ble border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%" height="223">   Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Average
High Temperature 89.0°F
31°C 89.0°F
31°C 85.0°F
29°C 77.0°F
25°C 70.0°F
21°C 66.0°F
18°C Average
Low Temperature 62.0°F
16°C 63.0°F
17°C 60.0°F
15°C 55.0°F
12°C 50.0°F
10°C 48.0°F
8°C Average
Temperature 76.0°F
24°C 76.0°F
24°C 73.0°F
22°C 66.0°F
18°C 61.0°F
16°C 57.0°F
13°C Average
Morning Relative Humidity 71.0 in.
24 cm 70.0 in.
24 cm 73.0 in.
22 cm 79.0 in.
18 cm 85.0 in.
16 cm 87.0 in.
13 cm Average
Evening Relative Humidity 39.0 % 38.0 % 40.0 % 48.0 % 55.0 % 62.0 % Average
Precipitation 0.3 % 0.5 % 0.6 % 1.8 % 4.2 % 6.9 %

ble border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%" height="180">   Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Average
High Temperature 71.0°F
21°C 71.0°F
21°C 68.0°F
20°C 63.0°F
17°C 58.0°F
14°C 53.0°F
11°C Average
Low Temperature 53.0°F
11°C 53.0°F
11°C 51.0°F
10°C 48.0°F
8°C 44.0°F
6°C 41.0°F
5°C Average
Temperature 62°F
16°C 62°F
16°C 59°F
15°C 55°F
12°C 51°F
10°C 47°F
8°C Average 
Relative Humidity 56.0 % 59.0 % 61.0 % 66.0 % 70.0 % 75.0 % Average
Precipitation 1.9 % 1.5 % 1.8 % 1.9 % 1.8 % 2.2 %

Flight transportation within Australia can take an hour from Sydney to Brisbane or Melbourne, to five hours flying between Sydney and Perth. Routes to destinations like Alice Springs are limited and frequently book up early. Flights between Sydney and Cairns, though frequent, also tend to be busy so be sure to make those arrangements well in advance. We offer many combo packages with Australia and New Zealand and the three hour flights between Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney have several daily frequencies.

Our Airline Partners Serving Australia:

United Airlines
Qantas Airlines
Air New Zealand
Air Pacific

Passport/Visa Requirements: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which substitutes for a visa. The ETA is free and available through travel agents and airlines. (Most people get their ETA on the inbound flight.) Contact the nearest Australian embassy for more information.

Along with a current passport valid for the duration of your stay, the Australian government requires a visa from visitors of every nation, except New Zealand, to be issued before you arrive. If you are short-term visitor or business traveler, the process is easy and can be done in a few minutes on the Internet, using the Australian government’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This is an electronic visa that takes the place of a stamp in your passport.

You can apply for an ETA yourself, or have your travel agent or airline do it for you when you book your plane ticket. There is a A$20 (US$13) charge, payable by credit card (Amex, Diners Club, MasterCard, or Visa). Assuming you do not have a criminal conviction and are in good health, your ETA should be approved quickly. You can also apply for the visa at Australian embassies, high commissions, and consulates. Children traveling on their parent’s passport must have their own ETA.

Fees mentioned in this section are in Australian dollars; the exact amount charged by the Australian embassy, consulate, or high commission in your country will depend on the foreign currency exchange rate.

Customs

There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.

Tax Free/Duty Free

Each traveller over 18 years of age can bring into Australia 1125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/tax free. For other goods, including those intended as gifts, a duty/tax-free allowance of $A400 per person or $A200 per person under 18 is available. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.

Cash and foreign currency

If you bring in or take out of Australia more than $A10,000 cash or the equivalent in foreign currency (travellers cheques excluded), you must declare it to Customs. Failure to do is an offence.

Medications

Medicinal products brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and should be declared on arrival. It is advisable to have a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medical condition and the medication.

Luggage inspection

Luggage and hand baggage may be inspected before passengers board domestic and international flights. Also upon arrival into Australia all luggage may be inspected. You need to declare all items of a quarantine concern, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted. For further information please see Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs.

Passenger Movement Charge

Australia’s Passenger Movement Charge (departure tax) is $A38 per person and is pre-paid with your international airline ticket. Exemptions apply to children under 12 years and 24 hour transit passengers.

There may be other government, airport and sea taxes and levies applicable which are usually included in your ticket.

1.How large is Australia?

Australia is the only nation to occupy an entire continent. It has a land mass of about 7.7 million square kilometers. It is the flattest of all continents and, after Antarctica, the driest of continents, yet it has extremes of climate and topography. There are rainforests and vast plains in the north, snowfields in the southeast, desert in the centre and fertile croplands in the east, south and southwest. About one third of the country lies in the tropics. Australia has a coastline of 36,735km.

2.Where can I get tourism information about Australia?

Call the Australian Tourist Commission in your country for a copy of its latest tourist brochure or contact the Australian embassy or consulate.

3.Do I need a visa to go to Australia for a holiday?

To travel to Australia (also on stopovers) you need a valid passport and a “Electronic Travel Authority” (ETA), which can be issued free of charge on the spot by all airline-ticketing offices or the Travel Agent that is making your flight arrangements into Australia except passport holders of Zealand . New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa before travelling to Australia. For further information contact the Visa office at your local consulate office.

4.Do I need vaccinations before I travel to Australia?

North Queensland is one of the few tropical areas in the world where malaria does not exist. There are isolated cases of dengue fever and other rare tropical diseases, which are of no concern to the medical authorities. So there is no need for special prophylactic treatment or vaccinations.

The other regions with moderate climates don’t require any special attention at all. Just make sure you keep your usual immunisations current, which you should have anyway (eg. polio, tetanus). It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance cover for Australia.

5.What is Australian Currency like?

Decimal currency, introduced to Australia in 1966, is now represented by coins five, 10, 20, 50 cents and $1 and $2 with notes of $5, $10, $ 20, $50, and $100. The currency has polymer notes in $5, $10, and $20, and paper notes in $50 and $100. Eventually all notes will be polymer to reduce costs and to prevent counterfeiting.

The Australian Dollar is a stable currency. Travellers cheques and credit cards are the way to go. Preferably: Visa and Master cards, AMEX and Diners are not accepted in some places. If your bank account is linked to the CIRRUS MAESTRO worldwide ATM network, you can use your bank key-card to get cash in Australia. Check with your bank for details. Banks in Australia are open Mo-Tue 9.30 am to 4 PM, Fridays until 5 PM. Most centres have Exchange Bureaus who are open ’til late and over the weekends.

6.What are the opening hours for banks?

Banks operate from 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday.

7.Are all credit cards accepted?

Major international credit and charge cards including Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Diners’ Club are widely accepted.

Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale (EFTPOS) services are also widely available. ATM cards can be used in Australia at both Automatic Teller Machines and at most retail locations so long as they have been validated for international access. To access your account, cardholders are required to use their personal identification number when obtaining cash or services. Please contact your bank for details.

8.What time zone is Australia in?

Australia straddles a number of time zones which can cause problems when communicating between the eastern and western seaboards of Australia. The eastern seaboard is approximately 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) while the western seaboard is 8 hours ahead of GMT.

9.What is the weather like in Australia at this time of year?

Because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed to that of the northern hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, spring from September through to November.

10.Do you have the same power outlets and voltage as other countries?

No. The electrical current in Australia is 220/240 volts, AC is 50 Hz. Power outlets in Australia use a 3 prong adapter (the third prong is used as an earth). Stores specialising in travel goods have adapters which will enable some electrical goods purchased overseas to operate within Australia although not all of them will. It is also worth noting that the VCR format in Australia is on the PAL system.

11.What can you tell me about the indigenous people of Australia?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people totaled 303,000 at the last census in June 1994, totalling nearly 1.5 per cent of the population. Two thirds of indigenous people live in towns and cities. Many others live in rural and remote areas, and some still maintain a broadly traditional way of life. It is generally thought that Aboriginal people began living on the continent 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, and some authorities believe their occupation may date back 100,000 years.

12.Can I Drive in Australia ?

International Travellers

You may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving. All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times. 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 or towns is 60km/h and on country roads and highways it is 100km/p. Signs indicate speed.

13.Is Australia a safe place to travel?

Australia must be one of the safest places in the world. People are very friendly, approachable and have a reputation for their inviting friendliness. If you maintain a common sense approach and exercise normal caution, the chances are good that you will feel even safer in Australia then back home.

14.When is the best weather to visit and dive in Australia?

The good thing about Australia is that it is so big and that there is always a place where it is summer. Being on the southern half of the planet, our seasons are reverse, Christmas is our summer, whereas skiing happens in June in Southern Australia!

So it will depend a lot on your activities to answer this question. In general, Australia is great for travel and diving all year round, especially up north in the tropics of the Barrier Reef.

The majority of divers visit the part of the Great Barrier Reef between the Far Northern section (Cairns) and the southern Great Barrier Reef section (Townsville). For this reason we have compiled weather information for divers about this area. Please check directly with us for other regional info about weather conditions.

Although the North is tropical there are 4 seasons! They are not so defined as in the northern hemisphere, but we have them: Spring: Sep-Nov, Summer: Dec-Feb, Autumn: March-May, Winter: June-Aug.

Diving conditions are usually best late August to early December. The tropical monsoon season is January-March and cyclones can occur then. Winds: Between May and August usually strongest.

15.I have heard about the jelly fish in Oct - May. Is it safe to dive?

Jellyfish occur in all tropical waters. Due to the research efforts and level of knowledge about jellyfish in the northern Great Barrier Reef operators here can offer much better safety and information about this issue than in other tropical diving locations.

We do know that the most lethal species of box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, live in estuaries and coastal waters and do not venture off shore to the areas dived by most dive cruises.

There are other species of jellyfish, including oceanic and offshore species of box jellyfish, which occasionally occur and if encountered can have serious health issues and in extreme instances, cause fatality. These occur in all tropical diving locations throughout the world, including Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean, Thailand, Fiji and Indonesia especially during the warmer seasons.

We advise the wearing of full body coverage using lycra suits and/or wetsuits to minimise the already low possibility of jellyfish stings, but equally important to protect from sunburn, wherever you dive. Suits are not always available for hire, so it is best to bring your own (cost approx A$ 80.00) as there are many different body shapes and a hire suit will never fit you as well as your own.

16.Can I use my drivers license to hire a car?
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road and most visitors get used to it quickly. To legally hire a car a valid national car drivers license (in English) or an international drivers license is needed. Some hire companies require a minimum age of 21.

17.Should I bring any special clothing?

You all might have seen the movie “Crocodile Dundee” - so now the khaki safari look is very popular with tourists ! However, unless you are really travelling off the beaten track, comfortable casual leisurewear is all that is needed. Before packing, make sure to check the climate zones - winter in Melbourne and Tasmania (Jun/Jul) is really cold! All over Australia, you should be careful with sun exposure. Take with you or buy a hat with a broad rim and make sure you always protect your skin with sunscreen (15+).

18.How much tips do I need to give?

Good news: no one in Australia expects any tips for services offered. Tips have never been part of the culture. This is not to say that people don’t like to be rewarded for very good service. Give as much or little as you feel fit.

19.Are airport transfers included with the cruise and hotel packages?

Some hotels, cruises or tour operators offer complementary pick up services from the airport. This will be marked clearly on the product description. Should there be no pre arranged transfer service, all Australian airports do offer very reliable and affordable taxi services and scheduled transfer bus services. Be aware that transfer buses sometimes visit a number of different hotels before they reach your hotel. Here’s a list of approximate taxi fares from the airport to some towns (down town) you might visit (as of Sep 2003).

20.What is the best place to go at the Great Barrier Reef?

The Reef belongs to the world’s largest Marine Park, covering an area of 345,000 square km and is the largest of its kind and the largest structure made completely of living organisms.
There are several good places to go depending on what you want to do.

21.What types of reef experiences are available?

We can organise every kind of reef experience available. From first time to experienced divers, snorkellers to swimmers, there are trips to suit all budgets and levels of experience.

22.Are there entry fees into National Parks?

Generally there are no fees for visitors in their own vehicles, however there are some fees for camping in designated National Park camping areas.

23.Do I need to use extra protection in the Australian sun?

Yes, outdoor activities in Australia are very popular, but the Australian sun is strong. You should wear a broad brimmed hat, a shirt with a collar and sleeves and SPF30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen on exposed skin. Try to avoid the sun during the middle of the day (10am-2pm) when the ultraviolet rays are at their strongest.

24.What is the number to call for emergencies in Australia?

The contact number for police, fire and ambulance services throughout Australia is 000.

25.I plan to spend time enjoying beaches, what do I need to know about beach safety?

For your own safety and to minimise risks, swim between the red and yellow flags.
Always swim or surf at places patrolled by surf lifesavers or lifeguards and read and obey signs. Always swim under supervision or with a friend and avoid swimming immediately after eating. Never run and dive into the water. Even if you have checked before, conditions can change. If you get into trouble in the water, don’t panic. Raise your arm for help, float and wait for assistance. Float with the current; don’t try to swim against it.

Nightlife

After dark Down Under Catch a live band or chill out at an all-night pub, risk a few dollars on the poker machines, play pool until sunrise, listen to Jennifer Lopez or Dean Martin on the jukebox and then leap into the surf.

It’s not all music. Comedy shows and live theatre (amateur and professional) stand ready to entertain. The range of nightlife depends on the size of the town – you’re unlikely to run into world-shattering talent in a small outback bar, though you might get lucky.

In Australia’s big cities, seasoned clubbers will discover that venues run all night, with top UK and New York DJs alternating with their Aussie counterparts. Nights of frenetic dancing may be followed by a ‘recovery party’ at a local pub. These can start from about 6am or 7am, allowing revellers to lurch, stagger or stroll from nightclub to pub without missing a beat.

Dining

Traditional English fare has given way to more cosmopolitan cuisine, particularly in the country’s larger cities. Visitors can thank the post-World War II waves of immigrants from southern Europe and, more recently, from Asia who brought with them spices, garlic and a variety of recipes. Fresh local produce and seafood (no longer coated in a heavy batter) are being served almost everywhere. We liked the crayfish (lobster), prawns, Sydney rock oysters (raw with a touch of lemon and black pepper), Moreton Bay bugs (a type of lobster), coral trout, coral cod, barramundi (wrapped in plantain leaves), bream, trevally, Tasmanian salmon, mud crabs, mussels and scallops.

The once-maligned “bush tucker” (a stew made of native specialties) is occasionally featured on menus in trendy restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Crocodile, buffalo, kangaroo (usually kangaroo-tail soup), witchetty grubs (large white insects) and damper (campfire-cooked bread) sometimes crop up on Outback/tourist-type menus. Do try Vegemite, a yeast spread that has the same standing that peanut butter has in North American cuisine. But it’s best to start with a small taste (and we mean small).

You’ll still find a definite British influence in the heart of blue-collar Australia, however. Steaks (beef) and chops (lamb) are popular and often cooked on a “barbie” (barbecue grill). The national dish remains the meat pie, a pastry shaped like a small pie and filled with mysterious meat in a dark gravy. (It is best eaten with “sauce,” which is the Australian word for ketchup.)

Beer still reigns as the national beverage. Every state has its name-brand beer (Swan Lager in Western Australia, Boags and Cascade in Tasmania, etc.) and its loyal drinkers. But wine, once called “plonk,” has mounted a strong challenge to beer. Wines from the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley and Swan River Valley are very good, sometimes great. You’ll find all the familiar varietals, plus one - shiraz - not often produced outside Australia.

Shopping

There are a wide variety of quality products on offer in Australia at very competitive prices. When shopping, sightseeing or visiting theme parks on tours, remember you have a choice of where and when to shop. Shop around and compare prices and quality before you buy. This will help you get the great bargains that are available across a range of stores in Australia.

As in other countries, some Australian businesses pay commissions to tour operators and tour guides to bring tour groups to their stores. These costs are often passed on to you, the customer, through higher prices for products and services. If you are on a tour, do not feel you have to buy ONLY from the stores you are taken to. You should have an opportunity to visit and buy from other stores so check your itinerary for free shopping time.

While you are in Australia you are covered by Australia’s consumer protection laws, which require businesses to treat you fairly. All stores must obey these laws. Industry and governments are also working together to introduce standards of professionalism, with these to be embodied in a set of Tourism Export Code of Conduct standards for industry to follow. Your country also has similar laws that protect your consumer rights and govern the professional standards of travel wholesalers and retailers. If you are not satisfied with what you have purchased from them, contact the relevant government authority for travel and tourism in your home country.

In Australia many stores sell duty-free and tax-free products and services. Make sure you keep originals or copies of your passport and travel ticket with you to take advantage of these discounts. If you buy an item and it does not work properly, you have the right to a refund or to have the item replaced or repaired. Also ask about the store’s policy on repairing or returning their products in your home country (keep your receipts). Before buying watches and cameras, check that they have an international warranty valid in your country. Always compare prices and itineraries for optional sightseeing and theme park tours. Restaurants usually have prices on a menu/noticeboard. Check before you order. You are not obliged to give your tour guide a tip.