leanne_mc

Hi there,

My sister a couple of friends and I are thinking of taking a 6 month holiday in Australia in 2010. We aren't sure where to go or what visas are required, if anyone could advise i'd greatly appreciate it!!

We are all in our early to late 20's and would more than likely prefer to stay somewhere quieter but close to good nightlife with good transport links, as none of us can drive... yet!!

We don't really know alot about the different areas and are open to all suggestions wih regard to where the best places are. Travelling around could be an option, but we're not sure how safe this is? also if we were to stay in the one place how easy would it be finding a place to rent for the 6 months?

all suggestions warmly welcomed!!

Thanks

Dorothy

You could come on a tourist visa if you had intentions of simply being a tourist. Alternately, there is a working holiday visa for people under 30 who intend to stay for 12 months or less and work while they're here. You can pick up short stints waitressing or doing farm work to supplement your cash supply while you're here.

Take a look at www.immi.gov.au for visa types.

carolinephillips

Come to Sydney- got beaches, nightlife, culture etc...(no don't laugh, there is culture to be had here) gigs, sights to see. Also get on a plane and hop over to the Gold Coast, Uluru, visit the great Barrier Reef- not in the wet season tho. etc... get brochures and have a good look!

leanne_mc

Thanks for the replies guys ... Caroline we had thought of Sydney, are Uluru and the great barrier reef all pretty easily accesible from there then? ...

we are looking to rent a flat for the 6 months would you recommend in the city or in a suburb outside?

thanks again guys!!

carolinephillips

Yes the Aussies use planes like we use buses/trains. So it ain't hard to go to places like Uluru and the Gold Coast. Renting in the city is expensive in a lot of areas. Go further out, but make sure there is bus/train/ferry link close to you. Get a holiday let for the first few weeks as rentals are hard to get- especially on short leases, and you'll need to inspect the property before you sign up. Make sure you bring documents to say you are trustworthy and good for the money- eg bank statements, proof of income, previous rental evidence etc...When we first arrived we went to Manly, which was nice, but noisy.(Bin lorries at 5am) Some people head for Bondi- might be easier to get rental there as there are backpackers/students.

CaptainMerton

Live in Bondi or Coogee in Sydney. It's a lifestyle you'll never get in the uk and decent nightlife, cafes and restaurants etc.

Kooky.

Hi Leanne, you should have a google for backpacker forums where you'll get tons of good information.

As people have said, of course you have to do Sydney! Chill out on Bondi beach with the other travellers. Cairns I would think is almost compulsory, too.

I bump into lots of young Brits on Working Holiday Visas - working in stores, beauty salons, etc. 3 young Northerners getting glammed up in the ladies' loos in Chatswood the other day seemed a bit gobsmacked when I said I liked their accents.