roobush

Hi

Leaving uk for oz in early feb but already thinking about what to pack in my suitcase and 4 year old's suitcase...

Any tips on what to pack / what you wouldn't pack / what you wish you'd packed for yourself and children gratefully received!

cheers
roobush

eddie007

Are you getting extra immigration luggage allowance?

Sensible answer?

Depends on what kind of accommodation you're in when you arrive, what you've sent ahead and what is following you and how soon...

My answer. Your favorite Teddy bear and twenty kilos of cadburys English chocolate....

carolinephillips

Absolutely right on the chocolate!!!

British underwear: stock up, as here it is either v.expensive, or naff and ill fitting.
Decent and cheap packs of t-shirts and swimmers for you all. Same reason as above.

Don't bother with sunscreen/mozzie repellant- but get some as soon as you get here, and make sure you have or purchase on arrival sunhats and good sunglasses.
Get your phone unlocked in the UK and then get a cheap simcard here.

Books are also expensive, so get some to put in your hand luggage.

eddie007

Totally agree ms Phillips... Stock up on sloggis and bras .... And socks! Buy some decent quality socks... My m & s are going strong three years later... And I have unworn sloggis inshore...

Hebe

drugs!

spartacus

Bisto Gravy Granules.

paulry

As said before if depends partly on what accomodation you'll be staying in and your luggage allowance.

Check your luggage allowance with the airline that you are flying with. For example BA have a standard free one 23kg hold item per passenger policy but you can buy additional hold items at a reasonable price - if bought in advance.

Clotheswise: Consider the time of the year when and climate where you'll be arriving but bring along some holiday type clothes, towels, interview clothes, etc. Try to plan carefully that you only bring along clothes which you'll realistically wear. But with one exception: make sure that you pack a warm jacket each such as a fleece because you just never know what the weather could throw at you and if all else fails at least you'll be warm.

Favourite toys and some books for the kids. We ended up buying our teenagers new mobile phones as soon as we arrived which helped a lot in the first few days. Also, some of their favourite food/sweet treats.

A netbook computer (carry it in your hand luggage) and buy a broadband dongle as soon as you can upon arrival. Helps to find information, apply for jobs and stuff once you've arrived. And make sure that you import onto it all your emails and addressbook entries before you leave. I can't state enough how handy that has proven to be.

If driving in Australia a SatNav is a huge time and petrol saver and allows you to get used to the roads without worrying too much about where you're going - a must have and will help preserve your sanity - especially if your partner is a cr@p navigator.

Good luck with your move!

freebo

+1 for Bisto

We also packed a couple of 4-6 gang extension leads, then just changed the plugs on them to charge our UK mobile phone's, laptop's etc and more in our container for all our UK appliances, why change 6 plugs when you can change 1?

paulry

A good tip, we did the same

Wol

Carry all your documentation - bank statements, references etc: you may well need them when renting, starting bank accounts, etc and if you have your checked baggage go missing it will be difficult.

DunRoaminTheUK

Houses are very expensive here so I would suggest bricks...

freebo

Its a fair point, maybe the answer should be 'bring heaps of money'

Grayling

...and a raincoat and umbrella

DeadVim

all the England cricket apparel you can muster.

newjersey

a snack or two for the kid, just in case he (she?) won't eat the airplane food. Don't forget to discard any leftovers before going through the quarantine in Australia, especially if you pack fruits and such.