Australian Dollars where and when to buy?

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liz down under

No-one has mentioned just going to an ATM machine when you get here (there is some at the airport and one on every corner in the cities). Make sure your card is linked (maestro or cirrus logo). I travel around the world a lot and haven't used travellers cheques for 10 years. You get ripped off with exchange rates/fees etc. Another good idea is load up your credit card and use that where possible. Talk to your bank about making sure it is linked.
Our dollar's value has dropped significantly in the last 2 months. I'd hold off buying for a while yet. Hope you enjoy Oz!

cubalishus

We got ours from the Post Office, you get a good rate there, whatever you do don't get Australian travellers cheques to cash at banks once you reach Australia, you get charge $80 dollars for cashing $500, total rip off, the best place to exchange them if you do find it necessary is the little bureau de change kiosks, have a great time.

LINDA M

we used a flex card (nationwide ) and the nationwide do not charge you to take money out the hole in the wall, but Oz banks do - they have a small handling fee approx 2$ a time,we took Oz travellers cheques (already in Oz $) and we change them at NAB banks (national bank of Australia) and they did not charge at all- so for say $200 travellers cheque we got $200 - before we left the uk we phoned around all the travel agents and M&S and Post offices and played them against each other and got a really good deal on the $ - I think the other person who has answered this has looked at the wrong rate - it has not been as good as 2.5 $ for a while - but basically we took around 1000$ in cash ( with a bit of singapore $ to spend at the Airport on the way!) 2500 $ in travellers cheques and the rest on our cash card!
I found it is best to not rely on 1 option - because what happens if the cash point machine swallows your card???? or you have your cash stolen - I believe in a back up plan! Good luck and have lots of safe fun in the sun! I am sooooooo jealous

203

Shop around.

I know there are plenty of recommendations for the Post Office and although I've used them in the past, don't assume that they will always give the best value because it's not always the case. In a "Which" survey earlier this year the Post Office came out mid table with places such as First Choice travel agents and Marks and Spencer clearly beating them.

If you like the convenience of shopping online you can also take a look at Travelex http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/ many UK banks use Travelex now for their travel money services. They offer a very wide variety of currencies. They also guarantee to beat any other prices you get.

Dad's found yer scoo'er

The bureau de change at the Post Office is cheapest. You might have to order ahead of time. Don't, whatever you do, get them at the airport because you'll get a really rubbish exchange rate.

Lowey

Take it to the post office. Right now you'll get 2.55 Australian dollars to the pound. The post office charge though to exchange currencies and you'll need some form of ID, such as a passport and proof of address. Travellers cheques might be a better idea with the current finacial climate or even exchanging them once you get to Australia as you can do it once the exchange rate changes to your favour.. Remember the exchange rate is changing constantly so it will differ day to day.

Gaz

Cash convertors !!!!!

ryan

The Australian dollar is not going to well at all at the moment. And because of this global crisis, it's future looks bleak, although at the start of the year it was almost equal with the U.S dollar. Exchanging the money can be done at a currency exchange place in your city. Or there will always be a place to exchange currencies at the airport that you go to.

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