The allure of Australia

**Pixie** · 17th September 2006, 14:13

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?

Have to agree that the service in Sydney is crap.
Qantas is no different than Air NZ,but I refuse to give Air NZ any of my money if I can help it
And the shops seem to close on the dot at 5:00 - it's like NZ 20 years ago

Al · 17th September 2006, 19:14

I have been in the NorthernTerritory for about 2.5 months now, my wife has been here for 6 months. We live in Batchelor, 100km South (ish) of Darwin.
I commute to Darwin daily, 70km of my 100 km one-way commute is OPEN SPEED ROAD, ie. go as fast as you want!
Traffic is almost non-existant and we live in a tropical paradise...
Signed for a 40 acre block of land, all weather access, 18lpm bore, electricity and new fencing, with about 200 mango trees. House should be built by March 2007, so anyone who wants to come to the TOP END, accommodation available!

I like it here, people are straight forward and very few hoons/boi racers with doof-doof shit playing!

Till later

Al

**slowpoke** · 17th September 2006, 23:56

Originally Posted by Marknz

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.

Yep, good tip, my missus is a vegie and she's always finished and watching the movie before I've even got my meal.
Except the time we used some frequent fool points to upgrade to business class on Qantas: she pre-ordered her vegie meal.....and got the old "I'm sorry ma'am (she looooved the "ma'am" bit...not!) we have no record of that request". She was ropable after looking forward to a decent meal with the upgrade! Yep, cheese and crackers for a main meal in Business class.
I've flown with them every three or so weeks for the last 6 years and it's a rare trip that I've been happy with the service. I found Air New Zealand slightly better, but the best airline I've flown with: Singapore Airlines.

**Hillbilly** · 18th September 2006, 03:18

I found Thai Airways to be pretty good. Stewards kept topping up the wine, and the food was great too. Had a flight on Quantas - terrible service and ratshit food!

**SPman** · 18th September 2006, 17:58

In Perth - food is generally about the same price as Auckland. Bikes - 250's are about the same price, with a slightly bigger selection of new ones, but other stuff is cheaper by about 15-20%. New ZX12R's are currently $17000
Cars - not the real good selection of cheapies you get in NZ.
BUT, the important stuff - beer, wine and spirits are shit loads more expensive - about 30-40% and you cant nip into the local supermarket for it , either. Or buy wine on a Sunday
Creepies - not a worry so far - cleared out the Redbacks and the rest. MsT drowned the scorpion on the bench with chemicals. There are snakes around, havent seen any yet but keep a lookout, especially around the water ponds.... I've found the worst agressor to be Bull ants. Been bitten twice in 2 months - once, right through a pair of socks! Barstard! Also seen the biggest White tail ever on the wall by the bosses desk - about 50mm long body! But, as long as you take basic precautions, they arent a worry.
The bird life is great. Water is a problem and is going to get more serious in the next few years. Out in the country,we are on tanks and the rainfall this winter has been way down. We were up at one of the water Dams last month and it was way low...and Perths ground water system is getting dodgier....
Aussie is a great place to live - just don't expect it to be like NZ.

**Hillbilly** · 18th September 2006, 23:58

Yep! It's 9.55 pm here, and 15 degrees. Tomorrow we're expecting a top of 29 degrees. Beautiful blue skies too - winter is over!

**35tickets** · 19th September 2006, 09:18

I got a few mates living in Brisbane and i lived there myself a few years ago. All my friends there say they should have moved sooner, and they are all doing really well for themselves.

When you live in whangarei and you see what a shithole this town is with its crap weather and high crime rate (come on you get killed for your mince pie in whangas) its definately more appealing in Australia

Sure every country has its crime but seriously the crimes being committed in new zealand now are more akin to stuff we would see in south africa (ive lived there too).

Call me biased but on a recent trip over the ditch to brisbane i didn't want to come home. The weather was awesome the people were great (sure you get the od kiwi basher but fuck in nz you get oz bashing all the time) and the job opportunities alone were fantastic. Brisbane courier mail employment section was the size of the saturaday nz herald (the whole thing!) houses are nicer rent was cheaper....better and bigger selection of food in the supermarket, DRIVE THRU bottle stores!!!!, I could go on

Mind you its not for everyone ... when we don't watch the news or read the newspaper and see whos been killed and you're on your bike taking the crown range road or a quick nip over to Milford sound in the summer....we've got an awesome country....its just ruined by some of the people here. And ruined by politics...

I'm self employed ....in the last 6 years the government has done nothing for self employed people or small companies. At least australia gives tax cuts and promotes self employment.

Im not hugely patriotic when i live in nz but overseas i was actually happy to say i was a kiwi

**McJim** · 19th September 2006, 10:33

I resent having to apply for a fucken visa to visit a country that actually voted to be ruled over by the Queen of England.

FFS Oz - make it easy for me to visit and then then you'll know where the Bloddy hell I am!

I am unable to move to Oz to work either on account of the fact that I have loads of finance/management/business analysis experience but no qualifications whatsoever.

I might just take a peek when I've been in NZ long enough to be a citizen though but until then the barriers outweigh the benefits.

**Big Dave** · 19th September 2006, 10:40

Originally Posted by McJim

I resent having to apply for a fucken visa to visit a country that actually voted to be ruled over by the Queen of England.

You just resent having to follow the same rules as the poms.

**McJim** · 19th September 2006, 10:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

You just resent having to follow the same rules as the poms.

Ah Dave - astute as ever - I just like to play "Grumpy Old Man" from time to time when Media Analysis gets the better of me!

Tried to give Bling but I've given out too much in the last 24 hours.

**jonbuoy** · 19th September 2006, 10:56

IE - No eating of live young.

**Big Dave** · 19th September 2006, 11:12

Originally Posted by McJim

Ah Dave - astute as ever -

Nah - i've just got some pretty good mates who wear kilts.

If you ever find yourself in Nelson - call into Thunderbike Powersports and ask for Graeme.
My size, native of the north and fine a chap as works in a bike shop.
Tell him I said 'Ceeee Yooooooo! McJimmy'
And he'll counter with suitable highland expletives pertinent to residents of the antipodes and will then give you the skinny on some of the best rides in NZ.

You'd even have a fair chance of understanding him.

**McJim** · 19th September 2006, 11:16

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Nah - i've just got some pretty good mates who wear kilts.

If you ever find yourself in Nelson - call into Thunderbike Powersports and ask for Graeme.
My size, native of the north and fine a chap as works in a bike shop.
Tell him I said 'Ceeee Yooooooo! McJimmy'
And he'll counter with 'suitable highland expletives' and will then give you the skinny on some of the best rides in NZ.

I certainly will - I've got inlaws living down that way so am in Nelson at least once a year.