Uprawr

I'm currently in Cairns, looking to head down the east coast soon but still deciding on my final destination for NYE. Sydney is still an option for me but it's so cliche and crazy expensive so I'd like to explore other options on the east coast. I'm sure there's a party to find everywhere but if anyone has experience of anywhere special or if there's anything interesting going on I'd like to hear it. Thanks!

I'm heading to Brisbane on the 4th of September so there's a fair chance il be around

There are other threads about this but the main issue with online RSA's are that they are mostly non-transferrable. In other words you will likely have to do one for NSW then another for Queensland, also some states do not accept online RSA's at all and they must be done in person.

Hey Charlie, i'l be arriving in Brisbane on the 5th of September and i'd also got a tip off that Gatton would be good around that time (onion picking?) so i'l be looking to head there to get my farm work done ASAP. Any tips or contacts you could send my way would be much appreciated.

I'm booked in to fly with Malaysia Airlines via that route in September and im happy to go provided they detour around the affected area. If they are at fault then so are all the other airlines that operated in that area. Even if you accept that they're all at fault, they have all since changed courses to avoid the area so its not like this can happen again. My biggest worry is that the airline will go bust and default on my ticket, this is all going to get so complicated..

If you're going with Greyhound, its cheaper to book in advance for their coach trip i think, though they are always regarded as the more expensive option. Ive never used a hop-on hop-off coach (my WHV adventure doesn't start till September) but i get the impression they are really more just a coach service, not a tour as such, so i wouldn't necessarily expect to make friends. Though as MARYROSE02 says, you'l be making friends in the hostels in no time so i wouldn't worry about that. Just so you know, it'l be getting real hot and wet in Cairns from October. I'm starting in Brisbane and heading down with the Summer season, heading back up with the Winter. Not saying your way is wrong, just worth bearing in mind.

People seem to agree that the recommended $5000 dollars is about right, but of course the more the better. You just need that buffer to keep to ticking over till you find a job, but the people who go out there with just £1000 must find a job within a few weeks or they're screwed, personally i wouldn't take that risk.

You can do the RSA course online here http://www.onlinersa.com.au/. However not all states accept online courses, and the ones that do wont accept certificates from other states. So if you're doing it online you have to select which state you want to work in a bar and complete that associated certificate (Provided that state accepts online courses). On the other hand (im not 100% sure on this) i believe doing it in person when you get there is slightly more expensive but its easier to get one that can be used across multiple states. Pro's and cons to both i guess, i havnt decided which im going to do.

Hey Holley, im headed to Brisbane on September 4th and im looking at booking into Bunk Backpackers hostel for my first week. It looks really fun and pretty well kitted out but its not the cheapest, if you put the name in youtube there's a video tour of the place if that helps your decision. For Agricultural work (for the 2nd year visa), i hear Gatton near Brisbane is great for Onion picking September onwards. As for everything else i think you just have to be proactive in handing CV's out really. Though you need to do your RSA course (Responsible Service of Alcohol) before you can work in bar, you can do it online before you go, often works out cheaper too.

Hi guys, I'm Dan, 24, il be flying out to Brisbane on my lonesome in September so if you find yourselves on the east coast at any point I'd be happy to meet up.

Hi Camerilla, they dont ask for proof during your visa application. The only time they may check is at customs when you enter australia. Its best to have a recent bank statement or something to as proof of funds.

Cant say i understand your route mate, so youre flying into brisbane and staying for 3/4 months? Im with you that far, but then flying to Perth and working your way up the east coast backpacking then ending back in Brisbane doesnt make any sense. Perth is isolated on the west coast far from anything else, you fly there and its a lonnggg way back to Brisbane via any backpacking route.

Okay it's good to know I can transfer funds into an Aussie bank before I go, cheers JonathanS. That means im not so scared of using a forex broker as they can process my payment immediately instead of holding it for 4 months. I'm not really interested in living off a uk credit card, the one you recommended looks good tingtongman but it still starts charging you interest from the moment you withdraw cash, I can't be bothered to keep on top of that.

Hi all, sorry if this has already been answered but I couldn't find the specifics. I'm heading to oz in 4 months and I'd like to take advantage of any good exchange rates in that time. I'm aware that I can transfer money via a broker eg moneycorp however as they arnt insured I don't like the idea of them holding my money for long periods of time. I'm sure it's possible to set up a bank account whilst I'm in the UK, I'm looking into the commonwealth bank of Australia, what I'd like to know is whether it's possible to set up an account and transfer money into it before I go. I get the feeling I would have to validate it personally in branch when I get there before I can transfer anything but I hope that's not the case. Any advice would be much appreciated.