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Australia (Victoria): Wilsons Promontory National Park

Australia (Victoria): Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory is the southernmost area in Australia (excluding Tasmania). The entire peninsula is a national park. Most of it is closed to car traffic. The main tourist centre is in the Tidal River and from here you can go trekking. You have several routes to choose from. From one-day to several-day ones, with the possibility of overnight camping.

 

How to get there?

The Wilsons Prom is located approximately 200 km south of Melbourne. So the fastest way is to rent a car and go there by car. But be careful! 200 km in Europe is about 2.5 hours of driving. Here it’s about 4 hours. Due to the speed limits, I recommend you to follow. The fines are very high !!!

Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Where to sleep?

The cheapest and best option is camping in Tidal River, but you need to book it in advance. Especially when you want to go for the weekend or during the holidays. Private accommodation is another option. However, all of them are located outside the Park, i.e. min. 30km from Tidal River. We, however, stayed in such a place. Right at the entrance to the park is the Prom View Farm. We had the whole cabin to ourselves. Two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and barbecue on the porch. The price per night is $ 50 / person. (with 5 people). We paid $ 250 for the whole house.

 

 

 

What to see if you have only 2 days:

  • Mt Oberon – to get to the top you can either go on foot from the Tidal River or take a bus that will take you halfway to the top. You have about 45 minutes to walk from the bus parking lot to the top. The view from the top is amazing. It’s definitely worth a sweat.
  • Squeaky Beach – squeaky, because it squeaks when you walk on it, but basically there is nothing to get excited about because almost every beach in Europe has this: D However, it cannot be denied its charm. Interestingly, on the beach, you will find rock formations somewhat resembling those in the Maldives. So if you want to cheat your friends a little (those who know how the Maldives looks like, of course), this is a good place for a selfie: D

    Squeaky beach

  • Lilly Pilly Gully Walk – is a loop that leads through the evergreen forest. The route is nice because it keeps going flat, and after some time you will enter wooden footbridges stretched over the streams. If you will be quiet, maybe you will be able to see some animals, but if not….

  • Prom Wildlife Walk – will ensure the abundance of animals. There are so many animals here that you can trip over them. They may not live here in the wild, because they are part of the research program, but despite everything, they are not in cages but running around us. Kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wombats and all kinds of birds.

    wilson-prom

Moving abroad (examples: The UK, Australia, Poland). To-do list.

Moving abroad (examples: The UK, Australia, Poland). To-do list.

Moving abroad

Moving abroad is a challenge, an adventure, the beginning of something new. It is also a step into the unknown in which we must re-organize our lives. These beginnings in a new country can be very stressful. I know because I’ve already done three removals (About me fears you can read here.) How to deal with stress? It is worth preparing and rethinking the action plan.

For people who live in one place for years, preparing for emigration can be difficult. Challenges await. Nevertheless, this is part of the adventure.

I can help you a little, show you the way to the first few steps that you need to do in a new place.

I suppose that my list will not work in every case, but probably in many cases.

 Acclimatisation in a new country – to-do list

1. Accommodation

It is difficult to find a dream place online/remotely. You don’t know the city, you don’t know where you will work, which districts you like more or less. Therefore, in the beginning, I recommend a short-term rental. Airbnb works well for us. In Melbourne, Australia, it took us 10 days to find a room for longer, but we knew the city. However, if you are travelling into the unknown, maybe book more time to search and fight with jetlag.

Our Airbnb in Paris.

2. Bank

The bank is really the most important point after accommodation. First of all, it’s worth checking online the terms and agreements in various banks while in your country. Some banks, such as CommBank in Australia, give you the option of creating an online account (activating at a branch upon arrival). That safe time. The UK is more restrictive and you must provide your home address, tax number and local telephone number here. So try to prepare those documents fast. What’s more, it’s worth checking what documents you will need in your case and get them ready while still in your country! Some banks require translations, proofs, etc.

3. Tax number

You must have a taxpayer number to work legally in every country in the World. In Poland, it is PESEL or NIP, in Australia TFN (Tax File Number), in England NIN (National Insurance Number). Some countries like Australia enable an online application. However, you must provide the Australian address to which the letter will be sent (it may be the address of the hostel you will be). In England, theoretically, you can apply for NIN from your country. Unofficially, you can call and pretend you’re in England but you don’t have a local SIM card yet. It is worth doing it earlier because the waiting time for an appointment can be very long (even a month) and after visiting the office another 2 weeks of waiting.

4. SIMcard

Here it is also worth checking offers earlier. Perhaps if you are planning a longer stay it will be more profitable to sign an annual contract. In Australia, for example, we have 3 large operators who really have a monopoly and their offers are almost identical.

Remember! If you are a student, you may be eligible for a discount! Check!

5. Transport

Most major cities in the world have metropolitan cards for public transport. It is worth checking in advance what the card is called (Myki – Melbourne, Oyster- London, PEKA – Poznań), where to buy it and whether you will not need your photo. In addition, you can check whether you are entitled to a discount.

TIP: Passport photos are always worth having in your wallet. They are useful for city and student cards, etc.

6. Job

It is worth starting to look for works while still in your country. Chances are rather small, unless you’re from the IT industry ? Personality is important (often more than a diploma) in Australia, so looking for a job remotely can be difficult, but it’s worth trying to at least examine the needs of the market.

TIP: It’s worth checking what type of CV is preferred in a country you are goint to. In Australia, for example, photos are not pasted.

 

Once you’ve dealt with these few things, it’s worth taking the time to explore the city / region. Get to know the area. Check what part of the city you like the most.

Let me know what your first steps in exile looked like, and where do you live?

Every experience, every advice is valuable 🙂

How to prepare a ROAD TRIP in Australia?

How to prepare a ROAD TRIP in Australia?

Australia is a vast country. You can explore it by flying from one city to another, but it’s best to rent a car or camper van. Road trip is a very popular form of travel, but the huge distance between larger cities, changing weather conditions, left-hand traffic requires some kind of preparation for such a trip

HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO TAKE on a road trip? LEARN IN THIS POST.

We’ve already done several smaller road trips around Victoria, Tasmania and Far North Queensland. However, we never spent more than 4 days on the road. The road trip ahead of us is not only a vacation, but mainly moving house. On February 15.2020 we are going to leave Melbourne and go to the Gold Coast. There are about 2000 km ahead of us, 3 states, areas where fires have recently raged (2019-20).

Car/Campervan

If you are planning a road trip lasting several weeks or several months, it is best to buy a car or a small bus with a bed. However, take into account that you will not make any offroad with a bus, you will not develop a dizzying speed eather (the limit is still 100km / h so it doesn’t matter).

There are a few things to consider when choosing a car for a road trip. It is best to buy a car with RWC (Road Worthy Certificate) If the car does not have it, immediately after purchase you have to obtain such document (about $ 150) and the mechanic will certainly find some bullshit to replace just to get paid more because without RWC you won’t go on the road.

There are very few cars from RWC and those are being sold by dealers mainly. After a month of searching from private sellers and after a dozen cars with silicone in the engine, we bought from a dealer. We paid more, but we had a set of documents. The car must also be registered, and the price depends on the car’s age and number of cylinders (at least in Victoria).

Price: RWC –  $150-200 

REGO – $350/3 motnhs

Car – Toyota RAV4 , 2008 $6000

Cars in Australia usually have an alarming mileage for us Europeans. Like from Earth to the moon. And it’s not a metaphor. But don’t worry. Most cars are quite durable. The most popular cars (i.e. those for which it will be easy to find parts) are: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden (God knows what brand it is), Nissan and Suzuki.

If you are coming for a short time, it is best to rent a car or a van. Recommended and checked rentals:

Jucy

Vroom Vroom Vroom

Trailer

Preparations for the road trip – we started about 2 months before leaving. Mainly because we have to close various matters here, such as termination at work, university documents, etc. We also bought a small luggage trailer and it took us most of the time. I suppose, however, that none of you will travel with the trailer, but if so, it is best to look on Facebook – Marketplace and it is best to choose a small 6×4 trailer, because you do not need to register it (there is no approval needed for the hook).

16 useful things you need to take for a road trip around Australia:

1. Water 

Tap water is safe to drink in most parts of the country. The problem is that you won’t find water everywhere. That is why it is good to stock up on large water bottles. Especially if you’re going to Outback. You will find them in Bunnings or even Target. It is also worth having a small cooler with you for smaller bottles. 

2. Maps

There isn’t coverage everywhere in Australia, so if Google GPS lets you down, a paper map will come to the rescue.

3. Sunscreen

Strong one, like 50+ because the sun is incredibly strong here. 20 minutes is enough and the skin is burned. Plus cream / gel with aloe vera. Here, such gels are very cheap. You’ll get a whole big tube for $ 5, and it will relieve burns when you overdo the sunbathing.

4. Tea tree oil and mosquito spray

Personally, I hate tea tree oil because it stinks, but here it is HIT. Aussie use it for hair growth, dandruff, wounds, but also against mosquitoes. Apparently vanilla oil also repels mosquitoes, but this is another fragrance that I do not like, so I get the usual sprays: D

5. Coconut oil

Another hit on everything. Coconut oil can safely be used for cooking (organic), but another trick is to protect your hair from saltwater. Apply a few drops of oil to your hair and you don’t have to worry about overdrying. Plus super moisturizes.

6. Paw Paw Cream

Australia’s biggest hit. Paw Paw is a cream made of fermented papaya. Paw Paw is good at everything. Moisturizes the skin, lips, helps with minor injuries, burns and insect bites. Paw Paw in a red tube you will find in almost every store or pharmacy. The cost is around $ 3. It is also worth buying as a gift: D

7. SIM Card

Friends recommend Telstra. We have Optus and we’ll see how it works. Apparently Telstra has the largest ranges. There are essentially three monopolists in Australia, and the prices are almost identical.

8. Toilet paper and soap

May be obvious but so often we forget about it. Toilets in Australia, in my opinion, are the dirtiest places on Earth. In fact, even when not traveling, toilets in shopping centers, airport often call heaven for vengeance. It’s good to have your paper, soap and a small towel.

9. Snacks 

As a true Polish, I don’t go anywhere without: dry sausages, eggs and sandwiches. Unfortunately, transporting meat or eggs is not the best idea because of the temperature. I recommend fruit, vegetables, cereal bars, and Chinese soups. You can also look at the car fridge that works on the battery from the car. Unfortunately, several of my guests in the hotel I worked for, had to had thair cars charged because the fridge “ate” the whole battery overnight and the car would not move.

10. Insurance

Story from yesterday (Jan 22, 20): two tourists from Croatia were struck by lightning on the observation deck in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Of course they needed a helicopter. A hospital stay costs an average of $ 6,000, plus helicopter flights, medicine, etc. My ANNUAL insurance of 100,000 euros costs me $ 700. Figure out for yourself what is more profitable.

11. Head lamp – flashlight

It will be useful for sure. Especially in Queensland, which is full of snakes, spiders and insects. I happened to step on the snake because I went out to the garden in Port Douglas (Far North Queensland) in the dark. Stupid!. A headlapm will be useful in many situations, so it’s worth it. Plus additional batteries.

12. Clothes for all seasons

Especially in Melbourne. The temperature can drop from 34 * C to 17 * C in just two hours. I’m not kidding. One day we had a sandstorm at 12 and a downpour in the evening. The day before – hail (golf ball size hail). Take: raincoat, warm sweatshirt or thermal shirt, trekking shoes, protective footwear for swimming (you do not want to step on anything venomous), hat, long sleeve to the rainforest (there live sweet flies that like to drink blood and then pee into your wounds – hideous, I know. And it itches as fu ***).

13. Sunglasses

And decent one, well darkened. Believe me, after a whole day without sunglasses, your eyes will hurt and will be dry. It is also good to take some moisturizing eyedrops, because in a hot climate, your eyes will dry out even faster.

14. First aid kit

And in it: drugs for diarrhea, effervescent capsules for dehydration, painkillers, Panthenol for burns, birth control pills, condoms (the sex life of Australians is quite “promiscuous”, many have more than a dozen or more sexual partners. This promotes the spread of venereal diseases and if you travel solo it is known that condoms may be useful).

15. Your own playlist

The radio even in Melbourne receives only two stations, and when it rains you will not listen to music at all. The further from the city the worse. Another problem is: what’s going on on this radio. My taste in music is not sophisticated 😀 but here they have their 10 hits and it goes on and on. So burn some CDs, or put your favorite songs on USB and you will be saved. Plus some speaker will be useful or a adapter to which you connect PenDrive. In every Chinese store you will get such an adapter for about $ 30.

16. Kitchen set

Cutlery, plates, cups, gas burner (although currently – January 2020, in many parts of the country there is a ban on starting a fire), although on the camping grounds there is often a kitchen or BBQ, with a pot or frying pan. A small pot is enough for Chinese soups.

17. Additional fuel canister and tools

It’s worth having the basic tools (battery charger, pump, duck tape – super strong tape) to repair or replace a tire.

18. Useful apps

Campingsites –  WikiCamps

Sharks alerts – Dorsal 2.0

Weather – The Bureau of Meteorology

Fire alerts can be tracked on the pages of individual states:

The emergency number in Australia is 000.

And what do You always have on the road?

A one year trip to Australia. What am I really afraid of?

A one year trip to Australia. What am I really afraid of?

An annual trip to Australia.

January, 2017

It sounds fascinating and certainly will be. But for now I am here, in Poland, with my family, my boyfriend, my friends. Ahead, a trip for a year or longer (or shorter). A lonely trip (yes, I know – I will meet new people there, it will be great, but … it’s not the same).

Does not matter whether I do leave for a year, half a year. It is a very long time anyway and the world will not stop on this occasion, my friends, the boyfriend will not fall into a winter sleep like bears and will not wait until I come back. Their lives, just as mine will continue to be, I will not take an active part in it anymore.

I’m afraid that I will miss much, that I will miss the wonderful summer that I could spend with friends, traveling somewhere around Europe, taking walks together in the early spring to the park. I am afraid that I will lose everything I have been precisely building for so many years. All these relationships.

And on the other side awaits the unknown. And probably it is so overwhelming. It is a constant feeling that you give up something familiar, safe, good for something else that will not necessarily give you happiness. But on the other hand, if I won’t go, I will never know it and I will always have a grudge against myself that I have not tried it.

Although I hope that I will bring only good memories from Australia and that I will have something to come back to.