Somerset Serviced Residence

General Information

Climate

Hobart has a maritime temperate climate with four distinct seasons, free of extremes with an average rainfall of 52mm per month.

• Summer (December to February) is mild and pleasant with warm afternoons and long twilight evenings. Average temp 21°C.
• Autumn (March to May) is calm, sunny and cool. Average temp 17°C.
• Winter (June to August) is brisk and bracing. Average temp 12°C.
• Spring (September to November) is cool, fresh and green. Average temp 17°C.

Clothing

Summers are mild and pleasant with many warm days, therefore, lightweight clothes are the most suitable. Nights may be cool though. For the winter, warmer clothes such as sweaters, jackets or light coat are advisable. Dress code is casual and informal. Dining at certain restaurants may require formal dressing (our reception will be pleased to assist you with enquiries about an establishment's dress code).

Currency

Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equal one dollar). Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at all international airports in Australia. Changing of foreign currency or travellers' cheques can be done at most banks. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are available throughout the country.

Customs

Customs officers collect import duties and sales tax, check passengers and baggage for illicit drugs, firearms (including replica guns such as BB guns), animal skins and other prohibited items (such as blowpipes and flick knives). It is illegal to take or send out of Australia items identified as important to Australia's cultural heritage without a permit. There is no limit to the amount of Australian or foreign cash to be brought in or taken out of Australia but amounts more than A$10,000, or equivalent in foreign currency must be reported on arrival and departure. This does not include travellers' cheques or other monetary instruments

Failure to declare goods in excess of your concession could result in the application of penalties.

Quarantine and Inspection

Strict quarantine laws are in place regarding the importing or transporting of identified food stuffs - domestically and internationally. Inspection officers and detector dogs are on duty at all state entry points including air, sea, road and rail.

While they may seem harmless, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables, plants, flowers, honey, animals and introduced birds pose real threats to the Western Australian environment. Even used fruit and vegetable containers should be presented and scanned by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) to ensure they are clean, and present no risk.

The best rule to follow is, "If in doubt, declare it".

Be warned, heavy penalties apply to those people not declaring items identified as a risk.

Electricity

The electrical current in Australia is 220 - 240 volts, AC 50Hz.

Emergency Call Numbers

For ambulance, fire and police emergency telephone calls, dial 000.

Health

Standards of hygiene and health care in Australia are relatively high. Doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well-equipped. It is recommended that visitors take up health insurance to cover the duration of stay in Australia.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving within six days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country. No other special immunizations or medications are required for entry.

Local Area Information

Tasmania is the Island State of Australia with an area of 68,000 sq km (approximately the size of Ireland). Hobart, located in the south of the island, is the capitaland international gateway to Tasmania, the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. Situated on the Derwent river, it has one of the world's finest deep-water harbours with majestic Mt Wellington in the background. It has world-class infrastructure and natural resources to support a wide range of industries and offers a quality of lifestyle second to none. The population of the Hobart metropolitan area is about 212,000.

Shopping & Business Hours

Shopping hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays. Some stores have extended hours until 9:00 p.m. Fridays.

• Banks: Open from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
• Offices : General office hours, including Post Offices, are open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

Taxes

A Goods and Services Tax of 10% is imposed. However, tourists can claim a refund of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. Terms and conditions apply.

Time Zone

Tasmania operates under Australian Eastern Standard time. Australian Eastern Standard Time is GMT plus 10 hours. Daylight Savings - first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April.

Daylight hours:

• Winter: 9 hours, 32 minutes (June 21).
• Summer: 14 hours, 47 minutes in summer (December 22).

Tipping

There are no mandatory gratuities in restaurants of any kind in Australia, and tips are not expected anywhere. Australians believe in rewarding good service, so it is becoming more common in restaurants to leave some money for good service.

Visa

Visa requirements vary per country. You can obtain the information from your travel agency on the requirements. Many countries require only the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). An ETA is an electronically issued and verified visa, not visible in a passport. ETAs are issued to passengers travelling for tourist or business purposes. Tourist ETAs are valid for three months. ETAs are obtainable online at: www.eta.immi.gov.au or through most travel agents.