Ok so some of you may already know but I'm off to Australia very soon for a years working holiday (more if I can manage it and permanently if I can swing a good job while i'm there)

Leaving on the 26th August, flying to Perth and working it all out from there.

Just wondering if anybody's been traveling before and has advice? What to take, what not to take etc. I'm planning on travelling light because it's not exactly a third world country . Basically I'm just after some general tips .

I'd like to keep my membership if possible until I get back. Been in the HH a long time and hopefully will be for many more years hehe. I'll post updates and piccies as I go around - got a lovely new camera for the trip .

So yeah you've got me til August 26th! (altho I haven't been around that much recently anyway cos of work)

Most of my knowledge of Oz comes from Neighbours, Steve Irwin, and Crocodile Dundee.

So always shake your shoes out before you put them on in the mornings. Jason Donovan might have crawled in them overnight.

Seriously though, good luck.

That's awesome, slush! Never been there myself but I've had a few Aussie friends. Things I've learned:

1. Don't try to take fruit or veg with you.
2. Don't order a pint of Fosters.

And you should be set.

Seriously though, planning and research will take a lot of the stress out of moving. Plan as much as can in advance. Flights, hotels, apartments, travel requirements such as vaccines and blood tests (if applicable), your visa (if applicable) local contacts and necessities such as Police, Fire and Ambulance services; sorting out your finances (I recommend talking to your bank face-to-face and a visit to the tax office for advice). Depending on the current rules I think you may have to indicate a change of location if you have a will too.

Glad you're deciding to stay with the HH too, wouldn't be the same without ya.

I reckon you'll have a lot of fun. Moving countries can be quite a challenge but in all honesty if you plan correctly you can make it as easy as possible for yourself. If there's any culture shock (less likely since you're going to Aus) I find you're more likely to feel it coming back to the UK rather than going out.

my bro went out there for 6 months....2 years ago! still not come back lol


have fun!

Should be pointed out though that Australian culture isn't quite as laid back as pop culture makes it out to be. They're politicians are quite big into social engineering.

Certain Aboriginal communities have been effectively ghettoised due to government policies intended to "protect them", a proposed national firewall akin to China's, and then you've silly stuff like no 18 rating for games, meaning they usually end up banned or not even considered for publishing there in the first place.

So yeah, Aussies can be a bit more prudish than you might expect.

Take a towel. That is all.

If they all look like them girls on Neighbours and Home & Away, I am sure that you shall have the time of your life.

If however they look like Dame Edna Everage, then good luck to you...

If you pull an ugly one that resembles Damn Edna, just close your eyes and think of good old Blightly.

Follow the advice of brad and dan to the letter and you're sorted.

My advice would be if your planning your next move and it involves a hostel look it up on hostel world.com

All Mcdonalds have free wifi in aus (seriously, ALL of them)

A netbook can be a wise investment (£150 for a good one/try ebay for cheaper)

DON'T rely on travel people to sort out stuff for you before going to aus, mailboxes, first week accomodation etc etc can all be sorted out direct, and the company will charge you through the nose to "do it all for you". However once there travel guys in hostels/student travel places can be very helpful (and usually have free internet to boot)

Pints are rare (except in irish pubs), they do schooners which are ~3/4 pint

"Pom" is a term for english people used by aussies, don't worry its meant to be endearing.

Fosters is an injoke over there, get a schooner of toohey's extra dry asap when you land.

Despite the tourism boards efforts, it can get cold in Aus southside, pack a fleece/hoody

Never visited perth so I can't tell you a huge amount it, but if you find yourself on the east coast give us a PM and ill tell you what I can remember.

(Well lookit me getting through this without making an aussie hipster joke )