TNT Magazine: Australia by TNT MAGAZINE

March 5-11 2012 Issue 671 tntdownunder.com

!R IEN W DIV S FO

SKY MATE YOU AND A AND IN SYDNEY ACH MISSION BE

TERROR TOWN

KIWI CLASSICS What not to miss in New Zealand

Thrills ‘n’ spills in Mission Beach

T O I R E H T G N I LEAD ur eir Aussie to th f o d a e h a son an Ricky Wil tm n o fr ’ fs ie aiser Ch + MELBOURNE GETAWAY FILM REVIEWS We chat to K COMEDIAN PAUL FOOT GIG GUIDE

MARCH MADNESS AT YARDHOUSE MONDAYS

FRIDAYS

$15 MEAL DEAL

AFTER WORK DRINKS $4.00 ALL SCHOONERS $5 GLASS OF SPARKLING WINE $10.00 COCKTAILS FROM 5PM – 7PM DJ from 9pm Live Bands @ “The Square” from 8pm Happy Hour from 10pm-11pm

Reggae night Happy Hour 10pm-11pm

TUESDAYS $15 MEAL DEAL Battered Flathead with schooner Golden Ale or glass of Alta Sauv Blanc LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT DATE??? Try fastmatch.com.au Happy Hour from 10pm-11pm

WEDNESDAYS “Check out the big brains on Brad” TRY YOUR LUCK AT VIDEO TRIVIA NIGHT! Prizes and giveaways from 8pm. Happy Hour from 10pm-11pm

SATURDAYS Yardhouse Rocks Sydney with Live music across 2 rooms. Party the night away with Sydney’s best cover bands Or see Sydney’s best up and coming acts Live Bands @ “The Square” from 8pm. Live sport until late with the big screen showing all the English Premier League matches.

SUNDAYS

THURSDAYS $15 Meal Deal Karaoke is Back!! From 9pm each night unleash your inner diva!!!! Happy Hour from 10pm-11pm

JAZZ IN THE YARD BAR FROM 5PM $8.00 Bloody Mary’s All Day Catch up on all the European football on the big screen.

www.Yardhouse.com.au

ANDREW WESTBROOK EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER Well, it’s now officially autumn as apparently summer’s already happened. So let’s hope the seasons have just got a bit mixed up this year. Either way, there’s still plenty to be excited about. This week we’ve been chatting to two Ozbound stars – the Kaisers (p18) on the music circuit and Paul Foot (p16) on the comedy circuit. We’ve also come up with a definitive don’t miss list for NZ (p6). So, er, don’t miss that.

THIS WEEK OZ DIARY

COMPETITION

MUSIC & FILM

CHATROOM – PAUL FOOT

CELEB GOSSIP

NEWS

TRAVEL

LISTINGS NSW

LISTINGS QUEENSLAND

LISTINGS VIC

LISTINGS TASMANIA

LISTINGS SA

LISTINGS WA

LISTINGS NT

LISTINGS NEW ZEALAND

LISTINGS FIJI

WORK

TRIVIAL PURSUITS

FEATURES FULL OF ZEAL

From hobbits to hot springs, we’ve got the whole of New Zealand covered

CHIEF OF STATE

We chat to Kaiser Chief’s Ricky about stage fright and travelling the world

PROM QUEEN

Walk away from the hustle of Melbourne and into Wilsons Promontory

MISSION STATEMENT The thrills and spills of far north Queensland’s Mission Beach

34 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

OZDIARY EDITORIAL Editor Andrew Westbrook Staff writer Alex Harmon Intern Leigh Livingstone Contributor Paul Winslow

like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

Stretch your lungs...

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Sales manager Tom Wheeler Account manager Justin Steinlauf Sales executive Caroline Ward MARKETING & EVENTS Associate publisher Denise Jinks Marketing assistant Leroy Meurs DISTRIBUTION Lee Sutherland

02 8332 7511 tom@tntdownunder.com

PHONE EMAIL

WHERE TO GET TNT

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

THE MAIN EVENT BREATH OF LIFE FESTIVAL [LAUNCESTON]

Breathe in the fresh surrounds of Launceston in Tasmania as the town plays host to some of the biggest names in music – and it’s all for a good cause. The Australian Lung Foundation have been putting this event together for the past seven years to educate and raise awareness about lung disease. While you’re there, catch Fat Boy Slim, Skrillex, Sneaky Sound System, The Aston Shuffle, Gypsy and the Cat, Boy and Bear, Drapht, Children Collide and so many more. Tasmanians have a public holiday on Monday so release your inner Tassie devil and get amongst the action. March 10-11, Inveresk Park, Launceston. Further info at breathoflifefestival.com $100

BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL

WOMADELAIDE [ADELAIDE]

What began as a local initiative to support filmmakers in the northern NSW area is now an international affair that showcases films from around the world. For 10 days catch over 100 films in five Byron Bay venues. Free events too, including a sunset cinema on the grass of the main beach.

The world music arts and dance festival that takes over Adelaide every March is about to kick off. The four-day event is held in the beautiful Botanic Park and this year just happens to be its 20th birthday. Catch everything from Swedish singing sisters to a flying family circus.

This weekend Sydney FC take on Harry Kewell’s Melbourne Victory FC at Sydney Football Stadium. The A-Leagues fiercest rivals are playing in the ‘Beyondblue Cup’ which raises awareness for depression and anxiety. Kick off at 7.45pm.

Until March 11 Byron Bay bbff.com.au

March 9-12 Botanic Park, Adelaide womadelaide.com.au

March 10 Moore Park, Sydney footballaustralia.com.au

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.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

$94

SYDNEY FC VS MELB VICTORY [SYDNEY] $9

Kiwi classics With its action-packed itineraries, Hollywood good looks and hobbits (probably), New Zealand is a natural blockbuster It used to be you could count the clichéd images of New Zealand on one hand. One of the mighty All Blacks running the length of the pitch; lots of sheep and a few mountains. But with the release of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the country gained much more exposure and quickly became the destination of choice for a new wave of travellers. And we’re not just talking about Ring geeks on the hunt for hobbits and orcs here. It may merely look like a broken, upside-down Italy on the map, but New Zealand is quite simply one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It boasts mountain ranges that rapidly fill your memory cards, boiling hot geysers exploding into the air, vast glaciers, raging rivers that suck you down in a flash and then spit you out just as quick, and cities which are growing quicker 6

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

than sightings of Lindsay Lohan making a tit of herself. If you’ve seen The Lord of the Rings movies – and if you haven’t, customs won’t let you in – you’ll have an idea of the kind of country you’ll be visiting. And no, there weren’t many special effects to make Middle Earth look that good – it’s almost all natural. The first thing that hits you is the power of the land. Nowhere are you more privy to the Earth’s ebbs and flows. Whether it’s through traditional Maori tales of gods moving mountains with thunderbolts, or just through plain old observation, you’re given a real sense of the Earth being a powerful, living thing. Adventure and adrenalin are big in New Zealand. Whitewater raft down knee-trembling rapids, throw yourself off a 320m Sky Tower in the middle of a city, jump out of a plane while spooning

a complete stranger and jetboat through a canyon, close enough to see the moss growing on the walls. Queenstown, on the South Island, is the place to be for all sorts of shenanigans. Short of inserting an IV of pure adrenalin into your arm, it’s where it’s at for excitement. Between bustling Auckland and supercool (in more ways than one) Wellington, the cities aren’t too bad either. However, you don’t go to New Zealand for the cities. From the beautiful Bay of Islands in the north to the stunning Fiordland National Park in the south, there’s a good chance you won’t have experienced or seen anything like it before. Indeed, when it comes to jawdropping scenery, the country has an embarassment of riches. So, to help you pick where to go, after much debate, squabbles and icey stares, we came up with a list of our nine favourite places...

QUEENSTOWN IN A NUTSHELL: A Valhalla for adrenalin junkies TELL ME MORE: With its giant lake and charismatic mountains, Queenstown is gorgeous in its own right. But sitting back to relax is difficult in a town offering so many mentalist adrenalin mega hits. Jetboating, whitewater rafting and sledging, skiing, skydiving, paragliding and heaps more. Oh, we nearly forgot it’s the home of the bungy jump – so go nuts! You’ll have to change your undies so often, it’s not even worth wearing any. Plus, there’s a plethora of Lord of the Rings sites, the best nightlife in the bottom half of the South Island (bar Dunedin) and even some half-decent wineries nearby. Oh, and it really is stunning, not least round the corner at gorgeous Glenorchy.

WELLINGTON

WANAKA

IN A NUTSHELL: The ultimate urban fix TELL ME MORE: New Zealand’s most attractive city, the picturesque capital is awash with cafés and culture. With green hills reaching up behind it and the shimmering harbour below it, it’s almost like a mini Rio de Janeiro (ahem, albeit with wind and rain instead of sun and beaches). The Windy City has festivals aplenty, day-stealing museums, and good nightlife. Try to give it two-three days, but even if it’s just one we recommend you: get up early to climb Mt Wellington, score some top nosh in one of the many appetising cafés, get lost in the excellent Te Papa museum, another café, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, then the seal colony round at Red Rocks, café/ restaurant, then hit the town’s many bars, music venues and theatres. Live it like you love it. Or something.

IN A NUTSHELL: Queenstown’s younger brother TELL ME MORE: Only an hour from Queenstown is its younger, smaller, more softly-spoken, equally attractive brother. Its more famous sibling can be too hectic for some and Wanaka is the perfect antidote. It has almost all that Queenstown has: wineries, wonderful scenery, including the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park (good for mountaineering, tramping, etc), ski fields, great mountain biking, superlative skydiving, jetboating, mustdo canyoning, Lord of the Rings lark... It really is a very spoilt part of New Zealand, if not the world. Silly name though, innit? Bit too close to wan...

Cue James Cameron impression

TONGARIRO IN A NUTSHELL: Conquering Mordor TELL ME MORE: The nine Great Walks are called great walks for a reason (well, apart from the Whanganui River Journey, which is actually a kayak trip). So all of them come highly recommended, especially those in the Fiordland region. But Tongariro National Park is arguably the most unique: all live volcanoes and semidesert, hissing sulphur, bizarrely coloured pools and post-apocalyptic landscapes – it’s no wonder so much of Mordor was filmed here for those films. The Northern Circuit can be done at a comfortable pace in three days, but if you don’t have time, and even if you only do one tramp in New Zealand, make it the Tongariro Crossing (part of the Northern Circuit). It takes just one day and it’s like walking on Mars. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

MILFORD SOUND IN A NUTSHELL: New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Uluru TELL ME MORE: This is New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most photographed attraction. Half the visual pleasure is garnered on the journey to Milford Sound; winding roads plunge into dense, moss-plastered woodland, snake along plunging drops and pass waterfalls crashing to the floor from way up somewhere. Then a boat trip edges out onto the water, home to dolphins and New Zealand fur seals, and looking like an ant by the immense Mitre Peak. And onwards to the open sea, passing all sorts of wonderful waterfalls; some twist in the air, others thunder from impossible heights. If you can afford it, a scenic flight around here is a wondrous experience.

Double the fun on Milford Sound

FOX & FRANZ JOSEF GLACIERS

SHUTTLE BUS TRANSPORT September 15th 2011 - May 31st 2012

IN A NUTSHELL: The ice kingdoms beckon TELL ME MORE: New Zealand has roughly a trillion glaciers, but these two alluring colossal ice tongues are the most accessible. It can be like stepping into a different world as your crampons first grip the ice and you proceed to crunch your way through an ice labyrinth of caves, frozen walls and crevasses. Many travellers rate this as the best thing they did in the country. If you have the cash to splash, a helicopter trip to land near the top of the glacier is unforgettable.

Ice to meet you...

TEKAPO TWIZEL

Daily 2 x Day

MT COOK MT COOK

0800 2 6 6 5 2 6

COOK CO

Web address: www.cookconnect.co.nz

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photos: Tourism New Zealand

Bookings Essential. Call our Reservations Freephone:

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

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

www.kiwiexperience.com

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

KAIKOURA

ROTORUA

IN A NUTSHELL: Wildlife wonderland TELL ME MORE: You can easily criticise New Zealand for a lack of truly interesting animals, especially compared to the crazy fauna here in Australia. But get into the wet stuff and it’s another matter entirely. Due to a quirk in the seabed, Kaikoura is a hot spot for whales, dolphins and seals. You can take a boat cruise to watch whales, at least three species call in, all year round. And the much-underrated seal swims (or dives) are excellent, when the water has good visibility. Plus, there’s dolphin swimming too.

IN A NUTSHELL: Geysers and culture TELL ME MORE: Some say it smells of rotten eggs, others of the beginning of time, but the intense sulphuric activity means it certainly smells. But you get used to it surprisingly quickly. Rotorua is a great place to swot up on Maori culture, with various performances and attractions around town. Don’t miss seeing a haka and try to chow down on a hangi while you’re there. Then there are geysers and bubbling mud pools to admire and a spa pool or mud bath to relax in later. Great place to Green day: We unwind offer up the best and get Paddy’s Day events culturally savvy.

MOUNT COOK IN A NUTSHELL: New Zealand’s iconic peak TELL ME MORE: As long as the clouds haven’t hooded its handsome looks, which they often do, your first full sighting of Mt Cook should stop you in your tracks. Despite being small by world standards, New Zealand’s highest is one dashing mountain. Think gleaming black rock and glistening snow reaching skywards like a natural cathedral, with a vast glacial lake spreading a striking blue-green out in front of it. Its beauty is only intensified by its sense of danger; professional mountaineers die every year trying to conquer this technically difficult peak. A drive into the Mount Cook village, along the lakeside, will be accompanied by the unerring sounds of avalanches and we defy you not to stop and take photos more than once. If you’re not much of a mountaineer, there are several short walks in the area, all yielding good mountain and/or glacier views. If you have time, we strongly recommend the painful but highly rewarding four-hour climb to stay overnight in the Mueller Hut.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

NEXT WEEK

40% + STRAY EXCLUSIVE: OFF TO SEE NZ

LEARN TO SURF AND ENJOY A HARBOUR BOAT CRUISE FOR ONLY AU$69!

40% OFF ALL NATIONAL PASSES (SAVE UP TO AU$598)!

+ SAVE AU$39 OFF AN AMAZING

SUMMER EXPERIENCE - GET A 3 HOUR SURF LESSON, WETSUIT AND BOARD HIRE IN THE AFTERNOON, THEN RELAX ON AN AMAZING SUNSET CRUISE AROUND RAGLAN HARBOUR IN THE EVENING FOR ONLY AU$69 (NORMALLY RETAILS AU$108)!

Only Stray %& +% & ! %'$ ! $&% &")! " " & "( ! %% ' $,

$ % ! "! & "!% ## + % "'!& ## % &" $" '$ ' $ & $ & % "! + !" "& $ % "'!&% ## + * #& &$ + & % %& + " " $ % & $ &$ + $ % $( % & $ & &" ) & $ ) & % " $ & !+ & '$ %%"! ! " & # % ( ! ! "! + " $ ( '!& & #$ ! ' " # %% ! $% '%& # $& # & &" $ ( # % "'!& " %& % & "! "$ & &$ + ( $+) $ '%& '% + & #$

-( (($ )!(' & " (+ /","- PPP F:@B<;NL <H GS TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

WIN

HOW TO ENTER

@tntdownunder

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

WIN tandem skydives over Sydney AND Mission Beach Travelling tends to make you do things you wouldn’t necessarily try if you were stuck at home. Like skinny dipping for example, or living off a diet of goon and noodles. Scaring yourself silly in all manner of bizarre and inventive ways also tends to fit into that category and there’s no denying that the age-old classic of all adrenalin thrills has to be doing a skydive. Indeed, often the biggest debate is not whether to do one, but where? So, to help you out, TNT has teamed up with Australia Skydive Group to solve the dilemma for you. We’re offering one lucky reader, and a mate, a free tandem skydive in both Sydney and Mission Beach.

facebook/tntdownunder

THIS PRIZE INCLUDES: SYDNEY SKYDIVES: Enjoy spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains, before landing at Penrith Lakes, as you and a mate drop from 14,000ft in the only skydive over Sydney city.

worth

$1,200

Competition closes midnight AEST Sunday, April 1, 2012. Log on to tntdownunder.com for further details and to enter.

MISSION BEACH SKYDIVES: Admire the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest and the surrounding islands, before you and a mate land on the beach next to the exclusive Bali Hai Skydive Resort at this world famous location. Includes free transfers from Cairns.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

UÊ > «iÀÃÊvÀ ÊfÎxÊ«iÀÊ`>ÞÊ 1-IÊÊ Ê UÊ > «iÀÃÊvÀ Êf{ Ê«iÀÊ`>ÞÊ <I

vÀ

f>Êx `>Þ

Ê," -Ê ÊÊ /"Ê "1, ÕÝÕÀÞÊV> «iÀÃÊvÀ Ê À ÃL> i]ÊÊ L>ÀÌÊ> `Ê-Þ` iÞÊ Ê Ê} }ÊÊ Ì Ê i L ÕÀ iÊ ÊfxÊ>Ê`>Þ Ê ÃÌÊÜ Ì Ê Õi Ê ÀÊ iÀÀÞÊ«>ÃÃiÃ Ê

> ÊÕÃÊ ÀÊ} ÊÌ ÜÜÜ°ÃÌ> `LÞÀi VÃ°V

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM TNTDOW W NU NUN N U UN N DER DE D E ER R .CO CO C OM

standbywrkfile_652.indd 1

13 7

19/10/11 2:05:12 PM

SOCIALSCENE

@tnt_downunder

Photo: Universal Pictures/Patti Perret

CONTRABAND FILM REVIEW by Leigh Livingstone STARRING: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster | CERT: MA | 109mins | Out now

THIS MEANS WAR FILM PREVIEW STARRING: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy | M | 97mins | Out now

Which girl wouldn’t be impressed by two guys fighting for her, especially when the guys in question are Tom Hardy (Bane in The Dark Knight Rises) and Chris Pine (Kirk in Star Trek)? That’s the premise – two CIA agents start dating the same girl (Reese Witherspoon) and duel for her affections. Comedian Chelsea Handler plays the hilarious, no-nonsense counterpart to Witherspoon’s sweetness in this action-rom-com from Charlie’s Angels director McG. 14

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

What Marky Mark does well is tough guy action and he doesn’t disappoint in this film about a smuggler turned family man who is pulled back into the game. The concept itself is hardly original, think Gone in 60 Seconds – a criminal turns legit but goes back for one last job because of an idiot brother who thinks he can follow in big bro’s footsteps. Replace that idiot brother with an idiot brother-inlaw and you have Contraband. It’s a remake of recent Icelandic film Reykjavik-Rotterdam, so the storyline never sets out to break the mould. It follows a pretty formulaic pattern with a single twist in the end, while everything that can go wrong for smuggler Wahlberg, does. It seems like a self-satisfying debut from director Baltasar Kormákur, who actually played Wahlberg’s lead role in the Icelandic original. Although watching Wahlberg beat up on bad guys is entertaining, the ending feels rushed. It’s almost as if time ran out because everyone was distracted with making sure Wahlberg could get around to punching everyone that needed punching, including his brother-in-law. Kate Beckinsale plays Wahlberg’s wife and, while she plays tough as well as her knuckle-dusting onscreen husband, it’s almost a relief when she is knocked out. She is pointless except to provide a source of motivation for Wahlberg to defend his family, but it seems that he never needs an excuse to hit someone in the face. Definitely worth a watch but don’t expect too much. GOOD FOR: Anyone who could never tire of Marky Mark or watching bad guys get it

like us on

SOCIALSCENE

facebook/tntdownunder

AUSTRALIAN FILM FESTIVAL

DON’T

MISS!

FILM

Think Australian film is just crocodile wrestlers, drag queens and talking pigs? Well, it’s time to broaden your horizons at the 3rd annual Australian Film Festival. For 11 days catch some of the best new films, along with shorts, classics and free beach side screenings. March 7-17, Sydney. Tickets from $11 australianfilmfestival.com.au

PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL

SYDNEY TASTE FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL

Don’t be confused by thinking folk music is for boring folk. This festival four hours west of Melbourne has the big Aussie names like John Butler and Lanie Lane headlining. The ticket price covers a whole weekend and access to 20 venues around a picturesque seaside village. Catch as many of the international and local acts as you can.

Make sure you take your stretchy pants as you eat your way through all the delish pop-up restaurants. Then wash it all down at your choice of bar. The Taste Festival is a weekend of glorious delights and is the biggest event on the Sydney foodie’s calender. Try to book in advance for cheap tickets.

March 9-12. Port Fairy, VIC. Tickets $225 portfairyfolkfestival.com

March 8-11. Centenniel Park. Tickets $25 tasteofsydney.com.au

BRISBANE IRISH FESTIVAL Trust the Irish to celebrate their national day with a nine day festival! Irish or not, if you’re in Brisbane from March 9-17 you can celebrate the land of limericks, leprechauns and Guinness. Festival goers will be treated to a packed schedule of events including dancing, Gaelic sports, film, food, trivia nights and music. The highlight of the event is of course the St Patrick’s Day parade through the CBD on March 17, with music from Australia’s adopted Irish ‘idol’ Damien Leith. Brisbane, Queensland brisbaneirishfestival.com

SCARY CANARY

PROJECT FIVE GRAFFITI

BAR

EXHIBITION

Backpackers take note. If you are looking for a lively bar with cheap drinks every night of the week, look no further than Scary Canary. It’s small, friendly and anything goes (except your travel money). Backpacker happy hour is every night 8-10pm, and you can also score a $5 meal. Every night is themed so join in the fun and get the discounts.

This urban arts experience kicks off with a featured retrospective exhibition and artist insight talks. Four leading street artists will produce their best work in the cobblestoned streets of The Rocks during March 9-11. Their work will then be auctioned for charity. Watch it come to life while Future Classic Deejays pump out the tunes.

469 Kent Street, Sydney

March 1-25. The Rocks, Sydney

COMEDY TICKETS

WIN

We have three double passes to see Canadian comedian Glenn Wool at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The modern day nomad is returning to Aussie shores, hot on the tails of his sold out critically-acclaimed Edinburgh show last year. Wool will be at Melbourne Town Hall, from March 29 to April 22. To enter, visit tntdownunder.com/competitions.html TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

CHATROOM

@tnt_downunder

Paul Foot The surrealist Englishman who started out with Noel Fielding, and has been credited with inspiring Russell Brand’s comedic style, is heading Down Under, so we said hello INTERVIEW LEIGH LIVINGSTONE

different, something to do with the ears. Anyway, it is certainly an unusual hairstyle, I have no say. My hairdresser modelled my hairstyle on my personality and it has stayed the same for eight years. Every four to five weeks I get it trimmed but you would never notice, a bit like dusting. Will you do any sight seeing in Oz? As a general rule I avoid sight seeing, I prefer work. I like sight seeing in a very casual way, like maybe with a bit of paper sitting somewhere having a nice cream tea writing some comedy ideas down while the sun shines in my face and I just glance out of my eyes at some nice Melbourne skyline. That’s enough sight seeing.

He’s a man, not a mullet

Why did you become a comedian? I did my first gig when I was 19. I thought it would be quite nice to just do it once. Never planned to do it ever again and as soon as I did, I immediately knew that it was going to be my career. Initially it didn’t go very well but I couldn’t think of anything else to do. When was your big break? I don’t think I had a big break. I suppose after about 12 years people started to accept it more and more. I invented the Guild of Connoisseurs about eight years ago, which is my fan club. The whole purpose of it was because I would often do shows where some people really liked it and others weren’t really interested. I just thought I might as well get all those people that really liked it and get them along. It gradually changed to having the right people along to see me and targeting it and it gradually improved. If you weren’t a comedian, you’d be... The short answer is I don’t know. I can’t imagine anything else, it feels so natural. A little bit of me feels like I would want to be a scholar in a library shut away, shy, behind bookcases, all quiet and never talking to anyone, the complete opposite. I do prefer the show business under the bright lights. It is just like anything to do 16

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

with performers and performing, it’s often a mass of contradictions, the people who are the performers if you met them at a party you wouldn’t know they were comedians. At once I feel utterly at home in show business and at the same time I feel utterly ridiculous. How was working with Noel Fielding? We have known each other for many years. We started in comedy at a similar time and he unwisely said he would like to direct my show, which he later described as trying to direct a cloud with a stick. He is quite interesting actually; it was more a meeting of minds really. The show was entirely my work; he would just sometimes have an idea of how I might move about as I did it or bring it to life really. Is it true that Russell Brand’s comedy style is inspired by you? We worked in a double act for quite a few months in 2004. I think certainly some influence from me was felt on Russell. He became a bit more like me afterwards. It’s a compliment. You have a cracking mullet; do you hope to bring them back in style? My hairdresser informs me that it is not technically speaking a mullet. Mullet is slightly

You’re in the Robin Da Hood Virgin Mobile ads here. How did that happen? They asked me is the short answer. They liked me and it was a bit of a gamble but they decided to have me and my highly eccentric manner. Basically the Robin Da Hood character was based around me and I just put my ludicrous accent on. I hear you can go into Virgin Mobile stores and there is a life size cardboard cut-out of me? What I am hoping to do is go into a store and ask “may I have one?” and I am hoping that the airline will allow me to take it back. Do you improvise a lot? There is some that is prepared but there is a lot of improvisation. I am just going with the vibe a lot of the time, just surfing the waves of energy. I see myself as like a Bondi Beach surfer, the waves are the waves of laughter, I am the surfer, my board is my humour and the beach on which I am eventually washed up is the tax man who then takes much of my money away. Leaving me with a crushing disappointment. In that analogy you are a lady sitting in a beach hut high up on the beach looking out of a window.

Paul Foot plays the Adelaide Fringe Festival (6-18 March). He’s then at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from 29 Mar to 22 Apr. Head to tntdownunder.com to win tickets for this Thursday’s Adelaide show. adelaidefringe.com.au & comedyfestival.com.au

Just hanging out in a field, as you do 18

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

MUSICFOCUS

facebook/tntdownunder

Going back to the future There are few names bigger in indie music than Australia-bound Kaiser Chiefs, so we gave frontman Ricky Wilson a call... WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Anybody that's seen the Kaiser Chiefs play live will know that singer Ricky Wilson is not a man that lacks energy on stage. He jumps, he screams, he stage dives and, if there's any scaffolding in sight, it's only a matter of time before he's scrambled halfway to the top, midsong. He's as natural a frontman as you'll see. So it's perhaps surprising when, chatting on the phone from the UK, he readily admits that, even now, he gets stage fright before every gig he does. "Every night," explains Ricky, "a few seconds before I go out on stage, it always seems like the worst idea in the world. But I’ve got used to the fact now that I know that once I’m out there it’s great." "I’m not an applause junkie," he continues. "It’s not like I crave the appreciation, I can’t really explain it. I find it really weird. I mean, I don’t feel comfortable in a room with more than like eight people. I don’t know what happens or what takes over when I walk out on stage but I become very comfortable. It’s an outlet. We took about a year and a half, two years, away from the stage and I had to go running every day. It was mad, it was like I needed something else. I think it’s more of an outlet to get my frustrations out. It’s not so much that I like people clapping, I like knocking things over and being naughty. I think it’s kind of controlled aggression." Indeed it doesn't take long chatting to Ricky for it to become clear he's a man who lives for the band and doing new things. Talking on the phone he's typically laidback and dripping with his easy humour, but is clearly not well, having got sick towards the end of the band's longest-ever UK tour – "man, it was fucking gruelling – luckily the doctor put me on some magic pills and, although I haven't slept for three days, I put in some good performances". The bout of flu caused a frantic scramble for a last-minute replacement interview at TNT Towers last week, but, excited to chat about the upcoming Aussie tour, and drugged up to the eye balls, the Leeds man still insisted on taking the call. "I love coming to Australia. It’s so relaxing. You know, you go to America and they’ll have us getting up at seven in the morning to do some sort of in-store in a record shop, whereas we come to Australia and we get loads of days off." Regulars to the land Down Under since debut record

Employment first dropped back in 2005, along with a succession of hits like "I Predict A Riot", the triple Brit award-winners can't wait to explore new territory as one of the headline acts of the Groovin' the Moo festival.

“

It's not like I crave the appreciation. I just like knocking things over and being naughty

”

"I’d never heard of [Groovin the Moo]," he concedes. "But I’m getting a lot of tweets and stuff about it saying it’s good." So, I suggest, he doesn't have too much of a role in deciding where they play? "Ah, it depends who you talk to in the band, everyone will say something different. But I’m of the school of just book it and give me a plan. I pay too many people far too much money for me to worry about stuff like that!" Not getting bored, it seems, is the key. "We’ve played most of the festivals on the planet so this is a new one, and anything new I love. It’s great travelling the world, and I love it, but I don’t want to ever get used to it, because as soon as you get used to it, it gets boring." That probably explains why, when I ask if they've lined up any festivals for the next UK summer, he's like an excited backpacker with a ticket in his pocket, not interested in anything other than the upcoming trip. "You know what, I’m sure it’s all in place. But the thing is, people from the UK are kind of blinkered because they just think of like Leeds and Reading or whatever. They don’t realise that there’s also loads in Europe and Australia and America. It’s the most fun time to be in a band. We just travel the world, working at weekends. It’s a bit like being at school in summer." Indeed, the need to keep doing something original is nothing new for the Kaisers. After releasing three albums in quick succession, and getting their first UK number one, TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photos: Danny North, Getty Images

From left: The Leeds five-piece together; Ricky singing at last year's Glastonbury festival

courtesy of "Ruby", from the Yours Truly, Angry Mob record, back in 2007, the five-piece indie kings took some time off, returning last year with their first album in three years, released in a revolutionary way – the band recorded 20 songs for The Future Is Medieval and allowed fans to listen to them all on their website, before picking their 10 favourites to make up their own personalised version of the record. Seven months on, are they glad they did the experiment? "Well, I wouldn’t do it again, but it worked for us. It’s an idea, at least we had an idea you know what I mean. In a world full of people moaning about the music industry, and there’s a lot to moan about, don’t get me wrong, but there’s no point moaning. It doesn’t do anyone any good, it just does you harm. So we thought let’s do something that might be an answer, not the answer, because it’s fundamentally flawed, but it was fun and it worked and we were the first people to do it. It certainly didn’t translate into sales but to have a million people come on your website in the first couple of days is great. As long as a million people know about it, that’s half the battle won. "Music’s gone tits up and you can either ride out the storm and see what happens or start coming up with ideas. We just came up with an idea and I’m glad we did it. It was fucking good fun." But that begs the question as to why a band so clearly completely full of enthusiasm decided to take so much time off? "I don’t know really," Ricky tries to explain. "To be honest, it’s weird. Hiatus, or time off, you kind of forget that the world thinks you disappear, but when you’re you, you 20

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

don’t disappear, you just carry on. I had to live with me every day. We carried on writing songs and carried on recording. It was only like six months after the last gig that we started making the last album so it didn’t really feel like much time off, and then there were so many songs that it took a lot of time. It was a big undertaking. "It’s weird when people hail it as a comeback because you’ve been you all along. Sometimes you just go and tour Europe for a few months and then when you’re back people say, 'it’s a comeback'. It’s like, fuck, I’ve been working every day, you know what I mean. It’s not like I’m on a beach somewhere. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose, like anyone in the public eye." So, can we expect plenty more from the Kaisers? He's not looking to try something else? "Before the band, I had lots of shit jobs. Well, all jobs are shit man. Mainly I was an art teacher. I went into that all guns blazing, thinking I was going to change the world, then a couple of weeks later you realise you’re not going to change the world. It was kind of fun, the kids were cool, but I didn’t like all the paperwork. Now I'm in my favourite band and that's a good job. I'm pretty lucky." Tickets are now on sale for Kaiser Chiefs' shows in Brisbane (May 8), Auckland (May 10), Sydney (May 15), Melbourne (May 16) and Perth (May 18). You can also catch them at the Groovin' The Moo festival, which hits Bendigo (May 5), Townsville (May 6), Maitland (May 12), Canberra (May 13) and Bunbury (May 19). frontiertouring.com/kaiserchiefs & gtm.net.au

Ofﬁcial

ve I lo

tour and night night FREE king a when boo at Ocean Bunyip Gre . . Visit www r… u to d a Ro 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.

ADDICTIVE_667.indd 1

2/02/12 5:08 PM

CELEBGOSSIP

@tnt_downunder

Break your momma’s back, bitch

KIM WHIPS DEMI [USA]

AGY NOT GOOD WITH NUMBERS [UK]

She’s a model, so it came as no surprise when Agyness Deyn revealed her true age as 29 – six years older than she has led us to believe all this time. The blonde model, who was born Laura Hollins, sexed up her name and downplayed her age when she became a model. “When I decided I would really do modelling I was like 18, and I think at the time that was quite old for a new face, so we knocked off a few years,” Agy told The Guardian. For the most part she got away with it, besides a group of bitter school friends who created the Facebook page, “Agyness Deyn You Are Not 18”, which, I’ve gotta say, has a nice ring to it. She could have just said she was born on February 29, that would make her about seven years old. Which, if you put 22

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Gold member: George Clooney may not have walked home with an Oscar but he did walk home with a gold statue. Girlfriend Stacy Keibler stood by Georgie, who was beaten to the ‘best actor’ Oscar by The Artist’s Jean Dujardin. The Frenchmen didn’t even need words to win. But, as always, George had the last laugh with his girlfriend’s fully-functional vagina dress that hovered strategically over his crotch.

her next to the haggard old rag Lindsay Lohan, who is 25, would put things into proportion.

ANGIE’S LEG WINS OSCAR [USA]

As the Oscars were about as entertaining as watching paint dry on a painting of a cricket game, we should thank God for Angelina Jolie and her right leg. She was the breakout meme of the day as she posed on the red carpet (and again on stage) looking like she’s trying to pop out a baby. Midwives were waiting in the wings,

it’s Angelina Jolie after all. Now her right leg has over 40,000 followers (and growing) on Twitter. Her “look at me leg” is more popular than J-Lo’s nipple, which also has its own Twitter page. J-Lo, clearly bitter by Angie’s success blamed Janet Jackson for making the nipple-slip so 2004 “The leg had much more airtime.... I was stunted by network TV.” We’re all stunned J-Lo, but when the going gets tough, we make do with what we’ve got. Which is also what Brad says every time Angie tries to cock her right leg over him.

Photos: Getty Images

Note to the rehab-stricken Demi Moore: when Kim Kardashian calls you immature, you know you’ve hit rock bottom. No amount of detoxing or 12-step programmes can save you now. Apparently Kim Kardashian was overheard at Elton John’s Oscar party dissing 49-year-old Demi for her nitrous oxide-filled “whip-its”, saying, “and she called me immature”. Bit of background: Kim tweeted that she was out “big pimping” with her friends (the picture of maturity). So Demi tweeted, “If we want to end slavery we need to stop glorifying the ‘pimp’ culture.” Kim responded with an eloquent “LOL” and reportedly went to the DJ to dedicate the song “Whip it” by Devo to Demi. It’s kind of like fighting fire with hairspray, no one is the winner here. I give up.

like us on

CELEBGOSSIP

facebook/tntdownunder

TWEETS OF THE WEEK @JessieJ “Luggage drama, passport drama, emergency landings.. 40 hours later. Hello Australia. #ineedashower” @MarkMedley “Does JK Rowling’s new novel become the most anticipated book af all time? It’s like God announcing a follow-up to the Bible”

“Carrie” before the aging effects of nicotine and Cosmo’s

@GQMagazine “Who do you think is going to be the Prime Minister? Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd or one of the monkeys from Taronga Zoo”

ANNA IS CARRIED AWAY [USA]

It’s the role every actress dreams of, the younger, less horse-like version of Carrie Bradshaw. And it’s been announced as Anna Sophia Robb. Seriously, are two first names a prerequisite to being a young Sarah Jessica Parker? There were plenty of rumours, from Blake Lively to Dianna Argon but the girl who (digitally) chopped her arm as Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer will play the title role in the upcoming Carrie Diaries. If that’s what it takes, I think James Franco bears more of a resemblance. Anyway, the casting call described the role of Carrie as a “quirky, charming, witty 16 year old,” who unfortunately has “a complete lack of knowledge about love, sex and relationships.” That is because she hasn’t yet met Samantha Jones.

XENA THE OIL WARRIOR [NEW ZEALAND]

Ah, Lucy Lawless. She has a rack for bronze plated armour and a name for breaking the law. And she lived up to both this week when she got arrested. The New Zealand born actress was protesting against a Shell oil-drilling ship along with a bunch of activists from Greenpeace. They delayed the ship a few days by climbing on board and were arrested for doing so. Meanwhile, true Xena fans reminded her that she acted as a pump attendant in a Shell TV commercial in the early 90s. She responded to this revelation with, “I was pumping gas and somebody, and I don’t think it was me, said, ‘It’s the fuel of the future.’” Ah, the old, “I can’t remember if it was my line” defence. I hear actors saying that all of the time. Pump calling the kettle black, Lucy?

@ConanOBrian “If Meryl Streep is really such a great actress, why won’t she play the lead in my new movie, “The Tupac Shakur Story””

@JoanRivers “Not sure I’m popular in the spirit world. Last time I consulted a Ouija board, it told me to fuck off” @LadyGaga “I’m so excited to launch the BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION at Harvard tomorrow. I’ll be there with an amazing repertoire of experts”

See my bling

DID NAT PORT HER SHIP? [USA]

Natalie Portman: quiet, dignified and private. If she was to get married, she would keep it to herself. She would never use the Oscars to debut her wedding day bling, would she? Think again. Natalie rocked up to the Oscars with her French fiancé, Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, rocking a red frock and a mighty big rock. Benjamin Twinkletoes was also wearing a wedding band on his finger. Did they really think they could slip through? Did she think Jennifer Lopez’s nipple-popping dress would be so distracting she could *slip* into the Oscars relatively unnoticed? Luckily the reliable (cunning) sources at E! News are saying that they did get married, without actually saying that they did. They contacted a jeweller who said the rings, which were eco-friendly and made with conflict-free diamonds (puh-lease), could be wedding rings, or they could just be rings. “I designed rings for the couple and cannot attach meaning to those items.” Wink wink, okay and Black Swan was just a film about dancing. Yeah right...

@JamesArgent “Death of Large Arg The Tubby Crooner! Isn’t a single person who believes I’ll complete the LDN Marathon but I’ll prove everyone wrong”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK I worked at a car wash, I worked at a pizza place. Things like that made me Made you fat? Is that what you mean K-Fed?

WORLDNEWS

@tnt_downunder

The race is on: Giant Olympic rings travelled on a barge along the River Thames to mark 150 days left until the 2012 London Games. The rings measured 11 metres high and 25 metres long. The Olympics officially begin on July 27, this year.

A shining citizen

AS DUMB AS IT GETS [BRAZIL]

Photo: Getty Images

A man has been charged with falsifying public documents after he was caught using the identity of actor Jack Nicholson to open a bank account. The 41-year-old Brazilian man was carrying several other cards at the time but was arrested when he attempted to open a bank account using identity with Jack Nicholson’s photo and name.

TEMPERATURE RISING [SWEDEN]

A Swedish hospital has defended its advertisement targeting attractive emergency room nurses who are either “hip” or “TV hot”. “You will be motivated, professional, and have a sense of humour. And of course, you will be TV-series hot or a hipster,” the ad read. “Throw in a nurse’s education and you are welcome to seek a summer job at Sodersjukhuset’s emergency department,” the ad continued. The hospitals’s nursing manager Jorgen Andersson insisted the ad was a tongue-incheek campaign to attract applicants, and he did not believe that it would put off less attractive qualified candidates.

BADU’S BODY TABOO [MALAYSIA]

Muslim groups in Malaysia banned a concert by Erykah Badu after a photograph appeared showing the singer with the Arabic word for Allah written on her body. The American R&B singer was scheduled

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

to perform in Kuala Lumpur, but some Muslim groups said Badu was an unsuitable role model for young Malaysians after seeing a publicity photo of her with what appeared to be temporary tattoos of the word Allah on her bare shoulders.

FIRST CLASS FRIGHT [USA]

A pilot’s birthday greeting caused panic on a US flight after passengers misheard the word “mom” as “bomb”. The incident occurred when an air traffic controller asked the pilot to wish his mother, who was on board, a happy birthday over the plane’s PA system. Many passengers on board the Southwest Airlines flight from Baltimore to New York reportedly panicked after believing the pilot said the plane had “a bomb on board” rather than “a mom on board”. Flight attendants tried to calm passengers and explain the mistake but

several passengers have since complained to the airline’s authorities.

AN OPEN CAGE POLICY [AUSTRALIA]

A report has shown that dozens of animals have escaped the enclosures of Melbourne’s zoo’s. Kangaroos, aardvarks, lizards and pythons were among the 78 animals recorded as having fled captivity, with only 66 of them recovered. In total, 217 animals disappeared between January 2010 and September last year, among them small creatures such as reptiles and birds, gone without a trace, the quarterly Animal Care report revealed. Escapes were most common from walkin enclosures such as avaries. The report also revealed some zoo visitors were bitten by snakes, while some were roughed up by kangaroos, and others stalked by large birds.

HOTSHOTS

us on @tnt_downunder follow us onfollow @tnt_downunder

MARK THOMAS Talks travel photography

WINNER MONTHLY WINNER KOALAS IN THE MIST Nienke Krook, 28, The Netherlands

MARK SAYS: “Nienke shows great technical ability having sharp focus on the koala while shooting directly through the foliage.”

MONTHLY RUNNER-UP AYER-CONDITIONING Jim Dabbadie, 29, France

RUNNER-UP

MARK SAYS: “Another nice technical shot here from Jim with good exposure and differential focus helping to match the scene to his friend’s thoughts on Uluru.”

HOT TIPS: Framing A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

THREE DAYS CAR HIRE 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 Monthly winner Nienke wins three days car hire from Travellers Auto Barn (travellers-autobarn.com.au). While the monthly runner-up Jim wins a Rough Guides book of his choice sent to an Oz or NZ address. roughguides.com

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

WIN

Good framing is fundamental to great photography, and makes the difference between boredom and fascination. Bear in mind that what you leave out is as important as what you include. When shooting, you should think about what it is that makes this scene interesting to you. What caught your eye? Was it something tangible? A building, a door-handle, a person? Or was it more abstract: a reflection, a juxtaposition, a perspective? Through the use of proper framing, you are allowing the viewer to see what you saw. Your choice of lens is therefore an important framing device: a macro lens can capture minute detail, while a wide-angle lens can be used to capture vast scale. Experiment with different ones and see how it turns out.

cker a p k c a B fares l i a r y d Rea > ADL $49

MEL < $125 > ADL SYD < $175 > ALICE ADL < $175 <> DAR E IC L A $219 PER > < L D A $299 PER > < D SY

The most relaxed way to see the vast Australian Outback is by train.

%BSXJO

r 4USFUDI ZPVS MFHT JO ZPVS TQBDJPVT SFDMJOFS TFBU r $IJMM PVU JO UIF MPVOHF* r .BLF GSJFOET IBWF B TOBDL PS EJOOFS JO UIF MJDFOTFE DBGF CBS r 'SFTIFO VQ XJUI PO CPBSE TIPXFS GBDJMJUJFT*

"MJDF 4QSJOHT ULURU

1FSUI

"EFMBJEF

4ZEOFZ

.FMCPVSOF

r $IPPTF GSPN UIF OFX GSFTI NFOV

Visit greatsouthernrail.com.au/backpackers or book with your licensed travel agent. Terms and conditions apply. All Backpacker ReadyRail fares are based on Red Service Day/Nighter Seat Service and are available to members of recognised backpacker organisations for bookings made from 1 April 2012 for travel until 31 March 2013. All fares are also available in opposite direction. All fares include a fuel price surcharge. Prices are subject to change without notice, available for instant purchase. Non-refundable. *Shower and lounge facilities not available on The Overland, Melbourne <> Adelaide. An additional lounge access charge of $10 for 1-sector, $15 for 2-sector or $25 for 3-sector is required and payable onboard. Travel Agent License No.TTA164190. 01917CDGM

TRAVELTIPS

like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

ON THE ROAD WITH TRAVEL

TALK MEGAN BELCHER 26, CANADA WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELLED SO FAR?

Tassie’s trash is another’s treasure

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

there good diving spots in Q Are Tasmania? Ella Storm, Canada over-looked, Tassie has some of A Often the world’s best temperate diving – from the giant kelp forests and sponge gardens to the abundance of sea dragons and spooky shipwrecks you can explore. The coastline of Tasmania is clear and the visibility in the cooltemperate waters is excellent, ranging from 12 metres in the summer to 40 metres or more in the winter. One of the best underwater spots is in Tasmania’s Bay of Fires where you can see everything from dolphins at Skeleton Bay to mako sharks at Merricks Reef. Or you can choose to swim through the underwater caves in Elephant Rock. Another great spot for diving is the Tasman Peninsula where you can navigate through an impressive kelp forest off Eaglehawk Neck. Around here there is always somewhere to dive, no matter the conditions. If exploring shipwrecks interests you, then you have plenty to discover in Tasmania. There are almost 500 shipwreck sites off Tasmania to chose from but sticking to the Tasman Peninsula you have the Nord which sunk in 1915. This steel steamship hit unchartered reef and now lies upright at a depth of 42 metres. This is considered one of the best wreck dives in Australia. More experienced divers will enjoy the Hippolyte Rock site where you can dive amongst a colony of very curious and playful Australian fur seals. Be warned, depth and strong currents do limit this area to divers with extensive experience. 28

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Mostly mainland Australia and I’ve done Tasmania as well. I love Tasmania, we caravanned there for five days and saw lots of wallabies and Tasmanian devils. MOST MEMORABLE DAY IN OZ?

going to do a road trip up the Q I’m east coast of Australia, where do you suggest I stop along the way? Pete Harper, Ireland Sydney and Cairns is over 2,500km A Dividing of adventure activities, sexy scenery and even sexier beaches. The coast has built a wellearned reputation for being a boozy hot spot, but because it’s such a massive place, you can choose to dive head first or take it slower. Your typical party areas include Byron Bay (New South Wales), Gold Coast, Airlie Beach and Cairns (all in Queensland) but there’s also no shortage of quieter options should you need to have a breather. If time is not an issue then don’t rush through New South Wales. Too many people skip through it when there’s some amazing areas to be seen. Port Macquarie and Crescent Head are great for surfing, plus climb Mt Warning, between Byron and the Gold Coast, to be the first in Australia to see the sun rise. Or if you have even more time, start on the south coast of New South Wales and skip on over to Montague Island. Here you can see penguins and fur seals on this untouched, secluded island. Then of course, once you get to Queensland, every type of activity is in abundance. Town of 1770 and Mission Beach are both good fun. Fraser Island, from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay is a hot spot, as is Magnetic Island off Townsville. When you hit Airlie Beach, we recommend that you explore the waters surrounding the 74 Whitsunday islands – on a sailboat of course.

Australia Day in Brisbane. We went down to the lagoon for about four hours and we hit up a beer festival and some local pubs too. FAVOURITE SPOT IN OZ?

Byron Bay. It’s relaxed and very laidback. I like the pubs, it’s not too crazy but you meet a lot of locals. WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

Definitely my family, but there is a cocktail at home that’s called the Bloody Caesar and I miss that every morning that I’m hungover. WEIRDEST EXPERIENCE ON THE ROAD?

The caravan tour in Tasmania. Those caravans really should be fourwheel-drives. Going down uneven roads you fear it’s going to collapse. ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS?

Take it all in and don’t rush yourself or your travels.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA EXPERIENCE

WIN

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

XXXXXX TOP FIVE TRAVELLERSTALE

WHAT A DRAG

Straight Yankee MATTHEW SMITH got into Sydney’s Gay Mardi Gras spirit by getting ripped, whipped and completely glittered.... To start with a little background information, I am a 25-year-old Californian male couch-surfing my way across Australia. Only here for two months, my goal is to visit old friends, find some new ones, surf, drink, party, and maybe feel the warm embrace of a lady-friend once in a while. Being a Californian native, I have been raised to be open-minded and accepting of all walks of life. So when a friend of mine told me about Mardi Gras in Sydney and how wild it was, I had to check it out. Jesus Christ… It’s probably the wildest spectacle I have ever witnessed. After ripping a thousand beers at our hotel room, I was conned into dressing festively (dressing gay) because, supposedly everyone else will be dressed up. And, furthermore, the clubs in the area won’t let you in unless you are dressed flamboyantly. So I tossed on a woman’s American flag dress, threw a little glitter on

my face and called myself done. My buddy Steinburger and I hopped into a cab towards the parade. The cabbie dropped us off as close as he could get, which wasn’t close at all, and we hoofed-it on foot the rest of the way. As we got closer to the parade, the police had created these detour paths, which caused a ton of chaos because there were so many people trying to squeeze by us. The crowds were pretty annoying but it was good for people-watching: half naked chicks with nothing on but nipple-tassels and G-strings, gay dudes wearing only their whitey-tighties looking like Abercrombie models, drag queens, and so on and so on. After pushing our way through a sea of people, Steinburger and I were able to find a hole in the crowd and watch the parade. It was mental! The parade runs for about three or four hours. We only caught about 45 minutes of the tail end of it, but it was incredible. Picture thousands of people dancing down the street wearing basically nothing and holding rainbow flags.

The floats were the best part though. The best way to describe it would be to think: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade back in the US was cummed on by a gay unicorn and dried off with a rainbow coloured towel – glitter, bright colours, and neon everywhere – amazing. Every float seemed to be better than the last. The climax of the night was when a float called Hardcore Heaven rolled through. It was dedicated to bondage – people whipping people, and everyone dressed up in leathers and going to town on each other. There was a man in a pink schoolgirl’s outfit whipping some poor woman in leathers. But that is nothing. At the back of the float, there was a 150kg black man wearing nothing but a chain mill, medieval-style mask and a black G-string. His job was to whip someone tied to a metal fence with the biggest whip on earth. The parade ended at around 11pm and Steinburger and I ended up going to some random club with our friends and some German backpackers we met. Needless to say, it was one of the raddest nights of my life. I’m not gay, and neither are probably 60 per cent of people out that night, but it was a blast partying with tens of thousands of people that are pumped on having a good time and expressing themselves however they want. All the power to them. So, if you are ever in Sydney at the end of February, go to the Mardi Gras Parade! It is something that you will never forget.

TRAVEL VOUCHERS

WIN

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

VICTORIA

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photos: Tourism Victoria, Destination Gippsland, Paul Winslow

Wilsons Promontory

like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

MELBOURNEGETAWAY

Make a date for the Prom Looking for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in Melbourne? Then why not camp it up at Wilsons Promontory? WORDS PAUL WINSLOW

Photos: Tourism Victoria, Destination Gippsland, Paul Winslow

GETTING THERE: Ideally you need to have your own car The campsite at Tidal River is not so much a blend of beaches, granite cliffs, sand dunes and or hire one to make the most of a campsite as a camp city. We are staying on moorland. Whether you want to go hiking, chill 34th Street, which is an address I‘d usually out on the beach, surf, or simply sit around your visit to Wilsons Prom. It’s around associate with the metropolitan mayhem campsite and watch the world go by, here is a 230km from Melbourne, travelling of New York, not one of Victoria’s most down the South Gippsland Highway place where the pace of life is slow enough to endearing and popular national parks. I’ve please yourself. and then following the signs via lived in smaller apartments than some of Foster or Fish Creek to get there. If TONGUE TIME the tents on show here and many visitors you don’t have access to a car, V eschew tents altogether and move in with Line runs services to Foster. Staff at There’s a decent range of walks on offer, from immense campervans. the YHA hostel there can arrange short strolls around Tidal River to overnight hikes. Wilsons Prom might be an ideal place transfers into the park. One of the simplest and most rewarding is to to get away from it all, but it seems most CAMPING: Camping should the top of the aforementioned Mount Oberon. of its inhabitants like their home comforts. ideally be booked in advance, You can walk from Tidal River or take advantage I went down with some of the area’s regulars of the regular shuttle buses that run from there although it’s not imperative who pack more belongings in their car for a to various walking start points. It’s a relatively other than on the most popular weekend away than I own. Not that there’s simple climb that takes you up the lee of the weekends. Camping on a nonanything wrong with that, but as more of a mountain so you have no glimpse of what is to powered site is $24 for 1-3 people hardy camper, who likes a more back-to-basics come, intensifying the impact when you finally including one vehicle peak rate. approach, it was something of a culture shock. step over a rocky crest to see the world suddenly SEE: parkweb.vic.gov.au Usually any discomfort caused by hardcore spread beneath you in epic glory. camping is overcome by the consumption of I also took a longer option from Darby Saddle alcohol, but on this occasion there was no discomfort and the via Tongue Point to Darby River. This incorporates fantastic alcohol I did consume was kept cold by a steady supply of ice in viewpoints at Sparkes Lookout and Lookout Rocks before a the eskies... so who was I to complain? descent to Tongue Point, a great little headland. Following the coast for a bit you then flip over the top of a ridge and the HIGH TIDE scenery changes from coastline to vast swathes of moor with But if the camping wasn’t quite what I’m accustomed to, the the Prom’s one and only road cutting through it. surroundings were definitely something I could get used to. Tidal GREEN SHOOTS River is overshadowed by Mount Oberon, overlooked by rolling Unfortunately, Wilsons Prom is only half the national park sand dunes and nestled in the junction created by the river and it used to be, due to the fact it has been in the wars of late. In the sea. There’s little wonder this place is so popular that even with a quite staggering 484 campsites (and some alternative 2009, a lightning strike initiated a series of bushfires that burnt roofed accommodation should you require), demand still half of the bushland. Evidence of those fires is still very much regularly outstrips supply. And the temporary human population apparent and actually adds to the charm. There’s something is complemented by a number of permanent residents, the eerily beautiful about burnt out trees, and the juxtaposition of wombats who amble around minding their own business for fresh green vegetation around them, or indeed growing out the most part, but also stealing any food not locked away. of them, is a fantastic reminder of the cycle of destruction and Wilsons Prom is the most southerly part of mainland Australia rebirth that occurs with such disasters. and offers some of the country’s finest scenery, a stunning In 2011, it was water’s turn to wreak havoc where once fire TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

31 31

SANDS OF TIME OUR FAVE WILSONS PROM BEACHES FAIRY COVE: It’s a 3.5km walk from Darby River or 4.5km from Darby Saddle and then you have a steep descent to negotiate. But the pristine bay is worth the effort and, because of its relative inaccessibility, you’ll have much more of it to yourself than other beaches. SQUEAKY BEACH: Australians seem fascinated by the idea of a beach that squeaks, as though it’s the only one of its type in the world. Whether the sand squeaks or not is kind of irrelevant to us. It’s more the fact it’s one of those unspoiled stretches of sand bookended by rocky promontories. NORMAN BEACH: It’s the popular option for families because the tide goes out a long way, meaning there’s lots of space and, when the tide does come in, the water is very shallow. It’s also just a hop, skip or a crawl from the Tidal River campsite. But this perennial favourite is big enough for everyone to fulfil their seaside desires. DARBY BEACH: A 1km stroll from Darby River car park, this place is popular with surfers. The surf is hardly dramatic, but enough for some fun and if you’re looking for a long walk on a beach this is the best option as it goes on for miles. Just don’t forget that you have to walk back.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

When you finally step over the crest, you see the world spread beneath you in epic glory

â&#x20AC;?

had ruled. Extreme rainfall led many campers to abandon their sites and return home, but a hardy 130 remained in the face of extreme weather. When the bridge at Darby River collapsed, everyone was stranded and people were moved to higher ground before a helicopter evacuation could be carried out. It took an $8.8 million grant to repair the bridge, roads and buildings at Tidal River before Wilsons Prom could open for business again and sadly the southern half of the Prom is still closed, which means some of the more rugged wilderness, including the achingly beautiful lighthouse walk, is off limits. But while traditionally it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay to do things by halves, a trip to Wilsons Prom is Bundaberg: In search definitely an exception of turtles in QLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to that rule, so pack up harvest hotspot your kitchen sink and get down there. â?&#x161;

NEXT WEEK

+(@ .9,(; 6*,(5 96(+ (5+ .9(470(5: ;6<9:

Â&#x2039; +,7(9;:! ,]LY` 4VUKH` ;O\YZKH` :H[\YKH` )L[^LLU ! (4 ! (4 Â&#x2039; 9,;<95! )HJR [V 4LSIV\YUL HWWYV_PTH[LS` H[ ! 74 ;V\Y 0UJS\KLZ! KVYT HJJVTTVKH[PVU TVYUPUN [LH YLZ[H\YHU[ S\UJO IYLHRMHZ[ HSS WHYR LU[Y` MLLZ JV\Y[LZ` OVZ[LS OV[LS WPJR\W ^PUL [HZ[PUN

+(@ .9,(; 6*,(5 96(+ (5+ 7/03307 0:3(5+ ;6<9:

Â&#x2039; +,7(9;:! :H[\YKH` 4VUKH` ;O\YZKH` 7LHR ZLHZVU Â&#x2039; 9,;<95! ! 74 ^PU[LY 4PKUPNO[ Z\TTLY ;V\Y 0UJS\KLZ! TVYUPUN [LH IYLHRMHZ[ KPUULYZ KVYT HJJVTTVKH[PVU 8\LLUZJSPMM [V :VYYLU[V MLYY` YPKL WHYR MLLZ PUULY JP[` OV[LS WPJR \W HUK KYVW VMM

4LSIV\YUL (\Z[YHSPH ;V\YZ OHZ THU` TVYL HUK KH` ZWLJPHSZ *VU[HJ[ VUL VM V\Y ,UNSPZO 4HUKHYPU ZWLHRPUN Z[HMM TLTILYZ MVY [V\Y PUMVYTH[PVU 4LSIV\YUL (\Z[YHSPH ;V\YZ (\Z[YHSPH ZJLUPJ +H` ;V\YZ -HTPS` V^ULK HUK VWLYH[LK ,_WHUKPUN (\Z[YHSPH >PKL

)\ZPULZZ TVIPSL ,THPS!PUMV'TLSIV\YULH\Z[YHSPH[V\YZ JVT H\ :R`WL! TLSIV\YULH\Z[YHSPH[V\YZ

^^^ TLSIV\YULH\Z[YHSPH[V\YZ JVT H\ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Mission Beach TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photos: Tourism Queensland, Raging Thunder, Skydive Mission Beach

Relax before feeling the rush

like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

OZADVENTURE

Thrills ‘n’ spills Not factored Mission Beach into your east coast plans? Big mistake, as the north Queensland town is one giant adventure playground WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Photos: Tourism Queensland, Raging Thunder, Skydive Mission Beach

WHAT TO DO: Jump from 14,000ft with Skydive “Your mission, should you choose to accept just going to have to wait (again, sigh). Mission Beach (07 4068 7477, it,” crackles the voice over my phone, “is to My first appointment is with another activity not leave town until you are battered, bruised that this corner of Tropical North Queensland has skydivemissionbeach.com) from and more than a little hungover. Got it?” rightly become very famous for – skydiving. I’ve $344. Full day Xtreme whitewater “No problem,” I think. After all, those activities skydived once before, meaning that as I pull on rafting with Raging Thunder (07 happen to be my three specialties. It’s then my jumpsuit, I feel calm. Cocky almost. After all, 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au) that my Mission Beach chaperone, as if on cue, I know what to expect and can well remember costs from $215. appears before me, with a grin on his face and how much I’d loved it the first time. ACCOMMODATION: an eye on the brilliant blue sky. “Right then,” Beds at Scotty’s (07 4068 8676, CHUTING UP he says, “we better get you up there”. scottysbeachhouse.com.au) cost It’s the first of my few days in Mission Beach, from $24 a night. Beds at Absolute However, stepping onto the tiny plane, which at first glance had seemed more than everything changes. The terror takes hold as we Backpackers (07 4068 8317, enough to do justice to this seemingly-sleepy head slowly and shakily up to 14,000ft. Below absolutebackpackers.com.au) cost town just south of Cairns. us we can see the Tully River, an endless line of from $22 a night. Indeed, thanks to being surrounded beach and the sparkling ocean, dotted with the SEE: missionbeachtourism.com by highly-protected World Heritage-listed Family Islands and the Great Barrier Reef itself. rainforests, big developments have failed to I still find it hard to get a footing in the area, meaning that Mission Beach, actually control The Fear in these situations. a string of several beaches spread over 14km, has succeeded in I know it’s perfectly safe (well, sort keeping its small town feel. But to think there’s nothing going of). And that I’m going to love on is a huge schoolboy error. Lurking beyond the spectacular it. But for some reason, my stretches of sand, cocktails and hammocks are some of Australia’s bastard brain insists on turning most exciting activities. me into a demented wreck whenever I’m about to jump into thin air. Anyway, MISSION: MAYHEM with The Fear just about under control, Approaching from all sides but one is the jungle. Some experts the door flings open. The deafening claim it’s home to even more forms of life than the average dorm whoosh means just one thing… My time has come. bed, but it’s the giant and very odd-looking cassowary which is Edging over to the gaping hole, my the real star of the show. Nowhere else in the world are legs dangle through and I look down. Even you more likely to spot one of these huge birds in the wild. second time around, I’m in complete disbelief Beyond the trees lies the equally wild Tully River, arguably as I watch the world rush past between my legs. the best place to go whitewater rafting in Australia. Meanwhile, Suddenly we’re gone and it’s rush hour. I woop almost touching the trees is the ocean, from where you’re just and yell, scream and grin like a man in a padded a few splashes away from the Great Barrier Reef. cell. It’s even better than I remember. And if that wasn’t enough, overlooking the reef are islands This time I have another skydiver jumping so drop-dead gorgeous that they boast a $3,000 a night resort, with me as a cameraman. He flies in and out, fancy enough to regularly host the likes of Jessica Alba, Justin we play around pretending to swim through the Timberlake and even Fergie (as in the ex-princess, not the pea). air, or grabbing hands, while we drop towards In other words, I have a lot to do, meaning stalking Jessica is TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

35 5

the ground like stones. It’s brilliant fun and, not being quite so overwhelmed by the experience second time around, I take in just how stunning the view is as I plummet Earth-bound. It’s as good as any scenic flight I’ve ever taken, except this time I’m the aeroplane. Then the chute opens and my instructor turns viciously to the left and right, spinning us down towards the beach like the most evil rollercoaster imaginable as we suddenly dip towards the beach and feel sand beneath our feet. I’m back on solid ground, wandering if I’ll still be scared the third time. No doubt my stomach will… it lasts half an hour before I throw up. RAPID DESCENT Next morning I’m up early. Shaking an alcoholic haze from my head, I desperately try to piece together fragmented memories of the previous night. A bar called the Shrubbery perhaps. Or maybe I’d just been dreaming of Monty Python’s Holy Grail... My stomach is in for another test as I jump on a bus and start winding through the rainforest. Luckily, it’s not too long to my destination – the Tully River, the location for my next challenge, whitewater rafting. I’ve never rafted before so I’m excited. Even more so when I’m handed a wristband for one of the “Xtreme” rafts. And it very quickly becomes clear that a key part of “Xtreme” rafting is not spending much time in the boat. Sure enough, with our guide Sam screaming instructions, we paddle like fury, cling on and feel the rush. Speeding through the Grade 4 rapids and bouncing off the rocks is exhilarating and quickly becomes addictive. While at first we’re sceptical of Sam tipping us all into the water, tumbling over with limbs and paddles everywhere, we’re soon urging him to do it again. And again. This is seriously good fun. Later on we dispense with the raft altogether and give swimming through the rapids a go, at times having no control as we’re sucked under, just having to hold our breath and hope, with no idea which way is up or down, waiting for the water to decide when it wants to spit us back out. Staggering out of the water Manila: Exploring five hours later – battered, the Philippines bruised, sunburnt and bleeding – steamy capital I knew my mission was safe. ❚

NEXT WEEK

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

NSWLISTINGS OZLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Don’t be too quick to dismiss Aussie capital Canberra. Admittedly it’s not the most exciting of cities, but as the epicentre of the federal state, the ACT is the hub for much of Australia’s most important art, culture and, of course, politics. Plus many of the top sites are free. Pick of the bunch are Parliament House (pictured), as well as Old Parliament House, with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside, while not to be missed are the fantastic Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of Australia, home to Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly paintings.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

NSWLISTINGS

NSWLISTINGS like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

SYDNEY STAY

Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au

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

Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

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

Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi. 02 9387 2162,

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

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@tnt_downunder

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

CENTRAL COAST

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

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

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au Taronga Zoo Mosman. zoo.nsw.gov.au Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

SYDNEY MUSIC Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com The Annandale annandalehotel.com 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

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

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696, backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. 02 6685 7709, nomadshostels.com Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. 1800 678 195, yha.com.au

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

WORD FROM THE STREET

DON’T MISS

JERVIS BAY Don’t be too hasty to just look north from Sydney. Starting just below Wollongong (an hour from Sydney), the south coast features some of the most unspoilt natural beauty you could hope to find. Jervis Bay, in particular, supposedly has the whitest sand in the world.

Petersham Guest House ARE DORMS GETTING YOU DOWN?

Alan Bull, England

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

0414 450 273

HI ALAN. GOT A FAVE PLACE IN SYDNEY? “Coogee Beach was a pleasant surprise. I had never heard of it before, but it’s such a nice spot to spend a hot summer day. It’s more relaxed than Bondi and has plenty of nice little restaurants and bars.” HOW ABOUT FOR A DRINK? “Maybe Side Bar. You meet people from all over the world who you can share your travel experiences with, always a good night out!” WHERE’S NEXT? “Up the east coast first, then I’ll do New Zealand and head on to Thailand.”

FANCY ONE LAST SUMMER ROAD TRIP? Book now for Quality Campers and Cars! BREEZER HIRE

ECONOMY MY CAR

per day*

per day from*

$48

$54

3 days*

$144 Like us on facebook.com/backpackercampervans Follow us on twitter.com/BackpackerVans

BOOK

With our local 24/7 reservations centre on:1800 600 503

NOW

backpackercampervans.com.au

Or book online with real-time quotes and conﬁrmations at:

*Van price based on Breezer Campervan, 3+ day rate, for travel 5/3/2012 – 11/3/2012. Car price based on Economy Car, 1-6 day city rate for travel March 2012. Prices correct at time of print, rates change weekly so contact our Reservations team for the best daily rate. Minimum hire applies, offer subject to availability and liability reduction cover is additional. For full terms and conditions contact Backpacker Rentals.

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

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

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 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Learn to dive with Blue Juice

At Blue Juice Safaris we design your very own personalised diving Green island safari’s so that you can enjoy the best of this pristine location whilst diving Green island and staying in our dive lodge. All of our dive safari’s are made with the diver in mind. Blue Juice has it’s very own dive lodge and cafe, Blue Juice cafe which allows divers to dive Green island and sleep close to the dive sites. During our Blue Juice dive safari our professional dive guides will handle all the logistics to ensure that you can focus on diving Green Island. They will also do their best to ensure you leave us having seen rare and unsual marine life. Let us know your marine life wish list and we will take you to the best Green island sites to see them. Along with our Blue Juice dive safari’s we do also offer daily diving trips, scuba dive courses. We are currently offering some superb Green island Diving special offers for the next few months so take a look and then contact us to book your Blue Juice Dive Safari.

1300 551 363 www.bluejuicesafaris.com.au BlueJuice-671.indd 1

2/03/12 12:29 PM

like us on

QLDLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder

BRISBANE STAY Aussie Way Backpackers 34 Cricket St. 07 3369 0711, aussiewaybackpackers.com Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace. 07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com Base Brisbane Embassy 214 Elizabeth St. 07 3166 8000, stayatbase.com Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com

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

BRISBANE DO

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

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

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

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

Coolangatta Kirra Beach YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga. 07 5536 76442, yha.com.au

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

Coolangatta Sands Hostel Cnr Griffiths & McLean Sts, Coolangatta. 07 5536 7472, coolangattasandshostel.com.au

Gallery of Modern Art 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

GOLD COAST

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

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

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

Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. 1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers.com.au Surf ‘n’ Sun Beachside Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise. 1800 678 194, surfnsun-goldcoast.com

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

GC DO

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

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

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

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

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

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

Nomads Hervey Bay 408 The Esplanade. 1800 666 237, nomadshostels.com

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

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

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

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

heart of the reef

1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553889, 1770 underseaadventures.com

Airlie Beach

AIRLIE BEACH

QUEENSLAND

airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119

THE WHITSUNDAY ISL ANDS

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

WHITEHAVEN BEACH CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE

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

GRE AT BARRIER REEF ADVENT URES

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

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT BAREFOOT L AZ Y DAZE

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

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.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

@tnt_downunder

Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 247 251, yha.com.au Airlie Waterfront Backpackers 6 The Esplanade. 1800 089 000, airliewaterfront.com Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com 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 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

like us on

QLDLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder

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

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

BOOK NOW!

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

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

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

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

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

Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com

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

CITY AND COLOUR

52 Costin St, Brisbane

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

Nomads Cairns 341 Lake St. 1800 737 736, nomadshostels.com

The Tivoli. Tues, 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wed, 9 May. $70.30. Already headlining the Groovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Moo festivals, Dallas Green is taking his colourful indie folk rock to Brisbaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fortitude Valley.

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353, bohemiaresort.com.au

ticketek.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers. com.au Dreamtime Travellers Rest 189 Bunda St. 1800 058 440, dreamtimehostel.com

Nomads Esplanade 93 The Esplanade. 1800 175 716, nomadshostels.com Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton St. 1800 000 541, northerngreenhouse.com.au

CAIRNS DO

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

CAPE TRIB Crocodylus Village Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com PKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jungle Village Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333, pksjunglevillage.com.au

AJ Hackett Bungy jumping.

7/2+%23 7!.4%$ &RUIT AND 6EGETABLE PICKING JOBS AVAILABLE s 4RANSPORT TO FROM WORK s &2%% COURTESY BUS PICK UP s ,AUNDRY FACILITIES s )NTERNET FACILITIES s 0LEASANT AND FRIENDLY STAFF s "ISTRO AVAILABLE AT "ANJO S TAVERN NEXT DOOR

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

&EDERAL "ACKPACKERS "OURBONG 3T "UNDABERG 1LD

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

VICLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder

MELBOURNE STAY

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

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

BOOK NOW!

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

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

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

RADIOHEAD Rod Laver Arena. Fri, 16 Nov. $TBC It sold out almost immediately but eBay are selling and a Facebook page has been set up for buying/swapping tickets. Computer says OK!

Melbourne Park Precinct 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

radiohead.com 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

AbOg >ZOg

/QQ][[]RObW]\ T`][ & O \WUVb acPXSQb b] OdOWZOPWZWbg

>@3A3<B B67A /2 4=@ ! =44 G=C@ 47@AB <756B

;Of " PSR R]`[Wb]`WSa eWbV Q`Wa^ T`SaV ZW\S\ O\R b]eSZ 4S[OZS ]\Zg R]`[Wb]`WSa eWbV ZOÙS Z]\U [W``]à 3\acWbS R]`[Wb]`WSa eWbV PObV O\R PObV a]O^ 4@33 P`SOYTOab QS`SOZ b]Oab O\R XcWQS 4@33 ^Sà]\OZ ]dSàWhSR Z]QYS` eWbV ^]eS` ^]W\b :OÙS PO` eWbV PWU aQ`SS\ OZZ QVO\\SZa OdOWZOPZS # [W\cbS eOZY b] QWbg >cPZWQ bÒ\a^]`b ]\ R]]àbS^

C1 0

=\ aWbS b`OdSZ Q][^O\g

0]]Y <]e & $!

&& c`PO\QS\b`OZ Q][ Oc !!" 17BG @=/2 A=CB60/<9 ;3:0=C@<3 D71 ! $ /CAB@/:7/ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

VICLISTINGS

@tnt_downunder

BOOK NOW!

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

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

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

SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM The Palace Theatre. Sun, 8 April. From $29.10. Miss Connie and Black Angus carved out a career on Oz dancefloors and with three albums under their belt, they’re still keeping the dream alive.

Bourke St, Melbourne

Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell. 03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

oztix.com.au

MORNINGTON

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

DON’T MISS! PUSH OVER FESTIVAL Abbotsford Convent. Mon, 12 Mar. $44. Smash the long weekend in Victoria with this festival of hardcore and metal bands including Parkway Drive, 360 and Tonight Alive.

Abbotsford, Melbourne

PHILLIP ISLAND

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

Prom Country Backpackers 03 5682 2614

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

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

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

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

thepush.com.au

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MELBOURNE STREET ART The leading lights of the graffiti world, like Banksy, rate Melbourne as one of the best cities in the world, if not the best, for street art, so it’s well worth hunting some down. One of the easiest, and best, places to start is right in the centre of the city, by Federation Square. Just opposite the square lies the opening to Hosier Lane (with MoVida tapas restaurant on the corner). Nearby AC/DC Lane is also well worth a quick look. Don’t just stay in the CBD, however, but take a stroll out into the suburbs, especially Fitzroy and Collingwood. In Fitzroy, the laneways off Brunswick Street are particularly good. Be sure to take diversions off the main drag, especially down Leicester Street, Rose Street, Gertrude Street and Argyle Street, or wander down the parallel Fitzroy Street. While exploring the area, make an effort to head in the direction of Collingwood, where the roads surrounding Smith Street are also crammed with art-covered walls.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

TAS& &SALISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder

HOBART STAY

launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEVONPORT

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

DON’T MISS!

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

AMPOCALYPSE 2

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

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

Brisbane Hotel. Fri, 30 Mar. From $15. A heavy night of metal, rock and extreme sounds. Including Black Majesty, The Roobs, Taberah, Gape, Synthetic Breed, Lacerta and more.

30 Brisbane St, Hobart

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

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

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

LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge

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

BOOK NOW!

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

KANGAROO IS

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

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

THE BEARDED GYSPY BAND Jive Adelaide. Sat, 23 Mar. From $10. The Celtic (and beardless) gypsy band from the Adelaide Hills are one of the highlights of the WOMADelaide festival.

181 Hindley St, Adelaide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COOBER PEDY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

womadelaide.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

WALISTINGS

BOOK NOW!

@tnt_downunder

DON’T MISS!

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au

BRISBANE VS SOUTH SYDNEY nib Stadium Perth. Fri, Mar 23. From $35. The NRL 2012 season has kicked off for another year, so catch Russell Crowe’s team the South Sydney Rabbitohs battle the Brisbane Broncos.

310 Pier St, Perth

ticketmaster.com.au

PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge. 08 9227 6000, perthbrittania.com

Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553, 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

CHILDREN COLLIDE Capitol. Fri, Mar 30. $29. The kids from Melbourne are back with their second album, Monument , and they’re bringing their infectious indie sounds around the country.

383-393 Murray St, Perth

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

moshtix.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

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

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Monkey Mia Flash Backpackers like us on

facebook/tntdownunder

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 accommodation veller Magazine by Australian Tra

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

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

BROOME DO

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

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

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

Aspen Parks Begin your re today... Darwin

u t n e v d A n e p s

Qld

Brisbane

Sa Perth

Nsw Sydney

Adelaide

Vic Melbourne Hobart

1355

Visit our website for great accommodation specials and online bookings

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park

1800 466 528

aspenparks.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

NTLISTINGS

DARWIN STAY

KATHERINE STAY

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

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

DON’T MISS!

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

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

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.au Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au

Hidden Valley. June 15-17. TBA. This three-day festival combines V8 Supercar racing and great Aussie rock. Past acts include INXS, Wolfmother and Sneaky Sound System.

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

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

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

RACE AND ROCK DARWIN

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

DARWIN DO

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

Hidden Valley, Darwin 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

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

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

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

@tnt_downunder

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive. 08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards. 9 Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au Outback Ballooning Hot air balloon rides. 1800 809 790, outbackballooning.com.au Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room. Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum. 80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour Uluru tours. 78 Todd St. 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

WORD FROM THE STREET

Perrine Pelini, France HEY PERRINE. SEEN MUCH OF THE NT? “I went with a friend on a tour through the Red Centre. I saw there the famous Uluru during the day, at sunrise and sunset, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon as well. I also stayed in Alice Springs before and after the tour.” WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL HIGHLIGHT? “It was during the second day when we saw Uluru appearing on the road. We arrived right on time for the sunset, and we saw at least three different colours of the Rock: orange, red and purple. Gorgeous!” AND AFTER DARK? “I liked the two nights sleeping outside under millions of stars, even if it was freezing cold!”

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

like us on

NZLISTINGS

facebook/tntdownunder YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. +64 9302 8200, yha.co.nz

BOOK NOW!

DON’T MISS!

WELLINGTON Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. +64 4801 5666 stayatbase.com Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. +64 4385 8829 cambridgehotel.co.nz Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. +64 4473 8482 db@downtownbackpackers.co.nz Lodge in the City (VIP) 152 Taranaki St. +64 4385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz

SHIHAD The Bedford. Sat, Apr 14. NZ$50. The Melbourne-based Kiwi hard rockers are returning to their homeland for this national tour. Expect the locals to go crazy.

86 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch

BUS TOURS Flexi-Pass Combines InterCity and Newmans. 0800 222 146, flexipass.co.nz Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions 1800 143 515, flyingkiwi.com Kiwi Experience +64 9366 9830 kiwiexperience.com

ticketmaster.co.nz

AUCKLAND Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. +64 9275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Albert Park Backpackers (VIP) 27-31 Victoria St East. +64 9309 0336, bakpak@albertpark.co.nz

Maple Lodge (BBH) 52 Ellice St. +64 4385 3771 Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres. +64 4384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414

NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL Multiple venues, Tauranga. Thur, 5 – Mon, 9 April. From free. Boogie on down at the Southern Hemisphere’s longest running jazz festival. Headlining this year are Earth, Wind and Fire. Bay of Plenty, North Island

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

Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St. 0508 00 58 58

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

Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace. +64 4802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz

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

YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. +64 4801 7280

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

Magic Travellers Network +64 9358 5600, magicbus.co.nz

Auckland International Backpackers (BBH) 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64 358 4584,

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

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

CHRISTCHURCH

Stray +64 9309 8772, straytravel.com

Bamber House (BBH) 22 View Rd, Mt Eden. +64 9623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com

Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. +64 3365 4363, aroundtheworld.co.nz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 1800 140 026, acerentalcars.com.nz Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals +800 200 80 801, backpackercampervans.com Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.com.nz Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 447 363, exploremore.co.nz Econo Campers +64 9275 9919, econocampers.co.nz Escape Rentals 1800 456 272, escaperentals.co.nz Explore More 1800 800 327, dcrentals.com.nz Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.com.nz Rent-A-Dent 0800 736 823, rentadent.co.nz Rental Car Village +64 9376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz Spaceships 1300 139 091, spaceships.tv Standby Cars 1300 789 059, standbycars.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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

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

Queen Street Backpackers (VIP) 4 Fort St. +64 9373 3471, enquiries@qsb.co.nz

Point Break Backpackers (BBH) 99 Seaview Road. +64 3388 2050, pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz

Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. +64 9363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz

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

The Brown Kiwi (BBH) 7 Prosford St, Ponsonby. +64 9378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz

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

YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. +64 9309 2802, yha.co.nz

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

jazz.org.nz Deco Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 52 Man St. +64 3442 7384, decobackpackers.co.nz Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. +64 3442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. +64 3442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. +64 3441 3922, nomadshostels.com Pinewood Lodge (VIP) 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 7463 9663, rgrieg@xtra.co.nz YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street. +64 3442 7400, yha.co.nz YHA Queenstown Lakefront 8890 Lake Esplanade. +64 3442 8413, yha.co.nz

WORD FROM THE STREET

Florian Fouris, France SALUT FLO. WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN NZ? “Wanaka. It’s a very beautiful village and I want to climb to the top of Mt Aspiring. Or Arthur’s Pass. It’s not on the main road but it’s really beautiful and you’ve got a lot of good walks all around.”

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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

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

@tnt_downunder

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

Fiji is thought to be amongst the best destinations in the world for diving. With over 400 species of corals, as well as plenty of sea walls, drops and caves, there’s something for the advanced diver, as well as perfect conditions for the beginner. There’s an abundance of tropical fish, as well as reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles while visibility is excellent too, often stretching to 50 metres. Plus, to top it off, sea temperatures average about 26°C all year around. Head to Beqa Lagoon for the legendary shark dives, where it’s not unknown for a tiger shark to turn up. Nothing’s gone wrong, to date...

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Photo: Tourism Fiji

DIVING IN FIJI

OZWORK

Law and order in Oz If good wages, sponsorship and long-term career prospects sound good to you, then working for a law firm could be just the ticket...

Okay, so you might be spending a while, a long while, cruising around Australia enjoying the good life. But that doesn’t mean your career has to suffer. Indeed, as long as you have the right skills and some experience, there are plenty of opportunities to be had in the Aussie economy to help beef up your travel fund and your CV at the same time. The legal sector is one such area with opportunities. The money on offer is good for funding your travels too. Legal secretaries can expect to earn $25-30/hour, while litigation support paralegals are looking at $24-$30/ hour plus superannuation. But are there actually any jobs at the moment, we hear you ask? Well, we put that question to Rosemary Galic, Law Staff’s senior consultant in Sydney. “We anticipate that opportunities for temporary staff and contractors will increase in February through to March,” she said. “Assignments that we are most likely to be briefed on are legal secretarial and paralegal opportunities.” Law firms are looking for people who are flexible and free to move about, which is incidentally one of the best things about being a traveller. “Be flexible about the type of work you are prepared to do, the length of the assignments you are prepared to take on (whether long, very short or for an indefinite period) and the location in which you are prepared to work,” says Rosemary. “Also be

ready to take on work at short notice as most temporary assignments come about with a very short lead time.” And just say you want to move about as you travel? We asked Kelly Tangney, from the Melbourne office of Law Staff Australia, if the qualifications varied from state to state. “Under the Mutual Recognition Act a person admitted to practise in one state of Australia will be able to practise in another,” she said. “The same applies to New Zealand admitted solicitors wishing to practise in Australia.” So, legal work in Oz? Looks like there are no objections!

CALLING ALL BACKPACKERS & CHATTERBOXES! Want to travel for FREE? Want to work OUTDOORS? Want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

THEN THIS IS FOR YOU! We are looking for young, fun and exciting individuals to help promote and raise funds for charities all over Australia!

All training is provided and PAID! All transport and accommodation is provided FREE! Make $$$ while ﬁghting for a good cause! Immediate start! Phone Tim: 1800 450 123 +612 8114 1605 www.mondialfundraising.com.au/jobs

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Get paid to holiday! Make the most of your Aussie travel experience. Western Australia’s Challenger Institute of Technology offers a selection of hospitality short courses that will get you qualified and working in no time at all!

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.

These industry-relevant courses are run by highly qualified lecturers in a hands-on training environment.

ZEALAND & FIJI AUSTRALIA, NEW

2012

CTA1612_Jan

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

UK £9.95 WHERE SOLD

Visit www.challenger.wa.edu.au or email stephne.ceicys@challenger.wa.edu.au

IDE TRAVELLERS' GU

Product

INTERESTED?

NT THE INDEPENDE

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.

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.

ZEALAND & FIJI AUSTRALIA NEW

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.

It’s free, it’s online and it’s full of tips on where to go, what to do and how to ﬁnd work.

tntdownunder.com

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

perfect summer job?

Looking for the

Got a smile for miles? Are you full of motivation, drive and enthusiasm? Are you one of those out going, can’t sit still, want to travel the world types?

>L ^HU[ `V\ FAQ What can I expect to earn? OTE $900 per week What if I have no experience? We will train you from scratch. When can I expect to start? Arrange your interview now for an immediate start. Is this telemarketing? 5V [OPZ PZ UV[ [LSLWOVUL ^VYR @V\ ^PSS IL JVUK\J[PUN I I WYVTV[PVUZ VɈLYPUN J\Z[VTLY»Z business solutions through our clients , such as : ,ULYN` (\Z (TL_ 5() .9. (;4»Z 0- [LSLJVT Work as a Consultant on our current and upcoming campaigns! We are looking for those of you that have that special ‘spark‘. That certain ‘something’ that leaves a customer with a smile. At GM Global we are responsible for the provision of high quality service to existing customers of the client we represent, as well as the acquisition of new business on their behalf. >L KLHS ^P[O ZTHSS TLKP\T ZPaLK I\ZPULZZLZ VɈLYPUN [OLT business solutions through our client Energy Australia! 3 Month Minimum Availability Immediate Start OTE $900 HIGHLIGHTS >P[O [OL VɉJLZ ^L OH]L HYV\UK (\Z[YHSPH HUK 5A `V\ ^PSS OH]L ;9(=,3 67769;<50;0,: .(369, )\[ ^OPSL PU Melbourne you will have opportunities travel nation wide.

EMAIL admin@gmglobal.com.au PHONE 03 8199 3827 Global enterprises_670v2.indd 1

Is this street selling? 5V ;OPZ PZ UV[ JOHYP[` ^VYR HUK `V\ ^VU»[ be standing on a street corner. What will I be doing? One of our friendly trainers will show you how to approach businesses of small to medium size and promote our clients services and products which are designed to save the business thousand’s ! 0Z P[ KPɉJ\S[ [V NL[ H ZHSL& 5V[ H[ HSS ;OL` HSYLHK` OH]L HUK \ZL [OL WYVK\J[Z [OH[ ^L VɈLY ^L Q\Z[ HJ[P]H[L KPZJV\U[Z for them. CONGRATULATIONS! @V\ OH]L Z\JJLZZM\SS` made a sale, earned some money and are ready [V WHY[` ^P[O \Z MVY -YPKH`»Z ILLY UPNO[

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

23/02/12 4:25 PM

OZWORK

@tnt_downunder

INTERVIEW WITH A LAWYER We spoke to Kiwi traveller Felicity Seagar, 31, about working in the legal sector in Australia... Why Australia? I have some family over here. The sun and the strong Aussie dollar were appealing too. What job are you doing over here? I’m working as an in-house lawyer for a bank in Sydney. What job did you do back home in New Zealand? I was a lawyer.

How does your job compare to back home? It’s a larger company and therefore there is international exposure and more diversity. How did you land your job? Through the recruitment company Law Staff. I started on a four month contract until Christmas and it is currently ongoing. What’s the pay like? It is better than in both the UK and New Zealand and there is compulsory Super which is great.

What’s the best work advice you’ve been given? Be open to broadening your work experience and adding to your field of expertise. Do you have any tips for other travellers? Consider temp work as it is a good way to get your foot in the door.

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

and For gay men s u the bi-curio

D COME AN US! H PLAY WIT

Male erotic quired re masseuses nditions Excellent co management and friendly tion Sydney Loca

(02) 9211 7729 jodie@tbonersescorts.com.au 56

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

Study anywhere, anytime

www.openlearning.tafe.qld.gov.au 1800 657 387

3699

3699 TOL campaign 2012 - TNT advert indd 1

28/02/2012 3:04:01 PM

TOTALLYTRIVIAL

@tnt_downunder

MYTHBUSTERS STRANGER THAN FICTION?

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ

ROADTRIPPING

was the first woman Q 3.to Who drive around Australia? a) Catherine Gregson c) Enid Lyons

movie Road Trip? a) Seth Rogen b) Tom Green c) Jerry Seinfeld d) Ellen Degeneres

b) Dunsborough d) Margaret River

SUDOKU PUZZLE 5

4 5

8 2

a) 850km b) 3,880km c) 2,500km d) 1,140km

8 6 8

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

7 2

Is Wolf Creek really a true story? Despite claiming to be “based on true events”, the film Wolf Creek wasn’t strictly true. However, the movie undoubtedly took inspiration from some real life Aussie horror stories. Most similar is that of Ivan Milat, who was jailed in 1996 for killing seven travellers and dumping their bodies in Belanglo State Forest, south-west of Sydney. The travellers had been repeatedly shot, stabbed or sexually molested. Milat was captured after two lucky escapees came forward with evidence. They’d both independently been picked up by Milat, but did a runner. The killer shot at them, but missed.

Q 9. Roadtrip film Thelma and Louise

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

AUSSIE-ISM

8 4

b) Broken Hill d) Alice Springs

“BOOZE BUS”

7 6

a) Darwin c) Dubbo

7 3

town is known as the ‘capital Q 7.of Which the Outback’?

was the big break for which Hollywood heartthrob? a) George Clooney b) Ryan Reynolds c) Brad Pitt d) Johnny Depp

Q 5. What is Australia’s most

6. What’s the name of the narrator in Jack Kerouac’s book On The Road? a) Mal Paridiso b) Jack Holiday c) Neal Cassady d) Sal Paradise

How many kilometres is the roadtrip Q 8.between Sydney and Melbourne?

b) Nancy Bird d) Edith Cowan

Q 4. Which comedian features in the

westerly town? a) Perth c) Denham

WEEK

Sounds fun, right? Wrong! The Booze Bus is something you don’t want to take a ride on. This term refers to the police van you will be carted away in if you have one (or five) too many on a night out.

THIS WEEK IT’S... ADRENALIN ACTIVITIES 1. SKID VYING 2. JUMPING BY GUN 3. BEAM JUGS NIP 4. WARFARE WET HITTING ANSWERS: 1. Sky diving 2. Bungy jumping 3. Base jumping 4. Whitewater rafting

OF THE

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

1. What is Australia’s longest highway? a) Pacific b) Bruce c) Great Northern d) Stuart 2. Who is known as the ‘Road Warrior’? a) Kevin Rudd b) Mad Max c) Priscilla d) Ned Kelly

MYTH

2] ([SHULHQFHÂ·V UDQJH RI SDVVHV DUH WKH SHUIHFW ZD\ WR GLVFRYHU WKH EHVW GHVWLQDWLRQV $XVWUDOLD KDV WR RIIHU 3DVVHV EXQGOH FRDFK WUDYHO WRXUV H[SHULHQFHV DQG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ LQ RQH SODFH PDNLQJ LW HYHQ HDVLHU WR SODQ \RXU WULS

Bruce Cobber SYDNEY<>CAIRNS Includes: Â&#x2021; +RS RQ KRS RII EXV WUDYHO Â&#x2021; 6WD\ DQG 6XUI DW 6SRW ; ZLWK PRVW PHDOV LQFOXGHG Â&#x2021; 1LPELQ 'D\ 7RXU 7U\ RXU IDQWDVWLF (DVW &RDVW 3DVVHV ZKLFK LQFOXGH Â&#x2021; )DUP 6WD\ DW .URRPELW WUDYHO DFWLYLWLHV VRPH DFFRPPRGDWLRQ PHDOV

:HÂ·YH JRW DOO \RXU WUDYHO QHHGV VRUWHG 3DVV 3ULFH /RFDO 3D\PHQW 7RWDO

%UXFH &REEHU 6\GQH\ Includes: Strewth

Â&#x2021; +RS RQ KRS RII FRDFK WUDYHO BYRON BAY <> CAIRNS EHWZHHQ 6\GQH\ ! &DLUQV Â&#x2021; 6XUI DQG 6WD\ DW 6SRW ; ZLWK ,QFOXGHV PRVW PHDOV LQFOXGHG Â&#x2021; +RS RQ KRS RII EXV WUDYHO Â&#x2021; 1LPELQ 'D\ 7RXU Â&#x2021; 1LPELQ 'D\ WRXU Â&#x2021; )DUP 6WD\ DW .URRPELW

Â&#x2021; )DUP 6WD\ DW .URRPELW

3DVV 3ULFH /RFDO 3D\PHQW 7RWDO 3DVV 3ULFH /RFDO 3D\PHQW 7RWDO Whipper Snapper XS WR XS WR SYDNEY<> DARWIN

Includes: 6WUHZWK %\URQ Â&#x2021; +RS RQ KRS RII EXV WUDYHO Â&#x2021; 6WD\ DQG 6XUI DW 6SRW ; Â&#x2021; 1LPELQ 'D\ 7RXU Â&#x2021; )DUPVWD\ DW .URRPELW 3DUN Â&#x2021; GD\ QLJKW 5RFN 7RXU Â&#x2021; QLJKW VWRSRYHU DW .DWKHULQH *RUJH Â&#x2021; GD\ QLJKW /LWFKILHOG DQG .DNDGX 6DIDUL

----

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.

9,6,7 2=(;3(5,(1&( &20 25 &$//