Steppes Travel | Australia- Know before you go

Know Before You Go AUSTRALIA

Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit.

We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.

DID YOU KNOW? “Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long are the flights to Australia?

Is it safe to be out in the sun?

The flight time from London to Australia can take from 17 to 21 ½ hours with a refuelling stop.

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Australia is known for its extremely hot summers, and it can take only 15 minutes in the sun for skin to burn. Even on cloudy days, the suns rays are still very strong and protection will be needed. Make sure you bring a high factor, water-resistent sun cream, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and some form of cover-up. We always advise avoiding the sun during the middle of the day when it is at its most intense, and making sure you drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.

Can I use my mobile phone in Australia?

Do I need any immunisations or malaria tablets?

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies, with good coverage in cities and tourist areas, although charges can be high. The further off the beaten track you go, then the harder it will be to get reception.

The best person to speak to is your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner as the advice can change. Malaria is not present in the country.

What should I see?

How much luggage can I take?

From the breathtaking underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, to watching the sun set over the red sandstone monolith Uluru, Australia seems to have an infinite list of things to see and do. A trip is not complete without a visit to the buzzing city of Sydney; with its fantastic restaurants, busy Harbour and Opera house, and of course its miles of sandy beaches. For those who are looking to get away from it all and enjoy some of the country’s local produce, then the scenic Hunter, Barossa and Yarra Valleys are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the fantastic wines on offer.

What is the time Zone in Australia?

Australia has numerous time zones due to the size of the country. These range from +8 to +11 hours ahead of GMT.

What is the International dialling code for Australia?

International airlines mostly work on an allowance of 23kg for checked bags and 1 piece of hand luggage. However if you are travelling by light aircraft between locations in Australia you will be allowed a total of 20kg including your hand luggage. This allowance is at the Captain’s discretion and will depend on whether the flight is full but we advise you to err on the side of caution and to assume that this is your weight limit.

How will I get around the country?

Self drive is hugely popular in Australia, with easy roads and plenty of places to stop off at during those longer journeys. For the long distances, then internal flights are the way to travel without being time consuming. When in the city getting around on foot is the best way to explore, and is inevitably when you will come across those hidden gems. If self driving we advise avoiding driving late at night, as this is when many native animals become active, and reaching your destination before nightfall.

What are the rules on tipping?

What local food should I try?

Yes. Hotels, department stores and restaurants will accept credit cards for smaller and larger purchases. It is also wise to carry some cash for staff gratuities and smaller purchases.

Australia does not have one specific national dish, but a number of different dishes throughout the country varying from state to state. With its close proximity to Asia, and even closer one to the sea, Australia is the perfect place to try the combination of local and Asian dishes included Salt & Pepper Squid, which is fast becoming a popular choice.

Do the hotels have hair dryers?

Most hotels will be able to provide hairdryers either in your room or at reception.

On the whole, tipping is not the norm, and is only now becoming more popular in some of the more expensive restaurants and bars. Tips are only usually made in cases of good service by the locals for around 10% of the bill, but this is of course up to you as to how much you wish to give.

Can I use my credit card?

Where can I find updates on the weather before my trip?

Worldwide weather information is available: www.onlineweather.com or www.bbc.co.uk/weather

TRAVEL INSURANCE For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can apply online at www.steppestravel.co.uk/information/travel+insurance/ or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.

If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel consultant the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.

FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In association with the 'Know Before You Go’ campaign Steppes Travel are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

VISA REQUIREMENTS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Visas are required for British Nationals to Australia. Visitors must apply for an ETA or eVisitor visa in advance, for more information talk to your consultant. However, you must have two blank pages side by side, (a left hand and right hand page) for the stamp and your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. This is being strictly enforced by the immigration department and without this you will not be allowed entry.

For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover please speak to your Trvael Expert or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.

Other nationals please check with the respective embassies or representatives.

Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required (unless otherwise specified by your consultant) although we are more than happy to advise, help and provide the relevant supporting documentation where necessary.

If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel consultant the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.

VACCINATIONS

HEALTH & SAFETY

There are no vaccinations required for travel to Australia and prophylactics against malaria are not required. We advise you to either check online at the Fit for Travel website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding ‘boosters’ for standard immunisations such as Japanese Encephalitis and Tetanus. A Yellow Fever certificate is required if arriving from an infected area.

Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website under Travellers Code.

Pre-existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.

AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION • • • •

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While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months.

Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points.

Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time.

Please advise If you have a special meal requests (fasting, vegetarian, medical, Muslim, baby food, etc…), while booking your flight or buying your ticket.

Food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside the hand baggage.

Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label in side of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached & lost.

Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage.

If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage.

Do not carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage.

For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.

SHELF IMPROVEMENT

ETIQUETTE & CULTURE

We have put together a small list of books that are set around Australia. Both fiction and non-fiction, they will help you establish an understanding and feel for the country.

Australia is a blend of old and new. Known for their laid back, outdoor lifestyle, Australians are a nation of patriotic people, not only proud of their country, but of its sport, culture, cuisine and produce. With the Aboriginal people believed to have arrived from around 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, there is a huge amount of history and culture found within the country.

Nowadays, a large portion of the population is made up of immigrants, making cities a diverse melting pot of cultures, majorly reflected in the variety of restaurants and cuisines on offer. When it comes to the country’s landscape, it certainly is a land of contrasts. From the ancient Aboriginal rock art and vast outbacks to the stunning Whitsundays and lush Blue Mountains, there is something around every corner.

Author

Title

Steve Toltz Andrew McGahan Bill Bryson Paul Carter Rob Hughes

A Fraction Of The Whole The White Earth In A Sunburned country Is That Bike Diesel, Mate?

The Fatal Shore

ELECTRICITY The electric current in Australia is 220V. Most electrical outlets require three flat pin prongs.

When it comes to photography, permission should be obtained to photograph local people beforehand out of politeness. Some religious sites will not permit photography, and are usually clearly signposted.

CLIMATE

FOOD & DRINK Australians live and love fresh, healthy and wholesome food. Due to the extensive coastline, seafood is on every menu, and can’t get better or fresher than being enjoyed with a cold glass of local white wine overlooking the harbour. As well as seafood, visitors will also have their pick of some fantastic local meat, including great beef and lamb, and an array of Pan Asian restaurants. For those looking to try something a little more adventurous then grilled kangaroo is a must, served with a variety of fresh vegetables.

Famous for its outdoor living, beautiful beaches and buzzing cities, Australia is a year round sunshine destination. There is no perfect time to travel to the country, and due to the vast size there is always somewhere you can visit at some point in the year. Seasons are generally the opposite of the northern hemisphere, so during our autumn and winter months, the southern part of the country sees spring move into the hot summer months. In contrast, the northern part of the country sees heavy, tropical rains which run from December to March.

It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. Bottled water is readily available. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration.

We want your holiday to be unspoilt by food and drink related health problems, please…

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Avoid buffets in warm climates, and stick to dishes that have been freshly cooked and served, and not left hanging around in the warm.

Do not buy food from roadside stalls unless you have seen it cooked in front of you.

Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal is unbroken.

Make sure that all fruit and vegetables eaten raw, are washed in boiled or bottled water before eating.

MONEY Australia’s currency is the Australian Dollar, and money can be easily changed in advance or upon arrival. ATMs are widely available throughout the country with Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro being accepted.

Most ATM’s will charge a small fee for each transaction, and it is advised to check your amounts before leaving as some machines dispense cash in two lots. To find the present, up to date currency rate of conversion (please note exchange rates go up and down over time) for where you are travelling to, log on to: www.xe.com/ucc or use the XE app.

Credit cards Credit cards are accepted throughout the country.

Tipping Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, below is a brief guideline to assist you. (The below amounts are only a guide and subject to exchange rates at the time of travelling) Guides General Hotel staff Porterage Transfer driver/guides

US$10 per guest per day US$5 per guest per day US$1 per person per movement US$2 per person

Giving money Whilst the giving of money is a matter of personal preference or conscience, Steppes Travel feels that it is best to give a donation to a proper charitable entity, as opposed to freely giving cash to individuals.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host country, that doesn’t mean having fun is frowned upon. On the contrary, it is positively encouraged and because you’ll feel like you’re giving something back to the local people, wildlife and environment, you’ll have even more to smile about.

Our policy is that we endeavour: • •

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We aim to work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit.

We support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives.

We encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect.

We take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most.

Our ‘responsible policy’ is not just limited to the destinations in which we operate. Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.

In return we ask you: • • • •

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To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return.

Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.

We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

British High Commission British High Commission Canberra Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla Canberra ACT 2600 Australia

+61 (0)2 6270 6666

vcanberra.enquiries@fconet.fco.gov.uk

0845 8502829

www.malariahotspots.co.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

The Visa Service

0870 8900185

www.cibtvisas.co.uk

Identity and Passport Service

0870 210410

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office

Heathrow Airport

0870 0002468

www.heathrowairport.com

Gatwick Airport

0870 0002468

www.gatwickairport.com

Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice Fit for travel

Passport and Visa requirements

Airports

Flights Airline information

www.airlinequality.com

Currency Currency converter

www.xe.com/ucc/

WHAT TO PACK You will have your own ideas from past experiences regarding your personal list of ‘utterly indispensables’ and favourite items, so the following are our suggestions to supplement your own packing list.

Important Stuff

Essentials •

Soft bag between 45-70 litres

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20-litre daypack, for keeping everyday items handy

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Field Guides/pocket language guide

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Passport and photocopy (keep photocopies separate)

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Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised

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Itinerary & Airline reference number

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Camera, memory cards, cleaning materials, spare batteries

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Copy of insurance policy

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Diary, note pad, pens, reading material

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Credit cards/cash

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Torch with spare batteries and bulb

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Emergency contact numbers

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Waterbottle – 1 ltr

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International vaccination card where relevant (i.e Yellow Fever Certificate)

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Camera Bag

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Wash-kit

*Please keep your photocopies separate from your originals.

Clothing • • • • • • • • • •

Base-layer: T-shirts and vests Outer-layer: wind/waterproof jacket/ Mid-layer: Fleece or sweatshirt Comfortable walking boots or trainers Long trousers suitable for walking. Pockets helpful 2/3 Long-sleeved shirts Wide-brimmed sun hat Small spare towel Socks / underwear Scarf or shawl Flipflops

Medical equipment • • • • • • •

Personal medical travel kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lens & cleaners Sunscreen

USEFUL TRAVEL APPS

XE Currency Know how much you’re spending with live updates.

Google translate Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.

Evernote Food Document recipes you love as you travel.

Map My Walk Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.

Weather Pro

Pin Drop

Weather reports for up to two million locations.

Pin on a map to record locations you’ve discovered.

Flight Track

Travel Smart

Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.

Access to emergency services & health advice.

Prizmo

Trip Journal

A pocket scanner for all your important documents.

Tipulator Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.

Flashlight Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.

Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.

WhatsApp Messenger Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi

Viber International calls and messaging for free.

Packing Pro

Triposo

Packing suggestions based on your destination.

Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.

THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD

T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM