Arriving in Sydney
Sydney Airport is the main international and domestic airport. It is about 10 kilometres (6 miles) south-west of the Central Business District and Sydney Harbour. It is about 40 minutes by taxi to the laboratory.

Transport
Sydney has a large and well run Government public transport system. Buses, taxis, trains and ferries are all available to take you anywhere in Sydney, or if you prefer you can easily hire a car from several outlets at both international and domestic airport terminals, as well as many locations in and around Sydney. The Sydney Transport Infoline Website.

Banking Hours
Generally 9.30am-4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, as are major credit cards VISA, Mastercard and (to a lesser extent) AMEX and Diners Card. Most banks will engage in foreign currency exchange. Current exchange rates are available here.

Climate
Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with a mild winter, and has more than 340 sunny days a year. Average minimum temperatures in the winter months of June through to August are 9-11 degrees Celcius (48-52 Farenheit). The summer season is from December through to February, where average temperatures are around 24 degrees Celcius. (a hot summer’s day can reach temperatures of 30 degrees C or more, but we don’t get many really hot days) Click here for a weather forecast from The Sydney Morning Herald Website.

Currency
Dollars and cents. Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Coins: 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. Click here for the latest exchange rates.

Shopping Hours
Generally 9am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday; 9am-9pm, Thursday; 9am-5pm Saturday, 10am-4:30pm Sunday.

Essentials
Electricity voltage: 240 V ac
Units of measure: metric.