanne Trattoria. My dad built with his two hands, mommy decorated” @JoanRivers “There were so many druggies at the SAG Awards last night that the tweets they posted included hashish-tags!” @GeorgeMichael “Somebody just walked up to us and said we are officially the hottest gay couple on the planet... It’s true, the air conditioning here is shit”
The “get me off this god damn bridge” smile
THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR THE HOFF?
@KatyPerry “I love that me iTunes purchases were very broad today: Leonard Cohen, Lana Del Ray, Die Antwood, M.I.A. & Jessie James”
[AUSTRALIA]
Ever wondered why the (washed up) Hoff still has a TV career? It’s because he’s not one to take “no” for an answer. The Hoff, who is in Australia right now filming The Celebrity Apprentice, has asked his girlfriend Hayley Roberts to marry him twice – and been rejected both times. So he did what any desperate man would do. He took her up a bridge, strapped himself to her and asked again. We don’t know yet if she said yes, but I think for her own safety and the reputation of the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb she said yes until they were planted firmly on the ground. He told media: “We’re not making any comment about our personal life right now, we’re spending a day at the zoo.” Last I heard he’d thrown Hayley into the lion’s den, getting down on one knee...
DAN’S SECRET GARDEN [UK]
I’ve always thought Daniel Radcliffe was a kind of spoilt child-star, conditioned to be lazy. Unfortunately, I now know how true this is. Daniel is currently filming Kill Your Darlings, which contains some nude scenes. His director said to him: “Just to let you know, if you’re getting naked, no landscaping of any kind. This is the 1940s.” Daniel laughed and replied: “It’s pretty much there anyway, mate! Not a huge amount of maintenance going on.” ‘Run free’ is what Daniel’s parents let him do from the age of eight, when he started earning more money in a day than they’d earned their entire lives. It seems that parenting advice stuck when it came to pottering in the downstairs garden. In other news, journalism is dead.
@JessieJ “Not feeling toddlers and tiaras. Spray tanning a 2 year old is just wrong!!” @RickyGervais “We’re out to dinner with the Pilkingtons later. Karl has already decided what he’s going to order. Ha ha” @MariahCarey “Rest in peace to one of the world’s most influential singers Etta James, you will be missed”
Looking smart...
TINIE HAS BIG FANCY SHOES TO FILL [UK]
In more important matters, Tinie Tempah can put clothes on and was given an award to mark this. He recently topped GQ’s “50 Best Dressed Men in Britain” poll. Now, bear in mind, Prince Charles made the grade, sneaking in a number 50, so the credibility of the list is a little sketchy. As for Tinie, sure he’s a dapper-looking boy, but really, the hipster-style framed glasses have had their day. And his style is still pretty much “yeah I’m a rapper and I can rock a suit like James Bond. Barkeep, put my Patrone in a martini glass.” Mario Balotelli, who I’ve only ever seen wearing his Manchester shirt, or no shirt at all, came in at number two. Like I was saying...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK You can’t make a ho a housewife. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel Snoop knows why marriage didn’t work out for Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian
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THIS PRIZE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: FLIGHTS: Return economy flights from Sydney/Melbourne to Launceston, valued at $1,660. LAUNCESTON HOSTEL: Three nights accommodation at Arthouse Backpacker Hostel, valued at $195. CRADLE MOUNTAIN: Day tour with TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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Looking for something different, something away from the madness of the east coast carousel? Well, you can’t beat Tasmania when it comes to escaping the everyday. Like an unspoilt playground for abundant wildlife, with scenery unlike anywhere else on Earth, Australia’s Apple Isle is not a place to skip past on your trip Down Under. It’s a place on the edge of not just Australia, but the world, a place which might be small in size but is most definitely big on experiences. Which is why TNT T has teamed up with a whole bunch of our Tassie friends to put together this fantastic package for one lucky reader and a mate.
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Tours Tasmania, valued at $240. SCENIC TRANSFER: Travel from Launceston to Hobart with Tours Tasmania, valued at $70. HOBART HOSTEL: Two nights accommodation at Central City Backpackers, valued at $138. CAR HIRE: Two days car hire with Avis, valued at $127. PORT ARTHUR: Bronze day pass and ghost tour at Port Arthur Historic Sites, valued at $110. MONA: Day pass to Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art, valued at $40. MT WELLINGTON DESCENT: With Under Down Under, valued at $140. HOBART HOSTEL: One nights accommodation at The Pickled Frog, valued at $67. EAST COAST: Two day/one night Hobart to Launceston tour with Under Down Under, valued at $560. Competition closes midnight AEST Sunday, March 11, 2012. Log on to tntdownunder.com for T&Cs and to enter.
WIN and Discover Tasmania with this eight-day adventure for two
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CHATROOM
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Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo The one-time world surfing champ and Dancing With The Stars contestant tells us where to catch the best waves Down Under and how to become a boardrider INTERVIEW LEIGH LIVINGSTONE
Have you retired from pro surfing now? Pretty much. I’ve made about three comebacks in my career. All it takes is for me to go in one event and they say I’m making a comeback. I am doing that this year, I am competing in the Australian Open of Surfing and there is one at Margaret River, which I usually go to every year. I just do two or three events a year, just to get that feel for it again. I haven’t formally retired, if you call retired not surfing in any events. There is a specialty event in the south-west of Spain that I’m on hold for. They are waiting for a swell and there is only about 12 of us invited and when they get a big swell we’ll all fly over for it.
Occy in his preferred dancing shoes
Where are you at the moment? I am up on the Gold Coast. The World Juniors are on at Burleigh Heads so I have been commentating on that. Do you surf much yourself these days? I try to get out every day as long as it’s good, and it’s pretty consistent up here. I love going for my little early surf. It gets light around 4.30am, so I wake up at 4am and beat the crowds. Name your top five Aussie surf spots? I love going down to Bells Beach (Victoria). It’s a great little roadtrip. They have kept it a national surfing reserve, which is great. That is probably my favourite spot. Then there is Western Australia’s Margaret River. I love it over there. The surf is big like you get down at Bells. The wave suits me there. Another spot I like would be Gnaraloo, in northern WA, two hours from Canarvon. You have to take all your own supplies out there. It’s a real rugged, beautiful place, really pristine and the wave is a really good left-hander that gets good in the winter. That’s three... Um, now I am running out. The Gold Coast is one and probably the south-west of Sydney, around Jervis Bay and Ulladulla. 24
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What tips would you give a beginner? My wife is actually learning to surf at the moment. You gotta get as big a board as you can carry down the beach. Don’t be afraid to get a 10ft board. It makes it easier. Then just try and pick the right wave. Where we live, on the Gold Coast, is perfect for learning, when it’s small and really long. Floaty waves that run for a long time so you get time to stand up. You have to pick a broken wave and take off in the whitewash. Third tip is lots of sunscreen. Is the whole rivalry between body boarders and surfers a real thing? I’m not sure if it’s a rivalry, but they do clash a little bit. Just because the body boarders can get into the wave a lot earlier, they do like to keep the wave and sometimes the good surfers like to surf the same kind of wave. They can clash here and there for sure, but not with me. What inspired your comeback? I just really missed it. When I took my time off, I put on a lot of weight and I didn’t surf a whole lot at all. I felt like I was wasting my talent, I really fell in love with surfing at a young age and when you don’t surf you find yourself moping around and getting depressed and a bit angry. I just went back to fall in love with surfing again.
You are known for the ‘Goofy’ stance. What is that? It just means you stand with your right foot forward. There were more natural surfers than Goofy, so maybe that’s why they called us Goofy. We are usually outnumbered.
Dancing With The Stars. Why do that? I can’t say I regret it, but it was terrifying. All my mates wanted me to do it and now I realise they just wanted to get a good laugh at me and see me squirm on TV. Dancing had actually asked me for a couple of years and I finally succumbed. I definitely felt like a fish out of water. I thought I would get used to it after a couple of rounds, but I never got over the nerves. Would you do another reality show? I don’t think I would do, unless something that interested me came up, maybe like Survivor or I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! I’m pretty open to everything. If you weren’t a surfer, you’d be... Maybe a gameshow host. That is something I really wanted to do. Really? No, not really. See Occy, together with top skaters, bands and plenty more surfers, at the Australian Open of Surfing, on Manly Beach (Feb 11-19). australianopensurfing.com
WIN big with Win an iPhone/iPod solar charger Are you ever desperate to charge your phone but can’t find a plug? We are, especially when out on the road, which is why we’ve got hold of these excellent solar iPhone and iPod chargers to give away to you. Entries close: Monday, February 20th
Win Moonlight Cinema Tickets We’ve got together with our favourite open air cinema season – Moonlight Cinema – to offer you guys an absolute stack of tickets. Catch films, both new and classic, under the stars in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Entries close: Monday, February 20th
Win a thrill-seeking NZ adventure Here at TNT, we’re well aware that no trip to New Zealand is complete without a healthy dose of scaring yourself stupid. So, we’ve got together with some North Island buddies to put together this adrenalin package, worth NZ$1,500. Entries close: Wednesday, February 29th
Win a double pass to Creamfields Fancy a free ticket to see David Guetta, the world’s most in-demand DJ, when he heads Down Under? Well, we can help you do just that. We’ve teamed up with Creamfields to offer two of you a double pass. Entries close: Monday, April 2nd
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I TAKE THIS HOUSE [USA]
Spy vs toad: Scientists believe the tarantula could be a solution to the 77-year-long cane toad problem in Australia. Experts say the tarantula and wolf spider have been observed preying on cane toads and are the reason for keeping the numbers down in North Queensland. “The toad had jumped near the entrance to the spider’s burrow at night, and the spider just launched out and grabbed it and took it down into the burrow, like a scene out of a movie,” said one expert.
An activist has married a house in an attempt to stop it being demolished. Baylonia Aivaz married the 107-year-old warehouse in Seattle to save it from being destroyed to make way for a new luxury apartment building. Aivaz wore a white wedding dress, however the ceremony was in vain – the building will still be demolished.
DESTROY THIS CITY [IRELAND]
Two British tourists were deported from the US after joking on Twitter about “destroying” America. Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was put in a cell for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with a friend. They were then deported. He was flagged as a potential threat when he tweeted to a friend: “Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?”
Hot Water Beach, New Zealand
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www.kiwiexperience.com Terms and conditions: Discount valid for bookings on the Funky Chicken and Awesome passes only. Awesome at $60 is only applicable when booking Funky Chicken. Discounted rates apply to standard brochured rates on specified passes only. Bookings must be made between 20 January 2012 – 01 March 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. KX971-01/12-AUD
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One giant leap for Lego...
THIS WEEK
Photos: Getty Images
IN NUMBERS US dollars bid on eBay for four-and-a-half rolls of loo paper with Moby Dick typed in its entirety on them
400 LEGO HAS LIFT-OFF [CANADA]
Two Toronto teenagers have launched a Lego man 80,000ft into space. The teenagers, aged 17, used a weather balloon and a makeshift Styrofoam spacecraft to send the Lego “astronaut” into the stratosphere. Footage shows the Lego man holding the Canadian flag, with the curvature of the Earth and the blackness of space in the background. They used a GPS device to capture the journey.
EDUCATION TO BOOT [USA]
A school has banned the wearing of the iconic Aussie Ugg boot to classes. Under the new ban, students at Pottstown Middle School in Pennsylvania can wear the boots to school, but have to change into other shoes to go to class. The principal of the school said that staff were concerned the students were distracted as they were using the boots to carry mobile phones and food into classes.
Age of an Asian elephant at an Amsterdam zoo who became the first in Europe to be fitted with a contact lens
16,000
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Amount, in dollars, Brazilian bank robbers were hoping to steal when one accidentally shot himself in the foot
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NZ’S HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS NETWORK FOR ADVENTUROUS TRAVELLERS TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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Egyptian riot police stand guard
FOOTBALL FANS RIOT [EGYPT]
More than 70 people died and at least 1,000 were injured when violence erupted at a football game in Egypt. It has been called the worst incident of football-related violence since 1996. The fighting broke out after fans of Al-Masry, the home team in the city of Port Said, stormed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, the most successful club team in Africa. Fans were seen clashing on the field and hurling rocks, flares and bottles at one another, attacking rival supporters and players. The players fled into locker rooms before they were eventually evacuated by riot police and military planes. Officials said most of the deaths were caused by concussions, deep cuts to heads and suffocation from the stampede. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he was “shocked and saddened” by the deaths, sending his condolences to the families of those who died.
MASS EXODUS OF LONDON
[UK]
The London 2012 Games and high university fees are encouraging outbound travel from the UK, according to two new studies. A survey of travel agents in Britain has found that more than one in 10 people plan to leave the country to avoid the chaos of the London 2012 Olympics. The poll revealed that 12 per cent of people questioned planned to escape from the sporting event which takes place between July 27 and August 12 this year. Meanwhile, Gap Year and voluntary travel organisations are expecting an increase in bookings as applications to UK universities dropped after recent fee increases. 28
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Bondage: The highly anticipated first picture from the new Daniel Craig Bond film has been released. The film, Skyfall, is Craig’s third in the lead role. The film, which opens in November this year, also stars Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Judi Dench.
More students than ever before are seeking voluntary working placements abroad according to Projects Abroad – the world’s largest volunteering organisation. Peter Slowe, director of projects abroad, said: “As a result of fee increases and massive graduate unemployment, volunteering for philanthropic projects abroad becomes an attractive option, It is an excellent way to step off the educational treadmill and gain some life perspective.”
BATTLE OF THE ISLANDS [FALKLAND ISLANDS]
Tensions between Britain and Argentina have escalated in the lead up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War. Britain announced it would deploy one of the Royal Navy’s most powerful warships, the destroyer HMS Dauntless, as Argentina threatened to halt the weekly flight to the Falklands operated by a Chilean-owned airline. The airline flies from Chile to Port Stanley and is the only commercial air route between the two countries. British officials believe the cancellation is an attempt by Argentina to make the Falklands too
expensive for Britain to maintain. Meanwhile, Argentina has criticised Prince William’s planned tour of duty of the Falkland Islands – wearing what officials termed “the uniform of the conqueror”.
FACEBOOK SETS PROFILE TO PUBLIC
[USA]
Mark Zuckerburg has announced his social-networking company Facebook will become a publicly listed company. The company will be listed on Wall Street as “FB”, but has not set a date for when it would begin trading. The company aims to raise up to $10 billion and set a value of between $75 and $100 billion, which would make it one of the biggest stock market debuts in history. Zuckerberg wrote the following letter for prospective shareholders: “Facebook was not originally created to be a company. It was built to accomplish a social mission – to make the world more open and connected.” He went on: “We have helped more than 800 million people map out more than 100 billion connections so far, and our goal is to help this rewiring accelerate.”
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Unhappy ‘Arry
THE DOG DID IT The pressure is mounting on Spurs boss Harry Redknapp during his trial for tax evasion on alleged bonuses worth £189,000. The case against Redknapp, whose chances of becoming the next England manager appear to be slimming by the day, centres around his time at Portsmouth FC. Both Redknapp, 64, and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, stand accused of cheating the taxman out of his share of two large payments, made between 2002 and 2007. Both men deny the money was transferred to Mr Redknapp’s formerly secret Monaco account, named after his dog Rosie, in order to avoid paying tax. Mr Mandaric has insisted the money had nothing to do with Portsmouth or Redknapp’s disputed bonus for selling Peter Crouch, adding that the manager “has a tendency to moan, to be unhappy, to find something”. The chairman added the payment was in regard to a separate investment. The trial continues.
SPURS OF EXCITEMENT Surprise transfer deadline signing Louis Saha was obviously hoping to cheer up his new boss, after declaring he’d joined his new side Tottenham because they are “the most dynamic and exciting team in the country”. The French striker moved from Everton on a free transfer, signing a three-year deal.
Race for captain: High profile figures are now lining up their calls for Chelsea’s John Terry to be stripped of the England captaincy pending his trial for the alleged racial abuse of QPR’s Anton Ferdinand back in October. Terry’s trial is due to start on July 9, after Euro 2012. “He can’t lead the nation,” said Football Against Racism in Europe boss Piara Powar, while Kick It Out campaigner Jason Roberts tweeted that Terry’s inclusion in the Euro’s squad would be “toxic”. Influential MP Damian Collins added that “John Terry should step aside as captain until the case is resolved”.
CHAMPIONS WITH NOWHERE TO PLAY It was a time of extreme ups and downs for the US women’s football team, last week. First they secured glory, and a place at the London Olympics, by winning the CONCACAF tournament, beating Canada 4-0 in the final, only to discover less than 24 hours later that the 2012 season of the US domestic league had been cancelled. The suspension of the league surrounds the legal battle between the league itself and former franchise owner Dan Borislow.
GERMAN F1 DRIVER CONVICTED Former Force India driver Adrian Sutil has been given an 18-month suspended sentence, after being convicted of causing grievous bodily
harm to the owner of another F1 team. The German driver, 29, had been at a party at a Shanghai nightclub, last April, to celebrate the China Grand Prix victory of his friend Lewis Hamilton. Also a guest at the party had been Renault F1 executive Eric Lux, who suffered cuts during an incident. The Munich court also handed a 200,000 euro fine to Sutil, who has since been replaced by Nico Hulkenberg.
MATCH-FIXER FREED Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir has been released from jail after serving half of his six-month sentence for his part in a match-fixing scam. Amir, 19, had been imprisoned, along with teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, for a plot to bowl deliberate no balls against England.
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HOTSHOTS
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WINNER
WEEKLY WINNER
HOT TIPS: Lighting
LADY IN WAITING: Felix Hermann, 20, from Germany
FELIX SAYS: ”I took this photo on Lady Musgrave Island, on the south of the Great Barrier Reef. It was the most stunning beach I’ve ever seen.”
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 Felix 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
There are lots of fun things to do with shadows. The thing to remember is to interact with your environment and that the creative world is your oyster. One of the first things you are taught in photography is to avoid having shadows in your image, but rules are meant to be broken, right? Understanding them will enable you to control them, so you can eliminate unwanted ones and get playful effects with others. It’s easy: light travels in straight lines, until it gets blocked – then its path will change. If you put yourself in front of the light source, then light will have to filter around you, and the absence of light on the background will cause a shadow. This will create a lightning effect that you can then play around with. Have fun.
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AUSRAIL PASS
TRANS AUS
$722 - 3 MONTHS UNLIMITED Travel on all long distance services in any direction as often as you like over a three month period. Also includes travel on CountryLink’s connecting coach services in New South Wales and Queensland Rail Travel’s connecting coach services in Queensland.
$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.
GSR229 AusRailAd Final indd 1
22/12/11 11:07 AM
TRAVELTIPS
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ON THE ROAD WITH TRAVEL
TALK STÉPHANE MICHAUX 30, FRANCE WHY DID YOU COME TO AUSTRALIA?
YOU ASKED FOR IT... WE ANSWER YOUR TRAVEL QUESTIONS
planning a trip around Oz and I Q I’m want to travel as much as possible by train. Can you suggest any rail journeys? Kou Wan Cheng, China distances between major cities make A Large trains the poorer cousins to planes when it comes to getting around Australia. Despite this, Australia is still home to a couple of classic rail journeys that provide a brilliant way of seeing the country. The Ghan is one of Australia’s most romantic and iconic railways, snaking its way for over two days through the Red Centre from Adelaide to Darwin (or vice versa) via Alice, and takes its name from the 19th century Afghan camel trains that travelled through the outback. Australia’s other big one is the Indian Pacific, which travels between Sydney and Perth via Adelaide and includes the world’s longest straight stretch of track across the Nullarbor. Standard fares can be prohibitive, but there are massive savings to be made with backpacker cards, like the YHA one. Also, the excellent Rail Explorer Pass, available only to holders of foreign passports, provides six months of travel on both routes, as well as the Melbourne to Adelaide Overland train, for only $690. The Overland, which commenced service in 1887, came from the term for an adventurer who had travelled across the country, however today the Overland is a comfortable and convenient way to travel between these two southern cities. Visit railaustralia.com.au/explorer.php 32
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or greatsoutherrail.com.au for details. And the Sydney to Newcastle train, well let’s just say there’s nothing romantic about that one. is so magnetic about Magnetic Q What Island in Queensland? Laura Vernon, UK
Living in a big city in France, I felt disconnected from nature. In Sydney, even in the middle of a crowded neighborhood, I see nature everywhere. Also, the job market was not very good in France. YOUR CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE?
New Year’s Eve at Circular Quay, on the top floor of a big building. Best view of the harbour ever. DONE ANYTHING UNUSUAL?
Living in Coogee, going to the beach for lunch breaks is awesome. Also, I was robbed by an ibis. FAVOURITE PLACE IN OZ?
with an average of over 320 days A Well, of sunshine per year, Magnetic Island is almost perfect all year round, and that sure attracts us. But you may be wondering about the name. Well, when Captain Cook rocked up on Magnetic Island in 1700, he noticed that his compasses went a bit mental. He was so convinced the island had a magnetic force that interfered with his navigation, he quickly named the island after his assumption. Although, it turned out old Jimmy was wrong about the compass thing, over the years, Magnetic Island has developed a powerful magnetic force over backpackers. More than half of the island is national park, and there is plenty of untouched nature, beautiful walks, secluded beaches and rich wildlife, including rock wallabies, possums, koalas and a wide range of birdlife. Climb the 497 metres of Mount Cook, hike the 24 kilometres of walking track through the park, or just chill on the beach. Or what attracts many other backpackers are the Thai-style Full Moon Parties that the island’s Base hostel runs once a month. These parties definitely have some “pull”, if you know what we mean...
Fortescue Bay (in Tasmania). The most untouched nature I’ve ever seen. MET ANY AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS?
Everywhere. I have learnt to close my tent and not to leave out any food. BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT OZ?
People in France think Oz’s nature is so deadly. I feel like the only thing we have to worry about is the sun.
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KANGAROO DUNDEE
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On an all-girl adventure in South Australia, STEPH THOMPSON discovered a rare species: the Aussie male... Having exhausted the delights of last year’s Adelaide’s Fringe Festival, my travel buddy Amy and I set off for a three-day adventure to Kangaroo Island. Not at our best in the mornings, we apprehensively clambered aboard a van at 6.30am. We looked at our six similarly sleepy ‘playmates’ for signs of common interests – fashion sense, reading materials? Besides Mitch, our large, older, blond and married tour guide, it turned out to be an allfemale group, which brought the usual mixture of relief and disappointment. Deciding that it was a long enough trip to get to know the girls at a later stage, Amy and I hunkered down in the back of the van. Ominously, the heavens opened just as we set off and Mitch appeared to take this as a sign to speed terrifyingly down the slick motorway. It also appeared to be his opportunity to introduce the timetable, hollering descriptions of activities and allaying weather-related concerns by screaming, “as for the rain… Australians are outdoors people! We are not wimps, mate! The rain means nothing!” Clutching each other in the back, we prayed for some kind of intervention, as wimps we undoubtedly were. Maybe
this wildman was wanted by the police and we just happened to be in his getaway vehicle? Alas, we soon arrived on a deserted beach, where the military orders continued along with the freezing rain and we were about to embark on our first surf lesson. Mitch, of course, was our surf teacher. Looking incredulously at the wild sea and united in horror at the thought of getting into the water, the group quickly became friends/ allies while squeezing into damp, sandy wetsuits. After a couple of weak attempts at repeatedly leaping up from the cold wet beach onto our boards, we were deemed sea worthy and struggled through crashing waves. After an exhilarating and hilarious experience, involving no one getting close to standing up and many gallons of seawater ingested, Mitch called us back onto the beach to get changed. Falling over each other to get into dry clothes with repeated flashings of naked bums and tums cemented the group’s unity. Strangers only hours before, we now felt like members of a special team. Through adversity we shall conquer! Thank goodness we were an all female group. Gathering us up in the van, Mitch promised dinner and drove at the usual high speed towards ‘home’. From the outside, our camp looked
enticingly like an authentic outback ranch complete with campfire and sports equipment. Inside however, the bedrooms were packed full of tiny, stained bunk beds scattered with random unfamiliar clothing. Assured that we had exclusive use of the camp, we tentatively brushed down beds and moved clothing into the hall. Later, as we sat in the lounge cradling hot teas, an unknown man burst through the doors screaming that some “bastard’’ had “stolen” his clothing and “chucked” it into the hallway. Oops. With burning cheeks we hurried off to find Mitch, who ushered the scary dude away with a carefree “no worries, mate, come with me!” Collective warmth towards our ‘wildman’ grew from that point on. He cooked for us, talked endlessly about absolutely everything and took us on our various activities with admirable cheer despite the continuously foul weather. In the evening we sat around the campfire, drinking red wine and singing. He showed us an amazing trap door made by a spider, and dug one large hand into the sand to produce a ‘pippie’ (shellfish/mollusk) for us to eat (raw). Leaving the camp on our final morning, we weren’t surprised to witness Mitch leaping out of the van to wrestle a giant road-kill kangaroo onto his back. He turfed the poor creature up and over into scrubland and then washed his hands, without breaking a sweat. He appeared to us girls to be the epitome of Australian manliness. Oh Mitch, you beaut!
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Hobart TASMANIA Photos: Tourism Tasmania
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Harbouring a Hobart crush The pretty, historic Tassie capital is far more than a few old buildings and a stunning setting. It’s also home to some of Australia’s tastiest offerings and arguably its best museum WORDS ALEX HARMON
Maybe it’s because I have such a big nose, but I’ve always been influenced by smell. Sometimes this is a good thing – coffee brewing in the café below my house wakes me up every morning. And I know how to get to Chinatown in any city. But a few hours into my trip to Hobart and I’m being met with the distinct smell of shit. Or is it vomit? I couldn’t be sure. It was pungent, nauseating and it knocked me for six. I was three-storeys underground in a room carved out of a mountain and I couldn’t believe my nose. After all, I was in a museum, not a sewer in Rotorua. The Museum of New and Old Art, or MONA, as it is affectionately known, is a weird and wonderful place, where ancient Egyptian mummies are placed next to an overweight Lamborghini. Still, what is that smell? SMELLS LIKE GREEN SPIRIT
Photos: Tourism Tasmania
Everybody around me could smell it. They looked at each other perplexed. It was worse than any zoo I’d visited. People in museums are inherently polite, but you could hear whispers of disbelief as they furiously checked their guidebooks for clarification. I checked the walls for plaques, but nothing could define this smell. I decided I had to question an official-looking woman. With nostrils of steel, she answered, without even flinching: “Oh, it’s the excrement machine, it mimics the human intestinal system.” I had heard that MONA is famous for its shock-factor. But I was expecting a few phallic shaped sculptures and some wild pubic hair brush-strokes – not this. “We feed it twice a day and it poos daily. You’ve just missed the 2pm release of faeces, but you can see it over there on the conveyor belt.” And there it was – a prize dump, fresh and still steaming before my very eyes. There was a row of machines representing the digestive system, breaking down the food, churning it around like soiled washing machines. “You never know what you’re going to get. Yesterday it was runny,” I overheard the guide. We were lucky to see this solid, chorizo-shaped poo. The Mona Lisa of shits. My guidebook, which is actually an iPhone-like device, tells me
this is Cloaca Professional, by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye. The closer you got, the more horrid the smell. And yet, now that my brain has registered this healthy looking shit, the smell was kind of intriguing. Just one more whiff before I go. If this was the ground level, what else was I in for? MOANS OF DELIGHT MONA is the brainchild of Hobart-born David Walsh, a self-made millionaire, professional gambler, university drop-out and all-round eccentric. He owns the museum and everything in it, therefore he has this I-can-do-whatever-thefuck-I-want attitude, which is exactly what I love about this museum. This subterranean collection of art could inspire even the most terrified of art-phobics. In fact, the first exhibition is a bar, which we all know helps you digest the experience. Digest? Uh-oh, there’s that smell again. Walsh is also fascinated with death, from the suicide machine, to the collection of funeral songs on a jukebox to the cinerarium where, for $75,000, you can put your ashes on display. I was enamored with the anal lipstick kisses that are prettily pressed on hotel paper. Don’t ask. They are exactly as they sound, and perhaps a great idea for a Valentine’s Day card, for those who have exhausted every other avenue. That didn’t come out right. MONA has certainly perverted me. Then there’s the simple – the white library where the books and bookcases are all painted white. This is the calm before the storm. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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“
Honestly, if I was on death row, I think my last meal would come from Hobart
”
Outside you are met with 200 porcelain vagina moulds, like the anal kisses, each one tells a different story. Walsh doesn’t call it the “subversive adult Disneyland” for nothing. It might not be for everyone but I can tell you there’s nothing cheap about it. For a gallery full of shit and genitals it’s surprisingly tasteful. Seriously, MONA makes the sex museum in Amsterdam look like a tacky hen’s night. SENSORY DELIGHTS After spending several hours engrossed in MONA, we return to the ferry and let the clean air breeze through our hair as we make our way back into the heart of Hobart. MONA is on the outskirts of town, the netherregions if you will. With Mount Wellington looking over our shoulders and the sun slowly setting, we figure it’s time to taste some of Tassie’s more savoury delights. Honestly, if I was on death row, I think my last meal
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would come from Hobart. Famous for its cheese, chocolate, salmon and wine, my taste buds were already in heaven. In Salamanca Place, the old factories of Hobart’s port have been converted into restaurants and bars and are the perfect setting for sunset drinks. After a glass of Tasmanian sparkling white, I’m informed about the Tasmanian red I must try. Not one to be rude I order a glass of this and a selection of local cheeses. I spend some time with my new friends; brie, blue, gruyère and mature chedder, and then I’m informed about the locally-brewed beer that I must try. Oh, and don’t leave Tassie without trying the smoked salmon pizza. It’s like I’m in a Vicar of Dibley Christmas special, I can’t stop eating. I order a pint of Moo, the award-winning microbeer brewed at Moorilla Estate (also at MONA). I had been mistaken in thinking my two choices in Tassie would be working-class Boag’s and convict-era Cascade. Sure, those beers are still very much present (Cascade belongs to Hobart), but that’s what I love about Hobart, it’s an old town with a new injection of lifeblood. In a 200-year-old factory I am drinking a hip-new beer as I watch old men in fedora hats mixing with young hipsters… also in fedora hats. I soon discover the locally made pepperberry gin, choosing an Appletini at the Lark Distillery, a bar that makes their own single-malt whiskey, vodka and gin. One thing I’ve noticed is that although I’m working my way through a periodic table of booze, it’s still daylight outside. I’m told that summer in Hobart has longer days than any other city in Australia. I’m drunk, it’s pushing 9pm and I can still see clearly outside. It never feels like it’s home-time. Bottoms up, Hobart. HIP HOP HOBART I awake the next morning after having the kind of crazy dreams that are brought on by too much cheese – or by exposure to art that makes you wonder how you’d go about applying lipstick to your bum. Extended daylight or not, a hangover is a hangover. And a hangover in Hobart means a return to Salamanca Place. On a Saturday morning the place is transformed into a wonderful market full of local treasures and produce. We elbow our way into a café and have the most satisfying bagel – with Tasmanian salmon of course. It seems every Hobartian is out this morning even though the weather is crisp. There are musicians on every corner, ranging from folk-rock groups to the nine-year old kid who got a violin for Christmas. It all adds to the charm of the place, the old and new, the young and old. In the market I buy some marmalade for my Nan and some chilli beer for my hangover. For such a little city, Hobart’s got a surprisingly upbeat nature. A place where a professional gambler isn’t begging on the streets, but opening the biggest (and I dare say, best) art galley in Australia. Where you can mistake a granddad for a member of an indie band. A place where even the shit don’t stink, once you get to know it. ❚
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–
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TRANSPORTED AT FOURTEEN , A DRUNK BY SIXTEEN , A MURDERER
He was in a most dreadful state to pass from this world to another.’ –R W R ’ T C T EPORT OF
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Tale of two cities Cascade or Boag’s? Cataract Gorge or Mount Wellington? Hobart or Launceston? Which city is the jewel in Tasmania’s crown? WORDS DAMIAN HALL
As far as great rivalries go, Launceston versus Hobart is right up there with Communism versus Capitalism, Manchester United versus Liverpool and Danger Mouse versus Baron Greenback. They each have their own half of the Apple Isle, their own brand of beer and a proud tribalism. The competitive cities are symbolic of a great divide that stretches to the rest of Tasmania. You thought Korea had some kind of division? Pah. The north and south have separate public holidays, tend not to stock each other’s beer and there’s a six-foot brick wall spread across the state (some of that isn’t entirely true, but you get the picture). So, which city should be champion? THE VIBE Lovely Launie, or the “Garden City”, has a small town English feel: narrow streets, quaint, alluring tea shops, creaking old mills, under-populated parks and cosy enticing pubs with the sound of the narrow well-preserved streets. In Hobart, the waterfront is awash with cafés, pubs, sails and fishing boats – it wouldn’t look out place in Cornwall – all nestling under the protective slopes of Mount Wellington, standing like a protective father over his beautiful daughter. On top of what you see, just breathe the air. It’s thought to be the freshest in the world. BEER & FOOD Don’t mention the “c” word (no not that one, we mean Cascade) in Launie. Ask any Launcestarian to name the country’s best beer and, without hesitation, they’ll say Boag’s. And they could well be right. You can tour the Boag’s Brewery, learn about the fine beverage’s history, how it’s made and have a good sup of their award-winning beers. But it’s the pubs – as near to a friendly English local as you can 38
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get Down Under – which are really worth spending time in. To line your stomach you’ll stumble across Thai, Italian, Chinese and the good old-fashioned Aussie steak house on your walk around the town centre. Hobart is a town where the population nearly starved many years back because the colony’s wheat supply was used to brew beer. You could say they like their ale here. Needless to say you’ll only get one answer to the “best beer” question and it’s the famous Cascade. Whatever you do, don’t get the two mixed up. Tours of the picturesque brewery are a wise and popular choice. Hobart’s nightlife is focused round the water and the area around the docks. Salamanca Place houses many historic pubs, including the oldest in Australia, licensed in 1804. Salamanca in particular has a lively nightlife, with clubs and backstreet parties strewn among the old sandstone pubs. Sandy Bay is also popular with Hobart’s young things. East Hobart is excellent for a lively mish-mash of Thai, Mediterranean and boutique restaurants. OUT & ABOUT As well as Cataract Gorge (you can take a paddle steamer cruise up it), Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is excellent. Then there’s the 19th century watermills, windmills, gunpowder mills and model boats. A TNT fave is the City Park, which has an open-air enclosure of entertaining Japanese macaque monkeys. They’re cheeky they are, those monkeys. As well as Hobart’s Cascade brewery, Saturday’s famous Salamanca Markets live up to all the hype and the (free) Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is worth setting an hour or two aside for, as well as MONA of course. But our fave is a climb up Mount Wellington (1,270m, five-six hours return), with a hair re-arranging mountain bike ride back down. Plus, there’s sunset sea kayaking, harbour cruises and the botanical gardens for a bit of a picnic. See baby wombats, Tasmanian devils and hand-feed some ‘roos in the Bonorong Wildlife Park. Chomp on the brown stuff in the Cadbury’s Factory. So, yup, pretty boring place really. YOU’RE TRIPPIN’ Launie is only a couple of hours from arguably the most beautiful (or at least most easily accessibly beautiful) place in Tassie: the much-photographed Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. No-one should go to Tassie without popping
LAUNCESTON TASMANIA
Arthouse Hostel here. For somewhere way, way quieter try the next-door Walls Of Jerusalem National Park. The stunning Freycinet National Park is around two hours away too. A 40-minute up-hill walk takes you to a view of one the most beautiful beaches you’ve never seen – Wineglass Bay (pictured on the cover). Plus, there’s the magical, other-worldly Bay of Fires further up the east coast. A little closer to base camp is the Tamar Valley Wineries to wine and dine yourself at. It’s a hard act to follow, but Hobart manages it. Firstly there’s former convict hell-hole Port Arthur just round the corner, which offers a fascinating insight into the island’s harrowing past. You can tour the ruins of a prison meant to be the worst of the worst and the mood is best captured on a night-time ghost tour. Tassie’s most popular national park, Mt Field NP, is nearby and boasts numerous short and long walks across high alpine areas, round glacial lakes and the gushing Russell Falls. It doubles as a small ski field in winter. Lastly there’s Bruny Island; for discreet beaches and excellent, quiet, bushwalking, this idyllic Tassie month: isle takes some beating. Exploring the state’s Still can’t decide which wild west coast you’d prefer? Better visit both then... ❚
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Tokyo JAPAN
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Nights of neon Bouncing back from last year’s natural disasters, trend-setting Tokyo remains a city that has to be seen to be believed WORDS XAV JUDD
I glance upwards and see a damsel in distress, stuck on a garish platform. Below her, a huge ape is going bananas, probably because he hasn’t got any bananas. Suddenly, a huge ball of hot light whirls towards me and appears as if it will knock me into oblivion. But, my imagination is running away with itself. How? I am actually in the Shibuya ward (one of 23) of Tokyo, surrounded by such a zany kaleidoscope of neon-splattered architecture that I envisioned I was in a real-life arcade game waiting to get flattened by Donkey Kong. It’s a relief to say that Tokyo and the rest of Japan is getting back on its feet now, after the recent Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and consequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (March 2011). In fact, the country’s capital,
which evolved from a small fishing village called Edo over 400 years ago, is no stranger to adversity. It was severely bombed in the Second World War, sadly resulting in the deaths of over 75,000 people. Yet, the globe’s most populous urban area (35 million) has always had a remarkable capacity to regenerate itself. My first task, though, is to maybe figure out this place’s society; in many ways, it feels very traditional, with Shinto temples, kimonos, drones of diligent office workers and legends of Samurai warriors. Nonetheless, beneath the straightlaced façade, there’s a curveball of love hotels, sleazy karaoke dens and risqué fashion, plus museums and restaurants kookier than the thought processes of ›››› Michael Jackson’s last plastic surgeon. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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DESIGN FOR LIFE It’s hard to walk about in any locality if you don’t look the part. Thus, as my wardrobe is a woeful imitation of Lady Gaga and Dame Edna Everage’s cast-offs at the best of times, it is lucky I am in a fashion hotspot. Indeed, Tokyo is one of the planet’s top five trend-setting citadels (with London, Milan, New York and Paris), so the usual suspects of designers are to be found in and around Omotesando. Still, if like me, Dior, Emporio Armani and Ralph Lauren are a bit out of your price bracket, do you know what you can do? Head to Harajuka and buy some apparel, so you can blend in with the groups of unconventional hipsters who spill-out onto the street intersections. There are various tribes. The Gothic Lolitas are influenced by Rococo and the Victorian period, so have black-eyeliner marked faces and dresses so dark and antiquated you would think they were on their way to a funeral in a Charles Dickens’ novel. Then there’s the androgynous visual kei, who are just as fond of make-up, but this time combined with 80s and 90s rock star-esque outfits and hair so spiky-sharp it looks like it could take out an eyeball. And not forgetting the Cosplay crowd, who have an image which mirrors a fictional or iconic character from anime, a band, comic book, manga or video game. FAT OF THE LAND You’d be as crazy as someone trying to knock down the whole Great Wall of China with a sledgehammer if you came to this city without seeing a sumo wrestling tournament (basho). It is not so much lard ass but lard all over, all correctly proportioned of course, as these 115kg to 230kg-plus titans push, slap and heave into action. The main object of a bout is to use your own body mass to somehow get your opponent out of the 4.55-metre diameter ring. Yet, this is no easy task when it appears as if he could comfortably fill half a skip, as impressed by size-oriented competitor nicknames such as the ‘The Dump Truck’ (Konishiki Yasokichi). No doubt, my non de plume would be ‘Thunder Thighs’. Actually, it is one of the hugest – no pun intended – honours in the nation to be classed in the ranks of these über-hunks. Even so, please, can someone tell these guys to tone down the day-glo (orange and acid-lime are de rigueur) thongs. However, Tokyo is not just a size-queen when it comes to its sporting figures – it also boasts the planet’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market (Tsukiji). There, a plethora of buildings with grey, aqua and red-sloped roofs seem to effortlessly merge into a quarter circleshaped development that has the feel of a racetrack corner. And speed is vital in this place, too, as at 3am every morning the staff have to lay out the slippery ocean creatures in preparedness for auction. Once it begins, there’s more haggling and commotion than if you chucked a pair of Justin Bieber’s boxer shorts into a group of his fans. As well as glimpsing this bartering frenzy in the distinct inner bazaar or zone (jonai shijo), sightseers can part with their yen in numerous retail shops and restaurants in an outer area (jogai shijo). 42
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Photos: Getty Images/Thinkstock
BRIGHT SPARK
FOOD FOR THOUGHT With all this talk of food, I bet you are feeling more ravenous than a polar bear that’s just about to wolf down a sea lion. Well, Tokyo is definitely the right place to satisfy your appetite, especially if you fancy a slightly unusual themed dining or drinking experience. And a better one cannot be had than in the Vampire Café. The motif, here, is the underworld’s most fangtastic wonder, Dracula. Thus, Italian and French gourmet is served in a Gothic red-bathed interior with Victorian-era candles. There’s even a coffin – so you know where to get rid of your date if they are starting to become a bit annoying. Alternatively, you could always leave them in Shibuya District’s Lock Up. This Japanese izakaya (pub) has a unique haunted prison concept, so expect test tube cocktails, uniformed mini-skirted staff, handcuffs and cells. Hold on a minute, that sounds like my bedroom just before lights out! Alice in Wonderland and ninja styled-joints are also up there for wackiness when it comes to venues for grub. Perhaps the oddest of all is the eatery called The Office, which is actually based on the workspace none of us enjoy spending too much time in. Ricky Gervais might not be in attendance, but your environs do include anglepoise lamps, bookshelves, desks and photocopiers. Just make sure you don’t choke on the drawing pins. I am not going to say I am lonely, but my trip here did not feel complete until I made a new friend. In spite of him being a bit bizarre and rather different from me – segmented and encased in formaldehyde – the Meguro Parasitological Museum’s 8.8 metre-long tapeworm seemed rather chummy. Satoru Kamegai established this creepy archive in 1953: a local doctor, he had been worried by the increasing number of animal kingdom freeloaders and hangers-on (often, literally) his patients were being infected with due to unsanitary post-World War II conditions. On the first floor, you can get a general overview of the insipid intruders in question; while the next level up showcases their life cycles and has over 300 notable examples. Close-up, half of them, especially the blood flukes and nematodes, hint that they could be the star if John Carpenter ever decides to produce another horror movie. Nevertheless, one specimen I cannot believe is missing is my former partner, as he is the biggest leech I know.
Heard the one about how many Xavs (that’s me) it takes to change a light bulb? Probably not. Well, my friends think I am so dim, they say that, even if they brought in human cloning technology, there’d never be enough of us. However, despite not being the cleverest dude, I know
“
Tokyo is kookier than the thought patterns of Michael Jackson’s last plastic surgeon
”
a neighbourhood that really puts the spark into everything electronic, Akihabara (‘Field of Autumn Leaves’). Dating back to the 1940s, it’s a splurge of high-rises plastered with colourful billboards selling just about every electric gadget and contraption you can think off. And many more you might never have dreamed up: phantom computer mice for secret surfing, battling robots and slippers with the ability to connect to your PC or Mac so they can be warmed up etc. They even have multi-tasking toilet seats capable of washing, drying, heating and singing. They would probably have to learn how to scream if I sat on one and dropped one of my customary Diplodocussized stinkers! And surely, whatever delightfully Dubai: Doing the eccentric quirks this high-rise stopover metropolis throws at hub on the cheap you, you can’t find anything weirder than that! ❚
NEXT WEEK
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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.
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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.
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TRAVEL AGENTS Adventure Travel Bugs 07 3236 3266, adventuretravelbugs.com Backpackers World Travel 1800 676 67 63, backpackersworld.com Peter Pans Adventure Travel 1800 188 799, peterpans.com Travellers Contact Point 1800 647 640, travellers.com.au Tribal Adventure Travel 1800 984 484, tribaltravel.com.au YHA Travel 02 9261 111, yha.com.au
TOUR FIRMS
Bottom Bits Bus Tours around Tasmania 1800 777 103, bottombits.com.au
Maxi Ragamuffin Whitsundays sailing 1800 454 777 maxiaction.com.au
Wilderness 4WD Adventures Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au
Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au
Bunyip Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 286 947, bunyiptours.com
Melbourne Australia Tours Victorian tours. 03 9016 9347 melbourneaustraliatours.com.au
Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au
Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickercampers.com
Cool Dingos Fraser Island Tours 1800 072 555, cooldingotour.com
Mojosurf Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 113 044, mojosurf.com
Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com
Nullarbor Traveller Tours from Adelaide and Perth 1800 816 858, the-traveller.com.au
Groovy Grape Getaways Tours linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.com
Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au
Adventure Tours Australia-wide tours 1800 068 886, adventuretours.com.au
Jump Tours Tours around Tasmania 0422 130 630, jumptours.com
Airliebeach.com Whitsundays packages 1800 677 119, airliebeach.com
Kakadu Dream Kakadu tours 1800 813 266, kakadudreams.com.au
Autopia Tours Tours around Victoria 03 9391 0261, autopiatours.com.au
Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Adelaide to KI tours 13 13 01, kiadventuretours.com.au
Under Down Under Tours Tours around Tasmania 1800 064 726, underdownunder.com.au
Awesome Adventures Oz Whitsundays packages 1800 293 7663, awesomeoz.com
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Adventures South Australia 1800 786 386, surfandsun.com.au
Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au
The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au Topdeck Tours covering all of Oz 1300 886 332, topdeck.travel
RENTAL FIRMS
TRANSPORT CO
Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com
Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au
Backpacker Campervan Rentals 1800 767 010, backpackercampervans.com.au
Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au
Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangcars.com.au
Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au
Explore More Rentals 1800 708 309, exploremore.com.au
Qantas Airline. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au
Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo. 02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au
Regional Express Airline. 13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline. 03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com
Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au
Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, redlinecoaches.com.au
Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com
Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com
DON’T MISS
MARDI GRAS It’s time to start shopping for a new feather boa as Sydney’s annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras festival is just around the corner. Widely considered the city with the world’s second biggest gay scene (after San Francisco), Sydney truly goes to town for this multi-coloured and outrageous event, which is as much a celebration of diversity as it is a protest for equal rights. The march along Oxford Street doesn’t happen until March 3rd, but there’s a stack of things to check out throughout February. See next week’s TNT for a full guide on what not to miss.
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CRUISE THROUGH SUMMER WITH QUALITY CAMPERS & CARS BREEZER HIRE
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per day*
per day from*
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$138 *Van price based on Breezer Campervan, 3+ day rate, for travel 6/02/2012 – 12/02/2012. Car price based on Economy Car, 1-6 day rate for travel February 2012. Prices correct at time of print, rates change weekly so contact our Reservations team for the best daily rate. Minimum hire applies, offer subject to availability and liability reduction cover is additional. For full terms and conditions contact Backpacker Rentals.
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S S O R C KINGS RKET A M R A C NT BUY, SELL & RE WE ARE HERE s "59).' 3%,,).' 2%.4).'. Good selection of Cars, Wagons, Vans & Campervans. 7$ 30%#)!,)343. Over 50 vehicles in stock with up to 50% BUY BACK. All with camping gear. s All vehicles for sale have a Government approved Roadworthy Certificate (Pink Slip) issued by ).$%0%.$%.4 -%#(!.)#3, not company employees like most car dealers. s &2%% information with tips for buying, selling and travelling. Transfer & Registration forms for all States. s &2%% Advice on Registrations, Transfers, which States are cheapest/easiest to Transfer and Register. s &2%% 12 Months Australia Wide Warranty (guaranteee) with (2 2/!$3)$% !33)34!.#% available on most vehicles.* NOT a 5000km warranty which gets you about 25% of your way around Australia. *Conditions apply
INSURANCE CE FREECALL: LL 1800 808 188 We sell the only known ‘No Excess’ 3rd Party Property Insurance available to travellers from $230* For 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 months. Insurance available even if you buy a car from another place and without you having to tell lies to get it.
NOW IN OUR 20TH YEAR OF
PUTTING TRAVELLERS ON THE ROAD
#534/-%23 #!. 4 "% 72/.'
NOT COMING TO SYDNEY? THEN BUY AND SELL ONLINE @ www.carmarket.com.au OR CALL 02 9358 5000 46
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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, stayatbase.com Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222, bouncehotel.com.au Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333, cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks. 02 9261 1111, yha.com.au
Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162, Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au
Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com
Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au
Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com
Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe. 02 9692 8418, yha.com.au
Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. 1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au
Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly. 02 9977 3411 boardrider.com.au
Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills. 02 9261 1111
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 Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Observatory The Rocks. sydneyobservatory.com.au Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw. gov.au Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneyskytour.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com
WORD FROM THE STREET
CENTRAL COAST
Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au
Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle. 02 4925 3544, yha.com.au
Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au
Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. 02 4384 1919, yha.com.au
Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au
BYRON BAY
SYDNEY MUSIC
Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au
Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com
Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au
Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com
Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net
The Annandale annandalehotel.com
The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com
The Basement thebasement.com.au The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Gaelic Hotel thegaelic.com The Metro metrotheatre.com.au
BLUE MTNS Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba. 02 4782 1416, yha.com.au
Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195, yha.com.au
COFFS HARB Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St. 02 6652 6462, yha.com.au
CHECK OUT
SURRY HILLS If you’re looking for a change from the usual backpacker haunts or Kings Cross debauchery, then one of the coolest places in Sydney to head for a night out is The Hills. The nightlife is centred around Crown Street, which links Oxford St with Cleveland, and is crammed full of bars, cafés and restaurants, all rammed with the local hipsters. For live music, try out the Beresford, Standard or Venue 505. If you’re into your pastries, the Bourke Street Bakery is Sydney’s best.
Petersham Guest House Alex Vivas, UK HOWDY ALEX. WHERE’VE YOU BEEN IN NSW? “All over the state really. I went roadtrip nuts.” GOT A FAVOURITE PLACE? “Obviously Byron Bay, but I liked nearby and much quieter Murwillumbah too. Jervis Bay, to the south of Sydney, is utterly gorgeous, plus I love the Royal National Park’s Coastal Track (pictured). It’s a fantastic two-day walk. Broken Hill in the outback was a bit different, albeit quite a trek.” AND A FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? “In Sydney, Kings Cross craziness has to be done at least once, but I prefer Newtown for a more alternative scene. Glebe for tasty cheap nosh and the best market.”
ARE DORMS GETTING YOU DOWN? Then come sleep with us! The place to stay in the Sydney Suburbs. Double room - $240 p/week Twin room - $240 p/week Single room - $200 p/week Ensuite room - $300 p/week
Phone Con
100 metres to bus and train. 5kms from city centre. 23 Brighton St, Petersham.
0414 450 273 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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BRISBANE STAY
BOOK NOW!
Aussie Way Backpackers 34 Cricket St. 07 3369 0711, aussiewaybackpackers.com Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace. 07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com
Cheers International Backpackers 8 Pine Av, Surfers Paradise. 1800 636 539, cheersbackpackers.com.au
Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au
Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga. 07 5536 76442, yha.com.au
Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au
Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com
XXXX Ale House Brewery tours. Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton. 07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com.au
EVANESCENCE
Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com
Convention Centre. Mon, Mar 26. $TBC. On sale from Thursday. The classically-influenced hard rockers bring their wrenching vocals to Oz for a five-city tour, bringing their chart-topping third album with them.
Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St, 07 3236 1947, yha.com.au Chill Backpackers 328 Upper Roma St. 1800 851 875, chillbackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, Fortitude Valley. 1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au
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Gallery of Modern Art Stanley Pl, South Bank. 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au
Base Brisbane Embassy 214 Elizabeth St. 07 3166 8000, stayatbase.com
Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au
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BRISBANE MUSIC
South Bank, Brisbane
The Deck Budget Accommodation 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm. 04 3377 7061 Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646, tinbilly.com
The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au
ticketek.com.au
BRISBANE DO
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The Tivoli thetivoli.net.au The Zoo thezoo.com.au X and Y Bar xandybar.com.au
GOLD COAST
Coolangatta Sands Hostel Cnr Griffiths & McLean Sts, Coolangatta. 07 5536 7472, coolangattasandshostel.com.au Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 074 393, islander.com.au 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
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 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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
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Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 1800 100 004, trekkersbackpackers.com.au
GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 07 5532 9907 Seaworld seaworld.com.au Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warener Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au Zorb Adrenalin rolling. 07 5547 6300
SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com Dolphins Beach House 14-16 Duke Street, Noosa 1800 454 456, dolphinsbeachhouse.com Nomads Noosa 44 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com
Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au
RAINBOW BEACH Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111 126, dingosresort.com Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com
HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Road. 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive. 07 4125 1844, yha.com.au Fraser Roving 412 The Esplanade. 1800 989 811, fraserroving.com.au
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Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au
FRASER ISLAND Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au
BUNDABERG
ROCKHAMPTON Emus Beach Resort 88 of Patterson St, Emu Park. 07 4939 6111, emusbeachresort.com Myella Farmstay Baralaba. 07 4998 1290, myella.com
AIRLIE BEACH airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119
Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au
Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au
Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166
Airlie Waterfront Backpackers 6 The Esplanade. 1800 089 000, airliewaterfront.com
Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours. 07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au
Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com
TOWN OF 1770
Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com.au
1770 Backpackers 6 Captain Cook Dr. 1800 121 770, the1770backpackers.com
Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com
1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com
WORD FROM THE STREET
Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au
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Nomads Airlie Beach 354 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 666 237 nomadshostels.com
BOWEN Bowen Backpackers Beach end of Herbert St. 07 4786 3433 bowenbackpackers.net
TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Resort 79 Palmer St. 1800 211 522, adventurersresort.com Adrenalin Dive Yongala diving. 07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au Yongala Dive Yongala diving. 07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au
MAGNETIC ISL Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 1800 24 22 73, stayatbase.com Bungalow Bay Backpackers Horseshoe Bay. 1800 285 577, bungalowbay.com.au Magnums 7 Marine Pde, Arcadia Bay. 1800 663 666, magnetic-island.com/arc-rsrt.htm
DONT MISS 2012’S BEST SUMMER ATTRACTION!
OPEN 7 DAYS Krysten Duarte, USA HEY KRYSTEN. WHERE’VE YOU BEEN IN QLD? “Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest, as well as wondering the streets checking out the places and night markets.” GOT A FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? “The Great Barrier Reef. It is beautiful. When I went, the water was crystal blue and we were given the option of snorkelling, scuba diving or relaxing on the boat and the beach. Scuba diving was awesome! We got to see huge clams, clown fish (Nemo!), a shark and turtles.” AND A FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? “Gilligan’s Bar in Cairns. It was inside our building and there is no cover if you’re a Gilligan’s guest. It has a fun atmosphere and they always had promos going on.”
PIAZZA SURFERS PARADISE 10AM–10PM DAILY (LAST ENTRY 8.30PM) ENTRY ELKHORN AVENUE
TICKETS FROM 132 849 AND THE VENUE BOX OFFIC E www.csisurfersparadise.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788
Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com
DON’T MISS!
MISSION BEACH
Nomads Cairns 341 Lake St. 1800 737 736, nomadshostels.com
Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road. 07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au
Nomads Esplanade 93 The Esplanade. 1800 175 716, nomadshostels.com
Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au
INNISFAIL
Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton St. 1800 000 541, northerngreenhouse.com.au
Innisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 7833
CAIRNS DO
Walkabout Motel & Backpackers 07 4061 2311
QUIKSILVER PRO
CAIRNS STAY
Where the surf’s best. Sat, 25 Feb – Wed, 7 Mar. One of the most famous contests on the world pro surf tour, Kelly Slater will be back in town to try and retain last year’s title.
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
50
Coolangatta, Gold Coast 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
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AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Cairns Dive Centre 1800 642 591, cairnsdive.com.au
@tnt_downunder 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
ATHERTON Kuranda Rainforest Park 88 Kuranda Heaights Rd, Kuranda. 07 4093 7316, kurandarainforestpark.com.au
DAINTREE Koala Beach Resort Cape Kimberly Rd. 1800 466 444
CAPE TRIB
JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com
Pro Dive 07 4031 5255, prodivecairns.com
Crocodylus Village Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com
NJOY Travellers Resort Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy. net.au
Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting. 07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au
PK’s Jungle Village Cnr Avalon & Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333, pksjunglevillage.com.au
. . . E R E H Y L L A IN F E ’R YOU
LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!
DA9 K F LG <AN= OAL@ 9MKLJ9 L9C= L@= HDMF?=$ D=9J LS NA SIO VE PROFES GREAT BARRIER REEF DI
heart of the reef Airlie Beach QUEENSLAND THE WHITSUNDAY ISL ANDS
are one of the world s most spectacular aquatic playgrounds dss & encompass 74 tropical islands rising from pristine turquoise oise waters, hosting lots of incredible marine and wild life.
WHITEHAVEN BEACH CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE
Swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays, a stuff-yourself-stupid BBQ lunch with unlimited drinks plus us exhilarating sailing aboard Camira one of the world s fastest est sailing catamarans ‒ an awesome day out on the water!r! $139*pp SAVE $36
Our 5 Day PADI Open water course is the most popular way to do it.
GRE AT BARRIER REEF ADVENT URES
The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonders rs of the natural world. Cruise aboard Seaflight to Queensland land s most innovative reef pontoon featuring a giant waterslide slide and underwater viewing chamber. Explore the underwater water wonderland with diving, snorkelling, semi-sub or glasss bottom boat rides. Includes morning / afternoon tea and an all you can eat buffet lunch. $139*pp SAVE $60
2 DAYS 1 NIGHT BAREFOOT L AZ Y DAZE
Start your holiday with a choice of either a Whitehavenn Beach Camira Sailing Adventure, or a Great Barrier Reef Adventures. Overnight at Long Island. When you dream of an Island experience this is what you dream of! Spend the day enjoying the facilities at Long Island Resort or find your own secluded bay and take in the great outdoors. Great snorkelling. Ferry/ bus us departures back to Airlie available at a variety of times. s. You may just be tempted to stay another night! From $199*pp (Dorm accommodation) plus heaps of other great packages 3-6 days available
We also specialise in Liveaboard dive trips and all levels of dive education.
info@awesomeoz.com
www.awesomeoz.com
prices only available on presentation of a valid Student, Peterpans, YHA, ISIC, VIP * Backpacker or NOMADS card. Valid for travel until 31 March 2012. Conditions apply, see our website for details.
TNT625- AAO2765
All day cruises and packages depart daily from Airlie Beach. For info and bookings see your travel centre or contact us: FREECALL1800 awesome
www.prodivecairns.com SHOP: Cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, Cairns FREECALL: 1800 353 213 PHONE: +617 4031 5255 RES: info@prodivecairns.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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MELBOURNE STAY All Nations Backpackers Hotel & Bar 2 Spencer St. 1800 222 238, allnations.com.au
Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au
BOOK NOW!
The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com Urban Central 334 City Rd, Southbank. 1800 631 288, urbancentral.com.au
Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda. 1800 242 273, stayatbase.com
MELBOURNE DO
Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net
Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square. 03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au
Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane. 1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au
Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au
APHEX TWIN The Palace Theatre. Tue, 6 Mar. $TBC. On sale Tuesday. Hitting Aussie shores for the first time since 2004, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Windowlickerâ&#x20AC;? mastermind is only back for two shows, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out.
20 Bourke St, Melbourne Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com
ticketmaster.com.au Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com
Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. 13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. 03 9629 5866, neighbourstour.com.au
MELB MUSIC Cherry Bar myspace.com/cherrybarmelbourne Corner Hotel cornerhotel.com East Brunswick Club eastbrunswickclub.com Esplanade Hotel espy.com.au Northcote Social Club northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre palace.com.au The Hi-Fi thehifi.com.au The Tote thetotehotel.com
GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. 03 5237 7899, yha.com.au Great Ocean Road Backpackers YHA 10 Erskine Av, Lorne. 03 5289 2508, yha.com.au
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follow follow us us on on @tnt_downunder Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento. 03 5984 4323, yha.com.au
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Tortoise Head Lodge French Island. 03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net
BOOK NOW!
DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086
MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca. 03 5480 6522, yha.com.au
GRANDMASTER FLASH Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. Sun, Mar 18. From $90. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most iconic names in hip-hop history and this year heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be headlining the post-race entertainment at the F1 Grand Prix.
Albert Park
grandprix.com.au
Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell. 03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com
MORNINGTON Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie. 03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy, Sorrento. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.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
FATBOY SLIM The Palace Theatre. Wed, 7 Mar. $54.60. The legendary DJ/producer is back in Oz to tour with the Future Music festival, and has just announced Melbourne and Sydney sideshows.
20 Bourke St, Melbourne
PHILLIP ISLAND
ticketmaster.com.au
GRAMPIANS
Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614
Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes. 03 5952 3620, yha.com.au
Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4543, yha.com.au
Rawsom Caravan Park Depot Rd, Rawson. 03 5165 3439, rawsoncaravanpark.com.au
The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com.au
Timâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288, timsplace.com.au
CHECK OUT
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ACMI Based in Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Federation Square, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image is one of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best free attractions, and a must-see for any cinephile. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to lose a day amongst the games, movies and free exhibitions, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also temporary displays and film seasons, such as a Sofia Coppola retrospective, which opens on February 23rd. Tix to see one of the four films, including Lost in Translation (pictured), cost $15.
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NTLISTINGS
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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
BOOK NOW!
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
Nitmiluk Tours Gorge cruises and kayak hire. 1300 146 743 nitmiluktours.com.au
JOHN BUTLER Darwin Ski Club. Thur, Apr 5. $56. A rare big name appearance in the NT, the Aussie roots king is taking his Tin Shed Tales on a massive tour around his homeland.
20 Conarch St, Fannie Bay 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
Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards. 9 Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au
oztix.com.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
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
Milly, Germany GREETINGS MILLY. GOT A FAVE PLACE IN THE NT? “Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), in the Red Centre. I loved the history of how they came into being, plus you enjoy terrific views while hiking around them.” HOW ABOUT FOR GOING OUT? “In Darwin there are plenty of bars. Choose one and you’ll definitely have the time of your life!” WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL HIGHLIGHT? “Our three-day Uluru tour. We were lucky to have great weather and a sexy tour guide! Sleeping under the stars in a swag is a once in a lifetime experience. I saw so many falling stars.” GOT ANY TIPS FOR YOUR TNT BUDS? “Don’t forget to use plenty of sunscreen and drink enough water!”
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WALISTINGS
@tnt_downunder
follow us on One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. 1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au
DON’T MISS!
BOOK NOW!
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
AUSTRALIA VS SRI LANKA ODI The WACA. Fri, Feb 10. From $21. Can the Aussies demolish Sri Lanka in the way they dismissed the Indians? You can also see India take on Sri Lanka at the WACA on Feb 8.
Nelson Crescent, East Perth
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
ticketmaster.com.au
Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe. 08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au
The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, witchshat.com
PERTH DO Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. 08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au
XAVIER RUDD Astor Theatre. Thur, Apr 5. $60. Catch Australia’s other blues and roots maestro as he tours Australia and New Zealand with his latest album, Follow The Sun.
659 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley
PERTH MUSIC Amplifier amplifiercapitol.com.au Astor liveattheastor.com.au Mojo’s Bar mojosbar.com.au The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au
WORD FROM THE STREET
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
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Erik Cuijpers, Netherlands CIAO ERIK. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO IN WA? “We hired a car up in Perth and drove up to Exmouth, going through Kalbarri, Coral Bay and Karijini. We then got a tour across the Kimberley, starting in Broome and heading all the way across to Darwin.” AND WHERE’S BEEN YOUR FAVE PLACE? “The Bungles, in the Kimberley, because of the strange landscape.” HOW ABOUT THE BEST PLACE YOU’VE STAYED? “Well, the strangest was Meekatharra on the Great Northern Highway. You feel like you’ve gone back 50 years. It was certainly our cheapest room in Australia so far!”
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MARGARET RIVER Located just to the south of Perth and renowned for both its surfing and its wine (preferably not together), Margaret River is an alternative lifestyle town in an excellent location. As well as being a great spot for surfers and wine buffs, it’s bang in the middle of Capes Naturaliste and Leeuwin, the latter being the place where the Southern and Indian Oceans collide. Bunbury, just down the road, is a great place to go swimming with dolphins.
Monkey Mia Flash Backpackers like us on
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Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com.au
FREO DO
MONKEY MIA Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort 1800 653 611, monkeymia.com.au
NINGALOO REEF
Fremantle Markets 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace. 08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au
ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks. 08 9372 9780, yha.com.au
Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth. 08 9949 1200, yha.com.au
MARGARET RIV Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce. 08 9757 9532, yha.com.au
BROOME STAY Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road. 1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com
ALBANY Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St. 08 9842 3388, yha.com.au
t accommodation. Stunning beachfront location. Quality budge able, world-leading activities and facilities. Unique, afford shpacker Voted top ten f la nder $100 in Australia u n o ti a d o accomm eller Magazine v a r T by Australian
Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com
Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruizeinn.com
BROOME DO
Metro Inn Albany 270 Albany Hwy. 1800 004 321, metrohotels.com.au
Sun Pictures Carnarvon St. 08 9192 1077, broomemovies.com.au
monkeymia@aspenresorts.com.au t freecall 1800 653 611 t ph +61 8 9948 1320 t monkeymia.com.au
Aspen Parks Begin your re today... Darwin
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Visit our website for great accommodation specials and online bookings
Holiday Parks with a difference Australia Wide Western Australia Woodman Point Holiday Park Coogee Beach Holiday Park Perth Vineyards Holiday Park Exmouth Cape Holiday Park Blue Reef Backpackers Pilbara Holiday Park Cooke Point Holiday Park
1800 244 133 1800 817 016 1800 679 992 1800 621 101 1800 621 101 1800 451 855 1800 459 999
South Australia Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park 1800 833 444 Myall Grove Holiday Park 1800 356 103 Victoria Boathaven Holiday Park Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Golden River Holiday Park Yarraby Holiday Park Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village
1800 352 982 1800 336 225 1800 621 262 1800 222 052 1800 061 444
New South Wales A Shady River Holiday Park Maidenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inn Holiday Park Magic Murray Houseboats Murray River Holiday Park Wymah Valley Holiday Park Twofold Bay Beach Resort Wallamba River Holiday Park
1800 674 239 1800 356 801 1800 356 483 1800 357 215 1800 776 523 1800 631 006 1800 268 176
Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park
1800 466 528
aspenparks.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
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TASLISTINGS
launcestoncataractgorge.com.au
HOBART STAY Central City Backpackers 138 Collins St. 1800 811 507, centralbackpackers.com.au
DON’T MISS!
Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au
CRADLE DO Devils at Cradle Tassie devil sanctuary. 3950 Cradle Mountain Rd. 03 6492 1491. devilsatcradle.com Overland Track Six-day walk parks.tas.gov.au
Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Rd. 03 6396 6100, tasmaniazoo.com.au
Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com
DEVONPORT Tasman Backpackers 114 Tasman St. 03 6423 2335, tasmanbackpackers.com.au
Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com
FRIDAY NIGHT BURLESQUE
Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com
BICHENO
Grand Poobah. Fri, Feb 10. $12 online (or $16 on the door). For something a little racier than the usual backpacker haunts, check out the delectable and the daring at this teaser of a show.
HOBART DO
142 Liverpool 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
Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.com.au
Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery 2 Invermay Rd & 2 Wellington St. 03 6323 3777, qvmag.tas.gov.au
Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com
Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au
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LAUNCESTON Arthouse Backpacker Hostel 20 Lindsay St. 1800 041 135, arthousehostel.com.au
Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com
misskittysmeow.com Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
CRADLE MTN Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain Rd. 1800 068 574, discoveryholidayparks.com.au
LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge
Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au
Mt Roland Budget Backpacker Rooms 1447 Claude Rd, Gowrie Park. 03 6491 1385.
FREYCINET Iluka Backpackers YHA Reserve Rd. 03 6257 0115, yha.com.au Freycinet National Park Brewery, Wineglass Bay camping. 03 6256 7000, wineglassbay.com
STRAHAN, Strahan YHA 43 Harvey St. 03 6471 7255, yha.com
STRAHAN DO Four Wheelers Henty Sand Dunes quadbike tours. 04 1950 8175, 4wheelers.com.au Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com Wild Rivers Jet Jet boating. 03 6471 7396, wildriversjet.com.au
WORD FROM THE STREET
Hannah Bullingham, England
LAUNCESTON Centrally located Launceston is Tassie’s second-largest city and the country’s third oldest. Surrounded by imposing mountains, it has earned its title of “Garden City” and has an interesting history. Its main attractions are the nearby Cataract Gorge, colonial gardens, tea shops and old mills. It’s 14km from the airport to the city centre. The city is easily explored on foot, but there’s also a good public transport system.
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HI HANNAH. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN TASSIE SO FAR? “I’ve been to Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.” AND WHERE’S BEEN YOUR FAVE PLACE? “Cateract Gorge in Launceston. It’s just so unexpected. It’s a beautiful gorge in Launceston pretty much in the middle of town. You would have no idea it was there unless you saw a sign by the road. There’s a chairlift (the longest in the Southern Hemisphere apparently) that you can ride on for about $10.” WHERE DID YOU HAVE THE BEST NIGHT OUT? “Salamanca Place in Hobart. It’s a great location, and has great little bars and cafés. It’s not the liveliest of cities in Oz but it is great if you’re looking for a more chilled out vibe.”
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ADELAIDE STAY Adelaide Oval Home to the Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, adpi.com.au
COOBER PEDY Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.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 Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com
Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw. 08 8553 1344, yha.com.au
ENNIO MORRICONE Elder Park. Fri, Mar 2. From $50. The spaghetti westerns music man is arguably the greatest film composer of all time. Adelaide Festival has persuaded him to play live.
King William St, Adelaide
bass.net.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
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
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
ADELAIDE Adelaide has more eating establishments per capita than any other Australian city, so for starters, you’re not going to go hungry. Nice places to eat include Rundle Street in the city and Jetty Roads in Brighton and Glenelg. You can get to Glenelg by catching the tram, which links the laidback bar-heavy beachside suburb to the CBD. For a more relaxed dining experience, the Adelaide Central Markets are an absolute must. Once you tire of eating (does that actually ever happen?), then you may want to head south to find some wine to wash it all down. McLaren Vale is the closest wine region to Adelaide, only a 45-minute drive from the CBD. If you like the tempo a little more upbeat then best head to “The Gov” (Governor Hindmarsh Hotel) for some live music. Sporting fans keen to discover something new will find an AFL match on at AAMI Stadium at West Lakes every weekend from April to August. If you can’t wait for that, then head to the Hindmarsh Stadium to see Adelaide Utd in action. Be warned though, they’re struggling this year. The zoo, home to Australia’s only pandas, is also well worth a visit. Finally, if you’re missing that European hit then head up to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills for some of the best bratwurst this side of the equator.
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NZLISTINGS
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BUS TOURS
AUCKLAND Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. +64 9275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz
Flexi-Pass Combines InterCity and Newmans. 0800 222 146, flexipass.co.nz 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,
BOOK NOW!
NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz
Base Auckland 229 Queen St. 0800 227 369, stayatbase.com
RYAN ADAMS
Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com
Regent Theatre, Dunedin. Tue, March 6. NZ$79. Don’t miss this intimate one-man show as Ryan, not Brian, showcases tracks from his new album, Ashes & Fire.
RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz
The Octagon, Dunedin
ticketdirect.co.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
@tnt_downunder @tnt_downunder
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
RAGLAN Arguably the most famous surfing spot in New Zealand, Raglan’s beaches have something for everyone. Manu Bay is said to have the country’s longest left-hand break for surfing or bodyboarding, but if that isn’t your thing, then there are some great spots along the coast for swimming or chilling out on a hot day. Situated on the west coast of the North Island, this is one of many New Zealand beaches that have black volcanic sand, making a slight change to a day at the beach. Raglan has a very active population and if you’ve had enough of the beach then there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. You can try horse riding, trekking through the bush or hiking to the top of Mount Karioi. It’s a three-hour trip but well worth it for the view of the area at the end. For something less strenuous, you can take a drive to Bridal Veil Falls or do some low-key mountain biking or cycling along the local trails on the weekends. The town itself is nice and compact, so you can enjoy a stroll through the shops and relax in one of the classy cafés full of local artwork.
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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
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
QUEENSTOWN BLACK LIPS The Powerstation, Auckland. Tue, Feb 28. NZ$65. They didn’t make it to Laneway but you can catch the Atlanta quartet when they bring their garage-rock sound back to NZ this month. Mt Eden Rd, Auckland
powerstation.net.nz
Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. +64 3443 7341, cardrona.com
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
Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. +64 3365 4363, aroundtheworld.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
At The Right Place 85 Bealey St. +64 3366 1633, atrp.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
CHRISTCHURCH
Less clicking and more member savings on the new, faster yha.co.nz.
Backpacking just got easy as.
WHEN YOU
JOIN YHA
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
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MAMANUCA ISL Beachcomber Island Resort +679 666 1500, beachcomberfiji.com Bounty Island Resort +679 666 6999, fiji-bounty.com
Tabukula Beach Bungalows +679 650 0097, fiji4less.com The Uprising Beach Resort +679 345 2200, uprisingbeachresort.com
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NORTH VITI LEVU Bethams Cottage +679 669 4132, bethams.com.fj Macdonalds Beach Cottages +679 669 4633
Korovou Eco Tour Resort +679 666 6644 korovoultk@connect.com.fj
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
Kuata Resort +679 666 6644
The Funky Fish Beach Resort +679 628 2333, funkyfishresort.com
Vakaviti Motel & Dorm +679 650 0526, bulavakaviti@connect.com.fj
Safari Lodge Fijis +679 669 3333 safarilodge.com.fj
The Resort Walu Beach +679 665 1777, walubeach.com
Vilisite Place +679 650 1030
Long Beach Backpackers Resort +679 666 6644 Manta Ray Island +679 672 6351 mantarayisland@connect.com.fj
CORAL COAST
SUVA
Volivoli Beach Resort +679 669 4511, volivoli.com
VANUA LEVU
Nabua Lodge +679 666 9173 nabualodge@connect.com.fj
Beachouse +679 653 0500, fijibeachouse.com
Colonial Lodge +679 92 75248, sailevukaga@yahoo.co.nz
Bayside Backpacker Cottage +679 885 3154, tripntour@connect.com.fj
Oarsmans Bay Lodge +679 672 2921 nacula@hotmail.com
Mango Bay Resort +679 653 00690, mangobayresortfiji.com
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
Robinson Crusoe +679 629 1999, robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com
Royal Hotel +679 344 0024 royal@connect.com.fj
Savusavu Hot Springs +679 885 0195, hotspringshotel@connect.com.fjj
Octopus Resort +679 666 6337 reservations@octopusresort.com Sunrise Lagoon Resort +679 666 6644 Wayalailai Island Resort +679 672 1377 wayalailai@connect.com.fj White Sandy Beach Dive Resort +679 666 4066
Seashell Cove Resort +679 670 6100, seashellresort.com
TAVEUNI
South Seas Private Hotel +679 331 2296, fiji4less.com
Albert’s Sunrise +679 333 7555
Tailevu Hotel +679 343 0028
Matava Resort +679 330 5222
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
THE GARDEN OF THE SLEEPING GIANT This spectacular garden is situated at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands, about 10 minutes drive from Fiji’s capital Nadi. It was named by the late American actor Raymond Burr, who started growing orchids there in 1977. When he died, the garden was home to over 1,500 varieties of orchids, as well as a jungle boardwalk showcasing indigenous flowering plants and trees which is now open to the public. After strolling through the well-designed paths and walkways through the forest, be sure to check out Raymond’s holiday shack, which is open to everyone. Here you will find some of his personal items and numerous photographs of Fijian life in the 1970s – before the tourist invasion arrived.
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OZWORK
Operator, please If you like working with people but don’t have any qualifications, then office work is a great way to gain valuable skills in Oz...
“Working nine to five, what a way to make a living...” Someone sang that years ago, and it still rings true. Office hours are great for travellers because you’ll have your weekends free to explore and your evenings free to “get to know the locals”. It’s the kind of work where you don’t have to get too serious, but it still looks good on your CV. So, you’ve arrived in Oz but you don’t have a qualification after your name... have you considered admin work? In this field you’ll receive on-the-job training and gain some useful skills and experience along the way. Job Capital executive Victoria Brown tells us that most office/admin roles don’t necessarily require a degree. “For contract office/admin jobs, experience is always sort after more than qualifications. Someone with a great personality; who can communicate clearly and confidently is a highly desirable candidate,” she says. The good thing is, there is plenty of work available at the moment, even if you’re after short-term work. There’s everything from data entry jobs to filing clerks, receptionists, PAs, office administrator positions and more. Victoria said: “There’s always a steady demand for travellers to fill contract and temp assignments.” Signing up with an agency will also help you meet with the right firms across Australia and point you in the right direction, depending on the work you’re after.
And the pay is good too, Victoria explains. “Standard hourly rates range from around $20-$25 per hour. As with any industry, people with more experience are going to be offered the higher rates, which can be from $27-$32 per hour.” Not bad for a day at the office. The best thing is the experience you’ll gain on your working holiday journey. As Victoria puts it, it’s not just a job, it’s a cultural learning experience. “There are so many benefits for people who come to Australia to work. They get the chance to earn better money, experience a different culture, expand on their personal and professional networks and gain invaluable working experience that looks great on their CV when they do choose to go back home.” And if they chose not to go home? Well look no further, “Job Capital’s on-site migration agent can assist with any sponsorship enquiries,” says Victoria. So as long as you meet the criteria set out by the Australian Department of Immigration, there is no reason why you can’t be sponsored. So, how do you get that valuable foot of yours in the door? “Come prepared with a well written, easy-to-read CV that clearly outlines previous experience and relevant skill set,” says Victoria. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Stretch those typing fingers, polish that phone voice and get cracking on that CV.
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Get paid to holiday! Make the most of your Aussie travel experience. Western Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Challenger Institute of Technology offers a selection of hospitality short courses that will get you qualified and working in no time at all!
No need to give up long days at the beach. Challenger short courses are run on weekends or weeknights for minimum disruption to your itinerary.
CTA1612_Jan
These industry-relevant courses are run by highly qualified lecturers in a hands-on training environment.
Challenger Institute of Technology located in Western Australia is the preferred choice for more than 25,000 students studying a diverse range of careers, courses and subjects.
INTERESTED? Visit www.challenger.wa.edu.au or email stephne.ceicys@challenger.wa.edu.au
Are you female & traveling around Australia & want some more $$$ to enjoy yourself? How does $30/hour + tips topless waitressing or $1000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of dollars a week exotic dancing sound?? No experience necessary! Absolutely no sex! Female management, clean & classy! Several locations mms photo to 0458 635052
BRISBANE
$5 meals
Mon-Thurs (Lunch & dinner) & Sat & Sun (Lunch)
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BRISBANE TOWNSVILLE The Grosvenor & Showbar 320 320 George St.
The Exchange & Showbar 151 151 Flinder Street
MACKAY
Wilkes & Showbar 140 140 Victoria Street
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OZWORK
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INTERVIEW WITH AN OFFICE WORKER really friendly financial planning office in Neutral Bay, overlooking the beautiful Harbour Bridge. What did you do back at home? I worked for an insurance company for six years. How do they compare? Because I’m doing temp work now, it’s much more fun and light-hearted. It’s a lot less pressure and the set hours really help.
SIOBHAN CAMPION 24, FROM IRELAND What’s your job? I’m now doing basic reception and some administration work in a
How did you get your job? I‘ve been registered with a job agency since March
this year, and when I returned from a month’s travelling last week I just gave them a call. Within a day I had calls from several companies who wanted to meet me and find a job for me. Basically, the agency did all the footwork for me by marketing my CV to a number of other recruiters. I met with a few agencies that were all super-efficient and professional, and I was offered this job on the spot.
Any bad points? The long commute from Bondi Beach can be tedious.
What are the good points? It’s a really friendly office environment, and I’ve got set work hours.
Any tips? Register your CV with a job agency. Then just sit back and wait for the call!
How’s the pay? I get $21 per hour plus super. Have you travelled much? I’ve been in Australia since Christmas last year. I’ve travelled the east and west coasts, and I’ve been travelling around Sydney and Perth so far.
HOW TO... AVOID CV SUICIDE A bad CV makes a bad first impression, so get it right first time. Here are some handy hints to help:
• Keep the CV as brief and concise as possible, and relevant to the job/agency. • Break it down into sections (eg. personal details, employment history, qualifications and interests) and don’t leave any gaps.
• Include DOB, type of visa, phone number, Australian address and a sensible email address (not onthepissinoz@hotmail.com).
• Check it thoroughly, then get someone else to check it too. • Use MS Word. There’s nothing more annoying to a potential employer than a CV they can’t open! • Always keep covering letters/emails formal; start with “Dear”, use proper grammar, spell check. • Some agencies insist you call them before submitting your CV, but it’s good practice to at least follow up emailing your CV with a call.
CASH PAID DAILY • Lingerie masseuses (training provided) • Outgoing attractive reliable girls required • Drug-free safe environment • 2 Sydney Locations • 20 mins from the CBD • Country location • Free accommodation
Call 0450 758865 Awesome $$$ Phone now!
with untry the comodation? in k r to wo EE accom recruiting Want FR bo Now in Dub
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TOTALLYTRIVIAL
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MYTHBUSTERS SUCKER PUNCH?
THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
TASSIE PRODUCE
OF THE
WEEK
Because Tassie is a major fruit Q 1.exporter, it gained which nickname? a) The Peach Pit b) The Banana Beat c) The Apple Isle d) The Lettuce Lodge
Q
The Hobart event that begins the Q 2.year’s culinary calender is called what?
Tasmania is the world’s largest Q 7.supplier of which seafood?
a) Taste of Tasmania b) Mona Foma c) Brunched Az Bro d) Salmon Slam
The Japanese embassy in Canberra Q 8.buys which boutique ingredient from
d) Launie Lick
Q 4. Whereabouts is the Cadbury Factory? a) Claremont b) Launceston c) Elizabeth Town d) Glen Huon Q 5. Where was Tasmania’s first vineyard planted in 1821? a) New Town b) Old Town c) Never Land d) Bruny Island
SUDOKU PUZZLE 5 2 8
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TNTDOWNUNDER.COM
is worth more in its weight than gold? a) Paprika b) Cinnamon c) Saffron d) Tumeric
“ONYA”
5 1
Q 9. Which spice, common to Tasmania,
ANAGRAM-ARAMA
AUSSIE-ISM
8
1
b) Horse radish d) Wasabi
We’ve handed this one over to the expert, Andrew Fox, who runs Fox Great White Shark Expeditions in South Australia and has dived with great whites hundreds of times. “If a shark really wants to eat you, there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said. “But if you’re going to get eaten, you may as well punch it anyway. I know I would.” But Andrew thinks the shark threat is over-hyped. ”Look at the stats: there are less than two fatalities a year in Australia – yet it’s an emotive topic in the media. Meanwhile, hundreds of people drown each year,” he says.
7
Pronounced on-ya, it’s used in both sincere and sarcastic situations. To translate, onya is a shortened version of ‘Good on you’ or ‘Good on ya’. But if you do something badly you may hear: “Onya Sonya”.
THIS WEEK IT’S... ISLANDS 1. SKILL, FANS AND LAD 2. DAMNATION HILLS 3. I AM SATAN 4. RAINY SCANDALS ANSWERS: 1. Falkland Islands 2. Hamilton Island 3. Tasmania 4. Canary Islands
4
7
Tasmania? a) Seaweed c) Rice wine
If a shark attacks me and I punch it on the nose, will it bugger off?
ANSWERS: 1. c 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. a 6. c 7. a 8. d 9. c
c) Cascade
6. King Island is famous for which soft substance? a) Moisturiser b) Pâté c) Cheese d) Honey
a) Abalone b) Atlantic salmon c) Barramundi d) Great white shark
is Launceston’s famous beer? Q 3.a)What VB b) Boag’s
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3DVV 3ULFH /RFDO 3D\PHQW 7RWDO Own Arrangements NOTE: This option is 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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