Australia

===Entry requirements=== Everybody (except New Zealanders) requires a visa in advance of travel. If you are visiting for a holiday of less than 90 days, there are three types of visas you may apply for, depending on your nationality.

Australia is largely a cashless society, as virtually all businesses accept credit cards and debit cards. For a short trip, there is no need to exchange Australian currency. Cash is still widely accepted, but cashless businesses are increasingly common.

Australia is huge but sparsely populated over much of its area and is larger than the contiguous U.S. You can sometimes travel many hours before finding the next trace of civilization, especially once you leave the south-eastern coastal fringe.

The English language is universally spoken and understood in Australia. Australian English as generally spoken is distinctive in accent and idiom. It mostly developed from the speech of the United Kingdom and Ireland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, however, the 20th century brought a lot of American influence, giving Australia its own unique variety of English.

The number [tel:000 000] (called 'triple zero' or 'triple oh') can be dialled from any telephone in Australia free of charge. This number will connect you with the police, fire brigade, coastguard or ambulance service after you tell the emergency operator which service you need.

Exposure to the sun at Australian latitudes frequently results in sunburn, and Australians have the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Getting sunburnt can make you feel feverish and unwell and may take a few days or weeks to heal depending on the severity. It means you can't go back out into the sun until the sunburn fades, so getting sunburnt on the first day of your beach holiday can seriously reduce the fun of your trip. It can take as little as 15 minutes to burn in Australia on a fine summer's day, even in shaded outdoor areas. You should wear sunscreen (SPF 50+), clothing, and a hat…

===Internet=== Virtually all accommodation in Australia has free WiFi, as do most cafes, restaurants and shopping malls, and even some forms of public transport like trains and ferries. If you need to use a full-fledged PC to go online, public libraries are usually your best bet. Internet cafes are virtually obsolete, although you can still find gaming cafes here and there.

Travellers are generally unlikely to insult or cause offence to an Australian through any kind of cultural ignorance. Australian modes of address tend towards the familiar. It is acceptable and normal to use first names in all situations, even to people many years your senior. Many Australians are fond of using and giving nicknames — even to recent acquaintances. It is likely being called such a name is an indication that you are considered a friend and as such it would be rare they are being condescending.