Is it really that great living in Australia? Was it a big cultural change?

The biggest surprize (for me) was that when you step off the plane, you realise that you have an (non Australian) accent. Culturally, Australia is the same as pakeha New Zealand.

there are some minor differences in culture, but nothing so substantial as to create major issues. it would be no different to moving to a new city in a different part of the country (except that going back is more complicated expensive).

Colloquialisms and slang are the main differences though and some things are done a bit differently (i.e. their health system and tertiary education system). But other than that, it's rather similar, but with better pay and lower taxes!

Depending on where you live I think, I work on a community in the Northern Territories, but go back to Queensland once a year to check up on my house, etc. It is a huge culture shock out there, Aboroginals are so very different to the Aboriginals you see in the cities/towns. They can be quite daunting when you first encounter them, especially in the remote areas of Australia.

FANTASTIC MOVE FOR OUR FAMILY, WE HAVE 8 CHILDREN, ONE BORN HERE. BOUGHT HOUSE ON LAND, CHEAP LAND IN SUNSHINE COAST. BEST CHANGE WE MADE. NZ WAS DEPRESSING AND WE LOVE THE SUNSHINE, MANGOES AND LITTLE RAIN, ICAN GET MY WASHING DRY HERE, PEOPLE GREAT......FANTASTIC FAMILY ASSISTANCE- KIWIS WORK HARDER THAN OZZIES, CHEAPER FOOD IF FROM SHOP CALLED ALDI. DO IT- BUT DONT EXPECT TOO MUCH JUST A NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR BOOK OF LIFE