While not the most exciting series of posts, I’m going to start providing nuggets of logistical information here that should prove to be helpful, money-saving and most importantly, stress-eliminating factoids for your trip Down Under (which is approximately 15 weeks away for most of you, if you can believe that).  This first one is the least interesting and possibly most important… getting in.

VISAS: although we (Aussie’s, Poms and Yanks) are all part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) where we can all pop by to visit each other for up to 90 days with a valid passport that is at least six months away from expiring (double check this one as it is a bitch to navigate if you discover this fun fact in transit), there is apparently now a requirement for an extra step in the process.  There are lots of places to get information on this (here for example) however between Anni and my sleuthing it looks like the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the one and you can apply for that online here for a AUS$20 fee anytime up to 72 hours prior to departure.  There is no label or stamp, it’s all electronic.  Don’t pay any more than the $20 to a third-party, this is a super easy thing to do and the linked site is the official government one.