Questions about Australia

[Jbirds]

Hello.

I was wondering if anyone could answer some questions I have about Australia. We’re thinking about moving over in the next few years.

1. Bug situation with young children. We’re an outdoors family. Our sons love digging in mud, playing in their playhouse, mud kitchen and sand pit. Do you give your children a warning/ show them pictures of deadly spiders? How does that work?
2. What is living in the countryside equivalent like? We love to garden so would like a larger garden and don’t wish to be too remote either.
3. We liked the idea of Tasmania. Anyone have experience there?
4. Private schools are a must for our two boys (didn’t really want that turning into a debate, just what we personally want for our children).

Side notes:
visas wouldn’t be an issue due to my partner’s job.

TIA for any advice people can give.

Hello, we lived in Sydney, but on the edge of the bush.

1. yes, you point out what a red back looks like, and what a funnel web looks like. The rest of the spiders are fine and you can see some interesting and pretty ones in the garden. I also used to get a pest spray for outdoor furniture as we would often find red backs camped out on them otherwise. It’s not expensive. My kids were outside lots and we never had any problems. Both got stung by bees and one got bitten by a bull ant which was painful, and there are mozzies but it really is a very small part of life.
2. It depends on which part of Australia you’re in. I don’t know Tassie. There is loads of countryside though so you can be more farmy, or close to vineyards, close to the coast, mountains, there’s basically everything.
3. I don’t know Tassie but I think it looks very pretty and you avoid the boiling heat which is good. Not as many good jobs and it might feel a bit remote but you’d have to see how you felt when you got there. I lived in Adelaide for a while and it felt like the end of the earth, in a way that Sydney never did. But each to their own.
4. There are lots of good private schools.

Good luck!

Hi there!
Now there is a brand new Australia and New Zealand-section on Mumsnet!
Maybe ask there too?
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/aussie-nz-mumsnetters

Good Luck!