Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere * Spring is September - November * Summer is December - February * Fall is March - May * Winter is June – August.
Australia's climate is generally pleasant without extremes in
temperature. Broadly, there are two climatic zones in Australia.
About 40% of Australia is in the Tropical Zone - that is north,
above the Tropic of Capricorn. The cities of Cairns and Darwin lie
in this zone. The remaining areas of Australia lie in the Temperate
Zone, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and
Perth.
Due to Australia's vast size, there are variations within these two
zones. The Temperate Zone has all four seasons, while those in the
Tropical Zone have two - summer is 'wet' and winter is 'dry'
Yes, the visa allows you to visit Australia as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay for three months each visit. This visa is available to all valid US passport holders, who live outside Australia. There is a $25 service charge per person for ETA applications.
Before committing to your trip please ensure you hold a valid US passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA.
You will need to provide the following
* IMPORTANT - please provide only the passport you intend to travel on. At time of booking, if you plan on renewing your passport (to ensure at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA) or are getting married and plan to obtain a passport in your new married name, you must advise Aspire Down Under. You need to obtain this new passport as soon as possible and then provide a copy of the "photo page" and have an ETA processed to ensure you will be permitted to enter Australia.
At the time of your balance payment, we will request your cell phone details so that we may contact whilst traveling if necessary. We recommend you contact your cell plan provider prior to departure to discuss international calling/texts/data plans. Once in Australia for any data usage check for wifi connections at your accommdation. We highly recommend you switch off your data roaming option at all times except when you deem it necessary to download data when not connected to wifi.
Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating the valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. More details...
Each traveler over 18 years of age can bring into Australia 1125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/tax free. For other goods, including those intended as gifts, a duty/tax-free allowance of $A400 per person or $A200 per person under 18 is available. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.
Australia's Passenger Movement Charge (departure tax) is $A38 per person and is pre-paid with your international airline ticket. Exemptions apply to children under 12 years and 24 hour transit passengers.
English is the common language of Australia. However, as Australia is a multicultural society, you may hear other languages spoken.
The east coast of Australia is 15 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 18 hours ahead of the west coast of the US.
Both countries operate daylight savings time during their summer months, from April to October eastern Australia is 14 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 17 hours ahead of the west cost of the US.
From October to March, Australia is 16 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 19 hours ahead of the west coast of the US.
Not all Australian states observe daylight saving, so times in the country can vary by one hour.
Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations.
The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and JCB.
Whilst exchange facilities are available at international airports and changing travellers checks can be done at most banks we recommend cash withdrawals be made from bank ATM’s. Nearly all Australian ATMs accept US bank cards, the rate of exchange is very competitive and the transaction is small (the fee will vary from bank to bank)
Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%. Prices in Australia are shown as inclusive of GST. Departing travelers may be able to claim a refund for GST paid on goods purchased in Australia. The goods must have been purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia. Refunds can only be made on purchases totaling A$300 or more from each store. Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) facilities are located at international airports and cruise-liner terminals. To claim, travelers must show their passport, international boarding pass, retailer’s tax invoice and the goods. Other conditions apply.
Tipping is optional. However, the recommended amounts are:
Restaurants: 10% for good service is standard
Porters: $A1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: optional
230/240 volts, 50 Hz, 3 pin plugs. The power supply is 220/240 volts AC. Sockets accept three-flat-pin plugs so an adaptor is needed. 110v appliances will need a voltage converter.
Before your visit you should arrange sufficient medical and travel insurance. Ensure the policy is adequate to cover costs for ambulance or helicopter rescue, emergency surgery, or transportation home. We offer travel insurance policies – ask your Aspire Down Under consultant for more details.
For questions regarding COVID vaccination speak with an Aspire agent.
For other vaccinations they are not required unless you have come from, or visited, a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before arrival.
It is safe to drink tap water anywhere in Australia. Bottled mineral water is available throughout the country.
The sun in Australia is extremely strong, especially in summer (December – February). Wear a hat to protect your face and sunglasses to protect your eyes and a minimum SPF15+ to prevent sunburn.
Popular beaches are patrolled by volunteer Surf Life Saving Association members from October to April. Always swim between the red and yellow flags that mark the safest area.
From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish, also known as ‘stingers’, appear in the coastal waters of Northern Australia. These jellyfish do not exist in the waters surrounding most of the Islands in Queensland and are very rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef, allowing visitors to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef year-round.
In the Northern Territory, stingers are present at all beaches, whilst in Western Australia, they affect the Kimberley coastline. Where beaches are affected by stingers there are clearly marked warning signs for visitors
Many beaches affected by stingers have protective enclosures, and visitors should restrict their swimming to these areas during Stinger season.
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60 km/h (35 mph) and on country roads and highways, 100 km/h (62mph) to 110km/h (68 mph) unless signs indicate otherwise. Strict drink-driving laws apply. Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
Visitors may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver’s license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving.
If the driver's license is not in the English language, the visitor must carry a translation with the permit. An International Drivers Permit is not sufficient by itself and must be accompanied by a valid drivers permit.
Petrol (Gasoline) in Australia comes in super leaded, unleaded regular and premium unleaded grades and is sold by the liter. Prices are usually higher in country areas. Petrol stations are plentiful. Trading hours vary although many service stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most accept international credit cards.
Your Aspire agent will be happy to provide restaurant recommendations.
Document Checklist
What to Bring:
** The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is different from that in North America so you will need an adapter socket. If your appliances are not 240/250 volts you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 11OV appliances are usually found in leading hotels.
Travelling to the Northern Territory consider bringing:
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