Venue / Visa Requirements /Airport Transportation
The conferences will be held at the Sofitel Melbourne hotel located in the heart of the Melbourne's premier shopping, dining and theatre district. The address is:
Sofitel Melbourne
25 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9653 0000
Fax: +61 3 9650 4261
Conference Dinner:
The dinner on Wednesday night (August 26th) will be held at the Melbourne Museum, which is located in the Carlton Gardens, a World Heritage Site located on the northeastern edge of the Central Business District. The dinner will include pre-dinner drinks in the Science and Life Gallery, followed by a three course meal in the main foyer.
Messages for delegates will be left on the bulletin board next to the Conference Secretariat and Registration Desk. Callers wishing to leave a message should ask to be transferred to the GEWEX/iLEAPS Secretariat Desk.
Australia Entry Requirements:
Please note that Australia requires a visa for visitors from most countries. For details, please see http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration/
Some countries are eligible for an ETA (Visitor) Visa
As visa processing times may vary, you are encouraged to apply for the appropriate visa 6-8 weeks before your departure to Australia. Your passport must be valid for the period of your intended stay in Australia.
If your visa application process requires a letter, please send an email to the Conference Secretariat at oce@adm.monash.edu.au and copy gewex@gewex.org and alla.borisova@helsinki.fi. Please note that due to Australian Government policy, general letters of invitation cannot be issued. Therefore, depending on the circumstance, visa letters will acknowledge presentations to be made or other types of participation. If you plan to attend and do not fit into the above categories, a letter confirming your registration can be issued
Transportation from Airport to Melbourne:
Once you have cleared immigration and customs (customs are very strict in Australia; ensure that you are not carrying foods or other restricted items) you will find the taxi ranks.
Taxis: Transfer by taxi from Melbourne Airport to the city centre takes around 30 minutes and costs approximately AUD $60.00
Skybus: The Skybus Super Shuttle runs between Melbourne airport and the Melbourne central business district, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service runs every 15 minutes between 6am and 9pm (less frequently at other times), and takes about 20 minutes to get from the airport to the City centre. The cost is AUD $16 one way. See airport map for shuttle location.
At no extra cost for SkyBus passengers, SkyBus can transfer you to your city hotel or motel from our city terminal using our fleet of mini-buses. You do not need to book the SkyBus Hotel Service to get to your hotel. From Melbourne Airport, take SkyBus to our Melbourne city terminal situated at Southern Cross Station (in Spencer Street). You then transfer onto a SkyBus Hotel mini-bus, which delivers you to your hotel or motel. No booking is required and the mini-buses are available during operating hours (for more information click here).
Tourist Information:
http://www.visitmelbourne.com
More About Melbourne
Melbourne sits on the shores of Port Phillip Bay on the northern banks of the Yarra River. Capturing Australia’s
friendly nature with an added sense of style, Melbourne is a dynamic and exciting city where modern architecture and innovative design are juxtaposed with heritage buildings that reflect the rich colonial history of Australia.
Just outside the city centre lies Southbank, the arts and entertainment precinct of Melbourne, where it is easy to spend hours leisurely browsing through Arts Centre venues, strolling riverside through the promenades, shopping, dining and enjoying the attractions here. Dominating the horizon of Melbourne, the Dandenong Mountain Ranges offer forest hikes, beautiful parrots and magnificent views of the City and Port Phillip Bay.
Day trips from Melbourne include the Healesville Sanctuary, a unique bushland environment showcasing over 200 species of Australian wildlife, and the rolling hills of Yarra Valley, home to more than 30 wineries that offer tastings, tours, fine meals and magnificent views. Phillip Island, a natural habitat with seals and koalas, is one of the best places to view the “Fairy” Penguins. Also outside the city is one of the world’s most scenic coastline drives, the Great Ocean Road.
