UPFRONT | CONTENTS

26 36 Issue 43 October 2009 www.getmedownunder.com

Christchurch, p26

Nullarbor Plain, p64

INSIDE, YOU’LL FIND… globetrotter

The no-frills way to see the best sights on a shoestring budget family Family-friendly places to go if you have the kids in tow indulgence Treat yourself to the trip of a lifetime, no expense spared

Queensland, p97

Lord Howe Island, p36

Sydney, p46

Hobart, p91

regulars 8 BIG PICTURE 10 STOPOVER: BANGKOK 12 TRAVEL NEWS 16 BUDGET TRAVELLER 18 WHAT’S ON

DOWN UNDER 20 GET ME DOWN UNDER 22 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 87 EXPAT DIARY 116 AUSTRALIA MAP 122 NEW ZEALAND MAP 126 NEXT MONTH 130 ICON: ALL BLACKS

ON THE COVER Snorkelling is a great way to get close to Australia’s stunning marine life. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

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UPFRONT | CONTENTS

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discovery 26 CHRISTCHURCH John Hannavy discovers a quintessentially English city in New Zealand

36 LORD HOWE ISLAND Rich in fl ora and fauna, this stunning island off the New South Wales coast is a gem

46 TAKE A DIVE Damian Hall makes friends with some interesting marine life in Australia’s reefs

56 NATIONAL TRUST You’ll get a fascinating insight into Australia’s rich heritage with these top 10 must-see attractions

cuisine & culture 64 INDIAN PACIFIC RAIL Train travel across the vast emptiness of Australia’s Nullarbor Plain is anything but boring, as Robert Hart discovers

72 ITALIAN FOOD Australia’s Italian population prove that there’s more to their native food than pizza and pasta with these top eateries

81 FOOD NEWS All the latest gastronomic food and drinks news from Down Under promise to tempt your tastebuds

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moving down under 87 EXPAT DIARY Vicky Gray’s chilly encounter in Adelaide

84 MIGRATION UPDATE Round-up of all the latest migration news that you need to know

88 EXPERT ADVICE Your tough emigration questions are answered by our team of experts

91 REAL LIFE: HOBART Life couldn’t be more different in Tasmania for one couple from East London

97 REAL LIFE: GOLD COAST A sunny new life in Mermaid Beach awaited Caron Elliker and her son

103 SOUND ADVICE Find out why you need to use a registered migration agent to help you acquire that visa

107 PROPERTY INVESTING How to invest in property in Australia when you’re based in the UK

111 WORKING DOWN UNDER The jobs, training and skills you need

114 RELOCATION CHECKLIST Your step-by-step chart to making a fresh start Down Under

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