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First-time Travel to Australia: What to consider ?

2023.11.15

一、Before Traveling Abroad, It is Recommended to Prepare:
1. Lightweight, sturdy, lockable travel suitcase, preferably with an extra reinforced strap.
2. Toiletries, slippers (hotels usually do not provide them).
3. Personal medications.
4. Sufficient camera SD Card and batteries (as prices are high abroad).
5. Personal identification documents (ID card, passport).
6. Pens, notebooks, calculator.
7. Umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen.

二、Luggage
1. One piece of checked luggage (not exceeding 20 kilograms in weight and 269 centimeters in total dimensions). It's recommended to use a wheeled suitcase for convenience during check-in and for carrying it with you.
2. Carry-on luggage (dimensions not exceeding 22 inches x 14 inches x 4 inches). Put valuable or fragile items in your carry-on. However, make sure to carry your passport, tickets, and cash with you.
3. Long-range cameras and video cameras need to be declared at customs to avoid taxation when returning.

三、 Health and Medications

Traveling abroad can sometimes lead to discomfort due to changes in environment. It's essential to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. If you require certain medications for conditions like hypertension, heart disease, gastric issues, or diabetes, make sure to bring an adequate supply and a prescription from your doctor, as well as declare these medications when necessary. You are personally responsible for any issues that may arise.

四、Clothing
Australia is currently in its summer season, with temperatures around 25°C to 30°C. Dress code in Australia is casual. It's recommended to wear T-shirts, jeans, sportswear, or other cotton clothing due to the warm weather. However, the temperature drops significantly in the early morning and at night, so it's advisable to carry a light jacket. Tourists should prioritize lightweight clothing and also prepare rain gear, hats, and sunglasses for any unexpected weather changes.

五、Entry and Exit Information:
a) Australia is an agricultural country, and customs strictly prohibit the import of meat, seeds, vegetables, and fruits. If you carry any food, regardless of the type, you must declare it. Importing prohibited food and agricultural products, including dairy products, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, honey products, meat products, and live animals or plants, can result in fines of up to AUD 10,000 under Australian law.

b) If you carry more than AUD 10,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies, you must declare it at customs. Failure to do so may lead to confiscation or legal action.

c) You can bring 250 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars duty-free, as well as one bottle of alcohol. When traveling to Australia, you can bring gifts worth up to AUD 400, and when traveling to Singapore, gifts worth up to SGD 500. 

六、 Currency Exchange:

Chinese Renminbi (RMB) is not widely accepted in Australia, so it's essential to bring US dollars when traveling there. As per China's foreign exchange regulations, each traveler is allowed to carry a maximum of $5,000 USD or RMB200,000 Yuan without a permit. Keep in mind that the exchange rate for Australian dollars may vary, and inquire about any fees associated with currency exchange. You can exchange Australian currency at commercial banks, central business districts, foreign exchange offices at airports, or even at hotels. However, the rates may be higher at hotels. Note that when entering Australia, you must declare any currency amount exceeding AUD 10,000. Bringing in or taking out foreign currency in Australia has no restrictions. However, if you fail to declare it, you may risk having it confiscated by customs or facing legal prosecution.

七、 Tipping Customs:
Unlike the United States, Australia does not have a strong culture of tipping, and there are no strict rules about it. However, it is customary to give tips in certain situations, based on your judgment of the service quality:

a) Tour guides and drivers usually receive a tip of at least USD 5 per person per day. This tip is typically given by the tour leader on behalf of all group members at the end of the trip.

b) In restaurants, group dining does not require tipping. For a la carte dining, if you are satisfied with the service, a standard tip is 10% of the total bill (as restaurant service staff typically receive lower wages).

c) When staying in hotels, you can tip porters around AUD 1 per piece of luggage and leave around AUD 2 on your pillow for room cleaning staff.

八、Accommodation

a) Hotels in Australia and New Zealand provide towels, shampoo, soap, and other basic toiletries. However, most hotels do not provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, or slippers, so remember to bring these items with you.

b) The power sockets in hotel have three flat prongs. If you have devices with different plugs, bring a universal adapter or inquire at the hotel reception if they can provide one.

c) Hotel rooms have snacks, beverages, and alcoholic drinks in the minibar, but they can be expensive. Please check the prices before consuming.

d) Group travelers are usually arranged in same-sex twin-share rooms. Couples may be accommodated in the same room, subject to room availability. If there are single male or female travelers in the group, the tour guide may reassign rooms or arrange for extra beds. Children under 12 years old typically do not have a separate bed.

e) Outgoing phone calls from the hotel room to the city or long-distance numbers are charged. Some hotels offer pay-per-view television with recorded tapes; check the instructions in the room for pricing and usage details.

f) Group breakfasts are generally simple, with items like bread, coffee, tea, and juice. Please take only what you can eat, as wasting food is considered impolite in Australia.

g) Wearing pajamas outside of the hotel room is considered inappropriate. Avoid wearing slippers in hotel public areas, such as restaurant and bar.

h) Smoking is prohibited in certain public places in Australia, including all domestic airline flights, indoor airport areas, petrol stations, restaurants (unless designated smoking areas are provided), public transportation (trains, buses, trams, ferries), general office and public indoor spaces, tourist buses, and cinemas. Please follow the rules and respect the rights of others.

九、Security of Belongings:

1.When going out, carry your money and other valuables with you, and do not leave them in the tour vehicle.

2. When flying, do not place money, passports, or other valuables in checked luggage.

3. If luggage is lost or damaged during check-in, please contact the airline immediately for specific compensation arrangements.

4. When checking in a hotel, carry on or store valuables in the hotel's free safe. Do not leave them in the room when going out.

5. In restaurants, malls, hotel lobbies, airports, and other public places, pay extra attention to the safety of your belongings and documents. Teammates should watch out for each other's luggage to prevent loss, theft, or robbery.

十、 安全 Safety

a) Group activities are the safest way to travel. Avoid solo activities when traveling abroad. Make sure to note down the hotel address, phone number, leader's room number, tour bus license plate number, and driver's contact number at each stop, in case of getting lost.

b) When visiting attractions or during free activities and shopping, make sure to remember the group's meeting time and place. Even if leaving the group for a few minutes, inform the leader and team. 

c) Pay attention to the safekeeping of travel accessories and personal belongings. Absolutely do not place valuable items in checked luggage when flying. Cameras, camcorders, and camera batteries should also not be checked.

d) After receiving checked luggage, be sure to remove the tag to avoid confusion during the next check-in, which could lead to your luggage being sent to the wrong place.


e) Guests are advised to carry their passport, tickets, cash, as well as cameras, jewelry, watches, and other valuables with them. It is recommended to wear a shoulder bag diagonally to prevent thieves from snatching from behind on motorcycles.

 

f) If items are lost in the hotel or tour bus, the hotel or driver will not be responsible.

g) Red and green lights are rare in Australia, so be cautious when crossing the road.

h) Australia's road system follows the British Commonwealth standard, driving on the left with the steering wheel on the right. When crossing the street, make sure to look right for oncoming cars before looking left. When the front light is green and there are no right or left turns, use the pedestrian crossing with white lines to cross. Please be cautious.

十一、Other Notices:

d) International long-distance calls:

While in Australia, you can use stored-value phone cards (in denominations of AUD 5, 10, 20, 50), or use coins directly to make international long-distance calls through public phones. The dialing method is as follows: international direct dialing + country code + area code (province or city) + phone number. When making calls from hotel rooms, you usually need to add an external line before dialing.

e) Voltage and sockets:

The general voltage in Australia is 240 volts, using three-prong flat plugs. Some hotels have multi-zone outlets, and you can inquire at the hotel lobby counter if there are transformers available for borrowing.

f) Tap Water

In principle, only tap water from the cold faucet can be consumed directly. Hot water from the tap should not be consumed directly. Hotels generally provide free tea or coffee bags in guest rooms, and tourists can use an electric kettle to boil water for beverages.

g) In summer, Australia is 2 hours ahead of China.

h)  客人如对某种食品禁忌,请务必于团队出发前通知我方,以便事先妥善安排。

h) If a guest has any dietary restrictions, please inform us before the team departs so that arrangements can be made in advance.

i) When leaving the hotel, please inform the leader or accompanying person, and take the hotel business card with you in case you get lost. It is best to travel in pairs to ensure safety.

j) Some hotels have pay-per-view TV services. Please consult with the accompanying staff before checking in to avoid unnecessary expenses.

k) Most hotel outlets are three-prong flat plugs. If you have cameras or mobile phones, please bring your own universal adapter (Australia generally operates at 240 volts). Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) phones from China can be used in Australia.

l) Hotel room phones are generally expensive. It is recommended to purchase a phone card and use it in public phone booths.

m) Hotel generally do not provide thermos flasks and hot water. Some hotels, after charging a service fee, can provide hot water for guests. It is recommended for those who prefer to drink hot water to prepare an electric kettle before departure.

n) Beverages and drinks in the hotel room's mini-fridge are relatively expensive. If you need to consume them, it is best to check the prices in advance to avoid awkward situations during checkout.

o) The use of mobile phones, pagers, and game consoles is prohibited on the plane. According to legal regulations, fines will be imposed, and criminal liability may be pursued.

p) Please take your assigned seat on the plane. If you need to adjust your seat, please contact the flight attendant.

q) During outings, try to bring fewer valuable items. Passports and money should be kept in the hotel safe or carried with you. Some hotels have free safes at the front desk for your use. Do not leave valuable items in the room or in the luggage compartment. Smoking is prohibited in the plane, tour buses, and in some restaurants. Please follow instructions and respect the rights of others.

r) During activities abroad, adhere to the assembly time, cooperate with the leader and local guide's work, and do not leave the group without authorization. If engaging in individual activities, be sure to inform others.