Hotels in: Australia | Sydney | Perth | Adelaide | Alice Springs | Brisbane | Cairns | Canberra | Darwin | Gold Coast | Melbourne

Overview
Australia’s biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sun baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors. Australia boasts over 7,000 beaches - more than any other nation.

In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population.

Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude.

The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, is only 2228 meters. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent.

The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories:

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Australia Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.

Languages
While English is an official language, Australia is a multi-cultural country, so it’s not unusual to walk down a street and hear people speaking Italian, Greek, Vietnamese or Arabic as their first language. Some original aboriginal languages are also still spoken in Australia.
English-speaking Australians have a passion for abbreviations and are liable to use a hotchpotch of local slang that can take the first-time visitor a while to untangle.

Religion
75% Christian, 1% Muslim, 1% Buddhist, 0.5% Jewish

Climate
Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. There are two climatic zones:

• tropical zone (north, above the Tropic of Capricorn) covers over 40% of Australia and knows only two seeasons: summer (wet season) and winter (dry season)
• temperate zone has all four seasons

Period from November to March (spring to summer) the conditions are warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.

Durind the period from April to September (autumn to winter) the Northern and central Australia have clear warm days, cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow does fall in Australia too, but it is totally confined to mountainous regions of the southeast.

Required clothing: Lightweights during summer months with warmer clothes needed during the cooler winter period throughout most of the southern States. Lightweight cottons and linens are all year in the central/northern states with warm clothes only for cooler winter evenings and early mornings. Sunglasses, sunhats and sun block lotion are recommended all year round in the north and during the summer months in the south.

Spending Christmas at the beach or skiing in August may seem strange but Australia’s seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere. Summer officially starts in December and winter in June. But even in winter you’ll enjoy blue skies and warm, bright days.

Australia’s climate and the fact that it is the driest continent on earth makes it a fabulous holiday destination all year round, whatever you’re planning to do. 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, sublime days on the beach or the water, outdoor barbeques, and a huge variety of sports a way of life here.

Dressing Tips:

• Protect against sunburn at all times, but especially in summer.
  Use a wide brimmed hat, 15+ sunscreen, sunglasses, protective clothes and shoes. Australian sunlight has very high UV levels and skin damage occurs rapidly, especially during the middle of the day.
• Check approaching storm fronts for signs of a greenish tinge.
  This often indicates a hail storm that may cause damage to persons and property.
• Always observe correct beach safety.
  Swim only at patrolled beaches. Only swim between flagged areas. If in doubt, ask. Always check for warning signs.
• If you intend to swim in shallow coastal waters north of Gladstone, make it your business to be informed about box jellyfish (marine stingers). Generally found in shallow water near creek or river mouths, more likely after local rain, usually absent in rough water. Not usually found over deep water or coral.
  Stinger season is usually from December to March in the Gladstone (south) area and longer, from October to June, in the Cairns (north) area. Most popular beaches in the stinger areas are netted to provide swimmer protection.
• Always wear thick soled shoes when walking in shallow tropical waters or reef walking
  This is to protect you against the highly camouflaged stonefish. It has dorsal spikes which will rupture the skin of the foot and inject poison causing extreme swelling and agony. Deaths have been recorded as a result of stonefish poisoning.
• There are other poisonous creatures on the reef such as some of the cone shell species

Electricity:
Australian electricity supply is 220-240 volts. Most electronics stores stock adaptors for 110v appliances as well as adaptors for 220-240v appliances with different plug types. Australian-style plug has two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade.

Business hours:
Major shopping centers open 7 days a week. Normal business hours are 9.00 am – 17.00 am for most of the shops, except Thursday, which is a “late night shopping day” when most of the shops are open until 9pm. Tourism oriented outlets do have a 7 day trade as do convenience stores supplying basic needs.

Banking hours are Mon-Thurs 0930-1600, Fri 0930-1700. These hours may vary slightly throughout the country.

Public Holidays:
Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period are following:

• Jan 1 New Year’s Day
• Jan 26 Australia Day
• Apr 14-17 Easter
• Apr 25 ANZAC Day
• Dec 25-26 Christmas

If Christmas or New Year dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following weekday(s) are taken in lieu.

On top of above Nationwide holidays only, there is also number of individual State holidays.

Postal Services:
Australian post offices are usually open from 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.

Telephone Services:
All the telephone numbers for local calls and long distance calls within the country have eight digits. Local areas code are:

• 02 Central East/ New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory
• 03 South East / Victoria & Tasmania
• 07 North East/ Queensland
• 08 Central & West/ Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory
• mobile phones 04 Australia-wide
• International dialing code for Australia is 61
• making international calls to Australia add 66 and omit the leading 0
• making international calls from Australia first dial 0011+country code+area code+telephone number
• free calls within Australia start with 1800 (free for domestic calls only)

Note: Always delete the leading “0″ from the area code or from the mobile telephone number when calling from outside Australia.

Phone cards are a popular way of accessing the public phone system. Cards are available from selected newsagents and stores. Selected public phones also accept credit cards. Public phone call assistance is available by dialing 013.

When To Go:
Any time is a good time to be in Australia. Summer (December to February) can get uncomfortably hot but its great beach weather. Up north, the summer wet season is very, very humid and the sea is swarming with box jellyfish. Winter (June to August) offers skiing in NSW and Victoria. In spring and autumn the weather is mild.

Time Zones
Australia has three different timezones:

1. GMT/UTC +10 (Eastern Standard Time)
2. GMT/UTC +9.5 (Central Time)
3. GMT/UTC +8 (Western Time)

Daylight saving starts on the last Sunday in October (in Tasmania the first Sunday) and ends last Sunday in March

Where to go
Australia is renown for its beauty and its list of natural wonders could go forever. Some of the most polular tourist places are these:

• Sydney Harbour Bridge
  Opened in 1932 and affectionately known as the ‘coathanger,’ the bridge is 1,149 meters long, weighs 52,800 tones, has six million rivets and needed 272,000 liters of paint for its initial coat. Paint maintenance is a continual process. It takes 10 years and 30,000 liters of paint before they start all over again!
• Sydney Opera House
  A short walk from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House is one of the world’s premier performing arts centers. Taking almost 15 years to build, it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.
• Blue Mountains
  Dramatic canyons, sheer valleys, thundering waterfalls and gum forests all make up Australia’s most recent World Heritage area - the Blue Mountains National Park. Also part of this latest listing is nearby Wollemi National Park - the home of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine.
• The 12 Apostles
  Located along the spectacular Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the 12 Apostles stand as sentinels against a dramatic backdrop of sheer cliff face and Wild Ocean. Formed over thousands of years by the action of the sea, only eight of the original 12 Apostles remain.
• Great Barrier Reef
  Australia’s most famous natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef, will stun you with its magnificence. It’s as big as the total combined area of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and contains more than 1,000 islands, from sandy cays to rainforest isles. The beauty of the waters and the prolific life it supports enraptures visitors. You can reach coral sites by air and water taxi and scuba dive or snorkel for intimate reef views. Or choose comfortable accommodation on some secluded reef islands.
• Fraser Island
  Stretching 120 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide, World Heritage listed Fraser Island offers vast white beaches, beautiful headlands and rainforests, and the best camping ever. You can mingle with kangaroos, wallabies and other unique animals, or stay in style at a resort!
• Daintree Rainforest
  Reef and rainforest touch in this region of World Heritage protected beauty. The Daintree River winds gently through tangled woodland through jungle homes of unique birds, pythons and crocodiles, north to Cape Tribulation, a spectacular national park.
• Uluru
  Located in the centre of Australia, Uluru (Ayers Rock) is the world’s biggest monolith. It’s 3.6 kilometers long, 2 kilometers wide and has a 9.4 kilometer circumference. Made of arkosic sandstone, Uluru changes colour in different lights, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
• Kangaroo Island
  Limited development has ensured an abundance of wildlife on this island located close to the tip of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Here, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, koalas and of course, kangaroos, live in a protected natural environment. Pure air and clean water provide one of the last unspoiled wonders of the Tasmaniaworld.
• Tasmanian Wilderness
  The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area is one of the largest conservation reserves in Australia, covering 1.38 million hectares. This stronghold of temperate rainforest and alpine vegetation provides pristine habitats for plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, including many rare and endangered species.
• Kakadu National Park
  In Australia’s tropical Top End, the delicate pink beauty of the water lily and the prehistoric brute strength of the crocodile merge in stunning Kakadu National Park. Rivers with roaring waterfalls and a landscape of towering sandstone escarpments cradle some of Kakadu’s treasures waiting to be explored.
• Bungle Bungles Range
  The Bungle Bungles Range, in Purnululu National Park, is one of the most fascinating geological landmarks in Western Australia. Orange and black stripes of silica and algae across the beehive-like mounds are clearly visible as you approach from the air. Closer up, a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed, with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks.

Where to stay
Australia has on offer an abundance of hotels for every visitor and every budget. See our Australian accommodation services for detailed list of Australian hotels and available specials.

TRAVEL TIPS

Passport & Visa
To enter Australia you will need a current passport valid for the duration of your stay and a valid tourist visa issued in your own country and entered into the passport before the travel date. New Zealand visitors are exempt from these requirements and are granted an entry permit on arrival.

Visa applications are made to the Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission, as applicable, in your home country. Make sure you apply for the correct visa type. For example, if you plan to work, you will need to apply for a work permit which is generally limited to single under 25’s and which only allows for casual work to be performed for up to 3 months.

Tourist visas are generally valid for a stay of 3 or 6 months. At the time of making your visa application you will have to sign an undertaking that you have an outward bound ticket and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.

Passports: valid passport required by all travellers
Visas: required by all travellers except the nationals of New Zealand.
Transit visas:
Nationals of the following countries do not need to obtain a transit visa before travel if they are continuing their journey to a third country (and they hold confirmation of booking and documentation to enter country) within eight hours of arriving in Australia:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong (SAR or BNO passport holders), Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (if issued by the authorities in Taiwan), Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK (and its colonies), USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City and Zimbabwe

All other nationals must obtain a transit visa before travel if intending to remain in Australia no longer than 72 hours and a ’stopover’ is intended. Transit visas are free of charge (please note that not all airports remain open during the night and you are advised to check this with your airline).

Australian visa regulations and application charges change from time to time. The information provided is valid at the time of writing, but visitors should check that this information is still current by visiting the Department of Immigration online.

Transportation

Car
Australian traffic drives on the left hand side of the road. If you are in doubt about your driving license being accepted in Australia, you may consider obtaining an International License from your local automobile association prior to your departure.

An International Driving Permit is required by nationals of countries whose official language is not English. International, foreign or national driving permits are generally valid for three months. An International Driving Permit is only valid in conjunction with a valid national license. Permits must be carried at all times while driving.

Car hire services are available at all major airport services and through out the major city.

Road speed limits differ between states but are generally 100-110kph on the highways and 50-60kph in built-up areas. Interstate highways are not of the same standard as USA and European highway systems but nor do they carry the same traffic volumes.

Driving Tips:

• Children and animals in the car
  Never leave small children or animals locked in vehicles in very hot weather as dehydration occurs very quickly. Such practice is illegal in Australia
• Driving in the country
  Be careful when driving on country roads at night in cold weather. Cattle and native animals such as kangaroos lie on the bitumen road surface which holds the warmth of the sun. Car lights blind and mesmerize the animals and they may just as easily run into your vehicle as run away from it.
• Driving in the outback
  If traveling on remote outback roads/tracks, always advise someone at the destination of your expected arrival time and number of people in your party. If you fail to arrive within a reasonable time, help procedures can be started. Do not leave your vehicle as a missing vehicle is much easier to find than a missing person.

  Dust from passing vehicles on outback roads can obscure your vision. Don’t take risks, slow down or stop until it settles.

• Road Trains
  Extra care is needed when sharing the road with road-trains.These are prime movers with multiple trailers of cattle attached and are about 50 meters (170 feet) long. Always give them plenty of room as the buffeting from displaced air while passing in opposite directions can be quite severe. Allow at least 1 kilometer (3000 feet) of clear road before overtaking a road train.
• Flooded areas
  Do not attempt to cross flooded rivers and causeways unless you are sure of the water depth and road surface damage. Most flash floods recede within 24 hours.

Taxis
Taxis operate 24 hours a day in most parts of Australia. A meter on the dashboard of the taxi shows the fare. Taxi companies are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory under ‘Taxi cabs’. Most cities have special taxis available for people using a wheelchair.

Air
Australians rely on aviation to get from place to place as inhabitants of smaller countries rely on trains and buses. The network of scheduled services extends to more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) and covers the whole continent. Both first-class and second-class service is available, with meals and hostess service on many routes. Recent deregulation of Australia’s domestic airline means that flight services are more competitively priced.

Aircraft can be chartered by pilots who pass a written examination on Australian air regulations and have their licenses validated for private operations within Australia.

The major domestic airlines are: Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Blue, which serve the major cities throughout Australia. In addition the Rex Regional Express operate throughout New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Nearly all the domestic airlines operate special deals or air passes at greatly reduced prices.

Airports:
There are a great number of airports and landing strips throughout the country, including airports in all capital cities and regional centers such as Alice Springs, Launceston and Uluru (Ayers Rock). All airports have a duty free shop, bank/bureau de change, restaurant/bar, tourist information kiosk, car hire and taxi stand; these will almost always be available on arrival and departure of international flights.

• Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith) (website: ) is 8km (5 miles) south of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Trains connects the airport to Sydney Central Station (travel time about 15 minutes). There are also buses and taxis readily available.
• Adelaide Airport (ADL) (website: ) is 6km (4 miles) west of the city (travel time about 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches meet all international and domestic flights. Buses and taxis are available to the city and hotels.
• Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 22km (14 miles) northwest of the city (travel time about 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Skybus Coach (24 hours) or taxis are available to the city centre. There are also regional bus links from the airport.
• Perth Airport (PER) is 12km (7 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). There are separate international and domestic terminals. To/from the airport: Airport buses meet international and domestic flights. Taxis are available.
• Brisbane Airport (BNE) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). To/from the airport: Coach Services are available to the city, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and major hotels. Coaches meet all international flights. A rail link between the airport and the city was introduced in 2001. Taxis are also available.
• Darwin Airport (DRW) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city (travel time about 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches and taxis meet all incoming international daytime flights.
• Hobart Airport (HBA) is 16km (10 miles) east of the city (travel time about 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches meet all incoming flights. Buses and taxis are available to the city.
• Cairns Airport (CNS) is 8km (5 miles) north of the city (travel time about 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches meet all incoming flights. There is also a shuttle taxi service, limousines, car hire and taxis.
• Canberra Airport (CBR) is 8km (5 miles) east of Canberra (travel time – 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and shuttle buses are available to the city centre.

Departure tax: None

Public Transport service inter-states
Bus/coach
There are several long-distance bus companies but only one truly national service, Greyhound Australia. Buses are comfortable, but if you’re traveling between major cities, be prepared for a long trip. Australia has a skeletal rail network linking all major cities.

The main coach express routes are:
• from Sydney:
  to Adelaide
  to Melbourne
  to Brisbane
  to Canberra
• from Canberra: to Melbourne
• from Melbourne: to Adelaide
• from Adelaide:
  to Alice Springs
  to Perth
  to Brisbane
• from Darwin:
  to Alice Springs
  to Cairns
  to Perth
  to Kakadu
• from Alice Springs: to Ayers Rock
• from Cairns: to Brisbane
• from Brisbane:
  to Sydney
  to Melbourne

Coach passes are available for travel on a variety of routes for between seven days and one year, such as the All Australian, the Sunseeker, the Aussie Reef & Rock, the Coast to Coast etc.
The Aussie Kilometer Pass allows you to purchase your travel in kilometers and then travel in any direction on the national network to the distance purchased. It is advisable to purchase these passes before departure from country of origin.

Coaches are one of the cheapest ways to travel around Australia, as well as one of the most comfortable, with air conditioning, big adjustable seats and on-board bathrooms; some also have television and the latest videos.

Train
Over 40,000km (24,850 miles) of track covers the country. Due to the vastness of the country, internal flights are a preferred option for traveling long distances, particularly as rail travel can be slow and relatively expensive. Few people travel long-distances by train because it’s usually the slowest mode of overland transport and remains relatively expensive (though it is generally more comfortable for overnight trips).

Useful transport links:
There are many forms of public transport to use in Australia. These vary between states and territories. The following sites provide useful transport information in each state and territory:
Action buses - Canberra (ACT)
Transport Infoline - NSW (NSW)
Transport and Travel in the Northern Territory (NT)
Translink - Queensland (QLD)
Adelaide Metro (SA)
Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources - Tasmania (TAS)
Metlink - Melbourne (VIC)
Transperth (WA)

Money Matters

Currency:
Australian Dollar (AUD; symbol A$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of A$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of A$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency exchange:
Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at all international airports in Australia. International-class hotels will exchange major currencies for guests. It is recommended that visitors change money at the airport or at city banks.

Credit & debit cards:
Major credit cards are accepted. Use may be restricted in small towns and outback areas. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travel cheques:
Widely accepted in major currencies at banks or large hotels. However, some banks may charge a fee for cashing traveler’s cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler’s cheques in a major currency.

Currency restrictions:
Export and import of coins/notes in Australian or foreign currency above A$10,000 must be declared to customs at the port of entry or departure. Export of local currency above A$2000 must have reserve bank approval.

Money Tips
If you’re traveling from Europe or the USA, Australia is pretty easy on the wallet. Food, in particular, is great value. Accommodation is also reasonably priced, and if you’re staying in hostels, on-site caravans (trailers) or camping, and making your own meals, you could conceivably get by on about A$40.00 to A$50.00 a day.

Travel will be your biggest expense - distances are huge - so if you’re moving around a bit, eating out once or twice a day and staying in budget hotels, plan for closer to A$100.00 a day. If you’re only staying for a couple of weeks and plan to take a few internal flights, you’ll be looking at more like A$200.00 a day.

Credit cards
Credit cards (particularly Visa and MasterCard) are widely used and accepted almost everywhere (credit card is also pretty much compulsory if you are going to rent a car). A wide network of ATMs spreads all over the country and accepts all the major existing credit and debit cards.

Shopping local products:

Australian Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo originated in the ‘Top End’ (Norther Territory) of Australia and is one of the most popular items purchased by visitors. A musical instrument, which is played in similar way to other wind instruments.
Its made from a log hollowed out by termites, cleaned and the mouthpiece is covered with beeswax or resin. Overall length varies from one to one-and-a-half metres with a mouthpiece diameter around 30 millimetres tapering to 50 millimetres at its base. Different lengths produce different keys and sounds.

Boomerang
Boomerang-making is an ancient craft that dates back around 10,000 years. The boomerang functions as a throwing weapon used mainly for hunting and fighting, or as a digging, fire-making, ceremonial, or music-making tool.
Its shape and size vary depending on its function, but can be grouped into categories of returning, non-returning, hunting or ceremonial. Boomerangs are shaped from timber, and great care is taken to select the branch or tree root for the correct angle and grain. They are available with fine engravings or painted artwork.

Bark paintings
Part of the world’s oldest continuous painting tradition, bark paintings generally depict native plants, animals or natural phenomena significant to Aboriginal culture. The bark used is from a tree species called Darwin stringy-bark, or eucalyptus tetrodonta.
Most artists mix their own palettes from red, yellow and white oxides and ochres, to produce a dazzling range of greens, blues and mauves. The particular arrangement of colours is the trademark of each individual artist. Bark paintings are generally reasonably priced.

Dot paintings
Dot painting is, by definition, the use of dots of paint to create an image of native plants, animals or natural phenomena. Using natural ochres and oxides, dot painting is one of the best-known forms of Aboriginal art. Dot painting on paper was introduced as an alternative to bark in the past few years as it was seen to have a distinct advantage for both artist and buyer.
Most importantly, bark removal can often kill a tree. Paper is also available year round whereas bark removal can only be carried out six months of the year.

Weaving
Aboriginal weaving, known as ‘buyu’, has been practised for thousands of years and continues to use traditional designs and materials. Traditional woven items include dugout canoe sails, fishing nets, rope, fishing traps, string sculptures, ceremonial basketry and feather work, and contemporary items like woven floor rugs and basketry are also widely available. These items can be found throughout Australia from retail outlets to regional communities.

Emu eggs
The emu is a native Australian bird similar to an ostrich. Its large eggs have a dark green shell and a white inner layer that provides a perfect medium for both traditional and contemporary carved designs.
Emu eggs are carved and painted in traditional Aboriginal designs that date back thousands of years. It is a beautiful and unusual art form. Typically, the eggs measure from 10 centimetres up to 15 centimetres in length and they are available with stands for easy display.

Merino wool
Australia is known not only for its quantity of sheep, but the quality of wool they produce. Merino in particular yields the longest wool fibres in the world. Australian designers have taken this remarkable wool and produced spectacular clothing including hand-knitted sweaters and jackets that are the envy of the world. As well as clothing, beautiful soft blankets and bedding are also available. When buying, always look for the Pure New Wool label to guarantee quality. Australian merino wool is not to be missed and is available in most department stores and retail outlets

Akubra
The name Akubra in Australia has almost become the general term for hat. Like the Stetson in America, the Akubra hat has become part of Australian folklore. In production since the 1870s, rabbit fur felt Akubra hats have, and continue to be, the hat of choice in the Australian outback. Akubra also manufactured the famous Australian ’slouch’ hats during the First and Second World Wars. Over the years, Akubra hats have adorned the heads of prime ministers, US presidents, sporting greats and film stars. A piece of Australian history! The Akubra is available in most major department stores, retail outlets and online.

Vegemite
Vegemite - as Australian as you can get. The spread, now known around the world for its unique taste, first appeared on Australian supermarket shelves in 1923. From this time generations of children and adults have made this a staple at the breakfast table. The Vegemite slogan “It puts a rose in every cheek” is as familiar to Australians as the unusual yeast taste. Whether to taste or take home, Vegemite is an item that should be on every visitors’ list.

Australian opals
Australia produces an amazing 95 per cent of the world’s opal supply. Called Rainbow Stone by Australia’s Aboriginal people, the opal is one of nature’s most remarkable gems and is recognised as one of the five most precious gemstones in the world. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales is home to the remarkable black opal, while Coober Pedy in South Australia mines the stunning white opal. The value of the stone is determined by the spread and brilliance of colour. Opals and opal jewellery can be bought on site at opal mines or at retail and duty-free outlets in all major cities.

Sapphires
Australia is blessed with the largest gem fields in the world, producing remarkable sapphires that range in colour from stunning blue, green, yellow, or a combination of all three, to gold, orange, pink, mauve and purple. Sapphires mined from the Aakie field in Central Queensland are widely considered to be the best sapphires in the world. Quality-assured sapphires, from unset stones to highly crafted jewellery, can be purchased from leading jewellery stores.

Jade
Jade has always been prized around the world for its inherent beauty and ability to be crafted into beautiful jewellery and figurines. In Australia it is mined only at the Cowell Jade province in South Australia. So rare, the deposits are limited to a nine square kilometre site. While dark green jade is more common, black jade is considered to be the most precious. Extremely rare, black jade is sought by enthusiasts around the world for its fine working qualities. Jade can be found at exclusive outlets and jewellers.

Pearls
The Australian cultured pearl industry has its roots in Broome, Western Australia, where 10 farms now produce some of the world’s top pearls. There are two basic groups - white and black. The white pearls range in colour from white and silvery-blue to pale gold, while black pearls, named not for their colour, but rather for the species of oyster that produces them, range from rainbow to green. These remarkable pearls can be purchased from specialist jewellery stores, online or, for the more adventurous, ‘on site’ from the west coast pearling region.

Australian wine
Australian winemaking goes as far back as European discovery in 1788. Since then, Australia has not only become one of the world’s leading producers of wine, but also one of the best. Year after year, Australian red and white wines rank among the best at international wine shows around the world. Every Australian capital city offers winegrowing areas nearby and with over 1000 wineries, the chance to sample these remarkable wines at the cellar door is a must for any wine lover. Most wineries offer an international shipping service.

Important phone numbers
Ambulance, Police, Fire Brigade 000
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
Energy Australia 131388
General Post Office 131318
Local Directory 12455
Overseas Operator 1225

Hotels in: Australia | Sydney | Perth | Adelaide | Alice Springs | Brisbane | Cairns | Canberra | Darwin | Gold Coast | Melbourne

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