Hi Sally.
If you want more information you might want to get in touch with your nearest branch of the Maternity Coalition - it's a bit like the NCT. They should be very clued up on what the options are locally.
You can find the branches here and there are emails, so you could contact them before your move:
http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au
In fact the Illawarra group has it's own website, so they seem pretty well organised and could provide you with some contact with other young parents in the area:
http://www.illawarra.birthchoices.info/index.html
Best wishes for the move and the birth.

Have just had a baby at Coffs Harbour hospital in NSW.. We have another child who was born in Southampton in the UK.. I have to say that there is no doubt in my mind that the care we have recieved from the midwife and hospital in Coffs is 100% better than the treatment we got in the UK. Our delivery suit was 3 times the size, with it's own courtyard!!! Her bed after delivery was in its own room..

The staff we so much more relaxed and willing to listen to your needs. Post-birth there has been no rush to get us out of the hospital. My partner and our new son can stay up to 5 days if they want.. In the UK we were encouraged to leave after 24 hours..

As a partner I loved the fact that there was a fully-stocked fridge of drinks, sandwiches and salads I could help myself to for free.. In the UK I was asked to pay 25p for a slice of toast with butter!!

I appreciate that this is only an opinion of the parner of someone who's had a child, not the mother herself, but I from my point of view, we have received the same sort of treatment from an Australian public hospital as you would recieve from a private hospital in the UK..

Great stuff.

just a quick note. unlike the uk where the ambulance service is treated like a taxi company, here in NSW it is still treated like a taxi company but the difference is you will get a bill for @ $300 call out plus $2.75 per KM up to $1000.00 max regardless of the type of transport. (plane, helicopter or road ambulance). worth keeping in mind unless you are sensible and make your own arrangements to get to hospital. most 'extras' medical insurance will cover this charge or you can get an ambulance cover instead. ps good luck with the birth etc.

Hi Martin - firstly, congrats on the birth of your son! Secondly, I am due to have my first child in Coffs Harbour hospital in September & I'm so delighted to read your post. I'll be going up to the pregnancy care unit next week for first AN apt and a look around. I'm so excited about everything but we've only been here 4 months and it's my first baby so things can seem a little daunting at times, and your post has really made me smile, thank you

You're Welcome!!

Best of luck to you..

Thanks