Removals to Australia

If you are reading this article, then you're probably some way into planning your removals to Australia. You may have already decided what's going to stay and what is either coming with you on the plane or going into storage for shipment later. With all the excitement, you may not have even given a thought to what you're going to do with your free time once you get there.

In this article, we shall take a look at some of Australia's top zoos and animal farms with pointers on where to go and what to look out for. Along the way, you are bound to bump into the odd kangaroo and lots of other weird and wonderful creatures, some of which can only be found in this part of the world.

At Moving Partnership Ltd, we search out the cheapest, most cost effective way of transporting your belongings across the other side of the world whilst, at the same time, assuring you of the highest levels of service. We do this through our extensive network of contacts within the removals industry, a network we have built up over more than 20 years in the business, designed to ensure that your removals to Australia go as smoothly as possible.

Moving to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service

Top Australian Zoos and Animal Parks

Calamunnda Camel Farm - Perth WA
361 Paulls Valley Road, Paulls Valley, Perth

Western Australia is an unlikely place in which to find camels, but here they are, and not only can you see them, you can ride them too. Believe it or not, there are around 175,000 camels in Australia, strange when you think that they originated in North America. Before the truck, camels were relied upon in Australia's construction industry. They carried telegraph poles, huge pipe sections, building materials and all manner of goods to and from the inland towns. The fact that they could travel vast distances without need of water made them very valuable assets. Nowadays though, here at Calamunnda, they are looked after well and carry  people, just for fun.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Brisbane QLD
Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane

Here you'll see large groups of koalas relaxing and munching on eucalyptus. There's a wallaby and kangaroo enclosure as well as snakes, dingo's, wombats, crocs and brightly coloured lorakeets. This was the world’s first koala sanctuary and has over 130 koalas just waiting to be fed and petted. You can even become a keeper for a day. Youngsters are encouraged to join the team of experienced wildlife education officers and help with the everyday tasks that the job entails. You'll get to go with the dingoes or wombats on their daily walks, get as close as you like to the snakes, and help out with the owls and koalas.

Melbourne Zoo – Melbourne VIC
Elliott Avenue, Parkville, Melbourne

An amazing day out with loads to see and do for the whole family and more animals than you can shake a stick at (don’t do that, some of them won’t like it!). Here you can meet over 300 different species from all over the world including elephants, tigers, orang-utans gorillas and, of course, koalas and kangaroos. There are interactive exhibits designed especially for kids and you'll get the chance to learn all about the animals. You can also find out what the zoo is doing to help save some of them from extinction, and what you can do to help.

Monarto Zoo SA
3401 Old Princes Highway, Monarto, Adelaide 

A taste of Africa in South Australia, Monarto Zoo features zebra, waterbuck, hyaena, rhino, oryx, ostrich, meerkat, giraffe, eland, chimpanzee, cheetah, bongo, lion, and addax among others. You won’t want to get too close to these guys but it is great to see them in surroundings that are as near to natural as Australia can manage. Zoo keepers provide daily talks on the animals and you can go on various tours including the Zu-Loop shuttle, the behind-the-scenes tour and even a tour lasting a full day.

Cairns Night Zoo QLD
Cook Highway, Palm Cove, Queensland

For a very different and fun night out, Cairns Night Zoo is hard to beat. You are met at the gates at 19.00hrs and treated to a bush barbie. Then your guides take you around the park by torchlight. You get to see and hear the animals, watching out for glowing eyes and shapes in the shadows. It’s thrilling but very safe. The guides are experts, so they know where to go for the best sights, what to do and, more importantly, what not to do with the animals. You'll get to see kangaroos and crocodiles and you may even meet a bushman or “swaggie” and share some tea, and a traditional Auzzie sing-song around a campfire.

Perth Zoo WA
20 Labouchere Road, South Perth

Located on the banks of the Swan River, one of Australia’s best small zoos is just 5 minutes from Perth's Central Business District and is open every day to visitors. Although you can get to see all the sights in around half a day, you're best off allocating a full day to it; that way you won’t miss out and can get the most from your visit. Walks, talks and presentations are held throughout the day and you'll get to meet elephants and primates and the Western Swamp Tortoise – Australia’s most endangered reptile. You'll see penguins, get to feed a giraffe, and meet crocodiles and dingoes.

Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo QLD
1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, Queensland

The late Steve Irwin's name is synonymous with the crocodile. He and his wife Terri filmed the TV documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter, which has been shown worldwide. Australia Zoo is not all about crocs though; every day there are live presentations featuring Otters, Elephants, Koalas and Birds of Prey. The “Crocoseum” is a must-see. You can hand feed the kangaroos, pat a koala, feed the elephants, meet baby alligators, admire talking cockatoos, see wombats and view, from a safe distance, the zoo’s magnificent Sumatran tigers as well as rhinos, giraffes, zebras and cheetahs. You’ll want to spend the day here so bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, a rain mac, some water and snacks - and don’t forget your camera!

Taronga Zoo NSW
Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales

The best of both worlds are here: a zoo with views over the Sydney Harbour. To really make a day of it, take the ten-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. It’ll take you past the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Once there, you’ll be immersed in a world of wildlife with daily talks about seals, koalas, gorillas, reptiles, Tasmanian devils, chimpanzees, owls, giraffes, big cats, penguins and spiders. Become keeper for a day and get a behind the scenes to look at the workings of a zoo. Help them look after the animals and learn about animal first aid. It could even encourage your youngsters to go on to become zookeepers themselves, or even vets.

About Moving Partnership Limited

For your peace of mind, wherever possible, we will “partner” with removals companies that are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered and FAIM accredited. Your dedicated removals co-ordinator will be on hand to assist you throughout the removals process and help you fill out the necessary customs paperwork to ensure that your move to Australia goes as smoothly as possible. Contact us today for you free, no obligation, removals quote.

Shipping to Australia – click here for full information on our removals to Australia service, or contact us now for a free removals quote

Removals to Australia – A Guide to Some of the Most Iconic Structures in Australia

With your removals to Australia planned, organised or even completed, you may be interested in and whereabouts of the country’s most famous buildings and monuments. While we can all recognise The Sydney Opera House, many people in the UK would be hard pressed to name some of the other famous structures in Australia, let alone know the history behind them. In this article we shall give you a brief guide to some of the more famous ones.

At Moving Partnership Ltd, we plan, organise and arrange removals to destinations worldwide, including removals to Australia. Our team of removals experts liaise closely with you to establish your exact requirements and then match those requirements to the services on offer from our worldwide network of removals company contacts.

We want your removals experience to be as smooth and trouble free as possible. To that end, when partnering with firms to complete your removals to Australia, we will endeavour to use only those who are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered or FAIM accredited, thus assuring you that your removal will be carried out to the highest standards.

Wherever you are based in the country, you will most likely want to take a sight-seeing tour of your area, or even further afield. Come with us on a whistle stop tour of some of the country’s most notable buildings.

Removals to Australia –  Get a free online quote using the form to your right, or click here to talk to our International removals team.

Eight of Australia’s most interesting Buildings and Structures

Harbour Bridge - Sydney

Officially opened on the 19th March 1932, the Sydney harbour Bridge was built to connect the harbour’s north and south shores. An English firm, Dorman Long and Co of Middlesbrough, undertook this marvellous feat of engineering and it took 1400 men a total of eight years to complete. A true Australian icon, Sydneysiders and tourists alike flock to the bridge not only for the photo-opportunities but also to climb it. There are 4 organised climbs and the price varies, depending on the time and date of your climb; they are available to anyone with reasonably good fitness levels. 

Opera House - Sydney

Opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II, The Sydney Opera House has become one of the most recognised buildings in the world. With five theatres and rehearsal studios, 2 main halls, 4 restaurants, 6 bars and many souvenir shops, each year it plays host to around 3000 events with audiences totalling around 2 million and is visited by up to 200,000 people who simply want a look round. As a venue, it is as prestigious as they come, right up there with The Royal Albert Hall. Ask any performer on the worldwide stage and it would certainly be in their top five, if not their top three.

ANZ Olympic Stadium - Sydney

Officially opened in 1999, the ANZ stadium was built to showcase the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As with London 2012, a large part of the city was earmarked for renewal to house the games and the stadium was designed as its centrepiece. Originally opening with a seating capacity of more than 110,000, making it the largest Olympic stadium in the world, it was remodelled after the games, which saw its capacity shrink to 83,500. As a result of these modifications, the stadium can now easily be converted to host rugby league, rugby union, football and cricket.

Old Convict Buildings - Port Arthur

Here, a group of buildings come under a single banner; The Port Arthur Historic Sites. They are all concerned with days gone by when much of Australia was given over to the housing of deported English convicts. Sites listed include: the Port Arthur penal settlement, the coal mines, the Cascades female factory, Darlington probation station, Brickendon and Woolmers Estates, Kingston and Arthurs Vale on Norfolk Island, Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney, Old Government House in Parramatta NSW, Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour, The Old Great North Road and Freemantle Prison. All would have had special significance to convicts of the time.
Telstra Tower - Canberra

Officially opened on May 15, 1980, the tower is a relay and booster centre for the capital’s radio, telephone and television transmitters as well as mobile phone operators. All of that technical stuff aside though, it is also a centre for business with meeting rooms, breakout areas and offices and a tourist attraction welcoming 430,000 visitors each year. Arguably the best place for a view of Australia’s capital city, The Telstra Tower rises to nearly 640ft above the summit of Black Mountain in the heart of the Canberra National Park. From viewing platforms near the top, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the city.

The Round House - Fremantle

The oldest public building in the State of Western Australia, The Round House is steeped in legal history. Opening in 1831, it was first used to house a convict just 18 months after the area was originally settled. From then until 1886, it was used to incarcerate those found guilty of anything from drunkenness to theft and desertion to murder. It was then handed over to the police who used it as a storage facility into the early 1900’s. Scheduled for demolition in 1920, the building was saved by local interested parties and later deeded to the City of Fremantle.

Jimbour House - Queensland

Built in 1876, Jimbour House is one of Australia’s most wonderful historic homes. Still in private hands, the house opens its doors to the public only on very special occasions but you are free to take a walk around the very impressive gardens and grounds. On entry, you are asked for a small donation but this means you can take the "Living History Walk" a tour which includes the original Water Tower, The Chapel, the Jacaranda Avenue, Jimbour House, The Rose Garden, Millicent Russell Kitchen Garden, The Bull Stalls and Stables, The Bluestone Building and many other points of interest.

Rialto Towers

Rialto Towers is the tallest office building in the Southern Hemisphere if you disregard communication masts and spires. Opened in October 1986, its huge glass façade appears to change colour from dark blue to gold depending on the direction and intensity of the sun. At 824 ft with 63 floors and 3 basement floors, it provides 84,000 m² of office space. In 1994 The Melbourne Observation Deck was opened to the public. Situated on the 55th floor, it provides views of up to 60 km on a clear day and, the good news is, you don’t have to walk. The deck is served by two express passenger lifts.

About MPL

At Moving Partnership Ltd, we have been arranging removals to Australia and many other destinations worldwide for in excess of 20 years. In that time, we’ve built up a vast network of contacts with removals companies all over the world. This enables us to search for and find the cheapest and most appropriate removals companies to partner with so as to provide you with exactly the service you require at a price that you’ll be more than happy with.

Removals to Australia –  Get a free online quote using the form to your right, or click here to talk to our International removals team.

Removals to Australia – Celebrating Labour Day

If you’re planning your removals to Australia, just as in England, you will find yourself with time off from work to mark the various public holidays. One such public holiday is Labour Day which is celebrated on different dates, depending on which part of Australia you are moving to.

If your removals to Australia are taking you to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia, you'll find it celebrated on the first Monday in October. If you’re emigrating to Victoria or Tasmania, here you'll find Labour Day marked on the second Monday in March and, if you are moving to Western Australia, it is celebrated, on the first Monday in March. If you're headed to Queensland and the Northern Territory, your removals to Australia will see you celebrating Labour Day on the first Monday in May.

The reason Labour Day is marked on different dates around the country is because each state or territory adopted the eight hour working day at a different time.

Removals to Australia – click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

Here’s our guide to Labour Day and an overview of what to expect from the celebrations.

The History of Labour Day in Australia

Labour Day is known by various other titles across Australia. In Tasmania they call it Eight Hours Day and in the Northern Territory it is called May Day. Its Tasmanian title is the most descriptive as it marks the granting of the eight-hour working day for Australian workers. It serves as a reminder of the everyday workers’ contribution to the nation’s economy. 

The tradition of Labour Day goes back over one hundred years and is a day set aside to remember those who struggled for fair working conditions in Australia. In the previous century, it was not uncommon for workers to have to put in 12 hour days and work 6 days a week.

It was the stonemasons who struck first. On April 21, 1856, a group of them marched on Parliament House demanding reduced working hours and pushing for an eight-hour day. The 48hour week was eventually agreed upon and they celebrated with a victory march on May 12th that year. The other Australian states and territories soon followed suit and by 1873 all of Australia had adopted the 48hr working week.

The Main Celebrations on Labour Day

Across Australia, Labour Day is marked as a public holiday, much like our May Day holiday here in the UK. There are no Maypoles for the children to dance around though. This is more a holiday like our bank holidays. A day for the family to get together or one which can properly be celebrated the evening before, safe in the knowledge that you don't have to work the following day, unless you are involved in the entertainment or hospitality fields of course.

The day used to be marked with celebratory marches, a sort of “one in the eye” to the establishment. Now though, there is less in the way of hue and cry and more in the way of rest and relaxation.

Labour Day Celebrations Near You

In Melbourne the Labour Day holiday has been taken over by the Moomba Festival, a street parade rounded off with fireworks in the evening. It's a huge and colourful street party featuring floats and fancy dress and culminating in the crowning of the Moomba Monarchs.

Previous Moomba Monarchs have included Olympian Cathy Freeman, TV personalities Denise Drysdale and Molly Meldrum and singers Kate Ceberano and Marina Prior. The festival brings Melbourne's city streets, riverside areas, parks and waterfront to life with several days of free public events during the Labour Day long weekend.

There are Labour Day discounts at bars and restaurants and also at DIY stores. There's 10% off at Terra Rossa Restaurant on Flinders Lane, between Russell St and Exhibition St. There's a long weekend mega party at Sugar, 8 Jackson St, Toorak on Sunday 10th March 2013. It's Labour Day Eve with no work the following day so an excuse, as if one were needed, to let your hair down. At Veludo in Acland Street, St Kilda, they're really pushing the envelope. They're looking to spread Labour Day over 5 days with live bands and DJ's in the evenings and throughout the day over the weekend.

The Cairns Blues Festival takes plays during Queensland's Labour Day weekend. On Saturday 11th May, Fogarty Park is set to play host to the likes of Billy T.K. Junior & The Groove Shakers, The Mason Rack Band, Hatz Fitz & Cara Robinson, Bluesville Station, Sugarcane Collins, Luke R Davies, Blake Saban 3, Carinda Christie, The Hillbilly Goats and Rockabilly Blues Xpress.

Hotels, restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars throughout Australia, will all look to do something to mark Labour Day; it is a national holiday after all. So, wherever you are moving to in Australia, and on whatever date they celebrate Labour Day, you are bound to find something going on locally. It’s not all fun and games though; there is a serious side to Labour Day. This is often marked by politically oriented marches which still take place on Labour Day in other parts of the country. In Brisbane, for example, a march was held in support the Aboriginal workers whose wages have been taken by governments and never given back. Known as the Stolen Wages issue, it is as yet unresolved.

Future Labour Day, May Day And Eight Hours Day Dates For Your Diary

Mon May 5 2014 May Day Northern Territory
Mon Oct 6 2014 Labour Day South Australia
Mon Oct 6 2014 Labour Day Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales
Mon Oct 6 2014 Labour Day Queensland

Mon Mar 2 2015 Labour Day Western Australia
Mon Mar 9 2015 Eight Hours Day Tasmania
Mon Mar 9 2015 Labour Day Victoria
Mon May 4 2015 May Day Northern Territory
Mon Oct 5 2015 Labour Day Queensland
Mon Oct 5 2015 Labour Day South Australia
Mon Oct 5 2015 Labour Day Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales

About MPL Removals

The Moving Partnership Ltd focus on finding you the best possible removals quote. We progress your move, from start to finish, from home to home, ensuring that your removals to Australia go like clockwork. Call us today to discuss your move and let us make it happen for you as cheaply and efficiently as possible.

Removals to Australia – click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

Removals to Australia – A Guide to Some of the Best National Parks on the continent

If you are a nature lover, one of the things you might want to do after you have organised your removals to Australia and you are comfortably ensconced in your new home is to visit one of the country’s national parks. Australia is a vast continent with a wide range of national parks to visit, from the internationally acclaimed Lord Howe Island to the beautiful Bay of Fires. Whether you like the rainforest, desserts and beaches or mountains and volcanoes, there are some fantastic national parks to visit, just choose one that works for you.

At MPL removals we organise removals to and from destinations all over the world, including removals to Australia. We partner with high quality removals firms, most of which are BAR or FAIM accredited for your peace of mind and we can help you with every aspect of your international house move.

There are over 500 national parks in Australia covering more than 28 million hectares of land which equates to almost 4% of Australia's total land mass. If you add to that a further 6% which is protected, including state forests, nature parks and conservation reserves, that means that 10% of the country is safeguarded.

Space limitations mean we are unable to list all the best national parks here, but here’s our pick of some of what we feel are among the top ones to visit.

Removals to Australia –  Get a free online quote using the form to your right, or click here to talk to our International removals team.

Removals to Australia – Six of the Nation’s Great National Parks

Blue Mountains National Park NSW

More than a National Park, Blue Mountains is a World Heritage site and an adventure waiting to happen. Close to Sydney in NSW, the park offers more than 140km of hiking trails and plenty of camping sites as well as the opportunity to take part in adventure sports like challenging rock climbs, canyoning and horse riding. The area is one of huge botanical and cultural interest too, boasting majestic trees, some of which are hundreds of years’ old and Aboriginal sites and lookouts dating back to the Victorian era. The views from these lookouts are stunning and varied; from one, you might see vast forests of gum trees and from another the most stunning waterfalls. There are plenty of lookouts in place throughout the park, many of which have been made wheelchair friendly.

Carnarvon Gorge, QLD

Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland features towering cliffs, secluded gorges and an abundance of wildlife. Setting off from Takarakka, there are hiking trails and walks to suit all ages and abilities. Peaceful riverside walks can be combined with wildlife spotting on one of the Gorge's 9 bush walking sites and, if you’re into hiking, there are a number of trails to choose from including Devil's Signpost, The Ranch and Battleship Spur. En route you are bound to see some of the country’s famed natural wildlife including wallabies and kangaroos and you may even see a platypus or a spiny anteater. For the best chance to see these and many other creatures, you might want to book a guided tour. The tours are offered from April to September and their tour guide has over 10 years’ experience so, if the animals are out there, he’ll find them.

Fraser Island, QLD

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and the entire island is designated as national park. Also known as The Great Sandy National Park, it has suffered recently from beach erosion making driving conditions difficult on the island but don’t let that put you off. Fraser Island is a delight to visit with some great walks including the one from Central Station to Lake McKenzie via Basin Lake and Pile Valley and the one from Kingfisher Bay to Lake McKenzie via McKenzie's Jetty and the Dundonga track. Others to head for are from Lake McKenzie to Lake Wabby and from Eastern beach via Lake Wabby to the lookout. Those of you who are in it for the long haul can take on the Fraser Island Great Walk, which covers 90 km and takes 6–8 days to complete. Be aware though, that certain areas may be off limits due to planned burns, weather conditions and dingoes. The Fraser Island Dingo is a protected species and certain areas have been fenced off for safety and conservation.

Kalbarri National Park, WA

The combination of coastal, gorge and marine landscapes and virtually year-round sunshine make Kalbarri a favoured destination for all lovers of flora and fauna in Western Australia. Here, the ancient gorges and plains are home to a myriad of wild flowers and, on the edge of the park, on the coast you’ll see dolphins and whales. There are many different tours on offer in the area whether you choose to travel by land, air or water and, for the adrenalin junkies among you, there’s quad biking and abseiling. There’s so much to do here and so many ways to do it. You can walk, climb, paddle, cruise or drive, exploring 183,000 hectares of rock formations, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Sites of special interest here are The Loop, Nature's Window, Red Bluff, The Z Bend Gorge, The Ross Graham Lookout and Hawk’s Head picnic spot. Hawk’s Head is a fairly recent facility, which has been created with the wheelchair user in mind, but as time goes on more and more of the park is being made easily accessible.

Lord Howe Island NSW

A two hour flight from Brisbane or Sydney takes you to Lord Howe Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific and THE place to go if bird watching is your thing. A UNESCO world heritage site, just 400 tourists are allowed on the island at any one time to help maintain the incredible natural beauty and rare wildlife of the island. One hundred and seventy species of bird can be seen here, among them are: the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-fronted Parakeet, Far Eastern Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, the Woodhen or Lord Howe Rail, Australasian Bittern, Sooty Shearwater, Hutton's Shearwater, Buller's Shearwater and the Mottled Petrel, all of which have been classified endangered or near threatened. Make sure you bring your binoculars and consider yourself very lucky if you happen to spot one of these guys. The island is surrounded by the world's southernmost coral reef and its pristine waters teem with marine life making it a Mecca for those into scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and fishing.

Southwest National Park TAS

This is Tasmania’s largest national park and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Remote and wild, the weather here can at best be described as changeable and sometimes severe, so a trip to this park is not for the fainthearted or the ill prepared. There has been little in the way of modern human colonisation here and, as a result, large swathes of the area have remained untouched. The farthest south and western parts of the park can only be reached on foot, by boat or light aircraft. That said, walking in the park is far from discouraged. Two popular tracks cross the park: the Port Davey Track and the South Coast Track. Port Davey takes you south from Lake Pedder and the South Coast track runs to the east and west of Cockle Creek. It’ll take about two weeks to complete the walks and you’ll need to be fit but it’d be worth the effort especially if you are lucky enough to catch sight of The Orange-Bellied Parrot. By all accounts there are only 36 of them left in the wild, placing them firmly on the critically endangered species list.

About MPL

At Moving Partnership Ltd we specialise in sourcing the most cost effective, high quality removals to Australia and to other worldwide destinations. Using our extensive industry knowledge and list of removals company contacts, we search for the best removals quotes available whilst ensuring that the service offered matches with your exact requirements. For your free, no obligation removals quotation, call or email us today. Our team of removals experts are on hand to help with everything from planning your removal to completing the customs paperwork.

Removals to Australia – Get a free online quote using the form to your right, or click here to talk to our International removals team.

Removals to Australia – History of Rugby in Australia

Looking for removals to Australia? You will most likely want to take up some form of activity when you get here. One of the favourite team sports in Australia (after cricket) is rugby. Starting in New South Wales and Queensland, the game, in its various forms, has become extremely popular throughout the country. So, wherever your removals to Australia take you, whether you a going to Darwin in the northern territory, moving to Adelaide in the south, relocating to Sydney in the east or emigrating to Perth in western Australia, you are bound to find a local rugby team to either support or play for. The really good thing about moving to this part of the world is that your removals to Australia need not remove you from the game of rugby.

At Moving Partnership Ltd, we specialise in providing low cost, high quality removals. We do this through our extensive list of worldwide removals contacts. We are able to compare hundreds of quotes for your removal and find the cheapest companies to partner with and so save you both time and money.

Removals to Australia – click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

A Brief History of Rugby in Australia

Both rugby league and rugby union are popular in Australia but in this blog post, we will concentrate on the union game. Rugby is believed to have hit Australian shores as far back as 1865. There are reports in the Sydney Morning Herald of June of that year that the newly founded Sydney Rugby Football Club played its first match against a team of Aussie cricketers, winning by one goal to nil. Back then of course, the scoring system was very different to that of the modern game.

Rugby grew in popularity over the coming years and by 1874 there were enough clubs to form a Sydney Metropolitan competition. Also in that year, the Southern Rugby Union was established, initially being administered from HQ at Twickenham.

As the popularity of the code increased it began to spread north to Queensland and this resulted in the first inter-colonial game in 1882 between the Southern Rugby Union of New South Wales and Queensland. This led to the creation of the Northern Rugby Union (of Queensland) which was officially incorporated on November of 1883. By 1892 the Southern Rugby Union of New South Wales and the Northern Rugby Union of Queensland became New South Wales and Queensland Rugby Unions respectively.

Representatives from these two unions joined forces in June 1899 to play a visiting team from the British Isles. Four tests were played with the Australians winning the first test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Since then, of course, Australian rugby has gone from strength to strength, spawning some great teams and some truly great players.

Top Teams in Australia

Any discussion centring around the top teams in any given sport is always going to be hotly debated but it can’t be denied that the teams that appear in Australia's Super Rugby division, previously the Super14, have to be at the top of their game. At the time of writing, these teams, and they are listed alphabetically, are hailed as the ones to watch: Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force. As you can tell from most of their names, the teams come from all over Australia and, just to clear the other two up, The Brumbies play their rugby in Canberra, Australia's Capital City and the Force play out from Perth in Western Australia.

The ACT Brumbies

Established in 1938, The Brumbies home ground is at Canberra Stadium, near the Australian Institute of Sport. Their ground is shared with the Canberra Raiders rugby league team. In 2003 they hosted some of matches in the Rugby World Cup. The all seated stadium has a capacity of 25,011; however, their largest recorded crowd was 28,753, for the 2004 Super12 Final.

The Melbourne Rebels

The Melbourne Rebels are a relatively young club having made their debut in The Super Rugby tournament in 2011. They play their rugby out of the AAMI Park in Batman Ave. The stadium was officially opened in May 2010.

The NSW Waratahs

Established in 1874, their home ground is now the Aussie Stadium (Formerly known as the Sydney Football Stadium, or SFS) at Moore Park in Sydney.  Built in 1988, it has a capacity of 45,500 though this has never been reached for a Waratahs game.

The Queensland Reds

The Reds play out of Lang Park Castlemaine St, Milton in Brisbane. The stadium, known as the Suncorp Stadium, has a capacity of 52,500. Founded in 1882, they played their first Super12 game in 1996

The Western Force

On the 10th of February 2006, the Western Force made their rugby debut playing at home against the Brumbies. The Subiaco Oval in Perth was a near sell out for this match which The Force ended up losing 25–10. The Subiaco stadium can be found on Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia.

Great Australian Rugby Players

Again, any discussion around the best players in any sport is bound to provoke reaction but here are 6 players who can be counted among the best in the business.

Nathan Sharpe
Position: Lock
Height:  200cm 
Weight:  115kg 
Date Of Birth:  26/02/1978 
Born:  Wagga Wagga, NSW 
Plays for:  Western Force 
Test Rugby Caps:  114 
Test Rugby Points:  40  
Test Rugby Debut:  2002 v France in Melbourne

Radike Samo
Position: Loose Forward
Height:  197cm 
Weight:  117kg 
Date Of Birth:  09/07/1976 
Born:  Nadi, Fiji 
Plays for: Queensland Reds 
Test Rugby Caps:  23 
Test Rugby Points:  15 (3t) 
Test Rugby Debut:  2004 v Scotland in Melbourne

Adam Ashley-Cooper
Position Fullback
Height:  182cm 
Weight:  98kg 
Date Of Birth:  27/03/1984 
Born:  Sydney 
Plays for: NSW Waratahs 
Test Rugby Caps:  73
Test Rugby Points:  115
Test Rugby Debut:  2005 v South Africa in Perth 

Michael Hooper
Position: Openside Flanker
Height:  182cm 
Weight:  97kg 
Date Of Birth:  29/10/1991 
Born:  Sydney, NSW 
Plays for: NSW Waratahs 
Test Rugby Caps:  11 
Test Rugby Debut:  2012 v Scotland in Newcastle 

Sekope Kepu
Position: Prop
Height:  188cm 
Weight:  125kg 
Date Of Birth:  05/02/1986 
Plays for: NSW Waratahs 
Test Rugby Caps:  20 
Test Rugby Debut:  2008 v Italy, Padova 

Anthony Faingaa
Position: Outside Centre
Height:  178cm 
Weight:  88kg 
Date Of Birth:  02/02/1987 
Plays for: Queensland Reds 
Test Rugby Caps:  23
Test Rugby Debut:  2010 v New Zealand in Melbourne

These are just a few of the ones to watch; there are of course a great many others. To see them in action, pop along to your local rugby stadium, you're guaranteed a great afternoon's entertainment.

About MPL Removals

At Moving Partnership Ltd, we focus on finding you the cheapest removals quotes, saving you the trouble of having to do it yourself. We monitor the progress of your move, from door to door, ensuring that your removals to Australia go exactly according to plan. Our team of removals experts are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to help with any queries you may have including help with customs paperwork. Call us today to discuss your move and let us make it happen.

Removals to Australia – click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

Removals to Australia: Interesting Facts About Australia

If you are looking for a company to assist you with your removals to Australia, Moving Partnership can help. We offer removals to Australia, and to all parts of Australasia, and you will find we can offer you the cheapest quotes around, whilst still maintaining the highest levels of service. Through our extensive list of contacts in the removals business, we’ll find you the right company and work with them to ensure your move goes smoothly, from start to finish.

We offer household moves  and business relocations to both European and international destinations worldwide. So contact us today and we’ll source the cheapest quote for you, and arrange your removals to Australia.

We are here to help you through the entire moving process; so should you have any queries or need help with customs clearance our highly trained and knowledgeable office staff are just a phone away.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

Moving to Australia

Australia is a popular destination for Britons to move to because it is an English speaking country. It also offers a high standard of living and  guaranteed sunshine, sea, sand and surf. With so much to offer, it's no surprise that the country presents such a huge draw. The only real downside to moving to Australia is the distance involved and the hassle of arranging your removal.

That is where Moving Partnership Ltd comes in. We have many years experience in arranging international removals. So whatever your reasons for moving  to Australia, whether for a job move, or to be near family, Moving Partnership helps take the stress out of your move.

We have contacts with many thousands of removals companies, big and small, all over the world. We compare the quotes given by these companies and match their services to your requirements. This means we  not only come up with a tailor made package for you, but at the right price too.

If you are moving  to Australia, you will want to know as much as you can about your host country so you’ll know what to expect when you get there. Here’s some of the main facts and figures about the country.

Population

By area, Australia is the sixth largest country in the world after Russia, India, US, China, Brazil and Canada. But despite its size, it has a relatively small population. Australia is not even in the top 50, when it comes to the size of its populace. This means that per person, there’s an awful lot of space; or at least there would be if Australia's people - all 21,727,158 of them - were equally spread about its surface.

As it is, they're not! Australia was first inhabited some 50,000 years ago by the Aborigines, then more recently in the 17th and 18th Centuries, when it was discovered by Tasman and Cooke respectively. Settlers from these landings tended to colonise the areas  closest to shore, rather than venture further inland. It is for this reason, that if you look at a map of Australia today, you’ll see that its most populous towns and cities are in coastal locations. The most populated cities in Australia are: Sydney (with 4,280,900 inhabitants) Melbourne (with 3,353,300) Brisbane (1,544,300) Perth (1,390,800) and Adelaide (with 1,130,100) and all of these are in coastal locations.

Features and Land Masses

Surrounded by water, Australia is an island half as big as Europe and 32 times greater than the UK. That said, it’s the smallest of the world’s continents and, aside from Antarctica, the driest.Australia is also the flattest continent on earth. Its highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko in Kosciuszko National Park (in the Alpine region of southern New South Wales) and it measures 2,228 metres above sea level. However, its lowest point is the bed of Lake Eyre in South Australia, which is 15.2 metres below sea level. Lake Eyre is the largest salt lake in Australia.  Situated 647 km north east of Adelaide, it is actually comprised of two lakes: Lake Eyre North and Lake Eyre South, which are both connected by the Goyder Channel. The lake has been an important site for Arabunna, and other Aboriginal people, for several thousand years.

Another interesting feature of Australia's landscape - and another very important site for the Aborigines - is Uluru or Ayers Rock and this can be found in Kata Tjuta National Park, Central Australia. Ayers Rock is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. It is a single piece of sandstone rock, almost 10 kilometres in circumference and it  rises some 350 metres from the flat plains of the Northern Territory Outback. There’s no other known geological feature in the world quite like it.

Uluru is sacred to the Aboriginal people and, unlike Lake Eyre whose bed you can walk on, this rock is not for climbing on, as this will upset the natives. For centuries, the Anangu Aboriginal people have been responsible for the protection and management of Uluru, and they have passed on their knowledge of Uluru's spiritual importance, from generation to generation.

Climate

Nearly 20 per cent of Australia’s land mass is classified as desert. This means it has a low average annual rainfall. Across the rest of the continent, the rainfall varies considerably. In fact, Australia as a whole provides every type of climate, from desert through to temperate and tropical. The temperate zones can be found to the southeast and southwest of the country, whereas the north is tropical, and the centre, desert or semi-arid desert.

This variability is largely due to the sheer size of the place. These weather patterns also go a long way to explaining why the towns and cities have developed where they are. Unlike the UK, Australia doesn’t get harsh snaps of cold polar air. Its temperature contrasts are small and its   minimum temperatures are moderated by the lack of mountains, and the influence of the surrounding oceans.

The El Niño brings with it seasonal changes in Australia, as it does in many areas in the world. This weather form can cause extensive droughts and considerable wet periods, with dust storms and even the occasional tornado. Tropical cyclones, heat waves, bushfires and frosts in the country are also associated with this weather form.

Australia’s climatic zones range from tropical rainforests, deserts, and cool temperature forests, to snow covered mountains.

Standard of Living

A country’s standard of living  is assessed mainly by three factors: its resources, its educational provisions and its health services. Australia scores very highly in each category and in addition to this, it has  a lower crime rate than in most other parts of world. Australia therefore offers one of the highest standards of living in the world. In fact the United Nations puts it second on its Human Development Index, which looks at such things as life expectancy, education, and income.

With one of the most prosperous economies in the world, Australians enjoy all that this lifestyle has to offer. And this is reflected in the fact that, year on year, the country attracts such a huge number of people to its shores. This economic growth is also well reflected in the jobs market. Australia is home to many national and international companies who are always on the lookout for people to come and work for them. On any given day there are vacancies across the full spectrum of jobs, from accountancy, to agriculture and food, and from architecture, to building work,  business, and administration. Australian companies are looking for those involved in catering, computing, education, engineering and technology, forestry, genetics, HR, healthcare, marketing, teaching and many other sectors. On offer is a work hard, play hard lifestyle, combining sun, sea, sand and surf, with great food and some of the world’s best locally produced wines.

About Moving Partnership

The three main services on offer from Moving Partnership are as follows: we offer a full-load service using either a 20ft or 40ft container, a part-load service which is ideal if you don't need a full one, and a specialised service for those wishing to transport, bulkier, unusual or extremely valuable items. Call us today and we will take care of your removals to Australia.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service or contact us now for a free online moving quote.

Moving to Australia: A Brief Guide to Australia’s Indigenous People

Whatever your reasons for considering Removals to Australia, whether they be for business or pleasure, to be closer to family, or simply going in search of a warmer climate, Moving Partnership can help. We take the stress out of removals to Australia by taking care of all of the arrangements for you.

We compare quotes from the myriad of removals companies who offer removals to Australia to provide you with the best options. We ensure that the removals services provided meet with all your needs and, where possible, recommend the use of BAR/FAIM accredited companies, for your peace of mind. We provide help with customs clearance and are on hand 24/7 with telephone assistance and direct access to your own, personally assigned and dedicated, removals co-ordinator.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service, or contact us now for a free online moving quote

When moving to Australia, one thing that either you or the younger members of your family will to be interested to learn about is the Australian way of life and particularly that of Australia's indigenous people, the Aborigines.

Who Are the Aborigines?

It is generally held that the Aborigines arrived in Australia some 40,000 to 60,000 years ago   and are descendant from a group of people originally hailing from Indonesia. Back then, the world was a very different shape; sea levels were 400-600 feet lower on account of the polar ice caps being very much larger and this would have meant that the Australian land mass, was much larger than it is today.

The distance between the shores of the Australian continent and Asia would, at that time, have been no greater than 80 miles, close enough for the Indonesians to see the smoke emanating from Australia's naturally occurring bush fires;, smoke that would have been more than enough to tempt the intrepid boatmen of Indonesia to want to visit, explore and colonise this distant land.

Having landed on the island, they would have spread out along its coastline to the south and north, not wishing to venture too far inland. Some would have made their way to Tasmania and eventually to colonise every part of Australia, adapting as they went, to the diversities of the land and evolving to cope more efficiently and effectively with those diversities.

The Different Names for Aborigines

Aborigines or indigenous Australians are referred to by different names and have different languages depending on their geographical location. They are the tribal names of Bama, Koori, Murri, Noongar, Nunga, Anangu and Palawah and some of their languages include: Anggamudi, Kuku ya’u, Umpithamu, Atambaya, Kuku Yalanji, Umplia, Awualay, Moorabalama, Uradhi, Gudang, Taepathigi, Warrangu, Kaantju, Thanikwithi, Kugu Muminh, Kugu Muinh, Wik Mungkan, Kuku Thaayorre, Tjungundji, Yadhaykkenu, Kuku Thaypan, Umbuygamu and Yupangathi.

The Bama can be found throughout the area from Kuku Yalanji, north of Cairns, from the east coast through the land of the Kunjen and on to the country of the Kokoberra in the south west of Cape York, then north to the tip of Cape York Peninsula.

 Koori (or Koorie or Goori or Goorie) is the term is used for the aboriginal people of Victoria, parts of New South Wales and Tasmania. It is the indigenous people's own word for themselves and originated from the North-Coast of what is now New South Wales.

The Murri traditionally occupied most of Queensland. They are a collection of tribes and larger family groupings which include, amongst others: the Yugarabul, the Jagera and the Kwiambal.

 The Noongar from Perth and Albany have lived in the area for at least 45,000 years. There are even some caves at Devil's Lair amongst the hills of Margaret River dating back 47,000 years. Noongars travelled and traded with other families. The Albany Highway was once a Noongar track between families in Perth and Albany.

Nunga is a term used by many of the Aboriginal peoples of southern South Australia to refer to themselves.

The Anangu are the custodians of Uluru. They can be found in northern South Australia, and neighbouring parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.   The Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people are the traditional custodians of the land that encompasses Uluru and Kata Tjuta and like to be referred to as Anangu.

 The Palawah (or Pallawah) are those who live on Tasmania. The Palawa have been around for nearly 2,000 generations; their origins date from the beginnings of the last Ice Age. They moved into Tasmania looking for hunting grounds and camping in caves and rock shelters.

Finding Out More About the Aborigines

If you move to Australia, you may want to find out more about the aborigines and their way of life. Some of the best places to visit to learn more about these incredible people are the Aboriginal art centres.

Aboriginal Art Centres

Aboriginal art and art centres can be found all over Australia. The centres play an important role in their local towns and cities, bringing Aboriginal art to the attention of the wider community and the world as a whole. There are over 50 such centres across Australia, mainly concentrated in central and northern Australia.

They are a base for the artists and provide a source of income for people who would otherwise have very little chance of paid employment. Most operate in remote locations under difficult circumstances but they give the artists the chance to earn the money necessary to buy food and equipment.

Most of the arts centres have been developed under the watchful eye of the Aboriginal councils and management committees. These committees employ arts advisers with skills in art production or marketing to run the centres and help to make them as profitable as possible whilst, at the same time, helping to ensure that the goods, artefacts and pictures on sale, are genuine.

Moving Partnership specialise in organising low cost, high quality international removals, including removals to Australia. Whether you are relocating to Sydney, or to other cities and towns popular with expats, we compare hundreds of quotes to find the best deal for you.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service, or contact us now for a free online moving quote