FACTSHEET

Self-Drive

Melbourne is the gateway to panoramic touring routes.

Travel across Victoria and GREAT SOUTHERN TOURING ROUTE experience the region’s stunning Explore vineyards, drive along the spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife , climb a summit in the National Park and travel back and renowned food and wine. Be in time at in Ballarat. inspired by diverse communities Plunge into Victoria’s famous surf, learn with great passion for arts and about Western Victoria’s maritime history, culture across all regions. Discover fascinating Aboriginal history and culture and soak up the riches of the spa country’s rugged high mountains, lush green mineral springs in Daylesford. Keep the rainforests, a breathtaking coastline binoculars poised for , , echidnas and whales along the way. with famous rock formations Highlights and encounter native wildlife. >>Indulge in the freshest seafood and award-winning cool climate wines on the Bellarine Peninsula. Journey snapshot: >>Take in the 12 Apostles or walk a section of the Great Ocean Walk. >>Nearest Major City: >>Ramble among the cone-shaped hills and lake-filled craters of the extinct volcano >>Duration: 3-5 days Tower Hill. >>Distance: 842 km (523 miles) >>Explore one of many trails including the Grampians Peak Trail. >>Learn about Victoria’s gold rush at the award winning Sovereign Hill. FACTSHEET

SYDNEY – MELBOURNE COASTAL DRIVE Journey snapshot: Take an unforgettable journey along Highlights >>Nearest Major City: Melbourne ’s stunning south-east coast, from turquoise bays and white sands to rugged >>Sample local wine and fresh produce along >>Duration: 6-8 days cliffs where mighty waves crash. See farmgate trails. >>Distance: 1420 km (882 miles) kangaroos, penguins, wombats and whales >>See the world’s smallest penguins arriving in the wild, enjoy watersports and fresh home at sunset on Phillip Island. seafood in idyllic beachside towns, then journey inland to explore historic villages, >>Walk amidst the natural beauty vast forests and beautiful lakes. and meet the wombats of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Allow at least five nights on this journey and >>Enjoy the freshest seafood at stop and enjoy the laidback Australian waterfront towns along Lakes beach lifestyle. as well as the pristine South Coast. >>Experience life as it was in the historic villages of Walhalla and Central Tilba.

SYDNEY – MELBOURNE HERITAGE DRIVE

Come face to face with the enduring legacy Highlights of Australia’s gold rush era. Learn about the resilience of early settlers and discover >>Explore beautiful Victorian-era sandstone the timeless spirit of Aboriginal people on buildings and century-old gardens in this fascinating drive, taking in the mighty Bendigo, Castlemaine and Albury-Wodonga. Murray River, fabulous wineries, lush national >>Enjoy a leisurely cruise onboard the Murray parks and Australia’s capital city, Canberra. River Paddlesteamer or the eco-friendly Kingfisher Cruises. This journey is best experienced with at least four nights to get a sense of the country and >>Take part in a Food Fossicking tour in the people. Bendigo or sample local delights at farm gates in the Sun Country. >>Discover fascinating Aboriginal culture Journey snapshot: such as the Wagirra Trail along the banks of Murray River in Albury. >>Nearest Major City: Melbourne >>Duration: 5-7 days >>Distance: 1120 km (696 miles) FACTSHEET

GO BEYOND MELBOURNE DRIVING IN VICTORIA

Travel from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley All major car rental operators have offices and Dandenong Ranges, Phillip Island and at Melbourne Airport, in various Melbourne onto the white beaches and wineries of city and suburban locations plus most have the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsula. regional depots in major towns throughout the state. Many major roads into and out Put together a three to five-day journey of Melbourne are tollways and most do winding through lush valleys and pristine not accept cash payment. Major car hire coastal landscapes. Sample fine wines companies will usually provide an e-toll and fresh local produce at cellar doors and solution as part of their rental agreement. farm gates, see native wildlife up close, and Alternatively, short-term e-toll passes unwind in beautiful parks and gardens. can be purchased. A ‘Melbourne Pass’ is a convenient way to travel on Melbourne Highlights toll roads for a period of up to 30 days. >>See Phillip Island’s penguins emerge from the sea at Summerland Beach. >>Visit the ’s boutique USEFUL LINKS cellar doors. Journey snapshot: Visit Victoria >>Play at one of the many world class golf courses along the touring route. >>Nearest Major City: Melbourne Great Southern Touring Route >>Indulge in fine wine and fresh seafood on >>Duration: 3-5 days Sydney – Melbourne Coastal Drive the Bellarine Peninsula. >>Distance: 301 km (187 miles) Sydney – Melbourne Heritage Drive >>Check out the Yarra Valley’s Healesville Go Beyond Melbourne Sanctuary for native Australian animals, Victoria Road Rules including the platypus. Citylink Toll Passes

FACT SHEET

Useful Tips

Prepare for your Australian trip with our practical tips. Learn about our be limited in some remote areas. Internet currency, how to call home, keep safe, shop responsibly and travel with a access is widely available at internet cafes, accommodation and libraries. disability. Then you’re ready to go. POSTAL SERVICES Post offices are usually open 9am – MONEY to ten per cent of the bill for good service. 5pm, Monday to Friday, with some city Australia’s currency is Australian Dollars However, tipping is always your choice. post offices open on Saturday morning. (AUD) and currency exchange is available at It is not custom to bargain in Australia. Travellers can arrange to collect mail banks, hotels and international airports. The at post offices throughout Australia. most commonly accepted credit cards are EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, The emergency number for police, ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates. ambulance and or fire brigade is 000. If you have a disability and are planning to explore Australia, there is a host GOODS AND SERVICES TAX SURF AND WATER SAFETY of services and special deals to meet Australia has a Goods and Services Tax Australia’s popular beaches are usually your needs. Thorough preparation is (GST) of 10 per cent. You may be able patrolled by volunteer lifesavers essential to a successful trip, so speak to claim a refund of the GST paid on from October to April and red and to your travel agent about your specific goods bought here if you have spent yellow flags mark the safest area for requirements. For more information on AUD$300 or more in one store, no swimming. For information about accessible tourism in Australia go to more than 30 days before departing marine stingers and crocodile safety NICAN or the AustraliaForAll websites. Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme read the Government facilities are located in the departure website. (see useful links below) area of international terminals. For more detailed information see Australian LANGUAGE government information on the Tourist Australia’s official language is English. Refund Scheme. (see useful links below) However, being a multicultural nation USEFUL LINKS with a significant migrant population, SHOPPING we also enjoy a tremendous diversity Currency Converter You’ll find large department stores, of languages and cultures. www.xe.com arcades, malls, gift and souvenir shops across Australia. Trading hours vary across ELECTRICAL POWER POINTS Souvenirs the country but shops in tourist and city Our electrical current is 220 – 240 volts, www.australia.com/en/articles/ shopping/australian-souvenirs.html areas are generally open until 6pm, with AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power the exception of late night shopping on outlet is different from some other Tourist Refund Scheme either Thursdays or Fridays in different countries, so you may need an adaptor. www.customs.gov.au/site/page4643.asp states. In Australia you are covered by Accessible Tourism – NICAN Australia’s consumer protection laws which COMMUNICATION require businesses to treat you fairly. www.nican.com.au/ or AustraliaForAll Australia’s country code is 61. Local calls http://www.australiaforall.com/ from public pay phones are untimed and TIPPING AND BARGAINING charged at AUD$.050. Mobile, long distance Marine Stingers and Crocodile Safety Hotels and restaurants do not add and overseas calls are usually timed. www.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/ service charges to your bill. In up market Mobile phone network coverage is available dangerous-marine.html restaurants, it is usual to tip waiters up across Australia, however coverage may FACT SHEET FACT SHEET

Weather in Australia

Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year but the WEATHER IN CANBERRA climate can vary due to the size of our continent. The northern states Canberra has a mostly dry climate with typically experience warm weather much of the time, with the southern warm to hot summers and cool winters. states experiencing cooler winters. December to February is summer; Canberra has around nine hours a day of sunshine in summer, dropping to March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to around five hours in winter. January November is spring. is the hottest month with average maximum temperatures of 28°C/82 °F. The average annual rainfall is 629 mm with October the wettest month. During WEATHER IN SYDNEY March. The wet season begins building winter snow falls in the nearby Australian up around December, resulting in humid Alps. Average daily temperatures in the Sydney enjoys a sunny, Mediterranean-style days and stormy nights. Typical daytime city in winter are around 11°C/52°F; climate all year round with more than 340 temperatures in Cairns are 23-31°C/73°F- dropping below 0°C/32°F at night. sunny days per year. Summers are warm 88°F in mid-summer and 18 °C/64°F in to hot and winters are mild, with rainfall mid-winter. Tropical cyclones sometimes spread fairly evenly throughout the year. occur from November through May. WEATHER IN ALICE SPRINGS In summer (December - February), average maximum temperatures are around The climate of Alice Springs in Australia’s WEATHER IN 26°C/79°F It can also be humid at this Red Centre is one of extremes. Unlike time with an average humidity of 65 per the Top End of the Northern Territory and Hobart experience four which has a tropical climate, the Red cent. Average maximum temperatures distinct seasons. Its climate is described in the winter months (June-August) Centre has a semi-arid climate. In as mild temperate maritime. The warmest summer (December-February), average are around 16°C/61°F. Sydney’s rainfall months are December, January, February is highest between March and June. temperatures range between 20°C/68°F and March with average temperatures and 35°C/95°F. In winter (June-August), of around 21°C/70°F With an annual the average temperature range is 3°C/37°F WEATHER IN CAIRNS average of 626 millimetres of rainfall, -20°C/68°F. Spring and autumn have Hobart is Australia’s second-driest warm days and cool evenings. Rainfall Like the rest of Queensland, Cairns capital city. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly varies dramatically from year to year, but experiences two distinct weather seasons, throughout the year, although the winter the annual average is around 286mm. the ‘wet’ season and the ‘dry’ season. months are the wettest. During winter Tropical Cairns has hot and humid the island feels the southerly winds from summers and mild, dry winters. The the Antarctic and experiences some average annual rainfall is around 1992 of Australia’s coolest temperatures. mm, mostly falling between January and FACT SHEET

WEATHER IN MELBOURNE WEATHER IN BROOME WEATHER IN PERTH

Victoria’s climate is marked by a range of Broome has a tropical climate with hot Western Australia has a number of climate different climate zones, from the hot, dry and humid summers and warm winters. zones due to its enormous size. The regions of the northwest to the alpine From October to April temperatures southwest has mild, wet winters and hot, snowfields in the northeast. Melbourne average around 33°C/91°F. Winters (June- dry summers. Perth has more sunny days has a reputation for its changeable August) are mild, with average daily July annually than any other Australian capital weather, often referred to as having temperatures around 27°C/81°F. Overnight city. Rainfall is highest between May and ‘four seasons in one day’. Generally the temperatures rarely fall below 5°C/41°F September. February is usually the hottest city enjoys a temperate climate with at any time of year. The average annual month of the year, with temperatures warm to hot summers; mild, temperate rainfall is 532 mm but sometimes no rain averaging 31°C/88°F. A sea breeze called springs and autumns; and cool winters. falls for months. January to March is the ‘The Fremantle Doctor’ provides some Temperatures average 25°C/77°F in wettest time of year. Tropical cyclones relief from the heat. Winters are relatively summer and 14°C/57°F in winter. Rainfall can occur from November to April, most cool and wet with daytime temperatures is highest from May to October. commonly in January and February. ranging from 18-21°C/64°F-70°F

WEATHER IN BRISBANE WEATHER IN ADELAIDE

Brisbane has a subtropical climate with South Australia’s climate varies from warm or hot weather for most of the hot and dry in the interior, to mild and year. In summer (December - February), wet in the south and coastal regions. maximum temperatures average around Adelaide generally has mild, wet winters 30°C/86°F. The city experiences its highest and warm, dry summers. It is the driest rainfall in summer which sometimes of all the Australian capital cities. The brings thunderstorms and occasional average annual rainfall is 553 mm. June floods. This is also the most humid time is the wettest month, averaging around of the year in Brisbane. Winter time is 80 mm. The average rainfall in summer generally dry and mild. Most winter days is around 20 mm. The average maximum are sunny with average temperatures of temperature is 29°C/84°F in summer around 17°C/63°F. The average monthly and 15-16°C/59°F-61°F in winter. rainfall over the year is around 96 mm.