Everything you need to know

Getting to Australia and travelling around is easy. This update will provide you with some useful information to help plan your trip to Australia for World Youth Day in 2008 (WYD08).

Getting here

Australia is easily accessible from all parts of the world. There are over 40 international airlines that fly to Australia and the journey is just an overnight flight from most countries. Qantas is the Official Airline of WYD08. Please visit the Qantas website .

Many airlines provide the flexibility to fly in to, and out of, different gateways allowing greater access to a large number of Australian destinations. Some airlines offer domestic passes that can be purchased in conjunction with international flights.

For the best deals, and to secure your flight for WYD08, book now to make sure you don't miss out.

For further information relating to airline travel, please click here .

Flights to Australia for WYD08

For assistance in planning your visit to Australia, including flights for WYD08, why not contact Harvest Youth Tours, the Official Australian WYD08 Tour Operator for further assistance www.wydtours.com

You could also contact a Tourism Australia-appointed, Aussie Specialist Travel Agent in your country for planning flights to Australia. Aussie Specialists are a knowledgeable group of retail travel agents trained on travelling to Australia. They are ideally placed to provide advice and assistance with any flight queries you or your pilgrims might have. For details on your nearest Aussie Specialist Travel Agent please visit www.australia.com (click on "Find a Travel Agent").

Aussie Specialists can be found in:
Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

If there is not an Aussie Specialist listed for your country, please speak to a specialist in a country near you. They will be able to provide advice on booking flights for WYD08.

Chartering Flights

It is best to speak directly to airlines if you wish to inquire about chartering long haul aircraft. The International Association of Travel Agents (IATA) in your region may also be able to assist with your queries on chartering. www.iata.org/worldwide

Tours in Australia

The Australian Government is providing free, 90 day visas for pilgrims travelling to Australia for WYD08. To make the most of these visas and your time in Australia, contact Harvest Youth Tours for travel ideas or your Aussie Specialist Travel Agent. For further information on visas, visit www.immi.gov.au

Entry Formalities

Passports

You will need a valid passport or similar acceptable travel document for your visit to Australia for WYD08. It must be valid for longer than your period of stay; it is advisable to have your passport valid for six months after leaving Australia.

Visas

Visiting Australia for WYD08 has been made easier following simplified visa procedures. Visas for registered pilgrims will be free of Australian government charges. Pilgrims will be issued a three month visa allowing multiple entries. The number of visas granted overall or from a particular country will not be limited. For more information visit www.immi.gov.au .

Customs and Quarantine

Australia has strict customs and quarantine laws to protect our beautiful island continent. On arrival in Australia, everyone must complete an Incoming Passenger Card and declare any restricted or prohibited goods including all medicinal products, heritage items, protected wildlife items, firearms, weapons, and currency over AU$10,000. Any food, plant or animal products must also be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card, so that officials can examine them.

If in doubt, it is always best to declare items you are unsure about. As part of their regular checks, Customs and Quarantine officers could check your baggage contents with an x-ray machine, a detector dog team, or by manual inspection. If restricted or prohibited items have not been declared, passengers could receive an on-the-spot fine. More serious breaches risk prosecution. For more information, visit www.customs.gov.au and for a complete list of what you can and cannot bring into Australia, go to www.aquis.gov.au/icon .

Getting Around

Australia is the world's smallest, flattest continent, and largest island. It is also one of the world's most urbanised countries with 70 per cent of the population living in our 10 largest cities. So what is the best way to travel while you are in Australia for WYD08?

If you are here for a short time, you may prefer to travel by air. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, travel by rail or road. Australia has an enormous network of well maintained roads and highways with some of the most beautiful road touring in the world. For further information visit www.australia.com or contact Harvest Youth Tours www.wydtours.com

Accessible Travel

Exploring Australia is no problem for travellers with a disability. By air, bus, train, ferry or car, a host of services and tailored options are available. Let Harvest Youth Tours and your Aussie Specialist travel agent know any specific requirements you have.

Domestic Airlines

Australia's domestic airlines - Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Tiger, Rex and their subsidiaries - operate large fleets of aircraft serving all state capital cities and regional centres. They provide fast, comfortable and reliable services at modern domestic terminals in all major cities.

Self Drive

Rental cars are available at major airports, central city locations, suburbs and resorts, as well as a range of rental companies. Be sure to remember Australians drive on the left hand side of the road with the steering wheel located on the right hand side of the car. An international visitor may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver's license for the same class of vehicle.

Why not contact AVIS, the Official Car Rental Group of World Youth Day 2008. AVIS offers special pilgrim rates as well as a bonus free car upgrade. Simply click here .

Public Transport

All capital cities in Australia are served by a wide variety of public transport, including trains, buses, ferries, monorail, light rail and trams. From a ferry on the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour or Brisbane River to a tram ride through the elegant streets of Melbourne, you'll find public transport efficient, clean, reliable, and affordable.

Bus/Coach

Travel by bus or coach in Australia is comfortable, easy and economical. Coaches generally have air-conditioning, reading lights, adjustable seats and videos. Services are frequent, affordable and efficient.

Trains

The size and diversity of Australia makes for fabulous train journeys. You can travel across glorious tropical stretches of Queensland or to the vast heart of the continent. Rail travel is available from budget to luxury and a range of affordable and flexible rail passes gives you the opportunity to see large regions of Australia.

Most capital cities have fast and reliable commuter trains. Regional, interstate and key rail journey services also operate from the major cities.

Taxis

Taxis charge according to their meter. You should not be charged for each person if you are travelling in a group.

To assist with your travel plans for WYD08, visit these useful websites

www.wyd2008.org
www.wydtours.com
www.immi.gov.au
www.aquis.gov.au/icon
www.customs.gov.au

Australia

AUST www.australia.com
ACT www.visitcanberra.com.au
NT www.travelnt.com
NSW (Sydney): www.sydney.com
QLD www.queenslandholidays.com.au
SA www.southaustralia.com
TAS www.discovertasmania.com
VIC www.visitvictoria.com
WA www.westernaustralia.com