If you've stopped over from Southeast Asia you'll obviously find Australia, with its high Western standard of living, expensive on a day-to-day basis. Fresh from Europe or the US you'll find prices comparable and often cheaper - especially taking into account the very favourable exchange rate - particularly for accommodation and eating out
Currency
Australia's currency is the Australian dollar, or "buck", divided into 100 cents and shown on currency tables as AU$. Plastic notes with forgery-proof clear windows come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations, along with $2, $1, 50˘, 20˘,...
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Costs
The absolute minimum daily budget for food, accommodation and transport alone is AU$60 if you stay in a hostel, eat in the cheapest cafés, restaurants and travel by public transport. Add on sightseeing admissions and a minimal social life and you're...
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Travellers' cheques and plastic
Travellers' cheques
are the best way to bring your funds into Australia, as they can be replaced if lost or stolen. Australian dollar travellers' cheques are ideal as theoretically they're valid as cash, though smaller businesses may be unwilling to...
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Changing money
The major banks, with branches countrywide, are Westpac, ANZ and the Commonwealth and National banks; their main branches, all with foreign currency counters, are mostly in the CBD, around Martin Place.
Banking hours
are Monday to Thursday...
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