2009 World Congress of Science & Factual Producers : Melbourne, Australia December 1-4

Travel

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

Important visa information: If you are travelling to Melbourne and are not a citizen of Australian or New Zealand, you will need a visa to enter the country, and must apply before leaving home. For more detailed information go to the Australian government Visas & Immigration website.

Below are sample return airfares to Melbourne Airport from key departure cities. All flights are based on a five night stay (November 30 - December 5). Prices are for economy travel and include all taxes and surcharges. Information is taken from www.expedia.com.au, www.expedia.co.nz, www.expedia.com, www.expedia.ca and www.expedia.co.uk, and is accurate as of June 4, 2009.

Australia

  • Adelaide: 235 AUD (Qantas Airways)
  • Brisbane: 247 AUD (Virgin Blue Airlines)
  • Perth: 307 AUD (Virgin Blue Airlines)
  • Sydney: 127 AUD (Virgin Blue Airlines)

New Zealand

  • Auckland: 360 NZD (Virgin Blue Airlines)
  • Wellington: 380 NZD (Virgin Blue Airlines)

Europe

  • London: 544 GBP (Etihad Airways)
  • Frankfurt: 1,050 EUR (British Airways)
  • Paris: 903 EUR (British Airways)
  • Copenhagen: 1,424 EUR (British Airways/Qantas Airways)
  • Vienna: 1,241 EUR (British Airways)

North America

  • New York City: 853 UDS (Qantas Airways)
  • Washington, D.C.: 1,084 USD (United)
  • Los Angeles: 679 UDS (Qantas Airways)
  • Chicago: 1,158 USD (United)
  • Montreal: 1,851 CDN (Air Canada)
  • Toronto: 1,631 CDN (Qantas Airways)
  • Vancouver: 1,379 CDN (United)

Asia

  • Tokyo: 109,910 JPY (Malaysia Airlines)
  • Beijing: 7,585 CNY (Air China)

GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

Melbourne Airport is situated in Tullamarine, 22km (half-hour drive) northwest of the city centre.

Taxis are available from the ground floor level of the terminal building, in front of the South Terminal and the Qantas Terminal (journey time into Melbourne - 30 minutes).

SkyBus (tel: (03) 9335 2811; www.skybus.com.au) operates daily 24 hours between the airport and the city centre. A number of public bus services connect the airport with destinations around Melbourne. Information on routes served and schedules is available from the information desks in the terminal building or via the contact details listed on the airport's website.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Delegates wishing to explore Melbourne’s many attractions may find the following information helpful.

A printable city map can be found here.

Public Transportation in Melbourne

Melbourne's public transport system is called Metlink (tel: 131 638, in Australia only; www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au). Metlink incorporates buses, trams and trains with interchangeable tickets available.

Most people get around the city by using the extensive tram network. Trams stop at numbered tram-stop signs, often placed on platforms in the middle of the road. To get off the tram, press the red button near handrails or pull the cord above your head.

Metcard tickets allow travel on Melbourne's buses, trains and trams, using a single ticket. Ordinary tickets for short journeys are valid for two hours. Buy them on the tram, bus, or train. An all-day Metcard is a better value for a number of journeys within the city centre and surrounding area. Buy them from the City Metshop at the Melbourne Town Hall (located on the corner of Swanston Street and Collins Street), at most news agents, or at Metcard vending machines located at railway stations. Weekly passes are ideal for a longer stay in Melbourne. Validate them in the machines located at the entrance to train stations or on-board trams.

Melbourne Taxis

Taxis are available for hire on the street or are found waiting at train and bus stations. Operators include Silver Top (tel: 131 008, in Australia only), Embassy (tel: 131 755, in Australia only or (03) 9277 3444) and Black Cabs Combined (tel 132 227, in Australia only). A large, illuminated rooftop light indicates that a cab is available. Tipping is not expected.

Car Rental

The minimum age for car hire is 21 years. It is usually requested that the hire be paid for with the driver's credit card. Compulsory third party insurance is required in Victoria and this is often included in the hire price.

Major car hire companies include Avis (tel: 136 333, in Australia only, or (03) 9663 6366; www.avis.com.au), Budget (tel: 1300 794 344, in Australia only or (03) 9241 6366; www.budget.com.au) and Hertz (tel: 133 039, in Australia only or (03) 9338 4044; www.hertz.com.au).

Melbourne Tourist Information

The Melbourne Visitor Centre is located in Federation Sqaure, corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000, opposite Flinders Street station. The Melbourne Visitor Booth is located inside Bourke Street Mall, on Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street.

Browse the Visiting Melbourne section of Film Victoria's website for information on getting around the city, as well as maps, weather and more.

For additional information on Melbourne, visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au or www.visitmelbourne.com.

Victoria Tourist Information

For information on the State of Victoria, visit www.visitvictoria.com.

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