(Last updated: 5 Jan 2012)

Visas

For visits to Macau

Australian passport holders do not require a visa for short-term visits (up to 30 days) for business or tourism purposes. For stays of longer than 30 days, Australian passport holders should apply for a visa before travelling to Macau. Visa applications may be submitted to the Chinese Embassy directly or through a local sponsor to the Macau Immigration Department.

The same visa free policy applies for Australians visiting Hong Kong. Australian passport holders that wish to travel to Hong Kong from Macau do not need to obtain a visa in advance.

By law, entering into employment (paid or unpaid) while on a 30 day stay is an offence. Australian visitors that wish to change their visit status or conditions should contact the immigration Department for procedures and the required documentation.

For immigration details please visit http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/EDoN.html.

For visits to China

All visitors, including Australians, intending to visit China via Macau require a visa. There are several ways to obtain a Chinese visa:

• Before departure at one of the Chinese Consulate-General offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth.
• If time is tight, Australians can apply for a Chinese visa at the Visa Office of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affair while in Macau. A visa will be issued in 3 days. In urgent cases, the visa can be granted the next day for a special fee.
• If the visit period in China is less than 7 days, Australian passport holders can apply for a short-trip visa at the Chinese border immigration Gongbei checkpoint. The only restriction for this category of visa is that Australian visitors have to exit from the same checkpoint where the visa is granted.  Holders of other normal visa categories can exit at any port/checkpoint.

Climate

Macau has a similar climate to Hong Kong - temperate with warm to hot, humid summers and cool winters. For weather details in Macau, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Macau has an international airport covering regional routes only. All air travel between Macau and Australia goes through Hong Kong. Visitors arriving in Hong Kong from Australia can also conveniently transfer to a ferry link directly from the Hong Kong Airport to Macau and vice versa, the journey is about 50 minutes. There are two companies operating ferry services between Hong Kong Airport and Macau. For connections and schedule details please see:

• Hong Kong Turbotjet
• Cotail Jet

There is no direct Air cargo service between Macau and Australia but air cargo services can be arranged via regional airports in Asia, particularly Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila. Air freight forwarders in Australia should be able to provide Australian exporters with the appropriate details.

Ground transport

Macau is quite compact and all destinations are within 30 minutes travel by car. However, Macau’s public transportation system is basic, consisting of public buses and taxis, and travel within Macau can be time-consuming due to traffic congestion and crowded public transport.

The taxi service in Macau is relatively affordable and comfortable. It is difficult to hail a taxi from the road and it is recommended to use the taxi stands at hotels and casinos. It is also recommended that visitors quote their destination to taxi drivers in Chinese in order to avoid confusion; local business contacts should be able to help with this.

For short visits to Macau car hire is not recommended as roads are narrow and traffic conditions difficult.

Chauffeur-driven cars are available for hire at about A$40-45 per hour. Minimum hire is two hours. Visitors with tight meeting schedules should consider this service.

A light rail system is planned to relieve road congestion, but will not be operational until 2016 at the earliest and construction work could lead to greater traffic disruption in the interim.

There are regular high-speed ferry services operating between Macau, Hong Kong and nearby Chinese port cities. Services operate from two ferry terminals, one located in the outer harbour and one located near the airport in Taipa. The ferry trip from Hong Kong to Macau takes one hour, with departures roughly every 15 minutes during the day time with a reduced schedule at night (half-hour to hourly departures).

Hotels

Macau offers visitors a good choice of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. A list of hotels in Macau is available from the Macau Government Tourism Bureau website.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Macau. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Macau is a safe destination to visit, however individuals should take the normal precautions.

Severe penalties apply for the importing of illegal drugs into Macau.

Health

In Macau medical and dental services are generally of a high standard and affordable. Should specialised medical attention or major operation be required, it is convenient to travel to Hong Kong and access specialised facilities in Hong Kong. Medical and travel insurance are recommended.

Visitors who have travelled through a country infected with cholera or yellow fever must hold a current certificate of inoculation for entry into Macau.

Water Macau is safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and widely available from convenience stores and supermarkets. For short business travel consuming only bottled water can reduce the possibility of illness.

Travellers who are on prescribed medication should carry enough prescription for the whole trip. It is recommended to carry prescription documentation from Australia with you as this can facilitate access to replacement medicines, should they be required.

Tipping

Tipping is not normal practice for most services in Macau, except in premium restaurants and in hotel operations. A 10%-15% tip is common and will often be included in the bill. Additional tipping is optional.

Time zones and time differences

Macau is two hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. There is no summer day light saving time in Macau.

To find out the current time in Macau, view the World Clock.

Telecommunications and Dialling codes

Macau's country code is 853.

For calls to Macau from Australia dial: 0011 + 853 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Macau to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Macau has a very efficient and good quality telecommunication infrastructure. High quality internet service is available and the Macau government has installed free wireless internet in many public areas.

According to the telecom authority of Macau, the mobile phone penetration rate for a population of 500,000 has reached 240%. For a small area, Macau is well served by one land line provider and 4 mobile phone carriers all with 3G network and data access.

Generally speaking, the cost of calling on mobile phone from Macau is relatively high. Australian visitors are advised to check with their local service provider regarding phone coverage and international roaming charges prior to departure to Macau.

If planning an extended stay in Macau, alternatively you might consider purchasing a local prepaid mobile phone SIM card, which will provide cheaper local calls. Some local providers are:

• CTM
• Hutchinson Telecom Macau
• SmarTone Mobile Macau
• China Telecom Macau

Business hours

Government offices, big firms and the larger Chinese businesses observe a 5 day working week.

General opening hours are 9.00am–6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The majority of banks are open from 9.00am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Many retail businesses open from 10.30am– 9.00pm or later, daily.

Many Chinese shops keep extended hours, opening from 10.00am–10.00pm, daily.

Public holidays

January 2 – New Year's Day (in lieu)
January 23-25 – Lunar New Year
April 4 – Ching Ming Festival
April 6 – Good Friday
April 9 – Easter Monday
April 30 – Feast of Buddha
May 1 – Labour Day
June 25 – Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival)
October 1 – Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (in lieu)
October 2 – National Day of the People's Republic of China (in lieu)
November 2 – All Souls Day
December 10 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 20 – Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
December 22 – Winter Solstice
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day
December 31 – New Year's Eve (half day)

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The currency in Macau is the Pataca (MOP). The value of the Pataca is linked to, and slightly less than, the Hong Kong dollar. The Hong Kong dollar is widely accepted in Macau but change will generally be given in Patacas. Patacas are not accepted in Hong Kong.

Electricity and water

Macau’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The square three-pin plugs (UK style) are most common.

Dining

Dining in Macau is generally of a high standard. Macau has a wide selection of Chinese, Portuguese, and Western cuisines. Macanese food; a fusion of Portuguese, African and Chinese influences, is a ‘must’ experience for all visitors.

For more dining information, please see:

• www.dininginmacau.com/index.en.phtml
• www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/dining.php

Tourist attractions

Macau’s older Portuguese quarter is listed as a World Heritage area and is the main tourist attraction. Other attractions include Macau Tower, the casino districts on the Macau peninsula and the Cotai Strip, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the annual Macau Grand Prix in November, part of the Asian Formula 3 circuit.

See the Macau Government Tourism Office for further information.