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study in australia

App-solutely amazing! Seven must-download apps for life in Australia.

The article is written by Bronte Segota

Made the big move to Australia? Don’t forget to Aussie-fy your phone! There are plenty of apps out there that make settling in in Australia that much easier. We’ve rounded up eight essentials to help you have the best experiences down under!

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Deliveroo
Hungry? Don’t walk all the way to the kitchen! Deliveroo brings you food from all your favourite places in just a hop, skip and jump! Simply order from the Deliveroo app on your smartphone for delivery straight to your door. It’s a lot like UberEats, but the kangaroo logo has us smitten!

Available to download on Android or iPhone

BOM
Don’t rely on temperamental pre-downloaded weather apps to get you through the day. With many Melbourne cities experiencing four seasons in one day. The Bureau of Meteorology app is a saviour. Providing accurate, government-sourced weather forecasts with an easy to use interface, it is Australia’s most reliable weather app. Bonus points for including a real-time rain radar, so you can know exactly when you’ll be needing that umbrella.

Available to download on Android or iPhone

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Australian Slang
Don’t know your Barbie from your Bottle-O? Australia has more slang words than the entire Oxford Dictionary, and for newcomers, it can feel a whole other language to learn! This App has a comprehensive list of uniquely Aussie words and phrases, so the next time you hear someone say that they’re going on a Macca’s run, you’ll know exactly what they mean.

Available to download on Android and iPhone

Gumtree
The perfect place to buy, swap and sell goods online with people in your locality. It’s like eBay, but much more community focussed, meaning you won’t have to pay international shipping costs on items you can buy from vendors in your neighbourhood. Gumtree also has a ‘jobs’ section on their website, where you can search for, and post, jobs in your area.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

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ABC
Stay up to date with Australian and International news with the ABC App. The ABC itself sets out encourage awareness of Australia and an international understanding of Australian attitudes on world affairs, which makes it the perfect news app for international citizens new to Australia. Unlike many other news apps, it also allows you to customise your news and stories so you can read about what interests you.

Available to download on Android and iPhone

Triplify
Triplify is dubbed ‘the travellers what’s on guide’ and is the perfect app to find events and experiences available around your locality. Listing everything from beach parties to local markets, make sure you don’t miss out on the most exciting events with Triplify. It provides the perfect opportunity to get out and explore your city in social situations.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

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Party With A Local
This app, partners you up with real-life locals to provide a unique, local experience within the party and entertainment scene of the city. This App is especially good if you’re new to the city and keen to make friends and expand your social circle. Party with a local is a wholly different way to discover your city, with a knowledgeable guide, and potential new acquaintances along the way.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

48 Hours in: Coober Pedy

The article is written by Taryn Feldmann

City life can get tiring after a while, and a small town is just what the doctor ordered for relaxation and experiencing new things. The perfect place is Coober Pedy, a small town in the Australian outback in South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway.

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Author of the picture @tamaramerino_photography

It’s filled with dust in a barren landscape but what this small outback town does offer is an adventure, Australia history and most importantly you get to experience doing everyday activities underground.

There are so many tours to choose from but as it’s a limited time there’s only so much you can do. Here are my options for the best tours, which will offer you everything you’re looking for: Opal mining tours, Oasis tours, historical four-wheeled drive dune tours and desert cave tours.

It’ll be exciting, and you’ll learn so much. The 48 hours will be filled with picture worthy memories, and you’ll have amazing stories to tell your friends and family.

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Author of the picture @eevgum

Getting there

You can go by plane, bus, or train. Coober Pedy’s airport, located five km from the town centre, and regional express has flights between Adelaide and Coober Pedy. More information about the transportation you will find here.

Want to experience the Ghan railway, you can take a train from Adelaide to Coober Pedy. It’ll be a fun experience, plus you can look at scenery along the way, or you can go by coach on a bus which departs from Adelaide at 7:25 pm and arrives in Coober Pedy at 6:15am. More info here.

Accommodation

The best place to stay will be underground, as it’ll be a once in a lifetime experience. It’s not a regular thing that we do every day, but it is for residents who live in Coober Pedy because temperatures can soar into the 50’s. Plus, you will make your friends jealous with your endless selfies of you in your room underground.

There are quite a few options to choose from, and it’ll depend on how much money you can spend so here’s a link which can help.

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Author of the picture @danielle_jessie

Opal mining tours

Coober Pedy is a mining town, and it’s famous for its opals. It’s a tourist attraction, and a must do. It could be the high light of your trip. Once again, you’ll be underground, and you’ll follow the guides on an informative tour and learn Coober Pedy’s history.

You’ll learn about mining, learn everything there is to know about opals in their underground museum, and you’ll enjoy a documentary in their underground theatre. The high light of your trip will be seeing firsthand how stones are cut. Helpful links about everything this tour has to offer.

Oasis tours

Love thrill-seeking adventures? This oasis tour will be for you. Experience the barren landscape of Coober Pedy at sunset, which will make it even more spectacular. It’s a two and half hour tour, and it’ll leave you breathless.

You’ll get to experience the Breakaways, a massive dune via The Moon Plain Desert and you’ll be able to see Australia’s famous fence, the Dog Fence to keep out the Dingo’s, Australia’s famous wild dog. What makes it so popular worldwide is the length, a staggering 5.614 million miles. Even more spectacular you can watch the sunset on top of the Breakaway with a nice glass of wine or a refreshing beer. Interested in some tours? Check this link.

Mail Run Tours

You need to do this tour as it sounds like fun and unique. You get to go on a tour with the postman by travelling with him as he delivers mail to the historic towns of Oodnadatta and William Creek and most importantly you’ll get to experience five cattle stations, including the largest, Anna Creek Station. Australia is well known worldwide for its cattle stations.

More amazingly go on a historic trip down memory lane like Australia’s famous explorer, Charles Sturt, the namesake of Australia’s most famous highway, The Sturt, which stretches for miles from Darwin to Adelaide. Stop over at the old Ghan Railway line and enjoy the arid landscape. Don’t forget to take photos as this is a memory you’ll want to keep.
Check this link for more information.

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Desert Cave tours

This four-hour tour lets you go down a mine and witness Coober Pedy’s jewels, opals still embedded inside the sandstone. You’ll also get to go on a Serbian Underground Church, where you’ll experience an archaeological excavation and get to see amazing architecture.

Want to see how the locals live? Don’t despair; this tour lets you witness a unique local underground home, which they refer to as a ‘Dugout’. It’s not to be missed and once again you can take selfies galore and post them all on your social media. What makes it even more special is your family and friends will be able to experience a new culture.

This town has so much to offer, and it’ll be an experience which you won’t be able to get anywhere else. Have fun!

Fun Summer Day Trips Out of Sydney

The article is written by Olivia Inwood

Wanting to venture out of the city this summer? These day trips are a perfect chance to explore the wonders that are just out of Sydney and not spend a fortune on transport! Here are our top 5 summer day trips out of Sydney:

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Hunter Valley
(2.5 hours north of Sydney)

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and produces some of the best wine in the world. You can drive along the M1 highway and stop at the many wineries in the area for some cellar-door wine tasting. Many bus tours also depart from the Sydney CBD in the early morning, providing affordable wine tasting opportunities and tours of the region.

Fun Fact: The Hunter Valley has over 150 wineries, with some of the most famous including Brokenwood, Scarborough Wine Co Tasting Room and Tulloch Wines.

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Jervis Bay
(3 hours south of Sydney)

Jervis Bay is located on the NSW South Coast and is known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Besides spending a relaxing day by the beach, you can go scuba diving along the bay or join the dolphin watching cruise from Huskisson Wharf. And if you don’t see any dolphins, you get a free return cruise!

Fun Fact: Jervis Bay has over 20 kilometres of the whitest sand in the world.

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Kangaroo Valley
(2 hours south of Sydney)

Kangaroo Valley is part of the Southern Highlands and features picturesque mountain views. There are plenty of bushwalking opportunities and the Mortan National Park has a trail leading to the popular Fitzroy Falls. The only pub in Kangaroo Valley ‘The Friendly Inn’ was built in 1892 and is one of the oldest in the region, with a beer garden that provides breathtaking views of the rolling valleys and mountains.

Fun Fact: ‘Kangaroo Valley’ refers to the region and village, both named after the surrounding Kangaroo River.

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Grand Pacific Drive
(2-hour drive along the South Coast)

Travel along the 140km of the Grand Pacific Drive; one of Australia’s best-known driving routes. Starting from the Royal National Park, this road heads south along the coast through Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Don’t forget to see the Blowhole, a natural rock formation that spurts water 20 metres into the air.

Fun fact: The engineering highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive is the Sea Cliff Bridge. From the viewing platform located near the bridge, migrating whales can occasionally be seen!

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The Blue Mountains
(2.5 hours west of Sydney)

The Blue Mountains is an easy escape from the city, with the option of driving, catching the train or going on a group tour. Although there are many bushwalking tracks and sights to see, the highlights for a day trip are Katoomba and Leura. Katoomba features The Three Sisters rock formation, a legend of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, that can be viewed from Echo Point. The town of Leura is also a popular stopover point, with many boutique cafes and a well-known candy store.

Fun Fact: The Scenic Railway located at Katoomba, is the steepest passenger railway in the world, offering 360-degree views of the Blue Mountain ranges.

Must See Aussie Big Icons

The article is written by Olivia Inwood

If you love road trips, selfies and experiencing the quirky side of Australia, consider seeing some Aussie big icons! Located along highways all over Australia, many of these big things have become pop culture icons and tourist hotspots. Here are our top picks for must-see Aussie big icons:

Big banana

Author of the picture @narissa_campbell

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW

The Big Banana claims to be Australia’s ‘first big icon’. Originally created to promote a banana stall, The Big Banana is now an amusement park featuring a downhill toboggan ride, laser tag and an ice skating rink. So, there’s enough entertainment for the whole day!

Big pineapple

Author of the picture @amymacsouthbne

The Big Pineapple in Woombye, QLD

The heritage-listed Big Pineapple is located along the Sunshine Coast. You can climb The Big Pineapple and explore the pineapple museum and observation deck. The area also boasts a train through a pineapple plantation and a Wildlife HQ.

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Author of the picture @patrickashby_

The Big Merino in Goulburn, NSW

The Big Merino celebrates the wool industry of Goulburn and is often a stopover destination for those travelling to Canberra. You can climb to the top of the Merino sheep and look out through its eyes to see a panoramic view of the local area. The Big Merino also has a gift shop on the ground floor and a wool display!

Big guitar

Author of the picture @geemcv

The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth, NSW

The Big Golden Guitar is in the heartland of Aussie country music and is over 12 metres high. It was unveiled by Australia’s most popular country music star, Slim Dusty. This Aussie icon is now one of the major attractions at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, held every January.

Big lobster

Author of the picture @kornienko_001

The Big Lobster in Kingston SE, SA

Known locally as “Larry the Lobster” this creation stands at 17 metres tall. It houses a restaurant and gift shop underneath. Kingston is a well-known port and is also famous for its real-life lobsters!

The Big Wave in Newhaven, VIC

The Big Wave is a popular photo spot, where you can pretend you’re riding a wave. Its located at the Island Surf Experience in Newhaven on Phillip Island. This area is a popular resort place and has hosted various surfing competitions in the past.

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Author of the picture @m_szek

The Big Penguin in Penguin, TAS

Only 30km away from Devonport, the coastal town of Penguin is a popular tourist attraction and home to hundreds of fairy penguins. The Big Penguin is located in the beachfront park and is the largest penguin sculpture in the world!

48 hours in: Kangaroo Island

The article is written by Taryn Feldmann

Need a getaway from city life? Kangaroo Island, located, 112 km southwest of Adelaide, is the perfect destination. It has beautiful scenery, many exciting activities and iconic Australia wildlife that other places won’t be able to offer.

Go hiking, take historic tours, enjoy coastal activities, and Australia’s iconic wildlife. With so much to do you certainly won’t be bored.

Getting there

There are two options: flight or by ferry. The flight is only 30 minutes from Adelaide, South Australia airport and the ferry is 45 minutes along. You can catch the ferry in Adelaide or Goolwa to Cape Jervis. Or check this link for useful information.

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Things to do

Australia’s wildlife

Love animals? These two tours will be perfect for you: Seal bay and Kangaroo Island hire a guide and nocturnal tours, Kingscote.

Seal Bay

This is an unforgettable must do experience. The tour will lead you into their colony on the beach. It gives you a chance to witness them in their natural habitat. Many Instagram worthy memories of the seals and selfies of you and one in the background. Click for more useful info here.

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Kangaroo Island hire a guide and nocturnal tours, Kingscote

Want a fun wild adventure? This tour is for you. It offers a four-wheel drive. There are a few options but for a better experience, the Flinders chase 4wd tour is the way to go.

It’s a tour where you’ll be able to see Kangaroo’s islands unique rock, Admiral Arch, fur seals, echidna, Koala’s, and Kangaroo’s.

This action-packed tour will leave you breathless and with many worth Instagram pictures.

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Coastal activities

Love the sea? These two tours will satisfy your adventure. They are a part of the Kangaroo Island ocean safari and they offer a 2-hour swim with dolphins/seals and coastal snorkelling.

You’ll be able to experience wild dolphins and seals up close and witness coastal sea life whilst snorkelling. This will be a once in a lifetime so be sure not to miss out.

Want to stay on the boat, the 75-minute ocean safari will perfect. Enjoy the scenery of the ancient coastline and the wildlife. Some animals you’ll be seeing: dolphins, seals, and whales if you’re lucky, as you’ll only be able to see them in season.

No matter what you fancy, these tours will leave you talking about it for days.

Historic tours

Want to learn more about Kangaroo Island’s history, this tour will be ideal: Cape Borda Lightstation Flinders Chase National Park

Learn about travelling with sails in an early era and how light keepers lived. It has a lighthouse, light keeper’s cottages, and a maritime museum.

You can personally read diary entries from early light house keepers and look around at Kangaroo island’s amazing history.

Want an even better experience, stay overnight in one of the cottages.

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Hiking

Love walking? Kangaroo Island offers a wide range of hiking trails for beginners and more experienced.

Want nice scenery and wildlife, the flinders chase national park is the location. There’s several walking trails, take a slow stroll and enjoy the iconic granite boulders, Remarkable Rocks, the Admirals Arch, beaches, wildlife and wilderness.

How to Get Motivated After Holidays

The article is written by Loren Howarth

It’s always a struggle to find motivation after a relaxing holiday. Whether you escaped to the beach or enjoyed some downtime at home, studying was probably the last thing on your mind.

But with the festivities officially over, it’s time to start getting ready for the year ahead. Here are our top 5 ways to kick laziness to the curb and achieve all your goals.

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Get organised

An organisation is a key to regaining motivation after a long break. This can include buying new equipment for your studies (who doesn’t love stationery?!), planning out a new routine, or checking out what’s happening at your institution. By doing this, not only will you be prepared for the year ahead, but you’ll also start looking forward to any exciting projects which you didn’t know about before. Getting a diary is a good place to start!

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Create goals and then rewards for completing them

Sometimes it can be daunting going into another year after having such a long time off studying. The best way to combat this? Create goals for yourself. By doing this you’ll have a game plan and feel eager to complete them. But that’s not all! Don’t forget to also plan rewards for completing any goals you achieve. For example, schedule a fun day out with friends after submitting a big assignment. This will make you more motivated to get back into the swing of things.

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Check out your classes for the year

One of the best things about starting a year of study is the new classes you’ll be able to take. There are usually so many interesting electives to choose from and often the choice can be overwhelming! But by looking into what you’ll be learning for the year, this can make all the difference in being motivated to learn.

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Watch motivational videos

You’ve probably had someone tell you to watch motivational videos before, but they really do work. If you finding yourself lacking the enthusiasm to begin your studies for the year, watching a couple of this videos will really leave you feeling inspired and eager to gain new knowledge. They will want to make you take over the world!

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Catch up with your study group

We’re not going to lie, getting back into study mode can suck. But having a great support group can really make you motivated to want to learn again. This is a great opportunity to talk about all your goals for the year, any worries, and even to help pick electives. After this chat, you’ll feel more prepared and ready to conquer your studies!

Best of luck for 2018!

48 hours in: Adelaide

The article is written by Taryn Feldmann

Adelaide, South Australia is known as one of the smallest and quietest cities in Australia but there’s still many exciting things to do and beautiful things to see. The beaches and the hills (known as the Adelaide Hills).

Need a quiet relaxing holiday before returning to the stressful and busy life of studying, Adelaide will be the perfect destination to spend 48 hours in. As it’s a short period of time, here are our top things to do:

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Glenelg Beach

There are many beaches in Adelaide but Glenelg is the favourite hang out spot. Why? Well, before the beachfront, you can walk along the walkway filled with shops and cafés. As you walk, you can listen to musicians and before hitting the beach, have an ice cream to quench your hunger and thirst.

You can take a long walk along the beach and there are many spots to sit on the grass or on a bench for a break. Want to exercise there’s a volleyball net set up on the sand.

There’s many to do here and it’ll be a fun way to spend your day.

Directions to Glenelg Beach

It is 12 km from the city but doesn’t be disheartened, as you can take a tram from the city centre all the way to Glenelg. Get on at Tram Rundle Mall (Stop Code: 18514) and it’ll stop at 17 Moseley Square (Stop Code: 18537), which is at the centre of all the shops and cafés. The journey will take about 40 minutes.

Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall is a long straight stretch of a walkway filled with shops, but what makes this mall so famous is the art.
As you walk, you’ll see two pig statues and the most famous, the Rundle Mall Balls. There are two shiny, silver balls resting on top of one another. Many tourists like to snap selfies, so take a selfie in front of these iconic Adelaide landmarks and post it on all your social media sites.

Directions to Rundle Mall

It’s located in Adelaide’s city centre and super easy to get to. All you need to do is find Rundle street.

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Adelaide Hills and Wineries

Adelaide is famous for its wineries. Want a peaceful day out away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Adelaide Hills is the perfect place.

There are many small country towns in the hills but we’ll focus on the two, which are iconic for tourists:

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Barossa Valley

This is a must-see, as all the wineries are located here. There’s also plenty to see, rolling hills and rows and rows of growing vines.

Stop off at some wineries, take a tour of the vines and learn about its history. Yes, it’ll be all about wine, but this is a hot spot to visit and the scenery alone makes the trip worth it.

Directions to Barossa Valley

Unfortunately, you can’t take public transport but there are many tour buses. We recommend a bus tour, as you will learn more and you won’t get lost. All you need to do is catch the bus in the city. All information will be available on their websites.

Helpful links: https://tastethebarossa.com.au/, http://www.bumsonseats.com.au/, https://trailhopper.com.au/

Hahndorf

Hahndorf is a small town with a German theme. Every day, this town, filled with shops and restaurants is teeming with people (mainly tourists). Everyone that comes to Adelaide visits Hahndorf, as it’s an iconic town due to its charm and hospitability.

You can buy collectables of famous Australian animals, sweets, chocolates, and candles. After a few hours of browsing or shopping, go to one of the many restaurants and have an iconic German meal; sausage, pretzel, and Sauerkraut.

For fun, there’s a German family cardboard set up without faces. Put your face where their faces are meant to be and take endless selfies.

Directions to Hahndorf

Luckily, you can take a bus. Just walk to stop F1 Grenfell Street (Northside) and take the 864F bus to stop 55 Mt Barker Rd (Eastside).

Bus timetable and directions, click this link.

For more great tips and tricks on being an international student living in Australia, visit Study Anywhere

5 things You Need to Know About Switching from a Work and Holiday Visa to a Student Visa in Australia 

One or two years not long enough for you in Australia? No worries! Here’s all you need to know if you want to study in the land down under.

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1. Is it better to apply onshore or offshore? 

Long story short: Onshore if you can, although the application might be a bit more expensive.

At the moment, a standard single Student Visa application fee is $560 plus a credit card surcharge (that’s the fee that the Immigration charges, Study Anywhere won’t charge you anything extra). But, if this isn’t the first time you’ve applied, you will also be charged $700 on top of that by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Typically, if you are switching from the second year of Work and Holidays, you will pay $560 + $700 + credit card surcharge.

But before you book that flight to Bali or New Zealand to apply from there, consider this: Most of our Work and Holiday clients still prefer to apply for a Student Visa onshore. Why?

Bridging Visa is your friend. When Student Visa is lodged onshore, the applicant typically receives a Bridging Visa A almost instantly. This allows them to not only stay in Australia but with the same conditions as their current Visa. Essentially, until you hear from the Immigration regarding your Student Visa application, you can work under the same conditions as you have on your Work and Holiday Visa. How neat is that!
Last minute lodgment is possible. If you are running out of time and your Work and Holiday is about to expire in a few days, we probably can still make it.
Waiting offshore could be frustrating. Itʼs hard to know how long it will take for the Immigration to let you know about your Student Visa application. And while drinking smoothies in Seminyak might sound like the perfect way to kill some time, your holiday could be longer than you would like it to be while you wait to hear from Immigration. So mindful exercises in Ubud wonʼt be helping that much if your bank account is getting slimmer every day.
If something goes really wrong. Should your onshore student visa get refused you have the option to appeal this decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). When you are applying offshore, you donʼt have this option.

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2. Not everyone can apply onshore

 If youʼd like to apply onshore, you need to check your current Visa conditions. Just find your current Visa in your e-mail, and check if you have or don’t have ‘No further stayʼ listed among your Visa conditions.

If not, happy days! You can apply onshore. If yes, book that flight to Thailand or back home and surprise your parents. Our registered migration agent can lodge your Student Visa application from anywhere.

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3. Your course must start no longer than 8 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa is about to expire

If you have made a firm decision and would like to apply for your Student Visa onshore, you can get into the course selection. Finding and enrolling in a course is pretty easy with the Study Anywhere platform and you can always send us a message if you have any specific requirements.

There is just one thing to keep in mind: make sure your course will start no longer than 8 weeks after your current Visa is about to expire.

Before you start searching for courses that commence exactly 8 weeks after your current Work and Holiday Visa expires, consider this: In the case your onshore application for a Student Visa gets approved really quickly (which doesnʼt happen very often) and your course has not commenced yet, you are not allowed work at all because the work permit on a Student Visa only starts when your course has started.

Not a situation you would like to be in, right?

Applying for a course that starts within 4 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa expires, is usually the best option.

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4. How expensive it really is to study in Australia?

 Long story short: It can be really expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Majority of our Work and Holiday clients who are applying for a Student Visa pick a course from a sector that is called Vocational Education and Training (VET): Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas…

These courses are usually much more affordable than universities and much more flexible with the attendance. You can find your ideal course via Study Anywhere, see the reviews and apply to get the free Visa assistance by the migration lawyer.

All the courses listed on the page are part of CRICOS, which is a must for a Student Visa application.

The most popular courses for people switching from Work and Holiday Visa are Leadership and Management, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Travel and Tourism, Event Management, and Early Childhood Education and Care (eligible for a Graduate visa).

Some of these courses only cost around $1,350 every three months and would allow you to study and to apply for a Student Visa for up to 4 years.

The minimum upfront payment for a course would be somewhere around $1,550 ($1,350 + $200 enrolment fee).

Then you just need to take in account that you will need an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to be able to apply for a Student Visa in Australia which cost around $500 for a 1-year policy when we wrote this. Prices have gone up since, so check today’s cheapest OSHC prices before you budget.

Only some applicants from Sweden, Belgium and Norway donʼt need to get an OSHC to be able to apply for a Student Visa. Feel free to send us a message for a free quote so you can see the full breakdown of costs you need to expect when transitioning from the Work and Holiday to a Student Visa.

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5. Myth busted: ‘You can only work 20 hours per week on a Student Visaʼ

Long story short: There is a work limitation, but in some cases, you can work more.

This is where people often get it wrong. Australian Student Visa will let you work up to 40 hours fortnightly (e.g. you can work 20 hours one week and 20 hours the next week) when your course is on. What people often forget though, is that during the holidays you can work unlimited hours, which is when students usually try to save up some money. Most of the VET courses have up to 16 weeks of holidays per year to give students the opportunity to work and travel.

Please note: This article is an observation of questions that our Work and Holiday applicants usually have and answers our migration lawyer gives them. Feel free to send us a message or an e-mail (hello@studyanywhere.com.au) if youʼd like to get a migration law advice from a registered migration agent.

How to Spend New Years Eve in Sydney

The article is written by Loren Howarth

With 2017 almost over (the years just seem to go quicker and quicker!), it’s time to start thinking about how you want to bring in the New Year. But with so many celebrations happening across the city, it can be hard to put together a list of what to see and do. Don’t worry! We’ve done all the work for you, with some must-see events as well as the top spots to see the fireworks. Let’s welcome 2018 in style!

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Celebrate at Barangaroo Reserve

For just $40 a ticket per person, you and your friends can bring in the New Year in style. From 6pm, you will be able to access the park, lay down a picnic blanket and secure a great spot to watch the fireworks. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicious food options available, from freshly shucked oysters to smoking burgers and ribs. The event is limited to 10,000 people, so book in quick to avoid missing out!

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Party into 2018 at Victoria Park

If you want to dance your way into the New Year, look no further than Victoria Park. The Park is hosting a giant garden party with a host of Australian and international performers, including Hot Dub Time Machine, Tiga, and an aerobics set from Retrosweat. With gourmet food available, music, and an epic view of the city’s skyline and fireworks, this is perfect if you’re looking for a fun night out! Tickets are also reasonable at just $79 per person.

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Scoring the Best Fireworks Spot

If this will be the only time you’ll be in Sydney for New Year’s Eve, then you definitely should try and get a good spot to watch the fireworks. But it isn’t as easy as it sounds because everyone else has the same idea. For the ultimate viewing spot, try and get down to the area in front of the Bridge and Opera House. There is a maximum capacity set for this area, and so once it starts looking full it will be closed off. So try and get there around 12pm, and although this seems like a long wait, it will be totally worth it.

Here are some other great spots which you can visit for free:

Birchgrove Park
Bradfield Park
Campbells Cove
Cremorne Point
Duff Reserve

Tip: Before arriving, bring along a picnic blanket as well as heaps of snacks and drinks to share with your friends! However, some locations prohibit BYO drinks, so always check in advance.

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Throw your own party!

If you don’t want to spend the night out in Sydney, then why not throw your own New Years Eve party? You can start up a BBQ, play some music, and have the TV on for the 9pm fireworks and then also the midnight ones. This way you can save money, avoid the busy city crowds, and bring in the new year the way you want to!

48 HOURS IN: WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

The article is written by Candice Locklee

If you find yourself spending your study breaks wishing you were relaxing beneath swaying palms on white sandy beaches and snorkelling the kind of blue water that dreams are made of? We’ve got the perfect solution for you. Grab your sunscreen and a pair of thongs and hop on a plane to paradise, AKA The Whitsunday Islands.

Located off the central coast of Queensland about 900km north of Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands are a chain of 74 tropical islands of varying sizes that boast stunning beaches, dense rainforests, rocky mountains and a range of world-famous destinations, including being home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

The area is renowned for its limitless opportunities to swim, snorkel, dive, cruise and sight-see your way across the islands no matter what budget you’re travelling on.

It’s the perfect place to spend a much-deserved break this summer. Here’s our helpful guide on how to get the most out of 48 hours in the Whitsunday Islands.

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SNORKELLING

Snorkelling is a must-do activity when visiting the Whitsundays. With the Great Barrier Reef stretching over 2000km along the coast of Queensland, the Whitsundays is located near the centre of this natural beauty and they are the perfect place to explore this underwater wonderland of coral and marine life.

There are many snorkelling spots all over the islands that you can dive into, but we’ve collected a handful of the best ones for you to try out.

Hook Island is a popular island for snorkelling and diving due to its abundance of stunning coral reefs and sea animals, including fish, turtles, dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales. It’s full of bays and coves that are perfect for dipping into the pristine water. Some of the best are Manta Ray Bay (where you can spot Manta Rays in their natural habitat from around May to September), Butterfly Bay (famous for its colonies of beautiful butterflies during certain months of the year as well as its spectacular underwater world), Luncheon Bay (which offers a huge variety of coral and reef fish) and the Pinnacles.

Other popular spots for snorkelling are Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island and Cateran Bay on Border Island, both relatively shallow reefs full of striking coral and marine life which make them perfect for underwater exploring.

BEACHES

It goes without saying that the beaches in the Whitsunday Islands are the best you’ll find in this country. It’s almost impossible to pick a beach that isn’t Instagram worthy, but we’ve gathered together some of the ones that will really make your jaw drop.

Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsundays, is home to the world famous Whitehaven Beach. If you haven’t seen any pictures of this dreamy destination, go ahead and google it. We’ll wait. Whitehaven Beach is a glorious 7km stretch of powdery white sand (among the whitest sand you’ll find in the world) and endless aqua sea that swirl together in amazing natural patterns as the pure sand shifts through the water.

You can see this at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach at a place called Hill Inlet.

Another beach worth checking out is Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island. With its long stretch of white sand and swaying palms, it’s a popular spot for weddings and offers plenty of spots for relaxing and water sports.

Horseshoe Bay in Bowen is in the northernmost part of the Whitsundays. With picturesque beaches and opportunities for snorkelling, it’s worth the journey up there.

For a bit more privacy, Chalkies Beach on Haselwood Island is a neglected paradise that lies opposite the more popular Whitehaven. With the same white silica sand and aqua water, Chalkies is just as photogenic without all of the tourists getting in the way of the perfect shot.

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HIKING

While there’s plenty to do underwater, there’s also no shortage of fun things to do on land too. The Whitsunday Islands is a national park that features lush rainforests, hills and mountain ranges, dense bushland and waterfalls for you to explore on foot.

They are home to many hiking trails that range from short 1km strolls to lengthy bush treks for a real challenge. The Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail is considered one of Queensland’s Great Walks and it features many of these bush walks on Whitsunday, Hook and South Molle Islands. The walks will take you through beaches, eucalypt forests, rainforests and grasslands, with many ending in spectacular views over the island and beyond.

Some of the best ones to try are Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island (for those spectacular views we mentioned), the Great Whitsunday Walk (a crazy 28km trek that has many smaller trails leading off of it so you can pick and choose your starting point) and the Honeyeater Walk on the mainland (a very popular 8km return bushwalk that begins in Airlie Beach and boasts some of the most spectacular views over the entire Whitsunday Islands).

Keswick Island and Lindeman Island also offer some great options for walking through green rainforests, as well as any of the diverse trails on Long Island.

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CAMPING

If you’re after a true wilderness experience that you can brag to all of your friends about when you get home, camping under the stars is a great way to go.

Camping is available at a number of different locations around the islands: Whitsunday Island, Hook Island and the Molle Islands being among the most popular. Some campsites are located on the beach so you can wake up to your very own glorious sunrise, others are situated further back in the bush which is a great option if you prefer a bit more shade during the warmer months.

Wildlife and nature are all around you and there are countless opportunities to spot native animals on the many walking trails on the islands.

While some campsites offer eco-toilets and picnic tables, others are more remote for a true camping experience. You won’t find toilets, drinking water or reception at these sites so make sure you prepare beforehand!

If you decide camping is for you, visit the Queensland National Parks Booking Service to select your location and dates and get your camping permit: https://qpws.usedirect.com/qpws/

Once you’ve booked your spot, check out this website for great prices that will give you everything you need to start your adventure: https://www.whitsundaycamping.com.au/ They offer camping kits to set you up with all the necessary equipment, such as tents, gas stoves and an esky, as well as return transfers on a water taxi to your chosen site starting at $65.

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HELPFUL LINKS

To plan your trip, we suggest checking out this link for some great deals on tour packages to suit any budget. Tours are a fantastic way to see the islands and you can pick one that includes everything you have your heart set on doing while there. They even offer backpacker and student deals, so you can grab your friends and head off for a party in paradise you’ll never forget!

Be sure to also download the Visitor Guide which is packed full of important information on everything you can see and do on the land and under the water, including detailed info on all hiking trails in the area.

For more great tips and tricks on being an international student living in Australia, visit Study Anywhere

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