Landing in Perth: Your First 72 Hours, Sorted

You made it.

After months — maybe years — of planning, paperwork, saving, saying goodbye to family and wondering if you're making the right decision, you've finally landed in Perth.

I still remember that feeling.

There was excitement, relief and a huge sense of achievement... but if I'm being completely honest, there was also a strange feeling of, "Right... what now?"

Moving to Australia isn't like going on holiday. You don't arrive with an itinerary. You arrive with jet lag, luggage, a thousand things on your to-do list and probably a mind that's running at 100 miles an hour.

Whether you're arriving on your own, with your partner, children or even your family dog (like we did!), those first 72 hours can feel overwhelming.

The good news?

That's completely normal.

This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before we landed.

Before you try to do everything...

Take a breath.

Seriously.

You do not need to have your Australian life perfectly organised by the end of the first weekend.

There will still be paperwork tomorrow.

The shops will still be open tomorrow.

The beaches aren't going anywhere.

Give yourself permission to simply arrive.

First stop... your accommodation

Whether you're moving straight into a rental, staying in an Airbnb or living with family temporarily, your first priority is making somewhere feel like home.

Don't worry about unpacking every suitcase.

Instead, focus on the essentials.

• Get the beds made.
• Find the kettle.
• Locate everyone's toothbrush.
• Charge your phones.

It sounds simple, but those little wins make a huge difference after a long journey.

Go and do a supermarket shop

One of the first things we did was head to Woolworths.

Not because it was exciting...

But because suddenly we needed everything.

• Milk.
• Bread.
• Tea.
• Toilet roll.
• Cleaning products.
• Breakfast.
• Snacks.

It might sound strange, but walking around an Australian supermarket is actually one of those moments where everything starts to feel real.

You'll probably spend longer than expected looking for familiar brands...

Some you'll find. Some you won't. And that's okay.

Don't panic if everything feels unfamiliar

• The roads seem wider.
• The supermarkets look different.
• The accents are different.
• The weather feels different.
• Even buying a loaf of bread somehow feels different.

That feeling fades quicker than you think.

Within a couple of weeks, you'll probably find yourself navigating Woolworths like you've lived here for years.

Get connected

One of the first practical jobs is sorting your Australian phone number.

Having an Australian SIM card makes life much easier.

• Estate agents.
• Employers.
• Banks.
• Schools.

Everyone expects an Australian contact number.

Once that's sorted, life suddenly becomes a little easier.

If you've rented a property...

Take your time walking around.

Take photographs.

Document absolutely everything.

• Every scratch.
• Every mark.
• Every chip.
• Every stain.

It might feel excessive...

It isn't.

Good condition reports protect both you and the owner.

Future you will thank present you.

Don't try to furnish the whole house in one day

This is a mistake lots of people make.

You arrive wanting your new house to immediately feel like home.

It doesn't need to.

Buy the essentials first.

Then live in the house for a little while.

You'll soon work out what you actually need.

Perth has fantastic options for furniture, Facebook Marketplace bargains and homewares, so there's no need to rush into buying everything immediately.

If you've moved with children...

Lower your expectations.

Jet lag affects children differently.

Routine disappears.

Sleep might be a little chaotic.

Everyone is adjusting.

That's okay.

Children are incredibly resilient.

Some days might feel messy.

Some days they'll surprise you by adapting far quicker than you expected.

Give yourselves some grace.

If you've moved with pets...

We relocated with our English Bulldog, Tassie.

Like many people, I worried constantly beforehand.

Would she settle? Would she cope? Would the move affect her?

Within days she was exploring the garden, sniffing every corner and quickly making herself at home.

If you've brought a pet with you, don't be surprised if they're unsettled at first.

Stick to familiar routines where you can.

Give them time.

Australia will become home for them too.

Resist the temptation to compare everything

One thing I found myself doing was constantly comparing Australia to the UK.

• The roads.
• The coffee.
• The supermarkets.
• The weather.
• The houses.

Eventually I realised...

Australia isn't supposed to feel like home straight away.

It's supposed to become home.

That's a very different thing.

Your first coffee hits differently

This might sound silly...

But I still remember sitting down with a coffee after we arrived and thinking...

"We actually did it."

Months of planning had finally become real life.

Take those moments. Walk along the beach. Watch the sunset. Let yourself enjoy the achievement.

You've earned it.

Remember why you came

There will be moments during those first few days where you'll question everything.

Most people do.

You're tired. You're emotionally drained. You miss family already. Nothing feels familiar.

That's completely normal.

Don't mistake temporary overwhelm for regret.

They're very different feelings.

Looking back...

If I could speak to the version of myself who was packing boxes in Liverpool, I'd simply say this:

"The first few days feel overwhelming, but not because you've made the wrong decision. They're overwhelming because you've just done something incredibly brave."

Give yourself time.

Soon enough, the roads won't feel unfamiliar.

You'll have a favourite coffee shop.

You'll know which aisle the tea bags are in.

You'll have favourite beaches.

You'll stop saying 'back home' quite so often.

And one day, without even realising it... Perth will simply feel like home.

Need a helping hand?

At LRS Down Under, we help individuals and families navigate the practical side of relocating to Perth — whether you're still planning your move or you've just arrived.

From suburb guidance and rental support to local knowledge and honest advice, our aim is simple: to make your move feel a little less overwhelming.

Because we've been there too.