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Archive for July, 2007
Hi! My name’s Bree and I grew up in sunny Cairns so I thought I’d share my tips for what to do in this tropical city!
Go check out the Night Markets on the Esplanade and have a laze around the lagoon (all free!). Cairns city doesn’t actually have a beach, but you can jump on a local bus and head to the northern suburbs, to check out all the gorgeous beaches such as Palm Cove.
Everyone knows Cairns as the ‘gateway to the great barrier reef’, so it’s the best place to get out for a day trip on one of the world’s seven wonders! All day trips include snorkelling, but I definitely recommend trying a scuba dive - I’ve done two ‘introductory’ dives, which is where they give you all your lessons and instructions, before a guide takes you down for about 40 minutes at a time. What an experience! Nothing else compares.
Cairns is also famous for the rainforest - world heritage listed! Take the ‘Skyrail’ gondola up over the tree canopy and into the village of Kuranda, or go all the way and head to Cape Tribulation for the best experience of all.
Cairns has some of the best nightlife - Gillian’s Backpackers goes off! Or why not fulfil the backpacker tradition and dance on the tables at the Woolshed!
Visit the gang at Backpackers World Travel, shop 4, 9-13 Shields Street (in the mall in Cairns) if you need any more advice or help with booking tours!
Your all invited to come join us for a TRAVEL NIGHT on Thursday, 26th July - full of fun and information at Backpackers World Travel, 360 George Street, Brisbane!
There will be FREE FOOD! GIVEAWAYS! TRAVEL DISCOUNTS! And heaps more!
Come in and meet our crew who have been there and done it all! I’ll give you all my personal advice and top tips for travel. We will also have tour companies here on the night to answer all your questions about travel around Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Starts from 6pm, so be quick or you’ll miss out on the free advice and massive savings!
Cheers, Bree 
Stayed at Base Christchurch when i was down there!
Hi my name is Julie and I just returned from doing a South Island trip in New Zealand. I had a fantastic time! The Kiwi Experience staff are outstanding and there are lots of inclusions. My favourites were the Poo Pub party (at Mahinapua Pub - the owner/operator Les is 82!!) and guided walks and unique overnight stops. The accommodation recommended is above-par and very centrally-located.Now is a great time to travel to New Zealand especially if you want to experience snowboarding or skiing in the NZ Alps! AWESOME!!!
Julie, BWT, Cairns
Well what can I say the South Island of New Zealand is absolutely breathtaking with all the beautiful snow capped mountains, rainforests, lakes, waterfalls and beaches. We met many great people on our trip especially the wonderful Les who is 83 years old and owns the Mahinipua Hotel (Poo Pub) which is a very interesting unforgettable overnight stop for all Kiwi Ex passengers.
The Franz Josef glacier is just magnificent but make sure you are very fit to do the full day hike, otherwise highly recommend the Helihike, where you are flown to the top and go on a 2hr hike, amazing photo oppotunities here make sure you have plenty of film or memory left on you camera.
Queenstown, is party central and a great base for any skiing or boarding enthusiasts as the mountains are very close and the ski transfers pickup from your accommodation or very nearby. Queenstown is the adrenaline capital with Bungy, Canyon Swing (109m high, with a 60m freefall then a 200m arc across the canyon - just a big giant swing really - but what an amazing rush !!!!!), Shotover Jet Boat, Quad Biking and much much more to do in this very pretty town. My most favourite spot out of them all, so much to see and do or just relax around an openfire with a hot choccie or a beer if thats what you like.
Laura, BWT, Airlie Beach
Hey I am just back from Kiwi wonderland
Spent a few days travelling round the South Island with Kiwi Experience, had a ball, headed across Arthers pass to Franz Josef, where we done a full day Glacier hike which was amazing, bit of hard work on the old muscles but worth it for the scenery !!!Then cruised down to Queenstown passing by Wanaka.
Cruised down to Milford Sound for the day this is the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand , cruising through Fjords, waterfalls, we were very lucky to see seals, dolphins and lots of birdlife so great !!!
Queenstown is pumping at the mo, party central, couldn’t go to Queenstown with out doing an extreme adventure: Canyon Swing it was the elvis cutaway was the name of my jump oh my goodness hanging over a canyon with a harness on, well what can I say and the guys were telling me to relax yea right , 60mtr fall through the canyon then finish with a swing !!! oh my goodness it was scary but adrenalin pumping !!! there slogan is true ( even my S— was scared !!!)
Well deserved beer or 2 or 3 in Queenstown , then it was back to sunny Christchurch !!
New Zealand one of the most spectacular countries to visit, must go and check it out !!!
Happy days
Laura, BWT, Brisbane
Hi, it’s Bree here! I spent a weekend down in Melbourne recently and found there is so much to do in this great city! Melbourne is known as the ‘cultural capital’ of Australia, with an abundance of great shopping, food, wine, galleries and more! If you’re looking for some things to do, here are my top suggestions:
Shopping! Girls and guys will love the shops in Melbourne - I would recommend checking out Bourke and Chapel Streets, or head down to the cool suburb of St Kilda for all the latest funky designs.
The world famous Great Ocean Road is one of the most spectacular coastal drives, featuring Bells Beach and the Twelve Apostles. See it as an easy day trip, or take your time with a three-day tour, either as a round-trip or taking you on to Adelaide.
Mt Buller snowfields are an easy day trip from Melbourne during the winter, so take the chance to have a play in the snow or try to ski or snowboard.
For wine lover’s make sure you take a trip to the Yarra Valley for a divine gourmet experience with the local wine products.
Phillip Island will suit animal and nature lovers with its abundance of koalas and kangaroos, and in the evening you can view the little penguin’s as they waddle ashore for the night.
Everybody needs good ‘Neighbours’ – Australia’s famous soap opera is filmed in a real Melbourne suburb so join a local tour for your chance to see some real filming!
The Grampians National Park is another easy day trip from the city, where you can hike and experience Aboriginal culture as well as seeing plenty of native flora and fauna.
For the best accommodation in Melbourne, make sure you get yourself a bed at the BASE Hostel, located in St Kilda. They have various styles of rooms, from standard dorms to private doubles – even a girl’s only level – ‘The Sanctuary’ - for a bit more comfort!
To get some more local advice or book any of these fantastic tours, visit the travel store at the Base Hostel, or at any of the Backpackers World Travel Stores, located throughout Melbourne city.
Fijian kids
BULA!!
If your travelling to Fiji I realy recommend the Fiji Experience.
This is a 4 or 6 day trip which takes you around the main island of Fiji Vitu Levu. Feejee Experience takes you unique spots where most often you are the only traveller in sight.
Throughout your trip you will interact with the local Fijians including visits to remote villages and a school where the students welcome you with a song and show you around, all the time experiencing their overwhelming hospitality.
Your Feejee Experience ticket is valid for 6 months from first day of travel so if you have the time take advantage of the opportunities that might spring up along the way.
Because the Fiji Experience is flexible and you have the option to hop on/off the bus meals and accommodation aren’t included but they can help arrange this (at very discounted rates!). However, heaps of awesome activities ARE included like sandboarding (huge sand dunes!), trekking, river tubing, trips to secluded waterfalls, traditional kava ceremony, bilibili rafting, bathing in hot pools and mud pools, sampling sugar cane and more…
a 4 day trip called the Hula Loop pass is great value for only NZ $378! You can find more details on our website or you can contact me at askanexpert@backpackersworld.com
VINAKA!
Jax, BWT Sydney
I recently went on an awesome weekend snow trip to Autralia’s biggest ski resort Perisher Blue with Mojo Snow.
Its a great trip from Sydney for both beginner and experienced snow bunnys.
Your trip includes return transport from Sydney to Jindabyne, mountain transfers daily from Jindabyne to Perisher Blue, 2 nights accommodation, 2 hot breakfasts & 1 dinner, your guide can organize lift tickets & equipment hire. National Park entry fees are included.
Prices start at $235 - check out our ‘Hot Deals’ page for more details…
Jax
Hey travellers!
It’s winter time in Australia, which means it’s cold in the South, but its actually the perfect time to head to the OUTBACK!
Up in Kakadu National Park it’s the dry season which means the major waterfalls are open and the weather is nice (not too hot!). In the Red Centre its much cooler so its very comfortable to be outdoors in the sunshine, doing the walks around some of our amazing sights like Uluru and Kings Canyon.
Red Centre Tours start from $295 for 3 days or why not try a package for $529 - 3 days Red Centre + 2 days Alice Springs to Adelaide + 2 nights Alice Springs.
So come into a Backpackers World Travel store to get yourself travelling whilst the weather is at it’s best!
Bree
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