Travel Tips Articles
June 15, 2005
Changes to working holiday visa to make backpackers more picky
In the United States, migrant Mexican workers do significant amounts of fruit picking, especially in California. In Australia, the government is hoping English backpackers will be able to fill the ranks by offering an extension on working holiday visas for a year for those who spend their first three months in the bush. The government is already seeing a large shift in people eager to participate in the program. I wonder about other backpacker jobs becoming saturated, however, if more and more travelers flood the country on working holiday visas. The time to participate in this program would be now, at the beginning.
by Court | #
May 21, 2005
Travellers reminded of Indonesian laws
Australians heading to Indonesia are being reminded of the country's harsh drug laws as 10 Australians sit in Bali jails accused of drug trafficking and facing the death penalty.From Travellers reminded of Indonesian lawsThe updated Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice comes in the wake of the cases of Gold Coast woman Schapelle Corby on a charges of importing marijuana and the group known as the Bali nine, arrested for heroin smuggling.
DFAT is warning Australians that when overseas they are subject to local laws, which can be very different to those in Australia.
Is this a case of too little, too late, and just something for show? Does it even matter? The information hasn't changed - people just need high profile cases like this one to be reminded exactly how stupid smuggling drugs is...I'm not sure it's going to make much of a difference six months down the road, anyway.
by Court | #
Make a job of it
There are more opportunities for young travellers to work overseas - but be quick. Flip Byrnes reports. You've settled down nicely into a new-year routine - but now you're restless....Continue reading... | by Court | #
Free city tours in the land of the Kiwi
The no-charge introductions to New Zealand's larger cities give tourism operators the opportunity to show off their services. New ZEALAND, where backpackers first strapped on bungees, rolled around in inflated...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australia's Optus Mobile Links With Lonely Planet
SYDNEY - Optus Mobile has launched a content partnership with Lonely Planet Publications enabling Optus Mobile customers to download Lonely Planet CityPicks travel guides to their Java-enabled mobile phones via...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Professor Guides Novice International Travelers with Top 5 List
Getting the most out of an overseas trip begins with homework, says a Purdue University classics professor. Whether visiting a foreign country for a week's vacation or living abroad, the...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Last Minute Hotels in Australia
We built a Aussie Last Minute Hotel section a while back - and we are in the process of updating it right now. You can book a hotel in Australia...Continue reading... | by Sean | #
Plastic traveller's cheques the future
Australians heading overseas have embraced the plastic traveller's cheque to such a degree that for the first time it outstripped sales of its paper counterpart last year, Travelex chairman and...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Bah humbug. A good holiday, ruined by cynicism?
Alain de Botton, the writer and philosopher, is to the travel industry what Ebenezer Scrooge is to Christmas cheer. His latest film, The Art of Travel, based on his successful...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Travel insurance hiked up
AUSTRALIAN travel insurance companies are charging up to 400 per cent more for policies than insurers in the UK, the consumer watchdog said today. From Travel insurance hiked up...Continue reading... | by Court | #
World's fastest on narrow tracks
Australia's fastest train has been a popular and trouble-free way of travelling through tropical Queensland, especially for pensioners and backpackers. Despite competing in an era of heavily discounted air travel,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
New Passport Rules Start Tuesday
Starting Tuesday, there'll be new rules for certain U-S visitors. Travelers without visas will need to have passports that can be read by a machine, in order to be...Continue reading... | by Court | #
NZ Links
Ok, so this is Oz blog, but NZ is a popular spot to travel to. Here are some links passed on from Danielle Engels....Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sirromet Winery
Fellas, if you're looking for a great location to take a date for an afternoon drive and lunch, I'd have to recommend Sirromet Winery and Lurleen's Restaurant. Situated on a...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Saturday at Eumundi Markets
As the weather begins to get warmer, the hankering for the beach grows - for me at least. With the Saturday just gone supposed to reach the high 20°C, it...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Lawn Bowls by the Brisbane River
If you're looking for something to do that's a little different, but still plenty of fun, I can highly recommend an afternoon of Lawn Bowls at the Merthyr Bowls Club...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (9)
Cheap flights to USA
If you're planning on going to the USA later this year, here's a cheap way to get there from Qantas: Brisbane - Los Angeles 20,000 points off Award flights between...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Zamunda - For Travellers
If you're a hardcore traveller, slightly cynical about the gringo trail and positively shun people who carry LP guidebooks, then you'll want to hear about this untouched paradise we've come...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Food Markets at New Farm Park, Brisbane
5:20 seems awful early to be getting up on a Saturday morning (how long since I've been a paperboy?), but that's what I did to go to the food markets...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Day Trip to Redcliffe
I've been meaning to get to the coast for ages now, since I got back to Brisbane in July, but haven't quite managed it yet. Even though my favoured Sunshine...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
New Zealand Hooker
Aussies and Kiwis are always taking the piss on each other. Since there are 30 million sheep and only 3 million New Zealanders - stuff like this propogates quickly and...Continue reading... | by Sean | # | Comments (4)
Brisbane as a backpackers location
Brisbane, often refered to as a �big country town� 10 years ago has been developing and I like the changes....Continue reading... | by | # | Comments (7)
Getting a Virgin Mobile Phone in Australia
Arriving in Australia a few days ago, Nick and I decided to get local mobile phones for our time in Australia for a few reasons....Continue reading... | by Sean | # | Comments (1)
