BFS 2012
Sydney snapshot - visiting as a business tourist
Sydney welcomes you our cosmopolitan, friendly, stylish and relaxed city. Sydney's climate is temperate sub-tropical - in other words, spectacular; our shores are disease-free; and our overseas visitors. are entitled to tax rebates.
Sydney tourist information for BFS Congress delegates
Below is a summary for overseas visitors:
Sydney climate and seasons
Sydney enjoys four types of seasons:
Summer from December to February
- Autumn from March to May
- Winter from June to August
- Spring from September to November
Sydney’s sub-tropical climate is temperate all year, and average temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in winter to 26 degrees Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) in summer.
Sydney time zones
Sydney is one of the first cities to wake up each day: we’re 10-11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
March to October: Sydney is on GMT plus 10 hours. Sunrise is around 7am while the sun sets between 5pm and 5.30pm.
Visas
Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system is the world’s most advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system (Over 30 countries around the world have access to the free ETA system). Most overseas visitors need a valid visa before they can travel to Australia. Travellers should arrange their visa well ahead of time (at least four to six weeks before leaving their home country) to ensure entry into Australia is seamless. Travel agents or airlines can arrange visas. For more information visit the Australian Department of Immigration's website.
Electricity in Sydney
In Sydney and throughout Australia, the electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. International adaptors are readily available at chemists (drug stores) and electrical supply stores. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers.
Conference Location and Hotel
The BFS Congress will be based in the Sydney Hilton Hotel, located in the heart of Sydney. At the Hilton Sydney Conference Centre, delegates will enjoy professional conference support, Australasia’s most advanced audiovisual technology, and authentic freshly prepared cuisine. Hotel rooms and suites, for example, have been re-thought to include an elegant chaiselounge, an LCD or Plasma television, four point bathrooms, black-out screens and high speed wireless Internet. With a monorail stop at Hilton, delegates can travel to Darling Harbour to experience foodcourts, restaurants, bars, shops and a wide range of tourist attractions in five minutes. Along George Street with frequent bus service, Sydney Harbour and the Opera House are only minutes away.
Ways to get around Sydney
Sydney Monorail & Metro Light Rail
Offering views over Sydney and Darling Harbour, the Monorail is the perfect combination of easy transport with an essential Sydney experience. Linking many of Sydney’s leading hotels with waterfront activities, shopping, attractions and restaurants as well as the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre – a ride on the Monorail is a must for any visitor to Sydney.
Linking the hub of Central Station, Darling Harbour and Sydney’s Inner Western Suburbs, the Metro Light Rail is a green network providing comfortable, convenient and efficient transportation.
Monorail and Light Rail convention delegate passes are available from as little as AUD5 per delegate per day for 1 to 7 days and longer if required6. The passes allow delegates to enjoy unlimited transport on either Monorail or Light Rail to and from hotels, meetings and events.
Sydney Ferries
Sydney’s ferries enable delegates to experience an array of Sydney’s attractions and hidden treasures scattered along Sydney Harbour’s foreshores. Sydney’s ferries can also transfer delegates from Circular Quay or harbour-side locations to Darling Harbour in under 15 minutes.
Sydney Trains & Buses
Sydney has an extensive bus network, providing efficient, cost effective and easy access in and around the city. The network also includes a number of dedicated tourist services, as well as a free CBD shuttle service between Central Station and Circular Quay.
Sydney’s railway network covers the entire metropolitan district. The New South Wales rail network is one of the world’s most complex. The 10 kilometre/6 mile underground Southern Railway links the airport to the city in 13 minutes.
Sydney Transport Pass
Delegates can make the most of their visit to Sydney with a value-packed, all inclusive sightseeing package that combines the best of Sydney’s harbour, city, bay and beach highlights. SydneyPass 3, 5 and 7 day tickets include unlimited travel on the Sydney and Bondi Explorer buses, AirportLink train transfers and Harboursights cruises.
The SydneyPass includes:
• Unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel on the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi Explorer
• Three Harboursights Cruises
• Return transfers on AirportLink trains
• All regular Sydney Buses services
• All regular Sydney Ferries services
• All regular CityRail trains within the Red travel zone
• Discounts on Sydney Attractions
Sites to visit in Sydney
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
The world’s largest steel arch bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour! Delegates can climb this world famous icon. A professional team will take delegates on an exhilarating climb all the way to the top! Climbs leave every 15 minutes, and for an extra thrill, climb at Sunset for a truly spectacular way to end the day.
Visit Sydney Opera House
See inside the world’s most recognisable sails. Experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds, to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world.
Sydney Skywalk
Skywalk is a unique, high-altitude adventure, on top of Sydney Tower. At 268 metres (879 feet) above Sydney, Skywalk takes you on an exhilarating outdoor walk at the roof of the city, double the height of Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Sydney Wildlife World
One of Sydney’s newest attractions, showcasing Australia’s unique flora and fauna right in the heart of Darling Harbour. Delegates will be able to see over 6,000 Australian animals living in nine unique habitats, including koalas, wallabies, frilled-neck lizards, bilbies, taipans and much more.
Sydney Aquarium
One of the largest in the world with more than 11,500 all-Australian aquatic animals. Walk underwater and explore Australia’s diverse aquatic life.
Taxes in Sydney
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in the price of all goods and services sold in Australia. It is automatically charged, so you do not need to add this to your bill.
If you leave Australia within 30 days of buying goods in Australia, you may be exempt from paying GST. You can take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) to claim back the GST you have paid, and also claim back any Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) you paid. TRS only applies to goods that you can carry as hand luggage, and other conditions do apply.
Tipping
Sydney does not operate on a tipping culture. You may tip to show your appreciation for good service, but it is not a requirement anywhere. As a guide, a tip of 10% in restaurants and taxis would be an indication that you were very happy with the service you received.
Sydney’s dress code
Sydney-siders are friendly, casual and relaxed, and their dress code reflects this attitude. But we’re a stylish population, and if you’re out on the town at night, you’ll fit in if you dress up! A number of Sydney restaurants do require you to dress appropriately (for example, no ‘thongs’ or flip-flops, shorts or singlets). For business, it is normal for suits to be worn by both men and women.
Vaccinations
Australia is a ‘clean, green’ nation, and free of many common diseases. Therefore, you do not need any specific vaccinations to enter Australia. However, if you are travelling from a yellow fever infected country, you will need to present a yellow fever certificate.
