Australia Communications

Area codes are preceded by 0 when dialling within the country.

Payphones are available on the street in a variety of colours, but note that you can only make local calls from the red boxes. Local calls are unmetered with a standard cost of AUD0.40 no matter how long you speak for.

Poste Restante is available at main post offices throughout the country, which will hold your mail for up to 30 days. The central countrywide number for Australia Post offices is, Tel: +61 13-1318 (within Australia, Tel: 13-1318)

A postcard sent from Australia to Europe or the US costs AUD1.20 and takes approximately four to five days to be delivered.

Access is widely available in larger towns and cities in Internet cafés. Some hotels and public libraries also provide Internet facilities.

Newspapers throughout Australia are distributed regionally. Among the more famous around the country are The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, The Canberra Times and The West Australian.

Australia Food & Drink

Australian food - leaving aside for the moment the fascinating subject of "bush tucker" - is for the most part firmly based on English conceptions of cuisine, and the Aussie national menu shares the best and worst characteristics of "Pommie" food.

At its best, Australian food makes innovative use of the incredibly rich range of local ingredients, served at the peak of freshness, put together attractively and prepared meticulously. Like much of the developed world, the haute cuisine movement is alive and well, especially in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Particularly apparent are pan-Asian and Pacific Rim influences. However, the other side of Aussie nosh is the traditional and utterly dull meat and two veg combinations of the less international towns away from the Southeast.

The cosmopolitan nature of Australian cities means that there is always a vast range of international dining options, you'll be utterly spoiled for choice in the urban centres - particularly Sydney. Conversely, in rural areas, international dining may only stretch to a couple of less than appetising Chinese take-outs. The same rule of thumb holds true for vegetarian food; in the cities (particularly Sydney and Melbourne), veggies are well catered for, but out West there are places where you'll be looked at askance for not wanting a slab steak with your potatoes.

There is a national preoccupation with eating huge amounts of red meat, and even Kangaroos don't escape the "barbie". You'll also find crocodile and emu on menus throughout the country - which never fails to capture an adventurous tourist dollar or two.

Given the fact that 80 per cent of Aussies live within a few miles of the sea, it is not surprising that there is a great and varied range of seafood dishes available. Shrimps are popular and are a far cry from the tiny specimens that British visitors are used to. Massive steaks from yellowfin tuna or some more elusive game fish are also available, and are absolutely delicious especially when combined with light Southeast Asian influenced sauces.

If you've eaten your way round crocodile and kangaroo and still don't think you've ingested enough of Australia's ecosystem then it's time to try "bush tucker". This is a term for the edible plants and animals native to the country and traditionally consumed by the Aboriginal population prior to the arrival of Europeans. By far the largest portion of the bush diet is plants - fruits, seeds, nuts and greenery. However, the most remarkable elements of bush tucker are of course the insects - witchetty grubs in particular.

Bush tucker is slowly making its way onto the national menu, thanks mainly to some inspired chefs, and as time goes on, expect to see more and more native elements introduced into mainstream restaurants.

Finally, a word about Vegemite. This is a Marmite- or Bovril-like yeast extract spread on bread, toast or sandwiches and is sometimes considered to be the closest thing to a national dish the Australians have. It is definitely an acquired taste, some people love it, some hate it. Without doubt though, it is nutritious - but then again, so are witchetty grubs.

Australia's most favoured drinks are an amalgamation of American and British tastes. Thus you'll find tea as well as American style highstreet coffeehouses of the Starbucks variety.

Alcohol is widely consumed. Lager (referred to as "beer") is the favourite tipple either on draught, bottled or canned. The offer of a "stubby" or "tinnie" always refers to a small bottle of lager (375ml) or can. When buying beers in a glass you'll find a range of sizes on offer. In New South Wales beers are referred to as a "glass" (200ml), a "middie" (285ml) or a "Schooner" (425ml). Elsewhere asking for a "Schooner" will get you a medium sized glass while a "pint" obtains the larger size. Confused?

The most famous name worldwide is Castlemaine XXXX but other common names you will see, and quickly become familiar with, include: VB (Victoria Beer), Carlton Cold and Tooheys. Note that Fosters, marketed overseas as the typical Aussie lager, is not widely consumed within Australia. International beers and the ubiquitous Guinness can be found in the larger cities. Ales and bitters are also brewed and widely drunk in Australia often as specialist labels or seasonal productions.

Wine is fast becoming popular with Australians for a tipple and Australia is at the forefront of the New World wine revolution that is such a success internationally. Hardy's Stamp and Jacob's Creek are two famous labels now exported around the world - and there are literally hundreds of smaller wine producers around the country. Wine is good value and generally of high quality.

Australian tastes in spirits follow the British preferences - gin, whiskey, vodka and rum are widely available.

Australia Geography

Australia's division into six states and two territories is probably the best way to get a handle on the geography of this vast country. There's so much, though, that this can only be a broad generalisation at best. Basically, the most populated areas are on the East Coast and in the South.

The term "Outback" is flexible, but often means anything west of Queensland and NSW. Properly it refers to the very interior of the country.

The Australian Capital Territory
ACT is the Australian version of America's District of Columbia - an independent locale for the nation's capital, Canberra. Situated in the Southeast corner between the larger cities of Melbourne and Sydney, Canberra's a great city destination in its own right, especially for families, but it's rarely the sole reason that people travel to Australia.

New South Wales
NSW is the country's most populated state, and is where many travellers begin their holidays. Sydney is the largest city, and the country's premier settlement (see our Sydney guide), but like the rest of Australia, NSW has its fair share of rural and wild country. The Snowy Mountains and the southern end of the Great Dividing Range are perfect sites for adventurous or sporty holidays and include world-class ski slopes. The coast, meanwhile, is a mix of developed and undeveloped regions of great natural beauty.

Western Australia
WA is the largest and least densely populated state in Australia, with almost three-quarters of the region's inhabitants living in the capital, Perth. The climate is variable, ranging from merely Mediterranean in the south to tropical in the north. The landscape similarly changes from lush coastal areas to the harsh bleak beauty of the interior.

Northern Territory
This is the Australia of legend - the Northern Territory is the heart of the Outback, containing Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and old mining towns. But there's also the region known as the 'Top End', a location of vast wetlands containing the multicultural city of Darwin.

South Australia
SA is the driest state of Australia, but paradoxically it also has some of the best wine-growing areas of the country - notably the Barossa Valley. The capital, Adelaide, is absolutely beautiful, a perfect mix of graciousness, urbanity and neatness.

Queensland
The Sunshine State of Australia is one of the most visited regions - with the beaches, the Barrier Reef (Cairns) and the Whitsunday Islands drawing tourists from all over the world. Away from the coast you'll find great variety, with the mountains of the Great Divide, vast forests and the Outback encroaching on various parts of the state's interior. Exploring Queensland is one of the most rewarding ways to get a taste for all Australia's variety in only a portion of the country.

Victoria
In Australian terms, Victoria is tiny - yet it's the most densely populated and industrialised of Australia's regions. The capital is Melbourne, a modern and vibrant city that is rich in culture. The other main attractions are the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of highway along the coast renowned for its natural beauty. You should also visit the goldfields and the high country of the Grampians.

Tasmania
The island of Tasmania makes up the last and the smallest of Australia's states, and is perhaps the least characteristically Australian of them all. The climate is much colder than the rest of the country, and the landscape greener, softer and altogether more European. Tasmania is slow, pristine, underpopulated and has a fascinating - and sometimes disturbing - history that is well worth exploring. Hobart is the capital.

Australia Health & Safety

No vaccinations are required by law to enter Australia unless you are arriving from a country infected by Yellow Fever in the week preceding arrival.

Water in towns and cities is safe to drink. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance before travelling to Australia. Standards of health care are very high but doctors and hospitals may require payment immediately for any treatment provided. A reciprocal agreement with the UK means that emergency hospital treatment is free for UK residents. You will have to apply for the waiver but can do so following any treatment you receive. For non-essential medical attention, ambulance transport and prescription drugs you will be charged.

Note that the sun in Australia is very harsh indeed - use loads of sun cream, cover up, wear hats and sunglasses - and make sure that the kids do too. Getting seriously sunburnt in the first few days of your holiday will ruin the rest of it.

The other major concern for visitors is the wildlife and insects - and Australia has a vast and varied collection of dangerous animals, including spiders, snakes and certain jellyfish. However, basic precautions in this regard will make your holiday as safe as possible, and the locals will be able to explain how best to deal with any incidents. Bear in mind that the vast majority of Aussies will never be bothered by anything more harmful than mosquitoes for their whole life.

A reciprocal agreement with the UK means that emergency hospital treatment is free for UK residents. You will have to apply for the waiver but can do so following any treatment you receive. For non-essential medical attention, ambulance transport and prescription drugs you will be charged.

On the whole, Australia is one of the world's safer countries in terms of crime. People are generally good-natured towards visitors, Australians are great travellers themselves and thus largely tolerant of the many tourists that land on their own shores.

The only crime you are likely to be a victim of is petty theft, and common sense precautions are usually sufficient to deter would-be thieves. Crowded areas are naturally where your belongings are most vulnerable so watch out at any of the big tourist attractions.

British and New Zealand visitors (particularly males) might find themselves on the receiving end of "sledging" or "banter", usually good humoured teasing but often littered with bad language which may cause offence. Your interlocutor will usually apologise if you make your discomfort known. If not put it down to exuberant excess and move on.

The Aussies have a similar drink culture to the British and a few too many beers are the most common cause of altercations - simply avoid people who appear the worst for wear and you'll be fine.

Beaches are manned by life safety staff for your protection, but people are at risk while on the beach. To maximise your enjoyment of the many beautiful beaches that Australia possesses, and minimise risk, you should read these pertinent points on beach safety, as issued by the Surf Life Saving Association.

Australia History & Culture

The real history of the continent lies with the indigenous tribes of Aboriginals, who inhabited the land for 50,000 years before the first white settlers spied Australia's golden shores. Traditional Aboriginal enclaves still survive and draw tourists eager to see the ancient ways of life preserved. Historical native areas of spiritual significance similarly are tourist honey pots, particularly Ayers rock which manages to draw visitors in their thousands despite its inhospitable remote location.

Aboriginal culture itself changed very little over the thousands of years that the native tribes were alone in Australia. Learning a little about Aboriginal theology and their perception of the world provides an interesting backdrop to any visit, but especially to a trip to the Outback. In Aboriginal theology the physical world of nature, the human world of sentience and the spiritual world of the gods are all interwoven. The main aspect of the theory is the concept of the Dreamtime, a mythical time when the giant gods (manifested in natural objects) walked the earth creating the Song Lines. They created the animals and the people of Australia and left such telltale signs as Ayers Rock (Uluru) behind when they got tired of their earthly lives and disappeared into the spiritual world once more. Aboriginal tribes celebrate the gods in their "dreaming" ceremonies when dances and mimes replicate the gods' actions.

Accurately recorded history in Australia began in 1788 when the British landed 1,700 settlers to establish a penal colony and a South seas naval base for British ships. Quite what the inhabitants of the UK now feel about their erstwhile criminals inheriting one of the most interesting and varied locations in the world shouldn't be put on record.

The first European settlements were made in the Southeast, with Sydney being the first of Australia's great cities to be established at Port Jackson in January of 1788. Hobart on Tasmania was landed 15 years later, closely followed by settlements on the Brisbane River. Melbourne was established in 1835. The country's settlements rapidly grew as a result of intrepid Victorian explorers and the introduction of sheep farming.

Regional self-government was instigated largely due to the remoteness of the continent from Britain, and New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria were legally established by 1851. The gold rush of the mid-19th century pushed the frontier and attracted a great many prospectors noticeably from Ireland, Britain and Southeast Asia - further swelling the population. This new Wild West was very similar in many ways to the original American version. Vast transient and violent settlements of prospectors sprang up and pushed the borders of the country further and further into the interior. Like in California, you can still find ghost towns left over from this 19th century boom.

By the second half of the 19th century Australia was realising the need for a centralised government and constitution, and the regions began to construct closer political alliances and policies. In 1901, ratified by the British government, the Australian constitution was proclaimed and the Commonwealth of Australia came into being.

Through the 20th century Australia kept its close ties with Britain, and Australian (and New Zealand) troops fought for the Allies in both of the World Wars. Latterly though the country's role in the British commonwealth has been the subject of much debate and a referendum, with the population roughly divided fifty-fifty on whether to sever ties with Britain - including the removal of the Queen as the titular head of the country.

Australia is enjoying a boom time with good international relations worldwide. The 2000 summer Olympics held in Sydney were widely considered the best of modern times and firmly established Sydney and Australia as international destinations of note.

Australians are a very laid back and pleasant race of people on the whole, and the by-word is informality. As long as you maintain a relaxed attitude yourself, you'll find everyone to be friendly and helpful. Try to avoid appearing snobby or pretentious - this is a national pet hate, and most Aussies will feel honour-bound to take you down a peg or two.

For the most part, Australians display great tolerance for race, gender, sexual persuasion and religion. However, Aussie males have a bad reputation for being boorish at times and certain areas of the country can be politically and racially conservative - usually away from the cities. There is also something of a machismo culture and other males (particularly Brits) may find themselves the butt of a few jokes or challenges. It's best not to rise to it as your challenger (whether verbal or physical) will be a lot more practised than you - and in any case it is normally good natured in intent and you'll only cause amusement if you take offence.

Note that swearing, certainly amongst males, is tantamount to a national sport and if you are easily shocked at cursing you'll spend your time in a permanent state of disapproval.

A drink culture similar to Britain's also exists, and the weekends are a nationwide party when people go out to drink and make merry.

Australia Money

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD). AUD1=100 cents.
Notes: AUD5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
Coins: AUD1, 2 and 5, 10, 20, 50 cents
Credit cards: All major credit cards are widely accepted in cities but use may be restricted in outback areas and small towns.

Cash point machines are widespread and can be used to withdraw local currency directly from your bank. You will be charged per transaction by your bank for using this facility though and should check before leaving as to how much these charges will amount to.

Bureaux de Change can be found in all major cities and airports but you should ensure that you have sufficient local currency when travelling in rural areas where exchange facilities may not be provided.

Traveller's cheques are widely accepted by many hotels, restaurants and larger stores. You are advised to carry traveller's cheques in Australian Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banks are open Mon-Thu 09h30-16h00 and Fri 09h30-17h00.

Below are approximate costs for the following items:

Australia adds a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% on to the price of all goods and services bought in Australia, including accommodation, tour guides, meals and ground travel. Wine carries an "equalisation tax" of 14.5%.

Through the Tourist Refund Scheme (TFS), it is possible for all visitors to claim back the 10% GST paid on goods worth AUD300 or over which were bought at the same store. You can also claim your tax back on wine. The refund only applies to goods that are taken out of Australia as hand luggage.

Tax refunds can be claimed at the airport on production of the bought items, bill of sale including your tax invoice from the retailer, your passport and your exit ticket. Tax refund booths at the airport will provide immediate cash settlement on amounts under AUD200. For larger amounts you can either accept a cheque or arrange for the amount to be credited to your account. Australian Customs provides information if you have any doubts as to your eligibility for a refund. Tel: 1300-363-263 (within Australia), or Email: information@customs.gov.au.

Australian tipping culture is similar to America's and you'll find waiting staff at restaurants and hotel porters expect tips. However the amounts given are more British and simply rounding up the tab for snacks or giving ten per cent for dinner in restaurants is an acceptable amount. Leave small tips on the table or hand them directly to your waiter.

Australia Phrasebook

Although the main language of Australia is English, you'll be excused for not recognising much of what is said to you during your stay. Australians have a vast range of nicknames for just about everything and talk quickly. Here are a few "aussie" words to brush up on before your trip.

Australia See & Do

There are an unparalled selection of attractions scattered around this country - the only drawback is the sometimes vast distances between them. On a short visit you will need to be selective and it is probably wisest to concentrate your attentions on one region.

The most enduring image of Australia is the imposing vista of Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is properly known. Almost exactly in the centre of the country, this huge 350m high monolith has been a sacred site for the Aboriginal tribes for thousands of years.

The local Anangu people prefer that visitors respect the cultural and spiritual significance of Uluru, and refrain from climbing it. If you do insist on climbing there are marked areas to stay within and be aware that it is quite a strenuous climb. Ensure you visit the Cultural Centre at the resort to enrich your understanding of the local environment and people.

King's Canyon and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are within easy reach of Uluru and Ayers Rock resort and are well worth the effort to visit. The bottom of the 250m-deep chasm of King's Canyon is filled with lush vegetation known as the "Garden of Eden" and stands in startling contrast to the surrounding desert terrain. The domes of Kata Tjuta tower 200m higher than Uluru, and, for many people, are just as impressive as their more famous neighbour. There are 36 separate domes and hidden within are several Aboriginal sacred and cultural sites that you are asked to respect.

See our Ayers Rock guide for more details of the area.

Off the Queensland coast, and stretching for over 2000km, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most spectacular natural features. Home to millions of marine animal species, the living reef has a unique eco-system of its own and although fragile it literally teems with colourful and wonderful life. Naturally it is one of the world's most popular sites for diving and snorkelling. Sparklingly clear waters mean that the reef is clearly visible from tour boats as well if you don't fancy getting wet.

Other than diving and reef spotting, there's snorkelling, fishing, and simply spending time on some of the 74 Whitsunday Islands - paradise come true.

New World wines are becoming very well established internationally and Australian wine is familiar to everyone. The wine industry is on a huge scale and although vines are grown in almost every Australian state, two of the best regions are the Big River Country and the Barossa Valley of South Australia, and New South Wales's Hunter Valley. In the latter alone, there are just over 70 wineries. Most allow some kind of visit and of course a tasting and it's a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. Check for the vineyard closest to where you're staying.

The biggest city in Australia, and the busiest, Sydney's hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games was widely considered to be the best such event in the modern history of the games. You can tour the magnificent Stadium Australia where the main events were held, but there is much more to see in this beautiful city.

The twin icons of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge dominate the harbour and a tour of the former and a climb of the latter are unforgettable experiences. Australia's finest art galleries and museums are also contained within the city, while an international range of restaurants, clubs and bars keep entertainment levels high. Best of all is the all-pervasive friendly atmosphere which makes Sydney many visitors' favourite destination in Australia.

See our Sydney guide for more details of the city.

Aussies have not only embraced but have defined the modern beach lifestyle the world over. The entire coast of the country is amply blessed with beautiful beaches, and for the people who live nearby the beach is central to recreation and social life.

From the built-up beaches of Surfer's Paradise and the Gold Coast to abandoned stretches of the Southwest of the country around Perth, there's more coastal sands than you could hope to discover in a lifetime. Walk and fish the remote stretches of sand on the Western Coast, or hire yourself a boogie or surf board, grow your hair long and hit the waves on Bondi. And whichever you choose, round it off with a traditional Aussie beach barbie.

Although the Kimberleys are not Australia's most famous destination, they are certainly worth a trip. Located in the Northwest of the country, the region still has the feel of unexplored frontier about it, and is quintessential wild Australia hundreds of miles from any big city.

The vast expanse of the Great Sandy Desert (named in typical no-nonsense Aussie style) is to the south while the Kimberleys themselves hide the Bungle Bungle sandstone mountains and fabulous river gorges that once were part of a coral reef. When the magnificent storms of the wet season starts, it is as if you are transported to another, primeval, time.

Home to just 30,000 people the sense of isolation is only heightened when you come across one of the ranching towns that dot the plateau or head for the bigger settlements and you're rewarded with unspoiled stretches of crenellated coastline, great for fishing and cruising.

The Australians are an adventurous lot, used to having a huge country to play in and keen to squeeze every bit of thrill and ounce of enjoyment out of life as possible. Any type of adventure and outdoor activity is abundantly represented, and undertaken with a bizarre mix of laid back insouciance and pumping adrenaline.

White water rafting, bungee-jumping, sky-diving, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, climbing, skiing, game fishing, ballooning... the list is endless. The tourist cities such as Sydney and Brisbane offer loads of chances to do any coastal activities or head for the Snowy Mountains in NSW for cracking snow sports.

And do not pass up the chance to dive the Great Barrier Reef. If you fancy seriously exploring the Outback we recommend you take an organised tour or employ an experienced guide - it's a big place and if you get lost you're not likely to get found again.

Many people imagine Australia as a vast expanse of scrubland, mountains and desert, and most of it is. But the cities are also worthy of a lot more attention than people might think. Most people will take in some of Sydney's cultural charms but you should also check out Brisbane's frenetic friendliness.

Melbourne meanwhile employs fashionable style against Sydney's US scale and is a pleasant city of pavement cafés and trams. Out West you can mix in an exploration of the empty territories with a dose of laid back urbanity in Perth on the coast. One of the lesser visited cities is in fact one of the most pleasant - compact Hobart on the island of Tasmania has a lot to offer the visitor seeking some less crowded comfort.

80 per cent of Australia's flora and fauna is not found anywhere else in the world. From the cute koala to the frankly terrifying bushmaster snake each creature has its place in a unique eco-system.

You can take a bush safari into the Outback or one of the many national parks to see some of the creatures in their natural habitats. But even if you self-drive across country the abundance of wildlife is such that you're bound to see some of Australia's curious creatures somewhere along the way. Kangaroos are the most prevalent but if you're lucky and sharp you might also see snakes, lizards and koalas to name just a few. Some creatures like the utterly unlikely duck billed platypus (the world's only venomous mammal) are easier to see in captivity, and yet others like the taipan or brown snakes are definitely better seen from behind glass.

All of Australia's cities can boast modern facilities where animals are properly cared for so head for the local zoo if you can't afford the time to take a trip into the bush.

For 50,000 years before European Captain Cook first dropped his anchor in Botany Bay the Aboriginal peoples of Australia had walked the land. They developed a highly sophisticated culture based on close links between the natural and spiritual world and their story is a fascinating one of no little tragedy as they were increasingly marginalised by settlers.

Nowadays, the Aboriginal legacy is carefully preserved both by the current generations of native people and in the modern cultural institutions of Australia. Exploring the history of this ancient race through their stories of the Dreamtime, rock paintings and other art, and learning how they survived for thousands of years in the harsh outback environment helps you to attach a deeper significance to the history, animals and landscape of Australia.

Australia Transport

Travel around Australia is dominated by one over-riding feature of the
country - its sheer size. Sydney to Perth for example is a journey of over
4000km (over 2550 miles). To break this down, that means three days
by train or coach, or about four days in a car. Of course,
it's only four hours by plane, which shows why air travel
is by far the most popular form of long distance domestic transport.
Take a note of when public holidays fall as these may
affect your transport options.

For simply getting from one place to another,
the Aussie rail network isn't all that much to

write home about. However, if you are one
of those that enjoy
long and luxurious rail trips,
then this is the country for you.
Enjoy the spectacular scenery at a relaxed pace
in one of the double-decker cross-country trains.

Although there are many individual rail companies,
they are all covered by an umbrella company,
Rail Australia, which helps make booking easier.
If you are going to be doing a lot of travel,
you should consider buying one of the many regional
or national passes available for varying
lengths of stay. Popular tickets include the
East Coast and New South Wales passes,
which are available to cover various areas of those two regions.

An Austrail flexi-pass gives you any 15 or 22 days of
travel in six months. However, the flexi-pass does not cover certain trips, including to Alice Springs from Sydney or Melbourne, so check before you buy. Seats still have to be booked in advance for journeys covered with the flexi-pass, so plan your itinerary carefully.

Lovers of train travel may want to consider
the Great Southern Railway Pass.
This gives unlimited travel on the continent's
epic journeys, including the Ghan and the Indian Pacific,
over a six month period. Prices start at AUD450 for students/backpackers
and AUD590 for adults.

You can speak with one of our consultants to book your rail pass

Travelling around Australia by coach has to be seen as the last option - or the
budget option. It is very cheap but before you consider this, ask yourself
how long you are prepared to sit in a single seat for - then see if your trip is feasible.
Remember that in a coach unlike a car, you don't have the option of stopping
when and where you like, and, unlike a train, you can't get up and walk around -
you're in it for the long haul, and in Australia that is seriously long.

Although there are many companies serving various regions, there's only one major
national bus company, McCafferty's/Greyhound. For bookings, call the national
number: Tel: 13-14-99. The Sydney terminal can be contacted
on Tel: +61 (0)2-9212-1500.

If you have plenty of time on your hands, or are travelling on a tight budget, you can
purchase an Aussie Pass for unlimited travel on the
Greyhound network over anything up to a year.
Various passes covering various regions are available.

Australia is seriously spread out, even suburban city blocks represent
a medium length walk and it's no surprise that private transport is king.
Almost everyone owns a car, and in the less urbanised areas
(the vast majority of the country), a car is vital, as the
public transport options can be limited or non-existent.

However,
if you are going to be spending time in cities
that are far apart, consider hiring different
cars in each destination and flying between
the cities, otherwise the distances are
unmanageable. If you are planning to drive
between cities, then generally a conventional
car is suitable. If, however, you wish to drive
on isolated tracks a 4-Wheel-Drive
may be necessary. Especially in the North the
wet season can seriously affect road surface
quality and make smaller roads completely impassable.

Tourists driving in Australia must carry their national driving
licence and passport at all times. If the licence is not in English,
you must also carry an International Driving Permit
or a translation of the licence into English. These must be
carried along with your national driving licence.
Driving is on the left and you must overtake on the right.
Seat belts must be worn where fitted. In general the speed
limit is 60km per hour (35mph) in cities, and 80-110km per
hour (50-68mph) on highways unless otherwise stated.
Slightly different regulations apply state to state so you
should check as you move about the country, and carefully
observe roadsigns. Note that left turning on red lights is
permitted only when roadsigns indicate it.

Of course, all the usual international car hire companies
operate in Australia.

The following table provides approximate driving distances between
Australian cities. Kilometres in the lower left of the table,
miles in the upper right.

If you are going to travel long distances through the unpopulated areas of the
Outback, which is really not recommended at all,
there are some basic precautions to take:

1. Tell someone where you are going and arrange to check in with
them when you get there.

2. Take along plenty of water, check spare tyres and make sure you have
enough fuel - take spare petrol if you think you might need it.

3. Remember, some of the smaller roads marked on maps may only be
passable by 4WD vehicles (and even then only for the dry season in the far north).

4. Beware of the huge "Road Trains" - truck and trailer combos
that can be over 50 metres long and simply can't stop in a short distance.
Give them right of way at all times.

5. Make sure you have a Kangaroo bar fitted. Kangaroos are a
lot larger than you might think and although distressing to hit one,
without a Kangaroo bar it can be deadly. The impact is bad
enough, but irreparably damaging your car is just as serious
when you're hundreds of miles away from your destination.

For distances over about 800km
(500 miles), you'd be crazy not
to consider flying - especially if
you don't have that much time
for your holiday. There are
domestic routes between
all of Australia's larger cities
and a great many smaller
regional airports offering
direct domestic routes. You'll often find the smaller

the destination the greater the cost but when this
is offset against the difficulties of arranging
alternative transportation you'll find air travel
doesn't represent bad value.In any case
international tourists willfind that there are
always a great number of discounts and
special deals available to them on internal
flights and if you book far
enough in advance (a couple of
weeks) you can often secure reduced
price tickets.

If you will be doing a lot of travelling, consider
getting an air travel pass before arriving in Oz, or
alternatively arrange a ticket that offers you a certain
number of transfers within Australia during your stay.

There is a departure tax of AUD38 imposed on all
international departures. This is always added to the
price of air tickets bought in Australia and is included
in most, but not all, return air fares on most airlines
that fly in and out of Australia. The tax must be paid
at the airport if it hasn't been included in the original
ticket price.

Australia Visas & Embassies

The following information regarding visa requirements is intended as a guide only. Since visa regulations can change frequently we are unable to guarantee that information will be updated immediately and recommend that you contact the relevant embassy or consulate before travel.

An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an invisible, electronic visa that permits a stay in Australia of up to three months.

# ETA can be processed if resident in and applying in Hong Kong.

Australia Weather

Australia is situated deep in the Southern Hemisphere so seasons are the opposite to those of North America and Europe. Summer and spring months are Nov-Mar; winter and autumn are Apr-Sep. Australia's tremendous size though means that there is significant climatic variation: The extreme north of the country is tropical, while the south largely temperate.

Choose a domestic or international city for a full weather forecast updated throughout the day: