a little contribution on queensland:
Brisbane is a fine city. i see no truth on racism (except on a few rare occasions) and pauline hanson is nothing but a piece of history now. like wat i said, gold coast (surfers' para) is juz an hour drive away. along the way, there is movie world, sea world, etc. drive further down the pacific motorway, u will get to the most easterly point of australia which is byron's bay. at byron's bay, during the right season, u will get to see the humpback whales, free swimming dolphins (i saw a pink dolphin there!!!) treasury casino is in brisbane city itself, conrad jupiter is in gold coast. up the other way, there is sunshine coast......... so on and so forth. lots of koalas and kangaroos in the enclosures..........
like wat Rumor said, it is not all abt having fun. balance btw ur studies and enjoyment. i'm sure most will get thru very fine.
like wat the aussies will say: cheers, mate.