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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
        
(Message started by: debOUCH on May 19^th, 2008, 12:50pm)

Title: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by debOUCH on May 19^th, 2008, 12:50pm

My 19 yr old daughter, Sam , is travelling to Australia 5/27 -6/8, Touring, Melbourne & Brisbane, as well as playing in the "Lacrosse Down Under Cup Tour"..in Melbourne......she is traveling with USAAI.org/International Athletes Group...............any "helpful tips" on ANYTHING..........such as "must sees, food, safety, weather, (looks cto be cool)etc, would be appreciated...........she is so excited!
thanks
deb

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by fubar on May 19^th, 2008, 1:32pm

To stay in contact, it helps to bring an unlocked cell phone that uses a SIM card (most do). When you get there, you can buy a SIM card there and make/receive calls normally. The phone number will be different, and international calls won't be cheap, but they won't be impossibly expensive like they are if you use your own cell phone plan or the hotel phone.

Use credit cards instead of cash or travelers checks. The rate of exchange is usually a lot better. Changing money at the airport is *expensive*.

Travel as light as possible. There is so much crap people bring on trips they don't need.

Bring sunscreen and a hat. Required equipment in Australia.

It's a long flight... stay hydrated and sleep as much as possible. She'll arrive in the morning (most likely). I have made that flight 20 times (at least). You don't want to arrive tired. It really helps to take shoes off for the whole flight. Jet lag is avoidable... rest and hydration are the key. Bring earplugs.

Australia is a GREAT place. She is going to love it.

-Shawn

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by debOUCH on May 19^th, 2008, 2:12pm

thanks for the tips Shawn! Sam is so excited!

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by mummymac on May 19^th, 2008, 5:10pm

No advice except what a great oppertunity for Sam, she will never forget this trip weather it is good or bad.

I hope she has the very best of times no matter how her team fairs in the compition.

Oh to be young again

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by Annette on May 19^th, 2008, 5:58pm

Deb, if she wants, PM me and I will give her my phone number so that she can call me anytime for anything while she is here.

I am in Sydney but I do have friends in Melbourne who can help her out if need be.

Buy phone cards, especially those cheap Chinese ones. They are on sale everywhere here. At the cost of the local call, you can dial their number and use their lines, its very very cheap. She can then call home to the US at the rate of $2 per hour.

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by AussieBrian on May 19^th, 2008, 7:16pm

Aussie beer is much stronger than American beer and we've seen many a visitor get in trouble by not realising it. There are plenty of excellent mid-strenght beers available (Start with VB-mid.)

Drink-spiking in night-clubs is far from common, but it does happen. Just be aware of it.

This is quite a safe country, especially by comparison to many others, but all the normal rules still apply. Go out with friends rather than on your own, don't walk down dark alleys at night, always have a taxi fare in your pocket etc.

Allow for Melbourne being pretty cool this time of year (winds fair to frightening) but Brisbane will be much warmer. The Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise are very popular amongst younger people and probably a must-see though I prefer the Sunshine Coast just to the north.

Wear your sunscreen and swim only between the flags.

Welcome.

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by BarbaraD on May 19^th, 2008, 7:43pm

I was gonna say (and Brian beat me to it) CHECK THE WEATHER (I didn't and had to BUY appropriate clothes AFTER I got there).

It's a great country and she'll have a great time. You can stop people on the street and ask a question and they'll be your new best friend. The people are wonderful.

Enjoy.... wish I could go with you.....

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on May 19^th, 2008, 8:15pm

Everything everyone else has said; Melbourne is known for it’s four seasons in one day so be prepared to get up in the morning on a fine sunny day only to go to bed at the end feeling like you in a snow field, the weather is about as predictable as a chook with its head cut off.
Enjoy your stay in our great country & yes the locals are friendly.

Cheers
Barry
Here's a link to one of the cheaper call cards; my daughter uses them when she travels to Europe.

http://www.ozprepaidcards.com.au/talktomato-phone-card.asp

Title: Re: Anyone from Australia..........travel tips?
Post by debOUCH on May 19^th, 2008, 8:29pm

tks everyone! am printing out to give to sam! ck ur PM's annette!
deb [smiley=hug.gif]