28 Apr 08 Employment and Work
There are many work and career opportunities on the Whitsunday Islands and within Airlie Beach. Most of the opportunities are connected to the hospitality industry and give those seeking employment a chance to stay a little longer in this wonderful paradise setting. It is also an ideal way to learn new skills and meet new and interesting people, and really get the ‘feel’ of the place, while earning some money.
None of the Islands have employment bureaus of their own. However, Airlie beach, and other main centers have employment bureaus which offer recourses and information, availability of opportunities and accommodation and expert knowledge and training facilities available for gaining employment on a Whitsunday Island. These bureaus are a good place to start looking for work
Overseas travellers may need a working visa. Australia is one of many countries which participate in the Working Holiday Maker visa scheme. Two of the main criteria for obtaining an Australian working visa is that travellers are between 18 and 30 years of age and are without dependant children.
Temporary work is a great way to extend and expand your holiday, or even make your holiday your ‘way of life’.
26 Apr 08 Essential Travel Information
For travellers interested in visiting the Whitsunday Islands, educating oneself with some essential information is an important aspect in making any holiday away from home, truly memorable. Information ranging from the Whitsunday Island’s history and typical weather patterns, through to available communication services and wedding facilities will not only interest, but better inform any traveller to the islands.
The Whitsunday Island’s known history started over 100 million years ago and includes strong Indigenous influences and interesting European past times. The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 major islands located off the Queensland coast, between Brisbane and Cairns. The time zone which applies to this area is Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is ten hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. The Whitsunday Islands are also considered to have a tropical climate, little rainfall and trade winds to stabilize the temperature almost all year round.
To organize an unforgettable trip to the Whitsunday Islands, travellers should firstly visit a visitor’s information center located on the mainland in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale or Bowen. At these places, great tours and package options are always on offer, to save travellers to the area a lot of time and money. Staff at the information centers can also provide local advice on attractions, activities and events, scheduled on the entertainment calendar. As the Whitsunday Islands are an area of tremendous natural beauty, there is a high quality selection of potential wedding venues and an assortment of professional facilities and services available to engaged couples. The islands are also a perfect place for honeymoons and romantic escapades in paradise.
There are two Whitsunday Islands and numerous mainland destinations with larger shopping facilities, and all the other resort islands usually have small shops which stock basic essentials. Before visiting any of the islands it is advised to understand what currency is used, where banks are located, how currency exchange and travellers cheques work, and what cards electronic fund transfer (EFTPOS) machines take. Please note that accessibility to communication services such as phones, internet and post may also vary from island to island. Fuel availability and road conditions are also topics only concerning sailors and visitors staying on Hamilton Island.
Lastly, it is important for any Whitsunday Island boater, to familiarize themselves with different moorings, marinas and anchorage points, rules, regulations and exercise caution around restricted areas.
