Beginners Guide to Travelling

[eash]

I am planning on travelling to Oz and possibly NZ next June (2007) for at least a year but have no idea how i go about organising it or what i need to take or how much it's gonna cost! Can anyone help? Any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

[mkt]

One of the first things you should do is check out some visa info. You say you wansed to visit for at least a year so you'll need a particular type of visa. If you apply for a visa thatll allow you to work i think you can only apply for this once in your lifetime so make it worthwhile! That info may have changed but a couple of years ago it was correct. Also you need a certain amount of money in your bank account before you can apply for this visa. When i went it was �3000. Thats prob changed now. Have a look at www.australia.org.uk and click on visa info or FAQ's.

[robbo82]

The Lonely Planet guidebook series are generally very good, both in terms of practical advice when travelling, and details about the best things to see/do when there. It was like my Bible when I travelled round North America for three months last year.

[Big Al1st]

The cost of living in Oz is cheaper than here with petrol about half price. Very good Motels can be had for about �20 per room and internal airflights can be cheap, although there are reasonable long distance bus services. You must remember though that an inch on the map is miles and miles in Oz

To get cheap eating look for the community clubs like the Returned Serviceman League ( their British Legion Clubs although alot better), Football and Rugby Clubs. You will be signed in for the night and their restaurents usually have specials on each night. Once had a 10oz steak with trimmings for �3.50.

A friend of mine's daughter spent a year out there during which time she picked grapes in Hunter Valley for 6 weeks, worked in the kitchen of a Youth Hostel in Cairns for 2 months, worked behind a bar in Sydney and as a waitress in Brisbane. She had a great time and is planning to go back there.

It is a great place, with great people and you should really enjoy it.

One word of warning, if you go to the clubs in some of the states it is like Las Vegas with literally hundreds of Aussie one armed bandits, ( or pokies as they call them) They can be very addictive. Gambling is a serious problem in certain areas and the Government is trying to crack down.

[Mac attack]

The Backpackers Bible by Suzanne King and Elaine Robertson is a good book which takes you through ll the stages of planning the trip. I found it really helpfull. Also, STA Travel and Trailfinders have staff who are very knowledgable on travelling.