When Mr Mum’s gone 2 Aus recently announced that it won’t be long before we can apply for our Australian citizenship, do you know what I responded? “Far out!”

It only seems like yesterday that we were arriving to our temporary accommodation in Sydney, and stressing about preschools and where to live long term; and phrases like “Far out!” sounded very odd.

It was during the recent school holidays that I first realised I’d ramped up a level, yet again, in terms … Read more

We recently enjoyed another Aussie road trip; this time to The Snowy Mountains (more on the trip coming soon), and Mum was a little miffed to learn that we missed one of Australia’s “big things”. The Big Trout is at Adaminaby, north-west of Cooma in The Snowy Mountains. We talked about taking a detour on our way to / from Jindabyne, but ran out of time.

Which of Australia’s big things have you seen?

Over the years, visiting and now … Read more

In January we celebrated our three year Aussie-migration anniversary. We’ve been living in Sydney for three years, have experienced many ups and downs (as you’ll know from reading this blog) and are still very happy with our decision to move down under.

Why so exhausted?

Recently, Mum was chatting to a friend who relocated to Sydney shortly before Family Mum’s gone 2 Aus. Whenever we get together we invariably mention how exhausted we are. This weekend was no different.… Read more

Since living Down Under, we’ve lost count of the number of families we have heard complaining about the cost of good quality children’s shoes.

Clarks are the ubiquitous brand of kids school shoes in the UK. If your children were born in the UK you probably visited your local Clarks store for their first pair of shoes; and growing up in the UK parents probably wore Clarks school shoes themselves (thankfully they’re a little more stylish these days).

Since relocating … Read more

Last winter we spent a very enjoyable weekend in Canberra and shared our Canberra discoveries in A weekend in Canberra – excitement and education for kids. We recently had another short break in Australia’s capital city and had more fantastic family fun.

Many Sydneysiders we chat to are dismissive of Canberra, but we’ve been impressed with the things to do and places to see, and it’s very easy to get around. Yes, the grid-style layout of the city isn’t exactly … Read more

Today we’re ringing the changes and sharing a little poem about our recent Aussie road trip. What have you been up to during the school holidays? Have you been on a road trip? We’d love to hear your stories (and poems)!

Our Aussie road trip

When we rose at dawn, to beat the traffic,
The kookaburras were laughing.
We loaded the car with sighs and huffs,
And set the dogs off barking.

Back within minutes for forgotten items,
The mood … Read more

In August 2011, the year our eldest son started Primary School in Australia, we published our first ebook to assist families relocating to Aus. Our education ebook, entitled A Smooth Switch to Australian Schooling, covers everything parents need to know about the Australian education and schooling system.

A Smooth Switch to Australian Schooling is over a year old and this year (approx. March 2013) we will launch a revised and updated edition.

We will take the next few months … Read more

There’s something very special about our October / November, and end of 2012 wrap-up; it’s also the 500th article published at Mum’s gone 2 Aus. That’s a lot of useful information for families relocating to Australia.

Recently Mum has been juggling family life, work life and the blog. Things have been even busier over the past few weeks with end of school year activities and the lead up to the festive season.

It’s amazing that we’ve reached 500 articles … Read more

Today I am admitting that I embrace my inner-humbug at this time of year during school pick-up.

I love Christmas and try to make it as special as possible for the kids, whilst keeping a balance between the traditional and the commercial. However, my inner-humbug is at its strongest when my primary-age son appears from the classroom everyday with a handful of lollies.

I love the fact that children send each other cards and appreciate that enclosing a little treat … Read more

Today Mum is sharing some posts from Christmas past…It’s hard to believe we’re about to spend our third Christmas as Australian residents. In a wrap-up of the Christmas-themed articles we have published over the past few years we share Christmas gift ideas, tips and information on how to enjoy your first Christmas in Australia, and some of the quirks of the festive season down under.

Christmas is nearly here

First of all, with less than three weeks to go, it’s … Read more