“We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional service, and the hands-on guidance and advice only an Aussie based travel specialist can provide. We welcome bookings from anywhere in the world.”

Travellers Information

Business Hours

Offices and businesses operate Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm; some tourist agencies and airlines have longer hours. Petrol (gas) stations often open 24 hours, stocking food and newspapers. Shops are usually open 9am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday, with late shopping usually Thursday or Friday. Many supermarkets, grocery stores, some large retail chains, most shopping malls and markets also operate Saturdays and Sundays; large supermarkets are often open 24 hours. Local convenience stores - dairies - usually open 7am-7pm daily.

Currency

Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. Prices are rounded to the nearest 5c.

Banking/Travellers' Cheques

Banks open Monday-Friday (except public holidays), 9.30am-4.30pm. Automatic teller machines operate on a card/PIN number system. Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day. Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is common. All international credit cards (American Express, Diners, JCB, VISA, Mastercard) are accepted. Travellers' cheques may be changed at banks, hotels and large stores in the main cities and tourist areas.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. Prices in Australia are shown as inclusive of GST. International and domestic flights purchased overseas, by non-residents, are GST free. Continuous domestic legs of international journeys are also GST free.

GST is payable on tourism services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, ground transport (including coach, rail and cruise), translators and meals. The tax applies to pre-booked and pre-paid goods and services in Australia, which are purchased before arrival in Australia, for example tours or accommodation. The prices quoted for your Australian holiday, by Relaxing Journeys, will already include the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Tourist Refund Scheme

Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) paid on goods purchased in Australia. The refund is applicable to goods, totaling $A300 (GST inclusive) or more that are being taken out of Australia. The goods must have been purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia. You can purchase several lower-priced items from one store, either at the same time or on several occasions within the 30 day period. These goods will be covered by the one tax invoice. Or you can buy goods from several stores, provided that each store’s tax invoice totals at least $A300 (GST inclusive).

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 may apply.

Weights and Measures

Australia uses the metric system for weights & measures.
1m (metre) = 1.1 yards
1km (kilometre) = 0.62 miles
1ha (hectare) = 2.5 acres
To convert C to F: multiply by 9, divide by 5, add 32.

Tipping and Service Charges

If you wish to leave a tip for excellent service this is perfectly acceptable, but is not expected. Service charges are not added to hotel or restaurant accounts.

Australia's Time Zones

There are three time zones in Australia, running east to west. Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.  Central Standard Time (CST) in South Australia and Northern Territory.  Western Standard Time (WST) in Western Australia. CST is half an hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

Electricity Supply

The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three‑pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, you may need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Emergencies

Dial 000 for police, fire or ambulance services. For non-emergency calls, full instructions appear in the front of telephone directories.

Telephones

• 0011 is the International Access (Dialling) Code from within Australia.
• 61 is the International Country Code for Australia.

Australia has a modern and competitive telephone system. You can make local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls. Local calls from public payphones are untimed and charged at $A0.40. Long distance and international calls are usually timed.  Public payphones accept Australian coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards.

Mobiles & Cell Phones

Australia uses the 900MHz and 1800MHz GSM bands for mobile phones. Before you arrive in Australia check that your phone will work on these bands. If your phone is marketed as "GSM", "tri-band" or "quad-band" it's a good bet your phone will work.

If your phone works on these bands, you have two options for making and receiving calls in Australia:

• Using your existing SIM card
• Buying a new SIM card once you get to Australia

If you wish to buy a new SIM card once you get to Australia, your phone must be "unlocked." This service may be performed by your phone manufacturer or a local mobile phone shop. SIM cards can be purchased from service operators like Telstra, Vodafone, Optus and Virgin Mobile and cost around $20-30.

Email and Internet

Internet and email access is readily available at countless Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and libraries. Australia uses RJ-45 telephone plugs and Telstra Exicom-610 six-pin plugs. If your connection is not correct go to a local electronic shop. Also check that your PC-card modem is suitable in Australia. An easy way to access Internet and email is via one of the many free web-based email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo.

Climate

Australia is a continent that experiences a variety of climates due to its size. The weather can range from below zero temperatures in the Snowy Mountains to intolerable heat in the north-west. It is considered to be one of the driest continents on earth. Being in the Southern Hemisphere its seasons are in reverse to Europe and America. The ideal time to visit the north, particularly the Northern Territory's Kakadu National Park is early in the dry season (around May.) The Dry Season, April - October, is also a good time to visit northern Queensland's beaches and rain forests. You can swim off the coast without fear of dangerous stinging box jellyfish, which infest ocean waters between November and March. In the rain forests, heat and humidity are lower than later in the year and crocodile viewing is at its prime, as the creatures tend to bask on the riverbanks rather than submerge in the colder water. For more information click here

Sunburn

Due to Australia's high level of ultraviolet radiation it is highly advisable to wear sunglasses and/or a hat if spending time in the sun, and to use sunblock even if the day is overcast.

Water Supply

Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink. City water is chlorinated; most is fluoridated. Water sourced from rivers and lakes should be boiled or treated before drinking. It is recommended that you carry with you plenty of drinking water, particularly in the warmer climates. Drinking water is available on tour coaches.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from, or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before arrival. No other health certificate is required to enter Australia.

Quarantine

Australia’s environment is unique. Quarantine helps keep it that way. Food, plant and animal products from overseas could introduce destructive pests and diseases to the country. You can help protect our unique environment by declaring quarantine items on arrival in Australia. Quarantine items include fresh or packaged food, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetables, seeds, skins, feathers, wood and plants. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) screens or X-rays all luggage and uses sniffer dogs to find high-risk products. AQIS also provides bins at international airports for travellers to dispose of quarantine items. Failure to declare food, plant and animal material could result in serious fines. For further information see the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

What To Pack

Australia is a vast country that has a range of temperate climates. In the Australian winter you can ski in the southern states one day and be diving in the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland the next. Such temperate conditions make al fresco dining, days on the beach or the water, and a huge variety of sports a way of life here. Keep clothing light, layered and comfortable to cater for whatever you want to do. Protect yourself against the sun - don’t forget to pack sunhat, sunglasses and suntan lotion.

The seasons in Australia are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. The summer months (December to February) are warm to hot. Bring lightweight clothes, but keep a jacket or sweater handy as nights may be cool. For the winter months (June to August), warmer clothes plus sweaters, jumpers, a jacket or light coat are advisable. In the tropical areas, lightweight clothing (natural fibres) is suitable all year round.

Below is a list of suggested items to consider when packing for your tour:

Clothing

General Items to Bring

If you are travelling on a camping tour, you should consider the following additional items:

Postal services

Post offices are usually open 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday with some city post offices open on Saturday morning. Stamps are usually available from hotels and motels, and selected retail outlets. Travellers can arrange to collect mail at post offices throughout Australia. Mail is held for 30 days free of charge and should be marked ‘Poste Restante’. Your name should be clearly printed on the envelope. A passport is required when collecting mail. Mail can be redirected for a small charge.

Public Holidays

It is unavoidable to have a touring programme that is not in certain places on weekends, public holidays and on days of closure for public buildings, shops and museums. We regret you may miss certain opportunities but these are kept to a minimum. Many businesses and all banks close on public holidays; all shops are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday except for a few dairies (convenience stores) and some petrol stations.

2008 Important Dates

2009 Important Dates