Dawn2002

We were charged $250 to destroy a small paper mâché box that had a dried leaf as a decoration on it, I know it's not food, but it's still plant material. Personally I wouldn't you'll be able to get it all over here and you may end up with large bill. We packed ourselves and I'd say over half our boxes were opened and inspected, so there's a fair chance they will see them.

Thanks for your responses, it's certainly given me something to think about. Engaus- that's interesting, I noticed the course I was looking at was also offered by flight centre with preference to jobs in the company given to candidates. Not sure how much it is, but it was $7k at TAFE. I am well fairly well travelled, but I think I defiantly need to take some career advice before investing such a large sum. I'll keep my eyes open for any upcoming events that might give me further insight into careers in the industry. Thanks again.

Thanks, Starlight7 I wondered if that was the case, I shall try to do as much research as possible. Have you ever studied at a TAFE ?

Hi There, I'm thinking ahead here, so after some advice. As both my children will be in school by 2016, I'm thinking of retraining and was thinking of doing a course at TAFE. Specifically on the travel/ tourism area, due to my current location on the Gold Coast and the fact that I love travelling. I was wondering if anyone has done a Course at TAFE, are the qualifications gained highly regarded by employers ? Was the tuition good etc ? And importantly how are mature students received, I'm a bit nervous I wouldn't fit in. Any feed back great fully received no matter what the subject studied was. Dawn

Hi there Not sure about the crocodile diving !!! Each to their own. My backpacking days were over ten years ago so couldn't help on cost of tours, but I did a few day trips as I was also travelling alone. I'm not sure I'd personally go for any tours longer than a few days myself, but that's just me. Perth- day trip taking in Wave Rock , pinnacles, and get to cuddle a Koala, long long day, was it worth it, I thought so. Day trip down the ocean road- defiantly worth it, I also shelled put for a helicopter trip on the tour and it was pretty amazing. Yarra valley wine region, also great and V pretty. I bought a car and did a bit of travelling also, Bendigo in Victoria has/ had a gold mine you could go down, that was really interesting. Not on the backpacker trail perhaps ? I slept in the car in the snowy mountains too, quite an experience, it was a station wagon though, so Put the back seats down and you have a double bed there ! Fraser Island is amazing, hired a 4wd and camped at lake Mackenzie which is stunning, saw a dingo and the shipwrecks, lovely place. If you can get to an Island on the Barrier Reef, do it go snorkelling/ scuba diving if you can, I didn't backpack here so don't know if there are islands in the backpacker budget. There's also lots of big things I. Australia Prawns, Avocados, guitars. All along the way. Canberra - I found a visit to Parliament House really interesting, I just turned up and there were daily tours, but I have no idea if you can still do this. Sydney- lived here for about 2 yrs( again over 10 yrs ago) you can walk and see most of the sights, just get a good guidebook, my personal favourite beaches are Manly and Tammarama, I always avoided Bondi, as I felt it was to crowded. But you can do a lot of walking round the coast there as I remember. Also if you can don't miss NYE in Sydney, we went to see the fireworks at midnight, cost nothing if you ignore the cost of alcohol. As Maryrose02 said, get the ferry round the harbour. The Manly Ferry is a good one. Go to Watsons bay there is a great view of the harbour and there used to be a takeaway fish and chip shop attached to the restaurant there. We have been to a few national parks and we've seen wildlife, lucky enough to see an Echidna in Sydney Royal National Park ( I think that's what it's called ), many of the less well known parks are lovely and you can really get off the beaten track especially if you camp and are willing to accept basic/ no utilities. Springbrook near where we are now is a prime example. As for zoos, Taronga was great, but again visited a while ago, I have however been to Australia Zoo recently and I thought they was worth it, you can even bring a picnic in. These are just a few of the things I did and still I haven't seen as much of the country as I would like. You will meet people if you are travelling alone, it sort of forces you to find company, it certainly did for me. I think it was the best thing I ever did. Have a great time, and best if luck.

We had one that lived behind a picture in our old place, he was there so much the kids named him (Neville), no idea why. One night he are a dragonfly that no word of a lie was almost as big as him !! He came and went on his own and the only annoying thing was when he used to do his noisy call every now and again. I'd leave him alone, I tried to catch one once, but it was too quick for me.

I'm on the Gold Coast, used to live near Surfers and never saw much wildlife except the Lorikeets. Now the Hinterland side of the M1 so much more about, we had a beautiful big Green Tree Frog in the garden last night. I would love a drop off point, when I called the council they really weren't interested. If I see another, I shall be catching it and getting the Hopstop.

Can I ask about the dettol method ? Does it have to be dettol or will any similar product with the. 99.9% germ kill rate do ? Thanks

Seems the general concencus is kill it. My hubby said I should have caught it, and kept it for him to check, he really does not like them either. I was going to get it and put it in the freezer, but I wasn't entirely sure it was a cane toad, as it was partially buried and didn't like to think I may kill some native toad. I agree a flyer in effect areas would help. I think my garden may be quite attractive for a toad at the moment as there's a lot of watering going on as we've just put grass seed down too. We also had a fair bit of rain yesterday. I have a feeling we may see another then hopefully someone can confirm for me for sure.

Ok so it lived to fight another day as it was gone by the time hubby came home. We did have what looked like a young one in the garden over the weekend, but he escaped under the fence, we've not been in this place long so maybe there's a lot in the area or it's just the time of year. If I get another one that's suspect I'll catch it and post a better photo. I think I'll be going for the freezer method though !

Not a great photo no, I'll leave him be for now, I don't want to touch it. hubby will be home from work soon and I'm sure he went on some sort of cane toad round up once, so he should know.

there you go, that's just its head, poking out

I'm pretty sure, checked out lots of pictures in the web . have a photo but having trouble posting. I'll keep trying

I know you're right Tina, I'm just squeamish about doing it, I did just give the council a call, they won't help, but did suggest putting salt on it !! Now I reckon that it's not very humane at all. Sorry Tina, do they jump about a lot when theyre in the freezer before they go to sleep ?

Lol, yes I've heard about that. I don't want it in the garden, then again I'm not sure I fancy it being in the fridge/freezer for a few days, which is the only humane method I can find. But Personally I think taking it down the local park wouldn't be right. Especially as we are in what I would describe as a semi rural area. I guess I've answered my own question !