Shopping
Overview
Local wine, wool and sheepskins, clothing, opals, modern sculptures, paintings, bark paintings and boomerangs. Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.30 and Sat 09.00-17.00. Open all day on Saturdays in South Australia and Western Australia. In Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Darwin, shops are open until 9pm on Fridays; in Sydney, Canberra and Perth on Thursdays. Small grocery stores, restaurants and snack bars in the larger towns stay open until late at night. For more information: www.consumer.act.gov.au.
- Topmbadirectory: Offers information about politics, geography, and known people in Australia.
Culinary
Overview
Specialties are Sydney rock oysters (rock oysters), barramundi (river fish), king prawns (giant crabs), macadamia nuts and yabbies (small river lobsters). Beef is extremely popular. In the BYO restaurants (= Bring Your Own) you can take alcoholic beverages you have brought with you. The most important wine-growing regions are outside of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The largest wine-growing region is the Barossa Valley in South Australia. All hotels and almost all restaurants serve alcohol. By law, private hotels and guesthouses are not allowed to sell alcohol.
Accommodation
Hotels
Every state has first-class hotels from large international chains, while cheaper hotels are often in the suburbs. Excellent highway motels on the outskirts of town offer self-contained family accommodation. Some restaurants are also available. Almost all hotel and motel rooms are equipped with telephone, shower and/or bath, toilet, fridge and electric kettle. Hotels, motels and motor inns usually have a restaurant, a bar for hotel guests and possibly a public bar (mandatory for hotels). Many convenience motels are therefore not hotels in name alone, preferring to make their bar available to guests only. Rural motels generally offer breakfast only, while motor inns have restaurants and sometimes a hotel bar. Bars are not allowed in guesthouses. ´ For further information contact the Australian Hotels Association, Comerce House, 24 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT 2600. (Tel: (02) 62 73 40 07. Internet: aha.org.au/).
Camping
There are numerous organized camping tours, sometimes going to the most remote areas. You’ll join a group with an experienced guide and help with cooking, washing up, etc. Vehicles and equipment are provided. Special tours with the Landrover are also offered. Here the equipment is simpler, but the driver/guide and cook are still involved. Tours like this are the best way to get to know the Outback. Information can be obtained from the local tourist offices. Camping should be avoided outside of the designated campsites found in small towns, along highways, on beaches, riverbanks and in many national parks. especially because of the increased risk of fire due to the extreme drought. The facilities available vary, standard amenities include electricity, hot and cold running water, showers, toilets and washing machines. A number of companies also rent out well-appointed RVs. Young people between the ages of 18 and 20 can now travel around Australia on their own in a camper van. While the well-known rental companies (e.g. Apollo, Britz, Kea, Maui) require a minimum age of 21 for renting, you can get a vehicle at Wicked Campers from the age of 18. The tourist office (see addresses) provides further information.
Other accommodation options
Found throughout Australia, especially in densely populated areas and larger cities. Australian youth hostels are affiliated with almost all international hostel associations. For more information, contact the Australian Youth Hostel Association, National Office, 422 Kent St. Tel: (02) 92 61 11 11. (Internet: www.yha.org.au) Student accommodation During the term holiday period (May, August, late November). until the end of February) you can find affordable accommodation in dormitories at universities and colleges. Country Pubs Offer meals and simple but comfortable accommodation from A$30 per night. Pre-registration is not absolutely necessary. Information Center Bed & Breakfast and Farmstay of South Australia, Devon Street, South Brighton, SA 5048 (Tel: (02) 1300 559 943. Internet: http://www.bandbfsa.com.au/). Pensions, private rooms, holiday apartments and farm holidays There are numerous holiday apartments and houses available, especially on the east coast. From boarding houses on huge sheep farms to simple sleeping quarters on small farms, everything is represented inland. Numerous private households and farms welcome guests and offer cheap accommodation in a family atmosphere and sometimes also tourist information. Bed and breakfast accommodation can be found throughout Australia. Details at the Tourist Office. Alcohol is not allowed to be served in guesthouses. Bed and breakfast accommodation can be found throughout Australia. Details at the Tourist Office. Alcohol is not allowed to be served in guesthouses. Bed and breakfast accommodation can be found throughout Australia. Details at the Tourist Office. Alcohol is not allowed to be served in guesthouses.
Culture
Religion
25.8% Catholics; 18.7% Anglican; 19.3% other Christians; Minorities of all other world religions as well as adherents of natural religions.
Social Rules of Conduct
The atmosphere is informal. They shake hands to greet each other. Casual wear is common; You should dress more elegantly for social occasions, in exclusive restaurants and for important business appointments. Smoking is not permitted in public buildings, transportation, shopping malls, restaurants, bars and many beaches. In Melbourne, smoking is banned on the street around Bourke Street Mall. Tipping was not common until a few years ago. Meanwhile, good service is rewarded at its own discretion.
Climate
Best travel time
November to March (Spring/Summer): Warm or hot, tropical climate in the north and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.
April to September (Autumn/Winter): In northern and central Australia days are warm and nights are cool; in the south there are cool days with occasional rain showers, but mostly sunshine. Snowfall only occurs in the mountainous regions in the southeast.
See the individual state chapters for more information.
Country data
Phone prefix
+61
Area (sq km)
7692024
Population
25,499,884 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
3
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
000
