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LauraP
Member
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Posted: 11 Sep 2006 03:21 pm |
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| Hi to all of you due due to go to Oz with Changing Worlds, or any of you currently enjoying Oz already. I returned from Australia 18 months ago, and most of you will know me as the girl from the interview/training days. If you have any questions about your trip or experiences to share I'd love to hear from you. Laura.
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jeffa
Member
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Posted: 10 Oct 2006 05:18 pm |
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Hi Laura,
I'm off to australia for the zoo placement in september next year, and i remember you said you stayed in Oz afterwards. I'm thinking of doing the same thing i was wondering how much money you took with you and how much you used for about 3 months?
Thanks for your time
Jenni
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LauraP
Member
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Posted: 11 Oct 2006 12:09 am |
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Hi Jenni
Now my case was slightly different to what yours will be as I stayed in a hostel for the whole time I was in Brisbane. As you will not be paying for accomodation or food you will not need a huge amount to get by on. Last time I checked, the Australian Immigration Department required you to be able to demonstrate that you had access to at least 2000 pounds in order to enter australia on a working holiday visa. This amount should be more than enough for you to get by on for three months. It all depends on what you plan on doing when you finish your placement, and what you plan on doing in your time off. Your best bet is to decide what these things may be and to get rough ideas on costs. You'll be able to find most prices in a good travel guide like the lonely planet, or online. I hope that answers your question. Let me know if you need any more info. 
Laura
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jeffa
Member
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Posted: 11 Oct 2006 12:07 pm |
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Yea thanks for that. I keep looking at things and getting excited about all the different things i can do while im out there. I have family out there too so should be able to stay there when in Perth  . have you got any must sees that you recommend?
Love jenni
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Ali
Member
| Joined: | 23 Nov 2006 |
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Posted: 23 Nov 2006 12:59 pm |
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Hi Laura.
I'm going to work in the outback for 6 months in March and then hope to travel down the East Coast and New Zealand for about 3 months afterwards. Was just wondering what stuff you took with you - was reading the kit list from which is all "3 pairs of underwear, 2 t-shirts etc", which seems practical for travelling afterwards, but being in the same place for 6 months is it still worth living out of a backpack or taking a bit more?
Thanks. Ali
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LauraP
Member
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Posted: 26 Nov 2006 01:54 pm |
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Hi Guys
Sorry I haven't answered your questions but my email has been playing up and I only just got word you'd posted them.
Jenni, the must sees are countless, depends on what you're in to and what you can afford. In surfer's I have to recomend Infinity. It's a mad adult funhouse in the middle of town (look out for tourist/backpacker discounts) and best enjoyed with a bunch of nutty mates. Stradbrook island (where they filmed one of the scooby doo movies) for sand boarding, dolphin watching, sea fishing or just admiring the amazing views. The whitsundays and Frasier are a must for most people travelling the east coast, Oh and of course, you must get your photo taken cuddling a koala. Thats just a token idea of what to do on the east coast. Out in perth, it depends how far you are prepared to travel. There is so much to do and see out there, again you'll be spoilt for choice. Go fishing around Esperance and see the whitest sand ever! Up to Margaret River for wine tasting, or into the outback and see wave rock. I could go on for ever, but trust your lonely planet, it really can give you a good idea of what to see in your time and budget.
Ali, you are only limited by the weight limit of the airline you are travelling with (Usually about 21-23Kg) Now I would plan on taking only the things you need for your stay in the outback. I would recommend at least a weeks worth of sturdy clothes though, as the work and environment will be harsh, and frequent washing of clothes will be a must. Make sure you have a really good pair of boots (and loads of socks, I was forever losing them out there) for work that you have broken in before you get out there (I got so used to mine that I still wear them every day) but make sure you have a pair of flip flops (thongs) too, you can't intergrate into aussie life without a pair. At your pre departure course the kit list will be explained in more detail specifically with regards to your placement. As for travelling afterwards, you'll be coming into the aussie/kiwi summer, so unless you are planning to go skiing in new zealand all you'll need is lightweight stuff. I personally recommend only taking a couple of bits and buying the rest out there. There is a huge array of cheap clothes shops, you could even start in Mt Isa, I went absolutely mad in their Kmart and nearly replaced all the clothes I had with me.
As for luggage, it depends. Most people prefer the convenience of a back pack. Personally I wish I'd taken a good suitcase on wheels. Yes there are a few hostels with no lifts, but whats a few stairs compared to missing the bus to your latest adventure cos you can't find your sunglasses at the bottom of your pack. A suitcase can slide nicely under a bed and is a ready made, lockable drawer that makes things really easy to find.
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jeffa
Member
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Posted: 27 Nov 2006 06:53 pm |
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Thanks so much, its always good to hear it from someone that has already been. I've got my lonely Planet guide ready, not had chance to read much of it yet though! thanks for the info on suitcases sounds like good advice, never really thought of it as being a somewhere to lock stuff away! Maybe thats just me being dumb!
From Jenni x x x
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LauraP
Member
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Posted: 27 Nov 2006 11:57 pm |
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Not dumb at all, it never crossed my mind till I got there and couldn't lock all my stuff away. You do get access to lockers in all the hostels so a couple of good combination (no key to lose!) padlocks are a must, these generally only fit your valuables and maybe a few other bits, but again if you do get enough room to cram everything in them finding stuff at short notice can be really tough. Theft was very rare, but it did happen and I could tell you of a fair few people I met who'd had stuff nicked because they just got careless. Now chances of anything you have being taken are very slim, but a bit of common sense when it comes to your wallet and passport are a must. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with, if I don't have the answers I'm sure one of the 50 odd people I met there who i'm still in touch with will.
Laura
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Samantha30
Guest
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Posted: 12 Feb 2007 01:09 pm |
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hi laura! right im startin from the very beginning i dnt really no wot im doin! ive decided i want 2 go 2 oz at end of year but dnt no how 2 do about startin 2 plan it! i was thinkin bout getin a year holiday visa and then just goin out there and finding jobs! but then i came across the zoo placement and would love 2 do it, but i dnt think id hav enough money 2 do it without gettin paid... cud i work along side it maybe?! and for the 1st 3months i would like 2 do some harvest work as ive heard u can get another year visa if u do tht! i would be very gratefull if u cud giv me ne advice possible! i dnt really no how much money i would need 2 hav with me either! hope 2 hear from u soon! x
Samantha
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LauraP
Member
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Posted: 13 Feb 2007 06:45 pm |
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Hi Samantha
I'll try and answer all your questions but if miss anything let me know.
Firstly, yes you can now do 2 years on a working holiday visa if you go and work the harvest. As for working and doing the zoo placement I'm not sure. I can't see changing worlds not allowing it, but the work is pretty heavy at the zoo, amazingly rewarding and fun but it is hard work, so I personally wouldn't recommend it. Also, Australian immigration rules state that you need to have at least £2000 in the bank to enter the country, this should be quite enough to see you through a three month placement at the zoo, as your living expenses are covered through the scheme, so any money you take with you is yours to spend. Work in Australia is pretty easy to come by, especially if you have experience and if you are willing to work in the countryside, getting work (especially bar work) is extremely easy. It can be a bit more difficult if you are choosy, but still there are loads of agencies in most ausie cities that deal only with backpackers and they will find you work. I went into one agency in Perth, I was totally broke by that stage as I'd just driven there from north Queensland with two friends. After two weeks of driving and sightseeing (Uluru is even better than you could imagine) we'd spent up. Anyway, we walked in, had jobs within twenty minutes and were on our way the next day. So finding work is very doable.
Also if you wanted to go out to Oz and do your own thing for a while, and then join up with the changing worlds program, they will take the cost of the flights off your fee, and arrange the rest of the experience for you. That way, you just have to meet up with the other zoo volunteers and the changing worlds rep on a specified date and start from there.
The possibilities are endless. If you wanted any more advice I would also recommend you give someone at changing worlds a ring to see if they are what you are looking for. They were pefect for me, but you need to be sure its right for you.
Good luck with your plans.
Laura 
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