Australia - land of opportunity or dusty open air prison camp.

[The Spanish]

I have never been. i always imagine its just a hot version of Peacehaven with more deadly wildlife. The fact that you have to fly over dozens of more interesting countries to get to one thats a bit like England has always put me off.

with the ashes off with a whimper and after tyrones deranged kangaroo videos i just wanted to see what the verdict was on NSC on Prison Island.

i will certainly go one day and probably love it, i am just mucking about oh thin skinned defenders of our dusty dominion.

thoughts?

 

[Soton Seagull]

I spent a year over there and love the place. Sydney is a wonderful city; yet Melbourne & Perth are both rather good as well. For me, getting out and about were the highlights - the Northern territory, Tasmania etc. Proper wilderness with fascinating sights.

The bitey creatures don't bother you too much, but I saw a couple of potential killers. Very easy country to spend time in as is simillar enough to slot in easily, but different enough to be interesting. The beers not the best, but the atitude of the place is great.

 

[Simster]

Nice country, good weather, lots of space etc.

Too far from home and anything resembling culture though, and these are things that have become more important to me as I've got older.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Fabulous place, great people, decent weather.

Like.

 

[Jonno]

I've always found Aussies a bit deficient in the sense of humour department and their beer's rubbish (funny considering how obsessed they are with the stuff), but apart from that lovely place with open, mostly very friendly people.

 

[herecomesaregular]

Terrific country, if you can't enjoy a trip there then you are a eejet. Get away from the backpackers and the big cities (of which Melbourne is by far the best) and be in awe of the sensational landscape and wildlife. Can't understand why young aussie's are obsessed with drink and drugs when they live in such an awesome country. In fact, the locals can sometimes be the only downside of the place. We should have left the convicts here and left in our hoards to Oz.

 

[phoenix]

went to Sydney great place.Just hop on the monorail and away you go.Aussie women seem to like us pom's as well.Multi culture great place,Do it.

 

[skipper734]

Never been, but had a few of their women. So for that reason I'm in.

 

[MikeySmall]

The only downside to Australia is its full of Australians.

 

[New Carpet?]

I returned a couple of weeks ago from my first ever trip to Australia to see a couple of close mates out there, and also to catch the Melbourne Cup amongst other things.

Can't explain how overwhelmed I was at just how brilliant both Sydney and Melbourne were. Two exciting, albeit very different cities.

And as for the Great Ocean Road, the landscape there is spectacular beyond belief.

I'm hoping to to return there in a year or two's time to explore other parts of the country.

If you're contemplating going, just go for it!

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Fantastic place. Loved Sydney and Cairns - in fact, anywhere in Queensland would suit me. Spent a year there and loved every minute - the sun just makes everything seem great - even when you have to work.

 

[Elvis]

Never been, but had a few of their women. So for that reason I'm in.

A good enough reason! if I ever heard one.

I spent a year there and really enjoyed it, but, must agree with an earlier post....the beer is shite!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OzMike]

A holiday is one thing but living here is different, I think it depends on what state/part of the country you are in.
Here it is so overregulated (if that is a word), you need a permit to sneeze! most of the population are academically challenged, we are taxed to the hilt, employers think they own your soul.
Very expensive place to live, most household expenses have increased by up to 30% or more over the last 18 months and the average grocery bill is 40% higher than in the UK, whilst wages are not in step with these increases.
Apart from eating out there's not much to do and life stops at 9.30pm even at weekends.
It is pretty expensive to live here and If anyone else says 'but it's worth it for the weather and lifestyle' again I will floor them.
They don't like to hear it but there is a great deal of racism and nationalist feeling here, even against us.
Yes it is not the worst place in the world but don't believe all the hype.
I know how much things have changed in the UK from my recent last visit, but as mentioned on here in another post, having spent so many years with the English culture it is difficult to adapt to a cultural void.
I think that I may have made the right move for the kids, as they sem to have a head start on the evolutionary scale here, but as for myself that is another thing.
In too deep to change now so that's that.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I've always found Aussies a bit deficient in the sense of humour department and their beer's rubbish (funny considering how obsessed they are with the stuff), but apart from that lovely place with open, mostly very friendly people.

Have to take exception to that beer comment. I was staggered how rubbish the beer is in England compared to what I get in Australia. I admit, I'm not a bitter drinker, but there is no better beer on this planet than Coopers Pale Ale. That's a scientific fact.

I love Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I do miss the travel, culture and family in the Uk which is why I'm looking to move back in 2011. But let no one doubt, Sydney is absolutely fabulous. One day I'll move back for good - once the kids are through the education system, and maybe earlier if my wife can't handle the cold

 

[Marc]

they've got V8Supercars, therefore it MUST be an amazing place to live

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

A holiday is one thing but living here is different, I think it depends on what state/part of the country you are in.
Here it is so overregulated (if that is a word), you need a permit to sneeze! most of the population are academically challenged, we are taxed to the hilt, employers think they own your soul.
Very expensive place to live, most household expenses have increased by up to 30% or more over the last 18 months and the average grocery bill is 40% higher than in the UK, whilst wages are not in step with these increases.
Apart from eating out there's not much to do and life stops at 9.30pm even at weekends.
It is pretty expensive to live here and If anyone else says 'but it's worth it for the weather and lifestyle' again I will floor them.
They don't like to hear it but there is a great deal of racism and nationalist feeling here, even against us.
Yes it is not the worst place in the world but don't believe all the hype.
I know how much things have changed in the UK from my recent last visit, but as mentioned on here in another post, having spent so many years with the English culture it is difficult to adapt to a cultural void.
I think that I may have made the right move for the kids, as they sem to have a head start on the evolutionary scale here, but as for myself that is another thing.
In too deep to change now so that's that.

A lot of what you have said is because you live in Perth.

W.A is the most redneck part of Australia and in a lot of ways is 20 years behind the rest of the country.

Always will be because it doesn't get the influx of O/S immigrants like the eastern states does.

Though it did get quite a few coming from South Africa when apetheid fell...

 

[OzMike]

A lot of what you have said is because you live in Perth.

W.A is the most redneck part of Australia and in a lot of ways is 20 years behind the rest of the country.

Always will be because it doesn't get the influx of O/S immigrants like the eastern states does.

Though it did get quite a few coming from South Africa when apetheid fell...

I've heard this from a few people now, we are going over to the east for a week over the xmas hols to check it out and if favourable will up sticks and move over, fingers crossed.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I've heard this from a few people now, we are going over to the east for a week over the xmas hols to check it out and if favourable will up sticks and move over, fingers crossed.

Victoria - The place to be...

 

[1066 seagull]

I spent a year working/backpacking in Oz back in the late 80s - this is what I remember...
Sydney - stunning location, ample cultural stuff going on, fine beaches, overall a forward looking place and I loved every minute I was there.
Melbourne - climate not so great, bohemian in parts, has a place called Brighton Beach with brightly coloured beach huts similar in size/shape to those on Hove Prom.
Adelaide - clean, green, safe and famous for its nearby wine growing valleys.
Perth - If I'm honest found the place rather dull, like someone mentioned above the place seems to shut down very early (even at weekends).
Ayers Rock/Uluru - it takes a bit of effort to get to but that's part of its magic - sunset is breathtaking

As for the locals - a strong beer culture exists (but don't recall the country suffering from fist fights on weekends because of it); sport is everywhere (on TV and played) - cricket, tennis, rugby league, rugby union, foootball, aussie rules, surfing, skateboarding, swimming; as for the aussie women I wasn't so impressed - due to excessive sunbathing a lot were a little on the ropey skin side and their nasal sounding accents I found a bit grating at times, however, plenty of overseas talent travel to Oz so that more than compensates.

So given the choice of a trip to Peacehaven or Oz, I know what I'd opt for...

 

[Ex-Staffs Gull]

Living in Adelaide for 5 weeks now and have to say mostly positive. Very expensive for some things but as with any economy it will eventually even out. I like the Aussies tbh and although they have their share of idiots, there are a lot of decent ones. I will know more when I have been here longer.

On the upside down Gus bus