As far as backpackers go... this was terrible. You don't expect much for your price in budget accommodation and here you certainly don't get it. Unheated rooms, not enough blankets, no towels despite the website saying 'Linen included' and the share kitchens had run out of glasses, plates and most utensils! The doorways leaked and the showers were filthy. Not enough secure parking despite my telephone inquiry confirming off street parking so we had to unload our belongings every night and walk them up 4 flights of stairs. The cost for this low quality of accommodation should have been a third of what we paid. Don't believe the photos on the website - they appear to have been airbrushed as the pool and buildings were grey, gloomy and dark.

Approximate cost: $75

These guys were most helpful. They repaired a leaky valve in one tyre for a princely fee of $2.00, then some weeks later we bought new tyres and they were fast and friendly. Nice waiting area. Only complaint is a fee per tyre to discard the old tyres on top of the quoted price. Otherwise, pretty good.

Approximate cost: $90

Wow... what a horror story. After ordering online and getting kicked out of their ordering system after 4 minutes of inactivity and starting all over again, I used the "Special Delivery Instructions" field to request the flowers be delivered by 4pm that evening. I called the shop immediately after the order was confirmed online to double check these details had been received, and I was told Yes they could certainly delivery by 4pm. My wife called me at 4.30 but did not mention she had received the flowers, wine and card at work that day so I called Tynte. Surprised, I was that her delivery was somehow, despite instruction and confirmation phone call, booked onto a 6pm delivery run! 6pm for an office delivery on a Friday? I booked it at 10am. I was furious but open to discussions with the girl about getting a replacement - we could pick them up she said, but they could not, 1) match the flowers with the ones I had ordered, (my wife's favorites) 2) could not include the wine as the North Adelaide store sis not hold wine, or 3) could not give her the card I had selected (for an additional $6.90) online! These people are to be avoided at all costs - they will ruin your special day and then try to avoid any responsibility. The WORST business I have ever dealt with in Adelaide. No, wait, the world.

Approximate cost: $100

Well well. You would think people actually try to promote their businesses through good customer service. We called this caravan park at 7pm to book a camp site for that night, as we had fallen far behind our schedule and could not make it to our booked accommodation further south that night, and our last resort options nearby had all fallen through as well. We were stuck. A Lady told us, yes they had plenty of sites available but they were closed for the night. I asked, if we could camp there and pay the next morning. No, she said, "when we're closed, we're not actually here any more." I suggested she might still be there because I had called the office number, and I offered to pay with a credit card over the phone in case she was worried we would rip them off a whopping $17, she said simply and rudely NO, we are closed now, so you cannot come here. Our holiday was ruined by her lack of flexibility and we ended up sleeping in the back of our wagon in a truck rest stop, despite initially telling her of our situation.

Approximate cost: $17

We just moved to the area and found this new butcher, apparently they have won a small business award. The rump steaks in the window were brilliant and pink and I bought 4, they went out the back to get them, and when I got home and started cooking tea, I unwrapped them and they were quite green on the edges and dry on the tip! Not my idea of fresh and gourmet. Why display fresh meats if that's not what you are getting? We won't be back.

We visited The Duck Inn about six months ago and we were more than satisfied. Good size meals, great quality food. We had a table right next to the open fire and the lamb back strap was delicious! Good options for vegetarians and kids, and some nice dessert options too. Nice wine list as well, not the same old mass-produced wines you see on so many wine lists.

Approximate cost: $22

After all the hype we had heard about our local Star of Greece cafe, we went there for a meal on a reasonably quiet Friday night. We were given a slightly soiled table, admittedly with a great view of the ocean and beach. The staff took nearly ten minutes to offer us a drink and a menu, when it finally arrived the local wine was oxidized. (but was replaced on request) The food was OK, but nothing special, and a bit pricey for the quality of what we received (char-grilled eye fillet and beer battered whiting.)

Approximate cost: $36

I always used E-Tax but to be safe, I had this tax return done here as I had recently started a small business. The semi-new agent not only missed three deductions I could have claimed, they also charged me about $100 above the price I was quoted over the phone. I went home and completed my return on the Tax Office's own software, E-Tax, and I could have claimed a few hundred dollars more for the extra deductions she missed, for no fee! If you can click 'next' and type in a number, use E-Tax.

Approximate cost: $320

Somehow, this small Travel Agency chain of only 3 outlets always manages to give me the best price on my international flights. I shop around, but always end up coming back to Travel House, they saved me over $250 off the best price for return tickets to Finland from the three main travel agencies (The others say they will price match, but why do them any favors! If they can't give you their best price the first time, they are clearly taking you for a ride!) The staff at Christies Beach are so friendly and helpful, I have never gone back to the 'other' mobs. If you want personal service and a bit of a special touch, plus the best prices the first time, give them a call.

Although a very popular on-line earning tool, it takes you a very very long time to accumulate enough points to use for anything. They charge you to withdraw your money in a cheque while other on-line survey sites are free, they hit you with silly penalties and they will cancel your survey account if you do not do at least one survey out of every ten that they send. If you buy on-line a lot, they are good, apart from that, spend your on-line time elsewhere, you will earn a lot faster. I have to stay with them until I earn enough points for my next withdrawal, then I am quitting.