Comments for Lucy loves Australia » Planning Your Trip

Comment on Want to fly to Australia for Christmas 2010? Here’s some options… by Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:51:52 +0000

This information helped us with our itinerary and we saved over £1.5k by going on the 13th of December instead of a few days before christmas day. Thanks Lucy!

Comment on THIS is why I LOVE Australia by Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Your blog certainly inspired me Lucy – we are off for our 3 week trip commencing 13th Dec 11. 5 days in Sydney, 9 days in Gold Coast and 7 days at the Sea Temple in Palm Cove! Whilst we are there hubby and I are also renewing our wedding vows with our 3 beautiful children as guests of honour. I can’t wait to go to Australia!!

Comment on My perfect Australian beaches… by Whitsunday Islands

Whitsunday Islands — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:14:30 +0000

Lucy: glad you enjoyed Whitehaven Beach – it really is one of the most incredible beaches in the world (but of course I’m biased). I just wanted to point out for your readers that the island it is located on (Whitsunday Island) has NO resorts, but it is possible to camp at several of the island’s National Parks campsites. It is an amazing way to experience the area, and it is an extremely cheap way to stay in the Whitsundays too. Permits must be booked in advance, and it is best to book as far ahead as possible as places are limited.

Comment on Flying to Australia with a baby… by Liesl

Liesl — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:58:20 +0000

We are taking our 5 month old to Australia this year and having just found this website it is incredibly useful and a godsend, having quickly, sensibly and simply answered a lot of things I was stressing about. However, our daughter will be midway through weaning and I was wondering if there were any tips for flying with baby food as well as milk. Thanks!

Comment on Lots (and lots!) more info about flying to Australia with babies and toddlers by Elizabeth Alfano

Elizabeth Alfano — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:49:23 +0000

Hi Lucy,
I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you, my husband and I are travelling to Adelaide via Singapore in February with our 10 month old son. We have travelled before with Singapore airlines when it was just the two of us , but I insisted that we travelled with them again with our little one. Your comments on the airline and the way you were treated has just reassured me that we made the right choice. Im very nervous about flying with a little one and reading your advice etc has really put my mind at ease and has made me start to enjoy the lead up to the holiday (it really is a holiday of a lifetime)
Just one quick quezzie for you though if you dont mind, re formula milk – can you buy Sma Gold top out in Adelaide say in Coles / Woolworths.

Thank you once again, keep up the fantastic work in offering advice
Elizabeth x

Comment on Taking your baby on the long-haul flight to Australia — more survival plans! by Amy

Amy — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:21:12 +0000

Hi Lucy

I am going to Australia in September and will be taking my then 4 month old baby and had no idea what to do re feeding etc so your blog is really helpful, thanks. I have flown to Oz before but as this is my first child I am very nervous about flying long haul with a baby on my own! Fingers crossed!!!

Comment on Want to go on my holiday? Great places to stay in Tropical North Queensland by Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:12:20 +0000

hi Lucy,

Just wanted to say thank you for this great site of yours. I am going to Oz for the first time with my family next christmas, 2011.

Our children will be 11 and 18 months by the time we go, so your tips on family friendly places are really helpful to me. I’ve been to quite a few places in the states and all over Europe, but australia is an unknown entity to me and your tips are helping me get a grasp of whats what.

So thanks,
Debbie & Family

Comment on Flying to Australia with a baby… by Lucy

Lucy — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 07:52:22 +0000

I always take on my own boiled (or cooled down boiled) water onto flights as I don’t know how well ‘boiled’ the hot water on the planes are. Best option is to buy a good flask and get it filled up air side (after security) in a coffee shop and take that on board. That way you know its good boiled water, and you can either let it cool down and then get the crew to heat it up once you’ve decanted it into bottles, or keep it at the right temperature in your flask. You can’t take cooled boiled water through customs in enough quantity for a long flight (usually just one bottle’s worth which you’ll need to taste). If you are still ‘in transit’ in Dubai (ie. air side) then you should be fine to keep boiled water or get some more in your flask and re-board.
Best option is to always be very up front, explain its for the baby, and approach security and show what you have before asked.
Have a great flight!

Lucy

Comment on Flying with a baby to Australia – some more info! by Lucy

Lucy — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 07:48:34 +0000

Hi Sophie

Bassinet size on Cathay is pretty good. I have a big baby and he was fine in it at 6 months So I would expect 8 months but also be fine. In fact I’d say the Cathay Bassinets have room for most babies up to 1 year to lie down and have a sleep.
ABSOLUTELY you HAVE to request your Bassinet in advance. Check in the ‘Manage Booking’ section online and if you’re not in Bulkhead seats with a Bassinet PHONE THE AIRLINE ASAP! Just because you book an infant ticket DOES NOT GUARANTEE A BASSINET. You must request a Bassinet and they are first come first served.
Phone number for Cathay UK reservations centre 0208 834 8888 (office opening hours, Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm, Sat, 9am – 5pm).

I have never used anything to help me sleep on an airplane and absolutely definitely not with my children. Try and get them to sleep on their usual routine as much as you can. It’s kind of a ‘hands up’ just see what you can do situation once you head across time zones in one go like this, but just see what’s possible. If you can keep both your buggies til the last minute (keep to the departure gate) and request to get them back for your transit this will help. Also I’d suggest getting a Snooze Shade to put over the buggies so even if its bright in the airport for your day time stop over they little ones will be able to sleep. Snooze Shades also SPF50 and perfect for sun shade when you arrive! http://www.snoozeshade.com/

Comment on Flying with a baby to Australia – some more info! by Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:04:49 +0000

Hello Lucy,

Thanks a lot for all this information.
I am leaving in a weeks’ time to Australia and I am travelling with my two children, 2 1/2 years and 8 months. My mum will be accompanying me though.
We will be flying with Cathay Pacific but day flight (depart noon from London). Our stop over is in Hong Kong local time 7 am. Stop-over 5 hrs, departure 13h00.
Not the best having read your website…
Arrival Brisbane 23h30 so ready for the night though (a good thing I hope).

Do you know if the bassinet on Cathay Pacific is big enough for a baby of 8 months (because on their website it says suitable for up to 6 months)? Do I need to ask for it in advance (ticket bought on internet – do they transmit all info)?
Have you ever used sleeping pills or anything like that? (not allowed for babies/children I imagine….)?
How do they cope with the jet-lag going there?

Thanking you in advance,
Sophie