Dempsey21 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Hi! I'm a 23 year old female thinking of going to Australia at some point either later this year or beginning of next year on a working holiday visa and will be going alone in the hopes of meeting people there I can live with and travel with, just thought I'd see before I went if there was anyone in my shoes before I get there (just incase no one is looking for a new friend! ?) I'm very laid back and easy going and am the kind of person who loves to try everything once anyone looking for a buddy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Hi @Dempsey21 welcome to the forum. Firstly, let me reassure you that you aren't alone, we have a few members who are currently over there on their own. I have moved your post in the the backpacker and working holiday visa section of the site, have a read through there are lots of great tips and friendships to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Hi thanks for your reply. I'm so scared I'll get there and everyone's already buddied up and not looking for a room mate so it's good to know I'm not alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quokka2005 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 If you're outgoing enough you'll meet loads of people. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention specific ones but there's lots of different groups online too, every single day there's people arriving alone and making friends that way. I've arrived back in Perth alone and already been out with several different people just by talking online. Hostels are usually good for meeting people too. It's better coming alone, I couldn't have coped coming with any of my friends back home. You'll be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Thank you you've helped put my mind at ease now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quokka2005 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 If even someone as socially awkward as me can meet people you'll be fine haha. When you stay in hostels you'll find most girls travel alone. I've found the ones that travel with friends from home look a bit miserable but maybe that's coincidence! I used a travel package called ultimate oz for the first week in Sydney. It had its pros but I found that after a week of being stuck with the same people for he full week I just wanted away. It's better to be with people you naturally click with if that makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Haha well that's good to hear! Is it easy to get work? My cousin said I'll struggle without a degree but I only want casual work like retail or something which I have a lot of experience in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Haha well that's good to hear! Is it easy to get work? My cousin said I'll struggle without a degree but I only want casual work like retail or something which I have a lot of experience in You would only need a degree if you were trying to move out here permanently so don't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quokka2005 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Yeah you don't need a degree. If you have experience in retail and hospitality then you'll be fine. Also keep an eye on this for other people going the same time, quite often people will put up posts about it. Also the regulars on here are really friendly, I've made some good friends and some have offered to take me out etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleMcW Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Hey Dempsey, hell of a coincidence but I'm in a nearly identical position. I'm 23 and interested in going to Australia for about a year on working holiday likely in the fall but I'm not sure yet. I'm also nervous about going alone - I've barely travelled before let alone by myself. I'd definitely be interested in having someone to stumble around with for the first bit at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Hi Kyle, thanks for getting in touch. I'd love to have a buddy to meet up with, might make it easier to talk to other people with someone by my side I've never travelled alone but the fear of it kind of excites me too haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hi Kyle, thanks for getting in touch. I'd love to have a buddy to meet up with, might make it easier to talk to other people with someone by my side I've never travelled alone but the fear of it kind of excites me too haha How great that you might be able to travel together (initially at least), I think it can make a difference and you won't both feel quite as isolated. Money allowing, take the opportunities too to socialise with other backpackers as you might then get more travel buddies for the next stages of your adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I know it's scary but being alone is fabulous. You can set your agenda, change your schedule at the drop of a hat etc without having to worry. I did part of my WHV with a friend from uni and whilst nice in some ways, it became quite restrictive and difficult at times. After she went home, I went on to have the time of my life to be honest as I could truly please myself and get the most out of the time. That opportunity doesn't happen too often in life due to other commitments, so grab it with both hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Lawton Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hey Dempsey21, I'm in the exact same boat as you. Im looking to go start of November but I'm in this alone at the moment and would love to have someone to travel with. I'm also stuck on where to go first haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Haha well that's good to hear! Is it easy to get work? My cousin said I'll struggle without a degree but I only want casual work like retail or something which I have a lot of experience in No you definitely don't need a degree! Most WHV'ers get casual work in pubs, restaurants or cafes, so hospitality experience is more useful than a degree. If you'd prefer to work in an office, then you're likely to be employed in junior roles like clerk or receptionist: you can only work for the same employer for 6 months max, so employers won't want to hire you for senior jobs where they might have to spend time training you in their systems. For retail, smart black pants or skirts and white blouses are a common "uniform" in more upmarket stores so worth bringing with you - good labels are expensive in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hi jack I'm so happy I'm not the only one! Haha. Well I know 4 lads from college who are in Sydney and they got a flat and a job in 5 days plus there seems to be a lot going on there so I might start there but I'd love to move around. I definitely wanna travel Asia after my visas up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Hi Marisa I'm glad to hear that! I'm not looking for a serious job, just casual retail work or something I have no idea what clothes to pack so thanks for that tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Lawton Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I was looking at Sydney or Melbourn to start with. I haven't done much travelling im my life so this is quite daunting to do on my own. I would love to travel the world some day!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Just thought, if I plan on staying for around 3 months in each place I visit, could I get away with taking a case rather than a backpack? And does anyone know the baggage size and weight deal with Singapore airlines. Their website is so confusing! Someone said you can take 30kg but the limit per bag is 23kg?? Don't really fancy taking 2 cases if I need the full 30kg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inozwriter Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I would reccomend moving to bondi, Sydney there are heaps of expats living there same situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cele21 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Hey Dempsey, firstly ... how exciting that you're planning your trip! I came over when I was 22, on my own, on a one way flight to Sydney and I wouldn't change anything. Don't worry too much about having a degree, you will get a job in hospitality/call centre etc. I found it really hard to get into retail despite being a manager in House of Fraser back home! If you're worried about coming on your own, you should look into this thing that STA travel do. It's like an intro into Oz, first weeks accomodation booked in Sydney, you get picked up from the airport and taken to the hostel and the first few days they help you set up a bank account, tax file number and you get to talk to others that are heading out at the same time on the same group via Email before! It was about 2-300 pounds I think, probably a bit too expensive for what it was but hey, if you're really worried and it's going to help it's worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey21 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Hi cele thanks for your message! I really can't wait! Now I've looked into it a bit more I'm not feeling so scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rois522 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Hi! I'm also going alone!! And so scared!! I've booked a flight to Sydney for the last week in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbmanc Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Hi I plan to visit perth WA in jan 2017. I have family living in perth for over 20 years and ive not met them all, so will be going to visit for one month, then i plan to travel the country and seek work /. travel / ,meet new friends etc. If you wanna chat more, ill be up for joining you! send me a pm Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emjs234 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Hi everyone! I'm also looking to travel to Australia on a WHV, probably in September though nothing is booked yet! I'm 26, female and looking for someone to travel with (or several someones). I'm based in the UK and I've never been out to Oz before but really looking forward to seeing it and also a wee bit excited/nervous! I'm pretty laidback, happy to either sit on a beach or go exploring Would be great to know a friendly face or two out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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