| Banks,
Post Offices & ATM Machines
Banks are generally open 9:30am-4pm Mon-Thu; 9:30am 5pm
Fri. In some states selected banking facilities are available
on Saturday morning. General office hours, including Post
Offices, are 9am-5pm, Mon Fri. Stamps are often available
at front desks of hotels and motels and at selected retail
outlets.
ATM
cards can be used in Australia at both ATMs (Automatic
Teller Machines) and at participating retail locations,
so long as they have been enabled for international access.
Your ATM card must carry either the CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR
international ATM mark or the Interlink or Maestro POS mark.
Travelers should contact their bank at home for information
on availability and service charges.
Climate
The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures.
Broadly there are two climatic zones. In the north, above
the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40 percent of Australia is
in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the temperate
zone.
However, because of Australia’s vast size, there are
variations within these zones. The temperate regions have
all four seasons, while those in the tropical zone have
two: summer ("wet") and winter ("dry").
Australia's
seasons are the opposite to those of the Northern
Hemisphere.
Spring: September-November
Summer: December-February
Fall: March-May
Winter: June-August.
Clothing
In the tropics lightweight (natural fibers) clothing is
suitable year-round. In the southern temperate regions,
summers (Dec-Feb) are warm to hot and lightweight clothes
are suitable for daytime, but keep a jacket or sweater handy
as nights may be cool. For the southern winters (Jun-Aug)
sweaters and warmer clothes are advisable. Most of the time
just keep it light and comfortable.
Credit
Cards & Travelers Checks
The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express,
Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and
their affiliates. Use may be restricted in smaller towns
and country areas and small retail shops. You should cash
travelers checks at banks or larger hotels as it may be
difficult elsewhere. Some banks may charge a small fee for
cashing travelers checks. Banks will cash most travelers
checks in every currency.
Currency
& Exchange
Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic
unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Exchange facilities
are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at all
international airports in Australia. Changing foreign currency
or traveler's checks can be done quickly and efficiently
at most banks.
Customs
Strict laws prohibit or restrict the entry of drugs, steroids,
firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. All
animals, animal products, food stuffs, plants, and plant
products must be declared. There is no limit on the amount
of Australian and/or foreign cash that may be brought into
or taken out of Australia. However, amounts over A$5,000,
or equivalent must be reported. Travelers 18 years and over
may bring I liter of alcohol and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams
of tobacco duty free. There is a duty free allowance of
A$400 per person 18 years and over, or $A200 per person
under 18 years. Short term visitors may bring most articles
into the country duty free, provided Customs is satisfied
that they are for their own personal use.
Disabled
Visitors
Australia is very aware of the needs of people with disabilities.
Advance notice and details of your disability will ensure
the best possible assistance from airlines, hotels or transport
offices. Many cinemas and restaurants are happy to assist
although not all can cater for people with severe disabilities
or wheelchairs. Most new buildings provide wheelchair access.
Guides to facilities
are available from the National Information Communication
Awareness Network (NICAN) P.O. Box 407, Curtin, ACT 2605.
Tel: 011 61 (6) 285-3713 Fax: 011 61 (6) 285-3714.
Electricity
The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC
50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is different
from that in North America so you will need an adapter socket.
If your appliances are not 240/250 volts you will need a
voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 11 OV appliances
are usually found in leading hotels.
Liquor
Laws
While regulations vary from state to state, general licensing
hours for public bars are Mon-Sat 10am-10pm. Sunday hours
vary between states. Restaurants, clubs and hotel lounges
have more flexible hours. You must be 18 years or older
to buy or consume alcohol in public.
Medical
Visitors can bring reasonable quantities of prescribed medications
into Australia. All should be clearly labeled and identifiable.
For large quantities, bring a doctor's certificate to produce
to Customs if necessary. Chemists (Pharmacists) can fill
most prescriptions but some may need to be reissued by an
Australian registered doctor. In the event of illness, your
hotel should be able to call a doctor or refer you to one,
or you can call your country's High Commission, Embassy
or Consulate-General for a list of doctors. US and Canadian
visitors are not covered by Australia's national health
insurance scheme. It is recommended that you travel with
adequate travel insurance.
Quarantine
Importation of fresh or packaged
food, fruit, eggs and egg products, vegetables, seeds, cultures,
plants and plant products is strictly controlled. There
is up to 6 months quarantine for pets and other domestic
animals. Anyone carrying any of these items on arrival in
Australia, must tick the appropriate box on the Customs,
Quarantine and Wildlife statement. This is handed to you
before arrival and must be presented with your passport
upon arrival.
Taxis
Meter operated taxicabs service all major cities and towns.
You will find taxi ranks at transport terminals, major hotels
or shopping centers or you can hail them in the street.
Vacant cabs have a light and sign on the roof. There is
a minimum "flagfall" charge, then a charge for
the distance traveled.
Telephones
The minimum cost of a local phone call is A$.40. Long distance
and international calls can be made on the public payphones
which operate on a variety of coin denominations. Phonecard
is a pre paid card for use in public payphones to make local,
long distance and international calls. It is available from
a number of retail outlets and can be used at over 75% of
public payphones. Creditphones use most major cards such
as AMEX, Visa and Diners International, and can be found
at international and domestic airports, central city locations
and hotels.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory and service charges are not charged
at hotels and restaurants. For special service, a tip of
10% is acceptable for waiters. Taxi drivers do not expect
a tip, but will appreciate a small gratuity. At any time,
tipping is your choice.
Time
Zones
There are three time zones in Australia Eastern Standard
Time (EST) which operates in New South Wales, Australian
Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland; Central
Standard Time (CST) in South Australia and Northern Territory;
and Western Standard Time (WST) in Western Australia. CST
is one half hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind
EST. Australian States except Northern Territory, Western
Australia and Queensland have daylight saving during the
summer months.
Tourist
Information Centers
Even in the smallest town you will find an outlet distributing
local tourist information and advice free of charge. Look
for the international "I" sign for information.
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