Useful Information

Visiting Brisbane is like finding yourself in an adventure wonderland. There's so much to do and see, and your every desire is catered for - from quiet strolls along the river to the adrenaline rush of skydiving.

A good way to get your bearings when you first arrive is to explore the city by foot, by river cruise or by a speedy ferry. Take in the sights and discover why the river is so central to Brisbane life. More unusual tours include historic walking tours, specialist art tours with fine food and wine, adventure trike tours, ghost tours and eco tours.

Animal lovers can see Australian wildlife up close at Lone Pine or Alma Park Zoo. For the outdoors types, head out to sea on a fishing charter, set sail on a sailing tour or cruise of Moreton Bay and make sure you explore nearby North Stradbroke and Moreton Island's beaches as these are a must!

Brisbane has reliable and user-friendly integrated public transport system. Just one TRANSLink ticket will take you wherever you want to go on buses, trains, high-speed catamarans and traditional ferries. Airtrain, a dedicated airport to downtown train service, sees you in the city centre in just 20 minutes

Buses
Buses run throughout downtown Brisbane and suburban areas from early morning to late at night every day, and until midnight on the weekends. You can get around the city centre for free on Brisbane's ‘Downtown Loop'. Buses run every 10 minutes along two routes around the city – 7am to 5.50pm weekdays.

River Transport
Sleek, speedy CityCats and handy CityFerries let you commute or simply enjoy the Brisbane River from 5.50am – 10.30pm every day.

Train
Train services operate in downtown Brisbane and surrounding suburbs from early morning to midnight seven days a week. Regular train routes extend beyond Brisbane to its surrounding regions and the Queensland countryside and to interstate destinations throughout Australia.

Brisbane's International and Domestic Airports has been recently recognised as the world's most efficient and customer-focused privatised airport by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is located approximately 20 minutes drive (13 km) from Brisbane's CBD.

Shuttle Buses
If you're concerned about the amount of luggage you have accumulated during your stay in Brisbane, shuttle buses are a convenient, fast and comfortable way of travelling to and from the Airport. Services from Brisbane City operate daily every 30 minutes from 5.00am to 9.00pm from Roma Street Transit Centre and door to door of all CBD hotels. If leaving from Brisbane Airport, buses depart every 30 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm. All bus services meet flight departure and arrival times so you'll always be on time. If you miss one, wait just half an hour for the next service.

The cost is $9.00 per person to and from Roma Street Transit Centre and $11.00 per person to and from CBD Hotels. For information call Coachtrans on (07) 3238 4700.

Airtrain
For single travellers on the go, the Airtrain, operating 5am to 9pm 7 days a week, is probably the most time efficient option. If you're in a hurry and require a direct line from the Airport to the City, jump aboard for a quick 22 minute train trip!

Stations are conveniently located near most CBD accommodations and attractions. A one-way single adult ticket costs just $10. For on-line bookings visit www.airtrain.com.au.

Taxis
At Brisbane Airport's Domestic Terminal, taxi ranks are located at both the Qantas and Virgin Blue ends of the terminal. As for the International Terminal taxi ranks are available on Arrivals Level 2.
All Brisbane taxis have standard taxi meters so you won't have to worry about being stung by overpriced fares. Keep in mind that a fare to Brisbane CBD is approximately $25 plus a $2 fee for departing taxis only. Go to www.brisbaneairport.com.au for more information about Airport travel.
Looking for a number? Black and White Cabs: 131 008, Yellow Cab: 131 924

Car rental
There is a host of car rental companies in Brisbane with tidy, reliable and economical cars to suit all travel needs. For more information, call Brisbane Marketing on 07 3006 6200.

Hotel transfers
Most Brisbane hotels provide coach transfers to and from the airport. Just ask the hotel representative when making your reservation. All you need is your flight itinerary; it's that easy!
Important note: International and interstate visitors should allow approximately 20-30 minutes for processing through customs. In peak periods waiting times may increase slightly.

From 31 March 2007, the Australian Government has introduce enhanced security measures to limit the amount of liquids, aerosols, and gels that can be taken through the screening point for people who are flying to and from Australia.

All containers with drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste and similar substances will have to be carried in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag, no larger than one litre, and be inspected separately at the airport screening point.

Each container should not have a capacity greater than 100 millilitres and all containers should fit comfortably in the re-sealable plastic bag. Exceptions will be made for passengers with medical conditions and quantities of baby food required for the flight. However, these items may be subject to additional security checks. Passengers can still take on board items purchased after the screening point, including duty free.

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. When paying by cash (i.e., not with a credit card), prices will be rounded to the nearest 5c. 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.

Banks generally open from 09:30-16:00 hours Monday-Friday. General office hours are 09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday. Post Offices operate these hours; however stamps are often available from hotels.

All major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, operate in Australia and vehicles may be hired at Brisbane Airport. Parking is available at the Meeting venue.

October is Spring in Australia. Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures at this time of year are 19 and 8 degrees C (66 and 46 degrees F) respectively. Please visit the Bureau of Meteorology for daily weather forecasts in Brisbane. Generally, Australians are informal dressers. We suggest men bring a jacket and tie for evening functions and smart casual for the women.

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".

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.

Australia levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the GST (and also the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)) paid on goods bought in Australia and taken out of the country. The refund applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped "TRS sighted" and at that point you can check in the large item with your luggage. Once you have cleared customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia. Goods which are to be exported can be used before departing Australia.

The official language for the Meeting is English.

All travellers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are legally required to hold a valid visa to travel to Australia. Please review the following Visa Information Sheet, or alternatively visit The Australian Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs

Download Visa Information (WORD, Size: 56KB)

The Meeting Managers comply with the Australian "Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000" which is designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. Information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Meeting will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Meeting and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events.

It is also usual to produce a "Delegate List" of attendees at the Meeting and to include the individual’s details in such a list. Consent for publication of the individual’s information may be withheld when completing the Registration Form for the Meeting. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Meeting Managers.

Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the import of animals and plants, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. For more information see the ‘Quarantine and Export’ information on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website, which you can access by visiting www.daff.gov.au.

Brisbane Shops are typically open from 09:00 to 17:30 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday. On Saturday, most shops open from 09:00 to 16:00. On Sunday major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 10:00 to 16:00.

Brisbane is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service. It is customary to tip hotel porters and a gratuity of about 10 per cent is usual in restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from, or travel through, infected areas. Check this carefully with your airline or travel agent.