Sydney Travel Tips
In this section:
Public holidays
Customs and visas
Sydney travel health
Money matters
Crime & security in Sydney
Sydney tourist information
Useful numbers
Public holidays in Sydney
1 January: New Year's Day
26 January: Australia Day
March/April: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday (dates variable)
26 April: Anzac Day
June: The Queen's Birthday (2nd Monday)
August: Bank Holiday (1st Monday)
October: Labour Day (1st Monday)
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
Customs
Australia has extremely strict regulations on what can and cannot be brought into the country. Before disembarking from the plane, visitors are asked to fill in an Incoming Passenger Card. Australian Customs officers check the information on the cards when passengers disembark, and may initiate a baggage search. There are heavy fines for false or inaccurate claims. It is always best to declare an item if in doubt. For full details of regulations, contact the Customs Information Centre, tel: 1 300 363 263 (in Australia); 61 2 6275 6666 (outside Australia); www.customs.gov.au
Duty-free allowances: anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to bring into Australia A$400-worth of goods not including alcohol or tobacco; 1,125 ml (about 2 pints) of alcohol (wine, beer or spirits); 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products other than cigarettes.
Visas
Visitors to Australia must have a passport valid for the entire period of their stay. Anyone who is not an Australian citizen also needs a visa, which must be obtained before leaving home - except for New Zealand citizens, who are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia.
The Electronic Transfer Authority (eta) enables visitors to obtain a visa on the spot from their travel agent or airline office. The system is in place in over 30 countries including the US and the UK. eta visas are generally valid over a 12-month period; single stays must not exceed three months, but return visits within the 12-month period are allowed. etas are issued free, or you can purchase one online for A$20 from www.eta.immi.gov.au
Tourist visas are available for continuous stays longer than three months, but must be obtained from an Australian visa office, such as an Embassy or Consulate. A $20 fee applies. Those travelling on tourist visas and etas are not permitted to work while in Australia. Travellers are asked on their applications to prove they have an adequate source of funding while in Australia (around $1,000 a month).
Sydney travel health
Australia has excellent medical services. For medical attention out of working hours go to the casualty department in one of the large hospitals or, if the matter is less urgent, visit one of the 24-hour medical clinics around the city and suburbs. Look under "Medical Centres" in the Yellow Pages, or ask at your hotel.
No vaccinations are required for entry to Australia. For emergency medical assistance, call: 000
Pharmacies ("Chemist shops") are a great place to go for advice on minor ailments such as bites, scratches and stomach trouble. They also stock a wide range of useful products such as sun block, nappies (diapers) and non-prescription drugs. If you have a prescription from your doctor, and you want to take it to a pharmacist in Australia, you will need to have it endorsed by a local medical practitioner.
As in most countries, HIV and AIDS are a continuing problem despite efforts to control their spread. Heterosexual and homosexual visitors alike should wear condoms if engaging in sexual activity.
Sydney money matters
The local currency is the Australian dollar (abbreviated as A$ or simply $), made up of 100 cents. Coins come in 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent units and 1 and 2 dollar units. Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar units. Single cents still apply to many prices, and in these cases the amount will be rounded down or up to the nearest 5c amount. Carry smaller notes for tipping, taxis and payment in small shops and cafés.
Business Hours: banks generally open 9.30am- 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm on Friday. Currency exchange facilities at the airport are open all hours. Most shops are open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and to 4pm Saturday. Many of the large city and suburban centres now open all day Sunday as well, although often with slightly shorter hours (generally 10am-4pm).
Carrying a recognised credit or debit card such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners Club, is always a good idea when travelling. A credit card should provide access to eftpos (electronic funds transfer at point of sale), which is the easiest and often the cheapest way to exchange money - amounts are automatically debited from the selected account. Many Australian businesses are connected to eftpos.
There are literally hundreds of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) around the city allowing for easy withdrawal of cash, and again a linked credit card will provide access to both credit and other bank accounts. Many small businesses are still cash only.
Budgeting for your trip to Sydney
Australia has low inflation, and the basics - food, accommodation, admission charges - are still comparatively inexpensive. A plate of noodles or pasta in an average restaurant costs about A$10. A bottle of Australian wine from a liquor store starts at about $8, a 260ml glass of beer (about half a pint) costs from $2.50, and a cup of coffee or tea about the same.
Public transport in the city is very reasonable if you use the various saver tickets available. Taxis have a flagdown charge of $2.65; then it's $1.53 a kilometre. Add 20 percent to the fare between 10pm and 6am.
Crime & security in Sydney
Common-sense rules apply when visiting Sydney. Because of its high tourist profile, crimes against tourists have become something of an issue. Most often, these offences are in the order of petty thefts in popular visitor locations. Keep wallets out of sight, do not leave valuables visible in the car or luggage unattended.
Kings Cross has a fairly unsavoury reputation, but unless you get involved in something you shouldn't, the crime there is not likely to affect you directly. In fact, Kings Cross, with its constant urban buzz, is probably a lot safer than the average suburban street come midnight. It's best to avoid Hyde Park after dark, particularly if you're on your own.
Many city and suburban train stations are either unstaffed or run with a skeleton staff during off-peak periods. Some stations have "night safe" areas on the platforms, with security cameras and an intercom for contacting staff, and trains have a blue light on one of the front carriages, indicating that there is a guard travelling in the carriage. Generally, travel on public transport is safe at any time in the inner-city area. Avoid longer, quieter trips after 10pm.
The emergency number is 000.
Sydney tourist information
The head office of the Australian Tourist Commission (open 9am- 5.30pm) is at Level 4, 80 William Street, East Sydney; tel: 9360 1111; www.australia.com. There are also ATC offices in Britain and the United States:
United Kingdom: Gemini House, 10-18 Putney Hill, London SW15 6AA; tel: 020 8780 2229.
USA: 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1920, Los Angeles CA 90067; tel: (310) 229 4870.
In the excellent tourist centres/kiosks dotted around the city you will find maps, accommodation guides, brochures and well-informed staff to help with all your traveller's queries, including information about composite tickets to many of the attractions.
Each of the major regions has its own tourist information centre, and these are always a good first stop when travelling out of town. Most tourist centres open seven days a week. Tourism New South Wales (tel: 13 20 77) can put you in touch with relevant tourist authorities in Sydney and around the state.
Sydney websites
Australia.com
Tourism New South Wales
Sydney & New South Wales
Useful numbers
Emergency services (police, fire, ambulance): 000
Emergency Doctor (for hotels): 9962 6000
Emergency Dentist: 9692 0033
Sydney Visitors' Centre: 9255 1788
Directory Enquiries: 1223
Overseas Assistance: 1225
Information on costs: 12552
International Calls: 0011 (followed by the national code of the country you are calling)
If you lose your credit card, call:
American Express: 1 800 688 022
Diners Club: 1 300 360
MasterCard: 1 800 12 0113 (world service puts you in contact with local authority)
Visa: 1 800 621 199