About Sydney: Basic Information
To ensure that you get the most out of your trip to Sydney, here are a few tips to help you out.
Currency
| Unit: Australian Dollar (A$) Notes: A$5,10,20,50,100 Coins: Australian Cents 5,10,20,50 and A$1,2 |
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Note: Although 1 and 2 cent coins are no longer used in Australia, the price of each item is not rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents on the shelf. When you pay at the counter, the total price of your shopping will be rounded to the nearest 5 cents. Prices ending in 1-2 cents or 6-7 cents are rounded down to the nearest multiple of 5, and prices ending in 3-4 cents or 8-9 cents are rounded up. For example, if your shopping costs A$9.97, you will only pay A$9.95. But if it costs A$9.98, you will have to pay A$10.00. Australia also has a 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax) attached to most items, but this is already added to the price you see on the shelf, so you don't need to worry about adding 10% when you get to the counter. |
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Currency Exchange
Cash and traveller's cheques in major foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks,
money exchange centres and major hotels.Currency exchange centres can be found at the airport, as well as in the city.
You can also use major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and JCB at most shops and restaurants, including supermarkets.
Weather
Sydney's climate is mild and pleasant all year round.If you are coming from a country in the Northern hemisphere, remember that the seasons are the opposite in Australia! It is Winter from June to August, and Summer from December to February down here!
When you arrive for the Championships in August, it will be the end of Winter, so it may be quite cool. The average daytime temperature for August in Sydney is 9-17 degrees C (49-63 degrees F), but it will get chilly in the evenings, so be sure to bring some warm clothes. The average rainfall for August is 81mm, and the average number of sunny days is 21.
Time Zone
| Tokyo (Japan) | -1 hour |
| Paris (France) | -8 hours |
| Moscow (Russia) | -6 hours |
| Cape Town (South Africa) | -8 hours |
| Madrid (Spain) | -8 hours |
| Lima (Peru) | -15 hours |
| Bangkok (Thailand) | -3 hours |
| Los Angeles (USA) | -17 hours |
| Washington DC (USA) | -9 hours |
| London (UK) | -14 hours |
| Note: The above are standard time differences which will apply in August. New South Wales applies Daylight Savings (Summer) Time from October to March, when the clock is forwarded 1 hour. | |
Transportation
CityRail
CityRail provides a passenger rail service covering the greater Sydney area.
CityRail's sister company, CountryLink, provides services to country NSW,
and long distance services to Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Sydney Buses
Sydney Buses will get you around the city and out to the suburbs.
The newest buses all have low floors, wheelchair access and are fully air-conditioned.
Ferry
Ferries are a wonderful way to enjoy beauty of Sydney. You can catch a ferry
from Circular Quay(near opera house) to go to Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach and
others as well as Sydney Olympic Park.
Lightrail
If you are interested in going to Central station, China town, the fish
markets, or the casino at Star City, the lightrail is a good way to travel
there. The lightrail operates 24 hours a day, 365 a year.
Fares: tickets are sold on-board the Lightrail.
Full adult Fares
Within one zone > single $2.90 / return $4.30
Across two zones > single $3.90 / return $5.30
Zone information:
| Zone 1 stations | Zone 2 stations |
| Central station | Pyrmont bay |
| Capitol square | Star city |
| Paddy's markets | John street square |
| Exhibition centre | Fish market |
| Convention | Wentworth park |
| Glebe | |
| Jubilee park | |
| Razelle bay | |
| lilyfield |
Adults > $8.40
Concession > $6.30
Family > $20.00 (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children. Additional passengers must purchase a separate ticket)
Monorail
The monorail is a good way to get around the the CBD. It runs through
the city centre, Darling Park, China Town and Paddy's Market. It operates 364 days a year (closed Christmas
Day)Mon to Thurs - 7am to 10 pm
Fri & Sat - 7am to midnight
Sun - 8am to 10pm
Standard fare (1 loop); adults and children - $4.00
Children 5 years and under ride free
Electricity
| 20-240V, 50Hz Although hotels may have limited numbers of adaptors for their guests, you can also buy a transformer at some shops. 500w types are about $220, and 250w types are around $130. A laptop/notebook PC is usually usable without a transformer, if you have an adaptor. Please check compatibility by referring to your laptop/notebook PC manual, or ask at your local shop. |
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Local telephone calls
Local phone calls cost 40 cents at public pay phones.You can also buy telephone card for more economical international calls.
Prepaid and/or rental mobile phone (or celluar phone) services can be arranged for short-term stays. Shops like Telstra, Optusnet and Vodaphone can be found in major shopping centres in the city.
Postal service
Post Offices (Australia POST) sell whatever you need to send postcards, letters or parcels, including letter sets, stamps, wrapping paper, packing materials, memorial stamps and coins, stationary and gifts.
Water
Since Australia is a dry continent, water is very precious and people are very
conscious of saving water.In Australia, there is no problem with drinking tap water. If you prefer, most hotels have kettles/jugs for boiling water in the rooms. You can also purchase still or sparkling bottled water at all shops and cafes.
