Australia Useful Information

• Australia Tourist Guide
• Australia Maps
• AUD Currency Exchange Rates
• Restaurants and Places to Eat
• Australia Attractions

Travel Information

• Australia Visitors Info
• Travel Information
• Australian Travel Insurance
• Australia Travel Books
• Going to Australia

Special Places

• Australia Places to Visit
• Australia Tourist Spots
• Australia Places of Interest
• Australia Beaches
• Australia Animals

Places to Stay

• Australia Hotels

About Australia

• About Australia
• Food and Wine in Australia
• History of Australia
• Sydney Australia Vacation
• Australia Casinos

States and Territories

• Canberra ACT Australia
• New South Wales Tourist Guide
• Northern Territory - Darwin Australia
• Queensland Australia - Brisbane Australia
  Gold Coast Surfers Paradise
• South Australia - Adelaide Australia
• Tasmania Australia - Hobart Australia
• Victoria Australia - Melbourne Australia
• Western Australia - Perth Australia

Invest in Australia

• AUD Currency Exchange Rates
• Useful Business Information
• Buy a Home in Australia - Real Estate
• Real Estate Australia for Foreign Investors
• Study in Australia
• Work in Australia

Wine Regions, Wines and Wineries

• Australia Wine Growing Regions
• Australia Winery - Tourist Guide
• Food and Wine in Australia
• Australia Wines and Regions
• Australia Wine Facts

Australia Guide

• Australia Flower Pictures
• Australia Sports
• Australia Animals
• Europe Places Travel Guide

Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, is where the seat of the Australian government resides. Sydney is the largest city in the country with a population over 4 million and is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Melbourne has been voted the number 1 place to live in the world for a number of years.

The State Capitals of Australia are as follows:

New South Wales	Sydney
Northern Territory	Darwin
South Australia	Adelaide
Queensland	Brisbane
Tasmania	Hobart
Victoria	Melbourne
Western Australia	Perth

Language

English is official language of Australia. Only a few words vary in pronunciation and usage throughout the country.

Religion

Australia is very much a cosmopolitan country - All the major religions and many sects are represented here.

The Disability Information Resource.

• Accessibility.com.au

Power

• A.C. electrical power is 220-240V at 50Hz. Plugs have 3 flat prongs that form a triangular Y shape configuration.

Metropolitan Banking Hours

• 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Thursday.
• 9 am to 5 pm Fridays.
• Some have extended hours, including Saturday mornings.

Most Banks will exchange most foreign currencies, and foreign currency exchanges can be found at Sydney Airport and popular tourist spots such as Martin Place, CentrePoint, and Circular Quay.

Post Offices

• Open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Fridays, except public holidays (see below).

Daylight Savings (Summer Time)

Recent changes by state and territory governments have changed the length of time Daylight saving will run. They have been extended from the 1st Sunday in October to the 1st Sunday in April, beginning in the Australian summer of 2008. This includes New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and South Australia.

NSW Public Holidays 2013 - Most Australia Public Holidays Coincide

New Years Day	2013 1st January
Australia Day	2013 Monday 26th January
Good Friday	2013 Friday, 29th March.
Easter Monday	2013 Monday, 1st April.
Anzac Day	2013 Thursday April 25th.
Queen’s Birthday	2013 Monday 10th June.
NSW Labour Day	2013 Monday 7th October.
NSW Bank Holiday	2013 Monday 5th August.
Christmas Day	2013 Wednesday, December 25th.
Boxing Day	2013 Thursday, December 26th.

* Additional, ** Not State Wide. Extensive information about Australia Public Holidays can be found here Australia Public Holidays.

NSW School Vacation Days

• Autumn Holidays: Monday, 15 April 2013 to Friday, 26 April 2013
• Winter Holidays: Monday, 01 July 2013 to Friday, 12 July 2013
• Spring Holidays: Monday, 23 September 2013 to Monday, 07 October 2013
• Summer Holidays: Monday, 23 December 2013 to Monday, 27 January 2014

Other Australian states may vary somewhat from these dates. Public and Private Schools may also vary and some individual schools may also have their own time tables. More information about Australia Public Holidays and School Vacation Days can be found here Australia Public Holidays.

Wheelchair Access

For maps of city facilities with wheelchair access Sydney City Council.

Phone Directory Assistance

Australian White Pages - www.whitepages.com.au.

Road Safety for Overseas Travellers.

Driving Safely in NSW - Road Rules.

Visa and Immigration Information

Visa and Immigration Information.

Tourist Refund Scheme

You can claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia. This applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear on to the aircraft or ship when you leave Australia.

Work in Australia - Jobs Information

Finding Sydney Jobs - Changes in government policy has made it easier to get work visas for the skilled and backpackers.

Australian Currency

• Australia uses decimal currency - 100 cents = $1.00
• Notes presently in use are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 dollar bills.
• Coins are 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1.00 and $2.00.

See current exchange rate for the AUD Currency Exchange Rates.

Sydney Business Information

• Sydney Business Information

---

Police - Ambulance - Fire Emergency

Emergency Contact Number 000

---

Note: The Sydney travel information provided here is a guide only - call the relevant organisation(s) direct to ensure accuracy.

Beach Notes

NOTE: Swim at beaches with lifeguards. Swimming at Australian beaches involves Swimming Between The Flags!

Ask a lifeguard about the conditions for the day. Be considerate of them, they are there for you and your children!

We wish you a safe and enjoyable stay.

 

Australia Tourist Guide

More information about Australia - see the Australia Tourist Guide