General Information
Dates of the Conference
- Tuesday 28 June 2011 – Pre Conference workshops and Education Day
- Wednesday 29 June 2011 – CONFERENCE DAY 1
- Thursday 30 June 2011 – CONFERENCE DAY 2
- Friday 1 July 2011 – CONFERENCE DAY 3
Dress Code
The dress code for the Conference is neat casual attire.
Registration & Information Desk
The Registration & Information Desk will be located onsite at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre for collection of name badges and conference materials. Staff will be on hand to answer any queries and provide information. The Registration Desk will be open during the following times:
| Tuesday 28th June | 1600 – 1830 |
| Wednesday 29th June | 0730 – 1800 |
| Thursday 30th June | 0800 – 1700 |
| Friday 1st July | 0800 – 1500 |
Name Badges
Your name badge will be your official pass to conference sessions and functions and must be worn at all times.
Insurance
Registration fees do not include insurance coverage of any kind. Delegates are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. Conference managers cannot accept responsibility for any delegate failing to cover their own insurance.
Travel Information
Getting to the Gold Coast
By Air
The Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta is serviced by domestic and international flights. Most services are one-class, but Qantas also offers business class travel. There are regular daily domestic flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and there are connecting flights to all other Australian cities. The trip from Sydney takes around 1 hour 25 minutes, around 2 hours 15 minutes from Melbourne and around 2 hours and 10 minutes from Adelaide.
International flights arrive from Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin, Palmerston North & Christchurch in New Zealand. There are also flights arriving on the Gold Coast via Cairns from Japan (Osaka, Nagoya &Fukuoka), Taipei, Hong Kong & Singapore. Brisbane's International Airport also provides links with the USA and Europe.
For further information on the Queensland Airports, please see below:
www.goldcoastairport.com.au
www.brisbaneairport.com.au
For Flight Information Visit:
Qantas www.qantas.com.au
Virgin Blue www.virginblue.com.au
Jetstar www.jetstar.com.au
Flight Centre www.flightcentre.com.au
Webjet www.webjet.com.au
By Bus/Coach
There are a number of coach services that pass through the Gold Coast. There are regular services from Brisbane, Byron Bay and other major centres. There are bus transit centres in Coolangatta, Surfers Paradise and Southport. Travel time from Brisbane is around 1½ hours.
By Train
The Gold Coast is connected by rail to Brisbane's Roma Street and Central stations. The closest railway stations servicing the Gold Coast include Nerang, Helensvale and Robina. There are connecting shuttle bus services available from the station to Surfers Paradise and other Gold Coast centres. Airtrain also operate regular rail services from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast which take approximately 90 minutes. Please visit www.airtrain.com.au for further details.
For further information on ground transport operators, please see www.translink.com.au
Self Drive
The major route from Sydney to the Gold Coast is via the Pacific Highway. Use the following table to plan your trip and ensure that you "stop, revive, survive" every 2 hours. Please visit www.mainroads.qld.gov.au for further details.
| Gold Coast to | Distance in KM | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 947 | 11 hr and 25 minutes |
| Canberra | 1251 | 15 hrs |
| Melbourne | 1840 | 22 hrs and 10 minutes |
| Brisbane | 80 | 1 hr |
Getting To The Conference Venue (Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre)
From Coolangatta Airport (Gold Coast)
Taxis
Taxis are immediately outside the terminal.
GC Cabs 131 008
Website: www.gccabs.com.au
Bus
Surfside Buslines provide a shuttle service that meets most flights (leaving at 10 to the hour and 20 past the hour). The cost is $18.00 one way ($33.00 return) and they stop at Conrad Jupiters Casino and various hotels and apartments.
Phone: 07 5574 5111
Website: www.surfside.com.au
Car Hire
You'll find all of Australia's best known car rental companies located opposite the check-in counters at Gold Coast Airport. You can either book with your preferred company prior to your arrival, or shop around at the terminal for the best deal.
Car Hire information:
Avis
Phone: (07) 5536 3511
www.avis.com.au
Hertz
Phone: (07) 5536 6133
www.hertz.com.au
Thrifty
Phone: (07) 5536 6955
www.rentthrifty.com
Budget
Phone: (07) 5536 5377
www.budget.com.au
The Gold Coast Airport has a conveniently located Transport and Information Desk right outside International Arrivals if you require further information.
From Brisbane Airport
Taxis
Taxis are immediately outside the terminal. However this trip can take over 1 1/2 hours in peak times with fares exceeding $100.
Black and White cabs - 131 008
www.blackandwhitecabs.com.au
Bus
Coachtrans is Brisbane Airport’s Licensed Coach Operator, operating a fleet of air-conditioned coaches, seven days a week and meeting all major flights into Brisbane’s Domestic and International Airports. Coachtrans offers customer service counters to assist passengers on arrival at the airport together with exclusive curb-side coach parking for easy passenger access.
Coachtrans operates door to door services direct to the Gold Coast via the Gateway Bridge to all hotels from Sanctuary Cove to Coolangatta . Bookings can be made online, phone or upon arrival. For further information including price, please contact Coachtrans at:
Phone: +617 3358 9700
www.coachtrans.com.au
Train
‘Airtrain’ operate a regular rail service from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast which takes approximately 90 minutes. Please visit www.airtrain.com.au for further details.
Car Hire
Six car rental companies operate from both international and domestic terminals. In the international terminal the car rental customer service desks are located on level 2 and in the domestic terminal on ground level.
Car Hire information:
Avis
Phone: 136 333
www.avis.com.au
Hertz
Phone: 13 30 39
www.hertz.com.au
Thrifty
Phone: 1300 367 227
www.rentthrifty.com
Budget
Phone: 1300 362 848
www.budget.com.au
Visa Assistance
If you are not an Australian citizen you need a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter and spend time in Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia. Visas are available from Australian visa offices, such as Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates. They are also available, in ETA form, from travel agents and airlines in certain countries. With an ETA, you don’t need a stamp in your passport, as they are confirmed electronically on your arrival.
DIMIA highly recommends that all intending visitors to Australia access its www.immi.gov.au website for further information on applying for visas, customs clearance, quarantine regulations, health issues and more.
Contact Information
For all enquiries on the Occupational Therapy Australia 24th National Conference and Exhibition 2011, please contact the conference organisers at:
Think Business Events
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth St
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 8251 0045
Fax: 02 8251 0097
Email: ot2011@thinkbusinessevents.com.au