tingtongman

Is a tour worth it? well it depends, if you dont mind paying a lot more for someone doing all the hard work for you, then yes it is worth it for you. But if you want to save money, do it yourself, all the info is on the internet, and stay in hostels for the short term if you have concerns about traveling alone.

same with pumpkins, you will get used to it after a few days. Just eat well and rest well

if you wan to stay in the big cities, then public transportation is going to be enough and fly from one city to another. if you want to travel to smaller towns and cities, do farm work and check out rural OZ, 100% buy a car, it will work out cheaper in the long run.

well the hostels dont want you to work 5-7 times a week because then you have enough money to leave and see the big cities. Rather you work 2-3 a week and spend all your money at there hostel. As for being employed for 8 weeks, tell them you have your 2nd WHV and you will stay long term, then leave after 8 weeks saying family emergency . Its not a nice thing to do, but its always an option.

where are you working at the moment?what are you picking and are other backpackers in the same situation?

use gumtree/airbnb or go to the local supermarkets and check the notice boards to find house shares. They work out much cheaper, and better value in every aspect. Yes I dont use hostels. A hostel in Oz costs the same as a room generally on Airbnb. But with Airbnb I get a private room in a house of maybe 1-3 people, where for the same price in a hostel I share with 8+ people, with shared showers and kitchen with like 100+ people. For short stays (1-3 days) I use airbnb If I want to stay in a place 1week or longer, I use gumtree/supermarket notice boards to find rentals.

its actually kind of quiet around QLD for now, my guess is that it will be picking up shortly (1-2 months). I know just north of Brisbane there are strawberry planting jobs going, pay is not the best though.

did you put any money in your bank account when you was there? do you know the farm you worked on, contact them to vouch for you and to fill in the 1263 form. But if you have no proof, sadly I dont think you can get a 2nd one.

each situation is dependent. If you are staying in the Oz, and work another job in the same city or town you may still be a for being a tax resident. Anyway nothing you can do now until the end of the tax year and find out how they view it.

I just picked tomatoes for the first time. I really dont advise anyone to do this unless you are super fit and fast. To add only do it if you are getting $60 per bin (direct rate from farmer), if you are getting $45 per bin (contracted), your hourly will be $12< I'm glad I did it as it was an experience, but so far that is the worst thing I have done on the farm. I am quite tall and its suited for the smaller person, so that adds some bias to my comments.

Gold coast is nice, it lacks the punch that Sydney has but its still a nice city to go visit. I started there first, its only an hour away from Brisbane too.

the north facing beach in Noosa is also great.

best to talk to them seriously about the subject. Tell them how you feel and why you want them to get healthier, that is all you can do, the rest is up to them.

just do a google on them. a few bad reviews popping up on the first page fwiw.

did a small drive to Toowoomba, nice little place although its a bit small. The drive down back to Brisbane is really nice too. Caught a local cricket game going on in the park.

undecided if I will stay awake to see this one or not.

I used insure and go.

East coast is nice, Noosa is cool.

seems you have enough money. Good time to hit Perth also, there wheat harvests start around October until January if you are looking for farm work. I would suggest on buying a car between two of you, will help you alot in terms of finding a job, then hit a town that will be harvesting wheat, knock on some doors asking what they have going.

its $420aus last time I checked.

cheaper to go to the local butchers for me back in the UK, even better if you go direct to the farmer or the markets.

yeah I think your right hyde park. So I went back to Gatton, I worked 2 out of the last 3 days, one in a hay shed and another picking pumpkins. I thought the season was gone for pumpkins. I havent met many backpackers yet so I dont know what the work situation is like just yet, but after a week or two I should have a better idea and ill share with everyone what i find out.

Alot of stuff is happening best to check the harvest guide and pick between 1-2 areas to go.

for office jobs, dress like you would back home, if you are still unsure, ask them what they are looking for you to wear.

You can try to get one online, the best way is to go via agencies , but they wont give you a look in unless you are here. You could lie and tell you them are here.