WHV Australia--Where to live?

Hey everyone,
A few friends and I are hoping to do a one or two year WHV in Australia starting next July. We did 7 months in New Zealand in 2009 and loved it. Here's hoping OZ will give us a similar (or even better) experience! I am wondering where you would live if you had a year in Oz. If you've ever been to Nelson, NZ that's sort of what we're looking for.
-Nice beaches
-beautiful climate
-small town but still has things going on and enough young people to party with
-jobs available for WHVers
-close to National Parks
-very clean and an all around perfect place to live.
What is the Australian comparison? I've never been so have no clue. Tasmania looks cool, Hobart or Launceston. Also anywhere close to the Whitsundays looks amazing. But I'd like to hear your take on it. Where would you recommend?
As for work, we are not picky. Fruit picking, waiting tables, call centres, whatever.
Thanks everyone
Ben

"But I'd like to hear your take on it."

OK you asked for it!

While I'm way past the age to do a WHV, I have talked to travelers who have done the party central scene that you did in NZ + ones that opted to work in the Australian outback, saved money for further travels, also enabled them to extend their stay.

The opinion of this old geezer is, sure spend a bit of time in the Whitsundays & party but after that wears thin, find something in an out of the way location & learn something of the country, save some money to extend your time not only in OZ but also in another country. JMHO

Busman's spot on.

You'll find Ozzies to be a different breed to kiwis. Whether you see them as arrogant and brash OR self-assured and driven will probably determine whether you like them more than their laid-back bros over the ditch.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your replies. I would consider some off-the-beaten-path area in the Outback for a few months to do some fruit-picking or winery work, but I think I'd like to spend the majority of my time near the coast, in a hopefully not-too-touristy, town. And I understand Kiwis and Aussies are different. I'm not looking to have the exact same experience, I'm just wondering if there is a Nelson, NZ equivalent where it might be in Oz. For example I think a good Canadian comparison to Nelson, NZ would be Victoria, BC. Good sized town, sort of artsy-fartsy, on the coast, relaxed people and beautiful city surrounded by tons of natural beauty. Any Aussies out there that can help me out?

Thanks again,
Ben

How about Fremantle, WA? On the coast, close to Perth, close to national parks, beaches etc. A bit artsy fartsy too. Could easily work in Perth and live in Freo if necessary. Then again, living in Perth itself is quite laid back too.

Hideo wrote:How about Fremantle, WA? On the coast, close to Perth, close to national parks, beaches etc. A bit artsy fartsy too. Could easily work in Perth and live in Freo if necessary. Then again, living in Perth itself is quite laid back too.

Never thought of that but Perth would be the closest you're likely to find to Victoria & was my favorite city in Australia.

I much enjoyed the beach town of Coolangatta, on the Gold Coast. The YHA there is pretty laid back and chill.

Perks:
-Free shuttle 3-4 times daily, making rounds to 3-4 different beaches and Tweed Heads
-Learn to surf!
-Free breakfast every morning
-Cool staff

Drawbacks:
-It's close to the airport - extremely close.
-The shuttle only runs 4 times a day and town is about a half hour/45 minute walk.

Flights out of OOL were pretty cheap when I was there, too.

Without doubt the Whitsundays is as close as you'll get to Nelson in Australia...it's the first thing I thought when I visited Nelson and Picton and the coastline "up there" on the Sth Island.

Obviously Airlie Beach is the place to be there but it is very touristy and not as quiet....not a lot of work around either.

I really like the suggestion of Margaret River area in WA as it is also absolutely beautiful, but I don't know how much work there is in either area.

I believe Forster and all up the northern NSW coastline, while different to Nelson certainly isn't worse as far as beauty, fantastic ocean beaches etc is concerned...quite underpopulated too which I like but again makes it harder to find work.

Childers isn't too far from Arlie Beach in Qld - well not that far - and provides fruit picking opportunities.

Good luck.

Edit: No offence but Coolangatta isn't the safest spot on the Gold Coast...I live less than 60km's from Coolangatta and wouldn't consider going there if I was a nightclubber. The main street is the QLD/NSW border which causes Police jurisdiction issues and there can be major late night problems there

I second Fremantle!!!

I'd suggest Newcastle. It has a reputation for being a bit scummy, but it ticks most of your boxes. Small town, cheap cost of living, surprisingly beautiful beaches, nice weather, nearby national parks, close to Sydney should you need a big city fix. I worked from home when I lived there so I'm not too sure about the employment opportunities but I cant see it being an issue.
I feel like if you go up to North Queensland the only employment opportunities are tourism related and working in that industry from the other side is far less enjoyable.

Fremantle, yes. It's close to the city and the beach and there is plenty to do in this section of the country. I have been living in the area now for the last few weeks on my WHV and I like it more than any of the other places Ive been to so far.

As for work, I think you can find that anywhere.
Have fun.

I have only traveled for 3 months in Australia and that was down the east coast Cape Tribulation to the Great Ocean Road so don't have masses of experience.
With a year and needing to work and to get the best out of the trip I personally would live in different areas. We loved the cities and larger towns but found the smaller places dead with absolutely nothing going on. We couldn't get anything to eat in some places after 6 at night and you certainly couldn't get a drink and we are not party goers we are in our 60s.

I second Newcastle, It was voted in Lonely planets top 10 cities in the world to live and I think its Australia's best kept secret. Population 250,000 great beaches great cafe resteraunt scene its the second oldest city in Australia so there are lots of beautiful old buildings and it it so much cheaper than any of the major cities - H

I would nominate Townsville in North Queensland. It's a small enough city (pop. 165,000) with plenty of 'big city' attractions and events; it is only a few hours drive from Cairns and the Daintree to the north and the Whistsundays to the south; National parks are accessibly only a 45 minutee drive north; it has a younger population (thanks to the military and mining presence) with plenty of nightclubs that are busy on weekends; there are nice beaches (much nicer than Cairns) including only a 20 minute ferry ride to neighbouring Magnetic Island; and most importantly, it has a diverse and strong economy - so there will be opportunities to find work outside of the usual tourist traps. Plus the whether is great - except it does get humid from Nov-April.