Page 9 - Australia Destination Guide - Aluring Asia

CURRENCY The Australian Dollar (AUD) is divided into 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Banks and bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Travelers cheques are also welcome everywhere, but banks take a small commission and it is better S O U T H P A C I F I C to take cheques in major currencies (e.g. US dollars or Euros) to avoid additional charges. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are PAGE 3 freely available throughout the country. Banking hours are generally Population | Time | Visas 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:30am to 5pm on Friday, but History some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday PAGE 4-5 mornings. History CREDIT CARDS PAGE 6 Language Credit cards are accepted throughout Australia in most shops, hotels TIPPING and restaurants. PAGE 7 Restaurant waiters: Depending on the The Land | Climate area and type of restaurant, a tip of no SAFETY & CRIME PAGE 8 more than 10 per cent should suffice if you're pleased with the service. Also People | Health & Vaccinations Travelers should exercise the same level of caution and security note if your restaurant bill includes a PAGE 9 awareness as they would in any major city in the United States. The service charge, which works as a tip for Currency | Credit Cards most common crimes encountered by Australians and foreign residents Safety & Crime | Tipping those who serve you, in which case you Etiquette alike in Sydney are assaults (non-domestic) and breaking and entering. don't have to leave an extra tip. (But you Armed robberies also occur. In these cases, the most common weapon can if you want to.) PAGE 10 used is a knife or other cutting implement that account for 35 percent of Etiquette | Taxis Safety & theft murders. Australia has extremely restrictive firearms legislation that Hotel room service: For those who bring make the purchase, possession, licensing, and storage of firearms very your baggage to your room, one to two PAGE 11 difficult when compared to U.S. jurisdictions. dollars per piece of luggage should Shopping | Customs suffice. For those bringing in room PAGE 12-13 Traveler’s tip: Make two copies of your passport’s personal details page service orders of food or drink, a small Food & Drinks | Religion and leave one with friends at home. Take one copy with you, or upload gratuity of two to five dollars, but no Insurance it onto a secure online data storage site; this will help a speedier more than 10 per cent of the bill, should turnaround if your passport is lost or stolen. PAGE 14 be all right. Culture & The Arts ETIQUETTE Airport porter/hotel bellboy: In Australia expectations regarding good manners can differ greatly $1.00 - $ 2.00 US per bag. from person to person. It is important to realize that Australia and New Your tour guide: Zealand are completely separate countries with their own distinct $10.00 - $ 12.00 US per person per day. national identity, customs, and rules of etiquette. Confusing their identities in general conversation is usually not tolerated and will be Driver/assistants: quickly corrected. $ 6.00 - $ 7.00 US per person per day. When meeting a new person or casual friend in Australia it is becoming less common to require a firm handshake, but many still may be offended by a limp or light handshake, especially in country areas. It is also respectful to make eye contact when you shake hands.