Moving interstate....help!!

So we have pretty much decided we are definatly moving to the Canberra area. Better work/closer to family etc etc

I have NO idea where to start, im crap at moving as it is and its normally been just down the road in the same town and have ended up doing a hundred trips inthe car.

I have started to sort through everything and chuck a load of stuff/give to charity etc.

BUT what else do i need to do/whats you best interstate moving tip. i know i need quote for movers, what does self pack mean...surely everyone packs thier own stuff?? :redface:

We are going to drive down in the car but how does it work with movers, we would do it over two days, but they movers may do it in one day, would they just wait for us to get there??

ANY help would be awesome!!! tia

Have just done this, but to Melbourne!

Self pack, or u move, basically means the company provides a shipping container that you pack and then unpack at the other end.
Get boxes, lots of boxes, can't really use black garbage bags with professional movers.
Our movers took a week to get our things from Alice springs to Melbourne as the container was transported by train. Call some removalists and get a time frame about how long it will take.
Budget well. Moving interstate can be expensive depending on how you go. We had to fly, rent a car, pay a bond and months rent before getting the bond back on our old place, transport the car and our belongings.
Start packing early, always takes longer then you think.

yep you can get the movers to pack for you or pack yourself. usually it isnt the packing that is expensive it is the transport - so worth asking them. you can get them to provide boxes even if you pack yourself. it is v quick if they do it - pack a whole house in a day etc. they dont usually unpack at the other end (they unload the truck and will come back for boxes when you are ready) - though you can pay for a service to unpack too.
I agree it can be costly - hotels if needed, airfares if needed, bond etc. also if you need to go check out places beforehand and if you need to factor in any rental or mortgage overlaps.
Other things you can start to get in order - utlities, childcare, insurance etc.
IT is a stressful time... good luck

I think my SIL had them pack for her when she moved (locally) I think it was around 5 to 10 dollars a box. You have to be organized before they come though because the grab and pack. They don't sort for you.

I did a huge move recently interstate.

I put everything I wanted to move into storage as it was going to be a good few weeks/months between me moving & being able to move into a place.

It took the removalists 6 days (public holidays & weekends) to get the stuff to me, from when they picked it up to when they brought the boxes and furniture through the door. It took them 3 hours to empty the storage shed & pack it into the truck, they were backloading and I was the first load in, so they had to make sure it was all packed properly.

Self packing is where you pack up everything yourself. I used a majority of plastic tubs from crazy clarks, using linen/blankets to pack crockery. I had about 15% of the tubs not make it but no breakages of the stuff inside the plastic tubs. I did have some cardboard boxes for things as well.

I took my essentials in the car with me, pets were at the vets staying there, I threw out a lot of things or gave them away (freecycle was great for getting rid of fridges etc). I ended up buying whitegoods when I got to the other end, easier than moving them. Also replaced some furniture.

All up it cost me about $10,000 to move, that included vet charges & flying pets here ($1,500), removalists ($2,000), storage shed ($600), boxes ($15 each), redirection of post, bond, getting things connected, driving here ($1,500 approx with stops/petrol plus new tyres & servicing before I left), getting place cleaned before I left ($350) etc. It adds up.

We have done it a few times

Syd- Melb
Melb-Syd
Syd- Port
Port-Syd

The biggest way to save money is look for a removal company that does BACKLOADING ( or backloads) We paid $700 to move to melb but got a backloadd for $400 when we moved back...

Backloads just mean they are already heading that way so you get a discount rate - Alot of companies only do backloads, search google

Chuck out alot of stuff you wont need/want realistically and pack everything up yourself in big boxes or containers like Sopdet said :)

Take in the car, bedding breakables, like laptops etc and valuables
BUt dont overpack the car, it will cost a heap more in fuel and you are paying a removalist so might as well put as much on the truck as possible and not have a cramped car

Also hopefully you are staying with family about bedding to sleep straight away, the removalists usually take 2-3 days sometimes longer

We move a bit with defence but our moves are paid for.
The removalists come and pack everything but clothes. I actually don't like it that way!!! I think it is much better to pack your own stuff so it is organised! The packed stuff from like 4 different cupboards in one box when each cupboard would have filled up a box easily! grr...

Go to woolies/coles and ask what day they do their night fill because you can go get a heap of boxes for free!!! and is there a possibility of hiring a moving truck and driving it yourselves?

PS we have family in Canberra, it is a LOVELY place to live!!!
Good luck!!