Melbourne Cup (November); Telstra Rally of Australia (November); Australian Open Tennis Championships (January/February); Festival of Sydney (February); Perth Festival ( February/March); Australian Formula One Grand Prix (March); Australia International Airshow (March); Indy Cars Gold Coast (October).
Visas:
With the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports, all foreign nationals must obtain a non-electronic ‘label’ visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa for a short stay (for up to three months) depending on eligibility. Tourist ETA visas for a short stay are issued free of charge.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa - An ETA visa is an electronically stored authority to travel to Australia for a short stay and no visa label is placed in the passport. ETA visas are available through Emirates booking offices across the network.
The ETA visas are available to the following passport holders - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom - British Citizens, United Kingdom - British Nationals (overseas), United States of America and Vatican City.
Non-electronic ‘label’ visa for tourists - All passport holders not eligible for ETA visas must apply for a tourist visa. UAE nationals have the option to apply for a visit visa directly through the internet.
Health requirements:
Vaccinations are not required. However, a yellow fever certificate is required from persons who have travelled or transited from infected areas within six days prior to arrival.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace of mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover.
We also recommend that water sports enthusiasts cover themselves, in case of an accident while scuba diving, water-skiing or participating in any other water sport. An extra premium is required for these covers.
Currency:
The Australia Dollar (AUD) divided into 100 cents.
Notes in denominations of AUD100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins in denominations of AUD2 and 1 and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = AUD0.41
EUR1 = AUD1.99
USD1 = AUD1.58
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours - 0930 to 1600 hours, Monday - Friday.
Currency exchange facilities are available at all international airports, banks and major hotels.
The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners Club International, JCB, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates. Local currency can be withdrawn from automated teller machines (ATMs) located in most banks, using a major credit card.
Banks have ATMs located outside the branch or in the foyer that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Cards can be used in Australia at ATMs and at most retail locations, as long as they have been enabled for international access.
Travellers cheques issued in any major currency can be encashed at most banks and exchange outlets in all cities.
Clothing:
In the tropical areas, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres is suitable all year round. In the south, you may require a jacket or sweater in the evenings. For southern winters, warmer clothes are advisable. We recommend that you use appropriate footwear (sneakers or trainers), while exploring coral pools in the Great Barrier Reef.
Airport information:
Sydney - Kingsford Smith Airport is 12 kilometres by road from the city centre. The international and domestic terminals are 1.6 kilometres apart. The airport telephone number is 02 9669 5111.
Melbourne - Tullamarine International Airport is 22 kilometres by road from the city centre. The airport telephone number is 03 9297 1814/1805.
Note: The final destination of some inter-city flights may be outside Australia, therefore passengers are required to check-in via the airport’s international terminal.
Perth - Perth International Airport is located 20 kilometres east of the city centre. There is only one main arrival and departure point for all international airlines, making it easy to find your way around. Perth Domestic Airport is located 11 kilometres east of the city. Coach transfers between the two terminals are available. The airport telephone number is 08 9478 8888.
Brisbane - Brisbane International Airport is approximately 13 kilometres north-east of Brisbane. The airport telephone number is 07 3406 3000.
Cairns and Port Douglas - Cairns International Airport is approximately eight kilometres from the city centre and about 75 kilometres away from Port Douglas. The airport telephone number is 07 4052 3888.
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Domestic Airport is 25 kilometres from Surfers Paradise. The airport telephone number is 07 5589 1100.
Customs:
Duty free allowance - Travellers into Australia are allowed to bring the following goods, duty and sales tax free, when the goods accompany the passenger. The limit is AUD900 worth of goods not including alcohol or tobacco and AUD200 for travellers under 18 years of age. The goods include cameras, electronic equipment, perfume concentrate, leather goods, jewellery, watches and sporting goods. For travellers aged 18 years and over, alcohol of 2.25 litres (including wine, beer or spirits), 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products other than cigarettes, personal items such as new clothing, footwear, articles for personal hygiene and grooming; personal goods owned and used for at least 12 months can be brought into Australia without payment of duty and sales tax (proof of purchase may be required). Members of the same family who are travelling together may combine their individual duty free allowance.
Note: Gifts intended for others or given to you are counted as part of the duty free allowance.
Australia has strict laws to protect its citizens and the natural environment. Penalties are imposed if you breach those laws by importing:
• Illicit drugs
• Animal or plant material
• Firearms, weapons or ammunition
• Protected wildlife and products made from them
• Some medicinal products, including performance enhancing drugs
Import of fresh or packaged foods, fruits, eggs and egg products, vegetables, seeds, cultures (living organisms), animals, plants and plant products are strictly controlled and may be subject to quarantine.
Goods and Services Tax Refund Scheme:
Goods and Services Tax Refund Scheme is available to all overseas visitors. This scheme enables you to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), charged on most goods bought in shops. The refunds will be paid on goods costing AUD300 or more and bought from the same store no earlier than 30 days prior to departure from the country. You may purchase several lower-priced items but the total purchase amount has to be AUD300 or more.
How to claim your Goods and Services Tax refund:
The shop will provide you with a tax invoice for goods purchased. When leaving the country, take the original tax invoice, passport, international boarding pass and the goods to the GST refund booth located in the international departure hall at the airport to have your refund processed.
Driving licence:
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. An International Driving Permit is required.
Emergency telephone numbers:
For ambulance, fire, police dial:
Police Customer Assistance Unit - 1 800 622571
Police Assistance Line - 131444
Hours of work:
Business: 0900 to 1700 hours, Monday - Friday.
Shopping: 0900 to 1730 hours, Monday - Friday.
0900 to 1600 hours, Saturday.
Late-night shopping is possible at least once a week (usually Thursday or Friday).
Perth - 0900 to 1730 hours, Monday - Friday.
0800 to 1800 hours, Saturday.
Late-night shopping is available in the city on Friday until 2100 hours.
Public holidays (fixed):
1st January - New Year’s Day
26th January - Australia Day
25th April - Anzac Day
2nd week of June - Queen’s Birthday (all states except Western Australia)
25th December - Christmas Day
26th December - Boxing Day (all states except Southern Australia)
Public holidays (moveable):
Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November - Victoria only)
Adelaide Cup (May - South Australia)
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Time zone:
Australia has three time zones -
• EST (Eastern Standard Time): GMT + 10 hours. New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
• CST (Central Standard Time): GMT + 9 1/2 hours. South Australia and Northern Territory.
• WST (Western Standard Time): GMT + 8 hours. Western Australia.
The following states introduce DST (Daylight Saving Time) during the summer and move the clock forward by one hour - New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (November to February), Victoria (November to March) and Tasmania (October to March).
Language:
English (with many colourful local expressions). The Australian “lingo” is characterised by numerous colloquialisms.
Tipping:
Tipping is not obligatory but there are no service charges at hotels and restaurants. For good service, a tip of 15 per cent is acceptable for waiters. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped but would not refuse a small gratuity. Tipping is at your discretion.
Dress code:
Dressing is largely casual except for fine dining and business, when formal attire is preferred.
Electricity:
220 - 240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in some countries, so an adapter may be required. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.
Safety tips:
Australia is a safe destination. However, it is advisable that valuables and passports are kept in the safety deposit boxes in your hotel.