Linux: Simple get a local sim this topic thrashed to death on gz

This.

But I would now personally steer clear of Optus and would advise everyone else to do the same.

I have a long long story but the TLDR is: they kept charging my credit cards (mine and wifes) even after we had cancelled the plan which we did on our last day there - had confirmation SMS responses too. We were only there a week so did a week plan they have which itself is good and cheap. Getting in contact with Optus to resolve is almost impossible - they will only do online chat and as much as I told them to use my NZ  number they kept sending verification SMS to the AU number.  Took two complaints to TIO (their equivalent of the TDR) to get anywhere. We had to cancel both our credit cards to stop the charges.

If I were to do this again I'd try and use something like a prezzy card if they still exist.

I bought a Woolworths mobile SIM at a Woolworths supermarket when in Brisbane/Sunshine Coast/Sydney in March for 3 weeks. At that time it was 12GB for AU$11 (half price). No problems at all. Since then they've re-branded to Everyday Mobile https://mobile.everyday.com.au/plans/prepaid-mobile-plans Need to register giving passport details but take a NZ credit card. Coles had a similar deal at the time but required an Oz credit to register. Use the FAQ's or online chat for any queries.

I'm using Simcorner for a Europe trip soon but their Oz option is 40GB for 28 days NZ$32 https://nz.simcorner.com/products/australia-travel-sim-card . Looks like it uses Optus network which someone warned about.

Telstra payphones have free calls to Oz landlines & mobiles.

Just got back from a two-week holiday. Went with Kogan e-Sim A$15 plan. 10GB + unlimited texts and calls.

Two things of note: 

• UNTICK THE KOGAN FIRST BOX WHEN ADDING E-SIM. Cannot stress this enough. It's a A$100 booboo if you don't do it and forget to cancel it before the trial ends.
• Cancel the plan before you leave Australia. It's a pain in the ass to do on the app/online. Best to call the helpline and cancel it that way before leaving the country. 

I went to Sunshine coast in July, I used https://www.getnomad.app/ you can download their app and purchase/cancel through. Worked as it should was on vodafone au network. You set it up before your travel, then activate it once you land. Would use again. 

Recently got back from 2 months of travel where we used 3 different e-SIMs, one of which was Oz. Used Airalo and it worked fine, in fact the Oz connection was the easiest as the Optus network needed no setting up.

IMHO, people way overestimate the amount of data they need, in all cases we used way less than the package we bought - which was always the cheapest to cover the time period we were in that region. We always hooked into hotel/friends WiFi when available. The Oz one was US$8 - 15Days 2GB Australia eSIM, from $4.5 | World’s first eSIM store · Airalo

Ok, so by way of an update, I just got back from the Gold Coast - was there for 12 days.

I used an app called Nomad and purchased 50GB for USD$25.  I used it for all in-car navigation, menu browsing, general Googling of attractions, social media, news websites etc.  I was able to provide a hotspot for my wife to connect to - and also my daughter to watch a bit of YouTube.

Our accomodation had wi-fi so it wasn't needed there.

After 12 days, we used 5.7GB.  So 50GB was clearly overkill.

I had some initial connectivity issues - it would connect ok then drop off.  I had to go into flight mode then out - for it to reconnect - then it only stayed connected for a minute or so.

I looked into it and worked out that it would stay connected when I set my phone to use only 4G for data (not 5G - as that wasn't supported).  From then, it was rock solid.

nzkc:

 

Linux: Simple get a local sim this topic thrashed to death on gz

 

This.

 

But I would now personally steer clear of Optus and would advise everyone else to do the same.

 

I have a long long story but the TLDR is: they kept charging my credit cards (mine and wifes) even after we had cancelled the plan which we did on our last day there - had confirmation SMS responses too. We were only there a week so did a week plan they have which itself is good and cheap. Getting in contact with Optus to resolve is almost impossible - they will only do online chat and as much as I told them to use my NZ  number they kept sending verification SMS to the AU number.  Took two complaints to TIO (their equivalent of the TDR) to get anywhere. We had to cancel both our credit cards to stop the charges.

 

If I were to do this again I'd try and use something like a prezzy card if they still exist.

 

was that on prepay or postpaid?

nzkc:

 

Linux: Simple get a local sim this topic thrashed to death on gz

 

This.

 

But I would now personally steer clear of Optus and would advise everyone else to do the same.

 

I have a long long story but the TLDR is: they kept charging my credit cards (mine and wifes) even after we had cancelled the plan which we did on our last day there - had confirmation SMS responses too. We were only there a week so did a week plan they have which itself is good and cheap. Getting in contact with Optus to resolve is almost impossible - they will only do online chat and as much as I told them to use my NZ  number they kept sending verification SMS to the AU number.  Took two complaints to TIO (their equivalent of the TDR) to get anywhere. We had to cancel both our credit cards to stop the charges.

 

If I were to do this again I'd try and use something like a prezzy card if they still exist.

 

I have been lucky I have Optus on long term prepaid Plan had no problems at all, it’s been great for the Optus sport as well . I keep the number for resetting my Kayo account. I top up to keep my number active every now and then

Thanks to everyone who has commented here… could I please ask a related question : what are people finding easier to deal with when travelling to Aus/other countries - organising a physical SIM on arrival or organising an eSIM on arrival, or prior? Better deals for one or the other?

I'm just wondering about the benefits of having my ‘home’ phone number on a physical or an eSIM with possible travel coming up - thanks.

@clicknz I just returned from Rarotonga yesterday and sorted a eSIM before I left and when landed and before getting off the plane my handset had connected to the Vodafone Rarotonga 4G network

Batman:

 

was that on prepay or postpaid?

 

Zero chance of getting a postpaid as a visitor. Credit checks etc would basically say you don't exist, and there'd be questions about your physical address.

clicknz:

 

....a physical SIM on arrival or organising an eSIM on arrival, or prior? Better deals for one or the other?

 

I'm just wondering about the benefits of having my ‘home’ phone number on a physical or an eSIM with possible travel coming up - thanks.

 

The OP was asking about data SIMs. The data eSIMs you can buy and load any time, they activate when you first connect to the network in your arrival country. You seem to be enquiring about normal voice and data SIMS. I've not used them, but there are voice & data eSIMs available for short stays, although they are pricey, but then so are short use SIMs. I imagine installing them would be the same process as installing a data eSIM.

Having used an overseas standard SIM and data eSIMs, depending on your abilities it could be easier to buy a SIM and install it than it is to install an eSIM. With eSIMs a certain amount of nerdiness helps, I can't imagine my partner doing it. I actually bought a $5 NZ one to try it out before I headed overseas. My experience is Android, don't know about iOS.