Mobile 'phonesMobile 'phones are very popular in Australia and this technology really does qualify as a budget travel friendly gadget. They are small and light, and you can rent one here or possibly bring your own 'phone with you and get an Australian SIM card fitted.
The mobile network in Australia operates on the 900 and 1800 bands for GSM and 800 for CDMA, so you can contact your telecommunications carrier at home to see if your 'phone would work here. When you arrive here, go to a Telstra shop and they will get you going on a local 'phone account - you can either get a normal Telstra account or a pre-paid one.
Roaming
Contact your telecommunications carrier for activating international roaming for use while you are visiting Australia.
However, it is usually very expensive to use a roaming account from your home country. Check all this with your mobile 'phone company before you leave home to see what is possible. Or else check out the helpful Ekit guide to taking a mobile overseas at http://www.ekit.com/ekit/MobileInfo/Guide
Which Company?
The are several 'phone companies in Australia including Telstra, Vodafone and Optus (there are some others too). But the bottom line from a backpacking point of view is that Telstra owns most of the equipment, and they cover all of the country - so why join a 'phone company that can only connect your call in Sydney?
With technology the way it is today it isn't hard to keep in touch with family and friends no matter where they are. Clearly lack of communication can cause your family distress and worry, but it is plain good backpacking security sense to keep in touch with them and let them know where you are going.
Fixed Telephones
Australia has a modern telephone system and phoning home is not very expensive. The calling structure is divided into local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and international subscriber direct dialled calls (ISD).
Local calls from public 'phones are untimed and charged at $0.40 and about $0.22 from a private 'phone. STD and IDD calls are timed and the costs vary considerably, although it's cheapest to call overseas from 6pm to 6am weekdays and all day Sunday.
There are some conventional coin operated public 'phones with ISD access - some accept coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards.
'Phone Cards
Calls made using cards generally cost around 5 cents a minute to most countries. International dialling codes are listed in the telephone directories or plenty of internet sites - or alternatively you can check 'phone numbers and resources with Telstra’s White Pages at www.telstra.com
Some 'phone cards are re-chargeable and some are the "use 'em and chuck 'em " variety - the cards are mostly available from telephone shops and newsagents.
USA and Canadian callers using AT&T can call 1800 881 011 toll free while in Australia to call home. This international toll free call number is available from any telephone in Australia.
An easy way to access Internet and email is via one of the many free web-based email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo. The most convenient budget travel communication medium is email - before you leave home set up a free web mail account with one of the many providers. Then you will be able to access the internet from anywhere in Australia - most hostels and hotels have internet access abnd there are plenty of internet cafés. Usually access will cost you around $4 a half-hour.
There are some providers who offer combo web-mail and virtual phone card services, and these can be very worthwhile.
Making the Connection
The older wall sockets for telephones are the Telecom EXI-160 four-pin plugs (not seen many other places in the world) and more recently the common RJ-45 telephone plug. If the connection in your computer is not correct it will be simple to go to a local electronic shop here. Probably more important before you leave is to check that your PC modem card is compatible in Australia.
Post
Then of course there is the mail. Postage stamps can be bought at the Post Office and also newsagencies and some small shops. Everybody likes to receive postcards!
Post offices are usually open 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday with some city post offices open on Saturday mornings.
Travellers can make arrangments to collect mail at a post office - in this case mail will be held for 30 days free of charge and should be marked ‘Poste Restante’. Your name should be clearly printed on the envelope, amd your passport will be needed when collecting your mail.