Very little flight experience and solo adventure is fast approaching! Can someone talk me through the process?

I have seen empty bottles confiscated multiple times.

Have yet to see it in NZ, Australia or multiple Asian airports.And OP is transitting in Beijing.

Just a reminder - read the incoming passenger card / customs card carefully and answer honestly. Australia is far stricter on customs than a lot of other countries, but if you are honest you will have no problems. (it is often a shorter line going through if you have declared things than trying to avoid it anyway). If you think you can get away with not declaring something and get caught they are large fines.
Coffs Harbour is lovely. Mutton Bird island is a nice walk. Have a jump off the jetty and swim in the harbor. The last few times I was there (we are there most Januarys)we swam with dolphins in the harbor.

As to the empty bottle question, they may be a bit lazy and not confiscate but I think if you read up on most airlines and airports you cant carry a bottle capable of holding more than a certain amount of liquid (it is about the capacity of the bottle - not whether you actually have the fluid in it)

I think it depends who is working that day, and what sort of day they have had. Sydney airport certainly have confiscated empty bottles from me and other passengers I have seen. Their website states that it is prohibited to take any bottle with a capacity larger than 100ml (even if only partially full) through security. But like everything lese - it is pot luck. I have unwittingly carried a pocketknife and bottle opener on multiple flights before I found it but all hell broke loose when I forgot my bag of souvenirs had a small bottle of olive oil from Tuscany in it.

Also, you definitely need to allow 90 minutes between arrival of international flight and departure of domestic flight at Sydney Airport.

This is not enough time to clear the layers of Border Farce, claim luggage, recheck luggage, wait and ride the transfer shuttle, find the next departure gate, use bathrooms as necessary. The suggestion of three hours between flights is much more practical, especially for a nervous newbie traveller.

OP (jlf4597) -- what are you doing about a visa/electronic travel authority for Australia?

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