Tour 'Down Under'

We are off on a 45 day trip to Australia soon but are staying with family so won't be moving around as frequently as you.

We have booked it all ourselves so it may be different if you go with a company organised package. This time we've had to consider prescription medicines ie ensuring we take enough with us but I think everything else is as per usual. I don't envy you having to fit in laundry but I suppose the hotels are used to this.

Have a wonderful time on your trip

Where will you be staying Soupy? We are adding a few days at the start of the tour to see friends in Perth.Good point about medication - only OH has to worry about that but has been known not to take enough of a certain tablet when holidaying in the UK! There will be a few free days (no organised tours) when I expect to throw some washing in the hotel machines. Have a great time.

You will find the Australians very friendly and accommodating. If you are taking prescription drugs with you do declare them on the declaration form. I failed to do so on my last visit and received a very severe lecture from the customs officer. There is no problem in taking them into the country but you do need to declare them.

Thanks for the tip about the prescription drugs Sunseeker; I didn't know that.

Granfromafar: we're having three nights in Singapore then time with family in Sydney plus a trip to Adelaide and 10 days in Tasmania. It will be our third trip out there and really looking forward to it now.

I spent 3 months going round Australia and one abiding memory is that all insects etc sting. I was in a park and ants ran over my foot and stung me. The pharmacist said every thing stings so stock up on sting relief. Also if you visit anywhere remotely country like wear shoes/boots and socks, the snakes are abundant. I wore sandals to walk around Ayers Rock and for a severe bollocking from guide. Luckily I didn't meet any snakes but I could have.
I took photos of some pretty caterpillars which were walking joined up like elephants nose to tail and after wards was told I was lucky I didn't touch them as they too were stingers.
I enjoyed the trip immensely and would go again tomorrow.

Do your packing in 'pockets'. You can find these online . Our local post office sells them. Pack trousers in one, tops in another etc.
I did this on a long tour and never unpacked. Just put clothes back in the relevant pocket. I used my case as a cabin trunk. I never needed to repackage and could find everything. I put my shopping at the bottom of the case. Enjoy!

We are regular visitors to Australia as DD1, SiL and GD live in Victoria. We visit for a month or so usually and try to take a trip to somewhere new each time - in fact I am posting from there now, and we are off to Tasmania next week for a few days. I am sure you will love it, the scenery is spectacular and the people very relaxed and friendly. And excellent food too! As to laundry I don't have to worry as we stay with DD, but most hotels will turn it round for you in less then 24 hours, though it can be quite pricey. Exchange rate is not too good at the moment, so we do find things quite pricey here, but by next year it could be a different story, and I suppose if you are on an organised tour much of it will have been paid up front.
Enjoy!

I did Australia 10 years ago with my then 5 yr old son. We spent 6 weeks there. Started in Perth, then flew to Brisbane, then onto Cairns and then back to Brisbane before getting a flight to Dubai.
I loved the country, and really wished we had stayed longer. I would go back tomorrow if I could afford it.

With any medication put it in your hand baggage in case your bags go to to a different place to you Take a prescription list with you and a doctors note.
Have a fantastic time.

We are off on a similar trip leaving on 5th Feb although we are not doing New Zeland. Singapore on the way out and Hong Kong on the way back with about 5 destinations in Australia. I must admit living out of a suitcase is of concern so the tip about 'pockets' is fab, thanks.
I will try to post my experience and any tips on my return. Also thanks about the tip re prescription drugs, I would have faced a lecture for sure?.
I wonder if you are using the same travel company, they are quite new but seen to be gaining a great reputation.

Did 42days in NZ last February as a retirement present to me, and I'd never travelled far or for a long time before. Did 2, 3 or 4 nights at each place, travelling around, north to south and back. Went straight there (4hrs in Singapore, perfect for a change of underwear!). Take big headphones (ear buds hurt after a while), and for some airlines (eg Singapore) you need a link plug to use own headphones (see website?).

NZ motel rooms each have little kitchens, which is great as eating out 3 meals a day is a pain after a while.

Take onboard a small backpack with a change or 2 of clothes (your bag could be delayed), Android, paperback, tissues/loo roll, deodorant wipes, photocopy of passport and health insurance. Audible and electronic books were great. 2 pairs of reading glasses?

It will be brilliant

Check on your luggage allowance for internal flights. We had a bit of a drama at one airport because the airline didn't allow as much in the hold as the one we'd travelled out with. Luckily they let us repack and board the plane with 10 kilos each of assorted belongings in various carrier bags as extra hand luggage

Also, after you've had a good laugh in the gift shop at the weird hats with long nets down to your bosom, buy one. It's better to have the flies at Uluru crawling on the net than walking all over your face.

Most hotels have a laundry room where you can do your own washing etc we found. They really cater for people travelling and are more than helpful

Firstly a minor but important detail, check your travel insurance covers you. Most polices are for 31 days, and make sure you have it from the date of booking. It sounds an expensive trip and you need cancellation cover. Also check the medical repatriation cover. It is far more expensive from Oz.

Oz is just so easy and the Aussies friendly. Driving is easy but can be tiring with the distances. If you can add The Ghan train trip. Sydney is great but very busy nowadays and the traffic can be really bad. Food wonderful!

Tasmania is wonderful too and I have been there many times too. Car hire good and the roads virtually empty. Hobart, Port Arthur great. Many small towns such as Deloraine, Sheffield etc. Look nothing when you drive through but the food is wonderful. Go up to the mountains too.

We know NZ like the back of our hands as relatives there and have been many many times. Going again next year. AGain I would recommend the many train journeys there as they mean everyone including the drivers can relax and see the wonderful scenery. If you want more specific help am happy for you to PM me.

Oh and get a prescription for any glasses you wear in case you need any specs in a hurry. I broke mine in Hobart and was so relieved I could just hand over a script for replacements.

No one seems to mention NZ. So lovely. Must sees are mainly in the South Island. Wine area at the top. Hanmer in the centre lovely hoy pools in the middle of mountains. West coast with fantastic flora and pancake rocks. Gold panning there too. The drive or train through the southern alps is wonderful. Try whitebait patties if you can. Mount Cook. Milford Sound. Blue penguins on the south east coast. Moereki boulders on the way to Dunedin. Love NZ

Sorry hot pools

I felt exactly as you did granfromafar. We went round the world - Singapore/NZ/Cook Islands/LA. It is along way from home but have to say that the holiday (5 weeks) went without a hitch and it was all fabulous. Try not to be apprehensive and just enjoy.

Sounds fabulous. Sorry can't offer any advice but we are planning a similar trip just as soon as I can get DH to retire and plan on being away for two months. Enjoy.

You may already know that the UK has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with Australia. Of course you'll still need health insurance to cover your trip, but there's always an excess to pay. If you're anywhere near a Medicare Centre it may be worth filling in the enrolment form and taking it with you (you just have to hand it in and show your passport to register before needing any medical care). We found this out, too late, when DH needed his ears syringing after the flight . We just popped into a local doctor's office and it was done on the spot for about £100, the same as our insurance excess. Not a huge amount, but he'd have had it done for free if we'd registered on arrival.

Forgot the link.

www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/3101

We have been twice for 1 month each time. We had a faboulous time and wish we could afford to go again. We were however visiting our son so not much hotel booking to do.

Unfortunately on both visits I fell ill. We had to pay £70 on our return to England the first time, and £100+ the second time for medical care, which was excellent and the staff were so professional. No worries there at all.

Have a lovely adventure. If you are going where there are lots of flies, such as in the wilderness, take a net which you can pop over your head underneath a hat. That will keep the little blighters away from your face. Mostly there are NO flies, at least no more than in UK. The hats with corks are saved for the tourists we were reliably told by an Australian! :-) New Zealand is a beautiful country with lots of lovely beaches and mountains. I only know because my son sent pictures from their honeymoon there. At least you know the natives will be friendly and speak your own language so no problems with that either.

I really envy you. Both countries are fantastic and the food and wine are good (not that I drink wine myself because I am allergic to it), but I am told it is as good as French wine any day.

Have fun! Let us know what it was like. Spend some time in the wilderness and see all the lovely flowers you cannot get anywhere else in the world....and the birds well what can I say! So many differences to the ones we get here and such beautiful colours. On our first day we were woken by parrots and kangaroos in the garden!

spelling: fabulous!

Just as an after thought. If you take medicines regularly and have to take a lot with you you MUST declare them. Take your prescription with you to back you up...It is also a good thing to do that because if you are caught out and either forgot to take your medicine or forgot it, then you can get it filled out there. Make sure you fill in the form before you leave UK as someone has suggested.

Also, sorry to harp on, they absolutely are VERY strict on you NOT taking any kind of food, drink or any plants or seeds in to Australia or New Zealand. They can put you off the flight if you try and you could also end up being arrested if you ignore that condition.

Mind galloping along sorry,

either forgot to take your medicine or forgot it

should read:

either forgot to take your medicine or lost it