TRAVEL AND TOURIST INFORMATION

Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city, set on a stunning harbour and home to two of the world's most recognisable icons - the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney's CBD offers world-class theatres, great shopping, museums, art galleries and restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world.

TRANSPORT

For the most up to date transport information, including timetables and fares you can contact NSW Transport Info on 131 500 or visit http://www.transportnsw.info/. You can also download the NSW Transport Info 131500 app for your iPhone or Android.

The following costs are provided as an estimate for travel from the airport to Sydney’s business district.

Airport Shuttle Bus to city hotels: AUD$15 to AUD$20
Train: AUD$15.90 to AUD$18.00 - the closest station to the hotels is Town Hall (Queen Victoria Building exit) or Museum, which are both on a direct service from the airport followed by an 8-10 minute walk. Buy a ticket to the City from the airport station and you can alight at either station.
Taxi fare estimates: Sydney City $40-55 (one way) - there is a taxi rank at the international airport and taxi line supervisors to monitor the flow of the taxi traffic and passenger loading. Travel time, depending on traffic, is 30 -35 minutes. You can pay for your taxi using all major credit cards (however,a 10% surcharge applies). Gratuity (tipping) of taxi drivers is neither compulsory or expected and is at the discretion of the passenger.

BANKS

Banks in Australia are open from 0930 to 1600 Monday to Thursday and 0930 to 1700 on Friday. Selected banks are open on Saturday; however, all banks are closed on Sunday.

The easiest way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine) with an international network such as Cirrus (MasterCard) or PLUS (Visa). Australian ATMs use a four-digit code, so check with your bank and make sure you change yours before you leave home.

CLIMATE

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with a mild winter, and has more than 340 sunny days a year. June is part of Sydney’s winter season and temperatures on average will be 16.9°C (62.4 °F) during the day and 9.2°C (48.6°F) during the evenings.

CURRENCY

Australia’s national currency is the Australian dollar which comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and one and two dollar denominations.

All major credit cards are accepted throughout Australia.

Current exchange rates can be viewed through the following link: http://www.xe.cm/ucc

Currency exchange facilities are located at international airports and throughout Sydney’s central business district.

Bringing money into Australia

There is no limit to the amount of currency you can bring in or out of Australia, however, if you plan to arrive in Australia with more than AUD$10,000 in cash (Australian dollars or foreign equivalent) you must declare it to Australian Customs at the airport when you land.

You may also be required to fill in a Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) form if you're carrying promissory notes, traveller's cheques, personal cheques, money orders or postal orders. For further information visit the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

DUTY FREE

Tobacco

If you are aged 18 years or over you can bring 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products duty-free into Australia with you. All tobacco products in accompanied baggage are included in this category, regardless of how or where they were purchased.

General goods

If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring up to AUD$900 worth of general goods into Australia duty-free. If you are under 18 years of age there is an AUD$450 limit. General goods include gifts, souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment

Alcoholic beverages

If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages duty-free into Australia with you. All alcoholic beverages in accompanied baggage are included in this category, regardless of where or how it was purchased.

Aviation security regulations may restrict the volume of liquids that you can bring into Australia as hand luggage. As an alternative, duty-free alcoholic beverages can be purchased in an airport duty-free shop on arrival in Australia. For more information about the restrictions, visit http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/

Families travelling together can pool their duty-free concessions. Family means either:

(a) a husband and wife, and any of their children; or (b) a person and his or her de facto partner (within the meaning of section 22A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901), and any of their children;

Be aware that if you exceed Australia’s duty-free limits, duty and tax will apply on ALL items of that type (general goods, alcohol or tobacco), not just the goods over the limit.

ELECTRICITY

Australian electricity supply is 240 volts; 50Hz. Appliance connection is via a flat 3-pin plug of unique design to Australia. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers; however adaptors can be purchased for 110 volt appliances as well as adaptors for 220 volt appliances with differing plug types.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

The emergency number for police, ambulance and or fire brigade is 000.

LOCAL TIME

Local time in Sydney during June is Greenwich Mean Time plus 10 hours.

MOBILE/CELL PHONES

Analogue mobile/cell phones will not work in Australia as it operates on a digital network. Mobile/Cell phones can be hired from telecommunication outlets in the central business district if required.

There are a number of mobile phone retailers (Optus, Vodafone and Lebara) at the International Arrivals Lounge at Sydney Airport who are able to assist you with setting up your phone for use in Australia and/or set you up with a local SIM card.

WI-FI ACCESS

You will find widespread access to the Internet via Wi-Fi or plug-in at locations around the city. They include Internet cafes, most hotels, backpacker accommodation and hostels, major airports, some railway stations, public libraries, fast-food chains, and on board Sydney Ferries. Many international hotel chains offer free WI-FI access for a limited time throughout their lobby area.

RESTAURANTS

Sydney is one of the most eclectic food capitals in the world. Combining its fresh food produce, creative chefs and multicultural flair, Sydney prides itself on being a world class food destination. For dinner with a view, Circular Quay home to the famous Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House also have an extensive selection of restaurants to cater for all tastes.

SHOPPING

Shops are open from 0900 – 1730 Monday to Fridays with late night shopping until 2100 on Thursday evenings. Shops are open from 0900 – 1700 on Saturdays and from 1000 – 1600 on Sundays.

Sydney shopping has it all, from luxe labels and home-grown fashion to markets and outlet tours. Westfield has the largest shopping centre portfolios in Australia and Westfield Shopping Centres are located in Sydney and suburbs.

TAXES

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in all consumer goods in Australia. The 10% is included in the retail price advertised. You may be able to claim a refund of the GST paid on goods bought here if you have spent AUD$300 or more in one store, no more than 30 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals. For more detailed information see Australian government information on the Tourist Refund Scheme

TIPPING

Tipping is not standard practice in Australia but is welcome when the service exceeds expectation. It is recommended to tip 5 – 10% in bars, cafes and restaurants. Delegates should not feel obliged to tip and should not accept being harassed if they choose not to tip.

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