Sydney Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 12:30 Saturdays
Post Offices: 08:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 14:00 Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 08:30 to 17:30, daily
Museums: 09:30 to 17:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

As far as massive cities go, Sydney is one of the safest to travel around. There are certain areas, however, which should be avoided after dark. Central Station and the section of George street near Town Hall are known for night-time troublemakers, while Redfern and Kings Cross require extra caution at all hours. The Bondi restaurant strip has also been the site of many drunken fights after midnight, so keep your wits about you if you go out on the town.

Otherwise, using simple precautions will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit to Sydney. Keep your valuables discreet and try to blend in with the locals. If you stand out in the tourist areas, you may be targeted by petty thieves. The beaches are other hotspots for enterprising thieves and belongings shouldn’t be left unattended.

Most major beaches like Bondi and Manly have excellent lifeguards on patrol, but you should still check water conditions before swimming. Strong rip currents run along Sydney’s coast. While sharks are a very rare problem near the shore, small blue jellyfish known as blue bottles can cause problems. These stinging, gelatinous creatures descend on the waters in hoards during their breeding season, so be sure to swim within the special stinger nets.

Police: 000
Electricity: 230V AC, 50Hz

The single biggest health hazard in Sydney is the sun. Australia has one of the world’s highest rates of skin cancer, and the thin ozone over Sydney makes the sun’s rays quite dangerous. Be sure to wear sunscreen on any exposed skin when you go out sightseeing or for a day at the beach. A good hat and sunglasses will also be helpful for blocking out UV rays. The tap water is safe to drink in Sydney, though you may prefer to use bottled water. Drink plenty of water during the summer, as dehydration is another hazard caused by the sun.

Should you get a minor illness, one of the pharmacies around the city will be able to help you. The hospitals in Sydney are world-class, so don’t worry if a serious emergency arises. Sydney 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, however, and 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 Sydney. Australians have a unique accent that is often difficult for non native English speakers to easily understand.

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 dollars. Coins come in denominations of AU$2 and 1, as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Visitors will need to exchange their foreign currency into local Australian dollars. Money can be changed at most major bank branches, as well as at small private currency exchange kiosks clustered around Circular Quay and Kings Cross. You will only need hard cash for things like transport, sundries and purchases at small shops.

All major credit cards are widely accepted in Sydney and using plastic may prove more convenient and cost-effective than exchanging cash every day. ATMs can readily be found in all the business and tourist areas. Many ATMs accept international debit and credit cards. Travellers cheques are typically only accepted by major hotels and big tourist shops, so it may be better to cash them in at a local bank.

All visitors to Australia over the age of 18 years may import 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco; 2.25 litres of alcohol; and personal goods of a value of up to AU$900 without incurring a customs duty. Be warned that the customs officials at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport are extremely diligent in keeping prohibited items out of the country, so be sure to declare anything you aren’t sure about. The rules on the import of plant, animal and food products are particularly strict.

The social etiquette in Sydney is about as relaxed, open and tolerant as anywhere on earth. This is one metropolis where the rich mix of cultures, religions, and sexual preferences is celebrated. The warm weather invites people to wear as much or as little clothing as you like, particularly with Sydney’s massive beach culture right on the doorstep. If you go out for a big night on the town, some fancy restaurants and trendy nightclubs have a dress code. For cruising around town and seeing the sights, you can wear whatever you want.

The residents of Sydney are not considered the friendliest when compared to residents of other Australian cities. You may, however, find a level of friendliness that leaves you in suspicion, but rest assured it’s just a laid-back love of life that makes the locals so easy-going. Feel free to strike up a conversation with a local if you want to learn more about their culture.

Dining Etiquette
Dining out in Sydney can be as relaxed or as upscale as you like. There are plenty of five-star restaurants where the service is impeccable and the food astonishing. You’ll want to dress your best if you dine at one of these establishments. However, most of Sydney’s eateries fall into the casual middle range of dining out. The atmosphere is typically Australian. You can wear whatever you like, and expect decent service and great food. Tipping is normally at around 15 per cent.

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 up to three months. These 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, through airline companies and at Australian embassies. If you need a longer stay, you can apply for a long-term visa at the Australian embassy. All visas have a fee.

The main tourist information centre in Sydney is at The Rocks. This is a great place to pick up free maps, transport information and sightseeing brochures. Opening hours are from 09:00 to 18:00 daily.

The Sydney Visitor Centre
106 George street
The Rocks
Phone: +61 2 9255 1788
Website: www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com