Ilona Reynolds

I did have a look in the main Shipping forum for this, but that seemed to be more about moving your whole life. I'm just looking for a company to post some stuff back to the UK by seafreight. It's mostly clothes but also a few vinyl records so that puts the weight up a bit. Any tips?

Don't know if you've got a van yet but my friend here just showed me these http://www.wickedcampers.com.au I want the Alice Cooper one!

Hi Carla, I'm getting to Perth 29th October and planning on heading from there over to NZ for a couple of weeks in the new year, then from there to Melbourne. I'm also staying with friends in Perth.

Thanks Petals. I knew you had to do it in each state but hoped already being a licensee might get some kind of exemption from even a bit of it. Never mind. Not a problem.

On the topic of RSG does anyone know if having a personal licence over here gets you any exemptions over there? I think it's just wishful thinking but from what I've read the course is pretty much the same.

Thanks for the tips all. I'll definitely check out some of those venues.

To be honest I'm not necessarily looking for big bands. More local stuff. From my experience everywhere has some kind of scene, it doesn't have to be huge. I'm going to Melbourne at the end of Jan though so expect more there.

Hi Emma, I'll PM you when I get there and given us both a few days to settle!

I'm going to be in Melbourne for the Grand Prix too. Heading there end of Jan I think for Australia Day then St Kilda festival, then Soundwave at the end of Feb and the the Grand Prix.

Yea I looked at Perth but the timing doesn't quite work for me. Shame. I couldn't believe how easy it was to get a ticket. Doesn't sell out in 10 mins like our festivals! Pretty excited about the line up though. It's basically all the bands I was complaining I was missing on their UK tours because I would already have left for Oz.

I thought I'd start a separate thread for people in Perth/WA October this year to Jan next year, as posts can get a bit lost in the big meetup thread. So I get to Perth on 29th October and am planning on staying in WA until the first week of Jan (when I'm probably going to head to NZ for a couple of weeks). I'd like to do a bit of travelling around WA while I'm there. Probably up to Exmouth and down to the vineyards. No solid plans or ways of getting there though. I'm staying with some friends in Perth so not really going to meet people through hostels initially. If anyone fancies a meeting up for a beer an an explore let me know. I'm quite up for checking out some local gigs too so if you're into music even better. I'm mainly rock/metal but to be honest I'll give anything a listen once.

I've just booked a ticket for Soundwave Festival in Melbourne at the end of Feb next year. If anyone's into their rock/metal and fancies meeting up then let me know. I know it's a while off yet but thought I'd post it in case people needed to get tickets. The line up is here http://soundwavefestival.com/

I'm arriving in Perth on 29th October too Who you flying with? I'm Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong.

I have that card too. Used it in the States a couple of months ago. It's a good one to have. And if you spend over £300 (I think it is) a month you get £5 credited back.

I'm heading to Perth on a WHV end October. Gonna stay in WA until early Jan but hopefully try and get some of my fruit picking out of the way in that time so will probably head down the coast for a bit. Either way would be good to meet up for a drink, and with you tashpotato.

Hiya. I don't have any advice on the work side of things, but just wanted to say I'm travelling on my own too and there seems to be a few others doing the same. So I wouldn't worry too much about that. I'm sure we'll all make friends over a few beers.

Thanks for all the tips guys! Need to sit and get my head around it all but you've definitely been helpful.

Has anyone got / used any of the SIM cards you can get from STA travel? Either the Global Travel or the Home & Roam? Just wondering whether they are worth it or whether I should just get an Australia PAYG or contract when I'm out there and use Skype as I'm taking my laptop with me. On a slightly different note does anyone know if I get an iPhone in Australia will it work in the UK when I get back (obviously with a different SIM card)? ​Thanks all!

Hi! Thanks for the welcome. I'm actually visiting a friend in Hong Kong who has lived there for 3 years so I'm hoping she'll be a good tour guide and I'll get to see some of the less touristy stuff too. I have heard it is a bit crazy though. I hadn't thought about going to Cairns, but I think if I decide to stay the 2nd year then I might try and head up that way.

I'm from Essex originally (don't hold it against me) but moved to Surrey about 9 years ago for uni and then stayed.

Living and loving real life?

Actually I just went back and read your first post. Meeting a friend out there? I get the feeling a lot of people go along but already know people out there and end up mixing it up with a bit of travelling with friends and a bit on their own.

Yep just me. Had a pretty rubbish last 6 months so made a bit of an impulse decision get away for a year or so. I've got friends in Perth, Melbourne, Alice Springs and Sydney to visit though. Some Brits doing the same thing and some Aussies who live there. Also planning on going over to NZ for a couple of weeks to see a friend who will be there training to be a commercial airline pilot. I recently went gliding over here and I've heard there's good gliding near Perth so going to try to do that too. Just spend a year making the most of life really and not worry about my career back here etc. ​What about you?

No work lined up in Perth but I'm going to be staying with some friends initially so I'll get them to keep an eye out closer to the time for any temp work. I'm not that worried about getting work there though. I reckon I can cope for a couple of months. I think you're right about the plan. I've got a list of things I'd like to do and friend I'd like to see but that's all really, and I'm sure the list will get longer when I get there and start talking to people!

Hi all, Thought I'd introduce myself. I'm heading over in October this year - starting with a few days in Hong Kong then a couple of months in Perth before heading on to Melbourne. I don't really have a plan! Just going to see what happens really. Seems like there are quite a few people heading out in October but mostly to Melbourne? I've got my visa (approved in 3 hours online) and flights booked. Good to hear tips on the phone network - thanks for that. ​Ilona