Australia Helpful Information

Culture

Australia is home to the oldest living culture on Earth. Indigenous Australians, or Aboriginals, are thought to have arrived on the continent from Asia between 65,000 and 80,000 years ago. By the time of European settlement in 1788 Aboriginal peoples had occupied and utilized the entire continent, Tasmania, and the Torres Strait Islands and adapted successfully to a large range of ecological and climatic conditions. They had more than 250 different and distinct language groups, and today they represent 3.3% of the total Australian population. As for the rest of our population, Australia is the most ethnically diverse country in the world. With 26% of Australians being born overseas and 49% of people having at least one parent born overseas, Australia has 100 religions and 300 ethnic groups in our cultural melting pot.

Population

With a population of just over 27 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and is the sixth largest country in the world in land area. The majority of Australians live along the coast and in major cities, and around 75% of the population live in urban areas.

Entry Visas for Australia

If you are planning a holiday to Australia, you will need to apply for either a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). Please check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for full details.

Peak Travel Periods

Australia can be very busy during the festive season and over special event periods, especially in popular destinations such as Sydney. To avoid disappointment, please ensure you book well in advance if you wish to travel over these periods.

Language & Foreign Speaking Guides

English is the major language of Australia, but with our diverse population, we have access to Driver/Guides and Touring Guides who speak Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and several other languages.

Banking & Money Access

Major banks are generally open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 9:30 am-4:00 pm, with Money/ Foreign Exchange booths open 7 days a week in the larger city centres or tourist areas. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) operate on a PIN number system. Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day by credit card, as long as you have a pin setup on your card. Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is very common. International credit cards (American Express, VISA, and MasterCard) are accepted in most places. Travellers’ cheques may be changed at banks, hotels, Money/Foreign Exchange booths and large stores in the main cities and tourist areas.

Goods & Services Tax

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to all services in Australia, and all rates quoted are inclusive of this tax.

Public Holiday Surcharges

During public and bank holidays, many restaurants and cafés may add a 10 to 20% surcharge on top of your total bill. This does not apply to pre-booked meals or services organised by us.

Tipping Guidelines

In Australia tipping is generally not customary and is only exercised as a genuine thank you for receiving great service. There is no obligation to tip, although the practice is common within the restaurant and tourism transport industries. A good tip in Australia would be considered 10% of the total payment.

Electricity Supply

Australia’s AC electricity supply operates at 240 volts, 50 hertz. Special plugs to convert your appliances to the Australia plug 3 pin system (Type I) can be easily purchased.

Time Difference & Daylight Savings

Australia has 3 standard time zones across the country being Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACT) and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). Daylight savings is observed in the States of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia only and is typically from the first Sunday in October through to the first Sunday in April. See www.timeanddate.com/time/change/australia

Public Holidays

To see what the public holidays are in each State and Territory in Australia please visit the Tourism Australia website.

Helpful Links & Event Calendar

Here are some helpful links to assist you and your clients with planning their vacation to Australia:

• Tourism Australia for Consumers
• What’s on in Brisbane, Cairns and Queensland
• Sydney Events and New South Wales Events
• Melbourne and Victoria Events
• Tasmania Events
• What's on in South Australia
• Festivals and Events in Northern Territory
• Things to do in Western Australia

Australian Domestic Flights

Australian airlines have strict checked luggage policies as well as the weight and size of carry-on luggage. To avoid problems, please ensure each piece of check-in luggage complies with airline regulations. For carry-on luggage, only a very small suitcase or soft bag is recommended at a maximum weight of 7kgs/15lbs. Laptop bags, camera bags or handbags are allowed in addition to carry-on luggage.

Travel Times By Air

Many visitors are unaware of the size of Australia, and the flight times involved when travelling throughout the country. When time is limited, we recommend that your clients fly between major cities. The following chart provides an estimate of flight times between key cities.

Travel Documents

Clients are provided with comprehensive documentation on arrival in Australia at their first hotel. Along with a detailed day-by-day itinerary, we include destination guides, an Australia map and brochures for suggested sightseeing. Contact details and supplier confirmation numbers are also included on the itinerary.

Travel Insurance & Safety

We highly recommend that all clients have comprehensive travel insurance. Australia is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. However, you are advised to observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country or at home.
Australia’s public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment.

Climate

The southern parts of Australia have four distinct seasons and are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. When it is winter in Europe and North America, it is summer in Australia. You will hardly see snow, apart from the mountainous regions in eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales. Australia’s north is in the tropics. There are two seasons, the dry and the wet, and both have high temperatures all year round. The centre has a typical desert climate with hot days and cold nights, which can be freezing in winter. For today’s weather throughout Australia, go to the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology.

Driving in Australia

In Australia we drive on the left in right hand drive vehicles. Australia is a vast country, and terrain can vary from motorways to rural unsealed gravel roads. To ensure driver safety, we will plan your itinerary with comfortably achievable driving days based on you being an accomplished driver. If you are a less confident driver, not familiar with driving on the left or not accustomed to open single carriageway (with no barrier between directional traffic), then we would recommend alternative means of transportation.

You must have a current overseas driver licence in English, or international driving permit if your licence is not in English. We want you to have a great trip and arrive safely at your destination and recommend you study the Australian road rules before you depart. The Tourism Australia website provides some helpful information on driving in Australia.