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Living overseas

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Original poster

PLEASE HELP all people who live or who have ever lived in Australia!!

55 replies

Helenemjay · 22/06/2006 16:54

My dp and i are hoping to move to Aussie Next year but i have had loads of people putting me off lately saying there are LOADS of spiders everywhere all the time! - if this is true it could be a problem as i am truly truly terrified of spiders!! Can anyone who lives there or has lived there and knows for sure give me an idea of how bad spiders are out there please? i would be most grateful xx

OP posts:
bound4oz · 04/07/2006 16:37

hello all
this is helenemjays sister thankyou for all the replies, we went out in jan and saw almost nothing that you wouldnt see here, although after a few months back here you forget how easy life is in oz, MELLISASMUMMY, ru also a member of pomsinoz? if so beth here, hope you are settling well.(smile)
Beth.

eidsvold · 04/07/2006 22:31

our insect killing stuff is pretty deadly too so you don't need to worry about spiders or cockys - one spray and they are gone.

Reece · 04/07/2006 23:35

I lived in Oz for a year 10 years ago and only saw tiny little house spiders. Some of my firends saw red backs. None of us saw a funnel web (deadly spiders) but heard there's a hill in Sydney that they al congregate! Just don't live near that hill!

I wouldn't worry about spiders. It's people in the world that worry me!

SueW · 05/07/2006 07:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Original poster
Helenemjay · 05/07/2006 16:00

I agree Reece - its the people that bother me the most too! but spiders are a very close second - i dont like all the legs and eyes [bbrrrr] - ive got shudders now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Helenemjay · 05/07/2006 16:01

SueW - id have died a thousand deaths if that had happened to me!

OP posts:
Reece · 05/07/2006 18:24

SueW - Shivers down my spine after your post!

bound4oz · 08/07/2006 13:53

ooohhhhhhhhhhhhh i think i might cancel that visa application!

Reece · 08/07/2006 13:58

No way..... Oz is such an amazing country to live in. Don't let any little spiders frighten you off.

bound4oz · 08/07/2006 14:19

yes i guess your right, i always say i'd rather take my chances against the spiders in oz than Blair, Prescott, and Brown in this country any day!!

Reece · 08/07/2006 20:41

lol

OzJo · 09/07/2006 04:57

It's a fantastic country, especially to bring up the kids..I've been all over Oz in the 7 years we've been here, saw a couple of big spiders in QLD, but was told they were harmless..it entirely depends where in Oz you're going. We're now in Tasmania, having lived in Darwin, Perth and Melbourne....haven't seen one scarey looking spider here, though they do apparently exist. Good luck!

ghosty · 09/07/2006 06:23

Just as I am coming to terms with moving to Australia there goes Suzy with her 'big as a kitten' story ....
Sigh .....

I love you suzy, I really do ... but if you have a phobia of spiders it is quite a big deal ... Yes, I am a big girl's blouse when it comes to spiders too Helenemjay ... but I am content in the assurances from many people that it is rare to see biggies ...

We WILL be selling our camping gear before we go though as I will never ever camp in Aus ... even if you pay me

SittingBull · 09/07/2006 07:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

eidsvold · 09/07/2006 11:19

but ghosty there are some amazing camping spots in Aus

Original poster
Helenemjay · 10/07/2006 14:55

Lol ghosty! my friend and i were discussing camping in oz earlier today and we just laughed (deliriously) at the prospect lol! - a tent on the ground, sleeping where the gangly hairy crawly creepy things lurk about - yeah right! the only time im sleeping down there is when ive karked it and im in a box!

OP posts:
arfishymeau · 11/07/2006 00:14

Hmmm. Yes, have to agree that I probably wouldn't do tents in the bush. But then I hate camping. Last time I went I had to mainline G&T just to get through the week (considerably before DD of course).

I've seen one huntsman spider in a year. We had a couple of golden orbs in our garden, but they're not scary or dangerous. I used to see more giant spiders in our bath at home to be honest, and they were much more creepy.

bound4oz · 13/07/2006 07:58

and thats not to mention the snakes that may slither in your tent, lets hope the spiders eat them!

Original poster
Helenemjay · 13/07/2006 16:19

Hmm snakes - my new best friends (only the nice ones though obviously) anything that gets rid of the spiders is ok with me!

OP posts:
eidsvold · 13/07/2006 22:05

the only animal I have had try to get into my tent was a kangaroo - and of course in the moonlight it looked about 10ft tall!!!

Original poster
Helenemjay · 15/07/2006 19:01

Will i have to resit my driving test over there? i got the impression from another thread that i do (unless i read it all wrong)

OP posts:
OzJo · 16/07/2006 09:55

no you don't have to resit your driving test. Loads of the cars here are automatic though, which takes a bit of getting used to.

eidsvold · 16/07/2006 22:51

as I had had an aussie licence - was able to jsut go and get mine renewed. Dh just had to take the written test and got his - as he had a UK licence. Can buy rule book very cheaply for whichever state you will be living in and DH just revised and then took it.

debbies · 20/07/2006 09:35

Helenemjay - I've been here 6 years and have seen one redback and that's it.

I see spiders - but the ones I see are harmless (although some are quite large). It really is not an issue (honest )

Never seen a tiger snake either .....

scully · 23/07/2006 09:05

bugger, I'm Australian but have a UK licence so need to do theory test again Here's hoping I pass