work and travel in australia

hey there...
i'm from germany and i wanna go on a "work and travel" trip to
australia in september (for about 9 months) and i have so many
questions about it i don't even know where to start.
well... does it make sense to have a rough idea of where to go
throughout the 9 months or should i just look what's coming up?
where can you buy a (used) car in australia... are there trustful
dealers or used-car-agencies? what has to be taken care of buying a
car?
how are the laws about camping in the wild? and what dangers are there
when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?

that's it so far... i think there are gonna be more questions
following?

thanx, flo

"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...
hey there...
i'm from germany and i wanna go on a "work and travel" trip to
australia in september (for about 9 months) and i have so many
questions about it i don't even know where to start.
well... does it make sense to have a rough idea of where to go
throughout the 9 months or should i just look what's coming up?

Start on the west coast! Cars are relatively cheap. Make your way down the
west coast then eastwards.
If you want to work you must get a working visa. For that you must be less
than 30 years old.

where can you buy a (used) car in australia..

You can buy a car in Perth.

are there trustful
dealers or used-car-agencies?

A trusted car dealer is a contradiction in terms! You must use your
judgement.

what has to be taken care of buying a
car?

In Western Australia all cars must have an imobiliser fitted before you can
transfer the car to your name, something you must do because the
registration includes third party insurance.

how are the laws about camping in the wild?

Camping in the wild is allowed providing you are far enough away from a
town. The distance varies from state to state. Some bush areas have free
campsites provided.

and what dangers are there
when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?

Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is closed)
there should not be a problem.
Mind you there is also the Drop Bear!!! Be affraid of that!! :-)


that's it so far... i think there are gonna be more questions
following?

thanx, flo

Are you intending on travelling on your own? I wouldn't recommend that.
There are human animals in Australia just as in most countries!!

Hope you have a wonderful time.

Gerrit

Gerrit 't Hart wrote:
"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...

Snip

how are the laws about camping in the wild?


Camping in the wild is allowed providing you are far enough away from a
town. The distance varies from state to state. Some bush areas have free
campsites provided.


and what dangers are there
when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?


Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is closed)
there should not be a problem.
Mind you there is also the Drop Bear!!! Be affraid of that!! :-)

The biggest danger is probably getting lost, or breaking down and
running out of water or other supplies. This might seem like it would
only be a problem way out in the outback, far from major cities. But
people have been lost and died less than 2 hours drive from Sydney (e.g.
in the Blue Mountains). Get hold of a guidebook to Australia, and read
the cautions for travelling in the bush. A little bit of common sense
and taking some simple precautions and you should have a great, and
safe, trip.

Tom

in article , Gerrit 't Hart at
wrote on 1/28/04 8:27 AM:


"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...
hey there...
i'm from germany and i wanna go on a "work and travel" trip to
australia in september (for about 9 months) and i have so many
questions about it i don't even know where to start.
well... does it make sense to have a rough idea of where to go
throughout the 9 months or should i just look what's coming up?

Start on the west coast! Cars are relatively cheap. Make your way down the
west coast then eastwards.
If you want to work you must get a working visa. For that you must be less
than 30 years old.


30 or under. Not under 30.

WA cars vary wildly, in accordance with the enormous size and variations in
terrain it has. I believe you need to have an immobilizer in WA cars??

On the plus side, you can renew your rego by mail in WA which has its
advantages, especially as a foreigner. SA is the same.

Neither state requires annual roadworthies, which is nice as an owner, not
so good as a buyer. I bought my car in NSW (which does require them), then
re-registered in SA when the rego ran out (much cheaper).



where can you buy a (used) car in australia..

Anywhere. Tradingpost.com.au gives you a good starting point of what's
available and at what price.


You can buy a car in Perth.

are there trustful
dealers or used-car-agencies?

A trusted car dealer is a contradiction in terms! You must use your
judgement.

Buy privately.

If a potential seller won't let you take a car to an INDEPENDENT mechanic of
YOUR choice, walk away. Plenty more available.



what has to be taken care of buying a
car?

In Western Australia all cars must have an imobiliser fitted before you can
transfer the car to your name, something you must do because the
registration includes third party insurance.

Yes, third party liability. Third party property isn't included in most
states (or all) and collision to YOUR vehicle isn't covered unless you buy
it privately.




how are the laws about camping in the wild?

Camping in the wild is allowed providing you are far enough away from a
town. The distance varies from state to state. Some bush areas have free
campsites provided.

"the wild" can - and often is - private property. The largest station in
the country, Anna Creek, is larger than Holland! If it is private property
there will often be signs posted (if/where permitted or prohibited); it's
politic and responsible tourism to ask the owner, even if s/he is a hundred
km. away. Same goes for traveling on station tracks.


and what dangers are there
when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?

Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is closed)
there should not be a problem.
Mind you there is also the Drop Bear!!! Be affraid of that!! :-)

The biggest danger is yourself. Do your homework, follow the boy scout
motto ("be prepared," not "eat a brownie" 8-)) and you'll be right.

Gerrit 't Hart wrote:
"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...

snip


Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is closed)
there should not be a problem.

It always amazes me that people still don't get it that crocs are very
dangerous and numerous. Just today, this report:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1033518.htm

Some people never learn...

Tom

in article , tom at
wrote on 1/28/04 12:37 PM:

Gerrit 't Hart wrote:
"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...

snip


Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is closed)
there should not be a problem.

It always amazes me that people still don't get it that crocs are very
dangerous and numerous. Just today, this report:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1033518.htm

Some people never learn...

Tom


We're all paying strict attention to Steve Irwin!

Isn't he the ex TV star from the "Whacko" show ? )))))

"Raffi Balmanoukian" a
wrote in message
news:BC3D7DCF.1FAF5%walkabout@TAKEOUTTHETRASHTOREP LY.ns.sympatico.ca...
in article , tom at
wrote on 1/28/04 12:37 PM:

Gerrit 't Hart wrote:
"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...

snip


Generally pretty safe. There are snakes, spiders, crocodiles and
scorpions
in Australia. Provided you are sensible (eg don't camp on the edge of
rivers
known to have crocodiles, make sure the flyscreen in your tent is
closed)
there should not be a problem.

It always amazes me that people still don't get it that crocs are very
dangerous and numerous. Just today, this report:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1033518.htm

Some people never learn...

Tom


We're all paying strict attention to Steve Irwin!

"schpongobob" wrote in message
om...
hey there...
i'm from germany and i wanna go on a "work and travel" trip to
australia in september (for about 9 months) and i have so many
questions about it i don't even know where to start.
well... does it make sense to have a rough idea of where to go
throughout the 9 months or should i just look what's coming up?
where can you buy a (used) car in australia... are there trustful
dealers or used-car-agencies? what has to be taken care of buying a
car?
how are the laws about camping in the wild? and what dangers are there
when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?

that's it so far... i think there are gonna be more questions
following?

thanx, flo

You probably need to consider the weather arriving in September. The
Northern part of the country will be starting to warm up and by mid October
its going to start getting hot. In central Australia travel (off the major
bitumen highways) is not advisable from November through to March if you and
your vehicle are not thoroughly prepared.

Buying a vehicle - get the State motoring club (RACV, NRMA, RACQ, etc.) to
do a pre purchase inspection. They will give you a good idea of condition
and what you may need to have fixed up.

Buying membership to one of the above can be another good holiday insurance
for a roadside breakdown service if things go wrong.

All States require at least a roadworthy/safety inspection certificate on
sale of the vehicle - usually the owner pays for this. They are NOT to be
relied upon, I've seen some horrors which have passed inspections days
earlier - the owner having changed tyres, etc. Dealers are notorious for
having a pet inspector who will issue a certificate for practically anything
on four good tyres.

When you buy a vehicle you have to pay government charges - stamp duty at
about 5% of the value.

Insurance - with registration you are charged for third party injury
insurance - this covers you, passengers and anyone who you may injure. If
the accident is your fault you may not be covered for compensation - but
your medical costs will be covered. To insure your vehicle there are three
common types - third party - only pays for damage to another property owner.
Third party, fire and theft - same as above but covers you against loss if
the vehicle is burnt or stolen. Comprehensive - same as above but also pays
up for damage that you cause to your vehicle.
Most insurers have online quotes.

Work - if you visit most backpacker hostels there will be someone who has
knowledge of a job or a contact.

--
www.bribieisland4x4hire.com
VW Kombi Camper Buy Backs
Landcruiser Troopy - Toyota Hilux Crew Cab
Mitsubishi Pajero - Landrover V8 Swag Camper