Good'ay All!
I am a Filipina gypsy tourism student making my way around Aussie one state at a time! I've lived and studied in Adelaide and Tassie, but now I want to move to a city with warm beaches, constant wind, and a modern, bohemian lifestyle! I'm also a new kite instructor so I want to test my new wings teaching! Any advice about Perth, Brisbane, or the Gold Coast regarding lifestyle, wind conditions, and natural surroundings would be most helpful! Thanks!!!
Jungle Gypsy
Can only really give you advise on Perth since I live there:
Perth gets good wind in summer which is about end November through to about half April. You can sometimes get about 5 to 6 days a week of good consistent wind. Last season was a little disappointing though but ah well...
Perth and surrounds has heaps of beaches and some are said to be 'world class' in beauty. If you like long stretches of white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water and sand dunes, then Perth and surrounds is the place for you. If you go a bit out of Perth you have a big chance that you have the beach all to yourself which some people love but some people might prefer a more lively beach. Don't expect any tropical beaches though. No native palm trees here!
One of the good things about Perth is that it not only has a large number of beaches, it also has a massive river which runs through the city and it's suburbs. I personally reckon that it is the river that gives Perth it's beauty. It creates some beautiful views and there are several kitesurf spots on the river too! Downside to kitesurfing on the river is that it can get VERY crowded.
Crowds on the water in Perth can be a bit of a problem for some. Perth is known worldwide for it's wind and you can notice that by it's numbers on the water. I myself don't find it that much of an issue just yet.
Nightlife in Perth is on the rise! there are lots of new little bars/pubs and clubs opening at the moment. You can choose between two centers; Fremantle and Perth CBD. Fremantle is the harbour and it's got it's own town center. It's a bit more arty and bit more hippy. Perth has more clubs and is more of a late night place.
For a nice getaway out of Perth, check out Margaret river. Absolutely beautiful surrounds and known for it's surfing. And don't Rottnest island. A little island just of the coast from Perth. Absolutely stunning little place with countless little bays and reefs. And if you have some spare time on your hands I'd recommend checking out the Kimberleys for a real 'outback' adventure.
Personally I reckon one downside to Perth is that it is very isolated. In fact it is the most isolated city in the world. In order to see another major city you have to take a flight. It is however something you get used to and some people here in Perth actually love that!
Sorry I can't give you any info on the other cities but if you are coming in Aussie summer I'd say wind and weather wise you'd be best of in Perth. 3,5 months with no rain, good wind and an average of about 32 degrees is not bad!!
Don't go here out of season though... Rain, no wind (only sometimes very stormy), 10 degrees...
Mate if you are gypsy and bohemian Fremantle will love you! And you freo too...
Close to the beach and lots of cultural **** going on. WA is windy and come to Gero / horrocks for perfect conditions.
There is no logical reason to ever live in Brisbane if you also have to option to live&work in&around the gold coast or sunny coast.
Sunshine Coast is way more Bohemian than Brisbane. Apart from that, kiting in Brisbane sucks - you would have to be driving to the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast anyway to get in a good session.
Perth has absolutely no bohemian style of living, me thinks. But I'm not into it. Lived in Amsterdam and Berlin so hopefully know a thing or two.
Beaches in Perth are nice. For a while. 10 years after - boring.
25km traffic congestion to Pearce Air Show?! That's all what it says about us hoping for some fun and entertainment. Didn't get there, did a u turn...
What I like is "people watching" when overseas (and in Sydney and Melbourne tho). Get into the Perth CBD after 8pm (or anytime after 5pm workday), and you are looking for trouble.
In other WA towns like Broome, Geraldton or Carnarvon it's probably safe for locals. Being a turist there is a prime target. Margaret River is I recon better, but personally never actually experienced a hype there.
And yes, for many of us from WA, going overseas is actually going to Rottnest :)
Go figure...
Agreed buddy. I actually love the fact that it is as it is. I am either working, with family, kiting or surfing, fishing or diving, don't spend any time people watching or trying out the latest restaurant, going to musicals or seeing the latest play, so WA suites me just fine. Don't even go to pubs anymore. Rather get enough grattis leave points from the wife so I can do the above.
You could try the gold coast. Cheap accommodation and plenty of friendly kiters. Thou good warmer winds will not arrive till late august. go to Cairns before then?
Thanks for replying:)
I've heard that Gold Coast can be a little commercial and over priced cuz of all the tourists passing through.. Care to comment? I know it's a tourism hub, so it must be jam packed, but how is the local kiting scene? Is it too much of a big city that you get lost or can you still find the local community?
Look at the website 'gumtree' you will find cheap houseshare options. eating out can be overpriced. There is alot of competition, so you will find discounted places to eat once you get into the local scene. Everyone here is into surfing, so the kiting communty is fairly small still. you'll pretty much get to know everyone that kites here (mix of guys and girls). Alot of diversity... ie flatwater and surf... and remoteness (stradbroke, jumpinpin.. NSW backbeaches). Wind is showing 20knts all this week and surf is up... gotta go.
If you can make money somewhere else don't move to Perth.
15,000 male Irish construction workers have moved here since June last year.
