CloeyPom

Hi...you poor thing..if you are sure your facts are correct (good to have the email trails) I would send the details to A Current Affair or TodayTonight show (Google and go to their websites)- they are always looking for stories like this and even if nothing happens the mention that you have done this should rattle her cage! She's trying to frighten you - Immigration Lawyer - ha! what's that all about? Good Luck! L

Hi..you're doing what/feeling how I did (except I came over to Aus 32 years ago and a working holiday visa and never went back - to live anyway!). Having visited Darwin (once only known as a place for convicts and missionaries as it is 'Top End' right at the top of Aus and once thought to be so far away from the trendy cities to the south)its great place with a new sophistication but still with it's 'First Frontier' feel and now on the Backpackers list of places to visit as it is laid back (hovers around 33 degrees all year so not much else to do but drink beer and party and so close to amazing national parks like Kakadu) but I wouldn't think it would be a place to stay for an extended period on your first visit. Seems the way backpackers do the Aus trip is to head to Sydney - lots of backpacker places in Bondi/Coogee/Manly (beach areas and my recommendation) or Kings Cross/Sydney CBD (Inner city/cityareas) to start off - you will meet other travellers and hopefully organise long term rental accomodation. Live in Sydney so sorry can't comment on other cities...Pick up as much work as you can until Christmas (shouldn't be hard to do even if it's bar work/cafe work/promotional work try something different just to get money in the bank) but it's still fun while you're working anyway - night out next to the beach with a 'goonie' (wine cask) and your set planning your big trip around Aus in the New Year. Enjoy Christmas Day on the beach (Outdoor Christmas Carol nights in the leadup but it will never feel like Christmas!) and New Years fireworks on the Harbour - then up to you when you do the 'big trip'..perhaps travel up the coast.. Byron Bay...Brisbane..Gold Coast to FNQ (far North Queensland) and the Barrier Reef..easy to shoot west to Darwin then. Lots of options (working on fruit farms in the bush etc but you will find out all this when you get here - EXTREMELY backpacker friendly). Will you like it - I'd say you'd be mad not to - especially if you like the outdoors but again it's always personal. Just have fun whatever you do. L