Planning a Gap year in Australia, need advice?

Question

hi, next year i will have finnished my A-lvls and therefore be taking a gap year to australia.
im plannign on staying there form beginning of september - 2008 to late feb 2009
I will be spenidng quite a while in Perth, seeing family/ working, so any tips on places to see things to do, on and off the tourist track would be gratefully revieved, also any tips on where to find a cheap car??
I am plannign on driving to east australia aswell, maybe for new year?

I would be glad to hear of any great places you have visited in those areas and what places to see and which to avoid ;)

thx, tentofield, 4000km really is a long distance, train or bus it is then. is there anything worth a visit between perth and sydney? maybe i coould spread the journey over a longer space of time?
Would a 2500$-3500$ car be up to the journey, i dont really know the price of stuff in australia 1.2$ petrol sounds good to me, its like 2$ a litre in england

Answer 1

Places to visit in WA
If you can spare a couple of weeks drive around the south west of WA and Visit.
Try to also visit a town called Hyden because near there is a rock formation called Wave Rock and another rock called Hippos Yawn. Inside Hippos Yawn is a cave with Aborigines hand paintings. Margaret River is also known for Surfing, you may have heard of Cyclops.

Pemberton is where the giant Karri Trees are, you can climb to the top of The Gloucester Tree and The Diamond Tree.

1. Wave Rock http://www.waverock.com.au/ http://www.australianexplorer.com/wave_rock.htm
2. Walpole
3. Margaret River http://www.margaretriver.com/pages.asp?code=500 http://www.surfermag.com/photos/travel/cyclops-pics/

4. Albany http://www.albanytourist.com.au/visitalbany.asp
5. Pemberton http://www.pembertontourist.com.au/pages.asp?code=500
http://www.pembertonwa.com/



If you like to head north visit Monkey Mina.
Monkey Mina http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/search/product.htm?ID=9004906
http://www.discoverwest.com.au/western_australia/monkey_mia.html

If you plan to drive from Perth to Sydney its 3972 km or 2468 miles make sure you buy a car that can handle the distance and take plenty of water.

There are heaps of things to do in NSW.

http://www.visitnsw.com.au/

One place to visit is Coffs Harbour. You can go Fishing, Scuba Diving, Go Kart Racing and not far from there you can go white water rafting on a river called The Nymboida River.
http://www.adrenalin.com.au/adventures_detail.aspx?view=23

Of course it goes without saying, Sydney is the best place to be for New Year. You can either watch the fireworks from the forshore or buy tickets for dinner/drinks on a harbour cruise. I have done that and it was awesome. The harbour cruise boats moor right in front of the bridge.

Answer 2

Don't buy a cheap car in Perth and drive it to the east coast. That is about 4000km with petrol about $1.20 a litre or more. You should fly or get the bus to the east coast and buy a cheap car there if you need one. If you are by yourself it will be cheaper than driving. In any case there is no guarantee a cheap car will get that distance and it will be very hot at that time of year. You do not want to do it without air conditioning.

New years eve in Sydney, get some friends together and find a spot with a good view of the Harbour Bridge. Mrs Macquarie's Chair is great but you will need to be there at dawn. Stake your claim to your territory and don't surrender it to anyone. You will need sustenance and shade for the day but the two firework displays at 9pm and midnight will be worth it. After midnight, all the nightspots are open, party the night away.

Answer 3

OK this was meant for starting in Sydeny but much is valid... Oh and er outback... make sure car is reliable and have survival kit and supplies and make sure people know when you are exp to arrive.

Didnt get to do west.

Also go via thailand


And look up all you can on the temple of the tigers as well as
www.tigertemple.co.uk


Not drugged look for documentries on this where you can see how they were hand reared and playing with the monks.

Right been to Thailand twice so here are tips to obey...

Before you go…important not so fun stuff.

3) INSURANCE… Note medical treatment in Thailand, Australia and new Zealand seemed to add up to just under £40 = $100 or Bhatt 2800 often.

A weeks hostel in Aus or New Zealand $140, or nearly a week in decent accom in Bangkok… In Chang Mai got the same level of accommodation… bathroom, double bed, space, air con, breakfast etc etc for 150 Bhatt… = NEARLY 3 WEEKS ACCOM…

WHAT A CONINCIDENCE THAT THE ACCESS ON MEDICAL TRAVEL INSURANCE IS £40 EMMMN…..IE

PAY THE EXTRA £10 OR SO TO WEAIVE THE EXCESS OR YOU AINT COVERED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND EACH TIME THAT’S ANOTHER £40 OUT OF YOUR SPENDING MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAKE SURE IT ALSO COVERS EXPLICITLY ALL THOSE ACTIVITIES YOU WILL BE DOING AND WITH DIVING THAT INC DECOMPRESSION ETC.

2) TRANSPORT ONE
LEARN THIS PHRASE WITH BANGKOK TAXIS.... METER!!!!
AND NOTE DURING THE DAY THERE IS A BUS.

All Thais and those who are not
stupid tourists off the plane
know that any 'agreed price' with taxis that sounds cheap is several times over the 'meter' price on taxis. This is common in hotels where you see prices to go places.

If the taxi driver won't accept it will tough titty on him... 85% of the cars I could saw in Bangkok with Toyota Corrolla Blue and red taxis... just walk down the street, pref. away from tourist sites and hotels and flag down a taxi and give a wai (see below) and politely ask meter? when they agree then get in and say where you want to go. Maps help... Pictures do when you have not the words.

But no meter or conveniently broken (yeah right heard that one before) forget it or you will be paying at least twice.

The monorail and subway/underground trains in Bangkok are above the standard of the docklands light railway and jubilee extension and spotless and impressive… they make us look bad. Again very cheap… 20-30 B that’s about 30pence.

Outside Bangkok is often Bhatt busses or I think its pronounced sawngthaew (song-tau?), http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/428492.html
decorated pickup trucks with a cover you can sit in the back.

These work by you flagging them down. If you get an empty one and there is nobody in it and you pay extra its like a taxi taking you straight there. If not you pay less and they pick up or drop off people along the way in an indirect route. (try and find out going rates but note … it beats paying extra as a richer tourist who can afford it then walking… So balance up between what Thais consider a you are richer so can afford to subsidise poorer Thais which is fair and someone taking the micky which is not.

The monorail and subway/underground trains in Bangkok are above the standard of the docklands light railway and jubilee extension and spotless and impressive… they make us look bad. Again very cheap… 20-30 B that’s about 30pence.

Outside Bangkok is often Bhatt busses or I think its pronounced sawngthaew (song-tau?), http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/428492.html
decorated pickup trucks with a cover you can sit in the back.

These work by you flagging them down. If you get an empty one and there is nobody in it and you pay extra its like a taxi taking you straight there. If not you pay less and they pick up or drop off people along the way in an indirect route. (try and find out going rates but note … it beats paying extra as a richer tourist who can afford it then walking… So balance up between what Thais consider a you are richer so can afford to subsidise poorer Thais which is fair and someone taking the micky which is not.

3). Transport 2:
DO NOT , NOT, NOT, GO WITH PRIVATE BUS COMPANIES RUNNING OUT OF KAO SAN ROAD OR OTHER TOURIST SPOTS. OFTEN ILLEGAL, RIPPING YOU OFF AS YOU BOOK A NICE VIP BUS. INSTEAD OFTEN PICKED UP BY SMALL CRAPPY BUS THEN TRANSFERRED (IE NO CHOICE) ONTO OLD **** CRAMPED COACH WITH AIR CON THAT RESEMBLES A WATERFALL ON SOAKED SEATS HAVING TO PAY FOR YOUR OWN FOOD, AND MAYBE STUFF NICKED (ORGANISED) WHIST YOU SLEEP. Not getting dropped off at your Agreed destination. But say near by (got dropped off 10 min walk away) where planned taxis charge you a fortune to take a scenic route to a place that’s round the corner… Or worse.

Didn’t get done from Bangkok but by the official bus service from Phi Phi island

It appears cheaper for a reason!!!!!!!!!!

The worst services are between Bangkok Kao San and Chang Mai or Koh Phanyang, Samui on backpacker routes or with Krabi etc.

Instead you are in Thailand… so go do what Thais do. GO TO THE OFFICAIL THAI BUS/COACH terminals… Far better busses, efficient service and the VIP bus/coaches are really that…

Sleeper coaches that recline all the way, only 3 seats across, pillows, blanket, free food, stewardess, videos, headphones, comfy, free meal breaks, nice loos etc etc…

Thais ain’t stupid tourists.

Its also more of an adventure to make own travel plans…

And also go with sleeper trains. Again second class was very comfy, friendly, nice trip, safe etc.

TATs are tourist travel agents… most in Bangkok are dodgy… The Big not little one IN NOT OUTSIDE the main Train station upstairs( near china town towards south) is legit, did me ok with a chang mai jungle trip and accommodation whist the one next door was much more.

And avoid Tuk Tuks. They are for Thais… Tourists get taken not where they want to go but via all the dodgy jewel shops or TATs where they get petrol commission vouchers on route and make their real money.


6) Naughty Thailand

Yes the go go bars where guys go to pull (in Pattaya no being sexist there is an area which caters for gays and women often Japanese women with go go guys).

The gogo bars work with a stage with girls in bikinis, topless or often skirts no underwear and some have a first floor with a class ceiling.

The girls are free to choose, and there willingly if they want to go with you so respect that and treat it as if you were going out on the pull or a date. Ie clean up, shave, be nice. If someone is not comfortable with you let them be (plenty of others)

You are safe in these areas if you avoid the Pat Pong upstairs (ie golf ball shooting from areas of the body not designed for that at all) Those are ‘clip joints’. Like in other countries traps. You would go in, no prices shown, someone sits down with you then when you want to leave a massive bill is demands or you don’t get out with the way blocked by Thai boxers and the door locked from the outside… Get the idea?

This does not happen in regular go go bars. In Thailand you usually get conned if trying to be cheap it a git thinking you are getting one over on Thais.

7.) Ordinary Thailand… go explore off the beaten track ie mix with the locals. And note they have nice shopping malls where kids break dance outside so if you have good moves you may fit in.

Thai transport. Thai street food etc…


1)Inoculations…

Sort this months before you go as some you have to leave weeks apart and some cost lots.

Rabies is good to have especially if you like stroking nice cute cats… You don’t just have to be bitten, licking will do it.

2) HOTELS

Do not book many days in hotels unless you will be on a tight schedule... Via the net most places are over 1000Bbhatt. I stayed in Kao San road for 150 Bhatt abet in a much smaller room without air con. But more spending money.

800bhatt will get you what you would deem first class hotel, a big cosy room, with double bead, shower, possible breakfast etc etc...and easy enough to find… hotels end to be near to each other.

The average for guest houses is 3-400 Bhatt. Though the cheaper hotels may not be keen on you bringing back ‘guests’ of the opposite sex. If they ask you not to be nice and don't.

If you are on a tight schedule you won't have time for the 2 night settle in and look round for somewhere cheaper and better routine... it takes a little time and not what you want to do whilst carting a big back pack around.

Note the Asoknana and Sukhumvit, Soi 23 area whilst good in terms of hotel quality, transport as near the monorail, private hospital and I think subway system…Therefore a good place to start

Is also the sort of red light minus the red light district areas in particular the Nana Hotel opposite Nana Plaza where the bar girls who ain’t pulled when the bars close go. Soi cowboy 23 and Nana Plaza being the Go go bar areas. Perfectly safe, people are friendly, the system works like bars you guaranteed to pull if a bloke … But you may want to think about that if going with teenagers, kids or on your honeymoon etc. As often they may not mention that in the brochure.



Depends on how long you're staying...

DON'T get stuck in sydneys Kings cross... all people do there is go to the crap local bars and clubs, get pissed and stoned... they dont even go to other bars down the hill... sad.

In sydney:

Do the Botanical gardens tour and see the cockatoos in the park, go to the zoo and inside the kangaroo enclosure. U could climb the bridge but expensive.

Scubadive with grey nurse sharks in Manley Aquarium

Sod Kings Cross the life bar wise is Jelly wrestle night wednessday at the Oxford Tavern/Rita in the suberb Petersham.. (purple line few stops from central), petersham station, up bridge stairs right end of bridege left, up hill to main road, right, 100m up the road to cross roads... get there for 930 check train times as far apart. When fin get out quick or taxi.

Very lively, silly funny and crazy.

Bonbi beach aint all that the northern beaches are better, far better.

If in season see the harbour Whales. Note the harbour while trendy looking has lots of muggings, dont make pals there with guys wgho want to take you round the corner as they shared their drink with you.

************

Leave on Andos Outback Tours...

http://www.outbacktours.com.au/

http://www.oztravelbugs.com/prod.asp?iid=A206973FC42C436C88B6757E3DA440ED

Sydney to Byron bay heading north via the outback meeting outback folk... this is a real road trip adventure and you see the real aussie land out of the cities... Must do ***!!!

Byron bay stay at
Arts factory for a bit
http://www.artsfactory.com.au/

And try and book some nights in the tee pee.

Bryon bay is on the edge of the hippie area of Australia and is a surfer town. Arts factory is a bit kookie that way but also spend time in the other hostels with free surf boards and stuff. Note Black dog surf does in deed have a surfing dog who comes on lessons and dolphins in the bay.

do the Sunday trip to Cahnnon market to see the hippie hills and the ton of Nimbin... The only place where dope is legal... yes Im talking dope cafes and hash cookies. (keep a few for surfers paradise infintity)

Coach to Gold coast/surfers paradise.

Here Sleeping in is a good place to stay. Movie sceen in the pool, limo pick up, walking distance to coach station and dorms have a lounger (ask for the big one in the annex down the road).

Tourist city, very built up, mad part times during Indy week with street racing or schoolies (end of high school debauchery)

Note here is the place to do the snorkle with tame sharks or the ONLY place you could get away with scuba diving with sharks

http://www.seaworld.com.au/entertainment/animal_adventures.cfm?event_id=13

Not sissy ones either but a tiger and bull shark which are not nice like grey nurse sharks. Think you are in some sort of acrylic cage.

http://www.seaworld.com.au/entertainment/animal_adventures.cfm?event_id=13

Theme park land here. And go to Draculas for a meal and horror show.

You can find work here but careful some rip off backpackers and don't pay.

(especailly avoid anyone who moves cars around)

Lots of other things to do.

BUT DO NOT NOT NOT DANGLE ANYTHING IN THE CANALS OR GET IN THEM, THEY ARE FULL OF HUMAN EATING BULL SHARKS... THATS NOT A JOKE.

On to Brisbane... Place to work with some clubs. Go to nearby Morton Island to hand feed wild dolphins.

On to Noosa... Note red triangles signs mean stand still, realise you are in deep **** and walked where you should not. phone for help, or back track your steps very very carefully. Red trianlge signs are for land mines and unexploded bombs... NOT A JOKE. was used to WW2 target practice and some areas aint been cleared..


But you can kite surf and closest place to go to Steve irwin, Croc Hunters zoo.


Next stop Harvey bay... naff all to do but go whale spotting bar its the Gate way town for lovely Fraser island... National park with wild dingos and other wild life you can explore with a 4wd land drover (go with palace or others who have a hard toped vehical as the island has backpack theves who know the camping spots. or with a tour.

Top place to see.!!!!!!!!!!!


Town of 1770... for dive tirps to a ship reck or a snorkle trip to the poster island for the barrier reef and start of it, a coral island of birds.

If with Oz experience coachs you may then stop at DINGO cattle ranch... if you do
TAKE THE HELICOPTER RIDE
TAKE THE HELP COPTER RIDE

CHOPPER RIDE!!!!


ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET AN AEROBATIC LOW LEVEL 10 FOOT OFF THE GROUND ZIG ZAG BETWEEN TREES CHASE COWS CHOPPER RIDE LIKE IN A DOGFIGHT.

then Airlie beach... best stay a while and book your yacht trip here... not with some package got in Sydney or gold coast or Brisbane as you can get ladt minte deals which are cheaper...


or if a girl in possession of boobs... there are lots of competitions of thew wet t shirt, pole dance (boys can enter this one) and jelly wrestle variety where you can win yacht rips...

DONT GO FOR THE CHEAP TANGALOMA BOATS THEY ARE CRAP...

AIM FOR $400 ISH FOR A TRIP ON A MAXI YACHT '80 FOOT RACING'OR IDEALLY THE AVATAR TRIMARAN

http://www.seedownunder.com.au/destination/queensland/whitsundays/whitsunday-sailing/adventure-sailing/avatar/index.html


Must do... yacht trip to the barrier reef and whitsuday amazing beach islands
Top stay , stay at koalas and party at magnums.

Next Townsville where you can stay at magnetic island and chill... Must stay at Base...

Its on the beach and coral reef... nice beach parties.

Then tully river for white water rafting then Cairnes... To go on barrier reef dive trips inc one with lots of sharks... the further out you go ie coral sea or cod hole the better.

Place to work mostly hotel maid service.

Do aborigonie activites and go see the rain forest in table lands or cape tribulation... You can hire a car.


then head inland for darwin, and ayres rock etc.


If you get to Melborne... good spot to stay, only alterntive club scene ... go see the penguins comming home to phillip island... great thing to do.