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/ESSENTIALS /JUNE

NEWZEALAND

ESCAPE

THE WINTERBLUES

SKATEBOARDING NSWA DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE COAST

MARGARET RIVERWINES WAVES & WOODS

WORKING CANADASEE AND DO MORE

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/ ESSENTIALS

Also available as a free online edition and a printable PDF

Read or download the latest issue and catch up on previous issues atwww.yha.com.au/backpacker-essentials

Get more travel with the FREE interactive iPad app

iPad only appiPhone and Android users

can read or download online editions.

exclusive extra contentphoto galleries

video, audio, polls,and more

Get more travel with the FREE interactive iPad and iPhone app

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BACKPACKER / ESSENTIALS INSIDE

ackpacker Essentials is the member magazine for YHA Australia. Opinions expressed are not necessarilyose of the Association. No material may be reproduced without prior permission from the editor. All travel

ices are subject to change and conditions apply. All hostel prices are YHA member rates and are subject tohange. © YHA Australia ISSN 1328-6749. ®YHA Australia, Hostelling International and YHA house and treegos are Registered Trademarks of YHA Australia Inc., PO Box A2462, Sydney South NSW 1235

VOL / No AUGUST

MANAGING EDITOR

Janet McGarry

NEW ZEALAND EDITOR

Brindi Joy

DEPUTY EDITOR

Melanie Tesoriero

YHA CONTRIBUTORS

Leah KmiecRachel Seymour

Di Caught

ART DIRECTOR

Justin Thomas

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Nicolas Chua

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

The Editor,Backpacker Essentials,

GPO Box 5276,Sydney NSW 2001.T: +61 2 9261 1111F: +61 2 9261 1969

E: backpackeressentials@

yha.com.au

Snowshoeing fun

NZ Snowshoe

◆

WINTER FORALL

NEWZEALND

u

CANADACHILLED OUT

u

u

u

u

u

u

SKATEBOARDINGNSW COAST WHAT’S ONAUSTRALIA/NZ EVENTS

AUSTRALIA/NZNEW YHAS

GLOBAL NEWSA TASTE OF EUROPE

GETAWAYSTOP DEALS IN OZ & NZ

MARGARET RIVERD.I.Y.

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YHA Australia has a brand newhostel in1770-Agnes Waters.

The town is an importantstopover on the popularBrisbane to Cairns route and isapproximately 6 hours north of

Brisbane.From 1770 you can access thestunning Lady Musgrave andLady Elliot Islands along with thesouthern Great Barrier Reef.

1770 is the perfect stopoverfor adventure lovers – go kitesurng, kayaking, stand uppaddle boarding, hire a scooter,go on a reef trip, plus so much

more.Our newest hostel has directbeach access, meaning you canroll out of bed and straight intothe surf. The hostel offers arange of multi-share, private andapartment style accommodationrooms. All dorms havetheir own en-suite andare air-conditioned –so you’re comfortableno matter the weather!

NEW HOSTELALERT!

AUSTRALIA/ NZNEW HOSTEL / NEWS / YOUR YHA

BOOKNOW

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NEWS/

GOING SOLAR ON THE WEST COAST YHA & KATHMANDUTEAM UPYHA New Zealand is pretty enamoured with our beautiful

backyard. So we’ve put our commitment to the environmentinto action by going solar on the West Coast. YHA Franz Josefhad 108 metres of solar panels installed on the roof, taking

up every available square centimetre. We’ve denitely set abenchmark - this is one of the largest solar systems on theWest Coast, and certainly the largest in Franz Josef.

If you know anything about the rainforest-laden coast, you’llknow its reputation for rain. True! But it also gets bucketloads of sunshine which means all those solar panels willgenerate a steady supply of clean and renewable energy. Andwith the help of a handy monitoring system in the lounge,guests will be able to observe, and staff to monitor andcontrol, the use of resources across the hostel.

YHA New Zealand is on Instagram!And we’re celebrating theawesomeness of photo-swapping,sele-ing and travel bragging bygiving away a $500 Kathmanduvoucher to help gear you up for yournext New Zealand adventure. Hopon over to Instagram and nd us on@YHANewZealand. And there’smore! @Kathmandugear is runninga comp too, with an epic YHA prize.Enter both comps from10 - 16 June 2016.

The rst snow showers are dustingTherdbo's slopes which means we’re

getting our snow gear out and heading tothe mountain!Thredbo YHA is the only hostel in

Thredbo Village. Don’t waste your timedriving in and out of the village, stay inthe thick of it all with foot access to thechairlifts. Stay at Thredbo YHA!

WINTER IS COMING

Kathmandu

STOP PRESS!Great dates are still available for4 bed studio apartment. Call thehostel direct for bookingson +612 6457 6376

WINBOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

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NEWS/

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUREver wanted to experience a hostel as if you werethere? At YHA New Zealand, we’ve gone the extramile and created interactive 360° Tours so you cantake a hostel tour without leaving the comfort ofyour chair, bus seat or Wi-Fi hotspot! And we’reone of the rst major accommodation providers -worldwide - to do so on such a scale.

Whether you’re on mobile or desktop device,look for the 360° Tour tab on nineteen of our hostelpages and take control of which rooms you want tovisit; if you want to turn left into reception or rightinto the kitchen; and you can even zoom in or outin the private or multi - share rooms to see justhow much space there is for your gear. Onan iPad? Start planning your New Zealandholiday and check out YHA Wellington in 360 here or YHA Christchurch in 360 here .

CROCODILE ROCK!YHA, on the doorstep of the stunning GrampiansNational Park, is well-renowned for its kangarooson the front lawn and permanent wildlife guests(including a few pythons), but it is now hometo two new permanent guests, freshwatercrocodiles! Yet to be named, the crocs will live inthe hostel and will be taken care of by Grampiansmanagers Bec and Stu, with help from their littleboy Isaiah! Visit Grampians Eco YHA for a trueeco-wildlife experience.

SWIPE for more photos Grampians Eco YHA

WHILE YOU'RE AT ITCheck out panoramic views of Sydney Harbour,the state-of-the-art facilities and on-sitearchaeological remnants of colonial Sydneywith our cool 360 degree video - available onlyon smartphone or tablet!Find it on the YHA Australia Youtube Channel.

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

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YOUR YHAYHA NEWS FOR MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA

THE URGE TO MERGEYHA recently took another step towardsbecoming a single national organisation inAustralia. In May 2016, the Board of YHALtd and the Council of YHA Tasmania signeda Memorandum of Understanding to workowards a merger of the two organisations. This

was after the proposal had been raised at theAnnual General Meetings of each organisation.

Over the past decade, YHA has beengradually moving towards becoming a singleentity in Australia, through mergers betweenformer State-based bodies, and in January2016 through the integration of Hostellingnternational Australia (HI-A) into YHA Ltd.

The benets include having a simpler andmore efcient structure with streamlinedadministration and decision-making processes.

Subject to progress keeping to timetable,

YHA members in Tasmania can expect to benvited to a Special General Meeting in October.An Explanatory Memorandum setting out theproposal will be mailed, and members not ableo attend may vote by proxy.

BOOK DIRECT & SAVEIf you want the best deals, latest specials andYHA member discounts, head to yha.com.au .Why waste time trawling through other websiteswhen you’re guaranteed to get the best bargainson YHA’s own website? You’ll also get exclusiveoffers, greater choice and availability, and best ofall there are no booking fees. So save yourself amotza and book direct at yha.com.au.

YHA HOSTEL MANAGERS’CONFERENCE

All your favourite YHA hostel managers fromacross Australia congregated in Cairns in May 2016for an annual conference bringing them together.It’s not often that hostel managers get to work “onthe business” as opposed to “in the business” andtropical far north Queensland provided a stunningbackdrop to get the creative juices owing. Topicsincluded digital disruption, refreshing the YHAbrand, and how to cater even better to growingnumbers of guests from Asia. Thanks go to

everyone who joined in, especially those who hadto travel from faraway lands (ok, New Zealand!)

Hobart Central YHA

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G OBAINTRODUCING ICE AND / GERMANY UPDATE / SUMMER IN SCOT AND

YHA Australia’s Cairns Central HostelManager, Courtney Preo, recently visitedIceland and shares two particularlymemorable moments:

Courtney Preo at

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Courtney PreoSnorkelling in Iceland

“Snowmobiling on a glacier, anddressed in more layers than I knewcould t on my petried body, myguide and I carved up our own pathonto this glacier. It was adrenalinpacked with truly spectacular sceneryof stunning waterfalls and snowcovered volcanos. Driving around thissmall part of Iceland, which is so wellserviced and easy to see, feels sountouched. This feeling adds to theshear wonder of it all.”Stay at Loft Hostel, Reykjavik

“It was -6 degrees, completely darkoutside and I was about to snorkel in theSilfra. This activity had seemed a muchbetter idea when I was booking it from theedges of the Great Barrier Reef in sweetdelusion about how cold Iceland actuallyis. However, the combination of a stunningdrive to Thingvellir National Park, andthe excitement of snorkelling betweentwo continents ate the regret swiftly, andbefore I knew it, I was in an ever atteringdry suit about to jump into freezing water.Snorkelling in the clearest water I haveever seen, between the North Americanand Eurasian tectonic plates was quieteasily a life highlight. Floating on my backand drinking glacial fed water through mysnorkel was also particularly fabulous.”

Reykjavik - IcelandVisit Iceland

I C E L A N D I N T R O D U C I N G

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WALDBRÖL 'PANARBORA'YOUTH HOSTELThis hostel is for the adventure lovers. Located 50kilometres east of Cologne in Germany, WaldbrölPanarbora' Youth Hostel is located on the edge of a natureadventure park - visit the canopy pathway and observationower, or play in the hedge maze or adventure playground.

Stay in a heated tree house located seven metres high or

n a global village i.e. a building built in the styles of Asianyurts, South American stilt houses and African mud huts.t’s a hostel experience you’ll never forget – and will get so

much out of.HI WALDBRÖL 'PANARBORA'

u jugendherberge.deu panarbora@jugendherberge.de

GERMANY UPDATE

‘Panarbora’ Youth HostelBOOK

NOW

'Panarbora' Youth Hostel - Germany

L A K E

C O N S T A N C E

WA L D B R Ö L

A A C H E N

M O N S C H A U

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YOUTH HOSTEL AACHENAachen is Germany’s most western city, bordering Belgiumand the Netherlands. The Aachen Youth Hostel is a meetingplace for people all over Europe and the in-house bistroand sun terrace provide a warm spot to meet new friends.The hostel has had a facelift for meetings and family groupsto be more comfortable, and the bedrooms have freshfurniture. The city of Aachen is home to a World HeritageSite and is teeming with rich history that must be on yourlist of travel spots.

YOUTH HOSTEL AACHEN

u jugendherberge.deu aachen@jugendherberge.de

/ GERMANY UPDATE

Youth Hostel AachenBOOK

NOW

Aachen - GermanyShutterstock

L A K E

C O N S T A N C E

WA L D B R Ö L

A A C H E N

M O N S C H A U

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MONSCHAU CASTLEYOUTH HOSTELMonschau is located in the west of Germany and its historiccity and town centre is lined with narrow streets anduntouched half-timbered houses that are popular withourists. No stay in Germany is complete until you’ve stayedn a castle and this one is a treat - located on a hill with its

rubble stone walls you’ll be imaging yourself as a lady or

ord entering the castle for a ball. The Monschau CastleYouth Hostel has views over the old city and all of the localattractions are close. Plus, the building has had a completerenovation so you can enjoy your stay in luxury.

MONSCHAU CASTLEYOUTH HOSTEL

u jugendherberge.deu burg-monschau@jugendherberge.de

GERMANY UPDATE

Monschau CastleYouth Hostel

BOOK

NOW

Monschau - GermanyShutterstock

L A K E

C O N S T A N C E

WA L D B R Ö L

A A C H E N

M O N S C H A U

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/ SUMMER IN SCOTLAND

Glasgow - ScotlandShutterstock

Not something you usually associate with coolScotland – but this summer, SYHA HostellingScotland will open even more doors thanusual, with the addition of three new hostels inEdinburgh, Glasgow and Perth!

Open for the busy summer tourist period,Edinburgh University’s city centre studentaccommodation is turned into the EdinburghMetro hostel, The Glasgow School of Art’sMargaret McDonald House becomes GlasgowMetro Hostel and Perth College’s studentresidence is transformed into Perth YouthHostel.

Each hostel has self-catering kitchens, on-site laundry facilities and Wi-Fi, as well asvarious room types for all travellers.

Scotland is a must-stop location forbackpackers exploring Europe during thesummer and from these three locations,travellers have the perfect base to discover thebeauty, history, festivals, shopping and more

that Scotland has to offer.SYHA Hostelling Scotland has over 60 hostelsacross the country – check them out whenyou’re planning your trip and make the most ofyour time in Scotland!

Summer Youth Hostels Opening Dates in 2016:Glasgow Metro SYHA - 24 June to 31 AugustEdinburgh Metro SYHA - 6 July – 29 AugustPerth Youth Hostel SYHA- 18 June – 27 August

SUMMER IN SCOTLAND!

Edinburgh - ScotlandShutterstock

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SCOTLAND

PERTH

EDINBURGH

GLSGOW

STAY AT THESE SYHAS

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DEALSYHA DEALS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Sydney Opera HouseVivid Sydney

Y H A G E T A W A Y S

SYDNEY HARBOUR

YHA

u +61 2 8272 0900u sydneyharbour@yha.com.au

SYDNEY CITY BREAK

Fancy a short break to catchthe best of Vivid festival? Withspectacular views of the HarbourBridge and Sydney Opera House,snap up this bargain to avoid thecrowds and get the best view inthe city!Package includes:u 3 nights' accommodation at

Sydney Harbour YHAu Daily breakfastu 1 free Dinner

From AU$165 per person.Valid to 31 October 2016.

ADELAIDE IN A WEEK

You’ll need at least 7 nights tofall in love with Adelaide - sowe’ve made it a special price foryou, and now all you have to do isbook and enjoy!Package includes:u 7 nights' accommodation

at Adelaide Central YHAu BBQ dinner on Wednesday

plus guest activities - pingpong competition, pub

night, walking tour and moreu Free pancakes every Monday and Friday morningFrom AU$189 per person.Valid until 30 September 2016.

ADELAIDE CENTRAL

YHA

u +61 8 8414 3010u adlcentral@yha.com.au

MELBOURNE

CENTRAL YHA

u +61 3 9621 2523u melbcentral@yha.com.au

MELBOURNE B&B

Stay in the heart of vibrantMelbourne with our epic 3 dayspecial - it’s everything you’llneed for your time in Melbourne!Package includes:u 3 nights’ accommodation in

a 4 share or twin/doubleroom at Melbourne CentralYHA

u 3 days Premium Wi-Fiu 3 days continental breakfastFrom AU$117 per person.

Valid until 23 September 2016.

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

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PORT ELLIOT YHA

u +61 8 8554 1885 u portelliot@yha.com.au

ROTTNEST ISLAND DEAL

No trip to Perth is complete withouta visit to Rottnest Island! Experiencesome of the world’s nest beaches,amazing scenery, and incrediblearray of marine life and wildlife.Cycling is the best way to get around

the island making the most of yourday swimming, sightseeing andspotting Quokkas! Package includes:

u 2 nights' accommodation in adouble/twin ensuite or 4 shareat Perth City YHA

u Rottnest Island day tripincluding ferry and bike hire

u Free premium Wi-Fi

From AU$139 per person. Validuntil 31 October 2016.

TOTAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

Enjoy the amazing coastline around Port Elliot and get up close andpersonal with some of Australia’s cutest wildlife with this awesomespecial offer. At Urimbirra Wildlife Park you can see koalas,kangaroos and snakes and once you’re done, hit the water! Surf,swim, sh or jetty jump until your heart’s content.

Package includes:

u Entry to Urimbirra Wildlife Parku 2 nights' accommodation in a 6 share dorm at Port Elliot YHAu Bike hire for one dayu Return bus from Adelaide

From AU$99 per person. Available until 30 September 2016 –excluding school holidays.

APOLLO BAY STUDENT GETAWAY

Take a break from the books and hit the road! Visitthe Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles andexperience everything the Apollo Bay Eco YHA hasto offer with this fantastic student deal. Book a 4bed dorm for you and three friends and when youshow your student card, get 25% off your booking!

Package includes:

u Accommodation in a 4 share room for 4 people ata discounted student rate

From AU$24.75 per person per night. Valid until 1September 2016.

Offer not bookable online - please email ApolloBay Eco YHA at apollobay@yha.com.au and onlyvalid on weeknights - Monday - Thursday only.

APOLLO BAY ECO YHA

u +61 3 5237 7899u apollobay@yha.com.au

PERTH CITY YHA

u +61 8 9287 3333u perthcity@yha.com.au

Apollo Bay Eco YHA

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

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BOOKNOW

Great Barrier ReefThanksFilipe Frazao - Shutterstock

Mt Hutt Miles Holden

YHA ROTORUA

u +64 7 349 4088u rotorua@yha.co.nz

ROTORUA GEOTHERMAL WALKAND RELAX

If you’re keen to test the medicinalproperties of a mud bath, Hell’s Gate isthe place to indulge your inner spa princeor princess, with high-end mud spas anda sulphur spa. Plus, you can embrace theEarth’s raw power within the Hell's GateValley, 50 acres of steaming fumeroles,boiling mud pools and more. Packageincludes:u 1 night accommodation at YHA Rotoruau Mud bath and sulphur spa entryu Entry to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserveu Guided walking tour: 9:30am or 1:30pmu Shuttle from/to YHA Rotorua

CANTERBURY SNOW AND SKI PACKAGE

Canterbury is a snow pilgrim’s heaven with Mt HuttSki Area on the doorstep, only 1 ½ hours’ drive fromChristchurch. So this winter, save $$ while you carveup the freshies with these two prime packages.Choose from:Deal 1 - NZ$250 multi-share.u 2 nights' accommodation at YHA Christchurchu Mt Hutt full lift passu Snowboard & boots or skis, boots & polesu Transport from/to YHA Christchurch and Mt Hutt

Deal 2 - NZ$100 multi-shareu 2 nights at YHA Christchurchu Transport from/to YHA Christchurch

and Mt Hutt

Valid until 15 August 2016

DARK MOFO PACKAGE

Dark Mofo, Tasmania’s annual winter festival, returns on 10June with large-scale public art, food, lm, music, light andnoise, and Hobart YHA has the best accommodation in town.Hosted by The Museum of Old and New Art (MoNA), 2016’sevent will be held at 20 venues around Hobart and Tasmania.From AU$74 per person. Valid until 21 June 2016.

u 2 nights’ accommodation u Daily breakfast

BOOKNOW

EAST COAST HIGHLIGHTS

East Cost Highlights package includesthe most popular tours along the EastCoast. Saving you over AU$80 but alsogiving peace of mind that you join thebest quality tours along the East Coast inAustralia.

Valid until 31 October 2016.

HOBART CENTRAL YHA

u +61 3 6231 2660u hobartcentral@yha.com.au

YHA CHRISTCHURCH

u +64 3 379 9536u christchurch@yha.co.nz

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

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FEATURE / MARGARET RIVER

Boodjidup Beach,Margaret River

Tourism WA

MARGARETRIVER D I Y

SOUTH OF PERTH IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA CHANTAE REDEN DISCOVERED MARGARET RIVER WAS A REGION EASILY

EXPLORED WITH JUST A BIT OF PLANNING

u

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I LENT on my elbows looking over a large map of MargaretRiver at the town’s tourism office. Advertisementsfor luxurious wine tasting tours, adventure trips, and

beachside retreats caught my eye. Prices for each activity hovered around$100-200 per day. I tugged at my shirt collar, the thought of spending asmall fortune just to sip fermented grape juice or on one activity mademy skin sweat.

I looked closer at the map. I traced my fingers from one winery to thenext, to the forest, to the most renowned beaches and realised that witha little bit of planning and a working GPS, my three friends and I could doalmost everything advertised for just a fraction of the cost. Backpackingdoesn’t always mean skimping on the luxe life or adventures that exciteyou - it just means you have to get creative.

Margaret River was the perfect place to put this theory into practice.

Boranup Forestin Leewin-

NaturalisteNational Park

Tourism WA

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FIVE WINERIES NOT TO MISS

1Vasse Felix: Don’t miss tasting the CabernetSauvignon and Chardonnay at Margaret River’srst wine estate.

2 Voyager Estate: After tasting their wine andtrying the delicious scones, wander through theestate’s perfectly trimmed gardens, complete

with roses in colors you didn’t even know existed.

3Leeuwin Estate: This winery supports artists ofall kinds with gallery, live music in their openair amphitheatre, and a series of wines with

artists’ work featured on the labels.

4 Brown Hill Estate: Different from the largewineries in the area, this family-ownedboutique winery has a simple aesthetic but

quality wines.

5 The Grove: Not a wine person? No worries, thisestate has you covered. Offering a vast varietyof different spirits, choose between tastes like

chili vodka, coconut Caribbean rum, microbrews,and other quirky avors.

WINE TOUR TIMEWith over 150 wineries in Margaret River, it’d be a shame to miss out onat least tasting a few types of the region’s prized product. One saint-likefriend offered to be the designated driver who could take us to all of thewineries circled on our map. In exchange, all she asked was that we searchfor a fortified wine (port) she’d tasted a few years ago and has craved eversince. Instantly, our personal tour was born.

We weaved through Margaret River’s forest of karri trees and caughtglimpses of kangaroos dining on grass in cow pastures. Rows of vinescarpeted most wineries’ entrances. Some wineries were regal while otherswere quaint. Our driver asked to see a bottle of each tasting room’s fortifiedwine. “The bottle is too short,” she’d sigh, “The one I’m looking for has ared cork.” I shrugged, every glass tasted the same to me. Most estates heldart galleries, antique rooms, or perfectly trimmed rose gardens. Though wenever found the elusive fortified wine, the group took turns buying bottlesof our favorites as tokens of our day out.

Vasse Felixvineyard,

CowaramupTourism WA

The Grove

Chantae Reden

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Stingray at Hamelin

Bay BeachTourism WA

STINGRAYS AT SUNSETA picture of a stingray with a diameter the length of my arm span graced abrochure cover. “Friendly stingrays!” the pamphlet exclaimed. Friendly?! Inmy mind, stingrays strictly fell under the not-to-be-messed-with category.We ventured to Hamelin Bay to see if these gentle giants lived up to thedescription. Near the jetty, we saw a 1.5-metre shadow glide under the

water. The stingray slowly rose to the surface, flashing the tip of its wingsabove the sea. Unafraid of humans, the stingrays swim to the shallow waterof the bay in the hope of getting a few scraps left by local fishermen. Thoughsome people pet and hand-feed them, I subscribe to the belief that wildanimals should be left alone.

FRIENDLY?! IN MY MINDSTINGRAYS STRICTLY FELL

UNDER THE NOT TO BEMESSED WITH CATEGORY

Take a surf lessonTourism WA

FIVE BUDGETADVENTURES TO HAVE

1Hike a portion of the Cape-to-Cape Trail Start at the White Elephant Café inGnarabup and walk north to Surfer’s Point,the main beach of Margaret River. Expectviews of bushland and the sea on this easyve kilometre round-trip trek.

2 Rent a SUP and paddle through Gnarabup Bay Paddle over aquarium-clear water in one of

the region’s most pristine bays.

3Swim in Margaret River’s namesake river

Surrounded by karri trees and vocal wildlife, jump into the river to cool off on a hot day.

4 Take a surf lesson Margaret River is one of the world’s best surng

destinations. Though most waves are advanced-surfers only, book a lesson and catch a wave at oneof the area’s beginner-friendly beaches.

5 Mountain bike through the forest Rent or bring a bike and cycle through

the dense forest, home to many species of

marsupials and colorful birds.

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EXPLORING THE ELEMENTSAs an avid surfer, I originallyvisited Margaret River for theworld-class waves. However,as I discovered bush walks,river swims, deserted beaches,prime whale-watching spots,and quirky shops, my surftime was relegated behindeverything else the regionhad to offer. The problemwith Margaret River is thatthere’s so many things to doand not enough time to do itall. Couple that with an entirecoastline perfect for justlounging, and you’ll face a realconundrum of what to do.

Over the next few days, mygroup of friends splinteredwith each of us funnelinginto our preferred activities.I surfed at the area’s mosticonic beach, Surfers Point,

where a pod of dolphins tookturns swimming throughrolling waves. Looking inland,I could see the river mouth,rooftops of a neighborhoodyet to get mobile reception,and strips of empty beaches.

This ability to mix winetastings, time spent relaxing,and adventure activities isMargaret River’s greatestallure. You can tailor a tripto t every type of travelpersonality and budget. Makefriends by joining a tour, orexplore on your own. Relaxone day and get an adrenalinekick the next. If you’re likeme, someone who loves to getthe most out of a trip for thelowest price possible, thenMargaret River is a must-seeAustralian destination for you.

WHERE TO STAYMargaret River BackpackersYHA is located in the heartof the town of MargaretRiver. It is walking distance tothe main shops, grocery stores,restaurants, and pubs.

MARGARET RIVER YHA

u +61 8 9757 9572u margaretriver@yha.com.au

BOOKNOW

Dolphins frolickingat Margaret RiverChantae Reden

Lake Cave nearMargaret River

Tourism WA

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DOG SLEDDINGForget your skis and pack away your snowboard: the biggest adrenalinerush on the snowfields of New Zealand comes courtesy of four paws. Dogsledding has seen a huge increase in popularity in the Southern Hemisphereas the tr aditional form o f winter transport finds new fans eager to run theirown tea m. Underdog, b ased in the Cardrona Valley, operate a yapping ,enthusiastic and fast dog team made up of Alaskan Malmutes, SiberianHuskies and Alaskan Huskies. They share the trails with Snow Farm, a

cross country ski mecca. Those after a short and sweet experience canhitch a ride in the basket, while those keen to take the reins can takedriving lessons to hone their snow dog skills. And as an added bonus,special nighttime runs and overnight trips across the wild backcountryare also available.

THINGS MIGHT BE getting chilly,b u t i t ’ s n o tt ime to s l ide

that backpack under the bed just yet, even if hitting the slopes isn’t yourthing. From dog sledding the backcountry to inner city ice skating, here’s aroundup of the best ways to escape the winter blues - and to get the mostout of New Zealand’s winter wonderland.

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The Remarkables,Queenstown

Stoked for Saturday

SNOW SHOEING ANDCROSS COUNTRY SKIINGSnowshoeing and cross country skiing have long been seen as the poorercousins of adrenaline-fuelled downhill boarding and skiing, but as anyonewho has given it a proper go will protest, both activities demand a differentkind of endurance, an alternative way to traverse the winter wonderland

and a closer sense of connection with the environment.With snowshoeing, the barrier for entry is low: if you can walk, you cansnowshoe. Cross country skiing takes a little more practice, but allows youto climb and descend, c rossing l arg e parcels of land. Both activities areavailable in Queenstown , Tekapo and Wanaka , and if you want to really seea different side to the backcountry, there’s even heli-snowshoeing availablein The Remarkables.

The Remarkable, QueenstownStoked for Saturday

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NEWS

ICE SKATINGNot everyone wants to build a snowman. But save for the bruised bottomsand knees, i t’s hard to resis t the charm o f ice skating. With rinks set up inAuckland, Christchurch, Qu eenstown and Teka po, ther e are plenty of placesto sharpen your blades, lace your skates and give ice-skating a twirl.Pick of the bunch is Auckla nd’s own little piece of Arendelle, the pop-up icerink in Aotea Square. The outdoor rink opens for six weeks each winter withDJs, K-POP nights and student specials, as well as two 35-metre ice slidesthat can be tackled with inflatable tubes, alongside everyone’s favouritewinter food: fresh hot cinnamon doughnuts.But if winter 2016 turns out to be a real deep freeze, head straigh t tothe frozen glacial waters of Lake Lyndon, accessible from Christchurch.Surrounded by mountains, if stars align and conditions are right the lakecan freeze solid, making it the best place in New Zealand to experienceskating on nature ice.

Ice skatingShutterstock

LUGEExclusive, seasonal, weather-dependent and oh-so-winter-Olympics,Naseby in Otago is home to the southern hemisphere’s first ice and snowluge track. While artificial luge tracks in the northern hemisphere are builtfor speeds of over 150km/hr, natural luge tracks like Naseby clock in atabout 50km/hr – allowing a perfect first taste for those keen to feel out theCool Runnings vibes of this high-octane winter sport. Only open from mid-June to late August, those wanting to give it a go must take lessons beforemastering the innovative 360m-long track.

LugeStoked for Saturday

Pick up a referral card for Queenstown Ice Arena from one of the YHAQueenstown hostels and get $15 entry (a kid’s price!). Plus, YHA membersget a free skate hire with paid entry at Christchurch’s Alpine Ice until 31December 2016. Just present your YHA membership card.

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NEWS

ICE BARSOnce you’ve crossed your winter wonderland activities off your bucket list,head straight to an ic e bar. Warm up to the winter season by the wharf atFreddy’s Ice House in Auckland, or hea d to Queenstown where there arenot one but two ice ba rs : Below Zero a nd Minus 5°. The run down for allthree bars is the same: first pay an entr y fee that include s your first drinkand parker and glove hire, then enter a bar where everything from the wallsto the bar are made from ice. Enjoy spirits served in a glass made from icewhile enjoying the ice sculptures decorating the bar. After a few drinks,you’re guaranteed to chill.

ce Bar at Minus 5˚

ire at Below Zero

Ice Bar atMinus 5˚

Pick up a referral card for Below Zero from one of the YHA Queenstownhostels and get $5 off.

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Whangarei HeadsOcean Beach

NorthlandNZ.com

ESCAPE TO THE NORTHNot everyone is made for winter weather. From those not par tial to thefluorescent fashions favoured by manufacturers of cold weather gear todreamers chasing an endless summer, there is one spot they can nd respite:Northland. Here, they don’t call it win ter: they call it th e green season.

The picture-perfect Bay of Islands in Northland is blessed with a mild

climate and pristine natural environment year-round. But do bring your rain jacket in winter, rain is fairly predictable from 4-6pm which means fewertravellers and more green.

Head out on the water during the calmer green months for an overnightcruise and you’ll often find the quiet conditions and fewer boats makesfor more up close and personal encounters with marine wildlife, includingcheeky dolphins ready to lead your boat in a game of catch-me-if-you-can.

Beaches and forests are empty and open to contemplation, whilein Whangarei cascading waterfalls and brisk walks along the river willget the blood flowing. Those after adventure can search for glowwormsth rough the three caves tha t make up the Abbey Caves system or dive atth e Poor Knights Islands where the temps are cooler than summer, butthe water is clearer. And you’re likely to spot seals.

Photos From Top Left: Divers - Northland, Bay of Islands Dolphins - Kiwi SteveBay of Islands, Waewaetorea Passage - NorthlandNZ.com, Whanagrei Falls - Aaron Radford

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Hanmer SpringsHOT SPRINGS: TOP SPOTS TO TURNUP THE HEATWhile snow might cling to the mountaintops, undergroundthe earth simmers with volcanic heat. Stay warm withnature’s own anecdote to the cold: geothermal hot springs.

On the North Island, a few pretty pennies gain you accessto some of the best mineral baths and spa s in the sou thernhemisphere, from the mineral springs a t Te Aroha to thehot water salt pools at Mount Maunganui . In Rotorua sizzle in the waters and mu d baths kn own as Hell’s Gateor Polynesian Spa , while in Taupo you can even ride ageothermal waterslide. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s leastexpensive hot springs can be found in Hawke’s Bay.

On the South Island, a 90 mi nute drive from Christchurchyou’ll find Hanmer Springs, a thermal park wonderlandwith a range of mineral pools, waterslides and sulphurpools while i n Tekapo warm up alongside a snow tubeand skating rink, and relax in warm thermal waters in theshape of the region’s three lakes.

Those after a little romance should head to Queenstown ,where they can hire their own private, spring-fe d Onsen hotpool that, with the push of a button, opens up to beautifulviews over the Shotover River by day and stargazing by night.

Present your YHA membership card at Tekapo Springswith your entry fee and get a complimentary upgradeto the steam and sauna. Valid until 31 December 2016.

Onsen Hot Pools

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Skippers Canyon, QueenstownSara Orme

WHERE TO STAYWINTER TRAVEL PERKSHeading to New Zealand this winter? It’s the perfect timeto catch the best of the country without the crowds.

The quiet: Whether it’s a deserted beach, an empty roador simply sitting by the fireplace, winter in New Zealand

offers a chance to break away from the urban grind andcarve out a place of quiet contemplation.

Fewer crowds: No one likes to spend their holidays elbowdeep with sweaty strangers, and during low season crowdsare long gone, excepting in ski towns. Take a winter-friendly Great Walk (key words being: winter-friendly) likethe Abel Tasman: booked out in summer, in winter youmight just have it to yourself.

Meet the locals: As summer crowds wind down, everybodyfrom café workers to artisans and brewers have a little bitmore time on their hands for a yarn and a chat.

Save big: Steer clear of the ski towns and you’ll noticeprices ease as the low season comes into play. Expecttwo-for-one deals, reduced prices and added incentivesas operators keep their cash flow going.

The climate: It might get a little wet and chilly, but it’snot that cold! New Zealand has a temperate climate allyear, but def pack layers and the right clothes. You knowwhat they say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, onlyinappropriate clothing.”

YHA WANAKA

u +64 3 443 1880u wanaka@yha.co.nz

YHA QUEENSTOWN CENTRAL

u +64 3 442 7400u queenstown@yha.co.nz

YHA QUEENSTOWN LAKEFRONT

u +64 3 442 8413u queenstownlakefront@yha.co.nz

YHA LAKE TEKAPO

u +64 3 680 6857u tekapo@yha.co.nz

YHA AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL

u +64 9 302 8200u auckland@yha.co. nz

YHA AUCKLAND CITY

u +64 9 309 2802u aucklandcity@yha.co.nz

YHA CHRISTCHURCH

u +64 3 379 9536u christchurch@yha.co.nz

YHA CHRISTCHURCH

ROLLESTON HOUSE

u +64 3 366 6564u rollestonhouse@yha.co.nz

YHA BAY OF ISLANDS PAIHIA

u +64 9 402 7487u paihia@yha.co.nz

YHA BAY OF ISLANDS THE ROCK

ADVENTURE CRUISE

u +64 9 402 7796u bayoslands@yha.co.nz

YHA WHANGAREI

u +64 9 437 0609u whangarei@yha.co.nz

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NEWS

NEW ZEALNDNEW ZEALND'S OTHER WINTER

AUCKLND

WHANGAREI

BAY OF

ISLNDSPAIHIA

BAY OF ISLNDSTHE ROCK CRUISE

LKE TEKAPO

WANAKA

QUEENSTOWN

CHRISTCHURCH

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LONG A MAGNET FOR ANTIPODEANS SHANEY HUDSONDISCOVERED WHY CANADA IS A GREAT SPOT FOR AN

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AS WELL AS A WORKING HOLIDAY

CANADAChill out

WhistlerCanada Tourism

FEATURE / CANADA WORKING HOLI DAYS

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WhistlerCanada Tourism

WITH A CONTINENT a s b i g a sCanada, it’suseful to start

with a quick guide to the best spots across the country.

BEST FOR SKIING: WHISTLERLocated just 90 minutes north of Vancouver, for most backpackersWhistler and its partner in crime, Blackcomb, offer backpackers theirfirst taste of Canadian alpine life. And it’s pretty phenomenal.

During winter, everything from bobsleighing to winter bungee jumping,snowmobiling and sleigh rides are on offer, but the real reason everyonecomes here is for the perfect powder. Skiers and snowboarders arespoiled with over 200 trails and an average of 458 inches of snow eachseason. The village has state of the art facilities, thanks to the legacyof the 2010 winter games. And hey, if it’s good enough for gold medalwinners, it’s good enough for the backpackers.

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Ottawa SkatewayCanada Tourism

BEST FOR NATURE ICE: OTTAWACanada is renowned for its deep winter freeze - but why should themountain folk have all the fun? One of winter’s greatest natural wondersis located in the Canadian capital of Ottawa. Come February the citysnaps on its skates as the UNESCO World Heritage listed RideauCanal freezes, creating an eight-kilometre long ice-skating rink fromdowntown to Dows Lake.

Known as the Skateway, the route is lined by hot chocolate stalls andheated change rooms, while the city maintains the surface at night,keeping it smooth. Businessmen use it as a shortcut to work, kids playice hockey, and backpackers in the know source some skates for oneof the most ingenious ways to explore the city.

Key: Best for Winter Best for Summer

WhistlerCanada Tourism

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Tono,Vancouver

Island surngTourism BC,

Tom Ryan

YOU WOU DN’T EXPECT A PLCE WHERETHE WATER HOVERS AT A NIPPY DEGREESTO BE THE SURF CAPITA OF CANADA

BEST FOR COLD WATER SURFING:TOFINO You wouldn’t expect a place where the water hovers at a nippy 10-12degrees to be the surf capital of Canada, but the tiny town of Tofino hascarved a niche as a premier surf destination. Planning on paddling out?

Luckily, there a few surf shacks that rent thermal wetsuits that canalso point you in the direction of the best breaks. Beginners should tryChesterman Beach, while those who know what they’re doing head toCox Bay.

Even if it’s closing out, in winter it’s worth sticking around if a stormhits. Tofino is one of the best places in the world to storm watch, as hugewaves roll across the Pacific, pounding the coastline in a spectaculardisplay of mother nature’s fury.

Key: Best for Winter Best for Summer

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Orcas in VictoriaCanada TourismKey: Best for Winter Best for Summer

BEST FOR WHALE WATCHING: VICTORIAThe city of Victoria is known for its colonial architecture, British roots andthumping resident nightlife - thanks largely to its student population. ButBritish Colombia’s best attraction isn’t found on land (and we’re not talking

about the awesome oating ice cream parlour in Victoria’s Harbour). Thecity is home to a spectacular resident population of killer whales.The three pods of killer whales that roam the coast of Vancouver Island

make up a total population of 84 Orcas. The oldest resident orca, knownas “Granny” is thought to be over 104 years old, but it’s the recent babyboom, with nine orca calves born since December 2014, that make thisactivity special.

BEST FOR FESTIVAL FUN:CALGARY STAMPEDEFind your inner cowboy at Canada’s best-known festival, the CalgaryStampede. Held each summer in the second week of July, the 104 year-oldevent consumes the city of Calgary whole, attracting over 1.2 million people.And for visitors, it’s the chance to not just see a cowboy, but be a cowboy too.

Held over ten days, the Stampede opens with a parade and centresaround what is considered North America’s biggest and most prestigiousrodeo. Complimenting the main event are carnival attractions, pancakebreakfasts, an arts village, country acts, cooking competitions, and aFirst Nationals village, but it’s the nighttime chuck-wagon racing andGrandstand show that remains the crowd favourite.

Calgary StampedeShowridersCanada Tourism

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Vancouverskyline

Canada Tourism VANCOUVER: THE CITY BY THE SEAFor Australians, Vancouver is the gateway to Canada. There are fewcities where you can stroll along the beach in the morning, ski in theafternoon, and finish the day with a drink at the CBD come nightfall -but Vancouver is one of them, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Surrounded on three sides by water and with an abundance of naturalresources, Vancouver has emerged as one of North America’s best foodcities, with food trucks, food tours and contemporary fine dining alldoing big business in the city where 50% of the population are madeup of immigrants.

However, despite its culinary credentials, the city has a ridiculousdevotion to poutine, the national dish of chips, cheese curd and gravy,one that is only surpassed by its obsession with the city’s NHL team,the Vancouver Canucks.

While a night at the ice hockey is fun, tickets often sell out. If you’rekeen to experience Vancouver’s nightlife, Yaletown is where the prettypeople head for cocktails, and in a stroke of luck, the city’s HI-VancouverCentral is smack-bang in the centre of Granville Street, Vancouver’s partydistrict. Gastown (ttingly named after a barkeep), is home to the city’scraft beer movement, while the LGTB scene is located in the West End.

Other neighbourhoods worth checking out include Chinatown andGranville Island. Accessible by aquabus, Granville Island is home to thePublic Market, a perfect pit-stop for self-caters keen to stockup on seasonal produce, as is Chinatown, with its bilingualstreet signs, shops and summertime hawker markets.

But what separates Vancouver from other cities is thatit is seriously forward thinking. The city had some seriouseco-credentials, with a government-led push for Vancouverto be the world’s greenest city by 2020 - so keep an eye outfor the recycling bin at your hostel and do your part.

WHERE TO STAY

WANT TO FINDOUT MORE?

BOOKNOW

u HI-Canada has a greatnetwork of hostels acrossthe country, including properties atall the main locations mentioned.Find out more on thei r website

u Want t o nd out more? Ther eis a deta iled government site t hatwalks you through the applica tionprocess.

Key: Best for Winter Best for Summer

Vancouver Ice HockeyCanada Tourism

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Canada’s Working Holiday Initiative has been a huge success withAustralians and New Zealanders. In 2015, thousands were grantedworking holiday work permits, or as they’re officially known, theInternational Experience Canada Open Work Permit (IEC) under thecategory of working holiday. One of the biggest draw cards has beenthe snow, with many opting to work the ski season.

•“I decided a ski holiday would be great,” says Brad Fisher, who spenta year working in Canada. “But spending a few months and boardingevery weekend sounded better”.

Brad headed to Banff, booking into t he HI Alpine on a two-week jobseeker package. First he found work in a bar, before sec uring a job witha hotel - even appearing as the mascot in Banff’s Canada Day parade

His advice for those thinking of a working holiday? “Talk to as manypeople as you can before you go. Listen to their advice. But when youget there, tread your own path”.

• Hayley Simpson did just that, working in Vanc ouver from June 2013 to November 2014, blogging about her adventures at hayleyonholiday.com. Rather than hit the slopes, she stayed in Vancouver.

“The city is just beautiful: from the entertainment to the dining sceneto the nature, it honestly has it all” says Hayley.

“I was actually tossing up between Canada and the UK… my headdecided on Canada basically because I knew so many people that hadmoved to London, and I wanted to do something different”.

Hayley ended up with two jobs: one at Starbucks, and with the AussiePie Guy food truck.

“Being able to share an Australian staple with Canadians didn't evenfeel like work”.

Her advice? “You don't have to go to a ski resort. There is more than just one option when it comes to working holidays in Canada.”

WhistlerCanada TourismFANCY A WORKING HOLIDAY IN CANADA?

Brad Fisher

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WHEN TRAVELLING the EastCoast ofAustralia

you're expected to get in the ocean and take a surf lesson – but don’t forgetto bring your skateboard because there are amazing skate parks and bowls inthe coastal towns.

All good trips should start or nish in Byron Bay. There’s so much to do likeexploring the pristine beaches, witnessing an eye-boggling amount of whales,dolphins, sea eagles and kangaroos and eating locally made foods. And whocan pass up finishing a trip at Sydney’s iconic Bondi – home to arguablyAustralia’s most famous skate bowl.

Here are the six best skate bowls from Byron Bay in Northern New SouthWales to Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Shutterstock

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YAMBAThis is a river mouth town and the pace of life matches the slow movement ofwater seeping from the Clarence River into the Pacic Ocean. When picturingYamba think fresh caught seafood, coastal walks and kids w ho learned toskate and surf before walking. Yamba Skate Park is right n ear Yamba YHA,so use that as your reference point when arriving in town. T he best featureof the park is a fteen metre long halfpipe with a soft bank at one end. Skatelike a local and roll in the banked end treating the concrete like a wave.Eat: The Pacic Hotel at 18 Pilot Street serves up fresh and Kilpatrick-styleoysters with the best ocean view in town. But make room for breakfast at theYHA’s ground oor café – perfect for people watching.Play: The Pacic Hotel again for endless games of billiards with a view.

Bangalow Skate ParkJeri Burke

BANGALOW SKATE PARKThe park is only fteen minutes from the beach at Byron Bay and the featureworth visiting is the bowl. It’s a soft smiling jellybean shape in a traditionalpool style fashion. The three steps leading into the shallow end give itauthenticity and prove to be a tricky obstacle if you can maintain the speedto get up and over them. A at tech section has plenty of rails to slide on but

according to Jack, a local kid who lives around the corner “The pool feature isthe best. The curves are just right.”Eat: Try Ozy Mex’s Burrito on Jonson Street and add some of Byron Bay ChilliCo.’s Coconut Chilli Curry and Ginger Salsa on top.Play: Jonson Street starts at the beach and heads inland through the middleof Byron Bay toward the Bangalow Bowl. Here you’ll nd the bar CheekyMonkeys where dancing on the table is encouraged.

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NEWCASTLEThe Bar Beach skate bowl is the biggest bowl on your East Coast trip so far.When you climb in you’re secluded from the ocean view and cut off from thewind. Shaped like the number 8 you’ll be doing well to hit the coping in thedeep end. If you’re here in February check out the Australian Bowl RidingChampionship held at Bar Beach Bowl for a taste of Aussie talent.Eat: The Bowery Boys is a restaurant for cocktails inspired by 1840s' NewYork gangs. They serve smoked meats with pickled produce in the style of thetimes at 5/107 Darby St, Cooks Hill.Play: Check out the Bogey Hole (on the water at Shortland Esplanade)otherwise known as the Commandant’s Bath. A man-made rock pool built toswim safely.

Port MacquarieSkatepark

Kristy Simpson

PORT MACQUARIEThe Town Beach skate park is artistically engineered. It’s designed in atic-tac-toe-like linear format: A straight street-run section of rails and a attop bench intersects a quarter of a pyramid hip that runs at a right angleacross a at section. This cuts into a mini ramp that feeds a half pipe sectionwith a at space between each bank that runs up to a separate bowl. In trueAustralian style, the edge of the skate bowl is mere metres from the ocean.Eat: Keep the fresh seafood and great views theme going by grabbing fishand chips from Mike’s Seafood’s on 13 Hay Street and walk a minute to thewater's edge to munch away.Play: Go-Karting Port Macquarie wwhas an all-weather course with kartsreaching speeds of up to 70kph. Once you’ve ripped around the Town BeachSkate Park, take your speed levels up a notch driving the Go-Karts.

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Bondi Beach SkateparkKristy Simpson

WHERE TO STAYBYRON BAY YHA

u +61 2 6685 8853u byronbay@yha.com.au

CAPE BYRON YHAu +61 2 6685 8788u capebyron@yha.com.au

YAMBA YHA

u +61 2 6646 3997u yamba@yha.com.au

PORT MACQUARIE YHA

u +61 2 6583 8133u portmacquarie@yha.com.auNEWCASTLE BEACH YHA

u +61 2 4925 3544u newcastle@yha.com.au

BONDI BEACHOUSE YHA

u +61 2 9365 2088u bondi@yha.com.au

BOOKNOW

BONDI BEACHThe Bondi Bowl is as iconic as the Opera House, if you skate.It is gargantuan. It’s like two giant scoops of ice cream out of afresh tub; there are hips between the scoops to pump throughwith speed and ow. When you're skating here expect to losecontrol when hitting the coping – it’ll be the views over thebeach that stun you off your board.Eat: The Neighbourhood's legendary jaffles are the ticket tocomfort food. For $10, a better meal is hard to nd in Bondi.Find them at 143 Curlewis Street.Play: Head straight to the most populated beach in Australia.Bondi is bustling with an international cast so sink into thesand and nd some new friends.

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WHAT'S ONHERE’S OUR PICK OF EVENTS COMING UP IN YOUR REGION

WINTER IS COMING!Which means we get to rug up and enjoy themagical feeling that the season brings with it.The best thing about winter is undoubtedly thefestivals and markets where we can indulgeourselves in scrumptious soul-warming food anddrinks. Check out our list of the very best to getyou into the spirit!

WINTER NIGHT MARKETWednesday nights June - August2016

The biggest winter event onMelbourne’s calendar is back –the Winter Night Market at theQueen Victoria Market. Every

Wednesday night from 5-10pm throughout June, July andAugust, thousands will bracethe bitter Melbourne winter andock to the market to indulge in a night of food, drinks andentertainment. qvm.com.au.

u Stay at Melbourne Central YHAu +61 3 9621 2523u melbcentral@yha.com.au

BOONOW

V I C V I C

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WINTER FESTIVAL SYDNEY30 June – 17 July 2016Don your ice-skates (or simply hirethem) and hit the ice rink! The SydneyWinter Festival is back. Feast onculinary delights from Europe andbe entertained by the surroundingacts at St Mary’s Cathedral right inthe middle of the CBD. Make themost of winter and enjoy the coldlike the other side of the world!winterfestival.com.au.

u Stay at Sydney Central YHAu +61 2 9218 9000u sydcentral@yha.com.au

QUEENSTOWN WINTERFESTIVAL24 June – 3 July 2016Some contend it’s the SouthernHemisphere’s biggest winter party– a 10-day, full-on Queenstown-

centric celebration. Street parties,reworks, a boat party, craft marketsand a buzzy Carnival atmospherespreads from the mountain slopesto the lively town centre. There’splenty of quirky action on theregion’s legendary ski slopes withthe furry favourite Dog Derby, icehockey, on-snow mountain biking,suitcase races and more. And it’s

all backdropped with Queenstown’ssnowy mountain peaks, blueskies and glacial Lake Wakatip u.winterfestival.co.nz

u Stay at YHA QueenstownCentral o r Lakefront

u 0800 278 299 (NZ) 1800 242 191 (Aus)u book@yha.co.nz

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

ueenstown Winter Festival

Sydney Winter Festival

N S W N S W

N Z N Z

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u Stay at Perth City YHAu +61 8 9287 3333u perthcity@yha.com.au

BANFF MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL23 - 28 June 2016

Be prepared for someserious wanderlust whenthe Banff Mountain FilmFestival arrives in Perth. Enjoy over 2 hours oflms featuring remote landscapes, cultures,adrenaline-packed adventure and excitementand of course, mountains. Be inspired toget outdoors and experience a thrillingand blood pumping adv enture of your own.banffaustralia.com.au.

BOOKNOW

BOOKNOW

u Stay at YHA Wanaka, QueenstownCentral or Queenstown Lakefront

u 0800 278 299 (NZ) 1800 242 191 (Aus)

u book@yha.co.nz

NZ MOUNTAIN FILM& BOOK FESTIVAL1 - 9 July 2016

Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t just an upclose and personal, adrenaline-fuelled, top-notchmountain lm and book festival to satisfy extremesports addicts with exhilarating explores of the

mountain world by national and internationallmmakers and writers. It’s also an adventurelm and writing school, a forum for world-classadventurers to speak to the masses, a surge ofmountain book and literature events, an awardsnight with live music, an outdoorsy art exhibitionand, of course, loads of socialising. You get allthat and more bundled up over 9 days inWanaka, Queenstown a nd Cromwell.mountainlm.net.nz.

BROADBEACHCOUNTRY MUSICFESTIVAL17 - 19 June 2016

Hit the Gold Coastfor the fourth annual

Broadbeach Country Music Festival. This freemusic event uniquely combines ‘country withthe coast’. This beachside event throughout theBroadbeach precinct showcases performersincluding Adam Brand and The Outlaws, TheSunny Cowgirls, Jasmine Rae and the Adam Eckersley Band . broadbeachcountry.com.

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u Stay at Surfers Paradise YHA+61 07 5571 1776

u Stay at Coolangatta YHA

+61 07 5536 7644

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INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP AUSTRALIA23 - 29 July 2016

Soccer (or football, to the purists) lovers unite! On the 23rd, 26th and29th of July, you’ll be able to watch some of the powerhouses of worldsoccer battle it out for victory on Australia’s greatest sporting ground,the MCG. Melbourne Victory, Juventus, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid

will put on top notch performances in order to win the AustralianInternational Champions Cup. Tickets are bound to sell out quickly.internationalchampionscup.com.

u Stay at Melbourne Central YHAu +61 3 9621 2523u melbcentral@yha.com.au

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HIDDEN TREASURES - WINTERMUSIC SERIESThursday nights between 8 - 29 July

The West End of Fremantle will be hometo the Hidden Treasures - Winter MusicSeries every Thursday night throughout themonth of July. Music acionados will gatherto hear the best musicians that the port cityhas to offer, as well as musicians who justcan’t get enough of playi ng in Fremantle.frematlestory.com.au.

u Stay at Fremantle Prison YHAu +61 8 9433 4305u fremantleprison@yha.com.au

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GABS BEER, CIDER &FOOD FEST18 June 2016

Stay YHA AucklandInternational

LYTTELTON HARBOUR

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS24 June 2016

Stay YHA Christchurch orYHA Christchurch RollestonHouse

ADELAIDE CABARETFESTIVAL

10 - 25 June 2016Stay Adelaide Central YHA

NEW ZEALANDINTERNATIONAL FILMFESTIVAL14 July - 18 September

Stay YHA New Zealand

u Stay at Adelaide Central YHAu +61 8 9287 3333u adlcentral@yha.com.au

ADELAIDE BEER & BBQ FESTIVAL8 - 10 July 2016

Beer & BBQ – it’s the food and drinkcombination that dreams are madeof. The Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festivalwill help you ght off the winter bluesthis July with a plethora of beers andciders to choose from and deliciousBBQ to munch on. Throw in some liveentertainment and you’ve got a fantasticweekend ahead of you. Make sureyou mark this festival down on your calendar! adelaidebeerfest.com.au .

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OHAKUNE MARDI GRAS (OMG!)25 June 2016

Cross carnival dress-ups with a music festival and OMG is the offspring!The mountain town puts on a huge group hug of a winter street party for

six packed hours of live music, dress-ups, rides and a hefty dash of streetperformers topped off with the ever-popular crack and boom reworksdisplay. And the s um total of it all? The most electric atmosphere thisside of anywhere . ohakunemardigras.co.nz.

u Stay at YHA Ohakuneu 0800 278 299 (NZ)

1800 242 191 (Aus)u book@yha.co.nz

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NEXT ISSUE AVAILB ETH AUGUST

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