Accessibility

Download Melbourne's accessibility flyer to find the best accessible accomodation, activities, and attractions

Accessible_Melbourne_Flyer_fea69917-3665-4ec6-8c13-29cfbedb8ff4.pdf

Airports near Melbourne

There are two airports servicing Melbourne – Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine and Avalon Airport. Most international flights will go to Tullamarine but just in case you have an option – we suggest you fly into Tullamarine.

Airport Transfers

Melbourne Airport is located 20 km or 25 minutes from central Melbourne. Taxi, Uber or bus are the main ways to get to and from Tullamarine to Melbourne CBD.

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

Melbourne Airport has two taxi ranks outside of Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. They are fairly well signed and feel free to ask airport staff for guidance. A map is found here –https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/taxis

SkyBus operates from two locations at Melbourne Airport right outside arrivals at:

• Terminal T1 – serving Qantas Domestic, QantasLink and Jetstar Domestic.
• Terminal T2 – passengers arriving at the international terminal can catch SkyBus kerbside at T1 or T3, which are only a few steps away.
• Terminal T3 – serving Virgin Blue Domestic, Tiger Airways, Regional Express, and all International flights
• Terminal T4 – passengers arriving on Tiger Airways can catch SkyBus kerbside at T3, which is only a few steps away.

Melbourne City/Southern Cross Station

The SkyBus city terminal is located undercover at Southern Cross Station, near the corner of Bourke Street and Spencer Street. www.skybus.com.au

Alternatively, a taxi ride from Melbourne City to the Airport will cost approximately A$50.00- A$60.00.

Banking and Currency

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 normal business hours. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club.

Business Hours

Banks and post offices generally open from 09.30 – 16.00 hours from Monday to Friday.  Business office hours are 09.00 – 17.00 hours from Monday to Friday.

Climate

Spring (Sep-Nov):  11-24 ºC (52-75 ºF)
Summer (Dec-Feb): 17-26 ºC (63-78 ºF)

Generally Australians are informal dressers.  We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions.  A light jacket is recommended for evenings for summer/spring.

Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Conference, as some of these may require formal evening dress.

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.”

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

Free City Tram

The Free Tram Zone in Melbourne’s CBD was introduced on 1 January 2015, making it easier for commuters and tourists to move around the city. The principal boundaries of the Free Tram Zone are Spring Street, Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. Additionally, the tram routes along Victoria Street, William Street and Elizabeth Street that surround Victoria Market are also included as well as the Docklands area.

Download the Free Tram Zone on the Maps page.

All stops within the zone are clearly marked and tram drivers will make regular announcements when approaching the zone boundaries. Zone boundaries are signed and free tram zone maps are across the network.

If your tram journey is exclusively within the zone, travel is free, meaning you do not need to touch on with a myki.

Getting around Melbourne

Like any city, there are numerous way to get around – taxi, rideshare, bus, walk, bike, scooter, train, and in Melbourne, tram. For buses, trains, and trams, you will need a Myki Card. Information is in the link below.

Taxi and Rideshare - https://www.visitvictoria.com/practical-information/getting-here-and-around/taxis

Bueses, trains, and trams - https://www.visitvictoria.com/practical-information/getting-here-and-around/public-transport

Bikes and Scooters - https://help.li.me/hc/en-au

Walking - Melbourne is an easy city to walk around. Feel free to consult your favourite map app.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

GST or Goods and Services Tax is a 10% tax applied to most items in Australia.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund for the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS please refer to the website of the Australian Border Force.

Insurance

Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the annual conference 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 conference,
• or through cancellation of the conference,
• 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 conference committee cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.

Language

The official and most widely spoken language in Australia is English, and is also the official language for the Conference.

No smoking policy

Delegates should be aware that smoking is not allowed in public buildings and many hotels and restaurants throughout Australia, including the conference venue.

Passport and Immigration

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. For visa information please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note – it is strongly recommended that Australian visa applications are lodged at least two months prior to departure from your point of origin.

Photography

The Conference Committee ahas arranged for photography onsite throughout the Conference. The images may be used for post-Conference reports, case studies, marketing collateral and supplied to industry media if requested. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken, please inform the photographer and move out of camera range.

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 5.00pm. On Sunday shops are open from 10.00am to 5.00pm

Tipping

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is at your prerogative; a reward for service. A gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

Time

Local time in Melbourne in July is GMT +11 AEST