World Travel Insider

When I tell people that I will be moving to Australia at the end of the year they all ask, “Why?” My answer, as it is to many things is, Why not? I really want to continue traveling and seeing the world and I am excited to be able to see this region while working.  I was there once with my family when I was 15 and absolutely loved the country and can’t wait to explore it more on my own.  People have also been very helpful to give tips and contacts, which is encouraging considering I know like 3 people in the entire country.  So this will be another adventure on my own, but I am very excited for the new experiences and people that I will meet during my trip.  As I’ve said before there really never is a dull moment in my life and I’m sure nothing will change as this trip / my new life progresses.

How to Get a Visa

Fortunately Australia is one country that is actually encouraging young foreigners to move there and explore their culture and way of life.  If you are between 18 and 30 you can apply for a Work and Holiday Visa, Subclass 462 if you’re American and Subclass 417 for Canada and most European countries.  This allows you to live in Australia for a year and work anywhere for up to 6 months.  You are also allowed to apply for an extension for an additional year after being in the country for 3 months.  The initial application can be filled out online and is processed within 48 hours.  Take note that the application fee, which is about $230 Aus or $200 US, is non-refundable if you are not granted the Visa.  Chances of this happening are quite rare unless you have no insurance, quite a nasty criminal record or are without a high school diploma.  Make sure to attach the needed documents when applying, ie proof of diplomas, which I did not do and the process took a little longer.  All went through and I now have and Electronic Work and Holiday Visa that is valid to enter the country anytime within the next year.

Booking Travel

I am lucky enough to be traveling on Virgin’s brand new line V Australia, which flys non stop from Los Angeles to Sydney.  Unfortunately I waited too long to book it and now have to fly through Melbourne rather than non stop to Sydney.  So my lovely 20+ hour travel day will consist of :  a short 1 hour flight from Phoenix and a transfer in LAX, its only another 15 hours to Melbourne and then another hour and a half to Sydney, aka shoot me now.  I will write a review up about the airline after my experience and I hope it’s as comfortable and good of an experience as they claim.  I mean how comfortable can one make this journey across the world? I will just have to see.  So I will leave at the end of December to get there in time for New Years 2009 and come back in the beginning of December 2010.  Well this is if all goes to plan…

My “Game Plan”

Once I get to Sydney, on New Years Eve, I plan to make NYE 2009 my best yet.  I’m very excited to be starting a new year with a fresh start in a new country.  Soon after it sets in that I’m living in Sydney I will need to get a job, probably at a restaurant or bar in the beginning.  I also need to find an apartment in the ideal area around the Eastern Suburbs or in Bondi Beach, for a reasonable price because rent is super expensive in Sydney.  I want to travel all around the country during my stay there and possibly move up around The Gold Coast as it turns to winter to work more and party of course.  When it comes down to it I’m on the “non plan plan,” which is exciting and I can’t wait to see where life takes me while I’m down under!

Sydney is suppose to have the best fireworks show in the WORLD for New Years, I can't wait!

Now that I have my Visa granted and travel booked the question is how the hell am I going to pack for a year trip?? I’ll keep you posted on that one as my departure date gets closer.  I’m imagining the process to be very stressful and a pain in the ass, but sometimes you gotta sacrifice to get what you want and where you want to be!   Please contact me if you have any questions about my plan or are interested in doing something similar.  I can’t wait for my adventure to begin…only 52 days!! But who’s counting!?