In reply to:

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Do they sell cider in Australia?

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Well if you go to one of the many so-called "Irish" pubs in Brisbane, you can usually get Bulmers amongst other things at least. Acceptable? I'm sure there are some others although Bulmers is probably the main one on tap if you want pints.

As for scary sea stories as long as you're an OK swimmer and stay within the lifeguard flags on the surf beaches, you should be fine. Shark shaped things are fairly rare and on the patrolled beaches, they have alarms and lookouts for them all the time. You'll be coming just as it's getting cooler although that shouldn't bother you too much.