About Australia Lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia is 7,686,850 square kilometers (or 2,977,909 square miles) - approximately the same size as the United States of America, 33 times the size of Great Britain and the only nation to cover an entire continent. It is the world's sixth largest country, being a federation of six states and two territories, with a population of 18 million people. Entry Formalities The Australian Department of Immigration requires that all visitors except Australian and New Zealand passport holders be in possession of an entry visa. Customs It is allowable to bring 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco, plus 1 litre of spirits. Note: All plants, plant products, animals and animal products, foodstuffs furs, jewellery and other valuables should be declared on the declaration form when entering Australia. There is no limit to the amount of foreign cash allowed to be brought into the country however, all amounts to the equivalent or over AUD $10,000 must be declared. Voltage Australia's electrical outlets are different to those overseas with a 3-pin plug and 220/240 volt being the standard. Leading hotels usually supply 110 voltage plugs for razors and small appliances. Water Tap water is safe to drink throughout Australia. Currency The official currency is the Australian Dollar. Notes are in the denomination of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2. Business hours General retail trading hours throughout Australia are: Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Saturday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Sunday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (major shopping districts) Late night shopping is available in major cities on varying nights of the week. Hotel Categories To assist you in selecting the category of the hotels, the following classification is used as a guide only and is not an official hotel star rating classification. Deluxe *****     First Class ****     Moderate *** Driving Licenses Tourists may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver's license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses not in the English language must have a translation with the permit. Taxes A Goods and Services Tax of 10% applies. Departure Tax Australia has a departure tax of AUD30.00 and Sydney Noise Tax of AUD3.40 per person which is paid at the time the airline ticket is purchased overseas. Climate Spring September, October, November Summer December, January, February Autumn March, April, May Winter June, July, August National holidays 01 Jan New Years Day 25 Apr Anzac Day 26 Jan Australia Day 25 Dec Christmas Day 29 Mar Easter Good Friday 26 Dec Boxing Day 1 Apr Easter Monday Each state has its own particular public holidays in addition to the national holidays specified above. Travel time by air (hours:minutes)   Adelaide A Springs Brisbane  Cairns  Canberra  Darwin   Hobart   Melb   Perth  Sydney Adelaide   2:00 2:15 4:25* 1:10 3:35 2:10* 1:05 3:00 1:40 A Springs 2:00   0:55 3:00 3:35* 1:55 3:40* 2:35 3:40 2:45 Brisbane 2:15 0:55   1:20 1:55 4:10 3:20* 2:15 6:15* 1:15 Cairns 4:25* 3:00 1:20   3:30* 2:30 4:20* 3:10 6:20* 2:50 Canberra 1:00 3:35* 1:55 3:30*   5:10* 2:10* 1:00 5:00* 0:40 Darwin 3:35 1:55 4:10 2:30 5:10*   5:50* 4:40* 4:30 4:10 Hobart 2:10* 3:40* 3:20* 4:20* 2:10* 5:50*   1:05 4:50* 1:50 Melbourne 1:05 2:35 2:15 3:10 1:00 4:40* 1:05   3:40 1:05 Perth 3:00 3:40 6:15* 6:20* 5:00 4:30 4:50* 3:40   3:55 Sydney 1:40 2:45 1:15 2:50 0:40 4:10 1:50 1:05 3:55   * indicates indirect flight. Distance by road (km)   Adelaide A Springs Brisbane  Cairns  Canberra  Darwin   Hobart   Melb   Perth  Sydney Adelaide   1690 1500 1898 1210 3212 1412 745 2749 1431 A Springs 1690   756 2336 2753 1522 3102 2435 3767 2929 Brisbane 1500 756   1434 1295 3493 2403 1736 4390 1027 Cairns 1898 2336 1434   3139 2797 3900 3233 6016 2868 Canberra 1210 2753 1295 3139   4229 1322 655 3812 304 Darwin 3212 1522 3493 2797 4229   4624 3957 4342 4060 Hobart 1412 3102 2403 3900 1322 4624   667 4161 1560 Melbourne 745 2435 1736 3233 655 3957 667   3494 893 Perth 2749 3767 4390 6016 3812 4342 4161 3494   3988 Sydney 1431 2929 1027 2868 304 4060 1560 893 3988   Home | About Finesse | Our Services | Incentives Conferences | About Australia | Related Sites | Enquiry Copyright © 1998 - 2001 Finesse South Pacific Travel PTY LTD.