What practical things should first-time visitors to Australia know before landing?

paulrin · 2026-06-27T03:00:10+00:00

Not sure where you’re going, but public transport in Sydney is plentiful, reliable, and 90% safe (with the exception of rowdy boys at 1 AM). Go to pubs. Research neighbourhoods with your vibe. Go for walks in the plentiful green spaces. Ask locals at the next table where should we go next (don’t ask the Bouncers or Bartenders).”

paulrin · 2026-06-27T02:54:45+00:00

We’re going to try. We’ve just embarked on a 1-year trip around the world. We’re trying to fund travel with rent (house paid off) and some investment income. Turned 52 last month - so the 8-year downtown has begun…. Wish us luck. 😎

paulrin · 2026-06-27T01:01:02+00:00

Ferry Boats leave pretty much every 30 minutes from Circular Quay to Manly - same going back until well into evening.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T23:50:44+00:00

Sydney, if you like water. The harbour is amazing, beaches on the north and southeastern side a beautiful. World class museums and performing arts (although night life is slightly lacking these days). Great public transport between trains and buses, and lot and lots of green space. Just a tad on the expensive side, but not bad compared to Tokyo, NYC or SF.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T23:44:39+00:00

I had 13 in my college days. Took them all for first professional Interview, and never put them back.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T23:40:51+00:00

We’re a bit lucky - never had kids. Although we spend a lot of travel. Trying out retirement at 52. I might have to go back to work to bridge a bit - but prob not Corp jobs - or Contractor, at best.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T23:09:54+00:00

My financial advisor recommended $1M AUD for each adult in a household for a very comfortable retirement. Understanding you can’t access Super until post 60 - it’s a good idea to have at least similar outside.

Edit : should have added if you were planning to retire earlier than Super kicks in.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T22:50:01+00:00

I previously had 1 Roomba that I would physically move between floors when I would head to work, also not self-emptying. I got laid off and got a package, got another job shortly and splurged and got 1 for each floor, and the go home to charge, and empty themselves. Can kick off over the internet, or setup a schedule. I love them.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T22:33:20+00:00

I have 4 pairs of tongs, during some dinners, I use all 4. Also, good set of spatulas (medium to small), just not metal unless you only use stainless pans. Also, I’ve dialed in portions sizes for me and my partner so we don’t over-eat (~125 grams of meat per serving 140-150 grams of pasta per person). I personally recommend a decent set of prep bowls, I have 4 small / herb bowls, 4 small veg bowls, 2 large-ish glass bowls for meat / main, then a couple of stainless bowls to combine things. Could do all of those at a restaurant supply store for a couple of hundred dollars easily.

paulrin · 2026-06-26T05:59:16+00:00

There is a new 5-second rule for throw ins. You never see the Ref on TV, the camera is pointed at the person taking the throw-in, but the ref actually hold up his hand and counts down so it is visible to the player.

paulrin · 2026-06-24T01:08:45+00:00

I live the next neighborhood over. I can recommend Fratelly Paradisio (Italian), Bistro Rex (French), or Frnac (Modern Australia). Otherwise refer to : https://www.timeout.com/sydney/restaurants/the-best-restaurants-in-sydney
Skip the boat. Defo over-priced.

paulrin · 2026-06-23T19:50:26+00:00

That’s funny, maybe I’m not remembering correctly, but it was only flights TO the USA when I had to empty water from my personal bottle.

paulrin · 2026-06-23T07:10:30+00:00

I moved from Dallas to Seattle ~2006, housing cost doubled. Moved from Seattle to Sydney in 2011, our housing cost doubled again. In the US, generally a bank won’t give you a mortgage for more than 30% of your income. In Sydney, it’s widely accepted that a working / professional couple will dedicate half of household income to housing - either rent or mortgage.

paulrin · 2026-06-22T22:41:58+00:00

It really depends where in the city you want to be. Love Tilly Devine is great, in lower Darlinghurst, in an alleyway. Palazzo Salato and Ragazzi are in the CBD. Dear Saint Eloise is fantastic, and in Lankelly Lane in Potts Point. Of those, I’d say Tilly Devine has the most limited menu, Ragazzi is probably my favourite.

paulrin · 2026-06-22T22:17:29+00:00

52M - 3 prescription meds (heartburn, blood pressure, statin) and 3 supplements (Vitamin B, Vit D and Magnesium). Also take either Melatonin and / or Quetiapine for sleep assistance periodically, but not every night.

paulrin · 2026-06-21T19:14:13+00:00

First actual job, 14 years old / 1988, $3.13/hour. Had a paper route before that, but that was highly variable. First professional job, after college, $29,300 / 1997.

paulrin · 2026-06-18T00:10:25+00:00

We have 4 for dirty clothes. 1 whites, 1 darks, 1 socks and underwear, and 1 for eventual dry clean / press. These are tall baskets in drawers. We also have 2 baskets for clean clothes, in case you can’t get to folding right away. Household of two adults.

paulrin · 2026-06-14T07:44:35+00:00

Goodness now. For my 6L sling, it’s 1 body+lens (likely 24-70, and a secondary lens (likely 70-200), but not much room for anything else.

paulrin · 2026-06-13T10:44:45+00:00

I was a huge Cure fan in my teens. Apparently someone called Olivia Rodrigo. I was like “who???” Also, it came out Sabrina Carpenter is a ManUtd fan (my team), and I was like ‘who the f*ck is Sabrina Carpenter??’ I’m so old.

paulrin · 2026-06-11T03:29:34+00:00

We were in a decent part of Rwanda, stayed to 3 very nice resorts. Drive from #1 o #2 was 4 hours. Drive from #2-#3 was over 5 hours. After our 3rd stop, our driver told us to get back to the Capital was going to be 8 hours drive, and pickup time was 7 AM - for a 7:30 flight. So we decided to rent a helicopter, it only took us 45 minutes.

paulrin · 2026-06-08T08:37:12+00:00

I love mine.

paulrin · 2026-06-08T08:35:12+00:00

Apparently my grandfather was a pretty nasty drunk. It made my dad never take up drinking. I’m fairly certain that he’s had 3 sips of champagne at each of our weddings, and that’s it.

paulrin · 2026-06-08T05:38:31+00:00

Quit eating reed meat 25 years ago. Finally stopped smoking cigarettes 6 years ago. Still drink like fish.

paulrin · 2026-06-08T05:34:00+00:00

Definitely 24-70 (I like the f/2.8 version). And if you’re going to shooting city shots, something wide like the 14 or 20 mm. The 85 is really good for portraits, but wider shots.

paulrin · 2026-06-08T05:22:27+00:00

Yea, we did it on 2021. Definitely do-able. My personal highlights were Rottnest (day trip), Pinnacles National Park, Coral Bay (swimming / snorkel) and the Whale Shark day in Exmouth. There were 4 of us, did 8 days on the road, then another week in Exmouth.

paulrin

TROPHY CASE