[Chiggerflea]

Where i'm studying (South Melbourne), there are a bunch of people who live in student accommodation at Hawthorn too. They say it's basically one-person tiny studio apartments and they are paying about $250/week. Not sure if it's the same place that you are staying though.

And yes, i do think you are being ripped off. If it includes electricity, gas, water and internet then maybe not so much, but the apartment will probably be really small.

Personally, i really lucked out. I'm living super close to the city in a 2 person sharehouse, paying $155 each. If you have a couple weeks before you start studying, it might be worth trying to find a sharehouse. If you need help with where to look for sharehouse ads let me know.

[Sindriss]

Problem is that I don't know how much time I got, since I haven't been able to find any info regarding when my semester starts. All I've seen is that the second term which I'll be attenting starts in July. And I would really like to have my housing worked out before I come

[caladanbrood]

Also, while you're in Melbourne, have a trip to the Victoria Casino. It's insane I had great fun there, playing blackjack with random aussie non-celebrities

[Sindriss]

Hehe, never been much of a gambler, but sounds like fun certainly! How is clubbing in melbourne then Broody?

[caladanbrood]

Expensive, since I mostly stayed inside the CBD. There's some good bars though, I think on William Street.

I imagine the students will know cheaper places, though The best night out I had was just before the Melbourne Comedy Festival, loads of awesome comedians, including Dylan Moran were practising at a little local comedy club in North Melbourne right near the hostel I was staying at (looks like it's very close to the Uni, too), and we got in for free!




One other place you might want to check out, considering you must be some sort of book geek, since you're here, is Minotaur, it's a brilliant shop, once you ignore all the manga and kid's models.

[Sindriss]

I actually like quite a few mangas brood

Anyway, here is the next update. Im flying in the 27 june and will meet up with a mate in brisbane, where we will then roadtrip to Sydney. Is there some great stuff along that way I wouldn't want to miss ? And how about sydney, any special recommondations there? We will probably stay in Sydney for a week, so got the time for quite a few things

[Tsundoku]

I think Cold Iron is in Sydney.

What to see in Sydney? Hmmm ... if you have the $$$ climb the Harbour Bridge. Centrepoint Tower. Might be a bit coolish at Bondi but you never know. Taronga Zoo if you're into zoo-type stuff. Galaxy bookstore . Manly/Northern beaches. What sort of touristy-type experience are you looking for?

If you're looking for "culture" - forget it. We're just like Canada and Northern/Western Europe but with better weather, accents and a bit more laid back than most. Except for Sydney and Melbourne which are full of pretentious twats.

[Mushroom]

Hmm..Suggested places so far include Ayers Rock, The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree and potentially Perth (surrouning areas).

I'm wondering if the full length of those distances has sunk into Sindress yet.
Thats around 12-16,000km of driving there (minus Perth, with Perth its another 3500. Hell you may as well throw in Broome (it has amazing beaches) as well and you've covered all four corners of the continent.

If I were suggest another, I would go with Gold/Sunshine Coast.

Make sure you take Sting Ray Repellent. Very important that one.
Also Adelaide has some nice Wine areas.

[MTS]

Mushroom, on 14 June 2010 - 06:11 AM, said:

Hmm..Suggested places so far include Ayers Rock, The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree and potentially Perth (surrouning areas).

I'm wondering if the full length of those distances has sunk into Sindress yet.
Thats around 12-16,000km of driving there (minus Perth, with Perth its another 3500. Hell you may as well throw in Broome (it has amazing beaches) as well and you've covered all four corners of the continent.

If I were suggest another, I would go with Gold/Sunshine Coast.

Make sure you take Sting Ray Repellent. Very important that one.
Also Adelaide has some nice Wine areas.

He's only looking for places to go inbetween Sydney and Brisbane, and in Sydney itself.

[Sindriss]

Indeed, MTS is right.

I think I will be going into that zoo, would be pretty awesome. Also, I want to hug a coalabear!

I would like to see the beaches, but since it will be winter while I am there, I am not sure that the temperature is high enough unless I rediscover my inner viking

[Mushroom]

If that is the case. And you will be going to places between Sydney/Brisbane.
Then going to the beach is perfectly fine, even in Winter. More so further north. The water is only slightly cooler really. It's only because the air temperature that's lower that deters most Aussies, any European should be fine though.

Also. Make sure you eat a Kangaroo.

[Tsundoku]

Don't forget to drop in on Centz, Shiara and Lucy in Brisbane.

BTW, it's a Koala, not a bear. Just Koala.

Most tourists end up at Byron Bay for a while. It's a big backpacker/surfie/dope smoker place.

Other than the beaches, there's not a whole lot I can recommend along the way. It's a pleasant coastal drive and the hills near Lismore are pretty, but that's about it. 99% of the towns are nothing special.

Are you staying in Brisbane for long?

[Sindriss]

Hehe okay, in danish we say koalabjørn, i.e. koala bear, but now I learned something new!

Will only stay in Brisbane for a day I think, before I meet up with my buddy and drive onwards to new adventures. Is there some great sort of food I should try while I am in australia? I already tasted kangaroo, it is okay, but doesn't really beat cow in my opinion. But I bet that you got a lot of other exotic meat that is worth trying?

[Tsundoku]

Uh, we're not exactly known for our local cuisine. The best stuff is mostly from other countries, in great combinations. We do like big steaks though. Juicy, tender, thick .... *drool* ...

Maybe try a proper meat pie? Where you peel off the pastry lid, smother in tomato sauce, put lid back on with a dot of tomato sauce on top then try to eat without dribbling sauce or pie mince everywhere. Must be done at the footy for maximum enjoyment from the experience.

You'll be in Melbourne, right? Repeat after me: "Collingwood are wankers." Easily the most important and true phrase you will need for your Melbourne stay.
"The umpires are shit." But that's pretty much true everywhere.
"Labor are fuckheads, Rudd will be out at the next election." Incisive political commentary shows understanding of local affairs.
"Then again, the Liberals are wankers too." Shows fair-mindedness and an even deeper understanding.
At least in Melbourne a thorough knowledge of soccer and the World Cup will not be met with blank looks, or worse - suspicion - like it would anywhere else in the country. Anywhere else, you just mention you support Denmark, make light remarks etc.
In NSW you support "the Blues", and in QLD you support "the Maroons" in the State of Origin rugby league. It is CRUCIAL that you DO NOT MIX UP THE TWO!!!!!
Say your name is "Fred" and mothers everywhere will invite you home to meet their daughters.

Other Aussies please add necessary tips for his survival enjoyment.

[Sindriss]

haha, that was quite awesome Sombra. More survival tips are of course always appreciated

But what is up with the name Fred?

[Centzon Totochtin]

If you are only in Bris for the day we could attack you at a bar or lunch or somthing if you want to meet some friendly locals.

In Sydney I would go to:

The Zoo
The Rocks
Opera House
Harbour Bridge Climb
Botanic Gardens (I like plants )
Bondi or Cronulla (I prefer Cronulla beach myself)
A Football (or rugby) game
Oxford Street (hehehe locals will understand why )
Darling Harbour if you like being a tourist

I am helpful

[Tsundoku]

Sindriss, on 15 June 2010 - 12:41 AM, said:

haha, that was quite awesome Sombra. More survival tips are of course always appreciated

No worries, we'll see what else we can come up with.

Quote

But what is up with the name Fred?

Who is your Crown Prince? Where did his bride come from? How did they meet?

I thought this stuff was taught in your schools these days! It's a staple of our women's magazines.

This post has been edited by Sombra: 15 June 2010 - 04:05 AM

[Abyss]

Sindriss, on 14 June 2010 - 02:22 PM, said:

...Is there some great sort of food I should try while I am in australia?...

They do indeed.

It's called 'beer'.

Try to sample as many as possible.

[Sindriss]

Sombra, our crownprince is Frederik, didn't really think you nicknamed him Fred. But I can already see a good way to score ladies by introducing myself as friend of the royal family, heck, I would be a cousin to one of the princes!

Abyss: No worries, I am no stranger to that beverage, indeed we have many fine specimens in Denmark. However, let it not be said that I am hesitent to try cross new frontiers, so bring it on land of the Aussies!

Centzon: That could be cool. To clarify, I am not sure how much time we will spend in Brisbane, as it is actually in Surfers Paradise my mate is located and seeing him is first priority at the moment Is that close to where you guys live?

[Centzon Totochtin]

no it is about 1.5 hours drive from Brisbane We live very near the CBD of Brisbane