Few could deny the spectacular beauty of Sydney Harbour. Its rocky ridges and dozens of bays and coves have long been praised by visitors and residents. It was in this setting that the European settlement grew into the city we know today.
Sydney is a cosmopolitan place. From its beginning it has been a home to people from all over the world. Many generations and cultures have left their mark in defining Sydney’s evolution into one of the world's most diverse and exciting social centres, as well as a key player in the Asia-Pacific region.
Plug TypeLanguageEnglishPopulation5 millionTime ZoneGMT +10 hoursMeasuresMetric SystemVoltage200/240 voltsMobile PhonesGSM 900/1800/CDMA 800All visitors to Australia require a visa—only New Zealand nationals are exempt. Visa application forms are available from Australian embassies, travel agents or the website of the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs. Please note that there are several different types of visas. Be sure to arrange for the one most relevant to your travel status and plans.Visa Requirements from the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous AffairsThe unit of money is the Australian Dollar (AU), made up of 100 cents. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls. 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available.Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.AUD 1.00 equals:
.79
US Dollar (USD)
.56
Euro (EUR)
.45
British Pound (GBP)
37.19
Indian Rupee (INR)
84.26
Japanese Yen (JPY)
1.18
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
1.14
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
A 10% Goods and Services Tax applies to most purchases. This tax is refundable to visitors with purchases in excess of $300 per store made within 30 days before departing Australia and applies only to goods visitors take with them as hand luggage. Please call 1300 363 263 or visit www.customs.gov.au for further information.Tipping is not compulsory however it is acceptable to apply a gratuity for good service.Bank Hours9.30am to 4pm, Mon-Thur, and 9.30am to 5pm on FridaysOffice Hours9am to 5.30pm, Mon through FriShop Hours9am to 5.30pm, Mon-Wed and Friday
9am to 9pm, Thur
9am to 5pm, Sat and SunHealth care in Australia follows Western traditions with advanced medical resources widely available. We do recommend, however, that all travellers be in good health prior to undertaking any strenuous travel.
Drinking water from the tap is safe throughout Australia. Bottled drinking water is also available in every hotel room.
Australia is known to be casual in its approach to living, although light suits and dresses are appropriate for business.Sydney has an oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters, and with rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. Expect temperatures ranging from 18C to 30C (65F – 86F) during the warmer months (Oct - Mar), and between 12C and 25C (50F – 63F) during the cooler months (Apr - Sep).