Here's some basic information for you when it comes to travel to Australia...
CAPITAL
Canberra
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
English
EMERGENCIES
Dial 000
FLAG
Australia's flag has the Union Jack of the United Kingdom in the top left
hand corner. The large star in the bottom left corner is known as the
Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the states in 1901. The star
depicts one point for each of the original states, and one representing all of
Australia's territories. The remaining stars represent the Southern Cross
constellation.
MONEY
Australia's currency is dollars and cents. There are $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes and 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c, $1 and $2 coins.
A Goods and Services Tax is charged at 10 percent on almost all items and services and is included in the price quoted except for where
it is clearly marked. GST exemption is available on more expensive items bought at shops bearing the "Duty-Free" sticker which are
to be sent or taken out of the country.
TIME
Australia has 3 time ones: Eastern Standard Time (TAS, VIC, NSW, QLD), Central Standard Time
(SA, NT) and Western Standard
Time (WA). Eastern Standard Time is 10 hours ahead of GMT and 15 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. When it's 10pm in Sydney, it's noon
in London, 7am in New York and 4am in Los Angeles. In the summer Oz observes daylight savings time, setting clocks forward an hour on the last Sunday in
October and; clocks are wound back in the first Sunday of the following March except in QLD, NT, and WA.
BUSINESS HOURS
Office hours are generally from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Most government offices are open from around 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday
to Friday. Shops are usually open from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. Some shops also offer late night
shopping on Thursday or Friday and will stay open until 9pm.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 240/250V AC, 50 Hz, as in Europe; three-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed
for DC supply or different voltages need a transformer.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Australia uses the metric system of measurements. Distances are in kilometres, petrol is bought in litres, and food is
weighed in kilos. While dress sizes are the same as in the UK (US 6 is Australian 8), shoe sizes are unique to the country.
SEASONS
Summer lasts from November to February, winter from June to September. However, in the tropical north the important seasonal
distinction is between the Wet (summer) and the Dry (winter). For more information on when to visit NZ,
click here...
DID YOU KNOW?
The world's longest continuous fence known as the 'dingo fence', runs through central Queensland for 5,531 kilometres. It
is 1.8 meters high and is designed to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog.
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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