Any one been to Australia?

[Pumpkinstew]

Hmmm, I've always taken a backpack with me and never had any problems checking it in. Just tie any loose straps up as neat as you can and the airlines seem happy enough.
The newer kind of bacpaks with a side zip which unfold are way easier to pack than the old stuff it in the top design

My top tip is to pack the sleeping bag in the ruck on the way out and then remove it and strap it to the outside. That way you shouldn't ever have trouble cramming everything in and you have a bit of space for souvenirs too

Don't worry too much about packing. Anything you forget you can buy over there and probably cheaper at that.

Take a close look at the wording of your travel insurance. Most of them consider any kind of physical activity (such as trekking, surfing etc) as 'Venture sports' and won't cover you if you get injured.
I ended up purchasing a new policy in Australia which was far more comprehensive and cheaper and getting a refund on the other policy.
Also quite a few are putting disclaimers for travel disruption caused by industrial action, which is increasingly likely these days.

We were in a traffic accident in Canada fairly recently and the difference in the service the Aussies on the bus received from their insurance companies compared to the Brits was unbelievable.