Travel
Travel help for Australia
Planning for your trip
Airports
- Fly into Brisbane or Coolangatta (Gold Coast) Airports
- Qantas
www.qantas.com.au - Virgin Blue
www.virginblue.com.au - Webjet
www.webjet.com.au
Airport transfers to Ferry Terminal
- Coach and limousine transfers are available from both Gold Coast and Brisbane airports to our Ferry Departure Terminal on the Gold Coast.
- Travel time is approximately 60 - 75 minutes from either airport to the ferry terminal.
- Couran Cove Island Resort recommends 'Brisbane Chauffer Drive and Coaches'. Bookings are essential for this service, so please phone our group reservations team on 1800 268 726 for details and bookings at least 48 hours prior to your arrival.
- Con-X-ion Airport Transfers
www.con-x-ion.com
Con-x-ion run a regular shuttle from Brisbane ($44) and Gold Coast ($40) airports, but delegates must make their own booking before they travel. Visit Con-X-ion to book. A taxi trip from either airport is expensive (in the order of $120+) but if you have a full cab, it may be practical. - SQS Limousine and Coach Services.
Bookings are essential and can be made through Cynthia Cutting ( cynthiac@couran.com) of Couran Cove.
Download SQS Limousine and Coach Services transfer information here
- Car parking is available at Hope Harbour Terminal for $5 per day (maximum $25 per stay).
Ferry Terminal transfers to Couran Cove, South Stradbroke Island
Ferry Transfers are complimentary for delegates; however ferry times must be booked during registration.
Ferry Transfers:
- Free Of Charge - delegates and registered partners
- $30 non-delegates adults return
- $20 non-delegates children (age 3~14yrs inclusive) return
- Free Of Charge - infant (age 0~2yrs inclusive)
**When guests stay 3 nights or more, they can have unlimited ferry transfers after the initial charge.
Download ferry timetable here
- Ferry departs Hope Harbour Terminal for Couran Cove 10.30am, 2.00pm, 4.00pm & 6.00pm daily. (8.00pm Friday and Saturdays only).
- Water taxi's are also available
Ferry Terminal transfers back to Hope Harbour Terminal
- Ferry departs Couran Cove for Hope Harbour Terminal 9.00am, 12.00pm, 3.00pm, 5.00pm & 7.00pm daily. (9.00pm Friday and Saturdays only).
Overseas Delegate VISA Information
Please note that all travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. Travellers to Australia cannot apply for a visa on arrival. For many countries, the visa is paperless and added automatically to your air ticket. Check with your travel agent if uncertain or use the following website links.
Information about attending an event in Australia can be found at:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/event-organisers-participants
(Visa Arrangements for Events, Conferences and Meetings in Australia)
Details for contacting the appropriate visa office closest to the applicant's place of residence can be found at:
www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
Quarantine
Quarantine information for overseas visitors - please note that Australia has strong quarantine laws to help protect its relatively disease free agriculture and you are unable to bring food and many other products in through customs. Visit www.aqis.gov.au for more information.
Queensland Australia
Queensland is the sunshine state of Australia. There are five other states and two territories which make up Australia. Queensland is the third largest state by population and second state. It includes a wide range of environments (coastal, reef, tropical, desert, farmland, rainforest) and background information on Queensland can be found at:
www.qld.gov.au/leisure_and_culture/holidays.html
Currency
Australia has a decimal system of dollars and cents. Change can be readily obtained at the airport and banks. All usual credit cards are accepted. Australia's exchange rate is currently trending up (it has moved up 5% against the US dollar this year and may change another 5% before the conference). Therefore overseas guests are encouraged to pay earlier to benefit from the more favourable exchange conditions. In early February 2009 the exchange rate was AUD $1 equals US$0.63 and 0.5Euros.
Australian Taxes
Australia has a 10% goods and services tax (GST). However international visitors can claim this 10% back from the government on departure for purchases above $300 - this means your registration fee is eligible. There are several agencies who will help you do this but it is important you have what is known as a 'Tax Invoice' for each major purchase. The conference organisers will provide you with one for your registration.