Eastern States Recci, Australia
2009 was the year where I attempted to lead a ‘normal’ life. I received a grant from the govt to start a business. They put me through a small business course and I started First Action. Initially I just subcontracted myself out to outdoor recreation companies to prove income whilst I got set up. Within a couple of months I put it altogether and started teaching self defence courses. I had a few adult classes but it was mainly to schools and scout groups. So what does this all have to do with the Eastern States? Well as is the heart of the traveller, I got bored of Perth so thought a change of scenery would be good. I had to stay in Australia for the grant so decided to do a quick recci of the eastern states to see where I felt was best.
I have already ruled out Queensland and the Northern Territory (to tropical/hot to work in) and Adelaide (not a fan of Adelaide) so Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney where basically what was left.
Canberra is the captial of Australia and is basically government. I went and stayed with my friend Harley whom I had met at camp in 2008. It was me, him and his sister. Went out, had a few drinks and saw a few things but all in all, there isnt really anything exiting in Canberra.
Probably One of the Better Things I saw in Canberra
Sydney is probably the busiest city in Aust. It is like the New York of Australia (no where near as good as New York though). I didnt really like the feel of Sydney. It was cool to visit and the scenery is beautiful (*Harbour Bridge, Oprah House etc) but I dont think I could live there, so I didnt. Maybe Ill give it a go one day. I cant even remember where I stayed in Sydney but I recal the food situation being pretty good. Theres heaps of things to see there and 3 days is a good time frame to do the tourist thing without rushing too much.
The Sydney Habour Bridge is an Enlarged Replica of the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, UK. This is The Sydney One.
Sydney Opera House
So that leaves Melbourne. Melbourne is my favourite big city in Australia. The only one that might rival it is Perth, and thats only because I grew up in Perth. Melbourne has what we describe as a ‘coffee culture’. It has a very european feel in certain places, and has many cool little pockets and resturants. There’s enough there to keep you busy. So that was it, Melbounrne was the place to go, all I had to do was develop the plan to move my life there.
View of Melbourne from the Roof of the Hostel I Stayed in
*I’m currently in Newcastle. The Sydney Habour Bridge is an enlarged copy of Newcastles Tyne Bridge. Im pretty sure it is exactly the same in design, just bigger. I have been told numourous times by proud Jordies that the Sydney Habour Bridge is a copy of the Tyne, and not the other way round.
