Two European backpackers who whinged about Australia’s cold winter weather and toilsome farm jobs have been met with little sympathy online.
Maria Shaw, from the UK, took to a Facebook page for backpackers in Australia to rant about how her ‘high expectations’ hadn’t been met during her 47 days Down Under.
In a lengthy post to the group’s 100,000 followers, the young woman took aim at ‘daft’ working conditions on farms, the cost of living, constant ‘rain and storms’ and restrictions on parking vans.
Her views were echoed by Greek backpacker Mary Kyropoulou, who also took to social media to slam Australia for being ‘such a waste of time’.
In a since-deleted post, Ms Kyropoulou questioned why she was made to work in bars and farms and accused locals of showing ‘no appreciation towards foreigners’.
‘Can’t wait to go back to Europe, where university degrees are more important than a bunch of meaningless cards that require no intelligence to obtain,’ she wrote.
The tourists were lambasted after moping about their Australian experiences online, with countless patriotic social media users replying: ‘If you don’t like it, leave!’
British backpacker Maria Shaw (pictured) took to Facebook to complain about Australia’s weather and toilsome farm jobs
Greek backpacker Mary Kyropoulou (pictured) also took to social media to slam Australia for being ‘such a waste of time’
Ms Shaw, who bought a van to travel around Australia with her partner, complained about parking restrictions and having to pay top dollar on groceries, fuel and camping.
She said the pair had travelled along Australia’s east coast from Cairns to Brisbane but had struggled to find work in either of the busy tourist destinations.
‘The farm jobs advertised are under the condition that you have to pay accommodation to them which is usually shared rooms,’ she wrote.
‘Not to mention if we have a van why should we pay to work somewhere, trying to earn money and bought the van to save money. It’s pretty daft.’
The young Brit admitted she hadn’t spent much time trying to meet new people.
‘Have only stayed in one hostel so I guess haven’t socialised too much either which I’m sure does have a big impact. Maybe it’s cause (sic) we’re a couple?’ she wrote.
Ms Shaw, who is travelling along Australia’s east coast with her partner (pictured) complained about having to pay top dollar on groceries, fuel and camping
Australian members of the backpacker Facebook page blasted Ms Shaw for being so critical, reminding her no-one was forcing her to stay in the country.
‘If you don’t like the a place, don’t think something is wrong with you!! Just leave and go somewhere else!!’ one wrote.
‘If you aren’t enjoying yourself then you should probably leave. Or open your mind and enjoy the fact that you are on the other side of the world,’ added another.
‘Here’s a plan, change your attitude, do a bit more research and go exploring,’ advised a third.
‘I guess you can’t please everyone so maybe a ticket home would be a better plan.’
Ms Kyropoulou was blasted online after accusing Australians of showing ‘no appreciation towards foreigners’
Greek backpacker Ms Kyropoulou, who appears to have studied German language and linguistics, described her experience in Australia as a ‘waste of time’.
‘No appreciation at all towards foreigners… we all came here to become just waiters and farmers… what? Didn’t we?’ she wrote.
Comments on her post were more sympathetic, with one user apologising for her negative experience.
‘Good luck, sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I still love my country Australia,’ he wrote.
‘I’m Australian and agree f*** that place. I hate it. Laws are full of shit. We are an embarrassment to the world with politicians. It’s a f***ing joke. Not to mention the slavery that still exists today,’ another wrote.
Australia’s federal Government requires young travellers who want to extend their Working Holiday Visa for an extra year to spend 88 days working in regional areas.
The ‘baffling’ Facebook rant instead received numerous unsympathetic responses from Australians
The Greek backpacker (pictured), who appears to have studied German language and linguistics, slammed her experience in Australia as a ‘waste of time’