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Suggested Equipment

Typical Stay

Main List

(Items in italics -- You could decide to get some or all of these in OZ or NZ)

See this Alternate list if you plan an extended stay in NZ to hike.

School

Special considerations -- Should I bring my laptop?

There are computer labs and kiosks on the UQ campus and you will be issued an account by the UQ IT department. That said, space on machines can become scarce as the semester nears completion and everyone there has finals and papers. Also, bus service ends relatively early on weekends, so it's hard to work late on the computers on campus then head for home.

One student's machine was stolen last time we were there, but is it any more likely to be stolen there than here in the states? Probably not, as long as you exercise due caution. It does make sense to check your insurance policy about coverage before you go.

Our feeling is that if you want to have it, bring it. They'll be particularly useful for putting together the research presentations and for writing your final papers as well. In a nutshell, if you don't have a laptop or don't want to bring one, you'll be fine. If you do bring your laptop, you'll use it.

What about power? Most laptops can handle the difference in both voltage and frequency (see the Electricity section of the Survival Guide for general information on electrical issues.). Check to see if yours says something like "Input 100-240 v, 50-60hz." For more information on electric power issues, you can visit laptoptravel.com. This is an informative commercial site that also sells power adapters and converters.

Clothes

Students dress casually in Australia: shorts and tops, jeans, t-shirts (no holes). Bring some warmer clothes: jeans, sweaters, turtlenecks, and sweatshirts for the field trips to Lamington and Saddler Springs. Layers are ideal; it gets warm by the middle of the day.

Evening out clothes: Men: dress shoes (no sneakers), pants other than jeans and collared shirts. Women: closed-toed shoes (no boots) 1 or 2 nice outfits.

Walking shoes/sneakers

Beach and Reef

Hiking Gear

Miscellaneous

Other

Luggage

See your Student Handbook for a lot more about luggage, packing, and so on.

Special considerations -- Should I bring my bike?

We have had at least one student bring a bike. It's not worth the expense and worry of bringing your own bike unless you're a semi-pro or professional biker. It's far easier and CHEAPER to check postings at hostels around town for used bikes for sale. Lots of travelers buy a bike for a time then sell it to someone else when they leave. There is a bike shop on campus, but they only sell new, and as I remember, costly, bikes.