The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

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According to The Southern Cross Group, there are 200,000 Australians living in London. As you might expect, that means you'll hear the distinctive accent around the place a lot.

Most of that number would be young Australians on Working Holidaymaker Visas, a reciprocal arrangement allowing under-30s Australians to live and work in the UK for two years.

Traditionally the areas of Earl's Court, Shepherd's Bush, Willesden and Acton have had lots of Australians, mainly due to their cheaper rents and central locations. The Adventures of Barry McKenzie was set in 1970s Earl's Court.

Facilities

• Australia House on Aldwych is the location of the Australian High Commission, where you can get your passport renewed and other services, including voting in elections.

• TNT is a weekly free magazine that can be found in bins outside tube stations, pubs frequented by antiopdeans and the like.

• The [Australia Shop]? in Covent Garden stocks Australian products including Vegemite and Tim Tams.

• [Tesco]? and [Safeway]? stock Tim Tams and small jars of Vegemite.

• Many Australian pubs, including the ubiquitous Walkabout, are scattered around London, particularly in the aforementioned Aussie ghettos.