AUSTRALIA - *Passport, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or non-electronic label visa, proof of onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds are required. An ETA or non-electronic label visa is required for tourist or business stays of up to 3 months. An ETA is an electronically stored authority to travel to Australia and can be obtained online at
www.ETA.immi.gov.au or through participating travel agencies or airlines. Minors not accompanied by a parent or traveling with only one parent need notarized written parental consent from the absent parent(s). AIDS test required for permanent resident visa for applicants age 15 and older; tests taken in the U.S. are acceptable. More information about entry requirements to Australia (including for longer stays) is available on the Embassy of Australia's website at
http://www.austemb.org. Alternatively, visa inquiries may be directed to the Australian Visa Information Service on toll-free 1-888-990-8888.
More International travel information
When in Australia, instead of saying hello, we say Good day.
The men keep calling Richard ‘mate’, followed by a firm handshake.
Wow, there are two climatic zones – tropical and temperate. Most parts experience four seasons, opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere – summer (December-February), winter (June-August).
Oh, great, we have to use the conversion plug again. The receptacles look like a shocked smilie. :o
They use the metric system for weights and measures.
The currency is the Australian Dollar. Code: AUD. Oh goodie, they take credit cards.
We tip waiters 10% -12%.
The government is an independent member of the British Commonwealth. Really?
Cultural etiquette’s.
1. Australians tend to be direct, to tell it like it is. Extremely informal in rendering and receiving services.
2. Strong sense of community, highly value collective efforts.
3. Australia is becoming more smoke-free in many places is prohibited. When visiting someone or at a meal, it is regarded bad manners to light up a cigarette without asking the host’s permission.
1. General Do’s
• Acceptable to take flowers or wine when invited to lunch or dinner.
• When departing be sure to thank your hosts for hospitality. Bring sunscreen.
2. General Don’ts
• Litter, cleanliness is important. Littering incurs a heavy fine, especially items such as cigarettes and glass.
• Talk about labor disputes, religion or kangaroo population control.
There are three major religious groups for Australia.
- Christianity
- Buddhism
- Judaism
Melusine wrote:You said
Richard "has a thing for rocks," so when you take him to Australia, take him to Lord Sauron's "home" at
Mordor Pound. Lots of rocks! (though I still think he'll be inspected in Australia; they may wonder what's up with him always smiling like that).
Mordor, J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginary land of the dark Lord Sauron, actually exists in Australia.
The Mordor Pound, highlighted in the Landsat 7 satellite image below right, bears an uncanny resemblance to J.R.R. Tolkein's land of Mordor from his novel "Lord of the Rings" (below left).
Mordor Pound lies 70 km north-east of Alice Springs, in Australia's Northern Territory. Such was the resemblance between the landscapes that geologist Alan Langworthy renamed the land form which was previously called Spring Pound to Mordor Pound in the 1970s.
Look at the pictures:http://www.ga.gov.au/news/mordor.jsp
Richard liked this map the best from Mesuline's link. 8)
I follow those who I will someday lead. - Candy