First visit
#16
Re: First visit
Hey there, thanks so much for the replies, turns out I was slightly wrong, we are now going to Brisbane! And after some 8 or 9 years chatting about it we have actually booked the flights so big steps forward there!
So, Brisbane, gold Coast, sunshine coast, what's the best things to see and do whilst we visit?
Thanks 😉
So, Brisbane, gold Coast, sunshine coast, what's the best things to see and do whilst we visit?
Thanks 😉
What not to do is visit all the local tourist attractions. People who live places generally don't spend a few weeks at Sea World or Australia Zoo.
#17
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2015
Location: york
Posts: 21
Re: First visit
Yeah I kind of guessed that, but we aren't coming 10,000 miles to Potter round the house dusting the telly.
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Apparently I'm in the Place to Be x
Posts: 995
Re: First visit
For tourist stuff just take your pick!
Theme parks (Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet n Wild)
Animals - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Surfers Paradise
Tambourine Mountain
Bribe Island
Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
Botanic gardens, Southbank and a River cruise at Brisbane
Honestly, just google. There are too many to name. Queensland is a fab place for a first visit to Australia, but as said it won't really give you a great insight into living over here. Especially the Gold Coast which is a high tourist place (Blackpool with sun ) Nice to visit but many wouldn't want to live there permanently.
You'll have a great time xx
Theme parks (Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet n Wild)
Animals - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Surfers Paradise
Tambourine Mountain
Bribe Island
Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
Botanic gardens, Southbank and a River cruise at Brisbane
Honestly, just google. There are too many to name. Queensland is a fab place for a first visit to Australia, but as said it won't really give you a great insight into living over here. Especially the Gold Coast which is a high tourist place (Blackpool with sun ) Nice to visit but many wouldn't want to live there permanently.
You'll have a great time xx
#19
Re: First visit
Yeah I kind of guessed that, but we aren't coming 10,000 miles to Potter round the house dusting the telly.
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
Actually living in any country is vastly different to visiting - even long visits. I spent four months at a time working out of Sydney for three years running - and still had no idea what it was really like when we emigrated.
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: First visit
Dorothy is right on - do not underestimate the difference between a stay as a tourist (however long) and being a resident.
Actually living in any country is vastly different to visiting - even long visits. I spent four months at a time working out of Sydney for three years running - and still had no idea what it was really like when we emigrated.
Actually living in any country is vastly different to visiting - even long visits. I spent four months at a time working out of Sydney for three years running - and still had no idea what it was really like when we emigrated.
My year in Sydney did not prepare me for the fact that estates existed in Australian suburbia: had no idea they existed : I assumed Australia was wall to wall 'neighbours' housing ...
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: First visit
Yeah I kind of guessed that, but we aren't coming 10,000 miles to Potter round the house dusting the telly.
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
Drives around suburbia will happen, traffic will be observed and supermarkets will be visited probably more often than they should.
Sea life centre I can do without, a zoo will probably be on the cards as a koala cuddle is a must in my daughters eyes.
Anyway, thanks for the replies so far 😁
By all means have a great time but don't disregard the practicalities of real world living in favour of looking at a comatose crocodile having coins thrown at it by schoolies.
#22
Re: First visit
For tourist stuff just take your pick!
Theme parks (Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet n Wild)
Animals - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Surfers Paradise
Tambourine Mountain
Bribe Island
Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
Botanic gardens, Southbank and a River cruise at Brisbane
Honestly, just google. There are too many to name. Queensland is a fab place for a first visit to Australia, but as said it won't really give you a great insight into living over here. Especially the Gold Coast which is a high tourist place (Blackpool with sun ) Nice to visit but many wouldn't want to live there permanently.
You'll have a great time xx
Theme parks (Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet n Wild)
Animals - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Surfers Paradise
Tambourine Mountain
Bribe Island
Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
Botanic gardens, Southbank and a River cruise at Brisbane
Honestly, just google. There are too many to name. Queensland is a fab place for a first visit to Australia, but as said it won't really give you a great insight into living over here. Especially the Gold Coast which is a high tourist place (Blackpool with sun ) Nice to visit but many wouldn't want to live there permanently.
You'll have a great time xx
#23
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2015
Location: york
Posts: 21
Re: First visit
Some great replies here guys, thanks, I think we've kinda decided to mini tour, gonna get over the jetlag for a couple of days in brisbane, then head north, then north a bit more (I think!) I'm just waiting for a work colleague to bring me a book so I can have a read and come up with a concrete plan!
That comatose Croc post cracked me up tho 😂😂😂😂
That comatose Croc post cracked me up tho 😂😂😂😂
#25
Re: First visit
Back up a step... OP you said your father lived in Aus as a child. Did he perhaps gain Australian citizenship whilst there? Because that would mean alot of your immigration problems solved.
#27
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2015
Location: york
Posts: 21
Re: First visit
I doubt it, he's never mentioned it anyway, all I know is his 10th birthday was on a boat on the way there and his 11th was on the way back. Oh and he went to school on a horse.😀😀
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,765
Re: First visit
Hi, I am an electrician and the Mrs is a dental practice manager/ dental nurse, we were under the impression that perth was on the up with a thriving economy, other than that we aren't thinking of a massive big city move, we are open to all suggestions so please share the knowledge, all viewpoints are appreciated 😉
From what I have read, an electrician cannot just arrive and start work. They need to Aussie qualify first. I'm sure others with more knowledge than me on that will fill in the detail.
Perth was certainly during the boom years a thriving economy and don't the rest of us know it. Prices hit the roof.
Many have left since those days, population increase has slowed right down, but 5% rental market, should ensure little problem finding a rental, unlike boom days, when queues could be seen around a block seeking out an interview with real estate in order to be able to acquire a rental.
Who knows your story could be different, but best arrive with eyes open.
#29
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2015
Location: york
Posts: 21
Re: First visit
just a quick update on this, we had a fantastic time in Brisbane and are full steam ahead for the visa, thank you for all the input people have given so far, see you again soon Oz
#30
Re: First visit
Took me 30 years of living in Aus before I got to see Perth. It's just shy of 3,000 K's from here in Melbourne, or 4 days drive. Let that sink in for a bit. Turned out it was much much better than I thought it would be, It does have a great ambience about it, it does have a little bit of comparatively old history, Well Fremantle does (Something which is thin on the ground here in Aus and something you'll miss after a while) I'd try and take a look if I were you.........but It's remote, going backwards, that will change in time as it's always been boom and bust. It is a decent place though with many fantastic aspects.
Whereas Melbourne.......... What can I say. There are many real reasons it keeps featuring as one of the best cities in the world to live. Problem is that fact alone spoils other places for you.... Oh and Melbourne takes quite a while to grow on you, once it does your hooked.
Whereas Melbourne.......... What can I say. There are many real reasons it keeps featuring as one of the best cities in the world to live. Problem is that fact alone spoils other places for you.... Oh and Melbourne takes quite a while to grow on you, once it does your hooked.