New South Wales
Lord Howe Island is the last island paradise, music for the soul.
Outback Awe-inspiring landscapes and memorable characters under blue skies.
Snowy Mountains
Mountain air doesn’t come any purer than this.
Heart of Country - Classic Australian towns founded by gold miners, graziers and farmers.
Sydney The laid-back outdoor lifestyle and natural beauty make Sydney a great city to visit.
South Coast The unspoilt beauty of the South Coast unfolds in a series of bays and coves.
Sydney Surrounds A grand spectrum of delights, all within two and a half hours' drive of Sydney.
North Coast Classic Aussie surf culture meets World Heritage-listed national parks.
Basic travel tips
Climate | Time zones | Money | Shopping hours | Visas | Visitor information centres
Climate
New South Wales lies in the temperate zone so generally the climate is free from extreme temperatures. Seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere - Christmas is in December (summer) while winter is between June and October.
The warmest months are December to February, with an average maximum temperature of 26ºC (79ºF). The coolest months are June to August when daytime temperatures rarely fall below 7ºC (45ºF).
From June to August it can be very cold in the Snowy Mountains alpine region with a winter maximum average of 0.1ºC (30ºF). In Outback NSW it can be very cold at night with a winter minimum average of 5ºC (41ºF).
For up-to-date weather forecasts visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Time zones
New South Wales greets the new day ahead of most parts of the world.
When you are in Sydney:
- Hong Kong is – 2 hours
- Paris is – 9 hours
- London is – 10 hours
- New York is – 15 hours
- Los Angeles is – 18 hours
- Tokyo is – 1 hour
- Auckland is + 1 hour
These time differences vary by an hour during daylight savings (when NSW residents move their clocks forward one hour) between November and March.
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Communication
Australia’s telephone country code is 61. Service for all mobile (cell) phones is widespread while internet access is available at internet cafes, hotels and libraries.
Australia Post offices are usually open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor.
Money
Australia has a decimal currency system, with 100 cents to the Australian dollar. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are found in cities and regional centres but check to make sure your own bank offers that service.
Major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club as well as American Express and Travelex travellers’ cheques are widely accepted throughout NSW.
Sydney’s banks generally open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 5pm. In Sydney, all major banks are equipped to exchange foreign currency, while foreign exchange bureaus are spread throughout the central business district and at Sydney Airport.
As a rule, tipping is not expected in NSW. However, for good restaurant service, 10 per cent tips are widely accepted as the standard.
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent applies to most goods and services. It is included in the ticket price of goods and in restaurant menus.
Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST paid on goods bought in Australia under the Tourist Refund Scheme.
If you are carrying A$10,000 or more (or foreign currency equivalent) into or out of Australia, you will need to declare so in your customs form.
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Shopping hours
Retail opening hours in Sydney vary. Generally stores open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Thursday is late night shopping in central Sydney and some suburban shopping centres.
Many stores also open on Sundays, and retailers in the city centre, Rocks and Darling Harbour have extended hours, closing at 9pm. Shopping hours in country NSW are generally shorter.
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Visas
Travellers from other countries need a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa or ETA before travelling to Australia.
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Visitor information centres
A network of visitor information centres around the State are a valuable source of information about local attractions, accommodation, maps and brochures. Look for yellow “i” sign on a blue background in major centres around the State.
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