When you move overseas, one of the hardest emotions to cope with is homesickness. This can strike anywhere, anytime, and often when we are least expecting it. I’ve personally dealt with many bouts of homesickness, moving from South Africa to France in 2002, then England in 2003, and finally Australia in 2013. While it does get easier to deal with over time, sometimes the smallest things can trigger off emotions you were not prepared for. Here are my tips on how to deal with homesickness as an expat, no matter where you are from, or where in the world you live now. What is Homesickness? &n ..read more

Finding a good brunch in the northern suburbs is becoming a lot easier than it ever has been, and thanks to a new(ish) local cafe, we now have our new favourite spot for a weekend brunch – LUCA Cafe Joondalup. Sunday Brunch at LUCA Cafe Joondalup The Style This cute cafe has all the modern interior vibes you need for a great brunch. Fresh white and calming greens make this a little oasis right in the heart of Joondalup. There’s several tables inside and outside, and they do take away options as well if you are on the go. Although situated right on Shenton Avenue, it’s a little set back from th ..read more

Having lived in Australia for over 10 years now, it’s about time I wrote this blog, before we hit our 11th Aussieversary. Here are 10 things I’ve learned after 10 years in Australia. 10 Things I’ve Learned After 10 Years In Australia 1. You Have To Put Yourself Out There Truly integrating into a new country, whether it’s Australia or anywhere else in the world, is to put yourself out there. Meet new people. Say yes to every invitation. Widen your network. Open your mind and heart to new experiences and people. Don’t just stick to meeting other people from South Africa (or wherever you are from ..read more

Did you know there are dozens of pink lakes in Australia? Find out everything you need to know about the most breathtaking pink lakes in Australia that you NEED to see! Where Are There Pink Lakes In Australia? While there are pink lakes on virtually every continent around the world, Australia is blessed with more than its fair share and is often regarded as the pink lake capital of the world. Although pink lakes exist in several Australian states, the most stunning ones are scattered across WA, South Australia and Victoria. Let’s take a look at some of the most breathtaking pink lakes in Austr ..read more

The internet is full of advice on what to do when you move to Australia – get a TFN, open a bank account, choose a super fund. Even my website has heaps of practical information about embracing your new Aussie life. But what about the things you shouldn’t do when you move to Australia? The no-nos that will prevent you from settling in, the things you should never do if you want to build a happy and successful life down under? Here’s my personal list of what NOT to do when you move to Australia. Panic Seriously, don’t panic. Moving to Australia can feel like the biggest decision of your life. I ..read more

If you’re a parent moving to Australia, you’re probably thinking about how to enrol your children in school in Australia. You’ve frantically googled when you can enrol, what you need to enrol and whether you need to pay additional fees if you are on a permanent or temporary visa. It can be a minefield to navigate, as each state has slightly different schooling systems, starting ages, fee structures and requirements to enrol. When we moved to Australia, my son was almost 3, so we’ve been through kindy and primary school, and are currently almost half way through high school, eek! I’m still find ..read more

I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few years now, but finally I’ve got around to it. There are quite a few South African restaurants in Perth and further afield across WA too. I’ve done as much research online as I can to find them all and compile them into this one comprehensive list for you to easily find them. There used to be a couple which I loved but have sinced closed – Baby Mammoth was one of our favourites, and Zebra’s had a true African ambience and menu too – we tried crocodile there for the first time! But luckily we still have a few South African restaurants in Perth and b ..read more

If you want to explore Perth efficiently and sustainably, the public transport system offered by Transperth is a fantastic choice. Public transport in Perth is simple, quick, and efficient, and a great option if you don’t want to drive or don’t have a car yet. Coming from South Africa, for me using public transport when I moved overseas was a total novelty for a really long time – and surprising to many people who grew up in countries where using public transport was more the norm than car travel. In this blog, I’ll share everything you need to know about public transport in Perth, from buses ..read more

Are you looking for thoughtful gifts for someone moving to Australia? Let’s face it, almost all of us know someone who is thinking about, or in the process of moving to Australia. I mean that’s how you found my blog right? When a loved one, whether friend or family member, moves to Australia it can be heartbreaking, and you might want to get them the perfect gift when you say your goodbyes. Here’s my ultimate gift guide on thoughtful gifts for someone moving to Australia. I’ve broken it down into several categories: Travel Gifts for Someone Moving to Australia The first things most people thin ..read more

Tax emigration from South Africa is not a simple process so I have put together answers to some of the most common questions I get at Rand Rescue when it comes to tax emigration from South Africa. Here’s what you need to know about tax emigration from South Africa. What Is Tax Emigration From South Africa? Tax emigration is the process by which you change your tax status from resident to non-resident with SARS in order to be considered non-resident for tax purposes. If you have savings or retirement policies to withdraw under tax emigration, as part of the tax emigration process you would addi ..read more