SYDNEY

Capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations.

Arrival in Sydney – Domestic and International

The Kingsford Smith Airport is Sydney’s main international and domestic airport. It is approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles) south-west of the Central Business District and Sydney Harbour. For direct bus transport from the airport to your hotel there is the Sydney Airport Arrival Transfer ( visit www.sydney.com.au for more information) or catch the train for a 13 minute trip to Central Station.

Public Transport

Sydney has a large and well run Government public transport system. Web sites offer extensive information on:

Banking Information

Banks are generally open from 9.30am – 4.00pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am – 5.00pm Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, as are major credit cards VISA, MasterCard and (to a lesser extent) AMEX and Diners Card. Most banks will engage in foreign currency exchange.

Climate

Sydney has a temperate climate with over 340 sunny days per year. May is late Autumn in Sydney. Average temperatures are listed below for May.

Currency

Australia’s currency is dollars and cents. Notes are distributed in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Coins are distributed in 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. The Australian dollar is floated on the world currency market and is presently fluctuating at around 85-88 cents to the US$. For the current exchange rate, and conversion to other world currencies, visit www.xe.com/ucc

Health

Sydney, like most parts of Australia, presents no real health risks for foreign visitors. Tap water is good, restaurants and eating places are required by law to maintain a high standard of food preparation, and the city is generally clean. Smog is less of a problem than with cities such as London, Hong Kong and Bangkok, but is still quite high.

Exposure to the sun can be a problem for those who are fair-skinned, it is recommended that sunscreen and hat be worn when outdoors for extended periods – although this will not be as high a risk in May. Those with little experience in swimming in the surf should be cautious when swimming at Sydney’s famous surf beaches, Bondi and Manly, and should always swim between the warning flags erected by lifeguards. Medical costs in Australia are not exhorbitant like in the United States or Europe, but travel insurance is still recommended.

In case of an emergency in Australia dial 000 and ask for Police, Fire or Ambulance.

Electricity

Australia runs on 240V, 50hz current, make sure the transformers, chargers, and electronic gear you bring will adapt to these levels. Plug adaptors with transformers are essential. If you need to purchase a transformer buy it before you depart for Australia, they are not easy to find here. The plugs used here are different from those used in the UK and USA. Plug adaptors are pretty easy to purchase here at electronic stores.

Visitors’ Information Centres

For detailed information on Sydney visit www.sydney.com.au Once you are in Sydney you may wish to visit the Sydney Visitor Centre located at the corner of Argyle and Playfair Streets in The Rocks. The centre offers visitor information, providing comprehensive details on tours, accommodation and entertainment, in and around Sydney at the time of your visit. It is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

The New South Wales Travel Centre is situated at 11 York Street, just above Wynyard Station. It is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.

There are visitor information booths at the top of Sydney Tower and at Darling Harbour which are both open seven days a week.

Things to See

The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen from Circular Quay – Sydney Ferries, water taxis and private tours of Sydney Harbour leave the Quay regularly each day.

Other popular tourist sights are:

Things to do

You can also do day trips to the Hunter Valley Wine Region or the Scenic Blue Mountains from Sydney.

Post Offices

Australia Post shops are spread through the country and are open from 9.00am until 5.00pm Monday to Friday. All types of postal services are available from these shops.

Shopping Hours

In Sydney stores are generally open from 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday; 9.00am-9.00pm, Thursday; 8.30am-4.00pm, Saturday. Shops in tourist areas and larger shopping malls and arcades may be open on Sundays usually from 10.00am-2.00pm.

Popular tourist shopping districts in Sydney are in the City, The Rocks (located next to Harbour Bridge) and Darling Harbour.

Basic Essential Information

Tourist Refund Scheme

Overseas tourists can claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that they pay on goods they buy in Australia. The refund only applies to goods which are taken as hand luggage or worn on to the aircraft or ship when they leave the country. More information is available at the airport as you leave.

For more detailed information please visit www.sydney.com.au