The capital city of South Africa is Pretoria. However, more familiar is the International Gateway of Johannesburg where the Johannesburg International Airport is located and services major airlines connecting from Australia such as South African Airways (from Perth) , Qantas (from Sydney) , Thai Airways via Bangkok, Singapore Airlines via Singapore, Malaysian Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, Emirates via Dubai and Air Mauritius via Mauritius.

The major currency in South Africa is the Rand which at present converts 1 Australian Dollar to 10 Rand.

Major Tourist Attractions: many game parks including the world famous Kruger National Park, Cape Town (Table Mountain), the Garden route along the Atlantic coast between Cape Town & George (a bit like South Africa's Great Ocean Road), the winery areas like Stellenbosch, the Drakensberg mountains, Sun City and much more.

South Africa is the easiest African country to visit from Australia with numerous flight connections, a very reasonable exchange rate, excellent tourist infra-structure and a huge diversity of things to see and do. Sure it has a high crime rate, like most of Africa but if visitors adopt a sensible approach to personal safety you are unlikely to encounter it.

Once in South Africa, should you require consular assistance the Australian Trade Commission is located in Johannesburg:

Australian High Commission, Johannesburg

The Forum, 10th Floor

Corner Maud and 5th Street

Sandton 2196

JOHANNESBURG

Tel: (+27 11) 784 0620

If you are planning a trip to South Africa, Australian passport holders do not require a visa for Tourist or Business stays under 90 days.

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