| Weather and the Environment | | | | leaving Australia. |
| - Guard against sunburn at all times, but particularly in | | | | Language and Religion |
| summer. Use a wide brimmed hat, 15+ sunscreen, | | | | - There is no official religion in Australia. Churches can |
| sunglasses, protecting clothes and shoes. Australian | | | | be located in most towns for both the Catholic and |
| sunlight has very high UV levels and skin damage | | | | Church of England faith. Other general religions are |
| occurs quickly, especially during the middle of the day. | | | | Methodist, Presbyterian and Uniting Church. Places of |
| - Check future storm fronts for signs of a greenish | | | | worship for Jewish, Moslem, Buddist and other religious |
| tinge. This often indicates a hail storm that may cause | | | | denominations not frequent to Australia will only be |
| damage to persons and property. | | | | found in the major towns and cities. |
| - Always observe correct beach safety. Swim only at | | | | - Need an interpreter? The telecommunications |
| patrolled beaches. Only swim between flagged areas. | | | | provider Telstra offers a 24 hour translation and |
| If in doubt, ask. Always check for caution signs. | | | | interpreter service for an extensive range of |
| - If you intend to swim in shallow coastal waters north | | | | languages. Dial 13 14 50. The local white pages |
| of Gladstone, make it your business to be educated | | | | telephone book will give more information. |
| about box jellyfish (marine stingers). Usually found in | | | | Medical and Pharmaecutical |
| shallow waters near creek or river mouths, more likely | | | | - Australian nationals and New Zealand visitors are |
| after local rain, usually absent in rough water. Not | | | | covered by Medicare, the national health cover |
| usually found over deep water or coral. Stinger season | | | | scheme. It does not apply to visitors from any other |
| is usually from December to March in the Gladstone | | | | country. |
| (south) area and longer, from October to June, in the | | | | - Visitors should always get medical cover insurance |
| Cairns (north) area. Most popular beaches in the | | | | prior to departure from their home country. |
| stinger areas are netted to give swimmer protection. | | | | - Visitors will only require specific vaccinations if they |
| - At all times wear thick soled shoes when walking in | | | | have traveled through an area infected with yellow |
| shallow tropical waters or reef walking as protection | | | | fever. Visitors passing through other countries when |
| against the highly disguised stonefish. It has dorsal | | | | entering or leaving Australia should check the |
| spikes which will rupture the skin of the foot and inject | | | | vaccination needs of those countries. |
| poison causing extreme swelling and agony. Deaths | | | | - All cities and most towns offer 24 hour medical |
| have been occurred as a result of stonefish poisoning. | | | | facilities by way of private practice clinics or |
| - There are other venomous creatures on the reef | | | | government run hospital amenities. They will be listed in |
| such as some of the cone shell species and coral | | | | the telephone book of the area you are visiting. |
| snakes, both of which are capable of causing death. If | | | | - Chemists are located in all towns and cities all over |
| you intend spending time on the Barrier Reef without | | | | Australia. The Australian chemist does not operate the |
| expert guidance, ensure you have a good knowledge | | | | "soda fountain" type of drug store found in the USA. |
| of what can harm you before you start. | | | | Telephone and Communications |
| Road Travel | | | | - In an emergency dial 000 (not 999). This will connect |
| - Australian traffic drives on the left hand side of the | | | | you to the ambulance, fire and police services. |
| road. | | | | - Phone cards are a popular way of accessing the |
| - If you are in doubt about your driving license being | | | | public phone system. Cards are obtainable from |
| acknowledged in Australia, obtain an International | | | | selected newsagents and stores. Select public phones |
| License from your local automobile association prior to | | | | also accept credit cards. Public phone call assistance is |
| your departure. | | | | available by dialing 013. |
| - Road speed limits differ between states but are | | | | Tips and Gratuities |
| usually 100-110kph on the highways and 50-60kph in | | | | - Australians working in the tourist, hospitality and |
| built-up areas. Interstate highways are not of the same | | | | transport industries are paid a minimum salary. Tipping |
| standard as USA and European highway systems but | | | | is not normal practice but is generally considered a |
| nor do they carry the same traffic volumes. | | | | suitable gesture of approval when the level of service |
| - Don't hitch-hike, it is illegal. | | | | has exceeded expectations. A tip of around 10% |
| - Never leave small children or animals locked in | | | | would be considered appropriate. |
| vehicles in very hot weather. Dehydration occurs very | | | | Customs, Quarantine and Visas |
| rapidly. This practice is illegal. | | | | - To enter Australia you will need an up to date |
| - The most serious danger on the road is fatigue. Look | | | | passport valid for the duration of your stay and a valid |
| for driver refreshment stations and pull off and rest | | | | tourist visa issued in your own country and entered |
| after driving for some hours. | | | | into the passport prior to the travel date. New Zealand |
| - Be cautious when driving on country roads at night in | | | | visitors are exempt from these requirements and are |
| cold weather. Cattle and native animals such as | | | | granted an entry permit on arrival. Visa applications are |
| kangaroos lie on the bitumen road surface which holds | | | | made to the Australian Embassy, Consulate or High |
| the warmth of the sun. Car lights blind and mesmerise | | | | Commission, as applicable, in your home country. Make |
| the animals and they may just as easily run into your | | | | sure you apply for the correct visa type. For example, |
| vehicle as run away from it. | | | | if you plan to work, you will need to apply for a work |
| - When traveling on remote outback roads/tracks, | | | | permit which is generally limited to singles under 25 and |
| always tell someone at the destination of your | | | | which only allows for casual work to be performed for |
| expected arrival time and number of people in your | | | | up to 3 months. Tourist visas are usually valid for a |
| party. If you fail to arrive within a reasonable time, help | | | | stay of 3 or 6 months. At the time of making your visa |
| procedures can be started. Do NOT leave your | | | | application you will have to sign an undertaking that |
| vehicle as a missing vehicle is much easier to find that | | | | you have an outward bound ticket and sufficient funds |
| a missing person. | | | | for the period of your stay. |
| - When traveling on unsurfaced or poor quality roads, | | | | - No duty is payable on personal effects. Adults may |
| always carry out a vehicle check before starting off | | | | carry up to 250 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcoholic liquor |
| on the next sector. | | | | in their personal effects provided it is carried with them. |
| - Extra care is needed when sharing the road with | | | | Duty and sales tax is applied to dutiable goods |
| road-trains. These are main movers with multiple | | | | exceeding A$400. Strict regulations apply to narcotics |
| trailers of cattle attached and are about 50 metres | | | | and prohibited substances. |
| (170 feet) long. Always give them plenty of space as | | | | - When entering Australia you will have to surrender all |
| the buffeting from displaced air as you pass in | | | | fresh food, animal and plant products and any |
| opposite directions can be quite severe. Allow at least | | | | unprocessed foodstuffs. You will be required to sign a |
| 1 kilometre (3000 feet) of clear road before overtaking | | | | statement to this effect. This is a quarantine regulation |
| a road train. | | | | to prevent the entry of foreign organisms that may |
| - Do not try to cross flooded rivers and causeways | | | | have a harmful effect on Australia's native vegetation, |
| unless you are sure of the water depth and road | | | | wildlife and farming goods. |
| surface damage. Most flash floods recede within 24 | | | | - Strict policys apply to the import and export of |
| hours. | | | | protected wildlife and items made from protected |
| - Dirt from passing vehicles on outback roads can | | | | species. Any such items will be seized by customs |
| obscure your vision. Don't take risks, slow down or | | | | officials upon arrival. |
| stop until it settles. | | | | Currency, Banks and Shops |
| Air Travel | | | | - Major shopping centres do not open on Sundays. |
| - Steer clear of flying early morning and late afternoon | | | | Tourism oriented outlets do have a 7 day trade as do |
| on the eastern seaboard routes. These flights are | | | | convenience stores supplying essential needs. |
| usually heavily booked by business people traveling | | | | - Banks are only open Mondays through Fridays and |
| between the capital cities. | | | | usually only between the hours of 9.00 to 4.00. Most |
| - Require extra leg room? Ask to be seated in a row | | | | towns have automatic teller machines to cater for |
| that serves the exit doors as these rows seem to | | | | after-hours transactions. |
| have more room. | | | | - Australian currency consists of 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2 |
| - When checking in and getting seat allocation, ask if | | | | as coins. Notes are $5 $10 $20 $50 and $100. |
| your seat is in the first row immediately adjacent one | | | | Electrical Appliances |
| of the large central video screens. You may wish to | | | | - Australian electricity supply is 220-240 volts. Most |
| ask for a different spot, especially if on a long | | | | electronics stores stock adaptors for 110v appliances |
| international flight. | | | | as well as adaptors for 220-240v appliances with |
| - A departure tax of A$30 per adult is payable when | | | | different plug types. |