Currency
The dollar is the basic unit of Australian currency and is equal to 100 cents. Notes are available in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. Coinage is in denominations of $2, $1, 50¢, 20¢, 10¢ and 5¢. Shops will round the price up or down to the nearest 5 cents.

Time
Western Australia is on Western Standard Time (WST) and is one and a half hours behind South Australia and the Northern Territory and two hours behind all other states. Time differences may increase by one hour from October to March because of daylight saving.

Health
The only certificate required is a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate for visitors who have been in a Yellow Fever area six days prior to entering Australia. Medical insurance is recommended as Australia's Medicare system does not cover visitors, except where reciprocal agreements exist.Tel: 9263 8100 for information.

Electric Power
Domestic electricity supply throughout Australia is 230 - 250 volts. Standard three pin plugs are fitted to domestic appliances. 110 volt appliances such as hairdryers and contact lens sterilisers cannot be used without a transformer.

Tourist Information Centres
Western Australian Tourist Centre – Albert Facey House Forrest Place (Cnr Wellington Street) Perth. Reservations and Tourist info. Tel: 1300 361 351.

Shopping Hours
Normal Retail Shopping Hours:(excluding public holidays)

Perth City
Mon - Thu: 8.30am - 5.30pm
Sat: 8.30am - 5pm

Fremantle
Mon, Tu, Wed and Thu: 8am - 9pm
Sat: 8am - 5pm

Suburban
Mon - Fri (excluding Thu): 8.30am - 5.30pm
Thu: 8.30am - 9pm
Fri: 8.30am - 9pm
Sun: noon - 6pm.
Fri: 8.30am - 5.30pm
Sun: 10am - 4pm.
Sat: 8.30am - 5pm.

Retail Tax
Australia has a goods and services retail tax (GST), prices displayed on goods is the full price, inclusive of GST. GST taxation was introduced in July 2000.

Tipping
Australia does not have a tradition of tipping: it is therefore not expected, however where the service has been particularly good you may tip if you wish.

Post Office
The Post Office Shop in Forrest Chase, Perth is open:
Mon - Fri: 8am - 5.30pm, Sat: 9am - 12.30pm    and Sun: noon - 4pm.

Suburban Post Offices are open:
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm. Further information: 13 1318.

Banking Hours
Mon - Thurs: 9.30am - 4pm and Fri: 9.30am - 5.00pm.
Some agencies open on Saturday.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are accessible at most bank branches.

Licensing Hours
Generally 10.00am - 12 midnight Mon - Sat but vary between noon to 9.00pm on Sundays. Legal drinking age is 18 years.


History
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Western Australia was occupied solely by Aborigines who had lived peacefully and in harmony with the land for tens of thousands of years. Aborigines have a rich history and culture that is well worth exploring. Like so many indigenous cultures in the 18th and 19th centuries, things were about to change.
In March 1827, Captain James Stirling of the Royal Navy, arrived in the Swan River and discovered a land that possessed great natural attractions, in contrast to the previous Dutch and French navigators who described New Holland (a name given to Australia by the Dutch) as sterile, forbidding and inhospitable.

This landing and subsequent report by Stirling to His Majestys Government back in England, led to the foundation of the Swan River Settlement in June 1829.
Using the Swan River for transport, three towns were formed. Perth in between Fremantle & Guildford. Fremantle 20 km downstream on the coast served as the colony’s funtional Port and Guildford 20 km upstream to the east was chosen to supply produce to the surrounding region because of the rich fertile soil found in the Swan Valley.

Exploration followed, driven by the need for fertile agricultural & pastural land and the hope of finding a huge mainland water supply. It took until the turn of the century to explore most of Western Australia. Around 1890, gold was discovered in the Kimberley & Kalgoorlie. This led to a population explosion and established Perth as the colony's trade capital with Fremantle having to upgrade the harbour to cope with increased demand. Most of Fremantle's architecture can still be seen today lovingly restored.

With the advent of the Second World War, the 1940's initiated a huge demand for minerals and Western Australia had plenty. Asbestos, lead, iron ore, diamonds, nickel, minerals sands, oil & gas to name a few, with some of the biggest mining and exploration companies in the world having offices in Perth. Western Australia and Perth’s economy still relies heavily upon the natural resources sector.

Horace Samson, “Perth from Mount Eliza.” 1847.
Art Gallery of Western Australia