Australia is the sixth largest country in the world - more or less the same size as mainland USA. This vast land however also has the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre.
 
Australia offers the drama of the remote 'Outback', the colourful spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the excitement of the cosmopolitan cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches in the world, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia. The list is endless in this diverse land of adventure, which boasts 2,000 national parks and 14 World Heritage-listed areas, along with more than 7,000 beaches.
 
Australia is a land of character too, with its melting pot of cultures. For more than 50,000 years the Aboriginal people lived and thrived in the continent’s unique environment. It is believed the Aboriginals are the world’s oldest civilisation, and in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in keeping the Aboriginal culture alive and flourishing.
 
The vast continent at the bottom of the world was the last landmass to be discovered by European explorers. Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770 and sparked off generations of emigration to Australia, which for some time served as a penal colony. It was not until 1860 that two explorers - Robert Burke and William Wills - became the first Europeans to cross Australia from south to north. The country remains a magnet for modern explorers and adventurers and has a great deal to offer tourists and holidaymakers.


THE BASICS

Time: Australia is divided into three time zones. Eastern is GMT +10, Central is GMT +9.5, and Western is GMT +8. Other than the Northern Territory and Western Australia, all states observe daylight saving time in summer.

Electricity: Electrical current is 240/250 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used but are different to those in most other countries, so an adapter is normally required.

Language: English is the official language.

Health: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving within six days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country. No other special immunizations or medications are required for most trips to Australia, however insect repellants are strongly advised for the Northern Territory, north Queensland and Western Australia, because of the risk of Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River virus infections, dengue fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Beach-goers are warned to beware of jelly-fish in the coastal waters; stings have proved fatal on occasion. Another health risk is sunburn, and visitors are advised to take precautions. Medical services are excellent, but can be expensive so travellers should ensure that they have adequate insurance. Australia has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom providing for free hospital emergency medical treatment; proof of UK residence is required.

Tipping: A gratuity of between 5 to 15% is usually expected in cafes and restaurants in the larger cities. Taxi drivers are happy to be left with the change.

Safety: The crime rate in Australia is low, however travellers should be aware that tourists can be targeted by petty criminals. Be vigilant about personal possessions and travel documents, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as along the Gold Coast.

Customs: Generally an informal attitude, in dress and behaviour, prevails in most social and business situations. Sport, particularly rugby and cricket, is almost a religion.

Communications: The international access code for Australia is +61. The outgoing code is 0011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001144 for the United Kingdom). Local calls from public payphones are untimed and cost a standard rate, while international and long distance calls are charged according to the time spent on the phone. Mobile phone operators use GSM and CDMA networks; mobile phones are available for rent. Internet cafes are widely available.

Weather:  Australia is temperate, most of the country receiving more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. In summer (December to March) the average temperature is 84°F (29°C). The hottest region is the northern two-thirds of the continent, which experiences humid and wet conditions in summer. Further south summer is warm with occasional hot spells and mild nights. Winter (June to August) averages 56°F (13°C) for the country as a whole, with warm days and mild nights in the northern areas, becoming cool and showery in the south (although there are still plenty of sunny days).

The main coach area is located outside the International Terminal. There are bus stops at the Domestic Terminal for coaches and city express buses. Green and Gold Airport Express buses operate a service between the airport terminals and the city between 5am to 11pm. Route 300 goes to central Sydney and Central Station and Route 350 goes to Central Station, Kings Cross, Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay. Tickets are available from the driver. Shuttle bus companies provide direct transport to and from the airport and must be pre-booked; hotel buses are also available.

Car rental: All the main car hire companies are represented at the airport.

Facilities: There are a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants throughout the International Terminal, as well as shower facilities, Internet kiosks, cellphone rental, medical facilities and a visitor centre. Duty-free shopping is available throughout. T2 also has a wide range of shopping opportunities. There is foreign exchange in the International terminal (T1) and ATMs are available throughout the airport. The airport is non-smoking but there are some designated smoking areas. Business services in Terminals 1 and 2 offer meeting rooms, fax and Internet facilities. Disabled facilities and access are good.

Parking: There are both short-term, long-term and Quickpark car parks, and Pronto! Valet parking is also available for an additional AU$10 (for details call: + 61 (0)2 9667 6010).

Departure tax: None.

Website: www.syd.com.au

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