Based on my experience and observations, I would say that drivers in Australia can be classified as careful drivers. Some of you might agree with my statement and some might not. This is to compare with my own country, definitely. The drivers here are very obedient to the speed limit that has been set. You can hardly see cars speeding more than 110km/h in the highway! Although there were no other cars besides you! And that explains why most used cars (5 years age) are still in a very good condition and you can worry less if you are thinking of buying one. Moreover, people here prefers used cars too! You can see many old cars on the road instead of new model cars.
But before that, you need to know on the road rules and how you can legally drive here in Australia. If you are a student or just visiting from overseas and currently holds a valid driving license in your own country, you are allowed to drive using your country's license. Further details can be found here. As for us, being a resident here, we only have 3 months to get the WA full license once we've came to reside here.
Since our country in not in the recognised list of countries that can easily transferred to WA license, we've to sit for the theory computerised test in order to get the learner's permit. And then going for the practical driving test. But, if you're from the UK or other countries, lucky you. You can ask for details from the licensing centre to get your license transferred to WA license.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
What you need to know when hiring a car?
If you come to visit Perth, I'm sure one of the most important tool that you need is definitely a car. Your journey here in Perth would be easier, from one destination to another with a car. Yes, you can still rely on public transportation here as it is very reliable, but your visit here would be such a pleasure especially if travelling with children.
There are many options for car rental here in Perth. You can either book one as soon as you arrive at the airport or you can take the car in the city centre. In my opinion, it would be easier if you book from the airport as normally you have to return the car to the original place where you first get it. Some do offer other places for return, but it is with prior arrangements and some might incur costs. Please enquire first when you take the car if you choose to return at their other branch.
As for us, we choose to take from the city centre, near our apartments because we are not returning back in the near future. It would be a hassle to go back to the airport, just to return the car.
One important reminder is that please please check the condition of the car before you go and start your journey WITH the staff. I really mean it. The one that we have was just gave us the car key and a receipt; where they stated here and here that have minor scratch or marks. How on earth to we know, whether the car seat is originally black or brown leather etc. You'll never know and did not expect what they will claim on you when you return the car.
Choose whichever suits your budget and don't forget to read reviews on them just to be on the safe side.
There are many options for car rental here in Perth. You can either book one as soon as you arrive at the airport or you can take the car in the city centre. In my opinion, it would be easier if you book from the airport as normally you have to return the car to the original place where you first get it. Some do offer other places for return, but it is with prior arrangements and some might incur costs. Please enquire first when you take the car if you choose to return at their other branch.
As for us, we choose to take from the city centre, near our apartments because we are not returning back in the near future. It would be a hassle to go back to the airport, just to return the car.
One important reminder is that please please check the condition of the car before you go and start your journey WITH the staff. I really mean it. The one that we have was just gave us the car key and a receipt; where they stated here and here that have minor scratch or marks. How on earth to we know, whether the car seat is originally black or brown leather etc. You'll never know and did not expect what they will claim on you when you return the car.
Choose whichever suits your budget and don't forget to read reviews on them just to be on the safe side.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Short-stay apartment
We stayed in an apartment in West Perth upon arrival. We've booked for about 3 weeks, hoping that we'll managed to secure a reasonable house for us later after that. Why we did that? It's quite difficult actually to secure a house from overseas (i.e. Malaysia) unless you've known somebody here to secure a house for you. But I guess, you would want to have a look of the house first before hand..
There are many options for short stay accommodation available, depends on which is suitable and convenient for you. If you come alone and on a very tight budget, you might want to consider to stay in a bulk hostel, backpackers or even rent a room in a shared house. That would costs approximately AUD30 per night or even lower. Common websites that may help you in your search would be here or even here. If you opt for a bit comfortable place, you might have to consider spending a bit higher which is about AUD85-AUD200 per night. Since the budget is higher, there would not be a big problem as there are plenty of choices to choose from. You may opt for hotels, bed-and-breakfast or even fully furnished apartments. The one that we had was the latter, more or less like a studio apartment. A double bed, a kitchen and a toilet complete with all the utensils that you've think of! You may put this apartment in one of your choices =)
The one that we stayed is quite convenient - very near to the Perth CBD, free buses around town. Since it is located nearby the city, you can have anything just within 5 kms - easy to register your bank account, shopping, medicare and centrelink registration or even car hire company. All that you need! =)
There are many options for short stay accommodation available, depends on which is suitable and convenient for you. If you come alone and on a very tight budget, you might want to consider to stay in a bulk hostel, backpackers or even rent a room in a shared house. That would costs approximately AUD30 per night or even lower. Common websites that may help you in your search would be here or even here. If you opt for a bit comfortable place, you might have to consider spending a bit higher which is about AUD85-AUD200 per night. Since the budget is higher, there would not be a big problem as there are plenty of choices to choose from. You may opt for hotels, bed-and-breakfast or even fully furnished apartments. The one that we had was the latter, more or less like a studio apartment. A double bed, a kitchen and a toilet complete with all the utensils that you've think of! You may put this apartment in one of your choices =)
The one that we stayed is quite convenient - very near to the Perth CBD, free buses around town. Since it is located nearby the city, you can have anything just within 5 kms - easy to register your bank account, shopping, medicare and centrelink registration or even car hire company. All that you need! =)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Fly to Aussie
After you've settled with your visa, you definitely need an airline ticket. From Malaysia, you have plenty to choose from. But the most commonly known amongst Malaysian are either MAS or Air Asia. If you opt for a cheaper one, Air Asia is definitely your choice. If you are lucky enough, you might be able to get their cheapest fare during their sales or offer; which is normally difficult to get one. You can register to get the latest offer from them if you want here so that you wouldn't miss their offer via their newletter direct to your email address.
As for us, we bought ours during their airline flight ticket offer online. Managed to get about RM520 one way per adult. Not sure whether this is consider cheap or not as the previous ticket that we bought in 2008 was about RM1000+ return per adult. More or less the same isn't it? Oh, mind you that those includes meals on board, allowance baggage of 20kg, insurance and also booking seats.
Journey with AirAsia was great. Not bad. Quite smooth, I would say. Meals on board was okay. As expected, malaysian meals that we had was nasi lemak while kids meal for our girl was mushroom pizza, which she enjoyed eating it very much. Inclusive in the kids meal was a pack of oreo biscuits, a packet of ribena, small packet of kitkat and also a small jigsaw puzzle of airasia aircraft. That costs us RM15.
We arrived earlier that ETA about half an hour early. Departed about 12 midnight and safely landed at 5 in the morning at Perth International Airport.
Oh yes, for AirAsia; there are several other stops for you depends on where you are heading to in Australia. You may opt for Gold Coast or even Melbourne besides Perth.
As for us, we bought ours during their airline flight ticket offer online. Managed to get about RM520 one way per adult. Not sure whether this is consider cheap or not as the previous ticket that we bought in 2008 was about RM1000+ return per adult. More or less the same isn't it? Oh, mind you that those includes meals on board, allowance baggage of 20kg, insurance and also booking seats.
Journey with AirAsia was great. Not bad. Quite smooth, I would say. Meals on board was okay. As expected, malaysian meals that we had was nasi lemak while kids meal for our girl was mushroom pizza, which she enjoyed eating it very much. Inclusive in the kids meal was a pack of oreo biscuits, a packet of ribena, small packet of kitkat and also a small jigsaw puzzle of airasia aircraft. That costs us RM15.
We arrived earlier that ETA about half an hour early. Departed about 12 midnight and safely landed at 5 in the morning at Perth International Airport.
Oh yes, for AirAsia; there are several other stops for you depends on where you are heading to in Australia. You may opt for Gold Coast or even Melbourne besides Perth.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Entering Australia: Visa Application
The first important things that you need to ensure it is done before hand is to apply for a visa. Although you want to enter Australia just for a holiday, you definitely need a travel visa for that.
If you come as a visitors to Aussie, there are other few subclasses of visa that is available, depends on your situation. For instance, if you come as visitors and you have a family residing in Aussie, Family Sponsored - Visitor Short Stay (Subclass 679) Visa is applicable for you. Besides travel visa, there are many other types of visa available such as working visa etc; depends on why you want to enter Aussie- whichever is applicable for you. More information with regards to visa application can be found here
The applications seems to be quite easy; but if you are not aware and not fully understand the process and procedures, you might want to consider to engage with a reputable emigration company. They normally have so much and wide experiences encountering many visa application process and situations which can advise you on the matter. They normally can be trusted and reliable, besides have more positive outcomes rather than we apply it ourselves.
If you come as a visitors to Aussie, there are other few subclasses of visa that is available, depends on your situation. For instance, if you come as visitors and you have a family residing in Aussie, Family Sponsored - Visitor Short Stay (Subclass 679) Visa is applicable for you. Besides travel visa, there are many other types of visa available such as working visa etc; depends on why you want to enter Aussie- whichever is applicable for you. More information with regards to visa application can be found here
The applications seems to be quite easy; but if you are not aware and not fully understand the process and procedures, you might want to consider to engage with a reputable emigration company. They normally have so much and wide experiences encountering many visa application process and situations which can advise you on the matter. They normally can be trusted and reliable, besides have more positive outcomes rather than we apply it ourselves.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Perth: Here we come!
In less than 2 weeks, will be arriving in Perth insyaAllah! Hoping for the best for our family - education, career, family etc. May Allah bless and guide us to the correct path everyday; every single seconds insyaAllah.
This blog will serves as our journey heading towards Perth, our life there and insyaAllah will try to provide as much info as possible for the benefits of all especially those planning to come and visit Australia, mainly Perth.
Enjoy your journey here! =)
This blog will serves as our journey heading towards Perth, our life there and insyaAllah will try to provide as much info as possible for the benefits of all especially those planning to come and visit Australia, mainly Perth.
Enjoy your journey here! =)
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