lukeinoz

Hi Rachandian check out https://flatmates.com.au/ , https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ , http://share-house.com.au/ , http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/australia/melbourne/ . I'm booking my first week staying through airbnb then maybe find a house or apartment share, or hostel once I'm there. Thanks for the insurance recommendation, I looked at them but ended up going with down under insure as they came out cheaper, and slightly better cover. And 1400 seems excessive, I know Aus isn't cheap but I've seen good apartment shares for $150-$250 a month on flatmates.au furnished some including bills some not.

Make sure you buy a factory unlocked phone here in the UK, then you can try different sims (networks) to see which is best. I hear Vodafone are pretty good, but that's just what I've seen people say on the forums, do a search on here for mobile networks, they're plenty of threads on it.

Be sure to let us know how it all goes, i'm in the same boat really except I arrive in Melbourne on the 6th Jan. All the best wbf

Yeah there is a reciprocal healthcare agreement between UK and aus but I think it only covers basic things, I need to look into it more. And yeah we need to arrange that once a few of us are in Melbourne.

Hey onwardsorupwards, how is Asia ? I've heard a lot of people go that route before moving on to Aus and have a great time. I'm from Hull, and yeah cannot wait to finish work and get out there. Don't suppose you have any recommendations for travel and health insurance ? If you've taken them out.I've been looking online but can't seem to find anything suitable.

No not long now time is flying, handing my notice on thursday and finish work middle of December.. Hooray ! I'm looking on airbnb for places to stay and apartment shares. I'm not keen on staying in a hostel with 4-10 people on my first week there. And the price for a single room in a hostel is equivalent to a place on airbnb or house share with more room so looking to go that route to start of with. I'm not sure what i'm going to do regarding work yet, probably bar work or something if I can get any. And looking to do my regional work a bit later on. What about yourself ? What's your plans ?

I'm arriving in Melbourne on the 6th Jan, and staying in Melbourne for a couple of months, I'll see how it goes. Check the thread below this one, there a couple arriving in January I believe.

Hi EMMA123 , I applied for my WHV a few weeks back with my Visa debit card and everything was ok. The visa was granted 3-4 hours later

Thank you for the link I booked my flights last night through kayak with Qatar Airlines for £1100 with only 1 stop. Saved myself some money there

Thanks, I'm sure I will

aaah sorry 30 hour is the total travel time not stopover time, should of made it clearer. Yeah the stopover time I got for the flights are like 1-3 hours which is ok.

The travel agents said the price was higher than normal because of the time I was going, just looked at singapore airlines and it was 1100 with 2 stops 30hr+ which I don't want, I changed the months to see how much price difference there was and there wasn't much difference. I have got a little better price of £1400 (including £100 date change) with emirates and the same with Qantas, so I may just have to settle with either one.

So I've been looking at flights from Manchester to Melbourne via Dubai 1 stop (stop time 2.5 hrs), total travel time approx 26hrs leaving jan 14 returning latest date possible and then just changing the return date. Travel agents and online have both give me a price of around £1500 return including return date change. It seem quite expensive, compared to what i've seen others get. Anyone one else in a similar situation to me if so how much was your flights ? Cheers

Oh cool, where are you flying from ? I'm looking at airbnb.co.uk for accommodation for the first week or two as there seems to be plenty of places near Melbourne Park, not sure about staying at a hostel.

That's the only thing i'm not really looking forward too also, but hey what can you do. I'm also going to Melbourne on my own first week of January, mainly for Australia open.