Hi all!
So I'm going to Australia in a couple months and I'm stuck on a couple things.
Should I bring my laptop?
I looked at the other threads, but I'm still torn because I'm solo-ing part of my adventure and going on a Contiki tour for the other part. Plus my mom wants daily check-ins.
Is it worth getting a disposable cell phone for my trip? And where would I get one?
I'll be traveling for almost a month and I'm staying at a couple of hostels. I read an article on CNN that says texting new friends made in the cities you visit is useful to know where to meet up and cheaper than calling them. Plus it's a bit easier than running around like a chicken with your head cut off to find them.
Aside from music on the plane, will I want my iPod? Especially if I have my laptop to keep me company on the plane?
Besides vegemite on toast (*gag*), what's a good option for breakfast in hotels that don't offer the meal as part of the price?
If I want to go clubbing, how do I keep my ID and money safe and play on the dance floor?
What is a must-see in Brisbane because I'm only there a day and a half?
Should I actually get a lock for my carry-on bag? Or is that just paranoia?
Any help would be appreciated so these questions don't drive me crazy between now and my trip.
Thanks!
Reply to this Hello Erika and welcome to the Forum!
I live in Brisbane so I'll give you a few pointers.
Laptop: Internet Cafes are everywhere in any moderate size town/city. However, the convenience of having a small and light laptop outweighs the hassle of carrying them. Great for uploading photos too.
Phone: If you have a phone, bring it over, but make sure it is not "locked" or is denied global roaming. Once you are here, just buy a SIM Card (you need the usual ID requirements here - your passport and a couple of other ID evidence will suffice) and you are away! Text messaging is a great way to keep in contact. If you want to phone home, purchase a phone card - they normally give you a connection of 1 cent per minute if you choose correctly.
iPod: Bring them, having your favourite music with you is a wonderful gift for yourself.
Breakfast: What's wrong with our wonderful vegemite! It's great! But if you don't like it, there are plenty of supermarkets to buy cereals and milks or different jams and the like. Aussie breakfasts are similar to English and American - eggs, bacon, baked beans, hash browns, tomato, sausages - they are great!
Brisbane: The most essential stops are South Bank, take a City Cat on the Brisbane River, and going to Mount Coot-tha in the early evening for a view over the city.
Locks on Bags: You will not need a lock for your carry on bag, planes are generally very safe. I'd always lock away my stored luggage though.
Remember if you are bringing anything that needs charging you have to purchase the adapter to deal with our different power plugs.
Reply to this Australia is a very clean country as health standards are very high.
Also, the Travel Camel is too right about adapters, make sure you one or two of those handy. Ipod would be ideal as the flight is a bit long. If you have trouble sleeping then you most certainly want to have something to keep you occupied during the flights.
Also, if your going clubbing, make sure you bring out your passport, as many Australian clubs and bars do not accept American Id's.
has some Great travel tips for traveling down under. Take it from us Aussies, we will steer you in the right direction! Reply to this When I first did some travelling i took a laptop, but wish I hadnt as I was always concerned about it getting stolen/broken - i felt it was more trouble than it was worth.
When I went travelling again I didnt take it my laptop, and never missed it. There has always been internet cafes everywhere from my experience.
I dont like taking anything I cant afford to lose with me.
Use an old (GSM) mobile, and get local sims (passport and hostel address is enough), or get a cheap mobile when you're out if you need to. But try to get a mobile that uses a common charger you can buy if you lose yours (e.g. a nokia or USB generic slot on the mobile for charger). I've seen alot of travels go and buy the cheapest mobile they can, then lose the charger, but not be able to buy a new charger cos nowhere sells it, so they have to buy another mobile.
From my experience, using a Blackberry mobile has been great...I can use it as my MP3 player (with any normal headset plug on it), it charges with a standard generic usb cable to PC or USB wall charger, and when I'm in a place that offer prepay blackberry service, or I there for long enough for a contract I can have email on the go all the time, which is nice for being able to send pictures and video i've just taken on it via email (fully quality, no expensive MMS and really poor quality). I can also store all my personal travel/bank details on it, and know its password protected so if I lose it, whoever finds it will not have access to any of my info.
Reply to this The best way to keep everything with you on the dancefloor is a buy a cheap purse/bag that has a wrist strap. the bag is big enough to keep your ID, cash, phone etc and its small enough that you can let it hang on your wrist while you dance. they only cost like $15 and come in all colours etc. very popular in aus!
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