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

[Tyrone Biggums]

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

If you like wine you're in the right state.

Adelaide is well known for being what we call a "bogan" zone lol

Kinda like the Aussie equivalent of a chav.

 

[User removed 4]

If you like wine you're in the right state.

Adelaide is well known for being what we call a "bogan" zone lol

Kinda like the Aussie equivalent of a chav.

 

[herecomesaregular]

i fecking hated Perth, shit hole. Rest of Australia i loved.

 

[tonymgc]

I've always thought if i went there i'd feel constantly too hot. I struggled in South Africa so i dread to think what i'd be like in Oz.

 

[Superphil]

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.

This just about sums up my experience of Oz too, had a few weeks in WA 2 years ago, had a nice time but the points you make are exactly why I shall not bother going back any time soon. Racism, Fecklessness, Ferral Children, cost, Jeez the cost And, IMO, the locals have no concept whatsoever on environmental issues, they just don't care, 5.0 V8 petrol cars & 4x4s doing 10 mpg were the norm, not only with the people we stayed with, but pretty much everywhere, makes the occasional Chelsea Tractors in our towns seem harmless.

But you know what, I thought the boutique beers were superb, and plenty of them about, from Freementle, to Swan River, not at all disappointing. Weather was great, but tbh, I shall order my Little Creatures from Alliance Wine or Wineaux, and go to the Med for sunshine and beaches.

 

[User removed 4]

Sounds like it's a great place if you like a beer, want to live in a country that has a decent standard of living,decent weather, is at ease with it's identity( not full of wankers tying themselves in knots with colonial guilt) and want a less frantic lifestyle than here.

 

[Superphil]

, is at ease with it's identity( not full of wankers tying themselves in knots with colonial guilt)

Yup, they seem to know what they want. No Aboriginals, and a Burger King (Hungry Jacks) on every corner. It felt to me like they were desparate to be like USA.

 

[Danny-Boy]

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.

To me Melbourne is or was when I visited it the greatest city on earth. Cosmopolitan, friendly, sports mad and cheap - well it was in 1992. Didn't like sydney, adelaide okay but agree you have got to head into the bush for a real experience.

The scariest spider I saw was a Huntsman, hidden in a bunch of grapes I was picking, but did catch a scary sight of a Large brown snake one of the deadliest but apparently very timid. Turned my stomach over though.

Loads of seasonal work if you want to earn a bit, you can literrlly pick crops around the year because of the different growing seasons over the Continent.

Go for it, as young as you can!

 

[Danny-Boy]

Sounds like it's a great place if you like a beer, want to live in a country that has a decent standard of living,decent weather, is at ease with it's identity( not full of wankers tying themselves in knots with colonial guilt) and want a less frantic lifestyle than here.

This.

 

[ali jenkins]

Ive always wanted to visit Oz and the wheels are in motion to go there around this time next year.

I cant wait!!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I loved it. In hindsight, I would have tried to get clear of the tourist trail. I didn't meet enough natives and it is a bit dull meeting hoardes of English.

 

[Danny-Boy]

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...

Yes around that time that sums it up, except for Sydney, I got ripped off in a backpackers so went to stay in Newcastle instead. The older Aussie women can be quite forward too...

 

[User removed 4]

I've always found Aussies a bit deficient in the sense of humour department

I can remember a radio news story a few years ago about an english bloke travelling across the outback during an ashes series, who, whilst in a bar full of crocodile dundee type characters made the schoolboy error of ordering a non alcoholic lager , when he was settling up he was duly presented with the bill which read..........................................1 x poofter drink..................well it made me laugh !

 

[8ace]

They are too opsessed with egg based games, otherwise great place.

 

[Commander]

It's massively over-rated. It's a big desert with a couple of nice cities. It is absolutely massive, and the highlights are Sydney (nice city, not in the same league as London / New York), Melbourne (similar), some over rated beaches and a massive rock in the middle. Great. Look at virtually any other land mass the same size and it will have much more highlights. It's not even as nice as New Zealand, which is about a tenth the size.

Would be a great place to bring up kids as they are so big on their sport and their facilities, but they would end up with the most irritating accent on the planet.

There are so many places which are so much better than Australia. That said, go there on holiday and you'll have a great time. There are much better places to go though.

 

[New Carpet?]

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'm no bitter drinker either, but I have to concur here that Cooper's is bloody incredible stuff, as are the brilliantly-named Fat Yak and James Squire.

 

[alofbrighton]

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?

Just like any other place there are good parts and bad parts. On a personal level I have actually never been anywhere else and witnessed more anti social behaviour or crime. But that's just where I went.

Elsewhere there are beautiful cities and the natural history in Australia is outstanding...top of the pile.

Visit and make an informed decision is my advice.

 

[The Spanish]

I can remember a radio news story a few years ago about an english bloke travelling across the outback during an ashes series, who, whilst in a bar full of crocodile dundee type characters made the schoolboy error of ordering a non alcoholic lager , when he was settling up he was duly presented with the bill which read..........................................1 x poofter drink..................well it made me laugh !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PfDro1UGUo

 

[chimneys]

They are too opsessed with egg based games, otherwise great place.

Omelette tossing?!

WAFHA

 

[NMH]

It's alright, but no big deal especially. A bit dull, though I suppose you could build a decent palacial pad there and it could be comfy enough.
Better than England for weather, but not much for birds and I'd miss the greenery.
Prefer Brazil, to be honest.
New Zealand is more like England for countryside (north island anyway).