Adelaide Travel Tips

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Although Adelaide’s crime rate is quite low, travellers are advised that petty crime is common at the more popular tourist spots and transportation centres. It’s important to be vigilant about your belongings and important travel documents. Pickpockets tend to frequent areas such as Hindley street, especially at night around busy pubs.

As driving distances to most points in Australia are quite long, visitors who choose to hire a car are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance in advance. Driving through vast desert areas can be risky, and the protection offered by insurance can be well worth the cost.

Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs with three flat blades are in use, but the configuration is different than in most other countries, meaning an adapter is required.

Anyone entering Australia who has been in an area infected with yellow fever in the six days immediately preceding their visit will require a vaccination certificate. Otherwise, no other immunisations are required.

For visitors headed to the beach, it’s important to realise that jellyfish are frequently a problem in coastal waters and at times their stings have been known to be fatal. Sunburn is another health risk, and protective measures against the strong rays of the sun are necessary. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is recommended, as is wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

Medical services in Australia are excellent, and the services available in Adelaide are no exception. Medical care can be expensive, however, so travellers should be sure to take out adequate health cover before leaving their home country. Australia has a reciprocal agreement with the UK, and visitors who are UK nationals are eligible for emergency medical treatment at no cost.

Royal Adelaide Hospital: +61 8 8222 4000
Emergency services: 000

English is the official language of Australia, although at times you may find the local dialect difficult to understand. The Adelaide accent, combined with local slang known as 'strine,’ can take some time to get used to. A number of aboriginal languages have survived in various parts of the country, but they are falling into disuse in most places. In 1788, around 250 aboriginal languages were spoken in Australia; but it is estimated that only about 20 will survive this century. Immigrant languages from Asia, Europe and the Middle East are also spoken in many areas.

The Australian currency is abbreviated as $AU. The dollar is the basic unit, with one dollar comprising 100 cents. Banknotes are seen in denominations of AU$100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are found in circulation in denominations of AU$2 and 1; and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency can be exchanged at both terminals of Adelaide Airport, at most banks in the city during normal banking hours, and at foreign currency exchanges in various parts of the city. ATMs are readily found outside most banks and at retail locations. Credit cards are widely accepted, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. At many ATMs, credit cards can be used for cash advances in Australian currency.

Travellers entering Australia who are over 18 years of age are permitted to bring in the following items within the AU$900 duty-free allowance: 2.25 litres of alcohol; 250 cigarettes or the equivalent in other tobacco products; and a reasonable amount of gifts. Prohibited items include fresh produce and animal and plant products.

Australians are rather informal, so you’ll notice that greetings are quite casual – typically a smile or handshake. While you’re likely to hear an Australian say 'G'day' or 'G'day mate', it’s not expected that you’ll adopt this local lingo. You’ll also note that Australian tend to use first names, even when meeting someone for the first time.

Family members, neighbours and close friends typically exchange small gifts on occasions such as birthdays and Christmas. If you happen to be invited to an Australian’s home for dinner, it would be appreciated if you arrived with some flowers or a box of chocolates as a gift to the host or hostess. Another option is a bottle of wine that’s of good quality. Wrapped gifts are usually opened when they are received.

Dining Etiquette
Invitations to dinner at an Australian’s home will most often be for a backyard barbeque, known locally as a 'barbie.’ Guests normally bring beer or wine for themselves, and it’s possible that you might even be asked to bring your own meat. You’re expected to arrive on time for dinner, or at least no more than 15 minutes later than the time suggested. It’s considered courteous to contact the hostess in advance to ask if you might bring something to contribute to the meal. After you’ve arrived, offer to help set up or clean up afterwards.

Table manners follow the Continental style: the fork is held in the left hand, and the knife in the right. You can indicate that you’ve finished eating by placing the knife and fork parallel to each other on top of your plate, with handles pointing to the right. Hands should be kept above the table when eating.

A visa is required to enter Australia unless you hold a New Zealand passport; or you are travelling onwards outside of Australia within eight hours of arriving. In the latter case, you must be in possession of a valid onward ticket and must not leave the transit lounge. Visas are not available on arrival; you will not be permitted to board your flight to Australia without a valid passport and visa in hand.

As there are several types of visas issued, and it is important that you obtain the proper visa for the purpose and duration of your visit. An Australian embassy or consulate in your home country is the best place to apply. Types of visas that are issued include tourist visas, working holiday visas, and extended-stay (six and 12 month) tourist visas.

The city’s main tourist information office is the Rundle Mall Visitor Information Centre (phone: +61 8 8203 7611). Visitors will find a range of information on both Adelaide and South Australia including brochures, events listings and maps. In Glenelg, the Visitor Information Centre is located at Foreshore, Glenelg (phone: +61 8 82945833).