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Newspapers, Television and Radio National papers include The Australian, which covers national and international news, and the Australian Financial Review, which reports on international monetary matters. Bulletin and Time are the leading weekly international newsmagazines covering arts and news reporting. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is a nationwide television station providing excellent news and current affairs coverage, children's programs, and high-quality local and international drama. The corporation has its own AM and FM radio stations, which offer a wide range of services including news, rural information for farmers, arts commentary, modern and classical music, magazine-style women's programs, and an acclaimed nationwide channel, Triple J, for the younger audience. Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is Australia's other state-run television network. It caters to Australia's many cultures with foreign language programs for both television and radio. Other commercial stations include Channels 7, 9, and 10, offering a variety of soap operas, game shows, news, and sports. Personal Safety Australia's streets and most tourist areas are considered safe but visitors are advised to avoid poorly lit areas and parks at night. Buses and trams (in Melbourne) are safe means to travel at night. However, trains are more dangerous at night as most stations are not staffed after working hours. When travelling by train at night, be sure to sit in the carriage nearest to the driver or those marked as being safe for night travel. Taxis are also a safe and efficient mean of getting around at night. Hitchhiking is seriously discouraged for any visitor and can be particularly dangerous for women. As a general rule, visitors usually stand out in remote areas and as such may be prone to potential threats and dangers. During summer, while the warmth of the sun is enjoyed by many in Australia, it can also be intense and harmful to your skin. For those who love the beach or sunbathing, be sure to apply pH 15+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. For those going bushwalking, sightseeing, or boating, wear a broad-brimmed hat, shirt with collar and sleeves, and lots of sunscreen. Banking and Local Currency Branches of national, state, and some foreign banks can be found in the central business districts of Australia's state capitals. Most small towns will often have at least one branch of a major Australian bank. Banks generally offer the best exchange rates but money can also be changed at bureaux de changes, large departmental stores, and hotels. Visitors bringing in or taking out of Australia more than $A5,000 in cash must declare it to customs upon arrival or prior to departure. Banking trading
hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and from 9:30
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Major city banks are often open from 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (A$), which breaks down into 100 cents (c). Single cents may still be used for some prices but as the Australian 1c and 2c coins are no longer in circulation, the total amount to be paid will be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. Avoid using A$500 and A$100 notes in smaller shops and cafes or when paying for taxi fares. To increase the life span of the notes, all Australian bank notes have now been plasticized. Postal Services Post Offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays while some branches open on weekends. All domestic mail usually arrives within one to five days, depending on the distance. Express Post, for which a special yellow and white envelope needs to be purchased, guarantees next-day delivery in certain areas of Australia. Airmail will take from five to ten days to reach most countries. International Courier will reach nearly all overseas destinations within two to three days, whereas Express Post International takes four to five days. Driving Licenses and Insurance It is well worth considering hiring a car when visiting Australia especially if you are planning to travel the country and to explore rural areas. However, you must have a valid driver's license from your home country. If the license is not in English, you must carry with you a translation. It is a legal requirement that you have your license with you at all times when driving. For safety purposes, it is a good idea to have comprehensive insurance when hiring a car. "Third party fire and theft" insurance is standard and included in the cost of hire, as is insurance against accidental damage to the hired car. However, you will need to pay extra to reduce the excess payment. For example, by paying an extra A$7 a day, you can bring the excess down from around A$700 to a more comfortable A$100.
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