Down under; If Australia is ‘down under’ that would make us in England ‘up over’ surely? Procrastinating aside, I speak from experience when I say it is one of the most amazing places on our planet.
Three years ago I embarked on an elaborate 8 month round-the-world trip with a small budget, big expectations and a heavy bag. My trip started in Hong Kong and from there I worked my way through China, Hainan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and after 4 months I ended up in Australia. Originally I had only planned to be in Australia for 3 months then fly briefly to New Zealand and home via America. But something struck me when I was there; the people, the place, the difference in lifestyle, and I instantly fell in love with Oz.
Cairns, North Queensland is a haven for the thrill seeker and party traveller; the perfect place to let loose and experience the surreal. The Woolshed is synonymous amongst travellers, its reputation as the best place to party in Australia certainly lived up to its billing. Prizes ranging from sky-diving, bungee-jumping, scuba trips, white water-rafting and wake-boarding can be won in their nightly competitions so, at the expense of a small amount of dignity, many travellers can experience some of the most amazing adrenalin-fuelled activities for free!
However, North Queensland has more to offer if you wish to look past the back-packer/party traveller scene. It is home to some of the world’s most amazing wild-life, both land-dwelling and water. Cairns boast the Great Barrier Reef as its door-mat, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and it is accessible from the beach in many cases along the coast. Traveller’s with the freedom of independent travel such as a camper-van can explore the hidden wonders along the vast coast-line and discover idyllic bays and reef formations that are off the well beaten track.
The East coast of Australia is undoubtedly the most popular stretch for travellers to embark on their world of discovery and Australia knows that! Everything along the east coast is geared towards the back-packer market, and depending on what type of holiday you choose, it can get a little over-powering. Party goes will revel in the constant fun of locations such as Airlie Beach, Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise. Yet the real Australia lurks between these notorious locations. Relocations are often good to look out for if travelling on a budget; camper-van companies will ask travellers to simply act as delivery drivers and transport their vehicle from point A to point B for no cost, just a deposit and subsidised fuel.
The bright light of Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney attract travellers like a moths to a bulb. Definitely worth a visit to see the landmarks (even though the Sydney Bridge is just a bigger version of my own beloved Tyne Bridge!) and have the obligatory photograph! Then there is Alice Springs and Ayers Rock (Australians call it the plug of their country) and other more traditional outback towns. Be sure to immerse in the aboriginal culture; an intriguing cultural and historical constant through Australia’s existence even before colonisation, they are a fascinating race.
Western Australia is fast becoming more popular and it’s not hard to see why. The beaches remain untouched and un-Bondi-like (in the summer, bronzed bodies often outnumber grains of sand on Bondi Beach). The sand is fine and white while the blue/turquoise Indian Ocean graces the magnificent shore-line which stretches for thousands of kilometres and often sparsely populated. The sun sets over the ocean on the west coast providing so many nights of beauty and serenity and unforgettable photographs.
Working holidays are a fantastic way to earn good money and see Australia first-hand. The working holiday visa offers the traveller up to one year living and working in Australia but if three months’ worth of agricultural work (certain area of construction also count) are completed that visa extends to two years. This option not only extends the holiday period but also gives the freedom of cash-flow and a great way to experience some of Australia’s industry. Personally I believe that working in an area is how to find local knowledge and make friends who can guide the rest of your trip. Many travellers opt to go ‘fruit picking’ in rural towns that offer accommodation and good wages ($20=£11 an hour approx.) Yet there are other agricultural avenues to look at, for instance, drawing on my personal experience, I worked in the Gulf of Carpentaria on 250 tonne prawn trawlers. The money was excellent and the experience even better (although incredibly hard, see You Tube ‘frontier fishermen’). I then took the experience I gained on the trawl boats and worked as a shark fisherman on the west-coast in the rougher Indian Ocean. The characters I met and the events that occurred working in Australia have inspired me to write my first book, due to be finished within the year.
The possibilities are endless when travelling such a diverse country such as Australia whether you are looking for a fun-filled adventure holiday or you want to discover the breath-taking natural landscape, Australia has it all. The Australians share a similar mind-set to the British, good sense of humour, welcoming and friendly. National pride, although dented by the recent Ashes victory, is always high. They are the best tour-guides in the country, they know their own land and take pride in presenting it to those who truly want to discover.
The grass may be not be greener than our lush country-side but their dirt is redder, the oceans bluer and their sand whiter….take a look ‘down under’, you may find it hard to come back ‘up over’!
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