Backpacking Around Australia

Backpack around Australia

Emergencies
In case of serious emergencies requiring an ambulance, police or fire services dial 000.

Food & restaurants
Australia has excellent restaurants, cafes and other eateries. You can find places to suit all budgets. The quality of fresh food in Australia is very high and easily accessible.

General Safety
Australia is a very safe country in general. However, there is always a good idea to keep personal belongings in a safe place. If you are carrying important personal items, it is a good idea to carry with you in a place that is safe from pickpockets. Additionally, when traveling at night is a good idea to stay on main streets and avoid dark areas of the street that may seem suspicious.

Hitchhiking
This practice is strongly discouraged throughout Australia.

Language
The main language spoken in Australia is English.

Tell someone where you are
It's always a good idea to let someone know where you are and where you're going to be in case something happens and you need to be located. Alcohols

legal drinking age
The legal age for drinking in Australia is 18 years and older.

Drugs
Visitors are permitted to bring reasonable quantities of prescribed (non-narcotic) drugs. All must be clearly labeled. Large quantities should be accompanied by a medical certificate. All medications must be carried as hand luggage and declared on arrival.

Sunscreen
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. The sun is very strong and it is recommended to wear sunscreen when the sun.

Surfing and water safety

* Many of the most popular beaches in Australia are patrolled by Life Savers or Life Guards. Whenever these swimming beaches, always swim between the red and yellow flags that are set up as the safest areas for swimming.
* Read and obey warning signs around the bathing area.
* Do not swim immediately after a meal.
* Never run and dive into the water.
* If you have any difficulties in the water, do not panic, raise your arms up and using the float and wait for help.
* If you are caught in a rip, float with the stream (do not try to swim against it), a distress signal and await rescue.
* From late October to early May, the coastal waters of northern Australia are subjected to poisonous jellyfish. Do not swim in open beaches unprotected during this period. Only swim in protective enclosures.

Telephones
Australia has a modern telephone system. There are many telephone booths located throughout the country. Local calls are charged at an amount of 40 cents untimed. Long distance and international calls vary. There are many special offers available to travelers through the use of phone cards.

Time Zones
There are three time zones in Australia:

* Eastern Standard Time (EST) New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
* Central Standard Time (CST) for South Australia and Northern Territory. This is a half-hour late EST.
* Western Standard Time (WST) in Western Australia. It is two hours behind EST.

New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia have daylight saving, which begins in late October and ends in late March. DST Tasmania begins in early October and runs through until the end of March. Note, in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia do not have DST.

Tipping
Tipping is not a general custom in Australia, but if you think the service was very good, tips are certainly appreciated.

Vaccinations
The only vaccine required is if you come from or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before t.