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Australian States

Tourism information on Australia's states:

• Victoria
  Capital: Melbourne

  Average Melbourne Spring weather: 12°C - 21°C

  Web page: www.visitvictoria.com

  City Highlights: Victoria Markets, galleries, shopping and restaurants

  Regional Highlights: Wineries, Mornington Peninsula, Fairy Penguin Colony at Phillip Island

• New South Wales
  Capital: Sydney

  Average Sydney Spring weather: 13°C - 22°C

  Web page: www.tourism.nsw.gov.au

  City Highlights: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Bondi Beach

  Regional Highlights: Hunter Valley Wine District, beaches of the North and South Coast, the Blue Mountains

• Queensland
  Capital: Brisbane

  Average Brisbane Autumn weather: 16°C - 27°C

  Web page: www.queensland-holidays.com.au

  City Highlights: Outdoor eateries, Botanic Gardens and Southbank

  Regional Highlights: Great Barrier Reef, Tropical Cairns in Far North Queensland, the Gold Coast, the Whitsunday Islands

• Tasmania
  Capital: Hobart

  Average Hobart Spring weather: 8°C - 17°C

  Web page: www.discovertasmania.com.au

  City Highlights: The Antarctic Centre, Salamanca Place, Cadburys Chocolate factory, local gourmet produce

  Regional Highlights: Cradle Mountain, Historic Port Arthur

• Western Australia
  Capital: Perth

  Average Perth Spring weather: 12°C - 21°C

  Web page: www.westernaustraliantourism.com.au

  City Highlights: Historic Fremantle, City beaches, the Swan River

  Regional Highlights: Rottnest Island, dophin feeding at Monkey Mia, the Kimberley Region famous for Broome Peals and Argyle Diamonds

• Northern Territory
  Capital: Darwin

  Average Darwin Spring weather: 25°C - 34°C

  Web page: www.ntholidays.com

  City highlights: Crocodile Farm, Fishing and spectacular sunsets

  Regional Highlights: Kakadu National Park, Ayres Rock (Uluru), the Olgas and Katherine Gorge.

• South Australia
  Capital: Adelaide

  Average Adelaide Spring weather: 10°C - 20°C

  Web page: www.southaustralia.com

  City Highlights: National Wine Centre, Historic Buildings, Glenelg Beach

  Regional Highlights: Barossa Valley wine growing district, Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy an underground opal mining town

• Australian Capital Territory
  Capital: Canberra

  Average Canberra Spring weather: 6°C - 19°C

  Web page: www.canberratourism.com.au

  City Highlights: Parliament House, Australian War Memorial, National Gallery, National Museum

  Regional Highlights: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Brindabella Mountains

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Climate

October is springtime in Australia. Sydney experiences an average of 20 sunny days in October with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 13°C to highs of 22°C.

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Passports and Visas

Everyone entering Australia must have a valid passport and visa.

Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically-stored authority for travel to Australia for short-term visits or business entry. It replaces the visa label or stamp in a passport and the removes the need for application forms. Your travel agent will know how to access this service.

Congress 2007 participants require a Business (Short Stay) visa, even if some tourism activities are planned for part of the stay in Australia. When issued as an ETA (electronically) it is called a 977 visa and allows for a single visit for up to 3 months within 12 months of it being granted.

It is called a 456 visa if it is issued as a label into a passport (fee of AU$65 payable). The 456 visa can be applied for at any Australian diplomatic office overseas. ETAs are available for passport holders from 32 nationalities.

To check availability for your country, and for more information, visit the Australian Department of Immigration website at www.immi.gov.au

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Customs

Australia enforces strict customs and quarantine laws. Visitors can find out more information through their travel agent or at www.aqis.gov.au and www.customs.gov.au

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Domestic Travel

Australia has three major airlines (for dialing outside Australia please visit the airline website for the correct international number):

• Qantas
  Phone: 13 13 13
  Web: www.qantas.com.au
• Virgin Blue Airlines
  Phone: 13 67 89
  Web: www.virginblue.com.au
• Jetstar
  Phone: 13 15 38
  Web: www.jetstar.com

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Travel from Sydney Airport

Located in Mascot, Sydney Airport is approximately 8km from the central CBD. The airport is accessible by most forms of transport including, car, train, taxi or bus.

• Taxis
  Each terminal has its own taxi rank with supervisors. From the airport to North Sydney it will take approximately 35 mintues and cost AU$35. From the airport to the heart of the city will take approximately 25 minutes depending on traffic and cost around AU$25.00. Most taxis accept major credit cards, eg Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
• Trains
  A convenient railway service to the centre of the city is located underneath the international and domestic terminals. Airport Link is a fast and easy way to reach the centre of Sydney. From the airport to the city takes approximately 13 minutes with trains running every 10 minutes. Stations are situated within walking distance to most city destinations. For more information please visit www.1351500.com.au or contact Airport Link on +61 2 8337 8417.
• Buses
  There are many shuttle and bus services that operate to and from Sydney Airport, most require pre-booking. For more information on public bus services and times visit www.sydneybuses.info.com.au Airport Express bus provides connection between Domestic and International Terminals and the city. The service runs between 05.00 and 23.00 and runs approximately every 10 minutes. One-way ticket costs AU$7.00 and return AU$12.00.

For more information or the best route for your destination visit www.131500.com.au or phone 131 500.

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Car Rental

There are many car rental companies to hire from. Two of the main ones are:

• Avis
  Phone: 13 63 33
  Visit: www.avis.com.au
• Hertz
  Phone: 13 30 39
  Visit: www.hertz.com.au

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Driving in Australia

When driving in Australia distances between cities are significant and should not be underestimated. Hire cars (rental cars) are readily available and reasonably priced, although petrol (gasoline) may be considered expensive (depending on your country of origin), in particular in rural and remote areas.

You will need an international drivers licence and to familiarise yourself with Australia's road rules.

Remember that in Australia you will be driving on the left hand side of the road.

Check with your own motoring organisation or tourist office before considering hiring a car in Australia.

Australia uses metric measures and weights, ie kilograms (kg), kilometres (km) and litres (l).

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Tipping

There is no tradition of tipping in Australia, however, where service has been outstanding you may tip if you wish.

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Electricity

Australia uses 240V AC power. The Australian three pin power outlet is different from many countries so visitors need an adaptor socket. Most hotels provide universal 110V outlets for electric shavers.

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Currency

Australia's currency is dollars and cents and you will find ready access to ATMs that will allow you to use your credit cards (eg Visa and MasterCard) to access cash. Discovery Card is not accepted in Australia. Almost every retail outlet accepts Visa and MasterCard, and many accept American Express and Diners cards.

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