Guide to Australia

Name: Commonwealth of Australia

Location: A continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Population: 20.3 million (official estimate, 2005)

Capital: Canberra

Other Cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Hobart

Area: 7.7 million sq km (2.9 million sq miles)

Major language: English

Major religion: Christianity

LIfe expectancy: 78 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents

Internet domain: .au

International dialling code: +61

Time Zone: GMT +10

Daylight Saving Start/End: Last Sunday in October/Last Sunday in March

Electricity: 220-240V 50Hz

Airports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin.

Entry Requirements: A Visa and a valid passport. You can get visa forms from travel agents or download it from Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

Best Time to Go: December to February is Australia's summer and get uncomfortably hot but good for beach lovers. Winter, June to August, offers skiing in NSW and Victoria.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected and at times may even be the source of offence. However, tipping in restaurants is expected and 10% should cover it. 

10 October 2007