The allure of Australia

**bell** · 16th September 2006, 11:43

I was born in Brisbane and married a Kiwi and have lived in the south island for the last few years. There's some valid stuff in this thread about what you can expect but it probably pays to remember that it's been 'filtered' by real people and you're quite possibly not like them! Only you can judge whether you'll enjoy the transition and that depends on so many things other than the temperature outside, whether there's compulsory superannuation or if you'll find twisty roads in the area you choose to live in.

Go for a few weeks and check out some of the east coast and if you like things a bit quieter then avoid the big cities and head west away from the coast or north of Brisbane. Some TV personality called Daryl Somers (unsure if Hey Hey it's Saturday ever made it over here? Hopefully not...) did an ad campaign for the tourism people: You'll never never know if you never ever go or some bullshit like that. Funny enough, it's true.

**Hillbilly** · 16th September 2006, 11:45

Originally Posted by warewolf

I'd rather it was 40 degrees and dry, than 15 degrees and raining sideways every bloody day. But then, where I grew up has about 30% of the rainfall of Auckland, and the typical summer peak is 45 degrees plus for a fortnight. Sure it's hot enough to complain about, but you're always getting too much weather, or too little.

Amen to that! it's 25 degrees here on The Lake today,
and nice and sunney. We'll probably have another 49 degree scorcher this summer, but it'a a dry heat so you get used to it.

I've killed all the deadly Redback and Funnelweb spiders around the house, and I've gotten used to the big Bluetongue lizard in the garden. Had a few Huntsmen spiders the size of my hands chase me around the house! The Aussies have this wonderful stuff in a green can called Bagon that sorts them out quickly enough. The Wolf Spiders are about three times the size of the ones in NZ and have necrotizing venom, but they're timid and stay in their burrows. The spider I hate is the Golden Orb, and the Garden Orb. These can get as big as my a hand, and have webs that are really huge. I walked outside one night without turning on the outside lights and got caught in the web of one of these "beasties". Completely covered my face. When I turned the lights on, the spider was just above my head. Bring on the Bagon! I

When the wind comes up I go for a windsurf off the back yard. Theplace is full of parrots too. Budgies, Corellas, Rainbow Lauakeets, Eastern Rosellas, Black Cockatoos, White Cockatoos - flocks of them. There's also the cruisy Pelicans and Storks. At night , the bats hang outside on the Mulberry tree. You just get used to it!

I love it here - nasties and all.

**Big Dave** · 16th September 2006, 12:33

Hillbilly - Watch out for the White Tails - migratory and you can't get rid of them - and watch out for the termites too.
now that chlordane in illegal you need to get under the house and inspect every other month.

**Hillbilly** · 16th September 2006, 14:37

Spotted a few. One decided it loved to live behind the CD rack! I always "bomb" the garage every three months, as that's where the windsurfers/sails and bikes are. (flatmate bought ZZR250 to commute with).
Those White Tails move a lot faster here than in NZ. Must be the warmer weather. Had a spider bite me on my thigh in NZ. It had crawled into my bed, and that was the only night I didn't check. Started off like a bee sting, but then the outside of my thigh swole up a lot. Never mind, these things happen. Been bitten on the neck too. The little bugger dropped from the ceiling.

Over here, the only serious encounter was with an adult female Golden Orb spider. I was walking up to Bonnels Bay Shops from Brightwaters where I live and as I passed a tree, one dropped onto my left shoulder. For those who have never seen one, below is a picture of a male. This thing moved down and covered by arm, but I mamged to knock it off before it bit me. They're everywhere and have necrotizing venom like the Wolf Spider and White Tail.

Isn't Australia full of wonderful wildlife. Should we tell him that kangaroos are really dangerous? What about the lethal wombat?

**Lou Girardin** · 16th September 2006, 16:37

I've had short stays in Sydney, Melbourne and Port Douglas and the main thing you notice is the different attitude Aussies have. Even the shop assistants have a sense of enjoyment you seldom see in Auck for example.
Maybe it's the climate. Maybe it's where the population originated from, rebellious Poms and Irish, lot's of Italians and Greeks. All we got in NZ were sour-faced Protestants and anyone who fitted their mold.

**Edbear** · 16th September 2006, 18:16

Originally Posted by McJim

Funny though - the Australians I've met in New Zealand are a bit more subdued - maybe the kiwis keep them under control.

Haven't met BD yet, have you?

**oldrider** · 16th September 2006, 22:28

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Spotted a few. One decided it loved to live behind the CD rack! I always "bomb" the garage every three months, as that's where the windsurfers/sails and bikes are. (flatmate bought ZZR250 to commute with).
Those White Tails move a lot faster here than in NZ. Must be the warmer weather. Had a spider bite me on my thigh in NZ. It had crawled into my bed, and that was the only night I didn't check. Started off like a bee sting, but then the outside of my thigh swole up a lot. Never mind, these things happen. Been bitten on the neck too. The little bugger dropped from the ceiling.

Over here, the only serious encounter was with an adult female Golden Orb spider. I was walking up to Bonnels Bay Shops from Brightwaters where I live and as I passed a tree, one dropped onto my left shoulder. For those who have never seen one, below is a picture of a male. This thing moved down and covered by arm, but I mamged to knock it off before it bit me. They're everywhere and have necrotizing venom like the Wolf Spider and White Tail.

Isn't Australia full of wonderful wildlife. Should we tell him that kangaroos are really dangerous? What about the lethal wombat?

Crikey, aren't they boootiful (to quote a late friend of yours) but hey, come back over here and after you have been bitten by the Helen Clark spider with her tax venom a few times you will soon learn to love those harmless little guys over there!

John.

**slowpoke** · 16th September 2006, 22:31

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

I've had short stays in Sydney, Melbourne and Port Douglas and the main thing you notice is the different attitude Aussies have. Even the shop assistants have a sense of enjoyment you seldom see in Auck for example.

I dunno where you've been shopping bro' but Oz is NOT renowned for good customer service....you haven't flown with C*ntarse lately have you?

**zadok** · 16th September 2006, 22:44

I've been living in Perth for the last 21 years. I'm just discovering some new twisties around the hills here. Nice weather. We had a nice 27 degrees yesterday.

**Lou Girardin** · 17th September 2006, 12:14

Originally Posted by slowpoke

I dunno where you've been shopping bro' but Oz is NOT renowned for good customer service....you haven't flown with C*ntarse lately have you?

If Aussies are bad at customer service, what does that make us?
PS. I'll never fly Quaintarse or Air Chubby (NZ) if I can avoid it.

**Big Dave** · 17th September 2006, 12:36

Originally Posted by Edbear

Haven't met BD yet, have you?

It would need stout netting and tranquiliser darts.

**Big Dave** · 17th September 2006, 12:39

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

If Aussies are bad at customer service, what does that make us?
PS. I'll never fly Quaintarse or Air Chubby (NZ) if I can avoid it.

Not a big deal on a 3 hour flight, but I was embarrassed by the food last time I went air NZ.

(edit it - I just thought of a worse meal.)

**Marknz** · 17th September 2006, 12:59

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Not a big deal on a 3 hour flight, but I was embarrassed by the food last time I went air NZ. The worst meal I've ever been served. Cells notwithstanding.

You go into most public service buildings in Au and it's like being dragged back 20 years in time... anyone remember the Gliding On program here in the early eighties?

And a tip for air travellers re food.... whenever you book a international flight, have them note that you are a vegetarian. Better food by far, and you get it served up before everyone else.