Hello everyone! Wishing you all a prosperous New Year!

January is almost over, which means it's time to start preparing to head back to school. Today I've put together the ultimate back-to-Australia guide — covering everything from departure in China right through to arriving at your campus!

Most of you heading back to Australia will already have your flights sorted. Just a reminder to make sure you have your OFFER letter, COE, passport, transcripts, visa grant letter, and any other important documents ready, and double-check your departure time so you don't miss your flight.

There are currently no direct international flights to Canberra, so everyone returning to Canberra will need to fly into Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane first and then connect onward. Public transport in Australia isn't as convenient as in major Chinese cities, and most people fly into Sydney and then travel to Canberra via one of the following options:

Private Transfer / Charter Vehicle

Even if you're an experienced driver back home, I'd recommend not rushing into driving in Australia straight away. On the one hand, switching from left-hand drive to right-hand drive takes some adjustment; on the other, unfamiliarity with Australian road rules and conditions does carry risk.

For those who are new to the country and unsure about public transport or local conditions, joining a charter transfer service is a convenient, stress-free, and relatively safe option. Every year at the start of semester, senior students and community members volunteer to drive down to Sydney to pick up new arrivals. This year, I've also found a reliable transfer coordinator — from 5–15 February, when most students are returning to Australia, you can get a door-to-door transfer from Sydney Airport directly to your home in Canberra at half the coach fare. I'll cover the remaining cost! Interested? Message me and I'll also throw in an airport welcome pack for you~

Murrays Coach

This is the most convenient transport option between Sydney and Canberra. The journey takes around 3 hours, though in my experience it's more often than not running late… The coach has onboard toilets and Wi-Fi, with frequent and fairly regular departures. Current fares are around $47–51. Murrays departs from Sydney Central Station, stops at the international T1 terminal, and arrives at Jolimont Centre in central Canberra. Check the official website for baggage allowances and change/cancellation policies~

The Murrays stop in Canberra is not far from the university or the city centre, so those living nearby can head straight home. However, if you need to get to Belconnen or Gungahlin, public transport will take around 30 minutes and one hour respectively.

I've also arranged a transfer coordinator at the coach stop to give you a free lift home — out of my own pocket. If you need a lift, just message me.

Domestic Train

Personally, I wouldn't recommend taking the train to Canberra — it takes over 4 hours, which is actually slower than the coach, and tickets are also pricier at around $48–55. There are only three services a day, and the route can pass through areas with no mobile signal. That said, if you really want the experience, it's not a bad way to enjoy the scenery 🙂

Connecting Flight

Some of you may have through-tickets or be connecting from Sydney directly to Canberra. Either way, you'll need to plan how to get from the airport into the city — Canberra Airport is located well out in the suburbs, about a 20-minute drive from the university!

If you'd like to join the airport pickup, scan the QR code to add me on WeChat and register — just let me know your arrival and landing details, and I'll coordinate with the transfer team to get you home. Please note the registration deadline is 5 February~

To register, please add the event assistant on WeChat:

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