Tips - Before you go
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Here’s some things you might want to think about before you leave for your holiday. Stopping your mail If you would like to stop your mail while you are away you will need to fill out a form and lodge it with payment at Australia Post. Click here for more information and to download the form. Don’t forget to also stop any newspaper deliveries as well!
The garden Consider asking a neighbour to water your plants and mow the lawn while you are away to keep your garden beautiful.
Pets
Vaccinations Double check with your doctor if you need any vaccinations but click here for a useful guide to what is recommended.
Check your home & contents insurance It may be a while since you've looked at your policy so it's best just to check what is covered and what is not while you are out of the country. If you are relying on insurance through your credit card, double check the policy – you might find out it’s not all that you thought. We recommend Suresave for a good cover.
Mobile phones If you are taking your mobile, ensure you have roaming switched on and that your device will work out of Australia (you may need to call your provider to unlock it). Check call rates to ensure you don’t come home to an enormous bill!
Internet on your mobile while you are away Just a quick note that roaming data charges can add up pretty quickly, especially if you have a device such as an iPhone with applications that automatically update on the go. We recommend you switch data roaming off while you are away. If you will be using maps then download them before you go. Don’t forget to pack your charger and adaptor.
Skype your friends and family Skype is one of the wonders of modern travel. Where ever you are, Skype gives you free calls, video calls and instant messaging over the internet, and also allows you to make cheaper calls to landlines and mobiles. You will need to set up an account by downloading it first. Click here to go to the Skype homepage.
ATM / Credit cards These days your regular ATM / credit card is accepted in most places and are plentiful at airports when you arrive so it’s no longer necessary to take travellers cheques. You may, however, want to get a small amount of your destination’s local currency before you leave just in case. Take a spare card and keep it in a different spot for emergencies. (Note: Freighter ships will not have an ATM on them! You will need US dollars whilst on board.)
For goods valued at over $300 and purchased within 30 days of departure from the one store on a single invoice, it may be possible to be reimbursed for the GST component. The goods must be worn or taken on as hand luggage. For up to date information about this from the Australian Government click here. |
