Astrophotography - NSW

So i've got a fair bit of free time in the evenings during my regional work out in the outback, the best thing about being so far out is the lack of light pollution, now that its coming into winter and the haze is dropping out of the sky you are given the light show that dreams are made of. Never have I felt a part of something so much greater than myself.

Rural Australia

So for the last few weeks i've been tackling the dreaded 88 days farmwork required to get a second year on my working holiday visa. My first bit of advice would be, this time of year is the right time to start because of temperature, doing farmwork in the height of the australian summer would probably result in me dying as im a bit of a wimp when it comes to over 38 degrees. So im currently in NSW, 2 hours drive from the nearest big town (probably should of got my license before arriving) the first thing you need to know if your doing your farmwork is that you are going to be very isolated and without a license there is no way of escaping. I chose to go the farmhand route so the work would be varied rather than the stereotypical fruit picking trail where work would be repetitive and jobs could suddenly start or end. The work is difficult, the temperature dry, the climate dusty and the flies.. annoying, but if it means another year in this country its a sacrifice to my social life I am willing to make. Onto the benefits of farming; you will save money, the plus side of being isolated is there are no bars to waste your money in the only loss being internet shopping and thats if your in a place that has wifi. You will get fitter as the work is physical, and also depending on the time of year you'll probably get a decent tan even if its a farmers tan (sock tan lines). My favourite thing so far other than playing with the dogs, is the true beauty of the Australian countryside, the sunsets out here are insane and with virtually no light pollution the night skies are like nothing on Earth i've ever seen.

so those are a few idyllic snaps of what your down time is, pure peace and quiet. i'm usually more of a portrait girl but my god I could be converted to landscapes from being out here.
so if your a backpacker looking to do farm work, as I am actively enjoying the majority of it I would recommend being a farm hand over the nightmare that is fruit picking, theres fewer jobs for farmhands but you'll get much more out of it. If you thinking you can deal with the isolation instead of being with fellow backpackers in a work hostel then go for it.

Melbourne home from home

whoops its March and I should probably update my whereabouts in the world to anyone thats still interested in my adventures (sorry Nan) so i'm currently living out in the wilderness for my 88 days farmwork and thought while i'm on my day off I can reminisce about being part of city civilisation and living in the most liveable city in the world (several years running) MELBOURNE!

Where do I even start, first things first; for backpackers/young professionals the wage is awesome compared to home (UK) I earnt triple (even after the exchange rate) of what I did back home in hospitality, making working in a bar a job you can actually survive on. Also the rent is lower than what i would pay back home but again receiving more.

Brunswick

I lived in suburb Brunswick north of the CBD which was one of the more hipster neighbourhoods, think vegan cafes, op shops, vintage clothing and tons of cool bars lining the main road through it (Sydney Road) which is like the less pretentious sister to Fitzroy (another hipster neighbourhood with a higher rent price) in Brunswick you had your easy boozers, such as 'the Retreat' which often has live music, a chill vibe and an eclectic mix of people that frequent it. You've also got Edinburgh Castle, which has great food deals and a great quiz night. If your into all styles of music Bar Oussou was my favourite Brunswick haunt, home to the most incredible Jazz musicians on thursdays, guaranteed good open mic performers on mondays and awesome world music day parties on sundays. for great takeaway pizza the more expensive but delicious 400 gradi lives on Sydney Road, and for Brunch Lux Foundry is pretty great.

Fitzroy

If you can afford it Fitzroy is also a great place to live right in the centre of another creative hub, the main streets Brunswick St and Lygon St are home to some of the greatest independent design shops i've come across travelling, so many amazing young fashion designers it's also home to some great bars and eateries, Naked for Satan being my personal favourite brunch stop, they also have a rooftop bar with a decent view of Melbourne, and during the week 12-4 its 9$ for each platter. Alimentari is another great brunch place.

CBD

The CBD is home to my favourite bar in the whole world which i safely can say i spent nearly every night of my 6 months there with my work gang, Heartbreaker on Russell st, which is an american style rock and roller dive bar, great music, jukebox, pool table and great whisky selection, the bar tenders are all great humans and its open till 3am every night, perfect for hospitality workers!

not too sure on eateries in the city but Affogato down Hardware Lane, is a cheap brunch spot, and Hardware Lane itself is a cute boutique street filled with lunch and brunch places.

Another great after hours spot is Loch and Key another late night hospitality haunt open till 5am every night, cute snug rooms to keep at those early morning drinks and a balcony for the chain smokers, plus friendly bartenders even past 4am

St Kilda

Don't know heaps about St Kilda, but from what I've seen the night life and bar scene is pretty good down there, 29th Apartment being a great small bar with a good vibe, La Roche is good for food deals, and their chicken parma is the size of me. The sunsets down there are great, especially along the pier where you can also see fairy penguins .

Other spots - 

NGV Friday nights ( CBD; Dj's booze and art exhibitions

Buck Mulligans (Northcote; Whisky and books) 

Royal Botanical Gardens (CBD) Moonlit Cinema

Ceres Environmental park (Brunswick) 

Queen Victoria Summer night markets (Food and Music) 

Amazing street art (CBD & Fitzroy, Hosier lane)