===>Australia/New Zealand trip. Advice??

B

Bishop2Queen's6

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Jun 8, 2011
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Hey all,

I'm traveling to Sydney and Auckland for work mid to late December through New Years. I know it will be later spring, early summer, and it does rain frequently.

I don't really travel much, and this will be my first time in both countries (Im 22 yrs old if that matters)

-Plenty of sunblock and bug spray

-I do have my passport in order

-I plan on buying a SIM chip in Sydney

-I need some sort of E-VISA???? Explain pls...

-Get some $$$$ exchanged from the bank

-Have a 32 gb chip in my camera with 3 extra batteries

-Packing a suit for work,casual clothes, 4 pairs of shoes (Flip flops, dress shoes, trail running shoes, sneakers)

-I am an EDC gear head so I'm trying to figure out what I can/cannot bring (knife [fixed and folding], multitool, saber red, plus GO-BAG gear (first aid kit, portable pharmacy etc...)) Any laws, rules, I need to know about?

-I haven't been to the gym since early June b/c of injury. I have been since cleared to return since August, but have been lazy. Planning on doing 4 weeks of HIIT (High intensity interval training) before the trip to get back into fighting shape.

I just need some advice on what to bring, how to prep well, on what I should expect.

Thank you!!
 
I was in NSW not far from Sydney last year for the month of December. In fact I'm here right now again. I don't consider myself an expert traveler though, since I'm also here for business and every second of the journey is dictated by work schedules. Maybe a bit of insight on your notes:

-Plenty of sunblock and bug spray
Bugs in New South Wales aren't really a problem. Only once have I wished for bug spray, and that was in December on a rain forest hike near Wallengong - small, biting mosquitoes.

Sunglasses are critical.

-I do have my passport in order

-I plan on buying a SIM chip in Sydney
I'm not sure how all of that works here. One co-workers buys an inexpensive phone here with a pre-paid plan. The other uses a smart phone from the states with an international calling plan.

-I need some sort of E-VISA???? Explain pls...
Your passport is the USA vouching for you to leave. In order to enter another country you need permission from them, and that's a Visa. An Australian visa only takes a minute to apply online and costs about $20. They're good for a year and can be "multiple entry" if you're going to come and go more than once.

-Get some $$$$ exchanged from the bank
USA debit cards will work at ATM machines anywhere. You'll get hit with a fee from the ATM though, and probably another from your bank. But it seems to be the simplest and easiest way to access cash, and the conversions from USA to AU are all automatic.

You can also use name-brand (Visa, Mastercard) credit cards at most stores and restaurants. You'll get hit with a currency conversion fee each time though.

You'll find many businesses though that don't take cards, so get some cash.

-Have a 32 gb chip in my camera with 3 extra batteries
Travel with more than one memory card. I'd rather have three or four small cards than one monster-sized card. The old saying about eggs and baskets...

Extra batteries are good, but consider where and how you'll charge them. Some hotels have international outlets in the bathrooms for razors, but most don't. If your charger is a one-piece unit, consider buying a Aussie charger. If your charger has a brick and removable cable, then you only need to buy an Aussie cable (much cheaper than a charger).

Also consider other electrical items. Laptop, shaver, phone charger...

You can also buy an outlet adapter, or even a set of worldwide adapters. Check the travel and adventure stores. I bought one from Campmor, as I recall, although I've since bought Aussie cables for everything.

---------------

A couple of things you didn't ask about but might like to know:
Even though the exchange rate is about 1-to-1, a dollar here isn't the same thing as a dollar at home. An example, in the USA ATM withdrawals are normally distributed in $20 bills; Australian ATMs give $50s. Another example, the per diem rate for a business trip to Denver is something close to $65; the Sydney rate is something like $165.
 
Hi,
When you arrive, buy a Telstra SIM card. DO NOT BUY ANY OTHER. Lack of coverage etc etc Put credit on it and your good to go. Ensure your phone is unlocked before you arrive. If you have smart phone or laptop load Skype onto it and use it to call home. It is cheaper
Sydney is expensive.. You will not find Kangaroos in the street in the major cities and English, albeit rapid and with an accent is the norm. :)
If you travel, check the distances. I met a soldier on the JAF a year ago who expected to drive 2/3's the way around the country in two weeks and still take in the scenery.
You will have to declare any 'weapon' at the airport. This includes knives. A multi tool, fixed blade or lock back folder is fine. You may find they try to jolt or bounce or 'activate' any folder. When in Australia, you may have issues wearing a folder or multi tool. I would leave the fixed blade in the bag. Depending on your activity, location you should be ok with a multi tool on the belt but best to have a sort covering it. Either that or have it in your pocket.
I will leave it to a Kiwi to talk about NZ. Things are a bit easier there. They can still own semi auto shotgun and long guns etc etc.
Enjoy,
DC
 
I could have typed a bunch more last night, but the internet cut off. Which brings me to...

Most large and name-brand hotels have internet, but almost nowhere is it free. The hotel will usually have a a third-party internet service, or their own connection fees. It's not cheap either. $5/hr, $20/day, $15 for a few hours, etc. Small or out-of-the-way motels often have no internet.

For quick and free internet - checking e-mails, etc. - your best bet is McDonalds. They're everywhere and they always have free internet.
 
One last thing, luggage. The overseas flights have hundreds and hundreds of passengers. The luggage carousels at the airports are loaded with thousands of pieces of black nylon luggage, much of it identical. Just say No to black nylon. :)

You may want hard luggage to keep your business clothes neat. That's not an issue for me, so I use bright red North Face duffel bags.
 
Right, they're predicting a rainy summer, but nevertheless you'll need your sunnies. It will be quite warm, can expect anything between 25 to 45 Celsius. Carrying of knives is illegal, that's right illegal. You won't be able to bring in assisted openers, autos and double edged knives. Just carrying is ilegal, possesion is not. Telstra does have the best coverage, but far from best prices. If you stick to Sydney and Auckland network coverage won't be much of a problem for any network. Actually it's been quite wet and there are mozzies just about anywhere. Sun is quite harsh but you can get the sunblock in every big supermarket and pharmacy ( up to SPF 50+) and so is bug spray. If you have more specific questions just ask.
 
New Zealand weather is difficult to predict. That's the number 1 problem tourists have here. Come prepared. A windbreaker and warmer clothes and gear is a great idea especially if you plan on hiking (called tramping here). I cannot stress this enough. More people die in the NZ bush than in the Aussie bush, despite the fact we don't have snakes, killer spiders, crocs, etc. Prepare yourself for anything.

The main thing NOT to bring into New Zealand is any food or seeds or anything like that. If you're not sure, declare it. Or throw it away in the special trash bins which you will see when you get off the plane.

Normal folding knives, fixed blades and multi-tools shouldn't give you any problem at all at the customs. As for carrying them in Auckland, on one hand there is absolutely no reason why you would be searched by the police during your stay. On the other hand, technically the law says you cannot carry any knife UNLESS you have a reason to. Self defense is sadly not recognized as a reason to carry. If you go hiking, then you have a legitimate reason to carry a knife.
Having said that, if you plan on going night clubbing or "bar hopping" in Auckland you should probably leave any knife in your hotel room.
Our police are VERY reasonable, but you never know what happens and you're searched. Shouldn't happen, but...

We sometimes tend to use a few Maori words when we speak.
This is a basic start:
http://www.maorilanguage.net/phrase_drills/phrase_drills_lesson.cfm?learningsubcategoryid=17

Also: Kia Ora is hello. Everyone says that here.

Have fun in New Zealand.
 
I'm staying at Gold Coast, Queensland. I don't really like doing the tourist thing. I like traveling discretely and blending in as best I can while taking in the sites. What is something locals do in that area?
 
If you can, make a detour to Port Douglas and check out the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest I would. It's a long trip to Oz and the reef and wildlife (think 20ft long Salt water crocodiles) are a site to see. Queensland was my favorite part. Either way, have a great trip. Australia is awesome.
 
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