For anyone that is traveling Western Australia, get out now or else you're going to end up broke! Don't believe any of the bullsh*t about the work on the fruit farms -- I've the best part of $1,500 spent on accommodation. I've tried about thirty farms, all answers the same -- the weather's too bad. Carnarvon is a hole with nothing with nothing in it -- only rednecks.
I have visited Apollo Bay many times and I would like to recommend to EVERYONE that they must try one of the delicious treats from the local bakery. The food is excellent and the staff are delightful.
I abolutely love Halls Gap. I love the mountains, just to climb them it's amazing. The view is absolutely out this world! It's great. Love it!
Brisbane is a fantastic city! We loved our stay here. Brisbane was fabulous - South Bank (wow!) the river (wow) and great feel for a city. We saw some great AFl with the Brisbane Lions too!
I stayed in Tully for two and a half months as work was plentiful. If you want work you don't have to go through a hostel, just get up bright and early, say 5:30 am, and stand at the post office junction. Ask the farmers if they need help as no qualifications are ever asked. Tully and its environs have a lot to offer and I must say I had the best two and a half months ever.
The biggest attraction to Shark Bay is the area of Monkey Mia, which is known for its friendly dophins. Denham is also in Shark Bay and it's the nearest town to Monkey Mia (at about 25 Km away).
Visting independently? It'll cost you $35 to get the Uluru Express to Ayers Rock. Get the sunset tour with combined walk, it's the same price as the sunset tour alone. The Olgas are $50, the gorge walk is quite disappointing though. Don't forget you need to add $25 to all this for the park three-day pass. Bring a mosquito net -- flies will drive you mad.
Rainbox Beach was just too lovely to describe with any justice. Anybody who wants a little paradise should definitely go to Rainbow Beach.
Echuca is a great place to stay, the people are lovely and there is nothing better than sailing down the murray with friends around to have a few beers with. Loved the place and hope to get back in the future.
Geelong is a great gateway to Great Ocean Road. Public transport is available to all beaches and Melbourne. Go to www.geelongotway.org and www.greatoceanroad.org for all tourist info and links to Geelong and the Great Ocean Road.
Mackay is a safe town to walk and explore. Non-touristy and friendly locals.
We spent a great month in Augusta a couple of years ago (as part of a 3 month journey around SW Australia). We started in a caravan (which was great), and we migrated to a rented a house from an estate agency and extended our visit for another three weeks. We were most impressed by the friendly and welcoming attitude of the locals which included joining a cape to cape walking tour, a visit to the local island, and walking around the estuary and headlands. We would recommend Augusta as a peaceful, scenic, and friendly destination.
Maroochydore is a great place to do fruit picking as it is so close to the beach, has lovely weather, plenty of charity shops, and great drinking holes!
Merrigum is a quaint little place populated with an assortment of strange people for which it has always been known.
Canberra is the oddest place I have been to in my life! I only really went to see some rugby and felt like I had walked onto a film set, everything is so new it looks fake. And when I got up on satuday morning to have a stroll around the town there was a distinct lack of people. Only go if you want to see some decent rugby or you want to feel like you're on the Truman Show.
I had a brilliant time in Townsville. It's a place where you can go to get a real feel of Ozy life as there isn't a huge backpacker appeal. It's just a really nice town and I look forward to going back. Another bonus is that it is a base for the Oz army so there were plenty of fit young men around. This was way back in 2000 so hope not too much has changed!
I was born and bred in Quirindi, and although I am only 12, I know the Castle Mountain area well, and I would love to stay there. HIGHLY recommended!
Bacchus Marsh is the most awesome place ever -- it's great.
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