thank you so much - I really appreciate all your advice and help. I'll look into that too.

Exactly! I just stumbled across it - a real life line. thanks again Marina

Thank you - I'm sure I'll be asking a lot along the way. I found an international forwarding service myUS.com - you join - pay a fee - and obviously they have a greater buying power...

Thank you so much Grace for getting back to me. I have since found a much more economical way of shipping to Aus. As I mentioned to Richelle, I ordered a package of clothing for $550...

and forgot to mention - I need the cheapest method - hence the stork comment.