Local traditions and culture in Adelaide

Goods and Services Tax was introduced on July 1, 2000. The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables international visitors to claim a refund of the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you pay on goods bought in Australia, whether used during the holiday or not. The refund applies only to goods taken as hand luggage when leaving the country, after going through passport control. The refund will be paid on goods costing $300 or more, bought from the same store, no earlier than 30 days before leaving the country.

As a visitor, you can purchase lower priced items from one store over a 30 day period and provided that the total amount comes to more than $300, you can cover them all with one tax invoice. When leaving Australia at an international airport, you can collect your refund in cash (up to $200) or you can choose a non-cash option at the TRS booth.

Adelaide's war memorial, on North Terrace, to commemorate those that died in the two world wars and other later ones. It was unveiled to the public in 1931. 75,000 turned out for the event. Made from granite, bronze and white marble, inside a crypt which bears the names of 5511 men who fell. Outside the bronze figures that kneel before the spirit of duty are a civilian farmer, a student and young girl. They are symbols of the spirit of everyday people who laid down their lives for their country. The other side there is the spirit of womanhood who bravely bared the loss her sons and husbands for the greater good. The bronze lions head fountain represents the continuous memory of those lost.

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Christmas in Australia falls in the summer. Of course like the rest of the world Australia is a melting pot of cultures so we all celebrate the day a little differently. A popular way to spend the day is outdoors, by a pool, under a pergola, at the beach or in a shady park. Presents are normally given in the morning so children can spend the day playing with them. Typical foods served a Christmas lunch or dinner are cold meats, baked potatoes, seafood, crusty bread rolls and a variety of salads. We top these off with trifles, pavlovas and Christmas puddings. All of this is washed down with beer, wines and soft drinks.

Unlike the rest of the country, a schooner of beer here is like a middy (NSW) or a pot (Vic and Qld) which means that it's a small-sized glass of beer. In Sydney and Canberra, a schooner is a mid-sized glass between a middy and a pint.

Power in Australia is 240/250 AC 50 cycles, with 3 flat-pin(top pins angled).

Facts:

Adelaide's sister cities are Christchurch in New Zealand, Georgetown in Penang, Austin in Texas and Himeji in Japan.

Sunglasses developed in South Australia by the company Solar Optical Pty Ltd were worn by the first American astronauts on the moon.

Adelaide has two major motor vehicle building industries - Holdens Limited (GMH) and Mitsubishi Australia.

My thanks to MelZ1974, for letting me know I should look for this with her own Adelaide VT tips. She has several good ones, and any visit to Adelaide should be preceded by looking at her pages.

A floating pie is a meat pie floating in a small sea of split pea soup. Surprisingly good, this dish is associated with Adelaide, not common throughout Australia. Its not pricy, only three or four dollars I think, but there is something about the way the tastes all combine to make it kind of special. I got mine in a run of the mill pie cart in Victoria Square. It usually comes after seven in the evening.

It could just be me, but it seemed like Bottle Shops were few and far between and, as they don't sell beer and wine in grocery stores or gas stations, you might want to buy a little extra as the next might not be around the corner.

Due to the height of the hills, Adelaide is free from sleet and snow, and even during the wettest mid-year winter months, an overcoat and umbrella, is the only protection you will need from the elements. Adelaide's weather is mild with a cool 15 degrees Celsius (59F) average in July (mid winter) and 29 degrees C (84F) average over the summer period.