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| Final Paper Submission |
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| Venue & Travel |
| Accommodation |
| Committees |
| Contact/Sponsors |
| History |
Location
Newcastle, is located 160 km north of Sydney and has excellent accessibility
by road, rail & air. As one of the state’s major transport hubs,
it is well located for easy access.
It offers a wide range of accommodation, from four and a half star to
budget, much of it centrally located and within easy walking distance
of most of the main convention facilities.
The City has magnificent beaches together with harbourfront dining
all within easy walking distance of the conference venue.
Other attractions include art galleries, museums, heritage
architecture, a large selection
of restaurants and eateries, night-clubs and extensive shopping facilities.
Easy day trips can be made to the
world famous
Hunter Valley Vineyards, the magnificent water wonderlands
of
Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie, and the rain forests and scenic splendour
of the Barrington Tops National Park.
Climate
Newcastle is is a sub-tropical climate zone with generally temperate weather conditions throughout the year. In March the average daily temperatures are a maximum of 25.9 °C and a minimum of 17.9 °CVenue
The main conference venue will be the
Newcastle City Hall
Convention Centre which is located right in the heart of
the central business district (CBD), opposite
Civic Park, adjacent to the Civic Theatre and within
2-15 minutes walk
of all conference hotels.
This grand 1920’s building that has become a focal point for the city of Newcastle. It has been faithfully restored to its former glory and contains elegant chambers and meeting rooms and a stylish main auditorium/concert hall which adds elegance and style to any conference.
Travel Information
A local company, Travelworld on King is recommended for assistance with travel bookings. Direct email to Jim Ennis being the preferred method of contact.
They can organise local pre and post conference tours,
including those to a custom design, as well as
international travel to the conference from anywhere in the world. An email to
Jim Ennis listing Full name, desired travel dates, contact telephone/fax numbers
and any special requirements such as diet, seating, frequent flyer number will result in an airfare quote within 24 hours.
Sydney to Newcastle Travel
Air: www.newcastleairport.com.au Newcastle Airport (Williamtown) is located approximately 25 mins to the north of Newcastle. It is served by direct flights to/from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and some other regional centres of NSW by Qantas, Aeropelican, Virgin Blue, Brindabella and Horizon Airlines.A taxi from the airport to the city centre where all accommodation options are located will cost approximately $AUD 50, and may be reserved by fax although it is also possible to simply pick one up on arrival.
Alternatively, we have organised a special shuttle bus service especially for SYSID2006 delegates designed to meet main incoming flights at Newcastle Airport on Tuesday 28th March and main departing flights from Newcastle Airport on Saturday 1st April as follows:
| Depart Newcastle Airport March 28 | 10:45, 13:15, 18:00, 19:15 |
| Depart City Centre April 1 | 07:35 (Arrive Newcastle Airport 08.20), 08.45 (Arrive Newcastle Airport 09.30) |
Rail : There is an almost hourly service from Sydney Central station to Newcastle via the City-Rail Network on the Newcastle and Central Coast Line. As can be seen by consulting a map, this rail line terminates in central Newcastle, with the stop just before that, Civic Station being closest to both the conference venue and main accommodation options.
Note that the train may be boarded at Sydney airport for a first short 15 minute trip to Sydney Central station, and then a change of trains for the final 2.5 hour journey to Newcastle.
Road: The main access from Sydney by road is the F3 Freeway – an easy 2 hour 160km drive. Take the Newcastle/Wallsend exit 90 minutes north of Sydney, and follow the signs to the City Centre.