u/External-Candy-929

Worked in two remote Aboriginal community stores - first in the APY Lands in South Australia, then in Arnhem Land in the NT. Nowhere to spend money, and even the standard award wages accumulate fast.

Total saved: AU$121,920 in 18 months. (Total spent: AU$6,010.)

Most people on WHVs miss a few tax things - Zone Tax Offset adds $1,173 a year back just for working in remote areas, salary sacrifice through a not-for-profit can make up to $16,900 tax-free, and if you're not entitled to Medicare you can claim back the 2% levy with a Medicare Entitlement Statement.

Full breakdown with exact wages, tax returns and superannuation payout numbers: https://thebudgetfreak.com/how-to-save-money-australia-working-holiday/?utm_source=reddit

I visited Sicily in February 2025 and heard that Etna was erupting. The news coverage was useless - no locations, no details on how to actually get there. I dug through local Facebook groups and found a brief mention of a trail that passed close to the lava flow.

I parked my rental car at the trailhead, slept in it, woke up at 3am and hiked two hours in total darkness through snow, completely alone.

The lava had already crossed the trail and blocked the path - you could feel the heat and sulphur before you could see anything. I headed down alongside the flow for about 10 minutes and there it was. Actual lava. Surreal experience. The flow was moving maybe a meter an hour, occasional hot rocks tumbling down, totally safe. A couple of Sicilians were there too.

I stayed until sunrise - once the light came up the glow disappeared.