An interstate move can feel like a leap of faith. You watch your whole household disappear into a truck, then drive or fly hundreds of kilometres and hope it all turns up when it should.
It’s much less stressful when you know what happens at each stage. At Wecube Removals, we’ve been moving households interstate out of Brisbane and the Gold Coast for more than 10 years. This guide walks you through the process from your first enquiry to the moment the last box comes off the truck.
Stage 1: Your Inventory and Quote
Every interstate move starts with a list. Instead of charging by the hour like a local move, interstate removals are priced on how much truck space your belongings need, measured in cubic metres, along with the distance and route.
That’s why an accurate inventory matters so much. Our online inventory form takes you room by room, from bedrooms and the kitchen to the garage and garden, and asks about access at both properties. The more complete your list, the more accurate your quote.
Two tips at this stage:
- Declutter before you quote. Everything you decide not to take is space you don’t pay for.
- Mention large specialty items. Pianos, pool tables and heavy workshop machinery are usually quoted as separate items and may need extra equipment.
For a guide to what different routes typically cost and how long they take, see our comparison of interstate removalist costs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Stage 2: Choosing a Dedicated Truck or a Shared Load
Next, you’ll decide how your belongings travel.
A dedicated truck carries only your household, on your dates. It suits larger homes and anyone with fixed dates at both ends, such as a settlement or a lease start.
A shared load, or backload, places your belongings on a truck that’s already travelling your way, alongside other customers’ goods. You pay for the space you use, which can save a lot of money. In return, your pickup and delivery dates become windows rather than fixed days.
If your dates have some flexibility, ask us to price both options.
Stage 3: Packing
You can pack everything yourself, have us pack everything, or split the job. Many people pack books, linen and clothes themselves and leave the kitchen, glassware and artwork to our packers.
Whichever you choose, label each box with the room it’s going to and a short description of what’s inside. It makes unloading much faster at the other end.
Stage 4: Loading Day
On loading day, the crew arrives, walks through the house with you and confirms what’s going and what’s staying. Beds and larger furniture are dismantled where needed, and furniture is wrapped to protect it on the road. Everything is loaded carefully and secured so nothing shifts in transit.
As a guide, loading a standard three-bedroom home takes about four to six hours. Stairs, lifts and long walks to the truck can add time.
Stage 5: In Transit
What happens next depends on how your belongings are travelling.
On a dedicated load, the truck heads straight for your new address. On a shared load, the truck may make other pickups and deliveries along the route. Some interstate moves also pass through a depot along the way, where goods are transferred between vehicles.
It’s worth asking your removalist whether your belongings stay on one truck from door to door. Every transfer means extra handling, so you should know what your quote includes.
Stage 6: How Delivery Dates Are Worked Out
Your delivery date depends on the distance, the type of load, the truck’s other stops and access at your new home. Longer routes take more days on the road, and a dedicated truck can usually give you a firmer date than a shared one. On a backload, your delivery fits around the other loads on board. At your end, lift bookings, parking and key handovers all need to line up.
With a shared load, you’ll usually be given a delivery window of a few days. Around two weeks before the move, confirm your pickup and expected delivery window with us, and let us know if anything changes at your end, such as a delayed settlement. If there’s a gap between moving out and getting the keys, storage can bridge it.
Stage 7: Unloading and the Condition Check
Unloading is usually quicker than loading, often around two to four hours for a standard home. The crew places furniture and boxes in the right rooms, and reassembles beds and other items that were dismantled.
As items come off the truck, check them against your inventory. If something looks damaged, note it and take photos straight away, then let us know so we can help with the next steps.
What Should I Take in the Car on an Interstate Move?
Pack a bag or a box that travels with you, not on the truck. Include:
- Clothes and toiletries for the first few days
- Medication and first aid basics
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Passports, identification and important documents
- Jewellery and anything difficult to replace
- Keys to the new home
- Kettle, mugs, toilet paper and a few basic cleaning supplies
- Bedding for the first night, in case your delivery window runs a day or two later
If you’re travelling with pets, pack their food, bowls, leads and bedding in the car too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an interstate move work?
It starts with an inventory and a quote based on volume and route. You then choose a dedicated truck or a shared load, pack (or have us pack), and the crew loads everything on moving day. Your belongings travel to your new home and are unloaded during an agreed delivery window.
What happens to my furniture during an interstate move?
It’s wrapped, loaded and secured on the truck, then carried to your new address. On a shared load, the truck may stop for other customers’ goods along the way. Ask whether your belongings stay on one truck or pass through a depot.
How are interstate delivery dates worked out?
They depend on the distance, whether your load is dedicated or shared, the truck’s other stops and access at your new home. Shared loads are usually given a delivery window of a few days.
What should I take in the car on an interstate move?
Take clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers, important documents, valuables, keys and a few basics for the first night. Anything you’d need if the truck arrived a day later should travel with you.
For moves starting on the Gold Coast, see our Gold Coast interstate removals page, or visit our Brisbane interstate removals page for moves from Brisbane. Ready to plan your move? Request a free quote or call our team on 0423 690 837.