SMRT ANZ 2018 Annual Meeting
Melbourne Travel & Venue Information
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
http://mcec.com.au/
Located on the banks of the Yarra River, the MCEC is only a short walk from Melbourne’s CBD, and a 20-minute drive from Melbourne Airport.
Trams, trains and buses all offer convenient access to the MCEC. Visitors looking for a truly Melbourne experience will find it encapsulated here at the centre – art, entertainment, culture, food and wine all set among an absolutely stunning, award-winning architectural design.
Host City: Melbourne
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is situated on the picturesque tree-lined banks of the Yarra River. Melbourne is located on the south-east coast and is the 2nd largest city in Australia. Over 4 million people live in the city, which has been voted The World’s Most Liveable City on a number of occasions. It is a thriving and cosmopolitan city with a unique balance of graceful old buildings and stunning new architecture surrounded by parks and gardens. Melbourne is Australia’s leader in the arts, sport and fashion, and has some of the finest restaurants in the country.
Melbourne is renowned for its festivals and sporting events, staging an exciting variety of entertainment each year including the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Film Festival, the Heineken Golf Classic, and the Spring Racing Carnival.
Further information about Melbourne can be found at https://destination.melbourne/
Travel Information
Airport/hotel transfers
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is approximately a 25-minute drive from the CBD. Guests travelling from the airport or other points by car should note that tolls apply on the CityLink Tollway/State Route 43.
Airport shuttle
SkyBus offers an express bus service from the airport to the city centre. This service operates 24/7 and buses run every 10 minutes throughout the day. SkyBus operates from two locations at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) right outside the arrivals terminals. On arrival at Southern Cross Station in the city, SkyBus provides a complimentary hotel transfer service, subject to availability, during the following hours:
6.00 am–10.30 pm from Monday to Friday and 7.30 am–5.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased on arrival at the bus stop or purchased online at www.skybus.com.au. An adult one-way ticket is $19. For more information visit www.skybus.com.au.
Taxi
Taxi ranks are located on the ground floor outside Terminal 1 and between Terminals 2 and 3. Using a taxi from the airport taxi rank incurs an additional $2.70 fee that may be passed on to you. A taxi ride from the airport to the city costs approximately $55 and takes about 30 minutes.
Public transport
City Circle Tram and Melbourne Visitor Shuttle
The City Circle Tram and Melbourne Visitor Shuttle bus get you around to all the city’s major attractions for free. Hop on and off the free shuttle bus at any of the stops at key city destinations. It runs daily from 9.30 am to 4.30pm. Visit Public Transport Victoria for timetables and a route map.
Trams, trains and buses
Buy a myki smartcard for flexible travel on trains, trams and buses. You’ll be able to use public transport in and around the city for just a few hours or all day. Plan your trip, buy or top up your myki card online and download maps and timetables from Public Transport Victoria, the one-stop shop for information about travelling on public transport (phone 1800 800 007). Myki cards can be topped up at a range of retail outlets including all 7-Eleven stores throughout the city. Note that there is a free inner-city tram zone that includes the area from the Queen Victoria Market across to Victoria Harbour in Docklands, up to Spring Street and over to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. However, if your journey starts or finishes outside the boundaries of the Free Tram Zone, you must touch on your myki card at the reader in the normal way to make sure you have a valid ticket. The Free Tram Zone signs at tram stops identify the boundaries of the zone.
Contact Us
SMRT ANZ 2018 Meeting Secretariat
PO Box 351, Hamilton Central QLD 4007
Australia
Tel: +61 7 3848 2100
General Information
Climate
Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any visitor is to be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed. As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm to hot summers. Average temperatures in November range from a minimum of 10°C to 21°C during the day.
Disability access
If you require disability-specific facilities, please notify the secretariat by indicating this on your registration form.
Dress
A smart casual/business attire dress code applies for all meeting sessions. Lounge suit/cocktail dress for the Gala Reception is requested.
Electricity
The electricity supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug. Most city hotels provide 110 volt sockets for shavers.
Name badges
The wearing of identification badges is mandatory and will be required for admission to all sessions. These will be provided at the meeting registration desk upon your arrival.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate medical, travel and personal insurance before travelling.
Internet access
Guest wireless access will be made available to all delegates. Information relating to guest wireless access will be made available upon registering at SMRT ANZ 2018 on site.
Invitation letters
Letters of invitation for international attendees will not be issued for this meeting. To assist in obtaining any necessary visas that you may require, it is essential that you complete the online registration form and finalise payment in a timely manner. An official tax invoice and confirmation email will be issued to you which you will be able to submit as evidence with your visa application. In the event that your visa application is unsuccessful, a refund, less an administrative charge will be provided.
Language
The official language of the Meeting is English.
Liability disclaimer
In the event of industrial disruption or other unforeseen circumstances, the meeting organisers accept no responsibility for loss of monies incurred by delegates.
Money
Australia has a decimal system of dollars and cents. Exchange facilities are available at Melbourne Airport or city banks. Credit cards are widely accepted. Commonly recognised cards are American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard (only Visa and MasterCard are accepted for meeting transactions). For currency exchange rates please click here.
No smoking policy
Delegates should be aware that smoking is not allowed in public buildings and many hotels and restaurants throughout Australia, including the meeting venue.
Passport and Visa requirements
Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system is among the worlds most advanced and streamlined travel visa authorisation systems. The traveller may apply for visa authorization over the Internet: https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA/etas.jsp
ETA visas may be obtained from travel agents and airlines e.g. at airports. To apply for an ETA online you must be outside Australia and intend to visit for tourism or business visitor activities. You must have your passport, email address and a credit card to complete the online application. The ETA is a stored electronic authority for travel to Australia for the short term visitor. It replaces the passport visa label or stamp in a passport and removes the need for application forms. ETA visas ensure delegates know their visas are in order before leaving their home country.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU APPLY FOR YOUR VISA WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR DEPARTURE DATE.
Time Zones
In November, Melbourne operates on Eastern Daylight Savings Time, which is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For international delegates, we suggest you allow at least one day in which to adjust to the time difference. Travellers crossing the Pacific will lose one day by crossing the International Date Line.
Tipping
There is no tradition of tipping in Australia, it is therefore not expected and service is given with a smile. However, where the service has been excellent, you may tip if you wish. About 10% of the bill is usual if the service is exceptional.