TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(AUD)
Australian Dollar |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 61, City Code, Central East 2+8D, South East 3+8D, Queensland
7+8D, Central and West 8+8D |
Climate
and clothing:
Most of southern Australia has warm summers and mild winters (seasons
are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere). Light-weight
clothing can be worn year-round except in the more temperate regions
during winter; warmer clothes and an overcoat are then required.
Customs
and Visas: In general, when visitors arrive in Australia they
must present a visitor's visa issued by an Australian Embassy
or consulate or an Electronic Travel Authority issued by
the travel agent or airline to eligible nationalities, including
United States citizens.
Immunizations
are not usually required for travelers when arriving directly
from the United States, New Zealand, or Europe. Health requirements
change; before departure, check with an airline ticket office,
the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC, or the nearest Australian
consulate general.
No restrictions
are placed on bringing U.S. dollars into or out of Australia.
No more than 5,000 Australian dollars in Australian currency notes
may be taken out. Letters of credit, travelers checks, and U.S.
currency are freely negotiable. A tourist's personal property
generally is exempt from customs duty. Pets are allowed entry
only after long periods of quarantine outside Australia, if at
all.
Health:
Australia has no unusual health problems or serious endemic diseases,
and no special health precautions are necessary for tourists.
Hospitals are modern.
Telecommunications:
Reliable international telephone, telegraph, telex, and postal
services are available. Tourist attractions: Australians are great
sports enthusiasts. Horse racing, cricket, tennis, rugby, and
Australian football attract large crowds. The Sydney-Hobart Yacht
Race commences December 26; the yachting armada streaming out
the majestic Heads of Sydney Harbor is a magnificent sight. Surfing
carnivals are staged by Surf Life Saving Associations on summer
weekends in many parts of Australia. Melbourne is renowned for
fine race and golf courses and for its Royal Botanical Garden.
Sites of interest include the National Museum (natural history)
and the Old Melbourne Gaol and Penal Museum -- a prison built
in 1841, with relics from the more colorful chapters of Australian
history.
In Sydney,
favorite attractions are the tour of its breathtaking harbor;
the Sydney Opera House, with its striking architecture; the Rocks
area, often referred to as "the cradle of Sydney;" and the Taronga
Park Zoo. The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland,
is renowned as well.
Time
zones: Australia has three time zones. When the U.S. east
coast is on daylight saving time, the Australian east coast is
14 hours ahead, i.e., 6 p.m. eastern daylight time is 8 a.m. the
next day on the Australian east coast. When the U.S. resumes standard
time and Australia assumed daylight savings time, the difference
generally becomes 16 hours.
National
holidays: New Year's Day, Australia Day (Jan. 26 or the first
Monday after that date), Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day
(April 25), Queen's Birthday (second Monday in June), Christmas
Day, Boxing Day (Dec. 26).
