Country code: 61.

Most payphones have International Direct Dialling (IDD) and Subscriber Trunk Dial (STD). Phonecards are available at newsagents, supermarkets and chemists and can be used for local, STD or international calls. Most payphones also accept coins. SMS text messages to Australian mobiles can be sent from almost half of all payphones.

Creditphones, which take most major credit cards, can be found at airports, city-centre locations and many hotels. Multimedia payphones are available in parts of Melbourne and Sydney. A touch screen allows visitors to gain access to information services, including tourist information which can be printed off for future reference. Phonecards for these telephones can be purchased from nearby shops.

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in and around populated areas; access in some of the more isolated, outback and rural areas is limited. US handsets are not compatible.

Available throughout Australia. Internet cafes are prevalent in all capital cities and tourist towns, and individual hotels may also provide facilities. Wi-Fi access is increasing in cities and is mainly found in hotels, bars and cafes.

There are post offices in all the main towns of every state. Stamps are often available at hotel and motel reception areas and selected newsagents.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; some post office are also open Sat 0900-1200.

Australia's media scene is diverse and thriving. There is a long history of public broadcasting, but also many private TV and radio stations. Ownership of both print and broadcast media is highly concentrated. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) operates national and local public radio and TV stations. The other main broadcaster is the Multicultural Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

• The main daily newspapers are The Australian and Australian Financial Review.
• Newspapers generally have a high circulation throughout the continent.

• ABC and SBS TV are national public broadcasters.
• Seven Network, Nine Network and Ten Network are commercial broadcasters.
• Pay TV operator Foxtel is owned by News Corporation.

• ABC is a public radio broadcaster that operates speech-cultural network Radio National, rolling news station ABC NewsRadio, youth-oriented Triple J, classical and contemporary music network, ABC Classic FM and local-regional services.
• Radio Australia is ABC's external service.