Bakpak Travelers Guide, publisher of low-cost, compact budget guides for students, is sponsoring a TRAVEL WRITING ESSAY CONTEST. The winning entrant will receive a 1 month temporary travel assignment to Australia to help us research and write for our upcoming Australia guide. The assignment includes $2,000, round-trip airfare and $35 a day per diem.

The contest offers the winning entrant an excellent opportunity to gain writing experience, to visit an amazing country, to meet new people and to have an experience of a lifetime.

Entrants must submit an original essay between 250 and 500 words on the following theme: "Select any local destination worldwide (ie any city or town) and tell a potential visitor why they should visit this location." A non-refundable entry fee of $20 and a completed entry form must be included with the essay. All entries must be received by October 31, 2002. The one-month travel writing assignment can be completed anytime between January and August 2003. For complete contest details and contest rules go to www.bakpakguide.com and click on Bakpak News or email us at contestpr@bakpakguide.com for further details.

Bakpak Travelers Guide, Inc. publishes low-cost, compact and lightweight travel guides for cheap travel around Europe and the USA & Canada. Retailing for $6.95 and under, our guides include all the survival basics - inexpensive hostels and hotels; tours and transport including rail and bus passes and airfare; getting to and around popular destinations including money saving tips on using public transport; great city and regional maps; web resources and much more! They make excellent companions to the larger, more expensive guidebooks.