My plan is to travel to Australia for at least a year, hopefully on to 2 years, and I will being going myself. I have neevr done this before so have no idea what goes into the planning and what I need to do.
Hello.
So I have bought a working visa for australia, I know companys do Visa with added extras for a higher price but mines was £170 for the visa alone, as I decided I would prefer to get anything else I need by myself.
I have £2500 saved already and plan to leave for Oz in October this year, I know I have alot of saving to do. Although the visa is for a year I would plan to apply for another year when I am out there to make the most of it. I could probably save another £2000 before October but know that still wont be enough so I know I will need to work through my whole trip, which is what I wanted to do anyway.
I just don't know where to start on everything else really, such as what companys best to book flights with and where would be the best place to fly to in October, I guess I would like somewhere that would offer more jobs in that time period. Fruit picking jobs and labour jobs would be best suited to me.
Then there is hostels, do I organise that when I am there or should that be done before I go?
Jobs, working is paramount to my travelling and will not be able to go without a job, I would like to travel about Australia but will need to go where there are more jobs, any ideas where the easiest places to get work are?
I know alot of companies set up your first week for you but they seem like a bit too much, I'm not really interesting in the scuba diving packages etc they add in either.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated since I don't really know what I am doing.
Oh and I like to do things on the cheap, where possible anyway.
I am 21 and from Scotland. Thanks
Reply to this Hello Louise and welcome to Travelblog!
To start things off, have a look at this Australian government website:
Harvest Trail
This is a popular way for people to work and travel throughout Australia. Be aware that the availability of jobs is also determined by weather conditions, so when there are floods that cover an area the size of the UK, jobs are less. Same goes with cyclones and periods of drought, so it is good to have an alternative plan just in case.
Reply to this First.
I would research what kind of work you would like to do. What area of Australia would you like to settle down.
I would then check online how much the plane ticket could. You can try a quick research through skyscanner to give you an idea.
For hostel, it would be the last thing I would think of organizing. I mean, you don't really know what the plan is. You could find one for the beginning. Many hostel offer jobs.
I would do has Shane said. Check with the OZ gouvernment and yours if it is easy to extend your visa to a second year or whatever, all the option.
Do you want to visit other lands around (New Z, cook island, etc.)
Some friend of mine work on a cruise boat when they were there and lead water expedition.
Anyway, have fun. I am sure it will be a great experience.
Nick
Reply to this Hi, i live in Aust and it is a pretty big diverse country so maybe think about what youre keen on weather wise. Personally i'd maybe book into a hostel for 2 or 3 weeks in your first city of choice, then once youre here you'll be able to chat to other backpackers and find otu how it all works and were are the other places to go too etc etc.
Northern queensland is very tropical with high temps, lots of bugs and a huge hospital industry for backpackers/travellers although maybe more over the dry season which is april to october. Sydney and Melb are both big big cities each with their own unique character - sydney is probably more 'corproate' and a bit warmer where melbourne is more like london, colder temps and more sporty and possibly artsy. Perth is still in the minining boom so things here are very expensive (rent and food) but also you can earn heaps and we have a massive labour shortage so you can earn $100,000 being a labourer and end up working your but off.
Pretty much all those cities have different fruit picking opportunities and all of them have their own wine regions so definitly grape picking at the right seasons.
Good luck and i would just say dont tie yourself down so you can find what suits you the best - thats the best thing about backpacking 😊)
tam
Reply to this Hi Louise,
Have a look at gumtree - it's a site that lists jobs, accommodation, cheap and secondhand things for sale (like furniture, if you're considering staying in one place for a while) that is quite handy for backpackers and students.
Also Sept/early Oct can be a peak hiring time for the Christmas period if you are interested in short-term retail work to get you started once you arrive.
<snip>
[Edited: 2012 May 26 22:19 - The Travel Camel:11053 - No dropping commercial links on this thread, thanks.]
Reply to this What is your main purpose of going there? You can check out this site for some guide about smart traveling <snip>
[Edited: 2012 May 26 22:18 - The Travel Camel:11053 - No dropping commerical links on this thread.]
Reply to this Be acquainted that the availability of jobs is as well bent by acclimate conditions, so if there are floods that awning an breadth the ad measurement of the UK, jobs are less. Same goes with cyclones and periods of drought,
Reply to this In response to: Msg #154875
Hey i worked as a hostess on sailboats in the Whitsundays, East Coast (Airlie Beach).
Its a great way to get out and see the islands whilst getting paid. Your food/accomadation is covered and if your smart and get your galley skills down pact there will be plenty of time to snorkle/dive and relax with other travellers. Having the boat skills can also get you jobs sailing up or down the coast and get you to your next destination.
Also to work in bars here you will need your RSA (responsible service of alcohol) to work in hospitality here. Beware of courses that only offer state wide ones.
Reply to this Hello ebby90 and welcome to Travelblog! Are you a fellow Brisbane resident by any chance? That scene in your profile looks from Mount Coot-tha.
Anyway, that is a great suggestion about working on the sailboats, not sure if I can recall seeing that before. Just a clarification question, how can a person tell that a RSA course is national as opposed to a state one?
Reply to this Thankx!! I was a fellow brissy resident but have just moved back to adelaide, it is indeed mt coot-tha in my photo 😊
Who you do it through should list the states it covers. In QLD you need your RSA to be accredited by the OLGR and i THINK in NSW, ACT, TAS & VIC you need to complete it face to face rather than online.
Reply to this What a coincidence, I was born in Adelaide, but left a very long time ago.
Thanks for that information, I'm sure it will be useful for others on this site.
Reply to this Hello Louise,
We are new here too! But we have been in Australia, so here you have some useful links (at least they were for us):
Work in a farm in Australia (you get a bed, food and learn the culture in exchange of 4-6h. working a day). It is a good idea if you want to know more about Australia, people and culture!
About the route around the Australia. Here you have a route of 18 days: http://www.way-away.com/travel-itineraries/australia-oct-may/australia-in-18-days-for-independent-travellers-oct-may/
We tried it out, it's pretty good!
Hope this helps!
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