Even though i'm from Australia i've never been to Lorne but as its so close to the ocean and is on the Great Ocean Road it should be very beautiful. It won't be very populated i would think. I lived in Melbourne for a while and it gets quite chilly in winter (at night can get down to -2 degrees celcius) and very hot in the summmer (up to 40 degrees celcius).

Check your entitlements to healthcare when you go - you may be entitled to a Medicare card if your'e a resident which you apply for at the Medicare Office (should be one close by when you get there), then you look for a Dr. who bulk-bills (which means you walk in with the card and you don't get charged). Otherwise, if you go to a private doctor you can claim back 85% of the bill at the Medicare office by filling out a form and going to the counter with the receipt (unless they've changed the system in the last couple of years). You may want to join a private health insurance scheme if you don't want to get taxed too much for health - you get a bit of a rebate and a choice of specialist if having surgery on the private scheme, but it doesn't negate your ability to use the public health system. When i was last in Australia you had to pay an extra 1% tax if you didn't have private cover but i think the prices have all gone up since i was there. I had 'hospital only' cover when i was there and i shopped around for it - i used the government employees health union (which is open to anyone) but not sure if this is available in Victoria or not,it cost me 3 years ago about Aust.$14 a month for 2 adults but other schemes were very expensive. Shop around is my advice if going for private insurance as the prices vary greatly for the same service.

For car breakdown assistance join the RACV (private). The front of the phone book will list govt. services and you can find where to register a car - it should cost approx. Aust$300 to register. Might be more now, if my memory serves me correctly this incorporates your 3rd party insurance which is compulsory. You then arrange your own comprehensive insurance (before you register the car). The Govt. auctions are a great place to get a second hand car as they won't keep cars beyond about 3 years (or that used to be the case) and they service them regularly. I don't know if they will have an auction near Lorne or not i'm afraid - but they should do in Melbourne. Get a sizeable car as you may want to drive long distances eg. Ford Falcon, make sure you get air-con.

Most houses are rented out unfurnished in Australia. You'll also need to get the utilities connected yourself. You generally pay 2 weeks rent and 4 weeks bond in advance. You also need to fill out a condition report - make sure you write down everything you notice which is a fault or you may have to pay it out of your bond later.

Sorry, can't comment about Lorne itself but i hope the above is of some help. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Cosmo

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