Australia Travel Checklist

Packing

Make sure that you weigh your baggage before you leave. The majority of airlines have a baggage restriction of about 20-22kg

Australia is a big country and make sure you check the weather conditions of where you are going to stay. For students starting in first semester (February) you will be starting in summer and for those of you are starting in second semester, you will be starting in winter. Dress accordingly but note that it is always good to bring a range of clothing in case you are travelling around a lot.

Ensure that you buy the right adaptors for your electronic equipment in Australia and that Australian Voltage is high - 240V, check the batteries of camera, laptop etc - as you may need to buy a voltage converter.

Make sure that all your important documents - passport, flight tickets, insurance documents, visa etc are somewhere where you can access them easily, like your carry on luggage. Copy your most important and leave them with a family member or someone you trust (this should also include your itinerary).

Insurance

Taking out travel insurance is good idea, while it’s a very high chance things will go smoothly, travel insurance will give you piece of mind, just in case something happens to your luggage or belongings on the way over.


Money

Remember if you do take over more then AU$10,000 into Australia you will have to declare it to a customs official when you arrive. It is important to bring over some money in both cash and travellers check of up to around $3000. Travellers check written in your name are very handy because if they are stolen or you misplace them no other person can use them. If you are going to bring over a credit card it is a good idea to make sure it is either a Visa or a MasterCard. While they can be dangerous, they do provide some extra financial backup, just in case something goes wrong.


Short term accommodation

It is always easier to organise your accommodation before you arrive in Australia and it will save you a lot of time and stress when you arrive. However, if you are keen to check out your area first before you decide on a place then keep in mind that hotels are very expensive in Australia, usually $100 and higher. Youth Hostels are a cheaper option. Having a lonely planet book is a good idea because they list a lot of hotels and youth hostels according to your budget.