It is just the most perfect time to start some new Christmas traditions for yourself. Your traditions from your home country probably came from family traditions. You do things in the way that everyone else in the family has always done them, and you’re following that process. But when you get here, you’re free to create your own brand new traditions…you can celebrate Christmas your way.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about how she has embraced Christmas in the sun. This includes: 

• Getting Santa photos (and how funny it is seeing Santa in Hawaiian shirts, board shorts and thongs!)
• Christmas carol events in the suburbs
• Enjoying the long school summer holidays over Christmas
• Christmas food traditions in Australia
• The Christmas dress code in Australia
• Celebrating Christmas how YOU want to (not having to do what is expected of you)
• Embracing a new kind of Christmas and creating your own new traditions

Additional resources

• Episode 11: Christmas gifting when you move to Australia
• Find out about Christmas in July
• Learn more about celebrating Christmas in Australia 
• Read this article about Christmas gifts for your final year in your home country 
• Read this article about why flowers are a special gift to send to someone living overseas
• Send cards online with Moonpig

You can find the show notes and transcript over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-14

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

When you get out there and explore, it really just reminds you why you moved. So, especially if you’ve been feeling a bit homesick, there’s nothing more exhilarating and exciting than pulling into a really beautiful new beach and remembering that you actually get to live here! Whenever I think to myself, I’m so lucky to live here, it’s so beautiful, I remind myself I’m not lucky. I just took action and did the hard thing, and this is the reward that we get.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast
In today’s episode, Karen talks about planning your future holidays in Australia after you’ve moved over. This includes: 

• Choosing your transport
• Planning your accommodation
• Organising bucket list experiences
• Being mindful of travel distances and planning for this
• Things to be aware of when driving in Australia
• Why domestic travel insurance is still important
• Planning for your pet while you’re away
• Staying in touch with local conditions
• and so much more!

Additional resources
This list contains affiliate links. Please do your due diligence before making any bookings to ensure products are the right fit for you.

• Check out domestic travel insurance with sites like Covermore Insurance
• Consider motorhome hire with Jucy, Motorhome Republic, Britz or Maui. You can find car hire links in the Move to Australia Directory 
• Check out Get Your Guide for trips and tours (where you can buy now, pay later and also usually cancel later if your plans change)
• Visit Mon Repos to see the turtles laying their eggs or hatching near Bundaberg
• Listen to episode 9: Living with extreme conditions podcast
• Listen to episode 5: 11 tips to stay sun safe in Australia
• Read the blog post: Living with extreme weather in Australia 
• Listen to episode 7: House sitting in Australia
• Read the blog post about planning a trip in Australia
• Find more resources for your travels in the Move to Australia Directory

You can find the show notes and full transcript over at SmartStepstoAustralia/episode-13

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated! 

We live in central Queensland, it's the Sunshine State. You know, it's very rare that we don't see the sun. It's warm. Even in wintertime for us, it was warm. And you know, paddle boarding - it's low impact. It's a good all round sport for any age group, any level of fitness. And it's great, not just for body fitness, but for the mind and the soul as well. Whether you participate in the sport for well-being, mindfulness or fitness, there's something there for everybody.

Welcome to episode 12 of the New Life in Australia podcast

In today's episode, Karen chats to Chris who moved to Australia earlier this year on a parent visa to live with her daughter. She has now set up a brand new stand up paddle boarding school in Australia. In the interview we talk about:  

• The challenges of moving over on a parent visa.
• The frustrations of waiting and waiting and waiting, and the difficulties of living across two different countries.
• Taking up a hobby of stand up paddle boarding and then going on to become an Academy of Surfing Instructors accredited instructor.
• Setting up a new business - Blue Therapy SUP - and all of the steps involved in that.
• The importance of being flexible and adaptable, especially with regards to wait times and the visa.

Additional resources

• Chris recommends Richard at Endeavor Migration 
• Find out more about the ASI and search for a SUP school near you  - Academy of Surfing Instructors 
• Places mentioned in the episode: Callide Dam and Biloela
• Visit Chris' business page -  Blue Therapy SUP on Facebook 
• Find out about Chris' SUP school - Blue Therapy SUP School  
• Listen to the New Life in Australia podcast episode 4 - 9 Practical ways to overcome homesickness 

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

For the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-12 here