furkew

a number of the big plant and foliage growers have invested in hail cannons to reduce/eliminate hail damage, but unfortunately temps of high 30's and even low mid 40's are just too extreme to be able to do much to compensate. We have dams & bore's and the sprinklers will be working 24/7 but it isn't enough to stop some damage to the crops.

I work on a farm producing cut flowers and we are also one of the biggest wholesalers in Australia, and unfortunately all the local growers are suffering badly (including our own farm) The strawberry farmers had hail storms just over a month ago, and now the heat is causing more problems, flower growers are suffering because everything is burnt (by the heat) so its hard times all round at the moment. even the rose growers are looking like having an average valentines because the roses are all flowering before the stems have grown long and the flower heads are all smaller than they should be for the valentines crops. This means a smaller crop yields, so therefore lower returns in the peak period. lily growers are all flushing this week, and will have nothing after valentines because of crops all producing at the same time. other states are getting more constant weather, but here in Vic its not looking good for the next month at least.

not really related to you because you are heading to NSW & QLD, but for anybody else looking at backpacking in vic. Here in Vic everything has really copped a hiding with the heat over the last couple of weeks and the next week as well (and who knows what will follow) so fruit/veg/flower picking jobs will be very scarce for a couple of months while the crops recover. All my grower/suppliers have lost a lot of crops because of burn/heat stress from the sun.

when are you guys looking to move? we don't have high or low season prices because we cater pretty much only for new arrivals, but outside summer & Easter you should normally be able to haggle and get a much better deal for a longer booking. I don't know too much about air bnb but they seem very good for simple accommodation, for a very good price, but as you have already found out, longer bookings can be difficult to fit in.

Would you trust somebody else to find a property in Australia that you have to commit to sight unseen for 12 months? From our experiences with Australian real estate pictures can make a place look bloody awesome, until you see it in the flesh and you can be up for some big surprises. personally, 4-6 weeks in a short term furnished is cheaper in the long term when you think about the peace of mind finding your own place, and also gives you the opportunity to research areas on arrival, schools etc and not make a mistake by picking the wrong area just by using the internet. if you are looking for 4-6 weeks and are out of season, you will be able to negotiate much better rates than advertised if looking on stayz or similar. Don't be afraid to offer what you might thing is a low ball price for normal holiday accommodation. 4-6 weeks out of season in one booking is very interesting for most property owners. Its always better for the owner if its rented out rather than leaving the property empty for a month.

Thanks for that BB, and I would have sent the OP a PM, but unfortunately our accommodation is booked from the 15th June for 2 weeks, so would only have a week available.

leading up to, plus the week that followed black Saturday, we had the car packed with the essential paperwork, photos etc and laptops etc could be grabbed last minute and we just listened to the emergency radio in the background all the time. (I also got out of bed at 1-2am to check each night for wind changes or fires that changed direction) life went on as normal for us and the whole town until the risk had subsided enough to not worry about it.

we are in the Dandenong ranges (made famous by the ash Wednesday & black Saturday bushfires) and we are contemplating moving to down size but we are definitely staying in the area. Yes the risks are always there, but the extra living space, nature, views, community spirit, and of course affordability (just to name the main reasons) far outweigh the possible risk IMO. We have a rental unit on the property, and nearly all new arrivals would love to stay in the area if it were possible, so far 2 families have stayed in the town, and another moved just down the road out to the edge of the dandenongs.

and for the jeep sceptics, I didn't break anything this time!! I missed the Robe trip because of other commitments, but after seeing this vid, I'm spewing I couldn't make it (does contain a few naughty words

went out a few weeks ago to Walhalla for a play in the high country again. awesome countryside, views and nature at its best. (plus boys and their toys having fun)

You missed a fun day out Matt. One of the guys did get a small twig stuck in his window when he took a corner a bit wide. Nobody injured, and I'm sure it will buff out

Hi kev. Unfortunately Can't help with which visa to apply for as we came over on my visa 6 years ago. My wife is just a nail tech, also not an occupation in demand over here. Have you spoken with a migration agent as to what your options might be?

Don't worry. We will have plenty of fun.

I'm heading out this Saturday morning with a couple of mates to go offroading in and around narbethong Any fellow poms fancy tagging along. A bit of off-road experience required, medium tracks with maybe a couple of harder tracks thrown in. Recovery gear and winch a must. Anyone?

We have 2 positions available where I work for farm workers in silvan in the dandenong ranges. It is full time work (no back packers) to work on a cut flower farm. It involves bulb planting, picking and bunching flowers and foliage for interstate shipping and general maintenance, spraying etc (can involve heavy lifting) It is hard work, with 6-7 am starts till 3-4pm Monday till Thursday and slightly earlier finish on Fridays. Hot in summer and can be cold and wet in winter. Still interested after painting such a rosy picture call Paul bras on 9737 9604.

We have had dozens of new arrivals over the last 5 years and they have all found a rental and moved in, in 4 weeks without too much stress. Any shorter means you might make hasty decisions, which you can regret later. At the moment we have new arrivals and they went to a few viewings today and there were a lot of other families viewing which did surprise me a little as it is still summer Hols and school holidays.

its what www.news.com.au defines as news. had a quick look at their other headlines and didn't see much in the way of real news.

that's not news. and the messenger should be shot for wasting our time with the drivel

everything was looking good for you guys until you mentioned the Scottish accent!!! just kidding. rules on how to fit it as a Pom. Don't winge about the price of fruit and the fact that we have no marks and spencers Its Australia. Its supposed to be Hot. just suck it up and get on with it and stop winging. become a Collingwood supporter, and your fellow aussie mates will love you because they can bag the crap out of you at every opportunity (im a Collingwood fan BTW) pretty easy really. other than that, just be yourself, and it will be pretty easy to make friends. Having kids make it easier as well (schools/playgroup/sleepovers etc)

Our pool is fairly high maintenance because of where we live (very high rainfall in winter dilutes the chemicals, surrounded by gum trees that drop leaves year round etc) but because I do everything myself I don't think chemicals & salt cost me more than $300-400 per year. I take a water sample to the local pool shop, they test it and sell you the required chemicals. Power and solar pumps are the highest costs. Where are you looking to live because that will be a major factor IMO?

Dark brown hard wood dining table. Dimensions 1.8m x 1.8m The top of the table is 75cm with 62cm clearance underneath. The table is just over 5 years old and has only been used for larger family/group gatherings so although it does have some signs of use it has minimal scratches and wear. It does have a small ring (shown in photos) which is about the size of a small round glass otherwise in very good condition. The legs are removable but it is very heavy. Viewings welcome. PM if interested. Its on ebay with a starting price of $400.00. If anybody here is interested $375.00 (was $1599.00 new) Paul.

If you are not a regular rider, be VERY careful on the GOR. Ive done it a number of times and you need to be very careful with all the twisty corners, road debris, and Asian tourists looking at the sights and not the road (and it can get very slippery in the otways if it has rained) Its an awesome ride, but better done outside the main tourist season. Also, there will be police cameras EVERYWHERE!! have fun and ride safe.

http://www.farmwork.tv/workinghostel/43/emerald-backpackers http://www.fruitpickingjobs.com.au/hostels/ maybe check out these links.

Hi mate. Can't help for your initial arrival but if you are looking for farm work look up emerald backpackers They offer accommodation and also have mini busses dropping off and picking up at the local farms up here in the dandenongs.

So driving vast distances, driver fatigue, corrugated and unsealed roads, Roos and other wildlife etc don't count of course. This thread makes me laugh at how ridiculous some posters are. Have none of you driven in France,Italy,Poland, Germany and scratched their heads at how they drive? It's THEIR country and that's how they drive. If you don't like it bugger off back the the UK where everybody drives like angels. Rant over (for now)