Smooth Sailing: How to Plan an Interstate Move with Children

By Karen Thorogood | May 17, 2023

Moving interstate with children comes with unique challenges. Use this step-by-step guide to keep your family organised, supported, and emotionally settled throughout the transition.

Moving interstate with children

1. Start Early and Create a Plan

  • Begin planning 6–8 weeks before the move.
  • Create a checklist with milestones, such as booking movers, notifying utilities, setting packing timelines, and arranging for school and medical matters.

2. Involve Your Children

  • Explain the move in simple terms and encourage them to share their feelings.
  • Use visual aids such as photos, videos, or a walkthrough of your new home.
  • Let children help with small decisions, such as choosing decor or packing their favourite items.

3. Maintain Routine

  • Keep mealtimes, bedtimes, and extracurricular activities as consistent as possible.
  • Preserve familiar items—such as bedding, stuffed toys, and family rituals—for comfort.

4. Plan for the Journey

  • Pack a “moving-day survival kit” for each child: snacks, drinks, toys, electronics and comfort items.
  • Make stops along the route for play, breaks, and exploration to break up the trip.

5. Prepare for Emotional Adjustment

  • Give children space to express anxiety, sadness or frustration.
  • Acknowledge their feelings, reassure them that it’s okay to miss the old home.
  • Read or share stories tailored to moving and starting fresh.

6. Notify and Transfer Key Services

  • Inform current and future schools, request record transfers, and enrol children in their new school.
  • Obtain copies of medical and dental records, and register with new healthcare providers.
  • Cancel or transfer extracurricular memberships.

7. Support Social Connections

  • Help kids stay in touch with friends via phone, email or video.
  • Arrange visits if feasible, or plan regular catch-ups.
  • Encourage involvement in local clubs, sports teams or community events.

8. Set Up Their New Space

  • Include children in unpacking and room layout decisions.
  • Recreate familiar environments—such as bedding, decor, and toys—to promote a sense of belonging.

9. Organise Moving Day Logistics

  • Assign roles: supervise movers, entertain children, and manage valuables.
  • Arrange childcare or designate supervision so kids aren’t underfoot during loading/unloading.
  • Keep essential documents, medications and valuables with you at all times.

10. Prioritise Self-Care

  • Parents need rest and stress relief too—schedule breaks, healthy meals and downtime.
  • Strong and calm parents help children adjust more easily.

11. Explore and Integrate

  • Soon after arriving, plan a fun family outing, such as visiting a park, museum, or local café.
  • Introduce children to their new neighbourhood and help them meet peers.

12. Be Patient and Flexible

  • Allow time for adjustment; consistency fosters a sense of comfort.
  • Expect some setbacks—be ready with a backup plan and plenty of reassurance.

Your Move

Need Help with Your Move?

If you’re planning an interstate move with your family, Optimove is here to help. Our experienced team understands the extra care involved in moving with children and can make the entire process smoother from start to finish. Contact us today to receive a free quote or to discuss how we can assist with your move with our friendly team.

My partner and I have just used Optimove removals for a double move – stuff out of my house to storage whilst another truck at his place to bring his furniture and belongings to here and more to storage. We went with them based on price and a promise of ‘great care’

The removalist service has been fantastic. The boys all moved fast on both crews, were so easy to deal with, and I’ll be honest I can’t remember the last time I saw everything plastic and or blanket wrapped so well to completely protect everything we have. I would HIGHLY recommend these guys. Jacqueline Nagle

“By far the best removalists I have used. Adam and Chris were fantastic. On time, polite, energetic, fast and careful with all of my furniture. Reasonably priced and very efficient .” Jessie Mariee Watson, 29 August 2016

“I couldn’t have been happier with my choice of Optimove to shift a lot of my precious belongings into storage. The removal team phoned me to give an estimated time of arrival and when they arrived no time was wasted. The 2 removalists were fast and efficient. I was very impressed and would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for removalists and would have no hesitation in employing their services again.” Sue Bertram, 19 August 2016

“Best removal company we have ever used. Optimove removals is a great moving company, two nice lads who moved at a good pace. Everything was well looked after and arrived in perfect condition. Very good prices, next time you are looking to move to a new location check these removalists out. Better than a hiring a truck and moving your own stuff by a long way. On time, polite, no hidden costs – the most energetic men ever!!!!!” Kirsten Maria Corin, 2 August 2016

“On Saturday just gone, Adam and Chris from Optimove did an outstanding job in moving us from Burleigh Heads to Cornubia. They worked tirelessly without stopping for 5-6 hours until the job was done, whilst taking absolute care of all our possessions. They were friendly, honest and just downright good blokes. I high recommend Optimove.” Glen Read, 18 July 2016

“Just wanted to take a second to say a big thank you to the team at Optimove. The guys that arrived on the day were so friendly, helpful and professional. I couldn’t believe that when they said everything would get wrapped and protected that it actually happened. I have moved several times in the past but I found these guys definitely stood out amongst the rest with their speed and professionalism…” Carly Turner, 9 July 2016

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