Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00, Fridays
Post Offices: 08:15 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Visitors to Canberra enjoy the benefits of a safe and well-regulated environment. With one of Australia's lowest crime rates, there is very little here to concern tourists.

A few of the city's seedier locations like the bus exchanges are best avoided after dark, with a little bit of caution goes a long way toward ensuring a safe and enjoyable holiday. Travelling in pairs or groups greatly increases personal safety.

As with any urban tourist destination, theft can be an annoyance. Visitors should keep a close eye on their valuables, paying special attention to their travel documents which can be difficult to replace. It is wise to avoid walking around with excessive cash, particularly in light of prevalent ATMs. Most shops accept credit cards and traveller's cheques.

Electricity: 240 volts, 50 hertz

Visitors to Canberra benefit from ultra-modern medical facilities. The Canberra Hospital is located in Garran on Yama drive and the John James Memorial Hospital is in Deakin on Strickland crescent. Calvary Hospital is located in Bruce on Belconnen way, near Haydon drive.

Sanitation is good in Canberra. Tap water is safe to drink, and fresh fruits and vegetables can be consumed without concern. As a general rule, tourists are not required to present proof of immunisations except when arriving from regions afflicted with yellow fever.

Canberra Hospital has medical staff on call 24 hours. In the event of an emergency, simply dial 000 to get in contact with emergency personnel. For less pressing concerns, your hotel concierge can usually recommend a medical practitioner.

Pharmacies are well-located throughout Canberra. The Canberra Day and Night Chemist in O'Connor Shopping Centre is open late. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some nations. To find out more about your nation's eligibility, contact you local Australian embassy.

English is the language of commerce in Australia, and is widely understood throughout the continent. However, the Aboriginal tribes each have their own distinct language and dialect, though even those in the most remote regions still have a grasp of English. Australia is also home to several immigrant communities and many of the larger metropolitan centres hold pockets of second-language speakers.

Australia's currency is the Australian dollar (or AU$). There are AU$1, 2 and 5 dollar coins in circulation, with all higher increments relegated to a quasi-plastic banknote issued in vibrantly coloured AU$5, 20, 50 and 100 increments. There are also 100 cents in each Australian dollar (or 'buck' as it's sometimes called); however, cent increments lower than 5 are no longer used. As a result, you may encounter an item for sale marked in odd increments that is then rounded to the nearest 5 cent increment. For example, an item marked at AU$1.99 will actually sell for AU$2.00.

All of Australia’s major banks have offices in Canberra. Foreign currency can be exchanged at these locations as well as at the airport, the American Express office in Centrepoint, or at the Travelex desk in the Canberra Centre. ATMs are widely distributed throughout the city and recognise all major brands of debit card.

International credit cards are commonly accepted - particularly Visa and MasterCard. Traveller’s cheques are also readily taken by most establishments close to the city centre. Cash is only important in remote areas away from metropolitan Canberra.

There are import and export restrictions on the following goods: illegal drugs, steroids and fire arms. Tourists may also be screened for items related to Australia's wildlife and endangered species. Any specific concerns related to an item you anticipate exporting or importing should be directed to your nearest Australia embassy or consulate before travel.

Tourists are required to fill out a customs declaration form before proceeding to customs. The following items may be imported free of duty: 1 litre of alcohol; 250 cigarettes (or 250 grams); and up to AU$900.

Australians have embraced the idea of social equality, and some visitors are initially taken aback by the national indifference toward social class. Most of the nation’s important social customs stem from a desire to treat all people equally, and it doesn’t take long to truly appreciate the social climate at work in Australia—particularly in the diverse capital city of Canberra.

One way that Australians demonstrate social equality is by personally engaging service industry workers. Typically, a solo passenger who hails a taxi sits up front with the driver. Along the same lines, when paying for goods, customers usually place the money directly in the hands of the cashier rather than setting it on the checkout surface.

When Australians first meet, they exchange first names and offer a handshake. It’s important to remember that, while Australian colloquialisms such as ‘G’day mate’ are internationally famous, locals would rather you greet them in your own manner. Attempts to emulate Australian English usually sound grossly exaggerated and can come across as rude

While it is widely known that Australia’s earliest European roots were as a penal colony, this influx of settlers accounts for a very small percentage of Australia’s actual heritage. With this in mind, locals don’t appreciate jokes that frame them as common criminals and petty crooks.

Dining Etiquette
Formal Australian dining is Continental style, with the fork held in the left hand with the knife in the right. It is polite for diners to keep their hands above the table while eating and to refrain from propping their elbows on the eating surface. Once you have finished with your plate, you can indicate this to your server or host by placing your knife and fork side-by-side over the plate with handles pointing to the right.

Social equality has its place at the dinner table. When a group of friends go out, they usually split the bill in multiple ways. Offering to pick up the whole tab might be misinterpreted as excess superiority. However, it is common for one friend to buy a whole round of drinks in the pub, after which the other friends will be expected to return the favour.

The outdoor barbeque is a favourite pastime in Australia. Friends gather around the ‘barbie’, as it’s locally known, for afternoon or weekend get-togethers, typically bringing their own drinks and meat for grilling. Canberra has several public barbies in green spaces throughout the city.

Tipping is uncommon in Australian restaurants. It has caught on in some upscale resorts frequented by international diners; however, a gratuity is seldom expected. In some cases, the restaurant may add a service charge to the bill to compensate the waiting staff.

Anyone planning a holiday to Australia is advised to consult the nearest Australian embassy for up-to-date regulations regarding the visa application process.

New Zealanders are issued tourist visas upon arrival; however, citizens of every other nation must arrange a visa before arriving. Citizens of most Western nations can apply for a visa online through Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

An ETA tourist visa permits a stay not longer than three months and forgoes the traditional passport stamp. Of course, a passport is still required, but all relevant information regarding the visa is kept in the ETA’s national database.

Citizens who don’t qualify for an ETA visa must apply in person at an Australian embassy or consulate. A tourist visa allows multiple entries within certain parameters, though the visa still expires after a total stay of three months.

Upon arrival, customs officials may ask tourists for a flight itinerary or similar proof of return travel. Sufficient funds must also be demonstrated before entering Australia—typically AU$1,000 per month of intended stay.

The Canberra Visitor Information Centre is located a little more than a mile north of the city centre. Transportation, hotels and tours can all be booked at this office.

Canberra Visitor Information Centre
330 Northbourne avenue
Dickson, Canberra
Phone: +61 2 6205 0044
Website: www.canberratourism.com.au

There is another more centrally-located visitor information kiosk on Bunda street in the Canberra Centre. Plenty of information is on hand here, though bookings must be made elsewhere.