In case of an Emergency whilst in Australia Dial “000” (not 911).

We at The Holiday Hunter recommend you download the Emergency Plus App.

Designed for use in Australia by Australian Emergency Organisations

<https://www.emergencyplus.com.au/>

Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations.

Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere Spring is September - November Summer is December - February Fall is March - May, and Winter is June – August.

Australia's climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperature. Broadly, there are two climatic zones in Australia. About 40% of Australia is in the Tropical Zone - north, above the Tropic of Capricorn. The cities of Cairns and Darwin lie in this zone. The remaining areas of Australia lie in the Temperate Zone, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth. Due to Australia's vast size, there are variations within these two zones. The Temperate Zone has all four seasons, while those in the Tropical Zone have two: summer is 'wet' and winter is 'dry'

Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating the valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases.

English is the common language of Australia. However, as Australia is a multicultural society, you may hear other languages spoken.

The most commonly accepted credit cards are MasterCard and Visa.

American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, and JCB are not as common but are accepted in some locations.

While exchange facilities are available at international airports and changing traveller's cheques can be done at most banks we recommend cash withdrawals be made from bank ATM’s.

Nearly all Australian ATMs accept bank cards.

The rate of exchange is very competitive and the transaction is small (the fee will vary from bank to bank)

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%.

Prices in Australia are shown as inclusive of GST. Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST paid on goods purchased in Australia.

The goods must have been purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia. Refunds can only be made on purchases totalling A$300 or more from each store.

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) facilities are located at international airports and cruise-liner terminals.

To claim, travellers must show their passport, international boarding pass, retailer’s tax invoice, and the goods. Other conditions apply.

Tipping is optional. However, the recommended amounts are:

Restaurants: 10% for good service is standard.

Porters: $A1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: optional

230/240 volts, 50 Hz, 3 pin plugs.

The power supply is 220/240 volts AC.

Sockets accept three-flat-pin plugs so an adaptor is needed.

110v appliances will need a voltage converter.

Before your visit you should arrange sufficient medical and travel insurance. Ensure the policy is adequate to cover costs for ambulance or helicopter rescue, emergency surgery, or transportation home.

Popular beaches are patrolled by volunteer Surf Life Saving Association members from October to April.

Always swim between the red and yellow flags that mark the safest area.

It is safe to drink tap water anywhere in Australia.

Bottled is available throughout the country.

The sun in Australia is extremely strong, especially in summer (December – February).

Wear a hat to protect your face and sunglasses to protect your eyes and a minimum SPF30+ to prevent sunburn.

From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish, also known as ‘stingers’, appear in the coastal waters of Northern Australia. These jellyfish do not exist in the waters surrounding most of the Islands in Queensland and are very rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef, allowing visitors to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef year-round.

In the Northern Territory, stingers are present at all beaches, whilst in Western Australia, they affect the Kimberley coastline.

Where beaches are affected by stingers there are clearly marked warning signs for visitors

Many beaches affected by stingers have protective enclosures, and visitors should restrict their swimming to these areas during Stinger season.

Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car.

The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60 km/h (35 mph) and on country roads and highways, 100 km/h (62mph) to 110km/h (68 mph) unless signs indicate otherwise.

Strict drink-driving laws apply. The maximum blood alcohol is .05 and all drivers may be subject to random road-side breath tests. All police cars are equipped with breath testing and drug testing machines.

Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.

Visitors may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver’s license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving.

If the driver's license is not in the English language, the visitor must carry a translation with the permit. An International Drivers Permit is not sufficient by itself and must be accompanied by a valid drivers permit.

Petrol (gasoline) in Australia comes in Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), diesel, unleaded regular, and premium unleaded grades and is sold by the litre. Prices are usually higher in rural areas.

Petrol stations are plentiful. Trading hours vary although many service stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most accept international credit cards.

Most petrol stations do not have pay at the pump facilities. You pay in-store.

• Don't bring medicines or medical devices into Australia for anyone other than yourself or an immediate family member.
• For prescription medicines, bring the prescription with you or have a letter from your doctor that outlines what you are taking and how much you are bringing with you.
• Keep the original packaging for your medicines and medical devices intact so they can be easily identified and your full name must be clearly marked on the packet/ box
• Do not bring more than a 3-month supply with you.
• Check what medicines need to be declared at the border. You must declare any medicines which may be subject to abuse or misuse. This includes steroids, and strong pain medicines, and other restricted medicines.
• You can travel with medicinal cannabis under the traveller's exemption.
• A traveller's exemption applies to persons bringing vapes into Australia by ship or aircraft with stricter quantity limits.

Document Checklist

• Passport and Visa paperwork
• Photo ID
• Copies of itinerary, Summary of services & Evouchers, ID, and passport
• Travel Insurance
• Bank cards (be sure to advise your bank of your travel plans to Australia.)

What to Bring:

• Swimming Wear
• Beach towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Light & Rain Jacket/umbrella
• Camera
• Medication - (If you are taking prescription medication in your carry-on, you will need to bring a doctor’s note or copy of your prescription) Medication must be carried in the original packet/ box it came in and your full name must be clearly marked on the packet/ box
• Toiletries
• Comfortable shoes (for outdoor activities & walking)
• Sandals/ flip-flops (thongs)
• Going out shoes
• Jeans/pants
• Shorts
• Sweaters/sweatshirts
• Long sleeve shirts
• Short sleeve shirts
• Jacket
• Sleepwear
• Travel-sized toiletries
• First Aid travel kit
• Insect repellent
• Electrical converter/universal plug

The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is different from that in North America so you will need an adapter socket. If your appliances are not 240/250 volts you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 11OV appliances are usually found in leading hotels.

Travelling to the Northern Territory consider bringing:

• Hiking shoes or sneakers – there is a lot of walking to be done in the outback
• A hat and water bottle – to help deal with the desert heat
• Clothes that can get dirty – the red dirt of the desert can make white clothes dirty very quickly
• Small torch If going in the outback at night

Ambulance

"There were heaps of ambos flying up the main road after a big car accident."

To lose one's temper

"Jacko arc'd up at Kev, he was that furious."

Afternoon

(S’Arvo – this afternoon!)

"Want to come over s'arvo?"

To try something.

"It won't hurt you, av a go at it."

Avocado

"I love having Avos in my salad"

Sausages (commonly found on the BBQ)

Time for a beer

A good invention, a good happening, something good.

"You're the best thing since sliced bread."

Sweet cookie or biscuit

A minor car accident

"It wasn't good, I took the old man's car and had a bit of a bingle in it."

Australian man

"This bloke from down the road has the most awesome dog, it's tops!"

yes or its true.

“You right mate?”… “Bloody Oath”

To have an argument

"The two blokes over there are having a blue"

Toilet Paper

"When ya go to the shops, grab some bog roll ok?"

Liquor shop

"Going to the bottle-o for some beer."

“Mate” is a popular word for friend. And while it's used in other English-speaking countries around the world, it has a special connection to Australia.

In the past, mate has been used to address men, but it can be gender-neutral.

In Australia, you'll also hear mate used in an ironic sense.

In Australia it's fine to call anyone mate. In many countries, it would sound rude or weird to be called mate by a stranger. Like : why do you call me your mate, we don't even know each other, it's the first time we meet. Not in Australia.

Australian for McDonald's

"Let's go to Maccas"

"Let's meet up at Maccas"