heldownunder

We arrive next wednesday, with our 3&5 year old, in Brisbane at 6am.

After a four hour kip to rejuvinate, what three things should we do next??

deb68

Take some deep breaths, pinch yourself, then smile!

sa2uk2oz

if your'e near south bank.. head down that way with your costumes..

they will love it!

carolinephillips

Being practical- after all that, set up and activate your bank account.

Doco

We arrived last Thursday at 6am too!, had a nap till about 12.30 then wanderered around like zombies for the next 3 days, got bank accounts activated, and applied for DHs' TFN online. Took the kids to south bank where they had a swim and loved it, was quite busy at the weekend tho!

Best thing we've bought so far has been a $20 pack of play-doh! It has kept the kids (6 & 3 y/o) amused for hours!

Good Luck!

Sherlock Holmes

Have another 4 hours kip. Have dinner, have a drink.

Do all the important stuff the next day. Medicare should be on your list.

Wendy66

We arrived 5am I think, I'd go against the grain on this thread and say 'stay awake' get into Aussie time straight away, make it so much easier, fair enough you'll be shattered in early evening but then go to bed and get up at normal time, to get you into it as soon as possible.

Maybe get your car/accommadation sorted and then maybe your banking activated then have a nice lunch and look round......... there is plenty of time for everything else. Just chill and enjoy your first day.

Tubbs2Oz

We arrived in Sydney at 6am, about the same time last year! Our eldest (practically 5 at the time) fell asleep in the car on the way from the airport. We couldn't get him to wake up for ages. Then the pair of them (5 & 2.5) woke up the first morning at 2am ready to start the day. The next day it was 4am then eventually 6am. We're so glad that our cousin had put a DVD player in our room.

I'd suggest finding out where a local soft play is for when you are completely worn out but the kids need something to keep them going.

Jet lag on your own is one thing, convincing young children that it really is night time and they should go back to sleep is another. We did stay awake and get into the aussie time zone straight away, it worked really well, we were just tired from VERY broken sleep during the nights!

It's all great after the first few days! Good luck and enjoy your new life!

heldownunder

thank you sooo much for the advice- not looking forward to 2 am starts!!!!

so day one Southbank eat out drink and smile.... house a short walk from river cat so kids will love going on that

day two we have arranged to pick up car and get bank cards and thought we might head up to Mt Cootcha- we also need to buy car seats beer wine and food!!

day 3- lone pine...the kids think kangaroos will wander the streets so need to prioritise that and start to suss out some areas eg kenmore

Havent planned for rest and sleep..... so I take it people tend to suffer from early mornings???

DH has bought a tomtom on aus ebay so hope that is waiting for us.

Where do we sort medicare and tfn- as they seem to be the next impo jobs???

keep the ideas rolling

heldownunder

play doh sounds great- the kids are missing toys etc already

any other child tips??? or keeping parents sane tips?? How did you find the flight?? we are stopping off in Dubai - couldnt face the whole way

whereabouts are you based, as our children sound the right ages to amuse each other !!!

Doco

Flights were actually fine, we flew emirates from Glasgow, we stopped off in Dubia too! stayed at the Jebil Ali golf and spa resort, it was pure bliss! We did have a couple of early mornings/late nights and to be honest we are still a little off time balance wise.
We've not got a car yet, as we are moving on to Townsville in about 5 weeks and can't decide if we should buy one here and drive up there or fly up there and buy one when we get there. This hasn't proved too difficult as we are based in Spring Hill which is with in walking distance of the city and south bank etc.
I'm sure my 6 y/o (girl) and 3 y/o (boy) would love to meet up, they are having withdrawl from all their friends and toys at home lol will PM you my mobile number (when I get it!).

Bermudashorts

Medicare has lots of offices dotted around, you should see one in a busy shopping area, just walk in and take a ticket. Take your passports.

Apply for your TFN online, you will need an address as they will send you the number through the post. We were in temporary accommodation for the first five weeks and had it sent to us at the apartments, it takes about two weeks.

fish.01

You may want to get some help fitting the child seats...think they are different to the UK and some can be fiddly to fit properly. Your 3yo will probably require a proper child seat, rather than a booster. See here: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Dri...int.aspx#guide

I think people are breaking the law, and possibly not insured, until they have the proper child seats. If you have car seats booked though a rental company double check they will definitely supply them and find out if they fit them. I remember turning up in Calgary a few years ago and being greeted with a disinterested "oh you booked one of them did you...hmmm" and being directed to a store room full of dirty cheap seats heaped in a big pile.


If you are not confident here are some of the places that do child seat installation:

http://www.kidsafeqld.com.au/service...raint-checking

http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars...ild_restraints

http://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/babycapsule/default.asp

Many smaller baby shops will fit it for you...check in advance.

Red Cross maybe?


Hire service:

http://www.kidsafeqld.com.au/service...restraint-hire

heldownunder

thanks for the info on car seats

we have apt to see a house and school on thursday - any key questions???

Smudger82

Pretty sure the Ambulance service have to check the car seat is installed properly.