December 2010: OGC TC/PC Meetings

 The Sebel Surry Hills will organise transfers daily for the delegates to/from the University – a 5-10 minute drive from the hotel
 
Monday:
06:45am - depart hotel to The University of Sydney
19:30 - depart University and return to The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney
Tuesday
06:45am - depart hotel to The University of Sydney
19:30 - depart University and return to The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney
 
Wednesday
06:45am - depart hotel to The University of Sydney
19:30 - depart University and return to The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney
Thursday
06:45am - depart hotel to The University of Sydney
17:30 - depart University and return to The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney
 
Friday
06:45am - depart hotel to The University of Sydney
19:30 - depart University and return to The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney

Flights to and from Sydney

• Delegates visiting Sydney from overseas
• Visa for Australia
  Most overseas visitors need a valid visa before they can travel to Australia. Travellers should arrange their visa well ahead of time (at least four to six weeks before leaving their home country) to ensure entry into Australia is seamless. Travel agents or airlines can arrange visas.  See website
  
• Incoming passenger cards
  Most visitors need to complete and present a passenger card when they enter or leave Australia. On the way in, the airline crew give visitors this card to complete before they land.
  
  
• Luggage at Sydney Airport
  At Sydney Airport, visitors can pick up a free luggage trolley after they pass through immigration, before retrieving their luggage to move through Customs.
  
  
• Australian quarantine inspectionsAustralia’s distance from the rest of the world protects it from a number of diseases. To keep things this way, our quarantine process is extremely strict. Almost all bags are X-rayed, many are searched, and trained dogs sniff luggage.
  Visitors may not bring any food, flowers or other prohibited items (visitors will be given a list) into Australia.
  
  
• Visiting Sydney from other Australian regions
  If visitors are coming to Sydney from anywhere else in Australia, the process is simple. There are five domestic airlines flying to Sydney: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Aeropelican and Rex.
  The Sydney domestic and international terminals are separate buildings, next to each other. There are no formalities when visitors arrive, other than to collect their luggage and head off to enjoy the city.

Getting to Sydney from the airport

Sydney is only eight kilometres, or five miles, from both the International and Domestic Airports. Getting into the city is therefore quick, and easy.

• Taxi
  Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank. Supervisors are on hand to ensure a smooth flow of taxis, and only authorised taxis have access to the rank. Your journey into the city should cost between AU$25-30, and will take about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.
  
  
• Public Bus
  Sydney Buses has a timetables service between Bondi Junction and Burwood which includes the T1 International and T3 Domestic Terminals in the route. Clearly marked bus stops are located on the arrivals level of each of these terminals.
  
• Train
  There is a railway link from Sydney’s International and Domestic airports direct to Central Station. Trains from Central go to almost every other precinct of Sydney. The single adult fare from Sydney International Airport is around AU$15, and takes about 10-15 minutes.
  
• Shuttle-buses
  Various shuttle-buses operate from the airports to the city centre and will drop visitors off at their hotels. Some hotels also provide complimentary shuttle services for their guests.

Money Matters – Australian money for travellers

Sydney is an easy city to visit, with a straightforward and buoyant currency. Aside from cash, credit cards, banking cards and travellers’ cheques are accepted almost everywhere. Prices are on par with most major international cities, and a lot cheaper than many, especially those in Europe.

• Currency – what money is used in Australia?
  The Australian dollar is made up of 100 Australian cents.



• Banks
  Banks in Sydney are generally open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. On Fridays, a number of banks stay open until 7pm, and some open on Saturday mornings.
  
•  Credit Cards
  All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are widely accepted in Australia.
  
•  Travellers’ Cheques
  Travellers’ cheques are widely accepted in Australia, and may be changed at a bank.
  
  
• Automatic Teller Machines
  Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available throughout the city, and accept most common cards. Look for your type of card on the posters, stickers or signs next to the ATMs.

Sydney snapshot – visiting as a business tourist

• Languages in Sydney
  English is Australia’s official language, but Sydney is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and more than 1.2 million of our residents speak a different language at hoe, so you’re sure to find someone who speaks your ‘lingo’ (that’s Australian for language).
  
  
• Sydney’s population
  Sydney is home to about 4.2 million people, and another 6.7 million people live in the rest of New South Wales (NSW).
   
• Sydney climate and seasons
  Sydney enjoys four distinct seasons:
  • Summer from December to February
  • Autumn from March to May
  • Winter from June to August
  • Spring from September to November
  Sydney’s sub-tropical climate is temperate all year, and average temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in winter to 26 degrees Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) in summer.
  
  
• Sydney time zones
  Sydney is one of the first cities to wake up each day: we’re 10-11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
  • October to March: Sydney runs on GMT plus 11 hours. Sunrise is between 5:30am and 6am and the sun sets between 7:30pm and 8pm
  • March to October: Sydney is on GMT plus 10 hours. Sunrise is around 7am while the sun sets between 5pm and 5:30pm
• Visas
  Most overseas visitors need a valid visa before they can travel to Australia. Travellers should arrange their visa well ahead of time (at least four to six weeks before leaving their home country) to ensure entry into Australia is seamless. Travel agents or airlines can arrange visas.  Some visitors (depending upon your citizenship) can apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) @ http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html
• Electricity in Sydney
• In Sydney and throughout Australia, the electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. International adaptors are readily available at chemists (drug stores) and electrical supply stores. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers.
  
  
• Taxes in Sydney
  A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in the price of all goods and services sold in Australia. It is automatically charges, so you do not need to add this to your bill.
  
  If your leave Australia within 30 days of buying goods in Australia, you may be exempt from paying GST. You can take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) to claim back the GST you have paid, and also claim back any Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) you paid. TRS only applies to goods that you can carry as hand luggage, and other conditions do apply.
  
  
• TippingSydney does not operate on a tipping culture. You may tip to show your appreciation for good service, but it is not a requirement anywhere. As a guide, a tip of 10% in restaurants and taxis would be an indication that you were very happy with the service your received.
  
   
• Sydney’s dress code
  Sydney-siders are friendly, casual and relaxed, and their dress code reflects this attitude. But we’re a stylish population, and if you’re out on the town at night, you’ll fit in if you dress up! A number of Sydney restaurants do require you to dress appropriately (for example, no ‘thongs’ or flip-flops, shorts or singlets). For business, it is normal for suits to be worn by both men and women.
   
• Vaccinations
  Australia is a ‘clean, green’ nation, and free of many common diseases. Therefore, you do not need any specific vaccinations to enter Australia. However, if you are travelling from a yellow fever infected country, you will need to present a yellow fever certificate.