Check approaching storm fronts for signs of a greenish tinge. This often indicates a hail storm that may cause damage to persons and property.

Always observe correct beach safety. Swim only at patrolled beaches. Only swim between flagged areas. If in doubt, ask. Always check for warning signs.

If you intend to swim in shallow coastal waters north of Gladstone, make it your business to be informed about box jellyfish (marine stingers). Generally found in shallow water near creek or river mouths, more likely after local rain, usually absent in rough water. Not usually found over deep water or coral. Stinger season is usually from December to March in the Gladstone (south) area and longer, from October to June, in the Cairns (north) area. Most popular beaches in the stinger areas are netted to provide swimmer protection.

Always wear thick soled shoes when walking in shallow tropical waters or reef walking as protection against the highly camouflaged stonefish. It has dorsal spikes which will rupture the skin of the foot and inject poison causing extreme swelling and agony. Deaths have been recorded as a result of stonefish poisoning.

There are other poisonous creatures on the reef such as some of the cone shell species and coral snakes, both of which are capable of causing death. If you intend spending time on the Barrier Reef without expert guidance, ensure you have a sound knowledge of what can hurt you before you start.

Banks are open Monday through Friday and generally between the hours of 9.00 to 4.00. Most towns have automatic teller machines to cater for after-hours transactions.

All major city airports have currency exchange kiosks for changing foreign currency.

Australian currency consists of 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2 as coins. Notes are $5 $10 $20 $50 and $100.

Need an interpreter? The telecommunications provider Telstra offers a 24 hour translation and interpreter service. Dial 13 14 50. The local white pages telephone book will provide more information.

Phone cards are a popular way of accessing the public phone system. Cards are available from selected newsagents and stores. Selected public phones also accept credit cards. Public phone call assistance is available by dialling 013.

Visitors should always take out travel insurance cover prior to departure from their home country. The best prices for Australian travel insurance is for cover arranged direct with the insurer which can be 50% of the price charged by your travel agent.

Our Australian travel insurance discussion page is a recommended resource when considering the appropriate level of insurance cover for your travels.

Visitors will only require specific vaccinations if they have travelled through an area infected with yellow fever. Visitors passing through other countries when entering or leaving Australia should check the vaccination requirements of those countries.

All cities and most towns offer 24 hour medical facilities by way of private practice clinics or government run hospital facilities. They will be listed in the telephone book of the area you are visiting.

Chemists are located in all towns and cities throughout Australia. The Australian chemist does not operate the "soda fountain" type of drug store found in the USA.

Need an interpreter? The telecommunications provider Telstra offers a 24 hour translation and interpreter service for an extensive range of languages. Dial 13 14 50. The local white pages telephone book will provide more information.

Need extra leg room? Ask to be seated in a row that serves the exit doors as these rows seem to have more leg room.

When checking in and getting seat allocation, ask if your seat is in the first row immediately adjacent one of the large central video screens. You may wish to ask for a different location, especially if on a long international flight.

A departure tax of A$30 per adult is payable when leaving Australia.

Don't forget to take out Australian travel insurance Don't learn the hard way that this is money well spent.

If you are in doubt about your driving licence being accepted in Australia, rather obtain an International Licence from your local automobile association prior to your departure.

For information about Australian car rentals, see our car rental FAQ's sheet.

Road speed limits differ between states but are generally 100-110kph on the highways and 50-60kph in built-up areas. Interstate highways are not of the same standard as USA and European highway systems but nor do they carry the same traffic volumes.

Don't hitch-hike, it is illegal.

Never leave small children or animals locked in vehicles in very hot weather. Dehydration occurs very quickly. This practice is illegal and offenders may be fined.

The most serious danger on the road is driver fatigue. Look for driver refreshment stations and pull off and rest after driving for several hours.

Be careful when driving on country roads at night in cold weather. Cattle and native animals such as kangaroos lie on the bitumen road surface which holds the warmth of the sun. Car lights blind and mesmerise the animals and they may just as easily run into your vehicle as run away from it.

When travelling on remote outback roads/tracks, always advise someone at the destination of your expected arrival time and number of people in your party. If you fail to arrive within a reasonable time, help procedures can be started. Do NOT leave your vehicle as a missing vehicle is much easier to find that a missing person.

When travelling on unsurfaced or poor quality roads, always conduct a vehicle check before starting off on the next sector.

Extra care is needed when sharing the road with road-trains. These are prime movers with multiple trailers of cattle attached and are about 50 metres (170 feet) long. Always give them plenty of room as the buffeting from displaced air as you pass in opposite directions can be quite severe. Allow at least 1 kilometre (3000 feet) of clear road before overtaking a road train.

Do not attempt to cross flooded rivers and causeways unless you are sure of the water depth and possible road surface damage. Most flash floods recede within 24 hours.

Dust from passing vehicles on outback roads can obscure your vision. Don't take risks, slow down or stop until it settles.

At beachfront holiday destinations such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, self contained apartments and resorts provide the majority of accommodation, although there are hotels at these locations.

As you travel further afield into the country towns, accommodation in motels and motor-inns become the norm.

Prices are reasonable and there are various choices available, ranging from conventional buses, mini-buses, private pick-up and limousines. Most transfers provide a door-to-door service between the airport and your city destination.

Airport transfers can be pre-booked online which eliminates standing in queues to buy tickets on arrival.

Visa applications are made to the Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission, as applicable, in your home country, although is is now possible for Australian visa applications to be made online. Make sure you apply for the correct visa type. For example, if you plan to work, you will need to apply for a work permit which is generally limited to single under 25's and which only allows for casual work to be performed for up to 3 months.

Tourist visas are generally valid for a stay of 3 or 6 months. At the time of making your visa application you will have to sign an undertaking that you have an outward bound ticket and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.

No duty is payable on personal effects. Adults may carry up to 250 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcoholic liquor in their personal effects provided it is carried with them.

Duty and sales tax is applied to dutiable goods exceeding A$400. Strict regulations apply to narcotics and controlled substances.

When entering Australia you will have to surrender all fresh food, animal and plant products and any unprocessed foodstuffs. You will be required to sign a declaration to this effect. This is a quarantine requirement to prevent the entry of foreign organisms that may have a harmful effect on Australia's native vegetation, wildlife and farming products.

Strict regulations apply to the import and export of protected wildlife and items made from protected species. Any such items will be seized by customs officials upon arrival.