Select... Telephones Internet / email Australian Post Electricity Keeping in touch with your best buddies at home while you're in Tropical North Queensland is not a problem as there is an excellent telecommunications system and internet cafes galore. Telephones Private telephones are serviced by the two major providers - Telstra and Optus - but there is much more competition in the mobile (cell) phone and payphone markets. The various companies (eg AAPT, One.Tel) issue phonecards which can be used in any public phone which accepts cards (most do) or from a private phone. Long distance calls from a pay phone are usually more expensive than calls from a private phone and it pays to shop around when it comes to phonecards. Credit cards can also be used in some public phones. The cost of a local call from a public phone is 40 cents and 30 cents (or even cheaper, depending on the provider) from a private phone. Calls to mobiles are more expensive. Long-distance calls (within Australia) are cheaper in off-peak hours and the various service providers impose different charges. Peak times vary so it's wise to check this out before making a call. International calls (ISD) from Australia are amongst the cheapest in the world due to the competition amongst providers and you can make ISD calls from most payphones. Sunday is often the cheapest day to call. Mobile phones are extremely popular in Australia and are a handy, relatively inexpensive idea for travellers as long as care is taken in regard to the length of the call and when the call is made. The digital mobile network covers 90% of the population but some parts of Far North Queensland do not receive mobile service (though this is gradually improving, particularly with the introduction of the CDMA network). The three major mobile providers are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. A phone number starting with the prefix 1800 means a free call. Many tourism operators have toll-free numbers. Phone numbers starting with 13 or 1300 are charged at the rate of a local call. Internet / E-mail There is no shortage of email facilities or internet cafes in Far North Queensland, particularly in Cairns and Port Douglas. Costs for casual use vary but usually range from $AU2.00 for ten minutes to $AU10 for an hour. Almost all provide access to hotmail, netscape mail and other browser accessible email. Many also have access to America On Line. Some of the major internet providers in Queensland are Oz Email, Telstra (Big Pond), Optusnet, EISA and Ledanet. Australian Post As for good, old 'snail mail' a standard letter or postcard within Australia costs 45 cents and an international aerogram costs 70 cents to any country. Depending on the country of destination, an airmail letter will cost between 75 cents and $AU1.20. All post offices will hold mail for visitors. Australia Post has a monopoly on postal services throughout the country. There is a range of local and international courier services available. Electricity The voltage in Australia is 220-240 V and we use three-pin plugs. Adapters for American or European plugs are readily available to be purchased.