Seasons in the southern hemisphere are the inverse of those in the northern hemisphere. Temperatures in spring (September through November) and early autumn (March through May) are mild and relatively steady. Summer months (December through February) can experience very hot, humid conditions and sometimes, late in the season, tropical storms bringing heavy rain. Compared to many European and U.S. regions, Sydney enjoys a mild winter, with high temperatures of 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) and no snow.

Japanese Society of Sydney, Inc.

Australia-Korea Chamber Of Commerce & Industry(NSW)

State Chamber of Commerce

Australian-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce

Swedish Chamber of Commerce

Most large hotels also have business centers that offer many of the same services that independent centers provide.

All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels also offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including:

Visas are required of all travelers, except New Zealand nationals. Citizens of the EU, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. may apply for Electronic Travel Authority visas with travel agencies, airlines, and appropriate Australian government authorities. Regular visas are required of all other travelers.

Duty-free allowances are 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco; 1.125 liter of any alcoholic beverage; reasonable items for personal hygiene, and; personal goods up to the value of A$200.

The country code for Australia is 61. The area code for Sydney is 2. Add a zero before 2, if calling long distance within Australia.

For local numbers, dial the eight-digit phone number. To make a long-distance call within Australia, dial a zero and the area code followed by the eight-digit phone number. To make a long-distance call outside of Australia, dial 0011 followed by the country code, the area code, and the phone number. Premium numbers begin with "19", while those numbers beginning with "12" are operator services. Toll-free numbers begin with 1-800. Sydney has a large number of modern public telephones. They work with prepaid calling cards, credit cards, and coins.

Australia supports both GSM and CDMA cellular standards. The main mobile phone operators are Cable & Wireless Opus, Vodafone, Telstra MobileNet, and Orange. Cellular numbers begin with the prefix of "04". If you choose to bring your cellular phone into Australia, be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.

Local currency is the Australian Dollar (A$). Foreign currency can be exchanged at all international airports on arrival. Otherwise, banks are readily found and offer the best exchange rates. Money may also be changed at bureaux de change as well as major hotels. Foreign currency is not generally accepted at local merchants, hotels, etc. and should be changed into local currency first. The exceptions are the larger "international" hotels and shops specifically targeting travelers. ATMs are located in most banks, shopping centers, and tourist areas. Travelers' checks, in Australian dollars, are generally accepted in larger hotels and stores, but may not be accepted in smaller stores or restaurants. Travelers' checks in foreign currencies should be changed into local currency first.

Credit cards, notably Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club, and the local Australian Bankcard are widely accepted and often offer the best exchange rate available.

Service charges are not added to hotel or restaurant accounts, and Australians, who pride themselves on their egalitarian nature, are not accustomed to tipping. While not expected, however, a small gratuity for good service is becoming more common; although completely optional, the following guidelines often apply.

• Restaurants
Up to 10 percent of the bill in a better restaurant
• Bars
No tipping, although small change may be left
• Airport Skycap/Porter
No tipping
• Taxis
No tipping, although small change may be left
• Hotel Bell Desk
No tipping
• Hotel Housekeeping
No tipping
• Hotel Room Service
No tipping
• Parking Attendant/Valet
No tipping
• Haircare/Personal Services
No tipping

Sydney operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC plus 10 hours). Daylight-savings time is generally observed from the end of October until the end of March.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10% and is often included in the price.

The electrical voltage/current is 220-240V AC, 50Hz. Electrical plugs have either two or three flat pins, the two pins set in a V. Note that this is not the same as the U.K. three-pin plug.

Driving is not the best way to get around Sydney. The traffic is heavy, roads are not laid out in a grid, and the drivers are aggressive. Taxis are plentiful and can be found at airports, outside major hotels, and at designated taxi stands, generally located in the city center. Elsewhere, they can be hailed in the street or ordered by telephone. All taxis are metered, and the fare includes a base rate plus a charge for distance traveled and waiting time. An average taxi fare, depending on your destination, will cost about AU$15.

Sydney has an extensive and reliable bus network throughout the city and suburbs. Major terminals are located at Circular Quay, Central Station, Town Hall on George Street, and Wynyard Park on York Street. The rail network provides the fastest link between the city center and the outlying suburbs of Sydney. The City Circle line, with major stations at Circular Quay and Town Hall, as well as the spur lines to Kings Cross and Bondi Junction, cover many of the inner tourist destinations. The Sydney Light Rail runs from Central Station to Wentworth Park, via Darling Harbour while the Monorail provides a novel sightseeing loop through central Sydney, Darling Harbour, and Chinatown.

No specific immunizations are required to enter Australia unless the traveler has been in a yellow fever infected country within six days of arrival.

Contemporary Australian and traditional French are just two of the cuisine styles found at marvelous Bennelong, which, with its location within the Opera House, includes striking views. With a menu that features the best local produce and exotic meats Oh! Calcutta! has won the Sydney Morning Herald's ?Best Indian Restaurant' award eight years in a row. The Summit's claim to fame is being the world's largest revolving restaurant; its menu offers continental and seafood dishes. In an elegant home-style venue, Bayswater Brasserie serves modern Mediterranean-style fare. The culinary creations at Rockpool are conceived by Australian celebrity chef Neil Perry and incorporate Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Catalina Rose Bay is a fine restaurant that serves seafood with Japanese and Spanish touches. If you're craving for emu tartare, crocodile sushi or kangaroo fillet, then Edna's Table is definitely the place to go.

Sydney shopping ranges from international brand-name fashion to Australian specialties. The shops on Castlereagh Street, in Chifley Plaza and the MLC Centre, and David Jones, the city's main department store, have good selections of designer fashion. Aboriginal artifacts and crafts can be purchased at Australia Craftworks, Coo-ee Aboriginal Art and the several branches of the Aboriginal Art Centre. Items featuring Australia's native stone, the opal, can be found at Flame Opals and The Rocks Opal Mine. Queen Street offers a host of antique shops.

For a panoramic view of the city, ride up to the AMP Tower's observation deck on a clear day. The beautiful Sydney Harbour can be enjoyed by taking a cruise from Circular Quay or by crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge on foot. Sydney's arts scene includes the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Opera House and the regal State Theatre are two of the best venues for performing arts.

The historical buildings, galleries and restaurants of the Rocks, one of Sydney's oldest settled areas, make it a pleasant place for a stroll, as is the street largely considered the city's most beautiful, Macquarie Street. The beach and village-like setting of Watson's Bay make it a worthwhile destination. Other areas to visit include Sydney's quaint inner suburbs of Darlinghurst, Paddington, Woollahra and Double Bay, for their lovely colonial houses. Formerly the home of the author of the Australian Constitution, the Vaucluse House offers peaceful ambience. An excellent example of Australia's late Georgian, early Regency architecture is the Victoria Barracks, constructed between 1841 and 1848, now used as a museum of military history. Built in 1819, the Hyde Park Barracks presents the history of its former prisoners.

Sydney's best beaches include the renowned Bondi Beach and Balmoral Beach, which is located inside the harbor. Near the city center is the relaxing green space of Centennial Park. Gardens and statues dot Hyde Park. Just 30 km north of Sydney is the amazing Kuringgi Chase National Park. Australia's national sport, Australian Rules Football is played between March and September.