JonathonS

http://www.minaal.com/ I have the Minaal bag, it was a Kickstarter project and is a backpack that opens up like a suitcase. Really good with organization pockets, including one specifically for your passport. Yup, at 35L this is my only bag, and I'm on the road for years. Some people think I'm crazy when they see how small my bag is.

Stacey, you'll be fine. When people say book early, they are talking about 3-6 months in advance. Absolutely no need to book right now. Sydney is great though. My initial plan was to stay in Sydney only through the New Year, but now I'll be here much longer than that. Plans changed!

Sure Stacey! Harrison, yeah I'm working. I'm not doing any farm work. After my 1 year in Australia, I'm doing 1 year in New Zealand and continuing to travel even beyond that. I do want to check out the rest of Australia, but that won't be until after I leave Sydney.

I went to Canberra, but other than that I've only been to Sydney. And I'll be in Sydney for months to come, so when you're here just hit me up. I could go without work too, but I'm greedy and am interested in saving money on top of what I already have saved. So you're doing 2 years in Australia with the farm work?

Hey, thanks for sharing! I got here October 7th, so like a week before you. That's really bad to hear about your injury, hopefully it doesn't slow you down too much further than it already has. Your adventures sound good. I find it hard to have great nights out here because alcohol is so expensive, but there are definitely good places to go. What about work? Didn't see you mention that at all. Keep having fun! I'm in Sydney.

I have a flat in Sydney, so I'm all good. Absolutely cannot wait for NYE here. But yeah, this is not something you can book on short notice for.

I can't say I really had a budget. I have way more than the 5 grand suggested for the visa, but my goal is to leave Australia with extra money. And right now I'm doing a great job at that. I guess if you're coming on a shoestring, it could work out in your favor, as you'll be watching every dollar carefully. And your main cost is going to be rent + food. I'm able to walk to work, so there's a way of cutting down costs. You can be frugal here, it just takes lots of willpower. But everything won't go according to plan! So best to prepare for that financially as well.

Sydney is definitely the best place to be for this time period, especially New Year's. But here's the catch: you need to book accomodation right now. Don't hesitate. Every hostel will be fully booked during this time and it'll be hard to find somewhere to stay if you wait until the last minute. I started my WHV in October, and this is exactly why I decided to start in Sydney. I can't wait to experience New Year's Eve here in Sydney.

You don't have to do the restaurant. You can just do the observation deck.

All depends on your monthly expenses, yeah. If someone is making $60,000 a year, it's not that hard to live on $30,000. And people like us, that being backpackers, aren't going to be spending a crap ton of money on things like a nice flat that long-term residents would. This varies by individual, but in Australia I could work only 20-25 hours a week and have enough to live on. But obviously I want to add to my savings.

I would not bend the truth at all. You will get found out. I noticed that trial shifts seem to be the thing that some employers do here, so if you say you got experience then they're just gonna throw you right into it. Back home I worked for a supermarket doing fresh produce and was moving up the ladder there, and recently I was able to find a job doing the same thing at one of the big chains here in Australia. I'm glad I found a job doing what I like/have experience in, because I tried hospitality work when I first got here, and that's not for me at all. Especially when I'm traveling the world, not something I want to be doing. But hey it was a job, so I stuck with it until I found the job I desired. One thing I have noticed here is that you get paid so well. I'm able to save money even after all my living expenses are paid for. Back home? That'd be impossible. But in Australia, depending how much you get paid and how you budget, you can easily save 1-2 thousand a month. Australia is expensive, but the wages are high and it's possible to live frugally here if you wish. Once you get a job, you're set. I will add one thing...and that's that I never would have came to Australia on a WHV if I was worried about finding a job. For example, there are other countries that offers Working Holiday visas that have way worse economies than Australia's.

I did everything myself. Booked a hostel for the first week, on my first day here I set up phone service and applied for my TFN. Then started looking for a job and a place to live. Totally easy to do on your own, and you save money.

New Zealand. I figure things like Helpx would be a good backup plan for me when I'm in countries where I can't work.

Yeah it is called WOOFing. You have to do farm work if you want a 2nd year on your visa. But I'm not simply doing Australia and then going home. I didn't even have any doubts before coming to Australia, and I was surprised when I got interviews on my 2nd day here. So it's all worked out. There are other websites similar to WOOFing too, that offer similar things, just without the farm work. Helpx is good too. But you're on a working holiday, everyone should be working IMO. It's hard depending on where in Australia you go, but not that hard. Don't let fear overtake you.

I think you'll be fine. Don't settle for a volunteer-for-room kind of thing, I'd get an actual job if I were you. I've used some of my savings already, but I'll definitely recoup that within the next few months.