Backpackers Hostels Blog

Earth Hour 2010 at Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers Hostel

2010-03-15T01:56:20Z

This year Nomads Hostels in Australia and New Zealand are involved in the Earth Hour project on the 27th of March 2010. It is going to be a spectacular evening with candles everywhere to create an amazing atmosphere. Having fun and creating a great night while helping to save to save the environment – how cool is that?

Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers Hostel will be completely in the dark and the common rooms will be lit by candles. The hostel will be illuminated by the moon and the stars. We hope all our backpackers will get involved into this event and we are asking everyone to spread the word!

This event is organized by World Wildlife Fund to make people around the world aware of the importance of climate change and light pollution. The event was first organized in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and has reached the whole world.

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The Sea My Soul – Surf Art in Byron Bay Gallery

2010-03-15T01:04:45Z

Surfing is an iconic part of Australian history, intertwined within our culture and synonymous with our way of life.

Byron Bay remains one of the most popular surfing towns within Australia, tourists come to learn to surf, locals regard it as a lifestyle choice rather than a hobby. It is a subject you may choose at school and the rules out on the waves are regarded as the law.

Thus it comes as no surprise that such a backdrop as Byron Bay should play host to an exhibition of decades of Australian surf art and photography, spawned from the sub-culture of beach life in Australia that began in the 1950’s.

The opportunity to view the art of a unique part of Australia’s history has come to Retrospect gallery in Byron Bay. With over 20 Australian and international artists the exhibition will be showing from the 11th to the 25th of March.

Find out which are the best surf beaches in Byron Bay.

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Nomads Auckland on the road with Stray Travel, part 4

2010-03-15T01:56:59Z

Stray Backpacker Bus | Auckland to Christchurch

Day 4 Maketu – Taupo (via Rotorua)

After spending the night at Uncle Boi’s and finishing our included breakfast we started the journey to Taupo via Rotorua. We left Maketu at around 8am (the group having now realised that there is a pattern with early morning starts) and headed on our way to the New Zealand destination renowned for its volcanic activity and the fact that it smells of egg (Due to the Sulphur).

We headed straight for Kaitiaki Adventures in Rotorua known for being the only company in the world that can commercially whitewater raft a grade 5, 7 metre waterfall. On the way to this location we stopped to see someone being rolled down a hill in a giant inflatable ball (Zorbing) which although it looked ridiculous it also looked like a lot of fun. Rotorua is known for facilitating alot of adrenaline sports however all I was interested in was whitewater rafting.

When we arrived at Kaitiaki Adventures we were greeted by the owner of the company, a larger than life Kiwi called Stevie (a super cool guy). We then walked into the main building and signed the usual waivers to commence our activities. On speaking with Stevie I found out that the whitewater rafting which the company now do was not the original sport the company was founded on. The original sport was whitewater sledging which consists of a kind of half kayak, a wet suit and a pair of fins.

As I am always interested in doing something different I decided to give it a go and boy, what a different experience. Strangely enough you head down a set of rapids with nothing but a sledge, a wet suit and a set of fins. The group consisted of four customers and two fully qualified intructors named Andy and Dax (again both larger than life, as is the custom in New Zealand).

The experience was amazing. The sensation of floating through choppy rapids and being completely exposed is a hard one to explain. Although to spectators it might look a little tame and slightly peculiar, when you’re in the water it feels reckless. What you don’t see from sitting on the bank is how physically difficult it is to do and also how freaking dangerous it seems. Rocks seem to pop out of nowhere and often you get wiped out by a wave or current.

It was seriously fun though and you never felt like anything bad could happen because of Andy and Dax ebing so near and keeping an eye on everything you were doing. On seeing and speaking to all of the Stray bus group afterwards, many who had done the whitewater rafting enjoyed it equally as much.

After saying our goodbyes to our instructors we left Rotorua and made our way to Taupo. Although this wasn’t one of the longest drives our driver ‘Nick aka Austin’ still got us involved in some driving games. One consisting in a kind of eye spy whereby all the people on the bus had to spot a travelling spaceship (a campervan) before ‘Nick’ did. If we spotted one we got a point, if he spotted one he did. If anyone spotted a stationary spaceship and called it you lost ten points.

Another game that circulated was the ‘kiss the lollypop man game’. This consisted of everytime we got stopped due to road works a lovely young lady from the bus had to run out and kiss the man holding the stop sign (without warning). The best one was when one of the lasses near floored the lolly pop and knocked the guy back into a roadside ditch. Don’t ask we why but after that his mate held up the bus and wouldn’t let us leave until he got some action. Still very funny though.

After all the fun and frolics we arrived in Taupo where many of the group had planned to skydive. Unfortunately however the weather took a turn for the worst so we were unable to jump. Anywho, we headed to our night accommodation at Taupo Urban Retreat Backpackers. This is a seriously cool little hostel set in the heart of town which has everything. The usual great quality rooms, kitchen facilities and toilets/showers but the hostel also has a cheap bar and as part of your stay you also get free internet.

That night the whole group had drinks together and mingled. A couple of the guys even wore some seriously cool yet a little crazy looking suits which they’d had tailor made whilst travelling through Thailand. We all had way too much to drink and then most of the group headed to bed.

What I had forgotton is that after a certain time in the evening the hostel closed the main doors and required you to type in a code in order to get in which in my drunken state I’d forgotten. Luckily some other drunken guys who had been tailing me were staying in the same hostel so they let me in. As you could probably tell I was quite relieved and didn’t take long in passing out on my bed.

Adam

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Celebrate St Paddy’s Day at Melbourne!

2010-03-14T20:28:15Z

Paddy’s Day, also called Saint Patricks Day or St. Paddy’s Day is a day of Irish Celebrations around the world. There will be great and especially GREEN Irish Events in Melbourne on Wednesday 17th March.

In the Young & Jackson Hotel, located at the corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets will have Irish Bands & Promos all day long! Or go to the European Bier Caf’e on Exhibition St. for “Who’s ya paddy”. And what about having a typical Paddy breakfast at PJ O’Brien’s – Southbank.

Don’t forget to come to Nomads Melbourne Backpackers Hostel , located on 196 A’Beckett St, for some special Paddy’s Day cocktails and crazy Paddy games!

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Viva La International Comedy Festival in Auckland – 23 April ‘10-

2010-03-14T20:26:38Z

Time to come out for a laugh again people staying in Auckland!!! NZ International Comedy Festival is back in town.

There will be laughter throughout Auckland for 3 week starting in 23 April! We’ve got the full official program at the reception of Nomads Auckland. Haven’t booked any accommodation for those days? For the best accommodation in Auckland located only a 5 – 10 minute walk away from most venues come and stay with us at Nomads Auckland Backpacker Hostel. We’ve got free entre meals nightly, and a free roof top spa and sauna for all guests! See you then!

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Groovin The Moo!!! Biggest Festival in North Queensland

2010-03-14T20:25:26Z

Well kids its that time of the year again when Townsville (just south of Cairns) puts on one of the biggest festivals of Far North Queensland. The Groovin The Moo concept is a bit different from your average Aussie festival – instead of travelling to the major cities, it heads through regional centres such as Bendigo, Townsville, Maitland, Canberra and Bunbury. Complete with a massive double stage and one of the biggest dance tents in the business, GTM is unique in the Australian festival calendar.

This years line up includes greats from the top music scene, with the likes of Silverchair, Vampire Weekend, Empire Of The Sun, Grinspoon, Tegan and Sara, Spoon, British India, Lisa Mitchell, Miami Horror, Kisschasy, Bag Raiders, Kid Koala presents The Slew Live, Muph and Plutonic, Funkoars, Illy, Ajax, Jonathan Boulet, Yacht Club DJs, Killaqueenz, The Only and more yet to be announced.

Townsvilles Groovin The Moo festival is on Sunday, May 2, at the Murray Sports Complex of the Townsville Cricket Grounds. Tickets are on sale now ( and selling fast), so check www.gtm.net.au or www.moshtix.com.au for further details.

Need accomodation or a bus ticket for this amazing event? Why not come down to the travel desk at Nomads Esplanade backpackers hostel Cairns to book your accommodation and bus pass special for only $75.oo. Need more info contact us at Nomads Esplanade! See you all there.

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Nomads Auckland on the road with Stray Travel – part 3

2010-03-14T22:44:57Z

Stray Backpacker Bus | Auckland to Christchurch

Day 3 Raglan – Maketu (Maori Cultural Experience)

Today was another early start. Everyone who was meant to be on the bus was up and ready by 7:45am which considering the amount of alcohol that had been consumed the night before was quite impressive, although it was clear that some individuals were struggling. Today we were heading to Maketu for our Maori cultural experience at ‘Uncle Boi’s’. More on that later.

On the way to Uncle Boi’s we were due to stop off in Waitomo the site of the world renowned glowworm caves. Stray Travel work closely with a company called Waitomo Adventures which on reading through the brochure on the bus do many caving activities. Due to the fact that I was travelling through Waitomo without stopping for the night I decided to sign up for one of the 4 hour activities The Waitomo Adventures Haggas Honking Holes which in the brochure looked the most adventurous.

I tell you now I was not disappointed. With the help of two highly trained individuals Scott and Dion we went through an initial training stage where we learnt how to tie the ropes securely to the harness and then after a much needed safety briefing headed into Waitomo caves. From this point onwards it was all downhill (literally) for roughly 3 hours in which our group abseiled, crawled and even swam through caves of various sizes before finally climbing back up to the surface.

I have to say that the thing I loved most about the experience was that you were in complete control the whole time. Your guides only assist you so you are 100% safe but you always feel like you’re in control of your own destiny. Along with this the guides from Waitomo Adventures talk to you about the caves, the formations, the history of the area and the wildlife which has evolved in the cave environment. Dion at one point leapt into a giant underground pool and retrieved a live crayfish. Random.

After our 4 hour Haggas Honking Holes trip we met with the rest of the group many of whom had done other Waitomo Caves underground activities with a few exploring the surface of Waitomo. Some of the group even went and watched a rabbit being sheared at the Shearing Shed which was situated just down the road from the activity centre. I chose not to ask many questions about this activity as if striked me as a bit surreal. Shortly after finding the whole group we headed to Maketu for our Maori Cultural experience at Uncle Boi’s.

Maketu was a long journey through some areas of stunning scenery. To pass the time our drive Nick, aka Austin, started up a game of ‘This is your life’ where we all wrote down three things about ourselves, 2 of which were true, 1 of which was false. Everyone then voted on which statement they thought was false and then after everyone found out the person in question had to explain the true stories. Time flew and before we knew it we were at Uncle Boi’s in Maketu.

We were greeted by Uncle Boi himself and then he went through what he had planned for the evening in the way of entertainment. The concept was a Maori cultural experience where we were served a traditional Hangi before watching a performance.

After this professional performance we were split into groups of boys and girls and then learnt one of two Maori traditions. The men learnt the iconic Haka and the girls the Poi Dance. After practising both of these traditions we then had to perform them to the opposite sex. Seriously, one of the most fun things I’ve done in New Zealand, suffice to say that everyone looked well out of their comfort zone.

After the performance we all got ready for bed. The whole group stayed in the ceremonial hall resting on mattresses laid on the floor. Yes you do have to make your own bed. From here people did their own thing. Some people headed to the beach, some played cards and some just got drunk. Whichever way you look at it, everyone had fun and we all looked forward to getting our included breakfast the next morning before heading off on the Stray Backpacker Bus.

Adam

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Super 14 Rugby | Eden Park Tickets on sale at Nomads Auckland

2010-03-11T23:24:10Z

Since the sport of Rugby went professional in 1996, following the success of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the Super 14 Rugby Competition (previously Super 12) has been attracting rugby fans from across the globe.

The Super 14, for those who aren’t sure, is an annual rugby competition played between regional teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The teams are made up of many famous All Blacks, Wallabies and Spring Boks and are a great way to see your favourite rugby star in action without spending a small fortune on international test matches. It’s a round robin competition where all teams play each other once, earning 4 points for a win, two for a draw and a bonus point is gained for scoring four or more tries in a game or for losing by less than 7 points.

After adding two more teams to the competition back in 2006, the name changed from the Super 12 to the Super 14 and there are now five teams from New Zealand and South Africa and four teams from Australia competing for the title. New Zealand teams have dominated the competition over the years winning 8 out of the 10 finals.

Games are played on a weekly basis and tickets are never usually more than $50 local currency (and there are many tickets for less) so they are great way for tourists to get out and see some famous faces and local people supporting their team. It also gives you the excuse to paint your face crazy colours, get your game face on and show some support for your new found favourite team.

The Auckland Blues 2010 season is as follows:

19 March – Blues v Brumbies @ Auckland 7.35pm

27 March – Waratahs v Blues @ Sydney 7.40pm

3 April - Blues v Bulls @ Auckland 5.30pm

10 April - Blues v Stormers @ Auckland 5.30pm

17 April – Blues v Western Force @ Auckland 5.30pm

24 April – Sharks v Blues @ Durban 5.05pm

1 May – Cheetahs v Blues @ Bloemfontein 3.00pm

8 May - Lions v Blues @ Johannesburg 3.00pm

15 May - Blues v Chiefs @ Auckland 7.35pm

21 May – Semi-Final 1 – Teams TBC

29 May - Final – Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

(All games are in local time)

Nomads Auckland backpackers and Nomads Fat Camel Hostel will be selling tickets for all Blues games being played in Auckland (Eden Park) for the 2010 season and also have great central city accommodation at affordable rates for all those fans attending the rugby.

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Almost time for L’oreal Fashion Festival in Melbourne

2010-03-11T23:11:41Z

It’s almost Fashion week in Melbourne! L’oreal is organizing the fashion week again this year and a lot of designers are coming to Melbourne!

It starts this Sunday the 14th and ends Sunday the 21th. There are lots of things to do, you can see some fashion shows on the runway, find the perfect outfit in a collection of one of the designers or check out a make-up workshop. Some of the events of l’oreal fashion week are free for the backpackers around us who don’t have a lot of money to spend but want still want to go. Not all of the events are free, like the runway shows, tickets are about $48 or higher and you can buy your tickets at their website. The make-up workshops are $35 and you also get a goodiebag as well!

So check out the website of l’oreal fashion week or come to the reception of Nomads Melbourne Backpackers Hostel for more information and see you at Fashion week!

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Nomads Auckland on the road with Stray Travel – part 2

2010-03-11T23:24:39Z

Stray Backpacker Bus | Auckland to Christchurch

Day 2 Hahei to Raglan

Read Nomads Auckland on the road with Stray Travel – part 1

The group again started early with all of us getting on the Stray backpacker bus by 8am before heading off to our next over night location in Raglan. This beach side town is located on the far western coast of New Zealand and is reknowned for its surf. Many say Raglan is the best place to learn to surf in the whole of New Zealand. Our driver announced on this day that he had only driven one other trip for Stray the week before (He used to drive for Adventure Tours in Australia). He only announced this after doing a 93 point turn on a small country road after missing the turn off.

Now one thing I had learnt from speaking to other people who have travelled with Stray is that each backpacker bus driver has a nick name based on something they have done whilst working for Stray Travel (normally something they’ve done on their training trip). I was shocked to discover than our driver ‘Nick’ had not been given a nick name as of yet. The group then un-officially nicknamed him ‘Austin’ as in ‘Austin Powers’ due to that scene in the movie where ‘Austin Powers’ does a 93 point turn in an airport buggy and gets stuck in an underground tunnel.

Fortunately this was the only missed turn on the way to our second stop ‘Raglan’. Raglan is an area containing a small local village and a famous New Zealand surf beach. Here we headed to our place of accomodation which was the Karioi Backpackers Retreat. This little place is nestled into the hillside of Raglan’s coast in amongst native bush. The Karioi Backpackers Retreat is well known in surfing circles as it provides a surf school for different experienced groups and also surf board hire down on the beach at their Raglan Surf School.

I had only surfed once before, in Wales of all places, but for some reason decided to get involved in the action. I hired out a board and headed out into the water with our driver ‘Nick’ aka ‘Austin’ who earlier that day had run through the technique with me. I believe we were both surprised when after hitting my first wave I managed to stand up on the board and cruise into the shallows. After that I was hooked. A group of us stayed out on the water for 3 hours before heading back to the retreat.

That night most of the group prepared their own food as where we were staying was pretty remote. As the night rolled on and we all had more and more to drink a large group of us wandered down to a view point we had been told about earlier in the day. On travelling to this view point we saw loads of glowworms on the sloping bank running adjacent to the road.

When we reached the view point which was at the top of a steep slope we were greeted by a blanket of stars. Being from the Northern Hemisphere I was shocked to find out that there were that many stars and the milky way does actually exist. I always thought it was a chocolate bar. After spending quite some time up at the view I retired back to my sleeping quarters at Karioi Backpackers Retreat, looking forward to what’s in store for us tomorrow on the Stray Backpacker Bus.

Adam

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