Travel Tips updated 02/04/04 16:46 +0100

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Retail of beer, wine and any kind of alcohol is exclusive to liquor shops (e.g. Liquorland). These are often annexed to food stores.

Australian beer, wine and the famous Bundaberg Rum (Bundy) are very good.

Victoria Bitter, commonly known as 'VB', is the most popular label in Australia.

As any alcoholic beverage in Oz, beer is bloody expensive. However, liquor shops always have special offers. In general, buying single units is more expensive than buying a slab (24 cans) or a block (36 cans). 

 Beer is offered  in cans or bottles. 

Tip: Bottles are the second-best option if you intend to drive off the bitumen, as they would be smashed into a heap of debris in no time.

Tourist Tip for those who want to call in to a pub:

•  Locate Australian pubs
• The pub in Daly Waters, 475km south of Darwin down the Stuart Highway,  Northern Territory
•  Lion's Den Hotel in Helenvale, Far North Queensland.

Remember: if you drink and drive you are a bloody idiot! 

Aussies love to go camping. That's why  there is no problem to find nice camp grounds throughout Australia.

We have been staying in 'Top Tourist Parks' or 'Big4' for the best part of our  trips. We didn't ever have to book ahead but you better be sure to arrive before sundown. Firstly, it is for your own safety (you might have dangerous wildlife encounters in the dark, see our 2000 travel yarn) and secondly, lot allocations are managed on a "first come first serve" basis.

Most of the caravan parks offer free hot showers (unlike many European ones), a camp kitchen, a barbecue spot and very often they also run  a tour booking service for trips in the surrounding area.

Along remote outback tracks you will often find so-called bush camps with very basic facilities, such as a fire place, a simple shower, a dunny.

Camping fees are mostly moderate (15 to 25 AUD) per night for two adults and their vehicle (caravan parks)

You can buy camping gear in following shops: Big W*, K-mart*, or Mitre 10* (hardware retail, limited choice in camping gear).

*Follow the links to locate stores.

Tip: By the way, specialised stores also keep CampinGaz cartridges, a brand name well-known throughout Europe. They are imported from France.

You can direct dial international and long distance calls as well as local calls.

  Public payphones are widely available. They can be used to dial internationally, long distance or locally. Local calls from Telstra public payphones are untimed and charged at 40c. Payphones accept all Australian coins and Telstra Phone cards which can be purchased from newsagents and retail outlets. Credit Phones accept most credit cards and can be found at airports, in the city centre and many hotels.

Country Direct is a service for credit card or call collect (reverse charge) calls. You can speak directly to an operator in your home country or use an automated service.

A mobile phone with a local SIM card can be hired by the day at most major airports. Many overseas mobile phones can operate in Australia and you should check with your local supplier before you leave for your trip. Mobile phone coverage is generally good around the major population centres, however, mobile phones will generally not work in remote parts of the country, i.e. the Outback.

There are many Internet cafes in Australia where you can send and receive email and access the Internet. There is usually a time-based access fee. The Yellow Pages section of the telephone directory will provide details of local cafes. Major hotels can often provide Internet access for their guests, and some local libraries offer free Internet access.

The electrical current in Australia is 240 volts/AC 50 Hertz.

Power outlets have three flat pins and you may need an adaptor. International power adaptors to suit many types of plug are available for purchase within Australia (e.g. in shops selling household appliances) or in airport shops around the world.

Plugs are the same in Australia, New Zealand, and China.

If you wish to use 110v appliances, check if the appliance has a 110/240 voltage switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110v shavers are found in many hotels.

Good quality, good value food in Woolworth's* and Coles'* food stores. Poultry is often more expensive  than beef.

*Follow the links to locate stores.

Service stations are at frequent intervals in coastal Queensland, in or around big cities.

In the Outback (on the country side), service stations may be very distant from each other  ( may be more than 200 km). Fuel up wherever possible while travelling the Outback! Watch road signs advertising fuel supply stations. 

Fuel Price Update

Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days prior to arrival. You do not need any other health certificate to enter Australia.

Visitors are permitted to bring reasonable quantities of prescribed (non-narcotic) medications. All should be clearly labelled and identifiable. For large quantities it is advisable to bring a doctor's certificate to produce to Customs if necessary, and to an Australian doctor if required. All medications must be carried in personal hand luggage. Local pharmacies or chemists can fill most prescriptions which must be written by an Australian-registered doctor.

In Australia, health care standards are high, doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals well-equipped. Ensure you have personal insurance or travel insurance with a comprehensive health component to cover the possibility of illness or accident.

Food hygiene in Australia is very good and generally it is safe to eat anywhere. Water quality is also high and generally tap water can be drunk without any worries.

Mosquitoes, bush flies, sand flies, ticks and others can be a real nuisance in Australia. Therefore, you will appreciate a good insect repellent while you are travelling the Outback.

From our experience we can recommend the use of Aerogard or RID. This will buy you peace.

These and other insect repellents are sold in chemistries (pharmacies, drug stores) or in outdoor shops as well as in the K-Mart drug departments.

Tip: Aerogard is available either as a lotion or as a spray. For those buying the spray, here is an experienced bush basher's advice: Eventually, you might have to lubricate something on your car and happen to be out of  WD-40. No worries, Aeroguard spray is just as good for this purpose, it contains greasy substances!

All major credit cards (mainly VISA, MC) are widely accepted throughout the country. There are exceptions, though, esp. in the remote Outback.

With Banking - Cards, cash can be drawn from ATMs bearing the 'Maestro' logo (provided that your card displays this logo, too!)

At check-outs displaying the 'Maestro'-logo, you can pay with your banking card. Say "EFTPOS" to the check-out clerk, then choose "cheque" and type in your PIN.

There may be fees charged to your cheque account (we payed 0.5 euros). Please refer to your home bank for details.

We have usually been travelling with each app. 150 bucks/week  in cash and credit cards in our pockets. No worries at all.

Buses are available in many towns and cities, and there are suburban and intercity train services. Intra- and interstate coaches also cover many of the popular routes.

Metered taxis are available in all major cities and towns.

Tip: you need to remember only one number if you want a

 taxi anywhere in Australia:  

That's how service stations with rest areas and often camping facilities (very basic) are called along the highways. They are always a welcome sight for refuelling yourself and your car. Check your map, they are marked and you should not skip any of them while travelling the Outback. After all you don't want to run out of fuel in the Never Never, ey?

By the way: we were quickly addicted to those giant and always freshly made hamburgers they are serving out there for next to no money...

The sun in Australia is very strong. Please follow these simple steps to ensure your holiday is not ruined by sunburn or heatstroke.

• Seek shade wherever possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm when 60% of harmful UV radiation is received.

• Slip on a loose fitting, cool shirt, preferably a closely woven fabric with a collar and long sleeves. For the beach, all-in-one sunsuits which cover the shoulders, arms and legs are particularly useful for children and those with very fair skin.

• Slop on some sunscreen. Use a maximum protection, broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 for the face and other areas that cannot be covered with clothing. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun and re-apply regularly, particularly after swimming or exercise.

• Slap on a hat - wear a wide-brimmed hat or legionnaire style cap to protect the face, ears and back of the neck.

• When you are on the beach or by the pool, remember that water reflects UV rays back onto the skin, increasing the intensity of the sunlight.

• Remember that you can still get burnt under umbrellas, tents and verandas.

• Follow these suggestions even on cooler, overcast days when the UV radiation can be just as intense.

• Drink plenty of water when you're out in the sun to make sure you stay hydrated.

These are rather expensive in Oz (selling at almost 10 AU$ for 25 coffin nails). Retail prices are not state governed, so it saves you a couple of cents to compare before buying. Mostly sold in bottle shops, and in Smokemarts.

Cigarettes are less expensive if purchased by the carton.

Tip: You are allowed to bring 250 cigarettes per person into Australia. Travellers flying into Australia via Singapore may want to consider stocking up on fags from Changi Airport tax free shops. They sell cartons of 250 cigarettes at roughly 20 Singapore Dollars, which convert to approximately the same amount in Australian Dollars (June 2002). 

However, their choice is limited to the rather well known labels such as  Marlboro, Lucky Strike, Camel, Longbeach and Winfield.

Attention: Australian tobacconists more and more reluctantly (except those in bottle shops) appreciate credit cards, they prefer cash! 

Smoking is not permitted in government buildings, on public transport, tourist coaches and inside all Australian airports. Smoking is banned on all domestic flights, and some international airlines prohibit smoking while flying in Australian airspace. In New South Wales, smoking is also not permitted in restaurants. In other states, many restaurants provide non-smoking dining areas.

For  those who don't know: Aussies drive on the left-hand side of the road. You still have to give way to traffic from your right at intersections!

Traffic may be dense in built- up areas around the cities but you may roam free at your own pace in the countryside.

Radars are in use to enforce speed limits.

For driving in the Outback, on dirt roads, see our 4WD-section.