Australia - General Travel Tips

Australia is one of the easiest places in the world to travel to with kids. There is a big family culture here, people are extremely friendly, and there are loads of outdoor activities, no matter where you go. Our general Australia travel tips below:

1. Baby supplies are easily acquired at your closes Woolworths or Coles. Both stock diapers, bottles, jar foods, and even blankets and sleepwear if you are desperate. Many pharmacies such as Pulse will stock equipment such as breast pads, teethers, and sterilizers. Pharmacies will also stock all manner of baby medicine such as Otrivin and Panadol, as well as specifically Aussie brands like Bauer, a homeopathic concoction for colic and general stomach aches.

2. If you are looking for jar food for convenient travel, New Zealand brand Only Organic offers a variety of meals for 4 months on for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is available in most supermarkets. Heinz Organic is also available but tends to be more water-based and less flavorful than Only Organic.

3. In the cities, most neighborhoods have their own Early Childhood Centre. These facilities are run by mid-wives and are designed to offer support to parents with children under 4 months. If you need a quick check-up or weigh-in, or need to find a good doctor, see if you can locate your neighborhood ECC. This is a free service, so don't take up much of their time as they are supposed to be focused on people in the community. Also beware that most good doctors in Australia tend to be quite full up - but they are generally kind enough to understand if you are traveling and have an emergency.

4. In Australia, children don't go to a pediatrician unless they have a condition that needs specialized treatment. For all generic and routine symptoms like colds, fevers, earaches, etc., Aussies go to their general physician who acts as the family doctor.

5. Buses and trains are the way to go around the cities as taxis in Australia are generally quite expensive. Note that you do not need a car seat in a taxi if your child is over a year old. If you need to call a taxi with a car seat, call Lime Taxis at 13 5463 (13 LIME) or book at limetaxis.com.au. At airports, tell the taxi stand manager that you need a carseat and he will call one forward for you.

6. The Australians are a pretty chilled out bunch, which means that if you are coming from the States, you could be taken aback by their slower pace and friendliness. Most shops will close at 6, except for supermarkets which close at 10 or 11. So if you are from Asia and expect to be shopping past dinner time, ain't gonna happen. Thursdays is late-night shopping and shops will stayopen till 9 or 10 so that's your one chance to shop.

7. If everything looks quiet on a nice day, it's because all the Aussies have gone to the beach. Similarly, Aussie babies are water freaks and start swim classes from 4 months on, so don't be surprised if your un-Aussie baby is getting swum around by all the little Aussie fish.

8. Facilities/provisions are easily available in the major cities - once you move into the rural bits outside the major metropolitan hubs, provisions for children are hard to come by. So stock up and consult your most reliable map for emergency shopping locations.

9. You have to take your kids to see a koala and a kangaroo. They are so cute and you will never see them anywhere else in the world! Similarly, the aquatic life is amazing (see whales and reef sharks below) - go whale watching or snorkeling if you have a chance, off any coasts of Australia, or if the kids are still too young, check out the local Aquarium for some uniquely Aussie specimens.

10. Australia customs is probably the strictest in the world. You need to declare ANY foodstuffs you have in your bags, especially fruits or dairy . If you explain it's for the baby they won't fine you but they probably will make you toss it.

11. Babies are called "bubbies", everywhere and by everyone.

Other posts in the Sydney series:


Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummys Salon


Sydney, Australia - Lollipop's Land on a Rainy Day


Sydney, Australia - Best Kids' Shopping Under One Roof


Sydney, Australia - My Picks for Bubby-Friendly Brunches


Sydney, Australia - Mum 'n' Bubs Movie Date


Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummies Pole Dancing

Sydney, Australia - Saturday Paddington Markets

Other posts in the Melbourne series:

Melbourne, Australia: The Medina Grand on Queen Street

Yarra Valley, Australia

Packing for China: My All-Inclusive List

We are on a day flight (11 hours) from Sydney to Shanghai and I have learned the hard way that Karam's toys, though bulky and heavy,  hardly keep him entertained on planes. So I re-organize and re-prioritize, the whole time reminding myself that the more I take from here, the less I can shop and bring back here.

Therefore, my all-inclusive packing list for five nights for baby Karam at 17 months contains the following items:

(please note that this list is very comprehensive because I have never been to Shanghai with a baby and don't know what's available there. It would probably be a lot shorter if I were headed to other places).

1. Clothes: Since it's going to be warm and rainy (joy!), I focus on the cottons, but remain ever-prepared for a change, as Mother Nature can be a bit naughty when you are traveling with a baby.
1. Six short-sleeved t-shirts
2. Two pairs of pants
3. Four pairs of shorts
4. Two sleeveless vests
5. Two full-sleeved bodysuits
6. One button-down shirt in case we get invited to something special ;)
7. One long-sleeved jersey to throw over in case it gets cool or windy
8. One raincoat
9. One hat
10. Six nightsuits
11. Four pairs of socks
12. Two pairs of shoes - keds and crocs
2. Two blankets - one for the pram/flight and one for the cot, in case I don't like what the hotel offers
3. Medicines
1. Panadol for all-purpose pains, fevers
2. Colic relief for stomach discomfort
3. Nasal spray for congestion
4. Baby Karvol for nasal congestion
5. Otrivin Junior for leaky nose
6. Baby Orajel for teething issues
7. Neosporin antiseptic cream for small cuts/bruises
8. A few bandages
9. One syringe (3-5mls)
4.  Toiletries
1. Body wash - I use the Gaia Starter Kit because it has everything I need in convenient 50ml bottles. When you are done, you can use re-fill the bottles with whatever you use at home. J&J Top-to-Toe is always a safe bet if you forget yours and need to buy locally
2. Shampoo (see above)
3. Body Lotion(see above)
4. Diaper Rash cream
5. Baby wipes - Pack of 20 in hand pack, pack of 20 in suitcase with an extra pack of 20 thrown into your own bag for messy moments
6. Toothbrush
7. Toothpaste
8. Hairbrush
9. Nappies - If I don't know what I am going to get at my destination, I calculate 6/day and take about 8-10 extra in my handbag. We prefer Huggies but Pampers that seem to be available in more countries do ok as well.
10. Scent-free diaper disposal bags
5. Portability
1. Pram - Always best if you buy a cheap pram for travel. Our Quinny has traveled the world with us and is much worse off for it. We have had to send it for repair everytime we came back from a trip. Even though it's at the airline's expense usually, it's still a pain to process. We now remove all detachable/breakable parts like the sunshield and handle bar to reduce the likelihood of damage. 
2. Baby carrier - I use the Ergo Baby Carrier which has lumbar support making it more suitable for older babies
3. Harness  - Just started using this and I know he looks like a puppy but it's invaluable when you have a little walker with a mind of his/her own
6. Eating
1. Food jars - For 5 days, 5 nights, I pack 18 jars (3 meals a day plus some extras). I count the flights because you just never know. I have requested the CHILDREN'S meal as the infant meal is only formula powder (right, try offering them that now!). I bought the Only Organic jars for ages 1-5 - Vegetable lasagne, chicken bolognaise, pot pie with beef, plus Fruit Muesli and Mango-Banana bliss for breakfast. I usually back the jars in groups of 3 (brekkie, lunch, dinner) in bubble paper so that I can open up one packet at a time and not clutter up the hotel room.I hope to be able to get him breakfast, rice and vegetables at least in Shanghai but not risking it and stressing myself out.
2. Milk - Karam drinks 150 ml of full-cream milk 4 times a day. Again,  not something I will leave to the airline. So I will pack enough milk for the first day, that's 450 ml as he will have his first lot in the morning before we leave for the airport.
3. Snacks - Packet of Arrowroot biscuits as an eternal back-up. Will try to do fruit there for everyday snack.
4. One packet disposable bibs, two plastic bibs (I love these)
5. One water bottle, one milk bottle, one extra
6. One plastic bowl with snap-shut cover
7.  Spoon
8. Sponge and a bit of dishwashing soap since I am in a hotel, since room service can't seem to process requests for a bit of soap or to wash one of my own bowls
9. My ever-popular portable cooler or all-day gallivanting - I have the medium size and it can easily accommodate a box of food, a bottle and some fruit.
10. My Totseat (I never leave home without it!!)
7. Toys
1. Books: Karam loves his books but I find that they add a bit to the weight, so I carry bath books, which are lighter and much tougher to destroy

That's what's in for now - when he was younger, I used to carry towels and napkins but now I use the ones from the hotel - much easier!

That's it ! Here we go..

Other posts in the Airlines and Flying series:

For First-Timers: Overcoming Your Worst Fears of Flying with Your Kids

For Travelers in America: Preparing and Protecting Your Children from New TSA Security and Pat-Down Procedures

Flight Safety Tips from a Professional!

Airlines and Flying: Traveling Domestically? Carry Age Proof (for the baby)

10 Insider Tips for Travel with a Baby

10 Tips to Surviving a Long Flight with Your Infant - Alone!

Kudos to Qantas for Child-Friendly Skies!

Six Reasons NEVER to Fly Air China (even without a child)

 Air China: Most Baby-UNfriendly airline!

A note on airplane bassinets (and other notes)

Japan - General Travel Tips

1) Due to the language barrier, it was hard for me to identify products I was familiar with, so I was glad to have brought it all along. We did jar food for ten days which I wasn't kicked about but since Karam was only 9 months old, I didn't want to experiment with anything even as basic as rice because I wasn't sure about the ingredients such as fish stock they was going into it. (We are not vegetarian, I am just a little paranoid about seafood when traveling). For the food alone, I would rather stay in a service apartment than a hotel.

2) Shopping for kids is great, with many American and European brands although beware: Japan is very expensive.

3) For short distances, I would take a taxi. There are no laws regarding car seats and it's much more convenient than taking the train, especially at rush hour.

4)Narita airport is a good two hours from the city. You can take the train if your destination is on or close to a train line, or you can take a bus, which often takes longer due to traffic. Plan accordingly, especially on your return. And, as always, pack many snacks.

5) The Japanese are insanely polite and very fond of children. If you are stuck, gesture madly and ask for help - someone is sure to give you a hand!

Sayonara!

Other posts in the Tokyo series:

Tokyo, Japan - Karaoke is baby-friendly!

Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo's Best Shopping for and with Baby

Tokyo, Japan - New York Grill: All High, No Chair

Tokyo, Japan - Cerulean Hotel: Pretty Good!