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Everything posted by yarramar
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This is the best of such things here & NZ. Read through for your needs. https://www.entertainment.com.au/
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Is there duty free after arrivals at Sydney Airport?
yarramar replied to roberts2005's topic in Australia & New Zealand
Yes, you pass all the duty free on the way out from arrivals. You can also preorder and pay online and it will be ready to collect when you arrive- 1 reply
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To prevent the merchant fee charge, the card needs to be inserted into the machine, "savings" or "cheque" selected and then a PIN. As most US cards don't have PIN's it would have to be tapped and the fee is then charged (but only if advertised as being charged). A small amount of cash, say $50, is handy in case there is an interruption to the EFTPOS terminals, which is not all that rare.
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Aus/NZ Visa Process Question
yarramar replied to Hermitogo's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
That is incorrect. An ETA IS a visa unlike the American ESTA which is a visa waiver. An ETA is only available by an app on your Android or iPhone. It is usually granted instantly but some are randomly taken for manual processing and could take longer. The cost of the ETA is free but for US and other citizens there is a service charge of $20. It is valid for a year and allows you to return to Australia for up to 3 months at a time. The year starts the day after you go through Australian customs and is attached to your passport. No paperwork necessary, you are notified on your Immi account by email or you can search your account for confirmation. I suspect it is somewhat similar with obtaining a NZeTA . https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/nzeta My fear is that you clicked on a dodgy website pretending to be an official website and paid a huge premium for your visas. You may still get your visas but there is a chance that you will not. My advice is, if you have not yet received any sort of correspondence from your application, to get a chargeback to your credit card for goods not received. You can then apply through the official channels and even if they did apply on your behalf, that visa will be cancelled automatically with the application of a new one. Good luck. -
How is the snorkeling at Manly beach( Sydney)?
yarramar replied to calicakes's topic in Australia & New Zealand
I actually misread Manly for Bondi. Not sure why but Manly probably has good opportunities for fish, etc. again no comparison to GBR but it is likely to be a fun day. Again, with all your own gear, Sydney is a very easy place to DIY. Great transport and there is a gazillion apps and websites to help find your ideal snorkeling spot. You could also check out one of the snorkeling clubs, e.g. https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/sydney-snorkeling-meetup/ -
How is the snorkeling at Manly beach( Sydney)?
yarramar replied to calicakes's topic in Australia & New Zealand
If you are snorkeling the GBR, why would you want to snorkel on a surf beach? They will probably walk you to Clovelly, which is suitable but not awesome like the GBR, along the Bondi to Coogee walk which is worth doing. My suggestion is to do it yourself as you don't need a tour. Go to Bondi by Uber, do the walk, pick up some fins, snorkels and masks from Kmart for very little money and if you can't keep the snorkeling gear, donate it to a charity shop. The total cost will probably be less than half of a tour. -
New Zealand SIM provider coverage
yarramar replied to Ima Ginaree's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
While overseas, it is "Data Roaming" which needs to be turned off. Leave the phone on as in don't put it into "aeroplane mode" and if a call comes in, you don't have to answer it and let it just go to voicemail. Text messages are usually free to receive (but check). You also should not incur the $10 a day roaming if "data roaming" remains off. (Again, check). As above, once you have installed your Eskimo eSIM, your phone will magically have all the settings you need to play with switching SIM's etc -
New Zealand SIM provider coverage
yarramar replied to Ima Ginaree's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
This discussion may also be of use. I am also still researching the different options. https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/974p75m2 -
New Zealand SIM provider coverage
yarramar replied to Ima Ginaree's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Depending on your phone, you should have WiFi Calling available. This means that if you are connected to a WiFi network, hotel, ship, data SIM (if you have dual SIM or are using a hotspot from another phone with a data SIM), etc. you can call or text home as if you are there. Don't turn on Int Roaming while your Aldi Mobile is connected to a NZ tower, your phone may start updating apps or uploading photos, etc and at 50c per MB could incur $1000's in charges. -
New Zealand SIM provider coverage
yarramar replied to Ima Ginaree's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Which Telco are you with in Australia? -
If your partner has a prescription for a medically available product from a doctor, I cannot see that there can be any objection. Why would you even need to declare it? Some passengers take bagloads of medications with them.
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Kimberley: Best Destination for 2024?
yarramar replied to TLCOhio's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
There are a number of local cruise companies that offer Kimberleys trips. I just hope that the influx of foreign companies do not turn this wilderness into a wasteland. -
First trip to Australia & New Zealand completed
yarramar replied to JJK2008's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
That's Ok. we have a famous department store in Melbourne which is now nation wide. It is called "Myer". Many people say "Myers", I would probably call your home town "Fort Myer" -
First trip to Australia & New Zealand completed
yarramar replied to JJK2008's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
The earthworm display was closed down years ago. It is now just a big empty shed. -
First trip to Australia & New Zealand completed
yarramar replied to JJK2008's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I have never seen a snake in the wild that was NOT venomous. In fact, if indeed your DW almost stepped on one, it was a close call. Most of the snakes you come across on Oz are extremely deadly. Tell her after she has had her morning coffee. -
Resilient Lady in Sydney today - December 2023
yarramar replied to Kiwi_cruiser's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I remember seeing off relatives going on cruises when young. We would all go on board and explore the ship, partake in refreshments etc. and when the ship was about to sail away, we would head down the gangplanks, and watch as she sailed, throwing streamers at the ship while passengers also threw them to us. Ahh, those were the days.🥲 -
My suggestion is to ask this question on the Sydney forum on Trip Advisor. There is a member there who works for the hotel industry in Australia and can provide you with the best advice as to location, price, value for money etc, including in Brisbane. Not all properties are equal and then within the property there is a huge variation depending on room category etc.
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This may be of interest to you. https://www.williecreekpearls.com.au/pages/pearl-luggers-tour You would also have time for this. https://www.broomeandaround.com.au/broome-panoramic-town-tour/day-tour
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Melbourne: NY Times Tips, Ideas, Insights?
yarramar replied to TLCOhio's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Again misread. -"in the laneways (What Aussies call alleys)" This means that an Aussie calls an alley a laneway. Similarly an Aussie calls dim sum, "Yum Cha" I actually thought the same when I read it, but thought "that can't be right"and then reread it and it makes sense -
Melbourne: NY Times Tips, Ideas, Insights?
yarramar replied to TLCOhio's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Actually, you have misread the article. It says that Aussies call it Yum Cha (that we (Americans) call Dim Sum) similarly we Aussies say Laneways that Americans call Alleys -
Why don't I have a Love Affair with Melbourne
yarramar replied to MMDown Under's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Prior to this, discussions were held on a property in Alphington, which later became the La Trobe Golf Course. In the 1960's amid much protest by the community, they tore down the original beautiful Victorian building to make way for "progress". We are lucky that the Exhibition Building did not suffer a similar fate. In 1948 there was only one vote between demolish and keep. -
Why don't I have a Love Affair with Melbourne
yarramar replied to MMDown Under's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Actually the coffee is regarded worldwide as one of the best anywhere in the world. The Royal Exhibition Building is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO along with the Sydney Opera House. -
Melbourne: NY Times Tips, Ideas, Insights?
yarramar replied to TLCOhio's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Whichever way you count it, the way Albo is going, it'll be neck and neck for years. Might be time for a sea or tree change. -
Why don't I have a Love Affair with Melbourne
yarramar replied to MMDown Under's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Now inside the Arts Centre we have the Australian Music Vault. A permanent museum of the Aus Rock industry. I think we in Australia a very lucky to not only having 2 great cities but also the wonderful natural features and lifestyle to enjoy