ESTIMATES OF THE COST OF LIVING IN SYDNEY (Part 2)

Most shops are open seven days a week.

6. Getting around

Getting around NSW is easy by road - there are excellent freeways between major centres and scenic routes are often sign-posted to encourage picturesque detours. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle you can travel off-road in some areas for truly scenic adventures.

The train network is extensive and train rides to destinations around NSW make travelling a relaxing experience. If you want to travel between distant places you can take a sleeper train, which adds to the comfort of the journey.

General destination information

The diversity of NSW's holiday destinations is captured in the NSW section of the Australian Tourism Net site.

VisitNSW is also packed with summaries of the State's key tourist attractions and information on where to stay and what to do when you get there.

The NRMA has a thorough travel and maps section that details some of the best destinations around the State.

CitySearch has comprehensive listings of restaurants, cinemas, museums and attractions across Sydney.

National parks

There are hundreds of national parks scattered around NSW - they actually cover an estimated six per cent of the State. There are over 190 national parks in NSW.

Some national parks are within Sydney's borders, giving ready access to the wilderness where you can go bushwalking and camping.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website lists national parks by region of NSW and tells you where to find bushwalking tracks and camping facilities, and what fees, if any, need to be paid.

7. Driving In NSW

Do you need a new driver's licence?

If you are a permanent resident and you plan to stay in NSW you may drive in NSW on your country of origin's licence for three months.

When the three months is up, you must sit for your NSW Driver's Licence. This involves passing an eye test, a written test and, in most cases, taking a driving test. You also have to prove your identity and that you live in NSW to get your licence.

Licences can last for one, three or five years and cost A$36, $87 and $117, respectively (prices are subject to change). When the licence expires you must apply and pay for a new licence.

To find out more visit licensing guidelines for overseas drivers on the RTA website.

General information on driving in NSW is available from the NRMA website.

Owning a car

Registration for most domestic cars costs between A$180 and A$200 per annum.

For more information visit the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) website.

8. Public transport in Sydney

Sydney's public transport system is comprehensive; you can travel by bus, train, monorail and light rail around Sydney's centre - and by ferry.

To give a general overview, CityRail trains run to Newcastle in the north, to the Blue Mountains through Parramatta in the west, through Campbelltown to Goulburn in the southwest, and Wollongong in the south. Visit the CityRail website maps for more information.

For maps of where ferries and buses travel in the city visit the State Transit website.

For travel outside Sydney Metropolitan area are available at the Countrylink website Maps of the rail network, with travelling times on the routes.

Flights around Australia

Major airports are located in Australia's main cities: Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. The main airport in Sydney, Kingsford-Smith Airport , is located at Mascot, 8 km south of the city centre.

Flights between these centres are readily available and serviced by Qantas , Jet Star and Virgin Blue. These airlines offer online booking facilities. Smaller airlines fly to country destinations around NSW.

9. Temperate weather year-round

The weather in New South Wales (NSW) is temperate enough to allow a year-round outdoor lifestyle. There are seasons, although they are not as marked as those in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate also varies in different parts of the State, from the sub-tropical north, to the drier inland regions and Snowy Mountain areas. The other key difference for people arriving from the Northern Hemisphere is that the seasons are reversed: winter is in the middle of the year and summertime at the end.

Seasons

Spring	September to November
Summer	December to February
Autumn	March to May
Winter	June to August

Another surprise is that it does rain in NSW. Sydney experiences 138 wet days a year with an average annual rainfall of 1,223 mm. However, the city is renowned for its sunshine; there's only on average 23 days a year when the sun doesn't shine.

For detailed information on specific locations in NSW visit the Bureau of Meteorology website where you'll find detailed weather charts that include temperatures, rainfall, average wind speeds, humidity and hours of sunshine.

Water temperatures

The coastal waters of NSW's eastern edge are warm enough to swim in from September to May. You can find out current water temperatures in Sydney from the Manly Hydraulics' Laboratory.

Sunshine - keep protected

You may hear the phrase 'slip, slap, slop' while you're in NSW - this is a sun safety message and it encourages people to 'slip' on a T-shirt, 'slap' on a hat and 'slop' on some sun block when they are out in the sun. It is advisable to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 2 pm in the summer months, as this is when the sun is at its hottest.