I'm off to OZ for a YEAR!!!!!!!

RoryFulcher

Hi all,

I have recently made a (fairly spur of the moment) decision to pack a bag, hand in my work notice and go travelling (and possibly working) around Australia for a year.

I am looking to go out there in January, and I am currently awaiting confirmation of a years Working Holiday Visa.

I have a couple of questions, I would be amazingly grateful if anyone could give me some advice or any hints and tips pertinent to someone that has never been on holiday on his own before, let alone to Australia for a year on his own.

1- Plane ticket.. I have had a brief look online and found one-way tickets from London (any airport) to Cairns Airport in Oz... The cheapest I found was around £500... Would anyone be able to suggest anything better (read: cheaper) than this?

Like I said, I am going over to Oz with a working Visa, so I need a bank account that I can have wages paid into in the country, and that I can use in local ATM machines... I hear that the "Cirrus" card is good for all non-european travel, and the only "high street" place that I can seem to find that does them is Nationwide (who also apparently do not charge for purchases by card, and only charge 1% for cash withdrawals)...

So, 2- Do you think this would be the best route to take with regards to a bank account for Oz Wages & maximum ATM capabilities? If not, what would you suggest?

3 - Anyone that has done the east coast of Oz, can you suggest any cheap (but tidy) hostels in any of the cities (or even towns down the east coast) any good recommendations would certainly be greatly appreciated (especially if they help to save my wallet from becoming empty).

4 - I might have to look into buying a mobile phone when I arrive there (to stay in contact with people I meet, and to call about jobs/residency/etc) would you suggest getting a pay as you go phone is the cheapest option here? (as i imagine my UK Mobile will either be terribly expensive or just wont work (due to dual or tri band whatnots)... Any other suggestions?

5 - And finally, if you have been to Oz (I know this isn't entirely money related) but are there any sights that you would recommend are "must see"? If so, why? The only one that is "must see" on my list so far is the Barrier Reef.

If I think of any more questions, I will update this thread.
Thanks in advance!!! :-D

phatbear

My advice would be to cancel your notice at work until you have your working visa, you do realise these are'nt guaranteed???

I spent a few months in Oz and realised its not the land of milk and honey, there are a glut of brits and asians fighting for the same job so you must be willing to take pretty much anything to get by, which means the money may not be good and there will be a short fall in your living expenditure.

Flight wise you could get a cheap flight to malaysia with air asia and then get a cheap connecting flight to oz, thats the way most of the back packers seem to be coming back at the mo.

You also need to have access to enough money for your flight home, or an open ended return flight, which can be expensive.

Sorry to be so negative but living on the other side of the world when you have no support structure in place is not easy.

dzug1

Not a full reply, but a few odd points:

For January that doesn't sound a bad fare. Check that you don't need a ticket back as well - no idea of the rules but it may be the case

Nationwide 'charge' (= pass on Visa fee) on both debit and credit cards for both purchases and cash

If you think UK banks are graspers on charges, you've never encountered Australian ones. (eg 50c to check your balance at an ATM). Some are better than others, but I don't know which - it's worth finding out

phatbear

dzug1 wrote: »

For January that doesn't sound a bad fare. Check that you don't need a ticket back as well - no idea of the rules but it may be the case

It was certainly the case in my day, have to admit that was 10 odd years ago, however consider if you turn up in the UK without the means to return home then we wont let ya in, and australian immigration are hardcore.

star222

So jealous! This time last year I was getting ready to go away to SE Asia.

As the other poster said, Air asia are cheap to Kuala Lumpur and you could get a further flight out of KL or Singapore with Air asia, Jetstar (qantas's budget airline) or one of the others.

Would recommend getting a lonely planet for the maps and attraction details but dont go by their hostel recommendations, usually they are overpriced or arent as good as they were when the book was published. Hostelbookers can give you reviews but bare in mind they dont publish any bad comments. Hostels.com show these. You can use topcashback.com with hostelbookers. Tripadvisor is also good.

Everyone I know who has gone to Oz to work has opened up a bank account once they are there. Nationwide would be handy to keep you going till you get it sorted, we used it all over Asia no problems (free withdrawls at the time).

Take me with you!

RoryFulcher

Phatbear, I understand and expect there to be plenty of Brits angling for similar jobs, but I have confidence in my abilities to outshine them. :rotfl:

Anyway, the working visa is only as a monetary back up really, I have money saved, enough to travel around for a few months at least. And hey, if my Visa gets declined, I will go somewhere else (you don't need a visa to go into New Zealand for 6 months I hear), or get an easier to obtain Oz visa.

I've researched the "flight home" idea, and with a year working visa, you only have to prove that you have sufficient funds saved so you CAN buy your ticket home (if you haven't already). So no worries there. :T


Starr222, thanks, I am getting an Oz lonely planet for Xmas from my uncle!! Thanks for the hostel site info... Will certainly look into that...

I didn't know whether it would be possible to open an Oz bank account... Is it just as easy as getting one here? (if you know any further details, I would be greatful)?

And thank both for the idea of getting cheap flights to and from asia - I might see how much cheaper that could be...

Cheers!

star222

Details here - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=13526209 and here http://www.gapyear.com/boards/index.php?op=vt&c=9&f=70&t=310538&o=0

Forums on that gapyear website are really good too.

nico26

Remember you need to see about insurance as well. Good luck.

RoryFulcher

Yes, thanks for the tip, I currently work for a financial advisers company, so I have my insurance under the belt. ;-)

Got a quote for 18 months of travel at £8 a month.. which aint gonna break the bank. Unless I don't manage to find a job, then I am a touch screwed.... :eek: hahaha. (kidding)

Generali

I emigrated permanently from England to Aus last year.

If you arrive with a temporary visa (like a working visa) and a one way ticket you are very likely to be turned away on arrival. Immigration is a very hot subject over here and the laws are very tough and adhered to the letter. Don't take the "she'll be 'right" approach to it as she won't be alright.

Get yourself an Aussie bank account as it'll be far easier. Generally speaking, Credit Unions offer the best deals. Lots of them are only open to members of certain groups however (eg Teachers, Military personnel) - if you need to use a mainstream bank I think NAB are the cheapest charging $4 per month with no transaction fees.

Make sure you have decent health cover. Medical care in Australia can be expensive although the standard of care is excellent. The dentists here are amazingly better than in the UK for example.

Crazy Jacks seem to do the cheapest PAYG phone. Sign up to Skype for international calls and get your mates to do so too as then it's free. I call someone on the landline to get them to turn their Skype on and then call by Skype. Video calls are free if you have a webcam.

Can't recommend hostels. Look at motels too as they can be cheap and offer a very high standard of accommodation. Camp sites usually offer cabins to stay in which is also a good option. Hostels can be dodgy and many play fast and lose with fire safety so chose carefully.

Things to see:
Great Barrier Reef
Aquarium in Townsville
Whitsunday Islands
Red Centre (Uluru?)
NSW Central Coast
Hunter Valley
Sydney
Harbour Bridge (you can climb it if you want but it's quite expensive)
Go on the Harbour on a boat - the cheap option is get a travel pass on a Sunday for $2.50 which allows you on all the trains and ferries
Bondi (a cliche and not that great but your friends will moan if you don't)
Manly
Dee Why beach (best in Sydney IMO)
Blue Mountains (spend a few days)
Jervis Bay (camping only I think)
Southern Highlands
Cricket (at the MCG if you can - the Boxing Day test is a cracker)
Melbourne Gold Cup
Snowy Mountains
Sydney-Wollongong bike ride

That should get you going. Try to get out to see some of the country towns of Australia, they're great. Somewhere like Orange or Armidale. You'll see a side of Australia foreigners don't normally see. Take your drinking trousers there though.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

RoryFulcher

Hi Genrali,

Thank you for the great response.

Regarding the one way ticket thing, I had emailed the British Australian Embassy regarding the issue, and their response was this:

One Way Ticket

It is possible to enter Australia on a Working Holiday visa if you have arrived on a one way ticket. The main consideration is you will need to satisfy the Immigration Officers at the airport when you arrive that you have sufficient funds to support yourself as per the requirements of the Working Holiday visa. In addition to these funds, you will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to purchase a ticket out of Australia. Proof of funds can be demonstrated in the form of the most recent bank statement you have or any other proof demonstrating available funds.

Is Crazy Jacks a phone shop or some sort of provider?

Thanks very much for the list of ideas of things to check out. I'm looking forward to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays so much... I just can't wait. And Jarvis Bay looks spectacular.

I may well take you up on the PM offer. Thank you!


(P.s. Douglas Adams quote, very good. Discerning taste you must have!)