Odds and Ends Before You Go

Phones
We call them cell phones whereas Australian’s call them mobile phones. It is a good idea to have one with you when visiting Australia. You never when you’ll be bitten by a snake and need medical attention (bush humour). I bought a cell phone and calling service from Brightroam. I was satisfied with the service. By the way if you think your North American cell phones will work in Australia, think again. They use a different system down under.
http://www.brightroam.com/

Email
If you like keeping your friends and family up to date with your exploits and you don’t like writing postcards and then trying to find a stamp, then set up an email account with one of the big providers –Yahoo, Google, Hotmail. We setup a hotmail account and used it almost daily. The best places to get access were the tourist information centres and libraries. There were also several places, caravan parks would you believe, that had free wireless access.

Adaptors
Australia has a completely different electrical system to Europe and North America. You will need to procure adaptors to use the electric sockets down there.

Binoculars
Don’t leave home without them! You will be able to see the koalas and the birds a lot better.

Coffee Pot
Everywhere we stayed there were no electric coffee pots as we know them in North America. It seems the trend in Australia is towards instant coffee (ick!). We bought a plunger style system over there ($15) which served the purpose.

Bedding and Towels
As you have decided to follow my advice and avoid hotel chains and rent from owners then invariably you will be charged extra for using sheets, pillow cases and towels. To save some money you should take them with you. It could save you up to $20 a night.

Time Difference
Eastern Australia is 14 or 15 hours ahead of Eastern USA and Canada. Please take this into consideration when calling future owner-renters for accommodation.