Where can you find the best, cheapest pre-departure PCR test for international flights from Australia?

AS A COUPLE DESPERATE AFTER TWO YEARS TO VISIT OUR FAMILIES IN NORTH AMERICA, WHERE CAN WE FIND THE BEST AND LEAST EXPENSIVE COVID TEST PRE-DEPARTURE? WHAT ABOUT BORDER SECURITY ON ARRIVAL AND WHAT OF REQUIREMENTS RETURNING HOME? T. TAYLOR, PORT MACQUARIE NSW

Assuming you'll be departing from Sydney International Airport, your best bet is the Histopath test facility located in the terminal. They produce PCR test results within 90 minutes. The cost is $79 and you can be tested up to 24 hours before flight time, which is useful if you'd rather not arrive at the airport hours before your flight. The result will be emailed to you as a PDF but you also get a hard copy. Histopath also operates airport testing facilities at Melbourne and Brisbane international airports.

Regarding wait times at border controls in US airports, that varies depending on the time of arrival, which airport you arrive at and the staffing level at that particular time, which can be affected by COVID-19 infections and therefore it's hard to predict.

Before returning to Australia, all travellers need to complete an Australia Travel Declaration. That requires an account with the Department of Home Affairs, and you might as well set one up before you leave our shores [atd.homeaffairs.gov.au]. You need to complete this declaration at least 72 hours before your flight to Australia, before you take your PCR test, which you must take no more than 72 hours before your arrival in Australia.

WE ARE HEADING TO HAWAII IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWED BY A RETURN TO FRANCE IN THE COMING NORTHERN SUMMER TO SPEND THREE MONTHS IN THE SCHENGEN COUNTRIES. WHAT ARE MY INSURANCE OPTIONS? I WILL TURN 80 IN AUGUST, CAN YOU POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? G. CORCORAN, BALGOWLAH HEIGHTS NSW

All the major insurers such as NIB, ANZ and CoverMore are offering travel insurance policies now but this becomes more expensive with age. You might look for travel insurance with Probus [sydneyprobus.org]. Probus is a worldwide network of clubs for retired or semi-retired people. You need to join, but requirements are not onerous. Through an arrangement with Allianz, Probus offers annual multi-trip as well as single trip insurance, and you can get cover for some pre-existing medical conditions for senior travellers at a competitive rate. Due to your age the Allianz Comprehensive policy is the only option and I've just been advised by an Allianz agent that a 90-day trip is within the maximum trip period.

WE WANT TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE 2023 ON THE ROOFTOP OF A LUXURY THAI HOTEL FOLLOWED BY A JAUNT TO A LOCAL NEARBY ISLAND FOR MUCH NEEDED REST AND RELAXATION. WHERE SHOULD WE GO? R. SILBER, MANLY NSW

The absolute showstopper is Vertigo and the Moon Bar, a grill restaurant and cocktail bar located on the 61st floor of Bangkok's Banyan Tree. An Instagram favourite, you've got the city sparkling at your feet like a DeBeers product, stylish surrounds with drop-dead lighting and spacious seating at the grill restaurant. There are plenty of good reasons to stay at the Banyan Tree as well, including multiple dining options, a terrific spa, a 25 metre outdoor pool on the 21st floor and soothing and spacious guest rooms, the smallest of which are 44 square metres. A three-night stay arriving December 29, 2022, departing January 1, 2023, costs from $920, which is probably what you'd pay for a one-night stay at a Sydney hotel on New Year's Eve.

Other contenders include the Octave Bar at the Marriott and Sky Bar, the Dome at Lebua State Tower, which attracts a young crowd, but for height, sparkle, sophistication, comfort and convenience assuming you're staying in-house, the Banyan Tree is my number one pick.