help with planning route.

[kevc]

hello the time has come to start planning (trying to) a route for what hopefully will be a year long trip around australia. i plan to start my adventure around october/november this year, but i have no idea where is best to start without having to double back on myself and what times to be and where. im travelling on a working visa so i will be influenced quite a lot by where work is available etc. so id be very greatful for any suggestions and tips you guys have. thank you in advance, kevin.

[Maruska]

Hi,
that must be so exciting and I am more than a little jealous. I only have one tip because I`ve never been to Australia yet, I would try to spend the summer in the south - Tasmania, SA, Victoria and when it gets colder just move up the coast, then spend the winter visiting NT and outback. I hope you`ll post about your experience .

[kevc]

hi yes i am very excited about the trip. 10 years of working 9-5 in the dull uk has taken is toll and about 1 year ago i started thinking about what i could do to change my life around. and travelling oz is my solution. lol thanks for the advice.

[shaunr]

hiya, i'm the same thought i'd take a year or 2 out of the rat race before it got too late. leaving at the end of may and will spend time india and Thailand/Laos before landing in sydney at the end of june. however in terms of a plan of what to do then not sure yet. I've got a list of most of the typical must do things but planning on getting there and see what happens.

[kevc]

hiya, i'm the same thought i'd take a year or 2 out of the rat race before it got too late. leaving at the end of may and will spend time india and Thailand/Laos before landing in sydney at the end of june. however in terms of a plan of what to do then not sure yet. I've got a list of most of the typical must do things but planning on getting there and see what happens.

Nice plans you must of saved hard. I chose oz first I think it's the easiest to get work then think about other countries like new Zealand and Asia after a year. I have been to Thailand before and it's a great place aswell as being cheap as chips.
Im usually not a guy to plan things before hand but with being on my own I thought it best to and will save money in the long run I think.

[lebourvellec]

hello the time has come to start planning (trying to) a route for what hopefully will be a year long trip around australia. i plan to start my adventure around october/november this year, but i have no idea where is best to start without having to double back on myself and what times to be and where. im travelling on a working visa so i will be influenced quite a lot by where work is available etc. so id be very greatful for any suggestions and tips you guys have. thank you in advance, kevin.

Are you planning on getting the 2nd year WHV??

My advice like the others would be to spend more time Melboure/Sydney in the months your arrive as its the best time of year and hot/wet season further North.

I arrived in Sydney (a good few years ago now) in November - stayed in Sydney for 3 months, more due to wanting to be their for Christmas and New Year. I got work - but didnt leave Sydney with much more money than what I arrived with. Traveled up the East Coast - then worked a few weeks at a Banana farm, spent a bit more time in Cairns. Got a Job in the NT (Alice area), Was their for 4 months, went back to Alice flew to Melbourne to meet friends for a few weeks - then flew to Darwin to meet up with other friends - travelled down the West Coast to Perth, to meet more people that I had meet in Australia.

I didnt have much of a plan to start apart from getting work in Sydney to be there for New Year..... but it may have been useful to do a bit of travelling first as some of my savings was used up during the time I was looking for work.

Many backpackers now do the 3 months regional work first to get it out of the way - and working on the farms are a great way to meet people.

http://www.travellers.com.au/ Have a look at the travellers contact point site - they have offices in Sydney and are great to get the information you need etc.

[kevc]

Thanks. Well I'm open minded ATM, I will be doing regional work which could prolong my stay but it's just dependant on what kind of time I'm having and funds. I'm not in any rush to get back or go anywhere else.

[lebourvellec]

Thanks. Well I'm open minded ATM, I will be doing regional work which could prolong my stay but it's just dependant on what kind of time I'm having and funds. I'm not in any rush to get back or go anywhere else.

A year may seem like a long time but it passes so quickly. When I was on my WHV it was just announced that they were going to do the 2nd WHV- but it was to late for me to do it - when I got back to UK I was desperate to go back to Austalia - I was lucky that I got sponsored by my previous employer.

I wouldnt rule it out, many people that dont do it wish they did you dont need to do the 2nd year straight away you can return home then go back again as long as you apply for the 2nd visa before you turn 31

[kevc]

Well I'll be nearly 29 when I leave so would have to apply for it straight away as soon as my year is up.

[lauradarlin]

Hi Kev

You sound so like me in all your posts, and I'm from Durham too - must be the northerness in us keeps us so chilled out!

I'll be 30 when i go in July - gotta get out now before it's too late!

Hope you have a fab time :)