International Visitors

Information Categories

Alcohol Consumption
Australian Road Rules
Banking
Beach Safety
Climate
Exploring the Outback
Health Services
Shopping
The “Nasties”

Alcohol Consumption :

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18.

Australian Road Rules

  • Drivers must always keep to the left-hand side of the road
  • Seat belts and child restraints are compulsory and must be worn by all vehicle occupants.
  • Unless sign-posted the urban speed limit is 50kmh (31mph) and for all other roads is 100kmh (62mph).
  • The speed limit in school zones is 40kmh (25mph).
  • Shared traffic zones (pedestrians, bicycles, and other vehicles share the road) have a speed limit of 10kmh (6mph).
  • The legal driving age is 17 years.
  • Always carry a copy of your driver’s licence, in English.
  • The limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration is zero for all learner drivers, provisional licence holders, drivers of vehicles with a GVM (gross vehicle mass) greater than 13.9 tonnes (15.3 tons), vehicles carrying dangerous goods, and public vehicles such as taxis and buses. The limit is .05 for experienced adult drivers and those not covered by the zero restriction.
  • Using a mobile (cell) phone whilst driving is illegal

Banking

Banks are open 9:30am until 4:00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9:30am until 5:00pm, Friday. Some Banks, Building Societies, and Credit Unions are also open on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings.

Beach Safety

  • Always swim at patrolled beaches, follow the directions of lifeguards, and stay between the red and yellow flags.
  • When swimming or surfing at unpatrolled beaches care should be taken to avoid rips, rocks, and, for inexperienced swimmers, deep water.

Climate

Australia’s summers are generally hot, especially inland, but are tempered by sea breezes on the coast. Our winters are mild. Everyone should use sunscreen of at least SPF15 when outdoors, even in winter. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancers and melanoma in the world.

Exploring the Outback

  • When travelling in the outback it is essential that you carry water. 2 litres per person is the minimum, especially in summer. Even in winter daytime temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F) and in the summer months have been known to top 50°C (122°F).
  • Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.
  • If you are planning to drive off-road in the outback, as they say, there is safety in numbers. Always travel with a friend and preferably in 2 vehicles so that should one strike trouble the other can go for help.
  • Carry current maps as well as your GPS.

Health Services

  • Casualty or Emergency departments of public hospitals operate 24 hours/7 days
  • Many Medical Centres and pharmacies are open 7 days a week and usually late into the evening. Some are open 24 hours.
  • healthdirect Australia (www.healthdirect.org.au) provides free* access 24 hours a day to healthcare triage, health advice and health information. Services include the healthdirect Australia telephone triage, health advice and information line; the Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline; HealthInsite, your gateway to reliable health information; and the After Hours GP Helpline. *Calls from landlines are free; Mobile charges may apply.

Shopping

  • Most retail stores trade 7 days a week; some are open extended hours on a daily basis, others from 9:00am until 5:00pm and most close by 4:00pm Sunday.
  • Supermarkets are generally open late every night.
  • Post Offices are open between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday. A select number of offices in larger cities do trade from 9:00am until 12:00 noon on Saturday.

The “Nasties”:

Australia is home to the world’s most venomous creatures. They are found in bushland, parks and beaches, and even our own backyards. The two deadliest snakes in the world, the taipan and the eastern brown, can be found here. In fact, Australia is home to 7 of the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world. We are also home to the funnel web spider, the box jellyfish, the blue ringed octopus, and, of course, our best known “nasty” the saltwater crocodile, to name a few. More information and a full list of “the nasties” can be found at www.deadlyaustralians.com.au

It should be noted also that the east coast of Australia is the only place in the world where you will find the paralysis tick.

Don’t miss the chance to uncover the wonders of Australia with our expert guide. Start your journey today and experience the breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and unforgettable adventures that await you. Let us be your companions in this extraordinary exploration of the land Down Under.

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