TRAVEL TIPS SO YOUR TRIP GOES SMOOTHLY!

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Entry Requirements for Australia

The majority of travellers entering Australia require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which provides authorization to travel and enter Australia for a 12-month period.   

To enter Australia you must have a valid passport and valid visa when you board your flight and when you enter Australia. 

https://imm

Entry Requirements for Australia

The majority of travellers entering Australia require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which provides authorization to travel and enter Australia for a 12-month period.   

To enter Australia you must have a valid passport and valid visa when you board your flight and when you enter Australia. 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 

https://www.australia.gov.au/travelling-to-australia 

Apply online or visit the AppStore and look for this icon which is the official site to apply for an Australian ETA.

Business Hours

General retail trading hours throughout Australia are Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm. Saturday is either 9.00am - 12 noon or through to 5.00pm. Sunday shopping is available in most city centres and suburban malls. Please check with your Hotel Concierge for local information on trading hours.

Currency

The Australian dollar is the basic unit, divided into 100 cents; coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 and notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Due to the discontinuation of 1c, 2c pieces, purchases made in Australia are subject to "rounding" of amounts either up or down. Most retailers have adopted the ‘Swedish Rounding System’ whereby prices ending in 1 to 4 cents will be rounded down and prices ending in 6 to 9 cents will be rounded up.

Banking/Travellers' Cheques

Banks open Monday-Friday (except public holidays), 9.30am-4.30pm. Automatic teller machines operate on a card/PIN number system. Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day. Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is common. All international credit cards (American Express, Diners, VISA, and MasterCard) are accepted. Travellers' cheques may be changed at banks and hotels.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services are taxed 10%. This tax is usually included in the advertised price.

Tipping Guidelines

In Australia tipping is generally not customary and is only exercised as a genuine thank you for receiving great service. There is no obligation to tip, although the practice is common within the restaurant and tourism transport industries.

Tips for good service:

· Restaurants, a tip of about 10% is generally sufficient for good service with 15% for exceptional service.

· Luggage Porters AU$2.00 per piece.

· Coach drivers and guides receive for touring (not transfers) around the AU$5.00 per person per day, however tips should not be given for average or below average service/driving or commentary.

· Private Drivers for transfers should be only tipped for excellent service (around AU$10-20 total). The same applies for touring with a Driver/Guide, with tips for excellent service being anywhere from  

AU$40-100 depending on the level of service.

· Small group touring should be only tipped for excellent service (around AU$20 per person).

Electricity Supply

Australia’s electrical current is 220/240 volts accepting 3-pin plugs. An adaptor can be used but it is important to note that they do not convert voltage. Universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Emergencies

Dial 000 for police, fire or ambulance services.

Telephone Local Area Codes

Australia uses 8-digit local phone numbers preceded by a 2-digit STD area code.

02 Central east region (NSW) New South Wales, (ACT) Australian Capital Territory

03 South east region (VIC) Victoria and (TAS) Tasmania

04 Mobile telephones Australia-wide

07 North east region (QLD) Queensland

08 Central and west region (WA) Western Australia, (SA) South Australia and (NT) Northern Territory

For example, if you are calling Canberra in the ACT from interstate, first dial the STD area code 02, then dial the local phone number.

Health Services

Public and private health facilities have a high standard of treatment and care. Larger hotels often have a local doctor on call; otherwise, doctors and other medical services are listed in the front of the local telephone directory.

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines

These are available from chemists/pharmacies during normal shopping hours. Most cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours and your Hotel Concierge will have a list of these. Chemists also sell cosmetics, insect repellent and sun protections. 

Climate

The southern parts of Australia have four distinct seasons, the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. When it is winter in Europe and North America, it is summer in Australia. You will hardly see snow, apart from the mountainous regions in eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales. Australia’s north is in the tropics which has two seasons, the dry and the wet; both have 

high temperatures year round. The centre has a typical desert climate, hot days and cool nights, which can be very cold in winter.

Sun Protection

Due to Australia's high level of ultraviolet radiation it is highly advisable to wear sun protection such as sunglasses and/or a sun hat and to apply sunblock (SPF 50+) even when the day is overcast.

Water Supply

Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink. City water is chlorinated; most water is fluoridated. Water sourced from rivers and lakes should be boiled or treated before drinking.

Time Differences, Time Zones and Daylight Saving

Australia’s East Coast is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) during the months of April to

September (Standard Time) each year. With a land mass close to 7.7 million square kilometres, Australia is the world's sixth largest country and during Standard Time it is divided into three separate time zones.

Time Zones:

· Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Covers the eastern states of Queensland, New South Wales (with the exception of the town of Broken Hill), Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. AEST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 10 hours (UTC +10).

· Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)

Covers the state of South Australia, the town of Broken Hill in western New South Wales and the Northern Territory. ACST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 9.5 hours (UTC +9.5).

· Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)

Covers Western Australia. AWST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8).

Daylight Saving:

· Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of advancing clocks one hour during the warmer months of the year. In Australia, Daylight saving is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

· Daylight Saving Time begins at 2.00am on the first Sunday in October, when clocks are put forward one hour. It ends at 2.00am (which is 3.00am Daylight Saving Time) on the first Sunday in April, when clocks are put back one hour.

· Daylight saving is not observed in Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia.

Electronic Travel Authority

  To enter New Zealand your passport has to be valid for three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ 

Complete about a month before you travel.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/ 

Everyone needs to complete a New Zealand Traveler Declaration. You can 

Electronic Travel Authority

  To enter New Zealand your passport has to be valid for three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ 

Complete about a month before you travel.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/ 

Everyone needs to complete a New Zealand Traveler Declaration. You can start your Declaration at any time that suits you but the earliest you submit it is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. This is free so don’t use a website that charges a fee. 

Climate

New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with extreme alpine conditions in the mountainous areas and mild temperatures in the coastal regions. It is not uncommon to experience “four seasons in one day”.

As New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, it has opposite seasons to the northern half of the world. The warmest months are January and February (summer: Dec-Mar) with July being the coldest month in winter (Jun-Aug). In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (70-90°F) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-60°F).

New Zealand Time Zones

New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer, New Zealand uses 'Daylight Saving', with clocks put forward one hour to GMT +13.  Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.

Clothing Requirements/Dress Code

Whilst in New Zealand, it is important to carry clothing to suit any condition – from sun to rain and hail to snow.  Layering your clothing is a good option as frosty mornings often turn into warm, sunny days and thermal clothing and a water/windproof jacket are always recommended.  The dress code is informal and relaxed on most occasions.  Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and bars and men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities and luxury lodges.

Recommended clothing items:

· (November - March)

Swimming gear, sun hat, sunglasses, light cotton clothing, short pants and skirts, a good sunscreen (SPF 30+) and sandals or flip-flops.

· (April - October)

Warm woollen clothing, rain jacket, warm gloves, hats and scarves, long pants and thermal undergarments.

· Footwear

Sturdy walking shoes and tidy dress shoes.

Weather

New Zealand is a land of extremes and its weather can be highly unpredictable.  Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature especially if you're going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

Sun Protection

Due to New Zealand's high level of ultraviolet radiation it is highly advisable to wear sun protection such as sunglasses and/or a sun hat and to apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) even when the day is overcast and cloudy.

Currency

New Zealand's unit of currency is the dollar (NZ$) divided into 100 cents.  Denominations are; coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 and notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.  Due to the discontinuation of 1c, 2c and 5c pieces, purchases made in New Zealand are subject to "rounding" of amounts either up or down.  Most retailers have adopted the ‘Swedish Rounding System’ whereby prices ending in 1 to 4 cents will be rounded down and prices ending in 6 to 9 cents will be rounded up. It is at the retailer’s discretion how they handle prices ending in 5 cents.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services Tax is currently 15%.  This tax is usually included in the advertised/displayed price.  Visitors cannot claim back GST on departure from New Zealand, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.

Tipping Guidelines/Service Charges and Public Holiday Surcharges

Tipping in New Zealand is not obligatory or expected.  It is still seen as a genuine thank you for good or exceptional service and is at the discretion of the visitor.

Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not generally add service charges to their bills however some businesses do add a surcharge on public holidays.  Businesses that do apply a surcharge are required to alert their potential customers by means of a prominently displayed sign before they order or make a decision to purchase.

Tips for good service guidelines:

· Restaurants; a tip of about 10% is generally seen as a just reward for good service with 15% for exceptional service.

· Luggage Porters NZ$2-3.00 per piece.

· Coach drivers and guides receive for touring (not transfers) around the NZ$5.00 per person per day, however tips should not be given for average or below average service/driving or commentary.

· Private drivers for transfers should be only tipped for excellent service (around NZ$10-20 total). The same applies for touring with a Driver/Guide, with tips for excellent service being anywhere from NZ$40-100 depending on the level of service.

· Small group touring should be only tipped for excellent service (around NZ$20 per person).

Banking

Banks open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 9:30am to 4:30pm and those located in shopping malls are also open on Saturdays and Sundays (approx. 10:00am to 4:00pm).  Automatic teller machines (ATM’s) operate on a card/PIN number system.  Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day.  Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is common.  All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely, followed by American Express and Diners Club.

Business Hours

Offices and businesses operate Monday-Friday, 8.30am to 5:00pm; some tourist agencies and airlines have longer hours.  Petrol (gas) stations often open 24 hours, stocking food items, toiletries and newspapers.  General shops are usually open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, with a late shopping night (to 9:00pm) on either Thursday or Friday.  Many supermarkets, grocery stores, some large retail chains, shopping malls and markets also operate on Saturdays and Sundays; large supermarkets are often open 24 hours.  Local convenience stores, called dairies, usually open 7:00am-7:00pm daily.

Electricity Supply

New Zealand's AC electricity supply operates at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz and uses angled two or three pin plugs (the same as Australia). Most hotels and motels also provide 110 volt, 20 watt AC sockets for electric razors only.  For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option.

Emergencies

Dial 111 for emergency or urgent police, fire or ambulance services.  For non-emergency calls, dial 105 for assistance.

Foreign Currency

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into or taken out of New Zealand.  However, every person who carries more than or the equivalent of NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks which are found at International Airports and most city centres.

Health Services and Health Insurance

New Zealand’s public and private medical health facilities provide a high standard of treatment and care.  Doctors and other medical services are listed in the front of the telephone directory.  In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.  Instead ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation), New Zealand's accident compensation scheme, helps pay for your care by paying towards the cost of your treatment and helping in your recovery while you remain in New Zealand. However, please note: 

· ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand, and usually you must pay part of the cost yourself.

· ACC does not pay any additional costs resulting from an accident, for example delayed or curtailed travel costs, travel home, treatment at home and loss of income in your home country.

· We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance. 

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines

These are available from chemists during normal shopping hours.  Most cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours, listed in the front of the telephone book under ‘Hospitals’.  Chemists also sell cosmetics, insect repellent and sun protections.  A Doctor’s Certificate for Customs is advisable if visitors plan to bring pharmaceuticals into the country.  Many drugs sold over the counter in overseas countries are often not available without a prescription in New Zealand.

Population

Today, of the 5 million New Zealanders (informally known as Kiwis), approximately 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous Māori, 9.2% are Asian and 6.9% are non-Māori Pacific Islanders.

Postal Services

Stamps can be bought from supermarkets, bookstores, grocery shops and specialist Post Shops.  The main forms of postal carriage are Standard Post and Fast Post.  Standard Post is delivered the following day across town and within two to three working days nationwide; Fast Post, which is also the designation for international airmail letters originating in New Zealand, is delivered the following day between major towns and cities nationwide.

Telephones

Public pay phones are rare these days.  A New Zealand sim card for your cell phone can be bought from electronic stores and cell phone stores such as Spark, Vodafone, 2 Degrees, Noel Leemings and Harvey Norman.  It’s easiest if you purchase one on arrival at the airport.

Food and Fuel

During your travels you will need to purchase food items and fuel.  Fuel costs are approximately:

· Diesel NZ$2.40-2.80 per litre

· 91 Octane NZ$2.60-3.00 per litre

· 95 Octane NZ$2.80-3.20 per litre

Fuel costs in New Zealand vary between locations and petrol stations and they change often.  The above mentioned prices are indicative prices only.  Please check with your rental car company, the correct type of fuel that you need to purchase for your vehicle. 

Most locations in New Zealand will have a range of supermarkets, bakeries and cafes/restaurants.  For a quick lunch, bakeries provide sandwiches, pies etc. for approximately NZ$4.50 per item whereas a sit down lunch in a café will cost approximately NZ$18-25 per person.

Dinner options include fast food (Pizza, Fish and Chips etc.) and restaurants.  Fast food will cost approximately NZ$10-15 per person whereas restaurants will cost NZ$30-50 per person. 

There is plenty of choice when it comes to eating in New Zealand.  There are Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Turkish restaurants (just to name a few options) as well as traditional New Zealand food options.  A more modern favourite is fusion cuisine which is a combination of European and Asian influence.  Dietary requirements such as vegetarians and gluten free are catered for in most places. 

Vaccinations

For current information on Covid-19 vaccination requirements to enter New Zealand, please refer to the NZ Covid-19 Government page https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/international-travel-and-transit/proof-of-vaccination-for-travel-to-new-zealand.  No other vaccinations are currently required to enter New Zealand.

Water Supply

Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink.  City water is chlorinated; most water is fluoridated.  It is best not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it.Share how you got hooked on travel.

For Traveling to Fiji

To enter Fiji, you will need a passport valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date from Fiji. 

Best time to go

 The best time to go to Fiji is whenever you have the chance. This is Fiji we're talking about! Temperatures stay pretty constant through the year, with highs resting in the 80s; however,

For Traveling to Fiji

To enter Fiji, you will need a passport valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date from Fiji. 

Best time to go

 The best time to go to Fiji is whenever you have the chance. This is Fiji we're talking about! Temperatures stay pretty constant through the year, with highs resting in the 80s; however, from November to April, you might have to contend with some tropical storms. For the Fiji experience that you've always dreamed of, the best time to visit is from July to September, but you will have to contend with sky-high prices as this is also peak season. The shoulder seasons are short – May to June and October – but they're nice times to visit since heavy crowds will either have just departed or have yet to descend.