I've had kind of similar experiences - got warned and warned about working out of Laverton as a base - yet, never had a moments trouble there and met some of the best people out of town in the bush.
Got some gear pinched in Kal, but got it back - aboriginal kids. But the only actual aggression came from young white bogan types
morons on legs
by a country mile, the safest I've felt is either outback or in other countries. Australia is an aggressive place - as is UK and America from my experience.
I certainly didn't feel safe at times in Kyrgyzstan - no aggression at all, but when the car park bloke carries an Uzi - well - it's a tough neighbourhood
