There are ski fields in Tasmania and Victoria, but the largest ski fields are in New South Wales on the boarder with Victoria state and actually the first ski club in the world in 1861 was established in Snowy Mountains in Australia. Who could thought Australia has such long history of skiing?
Two largest downhill ski resorts are located not far from highest peak (Mt Kosciuszko) in Australia.  Thredbo ski resort has longest ski run and Perisher ski resort has largest ski fields – 12 square kilometers (4.6 sq miles) and it calls itself as largest ski resort in Souther hemisphere.

Both resorts are located somewhere in the middle between Sydney and Melbourne and only ~60 kilometers (~40 miles) away from each other, so you can visit both on your trip to snowy mountains.

Here is comparison of these two resorts if you want to choose one of these resorts.

* you can go up to 2034 meters (6673 feet) elevation and then climb 20 meters (66 feet) to the nearest peak. Both picture bellow are done from that highest point.

** all prices are in Australian dollars. The price of lift pass and ski/snowboard rent shows how much you need to pay if you pay at the resort. You can get better deals by buying lift pass and hiring skies/snowboard online in advance. Or buy visiting resorts during low season. Check their websites for the deals.

My choice was Perisher, because by lift you can get up to 2034 meters (6673 feet) elevation and climb another 20 meters (66 feet) to the peak of Mt. Perisher for fantastic view.

I also need to note that you should carry snow chains as you may require to put it on in case of heavy snow in a ‘snow-ice’ risk section within the Kosciuszko National Park. Chains can be hired in Jindabyne and Khancoban or in Cooma if you are coming from Sydney/Canberra.

So enjoy the snow but be careful and don’t underestimate snow in Australia, as it happened to these cross-country skiers.

Save

The post Skiing and snowboarding in Australia appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

What is whale shark

One of the first appearance on big screen of this fish was in documentary about Kon-Tiki expedition from South America to South Pacific. Kon-Tiki was the raft used by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl. In his book about this expedition whale sharks were mentioned as sea monsters.  I can just imagine what they were thinking when they met this fish similar to shark and which can grow more then 10 meters long.  But despite its size, the whale shark does not pose significant danger to humans, feeding on plankton and small fish. Only thing people should be careful – unintentional blows from the shark’s large tail fin.

Check this video if you are wondering what is that whale shark and should you take a swimming with whale sharks tour.

Are you interested? This video shot in Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia, but one of the best places to swim with whale sharks is in Western Australia, Ningaloo reef.  It is not a cheap attraction, but is really worth it and you would love to go again and again.

Best places for a swim with whale sharks in Australia

I hope I didn’t scare you and you are ready to jump into water Next question would be: where can you do it? There are couple places in the world you can do it. Occasionally whale sharks can be seen by scuba divers in Thailand, but nobody can promise you will see one. There are whale shark snorkeling tours in some Caribbean countries and also in Mozambique, but probably best place to swim these giants is Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.  At Ningaloo Reef tour operators use whale spotting planes and it makes big advantage comparing with other places in the world as it gives you more chances to see whale shark.

Best time for swimming with whale sharks in Australia

Whale shark season in Ningaloo Reef starts in April and last until July. The time frame can slightly vary each year. Whale sharks can come in late March and stay until August, so it is better to contact operator of your choice to check what is situation.  Thought all tour companies have very high rate of whale sharks spotting, but sometimes weather conditions are not the best to go out to the sea, so it is good to have couple spare days in case tour will be canceled on particular day. Make sure you have some sea sickens medicine to make sure you have good day out in the sea, as otherwise it can ruin your swim with whale sharks experience as it did happen with Jade.

Whale sharks tour prices in Australia

Most tour operators located in small town Exmouth and couple of whale sharks tour operators are in Coral Bay, 150km (100 miles) South of Exmouth.

Here is a list of whale shark tour operators in Exmouth (for tours in Coral Bay go to Coral Bay whale shark tours page) in alphabetic order:

All prices are in Australian dollar. Now most companies offer repeat tour voucher valid for the next three years. Before you could use that voucher only during current season in case you don’t see whale sharks on your first tour.

* there is no published prices for the current season yet.

Swim with whale sharks tour prices are very similar so probably main factor of choosing tour operator will be seat availability on preferred day. Or it depends where you are staying and do you want to do any additional activity. Because these tours are not very cheap read carefully refund sections as all companies have different policies. But most companies start offer voucher for another tour valid for three years in case of no sighting of whale sharks that day.

Also you can check some operators reviews on Tripadvisor. Personally I was on tours with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive (they had best price in Exmouth) and Ningaloo Reef Dive in Coral Bay. I was happy with service I got and can recommend both companies.

All prices are good on time of publishing of this post. I tried to contact each tour company for latest information, but please visit page of each tour operator for up to date prices as it can be changes done at the time you’ll read this post. Let me know if you find any incorrect or outdated information here.

Can you scuba dive with whale sharks

Unfortunately you can’t do it.  Occasionally in Thailand scuba divers can see whale sharks, but these are rare cases. The swimming with whale sharks tours is the best way to see these creatures and Australia is one of best place in the world to go on these tours.  So check tour prices above.

But if you still keen to dive with whale sharks you can do it in Atlanta aquarium which has diving with whale sharks program.

Save

The post Swimming with whale sharks in Australia appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

January

1 Start a New Year with wonderful fireworks in Sydney Harbour at midnight.

5 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

5 – 27 Sydney Festival 2013. Check official website for the list of free events.

11 and 13 check free performances at Micro Parks in Sydney.

12 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

18 – 27 Centennial Park Light Garden. As the sun sets over Sydney in late January, you’ll be able wander through the spectacular illuminated Light Garden in Centennial Park.

19 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

26 Australia Day. Head to The Rocks this Australia Day for a free celebration of music and song.

February

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour.

8-24 Celebrate Year of Snake in China Town in Sydney with Chinese New Year Twilight Parade as the highlight of the New Year festivities on 17th of February and watch dragon boats race on 23-24th.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

14 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

17 Short film festival’s Tropfest main event will take place at The Domain. Go there early as place fills up very quickly.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

March

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

3 From 19:45 to 22:00(7.45-10.00pm) at Oxford Street and Flinders Street watch colorful and outrageous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. About 300000 spectators attend parade so get earlier there to take good spot.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

9 – 10 check for latest deals at Travel Expo at Fox Studios, Moore Park

17 From 12:00 to 18:30 (6.30pm) annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade commences from the corner of Bathurst and George Street to Hyde Park.

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

21 March – 3 April Easter show at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park. The Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual event, an iconic showcase of Australian culture, heritage and excellence. It combines innovation, heritage, education and entertainment. It is not free event, but tickets include transport as well as admission to the Show.

22 March – 1 April Sydney family show as always at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter. Thought it is more kids, but it is free entry event packed with fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Though you need to buy tickets for rides you want.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

23 from 20:30 to 21:30 (8.30pm-9.30pm) the annual lights-out event Earth Hour will be held. It start couple years ago in Sydney, but now over 5000 cities across 135 countries are involved.

29 March – 1 April visit Hoopla festival at Darling Harbour. Australia’s annual circus, sideshow and street theatre festival.

April

1 Hoopla festival continues at Darling Harbour.

1 Last day of Sydney family show at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.

1 – 3 Easter show continues at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park.

6 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

13 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

20 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

25 ANZAC day – a national day of remembrance. The day starts with dawn service at Martin Place and following parade on George Street.

27 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

May

4 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

11 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

17 May – 23 June If you love photography you must visit Head On Photo Festival. Events this year are spread across Sydney from the CBD extending, north, south, east and west. Aside from traditional venues such as art galleries and museums, exhibitions and events were set in less formal venues such as cafes, pubs and Centennial Park.

18 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

19 Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon is held. It is Australia’s largest and most prestigious half marathon and you still have time to join it. This year introduced one lap course.

24 May – 10 June one of most colorful festivals in Sydney – Vivid Sydney 2013. Two weeks you can enjoy impressive light projections, performances from local and international musicians as part of Vivid LIVE and a free outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures.

25 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

June

1 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

1 – 10 Vivid Sydney 2013 continues around the city.

1 – 23 Head On Photo Festival continues.

5 – 16 60th annual Sydney Film festival takes place. It is always full of interesting movies to watch. Check screening schedule on their website.

7 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 19:30 (7.30PM).

8 – 10 Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival. The Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival showcases legendary names in jazz and blues, rubbing shoulders with emerging and young Australian musicians.

8 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

15 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

22 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

29 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

July

[TBA] State Library presentes World Press Photo 2013 exhibition.

[TBA] International Food safari at King Street Wharf. Check it to taste various international cuisine.

[TBA] Winter Festival at Bondi beach. Watch ice hokey games or Disney on Ice or try ice skating yourself.

[TBA] Australia’s biggest coffee event Aroma festival takes over the historic laneways of The Rocks.

Full month – July is peak month for whale watching in Sydney.

August

11 city2surf is one of Australia’s favorite event and even you are not runner go to cheer for participants of this 14 kilometers run from city center to Bondi beach.

September

8  11:00 – 16:00 (11am – 4pm) Festival of the Winds most colorful spring festival in Sydney. Head to Bondi beach to see lots of kits in the air.

20 September – 20 October Art & About Sydney with opening party in Martin Place. A lot of different events and exhibitions to explore art around the city, in laneways, parks and galleries. Check it here for full list of venues.

October

1 – 20 October Art & About Sydney continues.

[TBA] Latin American festival Australia’s largest annual festival at Darling Harbour.

November

[TBA] Sydney Travel Expo at Sydney Town Hall. FREE entry.

[TBA] Newtown Festival is one of Sydney’s largest and longest running free community festivals on 11th of November. At festival will be three stages which will feature a diverse range of Sydney’s finest, with live bands, acoustic artists and world music

[TBA] Santa Claus is coming to Sydney. Darling Harbour transforms into a sea of red and white jolly men for the Santa Fest Water Spectacular. There’ll be Santas popping up all over Darling Harbour doing everything from water skiing to stilt walking!

[TBA] fireworks at Darling Harbour every Saturday from 9pm in November.

December

until 25th Christmas projections in the city.

[TBA] the biggest Christmas (Carols in the Domain) concert in Australia will be held in Sydney.

[TBA] Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts.

31 famous Sydney New Year Eve fireworks.

Save

The post What’s on in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Koalas are not so widely populated as kangaroos and it needs more effort to see them. Closest place to Sydney I found was The Jean Shaw Reserve at Hawks Nest. I wasn’t lucky when I was visiting that place in hope to see koalas and locals were smiling asked about were I can find these animals. I understood I can’t expect to see them hanging on any tree in the town.

Next place I hear is good for koalas spotting is in Victoria on Great Ocean Road.  It is called as one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild.

You may be will need turn into Grey River Road in Kennet River in case you won’t be able to spot koala on Great Ocean Road. But first you should check the place on the right in this map:

View Koalas in Australia in a larger map

There is parking on the side of the road (switch to satellite view and you’ll see cars parked there).  Scroll along the road and may be you will see the same koala pictured in the above picture. When I was there I could spot 5-6 koalas eating, sleeping on trees.

For the best chance of seeing some koalas, stay overnight at Bimbi Park. The park is about an hour away from the 12 Apostles, making it the perfect place to sleep after making the drive from Melbourne to see this natural wonder.

At Bimbi Park, the koalas will come right up to your tent or cabin, making it one of the best places to see these animals up close and personal.

Save

The post Where to see koalas in the wild in Australia appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

When I was renting car in Europe, US or Canada, I never did think or care how much fuel I can fill into car tank. Usually was no problem to find gas station near by. But it didn’t work in this case. Thought I was renting smallest campervan it still was using about 15 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers and with 55 liters tank I could drive maximum 370 kilometers (230 miles). It meant I needed to stop at every road house for refueling and I had carefully to check any side trips I wanted to take. Did I have enough fuel to get back on road.

When you know your tank capacity and how much fuel your car uses per 100 kilometers or miles it is easy to calculate an distance you can drive. But I created this calculator to make it even more easier.

Rental companies provides all data you need to calculate it and it is important to know how far you can go with your car in such remote places. It makes you to look to your road trip planning with different approach. Can you reach every place with your car without auxiliary fuel tank. I hope this calculator will help you with your next road trip planning in Australia.

Save

The post Gas mileage calculator for travelers appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Do you wonder how to get to Batu Caves?

There is no need of any buses or taxis any more.From 29th of July, 2010 KTM komuter train runs from KL Sentral train station straight to Batu Caves.

Train runs every 30 minutes. Ticket costs 4MYR return. For further information and any changes please check official KTM Komuter website.

I am not sure why they decided to publish schedule in MS Excel format which can’t be read by everybody. You can check it here or you can just look to the schedule bellow. I converted it to html format readable by everybody. This schedule is valid as of today date (7th of February 2013). Please inform us if will be any changes.

PDF version is here.

Historic changes log:

Until  January 2012 the train ticket price was 2MYR return and train was leaving every 15 minutes from KL Sentral towards Batu Caves.

Save

The post How to get to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

So I wanted to see both these landmarks and to climb to the top of the largest rock in the world. At least at that time I thought it is largest.

I saw Opera House on my first night I landed in Sydney, but it took more then 2 years till I get to Red Center.

I did probably all possible hikes around the Rock, but I wasn’t thinking about climb it anymore.

Why? I am keen hiker and for people who know me it could sound very strange decision. But after living for two years in Australia I heard so much controversial information about this climb.
“Uluru visitors face climbing ban for safety reasons”,  it was first news I heard. “Oh,no!”. I was very disappointed because of that. Of course this ban never was carried into effect, but then I read that safety was not primary reason for climb ban plans. It was more concern about cultural reasons.
So I started research this issue and find out that it is a really important sacred place for people and traditional owners ask people not to climb Uluru for cultural reasons – Wanyu Ulurunya tatintja wiyangku wantima – but there is no law that requires people to obey their wishes. So what should I do? It was dilemma for me.  But it didn’t take too long to make decision. I am tourist here and I must respect owners wishes. They don’t climb, why should I do that?
After all I was thinking Uluru was biggest rock in world and that was one of driving ideas to climb it.  I was wrong. As a lot of people are wrong too.  It was big discovery for me that in the Western Australia there is another rock – Mt. Augustus – twice and half times the size of famous Uluru.  Because it is so remote not so much people know it exists at all.  Then I thought, why should I climb most pretty rock (Uluru) then I still can climb largest rock in the world and don’t have to do any negotiations with my conscience? Decision was made and implemented. You can check this post how to reach Mt.Augustus and the trails there. For now enjoy the view of Uluru.

Should you climb it? It is up to you. My decision was  not to.

The climb to the top of Uluru rock is not prohibited as of January, 2013, but I think you just watch this video of the climb and don’t climb your self

I think a lot of people who decided to climb that rock underestimate their fitness.  It is tall rock and it is hot out there, so even if you take aside cultural reasons think twice before you start to climb it.

The post Ayers/Uluru rock. Climb it or not appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Here are some tips and ideas how to accumulate enough wealth for your next trip.

1. Start with writing down your income and expenses. When you have enough record (a couple of months or so), check where you spend most and then make sure these are the necessary areas. For example, how many bars of chocolate do you buy a month? It looks like a trinket but eventually it adds up. They say, cut down on one coffee cup a day and that‘s a week in Greece islands after a year!
2. Open a savings account and don‘t touch it.  Dedicate a fixed daily fee to the cause and transfer money at the end of the week. For example, if your daily fee is $10, in 7 days it makes $70, and it amounts to $3640 in a year, which is quite a fortune in some countries. You can use this interest calculator to check how much you can save.
3. Plan your trip in advance for better budgeting and discounts.
4. Sell your junk. One person‘s junk is another person‘s treasure. However, it‘s sometimes easier said than done because it can cost to get a listing in the printed media or auctions charge a small fee. And you need to wait until you actually sell your stuff. How about looking if you can join groups on Facebook where people deal with this privately?
5. Sell books you no longer read. This is a quick way to receive some revenue. Second-hand bookshops usually pay only a fraction of the price you initially paid, but you clean some space at home and receive some money at the same time. Alternatively, first read a book you want to buy in a library-you will be surprised how many books you will not buy.
6. Cut off the cable TV. If you have a computer and the Internet at home, you don‘t really need a TV these days. Amount of money saved can be a pleasant surprise.
7. Have a special box for petty cash. There is always small change in your pockets or purse. When you compile enough coins, you can change them into banknotes in a bank and put them into your savings account for travel (banks may charge you a fee if you deposit a lot of money in coins but exchange of coins into banknotes can be free of charge).  The tendency is for the coin box to fill up very quickly.
8. Are you using the cheapest mobile phone plan for your needs? Also, compare what their competitors are offering.
9. The same goes for the Internet. You can give it up and start using computers in your local public library. It‘s less convenient than a private connection but you don‘t spend entire day glued to your Facebook. And if you own a smart phone, your social networks and e-mail are with you anyway.
10. The car- necessity or luxury? By „car“ I mean the additives of petrol/gas, amortization, insurance, service, parking fees…It might be worthwhile starting to use public transportation, cycle or simply walk on foot.
11. Cook at home. Eating out is expensive even if you hunt day offers. The highest mark-up is on drinks-you might pay the amount of the whole carton of juice for only one glass in a café or a restaurant and you also need to leave a tip.
12. Clothes. If you want to wear new clothes every season, I‘m afraid it just eats a hole in your savings. Before actually buying an item of clothes, ask yourself: how many times will I wear it? Can I match it to my other clothes? How long will it serve me? Am I buying it because I need or because it‘s on sale? Also, try second-hand clothes shops where for a fraction of the sum you will spend in a brand shop you will buy clothes that might be a bit worn or completely new.
13. Free entertainment. Check out listings for free church concerts, gallery openings, museum nights, etc.  Ask your friends for advice. Can you pool money and go somewhere together? Are there any “buy 2 and receive 1 free” deals?
14. Move back to your parents to live rent fee (if they let you, of course) or rent a place with other people to share the bills. That can be annoying but freedom costs a lot of money.

The post How to raise the funds and travel to your dream destination appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

You should get some tax refund if you did some work last financial year which is from the 1st of July until 30th of June. Australia is not the cheapest place to travel and every dollar counts. Use Australian income tax calculator to check how much taxes you paid last year.  I am sure you can get back some taxes you paid. It most likely you were taxed as not resident in which case you paid much more taxes as you should. You don’t pay taxes if you are an Australian resident for tax purposes and make less then $18000 per year. Because you are temporary resident some employers will insist that you are a non-resident for tax purposes and deduct higher rate then they should. Also it can be deducted Medicare levy from your salary though you most likely have private travel insurance

Some may try convince you to use a tax agent to complete  your tax returns for the previous income year. Don’t fell for it. Why should you be paying somebody $100 when completing tax returns is so  straight forward and to do it you don’t need to know any tax rates for holidaymakers in Australia.

Download e-tax software from Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website, install it and it will guide you through all the steps.

It will be a lot of YES/NO questions, but it won’t take much time answer to it. It also will help you decide your residency status – are you resident for tax purpose in Australia or not. But one of the best thing of e-tax software it allows you to pre-fill a lot of information into e-tax if it is available on ATO database.
What data can be pre-filled? You can pre-fill data like:

• Pay as you go (PAYG) payment summaries
• Pay as you go (PAYG) income tax installments
• Bank interest
• Government payments
• ATO interest
• Private health insurance policy details
• Private health insurance tax offset details
• Medical expenses details from Medicare Australia

It is not full list, but it is data you probably will be interested in. Of course you must check pre-filled information as it can be missing some details as not all the information is received yet.

In any case if makes your job much easier and you shouldn’t have any problems to complete Australian tax returns by yourself and to find your tax refund in your Australian bank account couple days later.
But you always can refer to tax agent in case you still have difficulties to complete it.

The post Tax returns for working holidaymakers in Australia appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.