Australia Travel Tips

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Post 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
Museums: 09:30 to 17:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Australia is generally considered one of the safest travel destinations in the world for both men and women. In the smaller towns, visitors will find conditions more relaxed and safer than in the major cities, but visitors should continue to exercise all the usual precautions they would when travelling around any metropolis. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare, but muggings can occasionally occur after dark in Sydney and Melbourne.

Theft is the main problem to worry about in Australia. As in any country, don’t leave your belongings unattended at the beach, a transport centre or any tourist site. If you keep a low profile and blend in with the locals you stand less chance of being targeted for theft.

Watch out for stinging jellyfish when you swim in the ocean during certain times of year, and pay attention to warning flags on the beaches. Australia has more than its share of poisonous and deadly creatures, so if you venture into the outback or the rainforest, learn about what to watch for. Many of the world’s most venomous snakes, spiders and other lethal creatures live in Australia. If you get bitten by anything, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Crocodiles also claim a number of lives every year from careless people swimming in the wrong places.

Police: 000
Electricity: 230V AC, 50Hz

The standards of living are very high in Australia, so visitors will have few health concerns to worry about during their trip. Hygiene in restaurants is up to international standards and the tap water should be fine to drink in nearly every town and city. Visitors may want to drink only bottled water, however.

The sun is the biggest single health hazard in Australia. It is so strong that the country regularly ranks as the first or second most dangerous spot on earth for ultraviolet radiation exposure. This is unfortunate since it’s sunny almost every day and most people want to spend their time outdoors. It is essential that visitors take this seriously and use plenty of sunscreen at the beach and wear a hat and sunglasses whenever venturing out for the day. Also, be sure and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

Should anything minor happen during your trip, there are excellent pharmacies in every town. Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK in the case of emergencies, and British citizens are covered in such cases. This free medical service is limited, so buying travel insurance is recommended to cover any additional expenses.

Ambulance: 000
Sydney Hospital: +61 2 9382 7111

English is the native language spoken in Australia.

The official currency in Australia is the Australian dollar. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Notes are made of a very innovative polymer, and come in denominations of AU$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins come in denominations of AU$2 and 1, as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Visitors should have little trouble with money matters in Australia. You will need to exchange your cash into Australian dollars, but this can be done at airports, banks and upscale hotels. ATMs can be readily found in all but the most remote towns. In the larger cities, they will likely accept international debit cards, allowing visitors to withdraw cash in local currency.

Credit cards are also widely accepted throughout the country in all but the most remote places. If you venture into the outback or visit some really small towns, you may find ATMs and credit card acceptance limited or unavailable, so come prepared with enough cash. Travellers cheques can be used at any bank and many of the larger hotels.

All visitors to Australia over the age of 18 years old may import 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 2.25 litres of alcohol, and personal goods valued up to AU$900 without incurring customs duty.

Maybe it’s the climate, or the bounty of natural beauty that fills their country, but Australians are some of the friendliest people on the planet. Their relaxed attitude towards life echoes their love of the outdoors, having a barbecue on the weekends, and getting together at the pub to watch the latest Aussie rules football match. Visitors will find that Australia is one of the most tolerant societies around, in just about every aspect.

You can dress as casual as you like, or spiff it up for a night out on the town. Conservative visitors may be shocked at the amount of flesh on display, so feel free to cut loose. You will find most Aussies willing to chat and share a beer with complete strangers. As long you show an interest in their culture, you’ll have a fast friend.

Dining Etiquette
Eating out in Australia is always a casual affair, and most of the time people eat outside. The restaurants across this country follow the same basic etiquette as any other in the Western world, so visitors should feel right at home dining out. Although tipping at restaurants isn’t as expected as it is in North America or Europe, an average gratuity of 10 per cent is considered the norm.

Unless you hail from New Zealand, you will need to get a tourist visa to travel to Australia. Australia primarily uses an Electronic Travel Authority visa (ETA) which allows visitors to stay in the country for three months. ETA visas are stored electronically and thus don’t appear in your passport. They are used for short-term business and study programmes as well as tourism. ETAs can be applied for at travel agencies, airline companies and at Australian embassies. If you need a visa for a longer stay, you can apply for a long-term visa at the Australian embassy. All visas have a fee.

There are tourism information offices in all major airports and cities of Australia which provide good travel and tourist information. The main offices in the cities are open from 09:00 to 17:50 daily.

Tourism Australia
Darling Park, Tower 2, Level 18
201 Sussex street
Sydney
Phone: +61 2 9360 1111
Website: www.tourism.australia.com