Airport And Transport - Close

The region is served by the Brisbane International and Domestic Airports and the Gold Coast International (Coolangatta) Airport, providing access for international services from USA, Europe, Japan, Asia and New Zealand.

Gold Coast Airport is located on the Gold Coast Highway at Bilinga on the southern end of the Gold Coast, only minutes from the beach and Tweed Coast and only 25 minutes from Sofitel Broadbeach. Direct flights are available to and from all Australian capital cities as well as Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand amongst many other international destinations.
Click the link below for schedule information and the route map for Gold Coast Airport http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/pdf/Flight_Schedule_Summary.pdf

Whether you are an international or interstate visitor, there is a large range of accessible, reliable and cheap transportation options, including taxis, car rental and hotel transfers to and from Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast Airport. Handy parking is also situated at both the International and Domestic Terminals with various parking options to suit your travel plans.

Here are some options you will find useful when travelling to and from the airport:

Public Transport
Public transport to and from the Gold Coast Airport is an easy and affordable option with the new and improved Translink route 702, that connects the airport with Surfers Paradise, Southport and all beaches in between.

The new 702 bus operates every half hour from directly outside the Domestic Arrivals Hall at Gold Coast Airport (opposite end of terminal for international arrivals). This service provides added convenience for all passengers, operating daily from 4am through to 11pm and connecting to the first and last flights each day.

For more information, visit Translink.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Airtrain Connect
AirtrainConnect is a door-to-door rail and road service that transfers visitors to and from the Brisbane airports (domestic and international) and their Gold Coast accommodation. The road portion of the transfer uses sedan limousines.

Rail platforms are located at the front of the Brisbane airport terminals and the service runs every 15 minutes from Brisbane and every 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. The service connects to Broadbeach from Robina train stations

Tickets can be booked in advance and can also be purchased at the station.

Taxis
Gold Coast Cabs provide direct door to door public transport for locals and visitors throughout the Gold Coast region.

At Gold Coast Airport, taxis are available directly outside both the international and domestic terminal’s and will cost approximately $45 to Sofitel Broadbeach. 

Go to www.goldcoastairport.com.au for more information about Airport travel.

Looking for a number? Gold Coast Cabs: 131 008

Car rental
There is a host of car rental companies on the Gold Coast with tidy, reliable and economical cars to suit all travel needs. You'll find all of Australia's best known car rental companies are 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.

Hotel transfers
Many Gold Coast 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.

Should you require a shuttle bus pick up from either Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport there are two shuttle companies that offer this service -
Gold Coast Shuttle 1300 655 655 or Door to Door Shuttle 07 5527 4144

Banking/Currency - Close

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.

Business Hours - Close

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.

Car Hire/Parking- Close

All major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, operate in Australia and vehicles may be hired at Gold Coast Airport. Limited parking is available at the Conference venue.

Climate And Clothing - Close

October is mid spring and will be entering into the Gold Coast Summer.

Mean max temperature: 25.2 C
Mean min temperature: 15.0 C

Generally, Australians are informal dressers. We would suggest smart casual for all sessions and social functions.

Eating Out - Close

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 - Close

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.

Goods & Services Tax (Gst) / Tourist Refund Scheme (Trs) - Close

Since 1 July 2000, Australia has adopted a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST). All prices quoted in this brochure are inclusive of GST, unless otherwise specified.

As part of this new taxation system, the Australian Government introduced the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). The scheme is administered by the Australian Customs Department and took effect on 1 July 2000. The TRS enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australia. 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 sited and at that point you can check the large item in 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, however the goods can be used before departing Australia.

Language - Close

The official language for the conference is English.

Passport & Visa - Close

All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealand, require a valid entry VISA prior to travel to Australia. For many nationalities (29 in total) an Electronic Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) can be obtained from your travel agent or airline when making your travel arrangements. Please see your travel agent or airline, for further details. For more information please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm.

Privacy - Close

The Conference 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 Conference will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Conference 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 Conference 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 Conference. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.

Shopping - Close

Gold Coast Shops are typically open from 09:00 to 17:30 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday nights until 9pm; however Surfers Paradise, just minutes from Sofitel Broadbeach, is the only 7-day, late night shopping district in Queensland, so venture out after dinner for a retail fix.  On Saturday, most shops open from 09:00 to 17:00 and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sunday.

There are 13 shopping centres and arcades in Surfers Paradise, so make sure you put on your walking shoes, explore them all and discover the hidden gems in the precinct.

The Surfers Paradise beachfront night markets on The Esplanade are held each Friday night from 5.30pm (weather permitting).  They have a selection of locally made gift ideas ranging from accessories, crafts, artworks, beauty products, homewares, jewellery and music. Go to http://www.gold-coast.net/shopping for more information on Gold Coast shopping.

Time - Close

Gold Coast is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Please note that Gold Coast does not have ‘Daylight Saving’. Across the south-eastern states and the ACT, daylight saving for future summers begins at 2am Eastern Standard Time on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am Eastern Standard Time (3am summer time) on the first Sunday in April. Where daylight saving is being observed AEST becomes Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), and clocks are advanced to UTC +11.For more information on time zones see the Australian Government website.

Tipping - Close

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.

Vaccinations - Close

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.

Hosted By

Timetable & Deadlines

Call for Abstracts Open
June 2010
Online Registration Opens
July 2010
Abstract Submission Deadline
2 August 2010
Authors abstract Notification
16 August 2010
Early Bird/Author Registration Deadline
30 August 2010

Further Information

For further information on accommodation, social events, sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Meeting Managers imsanz-racpq@arinex.com.au

arinex pty limited
ABN 28 000 386 676

arinex pty limited has been appointed as the official PCO (Professional Conference Organiser). arinex is the largest total service provider for conferences, events, business travel and exhibitions in Australia. They are the only Australian partner of INCON, an exclusive international network of the world’s top conference organisers and event managers. They are ideally placed to combine international know how and local expertise to this Meeting and look forward to working with the Organising Committee to produce a memorable Meeting.

Address for Communications

Meeting Managers
IMSANZ-RACPQ 2010 Combined Scientific Meeting

Address:
Level 10, 51 Druitt St
Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Ph: + 61 2 9265 0700
Fax: + 61 2 9267 5443
Email: imsanz-racpq@arinex.com.au