Oman occupies the south eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.  It's topography is varied and dramatic, with rocky mountains and deep water inlets in the north, rolling dunes and salt flats in the central interior, verdant green hills in the southern Dhofar province, and a coastline stretching thousands of miles with magnificent beaches and cosy coves.

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
Australian passport holders must have a valid passport and a visa is required.  A 30 day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism for USD$18 per person.

CURRENCY
The currency of Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR) divided into 1000 baiza.  

LANGUAGES
The official language of Oman is Arabic, but English is widely spoken.  Hotel staff often also speak German and French.

VOLTAGE
Electrical current is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz Plugs with rectangular, 3-pin flat blades are used.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Local time is GMT +4

HEALTH REGULATIONS
No vaccinations are required for entry to Oman.  Visitors should ensure they are up to date on all routine vaccinations.  It is best to check with your local doctor before travelling.  Food and water in Muscat is considered safe, but bottled water and precautions with unpasteurised milk are advised outside the city.

TIPPING
Service charge is usually added to bills and tipping is not expected, however a "little extra" is appreciated.  A general rule would be 5% additional to the service charge or between 10-15% where the service charge has not been added.

CUSTOMS
Oman is a predominantly Muslim country and visitors should respect religious sensitivity, particularly in the matter of dress and public conduct.  Women, in particular, should wear loose fitting clothes that cover most of the body.  Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the holy month of Ramadan should be avoided, as it is forbidden during daylight hours by the Muslim culture.