Sydney Information

Sydney Ambulance
Call 000 for an ambulance.

Sydney beach safety
Surf on beaches kills! Swim between the flags and never swim alone. Surf life savers are on duty at most beaches and will be very pleased to provide advice. If nobody is patrolling the beach do not enter the water. Watch the Sydney sun and avoid skin cancer, remember the slogan “slip, slap, slop” i.e. put on a shirt, slap on a hat and put on a high factor sunscreen.

Sydney climate

Sydney Consulates

Australia Tourist Refund Scheme

Australian visas

Sydney banks
Banks and ATM machines are everywhere. Banking hours are 9.30 – 4 on Monday to Thursday and until 5pm on Friday. American Express is at 130 Pitt Street.

Consulates

Drinking
The legal age for drinking is 18.

Sydney Driving
Driving around Sydney is easy. Seatbelts are compulsory, drink driving is a serious offence and random testing is very common with police setting up road blocks at any time of the day and in any place. Speeding is rigidly enforced with speed cameras everywhere. Illegal parking is enforced and will result in the car being towed away and recovered at high cost. Call the Sydney Traffic Control Centre on 9211 3000 if this happens.

Electricity
The current is 240V and uses a three pin plug (not the same three pin plug as the UK). The converters are available in Sydney.

Fair trading
For any difficulties with consumer issues in shops and accommodation establishments call the Traveller Consumer Helpline on 1300 55 2001.

G.P.O.
There is a magnificent G.P.O. building in Martin Place between George Street and Pitt Street. Note, though, that Poste Restante is not here. It is in a separate office back from the street, but clearly marked, a little further along George Street towards The Rocks.

Internet
It is not a problem to find internet cafes. A popular brand is Global Gossip where you buy one card and use at all the Global Gossip locations not just those in Sydney. They have internet cafes at 415 Pitt Street, 790 George Street, 63 Darlinghurst Road and a7 37 Hall Street at Bondi Beach.

Road Safety
We drive on the left in Sydney. It is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, everyone in the car must wear seatbelts, and you must not drive with more than 0.05 grams per 100 millimetre of blood alcohol. If you are a learner, provisional driver or under 25 with a licence less than 3 years old you must not drive with any alcohol at all.

Sydney health care

Australian Money

Sydney newspapers
The leading paper is the Sydney Morning Herald and the main national paper The Australian. There is also the Daily Telegraph which covers lighter stories. MX is given away at CityRail stations. International newspapers are easily found and editions of several UK papers are printed in Australia.

Australian public holidays
Everything closes on Christmas Day. Other public holidays are New Years Day; Boxing Day; Australia Day (26 January); Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; Anzac Day (25 April); Queen’s Birthday (12 June); 1st Monday in August (banks only) and the 1st Monday in October (Labour day).

Sydney police
The emergency number is 000. For less urgent matters call 13 1444. Police stations are located at 132 George Street, The Rocks; 570 George Street; 192 Day Street, Darling Harbour and 151 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills.

Sydney safety
Sydney is a fairly safe city but as in any city normal sensible precautions should be followed. When travelling on public transport late at night sit in the train nearest the guard’s compartment, which is indicated by a blue light and is a designated nightsafe area. Be careful on deserted streets at night. Stick to the main streets in Kings Cross, Potts Point, Bondi Beach, Newtown and Glebe.

Smoking
Smoking is very controlled in Sydney and prohibited on all public transport and in public buildings. Restaurants may allow smoking in restricted areas.

Australian Telephones

Tipping

Sydney Visitor Information Centres
Visitor information centres are at the Corner of Argyle and Playfair streets at the Rocks, near Circular Quay. There is also one at Darling Harbour near the Convention Centre and at Manly on the Forecourt of Manly Wharf where the ferry docks. The National Parks & Wildlife Centre is also at the Rocks at 11o George Street. Around Sydney are a number of city information kiosks and includes one at Martin Place, one on George Street adjacent to Sydney Town Hall. Visitor centres are also at the arrivals area at Sydney International Terminal.

Australian and UK Visas
Description: Visa Advice and Assistance For Australia and the United Kingdom
visa applications. Apply Online For Australian Visas.