18th APAN Meetings/QUESTnet 2004 in Cairns
2004.7.2-7
Cairns, Australia
Citizens of all countries, except New Zealand, require a visa to enter Australia. These are available through local
embassies/consulates/missions, or through an online system at www.immi.gov.au
For Invitaion letter, please contact Vicki Dwyer (vicki.dwyer@mlaa.com.au). with the following information:
Full Name, Nationality, Affiliation, Position, Complete Mailing Address,Telephone, Passport Number, Expiry date and Date of birth.
> Know about Cairns
Cairns is a modern tropical city with a relaxed atmosphere and is fortunate to be nestled between two World Heritage areas - the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world which includes 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands over a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres. It encompasses an area of 350,000 square kilometres – an area greater than the United Kingdom or half the size of Texas- and is recognised internationally as the Seventh Natural Wonder of the World.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland are World Heritage-listed because of their natural and cultural significance. They have been described as containing "an almost complete record of the major stages in the evolution of plant life on earth." At points north of Cairns the rainforest meets the reef in a rare conjunction of two unique natural environments.
> Average Temperature in Winter (June- August) for Cairns Region:
17-26 ºC | 63-78 ºF
>
Cairns Area Map
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>
Links
People travel around the world to Cairns to see the best that Nature has created. However, it is also the entrance to another world – of historical settings, indigenous culture and more. For further information, Visit: |
> Flights to Cairns
Please visit /meetings/cairns2004/flight.htm for non-stop international flights and domestic flights to Cairns.
> Getting to Venue from Cairns Airport
At Cairns Airport, a five-minute walk along a covered walkway connects the domestic and international terminals. The options for travelling to the city are via bus, taxi or limousine.
| Bus Services Australia Coach operates an airport shuttle bus service to hotels and the city centre Cost - $7.00 per person children under 14 travel free Coral Coaches operates a service to Port Douglas - cost is $25 per adult. Both companies pick up immediately in front of the arrivals area at both terminals and both operate an information desk within the terminal, which if not staffed, have direct-dial telephone. |
Taxi Free taxi telephones are located in the arrival halls and the taxi ranks are immediately outside. Distance to Hilton hotel: 12 km. Drive time: 10 min. Minumum charge: $15 Black and White Taxis |
Limousines Cairns Limousines - Ph: (07) 4031 1566 Acacia Luxury Transport - Ph: (07) 4031 3188 Black & White Limousines - Ph: (07) 4051 5074 |
> Network and Remote
Access
QuestNet is working on bringing
good connectivity to the two hotels. 155Mbps is likely.
There will be
wireless (802.11b/g) access to the conferences at both venue sites.
There
will be H.323 and mini-AccessGrid equipment available
* Wireless cards
are not provided to meeting attendees
|
> Electricity |
 This is the grounded version of the Australian plug, this plug has two flat prongs like the type B plug, but they form a V-shape rather than being parallel like B plugs. |
> Food Hall Information
The food hall is one to two blocks from the conference venues and
serves the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Chinese, Japanese and Italian
cuisine. Meals with a drink range from AUD6 (USD4.50) to AUD10
(AUD7.50).
> Local Arrangement
The main initial contacts are
- George.McLaughlin@aarnet.edu.au, APAN-AU
- Markus.Buchhorn@anu.edu.au, APAN-AU
The conference
organising company is Martin Lack And Associates (http://www.mlaa.com.au), and the principals
(Martin Lack and Jackie Lack) are responsible for much of the local
arrangements (accommodation, venues, etc.).