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Ok, well the update on Jeff is that there are no updates

It’s been over two weeks now since we last saw him and we’re now starting to get used to the fact that the last time we saw him really will be just that!

Junior is gutted and to be honest, we’re all pretty down about the whole thing.

Loosing a pet is always going to be a difficult time however literally loosing a pet is turning out to be even worse.

At least if Jeff had past away and we knew about it then we could do something about it and then move on.

The concept of Jeff just disappearing is a pretty difficult one to grasp for a five year old and is an even more difficult thing for a mum or dad to explain.

At the moment, Jeff has gone away on ‘holiday’, there will be a time when we’ll have to think of something a little more creative but the holiday thing is holding up pretty well so far.

In a way the last year and a bit in Australia for Jeff has been a massive holiday and I’m still glad that we brought him.

Back in west Yorkshire in the UK, Jeff was found as a kitten inside a plastic bag on a rubbish dump.

My sister got him from the local RSPCA shelter where he enjoyed the first three to four years of his life until she got a dog which didn’t get on that well with Cats.

So, it was time for the missus and I to adopt Jeff and bring him home to our place where he was introduced to Charlie (our other cat) and the wonders of outdoor living. (Jeff was an indoor cat at my sister’s place as she lived in an apartment at the time).

Jeff always enjoyed the sunshine and we never doubted that he’d love Australia and we were right.

There were times when he got a little to warm and had to come back inside or find a shady spot to cool off but all in all Jeff loved the sunshine here.

Jeff lying on our lawn or by the pool, his eyes half open, half shut in pure contentment will be our lasting memory. If he is on ‘holiday’ then I hope he’s having a damn good time!

Article Popularity: 9%

Not so long ago I wrote a high level overview of Perth’s public transport system.

To be honest, this information was very much gleaned from research I had done on the web so now that I’ve been here for a couple of months and experienced some of Perth’s transport system first hand I thought I’d write a new entry to give you an idea of what to expect from Perth’s transport options if your thinking about coming to this part of Australia.

Since arriving in Perth at the end of December I’ve found myself using Perth’s public transport system a lot more then I’d have ever of imagined.

When we were renting in the Northern Suburb of Mindarie Keys, I think I only drove into the CBD once (on my first day) and to be honest, I was pretty surprised at how busy the freeway was at about 7am.

Many years ago the freeway in Perth was described as a new freeway looking for cars (or something like that) and even now, when driving on the freeway outside of rush hour it’s a positively pleasant place to be and that’s how I remembered it from our time in Perth last February. Read the full story

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Well since accepting the latest offer last week I’m really pleased to say that our new buyers are a breath of fresh air and things appear tp be progressing quite well.

Their mortgage has been approved, the survey fee’s have been paid and the surveyor comes to survey our house this Wednesday. We might even get our sold sign back this week.

The first full week spent unemployed has been pretty strange but I’m slowly but surely getting into the swing of sorting things out.

I’m assuming it’s just a bloke thing but its amazing how much crap you can accumulate over the years.

At this rate I wished I started the sort our process before we even sent the application forms off for the Visa’s. Still, I’m putting a pretty brave face on things if I do say so myself and the charity shops should be well sorted out with clothes, suits, shoes and other items for the next few months. I even packed my first case!

A skip arrives tomorrow so it’ll be time to chuck on the safty gear as I enter the dreaded and dangerous realm known as……….the loft!

Hopefully I’ll survive to write another entry!

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NEWS

Please note that on Monday 2nd of October the ASPC will be closed because there is a public holiday in South Australia. To provide timely information to applicants and migration agents the proposed allocation dates for the 3rd of October are shown below following those for the 26th of September.

Acknowledgment of Applications

The ASPC is current experiencing some delays in receipting and acknowledging applications and regrets the inconvenience this may be causing applicants and their representatives. While this backlog exists information will be provided here daily about what applications are currently being receipted. This backlog in receipting is being addressed and will be rectified over the next few weeks and your patience during this period is appreciated. Please note that these delays do not affect the date on which a valid application is recorded as having been received and is the date used for processing purposes.

As of 29 September 2006 the ASPC is receipting offshore applications received on 11 August 2006 and onshore applications received on 8 September 2006.

Please note that the update on allocation dates follows. The information will continue to updated for each Tuesday and you only need to email this mailbox once per week if you are seeking current information on allocation dates.

Processing and Allocation Information

The information below is updated weekly on Tuesdays.

As advised on the DIMA website processing of an application will usually commence within seven (7) working days of its receipt by the department. This means that an application is receipted, acknowledged and a file number is allocated.

Once this has occurred a case officer is appointed to assess each application as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately. Applications lodged on the dates shown below are currently being allocated to case officers for further processing.

As of 26 September 2006 the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre is allocating applications lodged on or before the following dates:

ONSHORE APPLICATIONS

Student/Graduate

Paper based applications: 23 May 2006 (subclass 880) and 31 May 2006
(subclass 881) and 30 May 2006 (subclass 882)
E-lodged (online) applications: 02 June 2006 (all subclasses)

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 15 May 2006 (this data has been amended on advice from the processing area)

E-lodged (online) applications: 10 May 2006

New Zealand

All applications: 2 February 2006 (all subclasses)

OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS

Applications for Classes BN, BQ and BR (subclasses 134, 136, 137, 138 and 139)

Priority Applications: 27 March 2006

Non-Priority Applications: 13 March 2006

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 04 April 2006
E-lodged (online) applications: 18 June 2006

As of 3rd October 2006 the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre WILL BE allocating applications lodged on or before the following dates:

Please note that allocations will not occur until the 3rd of October.

ONSHORE APPLICATIONS

Student/Graduate

Paper based applications: 5 June 2006 (subclass 880 ) and 21 June 2006 (subclass 881) and 16 June 2006 (subclass 882) E-lodged (online) applications: 14 June 2006 (all subclasses)

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 15 June 2006
E-lodged (online) applications: 20 May 2006

New Zealand

All applications: 15 February 2006 (all subclasses)

OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS

Applications for Classes BN, BQ and BR (subclasses 134, 136, 137, 138 and 139)

Priority Applications: 29 March to 4 April 2006
Non-Priority Applications: 15 March 2006

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 04 April 2006
E-lodged (online) applications: 22 June 2006

Notes

Onshore: means that the visa being applied for can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.

e-lodged: applications lodged online have quicker processing times.

See: Online Services – General Skilled Migration

SIR visas: All applicants for a Skilled – Independent Regional [SIR]
visa receive priority processing.

Offshore: means that the visa being applied for can only be granted
when the applicant is outside of Australia.

If a visa application was made before the earliest relevant date as shown above and you have not been contacted by a case officer please contact the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre at: adelaide.skilled.centre@immi.gov.au

Applications eligible for priority processing

1. Applicants whose nominated occupation is on the Migration Occuptations in Demand List (MODL)

2. For applicants whose nominated occupation is not on the MODL, applications for any of the following visas are given priority:

a) Skill Matching (Migrant) (Class BR) – Subclass 134 – Skill Matching
b) Skilled – Independent (Migrant) (Class BN) – Subclass 137 – Skilled -
State/Territory-nominated Independent
c) Skilled – Australian-sponsored (Migrant) (Class BQ) – Subclass 139 -
Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored
d) Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) (Class UX) – Subclass
495 – Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional)
e) Skilled New Zealand (Residence) visa class (Class DB) – Subclass 863
– Skilled – Onshore Regional-Sponsored New Zealand Citizen
f) Skilled — Australian-sponsored Overseas Student (Residence) (Class
DE) – Subclass 882 – Skilled — Designated Area-sponsored Overseas
Student

Eligibility for priority processing does not mean that any processing requirements can be waived.

Finalising Applications

Please note that the information provided above is not about the time it will take to process an application to completion. The time it is expected to take to process a General Skilled Migration visa application to completion is detailed in the department’s service standards.

Service standards are specified for applications lodged with complete documentation. Individual cases may take longer than the service standard depending on the completeness and complexity of the case.

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Well, after becoming seriously vexed with the Crapifax yesterday, I’ve finally managed to compose myself enough to take a step back and see where we are after finally getting a call back.

The buyers who had their mortgage app refused at the last minute by the Halifax when their P60 couldn’t be obtained have now completed a second mortgage application with a broker which is going to be sent off this week.

They will also be instructing a survey (once they have paid the fee’s….again) which should take place within the next couple of weeks.

Hope of all hopes that they get the mortgage this time. If they do then great, we’ve only lost a couple of weeks.

If they don’t then arse! We’ve lost months.

The house has been under offer in one way or another for the last couple of months now. If this falls through then we really need to ask the question. Is there is any real value in remaining with the Halifax?

The answer to this is a pretty big no, unless of course we can avoid paying any fees due to the astronomically poor service we’ve received so far.

Back to the waiting game…

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Bollocks, B*stard and Sh*T!

Had a call from the Crapifax this morning (aka Halifax estate agents) to advise us that there is a problem with the mortgage.

The buyer has lost their P60 and even though the Halifax Head Office gave the buyer the go ahead to proceed with the survey, it now seems that unless they can find their P60 the Halifax isn’t willing to lend them the cash to buy our house.

So, they have now been passed onto a mortgage broker (the same broker that the girl used who couldn’t get a mortgage) to try and identify a lender who’s criteria for lending isn’t so strict!

I am totally and utterly dumfounded. I had a bit of a go at the girl who is looking after (using the term looking after loosely) the sale of our house, explaining that I have given my notice at work on the basis that things seemed to be progressing so well, but don’t worry. When you feel your down there’s always someone at the Halifax to make you feel even….worse!

Well, I wouldn’t go booking any flights says the advisor. We recently dealt with a customer who had booked his flights to Australia and he was in a chain of four buyers. When his house was surveyed he was told that he had over valued it by £20,000 so had to drop his price by £20k in order to catch his flights.

Great! At least its unlikely that we have over valued our property, however we need to get the house surveyed again! So its going to be a number of weeks before any thing positive happens.

We’ve gone from a high to a barrel scraping low! We should know in the next couple of days if our buyers can get a mortgage with another lender but in the meantime its legs,arms,toes and fingers crossed.

We’ll probably try and phone our buyers direct tonight to see if we can get any inside news on whats really happening.

Article Popularity: 3%

The ASPC is current experiencing some delays in receipting and acknowledging applications and regrets the inconvenience this may be causing applicants and their representatives. While this backlog exists information will be provided here daily about what applications are currently being receipted. This backlog in receipting is being addressed and will be rectified over the next few weeks and your patience during this period is appreciated. Please note that these delays do not affect the date on which a valid application is recorded as having been received and is the date used for processing purposes.

As of 5 September 2006 the ASPC is receipting offshore applications received on 2 August 2006 and onshore applications received on 9 August 2006.

Please note that the update on allocation dates follows. The information will continue to updated for each Tuesday and you only need to email this mailbox once per week if you are seeking current information on allocation dates.

Processing and Allocation Information

The information below is updated weekly on Tuesdays.

As advised on the DIMA website processing of an application will usually commence within seven (7) working days of its receipt by the department. This means that an application is receipted, acknowledged and a file number is allocated.

Once this has occurred a case officer is appointed to assess each application as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately. Applications lodged on the dates shown below are currently being allocated to case officers for further processing.

As of 5 September 2006 the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre is allocating applications lodged on or before the following dates:

ONSHORE APPLICATIONS

Student/Graduate

Paper based applications: 13 April 2006 (for subclass 880 ) and 5 April 2006 (subclasses 881 and 882) E-lodged (online) applications: 19 April 2006 (for all subclasses)

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 11 May 2006
E-lodged (online) applications: 1 May 2006

New Zealand

All applications: 28 November 2005 (all subclasses)

OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS

Applications for Classes BN, BQ and BR (subclasses 134, 136, 137, 138 and 139)

Priority Applications: 20 March 2006
Non-Priority Applications: In the range of 25 January to 1 February 2006

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 24 April 2006
E-lodged (online) applications: 18 June 2006

Notes

Onshore: means that the visa being applied for can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.

e-lodged: applications lodged online have quicker processing times.
See: Online Services – General Skilled Migration

SIR visas: All applicants for a Skilled – Independent Regional [SIR]
visa receive priority processing.

Offshore: means that the visa being applied for can only be granted
when the applicant is outside of Australia.

If a visa application was made before the earliest relevant date as shown above and you have not been contacted by a case officer please contact the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre at: adelaide.skilled.centre@immi.gov.au

Applications eligible for priority processing

1. Applicants whose nominated occupation is on the Migration Occuptations in Demand List (MODL)

2. For applicants whose nominated occupation is not on the MODL, applications for any of the following visas are given priority:

a) Skill Matching (Migrant) (Class BR) – Subclass 134 – Skill Matching
b) Skilled – Independent (Migrant) (Class BN) – Subclass 137 – Skilled -
State/Territory-nominated Independent
c) Skilled – Australian-sponsored (Migrant) (Class BQ) – Subclass 139 -
Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored
d) Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) (Class UX) – Subclass
495 – Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional)
e) Skilled New Zealand (Residence) visa class (Class DB) – Subclass 863
– Skilled – Onshore Regional-Sponsored New Zealand Citizen
f) Skilled — Australian-sponsored Overseas Student (Residence) (Class
DE) – Subclass 882 – Skilled — Designated Area-sponsored Overseas
Student

Eligibility for priority processing does not mean that any processing requirements can be waived.

Finalising Applications

Please note that the information provided above is not about the time it will take to process an application to completion. The time it is expected to take to process a General Skilled Migration visa application to completion is detailed in the department’s service standards. Service standards are specified for applications lodged with complete documentation. Individual cases may take longer than the service standard depending on the completeness and complexity of the case.

Article Popularity: 5%

If there is a man who personifies everything great about being an Aussie Bloke, its a man by the name of Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile hunter.

I’m actually gutted to hear that Steve Irwin was killed today by (of all things) a stingray which struck Steve in the side of the chest whilst diving off the great barrier reef.

The animal kingdom has lost a great advocate and Australia has lost a great person. I really hoped that we would get to Australia Zoo in Queensland when we moved out to Australia, I hoped more so that I would get the chance to meet the great man himself. Now the latter will never happen.

Steve Irwin’s vibrancy and enthusiasm were an inspiration amid the drab cynicism of the modern world. Whatever people thought of him, the wildlife of this world has lost one of their friends.

RIP Mate.

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I’ve added quite a few (pre-written) articles to our about Australia section today. Although quite a few of these articles are probably targeted a little more at the folks going on Holiday to Australia as opposed to those looking to emigrate, they still make some very interesting ready and paint a very pretty picture of Australia as a whole.

Happy reading..

On the house front. No updates from the Halifax since my last update although still not particularly concerned at this stage. We marked the house as sold with the little house company. A great concept and perhaps we may have got a commission free sale had we found them sooner but hey, if were going to spend £2000 shipping the cats to Australia what’s another £135??? A lot I know but in the bigger scheme of things…

Anyway, off to phone the Halifax for another update, who’s for putting money that they completely ignore my call back request!

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Coober Pedy is without a doubt one of the most unique outback destinations in Australia.

Set in a stark arid landscape often compared to Mars, this outback mining town where many people live underground is the source of most of the world’s precious opal production.

Coober Pedy is located about 850 kilometres north of Adelaide in remote outback Australia.

The name Coober Pedy comes from a local indigenous language, Kupa meaning ‘white man’ and Piti meaning ‘hole’, and translates as ‘white fellas hole in the ground’, reflecting the fact that Coober Pedy is the Opal Capital of Australia and the world. It also reflects the fact many residents live in homes excavated underground due to the extreme climatic conditions of the area.

Opal mining commenced in Coober Pedy in 1915 and continues today. In that time the outback town has evolved in to one of the most unique places in Australia and perhaps the world.

A cosmopolitan town of 3,500 inhabitants from over 45 different nationalities, it is today a relaxed and friendly town characterised by cultural tolerance, diversity and acceptance.
Apart from opal production, Coober Pedy is known for its unique style of underground living.

Visitors can find a range of underground accommodation in addition to above ground accommodation for those who prefer it. There are many often luxurious underground homes to explore in addition to underground shops, museums, art galleries and mines.

Coober Pedy enjoys a typical semi-desert climate.

Between April and October the weather is pleasant, with mild daytime temperatures of 16 to 20 C but cold desert nights. From November to March, summer temperatures are hot and range from 35 to 45 C, and occasionally reach as high as 50 C.

No wonder the locals prefer to live in the relative comfort of underground homes! Annual rainfall is unpredictable and minimal at an average of around 175 millimetres.

Opal was first found on the surface at Coober Pedy in 1915, while the New Colorado Prospecting Syndicate consisting of Jim Hutchison, his son William Hutchison, P Winch and M McKenzie were searching unsuccessfully for gold south in the area.

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The Flinders Ranges are one of South Australia’s most popular outback tour destinations, and are world-renowned for their rugged mountain landscapes, spectacular gorges, sheltered sandy creeks lined with majestic River Red Gums, and their abundant flora and fauna.

An authentic Australia outback destination, the Flinders Ranges are nevertheless easily accessible from the South Australian capital of Adelaide.

The Flinders Ranges are a perfect location in which to witness and marvel at nature on a grand scale.

Home to magnificent, rugged and uncompromising landscapes, they are truly a destination where you can get away from it all.

Though they seem a million miles from the hustle and bustle of city life, the southern areas of the Flinders Ranges begin only 220 kilometres from Adelaide. Wilpena Pound is around 450 kilometres (five hours drive) from Adelaide.

Many different routes are available to explore the Flinders ranges, and all offer excellent scenery. To fully appreciate the area, a few days at least are necessary. For those without transport there are several Flinders Ranges tours operating from Adelaide.

The Flinders Ranges National Park is situated in the Flinders Ranges between the outback South Australian towns of Hawker and Blinman. Covering over 950 square kilometres, the park is about 450 kilometres north of Adelaide and offers a broad range of outdoor activities for all ages and tastes including camping, bushwalking, scenic touring, photography, birdwatching and Aboriginal and European tour activities exploring the history and cultures of the region.

The Flinders Ranges join the Gulf of St Vincent to the South Australian outback. The landscape of the region is truly spectacular, particularly in spring when wildflowers are blooming and carpet the countryside.

Bush walking is a popular and rewarding activity in the ranges, including walks around the Arkaroola Mt Painter Wildlife Sanctuary, the Heysen Trail, Mt Remarkable National Park and Wilpena Pound.

The indigenous Adnyamathanha people have lived in the northern Flinders Ranges for many tens of thousands of years, and the ranges remain of enormous cultural significance to them. Adnyamathanha (hills or rock people) is a term now used to describe the Pangkala, Pilatapa, Yadliaura, Kuyani and Wailpi peoples, the traditional indigenous owners of the Flinders Ranges.

These groups share a common identity based on the Yura Muda, the culture and language of their ancestors.

While European geologists explain the formation of the Flinders Ranges in scientific terms, the Adnyamathanha understand the landscape through the Yura Muda dreamtime stories, which invest the physical landscape with spiritual significance.

The Flinders Ranges appear are mentioned in the journals and diaries of many Australian explorers.

Matthew Flinders explored the upper reaches of Spencer Gulf in 1802. Sturt and Eyre traversed the area during their journeys north in search of an inland sea. Pastoral runs were established at Arkaba, Wilpena, Aroona and Oraparinna from 1851.

By 1863, European settlement extended far beyond the ranges, and copper mining was booming in the region. No rain fell in the Flinders Ranges area from 1864 to 1866, when the saltbush plains were stripped bare and huge losses among both stock and native fauna occurred. Many pastoral runs were deserted and mining virtually ceased.

The deserted runs were gradually reoccupied and stocking rates reduced. Today, the pastoral industry remains viable with greatly improved practices and sustainable stocking rates.

Article Popularity: 6%

Kangaroo Island has been described as one of earth’s last unspoilt island refuges, and with very good reason.

This idyllic island located off the coast of South Australian is an idyllic tour destination for those seeking sun, surf, and everything that goes with them, including swimming, fishing, sailing and scuba-diving. Islands are almost always special places … isolation, solitude, the ocean … just think of places like the West Indies, Hawaii, the Maldives, all of which have unique characteristics and special natural environments that have evolved through thousands of years of isolation. Australia ’s Kangaroo Island is no exception.

Kangaroo Island is about seven times the size of Singapore and around 155 kilometres in length, with the town of Kingscote being the island’s capital and main settlement. Wildlife is abundant on the island, where koalas laze in the gum trees and seals laze on the beach.

In addition, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, platypi and goannas all thrive on the island.
A wide range of tours are available on Kangaroo Island, enabling you to relax while someone else does the driving. In addition, guides can provide a great deal of information about Kangaroo Island on the way.

Both coach tours and four-wheel drive tours are available, with most tours collecting passengers from their accommodation, the airport or the ferry terminal. Bike riding and hiking are also possible for those with the energy, but beware that Kangaroo Island is large and the necessary level of fitness is required for these options.

Large luxury vehicle and passenger ferries operate between Cape Jervis on the South Australian coast and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island (travelling time 45 minutes).

There are four departures daily, with extra services at peak times. Bus connections are available to/from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, and to/from Penneshaw to American River and Kingscote on the island. Regional Express operates a 30-minute air service from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport, located 13km from Kingscote.

Because of its relative isolation, Kangaroo Island has experienced much less impact from European settlement than than the South Australian mainland. Half the bushland on Kangaroo Island remains untouched since the time of British navigator Matthew Flinders named the island in 1802, and more than a third of the Island has National Park or Conservation Park status.

This pristine bushland supports a rich wildlife population of wildlife and makes Kangaroo Island on of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in its natural environment.

Kangaroo Island was separated from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago. In that time, some species have evolved differently from their mainland counterparts.

This is evident for example in the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo (a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo common in south-eastern Australia) which is today smaller, darker and has longer fur than its mainland counterpart.

The now endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo is also a unique Kangaroo Island sub-species, as is the small marsupial carnivore the Sooty Dunnart.

Similarly, King Island’s plants have evolved in isolation to the point where at least 45 species are endemic (found only on Kangaroo Island) including several eucalypts. The total absence of feral creatures such as foxes and rabbits helps ensures the integrity Kangaroo Island’s bushland ecosystems.

In recognition of Kangaroo Island’s unique plant and wildlife species (some of which are either threatened or unique to the island), National and Conservation parks were declared across the island very early in the history of its European settlement.

Kangaroo Island’s National Parks provide access to spectacular coastline scenery, unique geological formations, fascinating history and abundant wildlife. There are four major parks: Flinders Chase National Park (walking trails and spectacular rock formations), Kelly Hill Conservation Park (limestone caves and hiking), Seal Bay Conservation Park (Australia’s largest accessible colony of sea lions) and Cape Willoughby Conservation Park (first lighthouse in South Australia).

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Outback Tour topics, including Alice Springs Tour destinations and Kangaroo Island Tour itineraries.

Article Popularity: 5%

Tasmania is Australia’s island state, separated from the mainland by the 240 kilometre expanse of Bass Strait.

A land of wild and beautiful landscapes, Tasmania boasts a comfortable temperate climate, quality wine and food, rich history and a leisurely, relaxed lifestyle.

Tasmania is home to one of the world’s 10 best beaches (Wineglass Bay), the world’s best small town (Strahan) and is rated third in the world for wise management of the natural environment.

More than any other state in Australia, Tasmania enjoys four distinct seasons, each with its their own special characteristics.

Both local Tasmanians and visitors enjoy the state’s temperate maritime climate. Summer is a festive season when the Launceston Festivale and the Hobart Summer Festival are held.

Autumn is a mellow season with calm, sunny days when the native deciduous beech trees and European trees blaze with a riot of red, orange and gold colours. Winter days are crisp and clear with a dusting of snow on mountain peaks. Spring is cool and refreshing, with gardens bursting back to life as Tasmania celebrates the Blooming Tasmania festival.

Tasmania’s capital Hobart is an intriguing blend of the old and the new, a city defined by the river and sea. Hobart’s maritime focus can be appreciated with a harbour cruise or drive to the top of Mt Nelson or Mt Wellington – suburbs line the Derwent River, city buildings are clustered around the historic docks and the Derwent estuary broadens into Storm Bay.

Only twenty-five kilometres from Hobart is the historic town of Richmond, home to the old Richmond Gaol and part of Tasmania’s early convict origins. The nearby vineyards and wineries of the Coal River Valley are home to many of Tasmania’s superb cool-climate wines. Hobart is an ideal base from which to explore southern and eastern Tasmania.

Hobart has more summer daylight hours than any other Australian capital city. Tasmania is the southernmost of the eight Australian states and territories, and enjoys over 15 hours of daylight on the summer solstice (22 December).

This is 2.5 more hours of daylight than Darwin (Northern Territory) receives and 1 hour more than Sydney (New South Wales) receives on the same day. Experts at the Launceston Planetarium claim that the day is even longer if twilight periods at dawn and dusk are taken into account.

On the other hand, Tasmania receives less daylight than mainland Australian states and territories in winter. Hobart has around 9 hours daylight in winter, 1 hour less than Sydney and about 2.5 hours less than Darwin.

Article Popularity: 7%

The Yarra Valley is located a short 90 minutes north-east of Melbourne, the capital of the southern Australian state of Victoria, and is an idyllic destination for a day tour or weekend getaway.

The Yarra Valley’s rolling green hills are brimming with vineyards, boutique wineries, orchards, cheesemakers and quality restaurants, and the whole region is quite simply a gourmet’s delight. Whatever your interests, Melbourne’s Yarra Valley has something for everyone.

The Yarra Valley is home to many excellent food and wine festivals. In January, raspberry lovers can enjoy the Kinglake Raspberry Fair, while May offers the Kellybrook Cider Festival and the Grape Grazing Festival. In November, the Victoria Strawberry Festival is held in Seville and the Country Harvest Festival is held at the Warratina Lavender Farm. In December, the Victorian Cherry Festival is held at Wandin.

The Yarra Valley is home to at least 23 wineries which are open to visitors and where you can sample their award-winning produce. The wineries range in scale from large operations such as Rochford’s Eyton and Tarra Warra Estate to small boutique wineries such as Ainsworth Estate in Seville and Warramate Wines near Healesville.

If history interests you, the historic Yering Station-Yarrabank winery near Yarra Glen claims to be the first vineyard established in Victoria.

Pioneer history can also be experienced with a visit to Gulf Station, an early farm in Yarra Valley now managed by the National Trust.

Lovers of Australian animals can pack a picnic lunch and visit the world famous Healesville Sanctuary to view a large variety of native animals including kanagroos, wallabies, wombats, emus. echidnas, goannas and platypus.

On a sunny day the Healesville Sanctuary is a great place for a picnic, and there are plenty of picnic shelters for damper weather. Opposite the Healesville Sanctuary is the Galeena Beek Living Cultural Centre, where you can learn more about the cultural heritage of indigenous Australians from the Melbourne region.

Healesville is delightful country town nestled in the Dandenong Ranges and is a haven for lovers of art, crafts and cafes, making it the perfect place to while away a relaxing day. Healesville is surrounded by charming picnic places, including the Maroondah Reservoir Reserve, which has barbecues and bush walking tracks along the Badger Creek. Visitors of a literary or historical bent can visit the magnificent two hectare Singing Gardens of early Australian author C.J. Dennis, located near Toolangi. C.J. Dennis lived in Toolangi from 1915 until his death in 1935, and wrote his famous work The Sentimental Bloke there.

The Yarra Valley Regional Food Trail allows you to independently explore 14 ‘farm gate taste and buy’ gourmet experiences and 11 ‘pick your own’ produce farms. With more than thirty top quality eating places dotted throughout the Yarra Valley, there’s plenty of gourmet experiences to choose from. And all that is before you even consider the Yarra Valley’s world-renowned wineries!

Whether you love fine food and wine and abundant fresh farm produce, are seeking a relaxing, therapeutic or romantic getaway, or are inspired by natural beauty and want to walk through towering eucalypt forests, an unforgettable experience awaits you in Melbourne’s idyllic Yarra Valley.

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Outback Australia Tour topics, including Alice Springs Tour destinations and Yarra Valley Tour itineraries.

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Broome is a remote outback town situated on the Indian Ocean in northwest Australia. It is the largest town in the vast Kimberley region to the north of Western Australia, and has become a very popular travel destination in recent years. This popularity is due to Broome’s unique history, unique blend of cultural influences, it’s magnificent beaches and landscapes and it’s fantastic tropical climate.

Broome is situated between the vast Great Sandy Desert and the azure blue Indian Ocean, along the pure white sands of Cable Beach.

Often referred to as the gateway to the Kimberley, Broome owes its existence to the discovery in Roebuck Bay in 1861 of the Pinctada Maxima, largest pearl oyster shell in the world. News of the giant oyster shells spread rapidly and pearl divers of all nationalities flocked to Broome to make their fortune, including Malays, Japanese and Chinese, who joined local Aboriginal pearl divers in the sometimes dangerous but rewarding quest for high quality pearls. Broome’s pearling industry still produces the worlds finest pearls today.

Broome has a tropical climate with hot summers and warm winters. Like other tropical areas of Australia, Broome’s year has two distinct seasons, the Wet and the Dry. Broome’s wet season officially commences in October but rain is rare before before December.

Most of Broome’s annual rainfall occurs from January to March and is sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms and tropical lows or cyclones. Daytime temperatures during the Wet average 33 C with the overnight temperatures averaging 25 C.

Being located on a peninsula, Broome’s tropical climate is moderated by reliable afternoon sea breezes during the warmer months. The Dry commences in April, when temperatures in Broome average 25 C to 30 C with overnight temperatures of around 12C. Rainfall is rare in Broome at this time of the year.

Broome provides enjoyable outdoor activities for all ages and tastes. Start exploring with a leisurely stroll along Cable Beach, a 22 kilometre stretch of pristine white sand overlooking the Indian Ocean. While there, you may have a chance to witness Broome’s large tidal movement, often over 10 metres. At the end of the day, relax with a cool drink on Cable Beach and witness a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset.

The more adventurous can experience the adventure of a lifetime with an extended cruise along the rugged and spectacular Kimberley Coast north of Broome, or with a 4WD Safari inland into the rugged and majestic Kimberley Gorges. Broome also offers excellent fishing, so take boat and go catch yourself a tasty meal off the shores of Roebuck Bay or Cable Beach, or from the Deep Water Jetty in the Port of Broome.

Enjoy the quiet serenity of Buddha’s Sanctuary, where you can reflect, meditate and enjoy the ornamental gardens and visit the pavilion which is home to a magnificent 4 metre crystal Buddha.

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Significant changes to Australia’s popular Working Holiday Maker Visa came into effect on 1 July 2006. The changes give holiday makers the opportunity to work and study for longer in Australia and the chance to extend their visa for another year by offering an increased selection of seasonal jobs in regional areas.

Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa applications are now subject to the following changes:

• increased work rights; the ability to work for any one employer for 6 months, rather than the 3 previously allowed
• increased stuffy rights; the ability to study for 4 months, rather the 3 previously allowed
• increased selection of seasonal jobs in regional areas; leading to a second working holiday visa of an additional 12 months

‘Although the primary group of applicants for this visa are young gap year students, university students and backpackers, in the last 12 months or so we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of young professionals taking career breaks,’ said Oonagh Baerveldt, spokesperson Australian Visa Bureau.

‘They are frustrated or feeling burnt out and want to take a year out. The WHM visa is a good solution because you don’t need to dip into your savings to travel – you work to travel.’

‘The ability to work in the same job for 6 months means travellers can choose to be transient or settled whereas before they were looking for a new job every 3 months,’ said Baerveldt. ‘This ‘new and improved visa’ is ideal for travellers who are looking for a careers change and want to spend some time studying and some time gaining practical experience.’

‘We’re expecting a considerable spike in the number of WHM visa applications we receive over the next two weeks. Since these changes were announced it’s been relatively quiet and we’ve even held back applications on request that they only be lodged on or after 1 July,’ said Baerveldt.

‘Anyone interested in taking a year or two out in Australia under the Working Holiday Maker visa program should visit our website and complete the WHM Online Assessment to make sure they meet all of the requirements,’ said Baerveldt.

Australian Working Holiday Maker Visas are available to passport holders from 11 different countries, including the United Kingdome and Ireland. Visa applicants must be between the ages of 18-30 (inclusive), have no dependent children and must be able to support themselves financially for the duration of their trip to Australia.

The Australian Government issued 93, 760 working holiday visas in 2003/4; of those 47, 321 were to UK and Irish nationals.

Article Source: www.visabureau.com

Article Popularity: 3%