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I’ve been all over Australia but not Western Australia. Yes, agree completely that the east coast of Oz is amazing. I do love being remote! I would be interested to hear your thoughts of Perth and if there is anything you’d recommend. Thank you! |
Thanks for this. I’ve never flown after arriving in Sydney. I guess I have to recheck my bags??? |
You always have to go through immigration and customs (hence picking up bags) at the first port of call in a country. You’ll have to do the same at LAX coming back if flying the same route. |
Not true in the Schengen Area (most of the EU). You clear passport control in your first arrival airport, but your bags are checked through to your final destination. In order to do this they have separate areas of airports which have passport control in either direction - that's why you have to allow an extra 20 minutes to clear Schengen exit passport control when say flying back from Paris. Many Asian countries have this also- Japan, Korea, Singapore. Years ago flew from US to Thailand through Tokyo- just walked between gates at the Tokyo airport because it was all in the international transit part of the airport. This system is called "sterile transit" because it allows you to transit through an airport without entering the country if you are connecting between non-Schengen flights. |
This is irrelevant to travel to Australia |
The PP said "you always have to clear customs (pick up checked bags) when entering a country". That implicitly meant it was a standard practice around the world, which it is not. |
You will need to pick up your bags, carry them through customs and immediately drop them again ….they is a special spot… the bags should be checked through (check the label) but you won’t need to go back to a check in counter. Depending on the terminal you may or may not need to go through security again… keep your eyes open for Transfers signs. |
Perth is lovely - go down to Fremantle if you can. |
Perth is lovely, more laid back than the east coast. They have beaches and wineries—it reminds me of CA. If you venture north, you will get a sort of Wild West flavor (they even had a gold rush) .
Check out Cottlesloe Beach. Fremantle has a big sailing culture. Head out to Rottnest Island to see the quokkas. (They are basically overgrown rats, that will steal from your backpack, but since they are a species that only exists on Rottnest Island …so you should see them while you are in WA.) |
Thank you!!!! |
I stand corrected. Yes, Schengen zone is different. Connecting through a country is obviously different to stopping and leaving the airport. |
Definitely hire a car if you can. Cottesloe is lovely and I really like Fremantle too. The city centre is not that interesting. If you have time drive down to Margaret River - lot of wineries and beautiful beaches.
Definitely go to Rottnest Island. It is stunning - lot of little animals called Quokas and the beaches are so clear. What month will you be there? Winter can get quite cool. Summer is the best time to visit if you like swimming or want a surfing lesson. It is a very isolated city in Australia and very far from everything. |