7 replies to this topic

[Annelie Siemens]

Hi Everyone,

with our move only 47 days away, we need to make a list of what is going with on the plane with us.

we are staying with a friend for the first month, and will then have to look for a rental(unfurnished), so I want to know what did you take with you on the fligth ie: blow up mattresses, linen, etc

We are arriving mid march, and the container should arrive 1 May, what clothes to pack, more summer and a bit of winter clothes, or equal of each??

Thank you, as you know the nerves realllyyyyy start hitting one now, the closer you get, and with SO MANY things still left, to do, I need to have my LIST ready, and waiting

Annelie

[naomiwarr]

Regarding blow up mattresses etc - I think it depends on how many ppl you know where you are going, or the ppl that you'll be working with. We were loaned a lot of things including a double bed and linen etc. Although come to think of it I could probably have done with an extra set of linen. What I did pack in was a bath towel and beach towel for each of us and that has been really useful. I also bought our first aid kit with on the plane because most of the meds are meant to be stored under 25C and I'd heard that the shipping container could get hotter than that.

As for clothes - I haven't been here long enough really to know what the weather will be like in March to May, and I'm in Sydney (you're going to Perth right?). We arrived in November which is meant to be hot but we actually had a LOT of cold days and lots of rain the first 2 months. Also, our container arrived by us a month later than we were initially told (even though it arrived in Oz 'on time' and there were no customs issues). So I guess based on our experience I would say pack a good mix of clothes.

Something i only realised after I'd bought them new (pot, plates, crockery and cutlery) from Ikea is that you can often find them a lot cheaper at your local charity shops. That's if its just to tide you over until your stuff arrives because then it doesn't matter if its a bit mix n' match.

[Short&Tall]

We bought over a quilt & linen (in vacuum bag) a couple of pots, veggie peeler, a couple of kitchen knives, a few things I was unsure about customs wise so I could check them in customs rather than get charged and/or delay or cargo, interview clothes etc.
We also bought over a blow up mattress and have yet to use it!

We had the IOM 40kg flights so were able to bring a lot.

[JuanitaS]

Hi;

We also flew with the IOM 40kg allowance for me and my son, but with all the clothes and medicines I took, I could only manage to pack one set of linen extra.

The most important thing is to keep weighing your bags as you pack to ensure your bags are not over weight, because it will cost more in excess baggage fees that to just buy some of the things here. They are quite stricked and if you have a connecting domestic flight the chances are that they will also weigh your hand luggage.

My husband has already been here a month and has brought some of the basics and the rest we will hire till the container comes.

Good luck with the last few weeks, it is the most difficult and such a releave once you set foot on Oz soil.

Regards
Juanita

[rozellem]

If you told us where you were locating to, someone might just be able to lend you a few bits for a month. You can also send a box with the airline as unacompanied luggage. My MIL has just arrived in Aus for a year and I know she sent a box of winter clothes over this way. Cant tell you the price but it arrives immediately, not delayed for weeks/months like when shipped.

Do pack a towel each, linen if you can, your favourite kitchen knife, a spoon/fork/knife each, a med size pot and pan, tin opener, veg peeler, serving spoon, a platic plate/bowl each. The rest you can get at either Ikea or a charity shop. Think of it as camping for a month. Treat yourselves to a new sleep pillow each this side. An inflateble bed is mega heavy and you can get a decent double bed one over here for around $40. Rater use the weigh allowance for someting else.

[Basil & Liezl]

rozellem, on 31 January 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

You can also send a box with the airline as unacompanied luggage.

SAA Cargo offer this service at around R55 / kg plus a R150 admin fee + R600 RSA customs fee (plus there will some fee in Oz, when you go collect the parcel and clear it etc).

Even though this SAA option is still not very cheap, it is still a much cheaper option than the R280 odd / kg that Qantas charges if you pre book excess luggage on your own flight.

[Mrs Mupersan in Canberra]

We didn't have the 40kg luggage allowance and needed to get hubby's tools over. We used a company called U-Bag. They were great! We had 2 weeks accommodation in a furnished apartment and then moved into our own place. U-Bag delivered the day we moved into our own apartment. http://www.ubag.co.za/

[homebru]

Annelie Siemens, on 30 January 2012 - 09:31 PM, said:

Hi Everyone,

with our move only 47 days away, we need to make a list of what is going with on the plane with us.

we are staying with a friend for the first month, and will then have to look for a rental(unfurnished), so I want to know what did you take with you on the fligth ie: blow up mattresses, linen, etc

We are arriving mid march, and the container should arrive 1 May, what clothes to pack, more summer and a bit of winter clothes, or equal of each??

Thank you, as you know the nerves realllyyyyy start hitting one now, the closer you get, and with SO MANY things still left, to do, I need to have my LIST ready, and waiting

Annelie

Hi Annelie

Where in Perth are you guys going to stay?

My wife and I landed with 2 suitcases in Perth, also only had accommodation for

the first month.

We brought $15000 with us after selling the house in SA.

First things we bought was a cell phone( over here the ozzies call it a mobile phone), washing machine $700, fridge $1000, tumble dryer $400,

Vacuum cleaner $100, microwave $150, TV $500, clothes iron $100, and a double bed with mattress $600, you can buy

outdoor plastic chairs at Bunnings for $10 each or camping chairs for the same price.

BIGGEST MISTAKE we made was putting down a big deposit on a new car $6000 for a Hyunday Tucson.

If I can give any advice, we Saffers are used to having a reliable car for safety reasons, here it is not the case.

If you are stranded here on the side of the road no one is going to hi jack your car, and you can call road assistance

and they will come and help, or call a taxi to pick you up. Or the ozzies will stop and help you.

THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKS GREAT HERE, TRAINS, BUSSES!!!!!!!

You can pick up a second hand car for about $5000 that will keep you going until you have found your feet.

Also very important is to open new bank accounts as soon as you arrive.

Please let us know if we can assist you guys in any way possible.

We know how it feels to move Country's and have come a long way.

Cheers