Recommended eSIM provider for holiday in Australia?

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caffynz

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#319215 3-Apr-2025 12:33

Hi all, I have searched the forums but not finding any existing answers for my case. So a new post.

Travelling to Queensland soon, and I will need access to mobile data (e.g. to access GPS, and using messaging platforms to contact friends/family over there etc. when we are out and about).

I tried to sign up to Circles.Life eSIM due to it being $17.50/m for 50GB (and on recommendation from a friend who has moved to Queensland and uses them), however we are having problems with their website validating my international (NZ) passport and wanted me to email them a photo of my passport - yeah right!

So, who has travelled to Australia recently and got an eSIM that was reasonably priced with generous data? Our priority is data over texting/calling.

I am there for 10 days. I could use 2degrees' roaming but at $8/day that would be $80...surely there's eSIM options that are cheaper.

Are there recommended providers that I could easily pick up an eSIM at Brisbane Airport on our way out?

Recalling from earlier threads that coverage can be patchy - we expect to stay within cities etc. apart from driving between cities. Unsure if our rental car comes with inbuilt navigation so again needing reliable mobile data on our phone for when out and about.

Thanks!

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#3360127 3-Apr-2025 12:35

I used Nomad the last time I went. I was really happy with it but I don't have any other experience to compare them against.

Nomad - International data eSIMs in 200+ destinations

Behodar

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#3360128 3-Apr-2025 12:36

I was there a month ago and there was a big sign at Brisbane airport for an Optus travel plan at something like $30 for 50 GB. It's probably not as cheap as some of those providers you've never heard of, but is probably easier to get up and running.

I didn't use it: I just put on 1 GB of roaming and used Wi-Fi for everything else.

djtOtago

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#3360135 3-Apr-2025 12:57

I've used https://www.airalo.com/ last time I was in Australia. Worked fine.
Note. Usually you can't activate the eSim until you are in the target country, and you usually need an internet connection to activate. I just connect to the airport's Wi-Fi to carry out the activation.

caffynz

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#3360139 3-Apr-2025 13:17

Thanks, some good ones for me to check out.

The Optus prepaid one seems the cheapest/best value so far at 60GB for AUD25 (speed capped at 150Mbps)
Airalo also does have a 10-day unlimited data for USD35... (Max speed capped at 3GB daily, then goes down to 1Mbps)

caffynz

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#3360140 3-Apr-2025 13:19

Also a noob question - do I flick my phone to flight mode so I don't activate my 2degrees' roaming in Australia?

Or what is the way to set this up, so I can access/use the eSIM, continue receiving texts to my NZ number, but use the eSIM for data?

Senecio

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#3360141 3-Apr-2025 13:26

You can turn off roaming at the SIM level. Disable roaming on you 2Degrees SIM before you leave the country.

Blurtie

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#3360142 3-Apr-2025 13:26

I was in Melb about a month ago and signed up with with Kogan Mobile.

Something like $15 for 50gb for a month... Looks like it's down to $10! https://www.koganmobile.com.au/plans/mobile/

Few things to note, you can only set it up once you've landed and cleared immigration - it will ask you for ID (I used my passport) and address - just used my hotel. Also, you have you contact the call center to cancel the monthly plan.. or you could roll the dice and add a temp Wise digital CC on the plan and delete it once your done.. but calling was fairly painless, would be better if you could do via the online account..

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Batman

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#3360143 3-Apr-2025 13:35

i joined Optus on their 1 mth free trial with unlimited data (or a very large amount anyway)

you might not be abke join until you get through immigration, it seems to know all your immigration details as you need to enter your passport exactly. i tried to hack it with my 1 month underaged child and it knows.

not sure if there is still a free trial

Oblivian

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#3360148 3-Apr-2025 13:53

Fair warning.

Some providers don't like the disposal aspect of numbers/sims. And think you're signing up for a good time not a short time. Limiting the activation requirements to Australia based debit/c cards for ongoing charge if you stay etc. and not visitors via passport ID.

Coles for one.

Boost is fairly cheap and runs specials on 28day ones. Lets you use passport, and you can get it ready and bought before you leave. But activated there.

SpartanVXL

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#3360198 3-Apr-2025 14:15

If you don’t intend to use much data then look at esim from Nomad etc. otherwise for Aus getting a sim at airport is a lot easier, Optus was already recommended and so was Boost. Optus does have a 1 month free trial but not sure if it’s restricted to aus residents only.

Batman

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#3360227 3-Apr-2025 15:28

SpartanVXL:

Optus does have a 1 month free trial but not sure if it’s restricted to aus residents only.

I put in my kiwi passport for my and all my high school kids we all got free one month trial with oodles of data

muppet

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#3360244 3-Apr-2025 16:29

I got a Voda SIM recently. But they wouldn't sell me an eSIM, I had to buy a physical SIM and then stuff about getting them to convert it to eSIM.

So if you want to walk off the plane and have service, you'll need one of the other suggestions in the thread.

ANglEAUT

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#3360261 3-Apr-2025 17:35

If you haven't visited AU in the last year, you might also want to be aware of the Australia 2G/3G shutdown and handset blocking. This does affect some 4G/5G phones as well.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

shk292

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#3360292 3-Apr-2025 19:13

Senecio:

You can turn off roaming at the SIM level. Disable roaming on you 2Degrees SIM before you leave the country.

Unfortunately that doesn't apply to samsung phones; roaming is on or off and can't be controlled per SIM. I got caught out by this on a recent overseas trip where despite setting the overseas sim as preferred for data, when it lost connection due to coverage, my nz sim happily roamed onto the local network. The only way to be safe is to turn off the nz sim when overseas, but then you don't receive SMS

SpartanVXL

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#3360335 3-Apr-2025 22:18

If using iphone and you have wifi calling enabled on your nz sim, remember to set your Network Selection setting to manual on your NZ carrier. When you land and have your aus/roaming e/sim connected and set as primary data use your nz sim will fail to connect, but fall back to using wifi calling for calls and txts. Theres no setting in ios unlike some other androids, but this method does work as long as your carrier allows overseas wifi calling.

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