Some general info and answers for you lot.
Buttons, would S.A.Y.I.T. -
SAYIT Student, Youth and Under 26 travel specialists in Ireland. Young Peoples travel company. be your Irish STA equivalent?
As to the nerves, that's all just natural excitement building for a bit of an adventure to the unknown but Oz is a great place to travel in and other than people meeting up or making arrangements as they discuss their travel here, you'll find that there will be thousands out in Oz just like you all.
Romy, for the three months seasonal work, have a look at
www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail as you can get info there on where work is at various times of the year for agricultural stuff but also have a look at the information in
www.immi.gov.au WHV section as it tells you about the work needing to be in particular regions and it is not just fruit picking work now, but even construction work, maybe working as a labourer or driver or whatever.
You can also do your three months via
www.wwoof.com.au and whatever you do it does not need to be done in the one place or all at the one time but do get your record form and get it filled in as you go.
Good move too on making use of stopover to stop and see if you can get yourself up to the high country tea plantations - supposed to be great and it could be getting damp over that way too, but make a longer stop for all of Asia on way back - be a huge shopping complex in Beijing birds nest by then.
And wherever you go, because of wet season in north Qld. NT and northern WA and the associated storms, possible flooding and humidity etc. (and tropical sea stingers - can be fatal), use a rule of thumb of staying further south between November and April, also giving NT a miss in October because they have what is called the build-up period - very oppressive!, maybe using April/May and September to November as transit transitional timing between south and north, Cairns being more reasonable up to November but it will start to get warm and humid.
Most WHVers head direct for Sydney and no real reason not to but just beaware it can be an expensive place to stay, so make good use of the BUG guide to find cheap digs, Alfred Park looking good at about $25/dorm, and I stayed there very briefly one noght recently, in late and out early and so not a good chance to look it over but seems clean and comfy, some dorms being in what was an old motel set-up and seeing as I was only one in the dorm that night, it was like a single with ensuite, fridge and tele for $25 - check it out.
For longer stayers, on travel branch
www.sleepingwiththeenemy.com is also mentioned and a good move too as something like
www.sydneyterraces.com is if you meet someone to share with, both having 4 week minimum stays.
Claire,
Australia btw has been having a much cooler winter this year despite the global warming pundits and been good dumps of snow down south so if anyone wants to try some skiing on arrival in September/October, still a good chance for it but if you want some warmth, head to Cairns for a bit.
Another thing WHVers might want to be aware of as it can have a big effect on money in pocket -
taxation - and you can read this on
www.ato.gov.au - australia taxes WHV visitors at a higher rate unless they get themselves classed as resident for taxation purposes and that means hanging in one place for six months, getting a share place of residence more so than a hostel and joining some clubs etc., general stuff that a resident might do - all easy enough and it could mean you save $3000-5000 or more in taxation.
Joining clubs like a surf life saving club for those interested in beach life will give you all sort of water activity training opportunities and may even lead to good accomodation and work opportunities not normally so available to a visitor.
Also with your taxation, be aware of taxation agent sharks who can be full of promises re getting tax back for what has been alleged they do is put in a taxation return for you on the basis of you being a resident when you did not qualify - you might get a refund less their 12-20% commission or whatever but you as a taxpayer are ultimately responsible for validity of info on tax return.
It has been reported that some people have received less than wanted letters from the ATO after they have been home for a while.
But relax on getting yourself out here and make yourself up something of a checklist if you want to but most things you leave behind you can get out here cheap enough.
You will find a heap of advice on travel and tours in all hostels, and if you get a hostel type membership card - YHA or VIP, discounts are available with
www.greyhound.com.au who have travel passes and there are also lots of point to point travel/backpacker tours, but
ozexperience ain't necessarily everyones' cup of tea.
Have fun
OZ for 12 months in Sept 08
). I've got a years holiday visa sorted but have made no plans as yet. I'm fun to be with, easy going and very open-minded. 
my friends keep dropping in and out so i decided just to go ahead and book it and see what happens.. it looks like i'll be heading over by myself! im thinking of flying into syndney and ive no idea where to go from there! 
i'm only 21 and never been in another country by myself! but i think it will be good for me! 
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