Heya, Im going to australia in early September. This will be my first time abroad alone and Im not sure how to go about seeing and doing all the things I would like to. I want to travell as much of Australia as possible over the next 3-6 months and have many experiences. Does anyone have any advice what would be a good route? Im starting in the Blue mountains as I have family there but am not sure where to go next!
I really want to learn to surf and possibly do an open water course If i can afford to, anyone know how/where I can find a cheap way of doing this?
Im thinking I will need to stay in Hostels along my journey, but as a 19yr old girl who hasn't really travelled before I dont have any clue how to find a good hostel and to be honest Im a bit scared/nervous about this whole travelling alone plan!
Any advice on travelling Australia in general would be great. Places to see, things to do, Jobs to get etc!
Thanks
x
Reply to this Hello Laura, and welcome to the Forum!
Thankfully, Australia is a very traveller friendly place to be. Their are some strong similarities with the UK, but also some strong differences - the weather, clean air, open spaces, lack of crowds and generally relaxed demeanour of the Aussies will some remove many of your anxieties.
You also have a benefit that you will find priceless as a traveller - you have family members based here! This is an excellent way to receive mail, leave some items you accumulate and know that you can return there in case of problems.
There have been a few other posts about what to see and do in Australia - here are a couple of examples:
Travelling to Oz my own Feb 2010...
East Coast trip - costs
You should be aware that the weakened state of the Australian dollar commented on in these threads is now outdated - it has strengthened by about 15%!a(MISSING)gainst the Euro (and the Pound too I suspect) since January this year, so the good exchange rates on offer in January no longer apply now.
Hope this helps - and feel free to pose more questions in this thread is you need further information!
Reply to this Late September in Melbourne is football finals time, while October is the racing season (we have a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup horse race the first Tuesday in November, which is the end of the carnival).
I'd recommend Spring in Melbourne and head up to the northern states in Summer, if you can handle the heat. then back to Sydney around Easter time.
Uluru (NT) can be pretty hot during summer.
Pretty easy to get a job around Spring in Melbourne, with so many events on, plenty of casual work around.
Reply to this There is a great surf school in Broulee Surf School on the south coast of NSW http://www.brouleesurfschool.com.au/ there are lots of dive schools in Cairns QLD you can even do them in the hostile pools or on Magnetic island QLD where there is a great hostel. Ausies love visitors and are very friendly. Think about getting a cheap car and then selling it at the end lots of travelers do that in Aus. If you stay on the coast with a trip to the center you should be fine I have stay in lots of hostels and the are lots of fun. My fav in Aus is at mission beach QLD.
Have fun
Deborah
Reply to this That's the most frequent issue when you are traveling alone, you don't have to be afraid Australia is a very tourist friendly and you'll get info because the local natives are very hospitable and accommodating.
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