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Australia Travel Tips
 | Unless you are from New Zealand, not only do you require a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay, but also a valid visa before arrival. New Zealanders obtain Australian visa
on landing. |
| Duty and sales tax levied upon purchases exceeding A$ 400 of dutiable goods. |
| Do not carry any plant and animal products or fresh foods on your trip to Australia as you would have to surrender them on arrival. They are very particular about preventing any foreign organisms on Australian soil, which may hamper their own vegetation and likewise. |
| Do not carry any items made of protected or endangered species as custom officials would seize them upon arrival. |
| If you intend to rent a car in Australia, be prepared to drive on the left-hand side of the road. It is illegal here to hitch-hike, so never do that. Although speed limits may differ state to state, on highways it is generally between 100 to 110 kmph and between 50 to 60 kmph otherwise. |
| Take extra care while driving if it has been raining as the roads get easily flooded. |
| Leaving behind kids or animals locked in the car in hot weather is illegal in Australia, so never do that. |
| On leaving Australia a departure tax of A$ 30 is levied per adult. |
| In case you require an interpreter contact Telstra, the telecommunications supplier that offers 24-hours interpreting and translating services for numerous languages. |
| Travel Insurance is mandatory in Australia, find the best possible deal as your travel agent may be charging way too much. |
| Most cities would offer 24-hour medical service in the form of state run hospitals or clinics. The details would be available in the local telephone directory. |
| Malaria, Diptheria and Tetanus immunization is must before reaching Australia. Also carry proof of immunization against Hepatitis B and Yellow Fever. |
| In case of any emergency dial 000. |
| To access public phones, use calling cards available at certain stores and newsagents. Several phone booths accept credit cards as well. |
| Though not an established practice, tip of approximately 10 per cent is appropriate if you are satisfied with the services. |
| Barring tourist-interest product stores, most shopping places remain closed on Sundays. Be careful while shopping as the rates may be highly exorbitant and inflated. |
| Banks remain open from Monday to Friday between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Make use of the ATMs for any services after closing hours. |
| Currency exchange kiosks are available at all the major airports. Banks and large hotels will also exchange foreign currencies. Travelers checks are not a good idea in Australia. Those accepting it may charge an extra 5 per cent for the service. |
| Ensure complete protection against sunburn in Australia as UV levels are extremely high in sunlight there. Sunglasses, sunscreens and hats are a must especially during summer afternoons. |
| When on a beach follow safety parameters- swim only between the flagged areas of patrolled beaches and check for any dangers and warnings. |
| Certain precautions ought to followed if swimming (at Gladstone) or walking in the shallow tropical areas or reefs. Stonefishes here have spikes, which may rupture your feet and inject poison causing immense pain, therefore its preferable to wear thick soled shoes. Yes, deaths too have occured by their poisoning. Other poisonous species capable of causing death here are coral snakes and various species of cone shell etc. Also have complete information on box jellyfishes, which are fairly common in Gladstone area and their stings are quiet sharp. |
| If you plan to carry corals and shells from reef as souvenirs from Australia, think twice as the authorities are quiet strict about this issue. |
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