Hi, I'm going to Australia from October through to just before Christmas, and have never been, so need things to do that will take up more than a few days... What sort of things can I do? Where can I stay? I read about being a Jillaroo, or farm hand, is this a good idea? Also I will only be 17 and a half, but will have earned enough to live out there for quite a while, but cant do anything too costly... but do I need a visa? Is it easy to get lodged? Can anyone help?

I would get a good guidebook that is slanted toward lower-budget travel - try Lonely Planet. We used it all across Australia and it never steered us wrong. It contains great information on low-cost hostels in most areas of Oz. You need to decide how much you are willing to budget for travel, and that will dictate how far you can go. At a minimum, a good start would be Sydney - Melbourne - Tasmania - Adelaide. If you can afford to, the next step would be to go up the east coast to Brisbane, Whitsunday Islands, Cairns and perhaps Port Douglas. Finally, consider a third leg that would go down the center from Darwin to Alice Springs to Uluru/Kata Tjuta, and Adelaide. <BR><BR>Again, transportation is the big issue - are you going to get a car, use public land transportation, or fly? I like driving myself, but Australia is a big place, with long drives between many spots.

Hi, Alize!<BR><BR>I don't know where you're coming from, so I can't tell you much about visas, but it is my understanding that if you plan to actually earn money while you're here, yes, a working visa is required. It is also my understanding that lots of people come out here on a tourist passport, and just "happen" to find casual work. There are lots of seasonal jobs around at most times of year... there are even books about where to go and at what time of year (if I can turn up a good title, I will post again). Without having the benefit of what's in these books, I would say that if I were you I would come first to Sydney, get a room at the Youth Hostel at Central (right at Sydney Terminal Station... it's a big hostel and there are usually rooms available) and just ask the lomg-term guests where they have managed to find jobs. If you haven't got a book to refer to by that time, it should be easy to pick one up at the Co-op (or any major bookstore) which is just up the road. Once you've got some idea of where you're going, you can move into cheaper "digs".

Hello again,<BR><BR>Thanks for your help, I'm coming over from the UK, but I haven't got a drivers licence so would have have to use public transport, but will initialy fly down to Sydney. So is it ok to just turn up and plan where you will go as you go along? Or should I really book up in advance? Also, can I get a visa on arrival, or do I have to get one in the UK?

Also, does anybody know any good links to farms etc. where you can earn your keep? i.e. Jillaroo, or general farm hand.

Alize can you ride a horse? Have you thought about what being a jillaroo entails ( perhaps you have and this is the reason you want to do it eh?)<BR>If you were to get a Nanny qualification that may help a lot as many of the outback cattle stations are looking for someone who can look after smaller children as well as do some of the yard work around the place. <BR>Other than that there is seasonal work available in Australia and at different times of the year. Usually this type of work is advertised through back-packing hostels. However I think you would be wise to get a temp. work visa before you come over, being the age you are will be good as I think the cut off age is 27. Phone Australia House in either London or Birmingham and ask them what you need and how should you go about it. Also if you are close to london you should be able to get into Australia house which may have information on temp. work anyway. Its worth asking them.

Me again,<BR><BR>Yes I can ride, and I know what being a jillaroo consists of, but I enjoy being outdoors and working on farms. I haven't got a nanny qualification as such but will be working as an au pair all summer with young children, does that count?

Most certainly it does count Alize so make sure that you mention your stint as an au pair when you apply for any job on farms out here. <BR>Here is a link from which you will be able to check some farming newspapers which may or may not have classified adds in them for situations vacant. <BR>This also may give you more information of farms in Australia too and from that you can decide what type of farms you may like best. <BR>There is also a system of "farm Stay" holidays where you stay and work on a farm for free board and lodging. You don't have to work a 40 week but just to cover expenses. You may like to try thay system too.<BR><BR>Good luck<BR><BR>

Hello again!<BR>What is the link?

sorry about that ......http://www.tumpline.com/stackyard/news/australia.html<BR>However when I checked this time I couldn't find those things that I saw last time I looked. If you cannot get what you are after do a search for Farm Newspapers Australia and go from there

For regional newspapers which could also have some good information in them go to this site<BR><BR>http://dmoz.org/News/Newspapers/Regional/Australia/<BR><BR>Let us know how you get on<BR>

Hi again, Alize!<BR><BR>Here are a few addresses that just may help you to focus your objectives. They are from a book called "Workaway Guide", by Karen Halliday, which has only a small section devoted to Australia, but you may find it worth acquiring either before you come or when you arrive.<BR><BR>For general inquiries: Travellers' Contact Point in Sydney: Floor 8, Dymocks Building, 428 George St, Sydney 2000. Phone 02 9221 8744. They apparently have a notice board for accommodation and employment.<BR><BR>For nannies: "Dial an Angel" Suite 21, Floor 4 Edgecliff Mews, 201 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2070. Phone 02 9362 4225 or 02 9146 7511. For Brisbane ring 07 878 1077; for Melbourne 03 525 9261. (Other states have branches also).<BR><BR>Farm work: "Willing Workers on Organic Farms". Mt Murrindal Co-Op, Buchan, Victoria 3885. Phone 05155 0218.<BR><BR>Fruit Picking: You are not going at the right time of year for most areas, but the book notes that tomatoes are picked in Bundaberg and Bowen (in Queensland) from May to December (for us oldies, that's a song cue.... "but the days grow short, etc." Sorry to digress.)The book adds that "Let's Travel Australia", at 165 Victoria St, Kings Cross, Sydney may be able to help with fruit picking work.<BR><BR>Hope this is a little bit of help and that at least a few of these places are still at the same address (my edition of the book is 1995).<BR><BR>Good luck, Alize! I hope you can get something you really like! <BR><BR>

Hello again, wow! Thanks for all the info, I've now got my work cut out! It seems to me like it is too early to apply for a job yet, but I'll give it a go. I have also discovered: http://www.helpx.net<BR>Other gappers out there might find it useful.

Liz and Alan<BR><BR>You are really great people!!!

Hello,<BR><BR>I am currently browsing for jobs, does anybody know what they meen by a "dog", are they actualy talking about dogs? I wasn't sure, I know its a bit of a silly question but you never know....

Hi again<BR>Yes Dog means a Dog. A lot of people in the outback farming community have working dogs with them all the time and that is what that refers to. Usually a Blue Healer or cattle dog but when the owners have their own they may prefer not to have other dogs brought in. If they want to use a working dog then or have a dog around then they will say that thats OK.