Destination Details
Australia offers a wealth of travel experiences, from the
vastness and drama of the outback, to the spectacle of the
Great Barrier Reef and its islands, the cosmopolitanism
of Sydney and arguably some of the best beaches in the world.
Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and
meet Crocodile Dundee the next will have to re-think their
grasp of geography in this huge country. It is this sheer
vastness, and the friction between the ancient land steeped
in Aboriginal lore and the New World cultures being heaped
upon it, which gives Australia much of its character.
Most people harbour a particular image of Australia, such
as the Opera House or blood red Uluru (Ayers Rock). Yet
these famous icons do scant justice to the richness of Australia's
natural treasures and its cultural diversity.
Fast Facts
| Area: |
7,682,300 sq km |
| Capital City: |
Canberra |
| Languages: |
English, Aboriginal languages (plus numerous other European,
Arabic and Asian languages). |
| Religion: |
75% Christian, 1% Muslim, 1% Buddhist, 0.5% Jewish |
| Time: |
There are three time zones: Eastern Standard Time is UTC plus
10 hours; Central Time is UTC plus 9.5 hours; and Western Time
UTC plus eight hours. |
| Electricity: |
220-240V |
| Currency: |
Dollar; Symbol: A$; Subdivision: 100 cents |
| Government: |
Independent member of the British Commonwealth |
Seasons to Visit:
Australia is an all-year round destination but during the summer,
December to February it is hot in Western Australia, Northern Territory
and Queensland. Entry Requirements: Passports and Visas. A valid
passport is required and everyone needs a visa except for holders
of New Zealand and Australian passports. Tourist visas and Electronic
Travel Authority (ETA) visas are valid for three months. ETAs are
just under US$11; standard visas cost US$35. Longer-term visas can
be applied for. Dress: Australians are informal dressers, but
for special occasions, such as business meetings, theatres and dining
at good restaurants, men may need a jacket and tie or suit and women
a more formal dress. Most of the time just keep clothing light and
comfortable. Bring a sunhat, sunglasses and suntan lotion if you
expect hot weather, but keep a jacket or sweater handy as nights
may be cool. Food/Restaurants: Restaurants are scattered throughout
the cities and suburbs, and cater for all kinds of cuisine, including
vegetarian, Asian, European and American. They range from the international,
upmarket class to pizzerias, buffets and cafes. Australian meals
are generally similar to English and American. Due to the multi-cultural
composition of Australia, the cuisine of many nations is represented. Shopping: Special purchase includes excellent
local beverages; wool, clothing and sheepskin products; opals; modern
art sculpture and paintings. Exhibitions of bark paintings, boomerangs
and other tribal objects are on view and for sale in Darwin, Alice
Springs and the State Capitals. Many depict stories from the "Dreamtime".
Many cities and towns have small shops devoted to the sale of 'Australiana'
where Australian souvenirs, ranging from T-shirts to boomerangs,
can be bought. Transportation: There are direct flights from
British airports to Australia's international gateways. Sydney,
Kingsford Smith (SYD) and Melbourne, Tullamarine (MEL) are the two
busiest international airports, with Sydney in particular stretched
to the limits of its capacity. Perth (PER), Adelaide, West Beach
(ADL), Darwin (DRW), Cairns (CNS) and Brisbane International (BNE)
also receive many flights from Asia and Europe. It is not possible
to fly directly to the capital city of Canberra from the UK. In
addition to taxi and car hire facilities, there are airline, government
and private buses operating to and from most of these airports.
Sydney also has a rail link operating from Sydney Airport, servicing
both the domestic and international terminals. The airport link
to central Sydney takes just 12 minutes. Most major car rental companies
are located at the above airports, as well as telephone and banking
facilities. Health risks: Sunburn, heat exhaustion, drowning [top] |
