Someone I know of had a bad experience at St John of God Berwick recently. She discharged herself early because of it. She chose not to breastfeed (it was her second and she had her reasons for it) and once she told the midwives that they basically ignored her. There weren't good facilities for bottle preparation either. It was easier for her to just go home. Just thought I'd mention it in case you are thinking of going there & are not intending to BF.

As others have said, some private hospitals have all private rooms, others don't. I gave birth publicly and had a shared room for the first 3 days & it actually gave me entertainment when I was bored - I could hear everything that went on behind the curtain. I think it's not such a bad experience to share a room when you are feeling well, particularly if your bub is not in the room with you like if they are in SCU. You somehow don't feel quite so alone as what you do in a private room. I had a private room for my final 2 days and actually preferred the shared room as I did not feel isolated once the visitors had gone home.

Aren't you worried about such a long car trip in labour? There's no way known I'd go any further than my local hossy if I had to do it again. That ten minute drive was agony.