Abroad to Australia: Cellphone and Packing?

Question

I'm leaving in one month to spend a semester in Australia.

What sort of cell phone should I get? Pre-paid?

This is especially directed to those persons who have traveled to Australia before.

Should I mail some belongings? Is it quite pricey?

I'd be mailing from the East Coast of the USA to Queensland.

Any other tips?

Answer 1

I am in North Queensland and absolutely love it.  Just moved here from South Africa.

I bought a Vodafone pack when I landed, I got it prepaid which is your best option if you are here less than 1 year.  I got a Samsung for A$129 and it works like a charm.  Recharge vouchers are A$29 and you get A$130 credit for that.  Vodafone and Telstra are the best, don't go for Optus as they don't have as many towers.

Depends what you want to mail, I bought everything new here and it wasn't too bad and I was working on the poor South African Rand (ZAR).

Don't pack any food items too far into your bag as it have to be declared at customs and checked.  

Um....  Lots of clothes shops (depending of course where in Queensland you go) but not expensive at all so don't bring a lot of clothes, rather save the room for special things you want to bring from home.  

Enjoy it, it is a wonderful place!