GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRALIA

GENERAL INFO

Australia is a vast island continent with a total area of 7.6 million sq km. Its coastline stretches for more than 36,000 km, it is over 4,000 km from east to west & 3200 km from north to south. The terrain is extremely varied with everything from lush rainforests to barren red desert, from fertile pastureland to snow-capped mountains, and from superb surfing beaches to mighty rivers. Most of the population lives along the eastern and southeastern coasts. The national capital is Canberra with a population of approx. 310,000 out of a total population of approx. 17.4 million. Sydney and Melbourne are the country's largest cities.

For comprehensive maps of the region look out for Mini-T maps available from most petrol stations, supermarkets and tourist information centres throughout the region.

CURRENCY

Denominations: Notes - A$100, 50, 20, 10 & 5. Coins - A$2 & 1, and 50, 20, 10 & 5 cents.

The import & export of local or foreign currency above A$5,000 must be reported to Australian Customs at the time of arrival or departure.

CLIMATE

Rainfall every month with quite heavy falls in Dec-Feb.

Lightweight casual wear is the norm in most capitals. More formal attire for dining in leading hotel restaurants.

Topless sunbathing is common on some beaches.

Hats & sunblock are strongly advised.

HOLIDAYS

LANGUAGE

• English is the official language but with a huge immigrant population, many European, Arabic & Asian languages are spoken & understood in ethnic population pockets. 

RELIGION

• Predominantly Protestant with a sizable Roman Catholic minority. Due to mass immigration virtually all world religions are represented.

SHOPPING

• Australia has excellent shopping facilities with large department stores, shopping malls, exclusive boutiques, & flea markets. Things to buy include: opals, sheepskin products, Australian wines, seafood, Aboriginal artifacts & art, and Australian country clothing.
• Shopping hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Sat. There is Sunday trading in most States & late night trading on either Thursday or Friday nights.

BUSINESS

• Business suits are required in all major cities except Brisbane & Darwin where shirts & ties are quite often accepted. Appointments are necessary.
• Office hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri.

BANKING

• Banking hours: 0930-1600 Mon-Thurs; 0930-1700 Fri.
• All major credit cards are accepted throughout Australia although some difficulty might be encountered in small Outback towns.
• Travellers Cheques can be cashed at hotels & banks.

TIME ZONE

• Eastern Standard Time: GMT + 10
• Matters become somewhat confused in the summer months as each of the states tend to go their own way with daylight saving - some have it & some do not.

PASSPORT AND VISA

• A valid passport together with an onward or return ticket is mandatory.
• All visitors except New Zealanders require a visa

TIPPING

• Tipping of doormen, waiters, & porters is expected.
• Taxi drivers only when their service is exceptional.

Bear in mind that, unlike in the USA, hotel & restaurant staff are well-paid so tips are for special service.

TRANSPORT

• Both Qantas and Ansett have extensive route networks around Australia.
• There are also a number of regional airlines with very good air services.
• Airlines regularly offer discounted seat sales.
• A number of airpasses can be purchased prior to arrival in Australia.
• Traffic drives on the left.
• Australia is a vast country and driving times between some destinations can be quite lengthy.
• Drink driving laws are strictly enforced as is the wearing of seatbelts.

HEALTH

• A vaccination certificate is required for visitors who have, during the previous 6 days, been in a designated yellow fever infected area.
• Water & food are safe. Milk is pasteurised.
• power supply
• 240/250 volts AC, 50 Hz. Australian 3-pin plugs are used

CUSTOMS

• Handshaking is the customary form of greeting.
• Australia is a very informal and laid-back country. As a result, first names are generally used from first meetings and casual clothing is the norm.
• When invited to a private home for a meal it is polite to take a gift of confectionary and/or a bottle of wine.
• Australians expect that people drinking with each other will take it turn and turn about to pay for the drinks (this is called "having a shout").

COMMUNICATION

• Country code: 61.
• International dialing code: 0011.
• Full IDD is available.
• Virtually all hotels have fax facilities.
• There are cash telephones, phone card telephones & credit card telephones.
• Post office hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri.