Electricity
The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts AC 50Hz. Voltage switchers may be required for some appliances. The triangular three-pin power outlet is different to many countries so an adaptor may also be required. Switchers and adaptors can be purchased from most department stores or are available on request from reception. A refundable deposit is required.

Climate
Perth enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons. The Summer months of December, Januaury and February are warm to hot with little or no rain. Summer temperatures average 29 degrees celcius during the day and 17 degrees celcius at night. The Autumn months of March, April and May and the Spring months of September, October and November are delightful with moderate temperatures. The Winter months of June, July and August are cool and wet with an average temperature of 18 degrees celcius during the day and 9 degrees celcius at night.

Currency
Foreign currency can be exchanged at International Airports and at most banks. Australia has a decimal currency with the dollar as the basic unit of currency (100 cents equals $1.00). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent and 5 cent denominations. It is legislated that accounts be “rounded” up or down to the closest 5 cents.

Time Zones
When traveling throughout Australia, you need to be aware of the three different time zones that apply across the country; Western Standard Time (WST), Central Standard Time (CST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST). “Daylight Savings Time” also operates in some States of Australia and at different times of the year. Western Australia operates on Western Standard Time (WST) which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Daylight saving commences in Western Australia on 3 December 2006 and will end on 25 March 2007.  In 2007 and 2008, daylight saving will begin at 2am standard time on the last Sunday in October, and end at 2am standard time (3am daylight saving time) on the last Sunday in March the following year.