with Karen Bleakley
Helping UK families
navigate their way
to a dream life
in Australia.
Anything in life worth doing is tough…
otherwise everyone would be doing it.
Thinking about moving your family from the UK to Australia? Packing up and moving to the other side of the world is daunting, terrifying and exciting. As an experienced project manager, I found the best way to tackle it was by breaking it down into chunks and tackling it one step at a time.
Life’s full of opportunities and the only
thing limiting them is you!
I set up Smart Steps to Australia to help families who are interested in moving to Australia. Whether you’re at the difficult decision making phase or you’re already headlong into the Australian visa process, this site will walk you through everything you need to know about emigrating to keep your stress levels to a minimum.
“We contacted Karen for advice about a move from the UK to Australia, particularly regarding the logistics of making the move with children! She provided excellent guidance and support and as someone who has made the move already was able to draw on her experiences to help us have a smoother transition for us.”
– Jen & Shim
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Top Blog Posts
Christmas gifts and leaving gifts for someone moving to Australia
I remember our last Christmas in the UK before we immigrated to Australia. It was SO difficult knowing what to buy as we knew whatever Christmas gifts we gave each other would need to come with us to Australia in our shipping container. Our family had real trouble deciding what gifts to get us too – we ended up with mostly chocolates and booze as people knew we’d be able to consume those before we left the country. READ MORE
Plan your Australia themed party
If you’re leaving for Australia, you’ll probably already be thinking about how you’re going to say goodbye to your friends and family. Our farewell goodbye party was on my mind from the moment we decided we were going to make the move abroad because I knew our Australia leaving party was going to be one of the hardest things I was ever going to have to organise and attend. Organising your Australia themed leaving party feels like an impossible task. READ MORE
How to emigrate to Australia in six easy steps
Dreaming of moving to Australia for a new life in the sun? Stop making excuses for why you can’t emigrate. You can migrate to Australia in six steps. READ MORE
Want to know the best way of transferring large sums of money to Australia?
When you are going to transfer large sums of money abroad, it’s essential that you not only get the best money transfer deal but also that you get a great service as some money transfer companies are definitely more reliable than others. Moving abroad soon? Have you organised your one-way travel insurance yet? READ MORE
Recent Posts
2018: A year in review for Smart Steps to Australia
I read this awesome post by Denise Duffield Thomas about her year in review, and it inspired me to write my own. Every Christmas, I …Read More
Last minute online Australia gift ideas
If you have friends or family living in Australia, the chances are you might need to send gifts to Australia sometimes for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, …Read More
How do you spend Christmas in Australia?
A few people have asked me what Christmas in Australia is like as it’s difficult to imagine a hot Christmas unless you’ve experienced it. So …Read More
About Karen Bleakley
Karen is a beach-loving travel writer, non-fiction author, experienced project manager, online marketing junkie and Founder of Smart Steps to Australia. She moved from Hampshire to sunny Brisbane with her hubby and three insanely energetic kids under five in September 2014. READ MORE
LOOKING TO COLLABORATE?
Visit the Work With Me page for details about ways you can work with Smart Steps to Australia.
Blog Topics
Recent Travel Posts
The best beach cart 2019: Ultimate guide to buying the best beach wagon with big wheels
If you love going to the beach as much as I do, this guide of folding beach wagons and pull along beach carts with big wheels is for you. I have three little kids and when we go to the beach, we take tonnes of stuff with us – our …Read More
Which is the best kids’ travel pillow for long haul flights
I’ve been asked by quite a few people to write a round up post about the best kids’ travel pillow for long haul flights – you know the inflatable pillow/inflatable foot rests or convertible suitcases that become airplane toddler beds allowing your little one to stretch out and get a good night’s …Read More
Plan your Singapore stopover and have a wizarding time at Hogwarts!
A few days ago, I shared this exciting news on my Facebook page and in my group and the response was huge! I knew I needed to write a post about it to share all the details. Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts has arrived at Changi Airport in Singapore for …Read More