Journeying Together: Cairns to Sydney Family Venture
A-Okay! Here 'non-fam'-ily visits! It wasn't exactly a shock, but indeed, my folks, aka my parents and sis, swung by last year (2024) from September to October.
We had a fantastic four weeks together, checked out heaps, made some outstanding memories, and managed to unwind. If you're also on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia and haven't seen your loved ones in a bit, you might be thinking of a meet-up Down Under? To help you have an epic time with your folks, we're kicking off this travel series with a little intro blog that hopefully assists with preparations and planning.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the details and discuss essential aspects to think about during your planning.
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So, let's lay out everything you should ponder over your planning process and work our way down from there.
- How much time do you have and when?
- What kind of traveler/holidaymaker are you?
- What do you want to see and how?
1. How much time do you have and when?
First things first – how much time do you have? That's where we kick things off, and it shouldn't be too hard to answer. The flight from Europe to Australia is at least 24 hours long. So, to make the effort and especially the money for the flights worth it, I'd say you should aim for no less than 2 weeks, but preferably 3-4. The longer, the better, I'd say, but naturally, that depends on your personal situation.
Anything's possible! As previously mentioned, my folks were here for 4 weeks, and we traveled from Cairns to Sydney by car. My best mate, on the other hand, joined us halfway, after 2 weeks in Brisbane, and stuck around for a total of 3 weeks. Another friend was here for 2 weeks at the start of this year, flying from Sydney to Melbourne and then to Brisbane. So, basically, anything goes, and you're sure to have an awesome time, no matter how long you stay.
Additionally, let's talk about the question "When" to schedule your family holiday in Oz. The seasons in Australia are almost the opposite of those in Europe. That means spring is from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, and winter from June to August. However, considering the country's immense size, the seasons vary significantly between different places. For example, Cairns is pleasantly warm during winter, with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees and minimal rain, while Melbourne during winter is quite similar to "Cologne winter": lots of rain, gloomy, and freezing (down to 0 degrees). Therefore, be sure to research the average weather in the respective region you want to visit. Of course, you'll get recommendations for each location in the following blogs.
2. What kind of traveler/holidaymaker are you?
Alright, cool question, next question... Maybe it's easy for you to answer, maybe not. If not, I'll provide some examples that might help you figure out what kind of traveler you are.
Type 1: Camping is your deal, brah!
You're experienced campers, and the thought of living in a van or campervan appeals to you? Living in tight spaces with a few people isn't a problem, and going a few days without a shower or your toilet isn't a biggie. Then, traveling by campervan or van might be just the thing for you. Take a peek at Maui, Travellers Autobarn, Britz, and Jucy websites.
Type 2: The luxury life is more my vibe, mate.
Hardcore camping not your thing? You require a certain standard? No stress! You can still see and experience plenty in Australia. You might not get as far as campers who set up camp wherever, but you can make day trips and explore the country and cities. You can find and book all hotels via Booking.com and Trivago.
Type 3: Something in between, bro.
Camping ain't an obsession, but hotels alone ain't your style either? Australia also offers countless motels and self-catering hotels, many AirBnBs, vacation rentals, and even hostels to book. We used AirBnB and Booking.com for booking.
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3. What do you want to see and how?
Here you can think about whether you want to stay longer in one place or see stuff as fast as possible in the time you have. Do you want to hit the road and see everything or just focus on the big cities and chill out a bit in between? Again, anything's possible...
If you're keen on seeing everything, I recommend renting a car if you don't already have a van or camper on your mind. That way, you can plan your own route and go where and when you want.
If you're more focused on the big cities and need some R&R sometimes, renting a car for a few days between stops and making excursions with organized tours might suit you better.
Trust me, even if you're eager to see everything, don't rush! If you're jumping from event to event, you might miss out on enjoying and taking in all the sights. But this also depends on your personality, of course, but you catch my drift...
Basically, we traveled everything in the order I listed before. For us, it was clear from the start that we had 4 weeks and wanted to see as much as possible. For me, camping wasn't that big of a deal, but living in a camper for 4 weeks didn't excite me. Plus, my best mate was joining after 2 weeks, and I also had a big car. So, for us, it was clear: 4 weeks, hit the road, and stay at motels and AirBnBs. Based on this info, I started planning roughly. That's right – we knew my family was landing in Cairns and needed to get over jet lag, so Cairns was one of our longer stops, spending 4 days there. From there, I thought about and researched the worth-seeing spots and where we wanted to stop. It's important to note that our plan changed a lot during the trip. To be frank, we only had the first AirBnB booked, and I booked the rest as we went along for the first 2 weeks, and later for the last 2 weeks. But be cautious, booking short notice during peak season (December to January) might be tricky or even impossible. Fortunately, it was possible in September and October. In the following blogs, I'll dive deeper into each location. I'm already geared up to relive the fantastic time with my family. I hope this has given you some clarity and helped you plan. Have fun, and until the next post.
Cheers,
Jesko
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When planning a family holiday to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, consider the following travel insights:
- Working Holiday Visa Extents: This visa grants you a longer stay than a regular tourist visa and allows for work during your holiday as part of Australia's Working Holiday Maker Program, designed for cultural exchange and extended travel opportunities with employment options[1][3].
- Visa Application Timeframe and Cost: Apply at least three months before your planned arrival. The visa application is online, takes about an hour, and costs around AUD 650. Watch out for third-party visa application cons! Always apply through the official Australian government website[5].
- Work-Family Holiday Balancing Act: You can work full-time, part-time, volunteer, or not at all, depending on your preferences, and thus tailor your vacation accordingly[1][3].
- Rural Work Requirements for Visa Extension: If you desire a second-year visa, be aware of the requirement to complete 88 days of work in regional Australia, often agriculture- or hospitality-related. This might be tough but rewarding and adds depth to your Australian experience[2].
- Family-Friendly Destinations: Australia features a variety of family-friendly attractions, from Queensland's beaches to outback adventures. Research and include child-friendly activities and ensure accommodations cater to your family's needs.
- Budgeting and Travel Logistics: Consider living costs, travel within Australia, and health insurance while on your working holiday. The Working Holiday Visa permits you to earn and support your family trip, but budgeting remains essential.
- Health and Safety: Secure proper health insurance for your family. Australia is generally a safe destination, but familiarize yourself with local health advice, especially regarding sun exposure and outdoor activities.
In summary, make the most of the flexibility given by the Working Holiday Visa for both work and travel while ensuring family comfort and pleasure. Early visa application, balancing work and vacation, meeting visa work conditions if extending your stay, and selecting family-friendly locations will contribute to a successful Australian family holiday[1][2][3][5].
Given the context of the article, here are two sentences that contain the given words and follow from the text:
- To create lasting bonds and strengthen relationships while exploring new territory, consider planning a family-dynamics breaking trip Down Under during your stay on a Working Holiday Visa. This could involve visiting various other lifestyle destinations such as beaches, cities, or countryside, ensuring an unforgettable travel experience for everyone.
- During your planning process, think about combining travel with exposure to Australia's unique family-dynamics and cultural scene. For instance, you could volunteer at local events, involve your family in various community activities, or opt for home-stays with Australian hosts to gain insights into their relationships and lifestyle, thus making your family holiday in Australia even more fulfilling and memorable.
