After packing and re-packing my backpack, I managed to get my bags together for my afternoon flight. My mum and grandma dropped me of at the airport to catch the small, bumpy flight to Las Angeles, where I would catch my connecting flight to Australia.

Once in LA, I made my way to my gate and discovered I still had two hours of waiting before the next leap in my journey.

Let me paint the picture of the international terminal in the LA airport.  The few charging docks that are scarcely places around the terminal were crowded, with some having cues lined up for their use. Once I found one that I could use to charge my tablet for the upcoming 14 hour flight, I sat on the floor. As I looked around, people added a surreal feeling to the airport; the man across from me was doing his yoga, the Japanese lady at my charging station and I would gesture to each other, I for the time, and she because she didn’t know English enough to get her internet working.

Let me say that when flying, I wish every plane was big like the international flights, and that the service was like Quantas. Out of every flight I have ever taken, Quantas has the best service, hands down. The meals were hot, drinks were plentiful and the inflight entertainment superb! My flying luck had hit and there was no one between me and the man on the isle. 14 hours of food, movies, sleep and wiggle room. (Can we say ‘travel bliss’?)

Finally in Australia, the customs man was all smiles and chit chat. Before I new it, I was stepping out of the airport into the bright Brisbane sun.

In the first week I have been here, I have compiled a list of my “Best Backpacking Tips” when you are on a working holiday and are going to be looking for a job upon arrival.

1. Phone

When you get to Australia, there are a number of good options for getting a prepaid phone.  Here is my thought logic about getting a phone; if you are looking for a job, it is convenient to have somewhere for potential employers to contact you, and something you can use to call around in your job hunt.

2. Scope the terrain

There are some hostels that offer “work for stay” type programs, where working can comp, or reduce your stay. In some cases you receive additional pay on top of having your stay comped.

3. Job search sites

Craigslist, while a convenient (and sometimes sketchy) source in the U.S. is not used as widely in Australia. The alternative that is easier to navigate is Gumtree. Gumtree.com offers job posting as well as an outlet to post your resume for employers to contact you. Disclaimer: still use caution when using web based classifieds. No matter where you are.

There are plenty of things to see and do around the Brisbane region. Steve Irwins’ Australia Zoo, glow worm caves, and the worlds surf capital is just south on the Gold Coast.