Stats & Facts
Where
Las Vegas is located in Mojave Desert, Nevada in the Western part of the USA. Los Angeles is located 467km to the South-West (approx 5.5 hour drive) and the Grand Canyon lies 445 km to the East (approx 5.5 hours drive).Size:
Area
Approximately the same size as Brisbane.
Population
1.7 million and growing at a rate of approximately 6,000 people per month.
Currency
US Dollars. Most major hotels will exchange foreign currency. American Travellers Cheques are also accepted in most establishments; however a picture ID is often required. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Language
English
Climate
Las Vegas has an arid climate. It averages 320 days of sunshine per year, with an average rainfall of only 106 mm. During the summer months, (June – August) daytime temperatures often reach 38C. Spring and autumn are milder, with temperatures averaging 21C. In the winter, December - February, temperatures may drop as low as 0C, although the average high is between 10-16C. Rarely does the temperature fall below freezing, and even then it is usually only in the early morning hours.
Getting There
Air New Zealand, United Airlines and Qantas fly to Los Angeles in 13 – 17 hours from Australia. Hawaiian Airlines now travels to Las Vegas via Honolulu several times weekly. There are multiple options for the connecting one hour flight to Las Vegas. The Asian air carriers offer some interesting alternative routes with stopovers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur.
Visas & Entry Requirements
Most Australians travelling on business or for tourism no longer require a visa. For information regarding Visa-free travel, see the details of the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.
Holidays & Festivals
Public Holidays & Festivals 2009
Jan 01 New Year's Day
Apr 10 Good Friday
Apr 13 Easter Monday
Last Mon in May Memorial Day
Jul 04 Independence Day
1st Monday in September Labor Day
4th Thurs in Nov Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Travel Facts
Shopping Hours
Stores still open on public holidays. The following listings however, are those dates where many of the stores do observe the holiday. Jan 01 New Year's Day, Last Mon in May Memorial Day, 4th July Independence Day, 1st Monday in September Labor Day, 4th Thurs in NovThanksgiving Day, 25th December Christmas Day.
Useful Contacts
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
c/o Gate 7 Pty Ltd
32 Crown Street
Woolloomooloo
NSW 2011
Ph: (02) 9356 2266
Fax: (02) 9356 2001
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For more information on Las Vegas: http://www.visitlasvegas.com.au