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Keep it short and simple, Australia is on my bucket list.
I'm 21, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the USA. Never seen much of the USA, let alone the world, but always felt drawn to Australia.
I want to plan a trip for myself, and possibly my mom, and I'm not quite sure where to start. It's a large country, with a lot to offer.
Things I'd be interested in (in order of importance)...
Night Life (dancing, drinks, music)
Socializing (I'm 21, so that age bracket)
Shopping
Beaches
Pleasant Walks (not hikes!)
Relaxed outdoors activities
Landmarks and cool sights
Other fun activities
I'd like summer time. Preferably not the hottest there is, but being from the southern US I can handle a pretty brutal summer if I'm having fun.
Also, what sort of piggy bank would locals suggest to have a good time? 5/10/20/50,000? Say a week or two, for two people? How much does the average hotel room cost? Would it be better to plan on buses, bikes, or walking?
Not interested in fancy resorts or hotels. Something clean and safe is fine, since I plan on spending most of my time away from the room.
Also, any tourist traps or scams to be aware of? Any common mistakes foreigners make that I should avoid?
Next question..
I've never heard of a Working Holiday before, but that interests me as well. Is there anyone with experience doing that? How did it go?
What's a live-able wage in a clean, safe area?
What's the minimum wage in popular areas?
How's the job market in places where a young single person might like to spend a year?
Is a car a necessity?
Do employers usually avoid temporary workers, or welcome them?
Last, but not least question... Really, seriously, the spiders, should I be afraid?!
Backpackers hostels are probably your best bet for cheap accommodation. Come in our summer (around now) and make the most of the warmer months and longer daylight hours. Can't help you on the working holiday thing, sorry. Get to see as much as you can - Great Barrier Reef, Great Ocean Road, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane (my favourite ) and Perth Hamilton Island or The Whitsundays. Melbourne is the best for shopping. IMO the best beaches in Australia are in Queensland, and you'll get the chance to do the Glasshouse Mountains national park, Australia Zoo, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
If you're just planning a vacation for you and your mom, a regular tourist visa is fine. But for more details on the working holiday visa, go to the Australia Immigration department's web site.
If you want more urban activities (nightlife, clubs, restaurants), I would focus on Sydney and Melbourne, the two most cosmopolitan cities, and then take excursions to beaches up the NSW coast or along the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne.
If you want more of a beach vacation, perhaps concentrate on northern New South Wales/southern Queensland (basically the area between Sydney and Brisbane).
Australia is expensive. There's no getting around the fact it's pricey to get there and it's expensive once you get there.
As for the spiders, most visitors go to Australia and never encounter any problems.
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) and Perth Hamilton Island or The Whitsundays. Melbourne is the best for shopping. IMO the best beaches in Australia are in Queensland, and you'll get the chance to do the Glasshouse Mountains national park, Australia Zoo, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
