Visitor Information
All you need to know about Queensland travel and tourist information is right here. Choose your travel topic below and then start planning your perfect Queensland holiday.
Visitor Information 
You'll find the answers to some frequently asked travel questions here:
Money
The national currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm. For currency conversions please visit the XE website.
Tipping is not common in Australia. When eating out, shopping or taking taxis, the prices are inclusive of goods and services tax (GST). Of course, tipping is appreciated for exceptional service.
There is a 10% tax on all goods purchased in Australia. You can claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy. The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear on the aircraft or ship when you leave the country. For more information, please see the Tourist Refund Scheme on the Australian Customs website.
Airlines
Queensland has four international airports in Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast and Townsville.
Most domestic travel is serviced by three domestic airlines in Australia:
Customs and Quarantine
When arriving in Australia, you must declare all food, plant and animal items. Seemingly harmless plants, food, wood or seeds can introduce deadly pests or disease. Prohibited products may include meat, nuts, live plants and fruit.
Trade in endangered and threatened wildlife and native Australian wildlife is strictly regulated. Products made from hard corals, giant clamshells, reptiles or whales may be prohibited or restricted. Please visit the Australian Customs website for further information.
Visa Requirements
Anyone who is not an Australian citizen requires a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). For details, please visit the Department of Immigration & Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website.
For a list of Foreign Embassies, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Time Differences
Australia is divided into three time zones. Queensland is on Eastern Standard Time throughout the year, which is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Daylight savings time is not practiced in Queensland.
Accessibility
Australia caters to visitors with Special Needs. For more details, please visit Accessible Queensland at www.accessiblequeensland.com
Electricity
Australia has 220-240 V; 50Hz with plugs that have angled pins. If your country of origin has the same voltage as Australia, you simply need an adapter for all of your electronic appliances. Otherwise, you will need a converter to change the voltage from one amount to the other. This is especially important for visitors from USA and Japan.
Phone Services
There are five main mobile phone providers in Australia:
Australia's digital network is compatible with that used in Europe but generally not with the networks used in USA or Japan. If you a travelling for a short period, it may be beneficial to buy a prepaid mobile phone starter kit. This includes a SIM card and a prepaid phone card.
The area code for Queensland is 07. All mobile phones start with the prefix 04. When calling overseas, you will need to dial the international access code from Australia (0011), then the country code of the country you are calling and the appropriate area code.
The emergency number in Australia is 000.