Australia is a vast continent that has
it all: the cosmopolitan and effervescent Sydney with its world
famous opera house; the vast views across the Blue Mountains; and
the desert interior, home to the unique landform, Uluru (Ayers
Rock) which changes colour with the passing sun. The stunning
islands of the Great Barrier Reef are saturated with beauty and
have a rich bounty of sea life, perfect for diving and
snorkelling.
Time difference: Eastern States - GMT +10 hrs.
South Australia and Northern Territory - GMT +9½ hrs. Western
Australia - GMT +8 hrs
Getting there: There are daily services from
London to most of the major Australian cities, with British Airways
and Qantas. Additional services are available with other carriers,
such as Emirates, via Dubai; Singapore Airlines, via Singapore;
Qatar Airways, via Doha.
Currency: Australian Dollar.
Vaccinations: Precautions for tetanus are
recommended - please contact your doctor for up-to-date
information.
Visas: British passport holders require visas.
All other nationals please check visa requirements with the
embassy.
Best time to visit: It is the best time to
travel to the southern coasts in their summer (December to March)
and to the north of Australia in their winter (July to September).
Travel to the dry interior states is best during the transitional
seasons, i.e. between April and June or October and November.