• Calendar Subscription
• Bookmark and Share
• Contact Us
• E-mail a Colleague

Local Information › Venue › Host City

Local Information

Flights

Most International flights will fly directly into Melbourne, eliminating the need to get a connecting domestic flight.

Following is a map indicating estimated international flight times.

Passport and Visa

All travellers to Australia, other than those holding New Zealand passports, require a valid entry visa prior to travel to Australia. For many nationalities (29 in total) an Electronic Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) can be obtained from your travel agent or airline when making your travel arrangements. Please see your travel agent or airline for further details.

Airport Information

Melbourne Airport is located 20 km or 25 minutes from central Melbourne. A taxi fare is approximately A$40.

A shuttle bus, SkyBus, operates 24 hours a day between the Airport and the city centre. The service runs approximately every 30 minutes at a cost of A$12 each way. Drop off points are located throughout the city centre close to hotels and facilities. For further information, phone: +61 3 9670 7992.

Getting Around Melbourne

The General Assembly venue is within easy walking distance to most hotels in the Melbourne central business district (CBD). Although it is rapidly expanding, the geographic area of the Melbourne central business district is around 5kms x 5kms.

The Melbourne CBD (and its suburbs) is one of a few cities in the world that has a low cost electric tram network, as well as an underground train system. There is a free-of-charge historic tram that runs regularly around the perimeter of the Melbourne CBD. This free historic tram is designed for visitors to Melbourne and has high-quality maps and tour guides on board – a most recommended means of getting around the Melbourne CBD.

The city and suburbs are also well-serviced by taxis and buses, or for something a little different, catch a water taxi along Melbourne’s famous Yarra River and docklands area. One of the reasons that Melbourne is regarded as one of the world’s safest and most liveable cities, is because it is quite safe to walk and travel around Melbourne, day and night.

Melbourne is well serviced by trains, trams, buses and taxis both in the city and surrounding suburbs. For more information about the transport network, go to VicTrip

Climate

Melbourne enjoys manageable summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters. June and July are the coldest months with temperatures ranging from 7°C - 15°C (44°F - 57°F). Generally Australians are informal dressers. We suggest you bring a jacket and tie for special occasions. A jacket is recommended for evenings.

Insurance

Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the General Assembly and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include loss of fees/ deposit through cancellation of your participation in the General Assembly, or through cancellation of the General Assembly, loss of international/ domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason, loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within Australia, failure to utilise tours or pre- booked arrangements due to airline delay, Force Majeure or any other reason, medical expenses (including sickness and accident cover), loss or damage to personal property, additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered. The General Assembly Managers cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.

Medical Care

The addresses and telephone numbers of hospitals, health and dental clinics are available at the Registration Desk. Please ensure prior to your departure to arrange travel insurance for yourself and your accompanying persons. Talk to your travel agent or your health insurance for further information.

In the Event of an Emergency

Call 000 (triple zero) to be connected to police, fire and/or ambulance services.

Currency and Exchange Rate

Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = $1) Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations. Currency exchange facilities are available in most banks, hotels and airports and operate during normal business hours. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club. Automatic Teller Machines are widely available. Current exchange rates can be found at www.x-rates.com

Time

Melbourne is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in June/July.

Planning Your Travel

Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggest you consider arriving in Australia by 25 April. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Conference.

Electricity

Electrical current is 240/ 250V, AC 50Hz. The Australian three- pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/ 240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Internet

Internet facilities will be provided for delegates at the conference via an internet centre or wireless internet. Internet facilities are also available at many of the listed hotels, however will incur a cost.

Goods & Services Tax (GST) /Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

Since 1 July 2000, Australia has adopted a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST). All prices quoted on this website are inclusive of GST, unless otherwise specified.

As part of this new taxation system, the Australian Government introduced the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). The scheme is administered by the Australian Customs Department and took effect on 1 July 2000.The TRS enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax .

(GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australia. The refund applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped TRS sighted and at that point you can check the large item in with your luggage. Once you have cleared Customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia.

Tipping

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in some other parts of the world. Tipping is your choice, a reward for service. It is usual to tip hotel porters and restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

Eating Out

Bistros, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops offer varied menus, prices and decor. Local specialties such as seafood and Australian wines are worth trying. At some restaurants you can keep the liquor bill down by taking your own wine or beer. These are called "BYO" restaurants, an abbreviation for "bring your own". A small service surcharge, known as “corkage” may apply.

Quarantine

Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the import of animals and plants, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted. For more information see the ‘Information for International Travellers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, which you can access by visiting www.affa.gov.au

Business Hours

Banks generally open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday - Friday. General office hours are 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday. Post Offices operate during these hours, however stamps are often available from hotels.

Shopping

Shops in Melbourne open from 9.00am to 5.30pm during the week with late night shopping on Thursday and Friday nights. On Saturday, most shops open from 9.00am to 4.00pm. On Sunday shops are open from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

The Queen Victoria Market is Victoria's premier open-air market. It's a thriving and vital place pulsating with life. The market is probably best known for its huge variety of fresh produce. Almost 50% of the market area is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood and delicatessen products. For market opening hours and transport information please click here

Vaccinations

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from, or travel through, infected areas. Check this carefully with your airline or travel agent before departure.