FAQ
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Why visit Australia?
- Natural beauty
- Appealling climate
- Unique wildlife
- Multiculturalism
- Ancient Aboriginal culture
- Food and wine
- Variety of activities
- Great value for money
- Safe destination
How far away is Australia?
Down Under is not as far as you think! A direct flight from Los Angeles to Sydney is about 14 hours. A flight from London to Sydney is abour 24 hours including a brief stopover.
How big is Australia?
The land area of Australia is almost as great as continental USA (excluding Alasaka), is about 50% greater than Western Europe and 32 times greater than the UK!
What is the climate like?
Australian seasons are the opposite to the Northern Hemisphere, summer starts in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September.
Due to its size, geographical location and the lack of extensive high mountain ranges, Australia has a wide range of climates with generally no extremes.
The average maximum temperature is 25.5C (77.3F) and the average minimum temperature is 15.7C (60.2F). This, along with the fact Australia is the driest continent on earth make our land a great all-destination. In our winter you can ski in the southern states one day and be diving in the northern states the next!
*An easy converter of Celcius to Fahrenheit is C x 2 = F + 30.
What is the population of Australia?
The population of Australia is approximately 20 million. People from more than 120 nationalities make up multicultural Australia.
Is English the official language?
Yes, English is the official language, although you will hear many colourful local terms and expressions in that unique Australian accent.
What is the capital city?
The capital city of Australia is Canberra, situated in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
What is the government structure?
Australia is a parlimentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of eight states and territories - New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Australia and is represented by the Governor-General. Australia has about 750 local government councils covering metropolitan, regional, rural and indigenous communities. The Federal Parliament comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister leads the majority party or coalition of parties in the House of Representatives.
What about visas and customs?
Anyone who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen needs a current passport and/or visa to enter and spend time in Australia. A visa must be issued in the visitor's own country and be entered in the passport before the travel date. Immigration officials may also request an ongoing ticket out of Australia and proof of funds to sustain one's stay. Australian tourist visa applications should be made to the relevant Australian Embassy or Consulate of High Commission.
Visitors can apply for Australian visas at Australian government missions overseas or electronically through travel agents and airlines in many parts of the world. Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system is the most advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system in the world. It allows visitors from 31 countries in Europe, Asia and North America to obtain authority to enter Australia when they book their travel. There is no need to compete an application form. Where the ETA is not available, a visa label or stamp in a passport is issued.
For complete visa information visit The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs www.immi.gov.au
What is the currency and banking?
The Australian currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD$), it breaks down into 100 cents. The decimal currency system has been in operation since 1966. Single cents may still be used for some prices, but as the Australian 1c and 2c coins are no longer being circulated the total amount to be paid is rounded up to the nearest 5c amount.
Bank trading hours are generally:
9:30am-4:00pm (Monday-Thursday)
9:30am-5:00pm (Friday)
There are limits to the amount of personal funds. Large amounts must be declared. Most currencies can be exchanged on arrival at the Airport (beyond immigration and customs). Banks generally offer the best exchange rates but money can also be changed at bureau de exchange, larger department stores and major hotels.
A valid passport or another form of photographic ID is usually required if you are cashing travellers cheques. The current exchange rates vary considerably day to day and are displayed on the windows or foyers of many banks. An online currency converter can be found at www.xe.com
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found in most bank lobbies or on an external wall near the banks entrance. ATM cards can be used in Australia at both ATMs and at most retail locations so long as they have been validated for international access. To access your account, cardholders are required to use their personal identification number when obtaining cash or services. Please contact your own personal bank for information on availability and services in Australia.
Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale (EFTPOS) services are also available at many retail outlets. Major international credit and charge cards including Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Diners Club are widely accepted.
Is tipping compulsary?
Tipping is optional in Australia, however 10-15% of the final bill for good service in a restaurant is welcomed, as is a couple of dollars for taxi drivers, hotel porters and bar tenders.
Is there a time difference?
There are three time zones in Australia:
Eastern Standard Time (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS) +10 UTC
Central Standard Time (SA, NT) +9.5 UTC
Western Standard Time (WA) +8 UTC
Non daylight saving time (March – October). The Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia do not participate in daylight saving time. Future daylight saving stop and start dates are 31 October 2004—27 March 2005. Australian time goes back one hour during daylight savings time. A great website for world time is www.timeanddate.com/.
What are the postal service?
Post office hours are usually Monday—Friday 9.00am—5.00pm. The post office located within Sydney Airport is open 7 days a week. All domestic mail is first class and usually arrives within one to five days depending on distance. The cost of domestic stamps range from 50c for standard postcards and letters to $2.45 for large and heavy envelopes. An envelope heavier than 500g is considered a parcel. Postcards to international destinations cost $1.10. The cost of all other mail will depend on weight and destination.
Airmail will generally take five to ten business days to reach most countries. For extra speed there are Express Post services available for both domestic and international services. Australia has both red and yellow post boxes. The red boxes are for normal postal service, yellow boxes are used exclusively for Express Post.
What about medical matters?
Under reciprocal arrangements visitors from certain countries (for example, New Zealand) are entitled to free hospital and medical treatment provided by Australia’s national insurance scheme, Medicare. Medicare does not cover dental work. Visitors from countries not included in the reciprocal agreement will face prohibitive medical bills is uninsured. Arrangements for adequate medical cover should be made before leaving home. There are 24-hour medical centres in major city areas and doctors in or nearby most country towns. Hotel staff should be able to assist guests in contacting medical practitioners when required. Pharmacies (Chemists) are located throughout city areas and suburbs. Foreign prescriptions can only be met if a local medical practitioner endorses them.
When are the major public holidays?
The major public holidays celebrated Australia-wide include:
New Years Day 1 January
Australia Day 26 January
Good Friday *changes year to year
Easter Monday *changes year to year
ANZAC Day 25 April
Queen’s Birthday *changes year to year (June)
Labour Day *changes year to year (October)
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December
Note: Other holidays may change dates each year.
What is the metric system?
In Australia, petrol (gas) and milk are sold by the litre (L) and apples and potatoes by the kilogram (kg). Distance is by the metre (m) or kilometre (km), and speed limits are in kilometres per hour (km/h).
Centimetres to inches multiply by 0.39
Metres to feet multiply by 3.28
Metres to yards multiply by 1.09
Kilometres to miles multiply by 1.61
Hectares to acres multiply by 2.47
Square kilometres to square miles multiply by 0.39
Grams to ounces multiply 0.035
Kilograms to pounds multiply to 2.2
British tons to kilograms multiply by 1016
US tons to kilograms multiply by 907
Litres to imperial gallons multiply by 0.22
Litres to US gallons multiply by 0.26
What is the appliance voltage?
The voltage in Australia is 230/240 volts (AC50 kHz). You will need an adapter to convert your personal appliances such as a hairdryer and electric shaver.
What clothing should I pack?
Most Australians dress informally, although you should include smart casual outfits for restaurants, hotels and bars. Comfortable shoes and jeans are a must for bushwalking or horse riding.
In Sydney temperatures can drop to the low numbers and some warm clothing such as a jacket or sweatshirt should be included. It is advisable to wear a hat during the day, sunglasses for added comfort, and sunscreen to protect you from the warm rays of the sun. Queensland has a warm, sunny climate so casual, lightweight clothes (in natural fibres) are generally worn.
What do you buy in Australia?
Australia is a shopper's delight. There is plenty to accommodate all tastes and budgets, from simple souvenirs and gifts to fine arts and crafts, fabulous gemstones and jewellery, bush-style clothing and designer fashions all with an unmistakable Australian flavour. From exquisite black opal earrings, pearls of extraordinary beauty and lustre, to woollen overcoats and original artworks, Australia offers shopping of every sort for every shopper. Works by Australian craftspeople make wonderful mementoes. Good buys include ceramics, jewellery, textiles, clothing, fashion, accessories, leather goods and items made from native timbers.
In Australia, shopping locations are as varied as the choice of items. Visitors can browse or buy in huge centres packed with hundreds of outlets to small intimate side street boutiques, weekend markets or craft galleries. Markets are a popular bargain hunter's choice and there are many to choose from throughout the country. Specialities items include Aboriginal art, traditional clothing, woodwork and opals.
Name some unique Australian items?
- Vegemite
- Tim Tam Biscuits
- Akubra Bush Hats
- Australian Opals
- Didgeridoos
- Boomerangs
- Ugg Boots
- Pavlova
- Macadamia Nuts
What is the food and wine scene like?
Australia is a multicultural country and as such offers every type of cuisine. To accompany the fine cuisine Australia also boasts a range of wineries, producing some of the best in the world.
Visit tiny, boutique wineries or taste the wide selection made by some of Australia’s largest wine producers. Take a tour, meet the winemaker and purchase your favourite wine by the bottle or the case from the cellar door. Australia is now the world’s eleventh largest wine producer. All the major wine growing areas are located in the southern half of the continent, and most are within a hundred kilometres of the coast. The finest Australian wines are among the best in the world – a judgement that is consistently reinforced at international wine shows.
Australian food Australia began to develop its own cuisine in the 1970s. Creative chefs use local ingredients, blended with the flavours of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, to make dishes with a truly Australian identity. Each area of Australia produces its own specialty, you can sample rock oysters, beef and lamb from New South Wales, olive oil from South Australia, and salmon from Tasmania, dairy produce from Victoria, exotic fruit from Queensland and cheese from Western Australia.
Sydney is well known for its seafood including Balmain Bugs (a small local freshwater lobster creature), Crayfish from Tasmania, Barramundi (large white meaty fish) and John Dory (smaller white fish). There are also specialties from other areas such as Queensland Mud Crab, and Coral Trout from the Great Barrier Reef, and Ocean Salmon and Trout.
Other specialties include pavlova (a meringue, cream and fruit dessert), lamingtons (sponge cakes doused in chocolate sauce and rolled in coconut), meat pies, and Devonshire teas (cream, scones, jam and tea). Perhaps the most popular way for Australians to cook when entertaining is ‘the Barbie’ or the barbecue. Meat is safe to eat and inexpensive. Vegemite is a peculiarly Australian institution. It is a salty tasting yeast extract and locals believe it is delicious spread lightly on toast. But be warned, it should be used sparingly as the taste is very powerful. Damper is traditional ‘bush tucker’, a type of flat bread originating with the early colonial pioneers and nomadic drovers (Men who made a living off moving herds of cows or flocks of sheep, normally the long distance to town to sell at the markets).
What are the flight times?
Sydney to Cairns 2.45 hrs
Sydney Ayers Rock 3 hrs
Sydney Melbourne 1.10 hrs
Sydney Adelaide 1.4 hrs
Sydney Brisbane 1.2 hrs
Sydney Perth 4 hrs
Sydney Hamilton Island 2.5 hrs
Explain the Australia local 'slang'?
Australian English is notorious for its colourful and endless collection of slang terms and sayings. Some Australianisms such as “she’ll be right, mate”, “fair dinkum” and “g’day” are well known around the world, but these are just the start. This dictionary should help bridge the communication gap and allow the visitor to understand what is said. But first a few words need to be said about abbreviations. As far as an Australian is concerned, anything can, and should, be abbreviated. Abbreviation is achieved by taking the main root of the word and adding “ie” or “y” and “o”. Australians abbreviate nouns, names, places, anything at all!
Common abbreviations are:
Aussie = Australian
Arvo = Afternoon
Bickies = Biscuits, cookies
Blowie = Blowfly
Brekky = Breakfast
Brolly = Umbrella
Chrissie = Christmas
Cocky = Cockatoo, native bird of Australia, can also mean a farmer
Cozzie = Swimming costume / swimsuit / bathing suit
Footy = Football of any variation (Aussie rules, Rugby League, Soccer)
Greenie = Mildly derogatory term for a conservationist
Journo = Journalist
Middy = A medium sized glass of beer
Mozzies = Mosquitoes
Pokies = Poker or slot machines. Also, one-armed bandits
Pollie = Politician
Pommy = Someone from Britain, the acronym P.O.M.E. was stamped on early convicts clothing, which stood for Prisoner Of Mother England
Pressie = Present
Tinnie = Can of cold beer
Troppo = Crazy behaviour
Vegies = Vegetables
Other common words and expressions are:
Are you right? = An inquiry as to whether the questioner can do anything for you e.g. “Are you being served?” from a shop assistant
Back of Beyond = “Way out in the bush”, “in the Never Never”, “close to the “Black Stump” are euphemisms for the middle of nowhere
Beaut = Very good, excellent
Bludge/Bludger = To impose on, to not pay one’s way e.g. “dolebludger” is someone on unemployment benefits
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