Hello Down Under!?

Question

Hi all.
I'm seriously considering taking a sabbatical to Australia and New Zealand. Book passage on a freighter. Take my time in your beautiful countries. What would you recommend that is not typically touristy.
Also, what is your take on Canadians? :)

So far, your answers are great, and a couple are even a right chuckle.
I'm also aware that, when facing north, that the sun goes from right to left, and noon is to the north. I'll have to adjust my sense of direction. :)

Ooops. I meant to say, 'when facing towards the EQUATOR that ...'
It's rather late at night right now.
I'll await for more answers; but I must confess that it will be hard to pick the best from the best. G'night all.

Answer 1

G'day - I'm from Sunny Queensland - Beautiful one day, perfect the next! To experience the 'real' Australia, I would not spend too long in any one of our capital cities. They are great but are becoming more and more Americanised (no insult intended). Head out into the country areas - Cooper Pedy, Margaret River, Childers, Mackay, Longreach, Orange.... stay in an Aussie Pub and become a part of the country!
Australians, as a rule, welcome any nationality - what other nationalities have to understand is our laid back humour and the way that we will make fun of everyone (including ourselves)! :)

Answer 2

Hi. No worries about being a Canadian. You guys are just fine and you'll find that apart from the climate we are very much alike.

As a professional tourguide who's seen much of both Oz and NZ There is way too much to see in both countries for me to rattle off a list for you. The only prob is that Australia is a big place and the distances between points can at times become large (a bit like Canada I guess) and you'd need at least 3 months to see a good deal of what it has too offer. The great thing about New Zealand is that by comparison it's compact and you can see most everything there in 3 weeks. The two countries have different things to offer and are both so beautiful. Enjoy.

Answer 3

Hi, I'm in Australia (Melbourne) and Melbourne is a very multi-cultural city, so you wouldn't have any problems being Canadian here, or anywhere in Australia for that fact. I know a couple of Canadians and they are great and they love living here.
You would enjoy it in Australia, there is so much to do and it doesn't have to be all "touristy". You could take a job and live here for a while and just do things that the locals do, like go to markets, the beautiful parks and gardens around, enjoy great restaurants. Take your time to just see what's available. There are plenty of jobs and lots of overseas people work here and there's no problems with that in society. (I don't think it's too hard to get a work permit for Australia) There's a great place called Byron Bay and it's really hippy and laid back, you could go there and just hang around.
Good luck and i hope you have fun if you come here!

Answer 4

Firstly, Canadians are great people - no problem here at all. The other answers all have great information and tips. For me it is the Northern Territory. Go to Darwin particularly in the Dry Season from April till November. The place is full of young travellers, you can always pick up work and network with like minded travellers. For a special experience travel into Arnhemland (not Kakadu) by vehicle to experience indigenous culture - even go as far as Nhulunbuy - you will not regret it. A permit is required to travel in Arnhemland. Your adventure will begin when you traverse the crocodile infested (literally) East Alligator River...have fun

Answer 5

Tell us that you are a chanook as we will mistake your for an American.
Do the touristy things in NZ, why not, they are really not worth missing if you are coming all the way over. See the Geysers and bubbling hot pools in Rotorua and have a go in a Zorb ball (www.zorb.co.nz)and on the downhill luge. Don't miss the Agrodome - fantastic show. Swim with the dolphins in Kaikoura or take the Southerner Train down south. Go to AA New Zealand website for the top 100 things to see and do.

Answer 6

Most tourists head straight for Sydney, or the Gold Coast. If you come to Australia, you need to see the outback, mainly in North West Queensland. There is very little there, but it's a differant side of Australia. You can travel by car as far north as Cooktown, and I guarantee if you get that far, it will be worth it. Try around the Alice Springs area too if you can...it's as differant from the Gold Coast as you can get.

As far as I know Aussies in general have no problems with Canadians...enjoy your trip

Answer 7

Gidday. NZ people love Canadians. Come over to the Bay of Plenty. Tour the east Cape region. Certainly not many tourists to speak of. East Cape is the first place to see the sun on each new day.

Answer 8

carry time. i desire you like cities and deserts, reason that's what you will get. Oh, and seashores. that is rather like what could take place if each and all the U. S. have been Arizona, with seashores around it. As for attractions, human beings are oftentimes loopy abouit the sturdy stuff, yet how approximately basically putting out in Sydney and playing a city that may no longer in the U. S.? could be a minimum of a splash unique (properly, much less so than Mexico, yet...)

Answer 9

We like Canadians, they don't take themselves as seriously as the Yanks do.

Come on over, you will have a wonderful time. I'm Aussie, but highly recommend NZ too. The Kiwis have a wonderful sense of humour and take themselves less seriously than Aussies, making them a bundle of laughs!

Answer 10

We love you guys, come on down!! you will love it everywhere here, from the Outback to the Gold Coast Australia is great, New Zealand is even more beautiful, so where the bloody hell are ya?? lol..