Venue, Accommodation and Travel
Venue
The conference will take place at Isabella's Restaurant and conference venue on the Callaghan campus of the University of Newcastle. (SH, E-4, campus map, opposite the Drama Theatre). Morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch for delegates will be served. There are also numerous food outlets in the immediate campus vicinity.
Accommodation
Newcastle has a wide range of accommodation options from backpackers and pubs to boutique properties and 5 Star resorts. Click here to see the full list of options. A special conference bus will collect delegates from the Newcastle CBD each morning of the conference and return delegates at the end of each day. Hotels and hostelries close to the CBD include the Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Quest Apartments, Travelodge Newcastle, Quality Hotel Noah’s on the Beach, Newcastle Beach YHA, and Backpackers by the Beach. Regular bus and train services also run to the Callaghan campus from the city centre.
For those delegates that are coming from interstate and overseas we suggest you extend your stay in the region for a few days as Newcastle is close to the popular holiday destinations of Port Stephens, the Central Coast, and is the gateway to the picturesque and historic Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s premier winegrowing districts.
International Delegates: Please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for Visa and travel information to Australia.
Getting to Newcastle
Newcastle is situated 165 kilometres north of Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. If you are travelling by road from Sydney the journey is a comfortable 2 hours drive on the F3. For driving directions, visit www.whereis.com.
By air
Newcastle Airport at Williamtown is located 30 minutes from Newcastle city centre and handles direct flights from Sydney (30 minutes), Melbourne, Brisbane, Norfolk Island, the Gold Coast and Canberra. For current flight timetable information visit the Newcastle Airport website.
Transfer services from Newcastle Airport to the CBD include taxis, shuttles, and a regular scheduled coach service. A one-way taxi fare will cost approximately $40 (Cabcharge accepted). Port Stephens Coaches operate a public bus service from Newcastle Airport to Newcastle train station up to 11 times a day. A door-to-door shuttle service is also is also available from the airport to anywhere in the greater Newcastle area (bookings essential).
Sydney Seaplanes
For a really picturesque journey from Sydney to Newcastle you might like to take a seaplane. Sydney Seaplanes operate 8 flights per day (4 in each direction) between Sydney Harbour and Newcastle Harbour. The flight time is just under 30 minutes and fares start at $99 per person one way.
By rail
Newcastle is part of the New South Wales City Rail network. There are frequent return services daily from Sydney and the journey is relaxing and picturesque. For timetables and fares visit the Cityrail website or call 13 15 00.
CountryLink trains and coach network connect Newcastle via Broadmeadow station to Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and other NSW country centres. For timetables, fares and online bookings visit the Countrylink website or call 13 22 32.
By coach/bus
Newcastle is serviced by coach companies throughout Australia with regular connections to and from various locations. For further information visit the Greyhound website.