Best way to keep connected while travelling in Australia

There's a moment every traveller dreads. You've just landed, you're jet-lagged, you're dragging a suitcase the size of a small country through arrivals. And now you have to find a SIM card.  

Then comes the 40-minute wait at a random airport desk, fumbling with a tiny plastic tray and figuring out how to open the tiny slot on your phone after a 20+ hour flight.  

There's a better way. And it starts before you even board the plane. 

eSIM technology has become one of the best travel upgrades you never knew you needed, especially for getting around Australia.  

In a country that’s teeming with big, glorious distances, coverage really matters. The last thing you want is to lose signal somewhere between Tropical North Queensland and the next servo. 

Why is an eSIM essential for travellers?  

It instantly activates  

You usually need mobile data immediately. Not in three to five business days when your SIM card arrives in the mail.  

With eSIM plans, you activate everything digitally before even setting foot in Australia.  

All you’ll need to do is scan a QR code, then confirm a few settings. Yes, it’s just two steps. And it takes about five minutes.  

This means you could technically be sitting on your couch at home tonight, setting everything up before landing in Sydney tomorrow with a working Australian number and a full data plan already working.  

That's not just convenient. For international travellers in particular, it's genuinely a smoother travel experience.  

Enough with the "SIM Swapping" 

If you've ever tried to swap a SIM card in the back of a bus with shaky hands, you understand the particular misery of traditional SIM logistics.  

The card is the size of a fingernail. Meanwhile the tray requires a pin that you’ve lost, so you resort to using the back of your earring. Plus, you’re also trying not to drop your old SIM into the abyss of the bus seat.  

Everything happens on your phone. It makes travelling a whole lot easier.  

Dual-SIM Power 

This is where eSIMs really help international visitors flying into Australia. Most modern phones now support dual-SIM, meaning you can run your home country's SIM alongside an Australian eSIM simultaneously.  

This means your mum can still call you on your regular number (thank goodness!). Your banking app still recognises your usual number for two-factor authentication. And all your maps, social media and accommodation bookings run on your local Australian data plan at local Australian prices. 

No more choosing between staying reachable and staying connected. 

The Pre-Travel Checklist: Getting Ready for the Road 

Device Compatibility 

Before anything else, check if your phone supports eSIM. Luckily, if you've bought a smartphone in the last four or five years, there's a very good chance it does. 

• eSIM-compatible iPhones include the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and everything from the iPhone 11 series through whatever number they’re up to now.  

• eSIM-compatible Android phones include Samsung Galaxy S20 through S24 (plus Fold and Flip models), and select Oppo, Motorola, and Huawei devices.  

How to check on your iPhone:  

1. Go to Settings  

2. Go to Cellular  

3. If the option “Add Cellular Plan” option is there, you're good. 

How to check on your Android:  

1. Go to Settings  

2. Go to Network & Internet 

3. Go to Mobile Network  

4. Look for "Add eSIM" or "Download eSIM." 

If your phone was purchased locked to a carrier, you may need to unlock it before using an international eSIM. Worth sorting out before you leave instead of when you're standing in an airport wondering why nothing is working. 

Choosing Your Data Allowance 

Australia is enormous. It’s not one of those small countries where you can get away with 10GB and some creative café wifi-hunting. If you're road tripping, even along a relatively populated route like the Pacific Coast Highway, you'll want a generous data plan. 

For most travellers in Australia, an eSIM plan should cover:  

• Navigation (Google Maps eats data on the road)  

• Music or podcasts for long drives 

• The occasional video call home  

• Accommodation and booking apps  

• Social media  

A 130GB plan, like Exetel's Plus One, covers most trip lengths comfortably. It also comes with a 1000GB Data Bank, so any unused data rolls over rather than disappearing at the end of the month.*  

*Note: Exetel Plus One requires an Australian service address to activate, so it’s best set up once you’ve arrived in Australia. 

Activating & Managing Your eSIM  

To avoid unexpected roaming charges or data conflicts:  

1. Select the eSIM for data in your phone’s settings.  

2. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM (i.e. your main number) before leaving home.  

3. Remember, only one eSIM can be activated at a time, so you’ll need to deactivate any other eSIMs before activating Plus One.  

Coverage Mapping 

Not all Australian coverage is equal. Before you head off on a big drive, it's worth mapping your route against a coverage map, particularly if you're venturing into the great outback.  

Exetel's Plus One eSIM plan runs on Telstra's wholesale network, which covers 98.8% of the Australian population. That's the widest coverage footprint in the country, which matters a lot once you leave the major cities. 

Check coverage at Exetel's coverage map, something you can’t do when you've already lost signal.   

Cost Comparison: eSIM vs. Traditional SIMs 

The numbers tell a fairly clear story. International roaming is the most convenient option in the short term, and the most expensive one over the course of a week-long trip.  

For a trip of more than a few days, setting up an eSIM plan before you depart is almost always the better value option. 

More Time Exploring, Less Time Tech-Fixing 

The best travel experiences happen when the logistics just melts into the background. When your maps just work. When your Airbnb host can reach you. When you don't have to spend twenty minutes troubleshooting your phone connection in a car park outside Cobar.  

With an eSIM you can sort out connection before you even arrive, so you can spend your first morning in Australia trying out a Bunnings Sausage (local delicacy!) or at the famous Tiger Pie at Harry's Café de Wheels.    

Exetel's prepaid SIM plan gives you 130GB on Telstra's network, unlimited calls and texts in Australia and to 15 countries, 5G speeds (capped at 150Mbps), no lock-in contracts, and digital activation that takes about five minutes.  

At $40 for a 30-day cycle, it's one of the better-value eSIM plans available for both international travellers and Australians heading out on the road. 

Set it up before you leave. Arrive connected. Then set off on your big adventure.  

FAQ 

What is an eSIM, and how does it work in Australia? 

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of a physical card, you download a carrier profile directly to your device. In Australia, an eSIM gives you local data and a calling plan that you can activate before you arrive. It functions exactly like a regular SIM card once it's set up. 

What is the best eSIM for Australia for international travellers? 

The best eSIM plan for Australia depends on your trip length and data needs, but Exetel's Plus One plan is a strong option: 130GB of data on Telstra's Wholesale network (98.8% population coverage), unlimited calls and texts to Australia and 15 countries, 5G access, and no lock-in contract — all for $40/month. It's particularly good for road trips where coverage matters. 

Can I use an eSIM in Australia without changing my home number? 

Yes — this is one of the biggest advantages of eSIM. Most modern smartphones support dual-SIM, meaning you can run your home country's physical SIM alongside an Australian eSIM simultaneously. Your regular number stays active for calls and messages while your eSIM handles local Australian data. 

Please note, only one eSIM can be active at a time. If your primary number is already using an eSIM, you’ll need to turn it off before activating the Plus One eSIM.  

Do I need to be in Australia to set up an eSIM Australia plan? 

No. That's the whole point. You can purchase and activate an eSIM for Australia from anywhere in the world before your trip. Once you land and your phone connects to the local network, your plan kicks in automatically. Setting it up from home — rather than scrambling at the airport — is very much the recommended approach.