Australia 101 |

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Climate
The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climatic zones. About 40 percent of Australia is in the tropical zone – north, above the tropic of Capricorn. The remaining areas lie in the temperate zone. However, because of Australia’s vast size there are variations within these zones. The temperate regions have all four seasons, while those in the tropical zone have two (summer ‘wet’ and winter ‘dry’). Australia seasons are the opposite to those of the northern hemisphere.

• Spring: September to November
• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March – May
• Winter: June – August

Electricity
The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in some countries so you will need an adaptor. If your apllicanes are 110v, check if there is 110-24ov switch; if not, you will need a voltage converter, Universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Email and Internet
From Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and libraries, you will be able to access the Internet and email. There are a variety of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia who can provide the appropriate log-on numbers for a fee. Australia uses RJ-45 telephone plugs and Telstra (Exicom)-610 six-pin plugs. If your connection is not correct, local electronic shops will have the right connection. Another thing to bear in mind is that your PC-card modem may not be suitable in Australia. Probably the easiest way to access email is via one of the free web-based email services such as Hotmail.

Public Holidays: 2008

• New Years Day: January 1
• Australia Day: January 26
• Easter: March 21 – 24
• Anzac Day: April 25
• Queens Birthday: June 9
• Christmas: December 25-26

Generally school holidays are from the middle of December until the end of January, then two weeks after Easter, two weeks in June-July and two weeks in September-October.

Currency
The Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations. Prices are marked in single cents and rounded to the nearest 5c.

Credit Cards
The most commonly accepted cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates.

Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia and service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. Porters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers do not expect to be tipped although you may do so if you wish. In better class restaurants, it is usual to tip food and drink waiters up to 10 percent of the bill for good service. At any time tipping is your choice.