[Fred]

Cel, Daltonien is right, you can find cigarette packtets as well as smoking tabacco & leaves.

However, I would strongly NOT recommend to come over here with tobacco in your luggage. As a matter of fact, they use dogs at the airport to make sure that people from overseas don’t bring any sort of drug in Oz.

[Fred]

What is above is 100% correct … Now once you’re in Australia, if you even want to hire a car, don’t forget to bring both your FRENCH and INTERNATIONAL driving license or the car rental companies will NEVER rent you a car.

Part of the Australian law is that anyone from Overseas must alway carry his/her national & INTERNATIONAL driving license everytime he/she drives a car.
If you get stopped by the cops and you only show 1 license, you get fined …. a BIG one guys !!!

[Fred]

Sorry Christian if I was a little bit rude or direct, but I really want to keep the whole forum as nice and interesting as possible !!

And by being that direct, I simply become Aussie mate 🙂

See ya soon
Fred

[Fred]

Hey Mr X,

As part of the « Moderateur » team for Victoria, i’ve got to say that i back up Christian’s email.

This is a nice forum, with plenty of nice topics and interesting stories.
However, your very very personal issue, we don’t give a ….. if you get me !!

Now I explain: if we allow this sort of msg, at the end of next week, we end up with 2000 same poor and useless msgs for the forum.

so next time I see such informationless msg, I get rid of it

Cheers
Fred

[Fred]

g’day mate,

Check out the web site: http://www.immi.gov.au/forms_booklets/index.htm

There is a little bit (if not more) to read but at least, you’ll find everything you’re looking for

Good luck
Fred

[Fred]

Guys,

check out the web site : http://www.immi.gov.au/forms_booklets/index.htm

if you know the name or number of the required document, you’ll get it immediately if available online

Cheers,
Fred

[Fred]

Lilie,

The first decision you’ve got to take is: do you want to follow your bf to Australia?
Then depending on this answer, you’ll see what’s better for you…
Having read « men come from Mars and women from Venus » quite a few times already, I won’t try to solve your problem or even give you piles of advice !!

However, my very personal thought about this is take the chance to chase for a traineeship in Melbourne. In the case you’d get one, then you’d get some amazing work experience as well as what I think is the best way to improve our English.
Finally, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll get paid for the work.
So definitively, I’d be looking for a traineeship over the next 8 months and see how it goes. If you cannot find one but you wanna come over with your bf, go for the WHV or try to add your name onto his visa.

Now, working as part-time employee and doing some volunteering job at the same time is, to me, a little bit too much and I guess tiring as well.
You guys will need some time to feel OK living in Melbourne as it’s different from living in France and the language can be hard to get over during the first few weeks/months.
Looking for a job in Oz can be easy or difficult, all depends on the nature of the job and what your expectations are!! Working as a nurse, au-pair or waitress should be fine … for the rest … it’s all about being lucky and be there at the right time.

Living with the minimum wage is feasable but not really recommended if you want to enjoy your stay in Oz … You must come over here thinking that you’ll have to work hard but also have good time and discover that amazing country … do you see what I mean?

My best advice are listed above… now if you wanna speak more privately (outside of the forum), just drop me an email or we just keep conversing through this forum

Fred

[Fred]

if you really wanna sell your van before going to back to France, I strongle recommend you to pay ALL your fines, otherwise, nobody will accept to buy it … and everyone knows that before buying a car or van, you check if there is any fine or whatever else outstanding !!!!

Was worth it trying mate !

[Fred]

G’day Lilie,

Tricky question and even more tricky situation for you and your bf.
Personally I see 3 options for you:
1/ try to find out if you could stay in Oz with your bf by putting your name on his visa … As a partner, I’m not quite sure but maybe it could work out well

2/ if you do want to complete your final traineeship down here, you must find a company/organisation that would sponsor you for the 6 months …. Not quite easy but it’s definitively worth giving a GO !!
Keep in mind that you cannot apply for a traineeship if you carry a simple WHV

3/ if you really want to follow your half over here, go for the WHV and then try to find a job once you get here… That means that you will have to put off your final uni traineeship for at least 1 year … important decision to be taken into account.

However, as it will not happen before early next year, you have plenty of time to look around, get in touch with international organisations and offer your services as a student.
I would spend the next 8 months looking for a traineeship and if you can’t find anything in October, I would then think about going for the WHV …. but it’s only my view on your project.

Good luck
Take care
Fred

[Fred]

and the trick is that … I’m half French , half Swiss …. mum is Swiss while Dad is French, so as you say in France, I’m a « batard » … but a nice one !!!!

[Fred]

Hey guys,

If you need any help / advice / hint about Oz/Melbourne, drop me a line anytime cos
– i’ve been living in Melbourne for over 1,5 year
– I AM SWISS !!!!

Fred

[Fred]

cool man cool !!!

Safin, Marat Safin …. do you know russian songs ? cause my Russian is pretty rusty 🙂

[Fred]

Hey Frenchies

Tomorrow the Australia Day II with the Oz tennis open men final between Hewitt and Safin.
the final starts at 7:30pm and i’ll be at Federation Square to enjoy that historic moment.

To all of you guys, if you’ve got nothing to do tomorrow from 7:30pm onwards, let’s meet @ Federation Square, 7:15pm in front of the INFORMATIONT CENTRE (glass block, opposite to the train station).
I’ll be wearing my french jersey … so be there on time as i won’t be waiting too long (15mins MAX)..

See ya out there !!!!!

Fred

[Fred]

Airport West is not the Melbourne International aiport (whose name is Tullamarine).
there is no tram/train service running between the city and the international airport but the best way for you get to Spencer station from the airpot is to use the Skybus shuttles (http://www.Skybus.com.au), running between the airport and Spencer station, 24h/7days. Return ticket is only $24 !!

Finally, here is the link for the Tullamarine airport: http://www.melair.com.au/index.asp

Good luck
Fred

[Fred]

If you give me your email address, I then send you a couple of really good maps of Melbourne

Fred

[Fred]

As a little Frenchie / Swissie living in Melbourne, I do confirm everything written above & I add:
– life is less expensive in Melbourne
– people are a little bit more friendly than in Sydney (better for the early days integration)
– Sydney is a very busy city, more polluted but where the weather is more stable throughout the year.
– Melbourne = 4 seasons with Min +6 degrees during winter and +38 during summer time
– Sydney = 2 1/1 seasons with Min +10 degrees during winter and +38 during summer time

– Melbourne: More culture and sport events

That’s it for now …. If any other Melbournian or Sydneysider want to complete the post …

[Fred]

I am mate …. I’m a French / Swiss / New aussie bloke who was living in Divonne les Bains till mid 2003 when I moved over to Melbourne.

I’ve been living in Melbourne for now 17 months, so if you drop my Melbourne one day … give me a yell and we’ll catch up !!

Guess what, Patty Schnyder is in 1/4 final at the Oz Open and I’m going to support her on Wednesday !!!!!!!

Go Switzerland GO

[Fred]

Check the post https://www.australia-australie.com/new-australia-australie/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4596

Melbourne is more wind surf and kite surf as the city is enclosed within the Philip Bay and therefore you cannot go surfing unless you drive down along the coast and stop in Geelong, Torquay or Sorento.

[Fred]

and for the people crazy of sport, Melbourne IS the place to be !! Oz tennis open, F1 grand Prix, horse race course, Footy (don’t know what it is … just come down here between March and October, you’ll be amazed by the craziness drained by this sport religion in VIC), cricket and so on ….

Go Amelie GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Fred]

I’m barracking for Melbourne too …. and Diablotina’s arguments are very true, the people living in Melbourne are also very nice and keen to open themselves to the other people from overseas.

We’ve got the 4 seasons in 1 day and I think that no other city in the world can boast of having the same bizarre but so interesting climat !!

However, it does depend on your main criteria and what you’re looking for in Oz: Job opportunities, leisure, life along the beach, culture …

[Fred]

si vous voulez connaitre des francais + aussies, RdV ce soir a 6:45pm devant le Mc Donald de St Kilda …. Tram 96 depuis la city et arret au au niveau du Luna Park

A vous de voir … on organise un resto FrOz !!!

[Fred]

Hey mate, this is just a nice forum, here we don’t make miracles …..
The best way is to help yourself by going through the forum themes or carnets de voyage and see what could match your projects

[Fred]

BG,

first of all, thanks for your comment on my « carnet de voyage », it’s nice to see that some guys appreciate my photos and textes !!

Now, without a shadow of doubt, the best and closest spot of Melbourne is Torquay, just past Geelong at ~ 1h15mins from the city centre.

Torquay is famous for:
– Bells Beach where every year, the World Pro Surfing Tour organise the Rip Curl Pro
– the Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Roxy orignal and first opened shops

[Fred]

G’day Fanny,

Yep, I reckon you can make it all in 3 weeks.
My advice would be something like:
– Uluru = 5-day safari to really see all the beauties around Uluru (and not only the rock itself)
– Cairns = between 3 and 4 days with 1 day out to the Reef and another 1-day trip in the rain forest
– Kangaroo Island = 2 days on the island + 1 day and 1 day after the stay
– Melbourne = Great Ocean Rd (maybe part of your liaison with Adelaide), Philip Island, City centre, so I would say 4 days MAX
– Sydney = Blue mountains, aquarium etc … 4-5 days

All in all, you should be OK, tight schedule but if you can get all your domestic flights aligned with your program … you should experience the trip of your life !!!

[Fred]

Not mate, you cannot unfortunately !!… The Melbourne beach shores are part of the Port Philip bay, so you don’t have any spot directly exposed to the Sea.

However, you’ve heap of great spots to practise kite surfing

Cheers,

[Fred]

G’day Marmotte,

Cairns is a nice and touristy city but at the same time, it’s not the best place to stay if you wanna travel across the North Queensland and discover the Reef.
I’m just back from a 1-week trip up there and personally, I stayed in Port Douglas (1-hour North of Cairns). Port Douglas is a lovely little town at the crossroad of the Reef and rain forest.

Also if you wanna disconnect from the big smokes (cities in Oz), avoid staying in Cairns and travel up North.
However, this part of Oz is a gem …. Prefer going out there between May and October, it’s the dry season so less humid. Morever, there are jelly fish but in the other hand, more tourists as it’s during the peak season.

So all in all, Cairns is a nice city, where you can do lots of activities but if you really wanna discover the real atmosphear of this part of Oz, go up North and stay rather in Port Douglas.

That’s it ……………… See ya

[Fred]

G’day Mat,

Thanks for your comment, I »ve just fixed up the first post and replaced the wrong URL with the one of my « carnet de voyage ».

If you’re looking for an animated suburb quite close to the city, i would then advise:
– Carlton (North)
– Fitzroy (North)
– Footscray (North)
– South Melbourne
– St Kilda (South Est)

All those suburbs are really close to the city, it takes ~10mins by tram to get to the city centre (from any of these suburbs).

Furthermore, they are the young crowd favorite places for eating out, going out. Plenty of restaurants from all over the world, heaps of bars, pubs and other entertaining spots where backpackers can find a job quite easily.

Good luck mate,

[Fred]

G’day mate,

I don’t have any good plan for you but have a look at the 2 following URL’s …. could help you to find out your way:
http://www.2share.com.au/
http://www.domain.com.au/search/ChooseState.aspx?mode=rent

Good luck

[Fred]

Choop is right, last winter was really good actually, mild and not too much of rain … but the one before (in 2003) was pretty disgusting … a lot weter and colder.

Yep Choop, i’m now trying to write most of my post and msgs in english and using some nice and well-known Aussie slangs… but it’s weird to use them in writing as most of the time you speak « strine » but not « write » it.

what about you …. how’ve you been up to ?

[Fred]

Cecile, i’ve been living in Melbourne for 16 months !! First arrived in Sep 03 directly from Cheltenham in the UK (close to the Welsh border).

It was such a relief for me to leave the UK for Australia, as I knew already how nice the Aussies are and how open they also are compared to the Pomms (I don’t think you will be dissent from my opinion).

what sort of job do you do in London ?

[Fred]

i’m a very curious person, so i would say that for the moment, yes, i’m satisfied and anyway, i’ve got to join a meeting, so i’ll get back once i’m done ….

I just love cross-cultural things and when it comes to people and feelings, I could talk and ask about it for hours…..

[Fred]

OK fair enough …. so this one is not personal but just pure curiousity .. between the 2 of you guys, do you speak in french, english or a mixing of the 2 languages ?

Has he already tried to initiate you to the vegemite, the aussie version of the marmite (in slightly better taste) ?

[Fred]

Yep, i know but why are you leaving the Pomms next year … that’s the question you’ve got to answer … cos i lived in the UK for 6 months in 2003 and i was so keen to quit the country for Oz … it’s like moving from dungeon to the 7th sky

[Fred]

The Dr is right Cecile !! We don’t really wanna know what’s going on in a relationship … you keep that private or you take the risk kicking off another battle in this forum !!!

However, if you wanna tell us why you’re leaving the Pomms for the Aussies, yes, i’m interested !!

[Fred]

Hold on everyone !!!

What sort of sh** are we talking about in here !!!

What’s wrong having a frenchie girl and an aussie boy together and about to be married soon !!!

Why being so rude and childish between you guys !!!

You just cannot justify everyone’s personal feelings as this is something you’ve got inside you and those feelings are simply different in each of us…
So please don’t try to convince that being with an aussie is a good thing or not … you DO NOT NEED to prove that to anyone (except maybe yourself).

And for the ones who are against that melting pot, please come over here and feel the Aussie friendship first before spiting out !! That would be much cleverer buddies….

Finally, no one is perfect and this works for the Aussies like the Frenchies (nice example in this bunch of messages by the way).

So mates, take it easy and respect everyone’s choice …. and for the others, be smart and cool in your answers !! It’s a nice forum, not a war field

[Fred]

Go for it mates !!!!
Look, I live in Elwood (Melbourne inner suburb) and one of my best french mates are a couple of french guys, where the guys works (4-year relocation offer by his french company) whereas the girl is now looking for a job !
And as far as I know, they look and sound very happy with what they are living right now.

You have an amazing opportunity to discover this country while at least of of you will be working ! So take it, especially in Melbourne which has been elected the most liveable city in the world for the past 2 years… so it says what it says !!!!!!
it’s a lovely city, half European, half Asian/American.
You’ve got many activities and things to see in and around Melbourne. The people are probably (not lying mate) the nicest across all Australia !!! Really easy-going and open people in Melbourne.
Climate: in winter, the temps can go down to 5 degrees but generally speaking winter is OK, it doesn’t snow in Melbourne, only in the mountains at the border of the NSW. It’s more wet than in Sydney BUT the weather is dry, not humid and sticky like in Sydney !!

Sydney is more a cosmopolitean city whereas Melbourne is all about culture, cafes, education, arts, sports (F1, tennis, cricket, footy). Places like the Great Ocean Rd, the Grampians, Wilson Prom, Torquay, the Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley are some of the must-do’s.

Mates, i’ve been living down here for 16months and i’m really happy with what Melbourne has brought to me.

well that’s it for me … hope i’ve helped you a little bit
See ya soon ?!?!

[Fred]

Salut les p’tits nouveaux !!

Q1: essaye d’autres Internet shop ou Internet cafes en dehors de Swanston. Presente toi a un point d’information du centre ville, ils te diront ou aller … gratuitement !!

Q2: Job, tout depend du job !!! mais bon les annonces et les agences sont ce qui marche le mieux !! Maintenant pour serveur/vendeur, les annonces sont souvent collees sur les vitrines des magasins

Q3: on est discret car on bosse !!!!!! mais bon quand je reviens de Cairns (milieu de semaine prochaine) on peut organiser une rencontre du cote de St Kilda …. Superbe quand il ne pleut pas 🙂

Bonne chance pour imprimer tes documents … essaye du cote de China Town, ils sont en general pas cher et dotes de bon PCs

[Fred]

Pas de pb, mais ca sera plutot 2eme quinzaine de Janvier car je me casse en vacances du cote de Cairns pour y faire un peu de plongee …. apres le 15, balances moi un email (frederic.baud@ap.altria.com) et ca sera super de se voir !!

Bonne arrivee et bonne chance sous le soleil (ou pluie car aujourd’hui il pleut !!)

Fredo

[Fred]

Salut Pierrick,

Ouais le reveillon etait cool cette annee encore, passe au coeur de Melbourne avec des amis frenchies et aussies et au milieu des autres 2500000 Melbourniens.

Et toi, ou etais tu ?

[Fred]

Ben alors qu’est ce que se passe, tu repars en France ou quoi ???

Fred

[Auteur]

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