Initiate, Participate, Achieve
Venue and Surrounds
Venue
The Inaugural OT Australia NSW-ACT Conference 2009 will be held at the
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC)
Darling Drive
DARLING HARBOUR
Telephone: 61 2 9282 5000
With its prime Sydney waterfront location and world-class facilities, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre is Australia's largest and most successful venue for conferences and exhibition.
The purpose built centre is the centrepiece of Sydney's beautiful Darling Harbour precinct, on the edge of the central business district. From the Centre's prime waterfront location, the venue works closely with its Darling Harbour neighbours to ensure its visitors enjoy the best of Sydney- often incorporating the precinct as a stunning outdoor extension to its own facilities.
The Centre now boasts more than 30 meeting rooms, including Sydney's largest ballroom, and more than 30,000 square metres of exhibition space. State-of-the-art audio visual and IT facilities enable the Centre to provide important support services for international events.
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre is within easy walking distance to a myriad of entertainment, dining, sight seeing, transport and accommodation options.
Parking
The Exhibition Centre car park is conveniently located off Darling Drive, underneath the Centre's five exhibition halls. The car park has direct access to the venue and the many attractions and facilities available in Darling Harbour.
For current car park rates and opening hours please go to http://www.scec.com.au/location/parking.cfm
For any enquiries please telephone +61 2 9282 5000.
Travel
Getting to Sydney
Sydney Airport at Mascot, NSW is serviced by domestic, international & regional flights. It is approximately 20 minutes from the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Getting to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Taxis
Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank with supervisors on hand to ensure smooth traffic flow and to arrange special requests such as baby capsules or wheelchair access. If you prefer to make a direct booking, you can contact:
Taxis Combined Services 133 300
Silver Service Fleet 133 100
A fare from the Airport to the conference venue costs approximately $30.00
Hire cars
Car rental desks are located on the arrivals level at both terminals. Car hire is provided by the following operators:
AVIS 13 63 33
Hertz 13 30 39
Europcar 1300 13 90
Budget 13 27 27
Thrifty 1300 36 72 27
Redspot 1300 668 810
Trains
There are rail stations located at both the International & Domestic Terminals. Board a train bound for the city, alight at Central Station and from there it is a short walk to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The State Transit Website - www.131500.com.au has useful information regarding public transport options, including a trip planner function that will provide you with detailed information on how to get around Sydney.
About Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s largest and most cosmopolitan city and is the capital of New South Wales, the most heavily populated state of Australia. Sydney is situated on one of the world’s most beautiful and famous harbours. It also boasts beautiful beaches & National Parks, fantastic shops, restaurants, history and culture.
Sydney is constantly dishing up something fresh. Whether it’s a new restaurant, art exhibition or festival – there is something on offer for everyone. There has never been a better time to visit this progressive and dynamic city with so much to look forward to in the wining, dining, arts and culture scenes.
For more information on Sydney, please visit www.sydneyaustralia.com
For information on Sydney’s weather, please visit www.bom.gov.au
Things to do
Whether you are a visitor or a local Sydneysider, here are some of the best attractions and activities on offer:
In Sydney
See the smash hit musical Mamma Mia at the Lyric Theatre, Star City
Timeless songs such as Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, Voulez-Vous, and Take a Chance on Me, are ingeniously woven into an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.
Visit the website for further information & to purchase tickets:
www.mamma-mia.com.au
Sydney Aquarium – Take a journey through one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world and explore Australia’s rich & diverse waterways, marine ecosystems & unique aquatic environments.
For further information visit www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
Sydney Wildlife World – Home to the spooky, the spiny and the scary, Sydney Wildlife World features the largest variety of native Australian plants and animals under one roof, with over 100 different species, representing animals from across Australia.
For further information visit www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au
Sydney Tower – Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360degree views of our beautiful harbour city, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House – see the magic of the building, the political intrigue, the real life dramas that go on behind the curtain – hear these stories & more as you take a guided tour of this magnificent building.
For further information visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Harbour Cruises – select one of many cruises on offer as you wine, dine and take in the stunning views aboard
For further information visit www.sydney.com.au/cruises.htm
Harbour Bridge Climb – in groups of 12 climbers, you will make your way from the base to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge’s famous arch in this 3.5 hour unparalleled experience.
Shopping
Shopping in Sydney is a pleasure compared to the hustle and bustle of other cosmopolitan cities. Most of the large department stores and shopping centres are within a few blocks of each other and if it’s raining you can make your way around under cover using the intricate system of malls, arcades, interconnected department stores, tunnels and overhead walkways that link four blocks of local and international outlets.
Shops are generally open from every day till 5pm with late night shopping till 9pm on Thursday nights. Almost all outlets accept the major credit cards.
Recommended shopping venues:
The Queen Victoria Building – opened in 1898 celebrating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It has been restored to its original grandeur and boasts one of the most stunning examples of Victorian architecture in Sydney. The Centre houses a superb collection of 190 designer label and specialty stores and excellent eateries.
Harbourside Shopping – Located on the water’s edge with magnificent views of the city’s skyline. It offers a unique dining, leisure and shopping experience.
Skygarden – Heavenly shopping in the heart of Pit St Mall, combining a superb mix of fashion, food and homewares with more than 30 retail outlets.
If you are looking for something rather unique and special, then head to Circular Quay and the Rocks where you will find many wonderful boutiques.
There are also excellent markets around Sydney throughout the week and on the weekend. The largest is Paddy’s market in Market City. The plentiful stalls are open from Thursday to Sunday and are well worth a look.
In New South Wales (around Sydney)
Hunter Valley Wineries – Tour the renowned Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales. Approximately 2 hours drive from Sydney across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you can taste a fine selection of wines, enjoy lunch and visit some of the other local attractions including the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Blue Mountains Tours and activities – The Blue Mountains was declared a World Heritage park in November 2000. The region offers a myriad of activities for the visitor from bushwalking, to browsing for antiques, adventuring through limestone caves or simply enjoying the native gardens.
Sydney Twilight Helicopter Flights – For a bit of extravagance, take a helicopter flight over Sydney for spectacular & magical views. It begins over Coogee and Bondi beaches just as the sun goes down and continues north along the coastline to Manly beach and the North and south headlands, through the heads and finally over Sydney Harbour.
For any other information on what to do in and around Sydney and NSW, please visit the following websites:
