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Venue
The venue for the SimTecT 2008 Simulation Conference and Exhibition is the Melbourne Convention Centre, located on the north bank of the Yarra River, opposite Batman Park, in Melbourne's CBD.
Melbourne is an active part of Australia's Simulation Community. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation, branches of Defence acquisition and training, automotive and general manufacturing and major Universities are located in or near Melbourne. An attractive international tourist destination, average temperatures in Melbourne are mild with temperatures in May ranging from 11°-19°C.
Travel
Transport from the Airport
The Conference venue is approximately 30 minutes by taxi from the Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport. The cost will be approximately $50.00. Telephone Taxi companies.
Alternatively the Melbourne Airport offers “Skybus Super Shuttle” which is 20 minutes from the Airport to Melbourne City. Skybus operates 24 hours/7days a week, every 10–15 minutes for most the day. World class coaches with wheelchair access. Purchase and print your ticket on-line or pay on arrival. No reservations required. Free Hotel Connections in CBD during the day. The cost will be: One-Way $16.00 for adults and $26.00 return.
Public Transport
Details of Public Transport to and from the Melbourne Convention Centre (not the Exhibition Centre!) can be found here.
Car Parking
Located below the Melbourne Convention Centre, there are 590 undercover parking spaces managed by Wilsons Carparking. The entrance is off Siddeley Street, located in the multi-storey carpark. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Rates are as follows:
| Early bird: | $10.00 Monday–Friday (enter between 0600 and 0900, exit after midday and before midnight) |
| First hour: | $6.00 |
| Maximum charge: | $26.00 |
| Weekend: | $10.00 per 24 hours (from 0600 Saturday until 0600 Monday) |
Alternatively there are other car parks nearby to the Melbourne Convention Centre, which may be slightly more cost effective for all day parking.
Travelling in Australia
Travel - International
Visa Requirements
Participants of an event or conference in Australia will generally need to apply for a subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor Visa.
Visas are available from your local Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. For the location of your nearest Consulate visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website. See also visa requirements.
Customs Requirements
Please refer to the Australian Customs Service website for items that must be declared at the time of arrival into Australia.
Goods and Services Tax
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is levied on most purchases in Australia and is included in the purchase price of the goods or service. You may be eligible for a refund of the GST on goods purchased in Australia. See the Australian Customs Service website.
Passenger Movement Charge
A passenger movement charge (departure tax) of AUD$38.00 is payable by all persons 12 years or older upon leaving Australia. Most airlines flying into Australia now include a passenger movement charge in the ticket price.
Accommodation Bookings
A block booking of accommodation has been booked at nearby properties for the SimTecT 2008 Conference. Please indicate your accommodation requirements on the registration form.
In order to secure your room, please include a minimum of one (1) night’s room rate (either by cheque or credit card) as a deposit on your registration form with the balance of your accommodation to be settled directly with the hotel on departure. Alternatively, you can provide credit card details, which can either be forwarded to the hotel directly or debited for a deposit (please check the appropriate box on the registration form).
Room configurations will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Please note: Deposits for accommodation must be received at the Secretariat no later than TBA. Bookings made after that date cannot be guaranteed. For any rooms cancelled seven (7) days less or prior to arrival or where a delegate does not arrive on the date booked, a cancellation fee equal to one night’s accommodation may be charged to the delegate. Accommodation deposits may be forfeited if the room is not occupied on the requested check-in date.
All bookings, alterations or cancellations should be made to the Conference Secretariat, in writing.
Please do not contact the hotels directly.
See the registration brochure for further details.| Hotel | Address | Description | Prices (AUD) |
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Grand Hotel Managed by Sofitel
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33 Spencer Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 | Check in: 2.00pm. Check out: 11.00am The Grand Hotel managed by Sofitel is positioned to experience a full variety of Melbourne's most celebrated attractions like the Telstra Dome, cosmopolitan shopping areas and the Yarra River's South bank with its multitude of restaurants and cafes. The Grand Hotel is approximately 25 kilometres from Melbourne's international and domestic airport. The hotel is approximately a five minute walk to the Melbourne Convention Centre. |
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| Crown Promenade Hotel
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8 Whiteman Street, Southbank MELBOURNE VIC 3000 | Check in: 2.00pm Check out: 11.00am Crown Promenade Hotel is located in Melbourne's lively Southbank entertainment precinct and directly linked to the exciting Crown Entertainment Complex by an air bridge. Crown Promenade Hotel is also close to the Central Business District and the city's most famous arts and sporting facilities. The hotel is approximately a five minute walk from the Melbourne Convention Centre, and is approximately 30 minutes from the airport and should cost around AUD$50.00 in a taxi fare. |
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| Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne
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630 Little Collins Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 | Check in: 2.00pm Check out: 11.00am Vibe Savoy Hotel is ideally positioned opposite the central railway station with views of the Docklands. Located in the CBD it is close to the Telstra Dome Stadium, Yarra River and the Crown Casino. It is approximately a five minute walk to the Melbourne Convention Centre. It is also approximately 20 minutes by taxi to the airport and should cost around AUD$35.00 in a taxi fare. |
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| Holiday Inn on Flinders
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575 Flinders Lane MELBOURNE VIC 3000 | Check in: After 2.00pm Check out: 11.00am Holiday Inn on Flinders is located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD with most of the sightseeing spots, arts and cultural centres in close proximity. The Telstra Dome, Docklands Precinct, Southbank Entertainment and Casino Complex and city shopping areas are all within walking distance. The hotel is approximately 30 minutes from the airport and should cost approximately AUD$50.00 in a taxi fare. Holiday Inn on Flinders is approximately a five minute walk from the Melbourne Convention Centre. |
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| Kingsgate Hotel Melbourne
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131 King Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 | Check in: After 1.00pm Check out: 10.00am Kingsgate Hotel Melbourne is conveniently located in King Street providing access to the Coach Terminal and the Airport Skybus. Melbourne's Crown Casino, Melbourne Aquarium, Rialto Observation Deck and the Yarra River is only a short stroll away, as are an abundance of shops and restaurants. The hotel is approximately a 10 minute walk from the Melbourne Convention Centre and five minutes by tram. It is approximately 25 minutes away from the airport and should cost around AUD$50.00. |
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General
Personal Insurance
Delegates shall be regarded in every aspect as carrying their own risk for loss or injury to person or property, including baggage during the Conference. We strongly recommend that at the time of booking your travel and tours you take out a travel insurance policy of your choice.
The policy taken should include the loss of deposit through cancellation, medical insurance, loss or damage to personal property, financial loss incurred through disruptions to accommodation or travel arrangements due to strikes or other industrial action. The organisers are in no way responsible for any claims concerning insurance.
Special Needs
We endeavour to ensure delegates with special needs are catered for. Should you require particular assistance, please make a note on your registration form or contact the Conference Secretariat by fax: +61 2 6251 0672 or email:
Maps
A map of the location of the Melbourne Convention Centre (not the Exhibition Centre!) can be found here.
Melbourne Activities
Partner Program
TBA
