Australia December 2013 - Trip planning & Advice

[Scott]

Money... Commbank have a UK office, and they are able to open an Australian bank account for you, and to arrange the transfer across of funds. The big benefit of Commbank is that you can withdraw money at any Post Office (which I've done when I've needed cash in Whoop Whoop) but I think that the others are starting to do that more now. Alternatively, I have a Commbank account and use a little company in High Wycombe to do spot transfers

Spoke to the London office of the Commbank today and apparently the rules have been changed, you can only open an account if you are emigrating to Australia They said that there was nothing that they could offer me

Spoke to Barclays and they were less than useful over the phone, recommended that I speak to the staff in branch. Every time I've dealt with the branch so far, they've struggled with the complexities of transferring funds to Australia and like to charge me £25 or £40 a time for the privilege. Kind folk.

I need to work out how best to pay the vehicle insurance. They've given me every option except a debit card

These things are sent to try us!

 

[Paddler Ed]

Have a chat with STA travel to see if they can help with an Aussie bank account, also try a different person at CommBank...

 

[TonyS]

Have just caught up on both your threads, Scott. Good chat earlier, and now Becky and I want to go too!
Have an awesome time, and we look forward to following the trip. Remember lots of pictures please.

Cheers,

 

[Scott]

Have just caught up on both your threads, Scott. Good chat earlier, and now Becky and I want to go too!
Have an awesome time, and we look forward to following the trip. Remember lots of pictures please.

Cheers,

Thanks Tony, will do. I found the camping spots along the Darling River that you mentioned, listed in the Camps 6 book, they sound nice. Cheers for your help and advice.

Also a big thank you to those that have given tips and advice, both on here and via PM, all very helpful.

 

[stumog]

Hi Scott
wish you all the best if the day is soon. we are not jealous of you at all. she does look really good I have to say.
Stu

 

[fridayman]

NAB let me open an account from the UK, but I could only make withdrawals once we had arrived. I use Transferz to move money across - about £7 per transfer and their fx rates are competitive.

 

[Leigh]

Barclays has an arrangement with Westpac in Oz (and vice versa) where you can withdraw cash from their ATMs without incurring an ATM transaction fee. I think the only fee they charge you is the FX conversion fee of 2.99% for non-GBP transactions. More info: http://ask.barclays.co.uk/help/travel_international/atm_alliance and at http://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/services/overseas-services/using-atms-overseas/

Hope that helps.

 

[Scott]

Thanks Fridayman and Leigh, very helpful advice.

 

[Paul]

You can always send the money to my UK bank account and I can transfer it here for you

Seriously though, if you are looking to transfer money, have a quick look at Pomsinoz forum. Not a fan of the site myself but there are money changers and transfer companies advertise on there and can give very good rates, people also rate them on the forum so you can gauge who are the best ones.

 

[SimonD]

Hi Scott
Thought these would interest you in terms of prep work. http://www.your4x4.com.au/ and trails here: http://www.4x4earth.com.au/ . When are you finishing in Oz?
Etienne, on the NAB account front, did they allow you to open it here because you were emigrating though? Might be the same as Commonwealth.
HSBC who are there all over the show so +1 with Paul.
cheers
Simon

 

[Paul]

I did mention HSBC as I use them an great international services

 

[fridayman]

Simon - you may be right, but I can't recall sending them any visa info or anything.

 

[Scott]

Hi Scott
Thought these would interest you in terms of prep work. http://www.your4x4.com.au/ and trails here: http://www.4x4earth.com.au/ . When are you finishing in Oz?
Etienne, on the NAB account front, did they allow you to open it here because you were emigrating though? Might be the same as Commonwealth.
HSBC who are there all over the show so +1 with Paul.
cheers
Simon

Thanks Simon Finishing on the 6th of Feb, the trip is outlined in the first post.