yarramar

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

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

This discussion may also be of use. I am also still researching the different options. https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/974p75m2

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.

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.

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.

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"

The earthworm display was closed down years ago. It is now just a big empty shed.

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.

Take your time Marion. Even though the narrative goes along the lines that Tuvalu is endangered and we taxpayers are sending aid and visas for them to live here, over the past several decades Tuvalu land mass has INCREASED by 2.9%. It is not sinking.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The current culture of Melbourne is more like a toxic mould.