Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and the Northern Territory and 10am in Western Australia. All states
except Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia observe
daylight saving time, usually from the last Sunday in October (the 1st Sun
in Oct in Tasmania) to the last Sunday in March. However, not all states
switch over to daylight saving on the same day or in the same week.
The east coast of Australia is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) plus 10
hours. When it is noon on the east coast, it is 2am in London that morn-
ing, and 6pm in Los Angeles and 9pm in New York the previous night.
These times are based on standard time, so allow for daylight saving in
the Australian summer, or in the country you are calling. New Zealand is
2 hours ahead of the east coast of Australia, except during daylight sav-
ing, when it is 3 hours ahead of Queensland.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Australia. It is usual to tip around 5%
or round up to the nearest A$10 (US$6.50) for a substantial meal in a
restaurant. Some passengers round up to the nearest dollar in a cab, but
it's okay to insist on every bit of change back. Tipping bellboys and porters
is sometimes done but no one tips bar staff, barbers, or hairdressers.
Water
Water is fine to drink everywhere. In the Outback, the taps may
carry warm brackish water from underground called “bore water” for
showers and laundry, while drinking water is collected in rainwater tanks.
