Travel Hints
Climate
The climate of Australia varies widely, but by far the largest part of Australia is desert or semi-arid – 40% of the landmass is covered by sand dunes. Only the south-east and south-west corners have a temperate climate and moderately fertile soil. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate: part is tropical rainforests, part grasslands, and part desert. Rainfall is highly variable, with frequent droughts lasting several seasons.
Today's weather in Sydney, Australia may be found here.
Currency
The official currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD)
View today's exchange rates.
Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport to enter Australia and must enter with an Australian visa or an electronic travel authority (ETA). AIM will arrange for your ETA when your airline tickets are issued.
If you don't have a current passport, you'll need to leave yourself sufficient time in order to get one. You may find passport information at the U.S. Department of State website.
Note: Whatever form of identification you use, we suggest packing photocopies of your passport photo and personal data page(s) and keeping it in a separate location from where you keep your passport.
Medical Information
Good medical care is available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States, however. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. If you need a doctor, your hotel can recommend one, or you can contact your embassy or consulate.
Make sure you have sufficient prescription medications for your trip.
Electricity
220-240 volts, 50 Hz
Time Zone
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – 10 hours ahead of GMT and 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
