Reference Material

AUSTRALIA

COMPARABLE COUNTRY SIZES

PASSPORTS/VISAS
A valid passport is required for travel to Australia.  For US citizens, an electronic travel VISA is required also.  Aussie Adventures can process your travel visa for you at no charge.  If you are not a US citizen, please notify Aussie Adventures at booking and we will let you know what VISA requirements apply to you.  

CURRENCY
The currency Down Under is the Australian Dollar.  The smallest bill is a $5 note and goes up in notes of $10, $20, $50 and $100 (all are different colors.) Coins are found in $0.05, $0.10, $0.20, $0.50, $1.00 and $2.00.  

The US $ goes a bit further in Australia as the exchange rate has been between $0.75 and $0.90 on the dollar over the past 2 years.  There are ATM machines all over Australia and this is the easiest way to get money while you are over there.   Travelers checks in Australian $ are widely accepted.  Travelers checks in US $ can be converted at any bank, however the banks will charge you a conversion fee.  VISA and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout the entire country.

TIPPING
Although tipping is not compulsory in Australia or New Zealand, it is perfectly acceptable to tip for excellent service.   A tip of 10% to 15% is considered excellent, therefore if you receive service that is less than excellent, do not feel obligated to tip at the level you would in the United States.  Restaurants are the main places where any type of tipping is common – bars and personal services are rarely tipped at any amount.  Your Tour Director will be happy to answer any questions you may have about when and how much to tip.

LAUNDRY/IRONING FACILITIES
The majority of the hotels utilized will offer free or coin-operated laundry facilities. Ironing facilities are also provided either in the hotel laundry or can be supplied to your room on request.

VOLTAGE
Australia is on 240V voltage and the US is on 110V.  If you are planning on bringing any electrical items (hairdryer, curling iron, laptop), be sure to have an adapter.  You can purchase a voltage adapter at any retail outlet such as Target or Kmart.  Almost all Australian hotels will provide hairdryers, so if that is the only electrical item you will use, it may be worth leaving yours at home.

WHAT TO PACK
What you pack is obviously a personal preference, however we have included a list of items and suggestions as guidance. 

Australia is a very casual country, therefore casual clothes are acceptable in the majority of instances.  If you are planning a night out on the town, more formal attire would be recommended.  Men are generally required to wear a collared shirt in nicer restaurants and casinos. 

Comfortable shoes are essential on all tours. 

Don’t forget to pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.  The sun is very intense in Australia and you will be glad you have packed a few items to shield you from the sun.

Take into consideration the time of year you are traveling. The summer months in Australia fall between November and March. Summer months in North America fall between May and September.

Northern Queensland is above the Tropic of Capricorn, therefore it will be warm and humid no matter what time of year you visit.  Lightweight, cotton clothing is recommended as it is comfortable and easy to launder.

BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
International airlines allow 2 checked bags (no more than 75 pounds each) and one carry on.  This should be sufficient as laundry facilities in your hotels are common.

PERSONAL ITEMS AND SECURITY
As when traveling in any country, it is wise to keep all valuables in a safe place.  Try to keep any money, travelers checks, jewelry and camera equipment with you at all times or securely stored in your hotel room.

USEFUL CONVERSION INFORMATION
Australia uses the metric system for all types of measurements. Here are a few helpful conversion formulas.

• 1 kilometer = 0.62 miles

• 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds

• Celsius to Fahrenheit = (9/5) x (Celsius temp) +32

DON'T FORGET TO....

• Leave your itinerary and contact details with friends/family

• Keep your travel documents handy - don’t pack them in your suitcase

• Make arrangements for you pets

• Cancel your milk and newspaper deliveries

• Put a hold on your mail or arrange for someone to collect it for you

• Let your neighbor know you will be away

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 This site was last updated on 03-Jul-10 
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