Country Facts - Australia
Airport Taxes:
Have been included in the cost of your holiday.
Baggage Allowance:
20 kilos per passenger. 30 kilos per passenger if travelling in Business Class. Any excess will be charged
for by the airline. At the present time each passenger is permitted to carry ONE small item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed, a maximum height of 56cm (22 inches), width 36cm (14 inches) and depth 23cm (9 inches), including wheels, handles, side pockets etc, weighing no more than 7 kilos. In addition to the above allowance you are also permitted to carry personal items such as a ladies handbag or small briefcase. Further information regarding hand luggage and items that can be carried in your hand luggage can be found by accessing www.baa.co.uk which is the website address for BAA which operates London Heathrow Airport . Manchester Airport can be accessed at www.manchesterairport.co.uk.
Climate:
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe . There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone. The tropical zone (consisting of 40% of Australia ) has two seasons, summer ('wet') and winter ('dry') while the temperate zone has all four seasons.
November/March(Spring-Summer): Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.
April/October: Northern and central Australia have clear warm days, cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow is totally confined to mountainous regions of the southeast.
Clothing:
Casual dress is widely acceptable though you may wish to take smarter clothing for some evenings. Lightweight clothing during summer months with warmer clothes needed during the cooler winter period throughout most of the southern states. Lightweight cottons and linens all year in the central/northern states with warm clothes only for cooler winter evenings and early mornings. Sunglasses, sunhats, and sunblock lotion are recommended year round in the north and during the summer months in the south. Comfortable walking shoes/sports trainers are advisable when visiting the Red Centre. Laundry facilities are also available if required.
Currency & Money Matters:
Australian currency comprises of Australian dollars and cents. We recommend that any money taken should be mainly in travellers cheques for security. (Australian dollar travellers cheques are preferable for ease of exchange whilst on holiday). A small amount of Australian dollars would be useful for drinks etc. before you are able to exchange money locally. Currency can be converted at banks, hotels, and foreign exchanges. All major international credit cards are acceptable.
Customs:
Visitors aged 18 or over are allowed duty free: 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or cigars; 2.25 litre of any alcoholic beverage and other goods to a value of AUS $900.00. For further information and advise please visit www.customs.gov.au
Driving:
Car hire is available at all major airports and major hotels to those over 21 years old. International, foreign or national Driving Permits, translated into English, are generally valid for three months. These must be carried on the person while driving. Traffic drives on the left. Road signs are international. The speed limit is 60kmph (35mph) in cities and towns, and 100kmph (62mph) on country roads and highways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat-belts must be worn at all times.
Electricity:
240/250 volts AC, 50 Hz. 2-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different than those found in most countries and an adaptor socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.
Foodstuffs:
The Australian Agriculture department has very strict guidelines and as such will allow no foreign foodstuffs into the country. Please therefore save yourself any trouble and take no foodstuffs with you.
Hotel Facilities:
All bedrooms have tea/coffee making facilities. In addition most also have hairdryer and iron/ironing boards.
Immunisation:
Not necessary for overseas visitors coming from uninfected areas. Inoculations may be necessary for any stopovers taken and we would recommend that you contact your usual medical consultant.
There are strict Customs and Health controls on entering and leaving the country, and Australian Law can inflict severe penalties on health infringements. Australia reserves the right to isolate any person who arrives without the required certificates.
Medical Facilities:
All arriving aircraft's are sprayed before disembarkation to prevent the spread of disease-carrying insects. Standards of hygiene are high in Australia , especially in food preparation. Doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are very well equipped. There is a Reciprocal Health Agreement with the UK , New Zealand , Italy , Malta and Sweden in emergencies only, which allows residents from these five countries free hospital treatment; prescribed medicines, ambulances and treatment at some doctors' surgeries must be paid for. Personal insurance for illness and accidents is highly recommended for all visitors. Those wishing to benefit from the Agreement should enrol at a medicare office; this can be done after treatment.
Medication:
Should be carried in hand luggage. Passengers taking needles/syringes should carry a letter from their General Practitioner. All medication should be carried in original packaging with the dispensing label securely attached. Airline check-in staff should be advised the type of medication being carried and they will give further instructions regarding proceeding through security screening.
Passports & Visas:
Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to Australia and must be valid for six months after your return to the UK .
Australian visas are required by all overseas visitors except for New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports. If you were born outside of the UK , or do not hold a UK Passport, or are a British Subject, it is essential you advise us immediately as you may need to apply to the Australian Embassy for the applicable visa.
Photography:
It is recommended that all photographic film and single use cameras are carried in your hand luggage. These items should be handed to security for hand checking rather than being scanned.
Premium Economy:
Will be progressively introduced for travel from April 2008 on selected flights/routes and is not applicable to departures from the 2007/8 programme. Baggage allowance remains at 20 kilos per person. In the event that a last minute aircraft change is necessary, it is possible that the subsitute aircraft may not have Premium Economy installed.
Taxis:
Metered taxis are generally available throughout the country.
Time Zone:
Australia spans three time zones:
Northeast/southeast/south: GMT + 10, Central: GMT + 9.5, West: GMT + 8
Some states operate daylight saving time during the Australia summer. Clocks in these states will be put forward by one hour in October and put back again in March.
Tipping:
Australians generally expect tips or gratuities of approximately 10% of your restaurant/bar bill.
Journeys of Distinction are frequently asked for guidelines on gratuities for the Tour Manager and Driver/Guide, therefore, depending on the standard of service given and your level of satisfaction, we recommend a £1.50 Sterling per person per day for your Tour Manager and £1.50 Sterling per person per touring day for your Driver/Guide. As tips are a personal matter and purely down to your discretion, we suggest they are given on an individual basis rather than as a group collection. These recommendations are guidelines only. All hotel porterage is taken care of by Journeys of Distinction.
Please note that the above information may be subject to change. Current information correct as at 01/05/2008
