Need to Know
Currency
Language
Visas
Money
Mobile Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (Dec−Feb)
ASummertime: local holidays, busy beaches and cricket.
APrices rise 25% for big-city accommodation.
AOutdoor rock concerts, film screenings and food festivals abound.
Shoulder Season (Mar−May & Sep−Nov)
AWarm sun, clear skies, shorter queues.
AEaster (late March or early April) is busy with Aussie families on the loose.
AAutumn leaves are atmospheric in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
Low Season (Jun−Aug)
ACool rainy days down south; mild days and sunny skies up north.
ALow tourist numbers; attractions keep slightly shorter hours.
AHead for the desert, the tropical north or the snow.
Useful Websites
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/australia) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
Tourism Australia (www.australia.com) Main government tourism site with visitor info.
Bureau of Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au) Nationwide weather forecasts.
The Australian (www.theaustralian.com.au) National broadsheet newspaper online.
Parks Australia (www.environment.gov.au/parks) Info on national parks and reserves.
Coastalwatch (www.coastalwatch.com) Surf reports and surf-cams.
Important Numbers
Regular Australian phone numbers have a two-digit area code followed by an eight-digit number. Drop the initial 0 if calling from abroad.
| Country code | 61 |
| International access code | 0011 |
| Emergency (ambulance, fire, police) | 000 |
| Directory assistance | 1223 |
Exchange Rates
| Canada | C$1 | $1.02 |
| China | Y1 | $0.21 |
| Euro | €1 | $1.42 |
| Japan | ¥100 | $1.09 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | $0.94 |
| South Korea | W100 | $0.09 |
| UK | UK£1 | $1.90 |
| US | US$1 | $1.26 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than $100
AHostel dorm bed: $25−35 a night
ADouble room in a hostel: from $80
ASimple pizza or pasta meal: $10–15
AShort bus or tram ride: $4
Midrange: $100−280
ADouble room in a motel, B&B or hotel: $100–200
ABreakfast or lunch in a cafe: $20–40
AShort taxi ride: $25
ACar hire per day: from $35
Top End: More than $280
ADouble room in a top-end hotel: from $200
AThree-course meal in a classy restaurant: $80
ANightclub cover charge: $10–20
ADomestic flight Sydney to Melbourne: from $100
Opening Hours
Opening hours vary from state to state, but use the following as a general guide.
Banks 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday; until 5pm Friday
Bars 4pm until late
Cafes 7am to 5pm
Pubs 11am to midnight
Restaurants noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm
Shops 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, until noon or 5pm Saturday
Supermarkets 7am to 8pm; some 24 hours.
Arriving in Australia
Sydney Airport AirportLink trains run to the city centre every 10 minutes from around 5am to 1am (20 minutes). Pre-booked shuttle buses service city hotels. A taxi into the city costs $40 to $50 (30 minutes).
Melbourne Airport SkyBus services (24-hour) run to the city (20 minutes), leaving every 10 to 30 minutes. A taxi into the city costs around $40 (25 minutes).
Brisbane Airport Airtrain trains run into the city centre (20 minutes) every 15 to 30 minutes from 5am (6am weekends) to 10pm. Pre-booked shuttle buses service city hotels. A taxi into the city costs $35 to $45 (25 minutes).
Getting Around
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world: how you get from A to B requires some thought.
Car Travel at your own tempo, explore remote areas and visit regions with no public transport. Hire cars in major towns; drive on the left.
Plane Fast-track your holiday with affordable, frequent, fast flights between major centres. Carbon offset your flights if you're feeling guilty.
Bus Reliable, frequent long-haul services around the country. Not always cheaper than flying.
Train Slow, expensive and infrequent...but the scenery is great! Opt for a sleeper carriage rather than an 'overnighter' seat.