Vital Visitor Information

Banking and money

Banks: As a general guide, most banks are open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Automatic teller machines (ATMs/Cash Points): ATMs that accept a wide variety of cards are conveniently located throughout the city.

Credit cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are happily accepted by most outlets.

Currency exchange: Services are available at the Brisbane International Airport. There are also several Bureaux de Change located in the city centre. Most banks throughout the city have currency exchange services.

Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100

Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2

Climate

Pack a hat and think alfresco. Get ready to smile and soak up the sunshine. Brisbane boasts mild winters and sultry summers.

Electricity

Mains supply in Australia is 220/240V-AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used Australia-wide. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt international sockets for electric razors. Adaptors for plugs can be purchased from the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre in the Queen Street Mall and all good travel stores, chemists, department stores and hardware outlets.

Emergency contacts

In an emergency dial 000 (free call) and ask for police, fire or ambulance. Stay calm and wait to be connected to the appropriate service. If you're calling from a mobile, be ready to tell the operator the town and state you are calling from.

Goods and Services Tax

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a flat tax of 10 per cent included in the shelf prices of most goods and services across the country. The Tourist Refund Scheme allows international travellers to claim a GST refund (subject to certain conditions) on goods purchased in Australia.

Health and medical

Public hospitals offer accident, emergency and outpatient services. Private medical practitioners can be located through the Yellow Pages telephone book.

Find out more. Visit www.yellowpages.com.au

Information services

The Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre - is located at the lower end of the Queen Street Mall in the heart of Brisbane's busiest shopping precinct. The Centre operates seven days a week (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day). Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:30pm; Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm; and Sunday 9:30am to 4:30pm. (On Anzac Day the Centre is open 1:00pm to 5:00pm. On public holidays Sunday times apply.)

The South Bank Visitor Information Centre is located on the Stanley Street Plaza is also open seven days a week. Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Visit the official visitor information centre for Brisbane - Visit Brisbane 

Language

English is the official language of Australia. Translation and interpreter services can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling 13 14 50.

Passport and visas

All international travellers must present a valid and approved travel document as evidence of their identity and nationality to allow entry into Australia. The most common and preferred travel document is a passport, but other types of travel documents may also be accepted.

All international travellers (with the exception of our trans-Tasman New Zealand travellers) must also obtain a valid visa before travelling to Australia. The good news is: Australia offers travellers a straightforward, streamlined visa application system. Through the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system, travellers can apply for an ETA on the Internet or through a travel agent, airline or specialist service provider. (The ETA is the electronic equivalent of a visa for the short-term traveller. It replaces the passport visa label or stamp, is valid for 12 months with stays of up to three months on each visit, and can be used for single or multiple entry travel.) For most people who apply online their application will be approved in less than 30 seconds. Approved applications are electronically recorded on Australian Government systems and can be electronically confirmed by airline check-in staff prior to boarding.

Find out more. Visit www.immi.gov.au

Population

Brisbane has a population of 1.8 million and lies at the heart of the fastest growing region in Australia. In fact, Brisbane is the second fastest growing city in the western world, behind Phoenix Arizona. We're a young and culturally-diverse community: the average resident is 35 years old and more than 28 per cent of us were born overseas.

Brisbane's General Post Office is conveniently located on Queen Street in a stately heritage building. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm. Other Australia Post outlets (with varying opening hours) are located throughout the city and suburbs.

Shopping

Big spenders and retail therapists take note. The majority of downtown retailers trade seven days a week. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Friday 9:00am to 9:00pm; Saturday 9:00am to 5:30pm; and Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Telephone assistance

Most newsagents and convenience stores and the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre on the Queen Street Mall sell public telephone cards and recharge cards for mobiles.

Directory assistance: 1223

International dialling code: 0011 followed by the country code and number

Common country codes:

Time zones

Brisbane operates on Australian Eastern Standard time - GMT plus ten hours. Daylight saving times do not apply.

Tipping

It's an option not an obligation. Feel free to tip if you think the service has been exceptional