Medications: Tips for Aussies Overseas

Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: it is really important that medications are clearly labelled when travelling overseas, particularly when going through customs into another country. It pays to read www.Smartraveller.gov.au re: drugs and medications. Some countries you go to can lead to the death penalty in extreme cases with illegal drugs. Even if you have legal medications, you must have them either in Webster packs or original boxes. Don’t have them loose or in pill boxes this will only cause problems at the airport. Also get a letter from doctor of all your medications

International Driver’s License:

Read www.smartraveller.com.au to see if you can use your Australian Driver’s License or Google. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: don’t travel then assume you can use your Aussie Driver’s License in that country. We could use it in Vanuatu and South Africa. But when we went to Taiwan we could not hire a car because we did not have an international driver’s license. It is not expensive and lasts for 12 months and is another form of ID. All you need is passport photo size and go to your nearest state road & motorist association to purchase. For example in NSW it is NRMA. Go to the relevant state body in your state.

Passports and Documents: Tips for Aussies Overseas

Treat them as a precious commodity even more important than money. If you lose them it can become a nightmare and you will have to contact the nearest Australian Embassy in that country. If you have no passport it makes it impossible to travel between countries. It is good practise to make a hard copy and also store on computers or in the cloud as well. You never know when you may be asked. We went tandem paragliding in Taiwan and they wanted our passports. They were back at our accommodation but we produced digital copy in the cloud. This sufficed. Keep any photo ID, driver’s license or medication documents safe while travelling?

Respect Culture:

Locals expect that tourists won’t fully know or understand their cultures. If you go to the effort of knowing the culture the locals will appreciate and respect you more. For example in Taiwan we took off shoes and left outside and only wore indoor shoes. I got myself into trouble throwing in rubbish stinky tofu and chicken legs. When I realised I apologised. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: respect culture.

Google Photos: Tips for Aussies Overseas

Other than Google Translator, charades and pointing, sometimes I Googled photos of places that I wanted to go or food that I wanted to eat or train that I wanted to catch etc. A picture tells a thousand words when you can’t speak the language.

Be Thankful, Respectful and Not Angry:

It can be frustrating travelling sometimes and things don’t go according to plan. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: you will always have a better travel experience if you are thankful, respectful and not angry towards others. Locals will respond better and even go out of their way to look after you and help you. If you act superior and angry don’t expect to be helped unless it is part of their job. They will only help you because they have to not because they want to. Definitely won’t give you value extra service and will only give minimal service?

Check out our other blog: Aussies Overseas Travel Tips

Venues: Tips for Attending Concerts in Pokolbin

Tips for Attending Concerts in Pokolbin: There are 2 main venues where the majority of concerts are held.  Both these sites have details re: concerts, dates, information, restrictions on food and drink, transport and parking etc.  They are both very strict about not BYO food and alcohol.  You can order hampers and buy meals and drinks on the night.  Read carefully as you don’t want to have things confiscated on the night.  You are there to have a fun night and you don’t want to get off to a bad start.

Hope Estate:

You can go to the following link for a list of all the upcoming concerts.  Go to www.hopeestate.com.au/category/concerts/

Bimbadgen:

This is the place for ‘Day on the Green’ events: www.bimbadgen.com.au/whats-on/

Other Venues Occasionally Include:

Tempus Two, Hunter Valley Gardens and other locations occasionally have concerts.

Transport: Hunter Valley Vineyard Concert Tips

Click on Hope Estate and Bimbadgen sites for address and re: transport and parking.

If you have a designated driver the quickest way is via Allandale Road / Wine Country Drive through Cessnock / Nulkaba to Pokolbin turnoff.  On big event nights the traffic is chaotic.  Local knowledge there is a back way via Mount View Road zig zagging through the wineries.  Bit longer in distance but pretty drive without traffic through the Pokolbin wineries.

More expensive but you can go to www.winecountry.com.au/tours-and-transport-listings  and privately organise a bus shuttle service for you and your group.  Alternatively ring for taxi: Cessnock Radio Cabs on (02) 49901111. The have some maxi taxis for groups.  Get in early with these options.

Rover Motor Coaches:

Tips for Attending Concerts in Pokolbin: best option as they specialise in concert events. They transport you from accommodation to concert and return at the end of the night.  Great option if drinking alcohol and cheaper than taxi or private shuttle service.  Just go the following web site, click on event, scroll down and select option that is closest to your accommodation with best time and book online: https://www.rovercoaches.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=269976.  You can book concert ticket and transport ticket combo online as well.  Transport for night is from $20 per person upwards.  Hampers can be added to checkout for $119 for two persons.

Check out our two accommodation options in Cessnock NSW:

• Coal d’ Vine Cottage – Cessnock NSW

• Coal d’ Vine VIEW – Cessnock NSW

Money: Tips for Aussies Overseas

Most countries have ATMs except in 3rd world countries in remote areas.  Be aware there maybe charges taking money from ATMS so it pays to get large amount and not small amounts.  Using VISA and MasterCard overseas attracts foreign transactions fees.  Handy to have currency exchange app to get an idea of exchange rate.  There are a large range of Traveller Cards on the market. I highly recommend getting a VISA DEBIT card from ING.com.au. (don’t receive any kickbacks). There are conditions of a minimum of $1,000 per month going into account and minimum of 5 transactions. If you can do this ING will waive all foreign transaction fees and Overseas and Australian ATM Fees.

Google Search and Maps

Google is your best friend when overseas.  If there is somewhere you want to go you get information. You can then either click on web site or DIRECTIONS. Directions will take you to Google Maps taking you from current location to destination.  It has walking, car, train and bus.  Even has timetable and estimated cost. Fantastic. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: use Google search and maps.

Google Translate and Gestures

Google Translate from English to other language and back again.  You have the option to either type or use microphone. It got me out of trouble lots of times when someone could not speak English and I could not speak their language. Just keep in mind it is not perfect. Few funny situations when speaking to someone in Taiwan it came out ‘congenital’ in English. They got embarrassed but it is funny and you have to laugh. Play charades and point when all else fails. Make mooing sounds and gestures milking cow if you want milk. Have to laugh.

Chillout and Ask A Local: Aussies Overseas Travel Tips

Us Aussie blokes tend to be proud and not ask for help and can waste hours or days when we could have asked a local: directions to somewhere or finding a location or something  etc. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: don’t be proud chillout and ask a local.

7 Eleven and FamilyMart

These stores can be a Godsend when overseas. Definite Tips for Aussies Overseas. We have always found someone that could speak English or point us in right direction. They have ATMS and other travel options within store plus convenience store for food particularly if you don’t want to try food from local shops and markets.

Respect Culture: Aussies Overseas Travel Tips

Locals expect that tourists won’t fully know or understand their cultures. If you go to the effort of knowing the culture the locals will appreciate and respect you more. For example in Taiwan we took off shoes and left outside and only wore indoor shoes. I got myself into trouble throwing in rubbish stinky tofu and chicken legs. When I realised I apologised. Aussies Overseas Travel Tips: respect culture.

Check out our other blog: Tips for Aussies Overseas

Location, Location, Location! Why Midland is a Great Location for Your Perth Stay?

• Midland Hospital is just a stone throw across railway. It is only 1.7 km away. Either a 17 minute walk or a 4 minute drive.
• Midland Gate Shopping Centre: Shops, movies, restaurants and cafes are only 250 metres or a 4 minute walk
• Perth Airport is 17 minute Uber drive – approx. $20 to $25 trip (1-4 passengers)
• Midland Train Station and Bus Terminal is only 600 metres or a 7 minute walk. From here you can go north, south, east and west. Perth is only 26 minutes and Fremantle is only 47 minutes train trip. Then catch ferry to Rottnest Island for a day trip.

Transport, Transport, Transport! Why Midland is a Great Location for Your Perth Stay?

Why Midland is a Great Location for Your Perth Stay? Leave the car under the carport as trains and buses are only a 600 metre walk to Midland Transport Terminal. From Midland you can get to most places by train and bus. If not hire or a car, taxi or uber? See Midland like a local.

Medical Reasons: Why Midland is a Great Location for Your Perth Stay?

Midland WA is becoming a hub for all things MEDICAL. Midland Hospital is state of the art. Old Railway Yard is being converted into medical facilities for specialists and testing. Curtain University is opening in 2019 with medical studies. Alternative medicines are prolific in Midland WA. Midland Haven is ideal stay for family and friends of patients from Regional WA. Particularly if you need a base while their loved one is in hospital, seeing specialists, testing or alternative medicines. Doctors and Nurses in training with 4-6 week placements then Midland Haven is ideal. Also welfare and disability agencies are in abundance in Midland if you are visiting the area.

Tourist Attractions: Why Midland is a Great Location for Your Perth Stay?

• Swan Valley Wine Region
• Perth Hill Region
• Historic Guildford
• Perth and Fremantle by Train
• Kalamunda
• Mundaring

Book Your Midland Haven – Midland WA Accommodation NOW!