General Information

Melbourne, Victoria
Greater Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay, while the city centre is laid out in a large rectangle on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. This lively and cosmopolitan city combines a fanatical love for the creative arts and good living with a state-wide sports addiction to make a city like no other. Food, art, music, wine and football – is there anything else?

CBD
One glance at a map and it’s obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city’s seeming conservatism. From Southbank and the Yarra to the Flinders and Greek Quarters, the CBD is made up of precincts – distinct enclaves each with its own flavour and charm.

For more information about Melbourne and its attractions please go to: www.visitmelbourne.com/
 
Getting into the City
SkyBus links Melbourne Airport to the centre of the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week, departing every 10 minutes. With wheelchair access, on-board baggage storage, air conditioning and an average travel time of just 20 minutes and no reservations required, SkyBus is a cost-effective and low carbon way to travel between Melbourne Airport and the city from 0600 to 2130.
View SkyBus Information or www.skybus.com.au

Visas
All travellers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are required to obtain a Visa to travel to Australia. The Business Visa allows people attending conferences and meetings in Australia to make a short visit of up to three months. Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the world's most advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system. If the country a visitor's passport represents has ETA Business Access, it enables the visitor to obtain authority to enter Australia at the same time as they book their travel. A recent innovative enhancement to ETA arrangements allows travellers to apply for an ETA over the internet.

More information: www.immi.gov.au

Weather
Melbourne's climate is particularly mild, with fine weather all year round and no great extremes. The sunny city of Melbourne is comfortable to visit at any time. Spring in Melbourne is from September to November and although there is more likelihood of rainy weather in Melbourne at this time of the year, the skies usually clear quickly. Daytime temperatures are around 20°C and down to 10°C at nights.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are widely accepted. They may also be used in ATMs with the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Shopping Hours
As a general rule, trading hours for city shops are Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, and Friday 10am to 9pm. Hours of opening often vary between shops and between areas.

Voltage
Australia's electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 240 volts, 50 cycle. Most hotels have provision for AC 110 volts in the rooms and/or can provide adaptors.

Time
Australian Eastern Standard Time is GMT plus 10 hours.
Daylight Saving Time - Sunday 3 October 2010 to Sunday 3 April 2011.


Conference Venue

Sebel Albert Park, 65 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Australia

All rooms at The Sebel Albert Park Melbourne provide a sense of space and comfort, with many rooms overlooking stunning Albert Park Lake. Featuring Windows Restaurant, Atrium Bar + Lounge, Cafe @ Sebel, the hotel offers a health centre with a fully equipped gymnasium, heated indoor pool, spa and sauna.

The hotel is close to the St Kilda Road business district and a short tram ride to Melbourne's CBD.
Trams travel down St Kilda Rd (numbers 3, 5, 6, 16, 64 and 67). Tram stop 27 is the closest to The Sebel Albert Park Melbourne and is a short walk down Lorne Street to the hotel. A taxi rank is conveniently located onsite.

From St Kilda Road: 50m, 1 minute walk
From Melbourne's Airport: 24kms, 30 minutes by car
From Melbourne's CBD: 4kms, 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes by tram

The hotel provides guests with a shuttle service through Jetbus, departing Melbourne Airport (outside Terminal 2 at Melbourne Airport). The service is available from $15 per adult each way. Service runs are based on bookings only and not to a timetable. Contact the hotel to make a booking.