It’s April 20 and the weather is starting to get chilly in parts of the southern hemisphere. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the switch in seasons down here, but the weather where I’m living at the moment really feels like Autumn in northeast USA.
I walked out of work this week to hoodie-weather and the smell of log fire. This is the first time I’ve felt Fall in over two years. It’s my favorite season, but I’m not looking forward to what follows. Hopefully Mount Maunganui stays somewhat warm in the winter.
Starway.org
Two “100″ events seemed to dominate my feeds all this past week, the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking and the 100 day countdown to the London Olympics. I never realized there were so many travel opportunities having to do with the Titanic, but I’m keen to visit some in the future.
For now, these are some things I’ve been thinking about this past week.
What I’m reading
On the subject of the Titanic, Mariellen at Breathe Dream Go wrote my favorite post having to do with the famous ship. The Titanic is linked with several of her personal memories. I never thought of the ship that way, but I have about other things. Thanks for opening up.
In the post he talks about traveling an an “out gay man” through Egypt where “people are commonly arrested for being gay”. He wrote about a personal encounter there with someone who questioned him on the matter and asks the readers what they would have done in that situation.
Wandering Earl opened up about a much lighter subject. In his post “There’s nothing wrong with a 40-hour workweek”, he asks “What’s wrong with work?” Like him, I love work. I usually get a bit restless after a few months of travel without work. Plus I love working abroad because it gives me a chance to get to know people and live as a local.
What I’m watching
While we may have “unlimited internet” where we are living at the moment, like buffets in New Zealand, that doesn’t really mean unlimited. The internet slows down tremendously after we reach a certain number of MBs. So basically, I haven’t been able to watch anything this past week.
Not even Mad Men!
But I did just learn how to play snake on YouTube videos while waiting for them to load. As soon as the dotted-circle appears, hit one of the four arrow keys on your keyboard and the circle will turn into a snake. Continue using the arrow keys to direct the snake to eat circles that appear on the screen.
Qysh.me
What I’m Googling
I watched an episode of David Attenborough’s Nature’s Great Events this week, so I was Googling a lot, especially about phytoplankton.
Ghost of travels past. I’ve written a lot about Port Douglas this past week. It’s been nice to look back and reflect on my time there, but sad to remember how many great things there are to do there and not be able to actually be there right now.
Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
What I’m planning
Some unexpected travel ideas popped up this week. It started while reading Christine in Spain’s post about how to live in the Spain. Ric and I always talk about spending some time in Spain. It’s easy for him because he has an EU passport, but as an American, it’s going to be a bit trickier for me.
Christine’s post was so helpful on the matter. I’m going to follow up on one of her work suggestions in the next year, so hopefully I’ll get to live in Spain in the future.
But the planning didn’t stop there. We would be going to Spain right after New Zealand. I thought, maybe it be fun to try and reach the European country by going completely overland after flying from New Zealand to Thailand.
Has anyone ever done something similar?
It would be a pretty epic trip traveling through central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. We’re both pretty excited about the possibility of it.
If you haven’t noticed, the theme on Heels and Wheels this week is Port Douglas. It’s been almost two years since I first stepped foot in the this tiny piece of paradise in Far North Queensland, Australia.
I still can’t stop thinking about it.
I didn’t write a lot about Port Douglas while I was there. In fact, I didn’t write much about anything. I was so immersed in the lifestyle there that all I did pretty much was…live. I didn’t waste loads of time catching up on places I wasn’t living or researching places I wanted to visit in the future. Instead I spent my time living like I belonged, as if no other life existed outside the town.
I’m a contradiction in many ways. I like pickles, hate cucumbers. I embrace city life, but long for seclusion. One of my biggest contradictions is that I love travel, but I have a slight obsession with small-town life.
I grew up in the suburbs of southern New Jersey. Sure I was close to small towns, beaches and big cities, but the suburbs where I am actually from was kind of like a limbo to all those things. Where I’m from there are a lot of people, open spaces, strip malls and schools. It’s not the city, but it’s definitely not a small town. Sure you might bump into someone at Wawa, but you don’t see the same barista every day at a one-of-a-kind cafe.
I don’t know if it was shows like Gilmore Girls or towns like New Hope, PA, but something long ago gave me this longing for small town life. A place where everybody knows my name. A place where I can walk into the town center from my house and bump into friends along the way. A place where there is a small enough number of people to feel like you’re part of a community, but more than enough people to keep things lively.
Yet, I also love visiting places where no one knows me, meeting new people and trying new things. I know I’m weird, but I found a place that brought these two contradictions together and it was Port Douglas.
The town is not very big. In fact its center is pretty much just one street. But it’s beautiful. God is Port Douglas beautiful. Plus it’s so relaxing. A visit there almost feels like one to the islands. Port is mainly a destination town, but a small number of people call it their home. So living there, you get a mixture of locals who you’ve known for years and visitors who arrive in bulk every few days.
How small town does this street look? Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
It was a job that led me to move there while living in Australia. At first, my time there was not going very well. I wanted to use my time in Port to work on my blog and get in shape. It all started out well enough. I was working, blogging and running. Plus I was meeting loads of people from my hostel, but the fact that I had set up a lifestyle for the town and not the opposite, led me to frustration.
Within a month of living in Port, I was hating the job that brought me there and didn’t feel like I was really getting to know people because I wasn’t going out so I could wake up early and run. Finally, I let go and though I lost that job that brought me to Port as well as my workout routine, I gained something spectacular.
Between the people at the hostel and the people at my new job, I almost felt like I was part of a big family. Every day I’d go to work and come home to find out what mischief “the guys” were getting into. We slept together (by that I mean six bedroom dorms), ate together and played together.
The guys.
After a few weeks the people I recognized from town started to recognize me. I had a coffee shop I visited every day and the guys there knew my drink, my name and a bit about me. I had a friend who I went for regular Sunday breakfasts with. Eventually I also found a partner here. This is where I met Ric, which adds to the town’s meaning to me.
When I was living in Port, that was all I was doing. It was the good life.
It’s been almost two years since I left and I still get choked up thinking about it, because the thing about Port Douglas is, I can never go back.
I said this to a friend as we boarded a bus to finally leave the Port Douglas.
She looked at me funny and replied, “Of course you can. You can always go back.”
But the truth is, I can’t. None of us can. Sure we can visit the town and I’m sure I will visit many times in the future, but the summer that I had there, the feeling, I can never go back to that. It’s sad, but I think it’s just a part of life. Sure Port is special to me, but I’m sure everyone has a place that’s special to them the same way. Everyone has a Port and while we may never be able to go back that place will stay with us forever.
“And me, I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for, ’cause it’s not where you go. It’s how you feel for a moment in your life when you’re a part of something, and if you find that moment… it lasts forever…” – Richard “The Beach”
This view is one of the biggest things that made me return to Port Douglas and stay for the season. I originally arrived planning to only spend a few days then move on. During those few days I stumbled upon Anzac Park, the Sugar Wharf, St. Mary’s by the Sea and a tiny, secluded beach bringing all these things together.
I remember sitting on a bench in the park looking at the sight. It had been cloudy all day until that point. The clouds separated and the sun peaked through. I thought to myself, “I’ll be spending more than a just few days here.”
And I did.
Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
After visiting Cape Tribulation I came back to Port Douglas for Carnival. I left again for Cairns to return the campervan a friend and I traveled the east coast with. After losing our wheels, we waited around Cairns for a few days wondering what to do next.
I’m really into signs and was waiting for one in Cairns. On the way to a yoga class one morning, I bumped into the owner of the hostel I stayed at in Port Douglas. He offered me a job at his hostel in Port Douglas.
The working holidaymakers guide to Port Douglas, Australia
Known for its luxury resorts, high-end restaurants and lavish tours, Port Douglas, Australia may not sound like the ideal backpacker destination.
But someone needs to cook for, serve, guide and clean up after the town’s many visitors. This makes Port Douglas a wonderful choice for twenty-something, working holidaymakers to find a job and much, much more during their year in Australia.
Located in Far North Queensland, most backpackers end up in Port Douglas desperately needing work after a few weeks or months of traveling the country’s east coast, a fun, but expensive trip. The mixture of beautiful beaches, a tent city and hundreds of party-loving travelers make the tropical village a haven for working holidaymakers.
Above all, make sure you have a work holiday visa or proper work permits to work in Australia. The country welcomes foreigners, but can be pretty harsh on people who work illegally in the country.
Those interested in making a home out of Port Douglas during their stay in Oz should arrive at the end of May and stay until about October, this is when the town is busiest and the weather is best. People arriving at this time of year need only to show up and book a room, the rest will fall into place.
To make the transition easier, here are five tips I can offer from my work holiday experience in Port Douglas.
Where to live
Whether you like hostels or not, it’s best to stay at one for the first few weeks of your stay in Port Douglas. Yes, it’s much cheaper than the area’s pricey hotels, but it’s also the best way to make friends and find out about work opportunities in town.
Dougie's tent city is affordable and fun. Photo by Richard John Hackey
Out of the four or five hostels operating in Port Douglas, Dougies is by far the favorite for for affordability, scenery and community. The large hostel and campground is about a twenty-minute walk away from the town center. Situated across the street from Four Mile Beach, the massive hostel has a pool, bar, kitchen and common area.
What makes this hostel so special?
Tent City. Located behind the dormitories, the camp area is packed with tents amongst jungle scenery. Filled with backpackers, tent city is a sort of travel commune. To top it all off, the resort only charges campers $75 per person, per week and your tent can be as large and lavish as you want. In fact, some of the tents here have refrigerators, televisions, mattresses and decor inside. It’s perfect for people who value their privacy, but enjoy the hostel life.
But camping in the tropics or hostel life in general isn’t for everyone, especially not for long periods of time. If you are planning to stay in Port Douglas for six months or longer, it might be a good idea to lease an apartment. With a few roommates this can be as cheap as $80 a week.
Those that don’t want to be tied down to an apartment can always rent a room somewhere. The best way to find one is by asking the locals at work or in town. They might have space or know a friend that does. Also, check for postings on bulletin boards at hostels or around town, read the town’s weekly newspaper, Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette. Gum Tree isn’t a good source in Port Douglas, but it’s always worth a try.
Where to work
It’s good to arrive in Port Douglas early to get first pick of the job market. That said, the start of the season can be pretty slow, so you might not receive a lot of hours until about a month in.
Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
Most of the jobs offered here are in hospitality and tourism. Chef is probably the most readily-availble position in town. People can also find work as a divemaster/instructor, tour guide, waiter or waitress, housekeeper or bartender. That said, it is possible to find other jobs here. A newspaper, medical center and other businesses operate out the town.
The best way to find work in Port Douglas is to prepare a great CV and walk around town handing it out. People interested in work as a chef or server can pretty much visit all over town, but the bulk of the restaurants are located on Macrossan Street. Those interested in working on a dive boat should visit Marina Mirage.
Hotels lining Port Douglas Road require large staffs for positions in housekeeping, concierge or in their restaurants. For boutique hotels, it would be best to just visit and speak with a manager. This can also be said for larger hotels and resorts, but look out for when they’ll be hosting open interviews or job fairs. Large hotel companies will usually post ads about this in the local paper.
People should also look out for postings at hostels. To be honest, I just wouldn’t bother searching for work online, it’s more effective to search in person here.
Also keep hostel work in mind. A lot of hostels trade free accommodation in return for few hours work there a week. You can also find paid work at hostels. If you are staying at the hostel in which you receive paid work, they might offer you discounted room rates. Living where you work has its ups and downs.
Where to party
After all the basics are covered, money and shelter, it’s time to have a bit of fun. Port Douglas is by no means a party town, but party-loving backpackers always find a way to make this place exciting at night and throughout the day.
Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
While the best place to party changes each year, Iron Bar is always a great place to start. The centrally located bar has karaoke every Tuesday, live bands every week and usually stays open the latest on Macrossan Street.
Outside of the town center, Dougies hosts themed parties throughout the year. You’ll also hear about house and beach parties if you’re living here for the season.
What to do in town
The area has loads of activities and attractions, but if your making Port Douglas your home, you’ll probably be more likely to try low-key things. Of course Four Mile Beach is a great place to spend your days off swimming and playing in the sun. You might also want to try weekly activities like film nights at Central, $5 fish and chips at Lure and dinner deals at the Tin Shed. Basically, the more time you spend here, the more you’ll hear about things to do.
The view of Port Douglas's Four Mile Beach from Flagstaff Hill lookout point. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
How to get there
Port Douglas is located just off Captain Cook Highway, about an hour north of Cairns. It’s easy to reach by car. Those traveling around Australia using public transportation must arrive in Cairns first.
The Queensland city has an airport and is easily reached by bus. From Cairns, use Sun Palm to get to Port Douglas. The local transit service charges $35 for a one way trip from Cairns city or airport to wherever your destination is in Port Douglas. They also offer transit around town and its surrounding areas.
Also, if you book your accommodation before arrival, check to see if the hostel or hotel offers free pick ups from Cairns.
Miles of beach at your finger tips, a laid-back town life and one of the world’s oldest rainforests only a short drive away, Port Douglas is the epitome of tropical paradise. Located in Far North Queensland, Australia, about an hour north of Cairns, this tiny village may have originally been settled during the gold trade, but its the town’s natural beauty that’s proven to be its most valuable asset over time.
The getaway begins when you turn off Captain Cook Highway onto Port Douglas Road. Palm trees line the straight road, as mountains and farmland disappear behind you. This long road is filled with some of Australia’s most impressive resorts, including the massive but somehow still hidden Sea Temple and Spa Resort, which also has a golf course, and the Sheraton Mirage, which sits on what they claim to be the largest pool/lagoon in the southern hemisphere.
And this is all before even reaching the town center.
The small town center is packed with restaurants that have been dined by the likes of former president Bill Clinton and bars that have been partied at by actor Matthew McConaughey, as well as delicious eateries and everything from high street to import shopping experiences. Not to mention that on both sides of the town center are two very different sea scenes. On one end sits the long and sandy Four Mile Beach, on the other the Sugar Wharf and Meridien Marina.
The resort town stretches out quite a bit and offers an array of natural attractions, activities and more.
Waiting for a free ride on a wednesday at the Port Douglas Yacht Club. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
10. Free sailing at Port Douglas Yacht Club
Every Wednesday, Yacht Club members welcome visitors to go for a sail on their boats, free of charge. Those interested should arrive at about 4 p.m. While this activity is free, preference is given to people who buy a dinner ticket for that night at the club. Show up and sign in, then wait for the call to hop on someone’s boat and sail into the sunset.
9. Cane Toad Racing at Iron Bar
While these small amphibians usually tend to hide out in sugar cane fields or swamps, they take the stage at Iron Bar at 8 p.m. every few nights a week. This show gets pretty busy some nights, so arrive about an hour ahead to find a good spot to watch and buy a ticket. The show is about an hour, but you can make a whole night out of it. The restaurant serves deliciously greasy foods and it’s a great place to party as they feature live bands, karaoke and drink specials every night.
Map of Port Douglas from www.tourismportdouglas.com.au
8. Shop and cafe-hop around Macrossan Street
The main street in the town center is lined with art galleries, clothing stores and cafes. Find one-of-a-kind, beach pieces at Moonshine Bay or stop in some Aussie favorites like Witchery and Jay Jays. After a long day of shopping, have a coffee at one of the many cafes or restaurants on and around Macrossan Street. Origin Espresso offers a Melbourne-caliber of coffee in a cozy spot just off Macrossan, on the corner of Grant and Warner Streets.
7. Fish in town or out to sea
Judging by the size of the town’s mascot groper George (don’t worry we’ll get to that later), the waterways surrounding Port Douglas must have some good catches. All you need is a rod and some bait to fish off the Sugar Wharf. Those interested in a more adventurous fishing experience can go out to sea with Fishing Port Douglas or rent their own pontoon and fish around the area’s mangroves where an array of wildlife lives, including crocs.
Party at the Sugar Wharf during Port Douglas's annual Carnival celebration. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
6. Have a drink or two
The destination town is packed with great restaurants and bars for every budget. Sip on bubbles at Zinc, try a cocktail at Bistro 3 or just have a good ol’ schooner at the Central Hotel or the Court House Hotel. The town is by no means known for its nightlife, if that’s what your after then head to Cairns, but you can have some amazing nights out or entire days taking a few back in the hot, Australian sun here. The Court House, or the “Courty” is definitely the town’s most iconic spot to dine and an ideal place to soak up the sun, but Iron Bar, which has karaoke, live bands and more, usually stays open and busy much later.
A lot places around town offer happy hour, but only On the Inlet, located near the Marina, offers happy hour with a 250 kg groper. Every night at 5 p.m., a staff member feeds George, the massive groper, as guests watch. It’s quite a sight to see. These days a lot of George’s buddies join in on the fun too. Get their early, as its hard to find a good viewing spot closer to feeding time.
Purchase fresh and locally grown produce at the market. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
5. Browse through local produce and goods at the Port Douglas Sunday Markets
Every Sunday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., farmers, bakers and artists alike set up stalls around Anzac Park. Located right on the sea, you can’t find a better location for a Sunday market. Try produce from all over the area, sip on sugar cane or pineapple juice, maybe even try some of the area’s coconuts.
You can browse through import clothing, admire photography and paintings by local artists, purchase hand-crafted leather and wood goods, even get a massage at the markets. While visiting Anzac Park, make sure to check out St. Mary’s by the Sea, a tiny chapel right on the water.
Taken from Low Island, you can't get much closer to paradise. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
4. Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef and Low Isles
Everyone knows Cairns as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but boats operating out of Port Douglas reach the Outer Great Barrier Reef as well. Several Port Douglas boats offer daily trips to the major dive and snorkel destination.
Another great trip to sea offered from Port Douglas is the Low Isles. Spend the day prancing around Low Island, a tiny island with a red-topped lighthouse and snorkeling around the island searching for clown fish, sea turtles, reef sharks and more.
All boats depart from Marina Mirage, which doesn’t get mentioned enough in this post. The Marina is another great section of the town which offers dining, shopping and more. Visitors can book nautical trips from here.
A crocodile sits on the banks of the Daintree River. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
3. Spot a croc
Australian crocodiles are not hard to find in the Port Douglas area. Though you don’t really have to worry about crocs hanging out at Four Mile Beach, I would be careful around mangroves in the area, especially in the Daintree, the tropical rainforest in this area.
There are a number of crocodile-sighting tours operating around the Daintree. Crocodile sightings are quite normal in Cape Tribulation and another good way to see crocs is by renting a pontoon boat, which was mentioned under the fishing section of this post.
Crocodile sightings shouldn’t stop people from visiting the area. If anything, they should make people want to visit it more. Crocodiles are one of the oldest and least changed species still around today. A sighting is pretty special. Areas that are unsafe to swim in are usually marked. Just follow the country’s guidance and be smart about where you swim.
Fan palms shade the Daintree. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
2. Visit Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge
The scenery in Port Douglas town is spectacular, but drive only twenty minutes away and it keeps getting better. The 16,965-hectare Cape Tribulation National Park is filled with lush rainforests, unusual plant life, unique animals and long beaches.
To reach Cape Tribulation, visitors must pay $12 ($21 return) for the vehicle ferry crossing the Daintree River to the National Park. From there, just one street goes through the area. Along the way signs mark scenic lookouts, beaches, walks and businesses. Some things to check out include Cape Tribulation beach, Daintree Ice Cream Company and the Blue Hole, if you can find it. (Some things are meant to be kept off the beaten track.)
It’s hard to miss the park’s ferns and fan palms as they shade the whole area, but a more unique find in this area is the endangered cassowary. You’ll see plenty of road signs warning drivers to slow down for these big birds, one of those signs is even quite famous now. While you are more dangerous to this dwindling species of bird than they are to you, they are dangerous when threatened, so don’t come too close if you’re lucky enough to spot one.
A lot of companies offer tours of this area, which include pick-up services from Port Douglas. While one day is a decent amount of time to explore the area, it has a few options for accommodation, so it’s possible to spend a few nights here.
A great day trip or stop along the way is Mossman Gorge. Spend the day hopping from rock to rock and swimming at the gorge. The cool, clear waters are quite a treat in the sweltering hot tropics.
The view of Port Douglas's Four Mile Beach from Flagstaff Hill. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon
1. Spend the whole day at Four Mile Beach
Purple mountains ahead, green forests to one side, calm seas to the other and miles of golden sand ahead, this is easily the best attraction in Port Douglas. Visitors will most likely spend most of their time at the beach, doing more than just sunbathing.
Start the day here with some exercise. The sand on the beach is compact enough to run on without strain. Yoga and boot camp classes are also offered here.
Next, spend the bulk of the day tanning and swimming in the beach’s bath-like waters. Maybe climb on the rocks or walk up to the Flagstaff Hill for a better view.
Just because the sun goes down, doesn’t mean Four Mile Beach is closes. When the moon is full, this might be one of the most romantic places on earth. You might even find a bonfire, music and backpackers here some nights. Join in, friendly travelers and locals welcome the company.
These are just a few things to do in Port Douglas, the great thing about this village is how it unfolds. It may look small, but just when you think you’ve seen everything, you’ll find an artist in residence’s home and gallery or a new walk not far away. Come for a week, stay for a life time. That’s usually the way it goes in Port Douglas.
Port Douglas is one of Australia’s many gorgeous destinations. The country has something to offer everyone, from secluded beaches to lively party towns. Taste the wine, sample the surf and soak the sun. Are you ready for your Australian holiday? Check here for great deals on flights to Australia.
So many people, moments and places shape our travels. Travel is a huge part of my life, but a part that wouldn’t be possible if it hadn’t been for a few key travel inspirations over the years.
I love this meme by Easy Jet Holiday. It’s just a fun post that gave me a time to look back of the things that shaped who I am and where I am today. Thanks to Jade from Our Oyster for nominating me. I hope writing this post made you smile while dealing with Fijian floods. It made me smile from New Zealand!
Who
To this day, my Uncle Paul and I are in a race to see who can visit every country in the world first. Unfortunately, I have a lot of catching up to do.
Really my dad’s best friend, I found out when my nephew was born that Uncle Paul had been encouraging my travels since I was born. This past summer I saw him with my nephew, only three days old, whispering, “First, go to Rome. Then how about Greece?” Just 25 years ago he was doing the same to me.
As I got older he always encouraged me to travel as much as possible. I remember hearing about his own son’s year in Germany as a foreign exchange student. Along with my dad, Paul hasn’t just inspired and encouraged my travel opportunities, he’s created a lot of them.
My dad, me and Uncle Paul, these guys are the two biggest reasons I ever started traveling.
What
This may be the most absurd inspiration ever, but University of Dundee.
Not sure exactly how old I was, but I’m gonna go for 14. I remember messaging a friend on aim while researching universities abroad. I’m not sure why I was looking into uni at that age, but I was. My friend and I were dead set on Dundee.
For some reason I recall the university being in Australia, but I must be mistaken because the only one I can find now is in Scotland.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter which university or where it was, the idea just gave me a feeling of endless possibility. I realized I could go anywhere in the world. I could live in Australia one day. I was actually so excited at the idea of living in Australia one day, that I applied for a job at Outback Steakhouse.
Can I take your order mate? Photo from wikipedia.org
When
The first chance I had to travel abroad, I grabbed it. I was 15 years old when I learned about People to People. It’s a youth ambassador program. Basically 40 or so high school students travel abroad for a little over a month.
On my trip, we visited six countries in Europe. It was such an amazing experience. After that I just became obsessed with learning how the rest of the world lived. I vowed to travel as much and as often as I could from that trip on.
Where
I was never nervous about traveling Europe or Australia, but I was nervous about a lot of other places in the world. Before arriving somewhere, you tend to build a perception of it that is never really completely true. One of my big worries is safety, especially when traveling as a solo female.
Australia broke that barrier for me. First of all, Australians are some of the best travelers I’ve ever met. I met loads in Europe and all of them had been to places I wouldn’t have dared to visit at the time. Second, a lot of travelers visit Australia.
Being surrounded by the two made me feel comfortable enough to travel anywhere. Before visiting Australia I was nervous about visiting SE Asia, but after hearing how amazing it was from people in Australia, I was eager to visit.
I guess Australia was my gateway drug. Now I can’t get enough of the world. I’ll try anywhere.
I would never have ended up doing this in Vang Vieng if I hadn't visited Australia first.
Nominations
Since this post is all about inspiration, I’m nominating a few ladies who inspire me.
D from D Travels Round for inspiring me to not just travel, but travel ethically.
Bobbi from Today I’m Bobbi for inspiring me to be strong and create something spectacular out of ideas.
Megan at Bohemian Trails for inspiring me to stop and take note of all of life’s beauty.
Christine from Christine in Spain for inspiring me to move to Spain, some day.
Heather from There’s No Place Like Oz for inspiring me to write about trips from before I started this blog.
Out of all the holidays I’ve celebrated while traveling, Easter has always turned out to be the best.
It might be because I don’t expect as much out of Easter as say Christmas or Thanksgiving. It could also be because I’ve spent most of my Easters abroad on a beach, in a cool city or somewhere else amazing interacting with cuddly animals.
I’ll go back to my furthest memory of traveling Easter Sundays past all the way to London in 2007. I got dressed up in my Easter Sunday best, only not quite on Easter Sunday. A friend I met studying there and I decided to spend Easter eve celebrating our three month anniversary playing around London town.
Buying a car in a foreign country can be a daunting task, especially if you’re like me and have always relied on the help of friends or family who know about cars to help with your purchases at home.
The first time I bought a car abroad was in Australia. I have to admit that not much research went into the purchase of it. All that mattered was that my mate and I were able to afford it, as we were on a very tight budget.
Luckily we ended up with a fantastic car that got us from Melbourne all the way to Port Douglas in far North Queensland, with a little detour through the Blue Mountains and a few other little unplanned journeys.
This is the car I had in Australia - Photo by Richard John Hackey
However, when Bobbi and I bought our car in New Zealand we were in a far better position than I was in Australia. This meant that I had time to research what the best car for us would be and how to go about getting the best price.
Here are some tips that may help you on your way to getting your ideal travel mobile.
Set a price limit
By doing this you’ll initially give yourself a goal to save for, but also help narrow down your choices when searching.
Set a mileage limit
Setting the maximum amount of mileage you want in a car means you won’t be spending money on a car that looks nice but has been on the road for too long.
Research the car
Try and check out customer feedback on the models you are interested in. There were quite a few cars I saw that seemed fine but after a little detective work I was able to find out the common faults with certain models.
Where to buy your car
Start off by looking at verified sites like Trade Me in New Zealand or Gumtree in Australia. These sites will enable you to search for the car with what rough specifications you have. Through Trade Me I actually discovered a couple of auction houses that were in my area. I would have visited these if I hadn’t found such a bargain on Trade Me, but they are another good option.
Also try looking at bulletin boards in hostels. A lot of backpackers will post cars for sale there and if they have to leave the country asap, you could find a great deal.
Our newly purchased car in NZ - Photo By Bobbi Lee Hitchon
Cambelt (Timing Belt)
Most cars run using a cambelt. These need to be replaced every 100,00kms or so. If the cambelt goes whilst you have the car it’s going to cost between $800-$1100 to replace it. So make sure that the car has papers to prove that this has been done.
Buy Japanese
I’ve always been told to buy Japanese (Toyota, Nissan, Mazda etc.) when buying a second-hand car, because these cars have a better reputation for being reliable over longer distances.
Size of Car
You obviously need to take into consideration the amount of passengers and the amount of baggage you will be taking with you to decide what size car you’ll need. I wouldn’t recommend forking out for a 4×4 unless you intend on doing some serious off-roading.
Size of Engine
Depending on what you are going to be using the car for will depend on how big you want your engine size to be. Simply put, for traveling around cities and towns you need a relatively small engine, but for longer distances you’ll want a bigger engine that’s been designed for cruising.
Manual or Automatic
This is pretty obvious but don’t buy a manual car if you only possess an automatic license.
For the first time in my 25 years on earth, I spent an entire calendar year traveling.
And what a year it was.
A year of traveling with a partner for the first time. A year that took me to a new continent, Asia. A year that pretty much brought me around the globe. Even a year in which I got to travel around my own country a bit.
This year has been a spectacular one. Let’s have a look back on what I did in 2011.
Australia
My year actually started with an end. On January 26, Australia Day, I said farewell to the massive country I had called my home for most of 2010. My final days in Australia were spent mainly in Melbourne, where my boyfriend Ric and I lived in a tiny apartment on Chapel Street.
It was really hard to say goodbye to such an amazing country. It was even harder to close one of the best travel experiences of my life, the work holiday visa. I met so many amazing people in Australia, but the best of them all was the hardest to say goodbye to on that last day in the country.
Ric and I bid each other farewell as I headed off to the Philippines and he stayed in Melbourne.
Philippines
Hello Southeast Asia! I never thought or planned on visiting this part of the world, but after hearing how amazing it was from travelers in Australia, I just had to. The Philippines was my first stop, Donsol in particular. I visited for whaleshark season and after three tries I actually got to see one of the big fellas.
From Donsol, I headed to Cebu City where I spent some time with a friend of a friend’s family. After seeing such kindness from total strangers, I was moved to extend my visa to the Philippines by one more month. One month just wasn’t enough.
It’s a good thing I did as my next stop in the country, Malapascua, was just too hard to leave. I visited the tiny island planning to stay three days. I ended up, not only staying six weeks, but also earning my divemaster certification.
Only the most special boy in the world. Ric spent about 12 days in paradise with me as I finished up my training. Later, we kicked off our travels together in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
I wasn’t sure what to expect in this massive city. I thought of it as China, but people would say it’s not really China. At first glance I was just in shock over how many apartment buildings were in the city.
I really loved the place and I especially loved sharing it with my new travel partner. We visited the Big Buddha, went on a bus tour of the city, road the Peak Tram and ate lots of dim sum. It’s an expensive place to visit, so I’m hoping to go back one day with more money.
Thailand
We headed to the mother of all backpacker destinations, Bangkok, in late March. There we met up with my friend Julia who flew all the way out to travel with us for a few weeks. Bangkok is the most pleasant surprise I’ve ever had traveling. I expected it to be this seedy town with nothing but ping pong shows and heavy drinking to offer.
But it’s so much more.
For starters, it’s an international city with amazing museums, restaurants, malls and more. But for backpackers, it’s something much more. I’ve never seen so many travelers bobbing around happily as I did on Khaosan Road. It made me wish I planned a few more nights in the city, but no worries, we would end up coming back three more times.
From Bangkok, we visited Ko Samet and Ko Chang, where Julia and I became deathly ill for ten days. I think it was bad eggs, but hey, I lost about 20 lbs, so silver lining. We said goodbye to Julia then spent probably more time than we should have in Lonely Beach.
We left the island to meet Ric’s mom and brother in Pattaya. It was my first time meeting them, so I was quite nervous. But they are amazing and we had a great time. There we celebrated Songkran and made a visa run to Cambodia. However, Pattaya is probably a place I’ll never return. It’s pretty much what I expected of Bangkok originally.
After another sad goodbye, Ric and I kept on traveling Thailand. This time we headed south visiting Koh Tao. We mainly relaxed here as we were gearing up for the famous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan on April 18. We spent the next day recuperating on Koh Tao, then continued traveling south to Koh Samui.
On our visit to the over-commercialized island, we rented motorbikes, swam under waterfalls and visited Ang Thong Marine Park, the real inspiration for “The Beach”.
But we wanted more “Beach” action so we crossed Thailand to Ko Phi Phi on the west coast. A $US10 tour of the islands proved to be our best purchase and best day in Southeast Asia. Also, my best Easter Sunday ever.
After Ko Phi Phi we had to leave Thailand as our visas ran out.
Laos
First stop in Laos was Vang Vieng for its famous tubing. We spent a week in the tiny town on the river and never actually completed the tube route on the Nam Song River. But we had loads of fun, drank lots of buckets and watched an absurd amount of Family Guy.
After Vang Vieng we needed a serious detox, so we spent another week in 4,000 Islands. In this quiet area of Laos, we spent a lot of time lounging, but also did quite a bit of exploring. We rented bikes and visited the largest waterfall in southeast Asia. I also got to see Irrawaddy dolphins. I saw them alone as Ric broke his bike and was too defeated to walk any further.
Cambodia
The trip from Laos to Cambodia involved two intense bus journeys. It took an entire day, but we finally reached Siem Reap in mid-May. The biggest attraction here is Angkor Wat, which is stunning, but I actually really enjoyed the town itself. We spent about a week there watching football and drinking cheap beer.
USA
It was time to fly our tan selves to the US of A, my homeland and Ric’s dream destination. It was Ric’s first time visiting the States, so the trip home was a really special one for me.
We landed in California, where I surprised a friend. There we drove the Pacific Coast Highway from Laguna Beach to Hermossa Beach. We also visited Hollywood and ended up on the set of our favorite show, Entourage.
No one from the east coast knew I was in the country at that point, except my Uncle. I had been secretly planning a trip home with him since October, so I could surprise my dad for his birthday. Everything went as planned. We spent one day hiding out at my Aunt and Uncles, that night my dad opened their garage door to see Ric and I standing there with ribbons around our necks.
But we didn’t sit still for too long. After about a week, we were on the road again. We drove from NJ to Alabama for a wedding in which Ric was best man. On the road trip I showed Ric around Washington D.C. and made a lot of fast food stops. He couldn’t get enough of America’s burgers and sandwiches.
It was my first time visiting Alabama and it was good to see the southern comfort side of the States. We spent most of our week there playing on a lake located behind the house we were staying at. We jet skied, tubed, kayaked, even jumped off a ridiculously high bridge. That really hurt.
The wedding was beautiful, the party was wild. We left Alabama extremely hungover en route to St. Augustine, Florida, where I showed Ric around my first real travel destination.
The rest of my time in the States was spent in NJ and Philadelphia. Erin, a friend I made studying abroad in London came out to visit, Ric climbed the Rocky steps and we celebrated the Fourth of July at the Jersey shore. But the highlight of my trip home was welcoming my gorgeous nephew Jake into the world. I love my life and all the traveling it entails, but it means missing out on some really spectacular occasions at home. I’m just happy I didn’t have to miss this one.
Add another farewell to my 2011 of goodbyes, as Ric and I left the States to go back down under, this time for a work-holiday visa in New Zealand.
New Zealand
We arrived in snowy Queenstown in July, but didn’t stay for long. We spent two days driving up to Blenheim where Ric already had a job sorted. Then a real twist came when I had to go back home for an emergency. I came back to New Zealand two weeks later and we were on the road again, this time only a short journey to Wellington.
After quite a hectic first half of the year, Ric and I were exhausted and broke. So we made a home in Wellington, got proper jobs, worked loads and saved up for our next adventure, the South Island in 2012.
We’ve been in Wellington for four months now and I’ve grown quite attached to the small city. We held back a lot during our time here as we were saving, but we still managed to accomplish quite a bit.
A surprise to some, and lifeline to others, a nice end to any working-holiday year or two spent in Australia is receiving tax back and superannuation.
In a country where wages are high, these two things can accumulate to a large chunk of change. But in a country where living expenses are also extremely high, that large chunk of change may be needed just to book a flight home.
Depending on how much you spent on your working holiday abroad and how desperately you need money, there are three options to getting your tax back. However, your superannuation may be a bit more complex.
I have spare money so I’ll do my tax back whenever.
A year in one of the wildest countries in the world, in nature and party, and you’ve still managed to be thoughtful with the money you’ve earned. Good on ya!
If there’s no need to receive your Tax Back now, then do it on your own through the Australian Tax Office (ATO). This process probably takes the longest to complete depending on your knowledge of tax forms etc.
Don’t be too daunted by the process. It’s actually quite simple and the ATO website goes through the process with you.
When can I file my tax return?
The fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30, if you want to file for a tax return this way, you should wait until the June 30 following your year of work. This may mean filing twice for your tax return depending on when you worked in Australia.
What do I need?
Be prepared with personal information including your Tax File Number (TFN) as well as payment summaries from all employers in Australia. These are available at the end of each fiscal year.
How can I lodge my Tax Return this way?
The ATO website gives directions for lodging tax returns online or by mail. Go through their e-tax demonstration to learn about the process online. You may find most of the information needed to lodge your return is already available on their website. For people still in Australia at the end of the fiscal year, most news agents offer paper tax back guides and forms for free.
When do I receive my tax back?
For the basic working holiday maker, the process usually isn’t too complex. Though any tax office works at its own pace. Most people can expect Tax back anywhere from two weeks on. I received my tax back about a month after it was lodged. After six weeks, I would recommend a call or email asking for an update.
I’m traveling, so I would like the money soon, but don’t have time for paperwork.
If your adventure in Australia ends with the beginning of another adventure in some place new (tax back goes far in southeast Asia), then you most likely will have some money to spare, but won’t have the time or resources to lodge a tax return yourself. The best option is to see a tax agent.
When can I file my return with an agent?
Whenever you want. Even if your tax back with an agent includes work after July 1, but it is not yet June 30 of that same year, they can get your full return with an early tax assessment. Foreign residents applying individually can do this as well, but it gets a bit more complicated, so it’s better to leave it to the experts.
Try to meet with a tax agent while in Australia. They’ll talk you through the process, give you some paper work and let you know about any loose ends that need to be tied up before leaving the country. After leaving, just follow whatever they tell you to do post-departure.
What do I need?
Information needed on the application from a tax agent includes personal details such as your TFN, employment details (it can be as simple as the name of places you worked, they’ll research the rest, but the more information given, the quicker the process and sometimes the cheaper) and bank account information.
If you can keep the Australian bank account you were paid into open, then do. It makes the process easier for payment of funds and tracking how much you’ve earned.
You must also sign a power of attorney allowing the tax agency to complete this work.
Once all this information is returned to a tax agent, your work is done.
How much does it costs?
Some agents charge a percentage of your tax return, others charge a flat fee. Look into how much you’ve earned to pick which option is best for you, but usually it’s easier just to go for a flat fee. Make sure to go through an agency with a policy of only charging after your refund is complete.
When do I receive my refund?
It depends on how long it takes the agency to lodge your tax return as well as the tax return process by ATO. Good tax agents are very educated in tax law and usually sort out information and file it pretty quickly. I used this option and received my tax refund about two months after mailing in my application with no payment summaries.
How do I find a reliable tax agent?
A lot of travel agencies in Australia also offer tax back. If not they can recommend places to you. You can also find registered tax agents on the government website.
I don’t even have the money for a flight out of Oz. I need cash now!
Yes it’s possible to get your tax refund within a week or less, but it’ll cost you.
I’ve heard twice of people receiving up-front tax back payments. This means an agency does the usual estimate on the amount of tax back you will receive, pays that amount to you out of their own pocket and actually collects the tax back for themselves later.
You’ll go through the same application process as with a tax agent. Only difference is they must complete an identity check first to give the money up front.
Expect to pay at least 9% of your tax back. Backpacker Buddy offers what they call a 12-hour refund. They charge 19.8% of your tax back with a minimum fee of $250. This means no matter what your tax back estimate is, you’ll pay at least $250, but possibly more.
(Note: This is NOT and endorsement for Backpacker Buddy. I’ve never used them personally. I only mention their name, because they are one of the few agencies I’ve heard of that refund this way.)
Yipee, you’ve gotten some money back from your time in Australia. Now it’s time to get more. While superannuation refunds can be slightly more confusing, money is money, and all temporary workers who have left Australia for good are entitled to these funds. Click here to find out how.
