Things Definitely To Bring

Again these are just my thoughts on the matter but this list comprises of many things that we dithered about, ended up bringing and were mighty thankful that we did;

All Electrical Appliances (must all be clean and free of dirt and dust of course)- Including but not limited to: PC, Printer, Fan Heater, Microwave, Hand Blender, Kettle, Coffee Machine, Food Processor, Electrical Steamer, Hairdryer, Stereo, Clock Radio, Vacumn Cleaner, Playstation type games consoles etc.

Either change the plugs when you get here (Tandy shops sell plugs) or buy a couple of adaptors (again from Tandy) if you're not good at changing plugs. BUT remember to bring spare fuses if you're using adaptors as you can't get fuses here for the UK plugs. If you have a few UK devices in the same place (ie TV, Video, DVD) then use a UK powerboard and one adaptor.

TV's - If you have a UK TV then it will work providing you route the sound through an Aussie Video or DVD.

DVD's - Providing you have a multi regional DVD then it will work, if not you'll need to get Region 2 added.

Clothes (all of them including rain coats and fleeces)

Furniture (all of it! Aussie houses are much much bigger than UK ones, unless you previously lived in a mansion and are thinking of downsizing)

Books (books are more expensive here than in the UK and any friends you make will be very pleased to swap with you or so I've found)

Anything from Ikea (me being silly didn't check that there were Ikea stores in Perth and left all my lamps behind thinking that I wouldn't get bulbs (or light globes as they're called here) for them. Doh! Of course they're here, what was I thinking???)

Comments

[Jason]

DVD Players in Australia use Region 4 not Region 2.

[rob]

is it cheaper to take your own things rather than to buy things from new? what are the prices like to ship stuff over?

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Jason,

I had a look at this before writing it and everywhere I looked mentioned region 2!

Thanks for pointing it out, I'll amend the article to just say multi region I think as that's probably safer!

Regards, Claire

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Rob,

I would say that it is cheaper to ship your own stuff over and then buy the extra bits that you need and can't ship.

Most people spend approx UK£4000 shipping but when you think what you've got in your house, your furniture alone is probably worth that never mind all the kitchen stuff plus bedding, pictures, toys, clothes, books, cd's etc etc. If you're shipping some stuff you may as well ship it all.

I have written an article on how much it cost to ship our stuff a couyple of years ago (see the selected aricles list on the LH side of the page).

Regards, Claire

hi, i'm going to visit some relatives in Perth for the month of October 2007, but i'm petrified of spiders and generally creepy crawlies!! Any advice?

Thanks

Charlie

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Charlie

First of all you have to remember two things -

1) nearly 2 million people live in WA and very rarely does anyone die from an animal/insect incident

2) Things really truly DO NOT leap out to get you. If you're here on holiday you'll be lucky to see any wildlife around the place except at the zoo or wildlife parks.

Seriously, I wouldn't be here if things leapt out to bite you!

The best piece of advice is don't go poking around under rocks and if you see something that you're unsure of just walk away!

Regards, Claire

Thanks for the advice, its helped!

Charlie

[julie]

hi,

we are hoping to arrive in Perth late this year. It is mentioned in the do's and dont's not to bring the fridge freezer. We purchased a Maytag fridge freezer recently and I really want to bring it. Do you think that would be possible?

thanks
Julie

[Claire Sutton]

You can certainly bring it and give it a go! You'll need to make sure that you have a decent UK/Australia adaptor for it as I wouldn't recommend changing the plug on that size of electric goods. Also, you'll need to bring some fuses for the UK plug on it as they aren't sold here.

Let us know how you get on and how long it lasts for won't you?

Best regards, Claire

[Jay]

Our UK tv's work fine here and we didn't need to route them through a video or dvd player.

[Vaughan]

Hi all
Just a few things to think about - having lived in Auckland, NZ (8yrs) and now Perth (1yr). I found my UK fridge/freezer couldn't cope with the temperature and was always to warm so ended up getting a local one - also found we put more things in the fridge here than we did in the UK. Use your UK fridge as a beer fridge!

Changing the plugs over to NZ/AU type plug is not a problem, but remember (as mentioned) that AU plugs are not individually fused. The sockets (no ring main here, it is all spured from the main fuse box) are all rated at 10 amps, not 13 amps like the UK - basically your kettle may take a bit longer to boil!

As for your TV's, NZ and AU use the PAL B/G system and UK use the PAL I system (sound is on a different frequency). Unless you have a multi PAL TV tuner (most newer types) it will not work as a standalone unit. Most bedroom TV's beeing the old lounge unit and lots older...

Hope it helps

[shannon]

You can take your DVD players with you just go to www.dvdcodes.net to find your model and the code to change it to all regions. I did this for mine which was purchased in Singapore and used it in Australia and now in England. There are other sites if the above one doesn't work for you just do a search with your dvd model and region codes. Unless you can get your money back definitly take your fridge as a beer fridge you'll just end up buying another for the beer otherwise. Take your kids plastic sleighs with you, great for using on the sanddunes in Lanclin lol.

[Naweed]

Hi all,

I'm an Aucklander moving to Perth in about a month and wanted to know how the two cities compare in terms of lifestyle? I see Jay has lived in Auckland before and I would appreciate it immensely if Jay or anyone else could help me out!

Cheers!

[aucklander]

hey another Aucklander here planning a move to Perth due an offer of employment. A comparison between Auckland and Perth is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Bob]

My partner and I moved to Perth from Dunedin (NZ) a year ago..I would definately recomend it for any Kiwi wanting a change..Some things are dearer , like beer , but over all , its a great place to live..give it a go

[Lynne Nuttall]

Hi Clare,

We moved over to Perth 3 months ago from Warrington, Cheshire. Your website was a great source of straight forward and to the point information. Your lists of thing to bring and not to bring we couldn't have done without and your great check list made everything alot easier to kep track of.

Thanks for all your advise.

Lynne and the Nuttall Clan

[Mark]

Hi Claire,

In regards to DVD regions in Oz from my experience its often easier to buy a region 0 player out of the box, can be used anywhere. The Pioneer DV-490 is around $200AUD and will play any DVD from anywhere (I order UK TV series on DVD from the UK - works fine). This will also play any format other tham MP4. Good investment for the traveller!

Great site, appreciate the information on here.

[doms]

Hi,

I am going to work in the suburbs of perth for the first time, what clothes or things should i bring when i go there? how far is newdegate suburb in perth city? how many hours is that if driving? need some help and info.

thanks a lot!

doms