Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

It's bad around Rottnest this time of year. Where were you Pen, at this bbq I mean?

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Give that man a medal!!

Sums up why so people get fed up with the whingers - its not the whinging (which could be useful) - it's the fact that their problems do not apply to all. Most people can see that surely?

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

That man is a woman Badge.:rofl:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I have a 1.2 kg of it on my desk at work. Er - I'm OK!

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

What shit?:rofl:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

:lol: :rofl:

I stopped giving my grandaughter the stuff when i was in UK. Nanna always made breakfast.. the aftermath was NOT pleasant!! I did boiled eggs :thumbsup:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

You do know you are not supposed to give littlies more than 2 eggs a week don't you? Of course you do, you're a grandma and they know everything.:lol:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I honestly can't remember. Must ask Hubby in the morning. Wasn't beach or Kings Park and I do remember trees. Does that narrow it down enough for you?:rofl:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Eerm funnily enough..........., no.:rofl:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Oooops :o :huh:

Well shes still alive :lol:

Yeah i only did it couple of times a week maybe 3 ... fruit and porridge was another fave she was a grape monster... actually... this is gross but,..

I gave her some grapes with brekkie one day and they came out the other end completely undigested in large halves as i cut them!!!!!!!

1.how come she didnt choke

2. How come they managed to survive untouched? :rofl:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

My son used to love boiled eggs, that's how I know. yep, kidney beans, sweetcorn all comes out whole.:lol:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Oooo Oooo! I've got a very important one!

Plain Flavour Chips/Crisps are in a blue packet not a red one, Chicken Flavour are in green but rather reassuringly beefy/BBQ are in brown :0)



Five Dollar notes are reddy purple, and Tens are blue......other way around in the U.K.

There are no one or two cent coins.

House Letterboxes are at the boundary of your property, not in the front door.


There are no overflow holes in hand-basins or sinks-there is one in the bathroom floor instead.

Oh and..........

The water goes down the plug-hole the opposite way :p:o

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Living in the country in Australia is very different to living in the country in the UK!

Chocolate in Australia apparently has anti melt ingredient in it so doesn't melt in mouth

Singlet = vest, manchester = bedding, pants = trousers etc etc

Okey cokey is hokey pokey (of course this is a very important difference!!)

Trains in Perth and Sydney have guards on them in the evenings. In the UK the average person uses a train, not in Aus. Trains is Perth could be scarey at times, same as the central train station.

AFL vs soccer (I actually really liked AFL)

suburbs are huge is some cities and all look the same, can't think of anything like it in UK

Grass is springy, dry and bouncy with sand underneath it in Perth. I'd never heard of reticulation until I moved there.

Having a pool is not just for the rich like it is in UK

Same with private schools, much more affordable in Australia

Loads and loads of differences - some for the better and some not!!

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

'They are lovely N, I agree. An aunt made me a beautiful Golly which was about 18" long, dressed in a waistcoat, bow tie, trousers with braces and Spatz shoes. I think my mum still has it."

I also used to love gollies when I was a child, I had several of them all with the cutest faces. It's funny how most gollies are dressed in waistcoats and bow ties, even the non homemade ones. Must be the standard uniform!

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

UK have a powerful strong currency whereas AUD is not as powerful as GBP.GBP is more valuable currency. Australia is far away from everywhere whereas UK is right in the middle of Europe (8 hours flight from USA,Canada etc.) Weather is beautiful in Australia but there are other places life California, Morocco, South Africa etc. which have beautiful weather too.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

No it doesn't :D

One thing I don't get is why Australian sinks and baths don't seem to have the plug attached by a chain to the body of the sink or bath. None of the one's I've seen do anyway. Always losing the sodding plug :D

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

UK: Lots of decent Indian restaurants, and not just for an "English curry".
Oz: If there are any, I've yet to find them. :(

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

where the hell is the plug going?
how can you keep losing the plug!!!!!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Is it in the same place as the plot and your marbles ;)

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I have no idea, the plug police (husband) obviously keeps putting it away somewhere safe :rolleyes: :D
Quite possibly. Can't be bothered to look for them either :lol:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I'm sure half of this has already been said but could not resist a reply:

this is from MY point of view for what I experienced in the UK and now what I have experienced in Aussie (just as a disclaimer incase anyone takes what I say personally)

50 differences between AUS and the UK

1. Car servicing (AUS) - shorter service intervals - Outlander serviced at 15,000kms ($200) - Laguna serviced at 18,000 miles (£240)
2. Motorbike servicing intervals the same but half the price
3. Car Tax is called Rego
4. Compulsory Third Party Insurance on cars (AUS) - comprehensive optional - add the cost of them both together and works out just a bit cheaper than UK insurance (we lived in Lincoln UK and live in Port Macquarie NSW so did not have city loading in either country)
5. Companies (AUS) offer less online but they are getting there
6. Tax system easier to do online but it is compulsory to complete a tax return here - I only filled out a tax return in the UK once I went over the higher rate threshold
7. Petrol is cheaper (AUS) at max $1.50 per litre
8. VETs fees about the same as the UK (got an old dog on meds)
9. Food works out about the same - swings and roundabouts - some things cheaper some things more expensive - generally fruit and veg IN SEASON is much cheaper - mango's and tropical fruits VERY cheap but SPROUTS (ok ok so who wants sprouts) well they're not native to Aussie so they cost more as they're imported
10. Nuts and dried fruits - much much cheaper in Aussie
11. Over the counter meds cheaper in Aus - pack of 36 Neurofen $13.00 (£5)
12. Alcohol - can't get UK beers here - everything is light beer except where there are inindependentreweries - some in Townsville and Brisbane for example which are good - here in Port we have Little Brewing Company and they do good ales but have not been licenced for off-sales yet so have to hunt out the tavern which sells it. WINE - well all the AUS wines are about half the price of the imported value in the UK and are considered inferior - you know Jacobs Creek and that. There are hundreds of Aussie wines to choose from and often small vineyards on the doorstep which just sell to the public and are excellent. Generally alcohol is cheap although spirits about the same price as the UK.
13. AUS City pubs have a better feel than their small town counterparts which tend to be a bit like factory units or large social clubs with little atmosphere but they are getting there - say in the Hunter Valley and Mid Coast where some pubs actually have a pub feel about them.
14. AUS Computers are cheap - good spec can be had for $300 - Dells can be bought in shops!
15. AUS - mad on latest TVs which is strange cos the free to air channels are a wash out. Austar/Foxtel show lots of channels including a UK channel but for a price - we have not bothered as we're not in the house that much. Nine and Seven are the main channels (Prime and NBN) but there is SC10 (here in Port) and ABC (the BBC no advert equiv).
16. No TV licence fee
17. Water charges - about $40 per quarter but we have a rainwater tank which supplies three toilets and the laundry. (Except when we filled the pool - that Q cost us $200 but given the pool holds 65,000 litres of water I think it was still a bargain).
18. Water restrictions - depends on where you live - we are on LEVEL 1 which mean never wash a car on a hard standing area such as the drive - wash it on the grass and water the garden only on certain days of the week unless using water from the rainwater tank.
19. Phone - we have opted for free local and national calls as we have family in Sydney and the Mountains - costs $89 per month with international calls to none-internet users such as my mother at $5 per call for an hour (using telstra 0018).
20. Internet - we have Bigpond ADSL2 Liberty 12GB (any usage over that amount monthly slows the service but we've never got near the 12 yet). Service is FAST but drops out at least once a day for a few seconds. This costs us $89 per month and I can track the usage online to keep up to date on what I'm using. So far I've not gone over 4GB but the next cheapest option is 600 mb at $60 per month and the max option is for 60GB at $150 / month. We have a wireless router but there are lots of options for wireless as in plug in a receiver into the USB port and pic up wireless that way. I wanted to use 2 PCs and the playstation 3 and the Wii and the PSP using wireless which is why I chose a router option. Its a UK router and works without probs.
21. BOOKS are way more expensive in AUS. You can sometimes DOUBLE the UK list price on a paperback.
22. DVD (Blockbuster style) hire is $10 for 3 new releases.
23. Council Rates - we are charged $1700 per year for a 5 bedroom 700sq block which includes our three bins - red for landfill / green for garden / yellow for recycling.
24. Bacon is NOT the same quality in Aus. Chocolate is very different. Traditional mint sauce - you can find it in the English section of Coles sometimes otherwise its Mint Jelly and sweet.
25. Indian Curry Houses taste like Chicken Tonight - save your money and make your own you'll get more of a UK feel that way.
26. Chinese is also different but just as good.
27. Thai - well nothing is like Thailand 1 in Lincoln but they're possibly more authentic.
28. Supermarkets here are Coles and Woolworths
29. Music stores are Virgin and Sanity (same group as Virgin / HMV)
30. EB Games and GAME are the Aus gaming stores
31. Clothing stores are inindependentsn Port with some exceptions - most of them stock Chinese made stuff so quality is OK but nothing special
32. Thongs are flip-flops and made in all kinds of materials in more styles than you could ever have imagined - but don't try wearing them in hotel lounges or city pubs you won't get in
33. Shorts and t-shirts are the order of the day EVERYWHERE - city workers are expected to suit up and look smart
34. Cars hold very high second hand values and have zillions of miles on the clock - driving is terrible - they pull out on you and bash your pride and joy in car parks or anywhere you park - given that for most Aussies the cost of a car is like the next biggest purchase after the house ( with the exception of the boat) they don't give a toss about the vehicles so you WILL get back to the car and find its been scratched and bashed OFTEN
35. Wildlife - you see it EVERYWHERE in Aussie - can't remember when I saw anything other than cows / sheep / horses in the UK - except for roadkill that is
36. Port has OSPREYS - WOW
37. When it rains in NSW man it RAINS - it thunders down which is good for refilling tanks but generally in AUS there is a drought and the country works around this fact. At this time of year it is common for HAIL STONES the size of tennis balls. When buying car insurance make sure that HAIL DAMAGE is covered - I really mean this!
38. House insurance does not AUTOMATICALLY include FLOOD - so be aware of where you live and what the chances are for water damage - some parts of the Hastings River where we are, ARE prone to flood but its a personal call
39. Public transport out of the city is almost not even there. Yes trains do run up and down the east coast but possibly only twice a day. Buses are local and Greyhound (not used it so can't comment). Airports are all over the place and flying is generally cheap but watch for the extras such as paying in advance for luggage.
40. Medical is NOT free. There is a consultation fee for the doctor - we pay $15 per visit (which can be claimed back from private health insurance depending on the policy) as they bulk bill Medicare. Most other things such as blood tests and other tests / xrays and the like you'll get all or a portion of it back from Medicare - you just have to go in and claim it back. There is no FREE dentistry / or for things such as physio (unless its tagged to an emergency visit and part of the aftercare which you can claim back from private insurance if you have it). Most important is AMBULANCE cover as this is not a free service.
41. I no longer have to use a descaler on the kettle / iron / washing machine as Aus does not add lime to water - infact they are not recycling water so its as pure as possible which is a good AND bad thing long term
42. Post / Parcels is not delivered at weekends
43. A holiday in the SOUTH PACIFIC somewhere exotic such as Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tahiti is not only possible its CHEAP
44. Once you're in Aussie they don't want you to leave so getting a UK flight can cost twice as much as the UK to Aussie version
45. Loyalty cards are happening (FlyBuys from Coles / everyday Rewards from Woolworths / Velocity from Virgin) but the rewards take a LOT of points
46. Driving Licences have a maximum life of 5 years before you have to pay for a new one
47. The RTA is the equiv of the DVLA
48. There is no such thing as central heating / radiators or double glazing - reverse cycle air conditioning is the most popular way to heat up a cold Aussie house but it comes at a price (electricity costs)
49. There is no such thing as a hot water / cold water storage tank (where we live anyway) - water comes in under pressure and is delivered direct to the tap - hot water is stored in the hot water boiler (lots of variations of them)
50. The weather ................... 90% of the time it is sunny. Here in Port even mid winter the daytime temp did not drop below 20 (except for a couple of days when it got down to 16).

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

It is ???? http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/ ;)

I couldnt resist either :)

I have highlighted your bit that says "MY point of view", so that you understand I am not actually picking. ;)

I just wanted to explain that there are differences between States here. The QLD RTA is actually the Residential Tenancies Authority.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Now I am picking...

Manchester to Athens. Distance: 2640 km
Brisbane to Fiji. Distance: 2766 km

Australia is closer to New Zealand, than the UK is.
Australia is closer to Fiji, than the UK is.
Australia is closer to China, than the UK is.
Australia is closer to the beautiful Pacific Islands, than the UK is.

Australia is further away from Europe, and if that is a problem to anyone, please take it into account before migrating here ;)

People should treat Australia as a continent, and treat each State as somewhere different, something like Europe.

In Europe you have a central European system, with individual states like UK, France, Germany etc, etc. People in one country often go on holidays in one of the other European areas.

In Australia we have a central Australian system, with individual states like NSW, QLD, WA etc etc. People in one State often go on holidays in one of the other Australian areas.

Think of it like that, instead of saying it is far away from everywhere. Which it isn't, unless of course your version of "everywhere" is only countries near the UK.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I knew there was a reason you'd been missed E. One of the most intelligent posts in donkeys.:thumbsup:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I agree people can hardly complain Aus is far from anywhere when there are different places that they can visit outside of Aus. Also I agree if you move to Aus then expect not to go to Europe on hols. To be fair, although you can visit each state in Aus and each state has it's differences, at the end of the day they are all in Australia and are not that different. :blink:

It's not like Europe where the various countries are culturally diverse and very, very different and unique. One can't compare holidaying in Aus to anywhere in Europe. That doesn't mean to say Aus and the surrounding holiday destinations don't have their beauty in fact there are so many fantastic places to visit I would be surprised if anyone could fit them in in a lifetime - inside and outside Aus:thumbsup:

As has been pointed out, if someone was to move to Aus and then complain it's not like they can pop over to Europe, then they'd be right. All the more reason not to move here in the first place if it matters:blink:

We can't compare holidays from UK with holidays from Aus as they would be different but that doesn't mean to say they are any the less. That's what most of us expect and have moved here for. The is no comparison - they're just different:thumbup:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

For me the big differences are:

In UK I would often go to the 'town centre' and have a wander about the shops and meet a mate for lunch in a PUB

Here on a weekend I go to a mall (with AC) and wander around the shops and eat in a FOOD COURT.

I kinda miss pub lunches. You can go to the local 'hotel' but they tend to be souless in my area. Outside of Brisbane city there doesnt seem to be any smaller pubs like UK.

I find here meeting friends we tend to go out for coffee and cake, or to a movie or over to someones house for dinner/BBQ. In the UK for us, everything used to revolve around meeting at the local pub. Hardly EVER did dinner parties - here it's more common. I think for us we have alot more house for our buck than the UK. Never wanted to have people over to our tiny flat. Now for the same price and about 30 minutes closer to the city we have a nice townhouse and a courtyard and all that.

I miss the short trips to go over to Europe. Travelling via places is more expensive - well probably not now the exchange has gone crap again, but $300 for a return flight to Melbourne compared to going to Amsterdam. Obviously distance is a factor and I am happy that getting a cruise to several Pacific Islands is alot cheaper.

I commute more here. And public transport in Brisbane doesn't excit me. It's functional but needs alot more money spent to increase the number of trains and frequency.

I don't notice alot of difference in the driving. People annoy me the same. I have already learnt to slow things down a bit.

Despite it feeling like prices for things are about the same I can save ALOT more money here, and due to high interest rates get excited about the interest earnt each month.

Shopkeepers are friendlier everywhere - it seems customer service is still considered a vital skill to be able to work in that industry.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Do they still do 4 litres of wine for $11 in a BOX? A cask as some of the rummies in Australia used to call it.

It got me through my backpacking days, however was a little disturbed by the amount of fish and eggs they added to it! Cheap fermentation processes!
:ohmy:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Some even cheaper than that when they're on special, but only the real crap like Stanley, which I saw for $18 for 2 x 4litre casks a week or two ago.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Ahh good ole Stanley, what would we do without you! :thumbsup:

When money was tight, which it was when backpacking I'd buy a cask and some lemondade (mix it with white wine) or coke (mix it with red wine).

Only way to keep it down! LOL!

I love the way you can by spirits and mixers in a CAN! Can't get that here in the UK. However i guess the UK has its share of alcopops!

Oh an another great thing 'COCK SUCKING COWBOYS!' Not of the literal sense, but again several shots of this creamy liquor in Ready to drink shot glasses.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

It's a bit of a bummer when you love wine but are totally intolerant to eggs. :sneaky:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Yes you can :confused: You wouldn't want to drink it, but you can get it.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

They are unbelievably strong and very sickly, but when in Rome....

Same as Bundie and cola. Hurts my teeth thinking about them. :eek:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Here is a small and pretty much nit picky thing...but irked me none the less.

they don't call retail receipts.. receipts...they call them dockets!

Also taxi drivers in some part of Australia, have no sense of direction and if they find you're a tourist they switch their meters to 'outlandish tariff mode'!

I never fell for it, as soon as I got in I'd be like right take me to this place and I don't wanna be charged more than this much. (I knew the going rate!)

I remember when I was in Sydney and giving directions to a guy to get me to the AMP tower...hmm....his english wasn't brilliant and I actually wondered how long he'd been in the country for and if he actually had a licence to drive a cab and also if I was getting into a cab that would end up in the wrong part of sydney where several men with baseball bats were waiting.
:eek:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Good post, my comments on some of your comments.

5. No, they don't seem to be getting there at all. I still can't believe how far behind they are. Even major department stores and retailers don't have anything - you can download their latest catalogue in PDF format and that's your lot. Pathetic is the word. Maybe online shopping is just not in the Aussie mentality.

19/20 That does seem expensive, have you tried to get it in one package?

21 Books, frighteningly expensive and I don't buy them now. You could probably get them from Amazon cheaper including the postage.

22 There is some very good chocolate in Australia, especially in Sydney or Melbourne. If you want good bacon then go to Pokeno in New Zealand.

26 Chinese food is in a different league altogether, I think comparing UK Chinese to Australian Chinese is like comparing UK Indian to Australian Indian.

27 Nothing beats Thailand, but there are some very good local Thai places in Melbourne and Sydney, usually in small food courts.

29 JB Hifi is much cheaper than any of those stores

34 Seems to depend on the cars, they aren't too bad if you buy Ford/Holden or Japanese. Forget about anything exotic (including Citroen :) ) or European though.

37 The rain is great, one of lifes great pleasures is lying in bed with torrential rain on a corrugated tin roof.

43 Don't forget SE Asia

45 Had them for years, cant see them getting any better now.

48 Many places in Melbourne have ducted heating, better than radiator heating IMO.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

You're right, you can :blink:Another good site is http://www.bookdepository.co.uk
Their search facility isn't brilliant so you need to browse on Amazon then look up the titel on Book Depository. Worth the extra hassle for the free postage :thumbup:

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I don't buy many books, but let us know how these compare...

http://www.fishpond.com.au/ Australia's Biggest Online Bookstore - all our book prices are better than Amazon. Guaranteed.

Woolworths, Shop online. Woolworths homeshop delivers your groceries, liquor and more direct to your door.

Coles Online do the same.


There are loads of online Computer Shops, Camera Shops,

It is happening, but many people seem to like local shops here, so it may be slow to change, to what the migrants are used to.

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

In our office, we all get books from Amazon US. We often take it in turns to order for the group. It was great when the FX rate was almost parity, now not so good....!

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Worth bearing in mind. I've compared the last few I've got from Amazon, and its I'm not initially convinced they are cheaper.
Well worth keeping as a link to search through though, I'd not come across them before, thanks :)

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

I know we have strayed off thread a bit but following on with the book issue, I too am finding them very expensive. I think its a case of keeping your eye out for bargains - I've bought a few from QBD as they have some excellent bargains from time to time, I haven't used them online, I just go into the shop and browse!

Re: Basic differences between Aus and the UK
 

Yeah they come up with occasional good bargains, don't they. Just takes a knack of being in the rigt place at the right time.