General Info

Location

Queensland forms the north-east corner of the Australian continent and with a total area of 1.8 million square kilometres (or 700,000 square miles).

To compare - Queensland is 2 and ½ times the size of Texas in the USA and is 4 and ½ times the size of Japan.

Capital : Brisbane

Area: 700,000 square miles | 1.8 million square kilometres

Coastline: 7,400 kilometres | Bounded by the South Pacific Ocean

Climate
One of the major attractions of Queensland as a tourist destination is its climate, with just over half of Queensland lying in the tropical zone and the remainder in the temperate zone.

Culture
Queensland has an English-speaking western- style culture
Queensland also has a strong and important indigenous culture. Visitors should take time to experience this culture by including an indigenous experience into their itinerary.
Queensland is an excellent holiday destination for people of all cultures and backgrounds. It is safe for travellers, is peaceful, and tolerant of all religions and cultures.

Passports and Visas
Your client will require a valid passport to travel to Australia. Their passport must be valid for longer than the period of their stay. Visas are required by every visitor travelling to Australia, except for Australian and New Zealand passport holders.

Banks
Banks operate from 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays, except Friday when they're open until 5.00pm.

Currency
Australian currency is decimal, with the dollar as the basic unit. 100 cents (100c) = one dollar $1. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. Traveller's cheques and all major credit cards are widely accepted in Queensland. Please note that some banks charge a small fee for cashing travellers’ cheques.

Currency Exchange Facilities
Currency exchange facilities are available at Queensland's three international airports. City banks will also exchange money during business hours, Monday to Friday.

Credit Cards
The most commonly accepted credit cards are: American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates.

Accessible Queensland
Major facilities throughout Queensland have been designed to ensure ease of access and use for disabled visitors. The Brisbane City Mall was the site of Australia's first 'Braille Trail', a tactile guide for blind pedestrians. Many taxis in Queensland have been specially modified to accommodate wheelchairs. For more information, please contact:
The Office of Disability at the Department of Family Services:
Tel: +(61) 7 3224 8031 Fax: +(61) 7 3224 8037.

Daylight
Average yearly days of sunshine = 263
Summer average hours of daylight = 13.5
Winter average hours of daylight = 10.5

Electricity
240/250 Volts AC 50hz

Post Office/Shopping
Post offices are open from 9am - 5pm weekdays. The Brisbane General Post Office in Queen Street is open from 7am - 7pm. In Queensland, the maximum permissible shopping hours are generally 8am - 9pm weekdays, and 8am - 5pm on Saturdays. The Brisbane, Cairns, Gold and Sunshine Coasts Central Business Districts are also open on Sundays.

Drivers License
A bona-fide tourist may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving, in addition to a valid passport. If it is not in English, carry an International Permit or an official translation of that license.

Drinking and Driving
Queensland has a .05 percent blood alcohol limit for drivers holding an open license. Two or three standard drinks in one hour could put you over the limit.

Driving Laws
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 50 - 60 kilometres per hour and on country roads and highways, 100 kilometres per hour - 110 kilometres per hour, unless signs indicate otherwise.

Seat Belts
All occupants of a vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times.