Yep.
Planning trip to Australia
- Thread starter usman19
- Start date
I can be social but im more the socially awkward quirky type. I can be introverted but same time my friendliness can be seen to others as being weird. So doing things alone would be standard.
Any particular time of the year they tend to go? I know Aus can be hot so i don't want to go when its boiling, probably more like when its UK like weather, sunny with a bit of breeze but don't mind the colder periods.
That's hard to say. Some go during holidays, other take entire terms off of school. I'd say there are always some year-around.
I didn't find the summers too hot, but if you're sensitive to temperature, you could go during the winter - which it the UK's summer, don't forget!
The only place I'd avoid during the summer is in the north, which is monsoon season. No joke, it rains every day. But not an issue for you if you're going to either Sydney or Melbourne.
If going back is an option, then getting your feet wet in Sydney or Melbourne would be a good option, then you can get an idea for what You Might want to do on a return trip.
If this is more of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then I would recommend you check out a couple of cities, as you don't want to regret checking out something while you were down there.
Your money will of course go farther when you're not in the big cities, so that's a consideration too.
Do you like military history? I'm a huge fan, and the War Museum in Canberra has some one-of-a-kind exhibits like the Japanese subs that attacked Sydney Harbour. Being the capital of Oz (most people think it's Sydney), they also have all the foreign embassies there, and it's pretty cool how each one is themed after their own country. It's almost like Disney World's "It a small world", but for real.
https://www.nca.gov.au/sites/defaul...s_DrivingTour_Flyer_online_revised 0420_0.pdf
If this is more of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then I would recommend you check out a couple of cities, as you don't want to regret checking out something while you were down there.
Your money will of course go farther when you're not in the big cities, so that's a consideration too.
Do you like military history? I'm a huge fan, and the War Museum in Canberra has some one-of-a-kind exhibits like the Japanese subs that attacked Sydney Harbour. Being the capital of Oz (most people think it's Sydney), they also have all the foreign embassies there, and it's pretty cool how each one is themed after their own country. It's almost like Disney World's "It a small world", but for real.
https://www.nca.gov.au/sites/defaul...s_DrivingTour_Flyer_online_revised 0420_0.pdf
Yeah i would hope to go back once i can get a vibe on my 1st ever trip. I don't mind history, would love to check the museums etc
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
I'm glad to read you're not much into the sand, sun, and surf. I just read an article on Yahoo about the most dangerous beaches, and every one that was located in Australia, was inhabited by washed up jellyfish, crocodiles, or great whites. I gotta hand it to the people that live there, it doesn't sound easy, and it seems like you better be pretty tough to get by.
Been doing some research into prices etc online for around September (thinking thats a cool/cheap period to go)
I found Sydney which be around £1500k approx return just the flight but hoping to do a flight/hotel package holiday. There not much changeover except a technical one so get to stay in the same plane throughout.
Melbourne comes across cheaper like £867 approx return however you have to make least 1 or 2 changes.
I've never traveled before since i was a kid, so practically a holiday virgin. I just feel due to anxiety despite Melbourne being cheaper the change and having to do airport protocols as off putting. Least with the Sydney one i don't have to worry as much, just when i get on and when i arrive in Sydney.
If price changes for the better during other periods of the year, let me know
I found Sydney which be around £1500k approx return just the flight but hoping to do a flight/hotel package holiday. There not much changeover except a technical one so get to stay in the same plane throughout.
Melbourne comes across cheaper like £867 approx return however you have to make least 1 or 2 changes.
I've never traveled before since i was a kid, so practically a holiday virgin. I just feel due to anxiety despite Melbourne being cheaper the change and having to do airport protocols as off putting. Least with the Sydney one i don't have to worry as much, just when i get on and when i arrive in Sydney.
If price changes for the better during other periods of the year, let me know
Just coming off of the French elections, there's an Aussie Federal election next month too!
As I mentioned, depending on the area & issues, that might not be the best time to be a POC, but if you're going in September you'll be fine.
...Unless they elect someone who is hard on COVID rules. Then who knows, they might lockdown the country again... Melbourne had some of the strictest quarantine rules at the beginning of the pandemic. Might be worth looking up who's running
Aussie elections are interesting as they have mandatory voting, i.e. you can be fined if you don't vote.
As I mentioned, depending on the area & issues, that might not be the best time to be a POC, but if you're going in September you'll be fine.
...Unless they elect someone who is hard on COVID rules. Then who knows, they might lockdown the country again... Melbourne had some of the strictest quarantine rules at the beginning of the pandemic. Might be worth looking up who's running
Aussie elections are interesting as they have mandatory voting, i.e. you can be fined if you don't vote.
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Maybe find a resort you like(hotel whatever), and ask them when the off season, and lowest rates come around. Or a board of tourism. They have to have one of those, if you ask 10 people where they would love to go, at least half will say Australia. Call the tourism board, they would tell you, Everyone hates the slow season, I would bet they would love to increase it, during a slow run, Just a thought.
September is just the start of spring so weather/temperature-wise it's actually really good for Sydney/Melbourne. Winter isn't that bad, but it does rain a bit, and obviously summer is not only hot, but also bushfire season. Bushfires frequently affects those cities since they're surrounded by wild areas full of eucalyptus trees.
Unless there's a sporting/cultural/holiday event you're wanting to see, if September is your plan, it sounds good.
@Mr. Daystar has a good idea - the Aussie tourism board is really helpful and can give you the latest advice. They're pretty active too I recall they even send out full packages of promo materials. They even had a contest where you could win a "dream job for a year", which was a year contract to work for them to be a blogger, travelling around the country for free.
Unless there's a sporting/cultural/holiday event you're wanting to see, if September is your plan, it sounds good.
@Mr. Daystar has a good idea - the Aussie tourism board is really helpful and can give you the latest advice. They're pretty active too I recall they even send out full packages of promo materials. They even had a contest where you could win a "dream job for a year", which was a year contract to work for them to be a blogger, travelling around the country for free.
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Why so formal....please, call me Day.
My family considered emigrating back in 2002 and then my mum saw a comprehensive list of the spiders they have in Australia and that was the end of that.
Visa is made and approved, flight and hotel booked and got the annual leave granted from work.
Just a few pointers i want clearing up cos i dunno the rules and i know how strict Australia can be so don't want them to have any reasons to reject me. Some is just for peace of mind to be prepared for. Sorry for all the questions and thanks for all your help
Just a few pointers i want clearing up cos i dunno the rules and i know how strict Australia can be so don't want them to have any reasons to reject me. Some is just for peace of mind to be prepared for. Sorry for all the questions and thanks for all your help
- Visa - I have it approved however on the section where it says 2nd Nationality, i left it blank cause even though my parents were from Pakistan, i'm not sure if that automatically makes me a citizen. Even if i was, is it a big thing leaving it out?
- Incoming passenger cards - Is it possible to obtain these before you fly, or do you only get it on your flight. Will be relying on printouts for details to fill out rather than using my phone which i'm not sure if you allowed to use on a flight
- Taking laptop/devices - Is it worth taking it with you? I know many can leave at home but thought especially on the flight, would need something to keep me occupied. Also in my down time over there, when a certain need needs fulfilling love to be able to do it in peace ie in the evening when my day site seeing is done.
- Phone - Take my main phone, or buy a separate one and/or on a Aus sim card. I have a Samsung S22 Ultra and its locked on Vodafone. I believe Australia are big on Vodafone so i might have benefits sticking with them
- Travel bag toiletries - Do the products need to be in clear bottles, or can they be in its original package open or not provided its below 100ml? Also is some things worth leaving and buying at the airport or when i arrive at the destination? Being a man with a beard who grooms alot for his beard and hair, i don't want to leave them all at home.
- Travel cards/Money - Is it worth buying a separate bank card for this purpose or use my own bank card over there. Go to a currency exchange place, or physically carry cash. The section on the passenger card with money, does that limit which i think is 10k Aus dollars only count with physical cash ie notes, or does it include bank cards too?
- Luggage - Is one small hang luggage bag enough, or should i carry a big suitcase also? Expanding on the toiletries section, i was thinking i can use that big suitcase for any over 100ml bottles, and other stuff like hairdryer and other clothes that may not fit in my main bag.
- Clothes - Whats the best clothes to wear there, do i need to invest in shorts 3/4 pants and special trainers, or would my standard black denim jeans, adidas and nike trainers made of suede do?
🇦🇺 Nice! So are you going in Sep for 2 weeks? Syd or Mel?
I can't say I'm an expert on all the answers, so keep that in mind
1) Do you have Pakistani passport? If not, don't put it down, because you don't know for sure if you have it. Moreover, you'll have less trouble just saying you're British if you're using your UK passport.
3) That's a tough one. There's always the risk of breakage/loss/etc, so keep that in mind. I would bring a digital camera, since you're probably going to be more comfortable asking someone to take a picture with that, instead of handing over your phone.
If you don't bring your laptop, keep in mind that there are still Internet Cafes you can use. It's a long flight, but you'll want to use it to adjust for jet lag. Also, there will usually be LOTS of in-flight entertainment on a flight like that, usually with current movies. If you know yoga, that's also a good thing to do at the back of the plane every couple hours.
4) Optus, Vodafone and Telstra were the big ones with pre-paid phones. You'll want to check if the lock won't prevent you from using a AUS Vodaphone card. I can't say I've tried it.
You'll want to check with the airlines about what you can/can't carry on. Remember that apart from prescription medication, there is almost nothing you can't buy once you're there. I would say part of the fun is trying out the local brands.
Oh, one thing you DON'T want to pack is food. Especially fruits/meats. They have sniffer dogs patrolling the airports specifically for food (maybe even more than drugs), and if you get caught with something, you're likely going to be in for a delay (at the very least). They are DEAD SERIOUS about that, more than any country I know.
I can't say I'm an expert on all the answers, so keep that in mind
1) Do you have Pakistani passport? If not, don't put it down, because you don't know for sure if you have it. Moreover, you'll have less trouble just saying you're British if you're using your UK passport.
3) That's a tough one. There's always the risk of breakage/loss/etc, so keep that in mind. I would bring a digital camera, since you're probably going to be more comfortable asking someone to take a picture with that, instead of handing over your phone.
If you don't bring your laptop, keep in mind that there are still Internet Cafes you can use. It's a long flight, but you'll want to use it to adjust for jet lag. Also, there will usually be LOTS of in-flight entertainment on a flight like that, usually with current movies. If you know yoga, that's also a good thing to do at the back of the plane every couple hours.
4) Optus, Vodafone and Telstra were the big ones with pre-paid phones. You'll want to check if the lock won't prevent you from using a AUS Vodaphone card. I can't say I've tried it.
You'll want to check with the airlines about what you can/can't carry on. Remember that apart from prescription medication, there is almost nothing you can't buy once you're there. I would say part of the fun is trying out the local brands.
Oh, one thing you DON'T want to pack is food. Especially fruits/meats. They have sniffer dogs patrolling the airports specifically for food (maybe even more than drugs), and if you get caught with something, you're likely going to be in for a delay (at the very least). They are DEAD SERIOUS about that, more than any country I know.
I'm off to Sydney.
Dunno how much things cost there vs in the UK, think its more expensive, definitely at the the airport for duty free
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Good for you, enjoy, and don't forget to get some of that sunscreen.
6. If you're only going for 2 weeks, I would get some travelers cheques so you can easily exchange for cash for smaller purchases, and use your credit card for everything else. You can easily cancel your card if need be, and the exchange rate is generally going to be the best you're going to get.
Sydney is a big city, and there is crime, so you do want to take precautions.
I wouldn't bother exchanging money before you go - the traveler's cheques save you that hassle. And at the end of your trip, if you're like me, you'll likely keep some Aussie currency as a souvenir. They have some cool animals on their money!
Sydney is a big city, and there is crime, so you do want to take precautions.
I wouldn't bother exchanging money before you go - the traveler's cheques save you that hassle. And at the end of your trip, if you're like me, you'll likely keep some Aussie currency as a souvenir. They have some cool animals on their money!
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
No kidding, I'm gonna have to google that, I've only seen people on money. Except for one Canadian denomination. It had a Loon.
