Australia

[Damien Evans]

Thank you for your quick reply! The only number I can see on the case is a 10 on the spine, apart from the Isbnn. Would that be the one?

Don't think so, it should look like this:

0, 4 or All work in all players in Australia, if it's not one of them then it depends on their players, but it might not.

 

[SusanB-M1]

There is nothing on the outside like that (and I don't want to take off the plastic cover of course), but just near the ISBN, there is a letter E in a box, with the words: This video is exempt from classification. There's also a place where it says: Duration 1 hr, then a line which says 'Viewing ratio 16:9, and under that: DVD-R

Thank you for your help - much appreciated.

 

[Alan]

I have some DVDs made by small companies or for a limited audience (like one by Banachek) that don't have any region number on them. They work in any region, in my experience.

 

[Akhenaten]

There is nothing on the outside like that (and I don't want to take off the plastic cover of course), but just near the ISBN, there is a letter E in a box, with the words: This video is exempt from classification. There's also a place where it says: Duration 1 hr, then a line which says 'Viewing ratio 16:9, and under that: DVD-R

Thank you for your help - much appreciated.

I've bought a few DVDs from Britain (I think "Kylie: Showgirl" was the most recent, and they've all been 'Region 0' or 'Region All' which means they're actually unencoded and they'll play anywhere.

It seems that where a DVD doesn't display one of the region code symbols as provided above by Damien then it is unencoded.

Additionally, I believe that most of the players available in Australia these days are Code-Free.


Here's some more information.

 

[Lolly]

Your dvds seem educational/informational so there wouldn't seem to be any good reason to restrict them to a particular region.

 

[SusanB-M1]

Thank you all for very helpful information.

It would be nice to say hello to a JREFer or two while I'm there, so nearer to my departure date, 16th Oct (which means I'm missing TAM London!) I'll post again. It's only a short visit, but it's always surprising what one can cram into a short holiday with a bit of organisation.

 

[arthwollipot]

There is nothing on the outside like that (and I don't want to take off the plastic cover of course), but just near the ISBN, there is a letter E in a box, with the words: This video is exempt from classification. There's also a place where it says: Duration 1 hr, then a line which says 'Viewing ratio 16:9, and under that: DVD-R.

Then I have to say, it's probably pirated. Pirate DVDs can have very sophisticated covers. If it doesn't show a region, then I am suspicious of its origin.

 

[Akhenaten]

There is nothing on the outside like that (and I don't want to take off the plastic cover of course), but just near the ISBN, there is a letter E in a box, with the words: This video is exempt from classification. There's also a place where it says: Duration 1 hr, then a line which says 'Viewing ratio 16:9, and under that: DVD-R.

Then I have to say, it's probably pirated. Pirate DVDs can have very sophisticated covers. If it doesn't show a region, then I am suspicious of its origin.

I must say, my suspicions were similarly raised when Susan mentioned that it's a DVD-R. That doesn't sound right.

 

[SusanB-M1]

Thank you both for your kind concern. However, I found out about them via the local council Offices and New Forest District Council, who said that they were on sale at the Tourist Info in Lymington, which is where I purchased them.

 

[arthwollipot]

Thank you both for your kind concern. However, I found out about them via the local council Offices and New Forest District Council, who said that they were on sale at the Tourist Info in Lymington, which is where I purchased them.

Privately produced? Then you're probably okay.

 

[Akhenaten]

What he said


ETA: This, for my money, also means that it's unlikely that the discs have been region encoded, so they should play just fine anywhere.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Thank you all for very helpful information.

It would be nice to say hello to a JREFer or two while I'm there, so nearer to my departure date, 16th Oct (which means I'm missing TAM London!) I'll post again. It's only a short visit, but it's always surprising what one can cram into a short holiday with a bit of organisation.

What part of the country will you be visiting?

Nice to see you posting in the Aussie thread, dear Susan.

 

[SusanB-M1]

Itinerary as follows:
Arrive Brisbane 06:50 Monday 18 Oct. (Staying two nights with a friend whom I've got to know well over the years and whom I met through 5W. WomenWelcomeWomenWorldWide)
20 October to Adelaide 3 nights (Staying with friends whom I know because their daughter was in my class in 1986 and they have spent several years here. They will ask me what I would like to do and will also have arranged visits to their family members and several other friends whom I know.)
23 October fly to Port Lincoln 2 nights (Staying with friend who still lives two dors away from the house I was in in 1986
25 October back to Adelaide 4 nights (Staying with same friends as before.)
Depart on the Friday evening 29th.

This probably sounds like quite a tight schedule, but there will be no sight-seeing involved (I've done all that in previous visits) and time to pick up the phone and say hello to a JREFer or two , if a (brief) meeting is not possible.

To avoid wasting time on jet lag, Im flying business class! Got a good price.

 

[arthwollipot]

Aw... nowhere near me...

 

[bit_pattern]

How does being first class avoid jetlag? Are you saying those rich bastards teleport to their destination faster than th rest of us plebes?

 

[Damien Evans]

Itinerary as follows:
Arrive Brisbane 06:50 Monday 18 Oct. (Staying two nights with a friend whom I've got to know well over the years and whom I met through 5W. WomenWelcomeWomenWorldWide)
20 October to Adelaide 3 nights (Staying with friends whom I know because their daughter was in my class in 1986 and they have spent several years here. They will ask me what I would like to do and will also have arranged visits to their family members and several other friends whom I know.)
23 October fly to Port Lincoln 2 nights (Staying with friend who still lives two dors away from the house I was in in 1986
25 October back to Adelaide 4 nights (Staying with same friends as before.)
Depart on the Friday evening 29th.

This probably sounds like quite a tight schedule, but there will be no sight-seeing involved (I've done all that in previous visits) and time to pick up the phone and say hello to a JREFer or two , if a (brief) meeting is not possible.

To avoid wasting time on jet lag, Im flying business class! Got a good price.

Watch out for serial killers.

 

[SusanB-M1]

How does being first class avoid jetlag? Are you saying those rich bastards teleport to their destination faster than th rest of us plebes?

Well, I thought that as I'll be able to stretch out, I'll be able to sleep! The last time I went, I travelled 'Economy Plus' or something, but althugh the seats were a bit wider and deeper, and there was a bit more leg room, it was not possible to stretch out one's legs, and there wasn't even a slight wing at head height on which to lean.

ETA Warning about serial killers duly noted!!

 

[Akhenaten]

I really should get on with a proper post, but these are fun . . .

Identify the Place - Part 5

Castle Hill, Townsville, Queensland

Castle Hill is a red rock monolith in the heart of Townsville offering panoramic views, and a slice of military history. There is a popular walking track for fitness focused locals, with a rocky ""goat track"" a favourite for shedding those unwanted kilos. A road offers access for vehicles and pedestrians. The hill is just metres short of being classified as a mountain.

The rock face is home to Townsville's iconic 'saint' - a graffiti rendition of the popular television show's stick figure emblem. The Hill's vantage was used by visiting American soldiers during World War II and according to local legend, the visitors famously offered to demolish the hill and use the rock to build a bridge to Magnetic Island. A World War II observation bunker sits on one corner of the hill, which also boasts public amenities, a function centre and car parking to those wanting to enjoy the best view of Magnetic Island.


Queensland Holidays.com

Identify the Place - Now with 100% more map!

The Zig Zag Railway, Lithgow, New South Wales

The Zig Zag is a full size, narrow gauge tourist railway located at Clarence, 10 km (6 mi) East of Lithgow in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Built in the 1860s, the line was constructed to transport people and produce from the western plains of NSW to Sydney. It was replaced in 1910 by a 10 tunnel deviation.

The trains, track and rollingstock are maintained and operated by the Zig Zag Railway Co-op Ltd, a voluntary, “not for profit’ co-operative.

The Zig Zag Railway can be reached by road or by CityRail train. Zig Zag trains run every day of the year (except Christmas Day)


Touristy Stuff

Hysterical Historical Stuff

Map

Bald Rock (National Park), Tenterfield, New South Wales/Stanthorpe, Queensland
(it's kind of on the cusp - the photo above was taken from NSW but the view is mostly in Queensland. On the Queensland side it's called Girraween National Park)

The park is named after its most prominent feature, Bald Rock, which is a large granite outcrop rising about 200 metres above the surrounding landscape. Measuring about 750 metres long and 500 metres wide this is the largest granite monolith in Australia. Access to the rock is provided by a sealed road into the park and walking tracks to the summit. Two tracks are marked, a steep one up the exposed face, or an easier gradient through bushland around the back. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding bushland, but vegetation on top prevents a full 360° view.

The park is in the New England granite belt, where about 220 million years ago an episode of granite magmatism resulted in the intrusion of the Stanthorpe Adamellite into the surrounding metamorphic and sedimentary rock. Subsequent uplift and erosion of the New England Fold Belt has seen the majority of the surrounding sediments and metamorphic rocks eroded away, with the Stanthorpe Adamellite remaining due to its resistance to weathering.

This regolith has created a landscape with many exposed inselbergs of granite rocks, some balancing on top of each other, or forming natural arches. The walking track going up the back of Bald Rock leads through such an arch.

Just off the road beside the park is Thunderbolts Hideout, a set of caves and overhanging granite rocks. It was thought to have been used by bushranger Captain Thunderbolt.


Wikiness

Gubmint Site

Map

'Spheres', Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia

When the two westernmost blocks of Rundle Street became Rundle Mall in 1976, it was Australia's first pedestrian mall. The Mall runs parallel to North Terrace, its western end is at King William Street. Two blocks further to the east the mall ends at Pulteney Street

With a mix of old 19th century buildings, modern department stores, street cafes, buskers and public art, Rundle Mall has that special flair that attracts tourists and locals alike.

The sculpture is officially called "Spheres" by Bert Flugelman, however, amongst the locals the shiny silver balls are known as the "Mall's Balls" or the "Silver Balls".

Each ball is 2.15 m in diameter, they are made from polished stainless steel.


South Australia.com (there's a map right on the page. Clever Croweaters!)

Mall's Balls

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair, Tasmania

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania. A visit will reveal why.

Cradle Mountain is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a magnificent 6 day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain in 'Straya.


Parks and Wildlife Service - Tasmania

DiscoverTasmania.com

Map of Tasmania. No . . . I'd better not. Use the one in the previous link.

The Blue Lake, Mount Gambier, South Australia

The Blue Lake is a large monomictic lake located in an extinct volcanic maar associated with the Mount Gambier maar complex. It is one of four crater lakes on Mount Gambier. Of the four lakes, only two remain, as the other two (Leg of Mutton and Brown) have dried up over the past 30 to 40 years.

Conflicting dates have been estimated for its last eruption, of 28,000 years ago and 4300 years ago. If the more recent date is correct, this could be the most recent volcanic eruption on the Australian mainland.

Blue Lake is thought to be of an average depth 72 metres, but in places reaches 75 metres deep (250 feet). The crater rim measures 1200 metres (3937 feet) by 824 metres (2703 feet), however, the lake itself measures 1087 metres (3566 feet) by 657 metres (2155 feet). The bottom of the lake is 30 metres (100 feet) below the level of the main street of the nearby town.

The Blue Lake supplies the town with drinking water, providing approximately 3,500 megalitres (2,800 acre·ft) per year from its 36,000 ML (29,000 acre·ft) store.


Lakipedia

Tourist Information

Map

 

[Akhenaten]

Coming Soon!

 

[Hallo Alfie]

Is #3 Gagudgu and (if not maybe Halls Gap)
#5 Cradle Mountain?