Never fear, the Haggis is here! I have been here in Oz (on & off) since 1989 when my dear auld dad decided it was time to uproot the brood and move to where it gets above 12deg in the summer. We moved to Perth, as back then there was no one here and they were screaming out for mechanics (dads trade), so we got our PR, and our citizenship 2 years later. Ive lived in Perth and Sydney, and have travelled to a few of the other cities. If you're a young lad, Perth probably isn't the place for you. This pretty much is a working city, the population seems to rotate out every 3-4 weeks. The prices here are extortionate - for rent, food, piss, fuel etc - and there is alot less to do. The only redeeming feature about WA is that there are the best beaches in the world here. If you come over for a month and spend that travelling up north in a 4x4 to Broome, Exmouth, Monkey Mia, Shark Bay; and even south to Esperance, Margs, Australind etc you will have a good time. There are tour companies that do trips up north, and have met many an Irish/English/Swedish/Brazilian tourist while up in Exmouth/Broome! And they only want one thing... Just don't waste your time in Perth itself. The women here are ****ed in the head. Since the oil money has come in, they dont want a bar of you unless you are wearing your paycheque and driving something more than you can afford. They want a sugar daddy, and me being Scottish, they can go **** themselves (wish it was me doing them, but i guess Madame Palm won't need to worry about being cheated on ) Sydney is awesome. I lived on Bondi Beach for 5 years working in one of the pubs down there, and loved every minute of it. If i didn't need to get a propa-job and earn a crust, I would still be there. From about Sept/Oct through till about April, it is packed with tourists. Rentals start going early in Bondi, so if you are going to stay there, getting in earlier would be advised. Otherwise you start staying further out, and you might aswell go down the Block in Redfern and say hi to the Abo's, if you can get them talking. Bondi in the summer is basically a massive party, and NYE with Shore Thing is always a good time. Lots to do in Sydney, much more than Perth. As for Melbourne, havent been there, but ive heard good things. Whereas Bondi is more Beaches, beach pubs, hippies, nightclubs etc, Melbourne is more cafe culture, fashion, more high-end (if that makes sense?). Still an awesome night out, but with alot of people ive found, you're one or the other - Melb or Syd. Im a Syd boy (nothing to compare against tbh, but i love the beaches). Perth is just a working town. Adelaide is just ****e, stay away. Darwin is a good night out, but not much there except crocodiles and snakes. Brissie is supposed to be good, and ill be going there soon so i should know more in a month or so. Alice Springs has a rock and nothing else, and you can see that if you fly over it. If you plan to go Sydney & Melb mostly, and spend 2-3 months travelling Brissie & WA, you will be golden. I know in Syd there is alot of hospitality cash-in-hand work, so you can always make enough cash to get you by. And this industry is the best to meet people and get on the lash with. I did that when I was 17-22 and had a ****in brilliant time! As someone else said, you can get a working visa for a year, or an e-tourist visa for a year (this one doesnt let you work though... well, cash in hand is ok, just dont tell them that) With the visa's there is a good chance they will want to see your bank balance before hand to make sure you have enough money to sustain you for the duration, and a return flight booked (but can be changed anytime so long as not more than 12months). Other than that, they are ok with UK tourists. Last thing... in Oz, we are that inundated with UK tourists, don't be surprised if it isnt like other countries where people make you feel warm and welcome. We have a **** load of Irish causing trouble down here, most of the locals are sick of it. Example. Was at Creamfields in Perth last weekend, and the place was 60% NO JOKE, full of Irish. They were fighting, puking, throwing beers, ripping off their shirts, swearing at people, and flying their flags all over the place. Talking to a mate who did security, he said that they were the main troublemakers for that event. Not a reflection on all Irish people mind, but they are taking over down here. They seem to think they are gods gift to the earth when they drink, and make it know. To all the Irish on here, yes, it probably sounds like you But coming down here for a year is a very good move!
I fell in love with Perth and Fremantle while I was there , fantastic places. So many Poms in the northern suberbs that beer comes in pints not the usual aussie schooner. Beer is bloody dear though , so save up a bit. Dunno about the work situation , I was just sightseeing , drinking , overeating and chasing overweight tattooed women with moustaches Happy days.
Cheers for the help lads. Been on a few forums for some advice too and Brisbane seems to be the ideal destination! Lots of saving up for me to do. Will be tough to get the 2k together on an absolute **** wage. But anything is possible. It'll be worth it in the end!
You have big problems with this one, unless you work on the black, BUT if you get caught out, you get deported, and never allowed back EVER.
