Traveller Information
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid passport or similar acceptable travel document is required to enter Australia. Everyone, except holders of Australian and New Zealand passports, requires a visa. New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa before travelling to Australia.
Visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ website - www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm - for information on tourist visas, working holidays, business visits, students, immigration, Electronic Travel Authority (ETAs) and visas.
For the location of your nearest Australian consulate go to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website: www.dfat.gov.au/missions/index.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
LANGUAGE
English is Australia’s official language.
ELECTRICITY
240 volts.
WATER
Most tap water in Australia is safe for drinking.
HEALTH, MEDICAL & PERSONAL SAFETY
Medical Services
Australia has one of the world’s best health systems. The Geelong Hospital is the largest regional hospital in the world. Major towns
are well served with doctors, chemists and other health operators.
Immunisation
The health of a visitor, including any need for immunisation, may be tested as part of the process of being issued with a visa.
Personal safety
Australia has a high level of personal safety. To protect personal items, either take them with you or lock your vehicle. In the
unlikely event of theft or personal attack, report the incident to the many police stations spread throughout the region.
Personal safety is also a high priority at visitor attractions. Scenic lookouts have safety fences. Pathways also ensure visitors don’t enter dangerous sections of natural attractions.
When bushwalking always let someone know your time of return. Check for weather and bushfire alerts. This can be done by monitoring the media or by calling into the many visitor information centres in the regions. Always have adequate footwear and clothing, food and water.
CURRENCY AND BANKS
The Australian dollar is the nation’s official currency.
Banks are in most townships within the GSTR region. Mastercard, VISA, American Express and Diners Club cards are widely accepted. You may also use them at Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
BANKING HOURS:
Ballarat & Great Ocean Road Regions: 9.30am-4pm Mon to Thurs, 9.30am-5pm Fri.
Grampians Region: 10am-4pm Mon to Thurs, 10am-5pm Fri.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE FACILITIES
Foreign Exchange branches and most banks will exchange foreign currencies and cash travellers cheques. Listed below are the two Foreign Exchange branches located in the GSTR region.
Geelong: Travelex
Address: 96 Malop St
Phone: +61 3 5229 0545
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Thurs, 9am-8pm Fri, 9am-noon Sat.
Geelong: Jetset Travelex Australia P/L
Address: Shop 2/102 Moorabool St
Phone: +61 3 5223 2666
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri, 9am-noon Sat.
Ballarat: Travelex
Address: 207 Sturt St, Ballarat
Phone: +61 3 5338 7957
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri.
CLIMATE
Victoria enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
Summer - January and February are the hottest months, with average maximum temperatures around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in south-west Victoria. Overnight minimums vary from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Winter - June to August are the coldest months in Victoria, with average maximum temperatures in the south-west from less than 10 degrees Celsius to 13 degrees Celsius.
ROAD RULES
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road, Australian cars are right hand drive.
SHOPPING
Shopping is available in most townships throughout the Great Southern Touring Route region. Large shopping complexes, as well as boutique shops, can be found in the major regional cities.
Most shops are open weekdays 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. In busy tourist locations, such as Geelong, Lorne, Ballarat and Halls Gap, shopping is available 7 days per week.
RESTAURANTS
The Great Southern Touring Route region has some of Victoria’s most outstanding restaurants, serving a wide variety of cuisine. All townships suggested for overnight stays have quality restaurants.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
PENINSULA SEAROAD FERRY SERVICE
The service operates between Queenscliff to Sorrento. It departs both places on the hour, 7am-6pm, every day of the year, regardless of weather,
and carries vehicles of all sizes. From December 26 to Easter Tuesday, inclusive, a 7pm service operates from both Queenscliff and Sorrento.
The crossing takes 40 minutes. During weekends and peak holiday times, cars should arrive 30-45 minutes before departure. Phone: +61 3 5258 3244
REGIONAL AIRLINES
Regional Express
Route: Melb/Portland; Portland/Mt.Gambier/Adelaide
Address: Lv. 1, 2B Lord St, Botany NSW 2019
Phone: 131 713 (Australia only)
Phone: +61 2 6393 5550
Fax: +61 2 6393 5599
Sharp Aviation
Route: Melb/Hamilton; Melb/Portland; Melb/Warrnambool; Geelong/Portland
Address: Hamilton Airport, Hensley Park Rd, Hamilton VIC 3300
Phone: +61 3 5574 8216
Fax: +61 3 5574 8258
TRAIN
V/Line
Operates daily train services: Melbourne/Geelong/Ballarat
Operates daily train services: Melbourne/Geelong/Warrnambool
Operates daily coach services: Melbourne/Ballarat/Stawell/Halls Gap/Great Ocean Road
Address: Ground Floor, 589 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 13 22 32
STAR RATINGS
Properties bearing the Star symbols eg. **** (the “STARS”) are independently assessed by AAATourism, the national body of the Australian motoring organisations. The STARS are trademarks of AAATourism Pty Ltd. For more information about using STAR ratings, please go to: www.aaatourism.com/stars
CERTIFIED TOURISM BUSINESS
The inclusion of this symbol indicates an Accredited Tourism Operator. The Tourism Accreditation Board of Victoria has been implemented to establish standards of excellence in ethical conduct and fundamental operational practices. These include business management, risk management and safety procedures, consumer protection, appropriate skills and environmental practices. You can choose an accredited tourism operator with confidence.
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
More information about the Great Southern Touring Route, including images and detailed suggested itineraries, are available on our website (www.greatsoutherntouring.com.au) and CD-ROM. To help visitors get the most from their Great Southern Touring Route holiday, we have prepared a comprehensive touring map with details on driving times and distances and a guide to the major attractions.
The Great Southern Touring Route Committee Inc., including its officers, agents and contractors (“Publisher”), has made every endeavour to ensure that details appearing in this publication are correct at the time of printing, but accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy or mis-description, whether by inclusion or omission, nor does the Publisher accept any responsibility for subsequent change or withdrawal, of details or services shown which are subject to alteration without notice. Any standard of accommodation and/or services contained in this publication are indicative only of a certain class and are based upon information provided to the Publisher. Accordingly, the Publisher makes no representation or guarantee in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of that accommodation or service.
